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Disturbing footage shows mother Kristel Candelario, 32, calmly lying to police about finding her 16-month-old baby dead – after leaving her daughter to rot in her playpen while frolicking on Puerto Rico’s beaches for 10 days used to be

Albert Elence — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 03:19:01 +0000

Disturbing footage has captured the moment an Ohio mother calmly lied to police about finding her infant daughter dead in her crib – after secretly leaving the child behind to go on a tropical holiday.

Kristel Candelario, 32, was confronted after her 16-month-old daughter Jailyn was found starving in her own filth after being stranded for 10 days.

The mother, sentenced this week to life in prison, was seen on police bodycam footage in which officers said her daughter had been vomiting throughout the week of June 2023.

Candelario was actually frolicking on a Puerto Rican beach.

In the shocking clip, she coldly told officers: “She had no food, she refused.”

While her daughter was starving, Candelario shared vacation photos of her smiling on a beach, with the caption, “The time enjoyed is the time truly lived.”

Kristel Candelario, 32, was seen on police bodycam footage lying to officers about finding her daughter dead, and making up a story about the child ‘refusing’ to eat

As her daughter starved to death, Candelario beamed as she posed on a Puerto Rican beach in an image that read, “Time enjoyed is time truly lived.”

A medical examiner ruled the child had died of starvation and severe dehydration, and a prosecutor said the sight “will stay with me for many years to come.”

Although she later pleaded guilty to aggravated murder and child endangerment, the new bodycam footage shows that she initially lied to police when they questioned her about her daughter’s sudden death.

While she claimed the toddler was “refusing food” before she died, an officer asks her, “And how was she Wednesday and Thursday?”

“She refused, perhaps because she hadn’t eaten two days earlier,” she replied, before shrugging her shoulders to feign confusion in the chilling clip.

“But that’s why I was scared, because I’m like, oh my God, we have to go to the hospital because she’s not eating anything.”

This week, Candelario was sentenced to life in prison without parole for leaving her toddler home alone to die

In another photo from her cold-blooded vacation, Candelario wore jean shorts and a ‘Mandalorian’ Star Wars t-shirt as she appeared to visit a Star Wars theme park.

Candelario, who did not appear angry or emotional about her daughter’s death, said the child looked “small” and was “losing weight,” and continued to make up a story about being home all the time.

“When I woke up this morning, she was asleep,” she said. “She sleeps every day, twelve hours.”

“She sleeps from 9 p.m. to 9 or 10 a.m., 12 hours, so this morning I slept too, she never wakes up.”

An officer interrupted her to ask what happened the night before, to which the killer said, “She cried a lot last night.

“And I see one moment, when I was taking a shower, she screamed like, ‘Aaah,’ I don’t know, she probably got hurt, maybe.”

“I pick her up this morning and she looks really dry,” she continued, before saying a few sentences in Spanish.

During her tropical vacation, her 16-month-old baby Jailyn lay dead in a pile of her own filth

At her sentencing this week, a judge condemned her actions in the strongest terms as the mother was sent behind bars for life with no chance of parole.

County Common Pleas Court Judge Brendan Sheehan told Candelario she had committed “the ultimate betrayal” by leaving her daughter alone without food.

“Just as you failed to release Jailyn from her captivity, you should also spend the rest of your life in a cell without freedom,” Judge Sheehan said.

“The only difference will be that at least the prison will feed you and give you fluids that you denied it.”

Candelario, who struggles with depression and related mental health issues, said she has prayed daily for forgiveness.

“I’m in so much pain over the loss of my baby, Jailyn,” she said. ‘I am very hurt by everything that has happened.

“I don’t try to justify my actions, but no one knew how much I suffered and what I went through… God and my daughter have forgiven me.”

Curiously, she made the trips with her eldest daughter, and it is unclear why Candelario asked no one to help her care for her child while she was traveling.

She had pleaded guilty last month to aggravated murder and child endangerment. At her sentencing this week, a judge said: ‘Just as you did not release Jailyn from her confinement, you should also spend the rest of your life in a cell without freedom.’

The Ohio mom returned from her 10-day getaway to her home in Cleveland, Ohio (pictured) to find Jailyn not breathing

After ten days of sunbathing on the beach and enjoying the local sights, she returned to her home on June 16 to find her daughter not breathing.

Paramedics and Cleveland police tragically pronounced the one-year-old dead at the scene, and prosecutors said the child was discovered “on a liner soiled with urine and feces with soiled blankets.”

Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley announced the plea in February, saying, “This case is one of those truly unimaginable cases that will stay with me for many years to come.

“As prosecutors, it is our job to represent the victims and today we spoke on behalf of 16-month-old Jailyn – who is no longer with us – because of the selfish decisions her mother made.”

After news of the gruesome death made headlines, a neighbor also revealed that this wasn’t the first time Candelario left her daughter home alone.

An acquaintance told News5 Cleveland, “We keep telling her not to leave her alone, not just me, my girlfriend across the street, but she always leaves her alone.”

Another female neighbor, who was not identified, told CNN that Jailyn was “always a happy baby” and “always smiling.”

The neighbor’s daughter said there were “plenty of people” around who could have looked at the baby. She said, “She could have knocked on one of our doors and asked us to take care of Jailyn, and we would have.”

“When they told us the condition they found her in, I was just heartbroken,” the teenage neighbor told CNN.

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Brits flock to rival African city party capital Magaluf, with £1 beer, beautiful beaches and 30 degree sunshine all year round

Albert Elence — Sun, 17 Mar 2024 18:24:39 +0000

A picturesque East African town is emerging as the new party hotspot for British tourists looking for sun, sand and a £1 beer.

Zanzibar, Tanzania’s stunning island paradise, has even been compared to the new party town ‘Magaluf’ by holidaymakers who can enjoy turquoise waters and nightclubs from just £6.50 pppn.

With its pristine beaches, affordable drinks and year-round tropical climate, this breathtaking island paradise has quickly gained popularity for those seeking vibrant nightlife and breathtaking natural beauty.

According to recent statistics from luxury tour operator Scott Dunn, ‘up and coming’ Zanzibar has experienced an astonishing 83% increase in bookings among its wealthy clientele.

The surge in tourism comes as popular European holiday destinations such as Lanzarote and Amsterdam crack down on rowdy behavior and ask drunk Brits to ‘stay away’.

A picturesque East African town is emerging as the new party hotspot for British tourists looking for sun, sand and £1 beer

Zanzibar, Tanzania’s breathtaking island paradise, is being dubbed the new ‘Magaluf’ party town by holidaymakers, who can enjoy turquoise waters and nightclubs from just £6.50 pppn

However, there is one part of the island that is not the preserve of the wealthy and where British tourists are flocking in record numbers: the capital Zanzibar City.

One of the main attractions that draws British tourists to Zanzibar City is its unbeatable drink offerings.

According to PintPrice, not only can you get pints from £1.06, but according to Hikers Bay you can get a meal from just £3.84 at an affordable restaurant in the city.

There are also affordable prices for accommodation options, with one budget double room for two adults, found by Daily star on booking.com, worth just £13 per night – that’s a whopping £6.50 per person.

There are many bars, clubs and restaurants where Brits have partied the night away, as well as exploring historic sites such as Stone Town, the birthplace of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury.

