Waking up to the sound of the waves crashing against the shore on the Isle of Sheppey, I couldn’t be happier about my weekend away with Franky – a Peugeot Boxer converted into a home on wheels.

With the doors of the van wide open, I propped myself up in bed with the sea breeze in my hair and gazed out over the cliffs where a rosy sunrise painted the horizon.

Britain’s van life movement has taken off in recent years and I was here to see what the fuss was about before potentially spending money on my own conversion.

Quirky Campers allows you to do just that, without any of the hard work or investment, by renting out bespoke campervans across the UK for two nights or more.

From the collection, I chose Franky – a two-berth camper with a modern and chic interior that instantly evokes a feeling of home the moment you step inside.

Inspired by owner Rebecca’s passion for beaches and winter mountains, not only does it look good but it’s extremely functional too.

After collecting the van from south London, I embarked on a road trip through Kent where I planned to stop for lunch at Blue Bell Hill in Aylesford on my 50-mile journey to Eastchurch on the Isle of Sheppey.

I then drove the 35 miles to Dering Wood, near Pluckley village, before heading another 20 miles to Whitstable before making the 60-mile journey back to south London.

Franky felt like a rolling Airbnb, with its stylish kitchenette equipped with everything you need to cook up a feast, from a dining set to pots and pans, a chopping board, and cooking utensils.

At the rear is a cosy dining area with a swing-out dining table that rotates out of the van.

I enjoyed using it to prepare food outside during my September road trip where the wild cliffs of Eastchurch and the magical woodland of Pluckley felt like my own private garden.

At the end of each day, I folded away the table, which formed the base of a full-size double bed, along with three additional planks stored under the seating area.

I was surprised at how comfortable it was and I was even able to leave the door ajar and fall asleep to the soothing sounds of the sea.

Other creative design elements I loved were a magnetic wall rack for metal coffee cups, Velcro curtains, a pop-out privacy screen to separate the driver compartment, and a compact indoor shower-come-drying closet, perfect for rainy days in nature.

Everything was neatly held in place when I was on the road thanks to non-slip mats inside the cupboards and magnets that kept the doors and drawers closed.

Parking up on my first night at the Isle of Sheppey’s Clifftop Camping site, I opened all the van doors to welcome in the countryside views.

The stunning clifftop is part of a family-run hay farm where I was able to buy beef and freshly laid eggs.

At night, it provided the perfect setting for a crackling open fire where I used a cast-iron casserole dish that comes with Franky to cook chargrilled vegetables and crispy lamb with tarragon.

This was followed by an evening of stargazing, using picnic chairs and blankets from the van.

The next day, I opened the van doors to miles of unspoiled forest at Dering Wood, a private forest on the edge of Pluckley village.

Here, I enjoyed waking up to birdsong and taking a morning stroll among the trickling streams and towering trees home to birds, badgers, bats, and deer.

Staying off-grid for a long weekend was possible thanks to Franky’s self-sufficient appliances.

The indoor shower and kitchen sink are fed by a 55-litre water tank and there is a 21-litre chemical toilet stored in the shower room.

What was even more useful was how the built-in electrical appliances are powered by a 190amp battery, 115w solar, and split relay charge that keeps you topped up when driving.

When additional power is needed for plug-in electrical devices, the van has a shore-line hook-up point for mains power enabling four three-pin household plugs.

I later took advantage of this at Hampton Bay Park, three miles from Whitstable, where I connected to the mains power supply and transformed the van into a home cinema with my Samsung Freestyle 2nd Gen portable projector.

Here, I saw first-hand the benefits of visiting a campsite with a mains power supply, a water tap, rubbish bins, a toilet waste disposal point, and an onsite restaurant.

While I thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of van life, it did not come without its challenges.

My very first stop-off – a picnic site at Bluebell Hill in Aylesford – turned into disappointment when a height barrier prevented me from being able to enter the car park.

And another plan to park up along the seafront just outside of Whitstable was foiled when I was met by parking restrictions for overnight van parking.

In this way, renting somebody else’s van can become a game of trial an error, and I found staying organised is key.

Despite the hiccups, I thoroughly enjoyed my van life experience, which has spurred me on further to design my own camper.

