Now one of the UK’s most famous idioms is also set to become obsolete.  ”It’s like painting the Forth Bridge” was a term used to describe a never-ending task, the belief being that once you’d got to one end of the bridge, it was time to start painting again at the other end.  But apparently, completion of the painting of the Forth Rail Bridge – a cantilever railway bridge over the Firth of Forth in the east of Scotland - is just around the corner, and scaffolding will begin to come down in December 2011.  Network Rail, which manages the bridge, has said that it will not require further painting for another 25 years.

Useful links:
Hotels near the Forth Bridge
B&Bs near the Forth Bridge
Self-catering near the Forth Bridge

The painting of the Forth Bridge IS set to finish! is a post from UKseries.com's UK Travel Blog

Useful links:
Northumberland hotels
Northumberland B&Bs
Northumberland cottages
Northumberland campsites
Northumberland attractions

Download Northumberland GPX cycle routes – and get pedalling! is a post from UKseries.com's UK Travel Blog

One of the unwritten rules of the London Underground has always been that you don’t stare at other passengers which made analysing and criticising their fashion choices a little hard for wannabe Gok Wan’s – experienced users have worked out ways around this. But now thanks to small mobile phone cameras, people can take photos of “fashion disasters” and post them for others to comment on.

The site is Tubecrush.net and was originally set up as a light hearted version online of a dating quiz programme where contestants, but it soon expanded into much wider circles and is now often used for those more worried about general fashion sense than whether the anon Underground user is “hot or not”.

So next time you think about popping out onto the underground without first looking in the mirror, perhaps it would be wise to check for tucked in collars, stray hair-do’s and whether other passengers can tell if you were eating spaghetti bolognese last night.

Who knows, your mother might be reading the site and you did promise to always make sure your shirts were ironed!

Of course if you avoid the gaze of the cameras of people using this site, there are another 12,000 CCTV cameras around the London Underground, and we’re pretty sure the staff manning those cameras thought of this idea long before the students behind TubeCrush ever did.

Note: At the time of publishing, it seems the web site has collapsed presumably under all the publicity, so might be worth visiting it later on today.

London Links:
TubeCrush.net
Hotel accommodation in London
Things to see and do in London (apart from check fashion sense)
Transport for London

The London Underground style police are watching you… is a post from UKseries.com's UK Travel Blog

It starts at the Apple Pie Eating House in Ambleside, before heading out to Little Langdale, then Coxley Beck and what’s known as the Wrynose Pass, with challenging steep U turns, sharp 1 in 3 rises, more continual rises, and constant twists and turns. After the decent, the route heads towards Beckfoot on the Hardknott Pass where there’s a stunning view from the top. The journey finishes with a sampling of real ale in The Boot Inn.

Have a look at the video below to see Martin’s drive for yourself.

Useful links:
Lake District hotels
Lake District B&Bs
Lake District cottages
Lake District attractions

The UK’s greatest drive? is a post from UKseries.com's UK Travel Blog

The reader known only as “KS66″ suggests you do the following northbound trip on the underground which creates an infinite travel loop.

“Harry Potter’s Platform 9¾ is not the only weird feature of King’s Cross. it is also one end of possibly the only place in the universe where you can go on an “infinite loop” by continuously taking the “northbound” tube. Sounds impossible? Welcome to the twilight zone. Go to King’s Cross and take the Northern line “northbound”, at the next stop get off at Euston. Now take the “northbound” Victoria line, and at the next stop get off at King’s Cross!” – KS66

We’d be interested to know if anyone has tried this and even more interested to know if you actually came back without vanishing into an inter-dimensional portal (or even made it without a train breaking down!).

The Transport for London Underground maps might give a clue to this, or possibly even other quirks of the underground.

Finally – are there such quirks available with Boris Bikes?

More London Links:
Things to see and do in London
Hotels in London (might need one to recover from the dizzyness)

London Underground meets the twilight zone…? is a post from UKseries.com's UK Travel Blog

The Outdoor Capital of the UK’s fame in downhill biking circles has undoubtedly been enhanced since it began hosting the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup at Nevis Range ten years ago. Whilst this event is undoubtedly the pinnacle of The Outdoor Capital of the UK’s mountain bike calendar, it certainly isn’t the only highlight.

The forthcoming Tour de Ben Nevis, which takes place on 24th September 2011, is considered to be “the race that took mountain biking back to the mountains” and the ultimate MTB challenge for endurance athletes and people with a sense of adventure.

Run by the highly acclaimed and extremely passionate team at No Fuss Events, the Tour de Ben Nevis entails a 72km circumnavigation around Ben Nevis – the UK’s highest mountain. Starting out at Fort William, it is an arduous journey of discovery which travels down the spectacular south side of Kinlochleven before heading back up towards Spean Bridge over some of the most dramatic scenery in the UK.

In addition to the numerous mountain bike events that the Outdoor Capital of the UK hosts during the summer months, there are hundreds of routes for cyclists and mountain bikers to undertake at their own pace.

