JANUARY 2023. THE LOGBOOK.

Editors note

Decades in publishing has introduced me to several interesting superstitions about launching issues. Certain conventions should always be adhered to and I’m certain the continued running of the universe relies on them. Such as: never use purple ink to edit copy, a shot of whiskey cements the final layout of each edition and whenever possible sales on Friday the 13th of any month should be avoided and often are. And finally, of course, never speak ill of the television series Firefly.

January magazines don’t have any superstitions as far as I’m aware of. To the publishing world the first issue of the year is to be appreciated, not feared or stressed over. It is the opportunity to set the standard for the upcoming year.

2023, will at very least, prove to be an interesting year. Not only are we celebrating the relaunch of The Logbook after it’s hiatus thanks to a certain global pandemic, but also the introduction of several new products to further increase our scope of audience, readership engagement and general awesomeness.

Some things will never change however, the standards of journalism and writing and our focus on finding the interesting stories in hospitality and travel for example. Whether it’s highlighting the association fighting to keep your hotel bedsheets clean, the best boots to buy or which coffee houses to visit on your next trip to Edinburgh, we will continue to press the boundaries to enthral our readers.

Those things will always stay the same.

RADISSON COLLECTION BRAND continues rapid expansion of iconic hotel properties

Radisson Hotel Group has had a stellar year of openings and looks forward to more compelling new additions to its already impressive collection of properties comprising the Radisson Collection brand. Launched in 2018 as a new luxury lifestyle collection of hotels for experience-driven travelers, Radisson Collection’s rapid growth marks the notable momentum of Radisson Hotel Group’s foray into luxury.

In an ongoing continuation of thoughtful and strategic growth, Radisson Collection will have 32 hotels and resorts in 19 countries by the end of 2022. Made up of iconic properties in unique locations, each hotel is authentic to the destination while united by the brands hallmarks of signature dining, local art & experiences, creating genuine connections. The pivotal new additions slated

to open in the next few years build upon the success and heritage of existing properties within the Radisson Collection while also establishing the brand’s position within the luxury lifestyle hospitality sphere.

INSPIRED FOOD & BEVERAGE EXPERIENCES

Centered around the belief that culinary exploration is an integral part of travel, restaurants in Radisson Collection hotels are conceived as social destinations for locals and global travelers alike. The cuisine of Michelin-starred chef Eneko Atxa is featured at Eneko Basque Brussels at the Radisson Collection Hotel, Grand Place Brussels and the Eneko Basque Radisson Collection Hotel, Magdalena Plaza Sevilla. Basque’s culinary offering

Radisson Collection Hotel, Palazzo Nani Venice

is a modern interpretation of Basque cuisine with local touches. Earlier this year Eneko Axta debuted an innovative new restaurant NKO by Eneko alongside the opening of the Radisson Collection Hotel, Gran Vía Bilbao, bringing together the spirit of Basque and Japanese culinary traditions amidst a stunning rooftop setting.

while also celebrating the architectural heritage of the buildings in which many of the hotels are housed. Local art and culture are reflected throughout the décor and spirit of Radisson Collection hotels inviting guests to immerse themselves in each locale. Local partnerships and collaborations facilitate guests to engage with local art and artisans, whether it be through the medium of lacemaking, opera, pottery, or even craft spirits. Radisson Collection hotels are situated in the midst of dynamic cities, with locations carefully selected to ensure travelers the ideal springboards from which to explore and discover.

Currently under renovation along with the hotel within which it’s housed, Michelin-starred restaurant Les Loges will re-open with the debut of the Cour Des Loges Lyon, A Radisson Collection Hotel in summer 2023 after a luxury elevation to the existing heritage hotel. Chef Anthony Bonnet and his team offer a daring and creative cuisine, making the restaurant an enticing destination within Lyon. Set inside a stunning, Florentine courtyard and surrounded by a dazzling, 17-meter-high glass canopy, Les Loges merges the romance of Renaissance-era dining with modern technique applied to the finest French ingredients.

Adding to the culinary credentials of the brand, an outpost of New York’s Michelin-starred Carbone restaurant is set to open within the recently opened Mansard Riyadh, A Radisson Collection Hotel in 2023.

CONNECTING CURIOUS TRAVELERS TO LOCAL ART AND CULTURE

Art and design are recurring signature elements in Radisson Collection hotels, which feature art from both local and internationally celebrated artists

Radisson Collection’s ongoing Global Art Series, launched in 2021, has been formed through collaborations with emerging contemporary artists to create immersive artwork highlighting iconic Radisson Collection Hotel locations through both Instagram and in-person exhibitions. The first collaboration in the series was with contemporary artistic illustrator, Fei Wang , @mr.slowboy, known for his fashion creds and playful charisma. His artwork featured The May Fair, A Radisson Collection Hotel in London and Radisson Collection Hotel, Palazzo Touring Club Milan, both properties central to the fashion scene. For the second series, Radisson Collection partnered with artist Rich McCor, aka @paperboyo, who took residence at Radisson Collection Hotel, Gran Vía Bilbao to produce content from an immersive local perspective using crafted paper cut-outs to transform and embellish the local surroundings. Rich McCor has applied his artistic technique in his discovery of Radisson Collection hotels in Manchester, Berlin, Stockholm, and Copenhagen in addition to Bilbao. Radisson Collection’s third art series was recently launched at the Radisson Collection Hotel, Palazzo Nani Venice featuring the work of surrealist photographer Minh T, @thismintymoment . His artistic view of the Cannaregio neighborhood around the canal front Venice hotel is currently on exhibit at the hotel as well as through social media. Radisson Collection’s Global Art Series was recognized in October 2022 with a Travel Weekly Magellan Gold Award for its integrated social media campaign.

NKO Restaurant & Bar, Radisson Collection Hotel, Gran Vía Bilbao

LIVING DESIGN ACROSS HISTORIC LANDMARKS AND MODERN CONCEPTIONS

Radisson Collection is a new generation of iconic hotels, many of which are heritage buildings with rich histories rooted in the locale. From the storied Radisson Collection Strand Hotel, Stockholm to the Palazzo Montemartini Rome, A Radisson Collection Hotel, each immerses travelers in the authenticity of the destination. Whether a historical property or a new paragon of design, all are emblematic of the brand’s appreciation of exceptional design as an enhancement and complement to functional living. While no two are the same, the collection of hotels united under the Radisson Collection brand occupy sought-after locations at dynamic destinations in Europe, the Asia Pacific, the Middle-East and Africa. Most are 50-250+ guest room hotels and all reflect the brand’s ethos to offer exceptional experiences centered around authentic local culture and history, living art and design, and enticing gastronomy. Inspiring guests to immerse themselves in travel, each hotel embodies and celebrates the dynamism of its location.

To date in 2022, Radisson Collection has introduced 7 new hotels, including:

• After twelve-months of extensive renovation elevating and modernizing the existing property, Radisson Collection Hotel, Berlin opened at centrally located Berlin-Mitte. The full redesign included the famed AquaDom in the hotel lobby atrium, the world’s largest freestanding cylindrical aquarium with 1,600 tropical fish and an elevator going through the inside of the tanks for full 360-degree views.

• Radisson Collection Hotel, Gran Vía Bilbao opened in March in the historical headquarters of Banco Hispano Americano, originally built in 1945. Paying homage to the building’s heritage, the transformation from landmark office building to luxury hotel was done in striking Art-Deco style and the rooftop is home to new dining concept NKO by Chef Eneko Atxa,

• Following a £30 million refurbishment, the legendary Hotel Brioni in Croatia re-opened as Grand Hotel Brioni Pula, A Radisson Collection Hotel in May. Originally built in the 1970s, the hotel was one of the most prominent tourist meccas in former Yugoslavia. In its heyday, it was known as getaway for celebrities, including artists, film stars and politicians.

