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Common Myths About Wooden Houses

By
Claire James
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Wooden houses are one of the most eco-friendly and natural places to reside. In fact, a majority of people have shifted to wood as a building material instead of conventional materials. 

However, along with its benefits, people know a lot of things about the material, which is ultimately a myth. Some say it’s not durable, while others find it fragile. Both of these statements are absolutely false.

Speaking of which, today, we will decode some of the common myths related to wooden houses.

Myth 1: They are not Long Lasting

One of the most apparent myths related to wooden houses is that they are not long-lasting. However, the truth is that houses made from wood can serve for 100-150 years. All it requires is proper construction and maintenance, that’s it.

The primary reason behind its durability is the advanced technologies used in wood production. These technologies prevent any negative occurrences like cracking, decay, discoloration, twisting, etc., in residential log cabins. 

When the wood is technically dried, it makes a sturdy building material. Blend in some protective composition, and you will get a robust and lasting wooden house. 

Myth 2: Woods Get Damaged in Bad Weather Conditions

Be it extreme summers or winters; woods provide the desirable environment as per the season. Being a natural insulator, it keeps you warm during winters and cools during summers. 

So, again the above-mentioned statement is false. Sidewise, the natural insulation property of the wood can cut your electricity costs (related to air conditioners and heaters).

The insulation materials that are combined with wood ensure more thermal efficiency. The material has the potential to combat intense winds. As it’s flexible in nature, the house surface does not get cracked and damaged. 

If you choose a good-quality material, woods can render the same performance as other materials. In fact, many times, it’s sturdier than standard building materials. 

Myth 3: Woods are Weak Building Material

Being light-weighted, woods are considered a weak building material by many. Some people believe it to have less strength than other bricks ( commonly used in house construction). However, in reality, timber/woods are extensive in potential and versatility. They are used as per shapes and sizes to construct a strong structure. 

Once it gets dried, woods become efficient for use. That’s because drying decreases the moisture in the material. Dry woods are also less prone to staining and insect attacks. 

If you want another option other than dry woods, then you can go for cross-laminated timber. They also have enough strength to build a safe and indestructible house. 

Presently, so many people are choosing woods as the building material for their houses. The reason being its eco-friendliness and lasting potential. 

Conclusion

Surprising, right? All that you heard earlier was, in fact, false. Hopefully, now you know the reality behind the material. Summing up, wooden houses are one of the most efficient building materials presently. Be it standard tree houses, cabins, or cottages; you can use it for constructing any structure.  

Loch Ness in the frame as destination among most popular venues to feature in Instagram pictures

By
Andrew Mcaffrey
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New research by Heriot Watt University shows that the monster’s hideaway in Loch Ness is among the most popular venues to feature in Instagram pictures.

The university analysed Instagram hashtags relating to the most popular Scottish destinations on Trip Advisor.

What are the most popular locations?

It shows Loch Ness is the third most ‘Instagramable’ destination, behind Edinburgh Castle and Loch Lomond.

Figures until October 17 show Loch Ness had 439,736 hashtags, compared to Edinburgh Castle with 602,806 and Loch Lomond which has 501,498.

Other Highlands and islands tourism hotspots to feature in the list’s top 10 include Ben Nevis (218,208 hashtags), St Kilda (198,217) and Skye’s Fairy Pools (83,102).

Local tourism operators welcomed the latest proof of the famous loch’s popularity.

Willie Cameron, known as Mr Loch Ness, says he is “delighted but not surprised” by the findings.

The director of the Cobbs group, which has various tourist attractions in the area, adds: “It’s great for Loch Ness and couldn’t come at a better time as people plan their vacations next year.”

No surprise at Loch Ness featuring high on the list

Jo de Sylva, who chairs Visit Inverness Loch Ness, said: “As one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the world, I’m not at all surprised that Loch Ness has featured so highly in the list of most Instagrammable locations in Scotland.

“The natural wild beauty, combined with both stunning sunsets and sunrises means that the opportunities for gorgeous Instagram posts are endless.”

She says more people are experiencing the scenery and landscapes across the whole year.

“Loch Ness is so incredibly picturesque, and with the villages on the loch side offering great Highland hospitality, there is really no better place to spend a few hours, days or weeks.”

Yvonne Crook, director with Highland Tourism, adds: “This is a welcome example of how important Loch Ness and the wider beauty of the area is to the Highlands.

“Time and again we see that Loch Ness is truly a leading world class destination and we are determined to ensure a sustainable tourism future for the whole region.”

Heriot Watt said the research aims to provide information about the country when recruiting students.

Eco-Friendly Tips to Minimise Your Travel Carbon Footprint

By
Andrew Mcaffrey
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“Πάντα ῥεῖ!” said Heraclitus of Ephesus, famous Ancient Greek philosopher, over 2500 years ago. His pearl of wisdom translates as ‘Everything moves and flows.’ This is as true today as it was all those centuries ago.