At the centre of mountain biking in the Outdoor Capital of the UK is the Nevis Range, the venue for the annual UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, one of the best mountain bike trail centres in the country and the only course in the UK with gondola access. Given that the downhill course is designed to challenge the world’s best mountain bikers, it goes without saying that Nevis Range’s downhill course is a testing one. With a vertical drop of 525m and a length of 2.66km, it is regarded as an expert level track which fast riders can complete in four to five minutes.

Meanwhile, the Glencoe Mountain Resort, which is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty on Rannoch Moor, is also fast becoming a high profile cycling destination and is soon to host the Scottish Downhill Series (13th and 14th August 2011), proving its position within the cycling world.  Glencoe Mountain Resort’s black graded downhill track has quickly built up a reputation as one of the toughest, steepest and most technical tracks in the UK. Yet, in a similar fashion to the Nevis Range, the Glencoe Mountain Resort also offers riders access to a variety of trails for those with a higher sense of self preservation!

Whilst the area certainly has some outstanding mountain biking credentials, it isn’t just about the longest downhill or the most challenging cross country. Within the Outdoor Capital of the UK, there is easy access to a variety of trails for those with a higher sense of self preservation!

Both the aforementioned Nevis Range and the Glencoe Mountain Resort offer a variety of beginner, intermediate, advanced and family trails in addition to their downhill routes. There are also gentle, flat trails along the Caledonian Canal; cycle trails around Glen Nevis, which follow the base of Britain’s highest mountain; family friendly routes that pass through friendly crofting townships; lengthier ones which travel out to the Ardnamurchan Peninsula and many more.

Useful links:
Fort William hotels
Fort William B&Bs
Fort William cottages
Fort William attractions

The Outdoor Capital of the UK takes mountain biking back to the mountains is a post from UKseries.com's UK Travel Blog

RAF Harrowbeer Airshow is a post from UKseries.com's UK Travel Blog

In the UK, the rules are very simple.  Drivers (or motorcyclists, cyclists, etc.) are to look out for pedestrians about to use a pedestrian crossing.  If someone looks like they are about to use it, they must stop and let the pedestrian have right of way.  Anyone that has travelled outside the UK will know that it’s often not quite so clear cut in many countries.  Watch the two videos below – one from London and the other from Vietnam – and hopefully you’ll see that the pedestrian crossing is indeed something we have to be thankful for!

Useful links:
Hotels in the UK
B&Bs in the UK
Cottages in the UK
Camping in the UK
Tourist attractions in the UK

Thank goodness for the UK’s good ol’ pedestrian crossing is a post from UKseries.com's UK Travel Blog

Imagine a contraption with seating for up to 12 people around a table optionally being served wine and food but having to pedal their way between destinations…oh and there’s no roof or much of a side to these Pedalbus’.

Despite the obvious problems with the weather, the Pedalbus has become a big hit with corporate clients doing these “team building” exercises, although how exactly getting wet, getting slowly drunk and getting very very tired is supposed to help we’re still not too sure.

Amazingly, considering the lack of any real safety features, the PedalBus is absolutely legal to drive even in bus lanes although it might not be the most popular with buses and taxi’s. For now the novelty factor and general speed of London traffic will probably make the PedalBus a rather eco-friendly and well liked part of London life.

Just perhaps adding a roof would be a good idea…?

More information about the PedalBus

More London Links:
Things to see and do in London with your Pedalbus
Hotels in London (so you can relax after pedalling)

The Pedalbus – London’s newest green transport solution? is a post from UKseries.com's UK Travel Blog

Waterway festivals are a good way to get the feel of, and speak to, people who, not only holiday on the waterways, but live and work on them. You can view narrowboats and other watercraft, get advice on handling, what routes to take, which hire company, etc. – all very useful when considering this type of holiday, especially if you are new to boating.

For over 20 years our family has enjoyed canal holidays and in my opinion it is simply the best way to see our countryside. When I was introduced to narrowboat holidays by my in-laws, it reminded me of a giant log flume you find at theme parks, which have displays of various aspects of life in the UK.
Drifting through open farmland, small quaint villages, woodland, long tunnels, lochs, remote countryside and city centres. Past lots of real ale public houses and eating places. Over impressive aqueducts and under huge railway bridges… the canals have it all. Well, they would, they have been with us for over 200 years. That fact alone makes this type of holiday fascinating and relaxing, and an adventure for all the family, including the dog.

People come from all over the globe to holiday on our waterways, some every year. Modern boats are not cold and draughty like many people think. Central heating, microwaves, CD players – all the things you would expect to find in a house – are there for your comfort.

But do not think for a minute that waterway festivals only cater for those looking at boats. There is something there for all the family, so click on the link above and consider exploring the UK and seeing it from another angle.

Paul Ost is Creator of the Save Our Canals & Waterways Facebook group.

If you would like to be a guest blogger on the UKseries.com UK Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

Useful links:
Canals in England
Other tourist attractions in England

The Waterways Festival is a post from UKseries.com's UK Travel Blog