Beware - of Robbers - stick to one or two suitcases per person

 

Wheel on bag, in distinctive colours. Photo by Angela Lansbury.

Don't carry more then two suitcases or bags per person. and only items you can wheel or carry easily. 

A popular route by train from the UK to Europe involves changing trains in Paris. In France, Gare du Nord, like many stations in france and other countries, is notorious for robberies. Whole gangs come over from other countries, on the lookout for suitcases to take. 

If you have three suitcases, somebody can grab one of them. THey don't even have to run. THey can just casually stroll away with one of your cases. Then you have to chase after them holding the other two heavy bags.

Of course, they throw their bag to a friend in a waiting taxi. The police arrest them, but they have no oods on them. Even if they are released on bil, they are soon back and at it again.

One man has a hobby of catching pickpocets. He does a citizens arrest. I think he calls on the victim or passers by to assist and gather round and take photos, or they just join in indignantly. 

What if the thief claims the suitcase is theirs?

You could prove its yours, if you have a photo of yourself wearing items in the suitcase. with the suitcase at your previous stop, items with your name labels sewn in.

I go for suitcases in diinctive colours. During the 9/11 USA crisis, we had a bomb scare on our plane at Singapore airport. The lugggage was offloaded onto the tarmac. We had to locate our black bags in awhat looked like a model village of identical black suitcases.

The colour is also useful, to identify your luggage at an airport. We could not find out suitcase on the carousel. Then I saw mine had been offloaded in the distance beyond the next carousel, If it had been black I would not have noticed it nor realised where it was.

Other people recommend travelling in plain grey or black clothes with plain or black suitcases so as not to attract attention. I disagree. Now you know both sides of the story and can decide what is best for you.

Happy, safe, secure travelling. May you and your suitcases, cars, wallets, purses and bags all arrive safely.

Top tips

Stick

 

Travel Tips - securing pockets, jackets, bags and cars

Access To Emergency Funds

Have access to money so that if you lose your wallet, leave it behind in the hotel safe, or find all the online systems are down, you can still find a source of money. 

I remember as a teenager, I travelled around the USA on a student tcket on a Greyhound bus. I ran out of money. Luckily my father had a business contact in the USA. He was able to transfer money to me on my father's behalf. I expect my father took his friend out to dinner, as well as repaying the money.

Return Tickets, Cancellation

We like to pay a bit more for a return ticket whic is refundable if you cancel.  Often somebody is holding a party or event just after your return. What a blessing to have a journey whose date can be changed.

Have a return ticket. Then if your money goes, or you are not well, you can still get home. 

Also some countries won't let you in as a tourist unless you have a return ticket to prove you intend to leave. 

Denied Entry to India\

My husband arrived in India with a one wway ticket. The travel agent had told him that he could buy a return ticket in India when he knew his return date. However, when he arrived at the airport, he was not allowed to enter the coutnry. 

An anxioud time. Luckily, a member of the airline was able to go landside and buy him a return ticket. 

Security Pockets

You can buy jackets with inside pockets. Ski wear for example.

 If not, or using old jackets without pockets, you can add your own pockets. One easy way is to sew a thin but large zipped pouch into the inside of a coat which fastens securely. Add a second smaller zipped pocket inside, underneath or behind.

Make sure all pocket have a zip or button. Even if you are not robbed, items can fall out. I bought a large number of small zips to add to outside pockets. A quicker way is to use aaa zip up purse and safety pin it into the pocket.

Protect Luggage and Cars

Luggage attracts thieves. It doesn't matter how secure your suitcases are, if somebody steals your entire car. When travelling, secure your car overnight. 

Bags, Jackets and Pockets in Restaurants

Secure your jacket and pockets and bag in restaurants. It doesn't matter how secure your pockets are, if somebody steals your whole jacket. 

A jacket left in a coat check room can disappear. 

So can a jacket on the back of a chair. We lost a wallet from a jacket on our chair back in a busy restaurant in Prague, capital of the Czech Republic. We were there New Year's Eve. The hotel wrned us to move our car off the street outside the hotel into a car park.

We could tell the owner. But what could he do? People were coming and going all the time, coming in asking for a table and being turned away because they had no reservation, so there was no track of them.