Although less philosophically, we can agree that our frenzied world never stops. Our hectic routines require us to travel from one place to another all the time, whether to collect our weekly food shop or to begin our morning shift at work.

Even when on holiday, we are constantly on the move. You may be crossing the country to spend a weekend with friends and family in your hometown, or you may be exploring a new continent and enjoying stunning landmarks every day. In both cases, you will need to use some sort of transport to reach your desired destination.

When it comes to choosing our mode of transport, duration is usually our primary concern, and we tend to select the option that gets us from A to B in the shortest amount of time. However, the environmental consequences are gradually taking their toll on our planet. Tourists visiting the stunning Sicilian area of Syracuse last August, for instance, will have certainly experienced one of climate change’s detrimental effects as thermometers registered an unbearable and record temperature of 48.8°C (119.84 °F). Therefore, the next time we plan a trip, it would be wise to carefully weigh another important factor: how can I reduce my travel carbon footprint?                  

Here we set out some expert tips that could come in handy when organising your future eco-friendly travels.

WHEN YOU TRAVEL

Digital tickets

Booking your tickets is arguably one of the highlights of the trip. In all honesty, filling out tedious forms and registration pages is probably not that memorable, though once your reservation has been officially confirmed, it is difficult to repress a small surge of excitement. So much so that you may even be tempted to print your tickets straight away, just to convince yourself that the anticipated vacation to Mykonos or Fuerteventura is actually happening. If possible, save a digital ticket on your phone instead: switching to paperless documents is the first step towards making your holiday as sustainable as possible.

Train or plane?

It is no secret that aviation emissions contribute dramatically to climate change. That said, however, it is also true that planes can comfortably cover distances that would otherwise seem insurmountable. Therefore, our suggestion would be to book a flight if the plane journey lasts three or more hours; in fact, if you decided to use a different mode of transport, chances are you’d already have to be on your way back by the time you reach your destination.

When travelling within your country’s borders though, try to opt for a train ride instead. Studies show that by hopping on a train rather than a domestic flight, you are reducing your carbon footprint by 84%. Not only that, the scenery outside your window as you dart along the rail is unbeatable, and you are doing nature a whole lot of good.

Flying tips

Prior to the ongoing pandemic, travelling by plane had become increasingly popular, with about 4 billion passengers flying every year. As we slowly return to our beloved travels abroad, there are a few actions we can take to ensure that we are minimising our personal negative impact on the environment.

  • Fly direct: when booking a flight, search for non-stop routes. Changing planes at airports will increase your carbon footprint, as aircraft use most fuel when taking off and landing.
  • Use your local airport: if you are lucky enough to have a well-connected airport not far from your home, make sure to choose your local one over options that are further away. It will both limit petrol consumption and save you time.
  • Travel light: there is always an impulse to pack your entire wardrobe when setting off on an adventure, but it would be wise to only fill your suitcase with things you really need. Every item on a plane makes it heavier. And the heavier the plane, the more fuel is needed.   
  • Fly cheap: this is a win-win situation: save precious spending money and help the planet. By travelling in economy, seats are smaller, and more people can be carried with the same amount of fuel. According to a World Bank study, if you were to fly in business or first class instead, your emissions would be three times higher.

WHEN YOU’RE THERE

You have finally arrived and are ready to enjoy your well-deserved vacation. Even when in loco, there are some specific actions you can take to continue having an unforgettable eco-friendly holiday.

Hotels

Your hotel can often be viewed as a place in which to forget all housekeeping rules and let the staff take care of your every need. With a touch of mindfulness, however, you can truly minimise the impact of your stay.

Firstly, leave the “do not disturb” sign on the door so that staff do not enter your room to clean it when there is no need to. Similarly, fold and hang your towels instead of throwing them on the floor. Hotel laundry services not only are generally quite expensive, they also consume an unnecessary amount of water.

Also, act as if you were at home and had to pay your own bills: use lighting, water, and heating responsibly.

Travel, buy, and eat local

As you land in Barcelona, the city is there for you to discover. You can stroll along La Rambla, take pictures outside the Camp Nou and the Sagrada Familia, and walk around the enchanting Parc Güell. Wherever you go in the world, make sure to experience the place to the fullest.

Why not consider exploring your holiday destination on foot or by bicycle? Get lost in its traditional alleyways, chat to locals, and reduce your carbon footprint to the bare minimum. Also, try traditional dishes made from locally grown products and buy souvenirs from local artisans: you will be supporting the local economy and drastically cutting the kilometres your food and keepsakes have to travel to get to you.