From snorkeling in the crystal clear waters of the Indian Sea to exploring historic towns, visitors to Zanzibar are spoiled for choice when it comes to leisure activities and cultural immersion.

The country also boasts the famous Serengeti National Park – home to safaris’ ‘big five’ lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos and rhinos – as well as Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro.

Furthermore, Zanzibar’s idyllic beaches and consistently warm temperatures, which average around 30 degrees Celsius all year round, provide the perfect backdrop for unforgettable holiday experiences.

One of the main attractions that draws British tourists to Zanzibar City is its unbeatable drink deals, with local bars offering refreshing beers for as little as £1

There are unbeatable prices for accommodation options too, with one budget double room for two adults for just £13 per night – that’s a whopping £6.50 per person

There are many bars, clubs and restaurants where Brits have partied all night, as well as exploring historic sites such as Stone Town (pictured)

From snorkeling in the crystal clear waters of the Indian Sea to exploring historic towns, visitors to Zanzibar are spoiled for choice when it comes to leisure activities and cultural immersion

Scott Dunn advised: ‘You can enjoy a less crowded safari from November to March as this is usually the green season.

‘Rainfall turns the landscape into lush green and that is when you are most likely to see newborn animals.’

With flights on Skyscanner available for as little as £378 return, Zanzibar is poised to remain a top choice for years to come for travelers looking for an affordable yet unforgettable holiday.

Meanwhile, Brits are being warned about a little-known rule that could turn a dream Spanish holiday into a nightmare.

In Benidorm, a new rule affects the place where holidaymakers abroad spend the most time: the beach.

Time restrictions mean that if you are caught in the sea between midnight and 7am you risk being fined between €750 and €1,200 (£641.71 to £1,026.73).

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The best beaches in the world chosen by leading travel experts (you’ll never guess Richard Branson’s pick!)

Albert Elence — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 16:06:36 +0000

What makes a great beach is highly subjective. For some it’s all about the quality of the sand: the finer and whiter the better. Others may just seek peace, quiet and seclusion.

Or you may be in search of a perfect little rum shack or beach cafe by tumbling dunes — a rustic retreat.

We’ve asked the world’s travel experts and industry insiders for their all-time favourites — and how best to enjoy them.

Oludeniz’s Blue Lagoon in Turkey is the beach of choice for Jet2 boss Steve Heapy

TURQUOISE TURKEY

The area around Dalaman in Turkey has been dubbed the Turquoise Coast, and it’s easy to see why when you feast your eyes on its pristine azure waters. There’s an abundance of beaches to enjoy, but one that really stands out for me is the Blue Lagoon at Oludeniz.

It sits in an emerald green national park and its wide bay, white sands, vibrant blue waters and mountainous backdrop make it the perfect place to unwind.

CHOSEN BY: Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles at Jade Residence, a boutique ten-room hotel, cost from £116 B&B (jade-residence.com).

EXOTIC MALAYSIA

The best beach has got to be the Datai in Langkawi. While the world has lots of gorgeous beaches, there are few sitting in rainforests with monkeys, exotic birds and colourful butterflies. And the view is more than just a line where the sea meets the sky. You’re looking out towards a sprinkling of green islands on the southern tip of Thailand.

CHOSEN BY: Peter Stephens, founder of DialAFlight.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles at super-luxurious The Datai Langkawi hotel cost from £402 (thedatai.com).

There are few beaches sitting in rainforests like the Datai Bay in Langkawi, Malaysia

CHILLY DIP IN IRELAND

I have taken part in a charity swim by the beach in Youghal in County Cork every year on Christmas Day since I was a teenager. With sea temperatures typically at a chilly 8C or 9C, you don’t stay in the water long, but you feel great afterwards.

CHOSEN BY: Sean Doyle, British Airways chairman and CEO.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles at Abbey View House, a guest house in Youghal, cost from £89 B&B (abbeyviewtownhouse.com).

SOUTH AFRICAN SURPRISE

You’re unlikely to see anyone else on Walker Bay beach, just east of Hermanus on the southern coast of South Africa. It’s a wild stretch running for about ten miles, and is not somewhere to sit with a cocktail, but rather a place for strolling. You can look out to spot whales between June and December.

CHOSEN BY: Nikki Tinto, founder of i-escape.com.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles at the Coot Club, by the beach, cost from £140 (cootclub.com).

CORNISH DELIGHT

A few palm-fringed, tropical locations spring to mind, but I do love Harlyn Bay in Cornwall. It’s a perfect arc of sand, framed by rocky outcrops. While I don’t surf, I love to see the seal-like surfers from summer to winter.

I may be biased — with one of my Pig Hotels close by — but it’s the ideal English family beach for walkers, runners, families and toddlers, who can all enjoy this vast stretch of sand together.

CHOSEN BY: Robin Hutson, The Pig Hotels chairman.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles from £285 at The Pig — at Harlyn Bay (thepighotel.com).

Boutique hotel The Pig near Harlyn Bay, which is a family-friendly beach in Cornwall

PERFECT IN PORTUGAL

CARVALHAL beach by the village of Comporta stretches in both directions. No blots on the landscape. It has a sublime beach club, meaning you can have an excellent lunch of fresh oysters; clams with garlic, olive oil and coriander (the Portuguese way); or grilled octopus without leaving the beach.

CHOSEN BY: Mary Lussiana, travel writer.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles at the charming AlmaLusa designer hotel cost from £140 B&B (almalusahotels.com).

WHITE SAND PARADISE

Radhanagar beach on Havelock Island — part of the Indian Ocean’s Andaman Islands — is beautiful. You can walk along the white sand for miles, turning off into mango groves if you want shade. You’ll see very few people there, and you feel away from the world.

CHOSEN BY: Amrit Singh, co-founder of TransIndus.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles at the luxurious Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Andamans, cost from £400 B&B (tajhotels.com).

Elephants on the white sand of Radhanagar beach on Havelock Island, Andaman Islands

CORKER IN MALLORCA

Son Bunyola has crystal-clear waters and authentic Mallorcan charm — in fact, I bought the Son Bunyola estate. It’s positioned on the island’s north-west coast in the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage-listed Tramuntana Mountains. Only reached by boat, or by hiking downhill, the coastline sweeps for three miles, with views out to the island’s famous Sa Foradada rock formation. The seclusion and tranquillity transports you to a world far removed from the everyday.

CHOSEN BY: Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles at Son Bunyola cost from £555 B&B (virginlimited edition.com).

BARBADOS BEAUTY

I have fond memories of holidays at the Coral Reef Club near Folkestone beach, and while I’m not one to talk about swaying palm trees, white sands and crystal blue waters, that’s what anyone visiting Barbados can expect.

CHOSEN BY: Sir Mike Gooley CBE, founder and executive chairman of Trailfinders.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles at the Coral Reef Club cost from £231 B&B (coralreef barbados.com).

A double room at Coral Reef Club near Folkestone beach on Barbados

KENYA CLASSIC

Shela beach, just outside Lamu Town on the island of Lamu, is a quintessential Robinson Crusoe-esque deserted strand extending in a glorious seven-mile crescent. Here, sand dunes merge with the sky and spray from the breakers.

