Win! One of three Nikon COOLPIX S9300 cameras

August 3, 2012, 2:00 am

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Escaping to an exotic beach destination this summer? Or maybe you're going on an epic adventure? Wherever you're off to on holiday, you'll want to capture the best moments and what better way than with a brand new camera? We're offering three users the chance to win a Nikon COOLPIX S9300 compact digital camera worth £299.99!

Enter now to win!

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Budget airlines could be forced to axe baggage fees

August 3, 2012, 9:44 pm

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Filed under: Travel News

Budget airlines could be forced to axe baggage fees PA

The days of paying an extra fee to check in luggage on your flight could soon be over if you're travelling to Spain as the popular holiday destination is preparing to take legal action against airlines charging passengers to travel with a suitcase, the Daily Telegraph reported.

The Malaga public prosecution office if preparing the case against a number of airlines, including budget carriers easyJet, Flybe, Jet2.com and Ryanair, which fly to and from the city.

According to English language newspaper Sur, the office is compiling a list of airlines that charge passengers a fee to check in luggage and issue boarding cards.

The case, which could affect up to 20 airlines, refers to the Air Navigation Law of 1960, which states that airlines are obliged to carry a passenger's luggage as well as the person travelling as part of the flight price.

Over the years, the cost of flying with luggage has changed dramatically. Outside peak travel periods Ryanair charges between £15 and £30 per person per flight, but holidaymakers are currently being charged a temporary fee of £40 per person per flight until the end of September.

Baggage charges for easyJet are up to £31 per person for a return flight, Flybe charges from £10 to £31 depending on the size of the bag and flying with Jet2.com costs travellers an extra £30 to carry luggage.

According to the Telegraph, a study by aviation consultancy IdeaWorksCompany and technology provider Amadeus revealed that Ryanair and easyJet are the highest earners from extras.

What do you think about airlines charging for extras, like luggage? Leave a comment and let us know.

Check out the things we love to hate about low-cost flying below...

Ten things we love to hate about low-cost flying

Paying for paying
Is it just us, or is there something seriously nut so about the concept of paying for the privilege of paying? It's a crazy, mixed-up world when you have to pay £10 to use a debit card which costs the airline around 20p to process. Of course, you could apply for one of the cards which are 'free' to use, but they change all the time and take hours to apply for. If we thought about it too hard we'd only ever sit at home and cry.
Clashing colours
My dear, the garishness! Bright orange, purple, lurid yellow... it's enough to make anyone long for the days of a discreet livery of navy, red and perhaps a touch of silver. If you weren't feeling queasy before you got onboard, the combination of lime green uniforms and a £10 gin and tonic should do the job. Pass the sick bag – oh no, that's right, there aren't any.
Arriving at random airports
It's all very well paying £3.99 for your flight to Stockholm, but you won't be feeling so clever when you land in a field in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by lakes and forests, with no capital city in sight. Add on the taxes, extra charges and an hour and a half taxi ride into town and suddenly the national carrier flying to the main airport is looking like a pretty good deal. Especially when you factor in the professional service and free prawn sandwich you would have got...
Bonkers booking
Ah, the joys of the online no-frills airline booking procedure... First off, let's assume you've got access to the internet (if you don't, you're pretty much stuffed, because the chances of finding a real live human to book with are about as high you being able to travel on one of the special offer days). You've then got to navigate the site without accidentally hiring a car, paying for golf clubs or adopting a small child. By the time you remember to print out your boarding pass within the correct time period, you're in serious need of a holiday...
Full-fare food and drink
The recent story about a certain airline which gave a man a sandwich and a drink after he suffered a cardiac arrest – and then charged him for it – just about sums up the no-frills airline attitude to catering. It's all about the money, money, money. So, three letters for you: B.Y.O.
Speedy boarding
Seriously, what is up with people who pay for speedy boarding? You haven't spent enough on extra taxes, credit card charges, baggage fees? Sure, whack on another hefty charge while you're at it, just so you can stand in the front of the queue and feel superior. The plane's not going anywhere until the povs at the back of the queue are on too, so save the twenty quid – you'll need it to pay for your cheese sandwich on board.</div>
Baggage restrictions
No, no, we don't really need to take anything with us on our holiday, honestly. We may be going to Norway for two weeks in January, but a toothbrush, t-shirt and a pair of flip-flops will do us just fine. The book, nappies, wet wipes and baby food ? No problem, they'll slip right into the one bag too, that's fine, don't need them at all, yes stick them in the overhead locker miles away from my seat, too. Marvellous.
No seat pocket
Remember in the old days when the seat in front of you had a pocket you could stow your bits and pieces, magazines, bottle of water etc, instead of having to strew them all over the floor? They might be saving space and weight, but when your three-year-old starts projectile vomiting and the seat belt sign's on, suddenly a seat pocket full of sick bags makes a lot of sense. Ah, sweet revenge...
Lousy legroom
Jeez, there's nothing like 29" legroom pitch and a non-reclining seat back to force you to practice your yoga moves. Like human origami, we fold our limbs into unnatural shapes and wonder why we can't feel our feet by the end of the flight. And we're relatively normal! What it's like for a 6ft 7" man, or a 7 month pregnant woman with a 20 month old on her 'lap' doesn't bear thinking about...
Surly service
OK, when you're paying more for your beer than your air fare, you can't expect silver service, but would a smile hurt? We feel for the cabin crew dealing with leery stag weekenders and bitter businessmen whose companies won't cough up for a proper airline, but it would be nice to be treated slightly more like a human being, less like a walking wallet from whom to extract as much cash as possible in a two hour period. Scratch card, perfume, magazine, £2.50 bottle of water, anyone?

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Virgin Atlantic makes £80.2m loss due to rising fuels costs

August 3, 2012, 10:19 pm

≫ Next: Tourist stopped at airport for returning from holiday with iguana bag

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Filed under: Travel News

Virgin Atlantic makes £80.2m loss due to rising fuels costs, airline sales, richard branson PA

Virgin Atlantic has made a huge loss of £80.2 million after fuel and tax costs soared, the Press Association reported.

The airline founded by Sir Richard Branson reported that passenger numbers grew two per cent to 5.4 million in the year to February despite 'an incredibly difficult market'. The long-haul specialist was boosted by a new route between Manchester and Las Vegas and more flights to the Caribbean.

Compared to a profit of £18.5 million the year before, Virgin Atlantic suffered a loss as it struggled with the 'sky high' fuel costs, which increased to an average of 32 per cent in the year.

Air passenger duty also pushed up the cost of flying and the group said its fees through the duty rose 25 per cent to £195 million in the year.

In its 28-year history, it is believed this is only the third time it has slipped into the red. The last time was two years ago when it was hit by the financial crisis.

The airline, which is owned by the Virgin Group and Singapore Airlines, says it will cut £50 million from its costs but this is not expected to affect its 8,500 members of staff.

Chief executive Steve Ridgway said: 'In an incredibly challenging market, we have managed to grow top line revenues and fly more customers than last year.

'However, with the prevailing uncertainty in the economy, sky high fuel prices and a 25% hike in our air passenger duty fees, converting this sales growth into profit has not been possible.'

Virgin Atlantic announced this year that it is spending £100 million to improve its Upper Class service for business and wealthy travellers and it has six new Airbus A330s due for delivery, which are 15 per cent more efficient than the ones they replace.

The new financial year has seen the group get off to an 'encouraging' start with passenger numbers up 2.3 per cent (1.3 million) in the first quarter, helped by its new routes to Cancun, Mumbai and Vancouver.

Related articles

Check out the pics of Virgin Atlantic's new Upper Class cabins
Richard Branson brands air tax a 'disgrace'
Shortage of air passengers could push flight taxes up 25 per cent

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Tourist stopped at airport for returning from holiday with iguana bag

August 3, 2012, 10:54 pm

≫ Next: Airline charges customers more than 35 times for the same ticket

≪ Previous: Virgin Atlantic makes £80.2m loss due to rising fuels costs

Filed under: Travel News

Tourist stopped at airport for returning from holiday with iguana bag, cardiff airport, illegal, morocco, endangered animal skins PA

A British holidaymaker was stopped at Cardiff Airport when she returned from a trip to Morocco with a handbag made from a WHOLE iguana, the Daily Mail reported.

The bag, which included the animal's head and claws, was quickly confiscated by custom officers as iguanas are on a list of endangered animal skins and is illegal in Britain.

Made from dried iguana skin, the accessory showed the body of at least one lizard, which had been stretched out into a satchel with its head turned into a clasp and the claws used for decoration.

Alex Lawther, assistant director of the Border Force in Wales warned tourists about not buying animal skin bags at markets and bazaars on their exotic holidays.

'My message to holidaymakers is simple - don't do it,' he told the Mail.

'At best, you will have these items taken off you and at worst you could face a criminal conviction.

'Some people are quite surprised and upset when we tell them that they cannot bring the items into the country.

'Just because you can legally buy an item while on holiday abroad, it does not mean you can bring it back to the UK.

He added: 'Importing products made from endangered species is illegal and there's no doubt it's deliberate - you can't buy such a product without being aware of its origin.'

Animal skin is legally protected by international trade agreements, which ban it from being taken through customs.

Cardiff Airport revealed that in the past it has confiscated some strange items from tourists returning from their holidays, including antelope horns and snake skin children's slippers.

Related articles

Kate and William's 'erotic' Seychelles honeymoon souvenir
Revealed! The weirdest check-in items (including a dead cow)
Man arrested trying to smuggle reptiles in his pants

Browse some of the world's worst souvenirs below...

Tacky holiday souvenirs from around the world

Roadkill shot glass, Vermont
 Fancy a drink out of the hoof of a dead furry animal? Cheers.
Jamaican bananas, Nashville, Tennessee
Camel, Egybt (or should that be Egypt?)
Eiffel Tower family, Paris
Genuine Sphynxamid, Egypt
Kangaroo testicles, Australia
Pope bottle opener, Vatican
Mount Rushmore oil lamp, USA
'Brabag', Paris
Kate and Will figurines (at least, we think that's who they're meant to be...)
Canned fog, San Francisco
Prostitute mug, Amsterdam
Pisa pants, Italy
Toad coin purse, Australia
Beefeater ducks, London
Obama filpflops, USA
Click on the image above to see our collection of tasteless, tacky, cheap n' nasty souvenirs.

↧

Airline charges customers more than 35 times for the same ticket

August 4, 2012, 10:58 pm

≫ Next: Transatlantic flight from London closes airport after emergency landing

≪ Previous: Tourist stopped at airport for returning from holiday with iguana bag

Filed under: Travel News

Customers are furious after an airline company mistakenly over-charged them as much as 35 times in a website blunder that has cost travellers thousands of pounds.

US-based Southwest Airlines launched a Facebook promotion offering half-price tickets to celebrate achieving three million fans.

But the airline said that the "overwhelming" response meant that they were inundated with applications. According to their statement on the site, they faced "website performance issues" causing some customers to be charged more than once.

Posting on South West Facebook page, one customer said he received 36 ticket confirmations and was charged more than $7,000 . He then spent two hours on the phone to customer services, and was told that it would take seven to ten days to process returns.

Another customer said she was charged 39 times and faced $19,000 of charges.

Speaking to the AP, airline spokeswoman Ashley Sillon blamed a "technology glitch" for the overwhelming number of duplicate bilings to debit and credit cards.

