mtb dog

We have been mountain biking for a few years. When we found out our current dog a Springador. Has mild hip dysplasia and could no longer hit the trails with us. It was then that we started looking for a new addition to the family that could be the ultimate trail dog. I grew up around pointers as My grandfather breed them. I know they have the energy and stamina and most importantly the love of running to make them the perfect trail companion. 

We scoured the internet for a pointer style puppy in our area. This is where we found a dalmatian puppy. 

We collected Mylo at a little over 16 weeks.  From the day we collected him. He has been about bikes. our house is full of them. From Trail bikes, Downhill bikes and even road bikes. He was well used to them. When he was small we had to work on recall as we knew this would be key to becoming a trail dog. 

We worked on our local beach starting with a long rope lead and treats, gradually building up his confidence and trust. Our local trails are Nevis range, Fort William. Mylo has been about the trail centre since he was a puppy. We would walk him down the trails. When we knew it was quiet and not to disturb anyone on the trails. 

Whilst Mylo was a puppy he was not on the trails. We consulted our vet about when to let him come with us. He informed us that dalmatians are not fully grown until 15-18 months. It is after this time that they can really hit the trails. So about the year mark after a lot of recall training. Mylo would come on very short trails.

He took to it like a duck to water. He immediately followed the bike. We started at a slow pace. Over the months as he grew his speed picked up the pace. 

Now he is faster than us and knows the trails better than us. He loves nothing more than heading down the world cup track at Fort William and even doing the jumps at the bottom. Much to the many tourist's delights and My embarrassment as He is better at them than I am. 

Mylo Always comes on the trails with his little backpack. This is a great way to keep him seen on the trails.  Which carries his water and some treats to keep him going. He also has a multi-tool, small pump and tyre levers and inner tube.  So he is an important member of the trail crew. if he hasn't got his bag on he has a very bright blue Ruffware harness. It is super important that he can be seen whilst on the trails to keep him and other riders safe. With Mylo being a Dalmatian he is very noticeable against the trails. 

It is important to remember that if your dog is hitting the trails to make sure you are adjusting their food and water intake to account for this. We also have Mylo on extra joint supplements to make sure to keep him in tip-top condition. We never let Mylo overdo it. His normal days range between 8-10 miles. He even has his own Strava account so we can keep an eye on his mileage and make sure he has the right about of rest. As a Dalmatian, he would run all day. But this is not good for them so It is important to know your dogs limited and just like a human he needs his recovery time. 

Our dog and bikes are so Important that we built a van conversion. We can now hit the trails more often. Mylo has travelled the UK hitting trails. From wales to Glentress he loves to find new trails to run down. 

You can follow Mylos adventures on his Instagram.  I am developing a new site for my mountain biking adventures with Mylo you can check it out. mtblm.com

Laura Martin 

how to plan a hen party

Rather than settling for a traditional hen night in the local pub, more and more brides-to-be are opting to head off with their nearest and dearest on hen weekends. After all, why party for one night only if you can party for two or three instead?

However, planning for these extended celebrations can be tricky. For example, you might not be sure which clothes and accessories to take with you. Luckily, help is at hand. Here are some top tips to bear in mind when you’re packing for your weekend away.

Travel time

You might be tempted to reach for your high heels and slip into a sexy little number from the word go, but try to hold back while you’re travelling. If you want to arrive at your destination in the party mood, opt for some comfortable clothes for getting around in.

Remember, there’s bound to be at least some walking involved in your trip and you’ll be carrying bags.

During the day

Find out what you’ll be doing on the hen do before you set off. If you’ll be checking out the shops, some smart casual clothes will come in handy.

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If you’re going to do an activity, ask the organiser if you’ll need any specific items of clothing. Even if the specialist gear is provided, you might need certain clothes to wear underneath. If you’re going to get wet or muddy, make sure you have a change of clothing too.

When evening falls

Hen parties are the perfect excuse to have some fun when it comes to your fashion choices. They’re the sort of evenings when you can get away with wearing that miniskirt that’s usually just that little bit too short, or those risqué fishnet stockings. They’re also the ideal time to don a slinky LBD.

Be careful when it comes to your shoes though. Remember, you’ll probably be dancing until the early hours and you don’t want blistered feet to ruin your night. This means it might be a good idea to ditch your strappy high heels and go for something stylish but a little more practical, like leather ankle boots.

