Holidaying in the West Country
The West Country has been attracting holidaymakers for over 100 years. It has seaside resorts, sandy beaches, rugged walking country, guest houses and holiday parks to name a few. It really does have a lot to offer.
So where is the West Country?
Generally when talking about the West Country it means the area of the United Kingdom covered by the counties of Cornwall, Somerset, Devon and Dorset, the City of Bristol, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. The area is a peninsula and bordered by the Bristol Channel to the north-west coast and the English Channel on the south-east coast, the toe of the peninsula points into the Atlantic Ocean; at the northern most side it stretches up to the Welsh border.
The area is a haven for surfers; along its north facing coast there are many sandy beaches with regular high waves that attract surfers from all over the world. A number of international surfing competitions are held at the resorts.
Walking is another favourite pastime both along the coast and across the wide expanses of Dartmoor, Bodmin Moor and Exmoor, all can be dangerous so walks or jaunts into these areas should be enjoyed with due caution. The coast walks include the South West Coast Path which is 630 miles long stretching from Minehead all the way round to Poole.
There is no need to be so energetic though, you can just visit some monuments or take in some sightseeing. The very impressive Cheddar Gorge with its deep caves falls within the West Country boundaries as do the cities of Bristol and Bath. Bristol has such wonders as the Clifton Suspension Bridge and Brunel’s SS Great Britain; Bath houses the magnificent Roman Baths and Pump House.
In Wiltshire you will find Longleat Safari and Adventure Park sited in the grounds of Longleat House the Elizabethan mansion home of the Marquess of Bath or Stonehenge where those inspiring stones have stood since prehistoric times.
There are also a number of festivals and carnivals in the West Country towns including the world famous Glastonbury Festival and the Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival attracting over 60 illuminated floats using over 20,000 light bulbs.
In an area as large as the West Country it is impossible to list all of the attractions and sights in such a short article.
If you do decide to take a holiday in the West Country you will always find plenty of accommodation whether you stay on the coast or inland; from 5 star hotels to guest houses, from caravan pitches to holiday parks. You really are spoilt when it comes to places to stay in the West Country with a selection of different choices in every conceivable form of accommodation.
Latent Defects and Selling French Property
On the face of it, selling property may seem like a relatively straightforward process. But when selling French property, the conclusion of the sale is preceded by the fulfilment of several legal requirements. For that reason, one will need an experienced property solicitor if they are to correctly navigate these requirements – violation can be costly.
One of the key requirements is the vices caches principle or the principle of latent defects. The seller is required to disclose any information on the defects of the property that would make it difficult for it to be used for the purpose intended or that may otherwise give the buyer substantial reason not to purchase the property at the quoted price.
Ordinarily, the seller will not be liable for defects that are easily noticeable by the buyer with minimal inspection. However, certain defects will still be considered latent even if an initial assessment by an inspection expert before the conclusion of the sale did not discover it.
Depending on the stage at which the undisclosed latent defects are detected and the repercussions, the seller will be subjected to penalties that range from an annulment of the sale and a reduction in the selling price to payment of damages to the buyer.
However, any legal action that the buyer takes upon the discovery of these defects must be initiated within 2 years of the discovery. While sellers can include a clause in the sale agreement that indemnifies them from any liability due to apparent or latent defects, it cannot indemnify them from defects they knew or would have known about before the sale.
Certain French property surveys are mandatory before selling the property. For instance any property that was constructed before to 1st July 1997 must undergo an asbestos survey before it changes ownership. Similarly, a lead survey is necessary for any building that was put up before 1st January 1948.
If the property is located in an area that is classified as vulnerable to termites, a termite survey will be necessary. Beginning 1st November 2006, any conveyance of French property for sale must have as part of the transaction documentation an energy efficiency survey. Energy inefficiency however is not considered a latent defect and its outcome does not subject the seller to any liability. It is purely informational.
Property that is fitted with an indoor gas distribution system that has been in place for more than 15 years must be surveyed for safety before the transaction is closed. This requirement came into force on 1st November 2007.
Norfolk Holidays Come Alive With History
In the east of England, Norfolk is a gem of history waiting to be discovered. Dozens of majestic castles from centuries ago dot the landscape. Historic churches and priories reveal the hearts of generations of worshippers who have shared the experience for hundreds of years. And Norfolk's coastal fishing towns give a glimpse of a life that hasn't changed much since the eighteenth century. If English history is the chosen pursuit of your Norfolk holidays, you will be thrilled at what the region has to offer.
In July 1881, the Norfolk Regiment was formed as the county regiment of Norfolk with local militia and rifleman. In 1935 it became the the Royal Norfolk Regiment of the British army, and was later combined with the Suffolk Regiment in 1959 to form the 1st East Anglian Regiment. You can relive the history of the regiment with a visit to the Royal Norfolk Regimental Museum in Norwich. There you'll learn about the daily life of the regimental soldier, their history throughout some of war's greatest battles, and some of the regiment's heroes like Major Jamieson.
