The Whispering Winds: Learning to Listen in Outdoor Spaces

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In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, the subtle yet profound melodies of nature often go unheard. 'The Whispering Winds: Learning to Listen in Outdoor Spaces' is an ode to the enchanting sounds that nature plays and a guide to truly tuning into this delightful symphony.

The Melody of the Morning 

Dawn is nature's soft awakening, a time when the birds announce the start of a new day. The first light filters through the trees, casting a golden hue over everything. This is the moment to step outside and immerse in the morning's serenade. Let the chirping of the sparrows, the cooing of doves, and the gentle rustle of leaves become your morning music. Pay attention to how these sounds differ between weekdays and weekends, seasons, and weather conditions. 

 

Income Protection Insurance - What Is It and Do I Need It?

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In the current climate, it’s fair to say that we are all so grateful for our income. The last year or so has been really tough on so many people financially, and we’ve all realised the importance of a roof over our heads and food in the cupboards.

With that in mind, why are so many of us unprotected when it comes to life insurance? And particularly income protection insurance? It makes total sense to insure your income, so that if you are unable to work due to injury or illness, you can continue to keep the bills paid and the family warm and fed.

About income protection insurance

Income protection insurance sits under the umbrella of life insurance. When you take out an income protection policy, you pay monthly to your provider to allow you to claim if you were to become too ill or injured to go to work for a prolonged period of time. Claiming on an income protection policy provides you with a percentage of your salary (usually between 50-70%) and enables you to continue meeting your financial responsibilities.

Income protection insurance is different to your standard life insurance policy as it is designed to pay out whilst you’re still around, rather than upon death. It also differs in that it pays out in regular, manageable chunks as opposed to one large lump sum.

Getting out for activities and day trips, how mobility aids can make it easier

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Even with lockdown still affecting many areas, getting out and about is all the more important and the benefits of fresh air and a change of scene can really help lift the mood. There are many activities and day trips available, even with the limited facilities in some areas, and the countryside has many options for quiet escapes or opportunities for exploring and exercise.

If you have any type of disability, or you are recuperating from an injury, sometimes it’s not quite as easy to get out and about and it can feel quite isolating when you need equipment and transport to get out of the house. The thought of using mobility aids of any kind is not something you generally search for when you are perfectly fit and healthy, but if there are mobility concerns for some family members, then it’s a good idea to look at the many options available, as they really can help.

It’s not always about the large pieces of equipment, like a mobility scooter or a wheelchair, sometimes it’s the simple travel accessories that make the trip out easier, more comfortable and ultimately safer. Daily Living Aids refer to the tools, gadgets and aids that can be used either in the home, garden, or when travelling. 

What to look out for when applying for a reverse mortgage

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The guaranteed side effect of retirement is a definite change in lifestyle, in particular when you suddenly see a massive decrease in spending money compared to what you were used to during the time you were still working. Rather than remortgaging your house and setting yourself up for a further debt trap, look at the alternative for people of 62 years of age and older - chase mortgage. As soon as you reach the minimum age you will be able to apply for a home loan as long as you are compliant with a full range of loan conditions, such as being the full-time owner and resident of your house. 

Quick and Easy Tips for Taking Care of your Tyres in Winter

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As the winters in Scotland are really long, taking care of your tyres is a must especially when you’re taking your car out too frequently. Local areas like Stirling have busy traffic and being stuck on the road with a flat tyre won't be a pleasant experience. So with the weather being all chilly and snowy, we all need to know a few quick tips to keep our tyres in a good condition these winters! Here’s a few you can easily follow:

Make sure your tyres are clean

This seems like a simple one but cleaning your tyres in winters can be very hard yet very important. Cleaning your tyres after every few weeks will reduce the chances of tyre damage and corrosion as cleaning will remove all the dirt, salt and snow. Not to forget, you will be easily able to locate any punctures or other damages on your tyres when they’re clean!

What Should You Do with Your Pet When Travelling?

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Travelling as a pet owner can sometimes be complicated. It is rarely feasible to take your pet travelling with you, which means that you will need to make appropriate arrangements to ensure it is being looked after whilst you are away. If you have never had to make these arrangements before, the sheer range of options open to you can often be overwhelming.

Find a Trusted Sitter

Having someone look after your pet while you are away can be an expensive undertaking. If there is someone you know and trust to look after your pet while you're not there, it is worth asking them if they would consider it. Choosing someone that you know and trust over a professional sitter can have a number of advantages.

The big advantage of a professional pet sitter is that they come with experience and knowledge that other people might not necessarily possess. However, if you know someone personally who has extensive experience in taking care of pets and is knowledgeable about looking after the type of pets that you have, then you should leap at the opportunity to have them sit your pets for you. Using someone that you know will usually be much cheaper than hiring a sitter, as you can easily afford to pay them and still be way ahead in terms of expenses.

Winter Day Out Ideas for the Family

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Winter can be a tricky time to find things to do with the family. The weather gets colder, and often wetter, and you’re just not too keen on leaving the house. There are however some fun things you can do and I’m going to share a couple of them with you in this post...

