Photo credit: Ron Bailey

Go on a mini-safari

It’s amazing what you can find. Woodland safaris work best, but you’re bound to encounter wildlife anywhere you go outdoors – albeit on a miniature scale. Take a magnifying glass and guide book, keep your eyes peeled, and see how many different species of trees, flowers, slugs, snails, insects, birds, small mammals and fungi you can spot. (The Woodland Trust has lots of information on what you’re likely to see.) Care for nature by leaving it in peace afterwards – though a notepad and a sketching pencil will help you remember what you’ve seen.

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Get your wellies on

Sometimes the simplest things in life are the best.  Instead of complaining about the autumnal weather, pull on a pair of wellingtons. Splash, wade or paddle your way through any puddles you find. Swoosh through piles of crisp fallen leaves. Go for a walk first thing in the morning when the grass is soaked with dew.

And all with dry toes!

Have a bonfire

A sure way to keep cosy on chilly evenings: light a campfire (with due regard to fire safety, of course). Tell stories, sing songs, or just have a proper heartfelt chat. Best of all, the smell of woodsmoke will remind you of all the things you love about autumn.

Sawday’s Canopy & Stars is a luxury camping and glamping website, with many destinations open over autumn and winter in locations perfect for enjoying the great outdoors.

Canopy and Stars is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

If you have some spare time this month, check out your local Wildlife Trust to see what events are taking place.

Here in Dorset we have a wonderful choice of activities from guided walks across wildflower downlands to outdoor practical work at Kimmeridge Bay or Seasearch diving weekends:

http://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/events.html

Really Wild Flowers is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

If you sowed some Cornfield Annuals seed at the same time as a perennial Meadow mix last autumn or earlier this year, then you should have taken a cut by now and removed the cuttings. This will leave the perennial species with the space and light that they require to really get growing.

If you sowed a meadow mix, but without any cornfield annuals, then you should have taken several cuts throughout the Spring and early Summer to prevent annual weeds from setting seed!  In any case, you should probably take a cut now and then leave it until the autumn before cutting again.  Leaving a small patch of meadow uncut at this time and a different patch uncut next time, would be good for insects and butterflies/moths that have laid eggs amongst the grass.

One of the best tools for cutting a meadow is the traditional scythe – not as silly an idea as you might think. In fact, not silly at all.  It is quick and much quieter than using a strimmer.  Scythes can  be bought from Simon Fairlie (www.thescytheshop.co.uk).  He runs courses on scything – only £50 for a one day beginners’ course including lunch! – at his base in Dorset and at various locations throughout the UK.  So take a day off and learn a new skill.

More info available from: www.reallywildflowers.co.uk/department/advice

Really Wild Flowers is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Our latest helmets are a million miles away from the slatted multi-coloured lids most cyclists go for.

Casco’s new helmets use carbon fibre, leather and advanced composites that offer greater protection while remaining light and airy to wear. They’re also designed to give the best fit of any helmets on the market.

As for Yakkay, they’ve long-since established a worldwide reputation for cycling chic. Two new Cambridge styles and one new Tokyo debut this season.

All Casco helmets come with a hard carry case and both Casco and Yakkay products qualify for free UK delivery.

See the website for more details: http://www.50cycles.com/

Well, Louise and I have survived our first summer season here at Deepdale, and it was wonderful to meet so many of you. We can’t wait to welcome you back again.

We want to take this opportunity to thank you all for your feedback throughout the season. I hope you’ll keep reading to find out what your comments and suggestions have helped us to develop for Deepdale in the near future.

We are holding our 2009 prices through 2010!

Over 50s midweek winter special plan…
If you book a double or twin room for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, you get Thursday night free! Subject to terms and conditions throughout low season only. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount or voucher.

Win a stay in a Tipi
If you take a few minutes to answer our questionnaire, then we’ll put your name in the competition hat for a chance to win a stay in a Tipi or a voucher for accommodation.

All Hallows Eve!
31st October
Apple bobbing and a special spooky treasure hunt!  There is something for everyone at our Halloween Party on Saturday the 31st October.  Prize for the best costume!