Nowhere on earth compares with the intense pleasure of planting one bare foot in front of the other as the monsoon-blown sea washes over you.

CHOSEN BY: Richard Trillo, East Africa manager at Expert Africa and author of The Rough Guide To Kenya.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles at Peponi Hotel cost from £180 (peponi hotel.com).

ASIAN MIRACLE

Ngapali beach near Thandwe in Myanmar (Burma) is on the Bay of Bengal and the sea has the temperature and colour of the Indian Ocean, but the temperament of the Atlantic. The beach is one of thick, white, powdery sand that — miraculously — neither sticks to your suntan lotion nor blows around in the God-given breeze.

CHOSEN BY: Teresa Levonian Cole, travel writer.

WHERE TO STAY: For now, the Foreign Office advises against travel to Myanmar due to political unrest and volatile security.

Women selling baskets of fruit on Ngapali beach near Thandwe in Burma

A BORDERS BELTER

No point pretending this is the Caribbean, as the bracing North Sea rolls in and out of Coldingham Bay in the Scottish Borders. But it’s a glorious crescent of beach with all the hallmarks of the British seaside: a row of beach huts; a cafe (which opens sporadically); rock pools (perfect for crabbing) and enough wave action for surfing. I played here as a child, as did my children. The beauty is mixed in with the memories.

CHOSEN BY: Mark Palmer, Daily Mail Travel Editor.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles at the luxury Schloss Roxburghe in Kelso cost from £157 (schlosshotel-roxburghe.com).

TOP TIP FOR OZ

It’s not hard to find beaches in Australia with miles of pale sand, turquoise-blue waters and crashing surf — and no people. Cabarita Beach, or ‘Caba’, in northern New South Wales, has all that, but also boasts the southern hemisphere’s coolest motel — Halcyon House.

CHOSEN BY: Mark Jones, former editor of BA’s High Life magazine.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles from £450 at super-slick Halycon House (halcyon house.com.au).

MALDIVIAN MAGIC

I was lucky enough to have celebrated an anniversary in Landaa Giraavaru in the Maldives with those who mean the most to me in the world. Landaa Giraavaru is home to Blu beach, where everything is idyllic, from the warmest white sand, the bluest ocean and the most captivating sunsets I have ever seen.

CHOSEN BY: Simon Cooper, founder of On The Beach.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles at the plush Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru cost from £2,529pp B&B (fourseasons.com).

BEST OF BEQUIA

Palm trees fringe Princess Margaret Beach on Bequia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, a lovely ribbon of white sand. After a day lazing on the quiet beach, swimming and snorkelling, you can head to Jack’s Beach Bar for cocktails, where hummingbirds hover within arm’s reach. No wonder Princess Margaret would take a yacht from nearby Mustique.

CHOSEN BY: Lesley Bellew, Daily Mail cruise correspondent.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles at the elegant Bequia Plantation Hotel cost from £143 (bequiaplantationhotel.com).

KANGAROOS CALLING

Hyams beach in Jervis Bay, New South Wales, Australia, is nearly three hours south of Sydney and has the whitest sandy beaches, surrounded by a national park teeming with wildlife. Kangaroos are often seen on the beach, as well as koalas, kookaburras and cockatoos. It’s common to see dolphins as well as whales between May and November.

The beach is often deserted and there are beautiful places to stay nearby, as well as some fabulous local restaurants and cafes. My idea of heaven.

CHOSEN BY: Lisa Fitzell, managing director of Elegant Resorts.

WHERE TO STAY: Safari-style luxury tents at Paperbark Camp cost from £385 (paperbarkcamp.com.au).

HELLO JAMAICA

On the north-east coast of Jamaica, Frenchman’s Cove is a superb little arc of golden beach surrounded by thick jungle.

A freshwater stream flows from the Blue Mountains and enters into the sea here, creating an eddying swirl of cool and warm. There’s a good nearby bar/grill. Sheer joy.

CHOSEN BY: Tom Chesshyre, travel writer.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles at Frenchman’s Cove Resort cost from £140 (frenchmans cove.com).

NICE IN NICARAGUA

Playa Arenas Blancas is a sandy beach adjoining Morgan’s Rock, a 4,000-acre eco-lodge in Nicaragua. It faces west for incredible sunsets. Nesting turtles regularly visit and the surrounding jungle reserve is home to sloths, macaws and anteaters.

CHOSEN BY: Jonny Bealby, founder of Wild Frontiers.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles at Morgan’s Rock cost from £323 (morgansrock.com).

A vibrant Sunset at Morgan’s Rock beach outside of San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua

DREAMY DOWN UNDER

Johanna beach in Victoria, Australia, offers the most wild and violent seascape, where the surf from the Southern Ocean surges and slams against the naked sand.

It’s a pain to get there: you must go through the dense redwoods and fern gullies of the Great Otway National Park rainforest. Big skies open up, and the horizonless sea has surf so magnificent it’s there for watching, not swimming.

CHOSEN BY: Fiona McIntosh, travel writer.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles in one of the Johanna Seaside Cottages overlooking the ocean cost from £144 (johannaseaside.com.au).

MARVELLOUS MENORCA

Cala Macarelleta on Menorca is a small beach hidden away between the rocks, with pristine, fine, white sand and inviting turquoise water.

Access by car is prohibited during the summer months so you have a 20-minute approach on foot through the forest, meaning it stays pretty well preserved.

CHOSEN BY: Michael Edwards, managing director of Explore.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles at the Artiem Audax hotel cost from £70 (artiemhotels.com).

BRAZILIAN DREAM

Praia Mole in Florianopolis on Santa Catarina island combines vibrant beach culture with natural beauty. The soft golden sands, surrounded by lush green hills and the rhythmic Atlantic, make it a perfect blend of relaxing idyll and surfers’ paradise.

CHOSEN BY: Geoffrey Kent, founder of Abercrombie & Kent.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles at Cabanas Praia Mole Florianopolis cost from £61 (praia-mole.hotelsantacatarina.com).

Praia Mole in Florianopolis on Santa Catarina island in Brazil

Doubles at Cabanas Praia Mole Florianopolis cost from £61

MAD FOR MAADHOO

The beaches on Maadhoo in the southern Male Atoll of the Maldives are fantastic. There’s a stretch where you invariably swim with (safe) reef sharks. Snorkelling is wonderful, too.

CHOSEN BY: Andrew Dunn, founder of Scott Dunn and chairman of The PC Agency.

WHERE TO STAY: Doubles at Ozen Life Maadhoo cost from £933 all-inclusive (theozencollection.com).

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Sydney northern beaches acai bowl menu war turns ugly as Blessed Bowls, Freshwater owner calls in lawyers over ‘copycat’: Mr Gelato by Matteo says it did nothing wrong

Albert Elence — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 05:56:07 +0000

By Lucy Manly for Daily Mail Australia

Published: 00:16 EST, March 8, 2024 | Updated: 00:50 EST, March 8, 2024

The owner of an açaí bowl cafe on Sydney’s northern beaches who claims a rival store “copied” her store’s menu “almost word for word” has called in lawyers.

Blessed Bowls in Freshwater made headlines on Thursday after posting an angry letter in its window accusing a nearby dessert shop, Mr Gelato by Matteo, of copying its menu.

