62 Per Cent Increase in Rent During Games in London

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LONDONERS RACE TO CASH IN ON THE GAMES

· 62 per cent increase in short term property rentals listed on Gumtree.com

· Average rental price drops as homeowners look to fill their properties over July and August

Gumtree.com has seen a 62 per cent increase in adverts posted by Londoners looking to cash in on their homes and spare rooms in prime Olympic hotspots.

The average asking price for London short-term rentals has actually dropped by 24 per cent between May – June 2012, as homeowners become more realistic in their price expectations and the Games draw closer.

From studios to five-bedroom houses, Gumtree has seen more than 10,500 replies for London properties for rent during the Olympic period. According to the latest Gumtree.com site data, the average asking price for a 4-bedroom family home during the Olympics period is currently £2,377 per week and for a 1-bedroom apartment or room, it is £892 per week.

Gumtree.com has seen hundreds of savvy Londoners advertising spare rooms or sofas, renting their property out in its entirety, while other advertisers are trying to secure themselves a holiday by swapping their property for a week with those living overseas or in other parts of the UK.

Current ads live on the site include:

·         3-bedroom apartment, Euston £995 pw

·         2-bedroom apartment, Wapping £700 pw

·         2-bedroom apartment, Shoreditch £2,495 pw

·         1-bedroom apartment, Stratford £1,000 pw

 

 

Hamish Stone from Gumtree.com said: “With the Olympics starting this week we are seeing more and more Londoners looking to capitalise on their prime locations and get in on the Olympic fever sweeping the country. For anyone interested in renting out a room or home at the last minute, make sure that you highlight how close you are to the Olympic venues, flag transport links, and talk about any local events that visitors might be interested in in your area.”

Kate Middleton Tops Vanity Fair Best Dressed List

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Kate Middleton has Topped Vanity Fairs Best Dressed List again. Katie Nicholl has also written an in-depth story on the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. According to Vanity Fair.

“There’s a happiness in the House of Windsor generally at the moment for the first time ever,” a royal pal tells Vanity Fair contributor Katie Nicholl in the September issue. “Charles and Camilla are genuinely happy. William is happy because Charles is troubled less, and he has Kate to share his future with,” the friend adds. And while the pair have dazzled Britain and Olympic watchers the globe over with their Games-related appearances—Kate’s fashionable turn in Christopher Kane at the opening ceremony only confirms her status atop the 2012 International Best-Dressed List—they innately prefer a life out of the spotlight, one categorized by homey activities like cooking and walking puppy Lupo three times per day. Nicholl gets their friends and those in their orbit talking for a those in their orbit talking for a blockbuster piece on Kate’s married life—revealing, among many other details, that:

Despite their lean physiques thanks to deerstalking, tennis, and Buckingham Palace swims, Will and Kate are foodies, and tuck in regularly to homemade roast chicken (Kate does the cooking and shopping, and employs no cook at their home on the Welsh island of Anglesey). They also own a sausage-maker (!) to make their own links, and for the holidays, Kate puts away jars of homemade strawberry jam and plum preserves to dole out as gifts. On the average day off, the pair just potter around, “making tea and toast,” per a family friend who recently swung by to find them living a simple home life on Anglesey.

They splash out for DVD box sets. Right now, the royal couple are obsessed with The Killing, which they recently devoured in a marathon session—and they often stay in to binge on various new series rather than hit up society events.

The duchess’s schedule requires up to five clothing changes per day. The rigorous outfit swapping attendant to royal protocol is said to stress out the duchess—not that the stress shows.

And even though the bill for her couture and jewels was printed in the tabloids with raised eyebrows earlier this year—$55,000 for six months of duties—Kate defrays the cost by bargain-shopping. The duchess also continues to decline the services of a royal dresser, preferring to personally shop for herself at chains like Topshop.

Gore Vidal Dies: His Greatest Quotes

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Gore Vidal died yesterday at the age of 86. Frost has gathered some great quotes, a story and a video of his wit and genius. Enjoy and RIP Gore. The New York Times’s brilliant obituary has this gem:

In 1968, while covering the Democratic National Convention on television, he called William F. Buckley a “cryptofascist.” Buckley responded by calling Mr. Vidal a “queer,” and the two were in court for years. In a 1971 essay he compared Norman Mailer to Charles Manson, and a few months later Mailer head-butted him in the green room while the two were waiting to appear on the Dick Cavett show. They then took their quarrel on the air in a memorable exchange that ended with Mr. Cavett’s telling Mailer to take a piece of paper on the table in front of them and “fold it five ways and put it where the moon don’t shine.” In 1975 Mr. Vidal sued Truman Capote for libel after Capote wrote that Mr. Vidal had been thrown out of the Kennedy White House. Mr. Vidal won a grudging apology.


“As the age of television progresses the Reagans will be the rule, not the exception. To be perfect for television is all a President has to be these days.”

“A good deed never goes unpunished.”

“All children alarm their parents, if only because you are forever expecting to encounter yourself.”

