The Green Familia » Things To Do

Yeo Valley – A great family day out

Brenda — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:08:46 +0000

When you think of Yeo Valley, you instantly think of their delicious organic yogurt or dairy products, but do you really know how they are made and the extent of what goes into making that scrummy pot of yogurt?

This week I was lucky enough to be invited down to the Yeo Valley farm and get a personal guided tour from Les and the Yeo Valley team. I have to say that it was my favourite day out in a LONG time. Even though it meant a very early start and the weather was not as kind as it could be, nothing could detract from the enjoyable day I spent out on the farm.

Our day started at Will’s Barn an old outbuilding which has been converted to an educational centre where the tours start from. From an eco point it is FANTASTIC, it is off-grid and so they produce all their own power from solar panels. They have spent a lot of time in the planning of this building making eco decisions that are low impact and that work! They break down all the eco point into bite-size knowledge points which are not only informative to adults but for children as well.

Outside we got a guided tour by Les and Graham of the Mendip hills and Yeo Valley land, starting with a history tour of how it came to be. An explanation of wild flowers and trees that have been there for many hundreds of years. I do not think I have ever since so many Bluebells in one day! I also got to taste some wild garlic which was amazing! Luckily we are in lambing season so walking in the same fields as ewes and their baby lambs was also a magical aspect to the day. We also got to experience the dipping in and out of the fog in the Mendips. Les assured us there was a big lake in the distance which a few minutes later did magically appear as we kept on walking.

Lunch was back at Will’s Barn and was after we had been given a demonstration by Tina on how to build a dry wall. The explanations of why and how you build these walls were very interesting and our feeble attempt of trying to build one was fun. The food throughout the day was top notch, all made with the finest local products you could not find tastier food elsewhere. The earlier yoghurt tasting session was also very popular. My favourite without a doubt was the Rhubarb yogurt, quickly followed by the Coconut Greek Style.

After lunch we went out for a long walk to cross the Mendip plateau’s again to get an appreciation for all the conservational work that Yeo Valley as a firm are doing, which helps them to farm the land in an organic manner. You can see that a company that is as big as they are, take their custodian responsibilities as a huge importance in all of their farming decisions.

All in all I had a fantastic day and would thoroughly recommend you to take up the opportunity this summer to go visit Yeo Valley for yourselves. They are running open days throughout the summer, for both farm and garden tours. Dates are available from June til September and it really is an opportunity not to be missed!

The dates for the Farm Tours are:

29^th June
6^th July
20^th July
28^th September

The dates for the Garden Tours are:

10^th July

24^th July

4^th September

18^th September

Yeo Valley’s Farm Tours and Garden Tours are both all-day events priced at £30 per person.

For more information and to book visit www.yeovalley.co.uk.

For me Yeo Valley tick all the right boxes and are a company that we should all get behind and support. They are a British family owned company, who have values and are producing organic healthy food that is scrummy.

Win Tickets To The RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Brenda — Thu, 03 May 2012 16:00:35 +0000

Jacques Vert are currently running a fabulous competition to win a pair of tickets to The RHS Chelsea Flower Show on the 26^th May. To enter all you have to do is answer this simple question correctly by midnight on the 10^th May. So don’t delay!

What is the name of their 40^th anniversary occasion wear collection?

a) Ruby Rose

b) Raspberry sorbet

c) Rose Wine

Jacques Vert is a leading provider of elegant women’s wear, specialising in wedding outfits for the mother of the bride.

Good luck!

Guest Post: Moving to the UK? Some things you should know

Brenda — Thu, 03 May 2012 08:00:47 +0000

I relocated to the UK from the US for work reasons over two years ago and it has proven to be a very positive move for me. I hope that my observations will be helpful to you if you are considering making such a major change in your life.

Moving to live and perhaps work in another country can be exciting if a long-held dream is coming true. It can also be inspirational if a new course of study at college is involved. Unfortunately it can also be stressful, as the task of sorting everything out preparatory to the move can seem overwhelming. Here is some information that will help to make the experience of moving to the UK a positive and enjoyable event.

