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OTHER INSURANCE SITES
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Monday, July 30, 2012
Pampering at the petrol pumps
Fancy being pampered?
Well head down to your local Shell service station and you may very well be!
No – I’m not talking about manicures and facials – I’m referring to petrol pump attendants.
After four decades, they have returned to fill up your car for you. It’s a great excuse to dress up nice and pretend you’re a star before heading down to feed the fuel tank.
Shell has brought back attendants to 300 of its service stations throughout the UK.
The only real difference between the attendants of the 1970’s and the modern-day ones, is that they unfortunately won’t take payment from motorists. That means you’ll still have to get out of the car to pay inside the shop – but the attendants can help less able drivers make their way over the forecourt (which is nice).
One of the new attendants from a Shell station in Essex states, “It has been going really well.
“Elderly people especially seem to like the service, maybe because it reminds them of how it used to be when they were younger.
“It is useful for disabled people, they really appreciate it.
“Obviously not everyone wants us to help but we have had really good feedback.”
It’s pleasant getting extra service while filling up on an expensive commodity – just be sure you drive in at some point between 10am and 4pm so that you can catch the attendants at work.
Well head down to your local Shell service station and you may very well be!
No – I’m not talking about manicures and facials – I’m referring to petrol pump attendants.
After four decades, they have returned to fill up your car for you. It’s a great excuse to dress up nice and pretend you’re a star before heading down to feed the fuel tank.
Shell has brought back attendants to 300 of its service stations throughout the UK.
The only real difference between the attendants of the 1970’s and the modern-day ones, is that they unfortunately won’t take payment from motorists. That means you’ll still have to get out of the car to pay inside the shop – but the attendants can help less able drivers make their way over the forecourt (which is nice).
One of the new attendants from a Shell station in Essex states, “It has been going really well.
“Elderly people especially seem to like the service, maybe because it reminds them of how it used to be when they were younger.
“It is useful for disabled people, they really appreciate it.
“Obviously not everyone wants us to help but we have had really good feedback.”
It’s pleasant getting extra service while filling up on an expensive commodity – just be sure you drive in at some point between 10am and 4pm so that you can catch the attendants at work.
Photo © futureshape via Flickr, Under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: car, drive, fill up, forecourt, fuel tank, motorist, petrol pump attendants, service station, Shell
Friday, July 27, 2012
The success of others
It’s wrong to be envious of the successes friends or family experience – but sometimes it’s difficult not to feel a little hard done-by.
My younger brother recently passed his practical driving test, which he is naturally very pleased about.
A good older sibling would just be happy for him…but my happiness is shrouded in jealousy.
Not only has he managed to pass at a much younger age than I did – but he managed it first time!
It took me four goes! Four! Do you know how much money that is? That’s a lot of money!
How come he only needs to pay for his test once? Oh, the unfairness of the world!
Now he’s talking about how the insurance won’t cost that much and how he’ll be buying a car soon. I don’t think so Mister! I’ve been driving a while now and I know that you won’t find cheap car insurance at your age!
Having said that – maybe he’s found a telematics policy… There weren’t any around when I first compared quotes for car insurance; I really wish there had been! Some people have all the luck!
My younger brother recently passed his practical driving test, which he is naturally very pleased about.
A good older sibling would just be happy for him…but my happiness is shrouded in jealousy.
Not only has he managed to pass at a much younger age than I did – but he managed it first time!
It took me four goes! Four! Do you know how much money that is? That’s a lot of money!
How come he only needs to pay for his test once? Oh, the unfairness of the world!
Now he’s talking about how the insurance won’t cost that much and how he’ll be buying a car soon. I don’t think so Mister! I’ve been driving a while now and I know that you won’t find cheap car insurance at your age!
Having said that – maybe he’s found a telematics policy… There weren’t any around when I first compared quotes for car insurance; I really wish there had been! Some people have all the luck!
Photo © Sean MacEntee via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: cheap car insurance, first time, money, pass, policy, practical driving test, quotes, success, telematics, young
Monday, July 23, 2012
Is your hot tub annoying people?
A lot of the time neighbours can be brilliant. Who else will lend you an egg at 7 o’clock on a Sunday evening when all the shops are closed?
But other times the behaviour of particular neighbours can be less than desirable, especially if they are having late-night raucous parties and causing frustration to other residents on the area.
However, a new report carried out by BBC Gardner’s World magazine has revealed that late-night gatherings are not the only biggest neighbourly irritant – hot tubs are driving people crazy!
Not only does the bubbling sound annoy residents, but the tubs also have a tendency to encourage neighbours to have a noisy evening dip.
Popular models seat up to five people, and it is thought that sellers have experienced an increase in sales this summer due to the poor weather.
