tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56045750865078664142024-03-13T17:19:34.340-07:00Chirton Grange LtdChirton Grange Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356468586582678433noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5604575086507866414.post-70929730244575782762018-05-22T05:02:00.000-07:002018-05-22T05:02:01.411-07:00The Great British Pub - a visitor's guide<h2>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">British Pubs Explained</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The British Pub is an age old British institution that has stood the test of time and now it's centuries old. Medieval water was not safe to drink on account of all and sundry dispatching their trash, garbage and even excrement into the rivers and streams with all the abandonment of the modern day teenager slinging McDonalds wrappers under their car before they roar away in a souped up VW. Yes, the 'if I can't see it then it doesn't exist' mentality is not a new phenomena. Beer was invented as during the manufacturing process the water would be intensely boiled and, by doing so, kill off all the nasty bugs lurking within so, and you can use this, it was safer to drink beer than it was the water.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It became pretty obvious, very quickly, that two pints of this stuff they call beer made us very chatty and sociable, so it seemed logical to have a venue where upon we could drink said beer, talk, discuss and debate..... Then, after several more beers, we could continue to punch any person that disagreed with our given point of view while talking and debating and drinking. It was decided that this should be a public place, a house, a Public House! HOORAY!! But let us please now shorten this to Pub on account of the British being very, very lazy with language.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These places became very popular, workers would meet after the days toil to 'chew the cud' or, if in Ireland have 'a craic'. As the proliferation of these establishments grew rapidly the need to identify one Pub from the next spawned the Pub name. In the beginning they took the lead from their patrons or surrounding area, such as The Coach and Horses which, as the name suggests was a refuelling station for Horses and their occupants, that hauled people, mail or produce from one town to the next. The Coopers Arms would have been frequented by barrel makers and The Kings Head was a Royal sycophant and so on and so forth. The Red Dragon was by far the most popular name for a pub but landlords, again appreciating their clientele, got clever, for instance a pub near the financial district of London calls itself 'Shaws Booksellers' so when a suspicious boss asked what you did in your lunch break you didn't have to tell too many lies and could leave the boss to assume you were studying. My personal favourite name for a pub called The Dog House. <strong><em>The pub is born!</em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every Hamlet, Village, Town and City had a pub or more than one pub. They did great business, admittedly these gaffs were mainly frequented by the working class but Winston Churchill loved the Pub, Prince William was often seen in Catherine's local pub in Bucklebury during their courting years and Madonna even owed a Mayfair drinking hole while married to Guy Ritchie. A Pub gives you and your area identity, you always met your mates in the pub, you probably met your spouse while in the pub, you've been offered dodgy cigarettes and stolen goods in a pub. It all happened in the Pub. <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Pub has changed dramatically over the last 20 - 25 years, the death of UK manufacturing has meant that shipyards and coal mines no longer spew out thirsty workers 'when the whistle blows' which has seen a decline in the Pub trade with around 30.000 establishments closing in the past 10 or so years. The survivors have had to adapt and cater to a more family market. Nearly all Pubs now serve food and redefine themselves as Gastro Pubs or even Restaurants and, to be fair, a lot of them do an excellent job though it would be wise to take a large pinch of salt to claims of 'Home Made' and 'Best Fish and Chips'. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You must visit a pub on any visit to the UK and I am here to assist you.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ordering</span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do not be put off by stories of 'warm, dark beer' - try the beer, agreed, it isn't ice cold like your American lager/blonde glass of gas but it has a thing I am sure you are going to enjoy called flavour. Beer is served not warm but at room temperature, it isn't gassy or fizzy but neither is it flat. You will order a pint (it used to be a half pint for the ladies but girls are not having that these days so get them a pint too). It should be poured with the glass tilted to the pump at around 45 degrees and, when the liquid has 'settled' have no more than an inch of frothy white stuff at the top of your glass then you drink through the froth. Politely ask to have your pint 'topped off' if different, you paid for a pint so you are entitled to a pint.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't make that North American mistake of asking to taste the different selection of beers on offer, it is a legitimate request but, trust me, irritates the server no end as well as the guy behind you who, on this rare hot day in England, is 'spitting feathers' (desperate fro a drink). Ask which is the local beer and stick to that; London Pride in London, Newcastle Exhibition in Newcastle and Boddingtons in Manchester - each region will have its own brewery supplying locally produced beer so get on side with the locals and flatter them in joining them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Ordering food</strong> in a pub is simple but perhaps different to what you are used to. Firstly, Pubs normally have an explanation as to what is expected of you on a blackboard sign as you enter the building. For example;</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Find a table, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Note the Table number, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Order and pay for food at the bar. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Top Tip - </b>while at the bar, ordering your food, purchase your drinks. These can be enjoyed in the 30 minutes it takes them to get your food to the table. In this scenario tipping is not really done here but it is always good to 'round up' if paying prior to the meal being delivered. In the event that you get table service with payment at the end of the meal then do as you normally do in a restaurant or see my last Blog 'Tipping in the UK'.</span><br />
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<h2>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good to know.</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><strong>Old Tam's Chair</strong></i>. Mainly found, though not exclusively, in country pubs this is the best seat in the house but set aside for the exclusive use of an old, loyal and eccentric customer who always sits there. The locals all know it is Old Tam's chair and even though the old git isn't even in the pub at that particular moment, you cannot sit there just in case he turns up. Better to tell you now diplomatically than have Old Tam bark at you on his arrival.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><strong>The Round.</strong></i> In the pub it is customary, when meeting friends and family or indeed any gathering of people, to 'get your round in'. For instance, if there was 5 people in your party then you will purchase 5 drinks, this is known as 'your round' then on completion of these drinks the second person, then third person and so on will WITHOUT PROMPTING get their round in. If you do have to prompt then keep it civilised to start with by saying to the gathering 'whose shout is it?' That should be enough to shame the next one up to the bar. It is a heinous crime to join 'a round' then leave before you have honoured your commitment. It can be seen as a sign of weakness if you declare that you do not want to join 'a round' unless you happen to be struggling financially or the wife is ovulating and you might get called back.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><strong>One in the Wood</strong>.</i> This is a description for a pint being left for you at the bar. Lets say your friend, Dave, has agreed to meet you in the Red Dragon at 7pm, you are late but, no worries, he orders a pint of Bishops Finger to enjoy while he waits. Then he gets a call from his wife to say that she is ovulating and he has to get home now and he had better be sober. When you eventually reach the pub you ask the landlord (this is before cell phones) 'where did Dave go' and he will pass on Dave's apologise but also hand you a pint, bought and paid for by Dave, with the words 'he left one in the wood for you'.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><strong>Last Orders</strong> </i>Is called loudly and verbally along with a ringing of a bell to let the whole boozer know that they have one last opportunity to buy a drink, (usually around 10.30pm). Unwritten rule and landlords discretion says you then have between 5-10 minutes to get up to the bar and order before...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><strong>Time Gentleman Please</strong></i> is called, to politely ask you to go home. Ladies please do not be offended by the call being to gentleman and not ladies, this is a throwback to when the only customers in a pub were men. Traditionally the only ladies that frequented such dens of iniquity were either prostitutes or collecting for the Salvation Army. None of you are excluded, the landlord/lady would now like all of you, regardless of gender, to 'Drink up' with the question 'no homes to go to?'. </span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LEAVE!</span></h3>
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<br />Chirton Grange Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356468586582678433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5604575086507866414.post-33258480801418066132018-05-08T06:28:00.000-07:002018-05-08T06:28:50.287-07:00Tipping in the UK - info for visitors
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
unanswerable question I get a lot from visitors to the UK is 'how much do I
leave as a tip? '</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As talking
cash in the Former European Country of Great Britain is still considered terribly
rude to most of us and simply not the done thing dear boy, I am here to give
you some answers. </span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The culture
of leaving or receiving a gratuity is still very alien to us Brit's so the
perennial problem for any fair minded North Americans heading this way (and
knowing you will tip), how much you should leave can become as complex
to you guys as 'how many times do I apologise for Donald Trump?' When the first
question when here is actually 'should I tip?'...you should
always apologise for Trump. </span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first and
most important thing you need to know is that 'WE ONLY REWARD GOOD SERVICE'</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whereas in
the US it seems that it is an (unwritten) part of the Constitution to leave a
tip, you do need to reset that thinking when calling in on us here in the UK.
For, brace yourself, a tip here is NEVER expected but ALWAYS
gratefully received. To explain,
most of us (I'll come back to that) are happy to reward good service but can as
easily register our disapproval of bad service by 1) NOT tipping before 2) 'tut
tutting' our disapproval loudly while shuffling out of the restaurant. </span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Traditionally,
rule of thumb says that, we leave a gratuity of between 10-15%, my wife gives
10%, me 15%. But then it gets a bit more complicated...</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll Keep
it Simple..</span></div>
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</span><br />
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</span><br />
<h2 style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Restaurants</span></h2>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scenario 1</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A £100
check - with ok service and you all getting the correct burger, leave £110.</span></div>
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</span><br />
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scenario 2</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A £100 check
- the service was good, lots of smiles and directions to Abbey Road, leave £115
- £120 </span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However,
you'd be no less thought of in sticking to the £110 tip, as in Scenario 1, as
long you back it up with a pleasant 'thank you' to your server as you
depart. </span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scenario 3</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A £100 check
- the service was exceptional, burger cooked to how you, not the chef, like it,
leave £130......you are now more popular than a Downtown Abbey Christmas
Special and should have the restaurant door held open and next Royal baby named
after you. </span></div>
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</span><br />
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Simple Eh?