Making the move

Often it is the process of relocating itself that is most daunting. Whether a single individual or a whole family is involved, it makes good sense to find a furnished house or flat to rent until such time as the option to buy or to move somewhere more suitable has been decided. Your own furniture and other personal effects can be held in storage until a more permanent property has been acquired. Oxford storage can provide space for everything from a few small boxes of goods to the contents of a whole house.

Information

Assuming that a place to live and work or to study is secured, and that speaking and reading English is not a major problem, the first thing to do is to get to know the immediate geographical area that you are going to reside in a little better – this can be done virtually by using maps and online local information, before arriving. In the UK, individuals register with a local doctor (general practitioner or GP) for their healthcare, a dentist for oral care and also often with an optician for eye care. Sometimes these services are free, as with National Health GP services; sometimes the providers offer only private services, which are chargeable. Other useful locations to identify are the nearest bank and post office. Both will change currency and provide financial advice and services.

Getting around

Try to choose a place to stay/live that is served by public transport. In London there is a normal railway system that is served by several mainline stations from where you can gain access to any other part of the UK. London commuters also benefit from the Underground railway system known as the Tube. There is also a tram service in the London docklands area. Excellent and convenient bus and coach services are easy to find in the capital.

Many other major UK cities have good transport links and tram and/or bus services. In the more rural areas, bus services may be infrequent, so it is worth being clear about transport availability before you decide where to live. Using public transport, rather than running a car is much better for the environment, and cities with a tram service are among the most eco-friendly places to live in the UK.

Traditions and lifestyle

Generally, people living in the UK are polite and respectful in their social dealings with others; they queue patiently in shops, for example, and when they walk their dogs in the park or along a street they have to, by law, clear up and dispose of any dog mess. Plastic bags are used for this purpose and deposited in a dog waste bin, which is generally coloured red.

UK police officers are approachable if you need help or are seeking directions. If you are unfortunate enough to need a hospital you will find that the care you receive will be of a high standard.

Being eco-friendly

The best cities in terms of protecting green open spaces, reducing carbon emissions and promoting recycling are Leeds, Sheffield and Newcastle in the north; Coventry, Leicester and Birmingham in the Midlands; Bristol, Brighton and Plymouth in the south. London is improving year on year, and the city of Edinburgh in Scotland is now a UNESCO designated World Heritage Site.

Guest Post: Eco Friendly Date Ideas for Couples

Brenda — Tue, 01 May 2012 11:00:15 +0000

There’s a good chance that if you asked someone, “Where can I take a person on a first date that is eco-friendly?” that they might translate that to mean, “Where can I take a person on a first date that’s cheap?”

No doubt about it, the “go green” movement definitely makes things easier on the wallet. But what a lot of eco-friendly dates may lack in cost, it certainly makes up for in creativity. In other words, “the less you spend, the more imagination you usually have to use.” In many ways, when it comes to making a good first date impression, that can actually work out well into your favor.

So what are some eco-friendly date ideas for couples? How about trying out a few of these?

A picnic. You can never really go wrong with a picnic basket and a bottle of (organic) wine. Sure, it may seem a tad bit predictable, but you can always put your own spin on it. Maybe have a picnic at sunset. Or fill the basket with your date’s favorite things (you can ask them or perhaps connect with one of their relatives on Facebook if you’d like it to be a surprise). Seasonal picnics are pretty special too. For instance, you can have one at winter by bringing along some soup, hot cocoa and a new scarf and pair of gloves. (Etsy.com has some really cute eco-friendly gloves and arm warmers.)

Bike riding. Some couples enjoy hiking, especially on a first date, because it’s a great way to build communication while getting in some cardio at the same time. You can take it up a notch by going bicycle riding, instead. Either you can bring your individual bikes along as your ride along a promenade or in the park. Or, you can look into renting a tandem (side-by-side) bicycle for the day. A lot of sporting stores offer that as a reasonably priced option.

Take a local road trip. One of the best things you can do for the environment is to cut down on the amount of emissions that goes into the atmosphere. You can do that by opting to carpool or to ride the bus instead of using your car on a daily basis. Along this same theme, a fun date can consist of a similar concept. Simply get a couple of tourist brochures and hop the MTA, Marta, subway, trolley or a taxi for a day. You and your date can stop at all of the places that either you like best in your city or that you’ve never seen before. If you take a long a camera, it’s a wonderful way to preserve some lasting memories.

