Last Wednesday (January 18th) saw the arrival of the first ever freight train from China to the UK. This fantastic train was filled to the brim with socks and suitcases!

After travelling 7,500 miles it came to its final destination in Barking, London. It took 18 days to arrive and passed through seven countries on its way here. Those countries included Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany, Belgium and France.

This 18-day trip by rail is faster and cheaper than both sea and air transport and weekly trains could be on the horizon between China and the UK.

Great things are afoot, I can feel it in my sole!

 

Image source: Channel News Asia

Moving house is a time-consuming process that requires a lot of prepping and planning, and for some of us getting organised doesn’t come naturally! It can also be an expensive task that leaves your finances drained. Worry no more as we have put together the ultimate go to checklist for your house move. It is easy to follow and broken down into 3 stages.

Before Your Moving Day

– Lists, lists, lists! Who doesn’t love making lists? This is a good place to start. In the run up to your moving day, create a checklist of everything you need to do in the run up to your moving day and tick them off as you go.

– Give people plenty of notice that you are moving home. Inform all the relevant people of your change of address such as utility providers, friends, family etc.

– You will also need to redirect your mail which you can do this by visiting the Royal Mail website.

– Give yourself plenty of time to arrange a professional removal service. Compare free quotes on Shiply and book a removal firm at least 2 -3 weeks in advance.

– Before you start to pack, have a massive clear out! This is the perfect time to get rid of any unwanted or unused junk you may have lying around the house. You can sell them online on websites like eBay or donate them to local charity shops.

– Source strong packing materials. You will need bubble wrap, sturdy boxes and tape to keep your items safe in transit. You can buy packing boxes in bulk from websites like eBay.

– Don’t forget to defrost your fridge and freezer at least 2 days before you move. Also, remember to buy fewer groceries the week before you are moving. You won’t be able to transport most of this stuff and it will only be a massive build-up of waste.

– When it comes to packing electrics, take pictures of your devices, such as the back of your television, so you can easily remember what cord goes where when it comes to putting it back together.

– Label everything for easier unpacking.

– As you pack each room away clean as you go. So, when the day of the big move comes you won’t have much left to clean.

On Your Moving Day

– Pack an essentials bag or box for the day of your move and fill it with items like snacks, a change of clothes, towel, pyjamas and any toiletries you will need for your first night in your new home.

– Keep the kettle and tea bags somewhere they can be easily located as moving house is thirsty work.

– Be present when the movers arrive to load and unload your belongings. This will allow you to supervise where everything goes which will speed up the process of unpacking.

– After the movers, have loaded all your belongings into their van, make sure you check every room before locking up. Don’t leave anything behind!

– The same goes when the removal company has unloaded your items. Ensure the van has been completely unloaded and nothing is left behind.

After You Have Moved In

– Moving house can be the perfect time to look for new deals on your bills such as electricity and the internet etc.

– After the movers have left, do a quick clean of the new place before you start settling in.

– Don’t forget to leave your moving company feedback on the service they provided.

– Unpack your everyday items first.

– Have fun with decorating and organising and make it your own!

Preparation is key! The earlier you start preparing, the smoother the whole process will be.

 

Have you made a ton of new year’s resolutions, that you know you will never keep! Instead of cutting out sugar and spending less money etc. Why not make more practical resolutions? 

How about stepping your driving up a gear and being safer on the road with these practical driving Resolutions for 2017.

Walk More

Yes, you heard us right get out and walk more. For example, if you are only going to the shop that is two blocks away or if you are going to a friends house then leave your car at home and put your trainers on. This will help you keep some of your other resolutions such as getting fit and saving money. Killing two birds with one stone. 

Drive More Economically

This is not only good on your pocket but good for the environment also. One simple way to do this is by avoiding rush hour traffic (if you can). Try to always stick to the speed limits and turn the air conditioning off when possible. 

Keep Up To Date With Maintenance

This will help you to keep the above resolution of driving economically. You will save yourself a lot of hassle and money by keeping your car properly maintained. You should aim to get it checked twice a year.

Always, make sure your tyres have at least 3mm of thread for winter driving. Don’t forget to check the age of your tyres and spares. The physical integrity of tyres can reduce over time, making them more susceptible to failure.

Stay Calm

All road rage will do is raise your blood pressure. This is a golden resolution to make. Just remember you have to share the road with everyone even the stupid and dangerous drivers. Don’t let the idiot drivers ruin your good mood and karma. 

We hope you will consider these resolutions and stay safe on the road. 

January can be a tough month on our pockets. However, there are always creative ways to make back some of the money spent in December. One of these ways is to declutter your house and get selling on eBay.

We get a ton of new Christmas presents every year and often have no space for them. So, why not start your spring clean early and make a bit of extra cash while you’re at it.

There are no excuses to not sell your old items on eBay, it is free to sign up and is as easy as pie to use whether you are a first-time user or a regular buyer. Follow our top 9 selling tips below and you will soon find extra cash in your pocket.

