staying safe out and about winter

Staying safe while out and about this Winter

by with No Comment Uncategorized

With Christmas fast approaching a lot of people will be getting out and about more, just as the weather starts to take a turn for the cold, wet and icy.

Whether you’re planning on taking a long trip on the motorway to see family and friends or if you’re rushing about in town to get the Christmas shopping done there are things you can do to make sure you stay safe and well.

Slater Gordon have put together this infographic with tips and advice for your seasonal travels.  You can get more information about them at https://www.slatergordon.co.uk/personal-injury/.

safe travels infographic

Here are my top tips for staying safe and well when out and about this Winter.

If you’re planning a long drive to see family.

  • Do a safety check on your car before you leave.  At the very least check your tyre treads and the fluid levels.
  • Fill the tank up, you never know when you might get delayed or stuck on your journey.
  • Pack some emergency supplies in the car.  You ideally want to make sure you have an ice scraper, some de-icer, a torch, a warm hat and gloves, some water and a first aid kit.  It’s also a sensible idea to pack some blankets, some snacks and a flask of something warm to drink just in case you do get stuck somewhere.

 

If you’re planning a long journey by train or coach.

  • Check the weather forecast before you leave the house, and make sure your train/coach is running.
  • Pack a carry on bag with plenty of snacks and drinks to keep you going if your train gets help up.
  • Wear layers so that should anything happen and you have to get off the train/coach at any point you’ll be able to stay warm.
  • Charge your phone before you leave and take a portable battery pack with you so that you can charge it up on the go if you need to.

 

If you’re out and about locally.

  • Check the weather forecast before you leave the house and dress accordingly.
  • If it’s icy out make sure you take your time as you’re walking around.  Try to wear shoes with good grips on the soles, or think about buying some ice grips that you can slip over your shoes to give you better grip when it’s icy.
  • Wear layers.  If you’ll be going in and out of shops you want to be able to quickly adjust to the difference in temperature between outside and inside.
  • If you’re out for a country walk then pack a bag with snacks and drinks, and torch in case it gets dark faster than you anticipate.
  • Charge your phone before you go, and take a portable battery pack if you’ll be out for a long time.

 

However far you’re travelling, it’s always a good idea to tell someone where you’re going, and what time you expect to arrive/be back.

Winter is such a lovely season for getting out and about, there’s something wonderful about a walk on a crisp Winter day, and if we’re careful there’s no reason we shouldn’t be able to get out and enjoy it.

Disclaimer: this is a collaborative post.

living arrows

Living Arrows 2017 – 49/52

by with 6 Comments PersonalUncategorized

We had a bit of a quiet week last week.  We’ve all been feeling a bit worn out and run down and both the children have been sniffling and coughing a fair bit.

So we didn’t really get up to much beyond the normal school routine.

Which means I didn’t really take many photos other than the headshots of the children that I try to take every day.  So this week’s living arrows is from just before bedtime one evening; a quick snapshot of my funny girl.

living arrows child smiling

Nerys has been rocking pigtails pretty much every day for the last week or so.

She asked me to do them one morning, with three clips on each side too, because that’s the way her friend at school has her hair and “she looks beautiful every morning”!

I find it fascinating that at three she already has this idea of beauty.  That she is starting to look at other people and think of them as being beautiful.  I’m also aware that I do tell her a fair bit that she’s pretty/lovely/beautiful.  And I know that there are some people out there who argue that we shouldn’t say these things to our daughters.

But you know what?

I think she is pretty, and lovely, and beautiful.  So why shouldn’t I tell her that?

I also tell her most days how wonderful it is that she is so tall and strong.  That she is so kind and thoughtful.  I tell her that I’m proud of her for trying hard at school.

Hearing a mix of all these things will, hopefully, give her a strong foundation of self-confidence for when she grows older.

What do you think about this?  Should we try and avoid talking about the way our children look, or is it ok to tell them that they’re pretty/handsome/beautiful?

 

Living Arrows
companion planting

Get the most out of your garden with companion planting

by with No Comment Uncategorized

We have a small patch of flower bed in our garden that over the last few years has been home to various plants.

We’ve grown raspberries and rhubarb and various different herbs, with varying degrees of success!  I would really love to have a bigger area of our garden dedicated to growing different things that we can eat and enjoy.  An allotment would be even better, but I’m not sure if we would have the time to work on it properly.  My dad has always had an allotment so I know how much time and energy goes into it, but I also know how wonderful it is to get to enjoy all the fruits of that labour!