• Radisson Collection Morina Hotel, Tirana was opened in June 2022 in Albania’s capital and largest city. Newly-built with bespoke neoclassical Italian design elements, the hotel is the first international luxury branded hotel to open in the city.

Radisson Collection Global Art Series

Radisson Collection Hotel, Berlin

• Named for its distinct Mansard rooflines, designed as an homage to the signature Parisian Haussmann style of the mid-1800s, Mansard Riyadh, A Radisson Collection Hotel is made up of 191 luxurious rooms, serviced apartments and duplex villas catering to short and long-term stays. A branch of destination eatery Carbone is planned to be opened in 2023.

• Representing the brand’s first hotel in both Estonia and the Baltics, Radisson Collection Hotel, Tallinn places guests in modern luxury on Rävala boulevard within the medieval

cobblestoned Old Town. The prime location is filled with charming cafés and shops and adjacent to the Kiek in de Kök, a 15th-century artillery tower with its delightful name translating to ‘peek into the kitchens’.

• Following an extensive renovation from an existing hotel, Radisson Collection Hotel, Vadistanbul opened in August 2022.

The hotel’s spa partner Valley Club & Spa stretches across more than 2,330m2, with access to heated pool, Turkish bath, steam bath, hammam, sauna, and private treatment rooms for the full Turkish spa experience.

Highlights of some of the new hotels joining Radisson Collection in the remainder of 2022 and 2023 include:

• A redevelopment of what was once the Allianz Italy headquarters, Radisson Collection, Santa Sofia Milan is set to open in 2023 in Milan’s central Corso Italia district adjacent to the city’s new Santa Sofia M4 underground stop. The transformation will integrate much of the building’s historical framework into the new design, while repurposing the spaces. Highlights of the new hotel will include a rooftop pool and fine dining restaurant, as well as a 4th floor outdoor wellness terrace.

• Showcasing Baroque architecture dating back to 1901 and situated in the heart of Vilnius Old Town among multiple UNESCO World Heritage sites, Radisson Collection Royal Astorija Hotel, Vilnius will re-open in Lithuania’s capital city after a largescale renovation to update and elevate the property to provide luxury accommodation while also honoring its magnificent past.

• At the bustling heart of Hungry, on St. Stephen’s Square guests to the Radisson Collection Hotel, Basilica Budapest will be in the prime position to take in the full Neoclassical grandeur of Basilica, directly across from the hotel.

• Radisson Collect Resort, Galle will bring the brand’s signature take on luxury to Sri Lanka’s seaside sun and surf destination, offering authentic local activities and cuisine.

• In France’s Old Lyon, on a quiet narrow street in the old town’s cobbled heart, amid marvelous medieval and Renaissance architecture, boutique hotel Cour des Loges is housed within a row of historic buildings set around an old-world courtyard. Already praised for sumptuous accommodation and Michelin-starred restaurant Les Loges, the hotel is currently undergoing an upgrade leading up to a new unveiling as Cour des Loges Lyon, A Radisson Collection Hotel in 2023

Mansard Riyadh, A Radisson Collection Hotel

THE EMPTY LEG MARKETPLACE

AeroBid is launching a brand-new industry game changer

UK-based start-up, AeroBid, is launching an exciting new add-on to its platform “The Empty Leg Marketplace”. The team behind the AeroBid platform are confident that this new digital marketplace - designed specifically for empty leg flights - will tackle the inefficiencies in the growing empty-leg market once and for all.

The private aviation industry has sought long and hard to find a practical solution to fill empty legs. Estimates suggest that between 30-50% of all private jet flights fly empty.

With the launch of AeroBid in April 2022, the team behind the thriving platform has developed what they believe is the answer: “The Empty Leg Marketplace”, which they say has real potential to provide a viable solution to the challenge.

The challenge with unlocking the empty legs market is that empty-leg flights have pre-defined departures and destinations, are subject to lastminute changes in schedule, become available on short notice and go very fast. Existing methods to fill these empty legs often depend on static directories, alongside collating quotes via phone call and operator websites. Often, a timeconsuming process that cannot keep pace with the changing, transient nature of empty-leg flight schedules.

Launched in April 2022, the AeroBid platform is an exclusive live marketplace for the private aviation industry. Designed to modernise and digitise the private charter booking process, the platform uses data and instant alerts to bring a fast, transparent, and convenient way for brokers to request charters for their clients, and for operators to receive and bid on live flight requests, in real-time. To keep up with customer demands and the growing need to find a sustainable and effective solution to fill empty legs once and for all, AeroBid’s Empty Leg Marketplace was born.

The platform’s key differentiator from the static marketplaces and directories currently on offer - is that its system is intelligent, live and evolving. It makes use of all the key features that make the AeroBid platform revolutionary, from its SMART flight alerts, focused user interface & experience f to its real-time marketplace functionality. In a few simple steps, Operators can instantly post their empty legs within the Empty Leg Marketplace and alert Brokers to the flight. “Our users are crying out for this added functionality”, says AeroBid CEO & Founder, Zaher Deir. “Static directories do not establish an easy and effective way for Brokers and Operators to buy and sell empty legs. A live marketplace makes this objective possible.”

The Empty Leg Marketplace provides Operators with complete control over how they choose to market their empty legs. From Airport-to-Airport routes, that are either fixed or flexible, right down to pricing that is either negotiable or nonnegotiable. With AeroBid’s Empty leg Marketplace, Brokers can finally put offers forward to Operators and suggest pickups along the route all within the Platform. Furthermore, in early 2023, the Empty Leg Marketplace will be Integrating with the core AeroBid marketplace providing an intelligent matching system that will detect if there is a charter request already live within the AeroBid marketplace that can be matched with the empty leg flight and vice-versa. Providing Operators and Brokers with more opportunities to capitalise on their empty legs, and Brokers ample possibilities to secure their client’s charter requests at a costeffective price.

Aiming to tackle the empty leg issue head-on and helping to improve the sustainability of private air travel, the AeroBid Empty Leg Market Place enables operators tangible opportunities to generate revenue on their otherwise empty, return or repositioning one-way trips, and

provides brokers, and ultimately the end-user, more possibilities to secure private flights than ever before.

Founder and CEO Zaher Deir says, “Harnessing the power of empty legs is the next logical step for the private aviation industry to experience real growth towards a viable alternative for all.”

“After three decades in the aircraft and aviation industry, I understand altogether the issues impacting the private aviation sector. The lack of opportunity to monetize empty-leg flights and make better, more effective use of them - both from an Operational and a Brokerage perspective - is what’s holding the industry back.”

To build a sustainable future, the right digital platform is critical. By opening up the AeroBid marketplace to the empty sector, Operators and Brokers can work together to spark more efficient flight planning. Taking advantage of otherwise missed opportunities and making far better use of market demand.

Find out more about the AeroBid platform and its plans for the first-of-its-kind Empty Leg Marketplace.

BRITISH RENEWABLE FUELS

Keeping the home fires going

British businesses are being called upon to do their part to lighten the UK’s carbon footprint and bring the country to a new era of sustainability. To effectively achieve this goal, these businesses are scrutinising the operations and philosophies of their supply chain. This has provided the perfect opportunity for new businesses with a real understanding of the requirements, to establish themselves and make a real change for the better.

Founded in 2017 by managing director Paul Gibbon, British Renewable Fuels is a proudly British supplier of wooden based fire fuels to the UK market. Producing a range which includes kiln dried logs, briquettes, eco logs and natural firelighters as well as a range of renewable energy focussed consultancy services, the business plays an important role in keeping this fuel as green as possible.

