AD - Press Trip | I had such a great weekend at @p AD - Press Trip | I had such a great weekend at @pottersresortsfivelakes with @slwilson84. It was an action packed three nights with a full activity and entertainment programme, great food, lovely drinks and beautiful surroundings. 

The staff go above and beyond to make everyone feel at home and they ensure that everyone has the best time possible. I don’t think I stopped smiling all weekend.

The best thing about Potters holidays is that everything is included in the price you pay. Four meals a day, all your drinks - including wine, Prosecco, most spirits and soft drinks - great accommodation and so many activities. 

I’ll write a full review soon but for now here’s a little Reel of our weekend
I always have a lot of questions about accommodati I always have a lot of questions about accommodation when we stay anywhere as a family so I thought I’d share this little tour of our room at @windjammerlanding which was a pretty perfect place to stay.

It’s the ‘Ocean View Two Bedroom’ which was like a little house, with an upstairs and downstairs, built into the hillside. Both rooms had outdoor space and their own shower rooms. Such a great option for a family.
A little photo dump from our holiday in St Lucia. A little photo dump from our holiday in St Lucia. We’ve been back a few days now but still miss the heat, the food, the pool, the constant sounds of wildlife and the lovely people. It was such a great holiday and I’m sure we’ll be back one day.
And just like that, Athena is 12! What a joy it is And just like that, Athena is 12! What a joy it is watching her grow and what a wonderful young woman she is becoming. We could not be more proud. Love you Pickle, have a great birthday.
We’ve just got back from two glorious weeks in S We’ve just got back from two glorious weeks in St Lucia staying at @windjammerlanding and it was just the holiday we needed. Two weeks of sunshine and relaxation in what must be one of the most beautiful islands in the world. 

We can’t wait to go back again in the future. Here’s just a little snippet of our trip.
AD - Press Tickets | We had such a nice day at @na AD - Press Tickets | We had such a nice day at @national_motor_museum despite the rain! The children loved the Little Beaulieu play area and we loved exploring the National Motor Museum and Top Gear exhibit before having a ride on the monorail! We went on an old open topped bus, explored the Beaulieu Manor House and loved the gardens. 
Beaulieu is always a great day out - whatever the weather. This summer they have a whole ‘Summer of Fun’ planned, with activities most days - parades, bird shows and hundreds of sculptures within the grounds too. If you’re looking for a day out this summer definitely think about heading to Beaulieu.
AD - Press Tickets | Tonight we took the kids to t AD - Press Tickets | Tonight we took the kids to their first concert - but it was so much more than just a concert! @abbavoyage is incredible. With CGI ABBA and a live band, it’s like being at an ABBA concert 40 years ago but with modern lighting, effects and sound. ABBA look and sound real, it’s a mind blowing experience.
The set includes all the songs you know and love as well as a few less familiar ones.
You can’t take photos during the show which actually made a refreshing change. A whole arena focused purely on the show and soaking up the moment. It’s definitely something the four of us will always remember.
Now, I’m off to sing Dancing Queen all the way home.
AD - Press Trip | We had such a great day at @phdo AD - Press Trip | We had such a great day at @phdockyard today. They have a fantastic Ultimate Explorer ticket that lets you visit all the attractions as many times as you like for 12 months - and after a day at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard we can see that you need more than one day to really do everything!

We explored HMS Warrior, HMS Victory and the Mary Rose Exhibition - which is incredible! We also saw where ships are built and restored and spent time in Action Stations where the kids climbed and did an assault course.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is such a fun, educational day out with something for all ages - we can’t wait to go on their harbour tours next time we visit!
AD | WIN!! Would you love to win a holiday? To cel AD | WIN!! Would you love to win a holiday? To celebrate #100YearOfARoads National Highways have launched their #ARoadsToSummer competition! It's all about celebrating summer holiday moments, time together, fun in the sun, days out and more.

So why not be in it to win it? To enter, all you have to do is send @nationalhways a DM on here with a photo or video of your favourite holiday moments. You can also comment on their Facebook or Twitter #ARoadsToSummer posts with your holiday photos. I've shared a few of our favourite photos to give you some inspiration.