Ten things we love to hate about low-cost flying

Paying for paying
Is it just us, or is there something seriously nut so about the concept of paying for the privilege of paying? It's a crazy, mixed-up world when you have to pay £10 to use a debit card which costs the airline around 20p to process. Of course, you could apply for one of the cards which are 'free' to use, but they change all the time and take hours to apply for. If we thought about it too hard we'd only ever sit at home and cry.
Clashing colours
My dear, the garishness! Bright orange, purple, lurid yellow... it's enough to make anyone long for the days of a discreet livery of navy, red and perhaps a touch of silver. If you weren't feeling queasy before you got onboard, the combination of lime green uniforms and a £10 gin and tonic should do the job. Pass the sick bag – oh no, that's right, there aren't any.
Arriving at random airports
It's all very well paying £3.99 for your flight to Stockholm, but you won't be feeling so clever when you land in a field in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by lakes and forests, with no capital city in sight. Add on the taxes, extra charges and an hour and a half taxi ride into town and suddenly the national carrier flying to the main airport is looking like a pretty good deal. Especially when you factor in the professional service and free prawn sandwich you would have got...
Bonkers booking
Ah, the joys of the online no-frills airline booking procedure... First off, let's assume you've got access to the internet (if you don't, you're pretty much stuffed, because the chances of finding a real live human to book with are about as high you being able to travel on one of the special offer days). You've then got to navigate the site without accidentally hiring a car, paying for golf clubs or adopting a small child. By the time you remember to print out your boarding pass within the correct time period, you're in serious need of a holiday...
Full-fare food and drink
The recent story about a certain airline which gave a man a sandwich and a drink after he suffered a cardiac arrest – and then charged him for it – just about sums up the no-frills airline attitude to catering. It's all about the money, money, money. So, three letters for you: B.Y.O.
Speedy boarding
Seriously, what is up with people who pay for speedy boarding? You haven't spent enough on extra taxes, credit card charges, baggage fees? Sure, whack on another hefty charge while you're at it, just so you can stand in the front of the queue and feel superior. The plane's not going anywhere until the povs at the back of the queue are on too, so save the twenty quid – you'll need it to pay for your cheese sandwich on board.</div>
Baggage restrictions
No, no, we don't really need to take anything with us on our holiday, honestly. We may be going to Norway for two weeks in January, but a toothbrush, t-shirt and a pair of flip-flops will do us just fine. The book, nappies, wet wipes and baby food ? No problem, they'll slip right into the one bag too, that's fine, don't need them at all, yes stick them in the overhead locker miles away from my seat, too. Marvellous.
No seat pocket
Remember in the old days when the seat in front of you had a pocket you could stow your bits and pieces, magazines, bottle of water etc, instead of having to strew them all over the floor? They might be saving space and weight, but when your three-year-old starts projectile vomiting and the seat belt sign's on, suddenly a seat pocket full of sick bags makes a lot of sense. Ah, sweet revenge...
Lousy legroom
Jeez, there's nothing like 29" legroom pitch and a non-reclining seat back to force you to practice your yoga moves. Like human origami, we fold our limbs into unnatural shapes and wonder why we can't feel our feet by the end of the flight. And we're relatively normal! What it's like for a 6ft 7" man, or a 7 month pregnant woman with a 20 month old on her 'lap' doesn't bear thinking about...
Surly service
OK, when you're paying more for your beer than your air fare, you can't expect silver service, but would a smile hurt? We feel for the cabin crew dealing with leery stag weekenders and bitter businessmen whose companies won't cough up for a proper airline, but it would be nice to be treated slightly more like a human being, less like a walking wallet from whom to extract as much cash as possible in a two hour period. Scratch card, perfume, magazine, £2.50 bottle of water, anyone?

↧

Transatlantic flight from London closes airport after emergency landing

August 5, 2012, 2:19 am

≫ Next: Terror on Spanish beaches as mauve jellyfish invade

≪ Previous: Airline charges customers more than 35 times for the same ticket

Filed under: Travel News

Transatlantic flight suffers 'steering problems' and closes Dublin Airport PA

A flight from London to Boston was forced to make an emergency landing at Dublin Airport after the pilot reported nose steering problems.

Dublin Airport was closed for almost an hour after the jet blocked both runways after making its emergency landing.

Hospitals in the area were placed on alert. Seven units of Dublin Fire Brigade were mobilised in support of the airport's own fire crews.

American Airlines flight AAL-155, which had 172 passengers and crew on board, came to a stop at the intersection of Dublin's two runways leaving dozens of planes circling over the Irish Sea.

The Irish Independent reports that more than 40 flights were affected with as many as 15 aircraft being forced to divert to other airports.

The was travelling from London to Boston and was about 400km west of Ireland when the crew reported a problem.

The pilot told controllers that he wished to turn around and divert to Dublin Airport reporting technical issues with the Boeing 757-200 plane's nose-wheel steering.

No one was injured, and the airport was able to reopen after an hour.

World's scariest airports

Barra Airport, Scotland
 Planes can only land here when the tide is out. Washed by the sea twice a day, Traigh Mhor runway is reputed to be the only beach runway in the world to handle scheduled airline services.
Courchevel Airport, France
 This Alpine airport is home to an extremely short uphill runway (1,722 feet) - and there's a vertical drop at the end. Oh, and then there's the wind, sleet and snow - all of which play havoc with all things airbourne.
Princess Julianna Airport, St Maarten
 A gateway airport to many smaller Caribbean islands including St Barts and Anguilla, planes landing at St Maarten Airport provide a great photo opportunity from Maho beach. Skimming over the beach towards the 2,300m runway, this stretch of coastline sees a lot of daily traffic with the airport servicing around about 100,000 flights a year.
Congonhas Airport, Brazil
 Located around five miles from the centre of Sao Paulo, Congonhas is one of the busiest airports in Brazil. The proximity to the city centre means it may feel like you're skimming the tops of skyscrapers as you land and take off.
Toncontin Airport, Honduras
 Landing at Toncontin Airport is particularly challenging for pilots due to its proximity to the mountains. In 2008 after a tragic plane crash, the airport was closed to international traffic. A major review of airport safety took place and in May 2009 a runway extension was completed. But despite this, it still has one of the shortest international runways in the world.
La Aurora Airport, Guatemala
 An approach to this airport means traversing mountainous terrain and this sometimes involves flying over occasionally active volcanoes. A recent eruption from the Pacaya volcano in 2010 caused the airport to close. Planes run the risk of ending up covered in ash, as this image of a just-landed American Airlines jet shows...
Caracas Airport, Venezuela
 Located in the Maiquetia region of Caracas, this international airport handles flights to many important cities in the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East. Its proximity to buildings and mountains make it a technically very difficult landing strip.
Ice Runway, Antarctica
 Used mainly by the US Antarctica Program during the summer, this sea-ice runway has to be constructed every year as it melts around December time. Pilots who've landed on the ice say it's much like landing on concrete initially, but when the plane comes to a standstill its wheels sink a into the ice. <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/2011/06/09/revealed-the-worlds-worst-airlines/" target="_blank">Don't miss our feature: Revealed! The world's worst airlines!</a>
Kai Tak Airport, Hong Kong
 Pilots had to be extremely skilled to negotiate numerous skyscrapers and mountains before landing on a runway jutting out into Victoria Harbour. Between 1925 and 1998 Kai Tak served as the main airport in Hong Kong. It has now been replaced by a new airport at Chek Lap Kok.
Gibraltar Airport
 One of Gibraltar's busiest roads, Winston Churchill Avenue, crosses directly over the runway for North Front airport. This means that the road can be closed for around two hours a day - mainly servicing planes to and from the UK. A tunnel under the runway is due to be completed in 2012.

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Terror on Spanish beaches as mauve jellyfish invade

August 5, 2012, 11:32 pm

≫ Next: Forget Usain Bolt! The world record holder for speed is....

≪ Previous: Transatlantic flight from London closes airport after emergency landing

Spanish beaches close as mauve jellyfish invade SolarPix

Many of Spain's most popular beaches have been closed to tourists as huge numbers of the potent mauve stinger jellyfish invade the coast.

Holidaymakers have found themselves banned from the sea after the mauve stingers, which plagued the waters of the Costa Del Sol last month, are arriving back in huge numbers.

Lifeguards have taken the precautionary step of stopping swimmers from entering the water, and many beaches, which are normally packed with tourists, are out of bounds until further notice.

Last July, more than 1,000 tourists were stung by the jellyfish, and the Spanish tourism authorities have moved quickly to prevent similar attacks.

The creatures have tentacles up to 10ft (3m) long. Their nettle-like stings that last up to three days and in some cases they can leave permanent scarring.

Terror on Spanish beaches as mauve jellyfish invade PA

According to a report in the Metro, Spanish authorities are blaming the infestation on overfishing in the region which has resulted in the virtual disappearance natural predators such as turtles, tuna and swordfish.

Other possible causes include ocean currents and lack of rain, and high temperatures.

Poster campaigns across many beaches along the Costa Del Sol give warnings and advising holidaymakers to seek immediate medical attention if stung.

Mauve stingers, or plagia noctiluca, are the most venomous in the Mediterranean.

World's deadliest animals

Venomous snakes
 Out of the world's 2,000 species of snake, around 250 are thought to be capable of killing a man. The Asian cobra does not have the deadliest venom, but is believed to be responsible for the biggest portion of the thousands of snakebite deaths every year. In Africa, the black mamba is the largest venomous snake and, during an attack, can strike up to 12 times, each time delivering enough neuro and cardio-toxic venom to kill a dozen men within 1 hour. Kills: An estimated 50-125,000 people a year. Deadly technique: A snake will use its fangs to pierce the skin and inject its paralysing venom. Lives in: Africa, Asia, Australia, North America
Cape Buffalo
 Many people might not realise that the cape buffalo is one of the most dangerous animals in Africa, and will react with force when it feels threatened. These beasts can weigh up to 1.5 tons and stand at 1.7 metres high; they're so intimidating that even lions don't usually consider them dinner. Cape buffalos will charge, and then gore its victim to death with its impressive horns. Kills: An estimated 200 people a year. Deadly technique: These animals will charge and gore their victims to death with their huge horns. Lives in: Africa
Saltwater crocodiles
 Crocodiles have been around for 200 million years, and are fearsome predators. The saltwater crocodile, or saltie, is the largest living reptile in the world, and can grow up to 21ft long and weigh 1.6 tons. These animals can run extremely fast on land, and, in the water, can swim as fast as dolphin. Many fatalities occur when people are washing or gathering food near river banks. Kills: An estimated 600-800 people a year. Deadly technique: Crocodiles will grab their victims with terrifying speed, and often launch into a 'death roll', weakening its prey, dragging it under water and drowning the victim. Lives in: Africa and Australia
Elephants
 Weighing in at up to eight tons, although beautiful creatures, elephants can be lethal. African elephants in particular can be aggressive, especially older bulls and young males. These creatures, unsurprisingly, are more aggressive in areas where poaching is rife or when their habitat is threatened. Kills: An estimated 300-500 people a year. Deadly technique: Most human deaths are result of the elephant trampling on its victim. Lives in: Africa and India
Hippos
 Although they might look cumbersome and cute, hippos are actually one of the most feared animals in Africa, and can outrun a human. When a male feels its territory is threatened, or a female thinks her offspring her in danger, these animals can be particularly dangerous. And with huge teeth and mouth that can open four feet wide, it's a good idea to steer clear. Kills: An estimated 100-150 people a year. Deadly technique: Hippos will charge, trample and gore its victims, and have been known to upturn boats and canoes without warning. Lives in: Africa
Big cats
 African lions are the biggest of the big cats, and are known to kill around 70 people in Tanzania alone every year. With the destruction of their habitat, human attacks by leopards in India, and the North American mountain lion are thought to be on the increase. Kills: An estimated 800 people a year. Deadly technique: African lions will often use strangulation to kill their prey, while tigers will attack from the back and aim for the jugular, and mountain lions will maul their victims. Lives in: Africa, North America, and India
Mosquitos
 Apart from humans, the mosquito is the deadliest creature on the planet. It kills millions of people every year through the spread of diseases like malaria, yellow fever, and dengue fever. Many of the malaria victims are children under the age of five. Kills: Two to three million people a year. Deadly technique: Female mosquitos pierce the skin with serrated mouth parts, and inject a saliva with a thinning agent to liquidise the blood. Lives in: Worldwide, more harmful in Africa, Asia and North America
Bears
 The are lots of different species of bear, but the polar, black and grizzly are the deadliest. Native to the Arctic, polar bears could decapitate a human being with one swipe of their massive paws. Bears generally attack when they are hungry, so it's a good idea to keep food away from your camp. Kills: An estimated 5 to 10 people a year. Deadly technique: Bear will use their teeth and claws to maul and trample their victims. Lives in: North America, Canada, North Pole, and Russia.
Scorpions
 Out of the 1,500 species of scorpion, the African spitting scorpion is thought to be the most deadly, and can spray its venom up to a metre. Arounf 25 species of scorpion are thought to be deadly to humans. Kills: An estimated 800-2,000 people a year. Deadly technique: Scorpions use their tail stingers to paralyse their prey with venom. Lives in: Worldwide; particularly Africa, the Americas and Central Asia.
Sharks
 The great white shark, which can grow up to six metres in length and weigh up to five tons, seems to have the most ferocious reputation. But, while they have been known to attack humans, most of these incidents are thought to be 'test bites', where the animal is deciphering whether he wants to eat you. And, generally, they humans are not on the menu. It is thought the aggressive bull shark is responsible for the most attacks on people. Out of the 360 shark species, only four are known killers: the great white, the bull, tiger, and the oceanic white tip. Kills: An estimated 100 people a year. Deadly technique: Sharks use their razor-sharp teeth to rip chunks out of its victims. Great whites usually take a big single bite, drag their victims into deeper waters, and wait until the prey bleeds to death before they eat it. Lives in: Florida, Australia, Hawaii and South Africa.
Box Jellyfish
 Box jellyfish can have up to 60 tentacles as long as 15 feet. And each tentacle contains enough venom to kill 50 humans, making it one of the most venomous marine creatures in the world. If stung, a box jellyfish can kill a man within minutes. Kills: An estimated 100 people a year. Deadly technique: Jellyfish use their tentacles to pump venom and paralyse its prey. Deaths in humans are usually a result of cardiac arrest. Lives in: Northern Australia, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

Grandfather dies after being stung by swarm of jellyfish

British woman fights off eagle who tries to steal dog in Spain

↧

Forget Usain Bolt! The world record holder for speed is....

