Fifty Four and Counting

Countries

To be British means you’re not racist

So finally in July 2021, the Euro 2020 football cup final has finished and Italy…

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Countries

2020 Global Pandemic, is this really happening? Thank Goodness for the NHS!

Panic buying, people die-ing, the army on standby, schools and shops closed, self-isolation, hardship and…

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British

Dakota Bar & Grill, Manchester – Wow! I was not expecting this in Manchester!

I’ve heard great things about the Northern Quarter of Manchester. In fact the entire city…

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Airlines

Sani Resort, Halkidiki, Greece – Where 5 Stars exceed your expectations

I’ve travelled to many places in my lifetime and confess often to feeling slightly underwhelmed.…

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Bistro

Who would have thought the ‘Refuge’ was back in fashion!

Thirty years ago the Refuge Assurance Co. was a Mancunian landmark like no other. Its…

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Angkor Wat

Cambodia Past and Present

Cambodia is full of history and conflict, according to Muy (pronounced moy) our guide. He…

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People

And we think moving house is a challenge..

In the mountains above Mai Chau live the Hmong (pronounced hu-mum) people. They are farmers…

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Italian

Porada Whitefield

Whitefield is quickly becoming North Manchesters quality restaurant hot spot. Last night the Porada was…

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Guest Houses

Castle Canyke Farm – Bodmin – “If only …

“If only I could stay at Castle Canyke wherever we go!” It pains me to say…

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U-gear, tower – a fun project to build

For GrandpasfiftyfourandcountingJuly 18, 2021

I remember seeing the first U-Gears products launching on a crowd funding website. All the designs are clever in that they are made from sustainable wood that is CNC’d so that you only have to follow the instruction booklet, press out the numbered pieces and assemble as shown. My brother was kind to buy me…

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HealthfiftyfourandcountingJuly 17, 2021

The truly shocking truth about getting COVID

You’ve been ever so careful for 17 months, avoided this virulent disease through social distancing, mask wearing and hand washing ..…

For GrandpasfiftyfourandcountingJuly 2, 2021

A Wooden Dolls House, Petite Amélie – What every child wishes for

As a grandfather with five grandchildren, my imagination runs wild when I think of the various stages in a child’s life.…

AttractionsfiftyfourandcountingJuly 2, 2021

Hill Top, Near Sawrey, Cumbria – Beatrix Potter’s House a national treasure

If there is one other thing other than it’s beauty that the lake district is famous for, it’s Beatrix Potter and…

CountriesfiftyfourandcountingJune 30, 2021

Elterwater, Cumbria – A fabulous walk in beautiful countryside

We spent the day walking on our second day in the Lake District and used a recommended app called Lake District…

CountriesfiftyfourandcountingJune 28, 2021

Cartmel, Cumbria – A delightful village definitely worth visiting

Due South from Newby Bridge, between Ulverston and Grange-over-Sands is a small village called Cartmel. It’s quaint, has a race course,…

FoodfiftyfourandcountingJune 24, 2021

Hawkeshead, Cumbria – a delightful village worth visiting

Off to the west of Windermere sits Hawkeshead, a pretty village with good parking. It’s clean and has quite a few…

Coffee shopsfiftyfourandcountingJune 21, 2021

Thyme Out, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria – a Greek coffee shop the Greeks would be proud of.

We arrived in the North of England and took a detour to Grange-over-Sands. It’s located on the North side of Morecambe…

BritishfiftyfourandcountingJune 21, 2021

Manor House Restaurant, Oxen Park – Good food in a remote location

A short drive from our accommodation in a Newby Bridge stands Oxen Park. You can reach it down the narrowest of…

Guest HousesfiftyfourandcountingJune 21, 2021

Hill Crest Country Guest House, Newby Bridge – boutique accommodation with a homely touch

Driving to the lakes from our home in Manchester we found sign posts in abundance for this popular national park found…

CountriesfiftyfourandcountingJune 14, 2021

Mezzaluna, Whitefield – Good food, service a little too casual

The weather was warm, COVID still with us and an evening with friends was on the cards. We chose Mezzaluna and…

For GrandpasfiftyfourandcountingFebruary 21, 2021

Aedes Ars Medieval Village – completed. A really satisfying, forgiving, and original kit to build

I realised the other day that I never actually posted the completed model or the rest of the steps involved. This…

For GrandpasfiftyfourandcountingFebruary 15, 2021

Sam’s Study, Rolife – A Challenging Miniature Room with detail

I just completed another Rolife miniature room kit. This one called Sam’s Study was quite different to Cathy’s flower house. It…

For GrandpasfiftyfourandcountingJanuary 21, 2021

Mini Model House, Robotime – Challenging to Build, Rewarding when Completed.

