Articles
Importance of ATV Insurance
Many ATV owners are so happy to get their first ATV that in their excitement they never even consider the issue of whether they should insure the vehicle. Unfortunately, for many of these owners, the first time they realise that they should consider it is when they find themselves liable for injury to someone or damage to property or with their ATV stolen and not recovered.
ATVs are an expensive investment and it’s important for owners to protect them as well as themselves against any damages which may be caused while driving the vehicle. Of course the best way of obtaining that protection is to take out an appropriate insurance policy.
The important word here is “appropriate”. It’s a good idea for an owner to sit down and think about how the vehicle will be used, where it will be used and what kind of risks may be operating in those circumstances. Then with a list of the possible circumstances in which insurance may be important, it’s time to start looking at the policies offered by various companies and choosing the one which best suits the circumstances.
So what are the possible risks that can occur when using or owning an ATV? There may be physical injury to the driver or a third party from an accident. The ATV may be damaged by the negligence of someone driving another vehicle. There may be times when weather conditions could cause damage to the ATV. There is also the possibility of theft or vandalism resulting in the total loss of the vehicle or substantial damage which must be repaired. Last but not least is the issue of liability insurance.
Once the owner has this list of requirements for an ATV insurance policy drawn up, it’s important to contact a number of companies and compare the policies they offer. Some companies may have standard policies which are bare bones and then offer various kinds of additional cover for an additional premium. Or they may have an inflexible standard policy which includes various kinds of cover which are not applicable to the circumstances of the owner. In this case it’s important for an owner to avoid paying for insurance which is not needed.
Flexible modular policies are by far the best way to insure an ATV. In this way the owner can ensure that he is paying only for the coverage which he requires and which is realistically necessary. Flexible policies also make it possible to add all the options which may be needed. Because many ATVs are used seasonally and spend the longer part of the year in storage, it’s also important to negotiate a discount for this when buying insurance, rather than paying year round premiums for a vehicle that may only be used for three or four months each year.
Prepare for the Journey
There is a lot to be said about enjoying a holiday in the UK as long as indoor activities are available for bad weather days. It is a really good idea to look for a UK destination where there are lots of things that all the family can do, and an ideal choice is a Great Yarmouth holiday. We all know that there is nothing we can do to make the weather co-operate so it is best to be prepared before travelling.
When taking young children on holiday there are times when we know that they will be bored. The first time will be during the journey. The majority of families travel by car to their destination – it’s easier to take everything which may be required, and the journey can be broken down into manageable segments.
It is a good idea to pack an individual “goody bag” for each child. Don’t let them know in advance, so that they are a complete surprise. I always gave them out after about the first 30 minutes or so, when the first time we were asked whether we were nearly there, we could say that we weren’t, but just have a look at these special gifts for the journey. I used to pack them in a small rucksack or something similar. If you have more than one child and they are fairly close in ages, buy them the same items so that they won’t bicker!
It isn’t expensive to put these little kits together, but it can keep the children amused for hours. Remember to include a flat surface for the children to write on – an old tray or craft board are ideal. I used to include sticker books which are still available now and the old favourite dot-to-dot books. Older children still enjoy word search and puzzle books. Don’t make the mistake of including wax crayons which make a dreadful mess when bits break off! I also included some pictures of where we were going – details of attractions, and information about where we were staying. So, for those going on a Great Yarmouth holiday I would include details of a boat trip to Scroby Sands where there are seals on a sandbank, and depending of the ages of the children, I would tell them about the Pleasure Beach with all the rides available.
Although there are many computer games which children play for hours on end, they could watch a DVD in the car but get them involved in something else. I also always added a new book from their favourite author into the goody bag. The journey will pass more quickly and they’ll know a little about what to expect from their Great Yarmouth holiday.
Taking the Train for Family Weekend Breaks
According to one of the UK’s largest rail holiday firms, over 40,000 Britons purchase rail road holiday packages every year. It is not completely clear what has triggered this renewed fascination with rail family weekend breaks travel neither can it be attributed to any one factor. Some cite a growing fear of flying due to the recent attempted and actual terrorist attacks that target commercial airlines.
Others contend that this could be an attempt by travellers to move away from the stress from the hectic, chaotic, high adrenalin environment that tight departure times and the logistics of connecting flights have made air travel become. Yet another line of thought credits the Channel Tunnel as the one project that has made train travel cool once again. Irrespective of the reason, the increase is difficult to ignore and trends only point to an increase.
But how did rail holidays get back to this impressive growth trajectory? The 1950s were the golden age of rail travel in the UK. Civilian air travel was just starting to pick up after the devastating impact of the Second World War. At the time, the aviation industry depended on the conversion of the large number of ex-military planes to commercial service.
By the 1970s, aviation technology had advanced so far that it ensured faster and more comfortable travel. This had marginal impact on rail travel in the UK which mainly served inland transport as opposed to commercial aviation that had become the preferred means of international travel.