“Andy Warhol is the only genius I’ve ever known with an IQ of 60”

“There is no human problem which could not be solved if people would simply do as I advise.”

“Sex is. There is nothing more to be done about it. Sex builds no roads, writes no novels and sex certainly gives no meaning to anything in life but itself.”

“The more money an American accumulates, the less interesting he becomes.”

“The four most beautiful words in our common language: I told you so.”

“Congress no longer declares war or makes budgets. So that’s the end of the constitution as a working machine.”

“We should stop going around babbling about how we’re the greatest democracy on earth, when we’re not even a democracy. We are a sort of militarised republic.”

“Think of the earth as a living organism that is being attacked by billions of bacteria whose numbers double every forty years. Either the host dies, or the virus dies, or both die.”

“There is no such thing as a homosexual or a heterosexual person. There are only homo- or heterosexual acts. Most people are a mixture of impulses if not practices.”

“Apparently, a democracy is a place where numerous elections are held at great cost without issues and with interchangeable candidates.”

“Fifty percent of people won’t vote, and fifty percent don’t read newspapers. I hope it’s the same fifty percent.”

“I never miss a chance to have sex or appear on television.”

“It is not enough to succeed. Others must fail.”

“A narcissist is someone better looking than you are.”

“Any American who is prepared to run for president should automatically by definition be disqualified from ever doing so.”

“Democracy is supposed to give you the feeling of choice like, Painkiller X and Painkiller Y. But they’re both just aspirin.”

“Envy is the central fact of American life.”

“Every time a friend succeeds, I die a little.”

“Some writers take to drink, others take to audiences.”

“The genius of our ruling class is that it has kept a majority of the people from ever questioning the inequity of a system where most people drudge along, paying heavy taxes for which they get nothing in return”

“Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn.”

And check out this great video:

Couch potatoes have had their chips

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More and more men are being cajoled into losing weight by their fed-up wives, a survey has revealed.

 

Twenty per cent of men have been told to shed the pounds by women who are no longer prepared to put up with husbands who blame middle-aged spread as a get-out to staying trim.

 

Yet only half as many women have slimmed down under pressure from their spouses.

 

The survey of 2,000 men and women conducted by weight management company LighterLife, also revealed that 64 per cent of women diet for their own self-esteem, while only 42 per cent of men slim for the same reason.

 

And flying in the face of accepted logic, men do not lose weight to lure their partners into bed more often. Only six per cent of men admitted to dieting to improve their performance between the sheets, while 16 per cent of women said they do see weight loss as an aphrodisiac.

 

Mandy Cassidy, Psychological Director of LighterLife, said: “What we are seeing here is further evidence that it is women who call the shots at home, in the bedroom and with their own self esteem. They are no longer the junior partner in the relationship. Women know what they want and they go out and get it, whatever their age.

 

“However, women must be careful not to over-pressurise their partners because our experience is that men will only truly weight if they want to, not because they have been pushed to do it. Many men wake up to the benefit of dieting when they see how their wives have grown in confidence after losing weight – they realise they need to follow suit to keep their marriage on an equal footing.”

 

Reasons Why You Should Plan a European Cruise

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Vacations are a rare commodity in this economy. In many cases, people have become so strained for money that they have had to give up simple things like hobbies just to make ends meet. However, what if someone told you that it was possible to experience exotic European locales while avoiding the cost of a typical European vacation? Such a prospect is possible aboard a European cruise.

 

As someone who is ready to plan their well-deserved vacation, it might be time to consider a cruise through Europe as a viable option. From luxurious on board environments to breathtaking destinations, booking a European cruise has many obvious advantages. Below are a few of the most notable benefits covered in more detail.

Luxurious Comfort

In general, European cruises are the epitome of luxury. Whether you want to lie out on the deck or enjoy a drink at the bar, there are many compartments on cruise ships that provide that sense of relaxation and comfort. Simply put, you tour your favorite sites around Europe in style; not from the confined seats of a crowded bus.

Additionally, you generally travel with people who are in the same kind of situation as you – in that they all speak English and are out to enjoy a European vacation for the first time. This helps you become acquainted with local culture and hotspots without having to worry about a language barrier or getting lost in translation.

Exotic Locations

Europe is notoriously full of exotic locations. Whether you want to experience the breathtaking natural beauty of the continent or see some of the most historically significant sites in existence, there are plenty of desirable locales to keep you on your toes.

There is a wide array of cruises available that tour all the most popular destinations throughout Europe. As such, it is typically a simple process to find a particular cruise route that travels to one or more of your favorite places.

Affordable

Unfortunately, European hotels, restaurants and other amenities are more costly than in the U.S. due to the poor exchange rate. As an American leaving American soil aboard a cruise ship, you do not have to worry about the exchange rates between U.S. currency and the Euro.  Thus, taking your tour of Europe aboard a ship that deals with U.S. currency, will save you more money than if you were to travel by plane or tour by bus.