August 6, 2012, 12:34 am

≫ Next: Another (mini) heatwave! Temps to soar despite flooding and a tornado

≪ Previous: Terror on Spanish beaches as mauve jellyfish invade

If you thought Usain Bolt was the fastest runner ever, you thought wrong.

There's a far speedier mover out there - and no one as ever heard of her. She's never been near an Olympic stadium, and she's never won a gold medal in her life.

But as you'll see from the video above, "Sarah" is the proud holder of a the world record as the fastest living thing on the planet.

Ok, so the fact that she's a cheetah kind of gives her an advantage over Bolt. But last week she sprinted 100m in 5.95 seconds at Cincinatti Zoo, which recorded a running time of 61mph.

According to National Geographic, this is the fastest 100-metre sprint ever recorded of any living thing on earth.

World's most amazing safaris

Explore Botswana on an elephant-back safari
 Go on the ultimate safari experience of riding trained elephants among wild game in the Okavango Delta area in Botswana at Abu Camp. You'll get to interact with the resident herd of 11 elephants by riding or walking with them. The experience is a journey through the eyes of the elephants and you'll get to know the personalities of each family member of the herd, from playful babies to precocious teenagers and doting mothers. Mud bathing, training and veterinary care are some of the activities you can observe during the three-night safari. You can also sleep out under the stars above Abu Camp's elephants on the Star Bed that is set high upon a wooden platform above the elephant enclosure. Scott Dunn offers three nights at Abu Camp Botswana, including one night on the Star Bed with all international and domestic flights from £6,060 per person. Visit <a href="http://www.scottdunn.com/" target="_blank">scottdunn.com</a>
See the mountain gorillas of Rwanda
 A five-day Gorilla Safari in Rwanda with Responsible Travel gives you the chance not only to see these extraordinary creatures, but to also understand their fragile environment, have an exclusive tour of the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project Headquarters and contribute to the survival of the mountain gorilla. On the gorilla trek you can expect to see an imposing dominant silverback or a newborn infant clinging to his mother’s fur. It can take up to a day to track the elusive gorillas but once they've been found, it's a thrilling experience to see them in the wild. During the five days you'll also visit a powerful genocide memorial, explore nearby villages and the city of Kigali. From £1,425 per person including flights, accommodation, gorilla permits, a behind-the-scenes visit to Mountain Gorilla Vet Project Headquarters and English-speaking guides. Visit <a href="http://www.responsibletravel.com/" target="_blank">responsibletravel.com</a>
Search for exotic tigers on an Indian safari
 Track India's tigers on Exodus' 16-day Land of the Tiger safari, where you'll visit three different parks to ensure the best quality tiger and wildlife viewings. The less-visited Pench National Park is a tiger reserve on the southern boundary of Madhya Pradesh and is the original setting for Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book. Kanha is where you'll find varieties of deer, monkey, langur, wild boar and leopard. Bandhavgarh is one of the smaller national parks and has an impressive setting with a stunning cliff-top fort overlooking grasslands, birch forests and bamboo. With 11 game drives included in the safari, you'll have an even greater chance of seeing the magnificent Bengal tiger. From £1,899 per person including flights, train travel within India, most meals and activities. Visit <a href="http://www.exodus.co.uk/" target="_blank">exodus.co.uk</a>
Lemurs, chameleons and more on a Madagascan safari
 During 12 nights you'll explore the distinct landscape and unique wildlife of Madagascar on a safari like no other. In the Perinet National Park, you'll find 11 different lemur species and spend time searching for the nose-horned chameleon, the two-foot-long Parson's Chameleon and Madagascar's largest lemur, the Indri. At the Mandrare River Camp you'll wake to the sounds of the local Antandroy tribe singing as they fetch water from the river and see the life and rich culture of the tribe. Night walks in the rainforest to search for lemurs, canoeing in the mangroves and birding trips in the wetland are just some of the activities you can experience on this safari. From £3,998 per person for a Classic Madagascar safari including flights from the UK. Visit <a href="http://www.abercrombiekent.co.uk/" target="_blank">abercrombiekent.co.uk</a>
Sleep under the stars in the wild on a Zambian safari
 For the truly adventurous, Norman Carr Safaris' Return to the Wild overnight experience in the South Luangwa National Park allows you to add a night-time bush walk to your Zambian safari. You'll be equipped with only a mosquito net and an armed guide to protect you from the elements, and will have a game-ranger's dinner before rolling out your blanket and sleeping under thousands of stars. You'll get an authentic taste of the wilderness with just the light of the campfire and the sounds of animals (elephants, lions, hippos and hyenas are just some that are close by!) - perfect if you're a brave traveller! Aardvark Safaris offers a seven-night trip to the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia staying at three Norman Carr Safaris bush camps plus a Return to the Wild night, flights, road transfers, full-board accommodation, drinks, laundry and all game viewing activities from £3,745 per person. Visit <a href="http://www.aardvarksafaris.com/" target="_blank">aardvarksafaris.co.uk</a> and <a href="http://www.normancarrsafaris.com/" target="_blank">normancarrsafaris.com </a>
Explore South Africa by foot on a walking safari
 There's nothing quite like seeing a lion while on foot and Sabi Sabi's Bush Walk and Tracking Safari allows you to do just that. Shangaan trackers who have lived on the land for hundreds of years and know the land like the back of their hands read the ground intently for signs like a lion paw print, elephant dung or circling buzzards to take you heart-stoppingly close to the animals on foot. No two walks are ever the same and Sabi Sand Game Reserve gives you a great chance of having close encounters with the 'Big Five' - elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard - as well as wild dog and cheetah. There are also over 300 bird species, making it a birdwatcher's delight. Africa Travel offers seven nights in South Africa, staying three nights with all meals and game drives at Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge and three nights with breakfast at Kensington Place in Cape Town from £3,775 per person, including return flights and domestic transfers. Visit <a href="http://www.sabisabi.com/" target="_blank">sabisabi.com</a> and <a href="http://africatravel.co.uk/" target="_blank">africatravel.co.uk</a>
Get up close to polar bears in Canada
 World Bear Safaris' Classic Polar Bear Tour gives you the chance to experience a cold climate safari in Churchill, Canada. Here you'll spend six days in a group exploring the natural habitat of polar bears and from the warmth of a Tundra vehicle you can expect to see mothers with cubs and young adult males play-fighting. You'll have hours to watch the polar bears interacting and be delighted by their antics and rugged beauty. You may also see Arctic foxes and hares on the tour, and on a nighttime Tundra drive you'll have the chance to view the amazing Northern Lights. A six-day trip is from £3,060 including return flights from Winnipeg to Churchill, accommodations, meals, services of professional Expedition Leaders and assistants, and all activities and entrance fees. Visit <a href="http://www.worldbearsafaris.com/" target="_blank">worldbearsafaris.com</a>
Capture the wild beauty of Kenya on a photographic safari
 This classic Kenyan safari puts the focus on taking great photos. From hundreds of different bird species and herds of migrating wildebeest to zebras and cheetahs, you'll have the opportunity to learn from awarding-winning resident photographer Paul Goldstein and take the best snaps during a nine-day safari. Game drives, early morning starts to ensure top photographic opportunities and time off to relax in your tent where you could hear the call of lions or the cackles of hyenas, make this safari one for wilderness fans and photography enthusiasts. From £3,749 including return international flights, airport taxes, transfers, all meals, game-viewing drives and conservancy fees. Visit <a href="http://www.exodus.co.uk/" target="_blank">exodus.co.uk</a>
Track jaguars in Brazil on a South American safari
 The Pantanal wetland is home to hundreds of birds and exotic animals like the jaguar. This jaguar safari in the area will give you the chance to visit the Cuiaba River and view jaguars that are often spotted resting on the exposed river banks or swimming across the streams. Otters, capybaras and monkeys are also found here for a varied wildlife excursion. At the Taiama Ecological Reserve you'll go on a boat trip in search of more jaguars and this is one of the best places to see them away from the crowds and where the jaguars are a little shyer. World Big Cat Safaris' Jaguars of the Pantanal Safari costs £2,950 per person including accommodation, some meals, park fees, the services of a private English speaking driver and guide, excursions and transfers. Visit <a href="http://www.worldbigcatsafaris.com/" target="_blank">worldbigcatsafaris.com</a>
Explore undiscovered Africa in Namibia and Botswana
 Hayden Turner Private Safaris and Quintessentially Travel give you the chance to discover amazing deserts and the extraordinary wildlife and untouched lands on the diverse Ultimate Desert & Delta Safari in Namibia and Botswana. As well as staying in six different luxury lodges during the 13-day safari, you'll track leopards and cheetahs, traverse sand dunes in a 4x4 Land Rover and go boating on the Kunene River to watch for Kunene crocodiles. You'll go on various game drives and have the chance to see a wide variety of animals including lions, wild dogs, elephants, southern giraffes, Burchell's zebras, large buffalo herds and black and white rhinos. At Botswana's Okavango Delta you'll feel like the only humans for miles at Chief's Camp and view game without having to leave your accommodation. There will also be stop-offs in secret locations where you can sip champagne as you watch the sunset. From £7,000 including flights, accommodation, game drives and transfers. Visit <a href="http://www.quintessentiallytravel.com/" target="_blank">quintessentiallytravel.com</a>

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Another (mini) heatwave! Temps to soar despite flooding and a tornado

August 6, 2012, 1:30 am

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Filed under: Travel News

Another (mini) heatwave! Temps to soar despite flooding and a tornado PA

After a weekend of heavy downpours that led to serious flooding in some parts of the country, thousands of Brits will be cheered to hear that temperatures could possibly hit 85F by the end of this week.

A bout of balmy weather will hit after the jet stream shifts north bringing warm air up from France and Spain.

Leon Brown, meteorologist at the Weather Channel told Aol Travel: "Showers will die out from Tuesday, with the rest of the week becoming settled as pressure builds.

"There will be a lot of cloud over central and southern areas on Wednesday with increasing sunshine Thursday and Friday. We should see 26 to 27C by Friday with a 30 per cent chance of 29C in London."

Met Office spokeswoman Sarah Holland agreed, telling Aol Travel: "There is going to be some more settled weather towards the end of the week, with temperatures gradually increasing through the week. We are looking at highs of around 25 to 26C on Thursday and possibly 27C on Friday.

"The warmest of the weather will be in the south east. All in all a much more settled picture for the next few days."

However, the weekend isn't looking quite as bright, adds Leon: "Over the weekend, the weather will turn more unstable from the west with a developing trough. Still very warm over the east on Saturday with temperatures 25 to 26C, but cooler near coasts with a noticeable south east to east breeze.

"Scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop on Saturday over the west, moving east on Sunday, but only a 30 per cent chance of showers reaching London. Still warm in the east and south east on Sunday reaching the mid 20s, fresher and cooler in the west."

The sunshine will be a welcome relief to many staycationers after Britain was lashed by storms at the weekend.

According to the Express, fire crews dealt with flooding incidents in north Cornwall and north Devon.

Dozens of homes were flooded in north Somerset, with the town of Nailsea being one of the worst hit.

According to the Metro, emergency services received 80 calls for assistance, with firefighters pumping out homes and dealing with a landslip in Portbury, near Bristol.

Meanwhile, residents in Ravensworth, North Yorkshire, even witnessed a tornado ripping through the village, according to the Daily Mail.

Definitely time to make the most of the brief but welcome weather warm-up.

Head to one of these beaches to fully appreciate the upcoming mini heatwave:

Best beaches in the British isles: is YOUR favourite here?

