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Home > Europe > The Wonders Of Western Scotland
The Wonders of Western Scotland
12-day example trip
Similar Trips From
Beautiful Glencoe and its natural surroundings are a treasure trove of hiking opportunities
Eilean Donan Castle sitting proudly where three lochs meet, Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh
Colourful houses along the harbourfront on Skye
Blessed by wonderful views of Skye, the Attadale Gardens feature extensive water gardens and ancient paths dotted with sculptures
The beautiful hills that surround Torridon in Scotland's Northwest Highlands
Sample the famed whisky of the Scottish Highlands
Blair Castle is the ancestral home of the Clan Murray
The glistening Loch Lee in the Cairngorms National Park
The beautiful Glamis Castle is the home of the Earl and Countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne
A ferry service docked at the port of Mallaig
Torridon
West Coast and Islands
Discover historic castles, awe-inspiring natural landscapes and the waters of Scottish lochs
Personalised journeys from start to finish
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Suggested places to visit
Luxury accommodation throughout
Private tours focused around the immense history and nature of Western Scotland
Full support from your travel designer and concierge before, during and after your trip
Our help with restaurant recommendations and reservations
Expert guides in each destination
Use this itinerary to inspire your bespoke journey
Western Scotland and its surrounding Highlands boast some of the most spectacular scenery in Europe. From glistening lochs and snow-capped mountains to verdant forests and dramatic coastline, this region of Scotland is a playground for lovers of the great outdoors and nature. In addition to this, these pristine landscapes are dotted with striking castles, gorgeous gardens and famous whisky distilleries, adding a significant dose of heritage and culture to any adventure here.
This 12-day itinerary is designed to provide a taste of all of these rewarding elements, beginning in Torridon, a haven for hikers and climbers. After walking amid its beautiful hills, you'll head south-west to the Applecross Peninsula, a coastal area of dramatic scenery which peers across to the Isle of Rona and the Isle of Raasay, before a visit to the iconic Eilean Donan Castle. A few days exploring the Isle of Skye follow, with experiences including a whisky distillery tour and a boat tour exploring the Isles of Rona and Raasay.
Your next stop takes you to the gateway to Ben Nevis, Fort William. Begin your time here by riding a section of the West Highland Line, one of the most scenic railway journeys in the world. After exploring the beauty and heritage of Glencoe and paying a visit to the 13th-century Blair Castle, you'll get the chance to absorb the immense surroundings of the Cairngorms National Park, encounter Glamis Castle and wander charming Arbroath. Your Western Scotland adventure ends in the Scottish Lowlands and the majestic Loch Lomond, where you'll enjoy a private cruise within one of the UK's most memorable national parks.
Example trip itinerary
Flights & transfers
Airside assistance at Inverness airport
Private transfer to your hotel in Torridon
Accommodation in Torridon
Whisky bar
Set within 58 acres of parkland at the foot a sea loch, Torridon Hotel enjoys a truly idyllic location that lets guests really appreciate the rugged beauty of the Highlands. 18 bedrooms feature bold prints and quirky accessories, many coming with freestanding bathtubs and views out across the loch and towards the Torridon Mountains. The 1887 Restaurant offers a daily changing three, four or seven-course menu using ingredients sourced from the kitchen garden. Apples, blackberries and raspberries help make the sweetest of pudding, and vegetables and herbs make their way onto the plate within hours of being picked. Highland cattle, chickens and Tamworth pigs are also reared on the estate. For a pre or post-dinner tipple, make your way to the whisky bar – with over 350 labels you're certainly not going to go thirsty. With such a formidable landscape on your doorstep, you'll want to check out the range of activities offered by the hotel. The adventurous may with to go mountaineering, gorge scrambling or coasteering; take to the loch in a kayak or canoe; or try your hand at archery or clay pigeon shooting. Of course, curling up in front of the fire or enjoying afternoon tea while looking out across the ever-changing landscape is as fine a way to spend your times as any.
Hiking in the Torridon area
Join your guide for a day's hiking in the wilds of the West Coast.
Explore Scotland's West Coast
Applecross is widely considered to be one of the most picturesque locations on the West Coast. Located on a peninsula looking out towards the Isle of Raasay and Isle of Skye, the Applecross Peninsula is home to just a couple of hundred people. A place of peace and tranquility, but also of drama and power in the huge landscapes and variable weather, this is one of Scotland's most evocative places.
Attadale Gardens sit tucked along the side of a wooded valley, overlooking a picturesque inlet. The gardens are an extraordinary series of rooms, reflecting the creative talents of its succession of owners. The gardens now belong to a local branch of the Macpherson clan from nearby Skye. Explore the gardens on a private tour and discover how the varied planting scheme thrives in the climate of Scotland's West Coast.
Eilean Donan Castle tour
Visit the evocative Eilean Donan Castle, perched on a small tidal island at the convergence of three sea lochs. Eilean Donan possesses all the qualities of a romantic castle and is one of the Highland's greatest beauties.
Private transfer to your hotel in Skye
Accommodation in Skye
Kinloch Lodge
Kinloch is a luxury family-run hotel in the beautiful surrounds of the rugged Isle of Sky in what once was a 17th-century hunting lodge. Found at the foot of a indomitable mountain and at the head of the tranquil waters of Loch na Da, this is truly the ideal place to escape the noise and stresses of modern life. Here you will find guest rooms that are individually decorated in a calming, earthy palette and textures chosen to invoke Skye's distinctive landscape. Each room is decorated with unique antiques, prints and paintings, and the large Edwardian windows ensure plenty of natural light. Some of the rooms also have exquisite views across Loch na Dal or towards Kinloch Hill. Steeped in heritage – with several old portraits of the original lodge owner's family hung in the dining room – the lodge exemplifies all the traditions of highland hospitality and your welcome here will be warmer than the many log fires lighting up every hearth. When you have soaked up the serenity of the atmosphere and find yourself seeking some exhilaration, there are plenty of activities to choose from to satisfy such desires. Fly fishing will take you on a thrilling quest for the elusive wild Scottish salmon while stalking will connect you to the roots of the property's history as a hunting lodge. Wild walks take you further into the rugged landscapes beyond the estate, which call out to be explored, while a range of cookery classes provide entertainment and insight into local cuisine, all from the warmth of the lodges interior. After working up an appetite after any number of these activities, you'll delight in the culinary treasures found here. Simply cooked local produce is generously served by award winning chef Marcello Tully, who won and maintained a Michelin star for seven years running.
Skye's rugged landscapes and dramatic mountain scenery are unrivalled among the islands of the West Coast. There are only a few roads crossing the island and its isolated position has ensured it retains a strong and proud Gaelic identity. There is a thriving art and crafts tradition on the island and photographers from far and wide are attracted not only for the peaks and valleys but for the extraordinary abundance of wildlife, both on dry land and in the sea, that Skye is famous for.
Talisker Distillery tour
Talisker is the oldest working distillery on the Isle of Skye, set on the shores of Loch Harport in the village of Carbost. Tour of the distillery, seeing its five copper pot stills and the traditional worm tubs that make our Talisker so unique, then take a look at the casks in the warehouse where the Angel's Share is lost to evaporation during maturation. End with a taste of the-award winning, alluring, sweet, full-bodied single malt.
Rona and Raasay boat tour
This morning you will enjoy a leisurely cruise to the stunning Rona Harbour (Acarsaid Mhor), taking in views of the iconic Storr and Cuillins along the way. Wildlife spotting opportunities are abundant throughout this trip, from seabirds to marine life. In particular, Rona has a resident seal colony, so make sure you pick up a pair of binoculars to view them basking on the rocks.
Guests go ashore and have up to two hours during which they can explore the natural beauty of this remote island. The views looking back toward Skye are magnificent. The historical site of An Teampull, a small 14th-century chapel, can be accessed on foot. Take a hike to the ruins of a settlement that dates back to the Scottish Clearances. Alternatively walk to the dramatic Church Cave, which was used for Sunday worship until 1912.
Your next destination is the Isle of Raasay where you will stop for a fresh, locally caught, seafood lunch. Head ashore and enjoy the many activities on offer. We recommend a visit to the newly built Raasay Distillery for a tour with the friendly staff and a taste of their whisky. Booking in advance for this tour is advisable. Alternatively Raasay House offers kayak hire, bicycle hire (manual and electric), and archery for the more adventurous. Raasay House also offers minibus tours up to the historical sites of Brochel Castle, Calum's Road and Rainey's Wall. Or simply walk one of the many trails and appreciate the spectacular views.
Return to the Seaflower for the journey back to Portree,
Ferry from Armadale to Mallaig
Hiking in Western Scotland
From the coast to the mountains, the landscapes here are a paradise for lovers of the great outdoors. Mind, the weather can be very unpredictable and variable, even in the height of summer and the planned route may change at the last minute. But that's part of the adventure and every glen has something new to reveal.
Private transfer to your hotel in Fort William
Accommodation in Fort William
Extensive whisky library
Full-sized snooker table
Extensive landscaped gardens and private loch
Backed Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis, and reflected in its own loch, the setting of Inverlochy Castle is more than matched by the great house's grandeur. Built 1863, a visiting Queen Victoria commented, 'I never saw a lovelier or more romantic spot', and it is certainly as impressive today. Arrive to an aristocratic welcome, perhaps after pulling up in the hotel's Rolls Royce, and step into the aptly named Grand Hall. This is a place that has unashamedly stuck to its guns décor-wise, an eclectic mix of opulent 19th century styles, and it is all the better for it. Combined with the surroundings and impeccable service, it simply feels 'right'. There are 17 unique rooms in the main house, all spacious and thoroughly comfortable with unobtrusive modern features and delightful bathrooms. Dining is a full country house experience, starting with a drink by the fire, followed by a multi-course dinner courtesy of Albert and Michel Roux Jr celebrating modern British cuisine with French influences, perhaps ending sampling some of the extensive whisky collection. Spend your days here walking in the surrounding hills, fishing on the loch or enjoying afternoon tea. The array of outdoor activities in the Fort William area are within also all easy reach such as pony trekking, golf, mountain biking, climbing and white-water rafting.
West Highland Line - Scenic train over Rannoch Moor
The West Highland Line is one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world, linking Glasgow with the West Coast of Scotland. It's part of the national network and is a little glimpse into Highland life. The stretch over Rannoch Moor is a particularly splendid part of the line. The Moor is inaccessible by road and its wild beauty gives a strong sense of the remoteness of the place. What makes it special for rail fans, however, are the construction techniques of the Victoria navvies, who "floated" the line over a bed of earth and wood to stop the metal rails from sinking into the bog. Your guide will drop you off at the station and pick you up at the other end so you will enjoy this scenic journey in the company of other passengers.
Glencoe is undoubtedly one of the most awe-inspiring sights in the whole of Scotland. Site of the 1692 Massacre of Glencoe, today it is a hauntingly beautiful Highland glen which evokes the spirit of the clans who ruled this land for centuries.
Blair Castle
Blair Castle is unlike any other castle in Scotland. Its baronial architecture and beautiful setting in wooded grounds with mountainous backdrop are typical enough, but a couple of accidents of history have set Blair Castle apart. In 1844 Queen Victoria spent three weeks at Blair and during her stay granted the Duke a private army, the Atholl Highlanders, today the only private army in Europe. In more recent times, the castle passed to a branch of the family currently residing in South Africa.
Private transfer to your hotel in the Cairngorms National Park
Accommodation in Cairngorms National Park
Fife Arms
46 rooms and suites
Two bars
This lovingly restored and refurbished hotel within the Cairngorms National Park in Braemar has been designed to feel like a welcoming country house, while retaining the property's sense of grandeur and history. Each of the 46 rooms and suites has been individually decorated and furnished. There are six room types to choose from, with each fitting a meticulously researched theme or dedicated to a local person, place or event. The Royal Suites, with views out over the surrounding landscape, have been inspired by some of the noble visitors who visited Braemar in the past. Furnishings are rich, with carefully-chosen antiques, artworks and even some items that once belonged to some of the historic figures themselves. Reflecting the hotel's history as a 19th-century coaching inn, the Victoriana Suites boast period wallpaper and have views over Braemar. In turn, the Scottish Culture Rooms have been inspired by some of Scotland's leading figures in literature, astronomy, engineering and exploration. In the Nature and Poetry Rooms, natural materials like heather, wood and tweed feature in the decor along with beautiful headboards engraved with the words of poet Alec Finlay. When it comes to dining, expect menus which make full use of the finest Scottish seasonal produce. From fresh seafood and game to local whiskies and spirits, many of the ingredients used in the kitchens and bars will be sourced from local suppliers, gamekeepers and farmers. Enjoy a selection of ales and whiskies at The Flying Stag, take a table in The Clunie Dining Room and allow executive chef Robert Cameron to impress with Scottish cuisine, and enjoy a nightcap at the beautiful art deco cocktail bar Elsa's.
Visit the Cairngorms National Park
The Cairngorms are blessed with some of Scotland's best scenery. Over 55 Munros (mountains over 3,000 feet), incredible wildlife and native woodland, such as the Abernethy Forest with its original Caledonian pines, are just some of the reasons it is widely considered one of the UK's best national parks.
Offroad tour in the Cairngorms National Park
Go on an offroad tour on private hill roads into the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. On the tour, you will have a good chance of seeing red deer, golden eagles, red and black grouse, red squirrels and mountain hares. You will discover a landscape steeped in history and folklore, learn about land management and the diversity of flora and fauna, absorb our breathtaking views. The tour is done at a leisurely pace to give you plenty of opportunity to enjoy the remote and dramatic landscape.
Glamis Castle is the ancestral home of the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne and is perhaps best known as being the childhood home of the Queen Mother and as the setting for William Shakespeare's Macbeth. A fascinating collection of furniture, paintings and objects testify to its history and the castle retains a lived in feel.
Arbroath Smokie
Visit the coastal town of Arbroath, perched on the east coast of Scotland. Arbroath has given its name to the Arbroath Smokie, a smoke-cured haddock considered one of Scotland's most emblematic dishes. Many old smokehouses are still in operation around the harbour and you'll have the chance to meet the owner of one and witness the process of filleting and smoking. This is an untouched corner of Scotland and retains a strong feeling of local life. Walk around the town with your guide and visit Arbroath Abbey before popping back to the smokehouse to taste a freshly-smoked smokie.
Private transfer to your hotel in Perthshire
Days 10-12
Accommodation in Perthshire
Three championship golf courses
Six restaurants and bars
Equestrian school
Set on 850 acres, this Scottish countryside estate boasts three championship golf courses, fine-dining restaurants and a variety of outdoor activities. With a choice between traditional opulence and contemporary luxury, many of the 232 rooms offer views over the grounds. Soft fabrics and modern touches make even the more compact rooms into intimate and comfortable havens. Take a table at the Michelin starred Andrew Fairlie restaurant, or dine at The Strathearn, The Dormy Clubhouse or enjoy lighter meals and drinks at one of the hotel's bars. Gleneagles is perfectly suited to guests of all ages, and there are outdoor activities to keep the whole family entertained. From it's world famous golf to off-road driving, mountain biking, falconry, fishing, archery and horse-riding, you will be able to make the most of Scotland's fresh air and beautiful scenery. You can also indulge in a selection of traditional therapies and alternative treatments at The Spa at Gleneagles by ESPA.
Loch Lomond private cruise
Loch Lomond is one of Scotland's most evocative sites. Its location in the Trossachs National Park make it both a physical and symbolic border of the Highlands and Lowlands. It's a popular location for many visitors to Scotland, and to avoid the crowds, this excursion will take you out on a private motor boat to discover the loch up close. The southern half of the loch is dotted with many tiny islands, one of which has a colony of very elusive wallabies! If you're feeling adventurous, you can use the boat's inflatable landing boat to reach one of the island's beaches. The northern half of the loch is an altogether different landscape and resembles a Norwegian fjord with the magnificent Trossachs mountain in the background.
Private transfer to Edinburgh airport
Use the navigation to jump down to a particular part of this example trip
Days 1-3: Torridon
Days 3-6: Skye
Days 6-8: Fort William
Days 8-10: Cairngorms National Park
Days 10-12: Perthshire
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Example itinerary
• Torridon Hotel - $$$$$
Set within 58 acres of parkland at the foot a sea loch, Torridon Hotel enjoys a truly idyllic...
• Kinloch Lodge - $$$$$
Kinloch is a luxury family-run hotel in the beautiful surrounds of the rugged Isle of Sky in...
• Inverlochy Castle Hotel - $$$$$
Backed Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis, and reflected in its own loch, the setting of...
• Fife Arms - $$$$$
This lovingly restored and refurbished hotel within the Cairngorms National Park in Braemar...
• Gleneagles - $$$$$
Set on 850 acres, this Scottish countryside estate boasts three championship golf courses,...
Please note that this is an example itinerary. Your trip will be personailised just for you, by one of our expert travel designers.
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A $3,500 limited-time rebate is available to Touchstone Energy cooperatives, members, and employees. Simply print this flyer and take your electric bill and/or proof of cooperative employment, to your local NISSAN Dealer and you may become eligible to use the special Fleet Certification Code to obtain your special rebate. Offer expires April 1, 2019.
There is also Federal tax credit ranges between $2,500 and $7,500, depending on the capacity of the battery. Learn more at irs.gov.
ECI REC also offers rebates on residential Level II Chargers requiring a 240/208 volt input supply. Members may qualify for 50% of installed cost up to $500. Learn more about the program requirements via the rebate form.
EVs produce no tailpipe emissions and have lower lifecycle emissions than gasoline-powered vehicles.
EVs generally have lower maintenance and fuel costs, reducing the total cost of ownership.
Variety among electric vehicles is still limited, and EVs command a price premium. In addition, several pure electrics may not meet people's needs if they drive more than 70 miles per day and do not have access to a workplace or public charging. Plug-in hybrids solve the range problem, but they still need a place to plug in to take full advantage of how they operate.
While statistics show that 78 percent of American drivers travel less than 40 miles a day, and 90 percent drive less than 50 miles a day, people in single-vehicle households who need to make long trips even occasionally are probably not the best match for most current pure EV offerings. But if charging access is available, a plug-in hybrid can go the distance. Of course, nothing says an EV has to be somebody's only car. A conventional gas-powered car can fill in where a pure EV falls short—and vice versa—in a multi-car household.
How much would the electricity costs be?
Some popular electric and plug-in cars are sticker-priced at $26,000 to $32,000 before the tax credit. Leases are available for as little as $120 a month (after you sign the tax credit over to the leasing company).
Charge times vary greatly, depending on the size of the battery, how fast the car is able to take the charge and the amperage of the circuit. For most EV owners, charging overnight is the cheapest and most convenient option (much like charging a smartphone), so comparing hours when shopping isn't necessary for most applications. Unless you are pushing the range limit on a daily basis, you won't have to fill it up from empty to full very often.
DC fast chargers, which can power up to 80 percent of the battery's range in about 20 to 30 minutes, are expanding around the country, but they're still few and far between. There are only about 300 DC fast chargers publically available. In addition, Tesla's supercharger network boasts over 500 stations around the country, and those powerful chargers can restore 100 miles of range in as little as 20 minutes for the Tesla Model S.
It's possible to charge a plug-in hybrid overnight, even on a standard 110-volt household outlet. Practically speaking, owning a pure EV probably means installing a 240-volt, Level 2 home charger. These chargers sell for $400 to $700, depending mainly on amperage and the length of the cable. Installation can run an additional $300 to $500, or more, depending on the distance to the fuse box. These Level 2 units will allow you to charge in less than half the time of a standard wall outlet or as little as four hours for some electrics. The latest models will charge four times as fast as a home outlet.


