No matter the distance or the state of their relationship, Liam Payne always made sure that he was home in time for Christmas to spend it with his and Cheryl Cole’s son Bear. The doting dad died two months ago in Argentina, but Cheryl has gone to extraordinary lengths to make sure their seven-year-old son […]
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For families with an Elf on the Shelf, Christmas Eve marks the end of weeks worth of chaos, hijinks and mischievousness that these cheeky little guests bring annually. For parents who are all out of ideas, we’ve rounded up ten creative scenarios that we’re sure will finish out the festive season with a bang before […]
The post 10 Elf on the Shelf ideas to finish out the season with a bang appeared first on RollerCoaster.
A SCENIC coastal road on one of the UK’s most popular holiday islands has become popular among tourists for its breathtaking views.
But trippers shouldn’t put off taking this picturesque drive for too long, as the stunning highway could soon be swept into the sea.
Military Road is a stretch of the A3055 along the southwest of the Isle of Wight that connects Freshwater Bay and Chale.
Its name comes from its original use in the mid-19th century when it served as a road for the military to travel between barracks.
While this meant that, for years, Military Road was privately owned, it finally became public in 1930 — allowing locals and tourists to enjoy the dramatic coastal views.
The 11-mile drive has since come to be considered one of the UK’s most scenic, and now boasts attractions from watersports clubs to a dinosaur museum along its route.
With the Channel on one side and National Trust land to the other, it offers vistas of both lush greenery and white chalk cliffs, as well as the sea.
However, Military Road’s proximity to the sea and impressive views overlooking Brighstone Bay are the exact reasons why you may not have much longer to experience it.
The road has been significantly affected by land erosion over the years.
Steep gorges known as chines have formed in the cliffs from the impact of the waves, meaning that motorists are just metres from a sheer drop on some sections of the road.
Stopping is only allowed at particular points to ensure safety, but visitors can park up and enjoy clifftop walks to the different highlights that hug the coastline.
Chale itself, where the road begins, is recognised as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Along the route there are also a number of unspoilt, secluded beaches that are known for their sweeping views of the English Channel.
Shepherd’s Chine pebble beach can be reached via some steep steps — a way down that tourists attest is tricky but worth it — and if you prefer a sandy shore, there’s Compton Beach which has been dubbed the “most picturesque beach on the island.”
The landscape here is also famous for bearing the marks of the Isle of Wight’s prehistoric inhabitants.
Real, 125million-year-old dinosaur footprints can be found on Brook Beach, and tracking them down is a great activity for kids (although be sure to check the tide times to avoid disappointment).
And the adventure doesn’t have to stop there for dino enthusiasts, as elsewhere along Military Road is the Dinosaur Expedition Centre.
Here you can explore the centre’s exhibitions or go on fossil-hunting excursions that come in at just £8 a head for adults, £6 for children and free for under-5s.
Military Road is not just popular with drivers — one cyclist described it as “the best road I’ve ever cycled on!”, and its attractiveness to sporty visitors extends even further.
The Freshwater Bay end of the highway offers a golf course land-side, plus kayaking and paddle boarding on the water.
For souvenirs, head to Isle of Wight Pearl for their special pick-a-pearl experience where you can choose your own oyster from the pool and watch the gem get made into a unique piece of jewellery.
There’s a high chance you’ll want a keepsake to remember your trip, as over the years Military Road has been named among the 10 best driving holidays in Europe and the six most scenic drives in England.
Sadly, the threat posed by erosion is forcing Isle of Wight Council to consider re-routing the tarmac away from the coast.
So hit the road while you still can.
STRETCHING for around 140 miles on the south coast of England from Camber in the east to Chichester Harbour in the west, Sussex’s shoreline is packed with beautiful beaches.
Here pebble and shingle bays are mingled with sandy stretches, with some gaining Blue Flag status for safety and water quality, including West Wittering and Hove.
Whether you’re looking to walk along the spectacular cliffs at Beachy Head, build sandcastles at Camber Sands, try surfing at West Witterings, or venture off the beaten track and find a quieter coastal spot, there’s a beach to suit you.
So the trickiest question on your next £9.50 Holiday will be: which beach should you visit first?
We’ve spoken to Sun readers who have visited Sussex, as well as local experts, to find out which are the county’s best beaches. Here’s what they said…
Sun reader Nora Hinds, 69, from Hounslow, has taken multiple £9.50 Holidays in Sussex over the years, most recently staying at Parkdean Resorts Camber Sands in East Sussex.