Matteo Dominici, co-owner of Mr Gelato, strongly denied he had done anything wrong.

‘They have no right to say I copied them, because everyone makes them [açaí bowls] so similar,” Mr Dominici told Daily Mail Australia.

“There are a lot of places on the strip [that] offer açaí bowls, but for some reason they’re against us – and I don’t know why.”

Matteo Dominici is co-owner of Mr Gelato by Matteo in Freshwater and Collaroy – and denies his chain copied the menu from Blessed Bowls cafe

Blessed Bowl founder Ella Rose Stevenson (above) took to Instagram to break her silence after her note accusing a rival company of copying her menu went viral

A window sign at Blessed Bowls (pictured) went viral on Thursday for claiming the lovingly curated menu had been ripped off by Mr Gelato by Matteo

Blessed Bowlers founder Ella Rose Stevenson broke her silence on Friday in response to Mr Dominici’s statements.

“It was disappointing then about a month ago to see that one of our neighboring businesses, Mr. Gelato by Matteo, had a copy of our menu in his window and was selling exactly our products,” she began.

‘Both our acai bowls and our coco soft ice cream products. The names, ingredients, sizes and prices were exactly the same.’

“Many businesses around the Northern Beaches sell great acai products and we love being part of that community, but we have never copied each other’s products or menus and at BB we never will,” she added.

Ms Stevenson claimed she had already hired a lawyer in an attempt to get Mr Dominci to put his acai menu on the table.

“People have also asked why we put up the sign and didn’t contact our lawyers. Well, we did.

“Our lawyers sent a letter to Mr. G a few weeks ago asking him to remove our menu from his window and stop selling our exact products,” she said.

Mr. Gelato’s açaí bowl menu can be seen here

Blessed Bowl’s açaí menu can be seen here

Blessed Bowls has seven franchises in Sydney

Ms Stevenson said the rival owner had not responded but now appeared to have changed his menu.

“We never wanted to stop Mr. G from selling acai or soft serve, but we had to draw the line by copying our menu almost word for word,” she fumed.

The açaí bowl menu at Mr Gelato offers a number of items that are also available for purchase at Blessed Bowls.

Some ingredients are listed word for word, including the Biscoff Bowl açaí, Brownie açaí and Snickers açaí.

‘We offer a much wider range of açaí bowls and they are named after the main ingredient, not because we have copied them [Blessed Bowls],” Mr Dominici told Daily Mail Australia of the agreements.

Three months ago, he decided to add the berry dessert to his menu after his young customers kept asking if he served them.

Mr Gelato owner Matteo says there is enough business in Freshwater for other cafes to flourish

‘Açaí is the trend and goes well with gelato. Of course I’m going to offer it to my customers,” he said.

“They’re a big franchise; we are a small family business. I run this one and my sister runs the store in Collaroy,” he added.

“If we copy them, why have they opened another store near us, in Collaroy?”

Mr Dominici said there was enough business on the calm Lawrence Streep strip for all the businesses selling acai to flourish.

“There’s something for everyone to do on the strip, so let’s give our customers what they want,” he said.

The post Sydney northern beaches acai bowl menu war turns ugly as Blessed Bowls, Freshwater owner calls in lawyers over ‘copycat’: Mr Gelato by Matteo says it did nothing wrong appeared first on USMAIL24.COM.

Colombia's calling: beaches to rival those of the Caribbean and some of the most attractive cities in the world – no wonder this alluring country is South America's newest hotspot

Albert Elence — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 18:36:58 +0000

Deep in the Tayrona National Park, on Colombia's Caribbean coast, a 3-meter-long caiman extends its knobby snout from the river, sending ripples to the fishermen who stand waist-deep in water, casting nets by hand .

“Isn't that rather dangerous?” I ask Diva, our guide. “Ah, the caiman prefers to eat fish,” she replies. “Although I recently saw someone snatch a dog from the riverbank.”

I glance at my sons, but even these two thrill seekers draw the line at taking a dip in the alligator-infested waters.

The 60 square kilometers that make up Tayrona National Park are home to a menagerie of creatures, such as anteater, sloth, ocelot and the rarely sighted jaguar. There is also an abundance of birdlife, including the Santa-Marta parakeet, the sapphire-bellied hummingbird, the red nightjar and the snowy egrets with bright yellow 'Big Bird' legs.

Colombia, almost five times larger than Britain, is located on both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. It has white sandy beaches to rival any Caribbean island, pristine national parks and its biggest asset is Cartagena – perhaps the most beautiful city in all of South America.

Luminous sights: Kate Wickers embarks on a tour of Colombia. Above, a beach in Tayrona National Park

And seven years after the peace deal between the government and paramilitary forces – and twenty years after the first military crackdown on drug cartels – there has never been a safer time to visit the country.

Most flights from Europe arrive in the afternoon, and a day or two in the capital Bogota is a good way to beat jet lag. We stay at Hotel BOG, in the trendy La Cabrera district, bordered by the Zona Rosa restaurant center, where we dine on citrus-marinated ceviche at Central Cevicheria.

We tick off a visit to the Museo del Oro, which houses more than 55,000 gold objects, take a street art tour of La Candelaria (the oldest and most bohemian neighborhood) and be charmed by the Colombian artist's 'chubby' figures Fernando Botero at Museo Botero.

From the capital it is a two-hour flight north to Santa Marta and another 48 kilometers by road to our accommodation near Tayrona National Park.

Kate says Cartagena (pictured) is 'arguably the most beautiful city in all of South America'

Boardwalks and forest paths lead to beaches where edible sea grapes grow and tamarins peer from the palm tops, writes Kate. Above, a fruit seller in Cartagena

Colombia, almost five times larger than Britain, is located on both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean

Finca Barlovento is an eco-friendly lodge set in gardens with bamboo, palms and birds of paradise. Our suite has a shared terrace and swimming pool – the perfect spot for spying flying kingfishers and blue crabs scurrying across the riverbanks, dodging the prowling iguana.

Marijuana cultivation was once the region's biggest earner, but now that that's gone, tourism is crucial. The official guardians of the park are the indigenous Kogi people, who are highly respected and can govern the park as they see fit.

At the start of a fifteen kilometer walk we buy coconut juice from young Kogi men, who cut open the nuts with a reckless machete. “If they think it's too busy in the park, they just close it,” Diva says as she snaps her fingers. 'The Kogi keep a close eye on this ecosystem and decide when it needs rest.'

Boardwalks and forest paths lead to beaches where edible sea grapes grow and tamarins peer from the palm tops.

At Cabo San Juan del Guia, a double-horseshoe bay sheltered by a boulder breakwater, we swim before feasting on red snapper, bought for a fiver from a grill on the sand.

For tubing (the gentle endeavor of floating in a rubber ring) we head to the Don Diego River. We float past cashew trees dotted with howler monkeys and spot the caiman's smaller cousins, Cuvier's dwarf caiman, blinking lazily at us from the riverbank.

Barranquilla is Colombia's fourth largest city, famous for its carnival and its associations with writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez (fans should also visit his birthplace Aracataca). We stop here on the way to Cartagena for a drive past the university where Marquez studied, the street where he once lived, and for lunch at his favorite watering hole, Restaurante Bar La Cueva, where we spy the first editions of Love In The. Time of cholera locked in bookshelves.