The best six entries will each win a £500 @nationaltrust holidays voucher! SO what are you waiting for? Dig out your favourite holiday photos or take some new ones to share!

The #ARoadsToSummer competition runs from 24 July to 10 September 2023. Winners will be announced in September 2023.

Good luck!
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Guest Posts · June 21, 2023

Exterior cladding – what are your options? | AD

*This is a collaborative guest post

Exterior cladding is a simple and effective way to disguise problem areas, add protection, or update the look of a property.

There are multiple options available, from traditional timber to modern composite exterior cladding, – and choosing the right one can add real wow factor.

Wondering what the choices are? Here we take a look at the different types of cladding on the market. 

Exterior cladding – what are your options?

What is cladding?

Cladding is an additional layer, or skin, that can be applied to buildings or structures to offer extra protection and insulation. 

In many instances though, it’s simply used to enhance the look of a building. It’s also a great way to merge old with new if you’re extending or renovating.  

What materials can be used for external cladding?

  • Timber cladding

A traditional option and another favourite of period homes, the downside of timber cladding is the level of maintenance required. 

Woods such as cedar or oak can be left untreated, but softwood will require regular staining or painting to preserve the look. 

  • Stone cladding

Some stones are synonymous with an area – grey slate in the Lake District through to the yellow limestone of the Cotswolds.  

Whether you’re extending, renovating, or building from scratch, stone cladding can help you to be sympathetic to your surroundings and create a structure that fits in with, rather than fights against, its environment. 

  • Metal cladding

For industrial appeal, metal cladding is being used more and more. 

Ageing with interest, a metal such as copper will start as a shiny brown shade, darkening and dulling down before eventually turning green. This transformation occurs over numerous years and allows the appearance of a building to change and evolve over time. 

  • Composite cladding

The modern option, composite exterior cladding offers the popular Scandi-look of slatted timber but with less upkeep required. 

If you’re a keen DIYer, it’s one of the most versatile and user-friendly options. Being lightweight, it lends itself to being lifted into position, boards are also easy to cut and usually fit together using a simple interlocking panel system. 

Prefinished they don’t require any treatment or painting and won’t warp or rot over time.  

  • Tiles

A style steeped in history, cladding properties with hanging tiles is a method that has been used for centuries. 

Today, they’re still a go-to choice for architects and designers, but be aware – in certain areas of the country, the type of tiles you use (slate, clay etc) can be a stipulation of planning permission.  

  • Render

Although not cladding in the traditional sense, rendering is another popular option for covering the exterior of a property. 

Here a mix of sand and cement, or a synthetic resin, is applied to external walls to prevent erosion and improve aesthetics. 

Applied as a colour (that doesn’t need repainting!), it’s a great breathable option and a favourite with period properties. 

Which type of cladding should you choose? 

For better or worse, the cladding you choose will transform the look of your home – so it’s important to get it right. 

Think about the look you want to achieve but take into consideration your surroundings too. And remember, when it comes to cladding, it’s advisable to check with your local planning authority. 

If you live in a period property or conservation area, there can be strict guidelines in place – so it’s always worth checking things out before you commit.

If there is no guidance, you’re free to choose – and there’s no need to be limited to just one! You could create real architectural interest by mixing things up – composite cladding and traditional stone tiles for example. 

That said, be aware that the more types of cladding you use, the more likely you are to spend. As you’ll need to order smaller qualities and may require the skill of different tradespeople. 

The easiest, most cost-effective and, we think, one of the most attractive options available is composite cladding. 

This contemporary choice doesn’t just look good, it’s also one the most durable and low-maintenance options – and one of the easiest to fit. 

To find out more about exterior composite cladding, why not talk to the specialists at HR Composites? With a great range of attractive cladding for both external and internal use, get in touch with their team today for expert advice or to place an order.  

In: Guest Posts

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Hi everyone! I'm Donna. Mummy. Blogger. Social Media Manager. Traveller. Lover of stars, rainbows and gin. Firm believer that tea and cake can fix most things.

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