Watch out for anybody approaching your table to chat. Move your phone off the table. They put down a newspaper on the table, then lift off the newsapaper with the phone under it. 

Chase after them, but they have already handed it to somebody else on foot or a motorbike.

It's not just buyer beware - of pickpockets. It's diner beware.

Bag Loss in London

A friend of ours had her bag on the floor under a large round table in a busy Chinese restaurant in London, England, UK. The strap was around her ankle. Somebody managed to cut the bag off the handle.

Spain - Bag Loss

I had a bag pulled off my arm when I was off-loading the boot of the car (trunk to Americans) in Marbella, Spain. A car drew up beside me.The back seat passenger leaned out of the window and used a Swiss army knife to cut the straps.

Spain - Second Bag Loss 

Later, our car was parked outside the zoo in Madrid. The empty and torn bag was under the back seat with the handle showing. Somebody smashed all the car windows. The first one to get the bag.

The second window smashed out of annoyance when they found the bag empty. We knew it was empty. The thieves didn't. 

It was a nice bag, too. I was hoping to get it repaired.

We had to remove all the broken glass. Drive slowly because of open window frames and wind. Then to wait in Madrid hours to get a garage, order windows, arrange a rental car to get to the ferry. Rebook the ferry, and stay overnight at another hotel waiting for the next ferry with a space. A whole palaver.

Now we leave nothing visible. Not an empty jacket or bag. You know there's no money in it. The thief doesn't.

We made other trips to France, Spain and Portugal this year., 2024 We were very careful. We lost nothing.

So, remember, buyers beware. diners beware, when parking beware.

Travel Tips - When Lost - Google maps

When I was lost, I went into a garae to ask the way.

 In the UK and elsewhere, if you cannot get your satnav to work, find Google maps on your phone. Type in your destination and it will show your route and read you directions.

Other systems include include waze. 

You can also use street maps to check exits from roundabouts and motorway signs.

Useful websites

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Maps

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_navigation

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The Alibi Sisters - Yanchiku-Podolyanchiku (Ukrainian klezmer)

More from the Alibi Sisters. Entraninc. 

See the previous post for more information about these sisters who sing so well.

They have such expressive faces. They chose such tuneful tunes.

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The Alibi Sisters - A Return to Yiddish World views of Kiyv in Ukraine

The Alibi isters singing Yiddish songs in harmony. Some plaintiff, others rhythmic.

Useful Websites

https://famousankles.com/2008/02/20/yiddish-theater-walk-of-fame-on-2nd-avenue/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYfK6UAGBd4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tFwqBtwGFQ&list=RDEMN41qFoQfjel77s_SgtdlPA&index=9

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaSg2Gg8Wh8&list=RDEMN41qFoQfjel77s_SgtdlPA&index=7

See the next post for more information.

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Zufa Lebanese Restaurant in Hatch End and Northwood - a Zinging time, a drink with dates and BYO day

Zufa Lebanese restaurant, beside Kyoto Korean and Izgara Turkish, all in bustling Hatch End, beside the crossing. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

Restaurant location 

 Zufa Lebanese restaurant in north west London has branches in both Hatch End and Northwood.

The Restaurant Name

 \The name Zufa is a girl's name meaning elegant. It is elegant and understated. 

Zufa at night. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

Website

I looked up the restaurant menu in advance so I knew what I wanted to order. The date drink. The mixed starter or mezze. The duck wrap for my main course. Baklava for dessert.

Seating Greeting

We had made an evening dinner reservation for four, two couples. We were immediately greeted by Diana who offered us a choice of tables. I normally like to sit away from the window. However, our guests seemed intent on sitting under the glass canopy with a view onto the street.

Whether Window Seats?

Fortunately for me, the two tables immediately next to the outside were occupied. So we were set slightly back. I don't like being by the window.. It's like eating in a goldfish bowl.

 As we sat down, we heard the insistent bleep bleep bleep of the pedestrian crossing outisde.. By day you can see how the window seats of the three adjacent restaurants are beside the crossing - which makes them easy to find.