Fancy dress

There’s no denying that fancy dress is fun and it can really add to the atmosphere on a hen do. However, if you want to get into nightclubs, bars and restaurants, make sure you check their policies on the fancy dress first. The last thing you want is to be prevented from getting into venues because of your outlandish attire.

A failsafe approach is to wear appropriate clothing underneath your fancy dress so that you can simply slip out of the gear if you need to.

you can change your hairstyle with a Synthetic Hair Wig quickly too to add to your fancy dress outfit and take it to the next level. 

The perfect excuse

One of the great things about heading off on a hen do is the fact that it provides you with the perfect excuse to go on a shopping spree. There’s no certainly no shortage of clothes and accessories for you to choose from now. For example, by heading online to site like Love Sasha you should be able to find exactly what you’re looking for.

dream ski holiday anyone?

I'm Laura and welcome to my day. So let's get this day started. You are wondering where I am, aren’t you? , Well here is where I have woken up today with my gorgeous husband. 

The heavenly Bohinj Park Eco hotel, we arrived here at Bohinjska Bistrica village, Slovenia.  Everyone knows Slovenia is the place to be seen this year. After a peaceful flight from Glasgow yesterday.  All organised through crystalski.co.uk with no stress for me. Let face it who has time to do the leg work when you have crystal ski to do it for you. Luxury with no stress yes, please. My husband was so surprised at the amazing standard of service we have received. He loves the finer things in life. 

It's 730am and it's time to get up. I lift my head from the bed a bit fizzy from last night’s welcome drinks in the cocktail bar, what it would have been rude not to. After a long and luxury shower and I change into my breakfast outfit. Stylish but practical. 

Breakfast is Devine lots of pastry's and fruit heaven after my champers last night. 

Then it's back to my room which is more of a suite, to be honest. It's time to prepare for my first ski lesson which was all organised thought my travel agent de jour crystal ski 

I clicked the first timer’s package option. No lugging about ski at the airport for me. Lift passes sorted and so is ski school. On goes the new ski gear I purchased for the trip. Where would we be without ski and board magazine to tell us the latest styles? I look the part. Now for the hair, everyone knows the classic fishtail braid is the way to go, Classy and no chance of a hair out of place on the slopes. 

I have to confess I am a novice having only had a few lessons in the Scottish Highlands last year. 

U.K. Skiing is so much fun but the snow was hit and miss, so looking forward to fresh soft powder to cushion my delicate falls. Ok, think Bridget Jones. 

After what felt like 5 minutes, why is it when you’re enjoying oneself time fast forwards? It’s time for lunch. My instructor was amazing and I'm snow ploughing like a pro. My confidence booming. Is there anything more thrilling than whizzing down the slopes.

Lunch is at the amazing.  It’s a veggie pizza and hot chocolate for me. My husband chooses something a bit meatier for his lunch. He has not been with me this morning as he is already a skier. So off he went on the slopes for some fun by himself. He comes back with lots of stories of the routes he has done. 

The afternoon is ours we play on the beginner’s routes. My husband is delighted with my progress already. I feel like I'm in a dream world. The views are better than I could have imagined. You feel like you are the top of the world. 

It's time to head back to our hotel as I've booked couples massage for us and my body is thanking me for this. I swear this hotel was made for me. I enjoy my poor muscles getting the joyous attention they deserve after an epic day on the slopes. Then we hit the saunas, steam room and pool. 

Now it's back to the room to get ready for a fun night ahead. My husband pops the champagne cork with a huge bang. It's defo and Instagrams moment As I decide what to wear. I'm thinking of a nice dress. I choose a black maxi with my Tiffany's necklace and bangle. A fur gilet and I'm ready to apply my make up like a military operation Mac, Dior, urban decay etc. I swear my make-up bag is a who's who to make brands. 

We have a lovely gourmet meal with wine accomplishment. We have an after dinner drink in the cocktail bar, the bartender remembers my cocktail of choice from last night and it's placed in front of me before I even ask. Now that's service. It's now time to see what Bohinjska Bistrica village, has to offer. We go to a couple bars meets some friends who recommend a local night club. So glad I put on this dress. I'm a bit cold but as they say, the style keeps me warm. 

Off we head in a taxi to the nightclub we dance drink and have a blast. Then it's time to crash out in our beautiful room to do it all again tomorrow.