Cook an organic meal. It still continues to be a really romantic thing when someone cooks for their significant other. So, why not do a bit of research into some great organic recipes? OrganicAuthority.com and OrganicKitchen.com are two websites with loads of them. To go along with the organic theme, decorate the table with some soy candles and gerbera daisies (they’re wonderful for purifying the air) and make sure to serve everything on some eco-friendly dinnerware (everywhere from Crate and Barrel to Amazon carries some).

Go for a walk. From a divorce in Austin to one that’s filed in England, one of the leading causes for divorce is a lack of communication; that usually is due to many couples not developing effective ways of talking with one another. A simple way to remedy that is to go on walks with one another. It could be in your neighborhood, along the beach, window shopping at a mall…anywhere where you both feel comfortable to just be yourselves. You can even sweeten the deal with some gelato from a local eatery or toast one another with some champagne or sparkling cider upon your return (Korbel has an organic champagne that’s available at a really reasonable price.). Besides, a good walk together is pretty symbolic, wouldn’t you say? It represents going somewhere…together.

Family Days Out

Brenda — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:00:36 +0000

Whenever there’s a school holiday, parents are often faced with the problem of keeping their children entertained. While they may appear overjoyed at being away from school, boredom can quickly set in. If that’s the case, you want to find something for them to do, but some activities can seem expensive. However, there are discounts to be had through things like family cinema ticket deals which will make entertainment much less costly. With that in mind, there are a lot of fun family activities which will go down well with your kids.

A trip to a London Leicester Square cinema could be just the thing. At the moment, a number of kids’ films are out, and are sure to keep them enthralled for at least an hour and a half. When choosing a film, it might be worth looking for one which you can all enjoy, and not just one that’s exclusively for kids, as you want to have fun too.

Another activity worth doing during any of the school holidays is visiting a museum. If, for example, you live in a big city like London, Leeds or Manchester, you have plenty of museums to choose from. In the capital, you have the Natural History Museum, the Royal Observatory and the National Maritime Museum, which will have several interactive displays and activities which they can enjoy. Most museums are free to visit, so you’ll save yourself a lot of money on admission fees, and a walk round a museum can stretch out to a morning, afternoon or even a whole day.

Staying with the theme of free activities, a visit to a local park or playground could be just the thing, especially if the weather’s nice. Having a picnic somewhere like Hyde Park won’t cost a thing (aside from food), and if there’s a playground nearby, then that’s even better.

While it will cost you something, going for a swim at your local leisure centre won’t set you back too much, and many of them have slides which your kids can use. One added benefit of going to a swimming pool is that your kids could get some exercise, which is handy to help them burn off some of their seemingly ceaseless energy.

Image Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/l2f1/

Guest Post: Africa’s best green hotels and lodges

Brenda — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:00:32 +0000

As a continent undergoing much upheaval and change both culturally and economically it is crucial that as a tourist destination; Southern and Eastern Africa in particular, this region of the world is appropriately and sustainably managed to ensure the longevity and conservation of some of the world’s most diverse and fragile ecosystems. The Serengeti, the Kalahari, Kruger National Park, the Masai Mara, Lake Malawi, the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and many more reserves and conservancies around this vast landscape must be protected and cared for and a philosophy of responsible tourism must be at the centre of this movement.

Already many individuals and organisations have begun to respond to the general growing preoccupation with eco-conscious travel and sustainability and leading this initiative are the travel groups, hotel and lodge owners who year on year continue to further their eco-tourism strategies and operations. The number of ecologically aware proprietors and hoteliers continues to increase across Africa and as such these groups such were recognised by the world travel awards in 2008 with the inclusion of the ‘Africa’s Leading Green Hotel’ award.

Il Ngwesi Eco-Lodge, Kenya – Built from local materials and actually owned and managed by the local Masaai community Il Ngwesi has won numerous awards for its sustainable and community-centric approach. The lodge has been beautifully crafted featuring decked walkways which lead from the main ‘mess’ to the individual bandas (rooms); traditional thatched huts with open views out across the stunning landscape. The lodge manager Ochen Mayiani is a local to Il Ngwesi and in the past has served as a game ranger at the Lewa Conservancy as well as being a qualified chef his knowledge of the local area is unsurpassed meaning guests are afforded a unique insight into the history and culture of the Il Ngwesi people.