Hmm, buckle up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most
restaurants now automatically, and somewhat sneakily, add a thing they call 'Service
Charge' to your final bill, which we Brit's do not consider to be Cricket.</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For example
purposes, and sticking with the £100 bill, a 'typical' service charge added
would read:</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Total.
£100.00</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Service
charge. £12.50</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Total.
£112.50</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The British
do not like Service Charge as it is the management telling us that we are happy
with the experience, before we have had the experience, we do not like being
told what to do (A little German fellow tried similar bully boy tactics back in
the 1940's so we took the cane from atop the cupboard and administered a damn,
sound thrashing) . Restaurants
do this because should the meal turn out to be a bad experience most of us, being
British, will never ask for the check to be adjusted (we consider public
confrontation unacceptable unless up against the French). Restaurant
management guilt you by saying that the Service Charge is introduced to ensure
all waiting staff received a gratuity (nessacery because of the terrible wages they
pay them!! ) Very worthy.... except remember? 'WE ONLY REWARD GOOD
SERVICE!!!!'</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back to our
£100 check.. </span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scenario 1.
Pay the Service Charge but DO NOT ADD A FURTHER GRATUITY!!</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scenario 2.
Pay the Service Charge then add £5 - £10 cash tip directly into the servers
hand.</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scenario 3.
Pay the Service Charge and add extra cash to server of around £20.</span></div>
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</span><br />
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Poor
Service. </span></h3>
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</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you have
had poor - terrible service then be brave, you are not going to like this next
bit, but ask for the
service charge to be removed from your check AND DO NOT TIP. They won't argue
but simply return an amended check with you paying for only the food/ drinks
you've consumed. Service Charge is NOT a law or an official tax (unless it is
clearly brought to your attention, usually on the menu, prior to you ordering)
and is, ultimately, them deciding what gratuity you should pay. A few
years ago it was exposed that a lot of restaurants, not all, were charging you
the service charge then NOT passing it onto their staff. Scandalous!!!</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's what I
do.</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Assuming I
first want to leave a tip, when the bill arrives I, quietly, ask the server if
they actually benefit from the service charge. You will be shocked at how many
of them give you a discreet shake of the head.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, I insist
the service charge be removed from the check then pass the cash tip (pertinent
to Scenario's 1, 2 or 3) directly to the waiter/waitress. The restaurant will
not/cannot complain as that money was going to the server anyway, RIGHT??. If
the server tells me that the management are fair and that they split the
gratuity then I would keep it official ensuring all, waiter to chef and
dishwasher, benefit. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remember,
if *Service Charge is going to be added then the restaurant should inform
you of that on their menu before you order.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<h2 style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Transport.</span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My particular
field of expertise and should I ever have the pleasure of driving you please
don't forget to add your tip for these tips to my driving tip. You have
several options with ground transportation so I'll break it down again as
you'll get away with paying less to some than others.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<h3 style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></h3>
<h3 style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">London Black
Cab </span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With over
6000 'Cabbies' swarming the city they count many fantastic, polite and
knowledgeable drivers on their ranks. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For a
Heathrow to City Centre a £70 fare can be rewarded with a £7 - £10 tip</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Journeys
across city. If the meter reads £17.20p give £20 and a 'keep the change'
victory speech, if it is bang on £20 give £2. If you have no change for that,
just say so, pay the £20 and leave ' as a tip is never expected but gratef.....
yeah, you get it.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good to
know: </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All, but all
London Taxi's have a credit card machine but you wouldn't believe the amount of
times the machine is faulty or lost Wi-Fi. Reflect that in your gratuity.
Also, conversations best avoided are Uber, Brexit and 'which soccer team they
follow?'</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<h3 style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Black
Car/Chauffeur Service</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heathrow to
City Centre, Tip £10 - £15</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Journeys
across City - all depends on service, vehicle and competence (as ever) but if
making single journey £5 is good. If making several journeys then always wait
until after last drop off and give £20 - £40.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<h3 style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Uber</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heathrow to
City Centre £10.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Journeys
across City: £3 - £5 </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Always much
more appreciated in cash and not on the app, as they have to wait for. (and
declare) that. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<h2 style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hotels</span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<h3 style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">5* </span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Concierge/Door
man - give him/her £20 as soon as you arrive.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Luggage
Delivery £5</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Taxi hail -
£2</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hotel
restaurant - see Scenario 3 in Restaurant section.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<h3 style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">4*</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Concierge/Door
man - give him/her £20 as soon as you arrive.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Luggage
Delivery £2</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Taxi
hail: £1 - £2</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hotel
restaurant - see Scenario 2 in Restaurant section.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<h3 style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">3*</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Concierge/Door
man - you'll open your own door </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Luggage
Delivery: lifts are over to your left</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Taxi hail -
you will hail your own taxi </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hotel
restaurant - do not eat in a 3* hotel restaurant, you deserve better. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good to know:
while at the airport money change load up with £5 notes and £2 coins, very
useful.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<h2 style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Private Tour
Guides </span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A tip should
be between £40 - £100 depending on length of day and enjoyment of tour. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good to
know: </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please do not
proffer cash towards your guide while in the hotel foyer, especially towards a
lady, Other guests will witness this and could jump to the wrong conclusion on
the type of service she has provided. On the flip side the same applies if you
have enjoyed a 'lady of the night' as other guests might, again, jump to
the wrong concussion and begin testing her Henry Vlll knowledge when all she
wants to do is go home and sleep.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<h2 style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">In summary :</span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A tip is
never expected but always gratefully received.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'WE ONLY
REWARD GOOD SERVICE'</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Service
Charge is still at your discretion* and not compulsory to pay.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lastly,
believe it or not, some people in the UK never, ever leave a tip, some will
even ask for the service charge to be removed then still not tip the waiter
even when the experience has been excellent!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, believe
me, you leaving any form of appreciation will be appreciated.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy your
visit to the UK</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am Kevin
Willis and I Travel for...My clients.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chirton
Grange Ltd. Award winning Chauffeur Company</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<a href="http://www.chirtongrange.co.uk/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.chirtongrange.co.uk</span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<a href="http://www.twitter.com/chirtongrange"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.twitter.com/chirtongrange</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
Follow us on twitter!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">+44 7725
467263</span></span></div>
Chirton Grange Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356468586582678433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5604575086507866414.post-68289588473437555452017-09-12T02:31:00.000-07:002017-09-12T02:31:16.405-07:00Become a London Gentleman with Chirton Grange<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A London Gentleman has long been held as the pinnacle of style and swagger. Ever since time began, the men in the Gentlemen's Clubs of London have been the yardstick of sophistication for men across the globe.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, thanks to Chirton Grange, you have the chance to step into their shoes for one day and leave the capital with everything you need to continue as a London Gentleman.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beginning at your hotel, your chauffeur will collect and take you for a traditional wet shave at one of London's top barbershops. Whether it's a traditional shave at Trumper's, something more modern at Ruffians or a celebrity cut at Joe and Co, you'll be looking sharp as we head to our next stop.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_NA5bzbiiwcH2QSwK9Ll4yti2Xb5QU0cFV0OUv9nul1_yhUtDRD7yV_JLi5fPeW1X9AhyJQ34QgNfFyF8Vc6cF7p47IhXp7ealoItYpZG0XPIcGI0pMuFDAWKSnpJ3vAH7bWjU0D828/s1600/TWO-GENTLEMEN-ON-THROGMORTON-STREET-LONDON-1937-by-EMIL-OTTO-HOPPE-BHC0929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="489" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_NA5bzbiiwcH2QSwK9Ll4yti2Xb5QU0cFV0OUv9nul1_yhUtDRD7yV_JLi5fPeW1X9AhyJQ34QgNfFyF8Vc6cF7p47IhXp7ealoItYpZG0XPIcGI0pMuFDAWKSnpJ3vAH7bWjU0D828/s320/TWO-GENTLEMEN-ON-THROGMORTON-STREET-LONDON-1937-by-EMIL-OTTO-HOPPE-BHC0929.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At Floris, you'll be taken for a "scent consultation" before spending some time with an aftershave specialist to mix your own scent - unique to you and complimenting your natural musk - which you'll then take with you in your monogrammed bottle to the suit fitting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paul Smith is a British designer who opened his first store in Nottingham in 1970. Ever since then, he's been designing suits and clothing for the gentlemen of Britain and you'll follow in their footsteps at a personal fitting before being presented with some choices. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After ordering your suit, we'll take you on to Dukes Bar in Mayfair - home of the Martini - to enjoy James Bond's favourite drink, safe in the knowledge you're now a London Bloke.</span>Chirton Grange Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356468586582678433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5604575086507866414.post-62108457381371063602017-05-08T07:55:00.001-07:002017-05-08T07:55:51.414-07:00A Standard British SummerSummer is coming to the UK (slowly) and before it all arrives, we thought we'd fill you in on some of the events taking place around the capital and the rest of the country. These are the standard annual events in a British summer but are, nonetheless, must see ahead of our quirkier preview of summer.<br />