• Catching up on sleep at the weekend could make you feel more tired, experts say
• Sleep expert says not getting sunlight in morning can make you go to bed later 

By Rebecca Whittaker For Mailonline

Updated: 08:38 EDT, 3 September 2023

By Adrian Bishop For Mailonline

Updated: 10:42 EDT, 2 September 2023

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One of the most beautiful celestial events of the year takes place this week, with up to 100 shooting stars visible each hour during the Perseid meteor shower.

Skywatchers across the US and Canada will be among those best able to enjoy the dazzling meteor shower, which occurs when the Earth plows through debris left behind by the Swift-Tuttle comet during its trips through the inner solar system.

Described as a ‘fireball champion‘ by Nasa, it will be visible both north and south of the equator, but the Northern Hemisphere provides the best displays.

It will reach its peak in North America from August 12 to 13 and remain visible until September 1. 

Astronomers say the Perseids, like all meteor showers, are best viewed with the naked eye in areas with clear skies, low light pollution, low smog and a wide view of the sky. Here’s what to know if you want to make the most of it:

When and how can I watch the Perseid meteor shower in the US and Canada?   

First, check the weather forecast before you head out. 

The quality of the display that we see during a meteor shower’s peak is determined by the weather and the moon.

Forecasters say people in the US and Canada will have a good view this year, as long as the sky is clear of light pollution and clouds. 

If you’re in a location where the clouds aren’t too bad, head to a dark spot away from light. Find an area with a clear view of the sky away from trees, street lamps, and buildings. 

Experts say binoculars and telescopes are not necessary because they will restrict the size of the sky that will be visible to you. 

Be prepared – it could take 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the dark, and looking at your cell phone can mess up night vision.

The best time to see anything in the night sky is when the sky is at its darkest and when the target is at its highest position in the sky. 

For meteor showers, this usually occurs between midnight and the very early hours of the morning.

This year, the Earth will pass through the remains of the Swift-Tuttle comet at 4am ET August 13, and will be visible from 10.30pm to 4.30am.

How many shooting stars will there be every hour during the 2023 Perseid meteor shower? 

When a Perseid meteor shower begins, stargazers can only see about one meteor every hour. 

However, once it reaches its peak, that number will increase from 50-75, with a maximum of 100 every hour.

The average number people will see in 2023 will vary significantly, says Nasa’s Bill Cooke. 

‘People in the US can reasonably expect to see around 40 Perseids in the hour just before dawn on the peak nights. That’s about one every couple of minutes, which is not bad.’  

‘However, we are assuming you are out in the country, well away from cities and suburbs.’

Where can I watch the Perseid meteor shower and which countries get the best view? 

Two of the best spots to see the Perseids this year will be along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of the United States.

Overall, the Northern Hemisphere will have the best views globally, according to Dr Robert Massey, of the Royal Astronomical Society.

‘The radiant for the Perseids – the point in the sky the meteors appear to come from – is in Perseus, and high in the Northern Hemisphere of the sky,’ he said.

‘It’s 58 degrees north of the celestial equator, which means it would be overhead from 58 degrees north.’

‘This also means the radiant never rises for places south of 32 degrees south, so the southernmost parts of Australia, and much of Argentina and Chile.’

‘The upshot is that the Northern Hemisphere has the best potential view, as the radiant is higher in the sky and visible for longer, so in theory more meteors are visible.’

For those in the US and Canada, national parks that are open after dark will predictably be among the most incredible places to view the Perseid meteor shower.

How fast are the Perseid meteors traveling and how big are they?

A typical Perseid meteoroid moves at 133,200 mph (214,365 kph) when it hits Earth’s atmosphere.

At this point it becomes a meteor. If it were to hit the ground it would be termed a meteorite, but almost none of the Perseid fragments do this because they are the size of a grain of sand. 

Most of the fragments are visible when they are about 60 miles (97 kilometers) from the Earth’s surface.

Meteors can travel at speeds of 44 miles per second, and the size of a meteor does not make any difference. 