Manda Nkwichi Lodge, Mozambique – Nestled on the banks of the sea-like Lake Niassa (the world’s 9^th largest inland lake), Manda Nkwichi Lodge is a hand built property subtly hidden amongst the verdant forests along the shoreline of North Western Mozambique. Featuring six spacious chalets, accommodating only 14 guests at a time the management team are dedicated to luxurious but sustainable tourism. Utilising solar energy, using composting pits to dispose of organic waste, recycling water and with 50% of produce used grown within 25km of the lodge Manda Nkwichi is an ecological success story. Employing over 75 local people from the surrounding communities, establishing the Manda Wilderness reserve and the Manda Wilderness Agriculture Project ensure that the lodge operates in complete unity with the local people.

Nairobi Serena Hotel, Kenya – A modern hotel in every aspect, looking at the Nairobi Serena you may not expect the place to be a paradigm for green tourism but although the property boasts 183 guest rooms the Nairobi goes to show that even larger scale developments can be constructed and development with the environment in mind, something that perhaps other hotels not only in Africa but across the world can learn from. Made almost entirely from local materials reducing transport costs and its effect on the ecosystem the hotel was also built by local experienced workmen providing jobs to hundreds of Kenyans. Utilising the latest technologies in waste management, clean energy production, water recycling and non CFC use in a busy and cosmopolitan city the Nairobi Serena is a stalwart of sustainability and conservationism. The hotel also operates an outreach program across the city including local hospital visits, funding local schools and taking part in charity events.
The Phantom Forest Eco-reserve, South Africa – Hidden away in the serene forests of South Africa’s Southern Cape, the Phantom Forest Reserve has become renowned the world over as one of Africa’s foremost eco-properties. The winner of the leading green hotel in Africa award at the 2010 WTAs the accommodation is a haven of calm and respite situated only 7km from the fashionable town of Knysna. The 137 hectare reserve is home to a vast array of wildlife including over 150 species of bird, bush pig, bushbuck, the rare blue duiker, grysbok and a host of smaller mammals. The camp itself boasts a range of stunningly constructed and perfectly secluded ‘tree suites’ access to which and indeed to the rest of the camp is made via a network of boarded platforms which limits the ecological impact from the footfall of the guests. With its own on-site recycling plant not a drop of water is wasted ensuring natural resources are used sustainably and thoughtfully.

Guest post by Mahlatini African safaris- leading luxury tour operator specialising in travel to Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands

Guest Post: Top Green Trends in College Education

Brenda — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 11:00:03 +0000

Organizations around the world are looking for ways to become more environmentally conscious, and colleges are no different. Institutions of higher education have made great strides towards environmental sustainability and a smaller carbon footprint. And the schools are not simply looking at their own processes, but also at ways they can encourage students to take a more active interest in the environment. As college is often the final piece of formal education a student receives, it’s important to make sure students are as aware of their environmental impact as possible. Here’s a look at some of the top green trends in college education, not just in the United States, but around the world.

Recycling programs. Colleges across the country have placed a new emphasis on expanding recycling programs. You can now find recycling bins placed across campuses everywhere, and some schools even set up several bins for glass, plastic and paper in the halls of heavily-trafficked buildings. And many university organizations run recycling drives, to bring their efforts out into the community. College campuses are covered with soda machines, and properly disposing of all that aluminum and plastic is one of their most important goals.

Carpools. Many colleges have begun setting up carpool programs on and off campus. Carpooling is a simple way to reduce emissions and pollution while trimming our dependence on gasoline. Schools have been doing this for years with on campus bus and van service, but with the new carpool programs they’ve found a way to encourage the students to think along these lines in their off campus lives as well. Students save money on gas, and can track the results of their efforts on air quality and traffic.

Future use of the iPad. Since its release, the iPad has become a highly respected educational tool. Excitement is building even further as people look at its impact on environmental sustainability. Now colleges are encouraging their students to move their schoolwork onto the iPad. More and more professors are handing out assignments through email, which can then be turned in the same way. And many textbooks are releasing tablet versions. The amount of paper saved if a student doesn’t have to buy a physical textbook is astronomical. As classes move closer and closer to fully digital workflow, the environmental impact of four years of education will be minimized.

