UK travel in a motorhome: Five suggestions for a smooth trip

This is a collaborative post

If you plan to travel parts of the UK in a motorhome, you might be pleased to know that it is not dissimilar to owning a campervan. A motorhome is usually a little larger and slightly less manoeuvrable, but otherwise, it is a fairly comparable travel experience. However, a little preparation is called for to avoid unwanted surprises.  

Here are our five suggestions on how to have a smooth trip. 

Plan Your Itinerary

When you travel by car, arriving in a new city and then sorting out a hotel booking is usually quite a simple process. However, motorhome owners need to be better prepared than this. First of all, you will require more time to reach your destination. Tight roads and sharp turn-offs will be harder to manage if you’re a new motorhome driver. Because of this, it’s beneficial to check the route beforehand so you don’t get stuck. 

Stick to Tried and True Routes If You’re New to Motorhome Driving

If you are new to travelling with a motorhome, it’s a good idea to stick to tried and true places. These have been used by motorhome owners before. They will present fewer obstacles or at least they’ll be noted. Well-trodden routes might also include recommended campgrounds, eateries, and touristic places to visit locally. You can branch out with newfound confidence once you’re a week or more into your trip. Then you’ll feel encouraged to get off the beaten path (and you’ll be better prepared to do so). 

Photo credit Alan Billyeald via Unsplash

Check All Systems Before You Leave

If your motorhome has been under a cover for a few months, don’t assume it’ll be all fine and dandy when you’re ready to leave. You’ll need to check the oil and run the engine to ensure it starts up. Also, you might want to verify that the starter battery is charged sufficiently, and if it isn’t, you can add a trickle charger overnight. Furthermore, if you have leisure domestic batteries inside to run any 12-volt appliances, check that these haven’t been depleted. If so, it could have damaged the battery cells. Lastly, check the tyre pressures, the heating, any fans, the generator, and the cooker. Once everything checks out, you’ll be all set. 

Use Campgrounds and Pub Overnighters

When you are travelling in a motorhome, you’ll want to make use of campgrounds that support larger vehicles. So, you want to make sure you can get in through the gate with enough clearance on either side and above. This is an often-overlooked aspect for access that’s you’re better off checking to avoid disappointment. 

Many campgrounds across the UK support motorhomes. They will have plenty of hardstanding pitches; some with electrical hook-ups and other facilities, others not. Many have playground areas for the kids to let off some steam and to give the parents a break. 

For travellers who plan to travel the UK for several weeks, campgrounds will also have dump stations to empty the waste tank as per regulations. Washroom facilities, a clubhouse or bar, and more are often provided. Many campgrounds are dog-friendly, whereas others might ask that you use a separate, fenced-off dog walking area.  

An alternative for self-sufficient travellers is to stop off at a pub car park. The car park is usually empty overnight, so these represent a nice additional revenue source for pubs. Don’t expect electrical hook-ups or other facilities typically found in a campground. Pubs may charge a nominal amount such as £5-20 per night to stay. Most will expect you to pop into the pub for a bite to eat or a pint when their prices are near the lower end. Some pubs now have official pub campgrounds providing more facilities that fit somewhere between a pub car park and an official campground. With self-contained living in a motorhome, these may allow you to extend your trip.   

Photo credit Alan Billyeald via Unsplash

Avoid Wild Camping

Wild camping where the motorhome is parked overnight at a random spot is illegal in many parts of the UK. While some people still try to do it because it bypasses the cost of a campground or pub stopover, it risks falling foul of the law. A knock on the door at 3 AM isn’t fun for holidaymakers either. Manoeuvrability is always a bit tricky in a motorhome. The uneven or muddy ground at a park-up is not your friend and getting out of tight parking spots isn’t either. We’d recommend avoiding wild camping altogether.  

Get Affordable Motorhome Insurance

Getting the right type of cover with motorhome insurance is important. Otherwise, you may find that you’re less insured than believed. If you plan on taking turns to drive, don’t forget to include both of you on the policy. Also, be aware that with many motorhome insurance policies, contents insurance for valuables inside the motorhome isn’t included. Compare NI can source a reliable policy with this option included, so any damage or loss of valuables is covered too.

Planning ahead for a UK motorhome journey reduces the chances of unexpected problems arising. Then the holiday will be far more enjoyable.

How to improve your life with Lent

This is a collaborative post

Have you found yourself swapping Lent ideas with your friends, only to realise you don’t have one in mind? There’s always that one in the group putting everyone to shame with a laundry list of resolutions they’re already working on when February finishes, while the rest of us are still working on our New Year’s resolutions. 

It’s not arrogance, it’s simply not knowing where to start. The point of Lent is to give up bad habits, in order to improve yourself. If you’re looking for ideas, you’ve come to the right place. Read on for ideas to improve your life and the lives of those around you with Lent.