Here's the 2nd article about our finances. Our donations were up in February but down again in March. Please check your group contribution amounts. Are you keeping a prudent reserve or do you have an excess of funds? Those funds could be helping us do important work in the area! We have many recurring expenses each month and maybe you aren't aware where the area money is going.
Here's a few places it goes.
The AIMS—printing, putting it together and mailing it is running between $700-$1,100 each month.
Directories—Printing is about $700 and the $1 charged does not cover all of those costs.
Website—we have monthly bills to keep the website running for hosting of $20. We also pay annual fees for the domain and hosting of about $400.
Storage—We have a small unit to keep our old records and archive materials and that runs $110 each month.
When I started this position, I did not really know where the area money went. Now I'm seeing it and I would guess most of our members don't really know of everything done at the area. Our area is very active and supportive of Al-Anon and our members! It's entirely up to the groups to make sure the area can continue to do this good work for everyone. Please be generous with the donations and continue to support the efforts of so many in the program!
I sent a group donation to Linda Minnich and my check has not cleared yet. Please tell me where to send money. When I sent money in May, the check cleared.


1. Judaism is the culture and history of the Jewish People.
2. You have the power and responsibility to shape your own life independent of supernatural authority.
3. You would like to celebrate Jewish holidays with songs, poetry, and philosophic reflection.
4. You want to introduce your children to their Jewish cultural heritage.
If you think these statements are true, you may be a Humanistic Jew. Learn more about Humanistic Judaism and an inclusive welcoming community near you. Contact Rabbi Miriam Jerris.


text:
England, 1942. After three years of WWII, Britain is showing the scars. But in this darkest of days, three lives intertwine, changing their destinies and those of many more.
Dr Archibald McIndoe, a New Zealand plastic surgeon with unorthodox methods, is on a mission to treat and rehabilitate badly burned airmen – their bodies and souls. With the camaraderie and support of the Guinea Pig Club, his boys battle to overcome disfigurement, pain, and prejudice to learn to live again.
John 'Mac' Mackenzie of the US Air Force is aware of the odds. He has one chance in five of surviving the war. Flying bombing missions through hell and back, he's fighting more than the Luftwaffe. Fear and doubt stalk him on the ground and in the air, and he's torn between his duty and his conscience.
Shy, decent and sensible Stella Charlton's future seems certain until war breaks out. As a new recruit to the WAAF, she meets an American pilot on New Year's Eve. After just one dance, she falls head over heels for the handsome airman. But when he survives a crash, she realises her own battle has only just begun.
Based on a true story, "The Beauty Shop" is a moving tale of love, compassion, and determination against a backdrop of wartime tragedy.
Available from Amazon in e-book and paperback format. Read for Free on Kindle Unlimited. Also available to order from Foyles, Barnes & Noble, Waterstones and many other online retailers and local bookstores.
February 1933: Nancy Wake is a gregarious twenty-year-old looking for adventure. Having fled her unhappy family home in Sydney, she becomes a journalist and is thrilled when she is posted to Paris. The city is glamorous, brimming with journalists, artists, and a growing number of refugees.
Later, in the French Riviera, she uncovers more than news following a chance encounter with wealthy industrialist, Henri Fiocca. Their relationship blossoms as Hitler makes waves across Europe. While on an assignment in Vienna in 1938, she witnesses Nazis whipping Jews on the street and she vows to fight for justice if ever the opportunity arises.
When Henri is called to the Front to fight, Nancy, determined to help the war effort, joins the Red Cross as an ambulance driver. Every day she witnesses atrocities. When Paris falls, Nancy flees the German oppressors and returns to Marseille. France is a nation defeated; its people are in despair.
A chance encounter with a British officer draws Nancy into the heart of the Garrow escape network, despite Henri's reservations. Soon she finds herself caught up in a deadly game of espionage.
As the iron fist of the enemy tightens, neighbours denounce neighbours. No one can be trusted. When the enemy closes in, Nancy and Henri face an impossible choice. Has she done more harm than good?
Based on a true story of love and a gripping adventure, Madame Fiocca weaves an extraordinary tale of survival and redemption in wartime.
Available in e-book format from:

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


In an uncharacteristically quick move, the FDA released this official guidance less than a year after the draft was released for comments. This guidance for medical device manufacturers "recognizes today's reality – cybersecurity threats are real, ever-present, and continuously changing."
FDA releases official guidance on postmarket cybersecurity less than a year after the draft guidance was released for comments.
A Modern oath for modern medical devices.


