think green

When the taxi is green as an apple @appletaxiexeter

Calling a taxi can be a headache because there are different companies and some can be better than others.

Exeter in Devon (South West of England) seems to have found the winning formula.

The main company is called Apple Taxis.

#vroomvroom My taxi firm of choice is @AppleTaxiExeter. Find drivers courteous and on time, fab booking app too. pic.twitter.com/txfpMpxd4z

— Emily of Devon (@PeopleOfDevon) April 15, 2015

Initially, there were Capital and Gemini which became one.

The contact number remains the same and is easy to remember - check the website HERE. It is in fact hard not to notice the cars, because there are so many of them. A bit like the yellow cabs of New York...they are everywhere.

Some cars are: eco friendly/hybrid/electric and this is also what Apple Taxis is after. Their eco policy is rather interesting:

Click on image to see larger version

What do most customers want from a business? Efficiency, great customer service, punctuality especially when it is to catch a train or plane. Lateness is not acceptable. Fear not as all drivers from this company  are real experts to drive you from A to B without any hassle.

Technology is also onboard. Each driver has a device which allows the Head Office to track their exact position. What does this mean?

For instance, when/if you call the main switchboard number, the operator will check which car is the nearest from your address. The waiting time to pick you up will be shorter than normal and when you contact them by using your smartphone, you will receive a text when the taxi is outside your building.

An impressive change which gives the new and existing users a real faith into their service. No real stress and hassle of being late for your meeting or else. Everything is correctly timed.

The service is overall pleasing and there is always the question whether you need a receipt. Business cards are also available in case you want to pass their details to a local business or some friends.

It could even be slightly less corporate by handing out a sort of quirky taxi shaped fridge magnet with the main information including the twitter handle @appletaxiexeter.

Social media interaction is absolutely essential not only to get this online interaction but to improve what is not exactly right, following clients' feedback.

 

Meet Guillaume Néry at 117 metres underwater [video]

Guillaume Néry is a French diver. His discipline is about free diving...deep underwater at 117 metres.

 

Time-lapse in Los Angeles [video]

Gavin Heffernan and Harun Mehmedinovic are photographers who have created this fantastic time-lapse, capturing the beauty of Los Angeles' sky and stars.

Celebrities babywear outfit for a newborn

Parents and families are going through the same ups and downs - worries and anxieties when having children.

There is a moment which is unique and difficult to share, because it is a personal event: the birth of a son or daughter. Each time it seems to be the same emotion for both parents.

But once the newborn in this World everyone wants to seem him/her or them if they are twins.

At the moment (April 2015), journalists are kept busy and ready for some exciting news regarding two well known individuals.

Let's start with The Duchess of Cambridge more commonly known as Kate Middleton, wife of Prince William (himself The Duke of Cambridge - son of Lady Diana and Prince Charles).

image Source - The Telegraph

Prince George is almost two (in July). It is April 2015 and Kate is due to give birth anytime now. No one exactly know whether she is expecting a boy or a girl. It will be a surprise for of all us.

For some unknown reasons, there have been guesses about the eventual names of the newborn. It is always surprising that people have nothing better to do than anticipating such decisions. In the end it could be a rather unusual name that wasn't even on the "potential" list. Reporters, journalists and other editors like to create a buzz around the private/secret life of The Royal Family!

The second person in the limelight of parenthood is Keira Knightley! Indeed, the actress who was in many costume dramas is pregnant and has not been shy to show it.

Various newspapers, magazines have published images either when she is casually shopping or during The Oscars.

image Source Elle Fashion Magazine

There is always a kind of rush to get photographs of pregnant celebrities.

Then it is about the first channel, radio station and magazine to announce the birth with as many information as possible with a lot of "if", because nothing is really clear.

The fashion is also something to take into consideration. For the mother to be but also for the future baby. Everything is observed and scanned very closely, because it is always good to know what these women have been wearing during the nine months previous to the birth of their little one.

It is certain that if it is a boy or a girl the outfit for the newborn will be different. Meanwhile, being stylish is always important, even if the all in one babywear will be too small within a few months. It is about looking good whatever the age.

A good example, remember when Victoria Beckham and her daughter Harper started to appear in public: the toddler was wearing haute couture fashion labels.

Is this not slightly too excessive?

Without a doubt, parents want everything good for their future generation including success in life, comfortable and good looking clothes.

Dressing well is a great feeling whatever the age. Look, even Queen Elizabeth II who will celebrate her 89th birthday on 21st April, will wear an immaculate ensemble with the usual assorted hat.

 

 

 

When your pension becomes cash for investment property

From 6th April 2015, things are changing for anyone aged 55 and over with a pension pot!

Indeed, all the money saved for your old days, can now be released for whatever reason.

This is welcome by many - but can also be dangerous as people could go to an endless shopping spree.

Of course, all depends on the amount available but there is no restriction.

A couple could decide to buy a sports car, go to luxury hotels and get the best meals and stay in expensive hotels throughout the world. Meanwhile, the direction of investment property and the buy-to-let is the popular choice for many. There is no need to rush a transaction whether it is for a car, clothes or travel. The excitement is natural though... because it is something which could change your lifestyle.

A few UK pension companies were ready to receive their clients on Easter Monday - so much so that their offices/branches were open on that particular Bank Holiday! 

The Guardian wrote a detailed article about the pension pot revolution and its danger - see HERE.

Surely, when you reach a certain age you are getting wiser but who knows - especially when suddenly you can get something instantly by unlocking this amount of cash, initially destined to cover your life after work.

The great thing is that most sensible people will think, and then decide what is best. Because investing is certainly a great idea - as long as it is worse it and with minimum risks. It would be awful to see all this financial effort reduced to nothing due to an inconsiderate decision.

...The Association of British Insurers, which represents the big pension firms, has warned consumers not to “panic or rush into making decisions” and to be on their guard...

Nowadays, getting a mortgage whether you are first buyer or not can be hectic and stressful. Now, this important announcement may allow parents/grand-parents to invest for themselves but also support their child(ren) and grand-child(ren) as the deposit is usually the main problem.

We all know that landlords are rather pleased when it comes to adjust their rents because the demand is high and consequently there is (almost) not limit. Renting is expensive but it wins over buying an accommodation.

A mortgage monthly payment is generally cheaper than a rent (sometimes it can be half the actual amount required by the proprietor). The credit crunch didn't help the potential buyers because most banks became careful about who to lend money to. It became a chain reaction or a snowball effect - call it whatever you want but families started to struggle to get through their expenses without asking for help and support.

Financial establishments started to reduce allowances and this triggered a situation where UK housing repossession was involved. It is a serious matter with heavy consequences, where a protocol and procedures need to be followed (read HERE).

Will the pension pot new rules/legislation change the UK economy and the way people deal with their finances?

 

 

 

 

 

Overpopulation on Earth - is there a danger

A few years back weekends were dedicated to leaving the urban space for a bit of trekking, walking and even camping on the Moors...or just visiting the countryside.

Of course, if you got to a remote part of the United Kingdom (this could be Cornwall or Lundy Island), there will be no reception on your e-gadget (smartphone or tablet). And THIS is maybe a reason why there is a real concentration of people in the urban landscape. People want and like to browse the internet and social media like it has a become a 21st century addiction.

Nature is unique an d beautiful... but individuals don't seem to appreciate this anymore. You can hear the words "boring" or just "there is nothing to do there". When in fact, there is so much to see and discover or explore.

The main concern is about: overpopulation + overdevelopment = overshoot.

To address this situation Global Situation Speak Out has released a rather interesting book which is worse seeing and buying!

You can follow @GlobalSpeakOut on twitter.