Tim Atkinson's Blog, page 81
June 12, 2012
Do ya think I'm sexy?
Don't answer that. But did you know that - if you're a new mum - I might be your man?
I know, difficult (if not impossible) to believe. But bear with me. This is going somewhere. I promise.
You see, the Cambridge Women's Pornography Cooperative (I'm not making this up) has found, in the cause of its long investigations, that men who change nappies, sign lullabies, rock babies and get up to do the night-feeds are the biggest turn on. Forget the six pack; the chiselled features and over-endowed, er... you- know-what, what women want (these women, anyway) is a hands on, nappy-changing, meal cooking, baby-bonding dad. And that's not all. Apparently, all women (whether new mums or not) find the sight of a man in marigolds irresistible. (I know, I cant quite believe it either.)
In case you're wondering where I got all this from, whether my cyber-surfing has been taking some dodgy turnings, let me put the record straight. I read it on The Alpha Parent blog. In fact, she even has a copy of the book (oh yes, there's a book stuffed full of hot dads holding babies!) Porn for New Mothers to give away in celebration of her first year of blogging.
Now I'm probably not the best arbiter of female desire but I do wonder... me in my marigolds or Mr Clooney in Armani? No contest, surely.
Still, you can't argue with science, can you?
My career as porn star starts here...
I know, difficult (if not impossible) to believe. But bear with me. This is going somewhere. I promise.
You see, the Cambridge Women's Pornography Cooperative (I'm not making this up) has found, in the cause of its long investigations, that men who change nappies, sign lullabies, rock babies and get up to do the night-feeds are the biggest turn on. Forget the six pack; the chiselled features and over-endowed, er... you- know-what, what women want (these women, anyway) is a hands on, nappy-changing, meal cooking, baby-bonding dad. And that's not all. Apparently, all women (whether new mums or not) find the sight of a man in marigolds irresistible. (I know, I cant quite believe it either.)
In case you're wondering where I got all this from, whether my cyber-surfing has been taking some dodgy turnings, let me put the record straight. I read it on The Alpha Parent blog. In fact, she even has a copy of the book (oh yes, there's a book stuffed full of hot dads holding babies!) Porn for New Mothers to give away in celebration of her first year of blogging.
Now I'm probably not the best arbiter of female desire but I do wonder... me in my marigolds or Mr Clooney in Armani? No contest, surely.
Still, you can't argue with science, can you?
My career as porn star starts here...
June 10, 2012
Make Pa the Star!
Make Pa the star with a love2read personalised reading book for your child!
Everyone knows how important it is to read to your child. Countless studies show that children who are read to start school at an enormous educational advantage. But children also love a personal, 'made-up' story and these love2read books combine the two. And today, one lucky winner has the opportunity to create their own personalised love2read book in our fabulous competition
Dads will love being the star of the bedtime story, so love2read has come up with the perfect Father’s Day gift in the form of a unique, personalised book. Their range of books can be personalised by adding ten photos and text to the pages e.g. “My dad plays golf”, “My dad likes cars” or “My dad loves me”.
All you have to do is upload ten suitable photographs of Dad or Grandpa into a virtual book at www.love2read.co.uk and add some simple text. Your book will be printed and sent to your home address within 10 days. Titles include: My daddy…, Our dad…and My grandad…
The books are themed around National Curriculum keywords and are designed to stimulate the child’s interest in books so that they really want to read. No software is needed, the website is easy to use and you can even save your book as you go along if you need to come back to it later.
This year, give a Father's Day gift the whole family will treasure forever - and help your child catch the reading bug at the same time. To ensure books arrive in time for Father’s Day, orders need to be placed by midday on 12th June which means the competition will close at midnight tonight. Simply leave a comment below and Charlie will choose a winner when he gets out of bed tomorrow morning. (Don't worry, we have our own special way of pulling names out of the hat!)
And if you're not the lucky one, you can still order a super love2read book in time for Father's Day AND get a generous 20% discount simply by entering the code CHARLIE (valid until 12th June) when you place your order.
For further information and to see the range of love2Read books on offer please visit their website at:
www.love2read.co.uk
June 6, 2012
That's all folks!
So that's that then. The jubilee.
There's a lot that could be said, but will have to remain unspoken. Besides, I notice this morning that Mark Steel has blogged most of what I'd planned to say - the bounder!