Shanklin, Isle of Wight
 Any awards? Winner of a Blue Flag Award and a Quality Coast Award 2011. What’s to love? Shanklin sits at the southernmost tip of beautiful Sandown Bay. The water is clear and the beaches gently sloping, all set against the picturesque backdrop of Dunnose Point and tall cliffs of Luccombe. Perfect for: A paddle on a warm summer evening as the sun goes down. Stay the night: <a href="http://www.thegrangebythesea.com/" target="_blank">The Grange</a> is a gorgeous Georgian country house and is listed in the AA’s Best British B&B Guide and offers a secluded hideaway. Perfect for a short break by the sea.
Broadstairs, Kent
 Any awards? Winner of a Quality Coast Award 2011, Broadstairs also came third place in the Great British Beach Awards. It also has a Blue Flag award for cleanliness. What’s to love? With seven sandy bays, there’s room for all. Perfect for: Clifftop walks – don’t miss the white cliffs of Joss Bay. Stay the night: <a href="http://www.albionbroadstairs.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Royal Albion Hotel</a>, overlooking the bay, gets top ratings from Tripadvisor.
Southport, Lancashire
 Any awards? Winner of a Quality Coast Award as well as a Great British Beach Award 2011. What’s to love? 22 miles of beautiful coastline, for starters. Southport beach is home to the country’s oldest and second longest pier. Perfect for: Long, long walks… and bird watching. The beach is home to many thousands of wading birds which return here from their northern breeding grounds at the end of the summer. Stay the night: Treat yourself to a night at the <a href="http://www.thevincenthotel.com/" target="_blank">Vincent Hotel,</a> owned by Design Hotels (famed for chic establishments including London’s Charlotte Street Hotel).
Newquay, Cornwall
 Any awards? Newquay won second place in Tripadvisor’s top ten British beaches 2011, beaten only by St Ives. What’s to love? Seven miles of soft golden sands - and it’s the place for watersports  - it regularly hosts national surfing championships. Perfect for: Variation. Newquay has no less than 11 beaches so you’ll never get bored. Stay the night: <a href="http://www.naturalretreats.co.uk/fistral-beach/luxury-self-catering-holiday-residences.php" target="_blank">Natural Retreats</a> offers first-class self-catering lodges at Fistral Beach. Choose from luxury penthouse apartments to garden retreats with private courtyards, with supreme views of the beach and bay.
St Ives, Cornwall
 Any awards? This year, St Ives was voted Tripadvisor’s best beach in the UK. Most of the beaches have boasted Blue Flags for several years. What's to love? Sweeping bays, glittering sea and big skies have inspired thousands of painters. Thanks to the reflection of the sea all around, St Ives is known as the lightest place in Britain. Perfect for: Budding artists. Stay the night: Check in to Tre-view, a new self-catering house which features an outdoor hot tub as well as a pool. It sleeps eight - perfect for a getaway with family or friends. There's a big garden and a wonderful rooftop terrace with lovely views to boot. Available from <a href="http://WWW.classic.co.uk" target="_blank">Classic Cottages</a>.
Tenby, Wales
 Any awards? Tenby was voted best beach in Wales in Tripadvisor’s top ten British Beaches awards 2011. It has also received numerous Blue Flag Awards. What’s to love? Tenby’s four beaches each offers something different, including Castle Beach, where you can walk out to St Catherine’s Island at low tide, and South Beach, which offers 2km of golden sand Perfect for: Boat trips. Take a trip to Caldy Island,  or try one of the seal safaris in a jet boat from the harbour. Stay the night: Just a stones throw from the beach, the <a href="http://www.southcliffhotel.com/" target="_blank">Southcliff Hotel</a> offers a warm welcome, spotless rooms and family-friendly service.
Weymouth, Dorset
 Any awards? Weymouth beach won a Quality Coast Award 2011 for its cleanliness, beach activities and toilet facilities. It also features in Tripadvisor's Travellers Choice top ten UK beaches awards What's to love? This is a good old-fashioned British seaside town with soft golden sands and safe bathing waters. Its long been known as England's Bay of Naples. Perfect for: Sun worshippers. Weymouth has the most sunshine in England, even in winter. Stay the night: <a href="http://www.chandlershotel.com/" target="_blank">Chandlers Hotel</a> is a chic boutique retreat - check out their midweek offers.
Holkham, Norfolk
 Any awards? Yes, loads. Winner Coast Magazine’s Quality Coast Award 2011 three times in a row, Holkham has also won Best British Beach Award 2011. What’s to love? Holkham has won a deserved reputation as one of the most unspoilt and beautiful beaches in England and forms part of one of the largest nature reserves in the country, home to many rare species of flora and fauna. Perfect for: Big, big skies. The miles of dunes, marshes and pinewoods offer the most idyllic spot to catch your breath and escape. Stay the night: The Victoria at Holkham, right at the gates of <a href="http://www.holkham.co.uk/victoria/hotel.html" target="_blank">Holkham Hall</a>, is perfectly place after a day on the beach. Think designer rooms, fresh, local food and roaring fires.
Whiterocks beach, Antrim
 Any awards? Winner of a Quality Coast Award 2011 as well as a Great British Beach Award and a Blue Flag. What’s to love? Limestone cliffs have been carved by the sea and wind into a labyrinth of caves and arches. Elephant’s Rock and the Lion’s Paw form headlands that rise dramatically out of the ocean. Perfect for: Exploring caverns and caves accessible only by boat. Stay the night: <a href="http://www.portrush.org.uk/listing_detail.php?SLT=50&SSC=Self%20Catering&SC=Stay" target="_blank">Ashlea Cottages</a> overlooks the coast and boasts a nine-hole putting course and children’s play area.
Plockton, Ross-shire, Scotland
 Any awards? Scotland’s winner of a Great British Beach 2011. What’s to love? A beautiful beach on the edge of a tiny Scottish village, Plockton’s scenery is known as the jewel of the Highlands – and any visitor here will see why. Perfect for: Wildlife spotting. Take a seal trip, or see if you can spot Plockton’s two resident dolphins, Gin and Tonic. Stay the night: <a href="http://www.scotland-holiday-cottage.com/highlands/plockton.htm">Parth Galen</a>, a self-catering house in Achnandarach just outside Plockton, sleeps up to eight and  boasts great views over the west coast to the Isle of Skye.
Robin Hoods Bay, Yorkshire
 Any awards? Winner of a Quality Coast Award 2011. What’s to love? This charming Yorkshire village boasts a great family beach. There are rock pools galore, and it’s large enough to accommodate the crowds in peak season. Perfect for: A spectacular coastal walk. The bit between Whitby and Robin Hoods Bay is probably the best part of the Cleveland  Way National Trail. Stay the night: <a href="http://www.ravenhall.co.uk/page/lodges.html" target="_blank">Raven Hall Country House Hotel</a> offers Finnish-style lodges overlooking Robin Hoods Bay.
Padstow, Cornwall
 Any awards? One of three Cornish beaches to make Tripadvisor’s Travellers Choice top ten beaches. What’s to love? Soft sand, rock pools and dramatic outcrops, dunes, cliffs, views to marvel at: Padstow has everything. Perfect for: Walks along the spectacular coastal path at Tryarnon. Oh, and the ferry trips over to Rock. Stay the night: <a href="http://www.retallackresort.co.uk/" target="_blank">Retallack Resort and Spa</a> offers five-star family friendly accommodation in lovely wooden lodges, just a few minutes’ drive from the beaches and bustle of Padstow.
Woolacombe, Devon
 Any awards? Rated the best beach in Devon in Tripadvisor’s Travellers Choice top ten British beaches, Woolacombe Sands also has Blue Flag for beach safety and cleanliness. What’s to love? A wonderfully wide, three mile-mile stretch of glorious sand backed by dunes. Perfect for: Families in need of acres of space. It’s the best place ever to play beach cricket with the kids. Stay the night: Check out the <a href="http://www.woolacombetourism.co.uk/displayaccommodation.asp?clientid=51" target="_blank">Old Post Cottage</a>, a 16th century abode with a large private garden in the lovely village of Mortehoe.
Swanage, Dorset
 Any awards? Swanage has scooped all sorts of prizes, including a Blue Flag 2011 and a Quality Coast Award. It’s also one of Tripadvisor’s top ten UK beaches for 2011. What’s to love? A wonderfully old fashioned British seaside resort, the genle shelving beach is popular with families and watersports fans (Swanage Pier is one of the best diving spots for miles). Perfect for: Taking in the superb views over the Jurassic Coast – England’s only Natural World Heritage Site. Stay the night: For a family home-from-home, <a href="http://www.purbeckholidays.co.uk/" target="_blank">Quarterdeck</a> sleeps up to 10 is just 400m from the beach and gets rave Tripadvisor reviews.
St Brelade, Jersey
 Any awards? St Brelade’s beach gained sixth place in Tripadvisor’s Travellers Choice top ten beaches – and is the only Jersey beach to feature in the list. What’s to love? The sand is lovely and clean, and so is the water. A jolly good range of beach shops and cafes nearby. Perfect for: Sunset strolls, stopping off for a snack or a drink at a café in the bay. Stay the night: <a href="http://www.stbreladesbayhotel.com/" target="_blank">St Brelade’s Bay Hotel </a>is a 19th century house which boasts balcony rooms overlooking the beach – you’re so close that you wake up to the sound of the sea. Bliss.
Port Eynon, Gower Peninsula
 Any awards? Port Eynon was voted overall winner of the Great British Beach awards 2011. It also has a Blue Flag award for cleanliness. What’s to love? Idyllic scenery, rolling hills and bustling seaside shops. Perfect for: Explorers. Port Enyon boasts all sorts of historical relics, including an old salt house and a lifeboat station. Stay the night: Take the kids to sleep under the stars at the beachside family campsite at <a href="http://www.porteynon.com/" target="_blank">Carreglwyd</a>.

Or visit one of these stunning British gardens:

Ten of the best: British gardens

The Lost Gardens of Heligan, St. Austell, Cornwall
 Described by Cornwall today as 'a Cornish jewel', The Lost Gardens of Heligan offers a variety of attractions including wildlife, exotic plants and ancient woodlands. To find out more, visit <a href="http://heligan.com/">www.heligan.com </a>
Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, London
 A hotspot for sunbathing and picnics, Kensington Gardens also boasts "elegant avenues and architecture". The garden paths are popular amongst joggers, runners, cyclists and those who enjoy a healthy commute to work. To find out more, visit <a href="http://www.royalparks.org.uk">www.royalparks.org.uk</a>
Bodnant Garden, Colwyn Bay
 Situated above the River Conwy, Bodant Garden spans 80 acres and plays host to a variety of plants from around the globe. The garden is split into two sections, the upper garden consisting of terraced gardens and lawns, and the lower garden, otherwise known as 'the Dell', contains the wild garden. Members of the National Trust and the Royal Horticultural Society are admitted free on presentation of a valid membership card. To find out more visit www.bodnantgarden.co.uk
Horniman Museum & Gardens, Forest Hill, London
 After a £2.3 million redevelopment, the 16.5 acre gardens will reopen to the public on 31 May 2012. New features include a Gardens Pavilion, a newly restored bandstand, and diverse wildlife activities such as pond dipping and fungi walks.
RHS Garden Wisley, Woking
 At the RHS Garden you’ll find ‘richly planted borders‘, ‘luscious’ rose gardens, and a ‘state-of-the-art’ glasshouse. The trials fields contain an array of flowers and vegetables, and  Battleston Hill is covered with carpets of bluebells at this time of year. To find out more, visit <a href="http://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley">www.rhs.org.uk</a>
Kew Gardens, Kew, London
 Deemed ‘the world’s most famous garden’, at Kew Gardens you’ll find glasshouses, landscapes, treetops and even rainforest! The gardens also contain an exciting range of plants, from ancient trees to the world’s oldest pot plant. To find out more, visit <a href="http://www.kew.org/visit-kew-gardens/index.htm">www.kew.org</a>
Belfast Botanic Gardens, Belfast
 An important part of Belfast’s Victorian heritage, the Botanic Gardens boasts an assortment of tropical plants, trees and flower beds. Belfast Gardens also plays host to concerts and opera performances. To find out more, visit <a href="http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/parksandopenspaces/parks/botanicgardens.asp">www.belfastcity.gov.uk</a>
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Edinburgh
 Renowned for its horticultural excellence, the Royal Botanic Garden spans over 70 acres and is situated just one mile from the city centre. To find out more, visit <a href="http://www.rbge.org.uk/the-gardens/edinburgh">www.rbge.org.uk</a>
Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Edgbaston, Birmingham
 Here you'll find an array of gardens and glasshouses featuring a vast collection of diverse plants; from tropical climbers to towering palms. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk">www.birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk</a>
St Ann's Well Gardens, Hove
 Located near Hove seafront, St Ann's Well features a range of native and exotic trees. St. Ann's also features a pond, a scented garden for the visually impaired, and a large population of  of Grey Squirrels. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.stannswellgardens.co.uk">www.stannswellgardens.co.uk</a>

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Shark bites off surfer's hand and foot in Indian Ocean attack

August 6, 2012, 1:50 am

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Shark bites off surfer's hand and foot PA

A surfer has had his hand and foot bitten off by a shark in the in the latest attack off the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion this year.

The man, who is in his 40s but has not been named, managed to swim to safety and get medical help.

It was the eighth shark attack in the past 20 months off the French Island; three of them have been fatal.

The last death was on 23 July when a shark bit off the leg of a 22-year-old surfer. Last September, bodyboarding champion Mathieu Schiller was attacked and killed by a shark on the Boucan Canot beach.

Shark bites off surfer's hand and foot Friends pay tribute to Mathieu Schiller/Getty

Officials confirmed that the man had suffered "serious injuries to his right foot and hand" but said that his life was not in danger.

The attack happened in a marine nature reserve that was set up five years ago in an attempt to safeguard coral reefs.

Critics claim that the reserve has become a "larder" for bull sharks, according to a report from news service AFP.

Shark bites off surfer's hand and foot Getty

Many locals have demanded a shark hunt, and last week, the Mayor of the Réunion town of Saint Leu, Thierry Robert, authorised shark fishing.