The real hit to rail holidays came with the emergence of low cost air carriers that provided flights between major UK urban areas. Air travel was demystified as a privileged form of travel and was now accessible to the masses. This coupled with the lack of substantial investment toward the maintenance and upgrading of the railway network saw the numbers of rail family weekend breaks plummet.
When the Channel Tunnel was completed, the ease of travel towards the rest of Europe that the Tube facilitated probably provides the most compelling case for the renewed interest in rail holidays. By purchasing a single Eurailpass, travellers can go on a train trip that spans 18 European nations.
Even though the Eurailpass is often associated with budget travel and younger travellers, it can be a great way for a family to see much of Europe with minimal planning. High speed train services such as the EuroStar, the ICE in Germany and the TGV in France mean travelling by train can sometimes be faster than covering the same distance by air.
Dos and Don'ts of Volunteering Abroad
It’s official that the current generation of teens to twenty-something’s is much more eco-conscious and charitable of nature than in many recent years. As a result, many of this generation are looking into volunteering abroad either before moving into higher education, to facilitate a career break or to avoid a gap in employment on a resume, following redundancy that’s becoming almost a national crisis thanks to the global credit crunch! But, whatever the reasons for signing up there are a few common do’s and don’ts for intrepid volunteers:
DO
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Volunteer your services through a reputable and well recommended volunteer company. Choose one that is well established and has a significant history and experience of running and facilitating successful volunteering projects.
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Consider volunteering with a friend or partner, if it’s something you’d love to do but don’t have the confidence to sign up for alone. Undertaking volunteering as a shared experience can really enrich the relationship you have with the other person and there will at least be one person who can fully understand what you have seen and contributed to.
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Consider carefully the type of volunteering that you want to do. It’s no good saying you would be happy to do anything and then find yourself unable to dig a well or clear an estuary because of an old shoulder injury. Think carefully about what it is you have to offer – physically as well as in skills, knowledge and experience, then relate those strengths to the ranges of projects available.
DON’T
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Don’t decide on a project just because it’s a location where you’ve “always wanted to go on holiday”. Your reason for being there will be as a volunteer worker, not a tourist, so if you sign up longing to make the most of the beaches and sunshine, you could be very disappointed (unless you get really lucky and find yourself on a turtle conservation project or such)!
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Don’t forget to make all of the usual holiday arrangements, including injections and health insurance. Your time is being donated to help a project; you don’t want to hinder it by going down with a local sickness that you should have been inoculated against. The company you volunteer with should be able to help you organise this, but it is your responsibility to also check with your own physician and to also ensure that you are adequately covered by health insurance.
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Don’t assume that because you have offered yourself that you will be snapped up straightaway on to your first choice project. Some projects can be highly sought-after so you may have to wait or think again!
Lastly, don’t expect too much: go along with an open mind and do enjoy the volunteering abroad experience!
After The Car Hire In Malaga Airport, Don't Miss Malaga Town!
The pretty Andalusian city of Malaga sits on the southern Mediterranean cost of Spain, and really is a sight worth seeing in itself, when you're on a holiday to the Costa del Sol. Make sure, once you have sorted out your car hire in Malaga airport, that you don't neglect to take in this majestic town, and it's wonderful inhabitants.
Malaga is now a major conurbation, its growth fuelled by four decades of massive development for tourism along the Costa del Sol; but none of that modern growth can take away from the historic charm of this major Andalusian port. This is a city that can trace its origins back to the Phoenicians in the 8th century BC, and which has since seen waves of diverse conquerors come and go, all leaving their mark.
Greeks, Carthaginian (remember Hannibal and his elephants), and Romans are just some of the peoples from antiquity to have called Malaga home. But only the Romans have left remains in brick and mortar- and the Roman amphitheatre is pretty spectacular, lying resplendent at the foot of the a ridge outside one of the city's walls.
But it is the Moors, Arabs from North Africa, who swept up the Iberian Peninsula in the 8th Century, who have left one of the most amazing legacies in the city. The Alcazaba, or Citadel, prowls over a hill in the centre of the town, and is in turn overlooked by the Moorish castle on Mount Gibralfarao- these two imposing fortifications are joined by a stunning wall that marches down the hill.
Nearby is the Cathedral of Malaga, a fabulous Renaissance church built over 200 years, between the 16th and 18th centuries. It's main tower, on the north, is over 80 metres high, and quite a sight; the southern tower, however, remained uncompleted, and has given the Cathedral its nickname of La Manquita- the One-armed Lady!
But there's more to Malaga than just buildings- the city hosts some major festivals, such as the Feria de Málaga in August. This event sees the streets become a sea of activity- tapas, wine stalls and flamenco shows make Malaga a fiesta by day- and at night the restaurants clubs and fairgrounds spring to life.
Over Easter, you must not miss out on the Holy Week of Malaga, when the streets throng with processions and floats, and a baroque majesty takes over the town. The full splendour of the Malaga religious fervour is displayed with a passion rarely seen elsewhere. So don't go speeding off to explore the usual haunts along the Costa del Sol once your car hire in Malaga airport is done; on your next visit make time for a day or two at the fascinating town of Malaga.