Exploring Glenveagh national park

In the North West of County Donegal lies one of the most stunning beautiful areas in Ireland. Glenveagh National Park is a real jewel in Irelands Emerald crown and attracts many visitors hoping to get away from the hectic pace of daily life and enjoy the picturesque rural landscape that abounds here. With many fantastic local places to stay, as well as pubs and restaurants in the area, it is the perfect place for a holiday for those looking to relax and unwind – remember to pack warm clothing such  as aran sweaters and a sturdy pair of boots if you are hoping to explore the surrounding countryside.

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Glenveagh national park is a real treasure of mountains, lakes and tumbling waterfalls. With miles of walking trails to suit a gentle stroll or a more brisk ramble, you will be delighted by the stunning sights that you find on your walk. As well as the scenery, the park is heavily involved in conservation and is home to the magnificent Golden Eagle.

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The mountainous location is perfect for these beautiful birds and since 2001 huge efforts have been made to reintroduce the birds from Scotland to Ireland so keep your eyes peeled! Because the park is still a very wild habitat that is well protected and remains virtually untouched by man, there is a wide array of flora and fauna thriving in this National Park, and conservation of the environment remains of the highest importance here. From the foxes and badgers of the woodlands to the ravens and the plovers that next high in the clifftops, this is Ireland at it’s most wild and beautiful.

 

Where you can see the Native Red Squirrels in the UK

The much love Red Squirrel is the squirrel native to the British Isles. It came under threat as the North American Grey Squirrels were introduced and is now a well loved and protected species. Despite huge efforts to get these squirrels back where they belong, there is still not much chance of coming across one in the wild, as the grey squirrels still dominate most areas. But there are a few places in Britain where you can go to try to spot one of these lovable forest creatures…

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The Isle of Wight – As a small island, the Isle of Wight is an ideal safety area for the Red Squirrels. They are much loved and protected on the island, and vigilant conservationists to their best to make sure that no greys do ever find their way over to the island, with the Solent providing the perfect safety net. The Isle of Wight may be small, but there is plenty to see and do here besides the squirrels, including the Needles and Blackgang Chine.

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Anglesey – The isle of Anglesey in North Wales has been the place of a huge conservation project for the red squirrels. Numbers were believed to be at no more than 40 back in 1997, when action began to start the huge conservation project on the isle. Now, the reds are back, and it is believed that there are now over 700 flourishing in the trees here. Whilst here, visitors can also enjoy coastal walks, taking in the stunning welsh coastline.

Glenariff Forest Park, Ballymena – One of Northern Ireland’s most stunning parks, the terrain is a little more challenging in places. You will need your rock climbing shoes Ireland has plenty to offer from https://basecamp.ie/outdoor-footwear-dublin/shoes.html It is worth the trek here though because not only do red squirrels flourish in this beautiful woodland, but you will also be treated to a scenic walk through waterfalls and trees.

Reasons to demolish an old barn

If you have an old barn on your property, there are many benefits to tearing it down. Don’t think the material will go to waste though. The timber from an old barn can be surprisingly valuable.

Old timber is seasoned with time and naturally, which fits ideally into current demand for more sustainable and green living. Old worn wood has kept its popularity in home design and craft projects.

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For homeowners who are interested in upping their green credentials, barn wood is perfect because of its sustainability, rustic appearance and recycled material use of things that would simply end up in the tip.

Likewise, combining the interior and exterior of your home or building results in a growing feeling of being connected to nature, which is very desirable in certain locations, such as in rural areas or on the coast.

Besides being used to accent the construction (eg, flooring, doors, beams etc.), wood from barns is a desirable material for those working with wood and other crafts.

Tables, benches, frames, dressers – all of these can be made from beautifully weathered barn wood.

Be sure to salvage wood from an old barn before dismantling or deconstructing the entire structure for maximum results, and it’s also a great way to make money or recoup some of the costs of dismantling. Find out more about Demolition Bath at a site like David Horton, a provider of Demolition Bath services.