Will we ever see another? Jubilee, that is? Sixty years is a long time; Charles is unlikely to make it. And who knows what the Monarchy will be like in sixty years time or even if it will still be around at all.
I'd put my money on it surviving. Although I'm not the House of Windsor's most loyal supporter, the office is what matters and I'm not sure that a grinning, waving superannuated ex-politician of a President could carry it off. Not for us. Because we see through all that nonsense, don't we?
Well, I like to think we do. But then the last four days occur and I'm not too sure. The service at St Pauls - tick; the concert - tick; even the flotilla (I suppose, if I must) - tick. But all the screaming fans and endless 'Oh, I think she's marvellous'-ing from the masses. Come on folks, we're British. We can do the pageantry. Because we know what that stands for.
But all that, what... emotion. Genuine? I can never be certain.
I'm sure the woman who wailed 'Diana' as the coffin made its first appearance that sad day over a decade ago was genuinely upset. But the torrent of crying and hang-wringing and weeping it seemed to provoke in some of the crowd was in marked contrast to the silent dignity of those who had reason to weep, but didn't.
And I know there are those who will criticise that as buttoned-up, stuffed shirt, upper lip-stiffening. But I'm not so sure. Those Guardsmen standing tall and unmovable with Robbie Williams gurning under their noses; Her Majesty herself clearly moved but utterly composed at the reference to her absent husband. Those were the things I was celebrating; those are the things that make me feel British. And those are the things - if we have one at all - that I want a monarchy to represent for me.
And I like it done quietly, with dignity. Not with patronising 'It's a Knockabout' attempts at being entertaining (thanks all the same, Edward darling). And I sometimes wonder how much longer that it will be.
The next sixty years will certainly tell. But until then, and maybe forever...
There's a lot that could be said, but will have to remain unspoken. Besides, I notice this morning that Mark Steel has blogged most of what I'd planned to say - the bounder!
Will we ever see another? Jubilee, that is? Sixty years is a long time; Charles is unlikely to make it. And who knows what the Monarchy will be like in sixty years time or even if it will still be around at all.
I'd put my money on it surviving. Although I'm not the House of Windsor's most loyal supporter, the office is what matters and I'm not sure that a grinning, waving superannuated ex-politician of a President could carry it off. Not for us. Because we see through all that nonsense, don't we?
Well, I like to think we do. But then the last four days occur and I'm not too sure. The service at St Pauls - tick; the concert - tick; even the flotilla (I suppose, if I must) - tick. But all the screaming fans and endless 'Oh, I think she's marvellous'-ing from the masses. Come on folks, we're British. We can do the pageantry. Because we know what that stands for.
But all that, what... emotion. Genuine? I can never be certain.
I'm sure the woman who wailed 'Diana' as the coffin made its first appearance that sad day over a decade ago was genuinely upset. But the torrent of crying and hang-wringing and weeping it seemed to provoke in some of the crowd was in marked contrast to the silent dignity of those who had reason to weep, but didn't.
And I know there are those who will criticise that as buttoned-up, stuffed shirt, upper lip-stiffening. But I'm not so sure. Those Guardsmen standing tall and unmovable with Robbie Williams gurning under their noses; Her Majesty herself clearly moved but utterly composed at the reference to her absent husband. Those were the things I was celebrating; those are the things that make me feel British. And those are the things - if we have one at all - that I want a monarchy to represent for me.
And I like it done quietly, with dignity. Not with patronising 'It's a Knockabout' attempts at being entertaining (thanks all the same, Edward darling). And I sometimes wonder how much longer that it will be.
The next sixty years will certainly tell. But until then, and maybe forever...
June 3, 2012
Sunday Supplement
Today's post is a veritable A,B,C of subjects from Au-pairs, to Bedding, Cleaning Cloths and a new set of DVDs from Dr Robert Winston on the subject of Essential Parenting.
But first, Sweden. I don't know what it is about the Swedes (winning Eurovision, perhaps?) but whereas this blog normally trundles along with about 500 page views every day, last weekend the hits went crazy. Over two thousand visitors er, visited last Sunday and they were almost all from Sweden.
Perhaps they were looking for a Swedish au pair? Perhaps you are, too? And if you are, perhaps I can help?
Because if you do fancy one (oh do behave!) then a new site - aupairads.com - is here to help. Set up last year by two entrepreneurial sisters from Sweden, aupairads is an online matching service for au pairs from Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark and Iceland. Families looking for an au pair create an ad and au pairs apply. It's as simple as that. And if you'd like to try it out I've got a voucher code for a free ad. Say hello in the comment box below and I'll send it your way.