Founded in 1533, Cartagena's walled city is filled with pastel-colored 16th-century casas with huge wooden doors. These are decorated with shiny knockers of curly fish, pretty mermaids and full-mouthed pelicans, all harkening to Cartagena's seafaring past, when Spanish conquistadors traded in ill-gotten gold. We stay in one such casa, now the boutique hotel Ananda, whose rooms fan out along a central courtyard. By moonlight we wander under geranium-filled balconies to tucked-away squares, where old men in straw hats play dominoes, and past Cartagena's imposing Palacio de la Inquisicion (once home to those whose brutal job it was to root out heresy), to Plaza de San Pedro, where bars spill out onto the cobblestones and buskers strum guitars.

Getsemani, just outside the city walls, is a bit rougher around the edges. Mojitos costing just a few pounds are served at makeshift bars in people's living rooms, where Grandpa sits in his rocking chair watching the television.

Kate says a day or two in the capital Bogota (pictured) is a good way to start a trip to Colombia

While in Bogota, Kate visits the Museo del Oro, which contains more than 55,000 gold objects, including the frog pictured above

Live music blares from the mural-painted streets, strung with flags and streamers.

We see the young rappers at work at Plaza Trinidad. “Sister, you're bolder than Cameron Diaz,” that suits me.

We end our trip with some rest on the beach, heading by speedboat to the Islas del Rosario, 30 miles from Cartagena and named for their resemblance to a series of rosary beads, where moonlight fishermen lead snorkeling excursions amid schools of blue tangs and butterflyfish. .

'Lobster for lunch? No problem!' our guide promises as soon as we are back on powder-soft sand. “Hang in there. I will come back.'

And within ten minutes he is busy with four large lobsters, which he cooks in his makeshift café.

'Delicious! Delicious!' as the locals say. Because if it's really good, say it twice.

…AND IT PROVIDES FANTASTIC FOOD

Pictured is ajiaco, a traditional chicken soup

Colombia's Creole cuisine may not yet have achieved international fame, but with food-focused travel on the rise, that may be about to change.

The best news is that if you want to eat at Colombia's best restaurants, the price of the meals is a bargain compared to other Latin American countries.

In Cartagena, head to Celele for a contemporary twist on traditional dishes – the local chicken confit with pickled guava and roasted bananas is a highlight. The restaurant is currently ranked number 19 in the 'Top 50 Latin American Restaurants' (celele.com).

In Bogota, at number five on the same list is El Chato, which offers both a la carte and tasting menu options. Classics include the suckling pig with coffee, barley figs and grape leaves (elchato.co). In more traditional places, you can dine cheaply on local favorites bandeja paisa – a sausage of sausage, beans, rice, eggs and arepas (corn cakes), or ajiaco, a chicken soup with added corn on the cob, sour cream, potatoes and capers.

And on the Caribbean coast, try posta negra (black beef) – a casserole made with molasses and seasoned with bay leaves, thyme and cloves.

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The world’s best 100 beaches named by Lonely Planet, with FIVE in the British Isles making the cut alongside gems in the Caribbean, Australia and the U.S. Which one do YOU want to visit the most?

Albert Elence — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 18:32:08 +0000

These beaches may prompt a cry of ‘shell yeah!’

They all feature in eye-catching new Lonely Planet book ‘100 of the World’s Most Incredible Beaches‘.

Scroll down and you’ll see that the title of the tome is no exaggeration – they’re all stunning.

Five beaches in the British Isles make the cut, alongside gems in the Caribbean, Greece, Hawaii, the Seychelles, Cape Town and Australia.

Lonely Planet says in the introduction to the ravishing compendium: ‘Discover the world’s most extraordinary shorelines inside this dazzling display of diverse beaches – caves, coves and arches; mystical fog and sprawling coastlines; urban, sprawling and surfing beaches; unique formations, coastlines, colors and perspectives. These are the world’s most spectacular beaches.

‘Featuring transporting photography, tips for how to reach each beach, and reasons why Lonely Planet selected these as the 100 best, this is the ultimate collection of the sand, stone and sea the world has to offer.’ See below for MailOnline Travel’s pick of the bunch. Which one do you want to put on your bucket list?

RHOSSILI BAY, GOWER, WALES: Lonely Planet says: ‘Rhossili dazzles with its almost three miles (5km) of honey-toned, Atlantic-beaten sands. Part of the 73-sq-mile (188-sq-km) Gower Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this wonderfully secluded pocket of Wales retains a special soul-stirring energy’

KEEM BAY BEACH, KEEL, COUNTY MAYO, IRELAND: This beach clearly moved Lonely Planet. The text accompanying this image reads: ‘A vertiginous yet jaw-droppingly beautiful 4.9-mile (8km) drive from Keel village, at the distant western end of County Mayo’s Achill Island, sets the scene for one of Ireland’s most glorious, secluded strands. Sloping green hillsides spill down to a deep-set horseshoe bay, where a Blue-Flag delight of a pale-blonde beach sits framed by the Croaghaun Cliffs (Ireland’s highest sea cliffs) and the thundering moody-blue Atlantic’

KYNANCE COVE, LIZARD, CORNWALL. Lonely Planet says: ‘Whether you’ve hiked for miles along the long-distance South West Coast Path or just fancy a paddle in the tempting teal waters, Kynance Cove stops everyone in their tracks. Curled into the west side of southern Cornwall’s wild Lizard peninsula, near the southernmost tip of mainland England, this is one of the country’s dreamiest beaches’

DUEODDE, BORNHOLM ISLAND, DENMARK: Lonely Planet describes this beach as ‘a secluded sweep of glistening-white sand… on a dune-sprinkled shoreline’

KOKKINOKASTRO, ALONNISOS ISLAND, SPORADES, GREECE: Lonely Planet describes Kokkinokastro as ‘among the most spectacular of mountainous Alonnisos’s many sultry beaches’, where ‘a craggy rust-red cape juts out into the unbelievably blue water’

HANALEI BAY, KAUA’I, HAWAII, USA: Lonely Planet’s verdict? A ‘photogenic two-mile crescent of golden sand’

ONELOA BEACH/BIG BEACH, MAUI, HAWAII, USA: This is a ‘pleasingly untamed’ beach, says Lonely Planet, which abuts Pacific waters that are an ‘otherworldly blue’

AWAROA BEACH, ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND: Lonely Planet notes that Awaroa Beach has ‘golden sands, turquoise waters and a secluded location on the north coast of the South Island, backed by granite hills and lush coastal forests’

SQUEAKY BEACH, GIPPSLAND, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA: Lonely Planet says: ‘Enclosed by impressive granite boulders at either end, Squeaky Beach is a standout in Wilsons Promontory National Park, an awe-inspiring slice of wilderness at the southernmost tip of mainland Australia’

PFEIFFER BEACH, BIG SUR, CALIFORNIA, USA: ‘Due to dangerous surf, Pfeiffer Beach isn’t recommended for swimming, and it can get windy,’ says Lonely Planet, ‘but the walking, beachcombing and sunsets are superb’

