Cycling routes

NOTHING BEATS A LEISURELY SPRING CYCLE RIDE. HERE’S OUR SELECTION OF PRETTIEST ROUTES IN THE REGION

Croxteth Country Park 3 miles (4.5 km)

This 500 acre country park in Liverpool has a number of fine cycling and walking paths. The park includes a 16th century hall, wildflower meadow, walled garden and nature reserve. The Liverpool Loop Line and the Trans Pennine Trail pass the western side of the park.

Eastham Country Park 1 miles (2 km)

This park is located on the Wirral bank of the River Mersey, profferring fantastic views across the estuary. Eastham consists of 100 acres of broadleaf woodland with surfaced walking paths and a cycle track. The park has a visitor centre, tea garden and two riverside pubs. The Wirral Circular Trail, passes the park. You could pick this up and head north to visit the wonderful model village of Port Sunlight with its Grade I listed buildings and lovely riverside park.

Leeds and Liverpool Canal 126 miles (203 km)

Enjoy waterside cycling and walking along Britain’s longest single canal. It runs for 126 miles across the Pennines, passing many villages, towns and cities with a fascinating heritage and industrial history. There are also pretty locks, viaducts and some wonderful countryside to enjoy. Highlights on the route include the impressive 5 rise locks at Bingley, Wigan Pier and the lovely Foulridge Reservoir in Colne. Near Burscough you’ll pass the wonderful Martin Mere Nature Reserve where you can look out for otters, flamingos, beavers and thousands of water loving birds.

Liverpool City Walk 10 miles (16 km)

This long circular walk through the centre of Liverpool visits the city’s most famous sights. You’ll visit the waterfront, Albert Dock,Liverpool Cathedral, Liverpool Festival Gardens, Sefton Park and Princes Park on this 10 mile trail.

Liverpool Loop Line 10 miles (16 km)

This traffic free cycle ride follows National Cycle Route 62 and a disused railway line from Halewood to Aintree. The flat surfaced path is a great ride for beginners, families or anyone looking for a leisurely ride. It’s also suitable for walkers in the mood for a nice easy stroll. The path is lined with attractive woodland

and bluebells in the spring months. The route starts in Halewood close to the train station. You then head through Gateacre, Knotty Ash and West Derby before finishing in Aintree near the famous racecourse. Highlights on the route include the lovely Croxteth Country Park which is well worth a small detour at West Derby.

Liverpool to Neston 26 miles (42 km)

Follow National Cycle route 56 on this interesting and varied ride. You start in Sefton Park and head towards the river where a riverside path takes you past Albert Dock to the Seacombe Ferry. Here you cross the Mersey and join another off road section taking you past New Brighton, Wallasey and into Birkenhead. The route continues through the Wirral on a mixture of quiet roads and traffic free paths before finishing at Neston railway.

Wirral Country Park 2 miles (2.5 km)

Enjoy fabulous views of the Wirral Peninsula in this delightful coastal country park. The park is the first designated country park in Britain, opening in 1973. You can climb the 60 feet high, boulderclay cliffs where there are splendid views of the Dee Estuary. There are excellent facilities with Picnic Areas, Visitor Centre, Shop, Information staff, Cafe, BBQ area and a Bird Hide. The Wirral Way walking and cycling trail also runs through the park. You can follow the trail to the lovely village of Parkgate where there are great views across the marshes of the Dee Estuary and large variety of wildfowl and waders to look out for.

GIN

Double the Trouble! ETSU DOUBLE YUZU GIN

One doesn’t often associate Japan with gin, however, following their move into the whisky market - they started producing around 1870 but the first commercial distillation was 1924 upon the opening of the Yamazaki distillery - they are now following on again from the Scottish lead and gin has seen a rapid uptake in gin production. There are many reasons, not least being the upsurge in gin popularity, however, practicalities also figure highly, as gin can be produced much more quickly and cheaply. Whereas spirits such as whisky, require time in the barrel, gin doesn't, making it that much quicker to produce and eliminating a few steps. So, whether the spirit rests in oak for just a couple of years, or ultimately forms part of a twelve, fifteen, or eighteen year-old bottling, the financial returns in the whisky industry are far from quick in their arrival. Unlike the other two Etsu gins, Etsu have their Double Yuzu created at the Akita distillery on Honshu Island. Translating to word ‘pleasure,’ Etsu is named after the prefecture it is based in, on the coast of the Sea of Japan, and extends eastwards across the island towards the Ōu Mountains. And it’s from these mountains and the botanicals found thereon, that the gin finds its fresh and light flavours.

Pleasure is the name of the game

Including the mountain fresh water and Japanese citrus fruit - Yuzu, this gin includes juniper, liquorice root, angelica, coriander and matcha, giving the gin a strong citrus aroma. As this is a double yuzu gin, unsurprisingly this is a predominant flavour profile as well, with hints of lemon also to be found. Due to the citrus flavours, it also finishes fresh and light with a touch of zing. It has to be one of the most sophisticated gins that

Stanna Wieclawska Kyriakou

has passed my lips: think of a zingy citrus tart with the floral fragrance of the Yuzu fruit, followed by a spicy sansho peppery finish and floral/herb overtones, and you’re there. This gin drinks well as a refreshing longer drink, so it works great with tonic or a pink grapefruit soda.

