Michael Sheen #39;s welcome to the Blue Flag National Operator Meeting 2012 in Tenby, Wales
Keep Wales Tidy ambassador Michael Sheen, the Hollywood actor from Wales recorded a message to greet the delegates who visited Wales from thirty seven countries worldwide on 20-21 october 2012 for the yearly Blue Flag National Operator Meeting. The event coincided with the programme #39;s twenty-fifth year of issuing awards to beaches of only the highest quality.From:BlueFlagProgrammeViews:0 0ratingsTime:02:48More inEducation

Read this article:

Michael Sheen's welcome to the Blue Flag National Operator Meeting 2012 in Tenby, Wales - Video

Rhumb House Retreat in Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Presented by British Virgin Islands Sotheby #39;s International Realty For more information go to ow.ly Rhumb House is a unique, privately owned 6-bedroom villa with a 2-bedroom guesthouse perched atop a private hill on almost 2 acres overlooking the Sir Francis Drake Channel. Boasting splendid panoramas and sumptuous seclusion, it is only a short distance from the airport, white sand beaches and the island capital. Property ID: 4000024722From:sothebysrealtyViews:3 0ratingsTime:08:11More inHowto Style

View original post here:

Rhumb House Retreat in Tortola, British Virgin Islands - Video

LONDON, November 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Some holidaymakers might breathe a sigh of relief as kids go back to school following half term, leaving beaches and hotel pool sides childfree. As the school gates re-open for the final push until Christmas, a number of people might be keen to snap up some cheeky cheap holidays abroad, and grab some much needed rays.

Direct Holidays brings you some of the best adult holiday destinations for this time of year.

Cyprus

Cyprus is a longstanding popular holiday destination amongst Brits and it is easy to see why. The stunning coastal beaches combined with strips of bars and restaurants makes Cyprus the perfect holiday location to relax and unwind. Ayia Napa is the clubbing destination of choice, while Limassol (Lemesos) is another popular destination for those looking to enjoy a well-earned break.

You will never be lost for things to do on a cheap Cyprus holiday. For example, for those looking for something a little different than just beaches and bars, they might want to take a stroll through more than one of the 50 boutique wineries, which are scattered across the Troodos Mountains of Cyprus.

Tunisia

Tunisia has become increasingly popular over the last decade or so attracting tourists from all over the world. Tunisia Holidays provides the perfect setting for a stress-free break - and one that won't break the bank as this country is renowned for its cheap prices. The country boasts stunning natural beauty, a vibrant North African culture, great resorts, and near perfect year-round weather. It ticks all the boxes for a sun and sea holiday in the winter months, with temperatures still in the teens and an average of six hours sunshine during the day.

Rhodes

Rhodes is a diverse and rich island which enjoys an exceptionally mild climate all year round. The vibrant nightlife combined with calm medieval-style back streets set against a backdrop of mountains makes it the ideal holiday destination for adults looking for some R&R.

See the original post:

As the Kids go Back at School - Check out Our Best Adult Holidays

SPRING LAKE — The average New Jersey beach is 30 to 40 feet narrower after superstorm Sandy, according to a survey that is sure to intensify a long-running debate on whether federal dollars should be used to replenish stretches of sand that only a fraction of U.S.

Excerpt from:

Study: N.J. beaches 30-40 feet narrower after storm

Authorities launched an experiment Monday aimed at building beaches and sandbars on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon in northern Arizona.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar opened the river outlet tubes at noon and called it "an historic milestone" and "a new era in which we realize that the goals of water storage, delivery and hydropower production are compatible with improving and protecting the resources of the Colorado River."

The peak flow will last 24 hours from Monday night into Tuesday, and the river will run high for five days.

The heavy rush of water down the river at Glen Canyon Dam is part of a government program to restore the Grand Canyon's ecosystem.

The goal is to wash millions of tons of sediment downstream to create beaches and improve habitat for plants and animals, and protect archaeological sites.

Grand Canyon National Park officials have contacted visitors with backcountry or river permits and advised them to camp on high ground this week, according to The Arizona Republic.

The experiment that could hurt next year's fishing _ and complicate hydropower production and water storage _ in the name of a more environmentally correct river.