Give up an idle mind

Sometimes you need something to shake up the everyday. If your job isn’t stimulating you or you’ve grown bored lately, you can always consider trying something new. 

If you’re looking for something to learn, there are lots of options. Sign up for a subscription class and learn a new language, a new craft, a new game, etc. Join a book club and use that analytical mind. Take a pottery class and have your own Ghost moment. Learn to use a sewing machine and wear your own clothes. It has the added bonus of being the sustainable option. 

There’s a wide world out there, full of things we were introduced to as kids then never looked at again. Now can be the time to look at it again.

Photo credit Marília Castelli via Unsplash

Give up the toxic people

This one will definitely be the trickiest one, but in order to keep good mental health, some people need to go. 

This can be a friend that you’ve noticed never shows up when you need them, a boss that’s making your job miserable, or even your own partner. 

There is so much to think about there. The small things your friend does won’t feel like enough to cut off ties, but like any other form of harassment, they build. It’s perfectly valid to cut ties if you feel you have to. 

The same goes for your partner. If the toxic behaviours are building, you can get out. No one is going to say it’s easy, but it’s doable. A support system is a great help here.

Give up the exercise trends

The problem here is you’ve tried a lot of the trendy exercises, and they either didn’t work, or the guy on the weights giving you free tickets to the fitness show intimidated you right out of the gym, or it’s boring.

Find something you love that makes you feel alive. It can be as simple as incorporating a walk into your daily commute or yoga into your work from home life. Try cold water swimming, rock climbing, tango dancing, boxing, etc.

Photo credit Paz Arando via Unsplash

Give up the carbon footprint

There are a lot of things you can do to lessen your carbon footprint. Browse around the vintage shops and enjoy a stylish alternative to fast fashion. Go round the charity shops for some vintage items to decorate your home. Switch out your car for public transport, or a walk, run, or cycle into work.

They say that veganism is good for the environment. That’s up to you to research and decide. But it might help your health to cut back on your red meat intake. We’ve grown accustomed to the idea that a meal needs meat to be complete when that isn’t true. Browse the vegan alternatives in the supermarket and you can still live by that philosophy while reducing your effect on the planet.

Look up ways you can reduce your energy usage while you’re at it. Not only will it lessen your effect on the planet, but your utility bills will go down too.

Review - The Gravity Mechanics Vertical Motor from Geomag

I was sent this product in exchange for a review.

The Geomag Mechanics line is a construction system that is based around gravity, using the weight of the Geomag spheres to kickstart the mechanisms and movements of the system without the need for electricity or batteries. I was sent the Mechanics Gravity Vertical Motor set to try, a set which is designed for older children aged 8+ and is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) toy that can stimulate scientific learning.

This set forms part of the Gravity Mechanics line, which currently contains four different sets. Each set is a complete kit and the kits can be combined to create larger designs or to try out your own constructions. The Gravity Elevator Vertical Motor set contains 183 pieces which are made from 90% recycled plastic.

There is a detailed instruction booklet to follow and the pieces fit together quite easily. Harry had no trouble with the assembly but when I had a go I did find it a little tricky, perhaps I don't think I have the right sort of mind for these construction sets! The pieces slot together firmly in place but can be easily dismantled or repositioned. 

There are quite a few pieces left over which are needed if you are connecting several sets together or can be used to build your own constructions.

When assembled, you load the spheres into the carrier and spin the rotating part at the top. The balls travel down the never ending spiral and onto a small track at the bottom where they are collected in a pen ready to reload at the top. 

When you have finished playing the set is easy to take apart and store in the box. 

This is a fun set which will appeal to any child that enjoys construction sets and finding out how things work. 

Four reasons Singapore is a great place to live

This is a collaborative post

People worldwide are often searching for a great place to live. The unfortunate truth is that such areas are few and far between. 

Prepared to travel great distances to seek a more enriching and cost-effective lifestyle, such travellers will often find themselves in western countries. However, the east has plenty to offer, too, especially when it comes to territories like Singapore. 

Despite its smaller size, Singapore is a thriving epicentre of exciting lifestyle prospects and cross-cultural offerings. It’s not just about fun and games, either, as the infrastructure and property markets here are favourable too. Keep reading below to find four reasons that explain why Singapore is a great place to live. 

Promising Housing Arrangements

Securing a property can be difficult in many territories. Affordability is a point of great concern, with few opportunities to save money during the move. 

There are plenty of moments in Singapore where residents can save on mortgage deals. Refinancing options are widely available and accessible. Companies like PropertyGuru track their savings, browse the latest and best rates from all major Singapore banks, and provide users with non-biased advice that serves their best interests. The experts here provide an extra level of care in all that they do. 