ASSATEAGUE ISLAND, NATIONAL SEASHORE, MARYLAND & VIRGINIA, USA: Lonely Planet says that ‘with wild horses galloping across its wind-swept beaches, Assateague Island National Seashore exudes a surprisingly feral vibe, a rarity along the highly developed shores of the Mid-Atlantic’, while ‘thick maritime forests and rugged dunes round out the dramatic scene’

CABLE BEACH/WALMANYJUN, BROOME, WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Lonely Planet says that this beach is ‘a magnificent sweep of blonde sand’ that has ‘earned its renown as Western Australia’s most famous stretch of sand’

HAUKLAND BEACH, VESTVAGOY, LOFOTEN ISLANDS, NORWAY: ‘Haukland has a blinding stretch of luscious sand bathed by cool Arctic waters,’ says Lonely Planet. ‘The sea doesn’t really creep higher than around 59F (15C) and that’s in August, but the spectacular natural setting still makes this one of the most unbelievably beautiful spots among Norway’s thousands of beaches’

SVETI STEFAN BEACH, BUDVA, MONTENEGRO: Lonely Planet’s summation? The book says: ‘The fortified, honey-walled 15th-century island village of Sveti Stefan (now a private luxury resort) makes up the spectacular backdrop to this Adriatic pearl. Just across the delicious blue-green sea from the islet, the unspoilt pebble-and-sand beach sweeps around a small, curving mainland bay’

PARALIA TIS GRIAS TO PIDIMA, ANDROS, CYCLADES, GREECE: Lonely Planet describes this as ‘one of the dreamiest back-to-nature beaches in the Cyclades’ that’s ‘entirely free from sun loungers, umbrellas and restaurants’. The book adds: ‘It has a mellow feel, with craggy cliffs framing the powdery sand’

KABAK BEACH, MUGLA, TURKEY/TURKIYE: This is ‘one of Turkiye’s most heavily guarded travel secrets’ that has a ‘castaway-esque magic’

AO MAYA, KO PHI-PHI LEH, KRABI, THAILAND: ‘Maya Bay meets even Hollywood’s standards for a tropical paradise,’ notes Lonely Planet, pointing out that its ‘beautiful sands were controversially used as a film set for the Leonardo di Caprio-starring blockbuster The Beach’. The beach reopened on January 1, 2022, having been shut for four years to combat damage caused by visitors, the book explains

HAT THAM PHRA NANG, RAILAY, KRABI, THAILAND: With ‘fairy-tale limestone formations’ and a ‘cerulean sea’, this is a ‘vision of paradise’, says Lonely Planet

SUNAYAMA BEACH, MIYAKOJIMA ISLAND, OKINAWA, JAPAN: ‘Snow-white sands and a dramatic arch’ helped this beach earn a place in Lonely Planet’s top 100 ranking

MYRTOS BEACH, KEFALLONIA, IONIANS, GREECE: ‘Resting at the foot of a dramatically zigzagging road in northern Kefallonia, off the western Greek mainland, Myrtos remains one of the most-photographed and entrancing beaches in a country bursting with glorious Mediterranean-lapped sands,’ says Lonely Planet

BOTTOM BAY, BARBADOS: ‘Bottom Bay ticks all the boxes for a quintessential Caribbean beach,’ says Lonely Planet. ‘There’s the translucent turquoise water, smooth white sand, and wind-gnarled palms dotting the shore. But there’s also a wildness to Bottom Bay’

ANSE SOURCE D’ARGENT, LA DIGUE, SEYCHELLES: ‘It regularly tops world’s best beach lists,’ says Lonely Planet, ‘but does Anse Source d’Argent live up to the hype? In a word: yes’

PLAYA MANUEL ANTONIO, PARQUE NACIONAL MANUEL ANTONIO, COSTA RICA: Here you’ll find ‘blonde sand and calm turquoise water’. Plus monkeys, sloths and toucans in the adjacent park

CANNON BEACH, OREGON, USA: Come here for wildlife, ‘amazing sunset views’ and to behold Haystack Rock, which Lonely Planet explains is a 235ft-tall volcanic remnant ‘formed by 17million years of uplift and erosion’

WEST BEACH, BERNERAY, OUTER HEBRIDES, SCOTLAND: ‘This wildly remote jewel of a beach sprawls along almost three miles (5km) of untouched shoreline on tiny Berneray, off Scotland’s northwest coast,’ says the book, adding that it’s ‘a paradise for birdwatchers’ and the ‘surrounding landscapes burst with wildflowers’ in the spring

CAMPS BAY BEACH, CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA: Beachgoers here are treated to ‘soft white sand and a backdrop of the craggy Twelve Apostles range (part of Table Mountain)’

WHITEHAVEN BEACH, WHITSUNDAYS, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA: This is ‘one of Australia’s most photogenic natural icons’, says the book, adding: ‘When you sink your toes into the 98 per cent pure silica sands of this dazzling beach you’ll understand the hype’

DURDLE DOOR BEACH, LULWORTH, DORSET, ENGLAND: This beach is home to ‘a colossal almost-golden limestone sea arch [that] wows as one of the UK’s most-photographed coastal formations’, says the book, adding: ‘Swimming off the shingle-and-sand beach beneath the green-clad cliffs, with turquoise water stretching into the distance, is a special moment’

PLAYA DE TORIMBIA, LLANES, ASTURIAS, SPAIN: ‘This is serene Torimbia,’ the book says, ‘one of Asturias’ most-loved beaches and one of Spain’s original naturist spots since the 1960s, thanks to its secluded natural setting’

IPANEMA BEACH, RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL: This ‘sun-drenched sand in Brazil’s most famous coastal city has been popular with sunseeking cariocas (residents of Rio de Janeiro) since 1902’, explains Lonely Planet, ‘when a new streetcar line made the beach on the southern fringe of the city easier to access’

Best Beaches – 100 of the World’s Most Incredible Beaches is on sale February 9 in the UK, but pre-orders are available from Amazon (£23.59)

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America's unofficial 51st state: Puerto Rico has 300 days of sunshine a year, some of the best beaches in the world – and the cocktails aren't bad either

Albert Elence — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 18:19:59 +0000

In recent referendums, the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico – about 1,000 miles southeast of Miami – voted to become America's 51st state. And it could have become a reality if reluctant U.S. senators hadn't blocked it.

With more than 500 kilometers of coastline and 300 days of sunshine a year, Puerto Rico is the American equivalent of our Costa Del Sol, with no fewer than 120 flights a week with 20 airlines to the capital San Juan.

It is the third largest Caribbean island, after Cuba and Jamaica. The country, which is about half the size of Wales, consists of the main island of Puerto Rico and a number of smaller islands with some of the best beaches in the world. Dollars are also the local currency, while Americans are not required to show a passport, further increasing the American appeal.

With so many connections, it's easier than ever to visit – for example, JetBlue sells return flights from Heathrow via New York from £550.

A POTTEN HISTORY

In recent referendums, the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico – about 1,000 miles southeast of Miami – voted to become America's 51st state

Puerto Rico (meaning 'rich port'), was originally home to the indigenous Taino people and was ruled by the Spanish for 400 years after the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1493. The country was conquered after the Spanish-American War of 1898 acquired by the Americans and Puerto Ricans have been considered American citizens for about a hundred years.