If you’re interested in upping your gardening game, then you should take a look at this guide that the lovely people over at First Tunnels have put together – the complete guide into the world of companion planting.

Get the most out of your garden with companion planting

If you haven’t heard the term before, companion planting is basically choosing plants to grow alongside each other because they help each other grow.

There are quite a few benefits to companion planting:

  • it helps with pest control
  • it saves on space
  • it’s a more productive way of gardening

All of this is discussed in detail in the guide over on First Tunnels’ website.

The guide also features a really comprehensive list of which things you should plant together.  Some of the combinations make sense, like planting carrots together with onions, while other combinations you really might not have thought of, like putting strawberries with onions and spinach.

Whatever it is that you fancy growing, you’ll find ideas of what to plant alongside it in the companion planting guide.

Just as useful, there’s a list of things that you really shouldn’t plant together.  So now I know that if I want to revive our raspberry plants next year, I really shouldn’t plant any peas or beans in the beds with them!

Do you grow your own food at home?  Have you heard of companion gardening before?

Disclaimer: this is a collaborative post.

#ShowYouWereThere round up

‘Show you were there’ round up

by with No Comment Show you were thereUncategorized

It’s Sunday, which can only mean one thing around here – time for another round up from my lovely little Instagram community #ShowYouWereThere.

In case you’ve not heard about it before, #ShowYouWereThere is all about getting more parents in more photos.  So any photos that feature you, or your partner, in some way, shape or form then just tag them with #ShowYouWereThere when you share them on Instagram to join in, and potentially be featured in one of these little round ups!

Now, on to my four favourite photos that were shared in the last week.

First up is this beautiful bump shot from Lyndsay at Fizzy Peaches.  It’s funny when you think how long the 9 months of pregnancy can seem, but then the same amount of time flies by once they’re born!  Violet will be one before we know it!

 

My second pick for this week is from Cath at Battlemum.

It’s such a lovely photo, that hopefully helped Cath to remember the good moments from this week rather than just the rough day that she talks about in the caption!

 

Next up is this lovely photo from Jaymee at The Mum Diaries.

It’s just such a happy picture, it really made me smile this week.

 

My fourth and final pick for this week is from Lianne at Ankle Biters Adventures.

I love how cosy they look in this photo, and I also really love Lianne’s comment about how different her children are from each other, it’s something I find so fascinating to see in my own children!

 

Thank you so much to everyone who is using #ShowYouWereThere, I love seeing your photos popping up over on instagram, they always bring a huge smile to my face!

Now, my turn.

Last weekend we went out for a walk on the beach and around Victoria Park, where we stopped to take a few family photos for November’s Me and Mine project post.  We managed one or two nice ones, and a few sillier ones, which so often end up being my favourites.

How great is Rhys’ face and pose in this one?!

show you were there family photo cwmdonkin park swansea

 

If you’d like to join in with my little community and possibly be featured in my next round up (with a nice link back to your blog!) then just share a photo of yourself over on instagram using #ShowYouWereThere.  It’s all about getting more parents in more photos.  And if you’d like to take part in my guest post series ‘The photo I’m thankful for‘ then take a look at this post or email me at thisgloriouslife@gmail.com for more information.

 

live a sustainable life

10 ways to live a more sustainable lifestyle

by with No Comment ParentingUncategorized

Sustainable living is becoming something that more and more of us aspire to.  I think we’re all much more aware than we used to be of the impact we have on the world we live in, and for me personally now I’m a parent I’m very conscious of the world we’re creating for our children.

It can all feel a bit overwhelming though, and it’s easy to think that there’s not much that we can personally do to have any kind of impact.  Every change we make really does help though, so from something as simple as switching lights off when you leave a room to a big change like buying an electric car and installing a NewMotion charging station at home, here are 10 ways we can all try to live a more sustainable lifestyle.

child on beach

1. Eat more locally produced foods.

Start to think a bit more carefully about where your food comes from.  So much fossil fuel energy is used transporting food from other countries for us to buy in the supermarkets.  If we all started shopping more locally it would make a really big environmental impact, as well as supporting the local economy.

So visit your local food market if you can, or look to choose the locally produced options in the supermarket as much as possible.

 

2. Recycle.

If you don’t already do so, then recycling as much as possible is a great step towards a more sustainable lifestyle.

