Finland Log Cabins - Grand Designs
A few of us here in the office are avid 'Grand Designs' viewers, and were delighted to see a family build their very own Finnish log cabin on last night's programme. It looked absolutely stunning, and true to form, is very sustainable and earth-friendly. If, like us, your budget and DIY skills don't quite stretch to building a cabin, then why not enjoy a stay in one - contact us to discuss the accommodation options available for a short break deep in the Finnish countryside amidst tranquil, snow-cloaked forests. A roaring fire would be just blissful right now... *sigh*.
Posted on April 10, 2008 in Finland , Scandinavia , Television , Travel | Permalink | E-mail this | Comments (0)
Giant Underwater Volcano discovered in Iceland
Volcanologist Ármann Höskuldsson from the University of Iceland and a team of scientists recently discovered a more than 50-square-kilometre volcano off the Reykjanes peninsula, in southwest Iceland, and expect it to erupt at any time. In the centre of the volcano there is a caldera measuring ten kilometres in diameter. The volcanologist stated that, “people shouldn’t be surprised if there would be an extensive volcanic eruption underwater there soon. Nothing has happened for hundreds of years and it is in fact only a matter of time before there will be an eruption,”.
Since the volcano is at a depth of 1,500 metres eruptions would not have any effect on Iceland, except perhaps causing minor earthquakes. The volcano’s discovery is considered significant because geographers believed it couldn’t exist in that area. “Such large volcanoes are not typically located on oceanic ridges. They are always drifting apart and that prevents a volcano from being created. This is why the volcano’s existence came as such a surprise,” Höskuldsson said. In summer, Höskuldsson and his team will present the conclusions of their studies at the annual conference of the International Association of Volcanologists, which will be held in Iceland. Nine hundred people have already registered for the conference. In summer 2009 they plan use a small submarine to undertake more detailed research of the underwater volcano.
Remember, Discover the World has a 'Volcano Hotline' which springs into action (running special trips) as volcanoes errupt in this active geothermal area. Thanks to its unique position on the edge of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, Iceland has a wealth of volcanoes which dot the landscape - yet another reason to visit this spectacular country.
Posted on April 8, 2008 in Arctic , Current Affairs , Iceland , Science | Permalink | E-mail this | Comments (0)
Any Cricket fans out there?
I am an avid cricket watcher. During in the summer I play at any given opportunity and am currently counting down the days until the start of the new season. I have been known to go to some strange lengths in order to get some free time to play or watch cricket - none more so than staying up until 1am to watch the start of a game between England and New Zealand. 
I must admit - England were useless (as per usual) but one thing that struck me was the beauty of the country. During the lunch interval Sky did a piece on the wonders of New Zealand and I must admit, the country looks unbelievable. Having watched 'The Lord of The Rings' trilogy religiously , I was aware that some of the film was shot in NZ, but assumed that most of the scenery was done using C.G.I. However, the images that were on Sky were unbelievable. What struck me most was the wide range of geographical features; volcanoes, mountains, forests, beaches, glaciers - that abound this rugged and beautiful country.
I have been to New Zealand once before but was very young at the time so can not remember any of it. I can say that without a doubt it is next on my 'wish list'.
Having said all that - England still lost the cricket (which went on until 8am) so it was not really worth my time loosing all that sleep and being useless at work the following morning.
If you would like to visit New Zealand, click here or give us a call on 01737 218 800 and have a chat to one of our specialists.
Posted on February 21, 2008 in Client blogs , Games , New Zealand , Sports , Television , Travel | Permalink | E-mail this | Comments (0)
The IceHotel
This blog is for those out there who, like me may have some reservations about spending a night on a bed of Ice. 
I think that it is important that I say first of all how important my sleep is to me and my girlfriend can attest to how grumpy I am if I do not get a proper nights sleep - hence when I was offered the opportunity to visit the Icehotel and spend a night in an ice suite I had more than a few reservations.
We were due to spend our last night of a four night trip in one of the Ice rooms which I thought was good as it gave me time to psyche myself up for it. I thought that if I took a guided tour round the IceHotel it would help reassure me that it will not be THAT cold and I will still be alive in the morning.
We met our guide at around 14:00 and went straight for the Ice Bar. Having visited the one on Heddon street in London I thought that I had a pretty good idea of what to expect - WRONG! The experience of being in an actual building entirely built of Ice and snow is unbelievable. One very quick vodka cocktail down, I ventured deeper into the hotel.
All my 
initial trepidation went flying out the window. Even though it is around -5 degrees, as there is no wind it feels ALMOST warm as compared to the -20 degrees outside. The Ice rooms have to be seen to be believed. I literally walked from room-to-room in astonishment, I took so many pictures that by the end of it my camera did not know what hit it! Each room is designed by an artist and you can see how much care and attention they have put into it! It was like being in an art gallery.
Right - down to business, how did I sleep! Honestly.................? Really well. I had just come back from a northern lights snowmobile tour (which I will blog about next week) and was more than ready for a good nights sleep. We were given special sleeping bags and told to sleep in thermals - no point delaying any further....... "I cant come this far and not sleep in an Ice Hotel". We got in the room, got in the sleeping bag, lay down, turned the lights off and the first thing that struck me was how quiet it was! It is a silence that is difficult to explain, a little eerie but in some way very comforting. I took in my surroundings, shut my eyes and that was that! 
For all those who are woken at the crack of dawn by their unnecessarily aggressive alarm clocks - I have found the perfect way to wake up. At around 07:30 we were awoken by a very pretty (sorry Sarah) Swedish girl offering warm Lingonberry juice - Beat that! A long shower followed by a sauna and yet another long shower and I was good-to-go!
"So, would you do it again?" ....................Definitely. Having been initially hating the idea of an Ice room I can honestly say that I would do it again (particularly the part where I get woken up by a pretty girl offering me a warm drink!). It really is one of those things in life that I will look back on and think.........."Yeah....... I'm glad I did that!"
If you would like to experience it yourself click here to find out more.
Posted on February 6, 2008 | Permalink | E-mail this | Comments (1)
The Yule Lads
The ninth was Sausage Swiper,
a shifty pilferer.
He climbed up to the rafters
and raided food from there.
Sitting on a crossbeam
in soot and in smoke,
he fed himself on sausage
fit for gentlefolk.
The tenth was Window Peeper,
a weird little twit,
who stepped up to the window
and stole a peek through it.
And whatever was inside
to which his eye was drawn,
he most likely attempted
to take later on.
Eleventh was Door Sniffer, 
a doltish lad and gross.
He never got a cold, yet had
a huge, sensitive nose.
He caught the scent of lace bread
while leagues away still
and ran toward it weightless
as wind over dale and hill.
Meat Hook, the twelfth one, 
his talent would display
as soon as he arrived
on Saint Thorlak´s Day.
He snagged himself a morsel
of meet of any sort,
although his hook at times was
a tiny bit short.
The thirteenth was Candle Beggar
- ´twas cold, I believe,
if he was not the last
of the lot on Christmas Eve.
He trailed after the little ones
who, like happy sprites,
ran about the farm with
their fine tallow lights.
On Christmas night itself
- so a wise man writes
- the lads were all restraint
and just stared at the lights.
Then one by one they trotted off
into the frost and snow.
On Twelfth Night the last
of the lads used to go.
Their footprints in the highlands
are effaced now for long,
the memories have all turned
to image and song
Posted on January 2, 2008 | Permalink | E-mail this | Comments (0)