Also high up on the list of irritants are cats, bright security lights and barbeque smoke, meaning that it is probably very difficult to be the perfect neighbour.
I’ll add another irritation to that list – revving engines and slamming car doors in the early hours of the morning!
But other times the behaviour of particular neighbours can be less than desirable, especially if they are having late-night raucous parties and causing frustration to other residents on the area.
However, a new report carried out by BBC Gardner’s World magazine has revealed that late-night gatherings are not the only biggest neighbourly irritant – hot tubs are driving people crazy!
Not only does the bubbling sound annoy residents, but the tubs also have a tendency to encourage neighbours to have a noisy evening dip.
Popular models seat up to five people, and it is thought that sellers have experienced an increase in sales this summer due to the poor weather.
Also high up on the list of irritants are cats, bright security lights and barbeque smoke, meaning that it is probably very difficult to be the perfect neighbour.
I’ll add another irritation to that list – revving engines and slamming car doors in the early hours of the morning!
Photo © kcxd via Flickr under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: car doors, driving, engines, hot tub, irritant, neighbours, parties, revving
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Nosey family and faddy diets
Every few weekends I travel up to North London to visit some of my family, and in an attempt to avoid the often nightmarish London traffic, I usually choose to leave my car in the garage and take the train.
Since becoming engaged, trips to see my family have resulted in quick-fire questions about the wedding. “Have you got a dress yet?”, “How many bridesmaids will you be having?”, and perhaps the most offensive, “Which fad diet will you be going on?”.
Having said that – they might have a point. I’ve tried on some dresses and they are a little bit on the snug side. So on the train journey back from one visit I had a look at some of the more famous diets and I’m appalled!
The Atkins diet dictates that I should give up carbs, the Dukan diet is likely to make me experience bad breath and a dry mouth (something I would very much like to avoid for my first kiss as a married woman) and the weight watchers diet wants me to take note of every last morsel that passes my lips.
Well, after some careful consideration, I have decided that I most definitely will not be subjecting myself to a fad diet pre-wedding. Instead I will eat less chocolate and more fruit and veg.
Take note, I did say less chocolate and not no chocolate!
Since becoming engaged, trips to see my family have resulted in quick-fire questions about the wedding. “Have you got a dress yet?”, “How many bridesmaids will you be having?”, and perhaps the most offensive, “Which fad diet will you be going on?”.Having said that – they might have a point. I’ve tried on some dresses and they are a little bit on the snug side. So on the train journey back from one visit I had a look at some of the more famous diets and I’m appalled!
The Atkins diet dictates that I should give up carbs, the Dukan diet is likely to make me experience bad breath and a dry mouth (something I would very much like to avoid for my first kiss as a married woman) and the weight watchers diet wants me to take note of every last morsel that passes my lips.
Well, after some careful consideration, I have decided that I most definitely will not be subjecting myself to a fad diet pre-wedding. Instead I will eat less chocolate and more fruit and veg.
Take note, I did say less chocolate and not no chocolate!
Photo © Yortw via Flickr under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: car, diet, garage, traffic, train, wedding
Monday, July 16, 2012
Festival fun in a British summer
Optimistic thoughts of the summertime had me daydreaming about rolling down my car windows, throwing my head back and letting the wind dance glamorously through my hair.
However, it seems as though the weather has other, much more disappointing plans; making sure that my daydream stays a fantasy. In fact, I’m actually considering just giving up blow-drying my hair altogether – the daily rain means every attempt at leaving the house tends to revert my hair back into a sopping wet mess!
Well, last weekend a few friends and I tried to make the best of an awful summer and got into the festival fever. We chose a local boutique-style event which promised to provide friendly atmosphere and plenty of entertainment.
Two of us had recently felt the sting of renewing our annual car insurance polices, so in a bid to save some petrol money and, of course, reduce our carbon footprint, we all chose to squeeze into my car for the one hour journey.
All went marvellously, even the weather miraculously held up for the majority of the weekend, until the very end when we headed back to the car. Somehow, the wonderful grassy field we had left my beautiful car in had turned into a swamp only a hippopotamus could be content with.
With a few – okay, a lot – of strategically placed steps, and only one less-than-graceful tumble, we managed to squish ourselves back into the car and made our rather slow getaway.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that August won’t be quite so mud-tastic and might even give me the opportunity to catch a few rays. Or that I might get whisked away on holiday, I can keep daydreaming after all!
However, it seems as though the weather has other, much more disappointing plans; making sure that my daydream stays a fantasy. In fact, I’m actually considering just giving up blow-drying my hair altogether – the daily rain means every attempt at leaving the house tends to revert my hair back into a sopping wet mess!Well, last weekend a few friends and I tried to make the best of an awful summer and got into the festival fever. We chose a local boutique-style event which promised to provide friendly atmosphere and plenty of entertainment.