Next, bedding. As many an au pair will probably testify (and virtually every parent) toilet training toddlers can be a bit of a nightmare. Especially at night. Dry by day is one thing but getting your child to stay dry at bedtime can be daunting.
Almost all children are dry most of the time by the age of seven. But although there are things parents can do (limiting the amount drunk in the hour before bedtime, avoiding caffeine-containing diuretics like cola, taking a child to the loo last thing at night etc.) accidents are always going to happen. Which is where this comes in.
Made from top quality materials and with a lovely, warm soft feel this spundown pillow and duvet set (from the Fine Bedding Company) can be washed at home in your washing machine. You can also do it at 60 degrees, the temperature that kills dust mites, making it a must for allergy sufferers.
And talking of cleaning, wouldn't it be lovely to be able to do it with just a cloth and a bowl of water? Think of the savings (to your pocket, as well as the environment) in detergents? Well e-cloth, the environmentally friendly cleaning cloth company, have developed various specialised cleaning cloths for gadgets, cars and even sports gear that do just that.
Simply wet, wipe and dry using nothing but water – e-cloths remove tough dirt and grime by virtue of thousands of tiny fibres that act as a natural adhesive, attracting the dirt and grease which naturally cling to the strands.
Great for those 'little accidents' we were talking about earlier, too - especially the anti-bacterial version which incorporates natural nano-silver to kill bacteria caught in the cloth. But you know, you can't rush these things. Did you know, for instance, that a child's ability to stay dry at night depends (among other things) on an ability to produce the hormone, vasopressin.
Children normally develop this little trick between the ages of two and six years and it basically means that at sundown each day a tiny burst of this antidiuretic hormone naturally reduces the kidney's urine output so that the bladder doesn't get full until the next morning. That's the kind of thing Robert Winston likes telling you. And he's good at that kind of thing, with the comforting authority of his tweed jacket and bristling moustache.
The Essential Baby Care Guide - a unique series of DVDs offering practical, impartial, and potentially life-saving advice for new parents - contains academically-backed advice and problem-solving tips on sleep, feeding, care and development and first aid. Here's a delightful little clip about babies copying behaviour.
The entire series on four DVDs is available for around £35, or the programmes can be bought individually for around £10. Sound advice at a bargain price.
Have a lovely Sunday.
But first, Sweden. I don't know what it is about the Swedes (winning Eurovision, perhaps?) but whereas this blog normally trundles along with about 500 page views every day, last weekend the hits went crazy. Over two thousand visitors er, visited last Sunday and they were almost all from Sweden.
Perhaps they were looking for a Swedish au pair? Perhaps you are, too? And if you are, perhaps I can help?
Because if you do fancy one (oh do behave!) then a new site - aupairads.com - is here to help. Set up last year by two entrepreneurial sisters from Sweden, aupairads is an online matching service for au pairs from Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark and Iceland. Families looking for an au pair create an ad and au pairs apply. It's as simple as that. And if you'd like to try it out I've got a voucher code for a free ad. Say hello in the comment box below and I'll send it your way.
Next, bedding. As many an au pair will probably testify (and virtually every parent) toilet training toddlers can be a bit of a nightmare. Especially at night. Dry by day is one thing but getting your child to stay dry at bedtime can be daunting.
Almost all children are dry most of the time by the age of seven. But although there are things parents can do (limiting the amount drunk in the hour before bedtime, avoiding caffeine-containing diuretics like cola, taking a child to the loo last thing at night etc.) accidents are always going to happen. Which is where this comes in.
Made from top quality materials and with a lovely, warm soft feel this spundown pillow and duvet set (from the Fine Bedding Company) can be washed at home in your washing machine. You can also do it at 60 degrees, the temperature that kills dust mites, making it a must for allergy sufferers.
And talking of cleaning, wouldn't it be lovely to be able to do it with just a cloth and a bowl of water? Think of the savings (to your pocket, as well as the environment) in detergents? Well e-cloth, the environmentally friendly cleaning cloth company, have developed various specialised cleaning cloths for gadgets, cars and even sports gear that do just that.
Simply wet, wipe and dry using nothing but water – e-cloths remove tough dirt and grime by virtue of thousands of tiny fibres that act as a natural adhesive, attracting the dirt and grease which naturally cling to the strands.