Eco-friendly experiences

If you are up for some breathtaking and adventurous experiences which will stick with you forever, there are some sustainable options that you should definitely look into. Here are a few that caught our imagination:

  • Hop aboard the Shinkansen – With an Orient Express vibe going for it, the Shinkansen is a speed train that shoots through Japan in around eight hours, taking passengers from the bustling capital city of Tokyo to the remote and snowy Sapporo in the country’s northernmost island of Hokkaido. Japanese speed trains are substantially cleaner than diesel-powered lines, and this particular journey will allow you to admire mesmerising contrasting landscapes while having a low impact on the environment.
  • Cross the Andes and bathe in two oceans – Taking several days to complete, the Expreso Internacional Ormeño is a 6,300km bus trip (the longest in the world) that extends from the Pacific to the Atlantic. It is an unforgettable, slightly crazy endeavour that will transport you through the Andes without the need to board a plane.
  • The ultimate alpine routes – If your dream is to delve into the mountainous Swiss villages and settle down in a different cosy inn every evening, the Haute Route is for you. Walk or cycle from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn and enjoy the eco-friendliest tour of them all! However, if you would rather take in the marvellous views of the Alps while relaxing and leaning back on a comfy seat, hop on the OBB train and contemplate the Austrian peaks from Graz to Innsbruck (or Zurich in Switzerland). With free railway Wi-Fi connectivity on board, you will have the chance to take stunning pictures along the way and immediately share them with friends and family on social media.

And there you have it – please feel free to follow these suggestions to travel and spend your well-deserved holiday in a sustainable and environmentally conscious way.

Referring back to our Ancient Greek friend, Heraclitus’ aphorism implies also that things mutate over time and never stay the same. Perhaps it should be taken as a gentle encouragement to tweak our ways of doing and travelling too, in order to preserve our planet and make sure we can keep enjoying the beautiful sceneries we admire today. 

Sources

11 Ways to Shrink Your Carbon Footprint While Traveling [Infographic]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/science-environment-48206946

https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/travel/sustainable-tourism-travel-carbon-footprint-tips-353722

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/11-smart-ways-to-reduce-your-travel-footprint_b_593ff5c7e4b094fa859f1bc8

https://ourworldindata.org/travel-carbon-footprint

The Impact of COVID-19 on Waiting Times and What You Can Do if You’re Affected

By
Andrew Mcaffrey
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COVID-19 has had a huge and far-reaching impact on our NHS. Frontline staff worked tirelessly to support COVID-19 patients, as well as delivering as many critical services as possible.

Some key services are experiencing a backlog, with over 5 million people waiting to start treatment – a record number. This number could even reach 13 million in the coming months.

Here, we take a look at the impact of COVID-19 on NHS waiting times and explore some alternatives if this is impacting you.

Which procedures are backlogged?

Most of the procedures that are backlogged are “routine”, which includes non-urgent surgery and consultant-led appointments. They address treatments that aren’t life-threatening but are still important to many of us.

The backlog of treatments is a result of many of these services being suspended during multiple lockdowns to prioritise urgent healthcare. Additionally, many patients didn’t seek care for non-critical problems during the height of the pandemic.

Analysis from the Health Foundation has shown a number of drops in routine appointments, including:

  • 41% reduction in referrals for eye-related problems, including cataract surgery and glaucoma treatment
  • 42% fewer appointments for musculoskeletal problems, including knee or hip surgery
  • 43% reduction in oral surgeries, including tooth extractions and root canal surgery
  • 29% fewer appointments for neurology issues, including stroke and headache-related problems.

In total, 4.7 million fewer people were referred for these types of routine appointments and others in 2020 than in 2019.

What do the waiting lists look like for routine appointments?

The figures on the number of people waiting over a year for treatment vary by report. A study by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said that over 385,000 people had been waiting for more than a year for treatment, up from just 1,600 before the pandemic. The BMA reports these figures as 304,803 in June 2021, increasing from 1,032 in June 2020. Over 3 million have been waiting between 18 weeks and a year, according to NHS data.

Procedures that are most likely to have waiting lists longer than the NHS standard 18-week window include:

  • Oral surgery
  • Ear, nose, and throat appointments
  • Eye condition treatments

The IFS stated that to deal with the backlog, the NHS needed increased capacity.

The NHS is making good progress on its backlog of treatments, but waiting times are still high for some. The number of people waiting over a year decreased by over 10,000 between June and July 2021, but this still leaves over 5 million people waiting.

As well as the known backlog due to delayed or cancelled treatments, new referrals are likely to increase again because people are more comfortable seeking medical appointments now that restrictions have relaxed. The Health Foundation refers to this as the “hidden backlog”.

What can you do if you’re waiting a long time?

It’s clear that the NHS needs additional support to tackle the huge backlog it’s facing. The government has announced extra funding dedicated to helping the NHS reduce its backlog, but it’s already reported to be operating at 95% capacity.

To avoid the long waiting list for routine surgery or treatments, there are other routes you can consider. Private health insurance is a viable option. Traditional private medical insurance can be costly, but alternative private health insurance options operate slightly differently to keep costs lower for users.

These options don’t cover areas prioritised by the NHS, like cancer and heart disease, in order to keep premiums low. Private health insurance is more accessible for many and allows you to access treatment for health conditions that aren’t life-threatening but are having an impact on your life.