text:
Tag: rom com
blog tour, books, reviews
Blog Tour: The Bookshop of Second Chances – Jackie Fraser
Sep 8, 2021 Sep 6, 2021 ramblingmads
Thea Mottram is having a bad month. She's been let go from her office job with no notice—and to make matters even worse, her husband of nearly twenty years has decided to leave her for one of her friends. Bewildered and completely lost, Thea doesn't know what to do. But when she learns that a distant great uncle in Scotland has passed away, leaving her his home and a hefty antique book collection, she decides to leave Sussex for a few weeks. Escaping to a small coastal town where no one knows her seems to be exactly what she needs.
Almost instantly, Thea becomes enamored with the quaint cottage, comforted by its cozy rooms and lovely but neglected garden. The locals in nearby Baldochrie are just as warm, quirky, and inviting. The only person she can't seem to win over is bookshop owner Edward Maltravers, to whom she hopes to sell her uncle's book collection. His gruff attitude—fueled by an infamous, long-standing feud with his brother, a local lord—tests Thea's patience. But bickering with Edward proves oddly refreshing and exciting, leading Thea to develop feelings she hasn't experienced in a long time. As she follows a thrilling yet terrifying impulse to stay in Scotland indefinitely, Thea realizes that her new life may quickly become just as complicated as the one she was running from.
My thoughts: this is a rather charming rom com set in a small Scottish town. I loved Thea, she was so funny and relatable. Who hasn't, when it's all going wrong, longed to inherit a house, money and a library miles away and get to start over?
I liked Thea's friends, the locals, even the bickering Charles and Edward, especially Edward. Supposedly grumpy but secretly charming.
A really fun, enjoyable read.
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour but all opinions remain my own.
Tagged blog tour, books, reviews, rom comLeave a comment
Blog Tour: Eight Perfect Hours – Lia Louis
What if you fell in love…
… and then he disappeared?
When Noelle and Sam's lives collide one snowy evening, they spend eight perfect hours stuck side by side believing that they'll never see each other again.
But soon their lives become entangled in ways they never expected – and it's going to change everything…
My thoughts: this was a lovely, sweet, very enjoyable rom com. I loved all the ways Noelle and Sam collided, and the fact that they had been just missing each other for years was charming. I didn't like slimy Ed and was very glad he got caught out and ditched. I also loved Noelle's friends, Charlie and Theo – they were so supportive and generous, even while dealing with their own problems.
Blog Tour: The Mismatch – Sara Jafari*
For a young woman who just wants to get her first kiss out of the way, a rugby player seems like the perfect mismatch. But a kiss is never just a kiss. . . .
Now that Soraya Nazari has graduated from university, she thinks it's time she get some of the life experience that she feels she's still lacking, partly due to her upbringing–and Magnus Evans seems like the perfect way to get it.
Whereas she's the somewhat timid, artistic daughter of Iranian immigrants, Magnus is the quintessential British lad. Because they have so little in common, Soraya knows there's no way she could ever fall for him, so what's the harm in having a little fun as she navigates her postgrad life? Besides, the more she discovers about her mother's past and the strain between her parents, the less appealing marriage becomes.
Before long, Soraya begins to realize that there's much more to Magnus than meets the eye. But could she really have a relationship with him? Is she more like her mother than she ever would have thought?
With unforgettable characters at its heart, The Mismatch is a gorgeously written coming-of-age story that shows that love can be found in even the most unexpected places.
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Win a copy via Qamar Tours Twitter (US only, ends 17th August,please see the tweet for details)
Sara Jafari is a London-based British Iranian writer whose work has been longlisted for Spread the Word's Life Writing Prize and published in gal-dem and The Good Journal. She is a contributor to I Will Not Be Erased and the romance anthology Who's Loving You. Jafari works as an editor and runs TOKEN magazine, which showcases writing and artwork by underrepresented writers and artists. The Mismatch is her debut novel.
Website Goodreads Instagram Twitter
My thoughts: for a debut novel this was incredibly accomplished and read like it had been written by someone much further along in their career. It was touching, thoughtful and highly enjoyable.
While I'm not Muslim, a lot of my friends are, and some of the things Soraya was dealing with – the conflict between her faith, culture and modern secular society are things I've definitely discussed with my friends. Choosing whether or not to wear a hijab, pray five times a day, eat halal, all of these and more. Relationships – absolutely. Every one of my friends has done it differently, some choosing to go down a more traditional route and others finding different paths. And I think it's something a lot of people can relate to. Even if you're not religious.
Soraya felt like a friend, like someone I know. She struggles to find her place in life, what to do after uni (me too, English Lit grads are famous for being a bit lost I think) and tries to fight her attraction to Magnus – I know his type too.
I liked the contrasting chapters – moving between Soraya and her mum, between their lives and their hopes, between Iran and the UK. I felt it gave me a much greater understanding of where Neda was coming from, what her worries were. I didn't take to Hossein though – but I don't think it's easy to love someone so lost to themselves, who treats their family the way he does and Neda is incredibly strong. The ending filled me with so much hope for the whole family – there can be forgiveness and redemption but it might take time. I honestly really loved this book and yes, I got a little teary at the end. I can't wait to see what Sara writes next.
Tagged blog tour, books, contemporary fiction, reviews, rom com3 Comments
Blog Tour: Did You Miss Me? – Sophia Money-Coutts
You never forget the one that got away, do you?
Nell Mason is extremely happy with her life – or at least, that's what she tells herself. She's lucky to have a high-powered job as a lawyer, even if it does come with an eccentric set of billionaire divorce clients. And she's absolutely fine living with her sweet, if slightly dull, boyfriend Gus in their London flat where they have very sensible sex once (OK, sometimes twice) a week. She's definitely not stuck in a rut.
But when Nell bumps into childhood friend and first love Arthur Drummond who broke her heart fifteen years ago, she's more than a little shaken. The seemingly perfect life she's worked so hard for starts to feel, well, less perfect. Maybe Nell's been kidding herself all these years. Can she ever get over her first love?
My thoughts: this was a fun rom com, with lawyer Nell working crazy hours for her completely awful boss, then having to temporarily move back to her parents' home in the wilds of Northumberland to take care of her dad and his broken leg after her mum leaves him. Along the way she rekindles a friendship with her teenage boyfriend Art.
Gus, Nell's pretentious and quite frankly annoying boyfriend, was the sort of person I actively try to avoid so when Nell and Art start to bond again, I was very pleased. I loved Nell's family – her dad and his drinking buddies made me laugh, and her mum and her chickens. I obviously loved Wilma the dog, even when she's a bit of a canine perve.
Blog Tour: The Meeting Point – Olivia Lara
What if the Lift driver who finds your cheating boyfriend's phone holds the directions to true love?
'Who are you and why do you have my boyfriend's phone?'
'He left it in my car. You must be the blonde in the red dress? I'm the Lift driver who dropped you two off earlier.'
And with these words, the life of the brunette and t-shirt wearing Maya Maas is turned upside down. Having planned to surprise her boyfriend, she finds herself single and stranded in an unknown city on her birthday.
So when the mystery driver rescues Maya with the suggestion that she cheers herself up at a nearby beach town, she jumps at the chance to get things back on track. She wasn't expecting a personalised itinerary or the easy companionship that comes from opening up to a stranger via text, let alone the possibility it might grow into something more…
Come on this 5* journey to love, laughter and back again, perfect for fans of Mhairi McFarlane, Josie Silver and Sally Thorne.
Amazon Goodreads
As a child, Olivia not-so-quietly 'observed' (AKA bothered with countless questions) her grandfather — who worked for the biggest publishing house in Romania — edit hundreds of books. And when he wasn't editing, he read. Everything, all the time. Just like her father, who wrote short sci-fi stories, and was set on building the largest library she'd ever seen and her mother who's never found without a book…wherever she goes. Her love for words came naturally, and after studying marketing, communications & photography, Olivia worked as a journalist for a newspaper and news television network in Romania.
An unapologetic citizen of the world, she spent a few years in Greece, Sweden, France, before settling in sunny California with her photographer husband and young daughter, where she works in marketing and writes. Oh, and let's not forget the ever-growing menagerie that completes the family: Pumpkin, the Maine Coon mix, three black cats and a siamese kitten.
When she's not writing or thinking about writing, she reads (across genres), watches old movies and collects vintage books, vinyl records, and eerie paintings. She loves traveling (and can't wait until she can do it again, safely), swimming, biking, hiking and of course, photography.
SOMEDAY IN PARIS, her debut, published by Aria Fiction/Head of Zeus in May 2020 became a B&N, Apple, Kobo and Amazon Top 100 Bestseller and was shortlisted for the Romantic Novel Awards 2021. Her second novel, THE MEETING POINT, a contemporary romcom set in Northern California, is set to be published as an e-book on September 2, 2021 and in paperback in December 2021 in the UK and March, 2022 in the US.
Keep up with Olivia: twitter || instagram || facebook Website
My thoughts: this was a lovely, sweet rom com set on the California coast, where two people share one amazing day, by text. A year later Maya returns to see if it was more than just a single day, but something real.
I loved Maya, I hated her crappy boyfriend and mean boss. I was thrilled she decided to hunt out "Max" in Carmel, and then bicker her way round the Bay Area with Ethan Delphy (a name and a few other things perhaps inspired by a certain trilogy of films…) and I am a secret sucker for a happily ever after, just like Maya.
Basically this was a delightful read, made me want to go back to California, and explore a bit I don't know at all. Curl up with this love story and enjoy being somewhere magical and beautiful, where it's not freezing cold and raining. And where a text could change everything…
Tagged blog tour, books, reviews, rom com, romance1 Comment
Blog Tour: One Lucky Summer – Jenny Oliver
Aug 7, 2021 Aug 5, 2021 ramblingmads
The best kept secrets are waiting to be found…
With an air of faded splendour, Willoughby Hall was an idyllic childhood home to Ruben de Lacy. Gazing at it now, decades later, the memories are flooding back, and not all of them are welcome…
In a tumbledown cottage in Willoughby's grounds, Dolly and Olive King lived with their eccentric explorer father. One of the last things he did was to lay a treasure hunt before he died, but when events took an unexpected turn, Dolly and Olive left Willoughby for good, never to complete it.
But when Ruben uncovers a secret message, hidden for decades, he knows he needs Olive and Dolly's help. Can the three of them solve the treasure hunt, and will piecing together the clues help them understand what happened to their families that summer, all those years ago?
A glorious summer read with a delightful cast of characters from the bestselling author of The Summer We Ran Away.
My thoughts: this was a lovely read, with a wonderful cast of characters; sisters Olive and Dolly, who need to talk more, mad Aunt Marge, Ruben and his daughter Zadie – in need of getting to know one another better, and Dolly's work partner, Fox, who she finds incredibly annoying.
Back when Ruben, Olive and Dolly were kids, the girls father, a treasure hunter, left them a mysterious treasure hunt across the vast de Lacy estate. Now Ruben's hoping to sell up and they decide to solve this final set of clues. Tragedy forced them apart, and forced them to grow up fast. Can they find their way back to who they used to be?
Warm, fun, funny and enjoyable, this is peak summer holiday reading. Even if your summer holiday isn't really happening.
Tagged blog tour, books, contemporary fiction, reviews, rom comLeave a comment