She said: “To me, the beach at Camber Sands is the best in England. It has nice sand and wonderful dunes.
“When the kids were little they used to slide up and down the dunes, or we’d go for little rambles in the dunes.”
Parents can also rest easy knowing there are good facilities and lifeguards in the summer months.
And with five miles of Blue Flag beach to explore, you’re sure to find a corner to yourself.
Nora added: “It’s not too busy, as it doesn’t have amusement arcades that tend to attract crowds.”
Where the South Downs meet the sea, Cuckmere Haven, in East Sussex, features chalk cliffs, meadow and rocky foreshore.
It’s so scenic that it’s been used as a filming location in films including Harry Potter and Robin Hood.
Come here and you’ll likely spot wildlife ranging from oystercatchers and skylarks to rabbits, seahorses and butterflies.
Daniel Start, author of Wild Guide London and South England, says: “This is a wild beach, where the river meets the sea, against a backdrop of the iconic Seven Sisters.
“You can explore the myriad caves carved within them or wander upstream to swim in the lakes made from the meanders of the ancient river.”
Clare Johnson says: “If you want to find a more secluded beach, Seal Bay (in Selsey, West Sussex) has its own private beach.
“It’s pebbled, but much less busy. You can go to the far end and continue walking to a more secluded beach.
“You can go swimming or sunbathe, and you can see Spinnaker Tower and Portsmouth from there. It’s a nice place to sit and enjoy the views.”
Sue Mercer, 62, from Pagham says: “I like to walk out from Church Norton to East Beach Selsey – the coastline here feels deserted and there’s a nature reserve nearby (the RSPB Pagham Harbour).
“When you reach the coast at Selsey, you can also visit the lifeboat station.”
The Selsey Lifeboat Station is packed with history – its volunteer crews have been saving people at sea since 1861 and you can visit it six days a week (Wednesday-Monday) between 10.30am and 4pm.
Sue added: “West Bognor is also a quieter beach than the Witterings.”
If you’re holidaying in East Sussex and keen to find a beach to yourself, Georgie Radford-Brown, Assistant Guest Experience Manager at Camber Sands Holiday Park, suggests Rye Harbour.
She said: “It’s the quietest beach around. You have to walk through the Nature Reserve, and then you keep going to the beach.
“Once you get down to the beach, there aren’t many people there. You can swim in the sea, or explore the World War Two pillboxes.
“There’s also the Lime Kiln Cafe inside the nature reserve that serves local products, like Sussex crisps, cheeses and coffee.”
Just over the dunes of Camber Sands, The Owl is a family-friendly pub serving relaxed lunches and a great selection of locally brewed ales and lagers.
If you’re exploring further west, The Beachy Head in Eastbourne is highly rated for its Sunday roasts and proximity to the Seven Sisters and cliff walks.
Meanwhile, in West Sussex, The Wittering is a modern pub with cosy fires and striking artwork – set beside West Wittering Beach.
Located where Chichester Harbour meets the English Channel, West Wittering Beach really does have it all.
The Blue Flag, sandy beach is a family favourite and a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
It also has plenty of activities on tap, including surfing and kitesurfing with a local watersports school like 2XS, although kids will be just as happy building sandcastles and splashing in rock pools at low tide.
Backed by natural grassland and marshland and lined with colourful beach huts, West Wittering is also perfect for wildlife spotting or setting off on one of the idyllic walks nearby.
Sun reader Clare Johnson, 52, from Brighton, said: “The best beach has got to be West Wittering.
“It’s a beautiful, huge sandy beach that is great for kids. But in summer it gets busy, so you need to pre-book parking (from £2.50 in low season, from £6 in peak season).”
RONAN Keating risked the wrath of animal protection agencies after adopting a Cane Corso dog and spending £15,000 to fly it to Australia.
The Life Is A Rollercoaster singer splashed out to hire a private jet from K9 Jets in order for his beloved dog and cats to travel to the other side of the world for the holidays.
Ronan shared images of their animals on board alongside Australian wife Storm, where they were pampered with a bed and couches for lots of rest on the long-haul trip.
The move was celebrated by Ambassador Protection Dogs, with the company sharing a video of the flight on Instagram and writing: “I get to meet some amazing people doing what I do and gotta say @rokeating and his lovely family are true dog lovers and it’s always a highlight to get to see them and work with the big lad Saint, undoubtedly one of the finest dogs we’ve ever supplied.”