<br />
CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW<br />
<br />
The tents and marquees have already begun springing up in the Royal Chelsea Hospital grounds overlooking the River Thames. By Tuesday 23rd May, it'll all be ready to go. Hundreds of gardeners, both professional and amateur will be exhibiting the fruits of their last 12 months labour for London and the World to see. The show runs from the Tuesday until the Saturday so book now before it sells out!<br />
<br />
WIMBLEDON<br />
<br />
In July, the cream of World tennis descends on SW17 to compete for one of the most prestigious trophies in the LTA calendar. Along with the talented competitors, the cream and strawberries, champagne and Pimms also descends on this decadent tournament. Starting on 3rd July and running until the 16th, this tournament runs for two weeks and although tickets have long since sold out, a select number are also available in another British classic each morning, "The Queue".<br />
<br />
FA CUP FINAL<br />
<br />
This year Arsenal take on Chelsea in the FA Cup final in May. The game, at Wembley Stadium, is the first all London tie in the Final since the same two teams competed in the 2002 final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. Again, tickets are selling fast but hospitality is still available for the day as are chauffeur cars to get you there<br />
<br />
ROYAL ASCOT<br />
<br />
The jewel in the horse racing calendar, Royal Ascot takes place between Tuesday 20th June and Saturday 24th June. The 5 day event brings together Royalty with race fans in all their finery to cheer on the finest that British Horse Racing has to offer. A day's hire for Ascot are available by car, coach and even helicopter.Chirton Grange Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356468586582678433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5604575086507866414.post-75118775386853360152017-03-14T06:54:00.000-07:002017-03-14T06:55:12.027-07:00A Magical TourAt <a href="http://www.chirtongrange.co.uk/" target="_blank">Chirton Grange</a> we’re one of the few Muggles who have the knowledge of the magical world and we’ve used it to bring you the complete <a href="http://www.chirtongrange.co.uk/harry-potter-tours.html" target="_blank">Harry Potter tour</a>. The day in London will involve traveling in a mystical Mercedes around the various sites before heading up to the Warner Brothers Studio Tour to get the complete immersive Potter experience.<br />
<br />
After being collected from your hotel in the morning, we’ll whisk you down to the Ministry of Magic and show you the entrances – sorry, you can’t go in – before a quick spin around Gringotts Bank with a stop for photos. We’ll then head to Diagon Alley and see the Leaky Cauldron as well as showing you the bridge tragically destroyed by the Death Eaters (miraculously still standing).<br />
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Once the selfie tour of Potter sites in London is complete, we’ll apparate off to North London and the Harry Potter Studio tour. This really is the best way to immerse yourself in the world created by JK Rowling, you’ll get to ride a broom, see more of Diagon Alley, visit the Great Hall at Hogwarts as well as learning spells and incantations.<br />
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And after all that, we’ll whisk you back to your hotel where you’ll be able to fall under a heavy sleeping spell and recharge for the rest of your break. NOTE – Please ensure you bring wands, you never know what Fantastic Beasts we’ll encounter<br />
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Chirton Grange Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356468586582678433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5604575086507866414.post-48461630888371869682017-03-07T07:21:00.000-08:002017-03-07T07:21:58.105-08:00A Tour of CornwallWell, Devon, Cornwall and Avon to be really precise... Recently we were asked by a client to put together a tour for the area for them and some friends. Naturally, we were only too happy to piece together our favourite parts of the area and the client - so please with our work - has naturally booked the tour already... In case you're wondering, it goes as follows<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Day One</span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Arrive to <b>London airport</b> (time to be
confirmed)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Depart airport for <b>Stonehenge</b> <i>(driving
time 2 hours</i>) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">A World Heritage Site, Stonehenge has stood for
around 4500 years, probably a place of worship and/or sacrifice, with no one
truly knowing the answer as to why it was built and why in this spot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Spend 1.5 hours then depart for:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Thomas Hardy Cottage</span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> <i>(driving time 1hr 15</i>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Few authors have such strong associations with the
natural and cultural heritage of their local area as Thomas Hardy. This
cottage, where Hardy was borne in 1840, was built of cob and thatch by his
grandfather and has been little altered since the family left.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Spend 1.5 hours then depart for;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">West Bay, Bridport<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The picturesque town of <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">West Bay</span> better known to viewers as ‘<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Broadchurch</span>’ in the hit TV show<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Overnight stay in <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Bridport/West Bay</span>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Day Two<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">After breakfast we depart <b>Devon</b> into <b>Cornwall</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Heading over <b>Dartmoor National Park</b>
and stopping for coffee at the infamous <b>Jamaica Inn</b>. Built in 1750 as a
coaching inn for long horse drawn journeys from London and Bristol into
Cornwall, the pub inspired Daphne Du Maurier’s book of the same title after she
and a friend became lost in fog while out riding, the horses leading them to
the inn and safety. Said to be one of the most haunted buildings in England.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Onto <b>Bodmin and Wenford</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Steam Railway</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">11.15am board a restored steam train for a 15
minute journey through the English countryside, disembark and meet your driver
at Boscarne Junction. Highly recommend pre-ordering your first (but not last)
Cornish pasty to sustain you through the journey. Like champagne, the Cornish pasty
is recognised as unique to the area and pasties made anywhere else but in
Cornwall cannot carry the Cornish title.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">As time dictates and at your leisure we
explore the beautiful fishing villages of <b>Looe, Polperro, Fowey</b> (a must)
before booking into your hotel in and around the town of <b>St Austell<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Day Three<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">After breakfast we visit the Eden Project<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">In the afternoon we will down to the hidden
but beautiful fishing village of <b>Cadgewick </b>where you can take a pub
lunch or buy fresh seafood, caught that morning, from the little shop. Onto the<b>
Lizard Point </b>which sees you stand at the most Southerly point in the UK.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">A quick look at Portleven before check in to your
hotel near Redruth for 3 nights<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Day Four<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Depart for the Minack theatre<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The idea for the theatre was born when Rowena Cade, who lived in
Minack House at the top of the cliff, decided to create a place for local drama
enthusiasts to perform Shakespeare’s <em><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Tempest</span></em>. Over the winter of 1931 and into 1932
Rowena and her gardener, Billy Rawlings, moved endless granite boulders and earth,
creating the stage and the lower terraces of the theatre, in the same place as
you see them today. The first performance was in August 1932.</span><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">PLEASE NOTE: </span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">this has to be a morning visit as they have a Matinee
Production.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Stop off at the lovely coastal village of
Mousehole en route to:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">St Michael’s Mount, Marazion. </span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">A stunning castle set on its own island which has been in
the same family, Lord and Lady Aubyrn since the 17<sup>th</sup> century. A
working island that employs 30 people and their families<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">You can walk over via the cobbled causeway at
low tide and either walk back before high tide or, if more time is needed, then
the boat back to the mainland.</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Day Five<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Starting at Lands End, </span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">famously the most South West Point of the UK, it is a must
to have a photograph taken alongside the signpost that reads NEW YORK….SYDNEY….etc.
We then head up the northern coastal path, passing through Sennen Cove, Levant
Mine towards St Ives, home of surfers and the Tate Modern Gallery. Finishing at
St Agnes before heading back to the hotel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Day Six<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Check out of the hotel and, after
breakfast head to the north of Cornwall taking in <b>Padstow</b>, a lively
fishing harbour that boasts three restaurants of the acclaimed chef <b>Rick
Stein</b>, Fish and Chips are a must here. Along the coast to <b>Tintagel
Castle</b> home of the fabled King Arthur, the first King of England before we
spend the afternoon, after about an hour drive, at the unique village of <b>Clovelly.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Drive to the
Historic city of Bath and stay overnight.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Day Seven<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Visit the historic city of Bath before
departing for the airport check in<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">1hr 45 minute drive to Heathrow or 2hr
15 minute drive to Gatwick<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
For this tour, and more like it, visit <a href="http://www.chirtongrange.co.uk/">www.chirtongrange.co.uk</a> or email us <a href="mailto:contact@chirtongrange.co.uk">contact</a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null">@chirtongrange.co.uk</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Chirton Grange Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356468586582678433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5604575086507866414.post-53620293162792717822017-02-16T05:17:00.003-08:002017-02-16T05:17:37.280-08:00A Little Story<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">A gentleman
of 81 years approached us recently and asked us to build a tour programme for
his next visit to the UK. The problem was that while we had worked with him
last year we where booked through a concierge company. Even though we now, for
others reasons, there was a conflict of
interest and we had to politely refuse the enquiry.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">The customer
said, "I've been coming to the UK, mainly London, for more than 60 years
and requested, if not begged, them to show me something new, different and
exciting.......so they booked me the Tower of London, Changing the Guard and
the London bloody Eye".<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">We really
couldn't/wouldn't be able to help this guy but can help many others.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">Chauffeuring
is our core business but we have developed or own unique brand of tours.
