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  • 2011
    • February
      • The Importance of a Good Fitting Kitesurfing Harnes
        02/19/11
        Does your harness ever feel more like a sports bra than part of your kiting equipment?



        An ill fitting harness will hinder your riding, hamper your up-wind ability and make all those moves you’re dying to go for near impossible.



        You should be able to lean

      • What do you see?
        02/05/11


        What do you see when you look at this image?

        A lone kiter in paradise? Or the plastic wrapped around the driftwood?

        Next time you are handed a plastic bag, think twice about where it may end up and hand it back.

        Do your bit to keep the oceans free of plas

    • January
      • LUSH
        01/10/11


        In the UK, especially, we Love LUSH and are very proud of the products they produce.

        But apart from all those wonderful products and smells there is a lot more to LUSH.

        The video below from the How We Are Different section of their site gives you a great insight and

  • 2010
    • September
      • Getting Creative with Natures Waste
        09/13/10


        I love drift wood! It has been on a journey, from leaving it's tree, through the ocean and back to land arriving on a beach. Each piece has it's own story to tell and is so wonderfully individual.

        Where we live we have plenty of drift wood; the hill and mountain ei

    • August
      • The Story of Stuff Project - The Story of Cosmetics
        08/24/10
        Annie Leonard does it again with another fantastically simple explanation of what is going on in the cosmetics industry.

        This is more biased to the USA as the laws are different in Europe but it's still nice to know what all those long words on the back of the packaging are all about

    • February
      • Morocco - Dakhla
        02/03/10


        Dakhla – It’s bigger than you think!

        We arrived in Dakhla on the 13th December 2010, after a very quick journey down through Morocco. Dakhla is a peninsular in the south, about 200 kms from the board of Mauritania.

        When we arrived we were amazed at the size of the

      • Look Who's Here
        02/02/10


        On our recent travels (Dakhla back to Essaouira - blog on its way!) we have seen some amazing camper vans but nothing can top my previous blog on Ulysee et Penelope, until we arrived back in Essaouira to find it here!

        Here you can see it's three massive solar panels being

    • January
  • 2009
    • December
      • Morocco - Tarifa to Dakhla
        12/22/09


        It’s a long ole road! Around 2,200kms to be more precise!

        We left Tarifa on Friday 4th December, leaving the house late and keeping everything crossed as we raced across town, to the port, that we wouldn’t miss the first ferry from Tarifa to Tangiers and that everything would

      • Cap and Trade Explained
        12/01/09


        If you thought changing your lightbulbs and driving a little less was going to help Climate Change then think again!

        Annie Leonard presents another fantastic short yet informative film on Cap and Trade. It's a fast-paced, fact-filled look at the leading climate change so

    • November
      • Turkey Part II - Road Trip
        11/02/09


        Once BF finished work at the end of September we headed off for a two week road trip to see more of the country; first stop, our absolute favorite, Akyaka and Gokova Bay.

        Gokova is not known for constant winds in October but as always we were not disappointed and had 10 days o

    • October
      • Turkey: Where We've Been and What We've Seen
        10/08/09


        As we only have a week left in the ‘The Land of the Big Chicken’ I thought I should really write a little about where we've been and what we've seen.

        We’ve spent the majority of our stay on the Cesme peninsular in Alaçati, with trips to Akyaka/Gökova (3 and half hour

    • September
      • Bolsas Be Gone
        09/14/09



        At last!! I was so happy to read the following post on El Blog Verde. Finally the Integrated National Waste Plan have decided to eliminate, by 2010, all plastic bags for single use which are non-biodegradable in Spain.

        Read the full post here in English and here in Spa

      • Samsung Eco-Phones
        09/11/09


        As soon as BF mentioned the words eco-phone I didn't need to hear any more, I wanted one!

        Samsung currently have two eco-phones out there cleaning up the airwaves.

        The Reclaim (realsed for Sprint, only available in the US), is constructed from eco-friendly bio-

      • The YikeBike MiniFarthing
        09/07/09



        This is the YikeBike and I YIKE it! I love nothing more than the power of the peddle to get me from A to B but I can definitely see the benefit of this little fella!

        Basic bike design has not changed in 120 years and why should it when it is perfectly stable and safe to

    • August
      • Eat it for Breakfast or Wash Your Face With it?
        08/30/09


        As products run out around the house, that are not already environmentally friendly, I am making the conscious effort to change to either home made or organic, ecological and sustainable ones.

