Blog Entries

You're not alone if you need help with a hobby

paulhunt@skylarkholidays.co.uk — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +0100

If you need help to start a hobby or to develop your passion for one, there is often a local specialist group where there's usually somebody who can point you in the right direction. You first point of contact will be a Secretary or membership officer although many simply have an open invite for you to go along to their monthly sessions.

To learn about weaving, spinning or dyeing there is a national network of Guilds to choose from. You'll find members giving [...]

Wildlife experience

paulhunt@skylarkholidays.co.uk — Mon, 02 May 2011 19:12:39 +0100

Its very satisfying to experience a special moment when out walking, even more so when you've got a camera ready. I was out researching for a Bird Watching holiday we've launched and checking out a route to walk when I spotted a flock of Canada Geese acting strangely. Moving closer, slowly and carefully I noticed this fox up to no good. In my red anorak I wasn't exactly camouflaged like Simon King so I was grateful of the boarding on a viewing platform that Derbyshire Wildlife [...]

10 Ways to start a new hobby or activity

paulhunt@skylarkholidays.co.uk — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 11:41:04 +0100

10 ways to start a new hobby, sport or activity.

Want to start a new hobby, sport or activity but don't know where to start ?

Where do you go to find out about taking up a new pursuit or activity? How and where do you begin a new hobby or sport. Where can you get information from ?

T [...]

Networking thats free and fun

paulhunt@skylarkholidays.co.uk — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Networking that's fun and free of pressure.

Feel shy about introducing yourself ? Can't find anything to make small talk about ? Uncomfortable making an elevator pitch ? Not rehearsed your USP ? Why pay to meet people ? Ever avoided a “same old “ local network event ?

Come along on a Netwalk. No formalities. No fixed agendas. Freedom [...]

Taking Steps Together - Netwalk

paulhunt@skylarkholidays.co.uk — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 16:20:09 +0100

I'm really pleased to be leading a walk on15 April to help Hopkins Solicitors from Nottingham, in their support for an incredible local charity, Rutland House School for Parents. Rutland House helps [...]

Leaf Peeping for Beginners

paulhunt@skylarkholidays.co.uk — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This post at Travel Rants having a dig at Tourist Boards and the debate on the associated post on 501 Places reinforced to me the need for the industry players such as tour operators and activity providers to support the work of the official bodies. The commercial sector has to come up with ideas and products to appeal to tourists from Britain on a “staycation” or visitors from abroad looking to extend their knowledge of the UK beyond Lond [...]

A Spanish Shrine in Derbyshire !

paulhunt@skylarkholidays.co.uk — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

One of the great things about walking is making new discoveries especially those that are unusual or strange. Non more so than the Spanish Shrine we came across on Saturday in Derbyshire.

There's nothing about the building that reminds me of Spain; it has to be local building material to keep to the spirit of the National Park.

The Early Purple Orchids are out.

When walking in Derbyshire in Spring one of the regular questions is whether the Early Purple Orchids have started flowering. Last year we met a couple from London who were making their annual trip to Litton Dale and Cressbrook Dale to see this event in nature's diary.

With a similar curiosity we started our walk at Cressbrook and managed to find the Orchid starti [...]

Making your own Fabrics!

alison@alisondaykin.wanadoo.co.uk — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Have you ever wondered how wonderful it would be to make your own fabrics, whether for suitings, skirts or for cushions, for example?

Do you think you need a huge loom that would fill your dining room? Do you think that all you can weave on a simple loom is scarves and table runners?

Well you might be pleasantly surprised! Most of the introductory courses I teach are on simple and affordable looms that not only allow you to weave scarves [...]

Back from the Netherlands

alison@alisondaykin.wanadoo.co.uk — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

I've just got back from the Netherlands where I had been invited to tutor a couple of two day workshops along with a my colleagues, Jane Deane and Amanda Hannaford.

The spinning and dyeing workshops were organised in The Hague by De Spinners and in Zeeland by Textielwerk Wol en Zo. They were so well received that we've been invited back in 2011 for a series of 3 day workshops at both venues and are being advertised at a Textile Festival. From time to time we will feature “holidays with a difference”. We think they are worth mentioning because they are operated by our friends and not readily available elsewhere. They also have the same great blend of activity and leisure as our own holidays and we're sure that you will enjoy an informative and fun experience. You will need to contact them for more information because Skylark Holidays are not selling the [...]

Successful Astronomy weekend despite the wild weather

paulhunt@skylarkholidays.co.uk — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Weekend weather fails to dampen Astronomy weekend or people's enthusiasm.

What a relief that the wild weather at the weekend didn't spoil the launch of a new weekend break to our range. Despite the weather we had a great group of customers learn about Astronomy over a weekend that included a visit to the Derby and District Astronomical Society's local Flamsteed Observatory.

The launch was intended to celebrated the [...]

Creative Spinning

alison@alisondaykin.wanadoo.co.uk — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Last week-end I was asked to tutor a workshop for Kent Guild of Spinners, Dyers and Weavers. I usually run my workshops from 10am to 4pm, but once a year Kent Guild have a free members workshop which runs from 11.15am to 3.30p, so it was remarkable that such beautiful yarns were produced!

Here are a some images of a few of the yarns that they were inspired to produce:

Keep cool in this hot weather

paulhunt@skylarkholidays.co.uk — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0100

A new month a new walking experience...the need to keep cool in hot weather. After the driest June for 3 years I expected to find the waterfalls a trickle but you will see from the pictures there was still a good force of water. Just shows how much water the peat moors hold and what a sponge they are.

There are different waterfalls along this little known [...]

Day out at Britains only Ice Age centre and cave art attraction

paulhunt@skylarkholidays.co.uk — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100

If you are looking for a budget day out and a unique new attraction then its got to be worth trying Cresswell Crags in Derbyshire. Britain’s first national centre for the Ice Age. I got a sneek preview when it was unveiled on Saturday (27 June) when Sir David Attenborough opened the visitor centre.

The legendary TV presenter called it a historic day and told the crowd how a group of archaeologists had found the site following their search for cave drawings in Britain.

The ne [...]

Woolfest

alison@alisondaykin.wanadoo.co.uk — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100

I got back from Woolfest yesterday afternoon after a visit to the Pencil Museum at Keswick, on the way back!

Lorraine and I had a lovely time, especially meeting old friends and new. Tam, from the West of Scotland Guild, was staying at our B & B and so we were able to have a good chat at the Wheatsheaf on Thursday evening and at breakfast and the Spin-in.

Helen Melvin of Fiery Felts, Michael Williams with his wonderful spindles and spinning and weaving equipment, [...]

A Busy Few Week-ends!

alison@alisonyuletextiles.co.uk — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Hi All

I've not managed to blog recently as I've been quite busy. I usually blog at the week-end, but for the last 3 week-ends I've been working!

The last week-end of the Half-Term Holiday I was invited to Coberhill, just north of Scarborough, by the York and District Guild. I ran a Back Strap Workshop for them. They were a lovely crowd, very enthusiastic and really friendly. I've been "back-strapping" for many years, but this time I decided [...]

Welcome to Skylark Holidays

admin@doveinternet.co.uk — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Welcome to the first blog from Skylark Holidays. Please feel free to blog on this website! We welcome your feedback and comments on our service, website, and general chit-chat!