HOW DO THEY DO IT?

Far from being just chopped wood, the process of manufacturing briquettes and eco logs is one of patience and care and for British Renewable Fuels it is one that happens entirely within Britain.

First, the timber is purchased from UK forests and delivered to their yard.  Depending on the size of the timber the wood is then cut and split into 8-10 inch slats before being placed in a kiln and dried for a period of 7-10 days. At this stage they test the moisture content with an aim to get it down to a reasonable level of 12-14% moisture.

The slats are then put through the shredding process where the wood is broken down into particles of 10mm sizes. It is also during this stage where the pulped wood can dry further.

From here the pulp is transferred to the briquette presses where it is hydraulically pressed into either long or round briquettes. These are then bagged and stacked on a pallet.

British Renewable Fuels works with a staff contingent of seven employees and are responsible for managing the process at all the key points. As a small business their production capacity is around 7-10 metric tons a day which accounts for roughly 1% of the country’s overall output.

“Quality counts for a great deal,” he says, “Like good timber, businesses should be given enough time to mature properly.”

Once the various products are packaged and prepared, be them briquettes, eco logs or fire starters they are palletised and shipped out to the various customers and retailers via outsourced fleet.

THE APPROACHING CHANGE

Expected to come into force in February 2021, the upcoming government legislation will put restrictions on burning house coal or wet wood in stoves, open flames and wood burners. This stands to affect over two and a half million people in the UK who use such fuels either for warmth during the winter or as an important part of their business.

According to Paul, wood with a moisture factor of over twenty percent creates more contamination and smoke. This includes logs sold in DIY stores, garden centres and outside petrol-stations or wood stored outside instead of in a shed.

Wood-consuming stoves and coal fires are the biggest wellspring of the fine particulate issue (PM2.5), these are little particles of air contamination which can find their way into the body’s lungs and blood. Twenty eight times smaller than the width of human hair they can aggravate or even cause asthma, strokes, lung cancer and coronary illness.

As indicated by the UK government figures, the burning of these types of wet logs is responsible for 38% of the complete PM2.5 contamination in the UK which is more than street transport and industry joined!

So, in line with their goals to lower the country’s carbon footprint the government has started cinching down on this harmful producer of air contamination. This, however, puts a number of people and business owners in a difficult position.

RENEWABLE ENERGY IN BRITAIN

With a prominent background in renewable industry and a very clear view of the sector’s landscape, Paul began British Renewable Fuels to provide the products that businesses would need. Additionally, he also offers consultancy services to help them make the best of what renewable energy has to offer.

“Mistral Energy is another business component of mine through which I consult on renewable energy projects around the UK,” he says, “We’ve built over sixty three wind turbines in Scotland, created biomass generators and consulted on local businesses on how they can increase their own sustainability.”

Paul goes on to explain that being a small business they are incredibly flexible with meeting their customer’s needs. This relationship building has allowed Paul the opportunity to help their clients drastically change their carbon footprint. Not only by using the most sustainable wooden fuel created under the best conditions but also to become sustainable with their energy.

“Many farms may have the land available to erect a wind turbine or the roof space on a barn or farmhouse for solar panels,” he says, “This gives them a great opportunity to make themselves entirely sustainable and self-efficient.”

Paul explains,

“Wood is still a major source of heat for the British public,”

“As well as playing an important role in many businesses ranging from restaurants, leather tanning and metal working, to boutique hospitality such as camping and glamping. These restrictions could impact them all.”

RENEWABLE RECEPTION

Paul has been involved with some very interesting renewable endeavours, including megawatt projects in East Anglia in England and micro generation projects. He has noticed that there is a marked difference in reception to renewable energy depending on where you go in the UK.

“Scotland’s natural stance for renewable projects is to accept and not reject. So they are very advanced in things like wind farms, on and offshore,” he says, “But in England these same projects are met with scepticism and an initial refusal. Renewable energy and sustainability are keywords at the moment, but you can see the real dedication in how governments act.”

Fortunately, people and businesses are free and able to make use of the renewable energy resources themselves. And, standing in their corner, British Renewable Fuels has already proved that even during crisis like Covid 19, they are up for the challenge and keeping their customers supplied.

“We did not slow down production during Lockdown,” he explains, “Our yard is large enough that there is roughly five metres if not more between each of our staff. This was fortunate because during spring and summer time we process and stockpile so that we have the supply for the winter months where the requirement often doubles. Also,  during the Lockdown period a lot of our clients still required their fuel for their home heating or their small businesses.”

WHAT DOES RENEWABLE MEAN TO YOUR INDUSTRY?

As mentioned earlier, fire still plays a crucial role in many businesses. As an example, in hospitality, glamping continues to grow not only in popularity but diversity and there is definite need for more economic and sustainable means of fuelling fires.

Boutique hospitality, like glamping, relies on offering all the benefits of camping while matching these with the luxuries of a hotel room. What says camping more than an open fire?

Open fires, for cooking, for warmth and ambiance are such a quintessential part of camping and being in the outdoors that the majority of sites offer firepits, wood burners, barbecues and wood fired hottubs as part of their packages.

And, Post Lockdown, the glamping industry has seen a massive worldwide thrust as these destinations also offer privacy and so social distancing is easily achieved. The industry is set to continue to grow with more sites opening up but irrespective of whether the glamping sites consists of dozens of tents, domes and wigwams or just a single tipi, they are all going to be subject to the new law regarding what sort of wood is burnt.

“Industries need to take these changes seriously,” Paul says, “And understand that laws like this open more doors than they close. Glamping site owners may not be aware of what their land is capable of producing in terms of sustainable, economic energy which is very trendy in hospitality and travel at the moment.”

2023

Paul reveals that he aims to reach an output level of 5000 tons this coming winter. Once this has been achieved, they will know that they can aim for 10,000 tons next year. This will mean a doubling of staff and production to meet and exceed this target.

“We have an important role to play, so we are building our business one briquette at a time,” he says.

Australia

The Thetford story goes back to 1963 in Michigan in the USA when Mr. Frank Sargent invented a camping toilet that would be the base of Thetford’s world-famous Porta Potti. Since then, Thetford has become a global leader in RV Refrigeration, Cooking Appliances, Service Doors and Toilet Care Products.

THE INSPIRATION

The inspiration as to why a company would invent a brand of toilet should be pretty obvious, however it should be pointed out that until Thetford’s original invention there was no standard of sanitation for mobile toilets. The contributions that this company has brought to convenience and quality of portable sanitation has been appreciated by all of us at some point.

THE BUSINESS

The scope of Thetford’s products seems almost without end and with a notoriety for pioneering products. As an example they were the first manufacturer and inventor of the Cassette Toilet, which is now being used in 90% of the RV’s worldwide.

With their international headquarters in Ann Arbor USA and their European headquarters in Etten-Leur in the Netherlands they also have production facilities in the United States, the Netherlands, United Kingdom and China.

STAFF

Thetford now has 1000 employees world-wide, including 15 in Australia where they supply to most of the Australian manufacturers from their local warehouse in Melbourne.

The training they offer is second to none. You see, high quality products are one thing, installing, servicing and using a product is another. That is why the company offers training to both direct and indirect customers.

They are also present during all major Industry shows in Australia, where end users can talk to the experts to learn more about their products.

QUALITY REASSURANCE

It is a relief to know that Thetford’s got your back as well when it comes to offering the best advice and support. Offering a standard three year warranty on all of their products, they’re already ahead of their competition.

Their service network consists of more than 250 Service Agents that provide guidance and support all over Australia. And they work with almost all Australian RV Manufacturers, so people will see their product in most of the vehicles on the road when Down Under.

