Time to spruce up the courtyard

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Gary Luss

Now that the weather has started to improve I’ve decided I need to get out and start working on my garden. We’ve been somewhat unfortunate in the UK over the last couple of months, it seems as though the only whether we can have is either extreme snow or damp and miserable drizzle, very uninspiring.

But now, at long last, it seems as though the weather has started to turn and I’ve decided that the small courtyard at the back of my house needs to be fixed as it has become incredibly overgrown and started to look a little bit wild.

It seems that despite the popularity of programs such as Gardeners World on the BBC many people like the idea of improving their garden but when it comes to the crunch, and I’m no exception, the idea of doing it all yourself is a little bit daunting. So I decided to use the Internet to try and find a gardener in Christchurch which is the small town near where I live. I was surprised to see that actually there are very few who advertise freely on the Internet.  It got me wondering how does a small business actually get online, and as somebody who has set up their own blog I thought I might be able to offer a little bit of insight into this.

Setting up a website is actually relatively easy there are lots of options for example solutions that are straight ‘out of the box’ such as website builders created by larger companies where you essentially drag-and-drop elements of your website to create a professional looking, but very basic, simple website.

This blog on the other hand is created using WordPress a piece of software which I had to upload onto the server that I used to host this website.  I can almost hear several small business owners sigh reading this thinking that it’s an incredibly complicated and difficult task to undertake.  The reality couldn’t be further from the truth. With a little bit training courtesy of YouTube anybody can understand how to do this in a relatively short space of time the key thing to remember is you should focus on the overall outcome and how much of an improvement to your business it will make having a professional looking presence on the Internet and not necessarily the arduous task of getting their.

With my search for a gardener fully underway I also appreciate that having the help of the specialist for a task that you find daunting can genuinely lighten the load, whether that’s keeping your garden in good order taking a business to the next level. There are many plants and species of flora and fauna that I simply don’t understand don’t know quite how to maintain, but equally I know that there are plenty of experts out there (some of them were actually on the Internet) that I can rely on to give me some expert advice.  Whether you’re an amateur gardener or professional with no presence on the Internet I think I’ve developed a full appreciation for how important it can be to find somebody who is an expert to help you realise your goals.

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Stag Do preparations – now the fun begins

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Gary Luss

As you would have read in my previous post I have been asked by my brother to be the best man at his wedding. At first I was very excited but now the reality of the expectation on my shoulders has dawned on me.

The group are going to be a broad mix of my brother’s friends and colleagues from various periods in his life. Many of the group are angling for a Bournemouth stag do, the guys at NFA I mentioned in a previous post offer packages that fit the bill and I think I’ll be making contact with them in due course. I particularly like the idea of laser tag as it seems to be a real world version of games like Call of Duty that I love.

But I know the logistics and finer details are going to be tricky. Having been on enough stag dos over the years the main issue is trying to get everyone on-board, to select the best activities for the day (and night) that aren’t going to alienate anyone, and make sure everyone can get to the venues.

Bournemouth is well known as the Mecca of stag dos on the South Coast, perhaps jostling for the top spot with the likes of Brighton. In fact a few years back I did go to a stag do in Brighton: The day itself was a good mix of paintball in the daytime, and then clubbing in the evening. Not exactly unique but maybe that’s not the point, it was about giving the groom a great send off. The only issue for me was the availability of accommodation. Apparently in Brighton it’s rare to find cheap hotels that will actually give you a room for one night of the weekend (I’m still not sure I believe that).

Anyway, Bournemouth ticks all the boxes, especially given that most of the lads will be coming from in and around the South East of England. You have a great night-life but with the option of doing some slightly more original activities in the daytime. If you have any thoughts or ideas on things to do in and around Bournemouth please let me know in the comments below.

Until next time.

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Some calm among the chaos, with a little help.

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Gary Luss

Are you staring at a pile of discarded duplo bricks tottering atop this morning’s toast? Are you playing jenga (I love that game) with the laundry as it towers above the top of the laundry basket? Do you look at it all and just sigh because you really don’t want to deal with it? In other words, is it time to get a cleaner?

I always assumed that having a cleaner was the privilege of the upper classes, but it seems that more and more people are employing one. As office workers have to work longer and longer hours, the housework gets left behind. But don’t worry – there’s a new generation of cleaning ladies (and men) who offer affordable, professional services that fill in the gaps left by busy office workers. Yes, the old cliché of the Nora Batty–style charlady is on its way out and in her place is a new, more efficient model. Less gossiping with the neighbour’s cleaners over the fence, more high-tech carpet cleaning gizmos and sparkling sideboards.

If you’re looking for cleaners in Newbury area, you might want to check out Merry Maids, whose slogan “one less thing to worry about” would appeal to those overworked middle management types. Or how about the prosaically named Cleaners in Newbury? It’s a family-run business that cleans in Newbury, surprisingly enough! They have a host of cleaning tips to offer and they have a policy of using environmentally friendly products where possible.

Another company to offer free cleaning tips is SwissMaid UK, who provide cleaners in the Newbury area, as well as other areas. Testimonials say things like “Laura is a superstar, we honestly could not do without her” and “I am absolutely thrilled at the care and attention Maria showed with our antique furniture.” Every testimonial mentions the lovely personalities of the cleaners, which is an important consideration for someone you’re inviting into your home on a regular basis! The cleaners also come highly rated in terms of skill and attention to detail.

So, it’s safe to say that the 21st century cleaners are a world apart from the old-fashioned cliché. Nowadays, cleaning services come with a smile and are more affordable than you’d think. It’s a great reason to stop worrying about the state of the house and just get someone else to worry about it!

