Lifestyle

Just a Thought...

Beauty and the Feast

I want to confess something to you, Dear Readers, as I feel we have earned this level of transparency: we ate chocolate Santas for breakfast.

There, I said it. It happened. As myself and my two children found ourselves, once again, Living La Vida Lockdown and I broke the news that school was, once again, on hold for the foreseeable, a certain melancholy descended. Much like a cold cup of cabbage soup it filled us with a sense of limited freedoms.

My son, who tends to be hungry at any given time of the day, opened the cupboard. Like a shiny, foiled, frilled beacon of joy – there they were.

Left over from Christmas, the chocolate Santas beckoned us to replace our Weetabix and fruit with their nutritionally void yet soul fulfilling joy for our breakfast of choice. The mother in me internally cried ‘No – it’ll be wearing pyjamas until noon next’, but the human in me actually said, ‘Let’s do it!’ So we did. Do you know, the beauty in that letting go of all expectations just for a moment was truly liberating. Peeling the shiny cover off and inhaling the aroma of our decadent morning fayre was frivolously fabulous. The kids chomped through theirs in under 2 minutes, while I savoured the sense of sagacity that this small action had afforded me. I learned that these are not normal times, and the usual rules can be relaxed, perhaps even broken in the name of mental wellbeing. We need to hold ourselves accountable, yes, but we also need to allow ourselves some of the few freedoms that remain in this most uncertain of times.

Speaking of time it is nearly lunch… so I should probably get changed out of these PJ’s! Stay safe and well and give yourselves a well-earned break.

By Fliss Goldsmith of Belper

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in the heart of Shining Cliff Woods, Ambergate

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Poem

Click ‘n’ Collect

No need for a basket or trolley to push Avoid lengthy queues or the mad lunch hour rush No matter you have no pound coin for the slot No judging the conveyor belt aisle jumping lot Banish till point temptation of offers displayed No tantrum behavioural bribes being made No competitive loading or packing at speed Checkout teams claiming victory as they conquer, succeed Just sit at your screen and scroll through your list Checking pop-up reminders of ‘favourites’ you’ve missed Then arrive in your car with your details checked And drive home the delights of your Click ‘n’ Collect.

By Carol Brewer

www.pencilpoised.com Facebook.com/pencilpoised

Lifestyle Life List Have No Fear?

Many a therapist has made good capital out of the notion that ‘fear is all in the mind’, but some fears are entirely rational – as you will discover…

Clowns (coulrophobia) – With slightly more expressiveness than a scandal-ridden politician, they smile constantly yet still possess such an unroadworthy vehicle. Their fashion sense is scary too.

Number 13 (triskaidekaphobia) – Terrible for dinner parties because who has a fourteen plate set? Forget covens and Judas and the fact that some airlines omit row 13 for seating, have you tried cutting a cake into thirteen pieces? Someone’s bound to be unlucky.

Shadows (sciophobia) – They’re always with you, silently judging you, except in the darkness of course (which is another fear – scotophobia). Although Apache by The Shadows is still a cracking instrumental. Trees (hylophobia) – Despite the misheard folk wisdom that trees are a jolly good fellow, they ruin your lawn, block out the light, encourage squirrels and, very occasionally, fall on your house. Timber!

Feet (podophobia) – This is a fear you can truly never walk away from! It’s probably an evolution of our natural aversion to ‘Stilton toes’, discoloured nails, and feeling down at heel.

Beards (pogonophobia) – Remember being sat on a red, fat, bearded stranger as a child, sometime in December? For others it could be Darwinian or Freudian because beards suggest maturity and no one wants to grow up!

Loud Noises (phonophobia) – Hmm…football terrace chants, other people’s mobile phone conversations, screaming babies, barking dogs and flatulent senior citizens who are hard of hearing…it makes perfect sense.

By Derek Thompson

AA Breakfast Award

The Derby Hotel North Shore Blackpool

Welcome to The Derby Hotel in Blackpool, situated on Derby Road, North Shore Blackpool. Less than 50 yards from the promenade

2021 Trips

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July 12th to 16th • Aug 23rd to 27th • Sept 20th to 24th Oct 18th to 22nd

Proud to Have AA Breakfast Award 2020!

7 DAY

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Travel: Discovering the Scottish Highlands

If you’re on the hunt for a staycation closer to home instead of your usual holiday abroad, the Scottish Highlands should definitely be on your radar.

Imagine awe-inspiring landscapes, towns rich in culture, fluffy Highland cows, centuries of history and castles straight from a fairy tale – all topped off with a dose of Scottish hospitality. We’ve put together some of the top things to do on a staycation in the beautiful Scottish Highlands.

1. Hike or ski Ben Nevis

A hiker’s paradise in summer and a skier’s playground in winter, the UK’s highest peak is a year-round magnet for keen outdoor types.

Nevis Range is the Scots’ favourite ski resort in winter, but its panoramic mountain views make it worth a visit during summer too. Take a cable car there to enjoy hikes of varying degrees or tackle the seven-hour trek to Ben Nevis’s peak!

While exploring Ben Nevis, base yourself at nearby Fort William, a fantastic jumping off point for exploring the Highlands’ glens and mountains.

2. Visit Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness

Lose yourself in the medieval history of Inverness’s ruined castle, dating all the way back to the thirteenth century. The castle also sits on the banks of the iconic Loch Ness, making the pair a must-visit for anyone travelling to the Scottish Highlands.

Book a fascinating tour around Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness to learn about their role in Highlands’ history, keeping an eye out for the mythical monster rumoured to roam these waters… with spectacular moors, rocky valleys, dramatic mountain ranges and white sandy beaches.

Admire the Old Man of Storr, take a dip in the turquoise waters of magical Fairy Pools, walk along the cliff front to Neist Point Lighthouse and hike the Quiraing, drinking in the outstanding scenery.

4. Go hiking in Glen Coe

Glens are deep, narrow valleys that are synonymous with beautiful scenery, and Glen Coe is one of Scotland’s finest.

Carved out centuries ago by glaciers and volcanic explosions, Glen Coe’s beauty has made it the star of many famous films, including Skyfall and the Harry Potter series. If you don’t fancy exploring on foot, the A82 highway cuts straight through the verdant valley. Make time for plenty of stops – the scenery is out of this world!

5. Explore Britain’s biggest national park

Covering 1,748 square miles, Cairngorms National Park is twice the size of the Lake District and cradles five of the UK’s six highest summits.

3. Spend some time on the Isle of Skye

Scotland’s crown jewel, the Isle of Skye is the largest and arguably the most beautiful island of the Inner Hebrides, You could easily spend days exploring the mountains, lochs, rivers, forests and villages of this mammoth national park, but if you’re short on time don’t leave out a visit to Balmoral Castle – Queen Victoria’s favourite – and a ride on the Cairngorm Mountain Railway. As you explore, look out for the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd, the UK’s only free-grazing reindeer!

By Solange Hando

Please note: the ability to travel within the UK is subject to changing national and local lockdown rules. Please ensure you are aware of current restrictions before planning a trip and be aware that rules in Scotland may differ to those in England.

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