http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/travel/camping-vs-caravanning-cost-versus-quality.html http://www.articletrader.com/travel/camping-vs-caravanning-cost-versus-quality.html Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:58:26 -0600
The best ways of doing this are to take your own caravan or tent. Which of these is better though? Caravanning or Camping? Is either better? Perhaps both have their advantages, and neither is objectively better than the other. That may well be the case, but we won't know unless we discuss the issue.

For these comparisons, I will be using what I would consider to be a typical tent and a typical caravan. I am aware that there are tents which are massive and caravans that have swimming pools and things like that, but the amount of them in use is small enough for me to consider it negligible.

First off, caravans are more spacious. You can accommodate more people in them comfortably, and still have space for storage, cooking, washing and other essentials. They're better on a rainy day, allowing you to plug in electrical appliances if the campsite has electricity for caravans. You can even get running water. Sleeping spaces in caravans are also of higher quality than in a tent, and when you're on holiday that can be a real blessing.

In the face of all of the above, it looks like camping may as well just give up and admit that caravanning is superior. Yet camping is still incredibly popular, so why is this?

The main reason is probably cost. A tent is much, much cheaper than a caravan. An onsite space for a tent is also much cheaper than an onsite space for a caravan. Transporting a tent is much cheaper than transporting a caravan; Tents can even be carried as a backpack. On top of this, some people just prefer camping.

So, outside of an individual's preference for either camping or caravanning, it seems that the main advantage of a caravan is the quality, whereas the main advantages of a tent are the cost and ease of transportation. Which of those is most appealing will vary from person to person.

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This article was written by Tom Sangers on behalf of John Fowler Holiday Parks, offering a cheap family holiday and family holidays.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/dolphins-and-whales-in-the-uk.html http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/dolphins-and-whales-in-the-uk.html Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:08:47 -0500
It shouldn't be surprising really that the UK plays host to these wondrous animals. As an island nation we are surrounded by water with over 9,000 miles of coastline overlooking the Atlantic Sea, Irish Sea, the English Channel and the North Sea.

Many species of whales and dolphins can be seen easily from land while others can be viewed from special whale watching boats which set sail from many different locations across the UK. Some of the species seen easily from land or boat include the Minke Whale, Harbour Porpoise and Bottlenose Dolphin. Others such as the Long-finned Pilot Whale, White-beaked Dolphin are viewed at only certain times of the year and appear at specific locations. There are also some rarer species which could appear almost anywhere though they are unfortunately much less common, these include the Humpback Whale, Fin Whale and Sperm Whale. One of the most famous, popular and deadly whale can also be seen along our shores. The Legendary Killer Whale is truly a sight to be hold, especially when hunting its latest victim.

The easiest way to spot dolphins and whales is to take a dedicated whale and dolphin watch trip. These trips take place across the UK, so why not head out into the English Channel to see common dolphins leaping out of the water or sail out from the Shetland Islands and see Killer Whales on the hunt. Another benefit of these organized trips are the knowledgeable guides who can both entertain and inform you on the wonders of what happens off our coastline.

If you would rather keep two feet on dry land then there are a number of spots right around the coastline where you can sit back, relax and watch the seas most graceful creatures swim and play before your very eyes.


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This article was written on behalf of Celtic Haven Wales Holiday Cottage, ideal accommodation for a Pembrokeshire Cottage Holiday

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/diamonds-arent-forever-erosion-and-the-isle-of-wight.html http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/diamonds-arent-forever-erosion-and-the-isle-of-wight.html Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:07:33 -0500
Another problem is whole islands eroding, which is exactly what is happening to the Isle of Wight. It's not directly the weather that wears away the island though; instead it is the way the ground has formed over millions of years.

Many parts of the island, mostly on the West coast, are made of layers of hard rock with soft, Gault clay between them. The Gault clay is not nearly as firm and strong as the layers on either side of it, and when it gets wet, due to altered drainage or heavy rainfall, it can simply slip away, carrying layers on top of it away with it.

When this happens, it is called a land slip, due not only to the way it happens, but also the formation of earth that these acts create. It looks as if the land has slid down the cliff side then solidified again. Because of its effects and colour, the Gault clay is locally known as blue slipper.