Blog Tour: The Beach Reads Book Club – Kathryn Freeman*
Welcome to the Beach Reads Book Club…where love is just a page away…
When Lottie Watt is unceremoniously booted out of her uptight book club for not following the rules, she decides to throw the rulebook out the window and start her own club – one where conversation, gin and cake take precedent over actually having read the book!
The Beach Reads Book Club soon finds a home for its meetings at Books by the Bay, a charming bookshop and café owned by gorgeous, brooding Matthew Steele, and as the book club picks heat up, so too does the attraction between Matt and Lottie.
If there's anything Lottie has learned from the romances she's been reading, it's that the greatest loves are the ones hardest earned.
A love letter to chicklit, romance, romcoms, whatever you want to call them!
UK AMAZON
US AMAZON
My thoughts: I loved this, as a former member of various book clubs I totally agree with Lottie – the best ones are where you read fun books and have a laugh. Yes, literary fiction is great but sometimes you just want something light and enjoyable – much like this book itself! There's romance, snogging and more! I loved the book club members – Audrey and her gin especially made me laugh, and I really wished I had some delicious cake to eat while reading this.
Blog Tour: Lord Seeks Wife – Heather Barnett*
Take 1,000 women, add one earl and whip into a media frenzy.
Reclusive academic Lord Noblet de Beeble doesn't want to get married but his overbearing mother, Lady Caroline, is insisting he must. When he places an advert for a wife in the Situations Vacant section of his local newspaper, the national press pick up the story. A desperate Noblet calls on his handsome younger brother, Henry, to help him navigate the subsequent media frenzy.
Among the hordes of hopeful candidates to descend on the village of Gently Rising is the beautiful and mysterious Mia Wild, who befriends local primary school teacher, Alice Brand. Alice has been looking for something to spice up her life, but getting embroiled in a very public wife-hunt wasn't what she had in mind.
In a summer packed with suspicious exes, snobbery, social climbers and sausage rolls, Gently Rising will bear witness to a public courtship like no other. But who will come out on top?
Amazon UK Amazon US Kobo B&N Apple Goodreads
Heather Barnett has been making things up and writing them down ever since she could hold a pen. She studied English and French at the University of Leeds and has written at every opportunity since, from copywriting to stand-up comedy and sketches. Her influences span Jane Austen and Douglas Adams at one end of the alphabet through to PG Wodehouse at the other. Her debut novel, Acts of Kindness, was kick-started with the help of sessions at the Faber Academy and Arvon Foundation, and then regularly impeded by her two attention-seeking cats. She is head of marketing at an agency in Oxfordshire.
Heather's debut novel, Acts of Kindness was published in March 2021. Lord Seeks Wife is a hilarious romantic comedy and is her follow-up book.
Please visit Heather's website to read more. Follow Heather on Twitter & Instagram
My thoughts: this was hilarious, do not read while eating or you'll choke. I was really glad I was reading it alone as I'm pretty sure I was laughing so hard I snorted. Honestly I was having so much fun reading this.
Poor Nobby, not only saddled with a horrible name, he also has an overbearing mother who won't let the fact he doesn't actually want to get married stop her from encouraging him to find a wife. He goes about it in a very practical manner – placing a job vacancy in the paper and then chaos ensues.
If you need a light hearted, very silly book, with a splash of romance (I was thrilled for lovely Derek especially), then read this book.
Blog Tour: Secrets on the Italian Island – T.A. Williams*
Jul 8, 2021 Jul 7, 2021 ramblingmads
Read my review of Second Chances in Chianti
Her work has got in the way of relationships before – but never like this
Anna's job as a geologist takes her all over the world, including to the beautiful island of Elba, where she's sent to look for precious metals. And the island isn't the only thing that's gorgeous – she can't believe her luck when she meets windsurfer Marco and sparks fly.
But Anna must keep her role on Elba a secret to avoid upsetting the locals, which means lying to Marco even as they grow closer. When her old friend Toby visits, Anna suddenly finds herself torn between the attentions of the two men. However, Anna's not the only one keeping secrets.
Is Marco being entirely honest with her? And why did Toby really come to visit?
A fun and escapist romance, perfect for fans of Lucy Coleman and Alex Brown.
I'm a man. And a pretty old man as well. I did languages at university a long time ago and then lived and worked in France and Switzerland before going to Italy for seven years as a teacher of English. My Italian wife and I then came back to the UK with our little daughter (now long-
since grown up) where I ran a big English language school for many years. We now live in a sleepy
little village in Devonshire. I've been writing almost all my life but it was only seven years ago that I finally managed to find a publisher who liked my work enough to offer me my first contract.
The fact that I am now writing romantic comedy is something I still find hard to explain. My early books were thrillers and historical novels. Maybe it's because there are so many horrible things happening in the world today that I feel I need to do my best to provide something to cheer my
readers up. My books provide escapism to some gorgeous locations, even if travel to them is currently difficult.
Website Twitter Facebook
My thoughts: I really enjoyed this sunshine soaked rom com, especially as getting away to Italy is currently a pipe dream. The plot was engaging and entertaining, the writing flows smoothly and kept me involved in the narrative. I liked Anna, and her friendship with George the dog (and his human!). A thoroughly delightful read for the summer.
Blog Tour: Pug Actually – Matt Dunn*
Not all heroes wear capes. Some of them wear collars.
A Dog's Purpose meets The Happy Ever After Playlist in this charming, pitch-perfect take on relationships as seen through the eyes of a wise pug named Doug, who is determined to play cupid to fix his owner's love life with his own four paws.
Doug wants his rescuer, Julie, to be happy. He is loyal and loves her unconditionally—two things that can't be said about Julie's married boss and lover, Luke. Yet Julie is reluctant to break up, afraid to end up like her eccentric cat-owning neighbor. It's a prospect that horrifies Doug, too.
Newly divorced Tom, on the other hand, is perfect for Julie. Everyone can see it—except for Julie and Tom. Doug is confident that with his help they will get over their initial animosity toward each other.
As Doug humorously navigates the quirks of human relationships, he knows he can't give up on Julie—after all, being a "rescue" works both ways.
My thoughts: this was a very fun and funny book as Doug the pug (yes, he knows) attempts to sort out owner Julie's love life, steering her away from bad decisions and into the arms of Tom the V-E-T.
A dog's eye view of the world, complete with that weird snorting breathing pugs have, drool and trips to the park, Doug risks everything, including assault by Alsatian, to bring these two humans together. It's very, very silly and made me laugh quite a bit as Doug struggles to understand humans and why they can't just get on with it, like uncomplicated dogs.
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You'd be forgiven for thinking that British television is only really popular in Britain. After all, we have a pretty unique sense of humour and our production budgets pale in comparison to big US TV shows.
You'd be wrong though. It turns out the rest of the world loves British television. Here are the shows that prove it!
Downton is arguably Britain's biggest drama export ever, with broadcasts in over 250 countries. We can't even name 250 countries (seriously, try it).
Downton was nothing short of a cultural phenomenon in the US, drawing in record audiences for PBS and winning a Golden Globe in 2012. Michelle Obama is apparently a fan too.
In China, Downton draws in 160 million viewers. It's so popular that David Cameron gifted his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang with a script signed by creator Julian Fellowes.
In short, the world still thinks we either have butlers or work as butlers.
Although Sherlock's 69 million Chinese viewers (reminder: that's bigger than the UK population) is paltry compared to Downton, Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman are perhaps our biggest stars in the Far East. The Chinese affectionately refer to the pair as Curly Fu and Peanut.
The two are also incredibly popular in the US, where a 2012 visit was described as being like when The Beatles first landed in the 60s. 10,000 people applied for 700 seats at the same launch event.
The popularity of Sherlock overseas has catapulted Cumberbatch and Freeman to the Hollywood A-List, with Cumberbatch gearing up to front his own Marvel movie Doctor Strange and Freeman (who is also starring in a Marvel movie, Captain America: Civil War) landing roles in Fargo and The Hobbit. He'll always be Tim from The Office to us though.
Everyone's favourite sleepy murder mystery series is huge in Europe, particularly Scandinavia.
In fact, the show is one of the biggest series on Danish television, regularly dominating the ratings in its primetime Saturday night slot.
According to the chief of Denmark's biggest television station, Midsomer is popular in Denmark partly because "…if you fall asleep it's fine, because that's what it's for and you'll never remember who did it anyway." A legion of OAPs nod in agreement.
For the 100th episode, DCI Barnaby actually took a trip to the Danish capital to solve perhaps the most Midsomer crime ever: a man who was killed by eating a poisoned biscuit. We've honestly never felt so proud to be British.
The show also has at least one fan in Germany: Chancellor Angela Merkel. The German leader loves the show so much that David Cameron tried to help her meet John Nettles. Whatever next? Barack Obama begging Cameron to meet Roy Cropper?
Some humour is universal, like watching someone meticulously plan a dinner party only to royally mess it up and nearly poison half the guests.
ITV Studios has sold local versions of the Channel 4 hit to over 36 countries, where it is known by a series of hilarious names. Bulgaria know it as The Icing on the Cake, while Sweden call it Half Seven At My Place.
Our personal favourite, though, is India's incredibly literal interpretation: Welcome – Challenge to be the Best Host. Although we think Challenge to be the Least Worst Host and Sabotage The Vote By Scoring Everyone 5 Despite Really Enjoying Their Meal is probably more accurate.
Doctor Who is one of BBC Worldwide's best-selling dramas internationally, although it's most loyal following is in the US. It's one of the few British dramas to make a major impression on the other side of the pond BDA (before Downton Abbey).
It first became popular in the 1970s, when the Tom Baker series were broadcast on PBS. It's popularity waned slightly in the 80s but reignited with the 2006 relaunch. It's now so popular that episodes are broadcast on the same day as the UK.
The show's popularity has led to most of the modern Doctors becoming big stars Stateside too. Christopher Eccleston is in The Leftovers, David Tennant crops up in countless movies and series like Jessica Jones, while Matt Smith recently appeared in Terminator: Genisys.
Resistance is futile: the world has accepted Peppa Pig as their new leader, and soon we will all be jumping in muddy puddles with rabbits voiced by Brian Blessed.
Peppa Pig is the number one pre-school show in Australia, Brazil, Spain and Mexico and is screened in over 180 countries. It's estimated that the franchise makes over $1 billion worldwide every year. Remember: this is a show about a pig who jumps in muddy puddles.
Who'd have thought that 3 middle-aged blokes talking about cars, blowing up caravans and causing international diplomacy crises would be one of Britain's biggest exports?
Top Gear is the most watched factual TV show in the world with a global audience of over 350 million people in over 170 countries.
Interestingly, most countries haven't bothered to make their own versions. No matter where you are in the world, you can turn on a TV and see Jeremy, James and Richard – although their voices might sound slightly different.
It's no wonder Amazon were willing to pay so much for the trio – and why the BBC are so eager to get the show up and running again!
Which British TV shows have you seen on your travels? Let us know in the comments!
If you're positively swelling with patriotic pride after reading this post, check out the amazing Best of British collection on the musicMagpie Store. You'll find hundreds of brilliant British movies and TV boxsets from just £1.19!