2023

This year Thetford have just introduced an amazing induction hob for inside RV’s, the Topline 902. This highly innovative induction hob is a remarkably elegant and timeless 2 burner Induction stove that perfectly matches the increasing demand for home-like cooking. The sleek and easy to use unit can be installed both horizontally and vertically and will impress every RV owner.

Full name: Thetford Australia Telephone number: 03 9358 0700 Email: infoaus@thetford.com.au Website: www.thetford.com.au

NOMAD SHELTERS

Living in a Round

Founded in 1995 by Lee and Jess Tenhoff, Nomad Shelter is not only one of the most authentic yurt manufacturers, but one of the most authentic businesses in America. From living and working in their yurt to giving other people the opportunity to do the same, we spoke with co-founder Jess Tenhoff regarding their business.

“This has been a lifelong passion for us,” she says, “Lee and I moved into a yurt of our own design in 1987 and what started as a small family business now ships handcrafted yurts across the world for a variety of different uses and a range of different environments.”

NOMAD SHELTER

Even though Lee and Jess have been building yurts for over twenty years, they still have the capacity to look at every yurt they manufacture as a bespoke, stand-alone project. Overseeing each phase of design and construction they work closely with clients to personalize and individually craft each one.

“It is the personal side of the business that keeps us going,” Jess says, “As well as having the reputation for being the leading yurt designers. We love working with people and discussing their plans and dreams and doing our bit to shape them.”

As they are handmade from scratch, the creation of each yurt requires their full attention, experience and skill to create something that the client will fall in love with. As anyone who has worked with wood will tell you, there is a knowhow involved in creating such structures that counts for everything.

“You don’t make wood do anything, you negotiate with it,” Jess says.

YURT USES

Over the last twenty years, Nomad Shelter have perfected the steps needed to create the perfect personalized nomadic abode. In recent years, thanks to the explosive popularity of glamping things have gotten very busy. With current and up-and-coming destinations vying to offer the

coolest and most luxurious accommodation some businesses have abandoned their roots and turned to automation and commercialisation to capitalise on the demand. Lee and Jess have gone the other way and, instead, have focused even harder on the individual customer’s needs and desires.

“No matter how big and diverse the hospitality industry becomes it is still a deeply personal thing,” Jess reveals,

“For the owner of the site it is a personal extension of themselves and for the guest it is an experience of that.”

This sentiment goes further than just the hospitality industry, as it is becoming ever more apparent that people do not need to invest in bricks and mortar as a home and that nomadic, standalone accommodations can be perfect for many different environments.

“It is so important that people think outside the box to explore all the options,” Jess says, “And give themselves the chance to visualize what it is they want, and how living in a round home without walls could transform their relationship between them and their environment whether the yurt is for personal or commercial use.”

FOR A BUSINESS

Going well beyond merely accommodation for a glamping site, hotel group or safari, yurts offer a greater flexibility and uniqueness to any business. If a business requires a versatile, cost effective

and captivating structure, as many businesses do, the yurt presents a richly inviting and economical space.

“Low impact designs, easy set-up and a range of sizes means that a yurt can provide an effective space be it for a hospitality purpose or to create an inviting and mesmerizing office space to work out of,” Jess says.

Ultimately, when you combine the yurt’s natural adaptability and Nomad Shelter’s willingness to work with each customer you come to a scenario where whatever can be imagined can probably be built.

WHAT CAN CLIENTS EXPECT?

Jess says that taking the time to communicate with a client is an essential part of their process. Before Nomad Shelter begins working, they need to know exactly what the customer wants. Once design and manufacturing have taken place the yurt parts are assembled in their factory and can be shipped internationally to be assembled. With this in mind the stove and the yurt platform are not included in their service but a list of materials, a platform diagram and dimensions for the stove are provided as well as a setup manual and phone support.

“The yurt platform and not just the deck, should be factored into client’s overall budget,” Jess says,

“As it can range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars depending on the size of the yurt, materials, location and builder.”

Yurts have an 8-16 week turn-around time and all yurts have a borough tax of $37.50.

LIVING IN THE ROUND

There is such a security and calmness to be found in a yurt that this could explain why it is such a popular accommodation choice across so many different nations. And, while the detailed design and manufacture may differ from country to country depending on the materials available, the layout, that of a round accommodation without walls has proved to be popular throughout history. And there is evidence to suggest psychological benefits of living in a round room instead of a walled-up compartment.

“It is a genuine pleasure to be able to introduce people to the benefits of living in a yurt,” Jess says, “We wouldn’t have been doing it for two decades if we didn’t love it.”

WHAT MAKES A YURT?

The yurt is comprised of several different layers that make it the cosy, weather proof shelter that has served nomadic tribes in many different countries for centuries.

While the external appearance of a Nomad Shelter yurt is traditional, the manufacturing process uses modern materials that are built to last. This includes a Duro-last roofing membrane made of 40ml polyvinyl as the first layer of the cover. This is used over the entire yurt for the standard cost. The reason being is that it doesn’t mildew or degrade in sunlight or exposure and it is completely flame retardant.

Drafts and leaks are prevented with additional layers and the lattice which gives the yurt its shape is made of either white spruce or Douglas fir. This is held together with aluminium rivets with support columns and rafters to provide added strength for the larger tents. Strength and durability are very important.

“The Nomad Shelter lattice is structurally engineered with this added dimensional strength to support the rafters,” she adds, “It can handle a great deal of snow and winds of up to 100 mph without the need of vertical supporting posts.”

Rafters have wooden connections to the central compression ring which are designed to insert in directly for extra strength. As there are no pin connections there is no torsion or twist in the

frame. Nomad Shelter central compression rings are also layers thicker and a full foot wider on each size than any other design. These robustly engineered rings ensure the compression from the rafter connection translates into an incredibly strong roof, while also serving as a beautiful design feature.

What follows is insulation and Nomad Shelter only uses the insulation that they know works the best. It includes reflectix double foil backed bubble wrap and this is lined with a polyester mildew and fireresistant fabric.

“There are many people in Alaska living with the Nomad Shelter liner as insulation for their primary residences,” Jess points out, “We use it in our own residents in Homer, Alaska.”

Website: www.nomadshelter.com Telephone: 001 907-235-0132

MALMAISON NEWCASTLE

Often, initial impressions rely heavily on location and with an enviable view overlooking the River Tyne on Newcastle’s busy quayside, Malmaison Newcastle is off to a great start. As is the case with many of the hotels in the Malmaison group, the atmosphere is warm, welcoming and romantic. Benefitting from dark décor, low lighting and spacious rooms.

LOCATION

Definitely one of its definable attributes is the riverside location. The Millennium Bridge towers just a stone’s throw away, and nearby are the Baltic museum and the Sage concert hall while the River Tyne is literally on the doorstep. Within walking distance is a selection of bars and restaurants as well as being only a 15 minute walk from the city centre.

STYLE AND CHARACTER

With a private driveway and seven-storey stone frontage, the hotel, which was originally a warehouse serving the shipping industry, offers a proud countenance. The perfect kind of place for business meetings or romantic adventures.  Smart interiors, purple velvet coverings, Gatsby-esque chandeliers and light fixtures and a dusky colour scheme that follows you through the brasserie, bar and into the bedrooms. After two decades of being open, the hotel still maintains that crisp youthful feeling that attracts those discerning travellers looking for that something special.

SERVICES AND FACILITIES.

Staff are approachable and attentive, be them at the front desk, brasserie or bar. With quickly available suggestions on where to go and what local amenities are available. Facilities include a first-floor brasserie restaurant overlooking the river with adjoining cocktail bar, as well as an underground spa with sauna, massage chairs and various bookable treatments.

