Click the image to learn more about the cause.

When you think of a vacation in the English countryside you probably think of cottages and tea and that rapscallion Mr. Darcy.  Not that there is anything wrong with that.

Then there are those with different ideas.  In just a few days a collection of people from all corners of the world, including a couple of UpTake’s very own (Phil and Ed, respectively, who will be sharing details from their trip upon their return) are doing something that may seem a bit off the beaten path.  Keyword: path.  They are partaking in a six day walking vacation along Hadrian’s Wall (built by the Romans!).  That’s 84 miles along the border with Scotland, which covers the entire width of England.

Now before you ask if they are crazy, please allow me to say that, yes, they are.  However, that has nothing to do with this trip.

The walk is something of a causecation.  Charitcation? Vacarity? It’s a charity vacation, they are traveling to England to help a cause. A damn good one.

The Joseph Salmon Trust is a charity offering financial support to parents who have lost a child. It was founded in memorial of Joseph Salmon who died in his sleep at the age of 3.

I can’t even imagine.

One of the driving forces behind the trust and the subsequent walk(s) — yes, they’ve walked before, is one Dan Hughes, blogger extraordinaire in the aforementioned England. The man’s heart more than makes up for his awkward attempts at humor (kind of like that one).  He’s a great guy and he has championed the cause on behalf of his friends the Salmons.

If you are able to donate anything at all to support the cause please visit their website. All donations go directly into the trust.

It is a far, far better thing that they do.

Portrait of Robert Burns by Alexander Naysmith

January 25th is Burns Night which celebrates the life and works of Robert Burns, aka Rabbie Burns, the Ploughman Poet or the Bard of Ayrshire, who died at the young age of thirty-seven in the year 1796.

It’s an excellent reason to drink Scotch on a Monday night.

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Here’s what you need to know about catching the Dave Matthews Band as they tour through Europe this spring: do it.

Easy, right?

I caught the band a few summers ago in Southern California and it was a blast. This was due to both the show and the fact that we spent all afternoon tailgating at the Yard House – mmm, beer.

The DMB won’t be back in the U.S. until July (at the time of this post), and that’s your loss, America. Dear Europe, have fun. Read More »

Traveling Europe - Fun for the Whole Family

Well, look at you. You’ve gone and done it. You’ve scrimped, you’ve saved, you’ve cashed in the kid’s birthday/Christmas checks from grandma and grandpa – that’s not right by the way – you’ve read all the books and written down your contact information. You’ve put a hold on the mail and piled cat food to the ceiling and left the toilet lid open. You’ve made all the necessary arrangements. It’s time to tour Europe. You’ve been good. You deserved this.

Here’s the thing though.  Europe is big.  It’s huge.  Like, so huge that there’s no way you’re walking around it unless you’re all convicted and doing it for a charity or awareness or something like that. If you’re not set up for anything listed previously, you’re going to need transportation.
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