Not only can private health insurance help you access private treatment for non-urgent conditions more quickly than on the NHS, but you could also be helping to ease pressure on the health service. With fewer patients to treat, the NHS can address its backlog faster.

Is private insurance right for you?

Even with a concerted effort from the NHS, it’s likely that we’ll be living with longer waiting times for non-urgent surgery in the long term. If you’re worried about the impact this could have, private health insurance could help give you peace of mind.

Most providers will give you an instant quote so you can decide if it fits within your monthly budget. With most policies, the process is simple too. You make a GP appointment to get a referral as you normally would, then get in touch with your provider, who’ll assess your claim and arrange your appointment and payments. Some providers will even allow you to choose which hospital you attend.

The NHS has been under extreme pressure for over 18 months now. While it has rightly focused on treating COVID-19 patients and life-threatening emergencies, more patients than ever are experiencing longer waiting times for routine appointments. In addition to the NHS receiving more support to address this backlog, you may be able to seek out affordable private health insurance to skip the queues, receive treatment quicker, and support the NHS in addressing its backlog.

Sources

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-57793122

https://www.health.org.uk/news-and-comment/news/hidden-backlog-looms-as-nhs-referrals-for-routine-hospital-care-drop

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-58132538

https://www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/nhs-delivery-and-workforce/pressures/pressure-points-in-the-nhs

https://www.health.org.uk/publications/long-reads/elective-care-in-england-assessing-the-impact-of-covid-19-and-where-next

The 3 Most Powerful Spiritual Books That Will Transform Your Life

By
Andrew Mcaffrey
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If you’re on a quest for spiritual enlightenment, then the right book can illuminate the path to your personal ascension. A wisdom-infused spiritual book is the modern witch’s most coveted tool alongside healing crystals, tarot cards, and herbs. You can transcend its magic in your life, too.

While spiritual books might have been sitting at the back of bookstores for quite a while, in the last 20 years sales have spiked as “the commingling of secularism and spirituality is bound to be a defining element of the millennial zeitgeist”.

But why are spiritual books so enticing? Because they have the potency to transform your life through helping you open “the doors of perception”, as the pioneer in alternative spirituality Aldous Huxley would say in his 1954 eponymous book.

The gemstone jeweller Angelic Diamonds presents you with the three most powerful spiritual books and their Goodreads ratings that can change your life for the better.

The book that will change your beliefs

The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz – 4.16/5

If you’re looking for a book that will transform your life grassroots, look no further. The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz has revolutionised people’s mindsets, from regular readers to leading spiritual teachers. Lee Harris, a healer and energy teacher, said in an interview for Gaia’s show Buzzsaw that the one book that started his path of harnessing his healing abilities is The Four Agreements. “It was such a lightbulb moment to me. I read it and I knew it was true, and I also knew I couldn’t reach it. I see why I’m not these things yet, but I see that this is the direction I need to go in,” shared Lee Harris.

But why grassroots? Because the book makes us recognise the limiting beliefs that are imposed both by society and ourselves. Its core message is: wake up from the dream of society and create your own dream filled with joy, happiness, and freedom.

Although there are many books that aim to help us unpack the layers of limiting beliefs we store, The Four Agreements transcends the ancient Toltec wisdom. It’s both a practical guide and a treasured hindsight. In Oprah Winfrey’s own words, this book, “simple yet so powerful, has made a tremendous difference in how I think and act in every encounter”. Are you ready to create your own dream?

A practical guide to mindfulness

The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle – 4.13/5

It’s highly likely that you’ve stumbled upon this title recently. Published in 1997, The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolleentered mainstream media only a few years ago as an echo to the rising new age spiritual movement. In the UK alone, over one million copies of the book have been sold, with 2018 marking the highest yearly sales of 100,000 copies in the UK.

The book has greatly appealed to celebrities and spiritual teachers who have quoted it. In a review of Oprah Winfrey’s super-soulful reads, the talk show host says: “Meg Ryan and Ellen DeGeneres gave me copies of this book, and it’s gotten me through more crises than I can count.”

Eckhart Tolle swiftly demystifies the meaning behind “living in the now” in his manual to mindfulness. The core message of the book is as clear as Tole’s inspirational writing: living in the now will take you on the path to happiness and spiritual enlightenment. It’s time to stop reminiscing over the past and living in the future, because the present holds the truest joy one can experience. Be here, now.

Your guide to collective ascension

A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose by Eckhart Tolle – 4.09

It seems that the world can’t get enough of Eckhart Tolle because his follow-up book A New Earth,published in 2005, has received as much appraisal as his first best-seller.  

This time, the author takes us on a narrated journey to the debris of our biggest enemy – our ego. It’s at the core of all of humanity’s suffering and the connoisseur of a dysfunctional society. By leaving our personal and collective ego at the door, we can enter a world full of joy and loving-kindness – a new earth.

Little did Eckhart Tolle know that his book will help shape the concept of our ascension to the 5D world, what we call the new earth. The book helps us transcend our ego so that we can step into the vibrational frequency of love together. In that sense, A New Earth is a tool not only for personal transformation but also for a collective ascension.