The rush of water churning up sand for new beaches and backwater sandbars was welcomed by many environmentalists and park managers. It's the fourth experimental flush since 1996, and the first since Salazar in May decreed them routine in a 10-year protocol that, weather permitting, could mean mini-floods every year.

"This is a great victory," said Nikolai Lash, program director with the Grand Canyon Trust.

Previous experiments in 1996, 2004 and 2008 were one-time fact-finding missions instead of fundamental shifts in river management.

Go here to see the original:

Water flow experiment begins at Grand Canyon

SPRING LAKE, N.J. The average New Jersey beach is 30 to 40 feet narrower after Superstorm Sandy, according to a survey that is sure to intensify a long-running debate on whether federal dollars should be used to replenish stretches of sand that only a fraction of U.S. taxpayers use.

Some of New Jerseys famous beaches lost half their sand when Sandy slammed ashore in late October.

The shore town of Mantoloking, one of the hardest-hit communities, lost 150 feet of beach, said Stewart Farrell, director of Stockton Colleges Coastal Research Center and a leading expert on beach erosion.

Routine storms tear up beaches in any season, and one prescription for protecting communities from storm surge has been to replenish beaches with sand pumped from offshore. Places with recently beefed-up beaches saw comparatively little damage, said Farrell, whose studys findings were made available to The Associated Press.

"It really, really works," Farrell said. "Where there was a federal beach fill in place, there was no major damage no homes destroyed, no sand piles in the streets. Where there was no beach fill, water broke through the dunes."

The beach-replenishment projects have been controversial both for their expense and because waves continually wash away the new sand. The federal government picks up 65 percent of the cost, with the rest coming from state and local coffers.

How big the beaches are or whether there is a beach at all to go to is a crucial question that must be resolved before the summer tourism season. The Jersey shore powers the states $35.5 billion tourism industry.

But the pending spending showdown between congressional Republicans and Democrats could make it even harder to secure hundreds of millions of additional dollars for beach replenishment.

From 1986 to 2011, nearly $700 million was spent placing 80 million cubic yards of sand on about 55 percent of the New Jersey coast. Over that time, the average beach gained 4 feet of width, according to the Coastal Research Center. And just before the storm hit, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded nearly $28 million worth of contracts for new replenishment projects in southern New Jerseys Cape May County.

U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn, an Oklahoma Republican, used a photo of a pig on the cover of his 2009 report "Washed Out To Sea," in which he characterized beach replenishment as costly, wasteful pork that the nation could not afford.

Here is the original post:

Study: Jersey shore beaches 30-40 feet narrower after Sandy

Hurricane Sandy caused major erosion along the New Jersey coastline, slimming beaches significantly. Some question the wisdom of using federal funding to build up beaches that just get washed away.

Towns along the Jersey shore that made use of federal money to build up beaches came through Superstorm Sandy with far less damage than those that didn't, findings that are sure to intensify a debate that has raged for years over the wisdom of pumping millions of dollars' worth of sand onto the coastline, only to see it wash away continually.

Subscribe Today to the Monitor

Click Here for your FREE 30 DAYS of The Christian Science Monitor Weekly Digital Edition

That dispute pits coastal advocates for some of the most valuable shoreline in the country against elected officials from inland states who say it's unfair to ask taxpayers from, say, the Great Plains to pay to keep rebuilding beaches they don't even use.

The storm caused major erosion along New Jersey's famous 127-mile coastline, washing away tons of sand and slimming down beaches. Some lost half their sand; the average loss statewide was 30 to 40 feet of beach width, according to findings that are not yet public but were revealed to The Associated Press.

Routine storms tear up beaches in any season, and even normal waves carry away sand. Over the years, one prescription for insulating communities from the invading sea has been to artificially replenish beaches with sand pumped from offshore. The federal government picks up 65 percent of the cost, with the rest coming from state and local coffers.

"It really, really works," said Stewart Farrell, director of Stockton College's Coastal Research Center and a leading expert on beach erosion. "Where there was a federal beach fill in place, there was no major damage no homes destroyed, no sand piles in the streets. Where there was no beach fill, water broke through the dunes."