If ancient history is more to your liking, the Heritage/Visitor Centre in King's Lynn is your ticket to some great sights. The King's Lynn museum is a wonderful walk through the medieval history of this royal port city. From King's Lynn it's just a short ride north to Holme-next-the-Sea, where you'll discover a four thousand year-old Bronze Age monument dubbed Seahenge. You'll learn all about the construction of the site and the people who lived in the area at the time, and you'll be fascinated to see for yourself how Seahenge has survived for so long.
For a relaxing tour of coast and countryside, be sure to stop at the North Norfolk Railway station in Sheringham. The historic Poppy Line departs from the glorious Victorian era station on a 10 mi. round trip along the cliffs to Weybourne, through the heathland, and then to Holt. You'll see Weybourne Windmill, the Springs Hotel, Kelling Heath, and the M&GN station originally at Stalham which was removed brick-by-brick and rebuilt in Holt. A museum containing artefacts and images from the railway's long history is housed next to the station in a re-created railway goods shed.
There is so much history and heritage to see during your Norfolk holidays, we couldn't possibly list it all for you. There are hundreds of historic homes, churches, museums, and landmarks all over the region. And all are within a reasonable distance from Norfolk's finest accommodations.
Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or an extended holiday, consider visiting Norfolk. You'll learn some amazing things about English history while creating fond memories that will last a lifetime.
A 21 Year Old Experiences the Algarve
You have just touched down at Faro Airport on the Algarve Coast in Portugal for your dream holiday - 21 years old and on your own! You go straight to the car hire section in Faro airport hoping it will be reasonably priced. You discover that the companies with offices in the arrivals section are recommended for short sightseeing trips and weekend getaways. For driving further on a leisurely holiday - which is what you are doing - you will hire a Faro Airport Taxi or a Faro Airport Transfer.
The people at the airport are very friendly, and you find out that some companies at car hire Faro Airport don't hire cars to people under 23 - scary stuff! You are advised to check your petrol before leaving as you should have the first full tank for free - great news - more Euros to spend on shopping!
Driving out Faro Airport, you turn down the West Coast. The roads are well signposted and not crowded. The scenery is breathtaking. You revel in the fact that you can stop wherever you like and stay for as long as you like. The best fun is always at resorts hidden away from the popular holiday routes - and now that Faro airport is far behind you and your hire car is going like a bomb, you have the freedom to look out for these special hideaways.
At home, I remembered more about my adventurous holiday. When I drove past Lagos in my car hired at Faro Airport, I found this secluded little beach in a town called Figueroa. I walked down a fairly long valley area and all of a sudden the sand and the sea were there! The cliffs that rose up behind me were unusually high, making this a much protected, private little beach - oh how beautiful it would be for moonlight walks!
Also in Lagos I visited the Zoo - what an amazing place and what scary animals! And I happened to be in town for the Silves Beer Festival - what a fantastic experience! And at Portimao - I actually caught a huge game fish in the game fishing capital! Just you try to reel in a monster fish!
When I finally got my hire car back to Faro Airport I was exhausted! Over 5 million tourists pass through here during peak season. And I take my hat off to the car hire people at Faro Airport - fantastic people and so polite. Oh no, I just remembered that I left my hire car with an empty petrol tank!
Reasons to Spend Your Holidays in Norfolk
In today’s climate there are many places that have become holiday destinations. There are no longer the limits of ‘going to the sea’ for your holidays and therefore you can choose to have a different kind of holiday. Spending your holidays in Norfolk however provides you with both the traditional ‘holiday by the sea’ option as well as the option for an alternative holiday.
Because Norfolk has not only a coastline, but also the Broads wetlands it is easy to see why this county has become a very popular holiday destination. The coastline boasts six Blue Flag beaches – the most Blue Flag beaches in the country – and mostly soft, sandy beaches. The sea views are magnificent and provide the holidaymaker with many memories of warm, sultry sunsets.
The Norfolk Broads National Park provides a look into the wetlands that have gained international prominence and importance. Further along the Broads there are holiday activities for every kind of holidaymaker. These are also the main reasons for spending your holidays in Norfolk.
To begin with the water is always the biggest attraction. The coast, the river and the large lakes provide the ideal opportunity to get wet and have some fun. There are several boat hire companies along the banks of the Broads that offer a variety of boats. These may be row boats, canoes, sailing boats or even motorboats. The boats offer the opportunity to experience the Broads from different perspectives. They also offer the option of a quick look versus a leisurely exploration.
Other attractions are the windsurfing that the river has to offer. The conditions are favourable for this sport and is lends itself to making the participation in windsurfing a pleasurable one. The same conditions also make it possible for many hours of exhilarating fun water-skiing on the Broads.
A favourite pastime is cycling in the countryside. Many companies offer bikes for hire and they are available at very reasonable prices. When cycling through the countryside, the road may appear less flat than you anticipated and your ride could be one of breathless wonder at the beauty around you. It is a good way to work off the calories gained by eating all the holiday food.
Finally there are conservation breaks. These are holidays that introduce people to the concept of conservation. They also teach people how to manage the conservation of precious wetlands and other natural resources. Some companies also offer what is known as working holidays. These are aimed at doing work that will assist the conservation of either the wetlands or other conservation sites.
Spending your holidays in Norfolk is one of the wisest decisions for the busy working person. It will take you away from the smog and hassle of city life to a relaxed and peaceful holiday with clear air and blue skies.