Combining our knowledge with the very best Blue Badge Guides we, your clients,
implore you to find Find The Gap, Go off Piste and THINK DIFFERENTLY!!!</span></div>
Chirton Grange Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356468586582678433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5604575086507866414.post-27839691977960328592016-10-27T01:16:00.002-07:002016-10-27T01:16:20.944-07:00London Bridge
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">Londinium
(later becoming London) translates as "the settlement on the wide
river" and is where the Roman's stopped marching and killing to begin work
on establishing their new Capital City (cheekily ignoring Colchester, Essex on
the grounds that it didn't have any Premier League football teams)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">And so to
work, beginning, as any self respecting Sim City builder would do, by building
a bridge. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">Today's
London Bridge is, in my opinion, the most disappointing of all the bridges that
span the Thames. Chauffeuring around many tourists as we sight-see our way
across this great city I'm yet to meet anyone who isn't underwhelmed by London
Bridge, admittedly there are a lot who believe Tower Bridge to be London Bridge
but, that explained, not one person has extolled the simple concrete structure
to be anything more than that, a simple concrete structure. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">The best fact
I know about the current pontoon is that it is hollow and the warm air from the
Tube is pushed through meaning that while all other bridges will freeze over in
a snow storm, London Bridge won't. Hmm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">This hasn't
always been the case though. London Bridge has a proud and magnificent history
with the area carrying many great spans over the centuries. My favourite was a
time when the bridge, carried not just people and traffic, but houses, shops
and even a two storey church, a la Pontevecchio, in Florence. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">To get a
glimpse into that time I head to the north side of the Thames, St Magnus the
Martyr Church to see a 4 metre model depicting the Bridge as it would have
appeared in around the 1400. It is an amazing peice of work and the detail of
around 900 people crowding the bridge shows King Henry V riding in from
Southwark with the Mayor of London waiting to greet him. There's even a
deliberate planting of a 20th century character which I didn't find (apparently
it is a policeman) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">The
claustrophobic hustle and bustle show London as crowded then as now and why the
congestion on the Bridge forced a decision that if crossing from North to South
then you stayed to the left, as you did if coming from Southwark to
the City of London. We still to this day drive on the left or 'correct' side of
the road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">The small
exhibition also has pictures and facts about the Bridge history, like the last
transition saw an American businessman relocate, stone by stone, the outgoing
bridge to give a focal point to his new housing development in Lake Havasu,
Arizona. My favourite picture is the one of two, new and old, Bridges along
side each other. </span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">London Bridge
has, of all the Bridges, the greatest history. It is where the decapitated
heads of 'traitors' where gruesomely mounted on a spike to deter any of the
like-minded. Where Watt Tyler crossed with his revolting peasants, though he
had to wait until the bridge opened as it used to closed at 9pm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">The
exhibition is small, free (donations excepted) and walking distance from the
Tower of London. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Chirton Grange Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356468586582678433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5604575086507866414.post-38532393173809008462016-06-28T03:18:00.003-07:002016-06-28T03:18:44.794-07:00Your Very Own Brexit
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Brexit has certainly made a few headlines across the World
and it seems to be the only thing anyone can discuss at the moment across the
UK. Whatever the implications for the UK itself, the economy and foreign
policy, there’s one immediate benefit to people across Europe and the World…
With the pound dropping against the Euro and the Dollar, there’s never been a
better time to holiday in the UK.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The 38 year low of the pound on Friday had the hidden
benefit of making your Dollar and Euro go much further than it ever has! Where
$500 on Thursday night would have given you £333.21, today you’ll get £379.41
for it. That’s a massive £46.21 extra which could be spent in the following
ways…</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #5b9bd5; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: accent1; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #5b9bd5; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent1; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Family tickets
to the Tower of london</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #5b9bd5; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: accent1; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #5b9bd5; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent1; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">two adult
tickets on the london eye</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #5b9bd5; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: accent1; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #5b9bd5; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent1; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ten pints of
lager</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #5b9bd5; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: accent1; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #5b9bd5; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent1; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">two tickets to
an English Premier League match</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not only will currency be cheaper to exchange, but the
relative cost for hotels, flights, food and drink will all drop against the
previous cost of a UK holiday. Airfares from the US have dropped to below $500
for a round trip which should be incentive enough to visit the UK. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But it’s not just the price of flying that should entice you
to the UK, connections on to Europe won’t always be as easy as they currently
are. Right now, when you arrive in London and clear immigration you then don’t
need to again if you decide to carry on to Europe afterwards. Although we love
a queue in Britain, the rest of the World isn’t so keen so to avoid those long
queues the next two years is when you need to be visiting the UK.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Luckily, if you’re connecting through the UK rather than
staying, there’s a number of options if you have a few hours to spare. For a
much cheaper price than ever before (cheers Brexit), you can take a Chirton
Grange car and spend the day in Windsor – like the Queen would – or even head
into London for a few hours. The car will, of course, have you back at Heathrow
in enough time for your onwards flight. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Obviously, we’d rather you stayed and toured the City with
us. The popular Chirton Grange Spy Tour which reveals the gruesome World that
lurks beneath the surface in London will no doubt have some more stories added
to it over the coming years and the family fun of the Football Tour will now
give you a chance to see more English talent than ever before thanks to
immigration laws changing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So although there’s a lot to frown about with Brexit, maybe
there’ll never be a better time to visit the UK…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Chirton Grange Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356468586582678433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5604575086507866414.post-18858914440812075832016-04-20T07:25:00.001-07:002016-04-21T04:52:08.485-07:00Making it happen, whatever...
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">One of the
greatest sights you will ever behold is that of the London Marathon. Thousands
of runners, from top athletes through to people dressed as chickens, pound
their way past the many familiar landmarks on route to completing many months
of training.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">It isn't so
welcome in the chauffeur world though but only for the practical, obvious
reason of all the roads being closed. So it is the one day in the calendar that we
at Chirton Grange don't go looking for work in the Capital. That said, we do
not ignore any client request but certainly look out for other companies
wanting to generously pass on to us that 09:00 Greenwich to London City airport
transfer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">Some client
requests are helpful in that their route doesn't cross that of the Marathons
so, in fact, they are easy jobs as most motorists refuse to drive in London on
Marathon Sunday....not so simple this year though.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">Our mission,
should we choose to accept it, comes from one of our largest clients. To get 12
of their valued Travel Agents from Heathrow airport to the Cheval Three Quays
Hotel at around 1pm on Sunday.....Marathon Day. The hotel sits beautifully on
the River Thames practically underneath Tower Bridge and will be hemmed in by
over 30000 runners, the route crosses past Tower Bridge twice, with roads
closed from 0600-2000. The last thing anyone needs after an 8 hour flight is a
further 8 hours sitting in Starbucks</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">At Chirton
Grange we always look for solutions not problems, say yes then work out how,
and here is how we are going to do it.</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">First we pick
up the group in 2 x Mercedes People carriers we would normally use a coach for
12 people but we might need to 'weave' the back streets and this will be
quicker. Then, after some investigation we know we can get to the London Eye
before meeting any road closure. The cars finish here and we now escort
our guests to the London Clipper Boat service placed right under the Eye. In
around 20, uninterrupted, minutes we will step off at the Tower Pier not 50
metres from the hotel door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">The added
bonus is that our guests will get an amazing view of the runners as they head
down the Embankment and all this for only an extra £7 per head when using their
pre-purchased Oyster cards. Our escort will assist with check in before jumping
back on the Clipper and return to the waiting car. Tom Cruise eat your heart
out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Chirton Grange Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356468586582678433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5604575086507866414.post-80186042465522233192016-01-22T07:48:00.001-08:002016-01-22T07:48:33.718-08:00Soccer Tours
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">We refer to
it as 'Day 3 Syndrome'<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Most parents
reading this who have brought their family to tour the UK will know exactly
what we are talking about. Day 3 is when the younger members hit the wall and
are done with Henry VIII and Stonehenge. Well, we have the solution.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">First, let's
start as we mean to go on as in dear old Blighty we call the worlds must
popular game 'football' and, while a huge chunk of the rest of the planet refer
to it as 'soccer', we are going to pull rank on this because, well, we invented
the sport so it's our ball and you don't get to play unless you agree.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The English
Premier League is arguably the greatest football league in the world and,
without question, the richest. England also has the oldest professional team
(Notts County) and we are the only country to have 4 professional, full
time leagues. In short, we live football.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">On their
visit to the UK it is on most sports fans 'tick list' is to watch a game of
football. With the majority going on to break the bank by committing to the Holy
Temples of the football powerhouses and the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and
Manchester United.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">While we
totally understand that, and you should do this if you can, we want to
introduce you and your family to a football experience that aims to blow away
the jet-lag and burn some energy off those who are now twitching for their
iPad again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Every week is
different and dependant on the fixtures etc but it should go something like
this:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Eat breakfast
like a professional and meet us in the hotel lobby for a private chauffeur
transfer to the:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Wembley
Stadium Tour- the home of football<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Don't be
fooled by the state of the art stadium you'll see today; this place is haunted
by the only England World Cup win and over a century of Glorious
FA Finals, internationals and concerts. With time for photos by the pitch
and in the dressing rooms, this really is football heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Then onto<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Foot
Golf <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Always had a
problem getting the golf club to do as you tell it? Well now let your feet do
the talking, as the name suggests, you are going to play a round of golf
by kicking a football around the fairway and into the hole. A fantastic
and fun day part of our day but who will get the boasting rights and come out
on top?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Next up, it's
lunch. This is always flexible and dependant on time but you call the shots.
Let us know what you fancy and we will book it in advance so we are not late
for the BIG 3pm kick off.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Gillingham,
Brentford, Leyton Orient are teams we would be very surprised you'd heard of
but that is where we are heading next to watch professional football at a high
level if not the exactly the top level. Stopping briefly at the club shop (not
compulsory) for a memento of your new found passion it's then into the ground to
watch the match.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">There is a
wealth of quality football (subject to alteration) being played every weekend
away from the big wages and high ticket priced top teams. Football watched by
'ordinary' people, in places the corporate giants shy away from sponsoring,
where you can still stand on the terraces and drink your Bovril* watching
tackles fly in that 'they wouldn't get away with in the Premier league.
