Typecast

Photo by Edouard Ki on Unsplash Are you planning a road trip in the near future?  I found out that Kwik Fit are showcasing some of the most stunning and famous roads in Europe in their new ebook.  You can find out journeys down the Route 500 in Germany and the Ring of Kerry in Ireland - Europe is full of scenic routes that let you take in the views whilst you're being the wheel. But if you're driving you'll want to make sure that your car is in superb condition so I've written a mini guide which will help you avoid a stressful breakdown. Get your car serviced Regular car maintenance, on top of your annual MOT can help prevent car problems. I know how to check my oil, water and tyre pressure but you could also get your car checked by a professional for a little peace of mind and then you can keep on top of it yourself. Check your car battery If you haven't used your car in a while, you may need to recharge the battery. If you need to repla...

Excluding those ever elusive car experts, the vast majority of drivers don’t know all too much about their cars – despite using them daily. But just taking everyone’s word for it when it comes to cars because you’re not sure how to separate the fact from fiction could be costing you. Let’s separate fact from fiction by busting the most common car myths that just won’t die.  An MOT makes your car safe to drive The confusion about what an MOT does has been going around for decades, but even more recently a study showed half of motorists still believe that an MOT guarantees their car is safe for another year and a worrying 42% of them don’t get their car serviced annually because of it. In reality, an MOT assures your car is safe to drive at the moment it has been tested – not for the rest of the year. Regular servicing is a much better way to make sure your car is fully functional long term.  A car will die at around 100,000 miles Who knows where thi...

It's been a while since I blogged about running but if you follow me on any of my social media accounts, you'll know that I've been training for a half marathon for the past three months.  I've struggled through the training due to a flare up of osteoarthritis in my knees and basically just sworn my way round every run since deciding to undertake this challenge. A bit of background... my running club - Blackburn Road Runners - had picked a local charity, #FightLikeAKid , to support for a full year. #FightLikeAKid was set up initially to fund treatment for a young boy in Blackburn. Now the charity has grown and is supporting many more families whilst their child is receiving treatment for childhood cancer. It's a charity that I can really get on board with because my own daughter was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma in 1992 (you can  read our story here ). We remain eternally grateful that she was cured of cancer so now it's about raising funds for ...

Moving house is stressful enough for adults: it comes with the burden of additional work, financial worries, not to mention the fear that in the worst case scenario, it could all go wrong and your family could end up homeless! While these might be the thoughts that keep you awake at night, you are, at least nominally, in charge of what’s happening. You can speak to estate agents and solicitors, find affordable movers and packers , and start packing. Children just have a move happen to them: it’s totally out of their hands, and it can be confusing, frustrating and upsetting as well as exciting. Here are two hints to help your children adjust to the move, so they’ll be as ready for moving day as you are! Involve Them The most intimidating aspect of a move for a child is the powerlessness: it feels like a huge lifechanging event is being foisted on them. Getting them involved with the process is important: it demystifies what’s happening, gives them some agency in event...

Last year I had the best year for running.  At the beginning of 2019 I made new goals and set out with a positive mental attitude.  By March, my osteoarthritis had flared up again and gave me a huge knock-back.  I tried to battle through the pain but it was almost too much and I was on the verge of taking a recommended three months off all exercise.   Friends rallied round with all sorts of tried and tested remedies which included strapping my knee up with kinesiology tape, taking turmeric, and - the most popular of all - cannabidoil (CBD oil).   I was sceptical about the CBD oil but, after a long chat with my friend, Denise, and hearing a few more recommendations, I did a bit of research.  The World Health Organisation (WHO) have deemed CBD oil safe for consumption and it is legal in the UK due to it not containing THC which is the part of the cannabis plant that makes you high.  Currently, it is only legal as a food supplement a...