From 1986 to 2011, nearly $700 million was spent placing 80 million cubic yards of sand on about 55 percent of the New Jersey coast. Over that time, the average beach had gained 4 feet of width, according to the Coastal Research Center. And just before the storm hit, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded nearly $28 million worth of contracts for new replenishment projects in southern New Jersey's Cape May County.

The pending spending showdown between congressional Republicans and Democrats could make it even harder to secure hundreds of millions of additional dollars for beach replenishment.

Here is the original post:

In Superstorm's wake: Erosion and questions on government-funded sand

Posted:Today Updated: 7:29 AM Superstorm Sandy did far less damage in areas that made use of federal money ahead of time.

Wayne Parry / The Associated Press

SPRING LAKE, N.J. Towns along the Jersey shore that made use of federal money to build up beaches came through Superstorm Sandy with far less damage than those that didn't.

click image to enlarge

A bulldozer pushes piles of sand on the Ocean Grove, N.J., beach in front of its storm-buckled boardwalk and damaged fishing pier last week.

The Associated Press

Those findings are sure to intensify a debate that has raged for years over the wisdom of pumping millions of dollars' worth of sand onto the coastline, only to see it wash away continually.

That dispute pits coastal advocates for some of the most valuable shoreline in the country against elected officials from inland states who say it's unfair to ask taxpayers from, say, the Great Plains to pay to keep rebuilding beaches they don't even use.

The storm caused major erosion along New Jersey's famous 127-mile coastline, washing away tons of sand and slimming down beaches. Some lost half their sand; the average loss statewide was 30 to 40 feet of beach width.

Routine storms tear up beaches in any season, and even normal waves carry away sand. Over the years, one prescription for insulating communities from the invading sea has been to artificially replenish beaches with sand pumped from offshore. The federal government picks up 75 percent of the cost, with the rest coming from state and local governments.

Read the original here:

Building up beaches paid off for N.J. towns

This summers Safeswim beach water quality monitoring is underway with more than 60 beaches in the region included in the programme.

Samples from 69 beaches stretching from Hatfields Beach in the north to Sandspit Beach, near Waiuku, in the south are now being collected and tested for specific bacteria.

Results from Auckland Councils weekly monitoring will be available online and via an 0800 Safeswim number. The programme will run to 26 March next year.

Environmental Services manager Janis McArdle says the Safeswim programme ensures the water at the regions key recreational beaches is regularly tested and the public advised if it is safe to swim at the monitored sites.

"If the tests indicate there is any potential public health risk, Auckland Council will promptly erect warning signs in the relevant locations. These will only be removed once the water quality is assessed to be safe."

Water samples are collected on a Tuesday or Wednesday, using a helicopter to help the team cover a large number of sites quickly and cost-effectively. The test results are available by the weekend via 0800 SAFESWIM (0800 723 379) and online at http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/safeswim.

Generally, the water quality at Aucklands swimming beaches is very good and meets New Zealand heath guidelines. However, if there is heavy rain, or if pollutants enter our waterways, this can quickly change.

People should wait 48 hours after heavy rain before swimming at the beach. They should also avoid swimming near stormwater outflows, stream and river mouths at all times, she says.

Remember, if you see any pollution please report it to the councils pollution response team via 09 301 0101 or directly on our Pollution Hotline 09 377 3107.

The rest is here:

Water quality testing underway for Auckland beaches

SPRING LAKE, N.J. (AP) -- The average New Jersey beach is 30 to 40 feet narrower after Superstorm Sandy, according to a survey that is sure to intensify a long-running debate on whether federal dollars should be used to replenish stretches of sand that only a fraction of U.S. taxpayers use.

Some of New Jersey's famous beaches lost half their sand when Sandy slammed ashore in late October.

The shore town of Mantoloking, one of the hardest-hit communities, lost 150 feet of beach, said Stewart Farrell, director of Stockton College's Coastal Research Center and a leading expert on beach erosion.

Routine storms tear up beaches in any season, and one prescription for protecting communities from storm surge has been to replenish beaches with sand pumped from offshore. Places with recently beefed-up beaches saw comparatively little damage, said Farrell, whose study's findings were made available to The Associated Press.