Kakapo Lodge Backpackers, Hanmer Springs YHA is a two-storey, purpose-built backpackers lodge with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Located just a 2-minute stroll from the village centre and the famous Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa, Kakapo Lodge is an accommodation option with a lot to offer.
Kakapo Lodge has fantastic views of the surrounding mountains and is a great base for your family, tramping or mountain-bike adventures.
Enjoy the atmosphere around the cosy log fire during those cooler evenings, chatting with other guests. For summertime relaxation, there are sunny decks overlooking the gardens and courtyard with BBQ facilities provided.
Large, well-equipped kitchen and laundry facilities, Free limited WiFi, safe storage for your bikes and free parking feature too. Kakapo Lodge is also able to cater for larger groups, family gatherings and school groups, making it an ideal place for families to come and stay with plenty of board games, books and free DVDs to enjoy.
What more do you need to enjoy your stay in this pristine alpine township?


Did you know some "fruit" juice contains no fruit at all? The color comes from cheap artificial food dyes, not berries. Check out how certain food companies trick you with food coloring.
Good news for your sanity, bad news for your heart: A new study confirms that snow shoveling can increase the risk of heart attack.
By adding a "suicide prevention tool," Facebook is providing a new way for users to summon help for friends who may be thinking of ending their lives.
If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, an apple cider cocktail could keep him away for life.
Meet the latest "go-to" Internet superstars—aka, the people you should be following.
A video looking back on college football's top plays from the 2011 regular season. Happy Friday.
What's Hiding in Your Energy Drink?


