Stonehenge was high on my list of things to see and I am satisfied with the experience, but I did not have expectations of 30 meter high stones that I would be able to walk freely around and through.  In fact, the highest stone is about 7.5 meters (25 ft) and the monument is roped off so the closest that one can get it about 25 meters (100 or so feet) from the stones.  The £6.50 admission fee (included with most tours) includes an audio guide that does its best to put whatever guesses the experts have about the artifact into context.

Stonehenge is a good experience and recommended for Druids, major history enthusiasts with great imaginations who are not looking for concrete rock solid answers, and people with some time to kill in London who are looking to see the beautiful English countryside.  It is not recommended for people who have limited time in London, people who will be disappointed with only 25ft high stones, and all others who have used the words ‘underwhelming’, ‘overrated’ or ‘boring’ to describe the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Parthenon, Tower of London and or the Roman Forum.

How to get there:

Train is an option but the logistics are a bit complicated.  Probably the easiest way to see the Hanging Rocks is to go with one of the numerous tour companies.  There are a number of tours that either swing by Stonehenge after Windsor Castle and before Bath (approx £65) or go directly there and back (£25 and includes admission).  No matter how you try to do it you are looking at a minimum of 6 hours to get there, see it, and get back.

St. Christopher's Inn London Bridge hostel - The Village dorm-cam

It was not that long ago that a trip abroad meant disconnecting with friends and family while you found yourself and figured things out.  Then getting away became a little more difficult when along came the internet, digital cameras, Skype, Facebook and now web cams in hostel dorm rooms.  Yes that’s right, St. Christopher’s Inn the London based hostel chain with locations throughout Britain and Europe has installed a dorm-cam into a 14 bed dorm room so the goings on of consenting hostel guests can be monitored 24 hours a day by just about anyone with an internet connection.

According to Murray Roberts, Group Sales and Marketing Director, “There’s nothing out there like this and in the test runs so far, our travelers are loving it. It’s being used to wave at Mums and Dads on the opposite side of the world, celebrate birthday parties happening thousands of miles away and for catching up with friends who are hanging around our other web-cams.”

Interacting with the dorm dwellers isn’t far away either and soon viewers will be able to send the residents free beer for all the fun stuff they do and sound off fog horns in response to the not so popular antics!

Yes, the guests do know about the web-cam as St. Christopher’s has just launched a new booking policy to insure that everyone is up to speed on what is going on.

If you are interested in tuning in to St. Christopher’s new dormcam just visit wwww.stchristopherslive.com.  There is a sign in after viewing for one minute.

We have just found out that St. Christopher’s Inns’ ‘The Village’ hostel on Borough High Street has won the prestigious title of Best Budget Accommodation in London – for the second year in a row.

Top attractions at the Village, which is near London Bridge Train Station (but that’s why iKangaroo gives you the map), include a comedy club graced by Lennie Henry and Jack Dee, a roof top hot tub, sauna, Belushi’s bar, basement club and free Wi-fi.

The Village is also connected to two other hostels on the high street – the Orient Espresso coffee shop and the St Christopher’s Inn, a modern gastro pub.  Between these three locations guests can make the most of a cyber café and a free travel library.

St Christopher’s Inns has locations across Europe including in Edinburgh, Bath, Newquay, Brighton, Paris, Berlin, Bruges and Amsterdam.  Each has a strong reputation for delivering quality to its guests which has been nicely reinforced with their latest award.  Good on ya!

]]> http://ikangaroo.com/2008/11/28/congratulations-to-st-christophers-inn-the-village/feed/ 0 http://ikangaroo.com/2008/03/24/deepdale-earthday-april-22-2008/ http://ikangaroo.com/2008/03/24/deepdale-earthday-april-22-2008/#comments Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:28:55 +0000 Chris http://ikangaroo.com/2008/03/24/deepdale-earthday-april-22-2008/ Press release– Deepdale Backpackers and Camping, at Deepdale Farm on the beautiful north Norfolk coast, is an eco friendly backpackers hostel and campsite.

On Earth Day 2008, 22nd April, Deepdale Backpackers and Camping will be hosting a whole range of eco friendly organizations for an Earth Day exhibition about the environment, including environmental technology installers, advisors, pressure groups and other related organizations.

Whether you are looking for solar panels, wood chip boiler, LED lights, ground source heat pump, wind turbine, need some advice about how to green up your home or business, want to know more about organics or just fancy a look around Deepdale’s eco-friendly facilities, you are more than welcome.

It doesn’t matter if you are already interested in the environment, want to become more eco friendly or you’re a skeptic.

Who should visit this exhibition:

• Businesses looking to green up their organization
• Companies wanting to save money on services
• Architects and builders wanting to learn about more eco friendly building materials and techniques
• Farmers looking to diversify and needing some inspiration and of course
• Individuals who would like to make their homes more energy efficient

Plans are still being confirmed, so check back soon for more information.

Exhibitors include:

Earthly Ideas: Diversification, Environmental and Marketing Advice

Deepdale Backpackers and Camping: Eco friendly hostel and camping accommodation on the beautiful north Norfolk coast

Sun, Wind and Rain: Installer’s of solar photovoltaic, wind turbine’s and rain water harvesting system’s. Also supply low energy L.E.D lighting, biomass boilers, composters and eco-building materials

Norfolk Solar: Install solar water heating on domestic properties

Eastex: A free service to keep useful materials in circulation via the internet

Mosscliff Environmental Ltd: Suppliers and installers of small wind turbines 1kw to 20kw

Designer Stubble: Builds with straw, timber frame and other natural materials – building that does not cost the earth

Solarworks: Solarworks Ltd have been installing solar hot water and pool heating systems throughout East Anglia for 25 years. Grants available

Earth, Wind and Fire Solar Ltd: Solar thermal products (UK supplier & installer of the T2 flat plate panel). Sales of wood burning stoves for space heating and central heating

Crestmont Ltd: Domestic and larger wormeries, Composts and mulches, Organic wormcast compost

Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre Anglia: Free independent energy saving advice for domestic households on energy efficiency, renewable technologies, and sustainable transport

Norfolk County Council: Provides free environmental advice to all Norfolk businesses across a range of environmental issues including waste and recycling, energy and water efficiency, pollution prevention and legal compliance.