But the decree was withdrawn after a government promise that the state would move sharks from the area.

In a statement following Sunday's attack, he called on the government to take "the necessary measures to guarantee the safety of people using the reserve" and the surrounding area, "given that it considers itself the only competent authority" to do so.

World's deadliest animals

Venomous snakes
 Out of the world's 2,000 species of snake, around 250 are thought to be capable of killing a man. The Asian cobra does not have the deadliest venom, but is believed to be responsible for the biggest portion of the thousands of snakebite deaths every year. In Africa, the black mamba is the largest venomous snake and, during an attack, can strike up to 12 times, each time delivering enough neuro and cardio-toxic venom to kill a dozen men within 1 hour. Kills: An estimated 50-125,000 people a year. Deadly technique: A snake will use its fangs to pierce the skin and inject its paralysing venom. Lives in: Africa, Asia, Australia, North America
Cape Buffalo
 Many people might not realise that the cape buffalo is one of the most dangerous animals in Africa, and will react with force when it feels threatened. These beasts can weigh up to 1.5 tons and stand at 1.7 metres high; they're so intimidating that even lions don't usually consider them dinner. Cape buffalos will charge, and then gore its victim to death with its impressive horns. Kills: An estimated 200 people a year. Deadly technique: These animals will charge and gore their victims to death with their huge horns. Lives in: Africa
Saltwater crocodiles
 Crocodiles have been around for 200 million years, and are fearsome predators. The saltwater crocodile, or saltie, is the largest living reptile in the world, and can grow up to 21ft long and weigh 1.6 tons. These animals can run extremely fast on land, and, in the water, can swim as fast as dolphin. Many fatalities occur when people are washing or gathering food near river banks. Kills: An estimated 600-800 people a year. Deadly technique: Crocodiles will grab their victims with terrifying speed, and often launch into a 'death roll', weakening its prey, dragging it under water and drowning the victim. Lives in: Africa and Australia
Elephants
 Weighing in at up to eight tons, although beautiful creatures, elephants can be lethal. African elephants in particular can be aggressive, especially older bulls and young males. These creatures, unsurprisingly, are more aggressive in areas where poaching is rife or when their habitat is threatened. Kills: An estimated 300-500 people a year. Deadly technique: Most human deaths are result of the elephant trampling on its victim. Lives in: Africa and India
Hippos
 Although they might look cumbersome and cute, hippos are actually one of the most feared animals in Africa, and can outrun a human. When a male feels its territory is threatened, or a female thinks her offspring her in danger, these animals can be particularly dangerous. And with huge teeth and mouth that can open four feet wide, it's a good idea to steer clear. Kills: An estimated 100-150 people a year. Deadly technique: Hippos will charge, trample and gore its victims, and have been known to upturn boats and canoes without warning. Lives in: Africa
Big cats
 African lions are the biggest of the big cats, and are known to kill around 70 people in Tanzania alone every year. With the destruction of their habitat, human attacks by leopards in India, and the North American mountain lion are thought to be on the increase. Kills: An estimated 800 people a year. Deadly technique: African lions will often use strangulation to kill their prey, while tigers will attack from the back and aim for the jugular, and mountain lions will maul their victims. Lives in: Africa, North America, and India
Mosquitos
 Apart from humans, the mosquito is the deadliest creature on the planet. It kills millions of people every year through the spread of diseases like malaria, yellow fever, and dengue fever. Many of the malaria victims are children under the age of five. Kills: Two to three million people a year. Deadly technique: Female mosquitos pierce the skin with serrated mouth parts, and inject a saliva with a thinning agent to liquidise the blood. Lives in: Worldwide, more harmful in Africa, Asia and North America
Bears
 The are lots of different species of bear, but the polar, black and grizzly are the deadliest. Native to the Arctic, polar bears could decapitate a human being with one swipe of their massive paws. Bears generally attack when they are hungry, so it's a good idea to keep food away from your camp. Kills: An estimated 5 to 10 people a year. Deadly technique: Bear will use their teeth and claws to maul and trample their victims. Lives in: North America, Canada, North Pole, and Russia.
Scorpions
 Out of the 1,500 species of scorpion, the African spitting scorpion is thought to be the most deadly, and can spray its venom up to a metre. Arounf 25 species of scorpion are thought to be deadly to humans. Kills: An estimated 800-2,000 people a year. Deadly technique: Scorpions use their tail stingers to paralyse their prey with venom. Lives in: Worldwide; particularly Africa, the Americas and Central Asia.
Sharks
 The great white shark, which can grow up to six metres in length and weigh up to five tons, seems to have the most ferocious reputation. But, while they have been known to attack humans, most of these incidents are thought to be 'test bites', where the animal is deciphering whether he wants to eat you. And, generally, they humans are not on the menu. It is thought the aggressive bull shark is responsible for the most attacks on people. Out of the 360 shark species, only four are known killers: the great white, the bull, tiger, and the oceanic white tip. Kills: An estimated 100 people a year. Deadly technique: Sharks use their razor-sharp teeth to rip chunks out of its victims. Great whites usually take a big single bite, drag their victims into deeper waters, and wait until the prey bleeds to death before they eat it. Lives in: Florida, Australia, Hawaii and South Africa.
Box Jellyfish
 Box jellyfish can have up to 60 tentacles as long as 15 feet. And each tentacle contains enough venom to kill 50 humans, making it one of the most venomous marine creatures in the world. If stung, a box jellyfish can kill a man within minutes. Kills: An estimated 100 people a year. Deadly technique: Jellyfish use their tentacles to pump venom and paralyse its prey. Deaths in humans are usually a result of cardiac arrest. Lives in: Northern Australia, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

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Passenger panic as man jumps from moving plane on runway

August 6, 2012, 2:08 am

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Filed under: Travel News

Passenger panic as man jumps from moving plane on runway PA

A plane passenger çaused widespread panic after jumping out of an emergency exit while the aircraft was taxiing for take-off on a runway in Malaysia.

The man, who was on Air Asia flight AK 5187 bound for Kuala Lumpur from Miri, jumped out of his seat and opened an emergency door, leaping from the plane while it was preparing for flight.

Emergency measures were activated and panicked passengers were made to wait for over an hour.

According to the Herald Sun, passenger Siva Nathiran told the Asian News Network: "'The raft automatically opened. Other passengers started screaming. The plane was brought to a halt."

AirAsia's regional head of flight operations, Captain Fareh Ishraf Mazputra, said the aircraft had just started taxiing when a passenger ran and opened the door.

He told The Asian Age: "There were no injuries and the passenger was arrested."

The man, aged 24, was taken to the hospital but is not thought to have been injured in the fall.

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See 10 more things you really shouldn't do on a plane:

Ten things not to do on a plane

Punch your fellow passengers
 Ok, it's slightly annoying and uncomfortable when someone reclines their seat right back during the meal service, but it probably doesn't justify full blown fisticuffs, resulting in an F-16 fighter jet escort back to Washington and $50,000 worth of fuel being dumped, as happened on an American flight to Ghana last year.
Change a smelly nappy
 It may be tough flying with babies, but if you cause a stink you could be in big trouble. One passenger who cleaned up her baby on a Qantas flight was held responsible for grounding a flight after cabin crew panicked about the 'strange smell'. The flight had to make an emergency landing at Mt Isa, where passengers say they had to be forklifted off the plane because the airport didn't have the facilities to disembark the huge Boeing 767. Not a good look.
Put hummingbirds in your pants
 Strange as it may sound, one Dutch passenger was caught trying to smuggle hummingbirds in his pants on a flight from French Guiana in September 2011. They were sewn inside his pants, each individually wrapped in cloth and taped up to stop them escape him. Not surprisingly, he was spotted fidgeting and was eventually arrested... lesson learned (we presume).
Put a child in an overhead locker
 Tempting as it may be, shutting a toddler in with the hand luggage is a definite no-no. One flight attendant was sacked for doing just that on a Virgin Blue flight in 2011. According to mum Natalie Williamson, he came and put her son Riley into a locker and closed the latch. He claimed it was part of a game of peekaboo, but Natalie - and the airline - saw things differently...
Pretend your dead husband is just 'asleep'
 If you want to return a beloved, deceased relation to their homeland, you'll usually have to pay repatriation fees. One way to get round these is to do what two German women allegedly did when Curt Willi Jarant, the women's 91 year old husband/stepfather died and they wanted to fly him home to Germany: bundle him into a wheelchair, stick some sunglasses on him and say he's 'sleeping'. Only trouble is, someone eventually noticed.
Strap a drugged rhesus monkey to your belly
 You know how it is - you go on holiday, spot a cute monkey, think how sweet it would be to have as a pet...For most of us, the fantasy ends there. Not so the American woman who spent an entire flight home from Thailand with a drugged rhesus monkey strapped to her to look like a pregnant belly. Incredibly, she got through security back home in LA, and was only caught when she blabbed to a shop assistant, who informed the (slightly embarrassed) authorities.
Wee in your seat
 It's far better to cross your legs - believe us. French actor Gerard Depardieu was thrown off a City Jet flight from Paris to Dublin last August for urinating on the plane. The aircraft was ready to take off when the actor asked to use the toilet - but he was told by staff to stay in his seat. He resorted to peeing into a bottle, much to the chagrin of cabin crew. When some spilled onto the floor, the crew alerted the pilot and the plane had to taxi back to the terminal, where Depardieu was escorted off the plane.
Throw water at screaming children
 Anyone who has children themselves (or even just a smidgen of common sense) will know that throwing water on a screaming baby is not the best way to quieten it, but this was the approach American passenger Ronald Duffy chose on a flight to Brazil in 2004. He was almost lynched by fellow passengers, his visa was revoked, he was deported...and still the baby kept crying (probably).
Try to open the emergency exit
 It's not actually possible to open a plane's emergency exits when its in the air, but that knowledge would probably have done little to reassure passengers onboard a flight from Palma to Newcastle last year when a 22-year old man tried to pull open the plane doors at 36,000 ft, screaming 'it's ok, we're just on a flight simulator.' It took eight seat belts to restrain him and six police officers were waiting to arrest him when the plane made an emergency landing at Gatwick.
Get frisky in the toilet
 A recent survey found that one in ten Brits claim have joined the 'Mile High Club' by having sex in a plane loo - but it could get you into serious trouble, as one Australian couple discovered on a flight in Queensland in December 2011. The pair were caught in a compromising position in the plane toilet - and the man was promptly charged with offensive and disorderly conduct under the Civil Aviation Safety Act.

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'Drunk' airline pilot removed from cockpit just before take-off

August 6, 2012, 2:49 am

≫ Next: Kick ass! The donkey whose paintings sell for £100

≪ Previous: Passenger panic as man jumps from moving plane on runway

Filed under: Travel News

'Drunk' airline pilot taxi-d down the runway PA

A pilot of a commercial passenger jet who who tried to take off while drunk has been suspended from service.

Australian airline Qantas has confirmed that the female captain was removed from her flight just moments before it was due to leave Sydney airport.

A passenger on board flight QF516 to Brisbane told the Herald Sun that the aircraft taxi-d down to the runway before the pilot announced there was a problem and that they needed to turn back.

The aircraft returned to the gate, and passengers were told they could spend up to AS$30 in the terminal while they waited.

The plane was delayed about an hour, and a new flight crew boarded.

Qantas says the pilot was being withheld from duty while investigations continued into her positive breath test. However, the airline has not revealed the pilot's blood-alcohol level.

The Herald Sun report says that flight attendants had suspected the pilot had been drinking and told airline operations managers.

Earlier this year, a pilot was arrested in similar circumstances at Bristol Airport.

The pilot, who was due to fly an Aer Arran flight to Ireland, failed a breath test ten minutes before he was due to take off.