This has a disastrous effect on the island, with some areas losing as much as three metres of land a year. Footpaths, parks, beaches, and even roads have been destroyed by these landslips.

Unlike normal erosion, the cost, scale and effort involved in preventing landslips is too high to make it worthwhile, on top of which the measures to stop it would ruin the landscape themselves.

Visitors to the island needn't worry; signs of landslips show themselves days, or even weeks before the landslip actually occurs. Some of the landscapes that the landslips create are fantastic and worth visiting anyway.

The other forms of erosion are, as mentioned, not much of a problem. Though the methods used to halt or slow them do cost money, it is a manageable amount. Shoring up collapsing cliffs and the construction of sea defences are the most common solutions.

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This article was written by Tom Sangers for Gurnard Pines, providers of Isle of Wight breaks and Isle of Wight weekend breaks.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/business/essential-questions-when-buying-a-franchise.html http://www.articletrader.com/business/essential-questions-when-buying-a-franchise.html Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:19:02 -0500
There's a ridiculous amount of franchises that people can buy into; some are good, some are bad, some might even be scams. It's working out which franchises are worthwhile (there have to be some, some franchisees become millionaires) that's difficult. To further complicate the problem, some franchises may do great in one area, but terribly in another.

So, what do you need to be asking when trying to settle on which franchise to buy into?
1) What will I be paying? - You're not necessarily just going to be paying for an upfront cost with a franchise. Many will make you buy all your equipment from them, lease your property from them, or give them a percentage of your annual profit. Even if you're not, you'll have to get all that from somewhere. Working out how much you'll be paying at the start and year on year is essential.

2) How much can I trust the franchisor? - Does the franchisor provide guarantees that you'll be the only person operating that franchise in the area? If he does, how long will it last? Will you be given priority for setting up new franchises in that area? Basically, is the franchisor going to support you, or is he going to play franchisees off against each other to chase profit?

3) What's the failure rate for franchises? - If a majority of franchises are failing in their first or second year, that's a bad sign. What problems did they have and will you encounter the same ones?

4) What are the re-selling opportunities? - Some franchisors aren't happy with their franchise being sold on and may charge you, or may only allow you to sell to a person that they find suitable. If you don't want to be shackled to a franchise for years, these are things you'll need to check. How much the franchises normally resell for is also a useful thing to know.

These questions should give you a good basis to build your own research on, and we wish you luck in finding the franchise that's right for you.

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This article was written by Tom Sangers on behalf of Martin & Co, a franchise business with franchise opportunities.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/a-result-of-scotlands-love-affair-with-william-wallace.html http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/a-result-of-scotlands-love-affair-with-william-wallace.html Wed, 28 Oct 2009 06:11:15 -0500
One of the ways this manifested was in a restored adoration for the Scottish hero William Wallace. Renowned for his organisation of resistance against the English during the Scottish wars of independence, Wallace has been a figurehead for Scottish pride repeatedly, though his true role is often butchered by poets like Blind Harry or films such as Mel Gibson's Braveheart.

The 1800 resurgence saw the construction of one of the biggest monuments to Wallace ever, which, rather unsurprisingly, ended up being titled the National Wallace Monument. It is a tower standing 67 metres tall on top of Abbey Craig. Abbey Craig is rumoured to have been where Wallace stood before the Battle of Stirling Bridge, and watched the English army. The tower cost £18,000 to build, which was raised mostly from donations.

It was designed by the architect John Thomas Rochead in the Neo-Gothic style, and has a spiral staircase of 246 steps. At the very top is a viewing gallery, looking over the hills and valleys of the dramatic Scottish landscape of the Ochill Hills and Forth Valley.

Inside the monument are a number of exhibits and presentations for visitors. A video presentation showing Wallace's achievements is set up in one room, along with a sword that may have been, but probably wasn't, William Wallace's. The sword is a claymore measuring five feet six inches, and impresses many visitors with its size.

For years, the car park played host to a horrific statue created by Scottish mason Tom Church. Inspired by the film Braveheart, Tom carved a twelve metre tall statue depicting Mel Gibson's version of Wallace. It was criticised by locals and national press, and, when it was removed from the site and Tom tried to sell it on, failed to go for the asking price. He then failed to donate it to anywhere as well.

