An American daredevil has made history by crossing the English Channel using only helium-filled balloons Jonathan Trappe, 36, is now the first cluster balloonist to cross the stretch of water. He set off from Kent Gliding Club in Challock, near Ashford, and took about three hours to float silently across the Channel to Dunkirk, France. The trained pilot cut away balloons to aid his descent, eventually landing in a cabbage field. Mr Trappe had said what had inspired him to attempt such a risky challenge. He said: "Wasn’t it everybody’s dream? I mean, didn't you have this dream - grabbing onto a bunch of toy balloons and floating off? "Now we've done it. Not only have we done it, we've done it over the English Channel." Describing his trip over the "iconic" Channel, Mr Trappe said: "Right over the white cliffs of Dover in complete silence. "It was tremendously peaceful, tremendously beautiful… it was just an exceptionally quiet, peaceful experience." The stunt had several potential dangers, including a risk of drowning if he came down in water or even hitting power lines during his descent over France. Mr Trappe said: "There are risks and we work to methodically to reduce the risks so we can have a safe and fun flight. "Because, really, it's only about dreams and enjoying an adventure and that's only enjoyable when it is safe." In April, Mr Trappe claimed a new world record for the longest free-floating balloon flight, flying 109 miles across North Carolina. source:www.skynews.comIf you are flying anywhere, hopefully in an aircraft buy your travel insurance, visit http://www.holidaysafe.co.uk/
Monday 31 May brings spring bank holiday, we all choose to spend our time in different ways, Some people choose to take a short trip, others use the time to take long leisurely walks, catch up with family and friends, visit garden centres or do home maintenance. Here are some interesting and possibly bizarre customs that take place on Spring Bank holiday Monday around The United Kingdom On Cooper's Hill in Brockworth, Gloucestershire, people race down a steep hill following a large round cheese. The hill is concave and has an incline of 1:1 in some places. The first person to cross the finishing line wins a Double Gloucester cheese . The custom may have been started by the Romans or ancient Britons and be an ancient fertility rite or a way of guaranteeing the rights of the villagers to graze their livestock on the surrounding land. In some years, there have been a lot of injuries, causing the event to be cancelled a couple of times in recent years. In these years, the cheese was rolled down the hill, but nobody was allowed to chase it. In Endon in Staffordshire, the villagers dress up, hold a fair and crown a girl as the Well Dressing Queen. Local men hold a competition, known as 'Tossing the Sheaf', in which they compete to see who can toss a bale of straw the highest. In other places, boats are blessed, Morris dancers put on displays and local festivals are held. If you have taken annual leave over the Bank holiday period remember to Buy travel insurance, visit http://www.holidaysafe.co.uk/
As many of us are now making sure we regularly exercise, drink plenty of water and eat our five a day. Its not surprising the average life expectancy has increased, In the UK the average life expectancy has risen to an average of 77 years for a man and 80 years for a woman, Females are expected to live slightly longer ,but the gap is closing in,research says this is down to a better lifestyle, healthy eating and exercise.The public health sector has also helped with improved medicines, better living conditions, and efforts to stop disease. Over the past 170 years, in the countries with the highest life expectancies, the average life span has grown at a rate of 2.5 years per decade, or about 6 hours per day. Here are 20 ways to help you live longer:Laugh Move to France Sleep less Be happy in your relationship Walk, run, Jump Live in the country Watch your weight Have lots of children learn to play the piano Always look on the brightside Never smoke again Get on with your mother Keep taking exams Enjoy Chocolate Join a club Enjoy a cuppa Have a healthy diet Get a dog Relax So with all the extra years , comes many more years to take a holiday, whether it be a cruise, two weeks laying by a pool or a sightseeing holiday, always remember to buy travel insurance please visit http://www.holidaysafe.co.uk/ for over 65 travel insurance
All sun screens carry a SPF (sun protective factor) number, but what does this number mean? Well the higher the number the longer it can take for your skin to redden. For example if you were to lay in the sun without any protection for 10 minutes before burning , a factor 15 sunscreen would allow you to lay in the sun for 150 minutes before burning, thus reapplying to prevent this. The higher the factor the higher the protection against burning and harmful UVB rays. SPF start’s as low as 2 and as high as factor 100. Sunlight has a profound effect on the skin causing premature skin aging, skin cancer, and a host of skin changes. Exposure to ultraviolet light, UVA or UVB, from sunlight accounts for 90% of the symptoms of premature skin aging. Many skin changes that were commonly believed to be due to aging, such as easy bruising, are actually a result of prolonged exposure to UV radiation. If you are going to sunbathe here or abroad, , dont forget to apply your travel insurance, for a quote or to buy the best travel insurance visit http://www.holidaysafe.co.uk/
When travelling anywhere there should be certain rules to how a suitcase is packed and just how much you should take away with you. Many of us try and pack everything bar the kitchen sink, as in the back of our minds we think I must take the whole of my wardrobe “just In case “ So to help you on your way and reduce the chances of being charged for extra luggage: here are a few useful tips: The best and most effective tip is to take clothes you can mix and match, for example, if you take 3 skirts 3 shorts and 2 pairs of trousers but take 8 different tops think how many different combinations you would have. Packing clothesRemember this order of operations: shirts on the bottom, then dresses,then trousers. Stack tops, unfolded, by placing wrinkle-prone tops toward the bottom of a pile and less easily wrinkled ones toward the top. Fold the sleeves in toward the shirts' torsos. Fold the shirts in half from the bottom. You now have a rectangular bundle of shirts; place it in your suitcase. Drape long dresses in the suitcase so that the ends hang over the sides. Place trousers and skirts on a flat surface; fold each in half lengthwise. Stack trousers and skirts on top of one another, with easily wrinkled ones on the bottom and sturdier ones, such as jeans, on top. Fold the stack over, so that its length is halved. Place your stack of trousers and skirts on top of the dresses, then fold the ends of the dresses over the pants and skirts. Packing Accessories
