The big freeze causes big problems…
Jan 14th
Businesses across the UK have been hit by a downturn in trade due to what the media dubbed “the Big Freeze”. Various financial figures stressing the impact of the recent snow have been flying around and although it’s impossible to put an exact value on the impact it was likely to be somewhere around the £700 million mark each day during the cold snap.
Although we now seem to be over the worst last weeks snow could put a dent in the side of some major high street retailers first quarter profits following what was considered to be a successful end to 2009 with many retailers reporting record Christmas sales.
UK thaws, but weather fight remains
Jan 11th
Icy roads and snow showers continue to hamper Britain’s struggle back to normality, although the big freeze has eased its grip slightly.
A slight thaw was seen in some areas on Monday morning but forecasters predicted below-freezing temperatures and show showers would continue until the middle of the week.
Snow and ice continued to cause problems on the trains, with many rail firms operating revised timetables and warning passengers to expect last-minute cancellations.
Eurostar was also running a restricted service and recommended passengers cancel or postpone their journey if it was not essential.
Britain’s airports were open but passengers were warned to check with their airline before leaving home as there was still some knock-on disruption to flights.
The Met Office warned of widespread icy roads across most of England on Monday morning, snow showers in the South West and possible heavy snow in Northern Ireland. It also warned of “treacherous” conditions in Wales after snow and sleet fell on to already frozen roads.
Gritting was limited to major roads in most areas as grit stocks fell after daily usage reached around 60,000 tonnes. Local authorities were being forced to cut their use by a quarter while the Highways Agency was not gritting the hard shoulder of motorways.
The Highways Agency has placed large orders for imports of salt which should start arriving towards the end of the month.
A fleet of lorries has already started delivering 12,000 extra tonnes of de-icing salt made available by chemicals firm Ineos. The salt, due to be delivered to Wilhelmshaven in Germany, was diverted for use in the UK after emergency requests.
Fifty trucks left the firm’s depot in Runcorn, Cheshire, on Sunday morning, with another 50 scheduled to deliver more supplies on Monday. The salt will be supplied to some of the worst-hit areas including Pembrokeshire in South Wales, East Yorkshire, Fife, Gloucestershire, Bradford and Sheffield.
Frozen Britain seen from above
Subo soars into record books
Dec 2nd
Subo
Simon Cowell
has led tributes as Susan Boyle made chart history by soaring straight to number one with her debut album.
I Dreamed A Dream shifted more than 410,000 copies – the best first week’s sale for a debut album since records began.
The 48-year-old Britain’s Got Talent finalist smashed efforts from JLS, Black Eyed Peas and Queen, whose latest efforts were forced to settle for second, third and fourth spots respectively.
Her cover of the Rolling Stones classic Wild Horses entered the singles charts in ninth place.
Cowell, the pop mogul who masterminded her rise from obscurity, said: “I’m incredibly proud of Susan as well as being delighted for her. The success could not not have happened to a lovelier person. She did it her way and made a dream come true.”
World Cup – Theron ‘draws’ Ireland at World Cup
Dec 2nd
Oscar winning actress Charlize Theron had some fun at FIFA’s expense during a trial run for Friday’s World Cup draw when she ‘drew’ Ireland.
The South African (pictured), whose long-term boyfriend is Irish actor Stuart Townsend, made the tongue-in-cheek gesture just one day after FIFA rejected Ireland’s appeal to be added to the competition as a 33rd team.
The Irish made the request after France’s Thierry Henry was clearly seen handling the ball before setting up William Gallas for the winning goal in the play-off between the two sides.
A host of sporting celebrities will also take part in the draw including Ethiopia’s Olympic champion runner Haile Gebrselassie, England midfielder David Beckham, South Africa footballer Matthew Booth and cricketer Makhaya Ntini, and the host country’s rugby World Cup captain John Smit.
South African president Jacob Zuma will be in the audience along with Nobel Peace prize winners FW de Klerk and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
World Cup 2010
Vodafone 360 launched!
Nov 17th
What is Vodafone 360?
Vodafone 360 is a new service that brings your world together in one place, always available on your phone, PC and Mac. Create a free profile and back up your contacts from your phone, social networks, email and chat accounts in a single connected address book that synchronises wirelessly and automatically so you’re always up to date.
Share your photos and favourite places, follow friends’ status updates and let them follow yours, buy the latest music, games and Apps from the Shop and personalise your online world with My Web. Communicate with friends wherever you are. Vodafone 360 isn’t just a web service. It also works on most mobile phones, and we’re launching two new handsets tailor made to deliver the ultimate Vodafone 360 experience.
Vodafone 360
Diesel t-shirts standing the test of time
Oct 30th
Diesel t-shirts have stood the test of time, when it comes to men’s fashion there aren’t many designer brands that have dominated the market for more than a couple of seasons, but Diesel is one of the few exceptions.
Renzo Rosso started the fashion brand in 1978 with the aim of becoming a leader and by surrounding himself with some of the most creative and innovative designers Diesel has gone on to achieve that goal.
Diesel produces a continual range of t-shirts throughout the year to compliment the two seasonal collections from Diesel Denim. The sheer variety of men’s Diesel t-shirts has helped the brand to accumulate a keen following over three decades by ensuring that there is a design that appeals to almost all segments of the mainstream men’s fashion market.
Healthy Recipes: Caramel salmon
Oct 17th
Here’s one of my favourite Salmon dishes and it’s a fairly healthy one too. It’s quick and easy to make, but taste’s fantastic so it’s an all round winner. I’d definitely recommend giving it a try…
Ingredients
* 1 tbsp vegetable oil
* 800-1000 g Salmon
* 1 red Onion, sliced
* 3 cloves Garlic, sliced
* 3 tbsp dark Soy sauce
* 90g brown sugar
* 3 tbsp Fish Sauce
* 1 tbsp lime juice
- Serve with vegetables or rice.
Caramel salmon
1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan over a high heat. Add the Salmon and book for 2-3 minutes on each side.
2. Reduce the heat to medium and if needed add a little more vegetable oil. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.