Spring is On Its Way! ISSN 2631-326X
FEBRUARY 2019
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FEBRUARY 2019
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Contents 3 09 A Very Vintage Vacation! … Page
The Four Sisters Boatel… … Page
Save the Whales – And the Dolphins and Porpoises Too! … Page
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Published by: Tiny Living Productions Ltd, Glasgow UK Editor: Pamela Palongue Design by: Gilmour Graphics Email: info@tinylivingmagazine.co.uk On the cover: French Style Patio Photograph by Chuck Collier
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Tin Can Camping grew out of a passion for restoring vintage vehicles, and the love of outdoor spaces for Emma and Dan. They’ve created a beautiful spot in the lush, green countryside of South Norfolk, where guests can stay in vintage Airstream caravans, or a lovely Sterling Jewel camper for holidays. Dan learned to renovate vintage cars from his father. In fact, they restored a 1970s Volkswagen Beetle together that is still on the road today. So when Dan and Emma were attending festivals, and needed something a bit more comfortable than their tent, they began to explore the possibility of purchasing a caravan. They began looking at caravans online, and fell in love with the Airstreams. The first Airstream they purchased was a 1956 Bubble, which was found
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on Ebay from a dealer in America. After a lengthy purchasing process and tackling several shipping issues, the caravan was shipped from Washington, D.C. to Norfolk. Dan, who works in London as a cameraman, began spending spare weekends at his parents’ home restoring the Airstream. That was only the beginning however. They purchased two more vintage Airstreams and a Sterling Jewel as well. Dan and his father do almost all the work themselves, which can be extensive! Floors are oftentimes replaced, new plumbing fixtures and windows are installed. And Emma supplies the interior decorating talent, furnishing the trailer according to its time period. She especially enjoyed decorating the 1970s Sovereign with seventies style fabrics and Orla Kiely pieces. Emma notes, “I just don’t think there’s any comparison when it comes to the aesthetics of a vintage Airstream and a modern caravan… The gorgeous curved lines with their reflective aluminium panels…and the wooden cabinet work are a world away from the sterile plastic insides of a modern caravan”.
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Each year, Dan and Emma take their own glamping holiday at Easter before the busy season gets in full swing. They pack up their 1957 Caravanner and take their two young children on the road for a month-long break and head to La Rioja, Seville and Barcelona for some much-needed family time. Their children are able to bring along their books, toys and even their bikes, onboard their home away from home. They also have great flexibility in where they visit, and can set their own timetable. The Airstream caravan gets plenty of attention on the road as well. “If I had a pound for every person who has ‘stuck their head’ in our caravan for a quick peek while on holiday, I’d be a very wealthy woman” says Emma. An essential part of the fun, is the time spent outdoors, reconnecting with the natural world. When they return from their idyllic wander, it’s time to get ready for a busy season of guests who love staying in the vintage style caravans.
Though the busiest time is spring, summer and autumn, the 1970s Airstream Sovereign can be rented year-round, thanks to a toasty wood burning stove. All the caravans have toilets and small kitchens, and towels and linens are included. Guests have access to an attractive communal space with hotel-style showers, a kitchen, pizza oven, a pool table, and firepits. Guests also get a breakfast hamper when they arrive, with goodies that are locally sourced. After Emma and Dan made a solemn vow not to take on any more major renovation projects for a while, Dan spotted a beautiful 1950s Airstream Overlander, which found its way into their driveway within a couple of weeks. Emma says that when finished, it may possibly be their most beautiful caravan yet. - Unless of course, Dan keeps browsing on Ebay… To have a look at the beautiful caravans, visit www.tincancamping.co.uk
Small Can Be Beautiful!
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Online Strawbale Building Course!
Strawbale building is an ancient method of construction that is enjoying renewed life. The materials are inexpensive and organic, and it’s a great insulator, staying cool in the summer and warm and toasty in the winter. One of the UK’s best known strawbale builders, Barbara Jones, has partnered with Low Impact Living Initiative to create an online course with over 200 minutes demonstrating the building technique. In addition to Barbara’s instruction, there are diagrams and text for detailed illustration of strawbale building. For more information, visit the link below: www.lowimpact.org/onlinecourse/straw-bale-building
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A Tiny Living Promotion
A Tiny Holiday Home – The Home That Can Earn You Money
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A tiny holiday home is a great way to get away for a weekend break or longer, without the high cost of a hotel stay at the end. They provide a chance to experience nature, and spend time with those people who are most important in your life. A tiny house is also far less expensive than a conventional holiday home, and leaves a much smaller imprint on the environment. -And, it’s completely portable! If you’d like to have a vacation spot near the beach, you can do that! Then, in a few years, if you find a forest setting more to your liking, you can take your holiday cottage with you. But here’s another important aspect of a tiny holiday home that you may not have considered. Not only is it less expensive to purchase and maintain, but it can actually earn money for you. A well-placed home in an inviting setting can be let when you are not using it.