Grab your bikes… or trikes

If you’re willing to brave the outdoors, there are some great places you can head to and take your bikes or trikes with you. Often bikes can be quite hard to transport but you should look at a folding tricycle. These are, as you’d expect, three wheeled so are sturdier on tough terrain. They also fold away nicely for easy storage, with adults and kids’ versions available. Heading to the countryside gets them out and about, burning off some energy and gets fresh air into their lungs. Taking bikes or trikes out is also seen as more fun than walking and you can cover longer distances. There’s some great locations across the UK, you just need to check the weather forecast and pack accordingly before you head out!

Visit your local museum

The weather is likely to be damp most of the time, so when time outdoors isn't very inviting why not head over to your local museum? There are loads all over the country and if you’re willing to go a bit further afield, you’ll find some real hidden gems. Kids absolutely love exploring museums and they can learn so much from a visit. You never know, you might learn something new along the way too! There’s everything from trains to local history to mines and electricity - do a bit of research to find out.

Planning the perfect sleepover for your kids

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We all remember back to the days when we used to have sleepovers as kids. It was one of the most exciting times of the year and was incredibly important for us to develop relationships with other people our age. For all the fun that kids have, for parents it can be very stressful. We’ve put together a post with some hints and tips you can put in place to make sure that your kid’s sleepover runs as smoothly and as stress free as possible.

Bedtime

Start at the end. Although the kids will be full of energy they’ll still need to sleep. You’ll need to make sure that their bedroom is prepared for more than just your child. There’s a great range of kids and guest beds from Bed Guru that have multiple functions, including a spare bed underneath! You might need somewhere that has additional storage so you can keep the bedroom clutter free so take a look at cabin beds, they’ll help to keep the floor clean and the clutter well out of the way.

Play Time

To the kids, this is the most important time of the sleepover. Whether you have a group that wants to play Fortnite until the sun comes up or have a tea party, the fun (for them) never ends! Make sure you have an activity lined up that will burn their energy out so when it comes to bedtime, they’re ready to crash out. Sit them down in front of the tele with a healthy snack to let them wind down.

How To Make A Small Room Seem Bigger

Many of us have a small room, which is essentially a dumping ground for “stuff” so why not

transform your box room into a spare bedroom, office or snug? You just need to declutter and add a lick of paint to brighten up the space. You could also invest in a modern Scandi light for a touch of trendiness.

Paint the walls light colours

When painting a smaller room, you want to open up the space with light colours, such as whites and pastels. This will make the room feel more spacious and airier.

Darker colours will only make the room feel boxy and claustrophobic. You want to bring light into the room, not take it away.

Use hidden storage

It’s time to get crafty with your storage techniques. Floor to ceiling wardrobes are a great option for utilising space and hidden storage under the bed is a life saver.

Opt for furniture with multiple purposes. Invest in some wooden baskets to put under

the bed or your window seat. There is no need to take up extra space with large drawers when you can secretly tuck away items.

4 Clear Signs Your Tyres Need To Be Replaced

Cars have become an almost inseparable part of our lives and we are often totally dependent on them for our commute. But even when we know they are extremely important for our safety, we ignore our car tyres to a great extent and continue to use the old and worn out ones - just to avoid breaking the bank. But if we talk about long term, this negligence only magnifies the repair costs because if tyres are not performing, they tarnish the overall vehicle performance too. For example you live in Birmingham and you want to travel out of town by road for a business trip - you need to make sure your tyres are in good condition otherwise you will face inconvenience.

You can follow this simple 4 step checklist to know if this is the right time to make a tyre replacement.

Seeing Unusual Bulges

If you see uneven bulges in your tyres surface that means that they are in the depreciating state and continuing to drive with them will be very dangerous. Inspect the surface carefully and you should be able to find any bulges or cracks.

The Real Cost of Your Commute (and How to Drive it Down)

Do you spend several hours every week travelling to and from work? As well as the time it takes you, there’s also the cost; a recent study from Totaljobs revealed that the average UK employee spends £146 a month commuting - which comes to a whopping £135,871 by the time you come to retire.

That monthly spend is over double for workers heading into London. On top of petrol, parking and daily train tickets, there’s the unforgotten costs like vehicle wear and tear and even coffees at the station - all of which eat into your wage on a daily basis. Some commuters may need to look into other financial routes to cover their travel arrangements on top of other essentials.

Thankfully, there are simple ways to make it cheaper. Try these four tips to drive down your commuting costs.

How to Enjoy the Ultimate Mum and Child Pamper Day

Want to enjoy the ultimate pamper day with your kids without stepping foot inside a spa? There’s a wide range of products you can buy which can be used to pamper yourself at home and no matter what your budget, you’ll always be able to find items to match it.

Stock up on pampering products

You’re going to need some basic products to pamper yourselves. Face masks, moisturisers and maybe even foot scrubs will all come in useful for some well deserved R&R. While you can potentially save money shopping online, it may be a good idea to actually go shopping.

