Today’s picture of the day is of Ben Cruachan in Argyll. It is the area’s highest mountain and stands at 1126m tall. It is situated on the banks of Loch Awe and attracts experienced hill walkers from far and wide.
Monthly Archives: October 2009
Clovelly Herring Festival, North Devon
Filed under Eating & Drinking, Events
Clovelly Herring Festival on Sunday 15th November 2009 is one of a series of events highlighting the different aspects of life, culture, history and wildlife within the North Devon Coast Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty to mark its 50th anniversary.
The festival will celebrate these great-tasting, but underrated Silver Darlings of the sea with the aim of raising awareness of dwindling fish stocks and supporting fishing by sustainable methods.
Maritime historian and writer Mike Smylie will be bringing his ‘Kipperland’ exhibition to the festival, which tells the history of the herring. He will also be smoking delicious kippers and bloaters for sale in his smokehouse and demonstrating fishing skills and crafts. Live music, sea shanties and the Singing Fishwives will also keep everyone entertained while they browse the local food and craft stalls, buy herring specialities at the quay kitchen and enjoy a glass of wine or Thatcher’s Gold cider. There will also be photographic exhibition of Clovelly’s fishing history, Red Herring prize competition in aid of the RNLI and a variety of fun activities to keep the children happy.
Picture of the day: Cleopatra’s Needle and Sphinxes
Filed under Attractions
Today’s picture of the day is of Cleopatra’s Needles and Sphinxes in London. Turkish occupiers of Egypt presented the bronze sphinx to Britain in 1819. Bombs from World War I landed on one of the needles in 1917 and today it still remains unrepaired.
Firework Family Day at Ascot, Berkshire
Filed under Attractions, Events
Ascot Racecourse presents its fourth Family Day this year during the half-term break with the opportunity to experience the first meeting of the new 2009/2010 jumps season, followed by a spectacular fireworks display and fun fair. Children will love trying out the carousel, dodgems, waltzers and ghost train before settling down to watch the 6pm fireworks display. A Hallowe’en themed BBQ, as well as magician, balloon sculpture and juggler will also be on hand to make sure the children are kept entertained.
Firework spectacular at Beaulieu, Hampshire
Filed under Attractions, Events
Beaulieu’s annual Fireworks Spectacular, one of the largest in South East England, is an explosive and dynamic fireworks display that will this year be set to a spine chilling theme – scary music from movies such as ‘Psycho’, ‘Halloween’ and ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’. Admission to the fireworks is from 3pm and entry includes complimentary admission to the National Motor Museum, as well as its latest exhibition, ‘Jaguar Jamboree’, plus the James Bond Experience. Live music will also be provided throughout the day and everyone is invited to get in the spirit of the night, with prizes for the best fancy dress.
Festive weekends at Blists Hill Victorian Town
Filed under Events, Miscellaneous
On selected weekends leading up to Christmas, visitors to Blists Hill Victorian Town in the Ironbridge Gorge, Shropshire will be treated to an array of traditional celebrations, as well as the chance to do some last-minute shopping. The town, where life in the Victorian era is recreated, will be festooned with Christmas decorations; the shops will be full of unusual and interesting festive gifts and the townsfolk busy preparing seasonal goodies and making traditional Victorian presents. A small seasonal market, carol singers and bands around the town, a flurry of snow showers and the option of visiting Santa will all add to the festivities.
These special Christmas events will take place on Sunday, 6th December 2009, as well as the weekends of 12th- 13th and 19th-20th December 2009 when Blists Hill is open from 10am to 4pm. There will also be a huge range of unusual gifts available in the museum gift shop.
Admission is £13.25 adults; £10.50 senior citizens; £8.50 children and students in full time education aged 5-18 years, under 5s free. There is an additional charge to meet Santa Claus of £3.50 per child (Passports are not valid at these special weekends).
Bournemouth’s Global Christmas Market
Filed under Attractions, Events
Bournemouth’s coveted Christmas market is set for an international revamp this year with the introduction of ‘The Bournemouth Festive Village’. Preliminary dates have been set between 21st November 2009 and 5th January 2010 when visitors will be able to experience a Christmas in Bournemouth like never before.
Building on the last five years’ success, 2009 will see Christmas cultures colliding with a multicultural mix of trade stands and food outlets. From colourful and unique ladies’ accessories, ethnically sourced from Nepal, to jewellery made from coconut shells and fine silk garments imported from Thailand, these gifts from around the world are generally not available to purchase in high street shops.
The Town Square and surrounding streets of this festive fiesta will be bursting at the seams with Christmas ambience, not to mention the award-winning Lower Gardens that will be transformed into a winter wonderland with a host of activities on offer. For the purists out there, there will be a centre-piece nativity scene as well as live reindeer in the lower-gardens. This eclectic Christmas mix is sure to satisfy even the most traditional of visitors.
Picture of the day: River Yare, Great Yarmouth
Filed under Attractions
Today’s picture of the day is of the River Yare in Great Yarmouth. It was once the busiest stretch of water in Britain and people used to be able to cross it by stepping from one boat to another. Now you can travel down it with ease passing by the towns of Bramerton, Brundall and Reedham.
Eighteenth Century family fun day at Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire
Filed under Attractions, Events
On Sunday 1st November 2009, Waddesdon Manor has a packed programme of events and activities, all designed to take visitors back to the 18th century. Children can meet Queen Marie-Antoinette, take part in traditional games, watch a duel, meet men and women from the 18th century and even learn to dance a minuet in this fun event that’s suitable for all ages.
Picture of the day: Catanger Llamas, Northants
Filed under Attractions
Today’s picture of the day is of the Catanger Llamas in Northants. Visitors can enjoy the sunning countryside and lead a llama along the bridleways. It is open all year round and two hour treks are available. It is within easy reach of Junction 11 on the M40.
