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GRAND DESIGNS HERE COMES THE SUMMER THE HILLS ARE ALIVE V FOR VICTORY

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ACTIVEVauxhall Magazine; Summer 2007

HERE COMES THE SUMMERHERE COMES THE SUMMER

 

4. GO FOR A PICNIC
Eating al fresco, and enjoying the fresh food of a picnic needn't be complicated. Soggy egg and cress sarnies and steady cursing when the stove won't light to brew the tea are a thing of the past: modern food and technology mean picnics need no longer be nightmares. Go to the deli counter at your supermarket, then keep it all cool in Vauxhall's 12-litre cooled pack, which runs off your Astra TwinTop's cigarette lighter. Pick a spot with a view, and if the preparation still sounds too much, go online and order it all from Waitrose.co.uk.

5. BUY SOME SHADES
These days all sunglasses from reputable retailers are UV-rated, and do protect your eyes from ultra violet radiation. So a cheap pair for £5 or £10 does the same job as a designer label. We love the sun, but it's harsh on our skin so use a lotion with a high sunblock factor. Marks & Spencer's Formula range gives as effective protection as any and after swimming and sunbathing, a moisturiser such as Nivea is useful. And don't forget Vaseline for cracked lips when you come in from the sun.

6. HOW TO KEEP COOL IN THE SUMMER
With the roof down, keeping cool in an Astra TwinTop shouldn't be a problem, but don't forget you're in an open car: wear a hat, to feel cool, and look cool! For relaxed touring, a Panama looks good; higher speeds and you may find a safari hat more practical. Marks & Spencer's Blue Harbour range offers great hats from around £15.

7. JOIN THE WILDLIFE TRUST
With an open car, you can enjoy nature and the natural world even more. And with the Wildlife Trust you can get even closer. Visit major wildlife site such as Lower Moor Farm in



Wiltshire - with its wildlife rich landscape. Or try the visitor programmes that include activities for children such as mini beast safaris (they'll know what this is!) or how to help save the endearing British bumblebee, whose numbers are shrinking.

8. SACRED SITES
Britain is a country with a rich heritage of castles, cathedrals and sites of great historic significance, many just a summer afternoon's drive from home. Anything from the battle site - Naseby near Leicester, to Tintern Abbey in Gwent, and the Roman amphitheatre at nearby Caerleon. And the English Heritage website reveals many more - like the romantic Old Wardour Castle in Wiltshire. Or the ancient hill fort, Danebury Hill in Hampshire.