The Perseid meteor shower is the only meteor shower to have delayed a Space Shuttle launch – the NASA-STS-51 was delayed in 1993 due to concerns about damage to the spacecraft. 

Why is it called the Perseid meteor shower?

The name Perseids comes from the constellation Perseus, which is visible in the Northern Hemisphere and parts of the Southern Hemisphere.

‘Perseus is a mythological Greek character,’ says Fiske Planetarium Manager Francisco ‘Tito’ Salas. 

‘Perseus is the one who killed Medusa. When he cut her head, that’s how he was able to kill the sea monster. And you know what happens when you see Medusa’s head? You transform into a rock.’ 

There have been other myths following Perseus which have found their way to be connected to the Perseids.

One myth states that Perseus married Andromeda, and together they had nine children. 

The connection? Perseids is derived from the Greek word Perseides, which refers to Perseus’ descendants. 

Like the Perseus constellation, the Perseids are visible in all parts of the world, primarily in the Northern Hemisphere.

The Perseus constellation sits in the middle of a triangle formed by the W or M-shaped constellation of Cassiopeia, the Pleiades star cluster and the bright star Canopus. 

Together, it all creates the constellation Carina. 

What is the Swift-Tuttle comet?

The pieces of space debris that interact with our atmosphere to create the Perseids meteor shower originate from the Swift-Tuttle comet.

Italian astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli realized in 1865 that this comet was the source of the Perseids.

Comet Swift-Tuttle was discovered in 1862 independently by both Lewis Swift and Horace Tuttle.

Swift-Tuttle is a large comet – its nucleus is 16 miles (26 kilometers) across – and it last passed near Earth in 1992.

When will the next meteor shower be? 

The next major meteor shower will be the Orionids, which will begin its activity on September 26 and end on November 22.

It is a medium-strength shower that in recent years has produced less dramatic displays than the Perseids. 

It will hit its peak on October 20-21. 

Matt Doran returns to Weekend Sunrise from personal leave in good spirits – after vanishing while covering Hunter Valley bus crash tragedy

By Jimmy Briggs For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 21:53 EDT, 24 June 2023 | Updated: 21:53 EDT, 24 June 2023

With temperatures set to soar this weekend, there’s only one place to be – the beach. 

Thankfully, the UK coastline is peppered with an array of gorgeous sandy beaches that are perfect for leisurely days of sandcastle-building and sun-worshipping. 

Here’s our guide to 10 of the best, from a hidden gem in Wales to a Scottish beach that’s been compared to the sunkissed shores of the Maldives. 

All that’s left to do is to pack your sunscreen and a towel.  

1. TRAETH LLANDDWYN, ANGLESEY, WALES

One beach to lay your towel on this summer is Traeth Llanddwyn, a Blue Flag Beach backed by Newborough National Nature Reserve on Wales’s Isle of Anglesey. It’s described by the tourist board as an ‘ideal picnic site during fine weather’ and offers views of Llanddwyn Island, a tidal island crowned by the Twr Mawr lighthouse. 

Such is its charm that a video of the beach’s golden sands recently went viral on TikTok. Posted by user ‘Heykeyt’, it’s racked up more than 1.4million views to date. 

In the comments below the clip, user Sophie James wrote: ‘The UK has incredible beaches.’ Another user, ‘Oliveee’, weighed in: ‘Wales is underrated.’ 

2. TRAIGH MHEILEIN BEACH ON THE ISLE OF HARRIS, SCOTLAND

Hidden away from the crowds, this picture-perfect beach can be accessed via a roughly half-hour hike starting from Huisinis Beach on the Isle of Harris. 

A video about the beach recently went viral on TikTok when a pair of bloggers declared it the ‘equivalent of the Maldives in Scotland’. They told MailOnline Travel: ‘The white sand and the crystal-clear water is not something you see very often in the UK. We have been fortunate enough to visit the Maldives twice, once for our honeymoon and then we returned two years later as we fell in love with it there. [Traigh Mheilein] beach reminded us of the gorgeous waters there.’

3. PEDN VOUNDER BEACH, NEAR LAND’S END IN CORNWALL

Pedn Vounder Beach, framed by cliffs and accessible via a steep pathway, is described by local beach guide Cornall Beaches as one of Cornwall’s ‘loveliest beaches’.

