A rather giant panda effect at Edinburgh Zoo sees visitor numbers soar by 200 per cent

Feb 22, 2012 by blackbook

Giant pandas are around 2-3 ft. tall and can be up to 6ft long. They weight approximately 220-250 lbs. and are listed as endangered, with only 1,600 remaining in the wild.

Pandas play an important role within the animal kingdom- and it seems their appearance at Edinburgh zoo has had an extremely positive effect.

After the recent arrival of the two large pandas, there has been a 200 per cent increase in visitor numbers at the zoo.

The pandas arrived at the zoo from a reserve in China on December 4. They first went on display for the first time on the 16th December once they had acclimatised to their new surroundings.

Already the pandas have attracted 700,000 people after first being put on display, at the end of last year. This is more than three times the number of visitors to the zoo in the same period in 2010. Alongside this, approximately 1,000 soft panda toys (some as expensive as £40) have been bought from the zoo shop each week since the pair arrived.

The chief executive of the zoo, Hugh Roberts, explained that the zoo had been fully booked almost every day since the pandas arrived and that they expect the popularity of Tian Tian and Yang Guang to continue. He continued to explain how all visitors, young and old, were amazed when they saw the pandas. As for many of the visitors it was there first time that they had seen such animals.

Visitors do not have to pay any extra to see the pandas. However, time slots do need to be booked due to the high popularity of the animals. There are approximately 200 spaces available for each half-hourly interval with the scheme being extended to March, to ensure that as many people get to see the pandas as possible.

Mr Roberts added: ‘People are often amazed to see for themselves that pandas are quite happy to make eye contact and our visitors can learn lots of interesting facts from our panda patrols, like pandas eat a third of their bodyweight in food every day and the male pandas do their own version of a handstand to scent mark their territory.’

Picture courtesy of drs2biz

 

read more

Personalised Spoof Greeting Cards

Feb 20, 2012 by blackbook

There is a new trend amongst personalised birthday cards that is gaining popularity – the spoof card. A spoof card differs from a traditional greeting card in that it features a familiar image that has been slightly altered, taken from a source such as a magazine or film.

A typical example might be “Flirty Dancing” or “Vague”. These products offer customers the chance to show that they have put some thought and effort into the process of buying their loved ones a card, and they also offer humour based around something with which a friend or family member is already familiar.

With such a wide range available to select from, the chances are that buyers will be able to find a spoof card based on a film, or something similar, which a friend or family member really loves.

Spoof cards offer more than a traditional run-of-the-mill greeting card and they are ideal for those people in your life who have a great sense of humour.

read more

Loose Wire Underfloor Heating

Feb 18, 2012 by blackbook

An underfloor heating kit is great for those who want to install underfloor heating themselves. The kit comes with everything needed for DIY underfloor heating assembly. However, not every underfloor heating kit is suited to all situations. If the room to be fitted with underfloor heating is irregular, a loose wire underfloor heating kit is going to the better bet.

Underfloor heating kits come in two major varieties – loose wire and mat. Mat kits are good for their ease of use, but fit more easily into rooms that are a regular square shape. Loose wire kits are not much more difficult to install, and have the benefit of being able to work even in oddly-shaped rooms.

Loose wire kits consist of a wire that is looped up and down the room. The loops should be made tighter in areas that will get the most foot traffic. Looser loops with gaps are fine for tight edges, however.

Because these underfloor heating kits consist of wire, they can be moulded to the shape of just about any room. They can fit in rooms with curves or tight corners. This gives them an edge over mat kits, which cannot be customised for those kinds of special circumstances.

At the same time, loose wire underfloor heating kits are effective for heating the home. The added flexibility of these kits does not detract from their effectiveness as underfloor heating units. Homeowners can install these kits themselves without having to pay for a professional to do the job.

read more

Aiming for the Top

Feb 16, 2012 by blackbook

Picture courtesy of Melissa Gray

Played worldwide and rapidly increasing in popularity, darts is a tense and gripping game requiring accuracy in throwing and nerves of steel. Best known in its classic format of 501, the game has made darts betting a growing part of the choice for gamblers.

There are top darts competitions all over the world and two world championship events, one organised by the British Darts Association (BDA) and the other by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). Darts betting has been around for centuries in pubs and clubs in the UK and now there are more and more opportunities to bet on darts both online and in bookmakers’ shops.

Grand Prix darts betting is a top draw for gamblers, with plenty of odds from which to choose. Most common is to bet on the overall winner of winners of particular matches, but there are other options, such as winners of games or sets, or how many top scores of 180 a player might make in a tournament.

There are dozens of online and offline opportunities for darts betting, and signing up for a new account is easy. It can also be lucrative because many online bookmakers offer bonuses for first time depositors.

read more

Easy Tips to Find Sample Assignment Websites

Feb 14, 2012 by blackbook

The internet offers a vast source of information that covers all ends of the spectrum. This resource has vastly changed the way in which student’s research for college writing assignments. What once took hours to find in a mound of books can now be found through a simple search engine query. In conjunction with this, students also have access to an ever increasing number of example assignments and University coursework to use as a reference for their own work. Below are a couple of methods for finding websites that host sample assignments.

Forums

When looking for a sample assignment website, a good place to start is an education themed forum. A forum is a place in which people discuss various topics in chat windows known as threads. In most cases, enquiring about sample assignment websites in an education based forum will provide you with recommendations from people who have previously used the particular service, ensuring it is worth your time to pursue.

Google

When trying to locate a suitable sample assignment website it is best to start by simply typing in a keyword phrase into Google; this is a quick way to obtain a selection of results to browse through. In addition to finding a particular website, you can also research that website’s reputation prior to devoting time to dealing with them.

read more

Injury Compensation

Feb 12, 2012 by blackbook

If you have been injured, you may wish to seek compensation, or damages, for those injuries.  If the other party is insured, requesting payment from them may be your first thought, but remember that the insurance company’s main goal is to avoid paying out money, any money. 

