Nick Weston & the Hungry Cyclist / Photo by Nick Weston

In a country where the termites of the foodie class wax lyrical about farmers markets, food miles and local produce, I can’t help but ask myself what will be the next obsession? The answer is simple: I’m putting my money on Honesty boxes. Though I might sound derogatory about some of the above they are all well and good, Britain is a nation gradually returning to how things used to be and how things most certainly should be. Supermarkets are now the bad guys and there are many that will go out of their way to support local producers rather than give their cash to the man. But these are thing we should be doing anyway, the demise of the village grocer, baker and butcher that took place over the 80’s and 90’s are no more…the people want them now more than ever.

Continue reading this article @ HUNTER:GATHER:COOK – Adventures in Wild Food

Barclays Cycle Hire / Flickr photo by Martin Deutsch

There’s a lot of cynicism floating around right now, but I have no doubt they will catch on. Londoners are, by nature, a cynical bunch and put us up against an in-your-face corporate sponsorship deal and we see red. Or, worse, Barclays blue. Barclays Blue sprayed all over the Barclays Cycle SuperHighways. Yuck. There is probably truth in the reports that blue was chosen before the sponsorship deal was struck, but, coincidence or not, it’s still stomach turning.

I appreciate that sponsorship money is important, but TFL and Boris struck a lame deal. They should have insisted they were called the Barclay’s XXsomethingXX, ie give them a very strong association, but not let them take over completely. Barclays Cycle Hire is not just unimaginative, it’s devious. No one is going to call the bikes, ‘Cycle Hire’. The word Barclays will always have to be used.

“I am just going to hop on my Barclays bike”, “I’ll be with you in as soon as I’ve jumped on a Barclays.” Sounds rubbish. Will it catch on? Maybe it will have to…

Continue reading this article @ Going Local Travel

Bixi bikes @ Flickr photo by mpilote

Having paid $28, I can now grab a Bixi from any of the main pick-up points over town and ride for 30 minutes without charge. It’s then an extra $1.50 if I go over that. Or I can dock the bike for five minutes and after that it’s mine again for free.

Having heard so much about these systems, especially the Paris Velib, I am very pleased to finally have the chance to try it out for myself.

To say I am impressed would be an understatement. I have become slightly obsessed. I now refuse to walk or take the bus or metro anywhere. It’s Bixi all the way. When on Saturday night I stopped off for takeaway (a poutine, naturally), just two blocks for my house, I insisted on picking up a Bixi to take me to my door. This probably worked off 0.0001% of the poutine grease.

I am sure the novelty will wear off, but Bixis have certainly helped me re-find my bearings and make me feel very settled.

Continue reading this article @ Going Local Travel

A leading international event for learning, networking and partnership-building, the ESTC is a meeting place for innovative minds from across the industry, bringing together 500-plus business leaders, industry professionals and community stakeholders to discuss practical ideas and solutions that inspire positive changes in tourism. The ESTC 2010 will feature dynamic sessions, public forums and social functions.

The WHL Group is proud to join these industry leaders and sustainability pioneers as one of the conference’s supporting organisations.

Walking the talk

For the first time in the event’s history, ESTC 2010 delegates will be given a chance to practice what they preach by participating in three half-day voluntourism field sessions, important recognition of the increasing importance of voluntourism as a niche of sustainable tourism. The roll-up-your-sleeves, hands-on opportunities include work at Portland-area landmarks like the Columbia Springs Environmental Education Center, one of Portland Parks and Recreation’s community gardens and the Tualatin National Wildlife Refuge.

“Come get your hands dirty!” said Laura Guimond, Communications and PR Manager, Sustainability, Travel Portland.

A chorus of voices

A rich selection of speakers has been invited to present analyses and case studies at session topics about triple-bottom-line approaches to sustainability in travel and tourism. The WHL Group will be represented by Zachary Rozga, North America and Caribbean Regional Director, who will speak about Effective Strategies for Finding Support for Sustainability Initiatives in Tourism, one of the Track 2 sessions about Practical Ideas on Triple Bottom Line: Managing Footprint and Implementing Solutions.

