Information to help you!

We’re off to the TT this year and are intending to camp, there are a few campsites which are advertised however I’m sure every farmer will try and make a bit of cash each time by letting people camp in his fields!

To warn you all, dont even consider the Noble Park Campsite, as when I called today the guy on the other end of the phone politely told me that I was about 4 years too late and that the campsite doesn’t exist any more! this was frustrating as it was apprently positioned right behind the TT Grandstand so ideal positioning for racing and Douglas at night.

So my search continues however I’m a little reluctant to pay nearly £10 each per night, although I think this might be the only option. Also be careful you read the booking requirements as some campsites make you pay/stay for a minimum of 4 nights, which again in our case with only staying 3 nights would add another £20 to our bill for the 4th night.

We are going from the 4th June til the 7th June so 3 nights in total with the Saturday and Sunday acting as the main race days that weekend with both sidecars and bikes.

To try and make peoples life easier I have copied the following links for you all so you dont have to go through all the searching that I have had to do, here you go

www.isleofmanbreaks.com

www.touristnetuk.co.uk

www.isleofmanttcamping.com

www.ttwebsite.com

There are a couple right in the heart of Douglas where you will be paying just under £10 each per night so this is probably where we will end up!

Also just for your reference here is the TT website – www.iomtt.com

The market has been steady and consistently still lately, there may be signs of it picking up. I want to show you our new house and tell you a little bit how to transform a house into a home.

We bought this in March 2010 and anticipate getting the keys by May 2010, where work will commence. We are currently waiting for the survey results but already think we know the full extent of what needs doing. On first inspection of the property I was put off by the house, dont ask me why I just didnt like it! this wasnt the opinion of my girlfriend who absolutely loved it at first sight. Wanting to start off on the right foot with my girlfriend I took her opinion on board and being the true gent I said we should go and see it because she wanted to.

After viewing the house I felt even stronger about the fact that I didnt like it. However being inspired by my girlfriend and taking the time to actually think of the potential of this place we would be fools not to take this house on. Note to self one of the big mistakes people make is to take the house at face value and not think wide enough to what it could be and how you can see yourself there when it is exactly how you want it, all for a bit of hard work!

At the moment the front of the house has a concrete path and driveway which we intend to take out and make it a bit more attractive and give it a bit more curb appeal. Our ideas are to go for a more country cottage style house with warm, classy features. On the front we intend to knock down the block wall and go for something like below but higher, I think the old rustic railway sleepers make a good effect in the garden and would cap off the end of the drive well, gravel in front where the cars are going to be would again be more appealing. An idea here is to also incorporate some nice lighting (LED) within the sleepers to supply light to the path and stone steps that will take you from the drive up to the house itself.

Our intention with the back garden is to build a log store as we are going to have a multifuel burner in the living room with logs stacked either side of the burner in the recess with a nice solid oak beam above the stove that stretches nearly the length of the chimney breast, similar to the below image.

Other improvements that we intend to do for ourselves when we live there and to add value are:
Rewiring
New Boiler and Heating System (Worcester Boiler due to reliability, and possible 10 year gaurantee that is now offered)
New Carpet throughout
New Plastering in places
Rip out old kitchen and replace with new kitchen suite including Belfast Sink
Kitchen work includes ripping out old pantry and creating another 6.7ft x 4.6 ft of space for 2 seater sofa/chair, we also intend to make a feature wall here by leaving exposed brickwork and adding an oak beam midway up the wall
Breakfast area in kitchen to also have new flooring throughout and 6 seater wooden table and chair set
New bathroom suite
Add a downstairs toilet under the staircase which will be accessible straight off the hallway
New faciers and soffits
Joinery work will include, all new doors, frames & skirting boards
General decorating will include paper and paint throughout
External work will include work described above for the front garden including a dividing fence on each side to modernise the front space and add privacy. We are also going to create off road parking for 2 cars, which will really add appeal and value to this house.
Rear garden will house a shed, veg patch for that cottage feel and because there is nothing better than ‘growing your own’! we will also build a pagola and seating area at the top of the garden, the slabbed patio near the house (at the back) will just need a quick pressure wash to clean up the sandstone slabs, this should be a really nice space for entertaining, bbq’s and just relaxing in the peace and quite, if we’re lucky we should be able to see the fields too for that country view!

I hope to get some pictures up here of the actual work that takes place, some befores and afters too and all the tips and thing to watch out for when doing certain works, i.e installing kitchens, bathrooms, oak beams, log burners, heating systems, boilers, radiators, plastering, laying carpets, rewiring etc…..