Check out the recycling facilities that your local council offers and take advantage of them as much as you can.  We recycle cardboard, plastics, glass and tin cans here, and all our food waste gets collected by the council too.  Once you get into the habit of sorting through things instead of just shoving them into the bin you find it really doesn’t take much time at all.  It can be a bit worrying at times though, to see how much plastic waste we create.

You might also want to recycle your old tech as well. For example, selling your ipads to a company like Plunc  – puts the device on the refurbished product market AND recoups a bit of cash as well.

 

3. Use less plastic.

Following on from the last point, using less plastic is really important for a sustainable lifestyle.

If you drink a lot of bottled water then breaking that habit is an easy way to have a big impact.  Drink tap water at home (use a filter jug if you live in a hard water area) and buy a reusable drinks bottle to take out and about with you so you don’t end up popping into a shop and buying a plastic bottle of water.

 

4. Speed up your showers.

Most parents are probably pros at quick showers, squeezed in while the baby naps or while the ipad holds their child’s attention for a few precious moments.  If you still have the luxury of long, steamy showers though it might be time to consider speeding them up a bit for the environment’s sake.

 

5. Get a new car.

This is a big one, but if you’re looking to change your car in the near future then consider getting an electric one, or a hybrid.  Not only are they better for the environment but they’re also cheaper to run and to maintain.

 

6. Use your feet.

If you’re not in a position to change your car, then think about just trying to use your current one less.

When you’re not actually going that far try to walk , or ride your bike.  So much better for you and for the environment.

 

7. Rethink your washing routine.

When it comes to the laundry there are a few things we can change, like washing at lower temperatures, handwashing if we only have a few items to clean, and drying clothes on a washing line or airer rather than using a tumble dryer.

 

8. Layer up.

As the temperatures drop in the winter the first thing we want to do is turn the heating up at home.  If you can though, try a few other things first to stay warm.  Use draft excluders to stop cold air creeping in to your house.  Put on a warm jumper and a cosy pair of slippers.  Cosy up under a blanket on the sofa.

 

9. Get a bag for life.

Plastic really is a big problem for the environment, so try to remember to take a bag for life, or a backpack, to the supermarket with you when you do your shopping.  And if you do your food shopping online make sure you tick the box at the checkout for it to be delivered without bags.

 

10. Reuse.

Before you throw anything away take a minute to see if it could be reused or repurposed in any way.  If you have children then think about using charity shops and nearly new sales to buy their presents.  Young children honestly do not care if a toy is brand new or not.  In the same way, if you have toys and clothes that your children have outgrown then pass them on to a friend, or a charity shop.

 

So there you have it.  10 different ways to start living a more sustainable lifestyle. 

Which of these do you already do?

 

Disclaimer: This is a collaborative post.

retirement hot spots uk

Retirement hot spots in the UK

by with No Comment Uncategorized

I would hope that you could tell from my profile picture that I’m a fair few years away from retirement age.  But it’s still a topic that I think about as my parents get older.  We’ve chatted a few times about what they’ll do in the future.  Will they stay living in the same house, in the same village in Kent.  Or will they end up making a big move to Wales where both my sister and I now live.  At the moment I think they want to stay where they are, but who knows what the future holds.

I’m obviously a bit biased and think that Swansea would be a great place to live once you’re retired.  But of course there are some other amazing places in the UK that would be great too.  If you’re used to living in the capital then there are some great places to retire to where it’s easy to pop back on a coach to London.  And there are some other spots at the other end of the country that are also perfect for retirement.

So to start getting you inspired, here are some of the best hot-spots for retirement in the UK.

retirement hot spots uk

First off, lets look at some of the statistics.

It seems like I’m not alone in thinking that Wales is a great place to retire; it has a retirement percentage of 18.4% with only the South West of England higher at 19.6%.

Quite close behind Wales is the East of England with 17.5% and then the North East with 17.3%.

After that comes the South East, the midlands, Scotland and then the North West.  Then right at the other end of the scale is London, with 11.1%.

Looking at the stats, it seems that while people seem to be keen to move out of London when they retire, the places they head to are really quite varied.  I suppose there are so many factors involved in the decision, like where your family and friends are and whether you prefer coastal, rural or urban towns.

 

Here are some great options that you (or your parents) might want to consider.

Chichester, West Sussex

Chichester is a very popular location for people heading into retirement, as it’s a city with a lot of culture, complete with gorgeous Georgian architecture and plenty of art attractions to visit.