Rozga’s presentation will specifically look at a practical model of how micro-franchising allows even the smallest tour operators to compete with big companies on both price and product. The WHL Group is the leading global franchise network for small and local entrepreneurs in tourism. One of its companies, Urban Adventures, provides unique small-group (max 12 people) day tours operated by locally owned franchise tour companies. These tours feature things not found on typical (bus-bound) city tours – the kinds of things that only a local knows – and use either feet, bikes or public transport to get around.

Source: This article was first published on the WHL Group Blog

Gardening – whether it’s in your own backyard or on a fantastic public scale – requires patience, hard work and a whole lot of love.  Anyone who has ever tended one from seed to vine knows just how rewarding a hobby it can be – but even your very own inner landscape artist needs a little inspiration between seasons! Forget about planting the same old herbs and stretch your imagination – a vacation away from home may be just what you need to get those creative gardening forces flowing. Bring your notepad and escape overseas to some of the world’s finest public parks and gardens!

1- Holyrood Park, Edinburgh

One of the UK’s most spectacular green spaces lies in central Edinburgh, where visitors can explore the wild natural beauty contained within 650-acres of rugged public parkland. Lying just southeast of the city’s Old Town, Holyrood Park feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of the Royal Mile. Paths are steep throughout the former 12^th Century royal hunting grounds, so wear comfortable walking shoes and be prepared for some strenuous climbs. Throughout the park, you’ll encounter typical Scottish scenery such as mountain crags, heather fields, lochs, glens, and marshes. Of course, the landscape is no less wild come August when the Fringe Festival descends – head to the meadows for the best in street theatre from all around the world!

Salisbury Crags, Holyrood Park / Flickr Photo by Richard Milnes

2- Kings Park, Perth

Located on the western edge of the Australian city of Perth, Kings Park comprises over 400 hectares of unspoiled bushland, grass meadows and botanical gardens. You’ll need a full day (or more) to explore the world’s largest inner city park – but the rewards are great, especially if you visit in September when the fields come alive with wildflowers. Free walking tours are available, but don’t let the park’s vastness discourage you from some solo exploring. Along many footpaths and trails visitors will find small plaques identifying the local flora by their common and Latin names. Bring you camera as the park overlooks the city – you’ll want to capture the panoramic views!

Kings Park, Perth / Flickr Photo Trevor_Page

3- Villa Borghese, Rome

Opened to the public since 1903, Rome’s largest park is a tranquil refuge away from the busy streets of the Italian capital with its wide shady lanes, art museums, gorgeous temples and lakes. Existing as an expansive vineyard until 1605, the site was transformed into formal gardens by then Cardinal Scipione Borghese, a nephew of Pope Paul V. Throughout the park’s scenic environs are several Renaissance Villas now open to the public, including the historic Villa Medici. Remade into an English landscape garden during the 19^th century, the Villa Borghese Gardens encompass a wide selection of colourful flower gardens, orange groves and stunning public art.

Villa Borghese, Rome / Flickr photo by nucksfan604

4- Central Park, New York City

Designed by Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux in 1858, Central Park occupies more than 770 acres of city-owned land in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. Designated as a National Historic Landmark, it attracts approximately 25 million visitors each year and serves as peaceful retreat for locals escaping the hectic pace of NYC life. Inside the park, visitors have a wide variety of shaded lanes, open meadows, and rambles to explore – highlights include a picturesque public reservoir, ice-scating rink, Victorian castle, children’s zoo and historic carousel, plus the 6-acre gem of the Conservatory Garden with its French-, Italian- and English-style gardens. Don’t miss an evening at the Delacorte Theatre in summer, where free public performances of Shakespearean classics are held.

Central Park, New York / Flickr photo by Mike Rollinger

5- Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

The tropical city of Singapore is the sight of a major development project currently underway involving the planned construction of three public parks along 94 hectares of prime waterfront land. Upon completion, the Gardens By the Bay will showcase tropical garden landscapes by some of the world’s top international design teams. The master plan for Bay Central has not yet been selected, while Bay South will include floral displays, an outdoor concert arena and cool conservatory complex housing flowers from around the world. The chosen design for Bay East will feature a waterfront landscape incorporating an edible plant garden and boating quay for sports like canoeing, sculling and dragon boat races. Phase one will be completed by 2011, so it’s high time to start planning your Singapore vacation!

