Archive for December, 2009

The stunning, castle-like bed and breakfast formerly called St. Bernard’s Bed & Breakfast - on the Oregon coast - now has a new name. St. Bernard’s has added another business partner, changed its name to Arch Cape House, and is in the middle of other shifts in direction.
This fall, owner Barbara Dau joined forces with a new business partner, on-and-off Arch Cape resident Robert Shaw. The result was St. Bernard’s B&B becoming Arch Cape House and an array of other interesting plans.
The upscale lodging - just south of Cannon Beach, in Arch Cape - has a distinctive architecture, built to resemble something between a castle and northwest ski lodge. It boasts gourmet, home-cooked breakfasts, a wine social hour, and unique rooms filled with antiques.
The new name is designed to make it easier to remember and identify the lodging’s location, said Shaw. The new name also works better with their revamped website, www. archcapehouse. com, allowing web surfers to more quickly notice the location.
“There’s a new partner, a new website, and we just thought it was a good time to change everything,” said Shaw. “We’re just trying to really let people know where we are and that here they can get great food, hospitality and that unique architecture - all overlooking the beaches of Arch Cape. “
Dau and Shaw are planning other changes and additions, including wine tasting dinners, featuring local artists, cross promotions with other businesses and events in Cannon Beach, and a garden that will grow food for Dau’s legendary breakfasts.
Shaw is taking master gardener classes in preparation. “I want to grow herbs for our own food,” Shaw said. “So we’ll have organic foods for Barbara’s cooking. Hopefully we’ll get to grow more, like tomatoes and other vegetables too. “
New bungalows on the property are also in the planning stages, which would serve as vacation rentals.
Shaw comes from the fishing industry and the tech industry, most recently having worked with AT&T and IBM, installing telecommunications equipment and software. Shaw ran his own fishing boat business for 15 years, sailing between the coasts of Oregon and Alaska. In the 90’s, he entered the tech world. His experience includes marketing on the Internet and various kinds of business management, as well as telecommunications technology.
His family has been in the Arch Cape since the 30’s. His parents also run a small lodging there.
Shaw is bringing much of his tech and marketing knowledge to revamping the approach of many aspects of Arch Cape House. Shaw and Dau are looking at adding wireless Internet access. Shaw has already done much with their website, including a much larger presence on the Net and online booking for the lodging - which he says is currently responsible for a growing chunk of business at Arch Cape House.
The intertwining of promotions with other businesses has already begun. Arch Cape House has linked some lodging specials and packages with EVOO Cooking School in Cannon Beach and with other regional events.
Arch Cape House is on East Ocean Rd. , just north of the Arch Cape Tunnel. www. archcapehouse. com. 800-436-2848.
For more on the Oregon Coast, the Cannon Beach area, or romance specials on the coast, see Oregon Coast Beach Connection, which spotlights Valentine’s Day secrets and spring break fun as well.

The name of the city of Hamburg stems from the first known building constructed on the site. Emperor Charlemagne ordered the construction of a castle name Hammaburg built in 808 AD. The built in a marsh somewhere between Alster and the Elbe. The area was very rocky and designed to protect against Slavic attacks, which were very prevalent at the time. Linguists understand that “burg” means “castle,” however, they are unsure as to the nature “Hamma. ” The exact location of the castle is unknown as well. The city grew very fast, achieving first fame as the seat of a Roman Catholic bishop named Ansgar, the Apostle of the North in 834. Nearly 500 inhabitants lived here until a fleet of 600 Viking ships raided and destroyed the town in 845. The city was rebuilt on the same site but suffered a similar fate in 1030. King Mieszko II Lambert of Poland again burned down the city during a brief war. After being rebuilt again, Frederick I, known as “Barbarossa,” granted the city a charter in 1189 that stated it was a tax free zone that would allow access to the North Sea via the Lower Elbe, on which Hamburg is located. This caused the city to become one of the fastest-growing ports in Northern Europe. Over the years, the city created trade alliances culminating in a 1241 charter that had Hamburg become a core partner in the powerful Hanseatic League with its trade routes connecting both the North Sea and the Baltic. During this time, however, the city was twice raided by forces from Denmark who occupied the city in both 1201 and 1214. Despite these events, Henry III issued a contract between London and the city which helped stimulate trade between the two cities in 1266. This was one of the most important trading relationships of the era. To make matters even more impressive, the first laws regarding civil, criminal and procedures were written in 1270. This caused the city to be a culturally important center during the Middle Ages. Again, however, in 1284, a notable fire laid waste to much of the city. A constitution was written and ratified on August 10, 1410. This constitution was one of the first of its kind in Germany. This constitution included provisions for religious tolerance that led the city to embrace Lutheranism. Subsequently, a number of Dutch and French Protestants arrived. This was followed in the 17th century with sephardi Jews arriving from Portugal. During the Napoleonic Wars, the city was annexed from 1810 to 1814. It was eventually freed by General Bennisen, a German general who controlled a portion of the Russian army. The city-state became an independent nation within the German Confederation. 1842 marked yet another treacherous year for Hamburg. Now known as the “Great Fire,” flames swept through on May 4 and continued to burn for four days. It destroyed much of the inner city including a number of churches and the town hall. 51 people died and nearly 20,000 were left homeless. It took nearly 40 years to rebuild, during which time a republican constitution was formed that stands to this day. For more information on Hamburg, Germany visit http://hamburgmicroblog. com and http://germanymicroblog. com