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Demolishing a barn on your property is safer and more attractive to buyers. Many old barns are simply an eyesore. As well as being dangerous and dilapidated, they can also become a problem with rodents and insects.

Sansevieria – The Perfect Indoor Plant for Home or Office

The plant Sansevieria, also known as snake plant, and mother in law’s tongue, has long been a popular indoor plant. In the wild the plant is found in the scorching desert heat of Ethiopia, but has adapted well to being an indoor plant, and remains as popular today as it ever was.

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If you are wanting to add some greenery to your office – maybe you are going back to work and sprucing the office up with some next day office furniture from https://www.bestbuy-officechairs.co.uk/office-desk-ranges/next-day-desk-ranges/next-day-start-office-furniture/ and have a good old clear out,  plants are the perfect addition to create a calm office environment.

As well as being very easy to look after, and unusual and attractive plants, Sansevieria is also very good for humans who share a room with it! It is able to balance the humidity levels in the room, as well as converting pollutants in the air into oxygen – so not only will you benefit from looking at this attractive plant, but your skin and your respiratory system will also reap the rewards! Particularly for asthma sufferers, this is a very helpful plant!

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There are a wide range of Sansevieria plants to choose from, in fact there are more than 70 different varieties. Plant them in a large pot so that they have plenty of room to grow. Where you place it in the room will also affect the colour of the plants leaves – if you put it in a light sunny spot such as by a window, the leaves will be a lighter colour than a plant that is in the darker part of the room.

 

 

How to plan & prepare for your retirement

When it comes to thinking about your retirement you may be looking forward to having time to visit your friends and family and to take up and restart some of your hobbies as your days are no longer filled with thoughts of work commitments. There are a number of important things for you to think about when it comes to planning and preparing for retirement.

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Pensions – it is important to start saving into a pension as soon as you can. This could be your work pension scheme or you may like to set up a private pension to run alongside this. There are financial advisers that will be able to talk you through this process and advise you on how much money you may want to put away each month in order to have a good standard of living when you retire.

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Living Arrangements – have you thought about where you would like to live in retirement. Will you stay in your family home or will you look to move to a retirement community like the ones you can find in Gloucester Park Homes? The decision may be based on where your children and other family members are living as well as your own mobility.

Famous Roof Songs

A fun party game or game to pass the time whilst travelling is coming up with song titles containing specific words or themes. The current challenge is the title of songs containing ‘roof’. Let’s begin:

James Taylor and ‘Up on the Roof’

A famous song about using a roof for a haven to hide when things get on top of you. It has been covered many times, including a rendition by Neil Diamond and in 1995 by Robson and Jerome. First aired in 1962, it has been described as an incredible song and is one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Songs that ‘Shaped Rock and Roll’.

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Up the ladder to the Roof – The Supremes

From the Right On album, this 1970 song was the first hit with a new singer for The Supremes, Jean Terrell. Just a fortnight before the production of the song, Diana Ross had left the group. Up the ladder climbed to spot 5 in the soul charts and reached number 6 in the UK. If all this talk of roofing reminds you to deal with your roof problems, consider Flat Roof Repair Bristol at a site like https://www.aquagard-roofing.co.uk/roofing-services/flat-roofing-repair-bristol/

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Harry Connick Jr and Tin Roof Blues

First recorded in 1923 by the Rhythm Kings of New Orleans, it has since become one of the most played New Orleans jazz songs. Cover sheets of the original music feature a drawing of the Tin Roof Cafe, a New Orleans dance hall. A lot of iconic musicians have covered the song including Connick Jr., and Louis Armstrong.

Conservatory Maintenance Tips

Conservatory cleaning may not be something that is very high on your list of things to do, but it is something that is very important for both your conservatory and your health. Just like with any other task that you want to accomplish around the house, conservatory maintenance requires you to give it your full attention to ensure that everything is being done properly.