Tip 1. Build up feedback

Much like Shiply eBay is dependent on feedback.  If you are a first-time user with no feedback this could potentially put buyers off. So, it is a worthwhile idea to start as a buyer first and build up some positive feedback. You don’t have to go buying loads of items but buy at least 5 to get you started. There are loads of cheap items such as books, socks or CD’s etc. you can find on eBay that won’t break the bank.

Tip 2. Know the costs

Like everything in life, there will be some costs involved. If you are planning to sell on eBay, you should be aware of these. For example: if you are using PayPal as a payment method they charge you 20 pence on every payment you receive and 3.4% per month.

Don’t forget to include the cost of postage to your listing price so it doesn’t take away from your profit.

Tip 3. keywords

Keywords are key! Describe in detail what you are selling and make use of as many keywords as you can. For example: “Reebok size 8 women’s sports shoes” will probably sell much better than “women’s sports shoes”.

Tip 4. Understand eBay slang/jargon

EBay has its own slang language used on some listings and it is a good idea to know what some of these mean.

For example:

• NIB = New in Box

• NIP = New in Plastic

• HTF = Hard to find

• WYB = When you buy

Tip 5. Keep your starting price low

Don’t turn off potential buyers off pricing your items too high. Do a bit of research first and see what similar items are selling for, also consider what you bought it for and what condition the item is in. EBay usually suggest a price when you list an item try to stick close to this price.

Tip 6. Think about the timing

Timing is everything. Auctions that end on Sunday usually do the best as this is when the most people are online.  The same goes for the time of day, make sure your listing doesn’t end at times like 3.00 am in the morning or evening times when people are commuting. It is a good idea to list your item on a Thursday evening for 10 days as this will result in your listing ending on Sunday evening.

Tip 7. Pictures

Take high-quality pictures in good lighting. You can have up to 11 pictures on a listing (make the most of this). Make sure to photograph the item from a couple of different angles (back, front, side etc.).

Tip 8. Delivery

If you are selling heavier items such as push bikes, kitchen appliances or furniture you may need to help your buyer arrange a delivery or you can list the item as “collection only”. We can help you out here as Shiply is eBay compatible and you can get free delivery quotes with no obligation to use. If you are selling lighter items such as clothing etc. make sure to get padded envelopes (to avoid any damage and negative feedback). You can buy these in bulk from most pound stores or online from eBay itself. 

Tip 9. Proof of postage

Protect yourself from dodgy buyers and always keep receipts and proof that you posted the item. Just in case it gets lost in the post!

EBay isn’t the only method you can use to declutter your life and sell your unwanted belongings. You can also try selling on Facebook, Gumtree or use free websites like freecycle.

 

 

Another year and another Black Friday in the UK.

Image source: Dave Granlund

Is there a driver in your life who is particularly hard to buy for? Are you in need of some inspiration? Well, you are in luck. To get you into the spirit of Black Friday we have put together a list of Christmas gifts that every driver will love

Portable Coffee Machine

No, we are not talking about a portable mug, you can get an actual portable coffee machine. This is a real thing called the Handpresso Auto Mobile and drivers can make themselves an espresso on the road (not while driving) whenever they need it. A thoughtful and extremely useful gift. No more paying for overpriced coffee at service stations.

Image source: Puccino’s

Satnav  

Anyone “driving home for Christmas” will need a good satnav. Even though most smartphones have satnavs in them and there so many specialised apps to choose from it is still a good idea to have an actual Satnav. It will save your phone battery and they can be a bit more reliable than certain apps. Just remember to update them!

The Transporter

This is the perfect man film and even more so for men who love to drive. It is full of fast cars and road scenes that will excite anyone. There are 3 films in total and all action packed with driving scenes.

Drive

Two words: Ryan Gosling. Only joking this is a good example of when a book to film adaptation works. The chase scene in this film is fantastic and will have any lover of driving enthralled.  Be a real human being and a real hero by buying this for Christmas.

The DeLorean Story: The Car, the People, the Scandal

This is a fantastic book about the demise of both the DMC-12 and John DeLorean its creator. A sad book detailing the story of what could have been a magnificent car. It’s also packed with pictures, trust us it will go down a treat.

Heated Seats

These are the perfect winter gift, just like an electric blanket heated seat covers keep your body warm and would be loved by any driver. They are also, relatively inexpensive to buy especially if you buy online from websites like Amazon and eBay.

Maps

Some people still prefer old school maps than digital maps. The old, faithful paper map will come in handy when driving through remote areas with little or no network coverage. Paper maps can be far more reliable than phone apps. So, if you know a driver relying on his phone give him or her some backup maps (a valuable gift).

Image source: moving people blog

Steering Wheel Cufflinks

These are self-explanatory. Some drivers already have just about every gadget there is, for their vehicle if this is the case think outside the van.

Digital Stove

Every new year’s most of us pledge to eat healthier. Help the truck driver out by buying them a digital slow cooker, so they can cook on the road. Other cooking gadgets for the road include slow cookers, blenders and travel fridges. Healthy eating on the road is not impossible you just need the right equipment.

Power Bank

Running out of phone battery on the road can be a disaster especially for professional drivers. Put one of these bad boys in their stocking. Hopefully, we have given you some inspiration and ideas. Spend sensibly and think of the environment.