Andrew Morton Associates Ltd: Chartered Quantity Surveyors providing cost advice and commercial management of building projects.

Period Property Preservation Ltd: Instand foundation system for environmentally sensitive areas

British Wild Flower Plants: Specialist Wild flower nursery supplying over 400 native plants with known provenance including green roof and grey water treatment plants.

Fisher Energy: Fisher Energy can provide a complete renewable energy solution

Recycling & Waste Management

Borough Council of Kings Lynn and West Norfolk: The Council provides waste and recycling services to over 1000 businesses in West Norfolk protecting the environment and saving money

Redwood Power Systems Ltd: Design/implementation of building management systems, improving the environment and functionality for its occupants, reducing operational and maintenance costs.

NSP Renewables Ltd: Installers of renewable energy products BRE/Low carbons building registered installer (2142904)

Newborn Nappy Laundry: 100% cotton nappy laundry service

CPRE Norfolk: The Campaign to Protect Rural England have led research on Green Buildings in Norfolk – booklets, exhibitions, presentations and tours – come and find out more about the campaign.

GreenFinder: Showcasing the best eco friendly products and services online and at green events and exhibitions throughout the U.K

Magnotherapy UK: Magnetic fuel saving/limescale reduction devices for vehicles, heating & plumbing systems. Works for gas, oil, petrol, diesel & water.

Norfolk Wildlife Trust: Working to protect and promote Norfolk’s wildlife, helping people identify what they can do to help wildlife in their areas. They will be a sustainability quiz for people to do, resources to buy and free wildlife advice on offer.

RSPB: The RSPB speaks out for birds and wildlife, tackling the problems that threaten our environment. Nature is amazing – help us keep it that way.

Dipetane Distribution: Dipetane Fuel Treatment improves fuel economy aprox 10% whilst lowering smoke 50% and emissions 25%. For Petrol, Diesel, Biodiesel and Heating oil.

More exhibitors will be announced in due course.

If you would like to exhibit or to find out more information about exhibitors please visit: www.deepdalefarm.co.uk/earthday

One of our friends in Rome, Italy turned us on to Kris Mole, self-professed slacker now turned fund raiser, from England who is traveling to each European capital to raise money for cancer in the memory of his late aunty, Susan Proto.  Here is the catch, on November 1st Kris turned up in Stockholm, Sweden without a pence in his pocket.   So, for the last month he has been traveling through Europe while living on the kindness of others and on his wits.  To date Kris has raised about $1,800 / 950 Sterling.  Kris threatens that if he raises 2000 Sterling by January 1, 2008 he will stand naked at the Eiffel Tower with, “Message to the French, garlic is not a deodorant” written across his chest.  I suppose that in itself is a reason to donate….maybe? 

Kris’s exploits can be followed both on his blog and if you are a FaceBookie then you can join his group “The Great Euro Freebie Challenge”. 

Kris, Good Luck and Happy Travels 

About Kris’s charity: Cancer Research UK

Cancer Research UKis the world’s leading independent organization dedicated to cancer research.  It supports cancer research into all aspects of cancer through the work of more than 3,000 scientists, doctors and nurses.  Over the past 10 years alone, thousands of lives have been saved through early detection and treatments.  But, much work needs to be done if they are to achieve their aim of beating breast cancer.  Charity Registration No. 1089464

Hello Travelers!

Burnham Deepdale is a picture perfect, low key and culturally fulfilling tourist destination outside the big city and off the beaten path. Only two hours northeast of London on the North Norfolk Coast, which has the official designation of ‘an area of outstanding natural beauty’, Burnham Deepdale offers numerous activities including: walking tours, cooking classes, yacht-master courses, classes on how to Green Up your business and home and during November and December seal pups can be seen on nearby Blakeny Point.

As a true budget travel destination there are typical and not-so-typical reasonably priced accommodations such as a traditional backpacker hostel, a group backpacker hostel (for larger groups), camping and authentic Sioux Native American style tipis (teepees to some people).

For those looking to indulge in the local scene they must do so early as the local pubs, The Jolly Sailors and The White Horse , which also provides accommodations, close at 11pm.

Burnam Deepdale is a fantastic escape to get inspired and recharged. The area offers plenty of activity, natural beauty, delicious seafood and a variety of accommodations that will not break the budget; in fact, the moderate prices will help travelers get back on budget.

Happy Travels and enjoy the North Norfolk Coast

More research:

Visit www.deepdalefarm.co.uk and www.earthlyideas.co.uk for information on Burnham Deepdal and the surrounding area. These sites provide information on the weather, transportation, activities and how to book the accommodations mentioned in this article.

This year’s fest is taking place from Saturday 22nd to Sunday October 7th and is the 197th edition of the original 1810 wedding festival. 

Average price of a liter of beer is expected to be between 7.50 and 8.00 Euros

There are 14 “tents”.  Each with a certain style.  Do your best to explore a bunch different tents because you’ll  have a much richer experience.

Excellent sight seeing tour:  Mike’s Bike Tours

Recommended accomodation:  Euro Youth Hotel

Fantastic information source: http://www.oktoberfest.de/en/02/content/

Enjoy Yourselves!