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One of the conservatory maintenance tips that you need to keep in mind is the type of chemical that you use in your conservatory. Since there are a lot of chemicals that can cause damage, you need to be careful with your selection. For example, some chemicals can be quite abrasive, which means that they will damage the paint on your conservatory.

Another thing that you need to take into consideration is whether or not you need to get some sort of repair done on your conservatory if it has been damaged. You also need to be able to handle the exterior of your conservatory and ensure that it is thoroughly cleaned so be sure that you are familiar with the exterior of your conservatory before you start on the project. Get help with Conservatory Roof Replacement Swindon, visit a site like Kingfisher, suppliers of Conservatory Roof Replacement Swindon

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The final conservatory maintenance tip that you need to have in mind is that you should invest in a good brush and remove any loose debris on a regular basis. You should also get rid of any dust and dirt from your conservatory so that it is easy to keep your conservatory looking clean.

 

Quick Tips for Moving Out for the First Time

One tip for leaving home for the first time is be prepared to have to pay for things that you haven’t done before, such as utility bills and council tax! Most likely, your parents have always taken care of these things while you lived at home. Be aware that failing to pay or being late paying for these important things could result in fines from the council, a court summons or your electricity being switched off!

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You’ll soon learn the importance of budgeting, setting up direct debits and just how expensive independent adult can be! It’s not all doom and gloom though, as living on your own for the first time is an incredibly fun and exciting time.

One other thing that can be used as a tip for moving out for the first time is to make sure that you leave yourself plenty of time. Some people find that it takes them quite a bit of time to find and pack all their belongings, so they end up rushing at the last minute. For a Removal Company Norfolk, visit a site like Arrowpak, a leading Removal Company Norfolk

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To help make your packing process easier, you can rent or buy moving boxes or plastic containers. Once you find the type of boxes that will work best for you, you can use them for everything from packing your clothes, to storing your appliances for storage or storing some of your important documents. When you find the right boxes, you will be able to move your belongings into storage or to your new pad with minimal hassle. Use a few different types of boxes throughout the process to make your life a little easier.

 

Your university accommodation options explained

Heading of to university for the first time can produce a mixture of emotions for fear and anxiety through to excitement and wonder. There are many different ways in which you can experience university and two of the main options are whether to stay at home and travel in for your lectures or whether to live on campus.

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If you choose to experience university life up close then there are a number of different accommodation options available to you.

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Halls of residence – this is usually a preferred option for first year students as it puts them right on the campus site and near to the lecture halls and other amenities. There will also be security and medical support available on site should the students need this. Many universities will insist on their first year students staying in these types of accommodation. It is usually a single room with either an en suite bathroom or shared bathroom and a shared communal kitchen space.

House sharing – in the second and third years once friendships have been established and the students are more aware of their local area you find that groups will look for Cheltenham Student Accommodation from places such as https://www.yourperfectpad.com/ this allows them to stay with their friendship groups but still have the independence of their own room space.

Why homeowners demolish buildings

There are times when maintaining a property is not worth the effort anymore. If the property has more problems than you can count, it may be time to consider demolishing and starting again.

Owners have different reasons why they want their buildings demolished. Here are some of them:

Foundation problems

The owners usually have the option to demolish the building when they are told that their structures have a weak foundation. It’s important to remember that the foundation is what makes a decent building. Building with poor planning is the best example of this. If this issue happens, the building owner will usually decide to have it pulled down rather than carrying out a renovation. For Demolition Birmingham visit a site like https://www.hammerjack.co.uk/services/demolition/demolition-birmingham/

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Age

Old buildings also tend to develop underlying weakness due to the age of the materials used in the initial construction which may have been worn out and no longer able to hold the building together safely. Many older buildings may look good on the outside but have a lot of hidden problems such as inadequate ventilation and plumbing problems.

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Old buildings are also vulnerable to moisture due to leaks that can attract mould. If you are a business owner looking to expand into new locations and the existing building is old, you may need to have it inspected by a building inspector to find out if it is worth keeping or not. If you find that renovations will likely cost more than a new building, the best course of action may be to destroy the old one.