Monday the 21st of November kick starts Road Safety Week in the UK and it runs until Sunday the 27th of November. This clever campaign was set up in 1997 and is run by the road safety charity Brake. What’s happening? Well, basically they are asking everyone (drivers and non-drivers) to act this November and take the pledge to do 6 simple things to change your driver behaviour. These six pledges are:

1) Slow down (stick to speed limits set).

2) Stay sober (this is simple no drinking or taking drugs when driving).

3) Secure (making sure everyone in your vehicle has their seatbelt on).

4) Silent (keep your focus on the road and stay off your phone!).

5) Sharp (Be alert on the road, get your eyes tested every 2 years and take breaks when needed).

6) Sustainable (when possible use other methods of transport such as public transport).

For more information on these visit Brake’s website directly. You can also share your pledge on social media by using these 2 hashtags: #brakepledge and #roadsafetyweek. Also, on Sunday the 20th of November is World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victim. With this in mind, we have put together a few of our own road safety tips to keep you safe while driving this winter.

Winter Driving Tips: Get your emergency kit ready. Don’t be surprised by winter – be prepared for it. Stock your kit with an ice scraper, de-icer spray, blanket, first aid kit, rope (for towing) a high visibility jacket and of course a good decent torch. Hopefully, you won’t need to use any of these items.

Change your tyres to winter or all season tyres. Especially if you live somewhere that is prone to snow. These have a greater silica content in the tread to prevent it hardening when the temperature lowers. This gives you a safer grip in cold and wet weather conditions. Make sure your tyres have at least 3mm of thread for winter driving. Don’t forget to check the age of your tyres and spares.

Keep your windscreen clear. You cannot drive safely if you cannot see in front of you and frosty weather is a nightmare for windscreens. So, if you are going out somewhere and know it will be late and icy when driving back it is a genius idea to keep a bottle of anti-freeze with you. If that doesn’t do the trick use your air conditioning to get rid of it and wait until you can see before setting off.

Get your battery checked. This is the most frequent cause of winter breakdowns. It’s rare that a battery lasts longer than five years and will especially struggle in cold weather. You need to get it checked and if necessary replaced to avoid an unwelcome breakdown.

Slow down. Especially when driving in wet and icy conditions. Remember bad weather conditions can double stopping distances and make it harder to react to hazards due to poor visibility. So, over the festive period leave home earlier and don’t rush. Sources: Brake

The Shockwave is the world’s fastest jet-powered truck. It is powered by three jet engines and each engine produces 12,000 horsepower. It is so fast that it can outrun a Japanese bullet train.

Owner Neal Darnell described driving this bad boy as ‘It’s an awesome experience, you won’t believe it until you see it.’

“On acceleration, the driver experiences about 6G. We stop it by using two 40cm ring slot military parachutes, which produce an impact of up to negative 9G. It is some ride.” said Darnell’s son, Chris.

Would you be brave enough to drive one of these bad boys?

Sadiq Khan (mayor of London) has announced some exciting news this week that will delight both drivers and pedestrians alike. London is continually growing and the roads and transport networks really need to keep up with this growth.

So it really is great news to hear talks about 5 new river crossings that are being planned for east London. One of these crossings includes a greener Silvertown tunnel (below), along with a bridge for pedestrians/cyclists and a new extension of the DLR.

The mayor is optimistic that these new crossings will help ease pollution and congestion in London.

There is also talks of a “bespoke cycle-bus” that will carry cyclists through the new Silvertown Tunnel. A nice innovative touch.

But don’t get too excited as open dates for these won’t be until at least 2022/23.

See the plans for yourself below.

 

source: dailymail,

Yesterday (September 22nd) was International Car Free Day. This annual day which began in 1994, is held in many major cities such as Portland in the US, Paris, Brussels, Copenhagen and Barcelona to name just a few.

But London did not have one! Could car free days be coming to London in the future? Mayor Sadiq Khan is certainly keen for it to happen and so are Londoners.

From a UK government poll taken last year, it appears that most Londoners are in favour of an annual car-free day. 63% of Londoners said they would support a one-off car free day in the centre, with 58% agreeing it should be a monthly occurrence.

The whole point of having a car-free day is for people to leave their cars at home for one day and find alternative transport to work and school such as walking or taking public transport with the aim to reduce air pollution. A genius idea really when you think about it!

Cardiff held their first ever car-free day yesterday but only one street was actually closed. Park Place in Cathays was closed yesterday until midnight. However, it may only have been one street that was closed but it is certainly a positive step in the right direction.

source: BBC

A new era of taxis is coming! But would you feel safe in a self-driving cab? As of today, Uber have launched their first driverless car service. Don’t get too overwhelmed yet as for now it is only available in Pittsburgh, America and only to their loyal customers. But it’s a sign that times are changing.

During the trial period, each cab will have an Uber employee behind the steering wheel just in case anything goes wrong.

These ford Fusion cars have all been retrofitted with light-mapping systems, radar, sensors and cameras.

Curious now? Check out these cool photos of what it will look like from the inside.

Source: Business Insider