Each group of rulers left their mark on Puerto Rico. Ancient Taino petroglyphs can be found at La Cueva del Indio in Arecibo. Then you have the 16th-century UNESCO-listed fortifications of Castillo San Cristobal in old San Juan. The legacy of American culture is the usual fast food chains and hotels/motels everywhere.

PINA COLADA, PLEASE

Pina Colada is the official drink of Puerto Rico

Although disputed, this classic cocktail was reportedly invented by bartender Ramon Marrero at the Caribe Hilton in San Juan in 1954.

Whatever its history, in 1978 the pina colada was declared the official drink of Puerto Rico – and it's available just about everywhere.

BEAUTIFUL BEACH

Playa Flamenco on Culebra Island is often ranked among the best beaches in the world and is best enjoyed on a day trip by boat (sailgetaway.com).

Along with pristine white sand and calm, shallow water, it is notable for two rusty tanks that date back to when the US Navy used the island for target practice between 1936 and 1975.

SAND LESS TRAVELED

La Playuela is a quiet, crescent-shaped beach in the southwest.

It's wild, untouched and requires a dirt drive or a hike to get there.

Upon arrival, you'll be rewarded with spectacular views of the limestone cliffs, with the 19th-century Cabo Rojo Lighthouse standing sentinel at one.

Playa Flamenco (pictured) on Culebra Island is often rated among the best beaches in the world and is best enjoyed on a day trip by boat, writes James

STREET ART AND SALSA

With a heritage that includes Taino, Spanish, African and American traditions, Puerto Ricans call themselves Boricua – the word that encompasses the island's art, music, dance and culture.

Art can be seen everywhere, from the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico (mapr.org) to graffiti murals in the Santurce neighborhood of San Juan. As for music, the islanders are responsible for salsa and, like it or not, reggaeton – a lively mix of reggae, Latin American melodies and hip-hop.

Puerto Ricans call themselves Boricua – the word that embraces the island's art, music, dance and culture

LIGHT UP THE NIGHT

Three of the world's five bioluminescent bays are in Puerto Rico. In this phenomenon, millions of microscopic marine organisms emit a mesmerizing blue-green light. Take one of the evening kayaking trips to see them in Laguna Grande, Mosquito Bay or La Parguera.

THE PARADISE FOR THRILL SEEKERS

Toro Verde Adventure Park, in the Central Mountain Range, is home to an adrenaline-pumping zipline known as The Monster. Fly a mile and a half over the hilltops of Orocovis as you reach speeds of 95 mph (155 km/h) (toroverdepr.com).

RAINFOREST ADVENTURES

El Yunque has some beautiful hiking trails where you can spot giant tree snails, Puerto Rican parrots, and tiny coqui frogs (which make a sound like birdsong) along the way. Stop for a refreshing dip in natural pools and shower under waterfalls (fs.usda.gov/elyunque).

WHERE TO STAY

Treat yourself to a stay at the St Regis Bahia Resort (pictured), where luxury double rooms are available from £750

Luxury double rooms are available from £750 at St Regis Bahia Beach Resort and Golf Club, set in 483 hectares of grounds on an old coconut farm with three kilometers of pristine beach (marriott.com). Or try the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel in San Juan, which has rooms from £390 and is located by the sea (condadovanderbilt.com).

And Villa Montana Beach Resort, tucked away on 35 lush acres by three miles of beach in the northwest, doubles from £196 (villamontana.com).

TRAVEL FACTS

Seven nights at the St Regis Bahia Beach Resort in Rio Grande and seven nights at the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel in San Juan cost from £5,309 pp, flights included (americaasyoulikeit.com). Or seven nights at the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel in San Juan from £1,859pp including flights (reistasen.nl).

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Collaroy BBQ gas cylinder explosion: Two men were rushed to hospital on Sydney's northern beaches

Albert Elence — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 00:33:36 +0000

Balcony fire in unit caused by explosion of gas cylinder
A warning was given about the use of gas bottles

By Kylie Stevens for Daily Mail Australia

Published: 7:22 PM EST, January 17, 2024 | Updated: 7:30 PM EST, January 17, 2024

Two men suffered burns and smoke inhalation after a barbecue gas cylinder exploded, forcing the evacuation of dozens of residents.

The gas cylinder is believed to have caught fire before exploding at a unit on Pittwater Road in Collaroy, on Sydney's northern beaches, on Wednesday evening.

Firefighters rushed to the apartment complex after the fire broke out on the balcony of a second-floor home.

The fire threatened to spread to the upper floors of the complex, forcing fifty residents to be evacuated.

Sixteen firefighters spent at least half an hour battling the fire, which was confined to the balcony.

Firefighters rushed to the scene of the massive inferno after a gas cylinder exploded on the balcony of a unit on Sydney's northern beaches

A man in his 20s who was standing next to the barbecue at the time was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital with minor burns.

A Good Samaritan neighbor who tried to put out the fire before firefighters arrived was taken to Northern Beaches Hospital after suffering smoke inhalation.

The damage was limited to the balcony on the second floor.

The evacuated residents have now been able to return to their units.

“Once the fire was extinguished, firefighters spent some time on scene cooling the gas cylinder and ensuring it did not reignite,” Fire and Rescue NSW Chief Inspector Adam Dewberry told Daily Mail Australia.

It is understood the fire was caused by a leaking hose attached to the gas cylinder, prompting authorities to repeat warnings about its use during the summer season leading up to Australia Day.

'Due to the large number of barbecue fires, especially on balconies, we ask people to be very careful with them. Make sure you turn off the gas when you're done with it,” Supt Dewberry said.

'The most important thing is to make sure there are no gas leaks, check the connection and ensure there is a bit of distance between the barbecue and any hobs nearby.'

About 50 residents were evacuated from the seven-story complex

Damage was limited to the second-floor unit where the explosion occurred

Barbecue accidents can be prevented by regular checks.

'Book and maintain your barbecue regularly,' says Supt Dewberry.

'Make sure there is always a garden hose or something similar with continuous water available.

'If a gas leak does occur, immediately close the cylinder and allow any gas to drain.'

Also check the date stamp on the gas bottle, it is valid for 10 years.

How to check your gas cylinder

1. Inspect the hose for signs of decay or cracking. If the hose is cracked or decayed, do not use the grill until the hose is replaced.

2. Use a squeeze bottle filled with soapy water to check the connection for gas leaks (use dish soap and water). Spray the connection with the soapy water from the soap solution.

– When gas escapes, bubbles form.

– Test the connection to the cylinder for leaks each time you connect it or replace cylinders.

– Serious leaks are common and can be very dangerous.

– Check and test the connection every time you barbecue.

3. If no bubbles appear, you can cook safely.

Source: Energy Safe Victoria

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Manly Wharf: Woman found dead in toilets on Sydney’s northern beaches

Albert Elence — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 05:19:12 +0000

Woman found dead on Manly Wharf
Emergency services rushed to the scene

By Eliza Mcphee for Daily Mail Australia

Published: 11:46 PM EST, January 10, 2024 | Updated: 00:08 EST, January 11, 2024

A woman has been found dead in the toilets of Manly Wharf.