ESSENTIALS

I found the room to be somewhat broody, dark colours, shades of purples, reds and silvers. I enjoyed the dim lighting and the atmosphere it created but I can imagine that not everyone spends as much time writing in a room as I do. The bed was amazingly comfortable and spacious, the bathroom almost large enough to have a sword duel in (an essential quality in any bathroom) and there were handy charging points for smartphone users. Additionally, everything was very clean.

FOOD AND DRINK

Chez Mal Brasserie, set on the first floor overlooking the river, is a tasteful venue serving decent fare. The menu includes a wide selection of French and British classics; among others find mussels, Black Angus steak and lemon meringue cheesecake.

COSTS

Double rooms from £99 in low season; rising to £145 in high. Breakfast excluded – priced at £12 per person. Free Wi-Fi.

There are five accessible rooms available.

FAMILY FRIENDLY

Rooms are available with two double beds, but there are no specific family-friendly facilities.

Website: www.malmaison.com

A NEW HOTEL 195 YEARS IN THE MAKING

Thinking about it, when John Whitehead Greaves founded Llechwedd Quarry in Gwynedd, Wales in the year 1836, I wonder if he ever imagined that his place of business would evolve so much. Long after the demand of slate went into decline, this location has become a place synonymous with historic value, natural beauty and adventure.

A boutique hotel, Plas Weunydd offers more than just comfort and style for visitors and guests but a unique historic experience. Not only is the area, which has remained in the Greaves family for over 150 years, of significant value for its beauty but it is also a potential UNESCO World Heritage Site (the decision to be made come late 2021.)

CHANGING FACES

The quarry may once have been a vista of grey stone caverns and dust, where the clanking of machinery and the coarse sounds of hard work were the lifeblood of the slate industry. Today it beats to a different pulse and families, couples, solitary travellers and those seeking comfort and adventure in equal measure to enjoy what has become a place of stunning beauty.

Ensuring that every aspect of the caverns and landscape can be properly enjoyed has been a priority for the minds behind Plas Weunydd attractions. The hotel and glamping site, the world’s only underground trampoline park (Bounce Below) and Zip World Slate Caverns, provide unique and captivating ways to appreciate this special slice of history.

“There are also numerous beaches, castles and mountains all within a short drive of the hotel,” says Adam Lemalle, Marketing and Events manager for Plas Wuenydd, “But we have many guests who travel across the whole country or even further afield to visit us.”

THE BOUTIQUE HOTEL EXPERIENCE

Catering to the full range of modern day traveller, Llechwedd Glamping offers six en-suite, five star rated safari tents for the intrepid glamper seeking to enjoy the sort of glamorous camping experience that North Wales is famous for. For those who favour hotels, Plas Weunydd offers 24 en-suite bedrooms styled in a contemporary, family-friendly environment featuring the art work of local artists around the building.

Adam explains that they wanted the hotel to be comfortable and trendy, whilst also referencing the rich cultural heritage of the building and quarry as a whole. This is particularly evident in the bar and restaurant which features many images and maps from its 200-year history.

“We have found that keeping the history of a place alive is part of the splendour and magic of the place,” he says.

Llechwedd, as an attraction was opened in 1972 following the decline in the demand for slate during the 20th Century. They first opened with a Miner’s tramway tour, before the famous Llechwedd Deep Mine tour followed in 1979.

Originally, Plas Weunydd was built as the on-site residence of John Whitehead Greaves over 150 years ago. It stayed as the family residence until the mid 20th Century, when it became the site offices for the attraction. After number of years unoccupied, a plan was put together to convert it into a boutique hotel, serving guests visiting for Llechwedd, Zip World and Snowdonia in general.

MODERN DAY PRECAUTIONS

Only recently established, the new hotel has been born into an industry that is only now coming into the light after all that happened in 2020. So, unlike many larger hotels or hotel chains that have had to adapt and pivot to meet the requirements and assurances of the modern day traveller, Plas Wuenydd has started its journey with these in mind.

“We feature industry leading Covid procedures that are ever present but not looming,” Adam explains, “There is a balance to be found. Guests feel reassured when they can see that cleaning, sterilizing and precautions are put into place but do not wish to feel that these are encroaching upon their enjoyment of their stay.”

According to Adam, relationships with guests, the team of twenty staff and local businesses is paramount in making the hotel a success. Boutique hotels that offer something different thrive in an environment where people are talking about them in a favourable light. Especially in today’s social media savvy world, hotels need to offer much more than just a room, a mattress and a comfortable pillow.

“With today’s standards a successful hotel can leave nothing out,” says Adam, “The showers have to be better than the showers they have at home, the beds and pillows must provide the best sleep ever and the hotel needs to work to make the most of the location. Today a hotel needs to be a destination on itself and not just a place to stay.”

And, crucially, they must always develop and change with trends and tastes. Adam reveals that they hope to offer even more accommodation styles in 2022 where they plan to build on the success, they have had with their glamping site and their brand new hotel.

PRICE

The average price per room, per night for the hotel is £120, whilst the glamping tents are £150 per tent, per night and sleep up to six people.

Address: Plas Weunydd, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd. LL41 3NB

Telephone number: 01766 610 006 Email: stay@plasweunydd.co.uk Website: www.Plasweunydd.co.uk

TEXTILE SERVICES ASSOCIATION

Keeping the bed sheets clean

Interview with the ceo of the tsa. David stevens

a priority for the minds behind Plas Weunydd attractions. The hotel and glamping site, the world’s only underground trampoline park (Bounce Below) and Zip World Slate Caverns, provide unique and captivating ways to appreciate this special slice of history.

Thinking about it, when John Whitehead Greaves founded Llechwedd Quarry in Gwynedd, Wales in the year 1836, I wonder if he ever imagined that his place of business would evolve so much. Long after the demand of slate went into decline, this location has become a place synonymous with historic value, natural beauty and adventure. A boutique hotel, Plas Weunydd offers more than just comfort and style for visitors and guests but a unique historic experience. Not only is the area, which has remained in the Greaves family for over 150 years, of significant value for its beauty but it is also a potential UNESCO World Heritage Site (the decision to be made come late 2021.)

CHANGING FACES

The quarry may once have been a vista of grey stone caverns and dust, where the clanking of machinery and the coarse sounds of hard work were the lifeblood of the slate industry. Today it beats to a different pulse and families, couples, solitary travellers and those seeking comfort and adventure in equal measure to enjoy what has become a place of stunning beauty.

Ensuring that every aspect of the caverns and landscape can be properly enjoyed has been

says Adam Lemalle, Marketing and Events manager for Plas Wuenydd,

“There are also numerous beaches, castles and mountains all within a short drive of the hotel,”

“But we have many guests who travel across the whole country or even further afield to visit us.”

ARTISAN COFFEE REVIEW

Leith Walk/Balfour Street, Edinburgh

Artisan Coffee is designed to overflow. On sunny days when the key shaped interior, consisting of half a dozen seating areas are occupied, customers can languish outside under the dapple shade of trees at the corner of Leith Walk and Balfour Street upon a dozen or more tables and chairs.

Then, when the long Scottish nights and the soft but drenching rain arrives on the slog to year-end, Artisan offers a warm lantern-cosy caffeinated flavoured privacy to the weary (and inevitably damp) traveller.

HOME IN LEITH

Aesthetically, the café follows the boutique economy of space that is prevalent in Edinburgh, where the present flows like a river around the unforgettable boulders and the cherished ruins of the past. Leith is a prime example of this, a port area that fought for its independence from Edinburgh since 1128 and finally won it in 1833 only to be reabsorbed by city-osmosis in 1920. Ranked by Time Out in 2021 as one of the top five places to live in the world, it is a beautiful area where the modern and the old knit together to form an oddly inspiring tapestry, with independent and franchised businesses, occupying all available nooks and crannies, provided by the buildings that have stood here for centuries.