Marina Bay Singapore / Flickr photo by _liana

The cow barn / Photo by Nick Weston

There are few things more exciting than building a place of your own: being able to shape it yourself and have everything the way you want it in terms of aesthetics and functionality are just two of the reasons why it is worth doing. If money is no object it can be even better (I barely have any!), so you have to see what other avenues are open for exploration to provide you with a home you can be proud of…back to begging, borrowing and recycling we go! I have got around to adding video to the blog – so I will post the ongoing build and lifestyle elements as we go – apologies for the amateur quality… early days! It begins with an epic session of clearing and learning to use a strimmer.

Continue reading this article @ HUNTER:GATHER:COOK – Adventures in Wild Food

From south to north, around the coast, up the middle, round the sides, in wheelchairs, on one leg, carrying heavy electrical goods, with no money, with a dog, with a horse, in the company of Ian Botham, each walk slightly more improbable than the last.

He concedes that walking is the right pace for seeing the true England: “It is a micro-country, where everything is in the detail, and any speed of more than 5 mph means that most of what England has to offer must be missed.”

However, instead of walking, Aaronovitch chooses a similarly slow method of transport when he sets out to travel from London to the north of England in the summer of 1999. He decides to go by kayak.

(And just in case you’re curious: the title Paddling to Jerusalem comes from a William Blake poem, “And did those feet in ancient time,” and the patriotic hymn “Jerusalem” it inspired, both of which retell an apocryphal tale of Jesus visiting England.)

Continue reading this article @ Facing the Street

Tangkoko National Park, Sulawesi, Indonesia

Tangkoko National Park in Sulawesi, Indonesia, is home to the rare tarsiers, one of the smallest primates in the world / Flickr photo by Roberto Verzo

Outside Manado in the north of Indonesia’s Sulawesi Island, is the rainforest of the Tangkoko Batuangus Mountain Nature Reserve.

Sian Ka’an, Mexico

Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve / Flickr photo by egolatras

Not far from the exquisite sandy coastline and cheap tequila of Cancun is the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve

Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa

Addo Elephant National Park / Flickr photo by exfordy

Launched in 1931 as a conservation area for the preservation of only 11 elephants, Addo Elephant National Park now boasts over 400 pachyderms on its reserve.

Canaima National Park, Venezuela

Canaima National Park / Flickr photo by Adalbertop

Home to Angel Falls, the world’s highest waterfall (16 times taller than Niagara), Canaima National Park is located in southern Venezuela and about the same size as Belgium.

Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

The Plitvice Lakes of Croatia / Flickr photo by Pululante

Plitvice Lakes National Park, in the Kvarner region of northern Croatia, is widely considered one of the most beautiful places on earth.

You can read more about these selections @ WHL Group Blog

Photo by Andy Carver

They’ve already been out and about on our roads in preparation. In May the car made a couple of laps around the M25, on a single charge – a distance of 400km – and still had 14% left in the tank. The team are meeting at 10am today at the London Eye to drive the car across to Paris, again on just one charge.

“Electric vehicles have the potential to realise a sustainable transport future, without depleting valuable resources for future generations. The RGE project aims to demonstrate this while pushing the boundaries of EV technology.”

Well known cameraman, Claudio Von Planta, who filmed much of the BBC Long Way Down and By Any Means Series is documenting the project. The mission is to get people interested in electric vehicles and engage a new generation of scientists and engineers through their outreach program.

The team designed, integrated and installed the different components into the electric super car, which can accelerate from zero to 100 km in seven seconds, reaching a top speed of 200 km per hour. The car has an average running cost of one penny per mile and a range of approximately 400 kilometres before the battery needs recharging. Charging the battery takes approximately six hours.

Source: This article was first published on GeoSavvy Development

Orissa is one of the three most important nesting sites for the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle around the world (others are in Costa Rica & Mexico).

After mating in offshore waters, females come ashore to lay their eggs. Hatching occurs a month or so later when tiny baby turtles emerge from the nest and take their first intrepid steps toward the sea.

They have a long journey ahead of them; some will not survive the treacherous journey, others will travel thousands of ocean miles to return as adults and complete the cycle.

Grass Routes has produced conservation guidelines for travellers and volunteers to encourage responsible behaviour in witnessing and protecting the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle.

For more information on how you can get involved, please contact info@grassroutesjourneys.com