European cruises are a unique way to get that exotic vacation to Europe without the hassle of flying or putting up with stagnant bus rides. As you plan for your next vacation, consider the above benefits to decide if this is the year you finally get to take that trip to Europe as part of a European cruise.

Rowers Heather Stanning And Helen Glover Win First Team GB Gold.

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Team GB won it’s first gold today as Rowers Heather Stanning And Helen Glover came first in their race. Stanning and Glover were clearly ahead at Eton Dorney Lake.

They made a good start and left the competition well behind. They may have looked knackered towards the end but the also looked elated. Well done gals, you done us proud!

Zara Phillips was in tears yesterday because she thinks she cost Team GB the Gold after her horse clipped the fence. Don’t worry Zara, we think you still did amazing and Team GB still got a Silver medal.

Stunning Shock Win for Team GB’s Women Footballers

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I was lucky enough to be at Wembley last night to watch Team GBs final group game against Brazil. The stadium was packed with almost 70,000 people and the atmosphere was incredible.

Brazil’s team was led by the best female player in the world Martha and they were strong favourites going into the match. Martha is the Lionel Messi of the women’s game with a better than a goal a game ratio. Both teams had won their first two games in the tournament. Brazil thrashing Cameroon 5-0.

Although both teams had already qualified the match was still very important. The loser would have to face a very difficult match in the quarter finals against world champions Japan.

It was an incredible start as Karen Carney did brilliantly to slip away from two Brazilian defenders and played a ball through to Steph Houghton who collected the ball and managed to dink it past the goalkeeper. She smashed the ball into the net from what seemed an impossible angle right in front of us.  Incredibly it was the third goal of the tournament for left back Houghton.

As expected the Brazilians responded with some good possession and skill but GB largely restricted them to long range shots which never really threatened. However Brazil did hit the post with a header late in the first half.

After the break Team GB were by far the best team. After a lovely move Eniola Aluko broke clear and looked certain to score until she was cynically taken down by a Brazilian defender in the penalty area. The Brazilian escaped with a yellow card. Smith’s penalty was brilliantly saved by Brazilian goalkeeper Anderia and GB’s lead remained at 1-0.

Through the rest of the second half Team GB were the better team. Scottish star Kim Little was particularly good. Brazil had a few chances on the break but Team GB’s defence was fantastic in the 2nd half and they snuffed out any potential threats.

In frustration the Brazilian players lashed out and there were some bad challenges in what was a physical contest.

When the final whistle went a huge cheer went up around Wembley. It had been an incredible performance and the crowd were ecstatic. I was so glad to have been able to experience it. This was by far the highest quality women’s football match I have ever seen. Let’s hope Team GB can keep it up in the next round against Canada.

 

 

Sky’s The Limit. Cavendish And Wiggins | Book Review

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This book has come out at the perfect time: sports-mad, Olympic time in London. Mark Cavendish may have failed to get a medal for Great Britain, but this book is a well-researched, insider view of Team Sky. Author Richard Moore has been given unprecedented access to the inner workers and all of the main players, an esteemed author and cycle blogger, he really knows what he is talking about.

Incredibly well researched Moore’s book takes you through the journey of last year’s debut season. The book has exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes access. It is neither official nor unauthorised, which gives Moore lots of freedom. Sky’s the Limit follows the management and riders from training to their debut at the Tour Down Under in January 2010, and then their debut at the Tour de France in July 2010.

Sky’s The Limit is a brilliant for cycling enthusiasts and sports fans alike. An incredibly enjoyable and informative book.

‘This is new. It’s something people haven’t seen before. We’re setting out to create an epic story – an epic British success story. Now it’s down to business: to find out what it’s going to take to win the Tour de France with a clean British rider.’

Dave Brailsford

Brailsford is the mastermind behind the phenomenal success of the British track cycling team which dominated the Beijing Olympics in 2008, winning seven gold medals. But road cycling is a very different ball game. It has the lion’s share of the sport’s history and legends; it has the bulk of the fans, television and media interest; and it has, far and away, the biggest pot of money.

It is a sport that is rooted in mainland Europe – a land that is, in so many literal, metaphorical and cultural ways, foreign to Great Britain. British victories in the Tour can be counted on the fingers of a mitten. The closest anyone has ever come is Robert Millar and Bradley Wiggins, who were fourth in 1984 and 2009 respectively, but no Briton has seriously challenged for the maillot jaune – the yellow jersey of overall winner.

Sky’s the Limit follows the gestation and birth of a brand new road racing team, which is the first British team to compete in the Tour de France since 1987. Team Sky, as it is known, since it is to be backed by the satellite broadcaster Sky, set out on the road to Tour de France glory in January 2010.

With exclusive behind-the-scenes access and interviews, Sky’s the Limit will follow the management and riders as they embark on their journey – witnessing their first training camp and team presentation in December 2009, their debut at the Tour Down Under in January 2010, and their debut at the Tour de France in July 2010 – and as they then set out to write their ‘epic story’.

Sky’s the Limit: Wiggins and Cavendish: The Quest to Conquer the Tour de France