Walk at Cromford Canal for the #Walk500 challenge!

cromfordcanalWalking is good for you! Whether you’re skipping the car on the way to work or walking in the countryside, getting up and out on your feet has a whole host of benefits both physical and psychological. But incase that isn’t enough motivation to get your walking shoes on, then how about walking for charity instead! Walking holiday provider HF Holidays recently launched the #Walk500 challenge to help raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

It’s pretty simple, grab a camera or smartphone and get out walking. Whether that’s in a city, the countryside or just to post a letter, get out and document your walk. Share your attempt on HF Holiday’s Facebook page or on Twitter mentioning @hfholidays with the #Walk500 hashtag, then tag three or more friends to help spread the word. HF Holidays has committed to donating £5 for every mile walked up the 500 mile target. You can also make a donation to The British Heart Foundation via www.justgiving.com/walk500withhfholidays or text HFHW50 £3 to 70070.

Now I’m no master rambler (I get tired and quick!!) but eager to join in for an admirable cause my family and I took a trip to Cromford Canal in Derbyshire. I don’t have an accurate measurement of how far we walked but it was at least a leisurely mile. I should also note that my husband and Mr Dog walked significantly further (because they’re tough like that) and so the family total was probably more like 7 miles!!

doghatMobile in hand I recorded our walk (don’t worry I sped it up!) so please do take a look below. If you watch to the very end you can see just how much our dog enjoyed it!!

It would be great if more people could get involved to raise much more money for the British Heart Foundation.

For more information about HF Holidays and the #walk500 challenge please visit www.hfholidays.co.uk/news/2015/5/walk500

To find out more about The British Heart Foundation please visit www.bhf.org.uk

Music for the video kindly provided by Sean Eskimo.

 

 

Our Desk Safari Pics

Do you ever find yourself bored of an afternoon? Or catch yourself staring out of the window at the drab British weather and wish you were anywhere but here? Then perhaps you’ll enjoy the phenomenon that is Desk Safari! The craze was born out of bored office workers taking comical photos of colleagues that appeared to combine their heads with the bodies of tropical animals.

It’s a ridiculously fun way to waste some time that is sure to bring hilarity to all those who take part. Once I heard that there was a competition over at theimum.com  I knew I had to have a go, aided not by pictures of animals I found on Google but my obliging (read bribed with treats) pets. In fact we had so much fun that I have a few Desk Safari pics, I’ll start with my personal favourite that sees my pet Dalmatian combined with our resident Crow!

dogcrow

It’s no mean feat lining up a Dalmatian to take a comical photograph so I’m quite proud of this one. In fact getting the photo of a fast flying crow was rather difficult too!

Next we flipped the traditional desk safari pictures on their head by combining my dogs head with my daughters body!

doggirl

Makes me giggle everytime I look at it!

Finally I thought I better have a go and combined myself with Mr Dog.

dogabs

We had so much fun taking these pictures but it’s surprisingly hard to line yourself up perfectly 🙂 Especially when you have a photobombing dog roaming around who just loves to make you laugh mid take, see this blooper photo!dogphotobomb

Desk Safari Competition

 

Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair London!

IMG_4464Last week I was lucky enough to attend the Country Living Magazine press tea celebrating the launch of their Christmas Fair in London. The fair always showcases some amazing creative talent and really gets you in the festive mood.IMG_4465

If you missed the London fair or it’s too far to travel then fear not as the fair is moving first to Glasgow and then onto Harrogate. Full details can be found on the Country Living Fair website. Today I thought I’d showcase some of my favourite stalls, in fact it’s almost a Christmas Wish List as I loved them all so much!IMG_4467

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Whinberry & Antler

The first stall that caught my eye was the wonderful Whinberry & Antler. Inspired by the British countryside Whinberry & Antler design and print textiles by hand to create sumptuous furnishings and homeware. As the proud owner of two seriously cute Hedgehogs I immediately fell in love with the Hedgehog print, it’s going on my wish list post haste!

My Aunt Agatha

My Aunt Agatha

My next discovery was My Aunt Agatha. A wonderful stall full of quirky and delightful handmade homeware products. This draft excluder reminds me of my own dog.

Willow Gromit

Willow Gromit

I couldn’t resist a photo of this fabulous willow Gromit by Fon Cosens, I usually think of Willow as such a traditional material but Fon proved that it’s also incredibly versatile in the right hands.

Lotus Blossom Textiles

Lotus Blossom Textiles

I don’t need a needle case (believe me I have many) and yet strangely I need one of these needle cases from Lotus Blossom Textiles! Or one of her beautiful textile pictures.

Laura Rose Textiles

Laura Rose Textiles

Keeping with textile artistry I also loved these gorgeous fabric pictures from Laura Rose Textiles, Laura can make custom pictures of your favourite memories or scenes and they are fabulous!

Godminster Cheese

Godminster Cheese

I like Cheese at the best of times but this amazing Vintage Organic Cheddar from Godminster was simply heavenly and even better it’s available in a heart shaped piece!

Benji Bennett

Benji Bennett

Next I met the lovely Benji Bennett who is the author of a fabulous range of childrens books inspired by the sudden passing of his 4 year old son Adam. Each book promotes love, laughter and play within families and makes perfect bedtime reading for parents to share with their little ones. I was so impressed with Benji’s books and his use of rhythm and language, I can’t wait to get one to read to my own little peeps.

Santa Claus Book

Santa Claus Book

On the subject of books I also came across this amazing display (it snowed!) of books called ‘Santa Claus: The Book of Secrets’. Perhaps a book for slightly older children as it’s chock full of writing and information, my eldest son is an avid reader and he would adore it.

Twool

Twool

Twine with a twist! This fabulous Twool garden twine is a British wool alternative to imported Jute, you can craft with it, knit with it, use it for gardening, floristry or gift wrapping and best of all it’s made from Whiteface Dartmoor Sheep wool! It actually makes me quite sad to write about this stall as I fully intended to buy some of their festive coloured twine and completely forgot to go back after I’d finished taking photos (it was a long day!) 🙁

London International Silver Company

London International Silver Company

Tucked away on the Mezzanine level was one of my favourite stalls the London International Silver Company  who made amazing antique handled goods such as magnifying glasses, paper knives, bottle openers and much more. They were so well crafted and unusual, a gift to treasure for years and years!

Daisy's Dog Deli

Daisy’s Dog Deli

Finally I can’t forget Mr Dog this Christmas and I loved the Christmas offerings from Daisy’s Dog Deli.