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Tom Sangers writes on behalf of Hamster Cottages, a great provider of self catering Scotland and Argyll cottages.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/the-history-of-royal-forests.html http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/the-history-of-royal-forests.html Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:17:22 -0500
The enjoyment that the monarchs and aristocracy normally took from the area involved hunting. Red deer, fallow deer and roe deer, were hunted, along with boars, hares, wolves, rabbits, martens, foxes, pheasants and partridges. In a Royal Forest, only those permitted by the monarch could hunt these animals. Offences against these animals, such as trapping or hunting them, came under the category of ‘tresspass against the venison'.

To preserve the land for these animals, there was the other category of ‘tresspass against the vert'. This category made it an offence to enclose land for grazing or arable use, build structures within the area declared a Royal Forest, clear land for agricultural use, cut down trees, or clear areas of the forest of undergrowth. All this applied to all the land within the Royal Forest, even if it was already owned by somebody else.

This meant that any villages or settlements within the Royal Forest suddenly found they could no longer develop new land to feed themselves, nor could they take advantage of the game in the forest to get them through bad harvests. They weren't allowed to own weapons that could be used for hunting, and the only dogs that were permitted were de-clawed mastiffs for use as watchdogs.

Penalties for going against these laws were harsh, especially for hunting. When first enacted, anybody caught hunting a deer in a Royal Forest was to be blinded. Later, even harsher punishments were brought in, including further maiming and death.

The lumber from the forests all belonged to the crown as well, and people living in or near the forest could no longer fell trees or take fallen branches for fire wood. Later on, this was used to supply oak for shipbuilding or sell charcoal for the monarch, but originally it was in place to preserve the woodland for hunting. Later on, this was adjusted so that local villagers could keep any fallen wood if they could cart it more than an axe throw from where they found it before the forester, one of the people tasked with maintaining the Royal Forests, arrived.

When these areas were first created, they were solely for the use of the king and his hunting parties, but, as time went on, the potential for profit was realised, and nearby nobles were granted access to the land in return for a fee.

Over the centuries, the Royal Forests lost their importance, and people living on them were granted more and more rights. Though they sometimes had brief resurgences, they ultimately became purely preservation-focussed, being kept for everybody, rather than just monarchs and aristocracy.

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This article was written by Tom Sangers on behalf of Derbyshire Country Cottages, who offer holiday cottages in Derbyshire and cottages in the peak district.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/entertainment/unusual-things-happening-on-the-isle-of-wight-in-november.html http://www.articletrader.com/entertainment/unusual-things-happening-on-the-isle-of-wight-in-november.html Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:18:22 -0500
While you're on the Isle of Wight, you also don't want to miss the Sandown Lantern Parade, which is part of the Sandown Carnival. It has a float and lantern procession and fireworks, and it's a great choice for family fun. If you get there early you can be right along the procession route and get a great view of everything. The floats are always unique and creative, and because there are so many it's a treat for everyone to watch, no matter what their ages. The Antiques and Collectors Fayre is also a great choice because there's so much history involved there. No matter what kinds of things you collect, it's worth going and having a look at what other people have to offer. You might just find that missing piece to your collection, or you might find something entirely new to collect. That's a great feeling, when you start on a new collection of something you really love and admire.

Even if you're not a collector, you can visit the Fayre just to enjoy what others have collected and see kinds of antiques are still around. It's always fascinating to see what other people value and see how things have changed throughout the years. Antiques are historical, but they also remind people of where they come from and where they're going, so they have a lot of sentimental value to people who collect them. Between the Faye, the Victorian Christmas, and the Sandown Lantern Parade, November is sure to be a great month on the Isle of Wight.


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This article was written by Tom Sangers on behalf of Luccombe Manor who offer Hotel Shanklin based accommodation and a cheap break Isle of Wight.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/entertainment/sandown-carnival.html http://www.articletrader.com/entertainment/sandown-carnival.html Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:01:08 -0500
There are all kinds of floats in the procession, so don't worry that it's only a short little thing that won't be worth coming out for. This is a serious procession and a lot of hard work goes into it each and every year. The Isle of Wight takes its Sandown Carnival seriously and it just gets better and better. That's true of the procession and true of the fireworks, as well, since they both have a lot to offer to young and old alike. While you're there, you can also take in the beauty of the surrounding area, the great accommodations, and the great local food. Book your trip early and you'll get a better deal, as well. A lot of places offer lower prices on travel options and accommodations when you book in advance, and that's something that you should keep in mind.