This could potentially pay for your holidays and perhaps even more. Self-catering cottages are becoming and more popular as they provide meaningful holidays for families on a budget. And many popular websites make it possible to list your tiny house where it will be seen by thousands of people looking for places - like your tiny house. The houses featured here on these pages are built by Master Tiny House Builder, Chris March of Tiny Eco Homes UK. Chris is a bespoke builder who designs holiday homes based on the owner’s needs and the specific climate and location. For more information on the holiday homes that Chris designs, or to schedule a visit to his gallery of tiny house models, click here: www.tinyecohomesuk.com
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The Four Sisters 09
Boatel
When Natalie decided to dive into the hospitality business at just 22 years old, she already had years of experience in the field, starting at age 11!
and didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do at that point�, Natalie explains. Once the boat was listed online as a holiday let, the results were amazing!
Her mother operated over 300 beds in Edinburgh in the form of hotels and guesthouses before she retired. Natalie and her three sisters, Camillia, Melanie and Victoria often worked as chamber maids and helped with cooking in the establishments.
Lots of people were looking for a unique luxury accommodation, without the luxurious price. The boat sleeps four adults and two children comfortably, making it quite reasonable and affordable. Natalie has now been in business for four years.
So when her mum grew tired of her canal boat home and moved into a caravan, Natalie decided to list the boat as a guest accommodation. “I had just graduated from uni,
The boat is located in the Edinburgh Quay, making it a fantastic City Centre base from which to explore historic Edinburgh.
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A true, family-run business, Natalie’s sisters help out with the letting of the boat, which explains the name, The Four Sisters Boatel. Even though outdoor temperatures can be a bit chill in the spring, the boat stays warm and snug even in the cold, having been kitted out with central heating. The interior decoration is stylishly contemporary, with warm woods and colours that are comfortable and inviting. The boat is permanently moored, so there is very little movement, making ‘seasickness’ a non-issue. There’s also a surprising amount of head room, with a height of 6 feet, 4 inches. Staying on a canal boat is a fun experience for kids and a special one for adults. Natalie has observed, “It’s the kind of holiday accommodation that people want to go back and talk about. It’s a very memorable experience”. For information on staying at The Four Sisters Boatel, visit their website at www.thefoursisters.co.uk
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Save the Whales – And the Dolphins and Porpoises Too! A lot of people may be surprised to learn that there are 29 different species of whale and dolphin that reside off the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland! These include the Minke Whale, Bottlenose Dolphin, and the Harbour Porpoise. Chances are, most of us do not get the opportunity to interact with cetaceans on a daily basis, if at all. (‘Cetaceans’ is the order name for all dolphins and whales). But with Seawatch Foundation, you can possibly see some whales and dolphins, and even more importantly, actively play a role in helping to protect them, and learning more about them. Seawatch Foundation is made up of elite marine biologists, scientists and dedicated volunteers who participate in studies, research and education. The National Whale and Dolphin Watch provides information which is
essential to understanding the cetaceans and ultimately protecting them. In addition to dedicated volunteer observers, there is a need for volunteers with expert knowledge of SEO for maximising the site’s effectiveness, fundraising and communications volunteers. There is currently a unique internship opportunity for a National Whale and Dolphin Watch Assistant. For more information, visit the website and apply before 10th March, 2019 at 9am. It’s important to protect these beautiful, large animals that dwell in the sea waters of Great Britain and Ireland. If you would love to help preserve them for future generations, then Seawatch might be the volunteer opportunity for you! Visit: www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk
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Timber Framing Course The Scottish Crannog Centre, located in Aberfeldy,Perthshire, is offering two timber framing courses in February where the art of greenwood and timber framing skills will be taught. The instructor, Mike Ellis, runs Scotland’s only nationally accredited courses on Traditional Woodman’s Coppice and Greenwood Skills’. The course will be offered 19th February, and 26th February with each course lasting five days. For more information, contact Mike Ellis at mike@helmsdalewood.co.uk or call 01431 821855. For more information on The Scottish Cranog Centre, www.crannog.co.uk
The Yorkshire Motorhome & Accessory Sale This show will include both new and used motorhomes, along with lots of accessories, with over 100 exhibitors! The show runs from 22nd – 24th March at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate, HG2 8NZ.
Plan Your Canal Trip! Narrowboats.org has an excellent canal route planner which has over 10,000 different points of interest to plan a personalised canal trip! The information includes the routes, location of bridges, locks, restaurants, pubs and local attractions. After you’ve planned your trip you can download a PDF of the route you’ve chosen. To plan your trip, visit: www.narrowboats.org
“ The impossible is possible. -Just build!” -Pamela Palongue
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EVEN A SUPER HERO NEEDS A HAND NOW AND THEN!
At Tiny Living Magazine UK we’re here to help! That’s because quality housing and minimising our impact on the natural world is our passion too. When you advertise with us, our print magazines are distributed to over 90 locations across the UK every quarter, and our online version appears every month! We offer one low price for all of it, to give you the most success. Call us for more info – 07715888981 or email info@tinylivingmagazine.co.uk
The impossible is possible – Just build!
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