Roll ties loosely. Stuff socks in shoes. Pack underwear in mesh laundry bags or side pockets to save space. Arrange each pair of shoes so that the heel of one aligns with the toe of the other. Wrap pairs of shoes in separate plastic bags, and place them along the border of your suitcase. Protect clothes from leaks by placing toiletries in a plastic bag. Voila the perfect suitcase Now you have the perfect suitcase, buy the Best travel insurance for your trip for a quote or to buy travel insurance visit www.holidaysafe.co.uk
Europe has agreed a 500 billion euro emergency package, in an attempt to help the euro zone and to help prevent the panic in Greece spreading further. The 500 billion consists of 440bn from euro zone members with a further 60bn top up of a EU budget fund, which was set up previously to help struggling economies. An additional 250bn euro package has been offered from the International Monetary fund. The help came after 11 hour’s of talks in Brussels to help prevent the worry spreading to other countries such as Ireland, Portugal and Spain. The euro, which dropped to a 14 month low against the dollar, rose almost 2 % in early trade in Asia. Chancellor Alistair was one of sixteen heads of the single currency countries Who vowed to protect the stability of the euro area? They were accused of acting far to slowly after stock markets fell around the world last week, and riots broke out in Athens, Mr Darling went on to say Britain would not be playing any part of underwriting a fund to help any struggling euro zone countries. However the top up EU budget fund, could expose the UK to extra payments if a member state defaulted, this could be a figure of between 8.7bn and 13bn. If you are travelling to a euro zone country or anywhere in the world Buy travel insurance from www.holidaysafe.co.uk
No party has been able to secure an outright majority in the House of Commons and there will now be a frantic period of negotiation to decide the shape of the next government.The situation is described as a hung parliament, with no single party having enough MPs - 326 - to win parliamentary votes without the support of members of other parties. Which party is in a position to form the next government will become clear in the following hours or days.
There is no formal deadline for when an administration must be formed but a key date is 25 May, when the Queen's Speech is due to set out the government's priorities during the parliament.
However, Dr Ruth Fox, director of the Hansard Society's parliament and government programme, believes it will be clear within days whether there will be a possibility of a deal between the parties.
"That will determine the direction of government," she says. But the finer details of policy might be worked out later.
Professor Hazell says that while the public is used to elections being over in a day or so, negotiations to form a government in a hung parliament could take between a week and 10 days.
Over the first few days, or weeks, of negotiations the role of the civil servants is likely to be crucial in smoothing talks between the parties.
They would not be allowed to provide policy advice but would be able to show where policy overlaps.
Professor Hazell says the civil servants are "very well prepared" to support negotiations between the parties in the event of a hung parliament.
Earlier this year, the Cabinet Secretary Gus O'Donnell drew up a document on how civil servants would help with these discussions.
In reality, civil servants have long played a part in such discussions, according to Ms Fox. But there is more agreement now on how civil servants could be seconded to parties who are not governing to give details on such matters as economic issues
A minority administration must show it has the confidence of the Commons but the Queen's Speech does not have to be the deadline for negotiations between parties.
The administration may put forward a slimmed down legislative programme which it believes is more likely to gain support.
But if it loses the vote on the Queen's Speech this would be seen as a "no-confidence" vote and force its resignation.
If no agreement can be reached between parties and no government was unable to command enough support to get the Queen's Speech through parliament there would be a need for a second election.
However, party leaders may not be keen to go to the polls again unless the opinion polls indicate voter intentions have changed markedly. Parties would also consider the fact that another election would be costly financially.
Ms Fox adds that "the country would not readily forgive them for forcing a second election" and says the parties, mindful of that, will be likely to strike a deal.Source:www.news.bbc.co.ukIf you wish to escape the election and have decided to take a gap year and go backpacking be sure to get the best travel insurance, just visit www.holidaysafe.co.uk for gap year travel insurance and backpacking travel insurance
A gap year is great for those who wish to take a year off before either going to university or entering the market for a job. It’s a great way for learning new skills which potential new employers find very appealing. Many employers value the skills that are developed on gap year projects. Many of the projects involve volunteer work which can look very attractive on a CV. Many students who decide to take the gap year find they mature quicker compared to many others their age who do not take the gap year, partly because of the cultures and the independence they gain. While gap years are a relatively inexpensive way to travel it will still cost you money. Most students spend half of their gap year working to earn enough money to afford to go on a gap year project for the other six months. Taking a gap year is one more year where you will not be earning money. This can mean that you will have more debt than others after finishing any university course you attend. If you are taking a gap year before going into employment this is not so much of a problem. The vast majority of gap projects will have you teaching English to children in other countries. For these placements you will often have to attend some kind of training course such as the internationally recognized TEFL course. However other activities include farm work, running children's holiday camps, building projects and more. Most of these placements are targeted at poor, impoverished and deprived areas so you will be making a real difference to people. Please visit http://www.holidaysafe.co.uk/ it’s the best buy travel insurance for gap year travel insurance and backpacking travel insurance
|
|
Subscribe to