contents GREEN TRAVEL SPECIAL • APRIL/MAY 2009 ISSUE 28

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MAIN FEATURES 10 LIFE IN THE COUNTRY A move to rural living can be life changing and exciting but what are the challenges?

14 WILD CHILD Dr. Joanne Isaac explores the reasons why wilderness play is good for our children.

18 LEAP OF FAITH What does religion mean to three families – Buddhist, Christian and Jewish.

BUMPS & BIRTH 22 TRAVELLING LIGHT Jo Middleton explains why breastfeeding and travelling make for an easier journey.

46 KEEP IT REAL Our testers try a selection of washable nappies. Read about their experiences.

FAMILY LIFE 17 SUNDAY SELECTION Reclaim family time with great days out.

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25 SPRITUAL PARENTING Natalie Fee explores how to practice acceptance in daily life.

82 SMALLHOLDING NOTES Janet Ross buys her house at auction and shares advice on how to bag a bargain.

LEARNING 28 NATURAL LEARNING Gill Kilner discovers the breadth of her teenage daughter’s knowledge.

26 ON THE BOOKSHELF Great green reads for the whole family.

29 CRAFTY EASTER An exciting craft project for spring, making use of recycled materials. HEALTH & BEAUTY 47 CHILD HEALTH Why reflexology is good for children, and useful remedies for travelling.

48 NEAT FEET Natural foot care products put to the test.

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31 GREEN TRAVEL SPECIAL 32 HOLIDAY IDEAS Green campsites boasting organic breakfasts, views and solar showers. 33 GREAT DAYS OUT Our top recommendations for a free day out, from museums to parks. 34 CYCLING WITH KIDS Ideas for planning rides with kids from choosing routes to equipment. 37 BEACHLIFE Our selection of the best beaches including wildlife havens & safe swimming. 38 AROUND GREAT BRITAIN An epic rail trip from Cardiff to Edinburgh, via London. 42 ON THE BUSES How to make public transport fun and exciting for children of all ages. 45 BUS TRAVEL Tour places of interest and natural beauty including a trip to Stonehenge on an open-top bus.

GREEN TRAVEL SPECIAL

Green Parent The

TRAVEL TIPS

CYCLING WITH KIDS The best equipment 34

PAGES OF T RAVEL

IDEAS AND

STORIES

BEACH LIFE

Our favourite coastal spots 36

S OUT 33 | BRITAIN BY TRAIN 38 MEET OUR READERS This issue we have five lovely readers to test products and give us their opinions on green living. Let’s meet them.

SARAH MITCHELL, 33, is married with three daughters aged one, four and nine. She lives in Norfolk. Describe yourself: creative and vegetarian Favourite read: The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger or The Shanghai Union of Industrial Mystics Most memorable experience: Birth of my second daughter, when my mum accidently became midwife. Hobbies: crafts and my allotment Edible treat: anything involving chocolate Traveling tip: relax and enjoy the journey!

TAMSIN TWEDDELL, 35, lives in central London with her husband and their two children, Phoebe, three and Jacob, nine months. Describe yourself: Creative, methodical and determined Favourite read: The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford Best place in the world: Home Hobbies: Cooking, eating and singing Edible treat: Ginger cake Traveling tip: Have lots of activities (walkman with story tapes, activity books, finger puppets, books) and a picnic.

REBEKAH SACHNO, 17 , lives in Northern Ireland with her parents and her daughter Willow, 18 months. Describe yourself: Footloose and fancy free Favourite read: Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte Best place in the world: Under the trees at the bottom of the garden Most memorable experience: The day my daughter was born Hobbies: Reading and baking Pets: A dog, cats and numerous poultry. Traveling tip: Bring along picture books, raisins, and patience.

SUE MORTIMER, 39, lives in Staffordshire with her husband and their three boys, Baxter, five, Reece, three and Vincent, 20 months. Describe yourself: Energetic, fun, responsible Favourite film: A Fish called Wanda Best place in the world: Hyams beach, Australia Most memorable experience: Holding my boys for the first time Hobbies: Travel, design, camping, playing the guitar Traveling tip: Take some surprise packages for when the going gets tough.

RUTH GREENER, 35 , lives in Shropshire with husband and children Eve, three and Noah, 21 months and is expecting her third child any day now. Describe yourself: Pragmatic, irreverent, stubborn Favourite read: Margaret Attwood’s novels & short stories Most memorable experience: Birthing baby number two Hobbies: Growing my own, crafts and open canoeing Edible treat: Olives, carrots, celery Travelling tip: Wear black and take lots of (wholesome) snacks and drinking water.

67 ECOSOURCEBOOK This issue our Eco Source Book focuses on spring and has lots of ideas for enjoying the great outdoors from ethical wellington boots to where to find cherry blossom festivals. And there are lots of fabulous competitions to enter including a wooden high chair to win and electricity monitors up for grabs.

eco source book

Everything you need for green an d ethical living

WIN

electr icity

monit or

page 78

CUBED PLEASURE

Ethical organic toys that grow

with your child p68

LEARNING

FOOD&DRINK

ETHICALFASHION

ORGANICTEXTILECUBE,£14.99,ATMYWONDERCUBE.CO.UK

49 YOUR HEALTH Detox breaks and natural skincare.

INSPIRING STORIES Families doing great things

BUMPS&BIRTH

REALNAPPIES

ECOLIVING

What’s inside? 68 learning to ys to hire and solar powered play things 70 food and drink yumm y

organic easter treats and cherry blossom festivals 72 fashion ethical wet weather gear for you r

children 74 bumps and birth blessingway gifts and tea part ies 76 real nappies our favou rite

nappy balms and washables wh ilst travelling 78 eco living win an electricity monitor 80 hea lth

and beauty organic baby good ies to give away and natural ma ke-up ideas for your wedding da y

GREEN TRAVEL 61 FAMILY CYCLING We take a trip through a royal park on the bikes.

eco source book | The Green Parent 67

HEALTH&BEAUTY

FOOD & DRINK 51 WHAT’S IN SEASON Brilliant buckwheat blinis and foraging.

52 SUPER SPEARS Asparagus season inspires tasty recipes.

REGULARS 7 YOUR LETTERS 9 OUT AND ABOUT 62 NEXT ISSUE 64 SUBSCRIBE 65 ASTROLOGY

HOUSE & GARDEN 55 HOME NEWS What to do in the garden this month.

56 SECRET LIFE OF PLANTS We discover the folklore behind the beautiful cherry tree.

57 GREEN IN THE KITCHEN Ideas and advice for a really green kitchen.

ETHICAL FASHION 59 WHAT’S NEW The Spring/Summer ranges from our favourite eco brands.

COMPETITIONS ENTER ON THE POSTCARD INSIDE THIS ISSUE 61 Holiday guide to win 68 Win Splodge pack 70 FunPod to give away 72 Frugi vouchers to win 74 Pregnant Art kit to win 78 Win Electricity monitors 80 Win organic babycare 78

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