Enjoying a Boating and Fishing Trip at Langholme Lake

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Harold

It’s going to be a long summer if you spend its entirety in the four corners of a country cottage. If you’re in the same situation, then it should be reason enough for you to go out and explore the outdoors, especially when you are in a picturesque place like Langholme Lake.

Now among the most relaxing recreational activities in the area is boating. With a watercraft, you and your family or friends can increase the fun potential of your holiday. And, aside from having an enjoyable and exciting ride around the lake, you can also fish and engage in water sports.

However, although boating is a wonderful hobby, many tend to forget that it also demands a responsible attitude. Remember that unlike roads, police do not monitor lakes as often. Also, not everyone can manoeuvre a boat as it is a large machine that could possible cause injuries or damage if the individual on the wheel is not trained and does not have a license to operate it.

Additionally, if you want to have lots of fun, then you will have to follow a few safety rules when on the vehicle, even though you are not the one driving it. For instance, you should have a lifejacket the whole time so that you are ready just in case of accidents. As much as possible, even children should be briefed well ahead of time about the risks that might accompany the activity.

Of course, boating would not be complete if you do not stop somewhere to have a good catch. Whether you are in it for the delicious meal, experience, or challenge, you could use a few fishing-bait secrets might help you hunt for a sizeable carp. A good one is called dough balls, which uses bribes made from excellent cereal. The trick is to get a shredded wheat biscuit and submerge it under the water. Then, you mould it into a round ball and smash it in your hand until it becomes sticky. When it finally stays in the shape that you form it, bury the hook into its centre. Soon enough, you will find yourself enjoying in the company of numerous carps!

After you have experienced how fun and exciting summer in Langholme can be, you might want to spend your Christmas holiday boating and fishing in the Land Down Under, where the summer season is from December to February. After all, it is always possible to get flights to Australia at superb prices.

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Langholme Lake

Posted on October 16, 2011 by admin

This awesome water, predominantly filled with specimen carp and tench can be found right on the south fringe of an area known as the Isle of Axholme. This quaint little area is right on the border of two counties of North Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. It’s not too far from the village of Haxey in North Lincolnshire, which is effectively just off the A161. The closest villages are Misterton (where you can go for food, milk and other provisions) and Westwoodside. Travelling by car from the close cities of Sheffield, Leeds, Doncaster and Nottingham is best done on the motorway network with the M180 motorway being some 15 minutes away.

You’ll find that the lake, with a topography to make any non-member jealous, is around 17.5 acres in size (with a section of lake known as ‘Finger Bay’ historically being cordoned off for stocking purposes as it was hard to access) and is a beautiful matured sandpit. Whilst being originally dug for sand and aggregates in the 1970, it didn’t become an angling venue until the summer of 2001.

The last wagon to pull out of the make-shift roadway happened around 1992/3 when the majority of the lake’s sand stock were exhausted. This left the lake in its present ‘flooded’ form and it wan’t until it was stumbled upon by chance that it became a carp lake.

That in itself is surprising, because the lake itself is perfect for carp fishing: beautiful gin clear water with annual weed beds which contain an absolute abundance of natural food. The lake bed is incredible, with natural plateaus, bars, gullies and high spots. Without doubt, the water is perfect for holding and growing carp.

The Carp Society negotiated a long-term lease in 2001 with the owners of the Langholme Lake – a large Northern based mineral company. Stocks of fish were originally provided from a number of sources including Horseshoe Lake, Woldview and Shotgate.

The first stocks of fish went in to the lake in July 2001 with around 50 hand picked fish being the lake’s first residents. There were some 50 Woldview bred fish and around 6 fish weighing more than 20lbs which came directly from the Carp Societies flagship lake, Horseshoe. Thereafter, many other fish were added from other lakes, including Shotgate Lake and the Society’s ‘other’ water, Lake 61. The total stocks were believed to be more than 210 doubles. In addition, there were around 50 high singles which, due to the quality of the water and a strong amount of bait going into the water, has meant that the carp have grown significantly with several fish being over the magical 30 mark, one or two hitting 40lbs. A further stock of around 50 smaller fish were added in 2010.

There are 15 hand built pegs on the lake, with 3 or those being classed as ‘doubles’ -comfortably allowing 2 anglers on the swim at any one time. The pegs have been constructed by the members of the lake from 2001, using strong railway sleepers as a base. This approach means that the pegs are strong, safe and secure. Many of the pegs are tree lined, meaning that nature is invited to mix with the anglers. Langholme Lake really is a paradise in the spring, summer and autumn months. Winter, on the other hand is not a good time of year for Langholme Lake, with many of the lake’s inhabitants going to sleep from late November through to early March.