If you haven’t got your copy yet, hurry up and let the magic of these powerful spiritual books unfold right in front of you!

Sources

From Crystals to Horoscopes: The Rise of Spirituality in a Skeptical World

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/386482.The_Four_Agreements

https://www.gaia.com/video/overcoming-challenges-ascension-lee-harris

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6708.The_Power_of_Now

Celebrating 20 years of The Power of Now

https://www.oprah.com/book/the-power-of-now_2?editors_pick_id=49177

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/76334.A_New_Earth?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=WhO60fkDGW&rank=1

What is the Designer of the Future Award?

By
Andrew Mcaffrey
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Designer of the Future was established in 2020 following the death of revolutionary designer Sir Terence Conran.

It aims to provide the next generation of creative talent with a unique opportunity to develop themselves and their ideas.

The award was created with the backing of The Marandi Foundation to ensure that new and upcoming designers could be supported and nurtured just as Sir Terence had done throughout his career.

He was a visionary who was said to have “moved Britain forward to make it an influence around the world.”

When it came to products, Conran voiced a philosophy of good design being ‘plain, simple, useful’, and it is these key qualities that this competition’s open brief considers.

As part of the first step in their creative careers, the competition is open to university graduates across the UK who are invited to submit designs from their degree for consideration.  

The victors is determined by a panel of judges that find a product that successfully balances viable commercial potential and reflects Sir Terence Conran’s ethos.

This year, the panel included fashion designer Anya Hindmarch, architect Lord Norman Foster, and British Fashion Council Foundation co-chair and investor Narmina Marandi alongside senior executives from The Conran Shop.

The award winner receives a prize worth £40,000, consisting of a cash award of £3000 to support their design career and a three to six-month work placement at The Conran Shop headquarters in London.

While there, the winner has an opportunity to gain invaluable industry experience and can see their product developed and brought to market.

This year, the award was won by 23-year-old Kingston School of Art graduate Cameron Rowley.

Close to 100 newly-graduated design students entered, whittled down to 11 finalists, but it was the product and furniture designer who impressed the judges.

Rowley’s ‘One Step Ladder design is simple but effective, borne out of an observation that the everyday step stool found in the home is used so briefly, often for one step only, and is rather bulky.

His innovation aims to improve the footprint of the product whilse still facilitating its use.

The smaller, more ergonomic, design perfectly embodies Conran’s original views on what makes a ‘good design’.

The judges felt that the product’s purpose was easy to see and understand, and offered a simple solution to an everyday challenge in an aesthetically-pleasing way.

To quote the winner himself, the design holds an ‘inherent and unintentional beauty’ that can be found in understated everyday objects.

In fact, inspiration from utilitarian tools and other household items helped Rowley create such a simple but effective design.

The Designer of Future Award not only provides an important platform for young and emerging designers but also creates an opportunity to focus on innovation and sustainability.

If sustainability is prioritised at the beginning of the design process, the products we use and the spaces we inhabit will gradually influence our future and way of living to become more environmentally friendly and sustainable.

The recent winner of the award was asked for his thoughts on the future of design trends, and commented: “All my fellow designers have become conscious of our impact on the environment.

“It’s great to see so many designs which use sustainable materials and processes. I believe we have a primitive appreciation for utilitarian objects and beauty. If a design manages both, it will inevitably become timeless.”

The Designer of the Future Award is more than an award; it is a way to uphold the legacy of the late Sir Terence Conran, who always believed in supporting and encouraging young designers.

As stated by Javad Marandi, the award ‘will help enable future generations of designers to prosper and uphold the traditions he set‘.

The Great Digital Overhaul(age)

By
Andrew Mcaffrey
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Digitalisation has transformed every sector in recent years. The implementation of technologies like artificial intelligence and automation have streamlined processes, improved data accuracy, and allowed businesses in every industry to become more efficient.

One sector that has been slow in its adoption of technology is logistics and haulage. In a pre-pandemic PwC survey, only 28% of transport and logistics providers rated themselves as digitally advanced.

However, digitisation is picking up in the sector. In its whitepaper, Using Digital to Drive Your Transport Business Forward, Mandata found that digital adoption is a priority for two-thirds of hauliers in 2021.

Here, we discuss how digital technologies are transforming the logistics sector in 2021 and beyond.

Back-office digitisation increases productivity

When we think of innovative technologies, we might focus on virtual assistants and robotics, but sometimes the best digital solutions are the less glamorous ones. For many years, hauliers and logistics firms relied on manual or paper-based processes to manage planning, jobs, and invoices.

Gone are the days of using spreadsheets, or even easily misplaced sheets of paper, to carry out your operations. Now, transport management software allows you to manage your processes, from order right through to invoice, in one fully integrated system. Not only does this allow you to be more time-efficient, because it eliminates duplicate data entry, but it also offers real-time visibility on reporting or job status updates for key stakeholders like customers and colleagues.