The Golden Lane is a part of the Prague Castle complex, dating from the 15th Century. It is a street where the houses are so small you would be forgiven for thinking they were inhabited by dwarves. Anyone who has read a Discworld novel would also be forgiven for thinking they had walked straight into Ankh Morpork, for this is where Terry Pratchett drew some of his inspiration from. The Golden lane is essentially a very small street lined by 11 historic dwellings. Each house is in fact a tiny self contained exhibit, ranging from medieval armoury to textiles, as well as selling all of the usual souvenirs aimed at tourists. There are also some hands on activities to be found, such a shooting gallery located in one of the larger buildings where you can play around with a fully functional crossbow. The lane was formed when a new outer wall was added to the existing castle complex, towards to the end of the 15th century, and Rudolf II gave the space to the castle marksmen guarding the fortification. There were 24 marksmen, and given the very limited space available this is how the houses came to be so small. Over time several of the houses were destroyed, and as marksmen became obsolete the houses were eventually sold on to the general public of the time. The lane supposedly got its name from the many alchemists who lived here, although this is in fact an urban myth. However, there was one documented story of a single Alchemist living amongst the regular folk in 1831, who ended up setting fire to part of his house following an explosion. When the fire was extinguished he was supposedly found lying dead with a large gold nugget in his hand. Had he turned lead into gold? I suppose we will never know!If you are planning a trip to Prague it is definitely worth a visit. The kids will love it, and there is plenty for adults to see and do as well both here and in the castle itself.

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Panther Platform Rentals, one of the fastest growing providers of powered access hire solutions in the UK, helped English Heritage carry out essential repairs to the stables of historic Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire. The stables house the Castle’s new ‘interactive’ computer display and exhibition, which allow visitors a fascinating insight into the building’s history.
Panther provided Bronto T34 truck mount for the repair project that enabled English Heritage to repair the stables’ tiled roof and make it watertight so that visitors to the 12th century castle could continue to enjoy the exhibition.
“The stables house a brand new Castle exhibition that would have been at risk of rain damage had the roof not been repaired,” said James Marchant of Panther’s truck mount division. “It was an awkward job to do and the Bronto T34 proved perfect, offering an excellent reach height of 34m and a 23m horizontal outreach that easily stretched over the top of the building. “
“The Bronto T34’s five metre flyjib was invaluable in this operation, allowing access to the roof elevation facing the castle’s moat to repair the tiles. “
Kenilworth Castle was built in the 1100s by Geoffrey de Clinton, Chamberlain to Henry I. It was subsequently added to over the years by a number of English kings and it played host to Elizabeth I when owned by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester.

 
You see them in theme parks. You see them in playgrounds. You see them in malls. But have you seen your child’s reaction yet the moment he finds an inflatable castle? The reaction is something similar to an uncontainable joy and excitement – much more if you let him or her play in it.

There is no kid in this world who doesn’t love inflatable castles. It is one life-size toy that brings all their fantasies for life. More so, they can share the fun with ten other kids aboard this toy. And that’s social interaction for a better emotional quotient at play for your kids. Kids love to run, jump, and bounce around. With this cool toy, they can do all of those and more – all to their hearts desire.

But kids are not just the only ones who love the sight of an inflatable castle. Even adults can be awed by this unique, big toy. It is usually placed right at the center of a playground as the main attraction, primarily because it can really draw attention – regardless if you’re a small child or an adult young at heart. Just how many childhood memories of yours were triggered at the sight of an inflatable castle?

Playing inside an inflatable castle is an enormous delight to kids. And it is good to know that it is quite easy to bring these toys right inside your homes. You can buy them or rent them. They’re very much available at specialty stores these days. It could just be the perfect birthday gift you can give your kids.