The 65-year-old was found unconscious at the facility on Sydney’s northern beaches on Thursday afternoon.

Emergency services rushed to the scene after the body was found.

The woman is said to have died of cardiac arrest.

A woman has been found dead in the toilets of Manly Wharf (stock image)

A NSW Police spokesperson said her death is not being treated as suspicious and is believed to be related to a possible medical issue.

The area has been cordoned off.

More to come

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Spellbinding pictures reveal stunning British hiking trails, from the Sussex coast to the Lake District and Scotland’s turquoise beaches

Albert Elence — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 15:19:37 +0000

Time to put your best hiking-boot-adorned foot forward.

Author and experienced mountaineer Alex Roddie has penned a book that’s guaranteed to spark your lust for wandering, with the tome documenting epic hiking trails in Ireland and Great Britain and stunning photographs showcasing landscapes that can be viewed along the way.

Wanderlust British & Irish Isles: Hiking the Trails of Great Britain and Ireland (gestalten.com) is filled with incredible pictures of dramatic peaks, craggy cliffs and breathtaking beaches – plus expert guidance on tackling the best hiking routes that meander in their midst.

Within the compendium’s spellbinding pages, readers will find maps for each trail and advice on when is best to tackle each route on foot.

Broken down by region, the tome showcases the ‘breathtaking nature’ and ‘timeless culture’ that is there to be discovered on hiking routes in England, Wales, Ireland and Northern Ireland , Scotland and the Isle of Man.

Scroll down to see a selection of 10 images from the tome, from the world-famous mountains of the Lake District to the ‘most famous long distance trail in Scotland’.

CUCKMERE HAVEN, EAST SUSSEX, SOUTH DOWNS WAY: ‘A multiday hike in England with a high chance of sunshine and dry weather: this may sound like a myth, but the South Downs Way offers exactly that,’ writes Roddie in his opening remarks on this walking trail. The above image shows part of Cuckmere Haven – an area of flood plains that marks the start of the ‘excellent Seven Sisters section’, the author writes. He advises five to eight days to complete the route, which covers 100 miles (161km) from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne, East Sussex

KINDER PLATEAU, WHITE PEAK AND DARK PEAK CIRCUIT, DERBYSHIRE: Behold the view north across the Edale Basin from the Kinder Plateau, which can be seen when hiking this circular trail around the Peak District. The path covers 64.6 miles (104km) and takes four to five days, according to the tome, which grades it as ‘moderate’ difficulty. Other highlights include Lathkill Dale, summiting Mam Tor hill and crossing ‘the ancient woodlands of Chatsworth Park’, it adds

HEBRIDEAN WAY, OUTER HEBRIDES, SCOTLAND: ‘With two interisland ferry crossings, six causeways and ten islands, this is an unusual trail,’ says Roddie of this 175-mile (281km) hiking route in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides. He continues: ‘Of all the trails in this book, this one gives you the most islands. Look at the Outer Hebrides on the map and you will notice that the islands form a north-south arc. The Hebridean Way traverses this island chain from its southern tip to Stornoway, the capital of Lewis, in the north.’ This image shows the turquoise waters of Seilebost Beach on the Isle of Harris, which can be seen on part of the trail. Roddie recommends 11 to 15 days to complete the hike, which he says is moderate to challenging

GLYNDWR’S WAY, POWYS, WALES: ‘The Glyndwr Way wanders through the rolling hills of the Welsh countryside’, writes Roddie, as this picture shows. The author recommends eight to 10 days to complete the 135.5-mile (218km) trek, which starts in Knighton, Welshpool, and finishes in Powys. ‘The trail passes through rugged and often sparsely populated countryside, making this a fantastic walk for the lover of solitude,’ he notes

OGWEA VALLEY, THE WELSH 3,000ERS, SNOWDONIA: A hiker looks out across a ‘sea of clouds in the Ogwea Valley’ in this image, which shows part of the Welsh 3,000ers trail in North Wales. The three-day route, explains Roddie, covers 30 miles (50km) from Bwlch y Ddeufaen to Pen-y-Pass or Llanberis and is described by the author as ‘challenging’. Hikers can expect scrambling, rock climbing and steep sections, he tells readers

CRUMMOCK WATER AND BUTTERMERE, LAKE DISTRICT, WAINWRIGHT’S COAST TO COAST WALK: ‘This is a classic walk, and some would consider it the classic – the English long-distance route against which all others are compared,’ writes Roddie of this walk. The above picture shows the amazing views that hikers can enjoy along the way, looking down at the lakes of Crummock Water and Buttermere, with Haystacks hill to the left. The book recommends nine to 14 days to complete the 180-mile (290km) trail on foot, which crosses the North of England from St Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hood’s Bay, North Yorkshire

MEALL MEADHONACH, SUILVEN CIRCUIT, SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS: This spellbinding image shows Mount Suilven’s eastern summit – Meall Meadhonach – which hikers can gaze upon during this circular trail in the Scottish Highlands. In his book, Roddie says the 2,389ft (731m) mountain has ‘more character, perhaps, than any other peak of such modest height’. The author recommends one to two days to complete the trail, which covers 17.7-miles (28.4km) and is described as challenging. Hikers can set off from Inverkirkaig in Sutherland or from Lochinver, if hiking clockwise, the book suggests

PORTH DINLLAEN, NORTH WALES PILGRIM’S WAY: Hikers tackling the North Wales Pilgrim’s Way can stop to enjoy this picturesque view of Porth Dinllaen village during the 135.8-mile (218.5km) journey from Holywell in Flintshire to Aberdaron, Gwynedd. Known as the ‘Welsh Camino’, the route was ‘established in 2015 to link ancient churches dedicated to the saints of the 6th and 7th centuries’, writes Roddie. The author recommends seven to 11 days to complete the ‘easy to moderate’ trail

THE CAMBRIAN WAY, NORTH WALES: This epic 297-mile (478km) walking trail runs the length of Wales, from Cardiff on the south coast to Conwy in the north. Part of the trail passes through the Brecon Beacons National Park, which the book describes as ‘a long, tough stage of more than 20.5 miles (33km) over the principal summits of the range, including the highest, Pen y Fan (2,907ft / 886m)’, which is pictured above. ‘The sharp, sculpted peaks and ridges of the Beacons have the feeling of a prehistoric landscape,’ it adds

FAIRFIELD TO HELVELLYN TRAVERSE, CUMBRIA: ‘Experienced and well-equipped mountaineers can tackle this route at any time of year, but most should avoid winter and wait until the snow has melted,’ writes Roddie. The Fairfield to Helvellyn Traverse is a ‘challenging route’ with ’13 peaks along the way’, writes Roddie. Above is a photograph taken from one of those peaks – Helvellyn – described in the book as ‘the highest point in a great north-south ridge’. The trail follows ‘well-established trails over fells that have been enjoyed for generations’ the author says, adding: ‘Still, only the fittest walkers will be capable of completing this in a day, so making a wild camp somewhere along the ridge is a necessity.’ He recommends two days to complete the 20.3-mile (32.6km) trek, which runs from Rydal to Keswick and is described in the book as challenging

Wanderlust British & Irish Isles is published by Gestalten and is available to buy for £40, with free shipping to the UK, Germany and the U.S

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