Writers Retreat Weekend
20th November 2009
2 places remaining
Advanced booking essential
Enjoy the Beaches, Marshes, traditional harbours and breathtaking countryside.  Let your creativity flow with our specially designed workshops and critique seminars.

Deepdale Christmas Market
Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th December
Get into the festive spirit with a bit of retail therapy at our Christmas Market.  There will be lots of Christmas fair, mulled wine, spiced nuts and some carolling with the Hunstanton Concert Band.

Book now for Christmas at Deepdale
Minimum 3 night booking.
Christmas Dinner £20 per person £10 per child. Bring your own bottle.
Starter, Turkey with all the trimmings, dessert, cheese and biscuits followed by coffee and Christmas cake. Deepdale is not a licensed premises therefore any alcohol you wish to imbibe you must organize yourself.

Dog Friendly Room and Tipi
Over the summer our Dog Friendly room has proved to be something of a success. So much so, that we have also arranged for a dog friendly Tipi here at Deepdale.
So don’t forget your K9 companion can join you in comfort for all you Autumnal and winter walks!

Deepdale Granary available for Christmas
If you and your family are looking to get away somewhere a little different for Christmas, why not try the Deepdale Granary. Sleeping up to 18 people in 4 different rooms, with kitchen, shower rooms, dining and living space downstairs, it is the perfect place for a group to have a great Christmas time all together.
Minimum 3 night booking, 24th/25th/26th of December 2009

Celebrate New Years in a Tipi or Yurt
If you are planning on getting away for New Year unfortunately spaces in both hostels are all gone now, but our Tipis and Yurt are still available for the Festivities. The chimnea in the Tipis and wood burner in the Yurt do make them wonderfully warm and toasty and will make your New Years Eve one to remember!

Other News
We have taken on board your comments and feedback and have recently installed a hairdryer in the ladies toilets. We have also reduced our camping prices during the cold season school holiday’s from peak rates to saver rates. So October Half term on the campsite will cost £42 for 2 adults and 2 children for the weekend! At a school holiday… Bargain!!!

Time to Grab those Wellies and get walking!

Appearing
this month on the shelves in WH Smith and Borders nationwide, new eco-living
directory BOOK OF GREEN is the most comprehensive guide for everybody to
genuinely and easily green their lifestyles.

With
the general public currently becoming more receptive to living a more
eco-friendly life, this completely free guide points the consumer in the right
direction – it includes hundreds of approved ethical providers in a wide range
of sectors including business services, health and beauty, home and garden,
green energy, travel, parenting and food & drink.  All the companies
in the directory are in some way mostly or completely environmentally friendly,
sustainable, fair trade, organic,  ethical and socially responsible.

Book
of Green is intended to show everybody how to easily reduce their carbon
footprint, live a healthy lifestyle and make  a personal positive 
impact on the environment by integrating truly ethical products and services
into their daily home and family lives.

With
an initial print run of 30,000, the guide comes in a handy A5 format and is
printed in vegetable inks on 100% recycled paper.  An online flip magazine
version is also available at www.bookofgreen.com 
 Book of Green will be available in WH Smiths this July, attached to the
front of Permaculture Magazine as well as distributed across the UK in high
street eco stores, online eco stores, and at events during the summer as well
as at the Eden Project and the Kent Eco Village, the Kent Show by The
Ecologist, July 17-19.

Book
of Green is co-founded by Sue Jueno (founder of Allthingseco) and Katie Keegan
(founder of One Green Earth),
 whose combined experience of 6 years in the eco/ethical business arena
has given them the experience, knowledge and contacts to create a guide for
green living which everybody can trust.

“Being
green is more than reducing the threat of climate change, it’s also about
ethical trading and personal health.  The companies found within Book of
Green provide solutions across all sectors through their products &
services to help build a positive foundation for your family’s future
generations,”  says Katie Keegan.

“With
credit crunch in mind and a passion for promoting green shoot businesses we
have made Book of Green extremely affordable to advertisers and free to the
public to show off exceptional companies that are solving environmental
problems and that will be leading us into the future,” says Sue Jueno.

