Journeys Are My Diary

London is one of Europe’s biggest and most vibrant cities, drawing hundreds of thousands of tourists a year from all over the world. Travelling across London to visit all its sights can be an opportunity to experience a few of the modes of transport that help make London so famous.

If you are thinking of visiting London, you should definitely check out this quick guide to London Transport and plan your journey across the capital with these ideas in mind.

Go Underground and Use the Tube

London’s underground train network is one of the most developed in the world and is constantly expanding to offer commuters and visitors better transport links across all parts of the city.

You can travel across the tube inexpensively, and if you are planning on spending some time in the city and using the Tube a lot, you should consider buying a Visitor’s Oyster Card. These cards save you money as you travel across London and also give you a fun souvenir to remind you of your trip.

Try One of London’s Best Know Attractions: The Black Cab

The London Hackney Carriage was perhaps the world’s first professional cab service, and the tradition still exists today with London’s black cabs and their equally famous drivers.

The black cabs with an orange light on top have become a tourist attraction of their own, and you shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to take a cab across London. The drivers of the cab can spend years studying for ‘The Knowledge Test’ for London cabbies, so they know all the best routes through the city. Etiquette for the London Black Cab is important to consider if you want to hail a cab on London’s streets and have a pleasant and swift trip through the city. 

There isn’t much a cab driver can do to fight traffic, however, and no matter how many short cuts they know, they can still get caught in London’s congestion. Time spent sat in traffic makes the taxi fare increase, so take this into consideration when planning and budgeting for a taxi journey.

See More of London by Exploring the British Capital on its Big Red Buses

The city of London is famous for its bright red, double-decker buses that are a great way to get around the city. 

Oyster cards can be used on buses as well as the underground, giving you another money-saving option to use when you are getting around. It is important to remember that the buses can also get stuck in London’s traffic, so you need to take the time of day into consideration when planning a bus journey. 

There is so much to see and do in the British capital, with attractions and historically significant sites spread across the vast city. 

Thankfully, London has some of the best public transport in Europe. If you plan your journey right and think about the time of day you are travelling, you can get across the capital quickly and easily without spending too much money on transportation.

Some people call them stretch marks; others call them their tiger stripes. Whether they are on your thighs or your stomach, whether you got them through pregnancy, a growth spurt or rapid weight loss, everyone has experienced stretch marks. 

Much like scars, stretch marks are naturally occurring and, therefore, cannot be entirely prevented. However, their appearance can be minimized. Depending on your relationship with your stretch marks you may not want to alter their appearance at all, but if you think you would feel better about yourself if your stripes were less tiger and more tabby cat, there are ways you can do that. 

Natural

Natural remedies are the simplest and least expensive way of fading stretch marks; however, they are definitely more of a preventative than a cure. Simple things like staying hydrated and keeping your skin moisturized. Preventing your skin from becoming too dry means you will be less susceptible to getting stretch marks. Plant-based moisturizers such as coconut and almond oil are cheap and often easy to find in your local grocery store, they also tend to be found on the ingredients list of more expensive pharmaceutical stretch mark cures. Alongside keeping hydrated, you can also assist your body in its natural collagen production by eating foods high in zinc. Foods such as Turkey, fish, brazil nuts and tempeh will help give your body the zinc it needs to help repair skin wounds such as stretch marks.

Pharmaceutical 

Pharmaceutical stretch mark products are available at all good drug stores and should contain ingredients such as cocoa or shea butter and vitamin E. There are few pharmaceutical products on the market so well known for helping fade stretch marks than Bio-Oil. If you don’t already have some floating around in your home, online pharmacy www.pharmacyonline.com.au provides a free tester of the product alongside the whole Bio-Oil range.

Dermatological 

If you are having no luck with natural or pharmaceutical remedies, then you can go down the dermatological route. When stretch marks are new, they are red and tend to react better to remedies such as oils and creams, but when the stretch marks are older, they are whiter in color, and therefore tougher to reduce the appearance of. This is where you can ask your dermatologist for advice and looking into more extreme measures such as laser removal. Treatments such as laser removal and micro-needling are a little bit more pricey and can be more painful but they both work under the same premise and can have lasting effects. Both treatments effectively trick your cells into thinking that they are injured so your body’s healing process will kick in. This healing process includes the creation of new collagen which improves the look of stretch marks. 

Roughly 80 percent of Americans have stretch marks and though you may think they are unsightly; they tell a story of a time in your life where you were growing and they show how adaptable and incredible our bodies can be. So, should we really be hiding our tiger stripes? 