There are lots of markets held in the city, including the popular farmers market, which gives a great sense of community spirit that can be really important once you leave your busy work environment behind.  The city also has great transport links into London and to Gatwick airport making it perfect for people who still want to enjoy the buzz of the capital and who love to jet off on holiday as much as possible.

 

Cromer, Norfolk

If coastal living is more appealing then Cromer in Norfolk could be the perfect retirement option, with its sandy beaches and salty sea air.

Cromer is famous for its long pier, which is home to the Pavilion Theatre.  The theatre welcomes productions from all over the country, so those who don’t really want to head into London can still get to see some amazing shows and performances.

For those who still want a bit of city living, then Cromer offers great transport links into Norwich.

 

Newcastle upon Tyne, North East

For those who’s number one goal in retirement is to be happy, then Newcastle upon Tyne could be the place to move to.  It was named ‘the happiest place to live in the UK’ by the European Commission!

There is so much to do there, with the Baltic art centre, over 300 cafes and pubs, and over 92 parks and churches to visit and explore.

If you ever did get tired of the town then you can hop on a plane from Newcastle Airport to both long and short haul destinations for a change of scenery.

 

Things to consider

Before making a decision about where to retire to, there are a few important things to think about.

One of the big factors is affordability.  You want to be sure that you’ll be able to enjoy your retirement and not have to keep track of every last penny.

Another thing to consider is the activities on offer, to make sure you don’t end up sitting at home twiddling your thumbs after you stop working.  Have a think about how you really want to spend your time, and look for a place that allows you to do those things as often as possible.

 

It might still be a long way off yet, but where do you think you would like to retire to?

 

Disclaimer: This is a collaborative post

 

try this to get people to warm to you

Try this one little trick to get people to warm to you

by with 4 Comments ParentingPsychologyUncategorized

Have you ever watched your children make friends with other children at the park.  Or in the shops.  Or the library.  Or anywhere there happens to be another child of about the same age!

They make it seem so easy.

I think as we get older we start to over-complicate things.  We worry too much about what other people think, if they’ll like us.  So we hold back.  We hesitate before striking up a conversation.  We so badly want to be liked that we get anxious and stressed about it.

But there is something we can try to get people to think more warmly about us, making it easier to relax and just be ourselves and hopefully start a real friendship.

Try this one little trick to get people to warm to you

get people to warm to you

Try chatting to a new friend, or potential new friend, in a situation where they have a nice hot cup of tea or coffee in their hands.

Lets say you’re at a playgroup with your baby, then you can offer to fetch a cup of tea for you and the mum sitting next to you, while the babies have a stretch on the play mats.

Why?  Well, the theory is that holding warm drinks in our hands makes us think more warmly about the person we’re interacting with at the time.

 

It’s all down to something called haptic sensations, which is when touching objects with certain qualities makes us feel the associated emotions.

So if there’s a mum that you see on the school run every day that you think you would get on with, but are too nervous to start a conversation with during the morning rush, try saying hello at the next fundraiser coffee morning when she has a cup of hot coffee in her hands.

 

If you’ve already taken the first steps in a new friendship, and have arranged a playdate with another parent at your house then you can really use this theory of haptic sensations to your advantage.

When they arrive at your house, and the children are happily playing, sit them down on a sofa with a soft, snuggly thrown on it, or with a lovely tactile cushion.  And then hand them a mug of something hot to drink.

The warmth of the drink will help them warm to you even more, and the soft fabrics around them will help them feel more relaxed and at ease.

Once you start thinking about this you can see there are various times that this could come in handy:

  • If you’re meeting someone for a first date, arrange to do it at a coffee shop.
  • If your partner’s parents are coming over and you want them to warm to you, offer them a nice cup of tea when they arrive.
  • If you want to ask your boss at work for something, try picking up a coffee for them on your way into the office that you can give them before you start your pitch!

I know this might not always be a practical option, unless you want to start carrying around a flask of coffee with you to hand out warm drinks to people you want to make friends with.

But there are so many situations that do involve tea and coffee when you’re a parent, so it’s really worth knowing this theory, even if it just means that you feel a bit more relaxed approaching people knowing they’ll be more likely to warm to you while holding a warm drink!

How many of your parent friends did you meet over a cup of tea or coffee at a playgroup?

 

Mummies Waiting