Revealed! The worst airlines in the world

No 9 Egyptair
 These less-than-glowing reviews on <a href="http://www.airlinequality.com/Forum/iberia.htm" target="_blank">AirlineQuality.com</a> say it all: ‘…nothing could be as bad as EgyptAir. Dirty aircraft with disinterested crew. The toilets were filthy, food looked like leftovers from other airlines. The seating is exceptionally cramped and uncomfortable’ and ‘I find the staff on EgyptAir lazy and unprofessional.’ And apparently the seats aren’t cheap either!
No 8 Air China
 Old planes and unexplained flight delays were among the common complaints about this Chinese airline. Customers alternately complained that flight attendants don’t speak English (although some praising the communication skills). Other comments included criticism of the poor quality of the food and service.
No 7 China Eastern Airlines
 Oh dear, customers are not happy with their experience of this airline or its website. Shabby planes, flights being delayed, rescheduled or rerouted without notice or explanation. And the airline got the lowest score for its food. Altogether a big thumbs down from reviewers.
No 6 China Southern Airlines
 Chinese air travel isn’t coming off well according to Zagat findings. Customer comments on <a href="http://www.airlinequality.com/Forum/c_sthrn.htm" target="_blank">AirQuality.com</a> on this airline’s service included: ‘…poor food, warm drinks, inadequate English language skills of crew (including nonsensical inflight announcements), non-reclining seats… All in all, quite an unpleasant series of flights’ and ‘Be careful to check and re-check your booking, as flight times can (and did) change without notice. You can miss your flight very easily.’
No 5 US Airways
 Described by one reviewer as ‘the airline from hell’, you’d be forgiven for giving it a wide berth unless it ups its game considerably! <a href="http://www.airlinequality.com/Forum/c_sthrn.htm" target="_blank">Reviews </a>included: ‘First, the airline could not fine my reservation… then they determined that "someone" had canceled it in spite of my confirming it on their website’; ‘The worst thing was the attitude of US airways staff and the lies they told us. I wouldn't touch them again with a barge pole’ and ‘Most of the staff are rude and unfriendly… All in all a terrible experience. Never again.’
No 4 Aeroflot
 It was the terminal at the airport that came in for most criticism here. Customers commented on the poor bus transfer to the gate and unfriendly staff. Another criticism was that the elderly and passengers with children weren’t properly catered for. And one <a href="http://www.airlinequality.com/Forum/aeroflot-2.htm" target="_blank">reviewer</a> said the pilot announced: 'Sorry, we do not fly today. The plane is broken'.
No 3 easyJet
 The general stampede for unallocated seats was a common criticism for easyJet. One customer complained: ‘It would cost the easyJet computer nothing to allocate seats and alleviate the impression one is fighting for a place on a bus that may be overfull’; another said: ‘My biggest concern was the feeling of chaos inboard. The safety demo audio was played at a very low volume, and people were speaking on their mobile phones during the safety demonstration, cabin crew seemingly not giving a damn.’ Other complaints include overbooked flights and disorganised service...
No 2 Spirit
 Lack of food on international flights, a poorly kept plane and bad service generally were all at the heart of the complaints by travellers. TOne passenger pulled no punches with the comment: ‘My trip from Lima, Peru to Boston was the biggest nightmare of my life next to getting all four of my wisdom teeth pulled while conscious’; another, commenting on the policy of charging for hand luggage, said: ‘Robbing people as they board your airplane should really help your already abysmal tardy departure record…’ and a third summed up with: ‘They charge for everything, their agents are rude, and the flights are overbooked, late, not that clean, and just an awful experience.’  Biggest gripe of all was the charges the airline makes for hand luggage.
And the winner is.... No 1 Ryanair
 It was not hard to find reviewers with a poor opinion of the budget airline. An overriding impression was one of being ripped off.  As one customer commented: ‘I've concluded that Ryanair is nothing but a great big social experiment to see how arrogant an airline can get and how low customer service can be pushed before the said airline starts to lose money….We keep coming back to this horrid airline with its miserable service in hope that we'll save a Euro or two. Reality is that we probably end up spending more money than we would have if we opted for a better airline’, while delivered a damning verdict: ‘They have to be the most customer unfriendly company I have come across. Dirty plane when we eventually got on, tired looking and dishevelled cabin crew. What more can I say - a shocking experience that I never wish to repeat.’
No 10 Iberia
 Reviews on <a href="http://www.airlinequality.com/Forum/iberia.htm" target="_blank">AirlineQuality.com</a> included this scathing comment: ‘Incredibly uncomfortable seats, poor food, rude staff who just wanted to get the meal service out of the way so they could stand at the rear of the plane and chat amongst themselves.’ Hopefully, the merger with British Airways will mean there's a hope for a rise in standards.

↧

Kick ass! The donkey whose paintings sell for £100

August 6, 2012, 6:10 am

≫ Next: Miranda Kerr shares stunning Australia holiday bikini pic

≪ Previous: 'Drunk' airline pilot removed from cockpit just before take-off

Filed under: Travel News

Kick ass! The donkey whose paintings sell for £100 Caters

Got kids on school holidays sitting at home twiddling their thumbs ? Need some inspiration as to how to entertain them? We've found just the thing...

Meet Pic-ass-o Patty, the rescue donkey making a name for herself by painting.

Donning a red beret, Patty wields her paintbrush with her mouth and creates ee-oresome masterpieces, one brushstroke at a time.

Her portfolio boasts a collection of vibrant designs, which have so far fetched more than £100 - despite only taking her up to ten minutes to complete.

Patty now lives at HorseWorld Visitor Centre in Bristol, after being rescued from a UK auction where she was for sale after being shipped over from Romania.

Her handler Vicky Greenslade said Patty took just three weeks to learn how to paint via a positive reinforcement technique: when she paints on the canvas she gets a click to tell her she's done well.

And, assistant manager at HorseWorld Miss Greenslade said she's keen to show off her skills to visitors.

According to the Daily Mail, she said: "Patty is a huge show-off, she loves people watching her paint - she's not at all shy anymore."

And Patty isn't the only animal who likes to paint; over at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, Karishma the elephant has turned out to be quite the talented painter, and, when she isn't being mum to her baby George, loves to relax by putting paintbrush to paper.

Elephant keeper Elizabeth Becker said: "Karishma really enjoys painting, and it demonstrates just how dexterous elephants' trunks really are. Whilst her paintings may not be as detailed as a Da Vinci, we think the finished products are pretty amazing!"

See more great days out for kids here:

Best budget days out for kids in the UK

Alnwick Castle, Northumberland
 The outdoor scenes of the Harry Potter films were shot in the grounds of <a href="http://www.alnwickcastle.com/ ">Alnwick Castle</a>, and it makes a great day out for Potter fans of all ages. The 1000 year old castle is home to the Duchess of Northumberland and her family, but it’s open to the public from April to October. A family ticket costs £34, and for that you can visit the State Rooms, Castle Courtyard, Museums and Grounds, as well as dressing up as a medieval knight for Knight’s Quest and the opportunity to enter the Dragon’s Lair. Harry Potter fans will enjoy broomstick training, falconry and a Hogwartian party and you can also visit one of the largest treehouses in Europe, which can be accessed via suspended walkways and rope bridges.  <div> </div>
At-Bristol Science and Discovery Centre
 You won't be disappointed if you take the kids for a day out at <a href="http://www.at-bristol.org.uk ">At-Bristol</a>: it’s one of the UK’s leading science and discovery centres and you’ll have access to more than 300 interactive, hands-on exhibits - so it's worth every penny.  A family ticket costs £35.50 and this allows you to come and go all day. Exhibits include a walk-through tornado, a TV studio, an exhibition about the human body including a real human brain, and an animation exhibition in collaboration with Aardman Animations. If the weather is fine there are lots of outdoor spaces that are perfect for picnics, so you won’t need to spend a fortune on lunch.  <div> </div>
WWT Wetland Centres, nationwide
 There are nine <a href="http://www.wwt.org.uk ">WWT Wetland Centres</a> across the UK and all of them offer something different, from interactive exhibits to canoe and bike safaris, discovery trails and educational play areas. You can experience the best of British wildlife on a wetland walk, talk or safari, where you might spot water voles, hares and dragonflies - or even a ‘bat walk’ in London. With centres in Slimbridge (Gloucestershire), Martin Mere (Lancashire), Welney (Norfolk), Llanelli (Camarthenshire, Wales), Caerlaverock (Dumfriesshire, Scotland), London, Arundel (West Sussex), Washington (Tyne & Wear) and Castle Espie (County Down, Northern Ireland) there’s bound to be one near you - and many activities are absolutely free.  <div> </div>
The Roald Dahl Trail, Buckinghamshire
 Fans of Fantastic Mr Fox, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach will enjoy a visit to Great Missenden, Roald Dahl’s home town. The Roald Dahl Trail takes you all round the surrounding area, including the woods, hills and farmyard that inspired some of his most famous tales. <a href="http://www.visitbuckinghamshire.org/site/great-days-out/roald-dahl-trail ">Download the trail</a> for free and plan a day that could include the Angling Spring Wood Talking Trail, a run around Waddeston Manor’s Woodland Playground and a trip to the village of Turville. You could pretend that you’re the BFG and take a trip to <a href="http://www.bekonscot.co.uk/">Bekonscot Model Village</a>, which costs £26 for a family ticket, or pay a visit to the <a href="http://www.roalddahlmuseum.org/">Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre</a>, which costs £19 for a family ticket.  <div> </div>
Family Friendly Cycling
 Whether your children are old enough to ride their own bikes or need to use a child seat or trailer, a family bike ride is great way to have a fun day out without spending too much money. Sustrans recently launched a <a href="http://www.sustrans.org.uk/freerangekids ">‘Free Range Kids’ </a><a href="http://www.sustrans.org.uk/freerangekids ">campaign</a> to get kids out and about, and have a list of family friendly routes all around the UK, complete with suggestions about museum visits, where to eat and what to see. If you live in the north, you could take the three-mile route along Harland Way from Wetherby to Spofforth, taking in the medieval centre and castle on the way. If you’re in the south west, take the 5.5 mile route from Exeter South to Turk Lock, taking in the Exe Estuary and the wildlife reserve.  <div> </div>
Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester
 It’s completely free to enter the <a href="http://www.mosi.org.uk">Museum of Science and Industry</a> (MOSI) and with collections ranging from early textile machinery and modern X-ray equipment plus galleries packed with cameras, aircraft and local history, there’s plenty to keep everyone amused. You can even take a walk through a Victorian sewer! It’s a great educational day out - and it’s fun, too.  <div> </div>
Royal Air Force Museum, Shropshire
 The <a href="http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/cosford/ ">Royal Air Force Museum</a> in Cosford houses 70 aircraft and is home to war planes, missiles, transport and training and research and development collections. It’s a great day out for aircraft enthusiasts who will love the opportunity to see some of the world’s most impressive planes close up. There are special events throughout the year, including flight simulators and investigation trails - and admission won’t cost you a penny.  <div> </div>
National Railway Museum, York
 If your little ones love trains, then the <a href="http://www.nrm.org.uk/">National Railway Museum</a> is a great place for them to let off some steam. There are 100 locomotives under one roof - and the highlight is the Hogwarts Express, the train used in the Harry Potter films. The record-breaking engine Mallard is also on display and there are Explainers on hand to tell you all all kinds of interesting facts. You can also enjoy steam rides, an action-packed science show and a playground - and admission is completely free.  <div> </div>

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Miranda Kerr shares stunning Australia holiday bikini pic

August 6, 2012, 7:05 am

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Filed under: Travel News

Miranda Kerr shares stunning Australia holiday bikini pic Miranda Kerr/Instagram

As if Miranda Kerr's Australian holiday at the stunning Great Barrier Reef wasn't enough to make us jealous (see the above picture for said green-eyed monster material), but she's also posting pics of herself in a bikini, further adding to the already-present envy.

Miranda Kerr shares stunning Australia holiday bikini pic Miranda Kerr/Instagram

The Victoria's Secret model looked stunning in a close-up pic that showed off Hamilton Island's piercing blue sky, which seemed to match her pretty eyes.

She donned a black bikini, red lipstick, and a pearl necklace and an oversized fedora hat for seriously stylish beach chic.

Miranda Kerr shares stunning Australia holiday bikini pic Miranda Kerr/Instagram

She also posted another picture of a heart drawn in the sand on the beach, filled with three heart-shaped stones, and wrote alongside it: "One of the most beautiful places on earth @hamiltonisland' Sad to leave today :-("

Miranda enjoyed a holiday with her beau Orlando Bloom, and their young son, Flynn.

