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Welcome to our new Escape & Events section, where we feature articles on Green and Slow Travel as well as fantastic Green Events to get the most out of life! Our focus will be on sustainability, but as always, we will seek out the fun, the outrageous and the best of life! You may also want to check out our Out and About Bazaar for more sustainable adventures!

Wednesday
Jun162010

A Fabulous Staycation in Mid Wales

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'Staycationing' is on the rise in the UK, and over the half term we headed to Mid Wales for a break. It was so great we're heading back for the school holidays and plan to move there permanently by the end of the year - yes, that good! While many of us head to the South West or up to Scotland, Wales is a stunning country to visit. This cultural green gem boasts fabulous long sandy beaches, the Snowdonia National Park, scrumptious local produce to dine on and plenty to do whether you venture away for romance or want to holiday with the kids. Here we share some highlights and ideas to tempt you to staycation in mid Wales.

Penbryn Beach in Cardigan BayWho says Australia has the best beaches?! Cardigan Bay boasts many fine beaches with mature sand dunes and there's so much to do, from the obvious - sun bathing (yes, The GIN Lady came back with a bit of a tan, fast fading now!), to more adventurous stuff like sea kayaking, sailing and boating, dolphin or bird watching, cycle rides and walking trips. It's also a great place to go fishing. We defy anyone who isn't charmed by this heritage coast, and it's also a great way to boost local economies and savour regional food.

If you want to take a step back from the coast, we highly recommend a visit to Machynlleth - Mach to locals, and is the ancient capital of Wales. This lively market town is home to only 2000 souls, but boasts some fascinating things to do, not to mention a must-visit to the Centre of Alternative Technology (only a short distance from Mach). While in Mach, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay at The Wynnstay Hotel.

We highly recommend a meal or a stay at the Wynnstay HotelCharming, friendly and a little bit quirky is how we sum up The Wynnstay... definitely our sort of place. It offers all the charm you would expect from a late 18th Century town house, and is a maze of delightful rooms, from the cosy bar to the oldy worldy restaurant. The bedrooms are comfy too and good value for money. For us, apart from the fantastic staff, the main highlight was the food. We tucked into local Borth crab, tender Welsh steak and locally reared duck. Nothing poncy here, this is simply great Welsh produce on a plate of which they are incredibly proud and do much to support local producers. So whether you're just popping into Mach for some sightseeing and need a place to eat, or fancy staying for a few days, look no further than The Wynnstay Hotel.

Many thanks to the owners of The Wynnstay Hotel for making The GIN Lady feel so welcome :-)And then of course, all this lies in the foothills of the Snowdonia National Park, home to Wales' largest mountain and lake. Amazingly diverse, the Snowdonia landscape includes steep river gorges, waterfalls and green valleys with oak, ash, rowan and hazel woodlands scattered throughout the Park, with stunning estuaries and 23 miles of coastline and sandy beaches - how can you resist?!!

With so much to do, a great variety of eco friendly accommodations with stunning natural vistas -  beaches, mountains and breathtaking water bodies - what more could a GIN lady desire? So if you haven't yet chosen your holiday destination, look no further than mid west Wales!

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Thursday
Apr292010

Sculptural ethical jewellery exhibitions

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Sculptural wearable art made from recycled silver by Ute Decker will be on exhibition next month in London and Glasgow. Not to be missed, this treasure of an event series will prove a hit among those who love to wear uniquely collectible pieces. Using recycled silver and bio-resin, Ute Decker's organic and architectural designs are both highly wearable as well as ultra collectible. As we said, not to be missed!

So architectural you'll want to inhabit these pieces, Ute Decker designs pieces for the hand, arm and neck. Ethics are 'front of mind' from mine to jewellery box with pieces sculpted from recycled silver and bio-resins formed from sunflowers, an innovative alternative to your usual toxic medium. From Ute's London studio, her experience in multiple art forms - sculpture, ceramics, textiles and paper - comes shining through in her sculptural recycled jewellery designs.

Mobius arm sculpture. Photography by Elke BockFor this designer, each piece carries a meaning far beyond its functional use: "[Her] ethos is influenced by the ancient japanese philosophy of wabi sabi: as the silence between notes in music is vital, so does the harmony between the created form and the empty space within magnify the intensity of expression in ute’s sculptural work."