Hainan Sinoti Investment Co., Ltd.
Hubei Seven Eight Nine Chemical Co., Ltd.
Shijiazhuang Langrong Chemical Co., Ltd.
Zouping Century Daixi Trading Co., Ltd.
Ammonium chloride is a white crystalline solid. Ammonium chloride is soluble in water(37%). The primary hazard is the threat posed to the environment. Immediate steps should be taken to limit its spread to the environment. Ammonium chloride is used to make other ammonium compounds, as a soldering flux, as a fertilizer, and for many other uses.


We liked to fish – he liked to drive his brand new cars and he liked to watch us fish.
and he would drive us out to Dairy Creek.
and we would run down to the creek and go fish.
and pull the tab off a cold can of Oly.
When he watched us fish on Dairy Creek.
Thank you for the image, the heart, the poetry of your writing.
Suddenly, a cold can of Oly and a cancer stick sound really, really good. In the 60s, my dad would put a can of Oly in a paper sack as he drove us to our yearly June vacation up in the Sierras. Yep, there isn't a Highway Patrolman in the world who can see through a paper sack.


As we celebrate the birth of Christ, may I first thank God for the special gift of salvation that came through Jesus Christ as he suffered and died in my place, saving me from the curse of sin and death. THANK YOU LORD JESUS CHRIST. Because of you, I have everlasting love and the hope of eternal life with you.
The combined efforts of Joseph Cofield and Dellnot Gardiner have resulted in the Tabernacle for a Shadow books going to two new countries, Sierra Leone and Sri Lanka, as well as another book to Nigeria. Knowing that the love of God in the message of the Tabernacle book are going to these three countries that are especially hostile to Christians is one of the greatest presents I could receive and brings great joy to me on this Christmas Eve. Thank you Joseph and Dellnot.
This includes nations or large areas of nations where governments consistently attempt to provide protection for the Christian population, but Christians are routinely persecuted by family, friends, neighbors or political groups because of their witness.
Link to Voice of the Martyr's website: http://www.persecution.com/public/prayermap.aspx?
For 2015, let's continue to pray for each other's needs and for the spread of the Gospel all over the world. May every Christian be blessed and led to show the love the Lord, Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace, to others. Merry Christmas!


Global Variations in the Potato Crisps and Potato Chips Market It''s fair to assume that consumer snacking habits are likely to differ from country to country, particularly across different regions and cultures. A clear example is the consumption of potato crisps / potato chips which can be seen in the bar chart below. 86% of consumers throughout the USA and France consume potato crisps / potato chips closely followed by 84% of GB consumers. On the other end of the scale is the Chinese market with only 28% consumption.
Potato Crisps/Potato Chips* Consumption per Country 84% 72% 43% 28% USA France source: Global TG'' 2012 Egypt Brazil South Africa China Base: Total population But do Chinese consumers simply snack less? Data from China''s TGI (CNRS) show that (66%), candy (64%) and chocolate (44%) in the last year. As the best known potato crisps and potato chip brands are Western-owned such Kettle, Pringles and Lays and Walkers, this may explain their lack of popularity in China and their huge appeal to Western markets.
Attitudes towards diet and health can also vary between different markets with the hart below offering a direct comparison between consumer attitudes in America and China. Only 25% of American consumers agree that it is worth paying more for organic foods, whereas 60% of consumers in China agree with this statement. A further difference can be highlighted as 46% of Chinese consumers agree that they ''always think of the calories in what I eat'' compared with a much lower level of agreement throughout the USA of 27%.


EUROPALIA enthralls a broad European audience not only with exhibitions, but also with performing arts, music, literature, conferences and film. It turns the spotlight not only on big names, but also on talented newcomers. Heritage plays a significant part, but the contemporary scene is also generously covered; new creations and interaction between artists from the guest country and from Europe receive particular attention.


Hello and welcome to New York Science Teacher. This site was created in 2005 with the goal of creating a central point where all Science Teachers, whether from New York State or the continent of South America could come to access quality teacher created materials. The majority of the material found within this site was graciously uploaded and shared by hard working teachers who wanted to show the world some of their best work. There are many resources here, for multiple topics in many different formats. There are science labs, demonstrations, lesson plans, activities, worksheets, notes, regents review material, educational related information and much more. The continued success of this site is dependent upon user submissions so if you want to add something or get linked here, please click on the "Share a File" link on the right of every page!
The site is maintained by a New York State High School Science Teacher, who checks for quality and proper functioning of all materials. We are NOT affiliated with the New York State Education Department or the New York Board of Regents. The site is supported by the personal finances of the webmaster and receives no funding either publicly or privately.
Thank you for visiting us and we truly hope this website has something great to offer you. If you need any help or have any suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact us by clicking on the "contact" link on the bottom of each page. Happy teaching!


So far Matthew Pascarella has created 98 blog entries.
Her job as a combat photographer was to chronicle war, combat, human strife, and disaster relief efforts among other significant moments in history. But over time it became a much, much more weighty task. One that she was passionate about executing, but one that would ultimately take a heavy toll on her body and mind.


Knox County Regional Airport (RKD) has 2 runways.
The furthest airport from Knox County Regional Airport (RKD) is Albany Airport (ALH), which is located 11,708 miles (18,842 kilometers) away in Albany, Western Australia, Australia.
After the war, it was operated by the City of Rockland until 1968.
The closest airport to Knox County Regional Airport (RKD) is Wiscasset Airport (ISS), which is located 31 miles (50 kilometers) WSW of RKD.
Because of Knox County Regional Airport's relatively low elevation of 56 feet, planes can take off or land at Knox County Regional Airport at a lower air speed than at airports located at a higher elevation. This is because the air density is higher closer to sea level than it would otherwise be at higher elevations.


In The Multiplying Menace, Rumpelstiltskin returns, demanding repayment for the gold he spun for a princess (who's now Queen). Rumpelstiltskin requests that the Queen's son, Peter, works off the debt. Threatening to increase the pest population and decrease the kingdom's livestock if repayment is not made. Peter must figure out how Rumpelstiltskin's magical stick works to save the kingdom.


Explore France's most picturesque wine region on an 8-hour tour from Leon. Complimentary transportation takes your small group of maximum eight people into the Golden Stones Country. Meet the owner of a family winery and sample some of his best Beaujolais wines. Continue with a guided tour of medieval Pérouges, followed by free time to explore independently. Finally, relax on your way back to the city.


text:
DoorDash shares surge after it says it will buy international delivery platform Wolt
Published Wed, Nov 10 20219:26 AM EST Updated Wed, Nov 10 20214:02 PM EST
Samantha Subin@samantha_subin
DoorDash shares closed up 11.58% on Wednesday after the company announced it would acquire Wolt for $8.1 billion.
The company also reported a wider than expected third-quarter loss per share but beat on revenue estimates.
The deal with Wolt is expected to close in the second half of 2022, and Wolt founder and CEO Miki Kuusi will run DoorDash International.
A delivery person for Doordash rides his bike in the rain during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., November 13, 2020.
Carlo Allegri | Reuters
DoorDash shares closed up 11.58% on Wednesday after the company announced it is acquiring international food delivery platform Wolt in an $8.1 billion all-stock deal.
The move, announced Tuesday evening, comes as DoorDash, which benefitted from stay-at-home trends during the pandemic, reported a wider than expected third-quarter loss per share but beat on revenue estimates.
DoorDash reported a 30 cent loss per share and revenue of $1.28 billion. Analysts expected a loss of 26 cents and $1.18 billion in revenue. The company also saw a net loss of $101 million, more than double its loss of $43 million during the same quarter of 2020.
Following the announcement, shares of DoorDash surged more than 24% in after-hours trading following an initial dip. New customers acquired for the quarter dropped over peak levels in 2020, but above 2019 levels.
The deal with Wolt is expected to close in the second half of 2022, and Wolt founder and CEO Miki Kuusi will run DoorDash International. The Finland-based company has about 4,000 employees and operates in 23 countries. It surpassed 10 million users in January.
Analysts at Gordon Haskett said the acquisition will help accelerate DoorDash's expansion into international restaurants, retail and grocery by several years, but downgraded the stock from a buy to hold and lowered the price target from $243 to $233.
"But, with near zero insight into Wolt's financials, supporting DoorDash's relative valuation premium following a near 20% share price jump on the news is not feasible at this time," the Gordon Haskett analysts wrote.
Wells Fargo analysts raised their price target to $260 from $235. The analysts said adding the Wolt team would allow DoorDash management to continue focusing on the U.S. market. Wolt is a good partner given its "focus on execution/efficiency, scrappy culture, strong retention and frequency," the analysts added.
Shares closed at $214.24.
DoorDash announces acquisition of Finland-based Wolt in $8.1B all-stock deal
- CNBC's Jessica Bursztynsky contributed to this report