Great for those 'little accidents' we were talking about earlier, too - especially the anti-bacterial version which incorporates natural nano-silver to kill bacteria caught in the cloth. But you know, you can't rush these things. Did you know, for instance, that a child's ability to stay dry at night depends (among other things) on an ability to produce the hormone, vasopressin.
Children normally develop this little trick between the ages of two and six years and it basically means that at sundown each day a tiny burst of this antidiuretic hormone naturally reduces the kidney's urine output so that the bladder doesn't get full until the next morning. That's the kind of thing Robert Winston likes telling you. And he's good at that kind of thing, with the comforting authority of his tweed jacket and bristling moustache.
The Essential Baby Care Guide - a unique series of DVDs offering practical, impartial, and potentially life-saving advice for new parents - contains academically-backed advice and problem-solving tips on sleep, feeding, care and development and first aid. Here's a delightful little clip about babies copying behaviour.
The entire series on four DVDs is available for around £35, or the programmes can be bought individually for around £10. Sound advice at a bargain price.
Have a lovely Sunday.
June 1, 2012
May 29, 2012
Unfashionable opinions
I'm going to say something controversial today. Several things, in fact. But am I the only person in the universe who watches the news or reads the 'papers or otherwise receives the message of the masses and is left thinking, 'am I the only one who thinks this is a load of xxxx?'
Perhaps I am: I don't mind if I'm in a minority of one. But in the interest of scientific objectivity (if only!) I'm going to throw the whole thing open this morning to a little empirical evaluation.
First, something close to my heart (or liver): sport and alcohol. There seems to be a sacred doctrine that the twain should ne'er meet, that alcohol and sport are the very worst of partners (think Peters and Lee but with attitude) but I beg to differ. Here's my (unfashionable) opinion: it's not the sport, or the booze - it's who is drinking it. Look at The Lords Test last week. Spectators not only permitted to bring their own booze into the ground (mostly champagne, admittedly) but to buy as much as their livers or bladders can accommodate without the slightest hint of crowd trouble, anti-social behaviour or any other kind of disorder. The same seems to be true at Twickenham, although it's a few years since I was last there so things may have changed. But I hope not. After all, you really need a drink to make watching many sports the least bit enjoyable, don't you?
Next, immigration. I may be in a minority of one (again) here but I have a sneaking admiration for people who up sticks, leaving friends and family hundreds of miles away in order to get a (usually low-paid, long hours and outdoors) job. And bringing your family to a foreign country for a chance to wave you off at six in the morning to work on the land all day can't be any easier. The fact is, they work. Well, most of them do anyway. There are some continental habits I don't entirely approve of, like drinking vodka in the park at eight o'clock in the morning and relieving oneself against the nearest tree. But you can't escape the fact that for the most part our EU partners work hard, take jobs that need doing and do them well in spite of the fact that there is (in some instances) a potential local labour force unwilling to do either.
And talking of things that don't work, may I add local 'democracy' to the list? I know the idea of elected mayors was comprehensively rejected at the plebiscite just recently but... how many turned up to vote? And how many of those who did were persuaded by the arguments of the existing politicians, keen on retaining a status quo that does them very nicely thank you in terms of expenses?
I could go on. But I'll spare you. Before I go, though, I'll just add the unfashionable opinion that it's madness of the Beeb to leave the iconic BBC Television Centre in West London. I know, renting studios in Salford because they're, like, 'in the north' and in private hands is a 'good idea' because private is good and public is bad and all that, but it seems rather like privatising the Houses of Parliament or making Her Maj rent a palace in Birmingham or something. A ridiculous idea.
This post isn't intended to be in any way political. For what it's worth, I'm the ultimate sitting-on-the-fence floating voter. I'm just flying a kite to see if what I regard as common sense is as uncommon as it sometimes seems to me, sitting at home shouting at the television. (What? You don't do that?)
The enemy, of course, is ideology - whether it's your party manifesto or union position or just inherited prejudice. We seem cursed with a system that means you're either 'for' them or 'against' them and everything 'they' stand for.
But I've never minded being different. I was in a minority of one in preferring this to all the bands my friends were raving about when I was at school...
Ah, Jethro Tull - about as unfashionable as my opinions. But darned good, for all that. (Tull, that is, not my opinions.)
Still, it'd be a dull old world if we all thought the same, as my nan used to say.
What are your unfashionable opinions?