        For years I have been using ecological washing up liquids, washing powders, conditio

      • Onya Weigh - Discount Code
        08/24/09


        Since my post below I have spoken with Dan at Onya who will send me some Onya Weigh bags to Turkey :o) He has even sent as far as Afganistan!

        Dan very kindly gave me a discount code eco1 for all of you to use as well!

        Please visit Onya's site and support their

      • Do Something Drastic - Cut the Plastic
        08/15/09


        Its market day here in Alacati, Turkey, which should fill me with the joy of trying and buying local produce but instead it fills me with mixed feelings about collecting up my produce... they love the one thing I hate - Plastic Bags!

        Both the markets and the supermarkets here,

      • The Ultimate VW Westfalia by Verdier
        08/10/09


        I am going to have a gushy moment - I am in love with this VW Westfalia Camper! I grew up with camping and caravaning so all forms of 'home from home' are always of interest for me. But this, this is the ultimate in modern day camping!

        Originally shown at the Detro

    • July
      • Rhubarb and Custard
        07/15/09


        Here it is, my double size Tawashi (which I think looks like Rhubarb and Custard!) to replace my shower rose! You can see from the image how much bigger it is than the orginal.

        All I did was double the pattern from The Kidney Bean and hey presto a body washing sized Tawashi!<

      • Goodbye Shower Rose, Hello Tawashi
        07/06/09


        I am not a fan of plastic so if I can reduce my use of it in any way I will.

        Recently I was reading one of my favorite eco-sites (www.re-nest.com) when I came across Tawashi.

        Tawashi are traditionally a Japanese scrubbing brush, however the eco-tawashi is crocheted

    • June
      • Is Your Mouse an Eco-Warrior?
        06/03/09

        The time has finally come for me to buy myself a laptop. My desktop is still functioning fine but travelling a lot (whist studying) means it sits at home gathering dust while I continually borrow BFs!

        The world of laptops is a complete mine field to me but the one thing I did know

      • National Geographic - Plastic Containers Buyers Guide
        06/02/09


        I try my best not to purchase any food in plastic containers or to use plastic bags (see Don´t Feed the Turtles) but in some cases it is unavoidable.

        If I do have plastic containers I will reuse them for various things such as carrying fruit for lunch etc, however it is import

    • May
      • Billabong - Eco-clothing
        05/28/09


        Two days ago BF and I were shopping when he picked up a pair of Billabong board shorts and said 'hey look at this'. The shorts had a tag on them reading 'Billabong, Be The Change' .

        Be The Change is Billabongs Eco-clothing range, using organic cottons,

      • Animal Worldwide Freeride - Eco-clothing
        05/15/09

        I've always been a fan of Animal clothing and was very happy to receive an email from them today introducing their new Eco-clothing range - Enjoy, Not Destroy .

        Enjoy, Not Destroy uses sustainable fabrics, trims and responsible manufacturing methods.

        From the mou

      • Vegware - Eco Picnicing
        05/11/09


        Recently I blogged about Pandora Design's Eco Aperitif set - stylish, ecological, biodegradable and a little pricey...

        On my search for Eco-picnic ware which comes from a sustainable source and is 100% biodegradable I have come across Vegware, who offer just that and m

    • April
      • Eco Aperitif Set by Pandora Design
        04/24/09

        Now that the warm weather has arrived, the BBQ's are being fired up and we are heading to the beach for Picnics in the sun...

        More plastic!!

        The disposable plastic plate/glass/knife/fork are oh so convenient but as with all plastic, it is not doing our planet an

      • Ingenious 100% Recycled Sink
        04/15/09


        Join is a resourceful and inventive bathroom sink designed by Melissa Vilar for Sanindusa. This vitreous glazed china sink is made with 100% recycled materials and is suitable for left and right hand installations.

        The design is ingenious, with beautiful curves ending in the

      • Straits of Gibraltar Tuna to be Wiped out by 2012
        04/15/09


        I have always loved this time of year, when you see the Almadraba (traditional tuna fishing nets) just off of Los Lances beach you know its time to head to the market on a morning for the freshest tuna you can buy - but from now on I will be asking how it was caught...

        Report

      • Home From Home - Modern Day Caravaning?
        04/07/09


        After blogging about the 'Mini Home From Home', I popped to the beach to check out the wind and kite size to be confronted with 'Ulysse et Penelope', probably the biggest motor home I have ever seen!