Access  to the lake is down a lane which requires a bit of care when driving down due to its condition. Thereafter, you will need a key to get through the gate which secures the lake.

For more information, visit the Carp Society website where you will find information on all the lakes, waiting lists, annual subs and joining fees.

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Enjoying the Outdoors-The Basics of Trekking

Posted on September 17, 2011 by Harold

If you are up for a holiday, then why not go on a hiking adventure? Enjoying nature’s sights and sounds will surely be a welcome respite from any kind of stress you might be experiencing. Besides, if you are concerned about financial constraints, trekking would be a great option as it can be a relatively affordable getaway. Granted, you might still have to spend for outdoor gear as well as for transportation expenses, such expenditures would be nothing compared to what you have to shell out for airfare and accommodation if you opted for international travel.

But just like any other trip, this kind of adventure also demands preparations. For one, you have to plan out a route. Of course, it has to be somewhere that offers scenic spots and a place where you have the chance of engaging in other enjoyable pursuits such as camping or fishing. With these in mind, a superb destination you can go to would be Langholme Lake. Located at the Isle of Axholme’s southern fringes, this body of water has nearby camping sites and abundant aquatic life (particularly carp) for the avid angler.

Now that you have an idea where to go, here are other factors you have to prepare for.

Are You Physically Up to the Challenge?
Walking around sounds pretty easy, right? Heck, most of us do it everyday. Hey, you might find it easy to take a two-kilometre stroll across urban pavements. But can you trek for at least three to five kilometres along different terrain types, most of which are probably rugged, without exhausting your body? If you answered yes to this question, then good for you. If that’s a no, however, then you may have to hit the gym for some weight training (remember, you will be carrying backpacks for this trip) and go on jogging sessions to build up sufficient stamina for your expedition. Otherwise, you might not enjoy this adventure at all.

Bring the Right Kinds of Clothing
You have to prepare apparel for various weather conditions since you’ll be exposed to the outdoors. As much as possible, your clothes should be made of breathable yet waterproof materials. Those with sun-protection fabrics should also be stuffed into your bags.

Safety First
Although this is the most overused piece of advice when it comes to any kind of travel, it is also the most important one. Hence, make sure that you bring along an emergency medical kit and ensure that you, as well as each member of your group, are knowledgeable in first aid basics. Of course, you should also protect yourself financially by acquiring travel insurance for backpackers.

Once these fundamentals are all taken care of, don’t forget to inform those who are closest to you, such as friends or family, about your itinerary. This way, they’ll know where to find you in case of emergencies. So there you go, have an awesome trekking adventure!

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Discover a Few Well-Known People from Nottingham

Posted on September 12, 2011 by Harold

Nottingham is not just home to a few of the UK’s best shopping places. It is also a culture capital where you can take part in splendid festivals and events. Other than this, the city is famous worldwide for its excellent bars and restaurants. Finally, you can explore beautiful attractions, wherein some of the most notable include Creswell Crags, Sherwood Forest, and Clumber Park.

Now, if you are one of those people who are interested in an area’s globally recognised individuals, then know that this destination does not fall short of legendary folk heroes, sports icons, literary greats, and showbiz personalities. Some of these individuals include:

Robin Hood
You may not have heard of him in your class (while you were sleeping) but you have definitely seen him as a character in many films such as the “Prince of Thieves” (starring Kevin Costner) and a recent portrayal by Russell Crowe, which some movie reviews and entertainment news criticised as lacking of depth. Apart from these Hollywood versions, you can come across adaptations from BBC, Disney (animation), 1922s Douglas Fairbanks, and 1938s Errol Flynn blockbusters. All these productions will tell you that the hero robs the wealthy and gives to the less fortunate. However, this is very basic; you can broaden your knowledge about him by travelling to Nottingham.

Brian Clough
He took into his wing a group of soccer misfits and turned some of them into winners and champions. Many locals and other people over the world knew of his achievements; as such, they often referred to him as the best manager. This is why the sporting world mourned his death in September 2004. As a commemoration of the football icon, a statue was put up near the Market Square. Of course, he is not the only big name in the field of athletics. Nottingham also boasts of Andy Cole and Nigel Clough (both soccer players), Rebecca Adlington (swimmer), Greg Owen and Lee Westwood (golfers), and Chris Walker (motorcycle racer).

