Eating Green in Norfolk

As the world becomes more and more conscious of health issues for both people and the planet, the concept of food miles is becoming as important as that of the carbon footprint.  Many people are shocked when they discover just how far most of their food has travelled before it reaches their tables.

And, given a little thought, it makes sense to be shocked.  Most of the developed world now insists on eating food which is out of season, or food which never grows within a thousand miles of where it’s eaten.  The miles travelled by most of the food on sale in supermarkets are extraordinary and planet-conscious people are now beginning to look for an alternative.

That alternative is available for anyone who cares to holiday in Norfolk.  In the cost-conscious days ahead, this can be an ideal holiday destination for anyone wanting to cut back on their own holiday travel as well as the number of kilometres travelled by the food they eat.

Norfolk is full of local pubs and restaurants serving delicious food at reasonable prices, and many people are now beginning to realise that most of that food is sourced close to home.

The fish and shellfish served to customers in Norfolk restaurants are all caught off the local coast and are served with vegetables which are also grown locally.  This local produce has become a source of pride for Norfolk restaurateurs and pub landlords.  Of course you won’t find tomatoes on the menu in January, but when they do appear you can be confident they’ve been grown by local farmers and distributed through local markets.

With this insistence on local seasonal produce, the hospitality industry in Norfolk is building the local economy and the county’s reputation for quality food and produce.  It’s also taking care of the consumer by not serving food which has travelled halfway around the globe and then been treated chemically to appear fresh.

This approach also minimises the impact on the environment of all those food miles flown by exotic produce in an attempt to satisfy the spoiled consumers of the developed Western economies.

There’s a holistic approach to hospitality in Norfolk, and nowhere is that more apparent than in the Richardsons Holiday Parks which provide great holiday facilities for the whole family, just a few kilometres from Great Yarmouth.  These self-contained resorts offer everything holidaying families could want, and at a fraction of the cost of travelling abroad.  Richardsons Holiday Parks provide facilities for family fun and also a children’s clubs to allow holidaying parents to have a few hours to themselves from time to time.  These two great resorts are just a few minutes from the sandy Norfolk Coast beach and are a great base for exploring the eco-hospitality of Norfolk.

The Many Styles of Bridgedale Socks

Bridgedale socks are popular and part of the reason of this is that they have such a great range of styles to suit different purposes. Of course, the other reason for the success of this brand is that they are right on the cutting edge of sock technology. When you buy these socks you get to benefit from WoolFusion® technology; this ensures that no matter what the outside conditions you can expect your feet to feel warm and dry. The manufacturers put a lot of effort into producing quality products but most customers agree that their efforts are well worth it.

The Different Styles of Bridgedale Socks

In order to get the most from Bridgedale socks you need to ensure that the one you choose is suitable for the purposes you intend. Here are just a few of the options you will have to choose from.

  • The Endurance Summit range is the one to choose if you intend to be dealing with harsh weather conditions. This sock is the warmest available from Bridgedale and it has been tested successfully up to minus 25 degrees Celsius. This is a heavyweight sock that will be a good choice for those adventurers who like to hit the mountains. The fact that it is a well padded sock will also help protect your feet from rocky surfaces. The Endurance Summit sock is also available as a knee length sock. If you want to have warm dry feet while scaling the heights then this will be the sock to choose.

  • The mid weight socks in the Bridgedale range are perfect for those people who enjoy hiking in the countryside. There are a number of different types of mid weight sock including the Endurance Trekker. This type of sock should be able to keep your feet warm and dry under most conditions.

  • The lightest type of Bridgedale socks are the Endurance Trail range. These would be suitable if you are out walking during the summer months when there isn’t too much to worry about in regards to adverse weather conditions.

  • There are children’s socks available in all the different ranges including junior trekker and junior trail.

How to Choose the Right Bridgedale Socks

In order to get the most from these socks you will need to choose the type that is most suitable for the conditions you will be using them for. If you intend to be dealing with a variety of different conditions then it will be a good idea to purchase more than one type. These socks are great value and the fact that they are guaranteed for 3 years makes them a sensible investment. 