        This completely self-sufficient vehicle is an Unimog Truc

      • Mini Home from Home - Modern Day Caravaning?
        04/07/09


        So many of us these days either dream of moving around or do so; constantly packing our belongings, throwing them in a car and moving on.

        This concept Trailer could be the answer for the continual traveler. This tiny trailer, initially designed to be towed by a Mini, fans out

      • Furoshiki - Eco-Friendly Wrapping
        04/03/09


        I love to recycle and I love everything Japanese (especially cooking the food!) but this was a new one to me and I will definitely be using it too!

        Japanese culture promotes recycling waste; Furoshiki is the eco-friendly wrapping cloth - wrap and re-use!

        From wrappi

      • Nat Tate the April Fool Fake
        04/01/09


        One of my favorite and most memorable grand scale April Fools was that of William Boyd and David Bowie.

        In 1998 Boyd, Bowie and 21 Publishing hosted a lavish party for the launch of Boyd's Biography on the 1950's artist Nat Tate for the New York gliterati.

    • March
      • Roll Over Ecover We've Landed on Eco Planet
        03/28/09

        Being Eco Friendly living in Southern Spain proves to be somewhat of a challenge. Having Gibraltar around the corner however has allowed me to continue using Ecover products, at a price!

        Finally the Carrefour brand Eco Planet has filtered down to our local stores giving us an alter

      • Don't Feed The Turtles
        03/27/09


        Something very close to my heart is the effect of plastic bags on the environment and nature. Christmas just past, Santa bought me a 'turtle friendly shopping bag' (www.turtlebags.co.uk) to assist in the cause.

        After out living the Dinosaurs, Turtles are now having

      • Space Saver
        03/26/09

        Gabriel and Oscar Buratti have designed this extremely cool space saving 2 in 1 washbasin and toilet (W+W) combo for Roca. It's smooth 'L-shaped' design is not only aesthetically pleasing but extremely functional, only taking up the space of a traditional vanity unit or sink st

      • Kenya Safari - Tsavo East National Park
        03/14/09
        During our last week in Kenya (Tues 03/03/09 & Wed 04/03/09) we went on a two day, one night Safari in Tsavo East National Park. The lovely Lillian at Dream Kenya Safari's, again, effortlessly organised us a magical tour with a fantastic guide, Ali, ( www.dreamkenyasafaris.com ), a man wi

      • Kenya Wasini Island and Kisite National Marine Park
        03/14/09

        Our trip to Wasini Island and Kisite National Marine Park was another magical insight into just how beautiful Kenya and it's people are. Lillian at Dream Kenya Safaris ( www.dreamkenyasafaris.com ) was an absolute star for organising this at such short notice!

        Yet another ear

      • Kenya Eco-Bike Tour
        03/13/09

        Another early start (07:30 Thursday 26/02/0) to go on the Bike Tour with Diani Bikes a new project promoting Eco-Tourism in the area (www.dianibikes.com). Our first stop was back to Mawene, however this time we actually went into the school, met the headmaster and the children had a look at t

      • Kenya Exploring - A Walk to Mawene
        03/12/09

        We've had some great kiting sessions, although some short, which has been a great confidence booster for me. The shoulder did okay, each session lasted a bit longer, but man the rest of my body knew it had been off the water for 4 months! As the wind died down new adventures were cooked

      • Kenya Kiting In Diani
        03/12/09

        The wind had been somewhat alluding us but eventually it arrived, and WOW what a spot! Mark rigged up his trusty kitecam and off we went. Diani beach runs as far as the eye can see with a reef break about 1km off shore, so flat on the inside with waves at the back, perfect! This is the most

      • Kenya A Day In Mombasa
        03/12/09

        After settling in to our Banda (www.diani-banda.com) and adjusting to the heat (!) we decided to head back north to Mombasa for the day (Monday 16/02/09). We started at Fort Jesus, initially built by the Portuguese in 1593, but changed hands more than nine times between 1631 and 1875 under bl

      • Jambo Kenya
        03/09/09

        On 7th Feb 2009 we set off to Kenya for a 2 month jolly. Traveling from Southern Spain meant 3 flights but when arriving in Diani, wow was it worth it! We arrived in Mombasa at around mid-day to temperatures way over 30 degrees and felt immediately at home! Mombasa, being an island, meant wa

      • First Time Blogger
        03/09/09


        Hi All and welcome to my first ever blog!

        BF set this up for me as a surprise so now I can tell you all about, well, stuff ;o)

        Not sure how this will go yet so keep posted and expect random things to appear!

        They say there is a first time for everything s