Football player as we all watched growing up here in the UK.</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">After the match, you will of course then be whisked back to your hotel to get the kids into bed and enjoy a few glasses of wine!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">You will need
suitable clothing, footwear and a sense of fun. The love of soccer (we'll give you
that one) is helpful but not the determining factor in the whole family
enjoying the day together.</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Email is to
find out more </span><a href="mailto:contact@chirtongrange.co.uk"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">contact@chirtongrange.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> and
pleased do so in advance of your traveling so we can work out the best day/game
possible to make it a day to remember.</span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">*Other meat flavoured drinks are available... Actually I don't think they are, but alcohol is...</span></span></div>
Chirton Grange Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356468586582678433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5604575086507866414.post-17757440549411747052016-01-11T06:17:00.000-08:002016-01-11T06:17:19.459-08:00Beat the January Blues with Chirton GrangeSo Christmas has been and gone. New Year came and went. I guess now you're all back to the grind and but not quite with it enough to be writing 2016 when you write the date? Thought so. <br />
<br />
It's an odd time of year this, people are all getting over Christmas and that seems like an excuse for many not to get out and do things ("Oh I would, but you know, it's January..."). Well fear not because Chirton Grange has a comprehensive list of January and February goings on around the capital that we're sure will get you out there. <br />
<br />
<strong>London Art Fair - Business Design Centre, Islington</strong><br />
This one probably ticks that New Year's Resolution box to be more cultured. The event takes place at the Business Design Centre in Islington from 20th January until the 24th January. The even better news is that with Time Out London, you can get 40% off a ticket...<br />
<br />
<strong>London International Mime Festival</strong><br />
The mime festival takes place from 9th January until 6th February at various venues and in various events over the time period. There is a full list available <a href="http://www.mimelondon.com/" target="_blank">here</a> but as mime isn't really our cup of tea, we haven't got a lot else to say about it........<br />
<br />
<strong>Henry IV - Barbican</strong><br />
Again, if you're after filling your culture commitments, January in London can help you out. The RSC (Royal Shakespeare Company) returns to the Barbican for parts one and two of the Henry IV between 14th January and 23rd January. We understand that Richard II will be making an appearance later in the year. Probably best to <a href="http://www.chirtongrange.co.uk/" target="_blank">book a car</a> for this one and enjoy with a lovely evening meal. You can <a href="mailto:contact@chirtongrange.co.uk" target="_blank">contact Chirton Grange</a> about these bookings...<br />
<br />
<strong>Lumiere London</strong><br />
This is fantastic, this. 30 artists have been asked to fill London with light between the 14th and 17th January. There's anything from neon dogs to light up stick men climbing buildings going on. There's a full list of 30 attractions <a href="http://files.londonandpartners.com/visit/whats-on/special-events/lumiere/lumiere-london-map.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>, alternatively, you can book an evening tour with <a href="http://www.chirtongrange.co.uk/" target="_blank">Chirton Grange</a> and we'll show you them all!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXI00QYOd7RwpUVQJOMed225T7F9lXyGrOGuOjgPuw19zvxMU7ydkdvxMwdcd0jXyPvR74C-mMI8QX215n-RHsM6W-6i0waqi77VkC8SqACIuKBp4AEcoIFsLzOrqTeP0RHVlDE68gfqo/s1600/dogs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXI00QYOd7RwpUVQJOMed225T7F9lXyGrOGuOjgPuw19zvxMU7ydkdvxMwdcd0jXyPvR74C-mMI8QX215n-RHsM6W-6i0waqi77VkC8SqACIuKBp4AEcoIFsLzOrqTeP0RHVlDE68gfqo/s320/dogs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<strong>Chinese New Year</strong><br />
So you thought New Year was over, right? Well it isn't. Relive the celebrations with the Chinese New Year parade in London on 14th February with the morning parade through Charing Cross Road and Shaftesbury Avenue. You can follow this up with an evening in Chinatown for the celebrations. Why not treat that special someone since this year Chinese New Year coincides with Valentine's Day.<br />
<br />
<strong>Imagine Children's Festival</strong><br />
The Southbank Centre will once again put children in charge as it celebrates the annual children's festival. This year there's a Roald Dahl theme to proceedings and various readings by other authors, as well as Music, Film and comedy for appropriate ages. This runs from 10th Feb until the 21st so check out the website for more information<br />
<br />
<strong>Grimaldi Service</strong><br />
This is a must see, it really is. You won't think so when I tell you what it is, but it's a must see... On 7th Feb, clowns will gather at the All Saint's Church in Haggerston to honour the king of clowning, Joseph Grimaldi. Obviously. Well worth a look, you can book a car for the occasion with <a href="http://www.chirtongrange.co.uk/" target="_blank">Chirton Grange</a><br />
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<strong>Craft Beer Rising</strong><br />
Definitely <a href="http://www.chirtongrange.co.uk/" target="_blank">book a car</a> for this one, you won't want to be driving or negotiating public transport... The Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane will be hosting 150 exhibitors of finest ale, craft beer and lager with over 380 beers to be sampled. Although there's no token system anymore, the beers are still much cheaper than you'll get them for in pubs across the country so get down to take advantage. This festival runs over the last weekend in February, 26th-28th.<br />
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So there you have it, try and get out and do just a few of them and I'm sure the January/February blues won't strike this year. It'll also get 2015, sorry I mean 2016 off to a cracking start and tick a few of those resolution boxes. <br />
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Of course, better than trying one or two is to <a href="mailto:contact@chirtongrange.co.uk" target="_blank">contact Chirton Grange</a> and incorporate them into a London tour with a dedicated car and driver for the day, meaning you can concentrate on just enjoying yourself<br />
Chirton Grange Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356468586582678433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5604575086507866414.post-82775697695151171172015-12-07T02:56:00.000-08:002015-12-07T02:56:15.774-08:00Christmas Skating Rinks in LondonChristmas is a time when people tend to eat and drink a bit more than they should. They also splash out on gifts that they'd never normally purchase. They also, for some reason, combine this with taking up an Olympic sport. As you can probably tell already, I'm not a big skater myself but many people in the UK and the capital are. I'm not down on skating personally, I can see the attraction and romance in it, I just can't do it... So with that in mind, please understand this list of skating rinks in London is graded by the whole experience, not the quality of the skate!<br />
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<strong><u>Eye Skate - London Eye</u></strong><br />
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This rink is situated directly underneath the London Eye making it a really rather magical experience. In the dark evenings when the Eye is lit up and the Christmas lights around the rink come on, you couldn't wish for a nicer setting to fall and break your ankle... I mean skate! You can combine with a flight on the London Eye for a small break in the price or just solo skate. Prices are £9.45 for adults and children go free (except on the weekend).<br />
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<strong><u>Hampton Court Palace</u></strong><br />
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This has been going on for some years but is a reasonably well kept secret... The magnificent palace of Henry VIII sets the backdrop for one of London's more spectacular skates. Luckily, it's separate from the maze - could you imagine getting out of there on skates? What's more, this year the palace celebrates 500 years of existence so combine it with a look round the palace, it's well worth it! Not to mention of course, the Ice Bar and Café for refreshments. Tickets are £11.50 for adults and £8.00 for children.<br />
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<strong><u>Wembley Park</u></strong><br />
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Imagine skating around with a Christmas fair, food market and vintage fairground rides in the background. Now add in the spectacular archway of the home of English football and you've got skating heaven... The designer outlet at Wembley is to thank and for just £12 (adults) or £10.50 (kids) you can be a part of it!<br />
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<strong><u>Natural History Museum</u></strong><br />
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The Natural History Museum, designed by Alfred Waterhouse, is a pretty spectacular sight most of the time. However, now there's a skating rink and Christmas fairy lights adorning the imposing building, it's worth of its own adjective. They've even been considerate enough to add a smaller children's rink so the little ones can practice before they take the plunge on the main rink. Tickets are £15.40 for adults and £10.45 for children.<br />
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<strong><u>Skate at Somerset House</u></strong><br />
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There's a Fortnum's Lodge selling champagne and afternoon tea. Do you need another reason? Ok, this is traditionally the most well known of London's winter skate rinks but with the rise of the rink, it's been creative to stay ahead. This year there will also be club nights provided by Ministry of Sound and Island Records. I can't believe you want more reason than that? Prices are £14.60 for adults and £10.10 for children.<br />
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<strong><u>Tower of London</u></strong><br />
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The rink, creatively is in the dry moat. In my head this is harping back to a great tradition of when the moats froze over and the poor people were invited to skate on it at Christmas. That probably isn't it at all but it's a nice romantic image to end on... Just don't misbehave here, they've got ready made cells!<br />
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Well that's our favourite rinks in London. An honourable mention goes to the one at Canary Wharf that just didn't make the cut. Purely on the fact that you'd have to be hanging around all those finance people... Do you want that at Christmas? Chirton Grange Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356468586582678433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5604575086507866414.post-34163001911935274192015-12-02T06:04:00.003-08:002015-12-02T06:04:34.385-08:00Christmas Markets and Fairs in LondonNext up in our series about Christmas in London, the markets and fairs!!! Now, there's hundreds of them and to be honest, they're all pretty good so we're not going to tell you about them all. However, if you want to know about them all, check out <a href="http://www.timeout.com/london/christmas" target="_blank">Time Out London.</a><br />
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No, we'll just be telling you about our favourite 5 Christmas markets and fairs in London, the most central ones! The ones that <a href="http://www.chirtongrange.co.uk/" target="_blank">Chirton Grange</a> can whisk you about to and from...<br />
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<strong><u>Barbican Market - 4th December to 20th December - Barbican Centre</u></strong><br />
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The Barbican Christmas market has over 35 independent designers, brands and artisans showcasing their goods and crafts for you. Choose from vintage clothes and designer clothes, arts and crafts, jewellery, books and toys. Of course, no Christmas market is complete without plenty of mince pies and mulled wine. Thankfully they won't be in short supply at the Barbican market.<br />
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<strong><u>Christmas Market at the Tate Modern - Until 23rd December - Tate Modern</u></strong><br />
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The Tate Modern has this great space between the gallery and the Thames and over the Christmas period it's put to excellent use as a Christmas market. Wooden chalets fill the space selling everything from handmade wooden toys to unique jewellery and fabulous Christmas decorations. Once again (you may see a theme here) the day out can be accompanies by glorious Bratwurst, crepes, roasted nuts and plenty of mulled wine. There's also a traditional Christmas carousel, probably have the wine after that though...<br />
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<strong><u>Hyde Park Winter Wonderland - Until 3rd January - Hyde Park (obviously)</u></strong><br />
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This is huge and everyone probably knows all about it! One of the biggest Christmas fairs in the country, the huge Christmas market is accompanied by a fun fair and, of course, Santa lurks in a grotto! Don't come here if you're on the fence about Christmas though, the constant Christmas music (you know the ones) and plethora of Christmas is great for kids and big kids. <br />