An insider added to The Sun: “Ronan wants to keep his family safe and you can’t put a price on that. He’s known other celebs who’ve used the same company so they came highly recommended”
The company specialise in family protection dogs, emotional support dogs and highly trained pets, with the cane corso being a prominent breed for this need.
However, according to PETA, Cane Corsos should be avoided for adoption for this purpose, as the breed has a number of issues including medical issues.
They’re defined as a Breathing Impaired Breed, and are more susceptible to developing heatstroke, so struggle greatly in hot weather.
Cane Corsos are also likely to develop hip and elbow dysplasia and bloat, which could leave them in agony and in severe cases can be fatal to dogs.
Corsos, a breed of mastiff, is also typically bred as a guard dog, used to protect livestock on farms and were previously used for hunting game.
Therefore they can be considered dangerous, especially if not properly socialised, being labelled as part of the Dangerous Dog Act.
However, if they are looked after properly, they have protective instincts and should not be of harm to anyone.
Currently, the Keating family – completed by their son Cooper, 7, and Coco, 4 – are living in Australia, having just moved there following his exit from the Magic FM Breakfast Show.
He told RSVP at the time: “I’m going to concentrate on making an album, writing music and touring.
“We’re also going to spend some time in Australia with Storm’s family.
“That will be for a few months. We’re going travelling for a while overseas.”
Bringing the pets over for the holidays, Ronan later raised the pet-specific airline and wrote: “Got our other babies safe and sound. Massive thank you to Adam and all the team @k9jets_ WOW what an incredibly easy and enjoyable experience #classservice #canttopthat #insane.”
TYSON FURY should not be stunned by his unanimous decision loss as his corner told him he was losing to Oleksandr Usyk just before the final round.
With overbearing head-butt aficionado and dad, John, exiled from the 36-year-old Gypsy King’s corner, head trainer SugarHill Steward was allowed to work properly.
Fury – who had beefed up to 20st – abandoned the showboating that cost him the early rounds in the original May clash and had a successful fifth session.
But Usyk was a level above and rarely needed to venture out of third gear.
And Fury’s corner told him as much before the final installment of their 24-round rivalry.
“You’ve got to take it now,” the Detroit trainer said.
“There ain’t no tomorrow, you hear me? It’s now.
“The fight is too f***ing close, you need to take this mother f***er.
“You’ve got to keep your legs f***ng moving.
“Keep your god-damn hands up and give it everything you’ve got Tyson, you hear that?
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“You’ve got to take it, don’t get stupid, but you’ve got to take it”
Fury’s assistant trainer and cousin Andy Lee knew the seriousness of the losing situation, when he added: “Don’t be desperate, be smart.”
A decision on his future in boxing has been made as exclusively reported by SunSport.
The Brit has vowed “it’s not over”, with a £250million Brit mega-fight with Anthony Joshua already being discussed.
READ MORE on a absolute blockbuster night in Riyadh...
OLEKSANDR USYK took another controversial decision over Tyson Fury to regain his heavyweight throne.
Seven months on from their split-decision thriller, this time the scorecards were unanimous 116-112 all in Usyk’s favour.
The Gypsy King stormed out of the ring as his promoter Frank Warren was left stunned by the cards.
Here’s how SunSport’s Wally Downes scored the fight…
Round 1
The rules were ignored and Fury arrived at 11:15pm local time with a beard that would make Brian Blessed’s chops feel naked.
If we thought his face fuzz looked overgrown, we were stunned to see the size of his belly when the cameras caught him topless in his dressing room.
His red shorts were so high that you couldn’t even see much of his gut, an inch higher and the 20st beast would have had the option of tucking his nipples down there too.
Fury tried to intimidate Usyk with the final face-off, widening his eyes like a monster but the champ remained ice cold.
They swapped jabs and fenced with their lead hands. Usyk drove left hands into his wobbling belly and then clipped him with a head shot to snatch the opener. Usyk.
Round 2
Usyk lands a scoring one-two to the head as soon as the session starts but then returns to the body and lands lefts, one even makes Fury stumble.
But the Gypsy King lands a treble-jab and then a meaty right hand to take the round.
Still no signs of the body blows and uppercuts that won him the middle rounds of the May fight. Fury
Round 3
Three times Usyk scores with a jab to the body and left hand upstairs.
Fury struggles to deal with the pressure. Fury lands a little check hook and even tries the southpaw stance.
But all his threats to skin and cook the bog-eyed rat or ugly rabbit prove empty. Usyk.
Round 4
Fury makes a bright start with a chopped right hand.
Bit Usyk almost whacks his whiskers off with two left hands that score well.