Caring for a senior can be enormously challenging, and many carers experience negative emotions such as guilt when thinking about how they can balance their life as a carer with their own needs. However, for yourself, and to ensure that you are able to give your senior the best care possible, it is important that you also make time to look after yourself as well. 

Know When to Get Help

Although many people acting as carers may feel a sense of guilt, as if they have let their loved one down over receiving help from others, it is important for both you and the person that you are caring for that you know when to get help. If your senior’s condition has become too difficult for you to cope with, it is important that you make plans for your loved one, such as considering professional home care or care homes which specialise in your loved one’s condition. For instance, https://www.bristolcarehome.co.uk provides respite care for those with dementia and other health conditions. 

Find Support Groups 

As a carer, it is important that you reach out when you are struggling, and support groups are one of the best ways in which you can do this. Support groups allow you to discuss your situation and get advice and encouragement from others in the same situation as yourself, allowing you to receive a break from your caring duties while getting to know other people who care for loved ones on a daily basis too. 

Take Days Off 

It is important that you are able to take time for yourself when you care for someone else, and you should always try to take regular days off, if possible. If you have family nearby, you should discuss with them the viability of creating a care timetable between you, which can ensure that you are able to share out your caring duties equally- or even just get time to spend with your friends and family, or catch up on a favourite hobby. 

Look For Charitable Organisations

If you are struggling financially from being a carer ( for instance, if you are unable to work), there are many charitable organisations for carers that can provide you with the support you need to continue caring for your loved one without the stress of worrying about your finances. You may also be able to get financial support from the government. 

Talk to a Doctor 

If caring is having a negative effect on your mental health, or you believe that you are showing signs of mental health issues such as anxiety or depression, you should make an appointment with your local GP as soon as possible. They will be able to ensure that you receive the help that you need to improve your mental health, through the use of talking therapies like counselling, support groups, and even medication. 

Look After Your Needs

What’s more, it is vital that you look after your own needs when you are a carer. This includes engaging in a regular exercise regime and eating regularly and healthily. Not only will this help you to improve your own health and energy levels, and reduce the likelihood of mental illness, but it will also ensure that you can give the best care possible to your loved one in need. 

As we all know – life is short, so it’s essential we make the most of it. Happiness stems from doing the things you love and feeling a sense of control over your own life. However, the mundane repetition of our daily regime can often feel as though we are on a treadmill and is getting in the way of fulfilling our dreams, which is why it’s essential to plan ahead. All that’s needed is a shift in perspective and a couple of adjustments to your routine.

If you have the ambition of making the very best of your life, check out these top tips below.

Be a positive thinker

It’s easy to get into a rut of negative thoughts when things aren’t going right, which can cause symptoms associated with anxiety and depression. If you do suffer from a mental health condition, try to reach out, so you don’t suffer in silence. You could sign up to talking therapy or enrol on a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) course, dependant on your specific needs and issues. Seeking help will allow you to gain perspective of your thoughts and worries and adopt a whole new outlook on life that you may never have opened yourself up to before.

Travel more

You can never do enough travelling; after all, ’the world is your oyster’ and you only have one life to see it for yourself, so book a couple of weeks off work and make the pledge to visit a new country every year. Whether you have the dream of seeing the bright lights of Hollywood, wildlife in their natural habitat or taking to the slopes in the Alps, there’s always something new to try. If you have saved up to go travelling, you should definitely consider holidaying in style by choosing Quintessentially luxury travel. Your holiday can be tailor-made to suit your exact requirements, so your dream trip is set to become a reality.

Quit comparing yourself to others

In the generation of social media, it’s extremely easy to get carried away with comparing yourself to others. Aim to stop this habit right now. You may frequently look to others and feel envious and dissatisfied with your appearance or material objects, which is extremely dangerous to the mind. Remember that you are not inferior to others: you have your own skillset and qualities, which makes you unique.

Be aware of your triggers when you start to experience feelings of inadequacy by shifting your thoughts to gratitude for all the things you have got. Doing so means you’ll be far less susceptible to jealousy. It’s human nature to feel this way, but why not turn this emotion into a positive by using it as a form of motivation to improve aspects of your life you’re not happy with?

Schedule in more ‘me time’

With running a house, looking after the kids and going to work every day, it’s important you schedule in more time for yourself. Everyone needs time to unwind and revive in order to keep up the pace. Don’t be afraid to say ‘no’ when it all gets too much. You can often over-commit yourself, which may leave you feeling overwhelmed and completely stressed out. Take a step back and only agree to the things you can and want to do, rather than feeling obliged to do so.