As politicians gather in Italy for G8, TheGINLady.com ladies invite people to gather on Twitter for GIN8 ‘The People’s Summit’.

As politicians propose targets and ways to achieve those targets, the GIN Ladies invite people to make their own targets and propose their own strategies.

The GIN Ladies, otherwise known as former marine biologist, sustainable comms guru and MD of Sustain Your Media Dr. Nicola Thomas and futurist, sustainable innovation strategist, Sustain Your Media’s Creative Director and Societás Founder & CEO Melissa Sterry invite people to put forward their ideas for tackling the economic, environmental and political meltdown.

What do ordinary people think we should do? What targets do people think we should set? Who would the people’s GIN8 leaders be? Do we need GIN8 leaders? Do we need G8 leaders? Let fellow members of the GIN8 People’s Summit know what you think.

The GIN8 online People’s Summit on Twitter kicked off on the morning of 9th July 2009 and it will continue whilst G8 continues.  Read on to find out how to take part…

 To take part all you have to do is…

1. Get yourself a Twitter account here www.twitter.com

2. Think up a few targets and proposals… remember you only have 140 characters to use to post those proposals on your Twitter page.

3. When posting up your GIN8 target or strategy proposal tweet remember to start it off with #GIN8

When the GIN8 People’s Summit 2009 is
finished the GIN Ladies will be drawing up a summary of the summit
detailing the targets the people set, the strategies the people came up
with and they will put it up on TheGINLady.com – so the world can hear the solutions the people propose, as well as those politicians propose.

Send your tweets to @TheGINLady and @Societas_ and remember to put #GIN8 in the text!

Ethical Garden is an online only retailer specialising in high quality outdoor garden furniture that is produced with minimum 
negative impact on the environment.

Our Teak Garden Furniture is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. Our Weave Garden Furniture is a great alternative to wicker.  It is 100% recyclable and does not contain PVC. The fibre is made from polyethylene, which is non-toxic (even when burned no toxic substances are generated). Our Garden Furniture Accessories include acrylic weatherproof garden furniture cushions, FSC certified sycamore garden parasols, aluminium parasols with brushed finish and robust parasol bases.

There are special deals available right now on table and chair combination plus lots of teak offers… exclusive to anyone who reads this article we are also giving a further 10% discount and free delivery just quote coupon code ‘ethical1905′ in the shopping cart when making your purchase.

www.ethicalgarden.co.uk or call us on 0117 3017080 if you need any help

Get 20% off all the current Creative Charlie product range at www.creativecharlie.com.

Sale ends 25th January 2009.

Tanya Eldridge can usually be found guiding groups through the Italian countryside, but this winter she’s teaming up with Deepdale Backpackers and Camping in Burnham Deepdale on the north Norfolk coast to offer guided walks around this stunning part of the world.

To begin with, Tanya will run three 2 hour guided walks, in the afternoon of 8th January, 29th January and 12th February. These will introduce walkers to the local area, the history, wildlife and Deepdale Farm. As an introductory offer, walkers only need to pay £3 per person.

“I was attracted to Deepdale because of the eco friendly nature of the facilities and the awards they’ve won. Their ethos is one I connect with and the customers will love the guided walks I’m offering and the facilities Deepdale has to offer,” said Tanya. “The countryside on the north Norfolk coast is distinctly different to the Abruzzo area of Italy I usually guide around, Abruzzo is mountainous!”

Jason Borthwick, partner of the business, said, “It’s great to have such a passionate person on our team this winter. Although the wilds of the north Norfolk coast are somewhat different to the Italian countryside Tanya is used to, our wildlife and the beauty of this area competes with anywhere in the world.”

Walkers interested in joining Tanya on 8th January, 26th January or 12th February should book their place in advance by phoning Deepdale Information on Tel: 01485 210256.

Alternatively if walkers would like to stay at Deepdale before or after their walk they are best to book online at www.deepdalebackpackers.co.uk

The choice of accommodation Deepdale has to offer includes private ensuite rooms, tipis, camping and dorm beds. Facilities include a fully equipped kitchen for the hostel, visitor information centre and Dalegate Market, which is home to Deepdale Café and many other shops.