 Fortunately I only noticed the crossing bleep a couple of times during the evening. Though we were also disturbed a couple times by cars or bikes racing past.

Our friends clearly didn't mind. Why? Some people love window seats because they like light. Some like fresh air. Some hate looking at walls. Some want to view a busy street and feel they are out in the world for the evening.

Drink Made From Dates

Dates Drink, (Jallab) Zufa restaurant, Hatch End. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

The evening started well. My dates drink came up fast. With a metal straw. A real date flavour. Ice and ine nuts.

 I would eat there again and again just to have the date drink. 

I had looked it up online. Some suppliers charge a lot for a bottle of it. Other sell a small jar, but the postage is twice the price of the goods

Starters

Starter at Zufa restaurant. Photo by Angela Lansury. Copyright.

We had a huge plate of meze or mixed starters. A meal in itself . Enough chicken cubes, humous, yogurt mix, green moist mountain. The flat bread was a bit dry. 

I felt I had hardly room for the main course after that.

Main Courses

Duck

Duck wrap with chips at Zufa. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

For the main course I chose the duck magret. Duck magret is not ordinary duck, apparently, but fed well, like the foie gras which some places have banned. 

Lamb

Lovely lamb shank at Zufa Restaurant. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

The best dish, in my opinion, was the lamb which was moist meat. My husband chose cooked vegetables instead of french fries, just as well. as we had more than enough french fries, enough to take some home.

Desserts

Finally baklava. Slightly cheaper than the alternatives. I kner from elsewhere not to order chocolate baklava which sounds interesting. The chocolate flour drown aout they honey and nuts and flaky pastry which are the main feaures of baklava. The alternative  slightly dearer dessert we wanted was not in stock. The baklava looked good, and plentiful, in small pieces. I thought the baklava was a bit dry, so did the other diners. All four of us tried it. 

One diner said, 'I don't think it was home made'. I think that serving it in tiny pieces allows it to dry out.

Lebanese Coffee

The Lebanese coffee was not thick like Turkish, Greek and Cypriot coffee. Nor did it come ready sweetneed as an opiton, (unlike Turksih, Greek and Cypriot coffee). Sugar in ackets were brought on the side. The novelty was the small long handled saucepan to serve yourself. Amusing to look at. I thought it lacked the flavour or coffee, and the flavour and sustenance of milk and sugar. An amusement to try once. But next time I would order a regular coffee or cappucino or drink decaff at home. As an entertainment for our guests, it worked well. 

Zufa Lebanese coffee. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright

So, what's my verdict? Ten out of ten for the date drink. The starter, a good 9, except for the bread. Don't order more, even though they might, politely, ask if you want more. If I went back, I would order the date drink again, maybe indulge in two, the mixed platter starter, the lamb shank, not the baklave, another dessert, and a different coffee. Yes, I would definitely go back. Date drink, as they say, to die for.

Verdict On Size

One plate of starters, mixed platter, was enough for two, and the plate of baklava desserts was enough for two.

Decor

The decor of the restaurant and toilets is understated. No distraction, visually, nor music and on a midweek night no noise from other people. We were all very satisfied with the novelty food and our cosy evening together. 

I looked up recipes for making your own jellabi, and baklav. Both involved hours of work. No thanks, I'll eat out or order in or look in the supermarkets.

Amazon had several suppliers but the first two I tried said they could not deliver to my address so I gave up.

TOP TIP

you can order their food online for collection or delivery.

Tuesday is BYO (bring your own bottle) day.

Useful Websites

Zufa

https://zufa.co.uk/takeaway/#/collection

Dates drink (Jallab)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jallab

Baklava from Tescosupermarket

https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products

https://www.ocado.com/products/m-s-assorted-baklava-selection-

Jallab from My ja was under four pounds but about six pounds shipping, total just under ten pounds.

£3.32

Shipping

£6.49

Total

GBP£9.81

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.  

Family Restaurant, Mani & Nick's in Mill Hill

 This restaurant has a large menu. Though the table was a bit small for our group of five, the server offered to push two tables together for us. 

The restaurant was pretty empty on a Saturday night. They said they were much busier at lunch time.  They were busier serving take aways than evening diners. Mill Hill is full of places which are more expensive and glamorous.