You’ll no doubt have seen the many stories about climate change in the news. It’s scary to see how the planet is changing, and you’ll no doubt be wondering what you can do to help reverse the damage. While one person can’t save the planet alone, if everyone made small changes, then they’d make a big impact. Here’s how to do your bit for the environment. 

• Cut down on the amount of meat you consume

Many western diets now include daily servings of meat, and this is having a negative impact on the planet. Four-fifths of agricultural admissions are due to livestock, and factors such as methane produced by animals and massive water usage mean that this rise of consumption of meat is having a big impact. This doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy meat anymore but consider cutting down. Start with a meat-free Monday, then try making some veggie alternatives to your favorite dishes to see if you enjoy the change. 

• Shop ethically

Clothing has a big impact on the planet. Not only does cotton use large amounts of water, but clothes are also dyed which can cause pollution, they have to be transported, and they are often discarded after a few wears. Many people are now looking for more ethical options to keep their closet eco-friendly. There are options such as buying from ethical brands or even upcycling your own clothing, and if you look into the benefits of water-based screen printing, you’ll see it’s much better than industrial methods. Once you’re done with your items of clothing, take them to a thrift store or recycling center. 

• Cut down on packaging

While a lot of packaging can be recycled, the process of recycling still uses energy, so avoiding packaging as much as possible is more environmentally friendly. Buy loose fruit and vegetables, choose brands that use minimal packaging, and find out if there are any zero-waste stores near you where you can buy food by weight.

• Cut down on car journeys

If you need to pick up something from the store, do you jump in the car without thinking, or do you spend a minute thinking of alternatives such as walking or cycling? There are many ways you can cut down on car usage, even if it’s just eliminating a couple of journeys a week to begin with. Obviously, this is easier for people who live in cities or places with good public transport, but even if you’re in the suburbs there are options such as lift sharing.

• Give experiences, not gifts

The holidays can be a terrible time for waste, with many gifts ending up in landfills, not to mention the amount of wrapping and packaging. However, lots of waste could be saved if you gave people experience gifts for things they enjoy, instead of more stuff. From a gift card for their favorite restaurant to an amazing adrenaline-pumping experience, you can give people great memories rather than just something to clutter their home.

Saving the planet doesn’t have to mean you can’t enjoy life. By simply making a few lifestyle changes, as well as encouraging others to do so, you can help limit the damage. 

If you’re anything like me, you probably don’t check your car tyres all that often. However at this time of year, especially when the weather can make roads even more dangerous than they already are, it’s a good idea to try and look after your tyres. If you live or travel around remote places, you will also find that many roads which travel across countryside are narrow and windy. Distances are often underestimated and so with large gaps between towns and villages, it’s important not to end up stranded in the middle of nowhere.

Here are my top tips for looking after your tyres:

1. First and most importantly, your tyres should be the correct type and size for your car. You can check this information in your manual, however you should have them fitted properly. Headley Tyres offer a huge variety of tyres of various brands. Order online and get them fitted from their Newbury Centre.

2. Keep an eye on the condition of your tyres. They should always look in a good condition – no tears, gouges, scars, lumps etc. If there is something that makes you question what it is, look into it.

3. Tyres should always be pumped up to the correct pressure. Again you can find this information in your manual but it might be handy to keep a note of it in your phone or even on a sticker on your dashboard etc. so you don’t need to keep looking it up. Always check the pressure in cold weather and adjust accordingly. Also adjust the pressure if you carry am unusually heavy load.

4. Tyre grip. The law requires a car’s tread to be 1.6mm but of course you can change them if they begin to look worn on any part of the tyre. If you don’t know how to check for the depth of your tyre tread, look it up. It’s really simple and takes only a moment or two to do.

5. Carrying a spare tyre is not a legal requirement but it it is a good idea. If you hope to rely on it in the case of a puncture, it’s also a good idea to make sure that it’s road worthy by checking that occasionally too.

6. Check your wheel alignment. If your wheel alignment is out, tyres can often wear on the insides, where you can’t really even see them. This can cause unexpected punctures and often you will need to replace tyres sooner than just regular wear and tear.

7. Last but not least, experts recommend you rotate your wheels. Often rear wheels wear down at a slower rate than front ones and some even say left wear more rapidly than right. Rotating your tyres could help them to last longer and you might get many more miles out of your money!