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<strong><u>London Bridge Christmas Market - Until 3rd January - London Bridge</u></strong><br />
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A personal favourite area of London so a personal favourite Christmas market. Probably better know as More London Market, the London Bridge do has over 100 independent traders selling homemade gifts and food from German style chalets. Yet again, alcohol is the order of the day with Christmas cocktails, mulled wine, hot cider and craft beers in abundance. <br />
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<strong><u>Bavarian Christmas - 12th and 13th December - The Crystal, Canning Town</u></strong><br />
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Be quick, this one is only around for the weekend and ticks the boxes where fairytale Christmas is concerned. I'm not sure why, but we Brits have a very Bavarian style view of the perfect Christmas. There is, of course, an indoor market to be enjoyed by all and chalets that serve - you guessed it - Bavarian food (sausage) and drink (beer and wine). Then, the family friendly stand up from the Comedy Club should hit the spot.<br />
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So there you have it, our favourite Christmas markets and fairs in London. As mentioned, there's hundreds more where that came from so don't feel limited to this list! Next up in our Christmas series is favourite ice skating venues so look out for that this week!Chirton Grange Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356468586582678433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5604575086507866414.post-23878788137024830802015-12-01T04:01:00.006-08:002015-12-01T04:01:42.630-08:00Christmas Trees in LondonSo, as it's Christmas now in the UK (I'm sorry people who went before now, but no decorations until 1st!!!) we were going to do a blog on the best Christmas bits in London. However, in researching we found absolutely thousands of things to be done in London... So welcome to part one in our Christmas series of blogs for things to do in London. We begin, traditionally with the tree. Now, London has hundreds of tree displays, from the main Trafalgar Square tree to the individual hotel displays, some of which are spectacular. <br />
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<a href="http://www.chirtongrange.co.uk/" target="_blank">Chirton Grange</a> has helpfully picked out the best and our favourites for you, to make the day in London seamless.<br />
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<strong><u>St Pancras Station Disney Display</u></strong><br />
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Not strictly speaking a tree, this one, but it is in the shape of a tree. Over 2000 Disney stuffed toys have gone into making this tree, all of which will be donated to kids charities in the new year so nobly it makes an entry this year. Also handy as if you're travelling into London from Kent or Essex or Yorkshire, you'll end up here and your Chirton Grange car will pick you up here.<br />
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<strong><u>Norwegian Spruce - Trafalgar Square</u></strong><br />
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This one gets switched on on Thursday December 3rd so still time to get down to see it! The tree is donated by the Norwegian government every year (since 1947) as a thank you to Britain for our help and support in World War 2. Often the tree is over 20m tall and is automatically associated with Christmas in the capital.<br />
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<strong><u>Damien Hirst Tree at the Connaught</u></strong><br />
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Now, one might not normally associate Damien Hirst with a traditionalist idea of Christmas. And you'd be right. This large tree displayed by the Connaught is decorated by Damien with surgical instruments. Sound odd? Wait until you see the snowmen made from pills! However, the meaning behind the decorations is very Christmas, the surgical instruments represent hope. Hope brought about by medicine and science. So still quite Christmassy...<br />
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<strong><u>Nordic Pine and the Ritz</u></strong><br />
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Now the Ritz is definitely more traditionally Christmassy. This old school display of Nordic pine isn't set around one large tree but many smaller ones. As with the Ritz, this one is one for those with a more old school ideology of Christmas.<br />
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<strong><u>Duke of York Square</u></strong><br />
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As always, Chelsea bring their A Game to Christmas (perhaps someone could tell Jose and his boys about this) with what can only be described as more of a forest of trees. Two tall 28ft trees dominate this display but a further 46 seven foot trees and 6 fourteen foot trees give you the impression of being in an Alpine forest, decorated beautifully, of course.<br />
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<strong><u>Dickensian Christmas - Borough Market</u></strong><br />
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You can rely on Borough to bring a more traditional and Victorian vibe to the whole idea of Christmas. And of course, if there's one Victorian who encapsulates Christmas, it's Dickens. His Christmas Carol isn't necessarily referenced in the market, but you certainly feel every bit in the tale with Scrooge and Tiny Tim. A 28 foot tree is joined by 22 Victorian wreaths suspended from the iron roof to bring Christmas to the market,<br />
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Coming next, we'll be discussing Christmas Markets and Fairs in London. Yet again in this cosmopolitan and multi-cultural city, there's something for everyone to get involved in. Chirton Grange cars are available in London for day and evening hires to see the trees, markets and shops. Just get in touch or visit the <a href="http://www.chirtongrange.co.uk/" target="_blank">website</a>Chirton Grange Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356468586582678433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5604575086507866414.post-5998445563560362592015-11-23T05:05:00.001-08:002015-11-23T05:09:54.708-08:00Becoming the best (small) chauffeur company in the UK<br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This week, Chirton Grange became the best small chauffeur
company in the UK as voted by our peers and an independent panel. Small is a
little misleading. By comparison we’re smaller than a lot of companies, but as
we put in our pitch, Chirton Grange are the biggest small company in the World.
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While we won’t list our clients in a blog, they’re
multi-national companies based across the World, all of whom religiously book
through Chirton Grange whether they’re after a single airport transfer, day
hire of an MPV or a week long coach booking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Anyway, back to our award - currently sitting in pride of
place on the shelf with last year’s second place and our chauffeur of the year
award – there’s a very warm feeling in the office right now. While it’s always
nice to win these awards, the fact that the panel of judges included other
chauffeur companies, the editor of our trade magazine and the director of the
“driver’s accountants” considered the go-to guy in the industry, made the award
even better. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Recognition for a good job is fantastic, but recognition
from your peers for a good job well done is the best kind of praise. Chirton
Grange has come a long way from humble beginnings of one car and driver working
20 hours a day to being the UK’s best small chauffeur company.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Of
course, recognition isn’t the reason we do such a good job. The repeat business
of our clients and the satisfaction of doing a good job is the motivation for
Chirton Grange. The awards obviously help…</span></span>Chirton Grange Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356468586582678433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5604575086507866414.post-20835110101122805752015-09-01T06:18:00.001-07:002015-09-01T06:48:03.640-07:00Transfer Deadline Day: The unsung heroesIt's not easy being a chauffeur most of the time. You spend a lot of time sitting around waiting and doing ridiculous jobs that have dropped on you at the last minute. But, it's a service industry so the client has the prerogative to do what they want when they want, and that's fine, they're paying after all.<br />
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<img class="media-image" data-height="801" data-width="1014" height="252" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CN0cYg6WcAAu7ov.jpg:large" style="display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="320" /><br />
Ibarbo looks set to join Watford today from Roma...<br />
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When events like transfer deadline day come round, it can be a nice change of pace from the norm. A last minute phone call, pick up at Heathrow, head to Emirates, don't be seen, wait for the client, head to a hotel. It's all very exciting for the chauffeur. Of course, we can't tell anyone this exciting news (the above example is entirely made up). We sit there, at the centre of the whole of deadline day, with the news the World is waiting to hear (apparently) and no one says a word.<br />
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It's not like we couldn't either. One call into the press and there'd be a handsome sum sitting in our account for the news, I'm sure. Some chauffeurs probably do. Not us though. Sometimes (in fact most of the time in this game) having a client's confidence is much more preferable to that one quick payday. I mean, these guys who sell the stories generally never work again after that, so was it all worth it?<br />
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For the drivers at Chirton Grange it isn't. Our client's confidentiality is paramount and certainly more important than making a headline or two. I mean, we could tell you stories about all sorts of things that have happened in a Chirton Grange vehicle... we're not going to though.<br />
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So this deadline day, while you're enjoying all the goings on and seeing someone being driven into a stadium for a late medical, spare a thought for the chauffeur, the unsung hero of the deadline day deal...Chirton Grange Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356468586582678433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5604575086507866414.post-5713387951475056662015-06-04T08:26:00.001-07:002015-06-04T08:26:06.995-07:00Bibury
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">"Do I pronounce
this place Bib-ury or Buy-bury", asked my clients - a Brazilian TV host and
her crew.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Being from
Newcastle, my phonically correct accent offered that 'Bib' not 'Buy' was
correct.....it wasn't, apparently, as the pompous hands-on-hip resident sternly
told us it is pronounced Buy-bury, act-ual-ly<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I absolutely
love the Cotswolds area of the UK, truly stunning, so couldn't believe when we
arrive in Bibury that this is my first time here. It is picture postcard
beautiful, in fact if Disney ever wanted to open a stereotyped theme park of
an English village they don't need to bother. It has been done Walt, it's called
Bibury. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The
Coln River seems to bubble up from behind the Trout Farm, where you can
catch, whack and cook your sport for a price. The river then ambles down under
the bridge passing bending stone cottages with ducks and swans hitching a lift
on its watery back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The locals where
less welcoming than the view though; we had the terse lady who corrected our
pronunciation (unfortunately it was after my guests had already done two 'takes
to camera'), then some guy stomping past us sarcastically blurting out, "in England
it is customary to say good morning back". We hadn't heard his first greeting
and after a short exchange of views and my explanation of English eccentricity
(I'm sure that's what I called him) we moved on. On top of that they tend to
drive very quickly towards strangers in Bibury with a determined 'bloody
tourists' look on their faces.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">When working
around Heathrow airport I notice that many of the locals have 'NO 3rd RUNWAY'
signs. This leads me to ask 'is there anyone living near Heathrow, or any of
our major airports, that didn't know the airport was there when they bought the
house?' Same goes for Bibury, I would view the property and then ask myself
whether the constant throng of tourists would bother me....it would....so I
wouldn't buy there. What I'm basically saying is you made your Laura Ashley
bed, mate, so you lie in it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">On that note
and to take their point, try to be in Bibury as early as we did because by 11am
it goes from sleepy village to city centre rush hour mayhem. Coach loads
of Japanese photographers pile in to snap the scenery. They arrive in 50 seat
coaches and for 20 scurrying minutes it is a Kodak bloodbath, they don't see
the actual village until they get home and have picked up from Snappy Snaps.