Of course, property markets elsewhere can be filled with professionals who are largely self-serving. The opportunity to afford a home is often a pipedream for many, too. In Singapore, those hoping to get on the property ladder, and stay on it, are actively supported at every stage of their homeownership journey. Without such worries hanging over their head, their quality of life will surely experience a big boost. 

Photo credit David Kubovsky via Unsplash

Cultural Offerings

Many people prefer to live in stimulating areas. Singapore is one such place that perfectly fulfils those needs. 

Thanks to Singapore’s more compact size, there are many things to see and do as a resident. Moreover, the area is an amalgamation of various other contemporary cultures, boasting offerings from each. East meets west here in a perfect blend, allowing residents to enjoy the best of both worlds in a peace loving area that’s free of geopolitical tensions. 

The nightlife scene is as vibrant as any other in the world. Singapore’s myriad of hawker centres serves local cuisines and exquisite dishes from around the world as well. The National Gallery Singapore is also open to visitors as well as lush botanic gardens that are ripe for exploration. 

Consider how fortunate it is to have such an array of offerings close by. After all, many people often need to make key compromises for the sake of owning property or living in an area for a job. Some aspects of good living will nearly always be lacking. There is always a way to make the most of life in Singapore, irrespective of interests and personality types. 

Affordable Healthcare

Everyone has a different definition of what constitutes a ‘nice place’ to live. Some prospective homeowners may have more shallow aspirations, but countries that prioritize their citizens' health and well-being are always among the most wonderful places to dwell.  

Fortunately, Singapore’s healthcare system is among the best the world has to offer. Much of the basic treatment citizens receive is free, or the costs are at least heavily controlled for better affordability. Of course, this means that citizens have a better quality of life, worrying less about the wellbeing of themselves and their loved ones. 

Good healthcare is also a good indicator of an empathetic culture beating at the heart of the area. It shows that leaders invest money into the areas of society that matter most, led by stronger ethics and morals than elsewhere. Even if a person seldom uses the healthcare system, knowing it is there can be a comfort on its own. It is a measure of equality, which should count for a great deal among the masses. 

Education Opportunities 

Of course, an efficient healthcare system is not possible unless a talented workforce keeps things operational. Education in Singapore plays an enormous role in making that happen. 

Singapore’s Ministry of Education is committed to all things learning, and long has been. The students here constantly achieve incredible results, entering the world of work confident, skilled, and ambitious. Living in such an environment would undoubtedly be an inspiring thing and perhaps even motivate older generations to be more aspirational and revisit their education in later life. 

While one can enrich their own prospects with education at any stage in their life, the obvious appeal here is how people benefit should they decide to raise a family in Singapore. Knowing that their children’s future is in safe hands is a blessing, especially when they are guided on to such extraordinary levels of greatness. 

Ultimately, there are resources in Singapore to ensure that everyone realizes their full potential. The future here is more consistently bright than it is elsewhere, and there are plenty of reasons for residents to be endlessly optimistic, leading to more fulfilling lifestyle choices being made. 

Photo credit Jisun Han via Unsplash

Map and travel themed cross stitch kit inspiration

I love a map. I have a huge map poster in my study and I can spend ages studying it and dreaming about the places around the world that I would like to visit. And I also love cross stitch, so I thought I would share a few cross stitch kits which are inspired by maps and a love of travel!

I use a cross stitch map to track my travels. I stitch over a country when I have visited it, and I'm in the process of filling in the white areas with small pictures that represent places that I've travelled to. It sits above my desk and it's nice to have my travel memories close by.

I'm also working on the Olde World Map cross stitch by Janlynn which is definitely going to be a long term project. It's very detailed with an extremely complicated border! When I was looking it up on Amazon I found lots of cheap copies which is a real shame, I think it's definitely worth looking for the original to make sure that you get a good quality kit.

Finally while I was browsing on Amazon I spotted a book which is full of lovely little travel motifs that I think would be great for some of the spaces that I have left in my travel map. I couldn't resist and so I treated myself to a second hand copy, of which there are plenty available online. Perhaps it will give me the push I need to finally get the project finished!

An update on my January and February habits

At the beginning of the year, motivated by reading Atomic Habits by James Clear, I set myself some habits that I wanted to add to my daily routines. Some simple things that I could do every day which would improve my health and wellbeing.

Here's how I've been getting on!

Photo credit Phrophsee Journals via Unsplash

I had four habits which I wanted to keep permanently - regular exercise, eating more fruit and veg, practising the piano daily and daily meditation.

Exercise - I've continued my existing exercise habits which I'm pleased with, especially when it came to dragging myself out for a run on the bitter January mornings. I have a regular exercise routine which suits me well, although I do wonder if I should mix it up a bit for the future.