We sat by the bar so we got instant attention when we wanted to order anything more.

We had prosecco for two of us, red wine for the others. 

I ordered ironed chicken breast and mshed potato. My husband had pasts. 

Our son was quite happy with his meal, considering four lamb chops for 17  pounds was generous. He was also happy with 'a mountain of rice'.

For me the highlight was the pancakes with an extra banana. I think fresh fruit makes all the difference to a dessert, so I was glad our son suggested adding this. He had eaten at the restaurant previously for breakfast.

The meal came to about thirty pounds a head, quite resonable nowadays for a filling mel, enough food to take away, including alcholic drinks.

The decor, atmosphere and meals lacked the zest I had hoped for, so I would not go back but would try somewhere new next time. If you are looking for a reasonably priced meal,, and a high chance of getting a table, this place might suit you.

Why come here for breakfast, at what time? 

Our son had had pancakes for breakfast when the rest of the family was busy. About 9 am.

He confirmed that lunch time is a busier time for this restaurant.

Paccakes with extra banana. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright. 

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Asian Food in the Bugis Restaurant in the Baileys hotel Gloucester Road. London

 

I had the Malay chicken curry, lots of breast meat. Enough to take home. It comes which potato in it like a stew.

 (Curry means stew.)\

Laksa

My husband had SIngapore style laksa. It had all the right things. The bean sprouts are taugeh. It was very good. Udang prawns. Sotong which is squid. 

Rice cakes, kek being caake. Nase is rice. 

I ended with sago pudding. Little pearls. Malay sago pudding.

Toilets

The bround floor toilets are outside in the corridor. It's a bit of a shock to find the door is locked. (Especially if you left going until the last minute) Rush back and ask.

 No need for a phyical metal clockwide key, not any numbers to return. 

I suppose the extra security is because of being near a station.  The ladies was large and pleasant enough pleasant enough.

 There's a card they give you to wave over the lock.

We saw a group of American and Asian boys and girls having the set tea, in three tier stands, starting at around 2 pm just before we left.

We asked the ehlpful manager, Chris, whether that was usual. He assured us that the Asians would happily order an English style set tea at that hour. He said, they eat all day any time, starting with breakfast, moving on to lunch then tea, and fianlly dinner.

Different groups, or the same poeple.

Sometimes the same people.

We moved to have our coffee in the lounge bar, for a change of scene. and to sample it, in case we want to recommend the place for lunch to a group of former Asian-based retured expats.

The Bar

The bar-lounge has amusing decor, lots to look at.

At reception in the hall, I enquired about room prices, which struck me as quite steep. These are centre of London prices. I asked whether prices were cheper or dearer through the booking.com website.

The Hotel Entrance

Baileays Hotel enrance. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

Location

Easy to find. Across the road fro the forecourt of the Gloucester Road undersground station. On the corner of the side road and the main road.

Baileys hotel entrance. Photo byAngela Lansbury. Copyright.

The Hotel Staircase

 

Top Tip

If you are a regular on booking dot com they offer you special prices. But if you join the hotel grou's loyalty schem you can get discounts on both bedrooms and meals. So if you are planning on going to the hotel for a meal, join the hotel's loyalty scheme in advance. 

The Bailey's Hotel London

40 Gloucester Road

Kensington, London

SW7 4QH

A Millenium Hotel.

See the previous\post for more information.

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Asian food and beer in the bar at The Baileys Hote Londonl

 The bar has a lovely atmosphere.

Angela Lansbury in the downstairs bar of Baileys Hotel, Gloucester Road station area, London. Photo by trevor Sharot.

Flowers and window view in the Bailey's hotel ground floor bar lounge. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

Across the side road beside Gloucester Road underground station is this elegant bar in Baileys hotel. 

The hotel entrance

The Baileys Hotel entrance. Photo by Angela Lansbury. 

 3 chicken satay skewers with peanut sauce for 12 GBP. Double espresso with brown sugar and milk 4.50 but 12.5 % service. Reductions on rooms and food if you join the Millenium hotel loyalty scheme in advance.