Green buildings. As the economy improves, many universities are looking at upgrades to their infrastructure. Improving old buildings and following green building codes on new construction will help universities keep up with the changing requirements of sustainability. Certified green buildings can significantly reduce energy consumption and waste, while decreasing the amount of potential pollution they cause.

Online education. A viable alternative to traditional college now exists online, with programs available to students wherever they are in the world. The tuition is generally less, and earning your degree online means no commuting, and therefore no carbon footprint. And the completely digital workflow saves a lot of trees. So whether you’re so dedicated to the cause that you’re getting a degree in environmental protection, or you’re more interested in criminal justice masters programs, getting your education online is an environmentally-sound approach.

Guest Post: Family Friendly Cornwall

Brenda — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 11:00:28 +0000

This is a guest blog post from our friends at Latitude 50, who offer family friendly self catering cottages in Daymer Bay, as well as a range of Polzeath, Rock and Port Isaac Cottages.

Cornwall is a great place to take the kids and there is no shortage of fun attractions and activities to keep them entertained whilst you are there. Get the very best out of your visit and try some of these fantastic family friendly attractions…

Visit the Camels at the Camel Centre, Goonhilly

Take a trip to the Camel Centre, near Goonhilly and you are sure to give the kids something to tell their friends about when they get home. The farm is home to a flock of over twenty camels, which you can meet and learn about and there is a great family friendly farm trail to walk too. There is also a gift shop, a farm shop and a café, which serves Origin coffee, light lunches and homemade cakes. Or alternatively bring a picnic and take advantage of the outdoor picnic tables and let the kids enjoy the giant sandpit and playground.

Sample the Ice Cream at Callestick Farm

Visit the Callestick Farm where the wonderful Callestick Farm Cornish Ice Cream is made. Here you can meet the cows that produce the milk to make the ice cream and see Sebastian the head Ice Cream maker at work! There is a whole collection of other farm animals to meet too and a great tearoom serving light lunches, cream teas and the best ice cream you’ll ever taste.

Explore they ruins of Tintagel Castle, Tintagel

Take your little ones to a real life castle at Tintagel and impress them with tales of real kings and knights. Allegedly the birthplace of King Arthur this impressive ruin is great for all ages to explore and the surrounding views are sure especially to please the grown ups. There is a beach café nearby which serves great crab sandwiches, proper cream teas and Cornish pasties. There is also a gift shop and baby changing facilities, highchairs and bottle/food warming are available on request.

Go to the National Seal Sanctuary, Gweek

The Seal Sanctuary started in 1958 when Ken Jones and his wife, rescued an abandoned baby seal from the beach in St Agnes. They took the seal home and cared for it from their small garden. From this the sanctuary grew and today the National Seal Sanctuary is a much larger operation. The centre rescues and rehabilitates a number of seals every year, as well as providing a permanent home for those unable to be re-released into the wild. The kids are sure to love this place and learn about the valuable work of the sanctuary whilst having lots of fun. Be sure to check the website for feeding times before you go!

Eat at Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen, Watergate Bay

Jamie Oliver’s famous restaurant is well worth a visit if you are in the Newquay area. Every year a new group of 16-24 year olds from Cornwall are taken on and given full training, with the hope that it will enthuse and inspire them to move on to better opportunities, in the culinary world. Lunch is relaxed and informal, though the food is fantastic and a great time for families to visit. And don’t forget breakfast – it is possible to go without booking a table – just turn up from 8.30 but get there early to avoid disappointment. There is a section of the menu for children and highchairs are available.

Bodmin Moor Wildlife Park, Bodmin Moor

Soon to reopen after a long period of refurbishment, the Bodmin Moor Wildlife Park (formerly Colliford Park) will be a great place for family day out. Get out and adventure on the stunning Bodmin Moor and meet the many animals that they have living at the Wildlife Park today, as well learning about the animals that walked the moor 12,000 years ago. This is an adventure that is sure to excite adults and children alike: be amongst the first to experience it after the reopening!

Easter Holiday Kid’s Ideas

Brenda — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 11:51:20 +0000

At any time of the year, it can be tricky finding something to keep your children entertained. This tends to happen quite a lot during school holidays, especially at Christmas and Easter. With the Easter holidays on the horizon, finding something to keep your kids occupied might seem like hard work, but there is a surprising solution. Perhaps taking your kids to West End musicals could be the answer to your prayers.