See more stars on holiday here:

Celebrities on holiday around the world

Nicole Richie in Mexico
 Nicole Richie shows off newly curvaceous figure as she holidays with DJ Sam Ronson and rocker Juliette Lewis in Los Cabos, Mexico, in September.
Lacey Turner in Florida
 Ex-EastEnders star Lacey Turner showed off her gorgeous figure in a spotty blue bikini as she enjoyed the pool at the upmarket <a href="http://www.mondrian-miami.com/en-us/#/home/" target="_blank">Mondrian Hotel</a> in Miami, where she stayed with her boyfriend, Matt. Located on the fashionable West Avenue, the Mondrian is a modern hotel just minutes from the centre of South Beach, and offers beautiful views over the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay.
Anne Hathaway in Capri
 Anne Hathaway went retro fifties on a romantic summer holiday to the Italian island of Capri with her jewellery designer beau Adam Shulman. The pair enjoyed exclusive use of fashion mogul Valentino Garavani's yacht.
David and Samantha Cameron
 The Prime Minister enjoyed a two-week holiday at a £10,000 a week villa in <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/2011/07/06/ten-glorious-places-to-visit-in-tuscany/">Tuscany</a> in August. The pair were snapped enjoying a coffee at the Dolcenero cafe in the town of Montevarchi.
David Beckham in Malibu
 While Victoria Beckham was resting at home with new baby daughter Harper Seven in July, David Beckham took the opportunity to treat Brooklyn to a surfing lesson at the beach in <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/tag/Malibu/">Malibu</a> - and got some snaps for the family album while he was at it.
Gwyneth Paltrow in Sardinia
 She's well known for her strict exercise regimes and diets, and Gwyneth Paltrow's years of 'good behaviour' have obviously paid off as she showcased a stunning bikini body in <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/2011/08/26/ten-reasons-why-the-stars-love-sardinia/">Sardinia</a> in July 2011. The actress enjoyed a family holiday in Italy with her children Moses, five and Apple, seven, and her godfather, legendary director Steven Spielberg. They all stayed on his £200 million luxury yacht, and were spotted leaping off the back and playing on inflatables in the water.
Helena Christensen in Ischia
 She may have been at the height of her supermodel fame in the 90s, but Helena Christensen still looked the part as she went swimming in a bikini in <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/2011/08/26/ten-reasons-why-the-stars-love-sardinia/">Ischia</a> in July 2011. The model-turned-photographer was on holiday in Italy for the Ischia Global Festival, which the likes of Karolina Kurkova, Gerard Butler and Leonardo DiCaprio also attended.
Sarah Harding in Ibiza
 Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding showed off her slim figure - and newly-lightened locks - in a strapless snakeskin bikini teamed with a funky-chunky cuff in <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/travel-guides/ibiza/">Ibiza </a>in July 2011. Sarah enjoyed a holiday on the party island with her DJ partner Tom Crane.
Kelly Brook in Ischia
 Kelly Brook visited Italy for the <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/2011/08/26/ten-reasons-why-the-stars-love-sardinia/">Ischia</a> Global Film and Music Festival in July 2011. The 31-year-old actress/model was looking glamorous in a printed fifities-style Jasper Conran prom dress and plimsoles, teamed with a rather posh Louis Vuitton handbag. She readily settled into the glamorous lifestyle by enjoying a trip on a yacht, before munching a holiday ice-cream and shopping for local souvenirs.
Arnold Schwarzenegger in Austria
 Former governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger enjoyed a scenic bike ride in Salzburg with friends on a June 2011 holiday his home country, <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/tag/Austria/">Austria</a>. Over 170 kilometres of attractive cycle paths with 900 signs, 23 scenic bicycle routes through the city, 5,500 parking spaces and self-service stations offering free tools, bike stands, lubricating oil and compressed air for emergencies make Salzburg Austria's number one cycle city.
Abbey Clancey in Sardinia
 New mum Abbey Clancy certainly knows how to relax on holiday. Pictured here enjoying the balmy weather in sunny <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/2011/08/26/ten-reasons-why-the-stars-love-sardinia/">Sardinia</a> (June 2011), Abbey was taking a pre-wedding break with fiance Peter Crouch and their  baby daughter Sophia . The couple are staying at the four-star Sheraton Porto Cervo Hotel, which boasts its own private beach on the exclusive Costa Smerelda.
Geri Halliwell in the south of France
 Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell is pictured here enjoying a family holiday in the <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/2011/02/23/where-to-go-in-the-cote-dazure/" target="_blank">south of France</a> (June 2011). Geri looked happy and relaxed as she lazed on a private yacht with boyfriend Henry Beckwith and five year old daughter Bluebell. The yellow polka dot bikini she's wearing here is part of her own collection from high street store Next.
Adriana de Moura in Miami
 Adriana de Moura looked pretty in pink as she frolicked and sunbathed on <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/tag/Miami/">Miami'</a>s South Beach (March 2011). It's clear the Brazillian star takes care of herself, and she's not just a pretty face. The Brazililan star claims to speaks five languages, she's a full time mum and a respected art curator. Why Miami? For glitz, glamour and nightlife, Miami is the place to be. Perfect for all socialites in need of a tan
Gwen Stefani in Cannes
 Gwen Stefani showed off her wash-board abs as she soaked up the sun on luxury yacht Luna in St Jean Cap Ferrat, <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/2011/02/23/where-to-go-in-the-cote-dazure/">Cote d'Azur</a> in May 2011. Why here? A more pertinent question might be: why not? Its stunning scenery, high-end boutiques and fabulous restaurants are a honeypot for the rich and famous.
Naomi Campbell in Florida
 Here's Naomi Campbell looking cool and relaxed in <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/tag/Miami/">Miami</a> Florida. The supermodel was spotted having a long lunch with Russian businessman Vladislav Doroni in March 2011.
Taylor Swift in The Bahamas
 American singer Taylor Swift certainly knows how to let her hair down. She's pictured here on a holiday in the paradise archipelago of the <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/tag/Bahamas/">Bahamas</a> in February 2011. What's so special about the Bahamas? This place could go under the word 'paradise' in the dictionary: think miles of talcum powder sand, the world's third largest barrier reef, not to mention some of the world's friendliest people...
Boris Becker in Florida
 Aah, aren't they sweet? This pic of the tennis star cuddling up with his wife Lilly on a sunbed was taken when they took a family holiday in <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/tag/Miami/">Miami </a>(spring 2011) with their son Amadeus.
Zoe Ball in Miami
 Former party girl Zoe Ball looks quite the yummy mummy in <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/tag/Miami/">Miami</a>, Florida as she takes son Woody for a spin on a jet ski. Miami beach is a particularly popular holiday destination for families, with its spectacular beachfront hotels. And it's great for watersports lovers, too.
Noémi Lenoir soaks up the Florida sunshine
 French model Noémie Lenoir relaxed in Florida in March 2011. Noémi, who appeared to be taking a solo holiday, laughed and joked with pool attendants and appeared relaxed happy and healthy again after a tumultuous year. The former M&S lingerie model hit the headlines a while ago after a suicide attempt following her split with footballer Claude Makélélé, the father of her six year old son. But all that now seems a lifetime ago. Like many celebs, she has picked <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/tag/Miami/">Miami </a>as the place to chill out and soak up some sun. And who can blame her? Florida is a perfect place to go for an easy winter getaway...
Cat Deeley in Mexico
 Cat Deeley is pictured here taking a break from a hectic schedule to top up her tan in Capo, Mexico. She has been presenting So You Think You Can Dance Stateside, spending much of her time jetting between LA and London, so she was grabbing the chance to chill. What's so good about Mexcio?  Cat picked a great spot: from the archaeology of the Mayan ruins to Cancun's famous beaches and nightlife, Mexico - land of amazing food and tequila - is the perfect place for letting your hair down.
Courteney Cox in Hawaii
 Courteney Cox looks relaxed as she sits on the beach in <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/tag/Miami/">Hawaii</a>, taking a break from shooting scenes for her new TV comedy, Cougar Town. The star jetted off to Oahu with her co-star Brian Van Holt (with whom she is rumoured to be having a new relationship). Why Hawaii? Beaches, parties, nightlife... go here for some hedonistic fun!
Denise Richards in Hawaii
 Actress and Bond Girl Denise Richards rocks the beach babe look in <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/tag/Miami/">Hawaii</a>. The former wife of Charlie Sheen is pictured here making a splash. She was on holiday with her two daughters and her father but the absence of her new man, musician Nikki Sixx, led to tabloid rumours that the pair had split... Why here? This Pacific Ocean paradise offers year-round sunshine and arguably some of the best surfing in the world.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Jason Statham in St Bart's
 It looks as if love is in the air for model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and her British beau Jason Statham spend time chillaxing St Bart's on holiday. What's so special about St Barts?  A hit with A-listers and VIPs, this island is known as the pearl of the Caribbean. Expect to spot iguanas, luxury yachts, exclusive designer boutiques and  a Hollywood starlet or three...
Melanie Chisholm and Thomas Starr in Barbados
 Former Sporty Spice Melanie Chisholm was spotted taking to the water with daughter Scarlet, nearly two years old, while on holiday in <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/tag/Miami/">Barbados</a>. Mel was taking a break with partner Thomas Starr before she started work on her fifth solo album.
Olivia Palermo in St Bart's
 American model and actress Olivia Palermo seems to be having the time of her life in St Barts as she gets a lift along the the beach from her boyfriend Johannes Huebl.Known as the millionaire's playground, St Bart's has everything to offer for a romantic holiday, from chic luxury accommodation, gourmet cuisine, crystal clear tropical waters and endless sandy beaches. A hit with honeymooners, you can drive round the entire island in 90 minutes.
Sarah Harding in the Maldives with Tom Crane
 Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding and DJ Tom Crane are pictured here arriving home from a romantic holiday in the <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/travel-guides/Maldives/">Maldives</a>, during which they got engaged. Tom popped the question on New Year's Eve then took to Twitter to tell his followers: 'I feel like the luckiest man in the world!!!'. What's so special about the Maldives? This chain of 1,200 mostly uninhabited islands in the Indian ocean offers a tropical paradise for beach lovers. For more, see fab review of the <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/2011/02/11/the-maldives-are-marvellous-especially-when-you-stay-here/" target="_blank">W Hotel Maldives</a>, where Kate Moss was spotted!
Serena Williams in Miami
 Tennis champ Serena Williams, who is pictured here recovering from injury earlier this year, appeared to be back to her old self as she took a holiday with friends in <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/travel-guides/Maldives/">Miami</a>, Florida. The 29-year-old tennis player has been sidelined from her sport since claiming her 13th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon last July. Why Miami? It's the perfect place to visit with your mates: go there for sun, fun and some serious downtime.
Jeremy Clarkson in Barbados
 Jeremy Clarkson and his wife of 18 years, Frances, put on a united front  as they had fun in the sun on a<a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/travel-guides/barbados/"> Barbados </a>beach amid rumours he is having an alleged affair. The Top Gear presenter and his wife, who is also his manager, were seen hitting the jet skis and a speedboat as they enjoyed the high life in the Caribbean paradise. Why Barbados? If you love to be active, this is your perfect destination. Watersports lovers beware: you'll never want to leave...
Charlotte Church in Beverley Hills
 Charlotte Church was being unusually bashful as she soaked up the sun poolside in <a href="http://travel.aol.co.uk/travel-guides/barbados/">LA</a>. The singer and TV host was spotted relaxing at the <a href="http://www.beverlyhillshotel.com/" target="_blank">Beverly Hills Hotel,</a> but covered up her monochrome bikini with a loose grey vest top. The singer was on holiday with her children, daughter Ruby Megan, three, and two-year-old son Dexter Lloyd, who she shares with her former partner Welsh rugby international Gavin Henson. The 25-year-old was on mummy duty at the pool, armed with children's floats and a Spider-Man toy.
Coleen Rooney
 Coleen Rooney showed off an array of different bikinis on her June 2011 holiday to <a href="http://www.beverlyhillshotel.com/">Barbados</a>. Her cornflower-blue two-piece was particularly pretty and just happened to match her son Kai's beachwear, too.
Kelly Brook in Mykonos
 Kelly Brook had a Bond girl moment  as she emerged from the ocean in a gold-accented purple swimsuit while on holiday in Mykonos, <a href="http://www.beverlyhillshotel.com/">Greece</a>, in June 2011. The actress/model was enjoying a romantic holiday with her rugby-playing boyfriend Thom Evans, where they were snapped lazing on the beach, splashing in the sea, and taking pics for their holiday album.
Abbey Crouch in Dubai
 Presenter and model Abbey Crouch showed off her streamline figure at the swanky Le Royal Meridien Beach hotel in Dubai, where she enjoyed some family time with hubby Peter and 15-month-old daughter Sophia. Yummy mummy alert!
Denise Van Outen in Dubai
 Denise jetted off to the Grosvenor House Hotel in Dubai for a girly weekend. Looks like she still has her infamous 90s figure in tact! Just how does she do it??
Elle MacPherson in Australia
 And they call her 'The Body' because... Ah yes, here's why. Elle turned heads when she went for a surf in Byron Bay back in December 2011.
LeAnne Rimes in Malibu
 LeAnne Rimes took to the beach and flaunted her new super-streamline figure back in August 2011.
Gwyneth Paltrow in Italy
 Gwyneth Paltrow showed off the benefits of a strict diet while on holiday in Porto Cervo, Sardinia.
Halle Berry in Malibu
 Whether she's emerging from the sea in a Bond movie or taking a jog along the sand with her daughter, Halle Berry never fails to look beach-beautiful.

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British boy, 10, rescues couple stranded at sea in Devon

August 6, 2012, 11:02 pm

≫ Next: One year on: Teen opens up about polar bear attack that left one dead

≪ Previous: Miranda Kerr shares stunning Australia holiday bikini pic

Filed under: Travel News

British boy, 10, rescues couple stranded at sea in Devon PA

A boy of just 10 years old has been hailed a hero after saving a couple who were stranded out at sea in Devon.

Stuart Crang rowed his 8ft dinghy to the rescue after spotting canoe instructor Richard Brown and his partner Sue Taffler in trouble off the coast near Brixham.

The pair were left stranded at sea after their Pico sailing boat filled with water and capsized.

Although they did not believe they were in life-threatening danger, Mr Brown said they had been in the water for about 45 minutes and were also in danger of losing their boat.

Stuart towed them back to shore using a rope in a trip that took about 30 minutes.