I just recently started eating breakfast. I know, I understand now just how important breakfast is. Of course, I have read this for years but, just waved it off. I was too busy, too late, too lazy, and honestly too young. If only we could keep the metabolism of our youth forever!
It took a trip to a nutritionist to learn why I was so sluggish and gaining weight when both my diet and routine had not changed. I learned my constant habit of skipping meals was causing havoc on my system. Bottom line, my body was in starvation mode and storing fat to compensate for the lags between meals.
The challenge now is keeping breakfast interesting enough to keep me engaged and not fall back into my bad habits. As you have properly gathered by now, I am fond of colorful dishes and that was the inspiration for this dish. Looking in my refrigerator I had leftover black beans and Spanish rice and the rest just developed based on adding delightful color. And, it turned out to be both incredibly flavorful and filling.
I started by zapping the leftover beans and rice in the microwave. Grab a can of seasoned black beans and boxed Spanish rice if you don't happen to have the leftovers in your refrigerator.
In a large skillet: add one diced red pepper, 2 diced green peppers, 2 cloves of minced garlic, drizzle some olive oil over vegetables and stir together. Heat until vegetables are soft but still firm.
Add seasoned black beans and Spanish rice to pan. Stir until mixed.
Place the mixture in an oven-proof dish. I like to use individual casserole dishes that way when completed the meal is already plated and ready to eat. Set aside for now.
Break eggs into a warmed skillet and fry sunny-side up until firm leaving the yolk slightly runny. Place the eggs on top of the rice and bean mixture.
Place in preheated 350° oven and bake until the cheese is melted, 8 to 10 minutes.
Serve with sriracha, sour cream and diced avocados on the side.
In a large pan heat the olive oil over medium heat. When the oil is warm turn heat up to medium-high, add the red pepper, onion, and garlic. Cook until vegetables are slightly softened, 5 minutes.
Stir in the black beans and heat through.
Stir in the Spanish rice.
Place the rice and bean mixture into ovenproof dish and set aside.
Add the eggs to a warm skillet sprayed with cooking spray. Salt and pepper to taste. Cook until the eggs are firm but the yolk still a bit runny.
Place eggs over the rice and bean mixture.
Place in the oven. Bake until the cheese is melted, 8 to 10 minutes.
Mix the sriracha sauce with the sour cream.
Serve the eggs with the sriracha sour cream and avocados on the side.


After herniating a disc in my neck, I spent a year trying massage therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic and physical therapy only to receive short term relief. The pain got so bad I couldn't even sit down. After doing extensive searching on the internet I found Upright Health and it sounded promising. After the first visit with Matt, my pain decreased significantly. During my visits, Matt taught me everything that "I" could do at home to get rid of my pain. I no longer needed multiple appointments a week to receive minimal pain relief. Instead I could do it myself by following the exercises Matt set out for me. It is such a relief to know I can control my pain with a simple exercise routine.


text:
Q: rxjava - SwitchMap - why is it not returning the most recent observable in a integer stream? I have written simple code a test. i have created a stream of intergers and i apply a switch map.   from the docs i found online in tutorials throughout:

SwithMap() on the other hand is completely a different operator from
  FlatMap and ConcatMap. SwitchMap always return the latest Observable
  and emits the items from it.

 Observable.fromIterable(mutableListOf(1,2,3,4,5,6))
 .switchMap { x-> Observable.just(x)}
 .subscribe{ Timber.d {"my result $it" }}

I was expecting the result only a single value . i dont know if switch Map is sequential like concatMap but i was expecting only a single value.
so i was expecting a result like this:

*

*my result 6

instead this is the result i got:

*

*my result 1 my result 2 my result 3 my result 4 my result 5 my result
6

why did not not return just the most recent one and discard the other observables in the stream of integers ?  what is the purpose of switchMap then ?
UPDATE:  AFTER ADDING A DELAY TO THE switchMap it does the expected results. but im not clear why:
  Observable.fromIterable(mutableListOf(1,2,3,4,5,6))
                .switchMap { x-> Observable.just(x).delay(1, TimeUnit.SECONDS);}
                .subscribe{ Timber.d {"my result $it" }}

now i get the expected results of :

*

*my result 6

can some help explain why i need a delay. i tried the following but it did not work without the delay:
 Observable.fromIterable(mutableListOf(1,2,3,4,5,6))
            .switchMap { x-> Observable.just(x)}
            .subscribeOn(Schedulers.io())
            .observeOn(AndroidSchedulers.mainThread())
            .subscribe{ Timber.d {"my result $it" }}

i think the rule about switch map should be:  SwitchMap would emit only the latest observable after a particular delay. It ignores all the previous ones.
It is useful when it comes to retrieving the latest data from a feed. It's useful when you need to identify the latest among many feeds.
Can i get some confirmation this is correct ?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Follow along to learn more about what we do and why we do it. Most posts will be summaries of projects we make with kids. Occasionally we talk about our philosophy, the research that motivates us, and resources we think parents and educators would dig.


The spirit of Turtle Island inspires us to care for our planet and one another. Our hope is that after living in harmony with us, you will take this island spirit with you and share it with the planet.
Endangered sea turtles are ancient animals, carrying with them secrets of the sea. Local fishermen bring green and hawksbill turtles to Turtle Island, where we tag and release them in partnership with World Wildlife Fund.
In the earliest days of the eco-movement, we led the way and were named "Green Hotelier of the Year". Then an environmental audit extolled the rare beauty of our island — "Turtle Island is a precious gift of nature and something to be treasured and protected." It is our privilege to be the stewards of such a magnificent place. We are conscious of our eco-footprint, and so we harness our energy from the sun. We reforested the land which had been overgrazed by goats, and we build with island-grown hardwoods whenever possible. We grow and share our food, and we continue to innovate in tending to the delicate balance of our environment.
Turtle Talks hosts global conversations to imagine a better world. Inspired by Turtle Island's solar farm, the inaugural series of 12 episodes imagines a clean energy future – a world in which our power is harvested from renewable sources of energy, a world in which pollution and its health effects are eliminated, a world in which humans live in balance on the planet.
Turtle Island and its neighbouring seven villages in the central Yasawas have resisted any temptation for development. There are no high-rises or tennis courts. No airfields or shopping malls. No televisions or billboards. Just unspoiled natural beauty and the gentle rhythm of the tides.
Fijian culture is very much alive on Turtle Island, and when you visit, you will live and play alongside Fijians. Fijians are taught from an early age that family and friends are most important in life – and this has remained true even in our world where technology is pervasive. From this warm, ancient yet living culture comes a welcoming and fun-loving community. We'll spoil you with our hospitality or, if you prefer, leave you to savor your solitude.