Leith is a spirited place of shadowy corners lit by lights above doors and premises where waitrons navigate unique angles and bends, unexpected stairs and low ceilings. Patrons seek out those beautiful places in the corners where they can hide and survey the world. While lacking in the nook department and more leaning towards a Parisian Cafe, the spirit of filling in available spaces is nevertheless prevalent at Artisan. Artwork available for purchase bedeck the walls, offering painted works and photography across a variety of genres including landscapes, political references and boutique imagery.

THE COFFEE

Roasted by Sons of Amazon, a stylish take on the biker focussed television show with the great soundtrack, the coffees are smooth, considered and served hot enough to drink but not hot enough to cause physical burns. Loyalty cards are available and recommended. Sandwiches and a range of cakes, brownies and basic tasties are made fresh to go with the coffees (notice the plural).

ATMOSPHERE

Open from 8am sharp to a late closing of 7pm, seven days a week the cafe attracts the reliable characters. In a corner, the huddled couple conducting first date interviews following extensive conversations on Tinder and WhatsApp. In the other corner the lunchtime-eveningtime-day-time couple of girlfriends speaking at double pace and double volume. Between them the ever-present solitary gentleman, starved for conversation and without a keel, soaking in the ambient society while enjoying a welcome brew. The readers, so involved in their novels that every so often they sit bold upright, realizing they’re not where they expected. The remote workers and digital nomads, drinking up the Wi-Fi, plugged into the abundant wall sockets and surviving exclusively on the provisions coming from the counters and of course the regulars, filling up the usual chairs, as dependable to navigate as tree stumps in a path.

Music is light and well chosen for the time of day. Fairly more energetic in the mornings and moving to jazzy relaxation before closing. For those not involved in the music scene, these would be classed as easy-jazz, easy-listening, easy-wakeup and easy-easy, which are all official terms for coffee house music used by all experienced journalists.

CASUAL COOLNESS

One hopes that the owners of Artisan Coffee, saw the nostalgic and film noir value of a cafe on the corner of a pedestrian dominated Leith Walk. The location, which makes it almost impossible not to notice during the walk down, tickles the nostalgic brain cells and as you walk up to those doors, you

can imagine saxophone music or at very least, the deep, velvety smooth voice of a black and white film narrator.

the dark winter afternoons, the single door entrance with its glass front, mists up. Meanwhile silhouettes of raincoated walkers, brandishing umbrellas fall across it, cast by the streetlamp outside. Nearer to Christmas the more colourful this display becomes, with lights coming from neighbouring shops, supplying comforting arrays of mottled blues, reds, gold and green.”

FINAL WORDS

Easy to find and open all week, if you find yourself in Edinburgh and want to escape Auld Reekie, head down Leith Walk and you’ll find friendly customer service, good coffee and a great location at Artisan Coffee. It can become a firm and regular favourite. Of course, sometimes the overflow overflows because everyone who comes here, tends to come here again.

Images courtesy of: https://www.facebook.com/ artisancoffeeedinburgh

“In

EDINBURGH TOUR FOR A FRIEND

By Donnie Rust

The City of Edinburgh is synonymous with performance art and theatre with the Edinburgh Fringe drawing in musicians, actors, comedians and performers from around the world. During the other times of the year the city boasts some of the busiest entertainment venues and there is always something happening; be it live comedy, live music, like performance or just someone who’s had a lot to drink and thinks that standing on a table and singing Take Me Home isn’t a cry for help :).

My task. Provide my visiting friend. who is a highly educated, well travelled biologist from Prague in the Czech Republic, a memorable tour of my beloved Edinburgh City. On it.

Edinburgh is the perfect city for me. It’s a deep swamp of stories and legends with a history just as dark and dank. I believe that a soul of a city exists within its nooks and crannies, saturating the narrow corridors and back alleys, haunting the underground businesses and the businesses that are underground. There is more to do here than you could possibly manage in a handful of days.

Nevertheless, we tried.

DAY ONE

• A live gig at Legends

• Vegetarian burritos at Mariachi

• Legends

Legends is a stylish pub/club between Cowgate and The Grassmarket and is a popular venue for students, creatives, musicians and people who enjoy good drink and pleasant company. It is the sort of place that naturally creates stories and you’re guaranteed to meet some interesting people you’ll know for the rest of your life. Definitely worth a visit.

Legends. Edinburgh Mariachi

Mariachi is a Mexican restaurant on Victoria Street opposite the Harry Potter Museum, which is also well worth a visit if you’re a fan (although, as the shop is very authentic and the wands look very real I imagine there have been more than a few disappointed tears from children who gave one of them a wave and saw nothing). The restaurant serves Mexican dishes at its  finest, is always busy and for a good reason. Their food is delicious and suited my guest’s vegetarian pallet perfectly. Incidentally, those Marvel fans would probably recognise Victoria Street from one of the Avengers films.

DAY TWO

•

A terrifying visit to Surgeons Hall on Nicholson Street

•

Axe Throwing at Black Axe Throwing, Summerhall Crescent

the wondrous vantage point.  It’s definitely worth the walk. Also even at its busiest there are still loads of grassy areas to sit and enjoy a wonderful picnic with olives, crusty bread, cheese and wine. Perfection.

•

Surgeons Hall

Modern surgery owes a great debt of thanks to Edinburgh, which was for many years ahead of the field in Britain. This was during a period when barbers (those who cut hair and beards) were often employed as surgeons because they owned really sharp knives. If you’re thinking that sounds a bit like Sweeney Todd- it’s the right sort of mental image to have. The Surgeons Hall is a vast display of medical samples from every part of the human body, showcasing what can often go wrong. It also has a display of early and modern surgical instruments ranging from scissors and chisels to highly advanced robotics.

For a factophile like me, it left me drooling, but if I’m honest with myself, I’m happy believing that my body is filled with sugary mist and caffeine vapour. Ignorance is sometimes bliss. But it is a beautiful and important display and no history or science fan’s visit to the city would be complete without it.

• Axe Throwing

Axe throwing has seen a huge rise in popularity recently, for no small thanks to the likes of Jason Momoa who’s enthusiasm for the sport has made him and it a popular theme. Black Axe in LOCATION is one of the most popular in Edinburgh and over a wonderful hour or hurling throwing axes at a wooden target I’ve never felt more in touch with the wild viking warrior who lives in all of us and wishes to be let loose in a safe and manageable environment.

DAY THREE

• A leisurely stroll up a mountain

A dragon once fell asleep upon the peak after gouging itself on the pillaged food from Scotland, whereas King Arthur Pendragon slayed it and sat upon its head. This is one of the legends of Arthur’s Seat. Not an arduous mountain by any means, I have friends who run up it every morning instead of having a cup of coffee and the paths have been worn by the feet of thousands of tourists seeking to see this part of Scotland from

DAY FOUR

• A tour of the South Bridge crypts by Auld Reekie Tours

Edinburgh’s history is dark and the history of the South Bridge even more so. The tours get you right into the dark crypts and are as educational as they are entertaining. Those seeking experiences with the paranormal are brought very close to it here and those seeking history and stories are in for a treat. The tour is detailed in its description and thoroughly researched, leaving you wanting to explore more about this city and its incredible past.

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yurts utilize the most robust construction available in the world. Tested and approved by Alaskan winters!

