Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Most luxurious bus stop in Britain


In honour of the World Cup, Britain's most luxurious bus stop has been given a football-themed makeover.

Kitted out with a sofa, cushions, a TV, a phone and flowers, the shelter attracts thousands of tourists every year - and even boasts a hot snacks stand.

Its latest design follows a Valentine's Day love-nest look and a winter wonderland theme.

The makeovers began after a local resident put a sofa and table inside the bus stop, but over the years extra facilities have been added - including an Amstrad computer and a microwave.

They are for decorative purposes only as the shelter has no electricity. In winter, fairy lights, powered by a generator, give it a festive glow.

Every year a portion of the 614 residents of the island of Unst, the northernmost of the Scottish Shetland Islands, band together to decorate their stop near Baltasound.

The tiny community's Millennium celebration was held there, and even the Golden Jubilee - during which the shelter was filled with Earl Grey tea and cucumber sandwiches.

Themes have ranged from outer space to colours yellow, pink, turquoise, and this year, it pays homage to the World Cup.

Over the years the shelter has picked up quite a reputation and now has its own website and Facebook page.

The bus shelter even has its own visitors books.

Bobby Macaulay helped to start what has now become one of the island's biggest tourist hot spots.

The 21-year-old said: ‘It started with a sofa and since then there's been so much stuff donated it has to be regulated.

‘People are bringing their unwanted furniture to the shelter instead of taking it to the skip.

‘It didn't start as a project - in the beginning it wasn't organised. It just kind of started itself.

‘Now people come from all over the world to see it - we even had to install a traffic island there because so many tour buses were visiting.

‘I'm very proud of being a part of starting it up.

‘We've made something really quite impressive out of something very small.

‘It relies on tremendous community spirit and trust, the kind you would only find on an island such as Unst.’


Source :- XINHUANEWS

Monday, June 21, 2010

Incredible Pencil Drawings that come alive


















London Babies Swimming Underwater Pictures


This is a set of pictures from London Baby Swim, a school where they teach babies as young as 6 six weeks old to swim and to develop their motor skills. Of course, the parents take part in this process :)

As you can see, babies are natural swimmers and can be underwater without a problem. The thing is that “Up until the age of around nine months babies have a miraculous gag reflex which blocks off their windpipes as soon as they are underwater, allowing them to instinctively hold their breath,” explains Phil Shaw, the founder of London Baby Swim.
So, the sooner you put your baby into the water to learn it to swim the better.













An Colorful Twist in a Truly British Home (London)


For kicks, I wanted to share this colorful and totally over the top English
home. I can't say that I could live in a place like this home but I certainly
would stay in a place like this as a guest or an upscale bed and breakfast.
The decor really makes me feel as if I'm in a different era.


It's like a home that belongs in a book or novel.


It has that feel and ambiance to it.


Antique furnishings paired with a super saturated Yellow.


Old paintings, vintage blankets and lamps...


Plates, vases and chests...One can tell the owner of this home is
definitely a collector. It's definitely one way to showcase everything -
cover the entire wall with collections.


Take a look at the huge arrow above the bed. If anything,
the owners are very consistent in their style and taste.


And the grand finale. This room totally looks like it comes from another
time and era. I would love visiting a room like this. I can imagine for kids,
they would be exploring all the things in the room. The floor is nearly
entirely covered with rugs of all sizes - it's really incredible. It really
transports one to another sort of reality - feels like a room from the past
and it looks like it's a room filled with history. I can't say that I'd live in a
place like this but it certainly sparks the imagination which is something
I love about it and the reason I wanted to share it.

A penny for your thoughts on this place?

Photos by 1st Option London

Parrot growth from birth to getting young