Mobius arm sculpture. Photography by Elke Bock

An aspect of Ute's designs we're admiring the most is her departure from pure perfection; Ute's designs leave small marks of her design process from her hand-crafted approach. Visible signs of bending, joining and forming are design signatures of our own human flaws and imperfections.

Octagonal cuff from 100% recycled silver. Photography by Elke Bock.No two pieces are completely alike in shape, texture or finish, making each limited edition even more covetable and collectible.

Reticulated cuff in 100% recycled silver. Photography by Elke Bock.Ute's rings are architectural splendours, and the Edison Ring is an architectural statement sitting over three fingers, again made in 100% recycled ethical silver.

Edison ring in 100% recycled silver. Photography by Elke Bock.To contrast the recycled silver, several of Ute's rings and necklaces also feature the textural bio-resins made from sunflower, a non-toxic medium. So delicate, the bio-resin resembles a coral sponge in look and feel.

Multi-strand necklace with orbiting orange shapes. Photography by Elke Bock.So now's your chance to pop along to enjoy a private viewing of Ute Decker's sculptural jewellery this June. Events will take place at London Jewellery Week, London Festival of Architecture and in Glasgow.

21 May – 15 June 2010, Roger Billcliffe Gallery: New Faces: ten from ten
134 Blythswood Street
Glasgow G2 4EL
Private View: 21 May 6 – 8 pm

10 – 13 June 2010, London Jewellery Week: Treasure
Victoria House
37-63 Southampton Row
London WC1B 4DA
Private View: 10 June 6.30 – 9pm

24 June - 4 July 2010, London Festival of Architecture: Architectural Jewellery
The Outside World Gallery
44 Redchurch Street
London E2 7DP
Private View: 24 June 6 – 9pm

For more information, please visit Ute Decker's website.

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Saturday
Mar132010

Green Places to Stay in Suffolk

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Having just penned a story on the Food Safari in Suffolk, a brilliant gourmet experience for one day excursions, we went on the hunt for sustainable accommodation in this neck of the woods. We came up trumps with Pinetrees, a 'green' B&B in Beccles, as well as a new place, Alde Garden, just about to open (11th June) that offers an array of accommodation, from the exotic with a hint of luxury - think yurts, gypsie caravan, cob roundhouse, hideouts or simple cheap tent pitches.

Alde Garden is located in the beautiful Alde Valley in the heart of Suffolk, just 12 miles from Food Safari and we can't wait for it to open on 11th June! Holidays and short escapes, even here in ol' blighty can be carbon intensive, but not here with their low impact alternatives. And you don't have to sacrifice luxury either, as their home-made yurt looks delightful, as does their gypsie caravan! On the cards too is a cob house, which will be made with their very own hands in the very near future!

Alde Garden is very family friendly, even with a professional Ofsted registered nanny on hand to give parents a break (aka a romantic meal for two alone!). What we also love is their free bike hire so that you can roam the local Suffolk area at a casual speed that'll both relax and exhilarate you. The coastal town of Aldeburgh is 11 miles away, a great place for a beach walk, local fish and chips and independent boutiques if you want to splash out.

As The GIN Lady used to live in a yurt, this will be our choice, and Alde Garden's sleeps 2 to 5 and looks very cosy indeed. The romance of the occasion will be a memory you won't want to forget!

As the yurt doesn't have electricity (or telly - phew!), your candle-lit interior will no doubt add to the sense of adventure and romance! But don't worry, you'll still enjoy your creature comforts as the yurt is fully equipped with bedding, cooking utensils, wood for the woodburner and gas for the stove.

We are also sorely tempted by their gypsie caravan! Wooden and cosy, it boasts traditional artisan craftsmanship and is currently being renovated to be ready when they open. Alde Garden's stylish gypsie caravan is perfect for a couple, even if you have a little child, as it offers a cosy double and smaller bed if required, and has all the necessary equipment to sit and eat together as well.

Find out more from Alde Garden's website and let us know if you stay there!

Further north but still only 27 miles from Food Safari is Pinetrees, a wonderful eco friendly B&B in Beccles, close to Lowestoft on the Suffolk coast. The site many years ago used to be a pine tree plantation, but was cleared by the time B&B owners, Graham and Sue, took the land on. Now in its place they have built a sustainable building and manage a 5.5 acre wild meadow, which attracts a whole host of local wildlife, including newts, frogs and dragonflies. The building itself was built from sustainably sourced woods, namely Spruce for its frame, Red Cedar for its cladding and the trim and doors are made from Douglas fir.