With the Sandown Carnival not that far off, now is the time for you to book your holiday adventure. You'll still be able to get a great deal, and you won't have to worry about the accommodations not being available or not having vacancies for you. Then you can arrive in plenty of time to enjoy the Carnival and relax a little before you have to go back to work. Children, especially, enjoy the Sandown Carnival because they like to see the bright fireworks in the sky and the uniqueness of each float in the procession as it passes by. Adults can feel like children again, too, when they get involved in the beauty of the event.


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This article was written by Tom Sangers on behalf of Melville Hall who offer Short breaks Isle of Wight based accommodation and are one of the best Hotels in Sandown.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/automotive/ford-transit-tipper-review.html http://www.articletrader.com/automotive/ford-transit-tipper-review.html Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:47:34 -0500
The chassis cab is basically the standard Transit panel van set up without the van part. Basically it comes with a cab fastened onto the skeleton of the frame. This frame has been designed with fixing points throughout the frame that is able to take all forms of load carrying add ons. The buyer gets the bare bones from Ford and then they are able to pick and choose whatever bolt on they want attached behind the cab. These are professionally installed by specialist firms who will create and affix whatever bolt on options you wish to design. Ford also offers their own good selection of factory built chassis cab based variants that Ford calls the Transit One Stop range. These are ready to drive models that are constructed in house by Ford as ordered through the dealer network. The fact that this vehicle is so amazingly diverse in its creation and application is what makes it extremely popular and still growing in popularity.

Even if you concentrate your attention solely on the chassis cabs, you still have a huge variation of choices. There are four wheelbases for you to choose from, they range from 3,137mm short to the 3,959mm long and then add to that the long wheelbase EF or extended frame, you ad another 40cm to the length of the LWB model's ladder frame. On all models with the exclusion of the short wheelbase, there is also the option of dual rear wheels in order to help boost the payload capacity and the traction. The LWB and the LWB extended also offers a double cab option, with this option, you have extra passenger capacity because of the second row of seats.

Out of all the options available, it seems the most popular engine choices are the 2.0 or 2.4 litre turbo diesel engines. From there, your choice is either the TDdi or the TDCi engine technologies. The first is the conventional turbocharged diesel engine; the second is the more advanced common rail configuration. There is also the option of the 2.3 litre petrol alternative that you can order as an LPG conversion. With all of these options, on of Ford's main drives is to lower the ownership costs and improve the fuel economy. They have extended the service intervals to 15,000 miles in that same vein.


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This article was written by Tom Sangers on behalf of Foray Vans who are offer Ford Transit Connect vans at great prices and other great Ford Vans for Sale.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/automotive/ford-transit-connect-review.html http://www.articletrader.com/automotive/ford-transit-connect-review.html Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:38:52 -0500
The seat placement affords the driver a good driving position and the vehicle isn't underpowered in any of the variations. This vehicle is fantastic for both long haul trips or short, around town jaunts. The older technology diesel engine is not as refined nor as powerful as the new common rail counterpart and neither can be considered quick when compared with the available rival diesels but they do provide enough power and give decent mileage. The Transit connect gives a smooth, comfortable ride whether on a straight flat road or a twisty winding mountain road, it has great steering feel and plenty of feedback to let you know where it is. This vehicle is designed for tight, urban environments where space is always a premium. It is also powered by engines that take high petrol prices into consideration. Standing at 2.07 meters tall, the Transit Connect will fit into most parking structures; however it still has an ample amount of cargo space inside. This van would be fantastic for the small business delivery. The side of this little workhorse also lends itself well to the idea of a mobile billboard, making it an all around very good vehicle for small to mid sized companies that transport product or offer outside services. This would also make a great fleet van, with its ease of handling, ability to maneuver in small spaces and decent gas mileage, Ford hit on a great design with a lot to offer when they designed the Ford Transit Connect.


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This article was written by Tom Sangers on behalf of Foray Vans who are offer Ford Transit vans at great prices as well as other great Ford Vans for Sale.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>