A day out at the theatre might seem a bit leftfield. Kids today can get bored very easily, despite experiencing the thrill of not having to go to school for a fortnight. However, buying Wizard of Oz tickets might prove to be the way to keep them occupied without them irritating you. By watching an entertaining, colourful production, their attention will be focused solely on what’s being performed in front of them, whether it’s on TV, at a football match or in a West End theatre.

Once you’ve made a decision on whether to go to the theatre, you’re then faced with a wide choice of productions to go and see. During school holidays, a lot of theatres put on family-friendly shows which are guaranteed to keep your young ones captivated for a couple of hours. They recognise that mums and dads want to do something with their children, and a night at the theatre is a perfect way to ensure that they’re entertained.

Upon looking for a show to go and see, you need to know what you and your kids will want to watch. As a rule, musicals are a safe bet, as the songs, colours and positive vibes are sure to go down well with young audiences. It might be worth going to see a show based on a classic family film such as the Wizard of Oz or The Lion King, just to see how the stage production compares to the original film. The musical version of Shrek also falls into this category.

It might seem fun, but the question of cost of seeing a show at the theatre may enter your mind. You might think that seeing a popular musical or play would set a family of four back over £100, but this isn’t true. At this time of year, theatres are desperate to get young audiences and families to come to their productions, and often offer significant discounts to get them in. Looking online for the best deals might save you money: tickets often cost less than £20 per person, while the money save could be used for treats to buy your kids during the interval in the foyer.

Guest Post: Top five romantic country spots

Brenda — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:00:05 +0000

With spring blossoming and summer on its way, now is the time to leave the house and enjoy the great outdoors. What better way to spend time with your partner or new love interest than exploring a place of natural beauty? Here’s a look at some of the best five romantic green locations that the UK has to offer:

The Giant’s Causeway

Jutting out amongst the rugged windswept cliffs of the Antrim coast, visitors can’t fail to be amazed by this wonder of the natural world. Take hold of your partner’s hand and climb to the top of the hexagonal rocks for a breathtaking view over the bay.

Depending on the weather you’ll either be cold or perhaps mildly warm, but most probably soaked. Dry off your wet clothes in one of the cosy pubs along the coast and with the fire roaring you can get romantic in the corner.

Hampstead Heath

It’s hard to escape the cut and thrust of the city in the inner parts of London but head over to this magical part of northwest London and discover Hampstead Heath. The Heath is the perfect place for a date. Whether you want to spend time with your long-term lover or with someone you recently met through dating websites UK green locations don’t come much better than this.

With hidden groves and rolling long grassy hills there are plenty of intimate places to explore. If it’s hot, strip off and go swimming in one of the three fresh water ponds at the northern end of the park. On cooler days spend the afternoon exploring the rooms at Fenton House.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bortescristian/4056628704/

The Highlands

The Highlands are a cultural and historic area of the north of Scotland, dominated by mountains and lakes. Still sparsely populated, the Highlands are a romantic and magical place to escape to. You can climb the highest mountain in the area, Ben Nevis, or enjoy romantic walks around Loch Long.

Pitlochry is a town on the southern edge of the highlands and a great place to start your journey. Just 61 miles away from Edinburgh it makes a welcome change from the city. For couples living in Edinburgh dating opportunities open up with the Highlands on your doorstep. Jump on the train and head out into the wild for romantic times.

The Lake District

http://www.flickr.com/photos/akandbdl/5741849343/

Set in the northwest of England, the Lake District is an idyllic national park, and the largest in the country, with diverse landscape and wildlife. In the park you will find Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in the area and Wastwater, the deepest lake. Thriving village communities like Keswick and Bowness-on-Windermere are welcoming places to visit.

The New Forest

The New Forest is a beautiful national park set on the south coast of England. It is a working landscape with many secrets to discover. Take your partner on a trip to discover The New Forest’s hidden gems and find out more about each other.

The only way to truly appreciate the sights, sounds and smells of the forest is to get out there and explore. Try to escape from the confines of the car and head out on foot, bicycle or on horseback to get a more intimate feel of the forest, its coast and villages.