NUPTIAL GROOVES WWW.MYFUNKYWEDDINGDJ.CO.UK Algorithm & Blues

If I learned anything about the music industry from working in record shops as a young man, it was that the only thing guaranteed to sell any kind of music is publicity. Talent, originality, artistic merit and even good old Percy Filth himself, sex, are all rendered useless as selling points if nobody ever hears the music or sees the artist perform it. Simon Cowell exploited this basic principle ruthlessly, eventually playing it out to its predictable endgame with The X Factor. Since 2018 we have had TikTok, a social media music and video app designed specifically to make uploaded content ‘go viral’. Since the app itself went viral, exploding in popularity worldwide during the global lockdown of the pandemic crisis, a viral hit on TikTok can be the modern equivalent of appearing on prime time Saturday evening TV in the 70s or 80s, or performing the theme song to a major Hollywood blockbuster in the 90s or 00s.

There are many well documented examples of new and particularly old recordings enjoying quite staggering sales and streaming boosts from just one random viral TikTok video. The best example of this was probably Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Dreams’ back in October 2020 and how innocently that all came about. Such is the extent of the phenomenon that every major record label has since invested heavily in monitoring and trying to exploit the power of TikTok and its beguiling and often unfathomable algorithm. I got into TikTok as @myfunkyweddingdj during lockdown, to try and drive online traffic towards my then brand new website, which I had the misfortune to launch during the same week in which the wedding industry shut down completely for 16 months. I gradually discovered that although the app is famously popular among the younger generation, it is very far from exclusive to it and the whole world and the whole world of music can be found on TikTok if you take the time to look for it, because, as with all forms of socialising; you will only get out of it what you are prepared to put into it.

WELLBEING

April is Stress Awareness Month

Learning to cope with our stress and finding healthy ways to deal with these situations can go a long way in living a healthy and positive life. What does stress mean to you? We all experience stress – yet we may experience it in very different ways. Because of this, there is no single definition for stress, but the most common explanation is a physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension. Stress is a reaction to a situation where a person feels anxious or threatened. Learning healthy ways to cope and getting the proper care and support can help reduce stressful feelings and symptoms. Common reactions to a stressful event can include: • Disbelief, shock and numbness • Feeling sad, frustrated and helpless • Difficulty concentrating and making decisions • Headaches, back pains and stomach problems • Smoking or the use of alcohol or drugs Affecting more than just your mind. Long-term stress can prove to be more than just a mental issue. From headaches to stomach disorders to depression – even very serious issues like stroke and heart disease can come as a result of stress. When you are placed in a stressful situation, specific stress hormones rush into your bloodstream leading to an increase in heart rate, blood pressure and glucose levels. Learn to overcome issues you cannot change Sometimes the stress in our lives is not something we have the power to change. Try to: • Recognize when you don’t have control, and let it go. • Avoid getting anxious about situations that you cannot change. • Take control of your reactions and focus your mind on something that makes you feel calm and in control. • Develop a vision for healthy living, wellness, and personal growth, and set realistic goals to help you realize your vision.

BUSINESS WHY EVERYONE NEEDS TO ADVERTISE

So many times when I approach businesses to help them grow, I get the response that they’re either too busy so “don’t need to advertise” or too quiet and will advertise when things pick up. If you’re busy you can’t be complacent and expect your customers to come back, you have to give them a reason to return. What if there’s a slump in the economy? Advertising brings you loyalty. And if you’re quiet then you need to advertise to ensure you’re the first choice for customers to come to. This is the thing about business. Consistent advertising ensures greater business success. End of. If it didn’t work you wouldn’t see repetition of adverts on the TV, radio and of course in magazines and newspapers. Think advertising doesn’t work ? Tell that to McDonalds, Coca Cola and the endless brands that are etched in your mind as ones to choose. Need new trainers? You’re bound to choose a brand like Under Armour or Nike or Adidas rather than an unbranded one. Why? Because advertising has persuaded you that these are the brands to trust for quality and delivering what they’re supposed to. One-off adverts don’t work, people need reminding. Advertising gives your business brand loyalty and promotes a positive image, giving you greater exposure for you to target your customers. You may have a restaurant that isn’t busy. But you need to advertise regardless, for when your potential customer is looking for somewhere to go out for dinner, you’ll be the first choice they remember. Advertising makes sure that the consumer knows that when they are in need, your business will be there to help them. A continuous amount of consumers visiting your business is the first step to increase your sales. The more consumers you have, the more business you will have. Advertising creates business now and in the future. And advertising encourages repeat business, for once you have got your customers, they’re bound to come back if you’re providing a great service and product. Ultimately, advertising makes your company money – It works. Advertising attracts customers to your business and increases your sales. When consumers see strong and positive advertisements they are more willing to buy and ready to choose your business. Invest in advertising for your business and you will watch it grow and succeed. Advertising is about creating the desire for your customers. Which is why people love Lifestyle! Talk to me about a bespoke advertising package to help grow your business. I can make you famous. Call 97827636 and for UK version say - Call

079162232469.