Eat more fruit and veg - This one has gone really well. I now drink a glass of orange juice each morning with breakfast and I add more raisins to my cereal. For lunch I've been eating either a bowl of soup or some homemade bean salad, each of which I count as two portions. Most of my dinners have at least two servings of veg but if they don't then I'll add in a portion or broccoli or peas and I'll have an apple in the evening. I'm pretty confident that I've been getting at least my five a day on the vast majority of days.

Piano practice - This is also going really well. I've been playing every day apart from when we have been away and I'm really pleased that I can now memorise some pieces. I can play two pieces confidently from memory and I am almost there with a third.

Meditation - I downloaded a brilliant app called Smiling Mind which is free and has a huge range of meditations and mindfulness exercises. I've been doing one most days and it has also encouraged me to be more mindful throughout the day. I'm definitely getting better at focussing my mind and pushing away negative thoughts. 

In addition I chose two extra habits for January - to stop mindlessly checking the news and to write a blog post each day.

Stop checking the news - This was very successful in January. I didn't check the news once and it really had a positive impact on my mental health. I continued into February and was a little less sucessful as we went away on holiday for half term and my usual routines were disrupted. It also coincided with the news from Ukraine, and although I have really cut back on my news intake it has risen slightly recently. I need to keep on top of this one as it really did make a big difference.

Write a blog post every day - This habit was also incredibly successful. I wrote and published or scheduled a blog post every day and now I have lots of blog posts scheduled, with the option to publish sooner if I need to fill a spot. I started this again in February, but the transcription work that I do from home picked up a bit and so I had to prioritise that.

I didn't set new habits for February but I did set myself a daily challenge which was to spend a few minutes each day decluttering the garage. I sorted out a massive pile of cardboard for recycling, finally did the trip to the tip that we had been putting off for a couple of years, got rid of lots of odds and endsd that were cluttering the place up and had a bit of a clean up. Now it's much emptier, so in the summer when the weather is better I'm planning to clear it as much as I can and give it a really good clean. It definitely needs one, we have some enormous cobwebs! 

I find that daily habits really work for me and I love seeing the difference that they can make. I will continue with my four main habits in March although I've not set any new ones. Although I am intending to be making some healthier food choices as we head towards summer and beach holidays, I have a bit of winter padding that needs to go!

Photo credit Elijah M. Henderson via Unsplash

My old toys that the children played with (and those they didn't)

I was very lucky that my parents had both the loft space and the inclination to keep lots of my old toys for me. They didn't keep nearly everything of course, but plenty of my childhood favourites made it back to me once I had loft space of my own. 

I've loved watching the children play with my old toys, and some of them have been played with as much as I did. In particular the Duplo - I have a lovely vintage Duplo supermarket set and some Lego Fabuland sets which I remember being bought for me when I was little. We've topped up the Duplo box with their own sets, and it was their most played with toy when they were younger. In fact I wrote all about our love affair with Duplo a few years back. It's still at the front of the toy cupboard as I can't bear to pack it all away just yet, I think they'd still play with it now if I got it out!

I had lots of Lego too, in particular an old Lego train set which still chugs its way around the tracks alongside Harry's newer versions. I've found that the older sets had many more generic pieces, simple blocks and the like, which makes them great for open ended building. When friends come round I often just tip out the big box of Lego in the living room for them to rummage through.

We also have a few of my old board games which they've enjoyed playing, in particular Game of Life and Cluedo. Sadly one of my favourite trivia board games, The Game of Knowledge, seems to have been lost at some point, but most of the questions are probably completely out of date now anyway!

However not all of my old toys were a hit with mine. I remember spending hours playing with my My Little Ponies when I was young, but mine weren't really interested at all. Mia had some of the newer style My Little Ponies but she never really got into them. I used to play with them as though they were horses, making them go over jumps and grooming them, but the new ones are more like dolls. Harry did have fun playing with my beloved My Little Pony Dream Castle though!

Another of my favourite old toys that never sparked much interest was the Barbies. Mia had a few when she was little but she never really played with them. As she got older I realised that she came to replace playing with dolls with playing Roblox. She has characters in Roblox that she dresses up, she decorates their houses, and she plays complicated role playing games with friends online in the same way that I used to play with Barbies. In fact her games are even more involved than mine were, she has whole family trees going on and she makes detailed notes and drawings about her characters. 

Of course we can't possibly keep all of their old toys, but there are some that will definitely be going up into the loft for hypothetical grandchildren. We have lots of wooden train set pieces which were second hand to begin with, and have been well played with, but are still in great condition. The Duplo, Lego and Playmobil sets definitely aren't going anywhere. I'll probably encourage the children to keep plenty of their favourite childhood books, as I've found myself rebuying lots that I got rid of over the years. I'll also keep the marble run, because my parents kept our old one and my children still enjoy playing with it when they go to visit!

Did you keep any of your old toys for your own children? What did they enjoy playing with?

Photo credit Xavi Cabrera via Unsplash