Tag Archives: Management

Hit the Road to Scenic Adventures on the Isle of Wight

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The Isle of Wight has got to be one of the most beautiful places in the UK to discover by road. The concept of a road trip around this sleepy island, that was once a Victorian holiday destination, has an air of romance about it and, because of its modest size, you don’t have to spend long days behind the wheel. Instead, you can take things easy and lap up the beautiful views, changing landscapes and glittering coastline at a relaxed and enjoyable pace.
With more than half of the island designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, there is something to see around every turn. Bursting with historical accolades and proud of its maritime history and cultural heritage, the Isle of Wight is the perfect destination for a mini road trip.

Discovering the Isle of Wight in Four Days

Day 1 – 16 miles

The ferry crossing from Southampton to East Cowes is very easy but it is recommended that you make a booking with the Red Funnel Isle of Wight Ferries that leave hourly, on the hour.

When you leave the ferry and make a relaxed cross-country drive to Ventnor, you will pass Osbourne House, which was once home to Queen Victoria. You will also pass through the charming town of Newchurch, and if you fancy fitting in a trip to the Garlic Farm it is recommended. Here you will discover everything to do with garlic and it’s actually a fascinating stop-off.

Day 2 – 65 miles

This is a slightly longer day, but you won’t notice the miles as you roll along the coastal road to Blackgang and then on to Freshwater. Making your way westwards, you can stop for a photo at the Needles and then perhaps make your way to Yarmouth for a bite to eat.

Continuing on, the National Trust properties in Newtown are worth a visit (especially if you are a member), and a stroll along the Cowes seafront admiring the magnificent yachts and designer boutiques is a definite must. Before heading back to Ventnor, the Carisbrooke Castle makes for an interesting visit, and afternoon tea in Brighstone or Mottistone is the perfect way to finish off the afternoon.

Day 3- 50 miles

Today it is the eastern part of the island on the agenda. Before morning coffee in Godshill, consider taking a diversion to Appuldurcombe House, which is famous for its Owl and Falconry Centre. Meandering along the quiet country lanes towards Newport (known for its Classic Boat Museum) is an experience in itself, and remember: there’s no need to rush, just sit back and lap up the pleasure of driving.

The road then takes you to the pretty town of Ryde and on to the quaint village of Bembridge. It’s hard to imagine that there is a Roman Villa on the island, but there is and it’s open to the public. Look out for it in Brading.

This afternoon’s treat has to be a vineyard visit. Adgestone Vineyard offers wine tasting of their locally produced vintages, so why not stop off and buy a bottle or two?

Finally, Bonchurch is a nice place to stop for an early dinner before heading back to Ventnor.

Day 4 – 16 miles

Your last day will see you heading back to the ferry, but there is still time for a last leisurely morning coffee in Godshill before you leave.

Before You Go:

Organising car rental excess insurance is good advice for anyone looking to hire a car. It offers peace of mind that every eventuality with your vehicle is covered. Often the hire companies don’t offer comprehensive enough insurance, so by purchasing car rental excess insurance, you know you are covered should any issue arise.

You can delight in the wonders of this island at any time of the year, but one final tip is to hire a convertible in spring or summer and elevate your trip to the next level.

Author Plate Sam Walker is a specialist insurance expert at LowerHire, a company that offers low-cost single trip and annual multi-trip car rental excess insurance policies. Travellers can rest easy knowing they will be fully protected against any hidden hire car costs and look forward to a stress-free rental experience.

You Can Enjoy Canvas Paintings In Your Home

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If you have decided you want to own one or more oil painting on canvas you might not know where to go from there. There is a lot to consider when it comes to art, not just the form you prefer, such as paintings, but also then where in the world you feel inspired by, whether you like the classics or more modern work, whether you like realism or something more abstract. You do not have to only stick with one form of art, but you might want to start with one form, learn and make your choices and then go from there.

Consider first where you want artwork for

Before you rush to buy canvas paintings online you should consider where it is for and why. If it is for the home then you should look at where you want to hang the piece and the decor and furnishings you already have. Is it a modern-looking room? What kind of colours are there? What other art do you already have? If you are not specifically looking into oil paintings, do you prefer acrylics or watercolours? You even should think about whether you want canvas or board or paper. There are so many possibilities and options that it helps to narrow down what direction to start looking in.

Where to buy from

When you have thought about some of the things above you can then look into where you want to buy from. You can soon be enjoying canvas paintings in your home whether you choose to go the traditional route of art galleries and physical auctions and such, or exploring reputable websites. The great thing about the latter is you can explore a huge range of styles and options to find just the right piece for your wall. Online you can often find good prices as well and can be a good way to shop whether you are new to buying art or you are an experienced buyer.

Thinking about style

You can get contemporary and modern artwork or something older. You can choose realism or abstract art. It is all very different and what you like and respond to depends on what you want the art to do in the room. There are even different bases, you might get ink, watercolours or graphite pieces on paper, you might get framed and acrylic and oil painting on canvas. Those details are a part of the look of the piece so you should think about it.

If you do not know anything about art at all start by doing some research so you can figure out what you like, and then you can start to look at different artists. You might want well-known artists or you might be looking for local artists. The size of the work, how famous the artist, and how rare the work is will all be things that affect the cost when you buy canvas paintings online.