Two of us had recently felt the sting of renewing our annual car insurance polices, so in a bid to save some petrol money and, of course, reduce our carbon footprint, we all chose to squeeze into my car for the one hour journey.
All went marvellously, even the weather miraculously held up for the majority of the weekend, until the very end when we headed back to the car. Somehow, the wonderful grassy field we had left my beautiful car in had turned into a swamp only a hippopotamus could be content with.
With a few – okay, a lot – of strategically placed steps, and only one less-than-graceful tumble, we managed to squish ourselves back into the car and made our rather slow getaway.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that August won’t be quite so mud-tastic and might even give me the opportunity to catch a few rays. Or that I might get whisked away on holiday, I can keep daydreaming after all!
Photo © lflnnpr1 via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: annual car insurance, festival, mud, summer, swamp, windows
Friday, July 13, 2012
Don’t count to ten
An important rule for drivers is not to get behind the wheel when they have a lot on their mind or feel angry.
Apparently, being in control of a vehicle when you’re mulling over your problems or feel like punching something is not a good idea – it could end in you being involved in a crash.
So, how do you avoid feelings of worry and anger as a driver?
Well, I can’t help you with the worry – do some yoga or create your own Zen garden or something – but Ohio State University scientists have discovered a way of dealing with anger.
After conducting tests on a group of students, the research team found that counting to ten is one of the worst things you can do in an attempt to deal with rage.
The professor of communication and psychology at Ohio State, explains, “The worst thing to do in an anger-inducing situation is what people normally do: try to focus on their hurt and angry feelings to understand them.
“If you focus too much on how you're feeling, it usually backfires.
“It keeps the aggressive thoughts and feelings active in your mind, which makes it more likely that you'll act aggressively.”
Reportedly, the secret is to have a detached view of your anger.
Sounds like years of training at some secret facility up in snowy mountains to me…I think I’ll just buy a stress-ball and get taxis to places for a while.
Apparently, being in control of a vehicle when you’re mulling over your problems or feel like punching something is not a good idea – it could end in you being involved in a crash.So, how do you avoid feelings of worry and anger as a driver?
Well, I can’t help you with the worry – do some yoga or create your own Zen garden or something – but Ohio State University scientists have discovered a way of dealing with anger.
After conducting tests on a group of students, the research team found that counting to ten is one of the worst things you can do in an attempt to deal with rage.
The professor of communication and psychology at Ohio State, explains, “The worst thing to do in an anger-inducing situation is what people normally do: try to focus on their hurt and angry feelings to understand them.
“If you focus too much on how you're feeling, it usually backfires.
“It keeps the aggressive thoughts and feelings active in your mind, which makes it more likely that you'll act aggressively.”
Reportedly, the secret is to have a detached view of your anger.
Sounds like years of training at some secret facility up in snowy mountains to me…I think I’ll just buy a stress-ball and get taxis to places for a while.
Photo © joshjanssen via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: anger, crash, driver, vehicle, wheel, worry
Monday, July 9, 2012
Women athletes but no women drivers
However absurd and contradictory it might seem, the decision by Saudi Arabia to send female athletes to the Olympics for the first time in its history has to be good news for its women drivers.
In fact the move will mark the first time in Saudi history that its women have been allowed to compete in any international sports tournament and will end the nation’s position as the only country in the world that prevents its women from competing in international sporting events.
However, it is unlikely that the move will do much for the country’s medal tally – nor will it present much opportunity for Saudi women athletes.
Sporting opportunities for women are limited in the kingdom so very few have the experience or skill to compete at an international level.
It is likely that the only female Saudi athlete will be the show jumper Dalma Rushdi Malhas.
Although having the privilege and the liberty of having to worry about car insurance remains a long way off for Saudi women drivers, the move is at least a tiny step in the right direction for the country’s women in general.
In fact the move will mark the first time in Saudi history that its women have been allowed to compete in any international sports tournament and will end the nation’s position as the only country in the world that prevents its women from competing in international sporting events.However, it is unlikely that the move will do much for the country’s medal tally – nor will it present much opportunity for Saudi women athletes.
Sporting opportunities for women are limited in the kingdom so very few have the experience or skill to compete at an international level.
It is likely that the only female Saudi athlete will be the show jumper Dalma Rushdi Malhas.
Although having the privilege and the liberty of having to worry about car insurance remains a long way off for Saudi women drivers, the move is at least a tiny step in the right direction for the country’s women in general.