A new presenter has been allocated to the new Moto GP season for viewing on all of our screens! Suzi Perry has hung up her Moto Microphone and Jennie has now stepped in. Suzi blessed our screens with over 10 years of presenting, through Rossi’s outstanding decade and Casey Stoner’s uncatchable season.

Jennie has commentated on radio and for the Motocross so she is delighted about this new challenge that awaits her, a fresh face for a fresh season! The race season pans out as below so make sure you dont miss one, get these in your diaries now!

April 2010
3rd – 5th British Superbike Championship rd 1, Brands Hatch Indy.
9th – 11th World Superbike Championship rd 3, Valencia, Spain.
9th – 11th Moto GP: rd 1 Losail, Losail, Qatar.
16th – 18th British Superbike Championship rd 2, Thruxton.
23rd – 25th World Superbike Championship rd 4, Assen, Netherlands.
23rd – 25th Moto GP: rd 2 Motegi, Motegi, Japan.
30th – 2nd May Moto GP: rd 3 Jerez, Jerez, Spain.

May 2010
1st – 3rd British Superbike Championship rd 3, Oulton Park.
7th – 9th World Superbike Championship rd 5, Monza, Italy.
14th – 16th World Superbike Championship rd 6, Kyalami, South Africa.
21st – 23rd British Superbike Championship rd 4, Cadwell Park.
21st – 23rd Moto GP: rd 4 Le Mans, Le Mans, France.
29th – 31st World Superbike Championship rd 7, Salt Lake City, United States.

June 2010
4th – 6th Moto GP: rd 5 Mugello, Mugello, Italy.
18th – 20th Moto GP: rd 6 Silverstone, Silverstone, Great Britain.
24th – 26th Moto GP: rd 7 Assen, Assen, Netherlands.
25th – 27th British Superbike Championship rd 5, Mallory Park.
25th – 27th World Superbike Championship rd 8, Misano, San Marino.

July 2010
2nd – 4th British Superbike Championship rd 6, Knockhill.
2nd – 4th Moto GP: rd 8 Catalunya, Catalunya, Catalunya.
9th – 11th World Superbike Championship rd 9, Brno, Czech Republic.
16th – 18th Moto GP: rd 9 Sachsenring, Sachsenring, Germany.
16th – 18th British Superbike Championship rd 7, Snetterton.
23rd – 25th Moto GP: rd 10 Laguna Seca, Laguna Seca, United states.
30th – 1st August World Superbike Championship rd 10, Donington Park, Great-Britain.
30th – 1st August World Superbike Championship rd 10, Donington Park, Great-Britain.

August 2010
6th – 8th British Superbike Championship rd 8, Brands Hatch GP.
13th – 15th Moto GP: rd 11 Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.
27th – 29th Moto Gp: rd 12 Indianapolis, Indianapolis, United States.
28th – 30th British Superbike Championship rd 9, Cadwell Park.

September 2010
3rd – 5th World Superbike Championship rd 11, Nurburgring, Germany.
3rd – 5th Moto GP: rd 13 Misano, Misano, San Marino.
10th – 12th British Superbike Championship rd 10, Croft.
17th – 19th Moto GP: rd 14 Aragon Circuit, Aragon, Spain.
24th – 26th British Superbike Championship rd 11, Silverstone Arena GP.
24th – 26th October World Superbike Championship rd 12, Imola, Italy.

October 2010
1st – 3rd World Superbike Championship rd 13, Magny-Cours, France.
8th – 10th British Superbike Championship rd 12, Oulton Park.
8th – 10th Moto Gp: rd 15 Malaysia , Sepang, Malaysia.
15th – 17th Moto GP: rd 16 Phillip Island, Phillip Island, Australia.
29th – 31st Moto GP: rd 17 Estoril, Estoril, portugal.

November 2010
5th – 7th Moto GP: rd 18 Valencia, Valencia, Spain.

On your bike Suzi

This is so funny, watch the video of Rufus Hound performing Cheryle Cole’s ‘fight for this love’ song

http://www.sportrelief.com/whats-on/video-clips/rufus-hound-crowned-king-dancefloor

Courtesy of the BBC

all in aid of a good cause……

Check out these videos, there great.

Smithy with Man U – http://www.sportrelief.com/whats-on/video-clips/introducing-sport-reliefs-friday-night-tv

Christine Bleakley – http://www.sportrelief.com/whats-on/video-clips/make-it-work-christine

Rufus Hound – http://www.sportrelief.com/whats-on/video-clips/rufus-hound-crowned-king-dancefloor

All courtesy of the BBC

Wayne Bridge is standing down from England duty for the South African World Cup. He claims that it is best for his team mates and England that he removes himself from the squad.