They then follow the umbrella back to the coach only to be replaced
by another diesel pumping monstrosity as soon as a space appears. The
inadequate roads block quickly and the already tight bridge becomes the focal
point for angry motorists and reversing mini buses. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Bibury lacks
the commercialism of better advertised Cotswolds luminaries such
as Broadway and Stow on the Wild so doesn't have endless crafty gift
shops, art galleries and tea rooms which is refreshing and means
coffee has to be taken in either the Trout Farm (fish delicious, coffee not) or
one of the two hotels which is expensive (though the Swan Hotel garden alone is
worth the money just to be able to sit back and re-caffeine while watching the
carnage).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Bibury is a
truly beautiful place if you arrive early or after 4pm, don't speak to the
locals and have already had a coffee. It is a must see place on any visit to
the Cotswolds but....you wouldn't want to live there<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Chirton Grange Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356468586582678433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5604575086507866414.post-53967550065160635882015-04-20T05:38:00.002-07:002015-04-20T05:38:07.525-07:00George Clarke's Sky Den
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">After
watching the TV programme, George Clarke's Amazing Spaces, and
knowing of my wife Nicola's fascination with the stars (astrological not Hello
Magazine) booking the Sky Den at the Calvert Trust site was a must.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">Arriving into
the Kielder Water/Forest park is stunning enough, an enhanced expanse of
water lapping the beautiful and under
rated kingdom of Northumberland since 1982. Add in the fact that
this is a designated Dark Sky area gives further reason to want to visit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">The Calvert
Trust caters mainly, but not exclusively, for mentally and physically
challenged people of all ages giving a chance to experience such pleasures as
the climbing wall, zip wire or to blast Clay Pigeon from the Sky (via lasers).
All the staff we meet are wonderful and the first is Jackie who checks us in by
delivering our keys and a common sense set of rules as our dog Scooby becomes
the centre of attention. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">The Sky Den
is amazing. The concept of triangle (bedroom), square (living) and circle
(outside space) are cleverly shoe-horned between trees and suspended over a
river putting you as close into nature as physically possible. Crossing the
bridge is the only way to the wooden construction that blends the den into
the surroundings and takes no attention away from the natural beauty of the
area. Entering the 'square' gives you every thing you need to survive, don't
get me wrong this isn't the Hilton but neither is it roughing it in the wild.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">The wooden
furniture that is 'jigsawed' into the wall gives the first task as you have to
pop it all out and assemble before sitting down to dinner; great fun and very
clever. Although, be warned, while concentrating on a game of Scrabble (no TV
or Wi-Fi) later that night it became most uncomfortable and probably cost me the
game........twice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">Now the
reason for our journey is upon us and with the doors to the balcony open we
step out and look up to a blanket of stars brilliant and bright against a
jet black sky and with no light pollution to spoil our enjoyment we see why
Kielder is designated an official Dark Sky area. Even for people like us
who don't really have a clue what we are looking at and spent most of the night
trying to work out which way was North, it is a display not to be missed but it
isn't long with the temperature dropping rapidly towards freezing.
I'm reminded of why I had left the North some 35 years ago (well it was
for work really) as it is now bloody cold and I'm off to bed. So up to the
Triangle and the piece de resistance, for with the simple push of a button the
roof splits and separates leaving nothing between you and the stars but the
cold air. At least now I'm snuggled under a duvet. Stunning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">The morning
is no less spectacular as the mating birds and bubbling river make for the
perfect alarm call. Down to the bathroom, where you can if so desired,
multi-task by shaving and showering while sitting on the toilet (I'll spare you
that photograph).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">Breakfast is
taken by the wood burning stove in the circle which, while small, is big enough
and hot enough to boil our kettle on. This sets us up perfectly for a day
fishing in the lake, another first for us, starter rod and kit can be
purchased at the Leaplish Centre (who then send you to Tower
Knowe Centre) for £70, with an extra £3.75 for the mandatory fishing
license and we are off. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">We are
blessed with the weather over the two days we are in Northumberland,
cold nights but summer days makes all the difference to the mood and
success of our visit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">The Calvert
Trust look to do some amazing work, but what they have in endeavour is
equalled by a lack of flair and marketing on the business side. Their website
is amateurish and does nothing to sell their incredible products and service.
It told us to bring absolutely everything with us but as it turned out, the
den had everything supplied, even the Scrabble. This means I now resent the 3
hours I spent finding torches and plastic cups to bring. For those wanting a
bit more luxury the Straker Lodge is the one for you as it gives
a hot tub, flat screen TV and intrusive WiFi - and probably a more
sophisticated telescope than the you one the Sky Den had. That said we didn't
even know which easy was north never mind how to find Uranus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">Support the
Calvert Trust, visit Northumberland and see the stars<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Chirton Grange Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356468586582678433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5604575086507866414.post-9096709349352139512015-03-11T09:43:00.004-07:002015-03-11T09:43:41.480-07:00Southbank...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Beauty, some
say, is in the eye of the beholder and that 'Beauty comes from within' or, one
more and my particular favourite when consoling ugly people 'its not important
what you look like on the outside but (both hands clasped to heart) 'what is on
the inside that counts'. </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">These
condescending ramblings are perfect for Twitter 'Bio's' and also all pertinent
to the buildings that make up the Southbank area of South London.
Festival </span>Hall has the audacity to have Royal ahead of its name and
the Haywood Gallery is possibly the ugliest use of concrete outside of a
Bulgarian social housing estate. Their own website calls it 'brutal
architecture' and 'last of few remaining' but that's because, thankfully, they
managed to demolish all the others before the idiots that handed this
eyesore a Grade 1 listed status could cause any more trouble.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Squeezed between the bridges of Westminster and Waterloo the
Southbank, as it is now known, does however have beauty on the inside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The area has
reinvented itself as the trendy, arty part of town. With the Royal
Festival Hall playing diversity from Gershwin through to Gary Nyman and the
Cappella Choral Composition to Comedy in the Dark (April 2015 listings) there
is something for everyone.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being honest
there isn't much I'd personally want to go and see but that says more about me
than anyone else. The dozens of acts that perform here are, perhaps, away from
the mainstream so it is fantastic that London has a centre to showcase such
talent and give people a chance to go and see them.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thursday 9th
April sees the Opening Gala of the very popular Underbelly Festival where
Violet the Upside Down Cow returns to form the main stage for a range of
different acts allowing, among many others, acrobats, comedians and the Amazing
Bubble Man to perform throughout the month (southbankcentre.co.uk/underbelly)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With a range
of excellent restaurants and cafes dotted around the halls including Wagamama,
Le Pain Quotidian and Giraffe you can now spend a whole day at the Southbank
Centre. If you go, as most will, between Friday and Sunday there is the awesome
(and I don't use that word lightly) Real Food Market giving up to 40 different
stalls cooking food from around the world.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Festival Hall
cost £2 million to build (admittedly in 1951 when £2 million meant something)
and £111 million to renovate (2007). To me, it is as evident as to why it was
so cheap to build as it is impossible to see where the £111 million
improvements are but this doesn't really matter because this ugly set of
sisters has all its real joy from within.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span>Chirton Grange Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356468586582678433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5604575086507866414.post-74183346995254251142015-03-10T05:07:00.001-07:002015-03-10T05:07:29.681-07:00The Savoy, London<div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Visitors to London who are fortunate enough to stay at the Savoy Hotel are probably already aware that the small road leading to it is the only street in the UK where you legally drive on the right (wrong) side of the road.<u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There are a few reasons as to how this came about and I'll give you them now without the pompous declarations and claims of other posts as to which is correct.<u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">When the Lords and Ladies of bygone years were being dropped off at the hotel it was (is) tradition that the Lady sat behind her chauffeur. So in approaching from the right meant that the hotel doorman could open the ladies door first and her ladyship didn't then have to climb over her portly husband in an unseeming fashion.<u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The London Black Cab has been the most powerful force on the capital streets, up until the surge (pricing) of the Uber app, </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">and by entering Savoy Court American style, with clients attending the Savoy Theatre situated alongside the hotel, they did not block the hotel entrance as they dropped off (if luck was on their side they could drop one punter at the theatre and collect another from the hotel. Double bubble as the Cockneys would say. </span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img width="340" height="192" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1/s/?view=att&th=14c038f4ce87c2ca&attid=0.2&disp=emb&zw&atsh=1" style="border: none;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Savoy can justifiably claim to be the grandest hotel in London, indeed the world, with one of its main rivals being the Ritz Hotel situated out along Piccadilly. A hotel founded by a former manager of the Savoy, Cesar Ritz, who left to 'do it better' and be his own boss. How he succeeded in such magnitude is all the more impressive as Mr Ritz was a hopeless alcoholic and, in a former employ, would run through the guest corridors at 5am ringing a bell as he chased his wife with a gun.<u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img width="63" height="93" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1/s/?view=att&th=14c038f4ce87c2ca&attid=0.3&disp=emb&zw&atsh=1" style="border: none;"><u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Businessman Prince Al-Waleed Bin Talal Bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud, or the artist formally known as Prince (to his friends), spent countless millions renovating the Savoy a few years ago with many traditionalists never returning due to the fact that they hated the new decor or they'd died during the 2 years it was closed. <u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Since King Henry gifted the land to Peter, Count of Savoy, in 1246, (why he didn't wait until 1 o'clock is a mystery and very old joke) the place has stunk of the rich, famous and privileged. Vivien Leigh met her future husband Laurence Olivier here and even our future Queen Elizabeth chose the Savoy as the venue to officially be seen 'out' with Philip Mountbatten.</span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Take a look, take a photo and, if you are actually staying there, as many of the toiletries as you can.</span></p></div>Chirton Grange Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356468586582678433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5604575086507866414.post-2528097448969484802015-02-23T07:54:00.001-08:002015-02-23T07:54:04.807-08:00Summer Solstice 2015
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Stonehenge
used to be open access to all, in fact not so long ago people barely bothered
with the mysterious rock formation, planted just off the A303 in Wiltshire.