Driving with faulty tyres of any sort, can be incredibly dangerous. If you are breaking the law, you will be subject to fines. If your tyres cause lack of control or slower braking, you may even cause accidents. Because of this it’s really important just to take a few minutes, every few weeks, just to make sure your cars are in the best possible condition they can be.

With Great British Bake Off now in full swing, I can only imagine that watching the TV series has inspired lots of people to pull on their aprons and get baking. This year I have set myself the challenge of cooking something vaguely theme related, with each week we watch. With cheesecake for both dairy AND dessert week, fresh bread on bread week, cake for cake week and ginger biscuits for biscuit week, I’m pretty proud of myself for sticking to it. The only exception so far has been 1920’s week where I didn’t really have a clue what to cook, so we had cocktails instead! Last week was Festival Week and while we haven’t watched it yet, I plan to make a cake as I believe the final challenge is Festival Cakes. I’m not entirely sure what that is, but I do love an excuse to cook cake.

Trago have put together this fascinating infograph which shows the various baking times for different size cake tins. For those of you who have fancied baking a cake but not really sure where to start – this information could definitely give you a step up. Along with that, I’m going to impart on you my foolproof recipe for baking a cake. I personally always work in multiples of 60g, as I find this works best. So keep your ingredient quantities the same – 60g of butter, 60g flour, 60g caster sugar and 1 egg (one egg per 60g, so 3 eggs if 180g etc.) Add 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder for smaller quantities and a full teaspoon if you’re going for a larger quantity. Add a splash or two of flavouring and voilà, you’re done! I’m a firm believer of just mixing it all in together at the same time, even though some people still stick to the sugar and butter first, then the flour and eggs. I use a food mixer though so shoving it all in and blitzing it up has always worked fine for me! If you’re looking to add cocoa powder to make it chocolate, you need to take out some flour and replace it with cocoa, rather than add it in addition. Usually I work on 2/3 flour to 1/3 cocoa (so 120g flour to 60g cocoa) but the more I make, I often lower that to 3/4 and 1/4 instead. Divide your mixture between cake tins or place in cupcake cases and cook for the suggested times below. Make sure you poke a cocktail stick in the middle of the cake every now and again. If it comes out with mixture on it still, then it needs more cooking. If it comes out clean, the cake is cooked! If you give it a go, I’d love to see. Please feel free to post your pictures in the comments!

Oral health is important. That’s keeping check on the health of your teeth and gums to you and me. But it’s not just what you eat that can cause problems with your oral health. There are many other lifestyle influences that can cause dentistry complaints in the mouth area. If you’re suffering from problems with your oral health there’s a Dentist in Balham London who can sort you right out. Take a look below to find out more about some of the lifestyle choices effecting your oral health. 

Smoking 

Smoking is one of the largest factors in diminished oral health and can lead to tooth staining and tooth loss, gum disease, as well as more severe issues like mouth cancer. The nicotine and tar in your tobacco will cause your teeth to stain with a yellow tinge, and this can happen across a very short period of time. Some smokers will even complain of their teeth venturing into the brown colour palette after many years of smoking. We’re well aware of the respiratory health side-effects of smoking, but what about smoking’s effects on the lungs? Smoking causes a lack of oxygen in the blood stream, leading to bacterial plaque and gum disease, so cut down on your cigarettes, quick.

Alcohol 

Drinking alcohol can have many different effects on your oral health and, depending on the type of alcohol you’re drinking. will determine the detriment it has on your teeth. While drinking too much beer adds acidity and stains, too many cocktails filled with sugar and citrus can corrode the teeth through their acidity. Alcohol causes dehydration, which also causes a dry mouth, which also means bad oral hygiene. To combat the effects of alcohol on your oral hygiene, always try to stay hydrated and opt for alcohol with a low-sugar content. You could always try reducing your weekly intake, too. 

Oral Piercings

As is natural when we’re piercing holes in our bodies, it can lead to complications, especially when we’re dealing with oral piercings. It’s important that when you’re looking to get an oral piercing that you’re going to professional piercing artists who understand the safest and correct procedures to take without causing damage. Oral piercings can cause swelling, bleeding, and in some cases gingivitis. The more recent body modification of tongue splitting can also cause bacterial infections if not completed effectively.

Stress 

Ah stress, the silent killer. Stress can cause us humans many different issues when it comes to our health, some of them often flying below the radar. But when it comes to our oral health, stress can contribute to teeth grinding, gum disease, as well as painful canker sores. These oral symptoms of stress can lead to more serious health issues within the mouth like tooth decay, erosion and in some of the worst cases, cancer. 