Route planning software makes journeys more efficient

In days gone by, your drivers’ deliveries could be impacted by a poor route choice or unexpected traffic. One late delivery can have a knock-on effect on the rest of the day’s deliveries, which can impact profit made on each job, your customer satisfaction, and potentially your customer retention rate.

Route inefficiencies can also cost your business a lot of money – and in a sector with already razor-thin margins, this is the last thing you need. Intelligent route planning software, however, will automatically calculate your costs per vehicle or mile and give you the most fuel-efficient options.

With real-time status updates and ETAs available, your transport planners will be able to see if there’s anything holding up your drivers and, if necessary, divert them. A live arrivals board will allow you to easily spot any journeys encountering issues and view delivery countdowns.

Mobile apps for drivers improve accuracy

Drivers are also benefitting from the technological innovations driving change in the sector. In recent times, many planners would send their drivers a list of jobs via WhatsApp, SMS or even phone calls, which was difficult to track and follow. Prior to that, many relied on paper sheets handed to them at the start of the workday. Paper proof of deliveries also presented a lot of issues for drivers.[SR1] 

Mobile apps for drivers are making their day-to-day tasks easier[SR2] , allowing them to carry out essential parts of their work in one place and paper-free. They can access their jobs for the day within the app and update them when they’re complete.

One of the most powerful tools for hauliers in these apps is electronic proof of delivery (ePOD). Paper-based PODs were the standard until recent years, but they were prone to being misplaced, lost, or even illegible. Electronic PODs allow drivers to easily capture confirmation of their delivery, whether that’s via a photo or a digital signature. The ePOD will automatically match back to the correct job and when the jobs are ready to be invoiced, the ePODs will automatically be attached. This results in less duplication of work while also providing the ability to complete invoicing in a few clicks, cutting down on hours of manual work.

Many sectors have reaped the benefits of digital innovation, but until recently, haulage and logistics companies have been left behind. We know the industry struggled with the impact of COVID-19, with 73% of hauliers reporting that their cash flow significantly reduced in the first UK lockdown. However, we’ve also seen priorities change as a result of these extraordinary circumstances, as many hauliers are choosing to focus on digital adoption this year.

 [SR1]I’m not keen on the tone of this – could we change this to “And not to mention paper proof of delivery.”

 [SR2]This goes back to the conversation we’ve had on ‘what does this mean’ and trying to stay away from high level jargon/corporate talk. Could we have a switch up here, try something like “Mobile apps are helping drivers make their day-to-day tasks easier and less hassle” or something like this?

The Top 10 Most Instagrammable Beers Around the World

By
Andrew Mcaffrey
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A new study carried out by Electrix International Germany has revealed the most Instagrammable beers in the world, ranking famous brewer brands based on their popularity on the social media platform, Instagram.

Instagrammable refers to a visual appeal and suitability for being photographed and posted on social media, most notably, Instagram. With millions of pictures of beer and drinks taken every day, of course, some beers are more popular than others.

The gitterrinne supplier has calculated the number of pictures posted with a hashtag and the name of a beer and the data positions the popularity of each product.

With San Miguel and Budweiser landing in the top three beers on Instagram, the top choice of keen beer photographers is to be revealed. Here, we explore the top ten beers of Instagram.

10. Red Stripe

Just making it to the top 10, Red Stripe received a total of 264,605 hashtags. The Jamaican pale lager is popular around the world and remains the beer of choice for Jamaicans today. Originally distilled in stubby bottles, Red Stripe attracts the most interest across UK, USA, and Brazil.

9. Mythos

Mythos lands in ninth place with 272,285 hashtags on Instagram. The most popular beer in Greece, Mythos, was created in 1997 in the Olympic Brewery. If you stop by any of the Greek islands, you’d be sure to come across Mythos in any of their bars, beach clubs and supermarkets.

8. Singha

Brewed in Thailand, Singha has made a home in eighth in this ranking. With 295,312 images on Instagram, it is of course the beer of choice for Thai people. First brewed in 1933, Rawd Brewery’s beer is shipped internationally to 53 countries and attracts interest from the UK, France, USA, and India.

7. Corona

Mexico takes pride in its Corona beer, helping it land in seventh place. The sunshine beer has been snapped 348,160 times on Instagram while being distributed to 180 countries worldwide. The crown on the corona bottle represents the brewery’s appreciation for its sun. This aligns the characteristics of its beer well, claiming no other beer quite brings that Mexican beach feeling.

6. Tuborg

Tuborg secures sixth place with 382,331 hashtags on Instagram. The name Tuborg stems from the beer’s creator, Jonas Thues, and the word Borg, meaning castle is Danish. However, the castle aspect of the small in where the beer originated is intended as a joke, referring to the small and haphazard structure, resembling a small mud-built hut. It became Thues Borg. Despite the joke, people loved meeting up at Jonas’ inn and having fun. Now, the building is easily recognised with a 26-foot Tuborg bottle that stores 1.5 million Tuborg bottles. They ship to 72 countries worldwide as well.