This is especially true if you’ll be hosting the pamper day pretty soon. With online deliveries, there’s always a risk the parcel could get lost or simply not turn up on time (we've all experienced that). So, going physically shopping will eliminate any stress for on the day.

Making the Perfect Arts and Crafts Space for your Child

It’s important that you encourage your children to be creative – as it has many benefits for them. It can help them to develop their social skills as well as to develop mentally and emotionally. It can also be a great way for them to learn how to problem solve. They will be learning without even knowing it. They will count colours, develop motor skills by using a paintbrush and more. Here we discuss how you can create the perfect arts and crafts space for your child.

Why You Should Consider a Honeymoon in Santorini

When it comes to planning a wedding, you want to make sure that everything is perfect so you can make sure your day goes as best as it can without any problems or disasters. But as well as the planning for the big day, you also want to make sure your honeymoon is planned out perfectly so that everything runs smoothly from the big day up until the honeymoon.

If you are still looking to find the perfect honeymoon destination, then you have come to the right place, this is because, in this article, we will discuss the reasons why you should consider a honeymoon in Santorini. If this is something you are interested in, then make sure you keep reading this article to find out more information. 

Have a Spring Clean to Raise Money for Your Community

Local community groups are one of the most important contributors to fundraising. They directly affect where we live, ourselves or people we know and places that we go.

However, it can be incredibly hard for these groups to raise money for their causes as they are usually clubs, groups, churches, schools or sports teams, with limited funding available.

So, here are a couple of tips that you can help your community raise vital funds to help local causes:

5 Safe Valentine's Day Activities for Expectant Mothers

For couples in the first throes of romance, Valentine's day often means romantic treats, dinner dates and the giving of very personal gifts. However, for couples expecting a baby, St Valentine's day is perhaps written off as something that is for the young and free. However, these five Valentine's Day activity ideas prove that romance can blossom during a pregnancy when the day arrives. 

1. A Maternity Photo-Shoot

Most young couples will wait until their little bundle of joy arrives before thinking about taking some quality photographs, but a pregnancy is part of the journey towards parenthood, and it should be savoured. A romantic way to share a pregnancy with your partner this Valentine's Day is with a maternity photo-shoot. Professional photographers often offer special packages for expectant couples, which sometimes include themed clothing and various backdrops - for a selection of photos that will capture this magical time in your life forever. 

How To Remodel Your Kitchen On A Budget

Our homes are the largest investment most of us will ever make. Over time, styles change and rooms begin to show wear. Remodeling is necessary for the comfort of your family, and the value of your home but it can be a big job - it can be expensive and often time consuming. 

The following tips have been gathered from people who have found great ways to remodel their kitchens on a budget. Try these methods and use your own creativity to create the kitchen of your dreams.

Exciting Ways to Upgrade Popular Wedding Traditions

We pass wedding traditions down from generation to generation. Some wedding traditions still exist because of superstition. Others exist to help provide valuable life lessons. And yet a few others are boring traditions that are no longer relevant and seem quite unimportant to today’s modern wedding.

In fact, many weddings taking place in this day and age will alter formerly popular wedding traditions to help meet the needs of the guests and the happy couple. Still, there are a few wedding traditions that have gone by the wayside and disappeared altogether.

Today, we’ll take a look at seven popular wedding traditions and tell you how they’ve been upgraded to make them more modern or disregarded entirely.

7 Popular Upgraded Wedding Traditions

7 Useful Tips For Your First Holiday With A Baby

We spend so much time planning for the arrival of our bundles of joy. After all, in the best possible way, our beautiful babies can turn our world upside down. But amid the raft of changes they bring to your sleeping patterns, your house, the size of your car and everything else, it’s easy to forget to take care of number one, and your special someone too.

You need your R&R, and having a baby shouldn’t mean you miss out on your holiday when summer rolls around. So how to ensure that your first trip away with the new addition to your family is a trip to remember, at a suitable location, and that a relaxing and enjoyable experience for everyone results? Here are seven bits of advice which should hopefully go some way to helping you out…

Look far and wide

If your dream is to go afar, and your baby is not yet mobile, this may be your time to go long distance. Flying with a very small child is a good deal easier (and more affordable) than doing so when they are a crawling (or walking) toddler, so there’s no time like the present to go to Santiago or Sydney.

3 Top Things To Do In Dartmouth This Autumn And Winter

The picturesque maritime town of Dartmouth is nestled in a beautiful position on the edge of the River Dart in South Devon. Whether you are interested in history, culture or family friendly attractions, this wonderful area is superb holiday destination. With plenty of things to do in Dartmouth, whatever your interests, visitors this autumn and winter will not be disappointed! 

1. Candlelit Dartmouth

Looking for festive-themed things to do in Dartmouth this winter? Candlelit Dartmouth is a fabulous event taking place from 27th-28th November 2015. Featuring a lantern procession, carol singing around the Christmas tree, late night shopping, Santa’s arrival by boat in the boat float, market stalls, mulled wine and much more, this event is not to be missed. Why not start your Christmas shopping and spend a leisurely evening perusing the boutique shops lining the town’s cobbled streets, before