"It really, really works," Farrell said. "Where there was a federal beach fill in place, there was no major damage no homes destroyed, no sand piles in the streets. Where there was no beach fill, water broke through the dunes."

The beach-replenishment projects have been controversial both for their expense and because waves continually wash away the new sand. The federal government picks up 65 percent of the cost, with the rest coming from state and local coffers.

How big the beaches are or whether there is a beach at all to go to is a crucial question that must be resolved before the summer tourism season. The Jersey shore powers the state's $35.5 billion tourism industry.

But the pending spending showdown between congressional Republicans and Democrats could make it even harder to secure hundreds of millions of additional dollars for beach replenishment.

From 1986 to 2011, nearly $700 million was spent placing 80 million cubic yards of sand on about 55 percent of the New Jersey coast. Over that time, the average beach gained 4 feet of width, according to the Coastal Research Center. And just before the storm hit, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded nearly $28 million worth of contracts for new replenishment projects in southern New Jersey's Cape May County.

U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn, an Oklahoma Republican, used a photo of a pig on the cover of his 2009 report "Washed Out To Sea," in which he characterized beach replenishment as costly, wasteful pork that the nation could not afford.

The rest is here:

Study: NJ beaches 30-40 feet narrower after storm

The average New Jersey beach is 30 to 40 feet narrower after Superstorm Sandy, according to a survey that is sure to intensify a long-running debate on whether federal dollars should be used to replenish stretches of sand that only a fraction of U.S. taxpayers use.

Some of New Jersey's famous beaches lost half their sand when Sandy slammed ashore in late October.

The shore town of Mantoloking, one of the hardest-hit communities, lost 150 feet of beach, said Stewart Farrell, director of Stockton College's Coastal Research Center and a leading expert on beach erosion.

Routine storms tear up beaches in any season, and one prescription for protecting communities from storm surge has been to replenish beaches with sand pumped from offshore. Places with recently beefed-up beaches saw comparatively little damage, said Farrell, whose study's findings were made available to The Associated Press.

"It really, really works," Farrell said. "Where there was a federal beach fill in place, there was no major damage no homes destroyed, no sand piles in the streets. Where there was no beach fill, water broke through the dunes."

The beach-replenishment projects have been controversial both for their expense and because waves continually wash away the new sand. The federal government picks up 65 percent of the cost, with the rest coming from state and local coffers.

AP

How big the beaches are or whether there is a beach at all to go to is a crucial question that must be resolved before the summer tourism season. The Jersey shore powers the state's $35.5 billion tourism industry.

But the pending spending showdown between congressional Republicans and Democrats could make it even harder to secure hundreds of millions of additional dollars for beach replenishment.

From 1986 to 2011, nearly $700 million was spent placing 80 million cubic yards of sand on about 55 percent of the New Jersey coast. Over that time, the average beach gained 4 feet of width, according to the Coastal Research Center. And just before the storm hit, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded nearly $28 million worth of contracts for new replenishment projects in southern New Jersey's Cape May County.

Excerpt from:

NJ Beaches Narrower After Sandy

Manly Accommodation
Manly Beach area accommodation ," Beaches" is one of the best, Sydney Holiday Rentals , Northern Beaches Accommodation and Beaches is highly recommended , ideal family destination life guard patrolled beaches, oceanside swimming pools , Area boasts 9 golf courses , bush walking in national parks, horse riding , surfing on unspoilt beaches.From:surfroadViews:2 0ratingsTime:00:22More inTravel Events

See more here:

Manly Accommodation - Video

Olive Ridley turtles come ashore in Costa Rica
This video was made 11-8-012. Thank you to Marvin of Mardigi Tours for this opportunity and trip. Olive ridleys are among the smallest of all marine turtles weighing about 100 pounds or so. For most of their lives, they live far off shore, sometimes more than 2500 miles out into the Pacific and the sexually mature females (ages 15 and up) return to the same beach from which they hatched. There are about 40 different beaches along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica where olive ridleys nest (typically in small numbers) but the two most famous for massive arribadas are Nancite and Ostional, both of which are quite close to the very popular Gold Coast tourist destination of Tamarindo.From:Kathy NiemannViews:0 0ratingsTime:05:10More inPets Animals