May 26, 2012
The Jubilee Family Festival
It can't have escaped your notice that there's something happening next weekend involving bunting, flag waving, anthem singing, street-partying and general public holidaying. This time next week The Jubilee Family Festival in Hyde Park will be about to get under way and I have four tickets to give away. In spite of my own vaguely republican sentiments I'm all in favour of a good party, and the one next weekend promises to be a corker...
Visitors will be treated to live music and entertainment at The Jubilee Family Festival, with the highlight perhaps being a 70 minute finale on both days comprised of Disney songs and characters. Promoter Harvey Goldsmith is organising the festival, which will feature a full programme of activities including celebrity performers, equestrian events, death-defying motorbike stunts and kids' television characters. With seven giant screens showing live coverage of the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant on Sunday, crowds in the park will also be able to view the royal celebrations extending to the Queen's procession to St Paul's on Tuesday 5th June. The festival will showcase Britain throughout the decades, with street performers, orchestral recitals, military displays and Commonwealth dancers.
And if the weather holds it'll be even better. To be in with a chance of winning you can either 'like' my Facebook page (and you can do that right here ----->>>), tweet a link to this post, comment below or do all three! But hurry, because the offer closes at midnight tomorrow (Sunday) in order for me to have enough time to get the tickets to the lucky winner.
Visitors will be treated to live music and entertainment at The Jubilee Family Festival, with the highlight perhaps being a 70 minute finale on both days comprised of Disney songs and characters. Promoter Harvey Goldsmith is organising the festival, which will feature a full programme of activities including celebrity performers, equestrian events, death-defying motorbike stunts and kids' television characters. With seven giant screens showing live coverage of the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant on Sunday, crowds in the park will also be able to view the royal celebrations extending to the Queen's procession to St Paul's on Tuesday 5th June. The festival will showcase Britain throughout the decades, with street performers, orchestral recitals, military displays and Commonwealth dancers.
And if the weather holds it'll be even better. To be in with a chance of winning you can either 'like' my Facebook page (and you can do that right here ----->>>), tweet a link to this post, comment below or do all three! But hurry, because the offer closes at midnight tomorrow (Sunday) in order for me to have enough time to get the tickets to the lucky winner.
May 24, 2012
Volvo V60 Family Getaway
'Go away for the weekend,' they said. 'Take one of our cars,' they added. 'And not just any car - how about the Volvo V60 D2 SE Lux Powershift? Where do you fancy? York, maybe?' After a moment's deliberation I shrugged and mumbled something vaguely affirmative. After all, someone's got to do it.
And this Sunday that 'someone' could be you!. If you fancy a weekend away courtesy of Volvo then keep an eye on @VolvoCarUK twitter page. From 10am until 6pm this coming Sunday (May 27th) they're running a promoted twitter trend (#V60getaway). As well as giving away family holidays (such as a glamping weekend and a trip to Scotland) there are iPod Touches, Kindles, in-car DVD players and Merlin premium annual passes up for grabs.
But would you want a weekend away in the V60? Is it the family car that it's cracked up to be? I must admit that I had my doubts about the boot...
As anyone with a tiny person knows, once you've packed the necessary kit for the youngest member of the family there's barely room left for a change of underwear for anyone else. At first glance I had my doubts about whether this would even accommodate our pushchair.
As you can see, those doubts were soon alleviated. As were the doubts about fitting in everything else we needed. In short, the boot is deceptively large in spite of not having the depth of our own Toyota Verso.
So, the luggage fits. But do the kids?
Now I know we're probably unusual as a family in having three back-seat passengers, two of whom require child-seats. There was plenty of room for everyone, that wasn't a problem. But the configuration of the seat-belt fittings meant not only that the car seats had to be fitted directly behind each of the two front seats (which is, of course, where you'd want them ideally) but that they sat four-square in the centre of their allotted space, leaving slightly less-than-adequate room for the central passenger.
I suspect if you ask Sally what she thought of the V60's passenger comfort she might demur, slightly. But she's not writing this review. I am. And I was driving. And driving the V60 is a dream.
The automatic we were sent took a little getting used to (I tested the seat-belts several times by stamping on the brake as if it were the clutch) but the smooth, quiet engine and solid road holding meant it felt exactly as you'd want a family car to feel - safe. But it also felt - as you want a car to feel - fun. It handled superbly both on the motorway, in the city and literally up hill and down dale on our Sunday afternoon excursion to Grassington and Burnsall. We certainly put it through it's paces.