Talking to Graham, it's clear their commitment to sustainability is strong and in every way they feasibly can, they make Pinetrees as low impact as possible - and they really enjoy it too, as do their guests. Their environmental policy is impressive: Rain water is harvested for loo water and for washing clothes; Solar panels heat water; Organic, locally produced materials are used, as well as fairtrade; They actively support local cyclists and walkers; Pinetrees even has a bio-system to treat the building's sewage, which after natural treatment, discharges its clean water into a nearby ditch. This, coupled with their eco friendly building materials, recycling and natural habitat regeneration, gives this place the big green tick for sure. Best of all, staying at Pinetrees is highly affordable too :-) To find out more visit Pinetrees today!

Food Safari also recommend a great line up of local places to stay, from a plush hotel at Aldeburgh to a trendy beach hut at Thorpeness!

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Thursday
Feb042010

Eco Friendly Romantic Hotels to Escape To

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Romance isn't just for Valentine's, it's something to indulge in every day of the year - a lingering kiss, a cheeky bottom pinch, breakfast in bed. Yet there's nothing like a romantic getaway to stir up the love bug, so this week we've rounded up our top four eco friendly romantic escapes from the four corners of Great Britain.

Pool House (pool-house.co.uk)

Where the river meets the sea in the Scottish Highlands by Loch Ewe, is the award-winning green hotel, Pool House. Its stunning location will take your breath away and is the perfect setting to create your own love story.

Long been touted by insiders as one of the UK's most romantic retreats, Pool House is a rarity. Its opulence comes from the house's imaginative restoration and is filled with unusual curios and antiques from around the world.

How we are longing to enjoy a long soak in this tub!

Lady Claire Macdonald's book Scottish Highland Hospitality enthuses "The tables are beautiful, with white napery and flowers. And the food is, quite simply, delicious……To eat in such a setting as the Pool House dining room, with its lovely views and unique décor, is a real pleasure and the warmth of welcome the Harrison's exude is an example of hospitality at its best." And the view that Lady Macdonald is referring to is indeed unique: The dining room looks over the coastal waters, home to seals, otters and a wide variety of birds.

Bountiful locally sourced foods such as game, fish and seafood mainly feature on Pool House's menu, many of which is caught by the chef himself. Feast your eyes below...

And how decadent and artistic is this dessert? Mouthwatering...

But while your man may be tempted to partake in a bit of snooker...

The GIN Lady is convinced he'd rather play some naughtier games... indeed Pool House could encourage your naughtiest weekend yet!

With some vacancies still on their books for Valentine's, you may want to revise your plans and head up to the Highlands and indulge in a romantic weekend for two at Pool House. Visit their website for more information.

The Scarlet (Scarlet.co.uk)

At the other end of the UK, The Scarlet is Cornwall's bold interpretation of eco luxury. This chic 37 bedroom hotel offers everything that you'd want to relax and unwind, while built to the highest eco standards. Located next to a white sandy beach, the hotel's interior and exterior blends into one.

Design-led, its equally beautiful interior is bold and sassy in its entertainment areas, although how much reading you'll achieve in their library (pictured below) is open to question!

In equal measure, the relax area offers a chic yet calming ambience to let go of life's stresses.

As for Scarlet's deep relaxation room, there does pose the danger you may never want to leave!

Although this is the place to really wear yourself out!

To regain all your energy, you'll be tucking into Scarlet's locally sourced foods in the height of luxury.

While The Scarlet is booked over Valentine's, it scores highly for cool hunting, green credentials and delicious food. To sum up, The Scarlet is a great place to recharge and invest in romance. To discover more, visit their website.

Fronlas, Llandeilo (Fronlas.com)

Travelling clockwise around the UK, The GIN Lady headed towards the Breacon Beacons and came up trumps with a 'sleek, chic and green' boutique B&B. The setting is a smart Edwardian townhouse with three individualist rooms.

Whether you opt for tangerine murals, a chic green designer set or the purple designer boudoir, pictured below, each designer room boasts luxury locally sourced organic mattresses and linen to aid a gorgeous deep sleep.

What we didn't realise is that this B&B's idyllic location is also home to some of the finest boutiques in Wales. And if shopping isn't your thing, then may be hot air ballooning, foodie havens, fishing, cycling and walking is. With so much to choose from, what are you waiting for?! Go online and check out Fronlas for a superb eco escape.