But Fury pings back with a big right hand that forces Usyk back.
Then that uppercut returns and cuts through Usyk’s guard. Draw.
Round 5
Fury takes control instantly when a right hand is the perfect start to the session
Then the Brit gets warned for rabbit punches as he bids to bully the champ.
Usyk is then walked into a lead left uppercut and then he starts shipping body blows. Usyk scuttles off and has to recover. Fury.
Round 6
Fury in trouble. The challenger’s bloated body starts to sweat and Usyk keeps targeting it with his power-punch left.
Then he goes head hunting and clips Fury’s skull.
The Morecambe giant is buzzed and worried, his head got rocked backwards. He hides the rest of the round. Usyk
Round 7
A quiet round only really features a crisp Fury one-two and a single Usyk left. Draw.
Round 8
A one-two-hook works for Usyk as he pushes all of the pace an pressure and Fury tries to hide his 20st target.
An accidental clash of heads thankfully leaves no cuts.
Fury does launch a limp attack but Usyk smiles back and shakes his shaven head. Usyk.
Round 9
Fury starts to tire, he has so much timber to lug around and lumberjack Usyk loves chopping him down.
He’s too big to dance and rub and counter.
He is playing super-fit Usyk’s game. Usyk.
Round 10
Fury lands a rare uppercut and attacks Usyk’s body. He takes the centre of the ring but then eats a couple of shots.
Fury tries to hold and lean and sap at Usyk’s engine. But he is punished with a left to the cheek.
Big left from Uysk lands and scatters Fury sweat beads off his head.
But Fury cracks back with an uppercut. But Usyk’s pressure and punches win in. Usyk.
Round 11
These could well be the deciding rounds. Usyk is busier, Fury throws an uppercut but it only grazes his guard.
Fury walks onto a tippy-tappy combination but then two serious shots. The wind is coming out of his giant red sails.
Usyk is relentless and bouncing and prodding and punching and Fury is 20st and flagging. Usyk
Round 12
Fury starts like a man who knows he needs at least a lockdown but that helps Usyk counter him.
A combo of three straight punches score for the Ukraine icon.
But Fury keeps swinging and slashing and pulling up the shorts that slip down his back and love handles from all the sweat Usyk has drained out of him.
With a section of the ungrateful crowd booing and whistling they slug it out for the final ten seconds finish. Usyk
SunSport’s scorecards: Usyk 118-112 Fury.
THE writer and director of what many consider a Christmas classic has surprisingly suggested the movie has nothing to do with the festive season whatsoever.
Nancy Meyers, who is behind The Holiday, says she’s “shocked” her 2006 movie has evolved a reputation as a yuletide classic, as it could just have easily been set in summer.
Speaking to the Hollywood Gold podcast, she says of the film: “I know it’s called The Holiday because they’re taking a holiday, but it could have been called that if it was in the summer.
“Everybody sees it as a Christmas movie, and when I watched it last night to prepare, I was a little shocked at how much Christmas was in it.”
And she goes on to suggest the only reason The Holiday, which stars Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jack Black and Jude Law, is set at that time of year, is because it can be a particularly difficult time for people on their own.
She adds: “I just really wanted to tell the story about these people. I set it at Christmas because that can be lonely.”
The story focuses on two single women, UK-based Iris Simpkins, who’s played by Kate, and US-based Amanda Woods, who’s portrayed by Cameron.
They swap houses for Xmas, during which Iris falls for film composer Miles Dumon, played by Jack, and Amanda falls in love with Iris’s brother Graham, played by Jude Law.
And Nancy says rewatching it made her realise Christmas was simply a good time to deal with the issues of her damaged characters.
She says: “And the holidays seem like a good time to deal with those issues.
“So it was that, not, ‘Hey, I think I’ll make a festive holiday movie.’ Not at all.”
Nancy also suggests that one of her original titles for the film was I Hate My Horrible Life, but changed it to The Holiday as she feared her working title wouldn’t encourage people to watch it.
She says: “For some reason I, in one insane moment, thought that could be a title.
“Would people go see I Hate My Horrible Life? No.”
Earlier this year, during an appearance on The Tonight Show, Kate told host Jimmy Fallon that she often gets stopped by people telling her The Holiday forms part of their family traditions over Xmas.
She said: “What’s so lovely is that mothers and daughters come up to me in the grocery store and they say, ‘Oh Kate, we just love The Holiday, it’s our little ritual at Christmas.’
“They have things that they eat every year, they sit down, it’s a tradition and I just love that.”