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A Wedding Dilemma

Posted on February 2, 2013 by Gary Luss

As I mentioned in a previous post that my brother Mike is can be getting married.  I’m over the moon for him, he’s a great guy and his partner is lovely as well. Off the back of the news that they’ll be getting married I’ve been tasked with a couple of pieces of research and it really highlighted to me just how many options there are available.  I can definitely imagine it being quite daunting for couples when there is just so much of a choice of wedding venues.

I probably came across 50 to 100 separate venue options when I was doing a little bit of initial research, it must be overwhelming for brides to be to decide on where the ideal venue should be for them, you’ve got the option of grand stately homes, small intimate venues as well as slightly left-field options like marquee weddings and unorthodox venues with civil ceremony licences.

As both Mike and his partner are based in the south-east of England they’re particularly looking at the moment for wedding venues in Hampshire, probably in a historic house with stunning gardens. Who knows where they’ll eventually decide to get married, I must admit I do quite like the look of Houghton Lodge where I went to wedding a few years back. But even now I can hear myself becoming one of those people who insists on imposing their ideas on a bride-to-be, and there’s no way I’ll be doing that, so perhaps this recommendation will only ever live on this blog!

The next task will be to try and find somewhere for Mike and I, plus a group of good buddies to go for a stag do. As I mentioned before I’m keen to hear any suggestions from readers of the blog, please feel free to post any suggestions or recommendations in the comments section below.

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The Best Man

Posted on January 30, 2013 by Gary Luss

I’ve just had some great news that my brother Mike is going to be getting married fairly soon and he’s asked me to be the best man. I’m over the moon at the opportunity to do this and I’m really looking forward to the big day, I’m also really looking forward to helping him prepare, having been there myself I know how nerve racking it can be and I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to help him along the way.

The reason for posting the update is also a request to ask whether or not any readers of the blog know of any good venues for weddings in the south-east of England and also (probably slightly more importantly :-) ) anywhere we can go for a great stag do, I’m weighing up a few options at the moment as this is going to fall to me to organise if you have any tips or suggestions for either please feel free to leave them in the comments below.

As always, thanks very much for reading. Best wishes.

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A lovely spot

Posted on January 20, 2013 by Gary Luss

Today I had an amazing time in Whitby, in North Yorkshire.  It’s a really nice coastal town that’s a nice mix of traditional fishing town with some more contemporary bars and restaurants.

It’s a really firm favourite with people I know in Yorkshire and well worth a visit.  There are loads of cobbled streets from the mediaeval period, an absolute must is fish and chips by the seafront.  What a great day!

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One of my favourite spots in the UK – Hampshire

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Gary Luss

Hampshire is located to the South of England and is a scenic country which is renowned for the New Forest Park as well as the New Forest ponies. These ponies have the liberty to move about in a free manner. Hampshire offers you a host of options. Here are some of the things I absolutely love to do in one of my most favourite counties in the UK – Hampshire.

The county’s administrative capital is Winchester and this holds the Winchester Cathedral. This is known to be one of the largest cathedrals of England and it’s a marvellous piece of architecture. You could choose a variety of tours with guides or you may even explore it on your own. The Triforium Gallery possesses a host of books such as the Winchester Bible from the 12th century. This book has coloured illustrations which will captivate you.

Several state occasions such as funerals as well as coronations of the royals like Richard I has been held at the Winchester Cathedral. Many ancient rulers have their graves in this same cathedral. Winchester cathedral was used for several state occasions, such as coronations and funerals of monarchs, including Richard I. Several rulers of the past were buried in this cathedral. The famous novelist Jane Austen was also buried here.

Speaking of Jane Austen; To the east of the county is located the village of Alton. This is a tiny rustic village where you can visit the home in which Jane Austen lived. This was the place from which she had worked between 1809 and 1818. You can also visit the Watercress Railway here while visiting Alton. You will find a steam railway which connects the village to the Alresford. This was built mainly to let the local producers of watercress to deliver their products to London.

In case you are hunting for more energetic activities while visiting Hampshire then you may choose to take a trek or a cycling tour which will take you through the New Forest. You can also enjoy sailing and indulge in a whole host of water based activities. Just near the coast of Hampshire you will find the Isle of Wight and you will be able to enjoy the ferry services which frequently connect you to the island. Here you can visit the town of Cowes which holds a very well known yearly regatta. Once here you can also visit the Osbourne House which is the place where the Queen Victoria breathed her last.

In the middle of the New Forest you can also visit Beaulieu where you will find the National Motor Museum. This museum holds a display of over 250 iconic cars. Some of these cars have been a part of the famous James Bond franchise films. You can also visit the Beaulieu Palace House as well as the gardens which allow the visitors to roam about freely during the day.

Close by you will find Buckler’s Hard which is a quaint village which was once home to a sizeable ship building industry. Most of the warships which were part of the fleet of Nelson have been designed here. The complete village has been converted and taken care of akin to a museum. You can enjoy relaxing cruises all along the Beaulieu River.

There really is no lack of things to do in Hampshire. There are also a lot of entertainment options for kids. There is Marwell Zoo which is the home for more than 170 endangered and exotic species of animals from around the globe. The complete zoo has an excellent ambience and is excellently landscaped. Marwell Zoo also holds a pet area where you can let your children observe the animals from close quarters.

You can also take your kids for a trip to the Paulton’s Park which is a garden based on a theme which caters to those families who visit with young kids. Your kids will surely enjoy the trip. One visit to the New Forest Wildlife Park will let you have a look at the amazing exotic animals who reside here.

Once in Hampshire you should remember to visit the Naval Museum located at Portsmouth. Here you will be able to see Nelson’s ship named HMS Victory. Besides this you will also be able to see numerous other well known ships as well. Nelson lost his life in the Victory ship while he was fighting the battle of Trafalgar. You can also avail of a guided tour through this ship.

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