Tips to upgrade your kitchen

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Giving your kitchen update from time to time stops your home from becoming outdated or boring. You don’t need to do a massive renovation of your kitchen, with a few simple changes your kitchen can look entirely new. If you feel a bit lost and don’t know where to start, this post gives you some tips that you can try even when you’re working on a tight budget.

Painting cabinets

One of the easiest ways to make your kitchen look brand new is by giving it a new lick of paint. A great way to do this on a smaller scale is to repaint your cabinets. Unless they are incredibly outdated or have lost functionality, this is the perfect alternative to a costly remodel. If your kitchen is very small, then you should choose light colours as this will help to open up those darker spaces beautifully.

Replacing doorknobs

An old trick that never fails, changing doorknobs and handles will also help to change of look of your kitchen. Often overlooked, but handles and doorknobs all help contribute towards a theme or style. Whether it be vintage or modern, there is plenty of choices out there.

Add decorative accessories

Accessories should never be underestimated when redecorating a room. In your kitchen, you can use your glassware and crockery as pieces of decoration by displaying them on shelves. Plants are another good addition to your kitchen as they give an organic and natural atmosphere to a room. If vintage is what you’re going for, you can easily find various pieces in charity shops or vintage fairs. This is a fantastic way of up-cycling and reusing old pieces of furniture.

Extra lightning

Lighting is key to the look of any room, and your kitchen is no different. Ideally, you want bright lights overhead to help brighten the room when cooking. For this, spotlights or LED bulbs are perfect as they provide plenty of lighting. But for a more atmospheric look, you can use fairy lights to decorate shelving units or the dining area. This helps to bring a more charming and relaxed look when you’re hosting guests perhaps.

Flooring

Updating the flooring is also a good way to give the kitchen a revamp. You might be thinking that changing your floor isn’t a cost-friendly way of updating your kitchen. However, you can find very cheap floors that don’t sacrifice style over substance. For example, you can find a wide range of cheap laminate flooring that looks like solid wood but without the price tag. Laminate floors have the advantage of being both water and scratch-resistant. These are important features in the kitchen as spillages are very likely as there is an increased level of activity. As we mentioned previously, laminate floors are a high-quality alternative to solid wood and as such are available in a huge range of styles and designs.

So there you have it, some tips that will help you to make your kitchen look brand new without having the break the bank. 

make time for Working Out At Home

If you read my blog on a regular basis, you will know that I am a real fan of fitness and staying in shape. Recently, I was talking to a friend of mine who mentioned that she has very little time to get to the gym and exercise. This got me thinking about how she could exercise even though she barely had the time to leave the house.

After a lot of thinking, I came up with ideas for how she could work out at home. In case anyone else is in the same position and has no time or money to get to the gym, I thought I would share my ideas with you, here:

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Jump rope

You might think that a jump rope is nothing more than a children’s toy, but you couldn’t be more wrong. Believe it or not, a jump rope can be an amazing fitness tool for working out at home, as well as in the gym.

The best thing about exercising with a jump rope is the fact that as well as being a great way to stay in shape, it’s also a lot of fun. Well, for the first few minutes it is, after that, it gets surprisingly difficult.

Step ups

Whether you have stairs in your home or not, step-ups are a great way to stay in shape. If you have stairs anywhere in your home, use these to do step ups each day, while listening to music. If you have a home that is all on one level, all you need is a large book or a chair to do step-ups on.

If you find that you get bored of doing step-ups easily, do them in front of the television. Stick on your favourite program and do your step-ups in front of it. It might be hard work, but the time will pass much more quickly if you are focusing on the television.

Pull-ups

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that pull-ups are only for men because they’re not. If you want to tone your whole body - arms, chest and legs, a pull-up bar is a perfect way to do it. Buy a portable pull-up bar for your home and you can keep your body toned and trim.

The best thing about modern pull up bars is the fact that they are easy to put up and flat pack down, so that they are easy to store. So even if you buy one of these bars for your home, it shouldn’t be in the way.

YouTube Workouts

You probably remember your mum doing fitness videos at home when you were a child, am I right? These types of workouts are ideal for staying in shape at home, as they are designed to be done in a small space.

The only difference between the workouts your mum used to do and the ones that you can do is the fact that hers were on video. Whereas, you can get your workouts for free from YouTube.

Even if you have no time or money to go to the gym, you can still ensure that you stay in shape with these tips and ideas.