And you can too. Follow the @VolvoCarUK twitter stream this coming Sunday, answer the questions using the #V60getaway hashtag and one of these beauties could be yours for the weekend.
Who says there's no such thing as a free ride?
And this Sunday that 'someone' could be you!. If you fancy a weekend away courtesy of Volvo then keep an eye on @VolvoCarUK twitter page. From 10am until 6pm this coming Sunday (May 27th) they're running a promoted twitter trend (#V60getaway). As well as giving away family holidays (such as a glamping weekend and a trip to Scotland) there are iPod Touches, Kindles, in-car DVD players and Merlin premium annual passes up for grabs.
But would you want a weekend away in the V60? Is it the family car that it's cracked up to be? I must admit that I had my doubts about the boot...
.JPG)
As anyone with a tiny person knows, once you've packed the necessary kit for the youngest member of the family there's barely room left for a change of underwear for anyone else. At first glance I had my doubts about whether this would even accommodate our pushchair.
.JPG)
As you can see, those doubts were soon alleviated. As were the doubts about fitting in everything else we needed. In short, the boot is deceptively large in spite of not having the depth of our own Toyota Verso.
.JPG)
So, the luggage fits. But do the kids?
Now I know we're probably unusual as a family in having three back-seat passengers, two of whom require child-seats. There was plenty of room for everyone, that wasn't a problem. But the configuration of the seat-belt fittings meant not only that the car seats had to be fitted directly behind each of the two front seats (which is, of course, where you'd want them ideally) but that they sat four-square in the centre of their allotted space, leaving slightly less-than-adequate room for the central passenger.
.JPG)
I suspect if you ask Sally what she thought of the V60's passenger comfort she might demur, slightly. But she's not writing this review. I am. And I was driving. And driving the V60 is a dream.
The automatic we were sent took a little getting used to (I tested the seat-belts several times by stamping on the brake as if it were the clutch) but the smooth, quiet engine and solid road holding meant it felt exactly as you'd want a family car to feel - safe. But it also felt - as you want a car to feel - fun. It handled superbly both on the motorway, in the city and literally up hill and down dale on our Sunday afternoon excursion to Grassington and Burnsall. We certainly put it through it's paces.
And you can too. Follow the @VolvoCarUK twitter stream this coming Sunday, answer the questions using the #V60getaway hashtag and one of these beauties could be yours for the weekend.
Who says there's no such thing as a free ride?
May 21, 2012
National Walk to School Week
Britain is, apparently, breeding a generation of 'Car Seat Kids' and the number of children walking to school at all time low. Just 47% of primary school-aged children now walk to school with the figure falling to a paltry 36% by the time they get to secondary school.
Much of this, of course, is inevitable. There's an expectation - as well as need in many cases - that both parents will be working and the closure of small, local schools as well as the pressure on school places makes a car journey a necessity for some families.
Nevertheless I'm always amused to see those who could walk resorting to the car, even more so when - after walking myself - I arrive at the school gates before them. Today marks the start of National Walk to School week, brainchild of the charity, Living Streets and their Chief Executive, Tony Armstrong, writes:
Walking to school is a brilliant way to get exercise and some fresh air into a child’s day. When children are bundled from front door to car door, they miss out on the opportunity to socialise with friends, get to know their community, and burn off some energy before getting their heads down in the books.
We’re urging families up and down the country to give it a go during Walk to School Week this year. We think you’ll be amazed at what a difference a short blast of fresh air can do for you. It’s free, green and easy and above all it works. Schools that have adopted our own Walk Once a Week scheme have recorded higher incidence of walking than the national average. We need to encourage children to get walking now and set healthy habits for the future.
I'll second that. I enjoy the school-run using Shank's pony. With so many cars on the roads it's often quicker. So why not come and join us?
After all, the pavements are empty!
Much of this, of course, is inevitable. There's an expectation - as well as need in many cases - that both parents will be working and the closure of small, local schools as well as the pressure on school places makes a car journey a necessity for some families.
Nevertheless I'm always amused to see those who could walk resorting to the car, even more so when - after walking myself - I arrive at the school gates before them. Today marks the start of National Walk to School week, brainchild of the charity, Living Streets and their Chief Executive, Tony Armstrong, writes:
Walking to school is a brilliant way to get exercise and some fresh air into a child’s day. When children are bundled from front door to car door, they miss out on the opportunity to socialise with friends, get to know their community, and burn off some energy before getting their heads down in the books.