Then the owner of the field in which it sits bequeathed the land to English
Heritage who put a fence around the stones, a turnstile quickly followed before
eventually the multi million pound exhibit you pay to see today was born and.......no
touching the stones. To be fair, souvenir hunters were guilty of chipping bits
off so I guess their intentions were at least honourable and for the good of
preservation.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">The summer
and winter solstice celebrations (longest and shortest day of the year) gives
us the rare opportunity to get up close and very personal to the Henge. To walk
around and with-in the Henge (not really a Henge) overnight before
watching the sun rise over the heal stone from the inner circle. Powerful,
mystical and memorable.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">We wouldn't
be being honest if we didn't warn you that this is not for everyone. Access to
the stones is made possible because the modern day druids and wizards believe
this to be their religious right. But, its success does mean that crowds of
between 18000-35000 converge on the site, some for the experience but most for
the party (The Glastonbury festival follows close after the Summer solstice and
is 'en route').</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">There are
many police and security on hand and, when I did it, I never felt threatened,
just irritated. Arrests for minor drug offences are common as are people
calling you 'dude' and telling you they love you.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">We will
pick you up from your home or hotel and transport you in comfort to a
pub/restaurant of your choice close to the site. Wellington boots and
torches are needed for the 15 minute walk to the stones from the vehicle
(please note this is over a field and it could be wet...haha did you think
summer meant summer?) Head towards the music, drumming and festival noise where
we dance until dawn (dancing is optional). </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sun
rises around 04.45am to great celebrations and, if honest, relief in that the
return journey beckons. We'll stop for a well earned breakfast and a
chance to swap stories and photographs before heading back and the comfort of
your bed.</span>Chirton Grange Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356468586582678433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5604575086507866414.post-79197963533641125072015-02-16T08:52:00.005-08:002015-02-16T08:52:58.293-08:00Bespoke Tours of the UK<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Someone
once said that ‘Time and Tide wait for no man’ Time: meaning that no one person
is more powerful or can halt the onset of time, Tide: well, if you are late for
your cruise ship it, and its Greek captain, will not wait for you. </span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We
at Chirton Grange are always looking for ways to enhance our clients visit or
experience and with the launch of our new website <a href="http://www.britishchauffeurtours.co.uk/">www.britishchauffeurtours.co.uk</a> </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
are looking to further that service. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">For
clients arriving into the UK to meet up with a cruise ship we invariably find
that visitors like to arrive a few days early or, if on the day of sailing,
very early in the morning. Now, what to do? the cruise companies do a
marvellous job of herding their new arrivals around the airport terminal as
they wait for ‘just a couple of more flights’ to then eventually send all
packing on 50 seat coaches and to compound the matter this </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">isn’t
necessarily a cheap option.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Up
steps Chirton Grange (fanfare please) who can organise a straight transfer from
airport or hotel to the ships gantry or, should time allow, arrange to show you
something of our historic and beautiful country on route to the ship.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">For
example, let us take our busiest starting point, Heathrow airport. All our
guests are met in the arrivals hall by their own dedicated, suited chauffeur
holding a bright and clear iPad name board. We are not waiting for anyone else
as we now assist you with your luggage to the waiting vehicle, we recommend the
Mercedes Viano (mini-van) as cruise clients never travel lightly, where your
comfort is enhanced by the supply of complimentary mineral water, the days
newspaper and WIFI connectivity. We can go directly to the ship or why not try:
<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A 15
minute journey into lovely Windsor and its Royal Castle, take afternoon tea in
the Crooked Café, tour the Castle or simply stroll the lovely Thames riverside
crossing to gawp at the sons of the rich and famous at the elite Eton College.
We then have 1.5 hour trip to Southampton.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Our
unique ‘Selfie’ whirlwind tour of London. Once into the countries capitol city
we may not have time to go into the many museums and galleries but can
certainly get you around and photographed outside all of the major landmarks
London has to offer. As with all we do this can be tailored to individual
needs. Some want the famous Abbey Road/ Beatles shot others want the Tower of
London, we’ll make sure you get them all including the Red Telephone box- Top
Tip; This is great for teenagers who get bored easily. You shop and we’ll shoot
them (with a camera)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The
mystery of Stonehenge is only around 1.5 hours travel time with around another
hour then needed from the site to the port. A great way to fill in your time
and tick a box, boxes can be made available to tick if needed. With the
recently opened, multi million pound, Stonehenge exhibit on offer before you
are shuttled down to the real thing this is an opportunity not to be missed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "Comic Sans MS";"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">On </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.britishchauffeurtours.co.uk/">www.britishchauffeurtours.co.uk</a> </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
we don’t really do ready-made tours but would rather you give us the remit of
your likes and interests then let us build your own personal experience. Be it
Winston Churchill, Downton Abbey or Harry Potter to the Battle of Britain or
The Beatles we can build it. Steam trains to afternoon tea, English wines to
warm beer, history….oh you get the idea.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
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</span>Chirton Grange Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356468586582678433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5604575086507866414.post-13566143142179222172015-02-12T03:27:00.001-08:002015-02-12T03:27:23.714-08:00British Chauffeur ToursChirton Grange is embarking on a new adventure. Over the past few years, while chauffeuring people around this beautiful county, we've become quite adept at running tours and our knowledge of the land has improved drastically. We're also building relationships with cruise companies, travel agents and the tourist industry as a whole.<br />
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As part of this, we've noticed that a lot of the tours already in existence aren't really geared towards families with teenagers. At all. Young kids have the family days out and zoo's etc. Older kids (18+) can go to the pubs and nightclubs that make up London's excellent nightlife. But what if you're between 12 and 18? There's plenty to do in this country, loads of ways to spend the day, but they just aren't apparent!<br />
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That's why, we're looking to work with companies who offer these days and experiences to put together a "family day out". We'll take the kids off to Greenwich to fight Zombies, while Mum and Dad can have a look round the Maritime Museum and have a lovely lunch. Or we could drop Mum and Dad at a civilised restaurant in Southampton from the cruise, then take the kids to paintball for the afternoon.<br />
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We remember that in those ages we didn't like anything. It was all very uncool. So was the word uncool... So, let's take the kids off your hands for the day, take them to something they will enjoy and leave the parents to go and have a nose round an art gallery. Kid-free.<br />
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So, this is an appeal really, we've got some great ideas and venues in mind, but we need the help of anyone we can to put together some really great days out. So get in contact to <a href="mailto:contact@chirtongrange.co.uk">contact@chirtongrange.co.uk</a> or visit <a href="http://www.britishchauffeurtours.co.uk/">www.britishchauffeurtours.co.uk</a> or Tweet us @BritishTour.<br />
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Thanks for reading!Chirton Grange Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356468586582678433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5604575086507866414.post-41514358401410359892014-10-11T01:33:00.001-07:002014-10-11T01:33:10.525-07:00Spare Wheel Robberies....
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Quick
note, <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Many
Viano drivers are having their spare wheel stolen from under their vans and,
literally in some cases, their noses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Having
had the misfortune to have had to change a flat tyre, on the hard shoulder of
the M20 at 0430am while POB, it was a relief to note that Mercs had put some
thought into such a situation. I dropped the wheel and released it in under 3
minutes without having to crawl under the vehicle in my best M&S suit. All
good, but this simple system also works in the favour of the
thief. They, apparently, push a cushion under the spare, snip the cable
and effortlessly steal your wheel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There
is speculatation that London cabbies are inadvertently supplying a market for
the thieves in their new style Vito's but there is certainly no shortage of
takers as there seems to be more Viano drivers who've suffered than not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Take
extra care, when out working try and park in a place that makes it difficult
for them, yes, they are stealing them while you work, or get a chain fitted to
cable. The cost of a chain would be around £40 while a new spare is £300<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Chirton Grange Ltdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17356468586582678433noreply@blogger.com0