The Bailey's Hotel London

40 Gloucester Road

Kensington, London

SW7 4QH

A Millenium Hotel.

See next post about food and drink in the restaurant, and the loyalty scheme.

See the next post for more information.

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Today 15 Aug indian indep day

 

Flag of India

Map of India

Indian girl telling me about Independenc Day. 

Reminder Notting Hill Carnival in August

 Saturday August 25 to Monday Aug 27, Notting Hill Carnival.

Cost and Free

Some of the events are paid for. Saturday has paid-for events. \

Sunday and Monday are free.

Yes, it's free. But note the station opening and closing times. 

What To See And Hear

Expect parades. Three miles. Also the streets are filled with dancers and musicians and bands, sales of food and clothing, and fun.

You can see some of the dramatic, clourful costumes on You Tube, and the scantily clad revellers twerking.

Family day, for parents and children, is means to be more sedate, music without the - ahem.

Where And When?

Why is it running on Monday, rather than Friday? Because Monday is the August Bank Holiday (national holiday).. No work. Play day.

The starting time this year is 10 am. Becauase of a sound curfew, it ends at 7 pm.

The celebration of Caribbean culture started in 1966. More details from

Useful Tip For Families

Write you mobile phone number on the arms of children so if they get lost an adult can phone you to say where they are.

Useful Websites

https://nhcarnival.org/https://nhcarnival.org/

https://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/event/9023471-notting-hill-carnival

https://metro.co.uk/2024/08/21/everything-need-know-notting-hill-carnival-2024-21460231/

https://www.facebook.com/NHCarnivalLDN/

Previous Years

Red Mail Boxes' Hats in London

 

The red  post box has a colourful hat

Amazing!

What d'you think of that?

On many London street's itts done

Each season or event, another one

The public said that it was fun

We follow them along the way

Nonsense and skill brighten our day.

-ends- 

Mail box topper in crochet or knitting. August 2024. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

 Useful Websites

https://personal.help.royalmail.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/135/~/royal-mails-postbox-network---your-questions-answered#:~:text=This%20means%20the%20mail%20collection,than%207am%20on%20a%20Saturday.

August 9th - Singapore's National Day - Flags & Fly-pasts

 

Every year on Singapore National Day, August 4th, you have a parade in the centre, a fly past, and other events scattered around the heartlands. 

The red and white flags are flying from government buildings, hotels, housing estates and condos.

Singapore flag on the balcony of a bedroom at the Tanglin Club in the centre of Singapore. Photo by Trevor Sharot.

 A big celebration.

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Travelling with babies, children and pets - and the elderly

Sign from Temu, inexpensive. 

I think these signs are for the inside of the rear view window. Perhaps they should go on the inside from window, the side window on the driver's side, or on the passenger seat.

  Safety Warnings Needed

Now it's time for campaigns to start to install warning devices when babies children, adults or pets are locked in cards in the heat, left unattended and apparently forgotten for hours. This should happen to new cars in the USA in 2025. 

You might have a car from before then.

Suggestions include

Leave your phone or shoe beside the baby or child which you will take with you.

Set an alarm on your watch if leaving a baby or child in the car for just five minutes. Then if you are distracted, you will be reminded to return on time. 

Offload the baby into its carrycot indoors, ideally into the charge of a trusted adult, before fetching the luggage. 

Send a photo of the baby in the car to next of kin if leaving the baby for a few seconds, eg at a garage, so if you fell ill or were abducted your family would be alerted to rescue the baby.

Lock the car at a garage (called gas station in the USA) and take the key, so nobody can leap into the driving seat and drive off with the baby.

Before locking and leaving a car, always look all around your car for forgotten babies, pets, bags, jackets, valuables. 

Do not leave empty bags and jackets in cars. You may know that there is nothing valuable in your bag or jacket. But a thief in a hurry does not know that until after they have driven off or smashed the window to grab it. .At that moment they might be enraged with disappointment and damage the car or threaten you or the car occupant.. (This happened to us in Spain.)