THE MK1 SCIROCCO STORM

1.6 Litre

In many ways the Mk1 Scirocco marked the start of an era. In 1981 it was the first of the iconic wedge shape that would be later improved upon, in a bid to create a genre of cars that would stand out as the ‘fun’ models.

THE CAR

Over two generations and 19 years, a total of 77,460 Sciroccos were sold in the UK alone and its reputation as a “car to drive” was complete. The fact is, the Scirocco was and still is appealing and delightful. A small coupe that proved that even when modestly powered, a front-wheel drive vehicle could be a huge amount of fun, it was the first in VW’s new generation of front-wheel drive offerings. It was expertly styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro and engineered by Audi.

VW were determined to make the Volkswagen Scirocco a success, so spurred on by the collapse in negotiations with Porsche over co-producing the 924, VW commissioned Karmann to assemble its first ever sports coupé.

The result was the Scirocco. Based on the floor plan, engine and suspension of the Golf, which it preceded by some months (styled as well by Giorgetto Giugiaro), VW had high hopes for its Karmann Ghia replacement. The underpinnings were extensively reworked so that they could ensure it would not be a mechanical replica of its hatchback sibling. For them it had to be a uniquely different car in both handling and ride.

HARD WORK GREAT RESULTS

All the hard work paid off. The Scirocco is a joy to drive and a piquant reminder of an earlier era of driving, when cars were fun and perhaps slightly less safety conscious. With a 1.6l engine it may not be the heftiest, but it is awesomely stylish and as much fun as playing car games!

When it was originally launched, buyers had the choice of two four-cylinder engines, a 50bhp 1093cc engine and a 1471cc unit, which was

available with either 70bhp or 85bhp. Front disc brakes came fitted as standard and all models had rack-andpinion steering. All had single overhead camshafts and were water-cooled. Standard models also featured a four-speed gearbox, but a fivespeeder was available, as an option, along with other ‘extravagances’ such as air conditioning. We had a five-speed gearbox on the VW Drive Day.

Capable of reaching 60mph in 8.8 seconds and boasting a top speed of 115mph, the Scirocco was a top performer in its time. It also returned 30mpg and was considered cheap to run.

STORM MK1

From 1974 to 1981 the Mk1 Scirocco had a number of trim options, but the true king of the range was the Storm. Launched in the late 1970s as a UK-only model, the Storm package bestowed a Scirocco with full leather trim, a front bodycoloured Zender spoiler with integrated airdams and multi-spoke alloy wheels. The version we drove was the final Mk1 Scirocco Storm, produced in 1981, which was considered the climax of the first generation of this beauty.

If you were going to purchase a modern classic that is simply a lot of fun to drive, this would definitely be one of our recommendations and at £12,000, it could be considered a steal.

KESWICK BOOTS

A love letter to Keswick boot company of Keswick

Outlasting you. If you think you’ll outlast the boot, it’s not the boot for you. If you’re a hiker, you want your boots to be what people find of you long after the rest has been reclaimed by the hill. If Han Wags could speak, they would scoff.

The kind of leather you could eat. On the other hand, there’s a reason why leather boots have remained the primary boot textile of the boot industry. Yes, you have other fabrics and materials that may create bulletproof, fireproof and waterproof boots, but there is an unspoken but very real functionality to be found with the knowledge that, if you absolutely had to, you could eat your own shoes. This is the opinion of our editor.

Your choice of boot makes a dramatic difference, not only to your foot and ankle safety but also to your comfort on long walks and hikes, camping safety and your general pride and reputation with potential mates. Keswick Boot Company, a multi award winning independent business in the heart of Keswick United Kingdom, understands the importance of the above. We believe that it is a unique relationship between a foot and its footwear, a relationship that must be nurtured step by step. In our search for a supplier, we consulted with dozens of companies but only Keswick seemed to be in step with us.

The galumphing, gargantuan git that sits in our editor’s chair takes a size thirteen boot and stands six foot five when he slouches. He benches 120kg and enjoys working remotely from a tent in the middle of the Highlands yet has the ankles of a duckling. We explained this to Keswick and expected to be politely turned away, instead, the answer was fast and immediate, “You’ll be wanting some Han Wags.”

Below are the important things that a footwear should offer the wearer as a love letter to Keswick Boot Company and the extraordinary boot brand currently cutting new trails over Ben Nevis.

Heroic. Look at any modern superhero’s feet and you’ll notice something interesting; superheroes wear boots. There are exceptions but these are functional, for example Spider Man’s stickiness would never get through the thick soles of a

Han Wag. Batman, Superman, Shazam (terrible example), Black Adam and of course the latest hero of note Wednesday Addams wear boots. Boots are formidable, at once commanding respect from those around you- even if it starts at the shins and works its way up. Buy the boots that, when you’re lacing them up, makes you feel like the star of a video montage of awesomeness.

An epic manufacturing process. Remember that film that had a sword being forged with hammer and anvil? The same applies with boots. Not the anvil and hammer (although that would be cool), but with the manufacturing process. Look at this image of a Han Wag boot being forged, see the size of the clamp needed to keep that beast in place? Nearby mountains are shrinking in fear.

The footfall. Do the walk test with the boots prior to purchase. Boots encourage one to stride or strutt from the heel to the toe and allows the walker to walk at their pace. If you want to run around everywhere, you buy a pair of sneakers, or track shoes, but when you’re hiking up a mountain, you take your time. When you’re walking through the city streets on the way to the cinema, you take your time. Find yourself walking towards a gang of street level criminal scum harassing innocent commuters in the Subway? Take your time.

Website: https://thekeswickbootco.co.uk/ Images Courtesy of Keswick Boot Company

CAMMING AROUND THE WORLD

Webcamming, or camming, is the primary money earner for millions of people across the UK, as well as being one of the fastest growing industries in 2020 thanks to sites like Onlyfans taking it upon themselves to be the platform of choice. Offering convenient and secure ways for anyone to monetise their social media following, it provides a desperately needed opportunity, during the single worst global recession in history, for people to make the money to pay bills and buy food.

During a time when work opportunities are scarce thanks to entire industries going under and millions of people being forced to adjust their lifestyles, it is just bizarre that many people would look down at any means of making a living. I also think it’s hypocritical, in my experience the same people who would cast judgement on any performer, would probably be found signing up to watch in the middle of the night.

GETTING THE LAYOUT

Josephine (not her real name), who has been performing in front of a camera professionally for ten years and has circled the globe in that time, says that this is usually the case. According to her, camming, like most adult entertainment, relies on a transaction mostly based on curiosity, temptation and, quite often, a certain amount of loneliness.

“Webcammers like myself essentially offer paid for viewing where someone pays for a private show. Daytime shows make very little money in comparison to the house between eleven pm and 3 am. This is where I make the most money,” she says, “Before Lockdown this was the time when men and women would be coming home

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“It isn’t something to be ashamed of.”

We expose everything

alone from nights out and looking for some entertainment and personal connection.

“Over the course of the last year (2020-2021), people haven’t been going out; instead they’ve been at home, bored, sitting at their computer late at night or lying in bed and just wanting something new and interesting. It isn’t something to be ashamed of, it relieves stress, it helps in its own way to keep people following the rules which keeps everyone safe. And if it stays someone’s dirty little secret, so be it. Why judge?”

JOSEPHINE’S BACKSTORY

Our interview took place over Zoom and Josephine does not look much like the character she portrays in front of her  audience (she actually uses an Iphone instead of a webcam). The character has changed and developed over the years, but has always maintained a certain diehard biker chick appeal. Heavy mascara, mohawk hair styles, tattoos, piercings and biker boots contrast with the woman in her early thirties with a knitted jumper, blue jeans and thick socks struggling to control a hairless Sphynx cat that clearly wants all of her attention.