Strattons Hotel, Norfolk (Strattons-Hotel.co.uk)

Strattons really do pull all the punches when it comes to luxury without harming our environment. So if you're looking for a boutique hotel with award-winning locally sourced and organic food, while living it up in luxury, look no further.

Indulgent, opulent and dramatic in surroundings, it would be so easy to sink into an armchair and wash away the worries of everyday life. Not that you'd want to stay couped up all day long (unless you're in bed that is!). Nestled in the historic market town of Swaffham, Norfolk offer miles of coastline that rivals even the best beaches of Australia. So once you've finished your exhilarating beach walk, Strattons offer the most luxurious romantic boudoirs to hideaway in...

Food is where Strattons Hotel has really made its name as its restaurant is top class, and equally loved by locals too. Norfolk's local region is a true natural larder with its fresh fish catch, organically reared animals, tasty fresh veggies and artisanal delights such as cheeses. So if you're a romantic foodie, you've just got very lucky with this super discovery.

To find out more about Strattons Hotel, its eco approach and delicious menu, visit Strattons online.

Please do let us know if you try out one of our recommendations - we'd love to hear your feedback as always.

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Thursday
Jan142010

Eco Sculpture Event by Barry Lewis

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Eco-sculptor Barry Lewis will dazzle you with his talent for upcycling random countryside junk into a bizarre menagerie of wild creatures at Bristol’s Grant Bradley Gallery this February - an event not to be missed. Feast your eyes on his eco sculptures below and the learn the amazing story behind their creation.

Dragonfly with tea strainer eyes, body made from a lamp, threaded steel rod for wings.Barry Lewis grew up in the rural beauty of South Wales’ Rhondda Valley, where he spends much of his time exploring the mountainsides, lakes and rivers, sourcing waste materials to transform into remarkable creatures. 

“Someone might chuck a bike into a river, polluting it, then I’ll pull it out and turn part of it into a gigantic metal fish,” he says. “Often a bit of rubbish is the beginning of a whole animal.” 

For us, this is where Barry's true talent lies; Eco sculptures seam together from eclectic 'rubbish' pieces to create a whole creature. Take his Bird sculpture, pictured below; the bird has been artfully created from a theatre lamp body, fish-knife feathers and beak taken from discarded agricultural machine.

The sculptor's choice of fish knives for feathers is inspired, and this theme carries through across his menagerie of fantastical beasts. Last week he discovered two car seats abandoned on a mountain track – they’re now the jaws of a dragon with the tips of jagged fence posts for teeth.

Dragon's head with car seats for jaws, fence posts for teeth and door knobs for eyes

Viewing these eco sculptures will actively play on your imagination as you create your own interpretations. Barry shared "Nature is really important to me, and I’m interested in mythology, in what different animals mean to different cultures and individuals. To one person, a horse might be something that pulls a plough, but to another person it’s a fantastical creatures just one step away from becoming a unicorn or a Pegasus. I like to play with people’s expectations and imaginings.”

Horse made from forks and spoonsWe're loving Barry's injection of humour too. The works on display will include a fine selection of metallic animal heads mounted on plaques. “I always find hunting trophies rather sad,” he says, “But these ones are fun, bizarre and really rather monstrous.” 

Boar made from old car seat parts and handle from 1950s car

Cat made from cutlery, decorative metal vase, mounted on a wooden plaque made from an old table top

Talking of bizarre, where else would you see a lobster fighting with a giant spider?

Giant spider and lobster fightingAround forty of Barry Lewis's recycled critters will be taking residence in the Grant Bradley Gallery from February 6th-27th, with an open preview from 7-9pm on Friday February 5th. While we think it's an event definitely worth travelling for, if you simply can't make the distance, see below for a few more mythological creatures!

Lion with gravy boat head and cutlery maneTwo-ft long millipede with sugar-tong antennae, overlapped spoons for his back and forks for legsBarry Lewis with his hippo made from old bike saddles, with gas canister teeth collected at Glastonbury festival

 

Monsters will be at the Grant Bradley Gallery from February 6th-27th 2010. Address: 1 St Peter's Court, Bedminster Parade, Bristol BS3 4AQ Tel: 0117 9637673. For further information, please visit www.grantbradleygallery.co.uk.

 

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