The 6 home gym items you need for a full body workout

Having a home gym would be a dream come true for many of us. But if you don’t have space or budget to fill your house with treadmills and rowing machines, don’t despair! A huge amount of the most effective equipment doesn’t have to take up too much room or stretch your bank balance. So, let’s take a look at some essential home gym equipment out there to help you get fit for summer.

Dumbbells

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One of the most versatile pieces of equipment out there, a good set of dumbbells should be right near the top of your list of items. There are literally hundreds of different exercises that you can do, and if you invest in some adjustable ones, you can increase the amount of weight over time so you are always improving. Try to complete your exercises in front of a mirror so you are confident that you are using the proper technique.

Pull Up Bar

It may seem strange to say, but pull up bars don’t have to be just for pull-ups! There are a few different exercises that you can try, along with the classic technique itself. It is worth checking out some pull up bar reviews before you settle on one that is right for you and your home. There are some that you can put above your doorways, and these have the added advantage of always providing you with a reminder to do some every time you walk through!

Jump Rope

If you are looking for an affordable and lightweight piece of equipment to do some cardio work, look no further than a jump rope. If you haven’t jumped rope for a number of years, you may be surprised to find out that it seems a lot harder than when you were a kid. It also has the added benefit of improving your coordination and sense of balance. A durable rope is the best option if you are a beginner, while a lighter option is better to increase your speed.

Medicine Ball

A medicine ball is another fantastically versatile piece of equipment, providing you with a tool to work on your core strength. Just some of the common workouts include throwing it, carrying it or doing abdominal exercises. If you are doing exercises where you throwing it about, you are better off choosing a softer and lighter model.

Kettlebells

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Probably one of the most popular pieces of equipment that have emerged in the last couple of years, kettlebells provide you with some workouts that you simply can’t do with other similar items. Try to choose some with some big, smooth handles to give you the best grip.     

Exercise Mat

A whole range of stretching and flexibility workouts require an exercise mat to give you a good base. If you are planning to go for some high-intensity workouts, it is better to choose one with thick cushioning. However, a thinner one is the better choice if you are planning to do yoga on it.  

Easy Ways To Start Drinking Healthier

One of the things that I struggle with when it comes to a healthy diet is staying hydrated. I need to drink throughout the day, and I especially need hydration for when I'm exercising. But even so many drinks that are meant to be healthy are full of sugar. And when I want something to warm me up, caffeine is so tempting to help me stay awake. It's so hard finding drinks that are healthy and that taste nice too. Water is of course as good as you can get, but it's boring if it's the only thing you drink. So here are some of the way that I'm trying to make my beverages more interesting.

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Natural Water Flavouring

I like to drink a lot of water because it's the easiest way to stay hydrated. However, plain water is in no way exciting. It's fine and I prefer it when I'm really thirsty, but I don't want to drink it all day. The trouble is, it seems like all the things to flavour your water are full of sugar or sweeteners. So instead of using squash or mixing water with fruit juice, I've been looking at other ways to flavour my water. One of the ones I like is squeezing some lemon or lime juice into my glass. It gives it a citrusy kick without me having to add lots of sugary fruit juice. Even though the juice is full of nutrients, it's not great for your teeth. So I try not to have it too often.

Juices and Smoothies

If I'm looking for something delicious, I'll always turn toward a juice or smoothie. Juices can be made with vegetables as well as fruit, so there's a lot you can do. If you look at juicers, you can see what they're capable of. So I like making juices from carrots, tomato, spinach or anything I have in my fridge or cupboards. There are lots of recipes you can follow or you can make it up as you go along. I love a smoothie sometimes too, although they work better with fruit than veg! A strawberry and banana smoothie is always delicious, and it's easy to make one at home instead of buying one.

Decaf Hot Drinks

Most of us drink either tea or coffee when we want a hot drink. But both of these contain caffeine, and we often put lots of sugar in too. If I want a healthier drink, I sometimes go for a decaffeinated coffee or black tea with milk. However, I would much rather have a herbal or fruit tea that has no caffeine. If I want a treat, I will sometimes make myself a hot chocolate. But you have to be careful about how much sugar you use. It can be better to make it from scratch so you're aware of what goes into it. I also think that Ovaltine is an excellent option as an alternative to hot chocolate.

There are more ways to drink healthily, such as trying out different types of milk. If you want to have healthier drinks, there are lots of options out there to try.