Robert Lindsay
He is a TV, Broadway, and West End star, who found his initial fame in “Citizen Smith”. From then on, he received a Fred Astaire, Tony, and Olivier awards. What was more, he was famous as a Shakespearean actor. Other than him, you can find well-known personalities such as Sherrie Hewson, Cherie Lunghi, Justine Thornton, Craig Robert Young, Ace Bhatti, and Georgia Groome (in the 2008 UK film, “Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Snogging”).

The names mentioned show that Nottingham certainly has plenty to be proud of. So, if you are interested in exploring the city’s celebrity world, the best way is to visit and obtain information through firsthand experience by travelling there now!

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A Perfect Summer Holiday in Langholme Lake

Posted on September 9, 2011 by Harold

Fun activities that can get you wet and cooled off are always great to have when the climate is warm and there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. And that is why Langholme Lake is one perfect destination for the summer holidays. Aside from fishing, there are many other action-packed forms of recreation that will make a great vacation for the hot season in this popular body of water.

Tubing – This is something that even eight-year-olds will definitely love to do, especially with the giant waves. You will need a strong and fast boat, an inner tube, a driver, and a life vest. Of course, be sure to have a spotter who can look after them.

Wake Boarding or Water Skiing – If you do not have a problem getting up or letting go of the rope, then you might find this very interesting, especially if you want a little adventure. Just be sure to wear a reliable Dare2b active shirt and shorts so you will be geared up for the activity.

Paddle Boating – Since the speed here is much slower, you can fully enjoy the scenery without falling or hurting yourself. With no oil stick or gas fumes, you can be certain this is a lake-friendly endeavour.

Stone Skipping – Try to find nice, flat, round, and medium-sized rocks. When you throw one, see to it that the angle is parallel to the water surface. This is best done on days when the lake is calm so that nothing will interfere in the number of skips that you get.

Bird Watching – Winged creatures are great to watch in their natural environment. Some of them will even come closer if you do not do anything to make them feel threatened. You will see many varieties of them during summer. So if you have a book with you, you can also look them up for added knowledge.

Boat Riding – There are many kinds to try. A pontoon, for instance, is slower to ride. The fancier ones have a changing area and a toilet. They are very ideal for cruising with friends and family. The faster ones though make more noise, much like you are travelling in the middle of a motorway.

With all these enjoyable activities, you will surely enjoy your vacation with a splash. So get to know more about travelling to this part of the United Kingdom and start planning your fun water adventure!

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Prepare Yourself for an Enjoyable First-Time English Holiday

Posted on August 13, 2011 by Harold

With all the wonderful sights, tastes, and celebrations that England has to offer, it is no wonder that tourists frequent this part of the world every year. If you have not spent a holiday anywhere in the country, you have surely missed plenty! Among the exciting events that passed are the Glastonbury Festival (highlighting Beyonce), Fareham Farmers’ Market, and the Isle of Wight Festival. Of course, who would not forget the Royal Wedding?

Now, if you feel disheartened because you missed such wonderful festivities, you need not worry because you can check out more traditional as well as contemporary English festivities. But before you book a plane ticket and pack your bags, take a moment to check out the travel advice below.

1. Prepare yourself for language differences – this pointer applies specifically to Americans. If you are in the United States, you get crisp potatoes when you ask for chips. However, servers hand you (somewhat similar) French fries, when you ask for this fast food fare, because the Brits’ potato chips are called crisps. Apart from this term, you definitely have to learn several more.

2. Catch up on basic UK geography – if you are not so keen on studying the world map, then you should start now and keep yourself from ending up as a laughingstock when you call all British people as English, as the United Kingdom comprises of three countries – Wales, Scotland, and England.

3. Determine which places are worth visiting – now, this is something that you will have a hard time deciphering, as the country offers thousands of fantastic sightseeing attractions. But if you want a small hint to help you plan your itinerary, especially if you are sticking to a budget, you can actually visit some sights at a significantly low price or without charge.

4. Drive around the countryside – while there are so many places to see in the city, you can get just as much when you explore rural counties. One of the locations you should definitely check out is Nottinghamshire, which is in the East Midlands. It is where you can find Sherwood Forest (sounds familiar?) and Langholme Lake, measuring 17.5 acres and abundant with tench and carp. The best ways to discover countryside landscape is through cycling as this allows you to gaze upon majestic scenery at a leisurely pace.

5. Get everything ready before travelling – it may not make sense to some holidaymakers when they are advised to prepare in advance. But once they get to the airport and realised they left behind their passport, only then will they say that it pays to keep a checklist of travel essentials.

One important reminder to help you make the most of your holiday to England is to not just stop at booking a ticket to the country. Take advantage of cheap flights to Australia and other nations as well, so you will have a longer and more fantastic trip visiting England and other beautiful parts of the world!

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