Capello wants him to be a part of the team but with his team mate John Terry playing right along side him it could create difficulties. As we all know John Terry had an affair with Wayne Bridge’s ex who is also the mother of Wayne Bridges child.

Capello hopes Bridge will change his mind as there is still time before the final team is decided, although this bold move from Bridge appears pretty concrete and I doubt he will change his mind.

A lot of people seem to think Bridge is over reacting although many also think that he is doing an honourable thing for his team and country. I beleive it is honourable but also a shame as I think he has a lot to offer and should be a part of the world cup.

Man City will soon play Chelsea, this could spark a very interesting game as Terry & Bridge meet as opposition in what deems to be a great game of football between two top teams.

I hope Bridge maintains his dignity in this clash but hope that if he ends up tackling Terry then its a tackle that knocks the wind out of him.

If you want to relax, bask in the sunshine and be sailed around the Caribbean Islands on a 58 foot Catarmaran ‘Yacht Braveheart’ is the way to do it. We chartered out Yacht Braveheart last year and are doing the same next week! We had an amazing time and Yacht Braveheart with its new refurbishment offered us a luxury, top of the range experience.

The Catarmaran has everything and more on board than what you will need, if you are considering a family holiday with your children then on board fishing, snorkelling, wakeboarding, kayaking, windsurfing, scuba diving, ringos, waterskiing, inflateble towables and more will keep them happy for the whole holiday! You dont just have to be a child to enjoy all of this too!

In fact, I have managed to find the full list of things that Braveheart offers:
# Wakeboarding
# Waterskies
# 3 x ski tubes
# Snorkel gear
# Scuba gear
# 2 Dive compressors
# 14′ dinghy with 60hp outboard
# 5 swim float mats
# Light tackle fishing gear; 4 trawling rods, 3 casting rods
# 2 x Hammocks
# Hot and Cold Stern Shower
# 2 step down transoms
# Swim deck
# Trampolines
# Fully stocked bar
# BBQ grill
# Spinnaker
# Separate shower from 4 guests staterooms making them dry-heads

The cuisine is second to none and Chef Dawn offers a menu to suit everybodys taste and dietry requirments, we were so welcomed the moment we got picked up from Jerri (the captain) who took us from the airport to Yacht Braveheart to start the holiday.

The food really is incredible, how ever many courses you want and what ever time you want it, we were spoiled by the fresh tuna that we caught one day after grilling it on the deck BBQ, fresh fish, tender loin pork, fillet steaks…you name it, you get it!

The Catarmaran really is gorgeous inside, each room with ensuit, flat screen tv and port holes to allow you to absorb the incredible views. The saloon areas offers relaxation whilst reading, watching the latest movies or just doing what ever you wish to do on your holiday.

We stopped at a numbe rof islands and the crew of Braveheart allowed us to go and see what ever we wished to see. We had the choice to sail to 10’s of islands or we could just sit out at sea and enjoy the sun and relax with a glass of wine or a beer in the hammocks on board – I cant explain how amazing it is and cant wait to go back.

Yacht Braveheart really is the true way to experience the Caribbean, a fantastic crew, fantastic Catarmaran and guarantees a fantastic holiday for all.

For all the information you need and to see Yacht Braveheart and what it has to offer please view the following link: http://www.yachtbraveheart.com/index.html

the link will show you photo galleries, reviews, activities, menus, rates, sailing maps, details of each island and more!

Courtesy of the BBC here is the press video:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8535696.stm

Apparently ‘Tilikum’ the whale has killed before….Seaworld Orlando are deeply saddened by this tragedy. The trainer has worked with killer whales over the last 20 years! She is the trainer who had also spent the most time with this whale.

Its finally come to a head. Cheryl has come to her senses and decided to split up from her husband Ashley Cole, the Chelsea and England soccer star. After numerous reports of his cheating ways Cheryl has had enough.

The 3 and a half year marriage ended after the last story of unfaithful Ashley sleeping with an American woman whilst in Seattle with his Chelsea team mates. I wonder if John Terry gave him a few tips on how to ruin a marriage?

They are both multimillionaires so apparantly this shouldnt be a financially messy divorce, it is said that Ashley Cole earns £120,000 a week for Chelsea, this equates to £6.2 million a year! more than what most of us would earn in a life time.

According to Rich List sources the couple are worth £17 million between them, NICE.

Looks like Cheryl might have to have that tattoo lasered off now – she has a tattoo of ‘Mrs C’ on the back of her neck – at least she wont be able to see it!

Just looked out the window and its snowing again, heres something that looks fun to try…..TOPLESS TOBOGGANING

Watch the video – http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-GB&vid=7742541f-fecc-4e7a-9d3e-880aa72d89c0&from=homepage_carousel