We’re urging families up and down the country to give it a go during Walk to School Week this year. We think you’ll be amazed at what a difference a short blast of fresh air can do for you. It’s free, green and easy and above all it works. Schools that have adopted our own Walk Once a Week scheme have recorded higher incidence of walking than the national average. We need to encourage children to get walking now and set healthy habits for the future.
I'll second that. I enjoy the school-run using Shank's pony. With so many cars on the roads it's often quicker. So why not come and join us?
After all, the pavements are empty!
May 16, 2012
Little actions, big difference...
That's the motto of this year's Proctor and Gamble Future Friendly Awards. If, like me, you're daunted by the scale of the problem (saving the planet) the zeal of the converted and the awesomeness of what everyone else is doing, it can be difficult to get going.
But get going I have. Earlier this year, you might recall, I bought a compost bin. That's quite something for a bloke without a garden. It's big. (It's bloody HUGE!) But it's already filling up nicely with all the stuff I'd normally chuck out after preparing the family supper. And there's a lot more of that than there was before. Because, in an effort to save both money and the planet as well as feed the family healthily, I've taken to preparing meals from scratch. I even make my own chips. (Yes, I know I said healthily but come on, man cannot live by lettuce alone... and we're saving that for the tadpoles.)
Anyway, your own chips make a lot of potato peelings. And making everything else makes a lot of mess, too. Mess that before would have gone to landfill. Mess that is now making my very own compost. Think Mr Bloom, only smaller. (The Compostarium, that is, not me. I think I've got at least a foot on Mr Bloom judging by the way he hardly has to bend his back to greet the 'Tiddlers'. And if you've no idea what on earth I'm on about, join the club have a look at this.)
And not content with that, Charlie persuaded me to buy a little windowsill herb garden the other day. (I wasn't kidding about not having a garden, you know.) It can go with all the other things he's growing, like random beans and a sunflower. Because growing things has been the theme at nursery just recently. Well, farming actually. We're doing it on a micro scale, that's all. Boutique farming, that's what it is.
Anyway, all this bucolic rambling is by way of alerting you to the Proctor and Gamble Future Friendly Awards because YOU ONLY HAVE UNTIL SUNDAY TO ENTER! Do it here, right now. Go on. Do it.
Admit it. I've inspired you with all that rubbish, haven't I?
Oh, ok then...
Then maybe you can inspire me to even bigger, better 'little' actions? What are your best 'Future Friendly' tips both for saving the planet and saving the pennies? Leave a comment below and share your ideas. You never know, I might even be awarding points. And you know what points mean, don't you?
But get going I have. Earlier this year, you might recall, I bought a compost bin. That's quite something for a bloke without a garden. It's big. (It's bloody HUGE!) But it's already filling up nicely with all the stuff I'd normally chuck out after preparing the family supper. And there's a lot more of that than there was before. Because, in an effort to save both money and the planet as well as feed the family healthily, I've taken to preparing meals from scratch. I even make my own chips. (Yes, I know I said healthily but come on, man cannot live by lettuce alone... and we're saving that for the tadpoles.)
Anyway, your own chips make a lot of potato peelings. And making everything else makes a lot of mess, too. Mess that before would have gone to landfill. Mess that is now making my very own compost. Think Mr Bloom, only smaller. (The Compostarium, that is, not me. I think I've got at least a foot on Mr Bloom judging by the way he hardly has to bend his back to greet the 'Tiddlers'. And if you've no idea what on earth I'm on about, join the club have a look at this.)
And not content with that, Charlie persuaded me to buy a little windowsill herb garden the other day. (I wasn't kidding about not having a garden, you know.) It can go with all the other things he's growing, like random beans and a sunflower. Because growing things has been the theme at nursery just recently. Well, farming actually. We're doing it on a micro scale, that's all. Boutique farming, that's what it is.
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Anyway, all this bucolic rambling is by way of alerting you to the Proctor and Gamble Future Friendly Awards because YOU ONLY HAVE UNTIL SUNDAY TO ENTER! Do it here, right now. Go on. Do it.
Admit it. I've inspired you with all that rubbish, haven't I?
Oh, ok then...
Then maybe you can inspire me to even bigger, better 'little' actions? What are your best 'Future Friendly' tips both for saving the planet and saving the pennies? Leave a comment below and share your ideas. You never know, I might even be awarding points. And you know what points mean, don't you?