Like any other element of your health, your oral health is important. It’s often the case that when your oral health is good, then your whole body feels good. With that in mind, why not take our advice on board, cut down on your smoking, engage in some meditation and watch your oral hygiene improve by the second. 

Throwing a party can be stressful – no one wants to run out of booze halfway through the night or realize last minute that they have no food for a fussy guest. To make sure everyone’s talking about your party on Monday morning, here’s some top tips on how to throw the ultimate party! 

Choose the perfect venue  

The first step to planning your party is to choose a venue. You need to decide whether you’re going to throw your party at home, or hire a venue for the event. Hosting a house party is cheaper, but you will be responsible for organizing all of the food, drink, music etc yourself. 

Whereas when you hire a venue, you can often include catering in the hire fee and there will also be a fully-stocked bar onsite where people can buy their own drinks. You also don’t need to worry about cleaning up the next day or noise complaints from neighbors. If you’re holding a party at home, then it’s always a good idea to notify your neighbors beforehand, especially if you think the party may go on late in the evening or be loud.

Arrange music / entertainment 

Music is essential at a party and can be used to create atmosphere and get people in the party mood. If you’re planning on providing your own music at your party, then make sure you download a playlist onto your smartphone or other electronic device and get a high quality pair of speakers to play your music through. Fortunately, you can now download a huge variety of pre-made playlists on apps like Spotify. If you truly want to impress your guests and give them a night to remember, then consider hiring a live band or DJ. 

Fortunately, you can now find and compare a huge range of different live music options using comparison sites like Party Shirt Music. This allows you to compare the best live music providers in your local area and find the best deals for your party. Other fun entertainment options to consider include – games, cocktail making lessons, dance competitions and photobooths. 

Consider food and drink 

Keep in mind that your guests will expect you to provide some food and drink at your party. If you’re throwing your party at home, then buffets and BBQ’s are popular ways to feed your guests in a casual setting. Make sure that you check for any dietary requirements beforehand so you can accommodate your food choices to suit everyone. Provide some popular drinks like beers, wine and make up a few party cocktail bowls. You could also ask guests to bring along some food and drink. That way, you’ll save money and be sure that everyone has something they like. If you’re hiring a venue for the event, you will usually have the option to add on food and drink packages. Remember that it’s important to make guests aware of what food and drink will be provided, so they know whether to eat beforehand for instance. 

If you love entertaining, then use these tips to help you throw the ultimate party! 

Regardless of why you decided to stop playing your favorite sport — whether it was because you had other commitments or whether it was because you got injured — it’s never too late to get back into it. Your sport is still there waiting for you to embrace it once again. All you have to do is be courageous enough to actually embrace it!

Getting back into your sport of choice is not going to be easy, especially if you haven’t played or taken part in it for a number of years now. There are things that you can do, however, to ease yourself back into the rigors and demands of it.

Here’s what you can and should be doing when you decide to get back into sports:

Get in good shape

You might not be able to play your sport at the level or in the intense manner that you once played it at. This doesn’t, however, mean that your current physical condition needs to hold you back from realizing what is close to your full potential. If you get yourself in good enough shape, near enough anything is possible in this instance.

To ensure that you put yourself in the best position possible to take your sport of choice by storm once again, it might a good idea for you to have meetings with sports physicians. These kinds of professionals will provide you with expert advice on what you can do to stay fit, healthy, and injury-free as you seek to get back into sports.

Once you are able to manage your injuries, you should resolve to work on your cardiovascular fitness. This will help you to increase your lung capacity, it will boost your endurance, and it will even improve your joint condition.

Set yourself a training plan

If you’re serious about giving your sport your all, there can be no half measures. You cannot work out as and when you feel like it or decide to take random days — you have to set yourself up with a training plan and, come rain or shine, you have to stick to it. Only by dedicating yourself to your venture fully can you get yourself anywhere near the level you were once at.

Accept help

Having not played sports in a while, you’re probably not particularly well versed when it comes to staying fit and working out. Fortunately, there are a plethora of professionals out there who are willing to offer you their assistance in this instance. All you have to do is accept their help.

This could mean investing in the services of a personal trainer, it could mean attending fitness classes at your local gym, or it could even entail you joining a local sports team — whatever help you feel comfortable accepting, make sure you have no qualms in accepting it. Doing so could provide you with the impetus you need to fully embrace your return to the sport that you love.

Getting back into sports is never easy after an absence. Take the above advice, however, and you’ll make this task a lot less difficult for yourself.