TRAVELLING THE WORLD

Josephine started camming because she wanted to travel the world and have something that she could do consistently. She did not want to be tied down to a particular place though and being remote and light on her feet were essentials.

“I didn’t want to temp or get part time jobs or work in bars,” she explains, “I wanted something that I could control and build while travelling when and where I wanted.”

Prior to 2020, her modus-operandi was to visit a different country and rent an apartment for two to six months at a time. This would give her enough time to travel, explore and set up a perfect studio and backdrop for her shows all while never revealing her actual location to her audience.  She would still take full advantage of the locations to get some good promotional shots or short videos done because a great portfolio catalogue of media is essential to keeping fans loyal.

“I’ve always had a character,” she continues, “That way I’m just acting and playing a role for an audience and it’s a creative process that allows me to change whatever I want when I want to. I think that getting into character and playing a role is essential for keeping my professional life completely separate from my private life. That and lots of makeup.”

“They always ask where I am or where I’m going next,” she says, “But I never give them answers like that. When it comes to the chatrooms, I always control the direction and tone of a conversation. If someone steps out of line once, they’re gone. I have put too much time and effort into this to have any time for fools.”

“I wanted something that I could control and build while travelling when and where I wanted.”

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“Meteoric success is just that, brilliant and brief. Be consistent”

WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOES NOT

Josephine has a degree in marketing and over the years has had the opportunity to make use of it for some very impressive corporate brands. While these opportunities did present themselves to her and came at the right time. She doesn’t believe that success comes from being unique or lucky or even from working spectacularly hard. Instead she says that her secret has come from almost one thing alone.

she says, “Uniqueness

Studio: Even though her studio location regularly changes, her studio style does not. Her “studio” consists of a telescopic tripod for her iphone that can be adjusted for height and a simple laptop that can be used for chat room engagements. She also has a number of different plug adapters and chargers. The rest is makeup and a bag full of props.  The rest she sorts out “On set” as it were following the set up guidelines she learnt on Youtube ten years ago.

“Camera angles and lighting are so important, and I’m a big lover good lines and a hater of anything tacky,” she says, “‘It isn’t rocket science though, the viewers just want to be able to see things clearly.’

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Speaking with her, it’s clear that she gets very frustrated with the modern idea that any success needs to be immediate and surprising. Meteoric success, she says, is exactly that, it’s a shooting star. Brilliant and brief.

“For the first couple of shows I had no viewers,” she says, “I got disheartened at first and then I just started working at it and using the tools that are so readily available. I watched a Youtube video on how to set up a performance studio which was all of twenty minutes long and then did exactly what was suggested. I didn’t reinvent the wheel, I just did exactly what someone else has done.”

ANONYMITY

For anyone coming into the industry or thinking about doing it, Josephine definitely recommends it, “This a serious industry backed by very serious platforms that want to keep you safe and secure,” she says, “But it is up to the individual to protect their privacy.”

She reveals to what lengths she has gone to keep what she does completely secret from her family and most of her friends. She even takes this a step further by ensuring that her character’s makeup is completely different to how she normally dresses. It’s what she calls her Zooey Deschanel Strategy.

“Consistency is the most important thing,”

is totally overrated. Get an idea, set it into motion and consistently work at it. It’s simple.”

“I have a Zooey Deschanel strategy,”

“Have you ever been able to recognise her without her glasses and bangs?” Josephine asks, “She looks completely different. I would walk right past her on the street without thinking. Clark Kent would have totally gotten away with it. Nobody would have guessed he was Superman.”

learn what works and what doesn’t in any industry and that is by making all of the little mistakes as soon as you can. With this in mind, she definitely recommends throwing yourself into anything you do because while you’re stumbling around you’ll make all the mistakes pretty fast.

“Learn from everything you do,” she says, “Especially mistakes.”

Not all performers go to such lengths to keep their personas separate. Many just don’t have that concern. Today it is an industry that is protected by invested companies that take privacy and security very seriously, so for many it’s just about changing a name to something catchy and just going for it and having some fun.

For Josephine, one of her main motivations to keep things separate is the acute awareness that her nephews will soon be teenagers and will be scouring every inch of the internet in search of illicit and forbidden fruits.

“I don’t want an angry phone call from my sister because her sons found Aunty Joe’s apples,” she says.

PROFESSIONALISM

The other key to success is to take things seriously and be professional. She set her standards a long time ago and has not changed them, “I certainly won’t lower them for anyone,” she says, “Your standards should be the bedrock that you fall on.”

The actual show is a small part of the entire job, she explains, “Most of the professional work goes into the preparation. Keeping healthy, keeping in shape, looking after your skin and taking care of your body and knowing when to share with your audience and knowing when to draw the line.”

At the same time, it’s important not to take yourself too seriously. There is only one way to

ALWAYS PLAN AHEAD. PREPARATION IS KEY.

For years, Josephine wanted to visit Asia. And had planned an extensive tour of SouthEast Asia including Indonesia which was supposed to last three months. The plan was this was all going to be funded by webcaming. The plan included exotic locations, gorgeous balcony views, daily updates to her followers and what she promised to be the very best camming in the evening.

‘You have to be a bit of secret agent,”

‘It was only when I arrived at the hotel that I discovered that the limited internet in the area I was in meant camming was impossible,’ she says, ‘But also any kind of adult entertainment was illegal in the region and couldn’t be accessed on any of the internet! So I had no way of doing anything. It was still a good trip and very relaxing but it became an expensive holiday rather than a working trip.”

“Raise your standards, do not lower them”

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WARNINGS

While Josephine contests the idea that this sort of work is degrading in any way, saying that there are a lot of jobs that demand a lot more and offer less. She does admit that you have to be careful with what you make available online.

Promotion happens through sites like Twitter, Tinder and Instagram – and revealing and suggestive images are used which can and often do, stay on the internet for years. She can still find images from ten years ago with only a few clicks of a mouse.

‘You have to be a bit of a secret agent,” she says, “Aside from my character I’m not even really on social media. It just doesn’t appeal to me anymore and I find it so much easier to be able to switch off after hours without having it constantly demanding my attention.”

STILL WORTH IT?

“Every job comes with its risks and responsibilities,” she says, “You just have to weigh the pros and cons and make sure that you look after yourself on each step. It isn’t a run of the mill kind of job though, if anything I’d compare it to a high skyline cable worker or a rooftop construction worker. You have to watch every step and not take anything for granted.”

After almost a decade of running her business Josephine has had a couple of experiences that in hindsight she chalks down as being naive or downright stupidity. She says that it’s like being a minor celebrity, you’ll have loyal fans but some of them will deliberately go out of their way to invade your private life if you let them.

“At the start I was stupid and had my telephone number on an Instagram account,” she recalls, “Just because it asked for it during the account set up and I never even thought about it again until I was regularly blocking telephone numbers when i received unwarranted messages or calls.”

She has stories to tell of other performers who haven’t taken the time to be careful who have had letters put through their letter boxes and received messages in public boards trying to oust them. There is the potentially devastating trend at the moment of trying to out performers on Onlyfans to family, friends and places of work.

But I travel extensively, I work twenty hours a week and I have a reason and motivation to stay fit. I’ve been able to work throughout 2020 and grow my business so I haven’t had the financial worry on top of Lockdowns,” she adds.  “Importantly, I’m able to pay my bills, save money and study for my degree. There are worse jobs out there so if you think you could enjoy this job, then you should try it, just be sure to do your homework. It’s all about safeguarding your future.”

‘This does pose a real threat to consider if you’re looking for work elsewhere as some businesses do a thorough background check,’ she says, ‘This is why setting up fake performance names and being careful with what you put online is so important at the start.’

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