I decided to turn my hand to something different, during this lockdown. Having completed a number of projects recently such as…

HealthfiftyfourandcountingJanuary 20, 2021

A Really Surprising Reaction from a Roll On Antiperspirant!

I have to admit that this pandemic is wearing me down…. Despite working for many years from home, the lack of…

A Wooden Dolls House, Petite Amélie - what every

A Wooden Dolls House, Petite Amélie - what every child wishes for #petiteamelie #woodentoys #dollshouse

I decided to turn my hand to something different,

I decided to turn my hand to something different, during this lockdown.
Having completed a number of projects recently such as the Truck for Max, Medieval Village the Lisbon Tram, I came across a world of miniature model kits.
The finished marketing results looked less achievable when first opening the cardboard box that the kit comes in. #craftkits #minihouses #modelmaking #Robotime #Rolife

I have to admit that this pandemic is wearing me d

I have to admit that this pandemic is wearing me down....
I actually didn’t put this roll-on under my arms .. but what I did was memorable!
#antipersperant #deepheat #Dovemensantiperspirant #rollonantipersperant
Find out the whole story at www.fiftyfourandcounting.co.uk/Wordpress/a-really-surprising-reaction-from-a-roll-on-antiperspirant

When Compensation isn’t Compensation! #deliverie

When Compensation isn’t Compensation!
#deliveries #myHermes
I recently had a need to send a parcel and so decided to use MyHermes. I've used them in the past and to be honest never had an issue with their service. On this occasion, due to the lockdown and social distancing I opted for the pickup from my home for an additional 60p rather than the drop off service I've previously used. The following day, Wednesday, I left the package on top of my dustbin as I had instructed, if out, this where the parcel could be found. We're living in very difficult times, I understand this and so was not totally surprised that no one collected by the end of the day. After all I could understand the drivers are probably overloaded. So the following morning, Thursday I again put the parcel out, but once again it was not collected. So Friday morning, I eventually tracked down a number to call MyHermes. After an hour holding on, I was answered by an assistant. "My parcel was not been collected as planned on Wednesday" I said. "Yes that's right" said the customer service agent "The drivers are not collecting from homes. We should put something on the website!" "Oh!…
Link: https://fiftyfourandcounting.co.uk/wordpress/when-compensation-isnt-compensation/

2020 Global Pandemic, is this really happening? Th

2020 Global Pandemic, is this really happening? Thank Goodness for the NHS!
#Coronavirus #CoVid-19 #Health #healthemergency #NHS #Politics
Panic buying, people die-ing, the army on standby, schools and shops closed, self-isolation, hardship and all because of a virus disease that we can’t see. These are unprecedented times. A period like we have never known in our lifetime. So how do we get through all of this? To start with you stay calm and follow government advice. But other than this all we can do is sit this out, keep well and accept that we are all in this together for the long haul. Whilst we’re keeping our act together, attempting to avoid the daily increasing death count, our NHS subject themselves to the dangers of a highly contagious and invisible disease. This week the people of the United Kingdom stood at their front doors and applauded the frontline Hero’s .. those who together protect us from this virus. Our NHS is part of our defence. Fighting a battle like no other. Stay safe.
Link: https://fiftyfourandcounting.co.uk/wordpress/2020-global-pandemic-is-this-really-happening-thank-goodness-for-the-nhs/

Lockdown! – Boris calls time!Perhaps an alternat

Lockdown! – Boris calls time!Perhaps an alternative approach?
#
After a softening up of the British people and one final sunny Mothers day, the Prime Minister has finally brought down the curtain and started a very long interval. It's definitely not something we are used to. But I have a view regarding the approach the government has taken. I wonder if others would agree if this would work. What would have been so terrible if the country froze stock markets, stopped businesses from issuing invoices, prevent payment of purchase invoices. No one to receive wages or any bills, no taxes, nothing. No rent to be paid, no rates, mortgages, gas or electric bills. Instead issue every person with essential weekly food vouchers that have a total value of say £90 a week that can only be delivered. This way no one starves, no one profits, and no one is forced to pay any bills. I’m sure there is a flaw in my thinking but what do I know!
Link: https://fiftyfourandcounting.co.uk/wordpress/lockdown-boris-calls-timeperhaps-an-alternative-approach/

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