uncategorized it s cold up here in northern england and while it is beautiful to behold in the winter you don t want to venture out more than you have to even to go to the gym . i know how it is . i have committed myself to working out on a regular basis to get fit but i m not much for fighting the elements that mother nature bestows on this region . i think after getting home from work and settling in i would like to stay there for the evening . thus if i had to answer the question of public or home gym i would go for the latter . we all don t have space of course . i am very mindful of that fact but sometimes you can cram a lot of equipment in a corner . if you have a spare room and infrequent guest why not there also there is usually a couple of meters of space at the top of a staircase or in an attic high enough to accommodate an adult at full measure . basements if not too damp work well but frankly they need to be weatherproofed and heated to be viable candidates for your private workout space . let s say you have found the ideal spot and it is a guest area on the first floor . it is small but has a ceiling light and a plug for a tv . so far so good . it also has a wood floor which is ideal for stabilizing equipment . by equipment i have in mind either a treadmill or a good quality elliptical machine . you will not likely have room for both . you need a rack with a few weights pairs a yoga mat rolled up and a set of good resistance bands . this can be fairly compact and you might even use the hallway for some of your exercises . it s not luxury or anything close to a spa but it will work . i am just trying to keep you out of the cold not pamper you . many will want more devices than i have listed . they will want large rubber balls a massage table maybe assorted straps and the like . if you do circuit training you will know what i mean . a few items might not suffice . when in the sporting goods store take stock of sizes and necessities before equipment your home mini gym . there is a camaraderie at a public gym that is hard to beat and if you crave in person socializing you will make the effort to get there . you might avail yourself of a trainer someone to egg you on to bigger and harder things . i know i always go that extra sit up for someone else out of pure shame . i will last longer in plank position if someone is counting . the other blokes in the gym all have their tips and tricks to offer and it makes for a good time . thus in weighting the odds take all aspects into consideration home or public gym that is the question . comments are closed . the gardener s grinch published on tuesday 31 march 2015 categories gardening to a certain degree slugs and snails are harmless in the garden . but they can be bothersome pests indeed . here in northern england we have plenty of them . as we take pride in our gardens we have to know how to get rid of them before they wreak certain havoc . bah humbug you say . why mess with nature s creatures . they are placed on this earth for a purpose . yes they are . they all are . but when they get plentiful you have to control the population to put it scientifically . or you can just tell your gardener and wonder why he didn t notice they were on the rise in sudden numbers . the critters come from the mollusk family and every region has a different species . some are particularly dreadful and not just in appearance . they glide on a muscular foot . mine have been gliding lately like professional figure skaters that leave a slimy trail . what s more they lay dozens of eggs so their offspring will be plentiful . they feed on my garden like it was a veritable feast . you have no doubt seen those irregular holes that attest to a lot of munching going on in secret . i hear that they work their tricks at night and love foggy and cloudy weather . they have come to the right place in england for sure . they want to avoid the bright light and the sun . that would be a great method of pest control if we had more of it it would be natural and please the eco minded people around here . no one likes chemicals so if you start with weeding and getting rid of debris around the yard it is the best start of a management program . this will take away their hiding places . drip irrigation helps as well since too much moisture is created by irrigation and do they ever love that humidity . you can actually buy snail proof plants but after the fact your tactics will have to vary . shelter food and moisture are their idea of heaven so take them away . it is called habitat modification . again very scientific . slugs and snails however can be a battle that takes great effort to win . it is all about repelling them . after a round of handpicking if you can fathom it you can place barriers around their favourite plants and set traps and baits . this is the most effective way to get rid of slugs and snails . the latter contain toxic chemicals anathema to our enemies but it isn t the most effective approach since it is dangerous to domestic pets like cats and dogs . they are also not great for the plants themselves . then there is a beer or sugar water type of pest control that lures and traps them before a final drowning . how pleasant . ugh . these traps must be deep enough to prevent the buggers from climbing out in a frenzy of panic . they can be found at any garden supply store . they will also stock copper foil barriers whose surface reacts with snail slime causing a chemical reaction and a kind of ersatz electric shock . what a way to go comments are closed . filtered water for tea & coffee published on thursday 19 march 2015 categories lifestyle yes the english do love their tea and they have quite good types from earl grey and english breakfast to jasmine and darjeeling . there is nothing like a brisk cup made with filtered water . yes you heard right . this is an important daily ritual and you want it to taste great . natural water can have a chlorine taste in the north of england where i reside in sunderland . who knows what other chemicals lurk in our liquid . the art of tea is well known abroad and we english are proud of it . it is a tradition that we welcome people to emulate . you can enjoy a spot of tea in the afternoon with a scone and some clotted devonshire cream . jam adds pizzazz while honey is the sizzle . using a beautiful tea set makes it a lovely pastime as well especially if you have guests . a tea cozy will keep it piping hot in case you are a bit late coming to consumption . some like them floral some like them plaid . it is not an intense decision but fun nonetheless . you can make your tea with a kettle such as an electric stainless . they come cordless which is a nice feature . i love the glass versions where you can see the water boil before your very eyes . you say that you don t need to filter the water if it is whirling about bubbling in profusion . i say why not . i still believe that both coffee and tea require filtered water to maximise the taste and flavour of your favourite beverage . even an inexpensive faucet water filter will improve the taste of your tea or coffee . make it a practice and find out for yourself . taking tea is so relaxing . you foreigners should try it on a regular basis . you will enjoy shopping not only for new teas but fine sweets and jams as well . you can buy all the best english brands on line these days and they will be at your door in no time flat . loose tea is for connoisseurs but bag it if you must rather than pass up on the pleasure altogether . the preparation is important and part of the process so don t cut corners . do it right for best results . think of the aromas black current spice herbal vanilla . it is just heavenly . it is a perfume like essence that permeates your oral cavity and warms the nose . when it is in fine bone china it is completely delicious literally and figuratively . if you are in a tearoom in town you can drink along with your fellow travelers and enjoy homemade sweets or savories as you prefer . come four o clock your mouth starts watering and your brain sends messages to your feet to get moving . do you like tiny sandwiches shortbread and cookies teatime allows you to indulge . this has been an english tradition since the 17th century and still holds sway in the late afternoon . you need a bit of etiquette in terms of holding the cup properly gracefully to avoid spills . then sip and never slurp . once you get your filtered water you are ready for a wonderful age old experience . comments are closed . pressure washing professionals do it better published on friday 12 december 2014 categories lifestyle there is no place like sunderland in the world we have everything . some things come in smaller packages but it is all here . in addition to the butcher baker and candlestick maker we have the best carwash around . in fact it may be the best in the entire uk region . i kid you not . come and see for yourself . if you want a clean car you know where to go in these parts . the car practically drives itself it is so excited at the prospect of a good wash . it knows it will get tender loving care and its coat of colors will shine and gleam . i partake of the professional services every two weeks . it is part of my regular routine even if the car is not showing any ill effects from the weather as yet . if we get a real downpour and they come often certain times of the year i go a bit more . what do i find it is a simple structure on the front street in town next to the gas station and a mini mart . i get nothing but hand labor no automatic machines that can t distinguish between a jalopy and a rolls royce that whip those stiff strips of fabric with too much abandon . it isn t getting pressure cleaned like the cars that go through the auto wash . instead i get soft wiping cloths and not just air spray that leaves telltale signs and spots . i get the chamois treatment and special wheel