Useful Websites

https://www.wikihow.com/Escape-From-the-Trunk-of-a-Car

 https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13604819/family-carjacked-gunpoint-locked-trunk-save-lives.html

Please 

https://www.kbb.com/car-advice/rear-occupant-alert/

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Camping, on Brownsea Island Enid Blyton"s Famous Five Setting, Amid Wildlife - Recalling Squirrels, Snakes & Dragons

 I visited Brownsea Island with the tourist board to see the red squirrels from a hide. Just a side trip from Poole harbour, where we had previously visited Poole Pottery. 

No camping necessary. But, apparently, some people like the idea of camping overnight, not to save money, but because it evokes memories of Enid Blyton's books about the Famous Five.

The Joys Of Camping

I tried camping once as a teenager. It is one step worse than hiking. I discovered to my horros, that instead of the mere inconvenience of walking carrying your water, looking for a bush to go to the toilet, when camping overnight, you have to trek in the dark, stumbling over the tree roots, which might make you wet yourself with shock, to a smelly communal toilet. 

Modern camp sites with spaces for caravans, and swimming pools and toilet blocks are another matter. I have enjoyed those. For no more than one night for the novelty. I am not typical, even within my own family.

My husband is enthusiastically off camping. Putting up his own tent in the garden for practice. He stays three nights in splendour, then goes camping. Whilst I am jealous of the three nights in splendour, I think I'll be grateful to stay home. Reading about him and others. 

Enid Blyton & Brownsea Island

Here's today's good read, which I enjoyed, about the island immortalised by Enid Blyton in her books about the Famous Five. It's Brownsea Island in Poole, Dorset. It has red squirrels. 

Okay.  I'll watch a video of red squirrels. I have foxes and grey squirrels in London. 

Singapore Wildlife - Starting With Snakes

In Singapore, after seeing the snakes in the first six months, for the next thirty years I was cautious and never saw a snake. I lived in a high rise. 

My husband went running in the jungle..He saw snakes regularly. He entusiastically approached them with his camera. 

Whilst his retreating companion shouted to him, "Back off!" 

Larger than snakes are the crocodiles in the sea. And the komodo dragons on land.  

He also had a video of a hissing, long tongued, dragon, like a crocodile. Not a komodo dragon, from Indonesia, but the common or garden kind you get in Singapore in the Botanical Gardens - roaming freely. 

It was behind a chain link fence, the height of a tennis court, outside the Ministry of Defence buildings, inside their grounds, behind a chain link fence. I don't think the monster was an official part of the defence. They had signs warning about soldiers with machines guns, but no warning signs saying, beware of the dragon.   

At home, we were protected by a team of gardeners and security personnel who walked or cycled about.

American Wildlife\

I saw snakes in America. On trails through national parks. Forget that idea that snakes scuttle away. These were laying across the paths. warning signs were every few yards.

London Wildlife

I already have more wildlife in my life than I need. I had a nasty insect bite. I slept in pyjamas in summer heat for a fortnight. (For the enlightenment of any Chinese readers who don't knw the word Fortnight, it's short for fourteen nights, and days. It means two weeks It's a British everyday expression.)

Other Blyton Locations

You can see a plaque to Enid Blyton in south London. 

A model of a house connected to her is in Beaconsfield Model Village in Buckingham shire, a short trip from London. 

Should you be in Singapore and want to see a Komodo dragon at a safe distance, investigate what can be seen at the zoo. More are in zoos around the world, in the UK and USA at the Bronx zoo, the Smithsonian in DC and several more places.

Useful Websites

 Recapturing the joys and sorrows of camping, famous five style.

Video of Brownsea Island

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/brownsea-island?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enid_Blyton

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Enid_Blyton

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komodo_dragon

https://www.slow-travel.uk/post/historic-writers-houses-you-can-visit-in-england

w.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/uk-travel/england/dorset/brownsea-dorset-famous-five-blyton-wv7wccfwh

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Tent Testing and Packing For A Fun Holiday - Up a Volcano

Trevor Sharot testing his tent. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

People climb hills and mountains all over the world. They camp. They patronise camping shops and the internet, stock up with kit, and get out their kit from the last trip. 

The time to test putting up a tent is not on your first night on holiday. It's in the garden at home before you leave.