It says to expect ‘crystal clear turquoise water’ and ‘beautiful white sand’ on your visit. Those who hate tan lines are in luck – the website notes that it’s an ‘unofficial naturist beach’.

4. GREEN PORTH ON TRESCO ISLAND, THE ISLES OF SCILLY

Green Porth on the eastern coast of Tresco in the Isles of Scilly looks as pretty as a picture. 

The Cornwall Beaches guide reveals: ‘The beach is bordered to one end by Old Grimsby Quay and overlooked by the old fort on Tommy’s Hill at the other.’ It adds that there are low dunes to the rear of the beach, which offer shelter to swimmers and sunbathers on windy days. 

It’s one of many beaches that are worth checking out in the archipelago, as the local tourist board notes: ‘With their turquoise water and pale, fine sand, Scilly’s beaches are simply stunning – beautiful enough to rival any in the world.’ 

5 and 6. SALCOMBE NORTH SANDS & SOUTH SANDS BEACH – DEVON

Salcombe North Sands, an easy walk from Salcombe town, is just the ticket for those planning a family day out in the sunshine. 

Visit South Devon describes it as a ‘large sandy beach perfect for families, with great swimming due to the safe bay, and rockpools nearby for exploring’. 

If you fancy, you can spend the morning building sandcastles on Salcombe North Sands and then devote the afternoon to sunbathing on nearby South Sands Beach, described by the tourist board as ‘one of the most unspoilt beaches in South Devon’. 

7. LUSKENTYRE BEACH, ISLE OF HARRIS, SCOTLAND

‘Forget the Caribbean and [the] Indian Ocean, this is the most beautiful wild ocean beach on earth.’

So says Tripadvisor reviewer ‘BK1958’ of Luskentyre Beach, which lies on the west coast of the Isle of Harris in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides. 

Last year, this stretch of sand was named the UK’s best beach by Tripadvisor, ranking as the seventh best beach in all of Europe. 

8. BROAD HAVEN SOUTH IN PEMBROKESHIRE, WALES

‘Broad Haven South can be a good spot for swimming, surfing, fishing and a great place to get out the cricket set or frisbee.’

So says the Pembrokeshire Coast website of this pretty stretch of sand, which lies near the village of Bosherston. 

The site adds: ‘There’s an intriguing limestone stack, known as Church Rock, just offshore.’ 

9. BAMBURGH BEACH, NORTHUMBERLAND

Drink in views of the grand, Grade I-listed Bamburgh Castle as you sunbathe on this stunning stretch of the Northumberland coast. 

The local tourist board says of Bamburgh Beach: ‘Its vast, unspoilt shoreline is uncrowded and backed by fabulous sand dunes… it also commands sea views across to Lindisfarne, Holy Island and Farne Islands.’ 

Making a trip to the beach all the more attractive, Bamburgh village was recently named the country’s best-loved coastal destination in a Which? survey, as we reported.  

10. CRANTOCK BEACH NEAR NEWQUAY, CORNWALL

Set at the mouth of the River Gannel estuary, Crantock Beach is a National Trust-run expanse of sand that’s said to be ideal for sandcastles and surfing. 

‘Big Green Surf School at Crantock offers surf and stand-up paddleboard lessons as well as hire,’ the National Trust reveals, adding that birds such as fulmars and jackdaws can be sighted around the beach.

After a recent visit, Tripadvisor reviewer Andrew D praised the ‘gorgeous’ sandy beach and its ‘crystal clear’ sea, writing: ‘It never disappoints. It felt like we were in another country.’  

A golfing odyssey on hallowed greens… and a soak in the ultimate spa: Inside the legendary Celtic Manor resort for a great couples’ weekend escape

By Ben Bailey

Published: 06:11 EDT, 16 May 2023 | Updated: 06:11 EDT, 16 May 2023

Channel Nine star Belinda Russell breaks her silence after her shock departure from Weekend Today: ‘It wasn’t what I was expecting’

By Caleb Taylor For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 21:25 EDT, 6 May 2023 | Updated: 22:23 EDT, 6 May 2023