Photo © imaginedhorizons via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: car insurance, women drivers
Friday, July 6, 2012
A wedding dress to wipe away the tears
I’m getting married in April. I know, I know. A spring wedding – it’s going to be lovely.
But before you get too carried away, you should know that I’m not exactly going to be CoverGirl bride.
This is because my boyfriend – fiancé, I mean – it’s so hard to get used to, even if I do like saying it... Anyway, my fiancé has said that he has come up with a brilliant idea to save money.
“What, my love, share a car, and put you on my woman driver insurance?” I asked.
“No, sweet, silly pants,” he said. “Make your wedding dress out of toilet paper.”
“You nasty, nasty man.” I said. “Making cruel jokes when you know I’m going to be the most beautiful bride ever. You already said that, remember.”
But he was serious. Completely serious. He says that a woman in the US has recently won a prize for crafting a wedding dress out of toilet paper.
Naturally, my first thought was, no way! Not in a million years!
But having looked at the garment in question, it’s, well... exquisite.
The problem is, we don’t have a designer and there’s no way I’m going to let my fiancé design and stitch it himself, as he claims he’s going to do. No way!
But before you get too carried away, you should know that I’m not exactly going to be CoverGirl bride.This is because my boyfriend – fiancé, I mean – it’s so hard to get used to, even if I do like saying it... Anyway, my fiancé has said that he has come up with a brilliant idea to save money.
“What, my love, share a car, and put you on my woman driver insurance?” I asked.
“No, sweet, silly pants,” he said. “Make your wedding dress out of toilet paper.”
“You nasty, nasty man.” I said. “Making cruel jokes when you know I’m going to be the most beautiful bride ever. You already said that, remember.”
But he was serious. Completely serious. He says that a woman in the US has recently won a prize for crafting a wedding dress out of toilet paper.
Naturally, my first thought was, no way! Not in a million years!
But having looked at the garment in question, it’s, well... exquisite.
The problem is, we don’t have a designer and there’s no way I’m going to let my fiancé design and stitch it himself, as he claims he’s going to do. No way!
Photo © exfordy via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence
Labels: wedding, woman driver insurance
Monday, July 2, 2012
Girl power goes crazy in the proscenium arch
I was merely a tiny tot when the Spice Girls hit the charts and told the world they were the epitome of Girl Power…and I loved them for it.
I didn’t have a favourite group member but possibly due to my age, and my mum’s penchant for putting me in pig tails, when I danced and sang to their hits everyone would call me Baby Spice.
As I hit teenagedom and started having my first rows with boyfriends and girlfriends, so the group echoed my life and they finally split up, leaving me and their millions of other fans pretty devastated.
But I never forgot the lessons they had taught me and I was determined to show how strong I was.
I became an engineering student at my local college (one girl in a class of 18 boys), I passed my driving test before my brother (who was two years older than me and rubbish at driving) and I even got cheap car insurance (because I’m a woman). I went out into the world, got a fantastic job, spiced up my life and now, after meeting my partner, two have become one.
As time went on, I have followed the fortunes of all the girls, and although I can’t say I’m a fan of some of the paths they’ve chosen (Posh Spice, I’m talking to you – yours is not a healthy body image for young women) I was thrilled to hear that the Spice Girl’s songs are going to be turned into a musical.
Viva Forever! will be opening in London in December and I have to say, I can’t wait. I’m not sure whether my other half will want to go, but as the song says, if he wants to be with me, he’ll have to get with my friends…and the Spice Girls are definitely my friends. Zigazig ah!
I didn’t have a favourite group member but possibly due to my age, and my mum’s penchant for putting me in pig tails, when I danced and sang to their hits everyone would call me Baby Spice.As I hit teenagedom and started having my first rows with boyfriends and girlfriends, so the group echoed my life and they finally split up, leaving me and their millions of other fans pretty devastated.
But I never forgot the lessons they had taught me and I was determined to show how strong I was.
I became an engineering student at my local college (one girl in a class of 18 boys), I passed my driving test before my brother (who was two years older than me and rubbish at driving) and I even got cheap car insurance (because I’m a woman). I went out into the world, got a fantastic job, spiced up my life and now, after meeting my partner, two have become one.
As time went on, I have followed the fortunes of all the girls, and although I can’t say I’m a fan of some of the paths they’ve chosen (Posh Spice, I’m talking to you – yours is not a healthy body image for young women) I was thrilled to hear that the Spice Girl’s songs are going to be turned into a musical.
Viva Forever! will be opening in London in December and I have to say, I can’t wait. I’m not sure whether my other half will want to go, but as the song says, if he wants to be with me, he’ll have to get with my friends…and the Spice Girls are definitely my friends. Zigazig ah!
Image © .Martin. via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence