So you have a nice, secluded cottage and are enjoying your Self-Catering break very nicely. It’s a warm afternoon in the UK (we can dream, can’t we?) and there’s a rustle in the long grass. It’s a snake!! Aren’t they all killers or something? To be educated is to be safe, so this week we talk about how to deal with a snake bite in the UK - not the blackcurrant sort, but the wriggly, no-leg variety.

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If you believe the seasons, summer is finally here and holidays are on our minds. Unfortunately we are in the midst of some difficult financial times and therefore many of us are looking for holidays that are kinder to our bank balances and possibly closer to home. Camping holidays are growing in popularity. After all, they are family friendly and don’t cost a fortune. Of course, it is also festival season and the majority of revellers choose to camp out for the weekend to make the most of the experience. We all just need the British weather to play along and we’ll be having a great time.

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Learning how to start a fire when outdoors can be a useful, indeed an invaluable skill to learn.  You just never know when you might find yourself in a situation where you need to start a fire but you don’t have convenient aids such as matches or a lighter.  Many of us have seen people attempt to start fires on ‘outdoors’ type TV shows, which may have been successful, or they have met with complete failure.  It is not easy but there are tricks to getting a spark that will start that precious and perhaps lifesaving fire.

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So you’re sitting in your lovely cottage on an evening and you’re not allowed to watch TV, because you’re on holiday! But you can play cards. They’re very holiday like, aren’t they?  Here are a few that are the best:

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Whether you’re a keen carnivore or an obligatory herbivore, as the host to a good barbecue you may have to cater for both tastes. Here’s how to barbecue some great vegetarian food, whether you’re a meat eater or a veggie. Let’s assume that some, if not most, of your guests are vegetarians. Best not to sever friendships (or needlessly upset people you like) for the sake of a few bits of charred meat. With a little attention to detail, and a little imagination, some delicious and healthy food can be enjoyed by all, whether they consider themselves vegetarians or not. Here’s a sound, step-by-step guide on how to have a delicious Vegetarian Barbecue:

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