Parents rent inflatable castles for birthday parties. Slowly, these toys are becoming the staples of such an event. More and more parents are looking for inflatable rentals to make the birthdays of their prince and princess memorable. Sooner or later, birthdays won’t be complete without these inflatable bouncers in the foreground.

Inflatable bouncers come in varied size, shape, and form. There certainly is one that would fit in your backyard or garage. The ones used in parks and playgrounds are usually the biggest ones. Oftentimes, they are customized. The ones you can buy from retail stores and online shops are much smaller. Most of them can accommodate five to ten kids at a time.

Buying inflatable bouncers is slick and easy. And that’s because it comes with everything you will need to set it up. Aside from the inflatable bouncer itself, the package contains the air blower and a repair kit. Installation is a jiffy as well. You just have to connect the air blower to the inflatable and to the power outlet. Leave it for a few minutes and the bouncer will come into life right before your eyes.

Delight your kids with this nice surprise. Keep an inflatable bouncer in your backyard or garage. See how joyous his reaction would be once he discovers it. Surely, he won’t sit on the couch or in front of the computer all day any longer. You’ll most likely find him bouncing and sweating inside the inflatable set. This toy might just be the solution you are looking for to child obesity. Keep your kids active. That way, they’ll be stronger and more alert and not at all sickly.

If you seek a gentle 7 mile walk in outstandingly beautiful surroundings then this walk starting at Craster and visiting Dunstanburgh Castle and the village of Embleton has a lot to offer. Walking on country lanes and well trodden paths you can enjoy both the countryside and some of the most wonderful coastline surroundings you could wish for and in doing so you will hardly break sweat, it’s gentle all the way. Leave Craster on the only road in to the village and on the right you meet a track leading to the Heughs and Dunstan Square from where a track continues north to Dunstan Steads. From this point the walk continues on quiet roads to Embleton, roads that appear devoid of traffic mainly and so the trek is uneventful though enjoyable through the beautiful Northumbrian countryside. From Embleton the walk continues eastward along the road heading to The Skaith. Arrival at the coastal path is quite dramatic with views to the north highlighting the majestic Bamburgh Castle situated on it’s rocky crag whilst the view south to Dunstanburgh Castle is an inviting sight along the wonderful Northumberland coastline.   The views alone are worth the effort of the walk and you still have Dunstanburgh to visit!The coastal walk is pitted with views of some interesting rock formations hewn by the relentless sea and winds over many centuries but you also encounter some beautiful beaches where, if the weather be favourable, you can stop and have a paddle. Soon the castle looms into sight. Built in the 14th century it is strategically placed, utilising the natural defences of the cliffs and the sea the building now is largely a ruin but is still worth a visit. It has had some illustrious tenants including the Earl of Lancaster and the well know figure of John of Gaunt, the latter being responsible for large scale alterations and improvements to the structure. Views from the castle are wonderful but with a little imagination one can envisage what it must have been like in it’s heyday, a building to rival it’s (now) illustrious neighbour Bamburgh Castle just up the coast. After a while make your way back to Craster and enjoy a nice cuppa and partake of the local delicacy of fresh crab sandwiches - scrumptious. And while your about it grab some Craster kippers, breakfast will never be the same!Seven miles with only a couple of hundred metres climbing makes for and easy relaxing day - try it and enjoy yourself. Useful ResourcesOS Explorer Map - Sheet 332

Spending a day watching Cinderella and her lavish castle will make the holiday memorable and one that the child will cherish all their life. Located in the middle of the two theme parks, this has been around since 1971, giving every visitor something new to look forward to.
During your stay at the magical Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, you and you family members can take a walk through the Cinderella’s castle, which has mosaic murals narrating the tale. Each of these is made of Italian smooth glass and rough ones that are made especially by Italian craftsman. One can make out the emotions playing across the faces of Cinderella and her evil step sisters right down to the ball, after which she tries on the glass slippers. There is an attached shopping arena called Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique where young girls can get anything they desire.
In order to enjoy all this, you will need to book your journey way ahead, and this can be done either online or through an agency that will plan your entire itinerary. There is even a Cinderella Suite on the top of the castle which today can house upto 6 guests; this was once intended for Sir Walt Disney and his friends to reside in. Staying here would leave you feeling like a real princess, with the fluffy queen sized beds and rich castle like walls and view from your room. And as you get out of your castle, you can stroll through Mickey’s Toontown Fair, where you can shake hands with Mickey Mouse and gang who live right there. A latest addition to the Disney World, this is sure to make your Walt Disney World vacation better.
You can take the train from anywhere in the park and watch the various splendors of their park come alive. What child would not like to check out the various castles and palaces home to their favorite characters? In the Magic Kingdom section, you find Fantasyland, filled with princesses, pixies and little boys who don’t grow up. A play area where you spend time with Winnie the Pooh or what looks like scenes from the 20,000 leagues under the sea book is what awaits you.
When you get bored of these, you can take the train to Pinocchio’s village which is near the fair lands. You will go through numerous tunnels that take you from Adventureland to the Liberty Square. Housed within these walls are the finest restaurants and souvenir stores for you to indulge in. A fun filled, learning experience is what you take back when you wind up for the day in your comfortable bed on tip the Cinderella’s castle.
The Orlando area is famous for its condos and villas that you can pick up to add a bit of spice to your vacation. Fitted with all the amenities and services you could dream off, these make for ideal getaways from the crowd and close enough to spend time during your Walt Disney World Resort vacation.