5. EFES

EFES makes it to the top five. The favourite beer in Turkey, EFES has 494,660 images linking to a hashtag on Instagram. Brewed in Istanbul, Turkey, EFES is the best-selling beer in Turkey with an 80% domestic market share. It’s also exported to over 40 different countries such as the UK, USA, Germany, and Japan.

4. Bud Light

The USA’s passion for Bud Light has helped it secure fourth place with 1,886,896 Instagram pictures. Bud Light was first introduced to the USA in 1892, designed as a premium light lager that’s brewed for superior drinkability. This has made it become the best-selling and most popular beer in the USA. Bud Light was also the first American beer to offer transparency to consumers, providing open detail on ingredients and facts about the beer in 2019. Maybe its passion to give the customers what they deserve to know has kept drinkers appreciating the beer.

3. San Miguel

Despite its Spanish sounding origin, San Miguel is actually a Philippine-brewed lager. San Miguel makes its way into the top three, receiving a grand 2,048,626 hashtags from drinkers around the world. Interestingly, while San Miguel originated in the Philippines in 1890, it was only in 1946 when Spanish brewery La Segarra bought the license that it started brewing in Europe.

2. Budweiser

Budweiser leads ahead of San Miguel, taking second place with 2,178,211 hashtags. If you ever find yourself travelling within Canadian scenery, you’ll be sure to find Budweiser as the most popular choice within the country’s bars. Budweiser was also popular with people searching for the beer on Google, receiving a global search volume of 460,850. It was searched for most by Brazil, the USA, and India.

1. Heineken is Number One

The Famous Dutch brewed lager Heineken has landed in number one on the list, claiming the title as the most Instagrammable beer. Scoring an all-time number of 3,814,777 hashtags, Heineken is snapped and posted more than any other beer. Heineken is the most popular beer in Holland. However, it is also the most adored around the world. 13 countries search for Heineken on Google more than any other type of beer. These countries include Italy, France, Thailand, and Austria.

Does your favourite beer appear on the list? Which one will be the first you pick up when you head to the bar? Perhaps when you visit the countries that these beers originated in, you’ll appreciate the culture of breweries and the craft to create delicious beverages for people all around the world to enjoy.

Sources

https://www.rayon-boissons.com/bieres-et-cidres/le-top-10-des-bieres-les-plus-citees-sur-instagram

https://www.ratebeer.com/Ratings/Beer/Beer-Ratings.asp?BeerID=19198#:~:text=San%20Miguel%20Beer%20has%20been,San%20Miguel%20Beer%20in%20Europe.

https://www.lwc-drinks.co.uk/product-detail-page/?product=19404907-tees-efes-pilsner-lager-30ltr

https://www.tuborg.com/en/since-1880/giant-bottle/

https://corona.de/

https://www.carlsberggroup.com/products/mythos/mythos/

https://www.electrixinternational.com/de-de/

The Hidden Running Costs of Being a Landlord

By
Andrew Mcaffrey
-

To the uninitiated, being a landlord might sound like a lucrative gig. Earning semi-passive income in rent sounds amazing, right?

However, if you’re considering getting into the property market and being a landlord, there are a lot of expenses to consider. Mortgage and repair costs are a given, but what else will you need to dip into your wallet for?

Here, we’ll discuss some of the lesser-known costs of being a landlord.

Gas safety

With 77% of homes still using gas for heating in 2021, most landlords will have a number of gas safety regulations to meet. You’re obligated to carry out an annual gas safety check on each property you’re responsible for, and this must be carried out by a Gas Safe engineer – so you can’t cut costs by doing it yourself.

Gas safety certificates can cost between £35–£90 for the service and certificate, and if you have a large property portfolio, these costs can quickly add up. Getting landlord boiler insurance can help you to cover the cost of your annual gas safety checks and boiler service.

Energy efficiency and electrical safety

Electrical safety is also a mandatory requirement for landlords in England and is one of the most recent pieces of legislation you’re required to abide by. This isn’t required as often as gas safety checks – you only need to carry out an electrical safety exercise every five years. This costs around £200.

All landlords must also provide energy efficiency ratings on their properties to tenants. These certificates must be renewed every 10 years, but landlords can proactively renew them if they make significant energy efficiency improvements to the property. Getting your property on the EPC register can cost between £60–£120. Energy efficiency can be really important to prospective tenants and must be available before you arrange any viewings, so it’s well worth looking into making your properties as energy efficient as possible.

Landlord licences

Although this isn’t applicable to all landlords, some property owners will require a landlord licence. Because this only applies in certain situations, this can catch out a lot of new landlords or those expanding their portfolio.

Landlords who rent out houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) must acquire a licence to do so. Previously, only properties at three storeys or higher with over five tenants required a licence, but this has since been extended to all HMOs.