Why? Not just so that you feel at ease and can do it quickly on the side of a river, mountain or volcano. or in the dark at night. Also to be sure that nothing is missing or broken. Such as a frayed and / or stretched rope or fastener.

The obvious things to take include a tent, a sleeping bag, a cooking device, water bottles, food and water, instant breakfast cereal, quick energy snacks.. Light weight pillows.

Weight

Check everything is within your luggage allowance. You might have to leave something behind, share a tent with a family member, or choose a lighter suitcase. Especially if travelling on a budget airline which has a lower luggage allowance per person. You could opt for a larger allowance. But if  you are flying on several hops with different airlines, don't make the mistake of taking your maximum allowance on the first leg of your flight on a large airline, then find your helicopter hop has a smaller luggage allowance. 

You can buy a hand held device for weighing luggage.

For repair kits, Amazon has lot of options.

Useful Kit Websites

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Good News story about the Successful Campaign for Car Boot (trunk) Security

I read about the couple who were locked in the boot of their car. 

Afterwards it took a long campaign to persuade manufacturers that it was both desirable to install a luminous escape device, and affordable for the car manufacturers.

The trunk release for escape is luminous so it can be seen in the dark.

Next Safety Warning Needed

Now it's time for campaigns to install warning devices when babies children, adults or pets are locked in cards in the heat, left unattended and apparently forgotten for hours. This should happen to new cars in 2025. (see next post).

You might have a car from before then.

Suggestions include

Leave your phone or shoe beside the baby or child which you will take with you.

Set an alarm on your watch if leaving a baby or child in the car for just five minutes. Then if you are distracted, you will be reminded to return on time. 

Offload the baby into its carrycot indoors, ideally into the charge of a trusted adult, before fetching the luggage. 

Send a photo of the baby in the car to next of kin if leaving the baby for a few seconds, eg at a garage, so if you fell ill or were abducted your family would be alerted to rescue the baby.

Lock the car at a garage (called gas station in the USA) and take the key, so nobody can leap into the driving seat and drive off with the baby.

Before locking and leaving a car, always look all around your car for forgotten babies, pets, bags, jackets, valuables. 

Do not leave empty bags and jackets in cars. You may know that there is nothing valuable in your bag or jacket. But a thief in a hurry does not know that until after they have driven off or smashed the window to grab it. .At that moment they might be enraged with disappointment and damage the car or threaten you or the car occupant.

Let's end this good news story on a happy note. My favourite karma story is about the would be thief who opened a car boot and was confronted by a hiding terrorist with a machine gun.

Useful Websites

https://www.wikihow.com/Escape-From-the-Trunk-of-a-Car

 https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13604819/family-carjacked-gunpoint-locked-trunk-save-lives.html

https://www.kbb.com/car-advice/rear-occupant-alert/

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Fall From Grand Canyon Cliff Edge - How To Save Lives

Grand Canyon, USA

 Reading about a fatal fall into the Grand Cnyon made me ponder what more could be done. Poeple are nowadays warned 

1 Do not wander off marked trails. 

2 Stay bck six foot from the edge. 

Never take a picture of people standing with their back to the canyon in case they fall over stepping backwards. And conversealy, don't take pictures of others whilst you stand near the edge, in case you step back.

There are safe lookout and photo points. 

Add the idea of professional photographers. I ussed to resent rides and sites which made visitors pay for professional photos by their onsite photogrpaher. But, in the light of so many fatal accidents,I now wonder whether it is safer for everybody to not have members of the public leaping about trying to get better photos, endangering themselves,passers-by, and rescuie services. 

Rescue helicopter.

The area should be cordoned off for miles. It would probabl cost less than all the deaaths and search operations, body recovery and insurance payouts and loss of income. Maybe all parks should charge a premium on entry fees,which is returned if you get backk safely.ed to resent places which made ou pay a premium for photos of yourself on a ride or other experience. Now I can see that it might stop the photographer from leaning out to get a better picture.

The safety in national parks website has lots of useful tips which are obviously sensible, after you have read them. Useful reminders.

Useful Websites

Vhttps://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/safety.htm

https://www.awesomebooks.com/book/9780970097316/over-the-edge-death-in-grand-canyon-gripping-accounts/used?

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