He told the BBC that he lent a helping hand because "I was there, and I care about people, and they were in danger".

Stuart's father Nigel said: "All he had was a bit of rope about 4ft long, which he tied to the front.

"The couple didn't want get in his boat in case they capsized him out, and he towed them for 30 minutes for about half a mile."

"We're very proud of what he's done."

Mr Brown said Stuart was an "absolute star" and he was rewarded with a card and boxes of sweets.

According to NBC News, rescuing people is in his genes; Stuart's father Nigel is part of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution's crew, while his brother Jonathan, 23, is part of the Torbay coastguard team.

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One year on: Teen opens up about polar bear attack that left one dead

August 7, 2012, 12:02 am

≫ Next: Tesco launch Britain's first virtual supermarket at Gatwick Airport

≪ Previous: British boy, 10, rescues couple stranded at sea in Devon

Filed under: Travel News

One year on: Teen opens up about polar bear attack that left one dead MirrorPix

One year on from a polar bear attack that killed his friend, Horatio Chapple, teen Patrick Flanders has opened up about the attack that left him scarred for life.

Patrick was part of a 70-strong group on a three-week expedition with the British Schools Exploring Society (BSES) to the Svalbard Islands 400 miles off the Norwegian coast when the bear attacked after a trip wire warning system failed to work.

Patrick was sharing a tent with Horatio, along with another boy called Scott Bennell-Smith, on the Von Postbreen glacier near Longyearbyen on Svalbard.

One year on: Teen opens up about polar bear attack that left one dead Patrick preparing for his trip to Svalbard: PA

Speaking to the Mirror from his home at St Helier, Jersey, Patrick said: "I've had two operations since, one to straighten my left eye and one to remove skin from in front of my eardrum.

"My left eye leans in slightly but it's fine. I'm just grateful to be alive. I hope I won't need more operations.

"My right arm, where the bear grabbed me, is still scarred and swollen. Apart from that I'm fine."

Patrick was in a tent with friends Horatio and Scott Bennell-Smith when the 14ft, 39-stone bear stuck at around 7.30am.

"I was in my sleeping bag, in the middle," he explained. "I was woken up by a scratching sound. It seemed to be coming from outside. At first I thought it was someone larking around, when suddenly the tent collapsed.

One year on: Teen opens up about polar bear attack that left one dead Horatio Chapple was killed in the attack: PA

"Immediately I knew it was a polar bear, even though I didn't see it. My first instinct was to close my eyes and curl up in my sleeping bag. When I looked out and saw it for a split second, it was standing on its back legs 10 feet away. It was a massive white thing.

"I got back into my sleeping bag and curled up into a ball and closed my eyes. I didn't want to see anything.

"I was just screaming: 'I don't want to be here anymore'. I peeked out and saw its mouth and nose, covered in blood. It was pulling at me, like it was trying to get me out of the sleeping bag.

"Its teeth went through the skin on my elbow, crunching the bone. It also hit my eye with a claw. Suddenly it let go of my arm, but then I felt it bite my head.

One year on: Teen opens up about polar bear attack that left one dead PA

"I heard a crunching noise which I later found out was my skull fracturing and it held me in its jaws for what felt like 30 seconds.

"It let out a growl which deafened me. My arms were flapping around and I was trying to get it off. I think I may have punched it in the face, I'm not sure. Strangely, even then, I did not think I was going to die.

"All of a sudden, it just dropped me. I think it had seen Scott run from the tent and was going after him. I heard a gunshot, shortly afterwards, and the bear was dead.

Patrick described his friend Horatio as a "very nice, funny chap", adding: "I do feel sad that he died. It was just a matter of fate.

"If I had been sleeping where he was, it would have been me."

He says he is not psychologically scarred by the experience - but won't be going on anyone holiday anywhere near polar bears again, saying: "I remember watching the BBC Frozen Planet a couple of months after the attack. That was as close as I would want to get."

One year on: Teen opens up about polar bear attack that left one dead Michael Reid shot and killed the bear: SWNS

Expedition leader Michael Reid was the man who shot the bear dead; he, too, suffered facial scarring after the attack, which left him with a broken jaw, fractured skull, and a damaged eye socket.

Read more of the Patrick Flanders interview at mirror.co.uk

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Tesco launch Britain's first virtual supermarket at Gatwick Airport

August 7, 2012, 12:32 am

≫ Next: Visit Cornwall bans the words 'county' and 'England' from guides

≪ Previous: One year on: Teen opens up about polar bear attack that left one dead

Filed under: Travel News

Tesco launch first virtual supermarket at Gatwick Airport Gatwick's North Terminal: PA

Ever returned from holiday feeling a bit peckish - only to find you'd stumble across more groceries at Old Mother Hubbard's house?

Well, don't fear, Tesco is trialling a new way to ensure that never happens again - by launching the UK's first virtual supermarket at Gatwick Airport.

For the next two weeks, travellers will find a virtual store in the departure lounge at Gatwick, with four interactive screens that you can scroll through to pick from an array of 80 products, according to the BBC.

You can buy products by scanning the barcode with a smartphone (like an iPhone), with the idea being that you order a basket of groceries to be delivered to your house the day you get home to prevent post-holiday hunger.

The virtual store is being trailed at Gatwick's North Terminal during the two busiest weeks of the flying weeks of the year.

According to the Telegraph, Tesco says it is a great way for passengers to use their average of 70 minutes downtime while waiting to board flights.

Tesco's internet retailing director Ken Twole said a similar scheme launched last year in South Korea for commuters to shop at train and bus stations had been a success.

He told the Guardian: "We got a lot of interest in our Korean sites and it went viral, so we wanted to see if customers would use this, with a view to launching at more airports."

But not everybody was impressed; Mike Cameron, 50, travelling to Edinburgh told the paper: "The last thing you want to do when you're going on holiday is start thinking about coming back."

Would you be ultra-organised and do your grocery shopping at the airport? Leave your thoughts about the idea below...

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Visit Cornwall bans the words 'county' and 'England' from guides

August 7, 2012, 11:05 pm

≫ Next: Tourist arrested for drink driving in a holiday park

≪ Previous: Tesco launch Britain's first virtual supermarket at Gatwick Airport

Filed under: Travel News

Visit Cornwall bans the words 'county' and 'England' Rex

Visit Cornwall has decided that tourism staff should no longer use the words 'county' or mention England when referring to Cornwall in promotional literature.

Head of Visit Cornwall, Malcolm Bell, told employees that "region" or "Duchy" should be used instead.

In an email to staff, Mr Bell approved the use of "Cornwall", "Cornish", "Duchy" and "region" but added that in all future literature "even England references should be avoided", according to the BBC.

He told the news site: "It satisfies the people who get annoyed with the word county but most won't actually notice it so it's just a way of moving forward, it's just being sensitive.

"We would never deny we're a county and deny that we're actually part of England."

According to Loveday Jenkin from Mebyon Kernow, some Cornish people get "very irritated" with the word as 'Cornwall is not a county of England, even though it is administered as such, and Duchy should be used".

Mr Bell added: "It's just working on that difference that Cornwall has got and it has got a different culture, a different history which actually helps us to market the county.

"If the word county was appropriate we would use it."

Visit England described the move as "a good thing".

A duchy is a territory ruled by a duke; The Duchy of Cornwall is one of two royal duchies in England, with the other being the Duchy of Lancaster.

The eldest son of the reigning British monarch inherits the duchy and title of Duke of Cornwall at the time of his birth. The current duke, therefore, is Prince Charles.

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Tourist arrested for drink driving in a holiday park

August 7, 2012, 11:33 pm

≫ Next: Toad Suck voted worst town name in America (and there's quite a few)

≪ Previous: Visit Cornwall bans the words 'county' and 'England' from guides

Filed under: Travel News

Tourist arrested for drink driving in a holiday park Stock photo, caravan park, Wales: Rex

A tourist has been arrested after 'drink driving' from her friend's caravan to her own in a holiday park in Wales.

A court was told yesterday how a policeman, who was at the Presthaven Sands Holiday Park in Gronant on another matter, followed Lisa Docktray, 41, after being concerned at the way she was driving.

Ms Docktray was found to have an alcohol reading of 102 microgrammes, well above the legal limit of 35.

She was banned from driving for two years, fined £85, and sent on a drink impaired driver's course run by the probation service.

Gwyn Jones, defending, said his client believed it was OK to drive as she thought the holiday park was private land.

He told the Daily Post: "She believed that it was private ground and that she could drive.
"This was the first time she had done it."

It was explained to her that if the pubic had even limited access, then it was a public area.
Mr Jones said Ms Docktray was a "lady of unblemished character", who was "ashamed" of her behaviour.

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Toad Suck voted worst town name in America (and there's quite a few)

August 8, 2012, 12:51 am

≫ Next: It's raining... seaweed? UK village deluged in beach algae

≪ Previous: Tourist arrested for drink driving in a holiday park

Filed under: Travel News

wikicommons

There's nothing like a few silly town names to make you giggle, so we couldn't resist bringing you the news that Toad Suck has been voted the worst town name in America.

The town is located in Arkansas, and was voted to have the most unfortunate name in a global poll carried out by family history website findmypast.com.

So where does the name come from? According to toadsuck.org: "Long ago, steamboats traveled the Arkansas River when the water was at the right depth. When it wasn't, the captains and their crew tied up to wait where the Toad Suck Lock and Dam now spans the river. While they waited, they refreshed themselves at the local tavern there, to the dismay of the folks living nearby, who said: "They suck on the bottle 'til they swell up like toads." Hence, the name Toad Suck." Gotcha.

Around 2,000 people from seven English speaking countries, including the UK, Ireland, Canada and South Africa, were polled, and Toad Suck just beat Climax in Georgia to claim the title.

Boring in Oregon came third, while fourth and fifth place were claimed by Hooker in Oklahoma, and Assawoman in Maryland.

Number six was Belchertown in Massachusetts, while Roachtown, Illinois was seventh.

The eighth spot went to Loveladies in New Jersey, while Squabbletown in California was ninth and Monkey's Eyebrow in Kentucky was 10th.

But there are lots of other great (or should we terrible?) town names in the US that didn't even make the list, including Who'd Thought It in Texas and, one of our personal favourites, Elephant Butte in New Mexico.

Josh Taylor, genealogist and spokesperson for the website, told the Daily Mail: "If there were an Olympics for unlikely town-names, America would surely be good for a medal, if not the gold."

If you like silly town names, you're sure to like silly signposts, too:

Silly signposts spotted by travellers

Take your pick
 We reckon this confusing sign, photographed in London, is likely to have caused more accidents than it prevented...
Too much information!
 This sign comes in very handy if you need to know how to get to Egypt while you're driving through Buckinghamshire.
You could be waiting a while...
 Yes, this is a warning that snails are crossing the road near Westport on the west coast South Island, New Zealand.
Drive-thru to God
 There's a 'better than nothing' approach to this Baptist Church sign at Homer Street and Macon Road in Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
Deer me!
 Apparently there are some pretty aggressive deer in the mountains of Waterton, Alberta, Canada. Maybe give this place a steer...?
Waddle warning
 Never mind the aggressive mountain deer, you've got to keep your eyes out for ducks crossing the road in Alberta, Canada , too!
Don't be tempted!
 If you're looking for somewhere to explode your vehicle, just don't do it here, as it's not permitted.
Superheroes beware
 Don't go thinking you can rescue anyone in these parts...
Don't even think about it!
 This forbidding sign, spotted outside St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Madison, Wisconsin, USA, won't bring in much of a congregation
You what?
 Does this one get the prize for being the most unhelpful sign of all???????
If I told you once, I told you four times...
 Just in case you're in any doubt: you can't park here.
Tell us something we don't know!
 Possibly the last sign you want to see when you've missed a turn-off. Unless you need  directions for the tiny hamlet of Lost, 40 miles west of Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.
No Dumbos allowed
 You'll have to leave your elephant behind if you're driving through Beijing...
Highly strung
 Do not, under any circumstances, get the silly string out when you're here. We realise it's tempting but the penalties are harsh.
Tell us something we don't know...
 This sign was snapped in County Fermanagh,when the Lough Erne river burst its banks.
Cute or what?
 This is New Zealand's version of a pelican crossing.
Just in case you were thinking of it...
 This No Parking sign, miles from nowhere, was spotted along Prairie Chapel Road leading to President Bush's ranch near Crawford, Texas. The signs were placed for security while the president was at his 1,600-acre ranch outside town.
Double take
 Just make sure you pick the right sign or you'll end up all confused...
Time for a U-turn?
 This electronic road sign in Austin, Texas, was intended to warn motorists of construction near the intersection of Lamar and Martin Luther King boulevards were changed by hackers to give a deeper message.
Way to exterminate
 If you're looking for daleks (and who isn't?), you've come to the right place. This sign led the public to a Dr Who exhibition held at Cardiff, South Glamorgan, Wales.

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