text:
Rapamycin inhibits proteasome activator expression and proteasome activity
Xin Wang, Satoshi Omura, Luc I. Szweda, Young Yang, Jacques Bérard, Johnny Seminaro, Jiangping Wu
Rapamycin (RAPA) is a potent immunosuppressive drug, and certain of its direct or indirect targets might be of vital importance to the regulation of an immune response. In this study, we used differential hybridization to search for human genes whose expression was sensitive to RAPA. Seven RAPA-sensitive genes were found and one of them coded a protein with high homology to the α subunit of a proteasome activator (PA28α). This gene was later found to code for the β subunit of the proteasome activator (PA28β). Activated T and B cells had up-regulated PA28β expression at the mRNA level. Such up-regulation could be suppressed by RAPA, FK506, and cyclosporin A. RAPA and FK506 also repressed the up-regulated PA28α messages in phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated T cells. At the protein level, RAPA inhibited PA28α and PA28β in the activated T cells according to immunoblotting and confocal microscopy. Probably as a consequence, there was a fourfold increase of proteasome activities in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell lysate after the PHA activation. PAPA could inhibit the enhanced part of the proteasome activity. Considering the critical role played by the proteasome in degrading regulatory proteins, our data suggest that the proteasome activator is a relevant and important downstream target of rapamycin, and that the immune response could be modulated through the activity of the proteasome.
European Journal of Immunology
https://doi.org/10.1002/eji.1830271106
Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex
Phytohemagglutinins
Immunosuppressive Agents
Immunoblotting
Blood Cells
Up-Regulation
Lactacystin
Lymphocyte activation
Proteasome activator
Wang, X., Omura, S., Szweda, L. I., Yang, Y., Bérard, J., Seminaro, J., & Wu, J. (1997). Rapamycin inhibits proteasome activator expression and proteasome activity. European Journal of Immunology, 27(11), 2781-2786. https://doi.org/10.1002/eji.1830271106
Rapamycin inhibits proteasome activator expression and proteasome activity. / Wang, Xin; Omura, Satoshi; Szweda, Luc I.; Yang, Young; Bérard, Jacques; Seminaro, Johnny; Wu, Jiangping.
In: European Journal of Immunology, Vol. 27, No. 11, 01.11.1997, p. 2781-2786.
Wang, X, Omura, S, Szweda, LI, Yang, Y, Bérard, J, Seminaro, J & Wu, J 1997, 'Rapamycin inhibits proteasome activator expression and proteasome activity', European Journal of Immunology, vol. 27, no. 11, pp. 2781-2786. https://doi.org/10.1002/eji.1830271106
Wang X, Omura S, Szweda LI, Yang Y, Bérard J, Seminaro J et al. Rapamycin inhibits proteasome activator expression and proteasome activity. European Journal of Immunology. 1997 Nov 1;27(11):2781-2786. https://doi.org/10.1002/eji.1830271106
Wang, Xin ; Omura, Satoshi ; Szweda, Luc I. ; Yang, Young ; Bérard, Jacques ; Seminaro, Johnny ; Wu, Jiangping. / Rapamycin inhibits proteasome activator expression and proteasome activity. In: European Journal of Immunology. 1997 ; Vol. 27, No. 11. pp. 2781-2786.
@article{5b14c28eb92c40b79493f1665c774460,
title = "Rapamycin inhibits proteasome activator expression and proteasome activity",
abstract = "Rapamycin (RAPA) is a potent immunosuppressive drug, and certain of its direct or indirect targets might be of vital importance to the regulation of an immune response. In this study, we used differential hybridization to search for human genes whose expression was sensitive to RAPA. Seven RAPA-sensitive genes were found and one of them coded a protein with high homology to the α subunit of a proteasome activator (PA28α). This gene was later found to code for the β subunit of the proteasome activator (PA28β). Activated T and B cells had up-regulated PA28β expression at the mRNA level. Such up-regulation could be suppressed by RAPA, FK506, and cyclosporin A. RAPA and FK506 also repressed the up-regulated PA28α messages in phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated T cells. At the protein level, RAPA inhibited PA28α and PA28β in the activated T cells according to immunoblotting and confocal microscopy. Probably as a consequence, there was a fourfold increase of proteasome activities in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell lysate after the PHA activation. PAPA could inhibit the enhanced part of the proteasome activity. Considering the critical role played by the proteasome in degrading regulatory proteins, our data suggest that the proteasome activator is a relevant and important downstream target of rapamycin, and that the immune response could be modulated through the activity of the proteasome.",
keywords = "Lactacystin, Lymphocyte activation, Proteasome, Proteasome activator, Rapamycin",
author = "Xin Wang and Satoshi Omura and Szweda, {Luc I.} and Young Yang and Jacques B{\'e}rard and Johnny Seminaro and Jiangping Wu",
doi = "10.1002/eji.1830271106",
journal = "European Journal of Immunology",
publisher = "Wiley-VCH Verlag",
T1 - Rapamycin inhibits proteasome activator expression and proteasome activity
AU - Wang, Xin
AU - Omura, Satoshi
AU - Szweda, Luc I.
AU - Yang, Young
AU - Bérard, Jacques
AU - Seminaro, Johnny
AU - Wu, Jiangping
N2 - Rapamycin (RAPA) is a potent immunosuppressive drug, and certain of its direct or indirect targets might be of vital importance to the regulation of an immune response. In this study, we used differential hybridization to search for human genes whose expression was sensitive to RAPA. Seven RAPA-sensitive genes were found and one of them coded a protein with high homology to the α subunit of a proteasome activator (PA28α). This gene was later found to code for the β subunit of the proteasome activator (PA28β). Activated T and B cells had up-regulated PA28β expression at the mRNA level. Such up-regulation could be suppressed by RAPA, FK506, and cyclosporin A. RAPA and FK506 also repressed the up-regulated PA28α messages in phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated T cells. At the protein level, RAPA inhibited PA28α and PA28β in the activated T cells according to immunoblotting and confocal microscopy. Probably as a consequence, there was a fourfold increase of proteasome activities in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell lysate after the PHA activation. PAPA could inhibit the enhanced part of the proteasome activity. Considering the critical role played by the proteasome in degrading regulatory proteins, our data suggest that the proteasome activator is a relevant and important downstream target of rapamycin, and that the immune response could be modulated through the activity of the proteasome.
AB - Rapamycin (RAPA) is a potent immunosuppressive drug, and certain of its direct or indirect targets might be of vital importance to the regulation of an immune response. In this study, we used differential hybridization to search for human genes whose expression was sensitive to RAPA. Seven RAPA-sensitive genes were found and one of them coded a protein with high homology to the α subunit of a proteasome activator (PA28α). This gene was later found to code for the β subunit of the proteasome activator (PA28β). Activated T and B cells had up-regulated PA28β expression at the mRNA level. Such up-regulation could be suppressed by RAPA, FK506, and cyclosporin A. RAPA and FK506 also repressed the up-regulated PA28α messages in phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated T cells. At the protein level, RAPA inhibited PA28α and PA28β in the activated T cells according to immunoblotting and confocal microscopy. Probably as a consequence, there was a fourfold increase of proteasome activities in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell lysate after the PHA activation. PAPA could inhibit the enhanced part of the proteasome activity. Considering the critical role played by the proteasome in degrading regulatory proteins, our data suggest that the proteasome activator is a relevant and important downstream target of rapamycin, and that the immune response could be modulated through the activity of the proteasome.
KW - Lactacystin
KW - Lymphocyte activation
KW - Proteasome
KW - Proteasome activator
KW - Rapamycin
U2 - 10.1002/eji.1830271106
DO - 10.1002/eji.1830271106
JO - European Journal of Immunology
JF - European Journal of Immunology
10.1002/eji.1830271106


"Long ago, high up in a cloud, I walked with an Angel in Jannah." Has your child ever wondered where they came from? A touching and imaginative story with a unique perspective and intriguing, dream-like series of events.


text:
Japan's lack of ambition on GHG cuts "an obstacle" to meaningful climate deal
John McGarrity
Japan's weak carbon targets and reliance on coal will water down developed country actions at Paris climate talks, say analysts
Central Tokyo lit up by electricity that is likely to remain highly coal-intensive in the coming decades because of weak climate and renewable energy targets, say analysts
(Image by Moyan Brenn)
The visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to Washington this week was mainly occupied by reaffirming economic and military ties, but on climate change, it looks unlikely that the long-term US ally will heed a call by the White House for strong ambition.
Despite a joint affirmation this week between the two countries, including comments on climate and low energy, analysts say the signs aren't good.
Japan is likely to propose a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions cut of 26% by 2030 from 2013 levels, but the baseline year reflects the aftermath of the 2011 of Fukushima earthquake, when nuclear plants were shut down and coal plants ran at full pelt.
That means that the developed world's second largest national emitter won't have to do as much to meet its targets as some other rich countries, and will remain reliant on coal at a time that the EU and US say they are moving towards cleaner burning gas and are rolling out renewables on a much bigger scale.
"Even if Japan was to opt for a 26% cut, it would still be much less ambitious than EU and US targets (which use base years of 1990 and 2005 respectively)," said Nick Mabey, head of climate policy consultants E3G.
Although some developing countries view the EU and US efforts also as unambitious, their proposals are viewed as being broadly in line with aspirational targets to slash GHGs around 80% by 2050 from 1990 levels.
But Japan's plans are unlikely to put it anywhere near a pathway that scientists warn is required from major emitters if the world is to escape runaway climate change.
"Up to 43 coal-fired power plants are scheduled to be built in Japan, which could account for 25% of electricity supply by 2030, and would account for half of what Japan could emit under the country's target," Mabey added in a conference call to publicise a report on Japan's increasingly aloof stance at international climate talks.
That would mean coal's share of the power generation mix would be scarcely changed from the current 25% level .
Analysts say Japan's lack of ambition matters, and not just because of its large carbon footprint.
The country's technological prowess is viewed as important in further driving down the cost of environmental technologies and innovations in energy efficiency that might help it and other countries slow, and eventually reverse, growth in GHG emissions.
Japan also has clout as a big funder of energy projects in Asia, but has insisted that some of its green finance commitments be used to build ultra efficient – but still hugely polluting – coal fired power stations.
At home, Japan's 'Keidanren' business federation has a major say in climate and energy policy, meaning highly carbon intensive industries such as power generation, chemicals, construction and metals appear to have trumped demands from the green tech sector for tougher targets.
Moreover, observers point out that the country's political culture makes it difficult for civil society concerns about Japan's responsibility for climate change – and the risks that rising sea levels and extreme weather would pose for the island nation – to shape wider policy.
For industry, the struggles to restart the country's nuclear industry in the aftermath of the Fukushima disaster underline the need to have flexibility to use coal, which is much less expensive to burn than expensive imports of liquefied natural gas.
Japan, which has few fossil fuel resources of its own, could soon import more coal than China, where vast domestic reserves will likely edge out foreign supply and the country's central government has capped consumption of the highly-polluting fuel.
But observers say that Japan has options to be much more ambitious in cutting emissions, even without nuclear power, such as harnessing much more of its wind resources to match its considerable efforts in expanding the reach of solar power.
IGES, a Japanese think tank, says Japan could also do much more in promoting energy efficiency, particularly in the short-term, and invest in carbon capture and storage to slash C02 emissions from coal-fired power plants.
These measures combined could deliver GHG emissions cuts of 25% below 1990 levels and a 31% reduction from a 2013 baseline, without nuclear, IGES says.
Grid block
And if Japan was to restart many of its reactors – and build new ones – then the cuts could be almost 40% below 1990 levels, it adds.
For some policymakers, major new subsidies for low-carbon energy would be excessively costly as the country looks to emerge from decades of sluggish economic growth, while wind and solar are seen as unsuitable to provide baseload power supply.
For the share of renewables capacity to grow sharply, Japan would need to upgrade its inefficient grid and reform its electricity market, moves that would likely be hindered by the country's decentralised power industry.
But the perception that a relatively rich and technologically-advanced country such as Japan is using the Fukushima disaster to slack off on tackling climate change is likely to go down badly at UN climate talks.
The process resumes next month ahead of the Paris summit in December and needs to build momentum over the next months if a meaningful climate deal is to emerge by the end of the year.
"If Japan is seen to be doing relatively little then it could be seen as a drag on the entire process," says E3G's Mabey.
Climate change & Energy
John McGarrity is a journalist and editor based in London. Before joining chinadialogue he was a specialist in energy, climate policy and low-carbon finance with Point Carbon News and Reuters. He is a graduate in history from Trinity College Dublin and studied newspaper journalism at the University of Ulster, Belfast.
Fracking may be needed in China to wean it off coal, says report
The environmental impacts of fracking might be a price worth paying if regulations are enforced and unconventional gas displaces highly-polluting coal, says report
China govt think tank urges early CO2 cap
China should aim to cap its carbon emissions in the upcoming five-year plan (2016-2020) so that a promised peak in 2030 is acheived, a scientist with a government think tank has proposed
Analysis: Proposed US carbon target is realistic in view of hostile Congress
The White House has arguably offered the toughest carbon target it could muster given the limitations placed on it by a hostile Congress, argues Eliot Diringer, a longstanding analyst of UN climate talks