It's a Berghaus, I Swear

Do you ever have one of those days where people just seem to annoy you? I do. In fact, I had one of those days just a few months ago. I had been planning a golfing holiday with a group of friends since the spring, and when the week finally arrived, I couldn't wait to grab the clubs and go. On the first day we met for a quick bite and then drove out to our favourite course on the coast. My choice of clothing was a pair of trousers and a striped polo shirt; normal dress for me during the summer. Yet I wasn't prepared for what awaited me.

 

We signed in at the clubhouse while the pro behind the counter commented on my shirt. After a brief few seconds of admiration, he asked me where I got it. I told him it was a Berghaus from a local store near my flat in London. He was surprised, assuming Berghaus only makes winter outdoor gear. I assured him I was telling him the truth, and off we went to the first tee. Along the way my friends joined the pro in refusing to believe that my shirt was what I claimed it to be.

 

Teeing off at the first hole, I knew my friends enjoyed giving me a hard time. But somewhere around the third or fourth hole, one of the grounds keepers approached us, and like his boss, inquired about my shirt. I told him the same thing I told the guy the clubhouse, which for some reason amazed him too.

 

By now I was beginning to wonder what everyone's problem was. It was just a polo shirt - no different than any other polo shirt I'd never bought, except that it came from a company known for winter jackets and rucksacks. I assured the grounds keeper I wasn't lying and watched him drive away. Then I started to wonder if my wardrobe was going to cause me to regret this holiday.

 

As we approached the final hole we walked past the practice green alive with golfers. Almost in unison, the group began to interrogate me about my shirt like a group of school girls questioning a new student. In exasperation I yelled at the top of my lungs, “It's a Berghaus, I swear!”

 

We finished the hole and headed inside for a beer; all the while I was hoping no one else would say a word to me. As we wandered down the hall and into the pub, I caught a glimpse of my own reflection in one of the mirrored walls. Suddenly I realized what all the fuss was about. My now-famous Berghaus shirt was inside out!

Make a City Break Your First Stop after the Car Hire In Malaga Airport

One of the things that many visitors to the Cost del Sol miss out on when they have sorted out their car hire in Malaga airport is the city lying just a few miles away to the north. That is a real shame, as Malaga has much to offer the visitor, whether your interest lies in history, Spanish culture or just having a really great time.

Malaga is the main port of the Andalusia province that stretches along Spain's southern Mediterranean coast. Like much of the rest of the Costa del Sol, Malaga benefits from the being sun-drenched, and golden-sanded. But it also is home to a dizzying array of historical sites, testimony to its long and storied history. And the Andalusians are rightly proud of their many spectacular festivals and fiestas that brighten the calendar of resident and visitor alike.

Starting in February is the lent-time celebration of Fiestas de Carnaval, when Flamenco dancing, and a costumed parade, liven up the streets. Malaga likes to think of itself as the spiritual home of flamenco, and Gypsy dance, music and verse is never far from the city's streets.

Then, over the Easter week, the Holy Week of Malaga takes centre stage- one of most famous and spectacular celebrations of the Passion in Spain. Solemn parades on Good Friday involve thousands of bizarrely attired penitents processing through the streets, dragging huge ‘tronos’. These are thrones holding blazing candles and figures of Christ, and are so large that more than 100 bearers are sometimes required to parade them. Passionate flamenco verses are often sung at the height of the procession- the overall effect is electric.

In August, there is the Feria de Malaga, a weeklong celebration of the re-conquest of Malaga by the Catholic Monarchs of Castille. Fireworks, prancing Andalusian horses and more excited parading are all to be found during the evenings of festivity. There is even a great open air fairground that takes to the streets, and which all, young and old, take full advantage of.

But at any time of year, Malaga is a great place to be in the evenings- authentic tapas bars are the staple of the night-life scene here. And the flamenco bars, where the passion of the Gypsy is truly lived, simply have to be experienced- music, dance and song will whisk you away into a truly Andalusian blend of Moorish and Gypsy cultures.

During the day, Malaga also has much to offer the visitor, with its splendid Roman amphitheatre, and the dominating twin Moorish citadels on the central hills- the Alcazaba and the Gibralfaro Castle. These date back to the period when Malaga was ruled by Moorish caliphs, for some 500 years. So don't just head out to the beaches when driving from the airport (after car hire in Malaga airport) - turn north and head into town- and Malaga will reward you with an authentic Spanish experience.