Selective licensing is the one that trips up a lot of inexperienced landlords. Currently, over 70 councils in England can apply selective licensing, which was brought in to improve the standards of landlords in certain areas. They allow councils to run a fit and proper persons test on landlords and generally cost around £400.

Landlord insurance

While this isn’t a mandatory cost, it’s one that may go under the radar for new landlords. But, instead of seeing it as a cost, think of it as a safety net. Landlord insurance can cover a number of expenses associated with renting out your properties and will save you money in the long run.

Whether you’re renting out properties that were previously furnished, or you’ve bought brand-new furniture, you’ll know it doesn’t come cheap. Most standard landlord insurance will cover the cost of damaged furniture, giving you some peace of mind.

Fire safety is a well-known requirement for landlords, but they can still happen even after you’ve put all the right measures in place. Landlord insurance will cover you if something like a fire damages your rental property.

On average, landlord insurance costs £217 a year – a drop in the ocean compared to the money it could save you and all the other costs associated with being a landlord!

Being a landlord can be rewarding, but it’s also a lot of hard work and doesn’t come cheap. For people looking to get into the rental property market, there are a lot of mandatory and recommended costs associated with being a landlord that you may not have been considered before, including energy safety checks and even licensing in certain areas. It’s always recommended to do your research before entering the property market.

Sources:

https://www.comparethemarket.com/energy/content/gas-safety-certificate/

https://boughtbymany.com/news/article/how-much-does-landlord-insurance-cost-uk/

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/landlord-guide/how-selective-licensing-works/

Buy-to-let: do you need a licence to be a landlord in your area?

https://www.uswitch.com/energy-saving/guides/energy-performance-certificates/

https://www.comparethemarket.com/energy/content/gas-safety-certificate/

https://www.statista.com/statistics/426988/united-kingdom-uk-heating-methods/

How to Heat a Student Home During Winter Term Time

By
Andrew Mcaffrey
-

During a typical year, students can spend up to 10 months at university. Many students live away from home, which means paying rent and bills to keep a roof over their head while they study.

Due to the pandemic, 2020 has been less about working hard to play hard, and more about staying indoors and concentrating on assignments. With colder weather already setting in – and winter lasting from 21 December 2020 to 20 March 2021 – students face the reality of trying to stay warm for prolonged periods of time indoors.

Although lots of people will be heading home for Christmas between 3 December and 9 December, some students may stay at university, and the Government is already looking at getting people back on campuses in January by introducing mass testing.  

Today we cover how to heat a student home without the reliance on central heating – which comes at a cost.

Keep window and doors closed

One of the easiest ways to keep heat indoors is by ensuring windows and doors stay closed. Cutting off draughts that would normally flow through the house is a simple tip to be more resourceful with the heat already inside.

This will help you cut down on heating bills by only having the heating on at certain times and keeping that heat in rooms like the living room or bedroom.

Cling film insulation

If you’re feeling a draught in the house, it may be caused by small pockets of air coming from cracks around the windows. In true student spirit, there’s a clever hack that can help create added insulation. Fitting an airtight layer of cling film over a single-glazed window will trap air and help stop heat escaping – making your house warmer in the process.

Cling film for windows is widely available online and is a cheap way for your windows to feel more like double glazing.

Use a portable heater

Sometimes it’s more economical to keep one warm room if other space in the property isn’t occupied. This could be to heat a bedroom up while the living room is empty, or vice versa.

One way to do this is via indoor portable gas heaters. They can be moved from room-to-room and can be turned on and off whenever necessary. Fitting nicely into the corner of the room, they won’t clutter up the place either.

Ready, steady, cook

Bring new meaning to “it feels like an oven in here”, by cooking regularly, you can use the heat from the oven to warm up the kitchen and other rooms close by. Look to cook things slowly that will keep the oven warm for longer instead of heading straight for the takeaway menu.

Leaving the oven open after using it can also create a warm flow of air.

Invest in radiator reflectors

If you feel like it’s time to turn the radiators on to get some warmth into the house, then make sure you invest in radiator reflectors. They help to cut energy bills and can help reduce heat flow to the wall behind the radiator by up to 45 per cent, pushing heat back into the room.

Wrap up warm

While all these tips have been around generating and reserving heat as much as possible, one of the quickest ways to warm up is by wearing extra layers. Sticking a jumper on over a t-shirt or wearing extra thick socks will insulate your body more and make you feel more comfortable during colder months.

When you go to sleep, look at using an extra duvet or invest in a nice, thick winter duvet that will make you feel less of a chill before nodding off.

That completes our list of how to heat a student home during winter term time. The end of 2020 will be feeling of relief for students, but with January just around the corner, the winter months are still ahead. It’s important that students can stay warm during prolonged periods of isolation and staying indoors.

Sources

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-education-reopening-buildings-and-campuses/student-movement-and-plans-for-the-end-of-autumn-2020-term

https://www.flogas.co.uk/shop/category/portable-gas-heaters

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/bills-and-utilities/gas-electric/five-cheap-quirky-gadgets-could-help-cut-energy-bills/

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