Go here to read the rest:

Olive Ridley turtles come ashore in Costa Rica - Video

Choose DelWebb #39;s Sweetwater Lifestyle
http://www.tourfactory.com ----- For more information, contact: Bob Kyle Svirsky, 904-403-1177, REMAX Unlimited ----- DelWebb #39;s Sweetwater is all about choosing YOUR lifestyle! Life can be BUSY with new friends dozens of events and non-stop activities or you can just RELAX in the luxurious surroundings of this centrally located, age restricted (55+) community. Spacious, top end condo is beautifully decorated move-in ready. Ground floor, one level, no stairs/no elevator required! Entrance through decorated formal lobby or your own private screened lanai. Open concept floor plan w/upgrades like ceramic tile hardwood floors, closet space galore, high ceilings, laundry room, fresh neutral paint, custom window treatments, covered parking, appliances included, outdoor storage space. Condo fee includes water, sewer, bldg insurance, exterior maintenance (see condo docs.) Jacksonville International Airport, 2 regional shopping centers: The Town Center with high end merchants including Nordstrom #39;s coming soon and The Avenues, OCEAN BEACHES, The Mayo Clinic are all just minutes away! Jacksonville offers NFL football, minor league baseball, PGA Tour HQ and The Players amongst many golf venues, museums, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, Broadway shows, local theater group productions, speaker #39;s forums, colleges/universities, Jacksonville Zoo, historical St. Augustine. Central Florida attractions: Disney World, Universal Studios, SeaWorld are in Orlando about 2 hrs. away.From:TourFactoryViews:0 0ratingsTime:04:13More inTravel Events

More:

Choose DelWebb's Sweetwater Lifestyle - Video

Iron Maiden Aces High
lbum Powerslave(1984) ACES HIGH "We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France We shall fightover the seas and oceans. we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air. We shall defend our island whatever the cost may be we shall fight on beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight on the hills. We shall never surrender." There goes the siren that warns of the air raid Then comes the sound of the guns sending flak Out for the scramble, we #39;ve got to get airborne Got to get up for the coming attack Jump in the cockpit and start up the engines Remove all the wheelblocks, there #39;s no time to waste Gathering speed as we head down the runway Got to get airborne before it #39;s too late Running, scrambling, flying Rolling, turning, diving Going in again Running, scrambling, flying Rolling, turning, diving Run, Live to fly, fly to live, do or die Won #39;t you Run, live to fly, fly to live Aces high Move in to fire at the mainstream of bombers Let off a sharp burst and then turn away Roll over, spin round to come in behind them Move to their blindsides and firing again Bandits at 8 o #39;clock are moving behind us Ten ME-109 #39;s out of the sun Ascending and turning, our spitfires to face them Heading straight for them I press down my guns. Rolling, turning, diving Rolling, turning, diving Going in again Rolling, turning, diving Rolling, turning, diving Run, Live to fly, fly to live, do or die Won #39;t ...From:darley5239Views:1 0ratingsTime:05:11More inMusic

Read more:

Iron Maiden Aces High - Video

My Favourite Beaches
My Favourite Beaches from the Gold Coast Northern NSW on the Australian east coast. If you like this Video subscribe for more of your monthly moments with Jesse. Music was downloaded from: Music4YourVids.co.ukFrom:Jesse MayViews:1 0ratingsTime:02:18More inEntertainment

Continued here:

My Favourite Beaches - Video

Beaches in Ghana: Keta Volta Region
From:roy temaViews:0 0ratingsTime:00:52More inPeople Blogs

See the original post:

Beaches in Ghana: Keta Volta Region - Video

Hotel KingGold Apartment
King gold hotel and apartment room is like an apartment unit which have kitchen, living room, bedroom with bathtub and a separate shower area and bedrooms It houses an outdoor swimming pool and tanning area, a fitness centre. Complimentary parking spaces are available. Situated in central Sihanoukville, this property is just a 5-minute walk from the lively Ekareach Street. King Gold Hotel Apartment is a 10-minute drive from Ochheuteal and Serendipity beaches and Sihanouk ville Airport is 15 km away. There are 3 types of room King / twin room consist of living room, bedrooms, bathroom with bathtub and a separate shower area and kitchen King room / unit =80 metre square Bathroom= 20 metre square Twin room /unit = 80 metre square Bathroom = 20 metre square Tripe room consist of living room, bedrooms, bathroom with bathtub and a separate shower area and kitchen Triple room= 100 metre square Bathroom= 20 metre square Each apartment has one air-conditional in living room and one in bedrooms Our apartment also has flat-screen TV with cable channels, furniture and an en suite bathroom. Complimentary bottled water is provided. We allow in-room dining King Gold Coffee House sells light snacks, along with coffee and tea. Staff at King Gold Hotel #39;s 24-hour front desk can assist with luggage storage, laundry and transport rental services. Travel arrangements can be made at the tour desk. Noted: only guest rent our apartment monthly or more than a week allow to use our kitchen in the ...From:kinggoldapartmentViews:0 0ratingsTime:01:36More inPeople Blogs

The rest is here:

Hotel KingGold

SeaLink Kangaroo Island
eaLink - Kids Go Free with SeaLink to Kangaroo Island! Make your next family holiday to Kangaroo Island!SeaLink have a great family offer for travel until 14 December 2012 where KIDS GO FREE! This also includes school holidays! Up to 3 children, aged 3-14 years can travel free on the SeaLink ferry (that #39;s a saving of up to $144), when travelling with 2 full fare paying adults and a vehicle. KI is an adventure playground for kids offering everything from sand boarding at Little Sahara to fishing from the many beaches, jetties or charter boats, quad biking, kayaking, caving and so much more! Imagine following an echidna train through the bush, spotting koalas in the trees at Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, feeding kangaroos at Parndana Wildlife Park or tasting delicious Ligurian Bee honey ice-cream at Clifford #39;s Honey Farm! For Mum and Dad, we are also offering a FREE Discount Voucher Booklet which has vouchers for attractions, activities, cafes, restaurants and cellar doors around the Island. When it comes to places to stay we can also help you out, with over 120 different accommodation properties, ranging from hotel and motels, B Bs, apartments, caravan parks, cabins and holiday houses. To browse a range of places to stay visit our Kangaroo Island accommodation page. For more information please visit http://www.sealink.com.au/kidsgofreeFrom:MagDestinationsViews:2 0ratingsTime:03:10More inTravel Events

More here:

SeaLink Kangaroo Island - Video

Tourism Kangaroo Island
Think of an island with 509km of Coastline 155km from the East Coast to the West Coast. With native bushland, wildlife, adventure exploring. Where pristine beaches, local wines sunsets are on your doorstep. WELCOME TO KANGAROO ISLAND "There really aren #39;t enough adjectives to accurately describe the beauty of Kangaroo Island. In fact, words can almost spoil the moment. Even photos don #39;t do this wildly gorgeous destination justice". Isaac Bober, Symmetry, Australia Sea-lions basking on white beaches, koalas dozing in lofty eucalypts, pelicans soaring over shimmering lagoons... Kangaroo Island is a pristine wilderness - a place that has offered protection to substantial populations of native Australian animals, a place of beauty and a place of escape. Kangaroo Island (or #39;KI #39; as the locals call it) is also big and surprisingly diverse. If you traverse its 155km length you #39;ll find soaring cliffs, dense forest, towering sand dunes, wetlands and massive arcs of bone white beach. But just because it #39;s wild, don #39;t underestimate the welcome... Some 4400 folk live here, most of them primary producers, many of them descended from Islanders who have farmed the land and fished the seas for generations. Naturally enough, being surrounded by fertile lands and rich waters, Kangaroo Island produces some of Australia #39;s finest gourmet foods. Gastronomic adventurers should get ready to be amazed by the likes of freshly caught King George Whiting, sheep #39;s cheese, marron, a unique ...From:MagDestinationsViews:2 0ratingsTime:01:01More inTravel Events

More here:

Tourism Kangaroo Island - Video