Your goal, of course, is to be “made whole” from the injury.  You may very well be able to accomplish this on your own, but if the proceedings become overwhelming or confusing, consider retaining a solicitor. 

The solicitor’s compensation may be a concern, but there is a relatively new payment scheme available to you called no win no fee compensation.  Under this scenario, the solicitor is not paid unless you win your case.  Your case may not even have to go to court, but whether a judge becomes involved or not, if you win, you get compensation.

No win no fees means that the solicitor’s fees, but not all fees, are not paid unless you prevail.  Just remember that other fees such as recording fees, copying fees, and fees for expert witnesses are not generally included in the no win no fee contract, and there are generally some expenses that will still need to be paid by you.

Personal injury claims can involve interaction and negotiation with many different parties, from insurance companies to police and solicitors for the other party or parties.  As you can imagine, this can involve quite a bit of time and effort, and if you’re dealing with recovery from your own injuries, or working full time (or have lost employment due to the injury and are now seeking a new job), this may simply be too much for you to handle on your own.

If this is the case, consider hiring a solicitor, and also consider the no win no fee compensation option. It may lift a huge load off your shoulders.

 

read more

Après Ski

Feb 10, 2012 by blackbook

Après Ski is a French term that simply means ‘after skiing.’ While skiing is the name of the game on the mountain, at most skiing villages and resorts the fun does not stop when the mountain closes. This has become a very important factor that people consider when planning their ski holidays.

There are enough options to suit everybody. With some resorts offering early starts to the revelry, you can begin partying as early as four in the afternoon, then head out for some dinner and continue until four in the morning. Other mountains only begin to liven up well passed nine at night, allowing you plenty of time to regroup before starting the party. Some slopes will even have a bar positioned half way down, so that you can begin the party before you even finish the day’s skiing. Note though, you won’t be allowed back on the snow if you have had too much to drink, so you will need to pace yourself.

The surrounding villages are usually teeming with restaurants, bars, nightclubs and even casinos, so your options are limitless. Just remember that the later you get to bed, the harder it will be to get an early start on the mountain the next day.

Of course, if your prefer peace and quiet at night there are lots of ski resorts available with limited or no night life at all. Whatever you are looking for, it is important to do your research and know what your ski holiday is offering before you book.

read more

Five Reasons to Choose Blinds

Feb 8, 2012 by blackbook

Most people have a straight choice between curtains and blinds when it comes to controlling light levels in a room.  The following list presents five reasons why blinds are best.

There is a wide range of blinds available which can add to the decor of any room.  From wooden to aluminium blinds, vertical to roller blinds, there is a choice to suit all tastes. 

Blinds offer greater control over the level of light allowed into a room than curtains.  Light levels can easily be adjusted and a little considered fact about blinds is that they can also help to control the temperature of a room.

Blinds typically take up far less space than curtains whether open or closed.  Even when curtains are tied back they still occupy space to either side of the window which is not the case with blinds.

Blinds are far easier to clean and maintain than curtains.  Often a light dusting or wipe with a cloth is all that is required to keep blinds clean whereas curtains often need to be removed and washed as they tend to absorb the odours of a house.

Due to the fact that Tuiss blinds are durable they can be more cost effective in the long term when compared to curtains.  They are also robust and tend to fit the decor of a room, even when it is changed, meaning that they do not have to be replaced when you decide to redecorate.

read more

The Best Way to Learn Poker

Feb 6, 2012 by blackbook

A lot of people have found that poker is a great way to relax and get to know other people whilst gambling at the same time.  Some lucky people have even found that they have such a talent for the game they can make serious cash playing poker professionally.  However, whether players play recreational poker or the professional game, they all have to learn the basics first.

The best way to learn about poker is by playing the game.  Of course, it is important not to jump into the game too fast and gamble too much money before gaining a proper understanding of the rules and regulations.  Beginners could start by entering games for low stakes, or practising with free games.  Once you have mastered the basics watching more experienced players, and practicing your skills against them, will help improve your game.  Watching the game, reading about it and talking to other players is helpful, but the best way to learn poker is by playing as much as possible.

Picture courtesy of BigMikeSndTech

read more

Gap Year – The Kuwaiti Option

Feb 4, 2012 by blackbook

If you’re young, in search of exotic adventure and you don’t mind working hard and getting your hands dirty, gap year jobs in Kuwait might be just the right option for you. But make sure you’ve secured your job before arriving in the country – if you turn up out of the blue, be warned that you’re likely to have a fruitless search, especially if you’re after temporary or casual work. For the most part, it’s already gone – but some areas may yet be available.
 
A good proportion of expatriate workers in Kuwait are on fixed term contracts, usually of twelve months duration, but a substantial number of subcontractors manage to stay in the region for several years, often following an initial fixed term contract. You’ll quickly find that there’s a close-knit and helpful expatriate community in Kuwait to help you find your way – even if you only intend to stay for a very short time.

Young westerners seeking ‘gap year’ Kuwait jobs need to be aware of a few harsh realities. You’re going to be up against a large number of Asian workers who are desperately seeking work, often for wages much lower than you’d normally consider getting out of bed for. But if you do decide to get out of bed, just for the experience, and you’ve secured your Kuwait job through a reputable recruitment agency before arriving, with a little searching you could find work in recruitment agencies themselves, or in secretarial and administration work. Retail work tends to be most available at the height of the tourist season, but there are likely to be other openings, if you’re prepared to be open and imaginative, including driving for companies offering desert tours, and ‘street level’ market research interviews.

Picture courtsey of xiquinhosilva

 

read more