Spending a day watching Cinderella and her lavish castle will make the holiday memorable and one that the child will cherish all their life. Located in the middle of the two theme parks, this has been around since 1971, giving every visitor something new to look forward to.
During your stay at the magical Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, you and you family members can take a walk through the Cinderella’s castle, which has mosaic murals narrating the tale. Each of these is made of Italian smooth glass and rough ones that are made especially by Italian craftsman. One can make out the emotions playing across the faces of Cinderella and her evil step sisters right down to the ball, after which she tries on the glass slippers. There is an attached shopping arena called Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique where young girls can get anything they desire.
In order to enjoy all this, you will need to book your journey way ahead, and this can be done either online or through an agency that will plan your entire itinerary. There is even a Cinderella Suite on the top of the castle which today can house upto 6 guests; this was once intended for Sir Walt Disney and his friends to reside in. Staying here would leave you feeling like a real princess, with the fluffy queen sized beds and rich castle like walls and view from your room. And as you get out of your castle, you can stroll through Mickey’s Toontown Fair, where you can shake hands with Mickey Mouse and gang who live right there. A latest addition to the Disney World, this is sure to make your Walt Disney World vacation better.
You can take the train from anywhere in the park and watch the various splendors of their park come alive. What child would not like to check out the various castles and palaces home to their favorite characters? In the Magic Kingdom section, you find Fantasyland, filled with princesses, pixies and little boys who don’t grow up. A play area where you spend time with Winnie the Pooh or what looks like scenes from the 20,000 leagues under the sea book is what awaits you.
When you get bored of these, you can take the train to Pinocchio’s village which is near the fair lands. You will go through numerous tunnels that take you from Adventureland to the Liberty Square. Housed within these walls are the finest restaurants and souvenir stores for you to indulge in. A fun filled, learning experience is what you take back when you wind up for the day in your comfortable bed on tip the Cinderella’s castle.
The Orlando area is famous for its condos and villas that you can pick up to add a bit of spice to your vacation. Fitted with all the amenities and services you could dream off, these make for ideal getaways from the crowd and close enough to spend time during your Walt Disney World Resort vacation.

Is one of your children going to celebrate his or her birthday soon? Are you planning on a big surprise? If so, then a good suggestion was to give your child a themed party. Make it a party fit for a prince or a princess. Surely, you child won’t be able to forget the experience forever. Start with beautiful prince or princess clothes. You can rent these from a costume party organizer. Next, you should plan on the ambiance of the place where the party is going to be held. Well, you don’t have to go far. Your background can be transformed into a magical kingdom easily. All you really need is a bounce castle. Bounce castles are those big, inflatable toys shaped like a king’s tower. These can be easily setup in any open space. The castle is almost life-like, complete with exiting colors and cool slides and obstacles kids will love. It definitely is the perfect backdrop for your child’s birthday party. And if you organize the event well enough, you could throw the party of the year that other kids can only dream about. Make your child’s next birthday party as special as her. Prepare everything perfectly, including the foods to serve and the games to play. As for games, you won’t have to think about that much. The mere presence of the bounce castle is enough to make guests excited. Because right after the ceremonies and the food, you can let all the kids to play inside the inflatable castle to their heart’s delight. Kids are free to jump around, run, and just stay inside the castle for as long as they want. And because the party is held in your backyard, there’s no need to worry about time. Kids can play all day if they want. And they’re safe there too. Just check in the kids every so often to see if they’re having a good time. Otherwise, you can leave them having fun on their own. It’s not hard to get bounce castles these days. You can buy one from an online store or at a local retailer near you. But if you think that buying these sets is not practical, there surely are stores that can rent one for you to use in a day. Let your child’s innermost fantasies come to life. Every child wants to be a prince or a princess. Make that happen even for a day. And do it on their birthday, when they can feel that they are much loved by their parents, friends, and the rest of the family members.