Hey guys Mike here, I have been traveling for the past 5 months it's been one hell of a journey ​let me tell you. The amount of flights i have taken and airport transfers has been astronomic, however if you manage to find a good airport transfer company it makes traveling a whole lot smoother.

As you know i'm a huge fan of the United Kingdom and as always i had to hit up my favorite city Birmingham.

I visiting some really cool places while I was there, the best one by far has to be Digbeth Dining Club, its a family of some of the world finest street food made by some of the most skilled chefs around. The attention to detail is like nothing that i've ever seen. 

The Bullring:

Well if this is not a shopper dream I don't know what is. I'm not one for splashing lots of money on clothes I keep it very simple with shorts, a plain T and some sandals... You know me and you know food!:)

So while i was in the bullring i took the escalators to the top floor (4th) to an Italian restaurant called Fumo where i tasted some of the most amazing tapas ever! I order King prawns, Lasagne and Lamb Cutlets and finished it off with x2 pistachio cakes. The bill came to £48 but it was well worth it.

I did a hell of a lot of other things while i was in Birmingham but I don't have the time to put it all down.

Next stop was Italy so stay tuned for my next post.

​Mike

Are you having trouble deciding the window frame? Are you aware of the importance of the window frames? Window frames are an essential component of every window as it can affect the energy efficiency. To improve the strength, a window frame works with the glazing element to affect the efficiency. Most of the energy efficient window frames are made from materials that will not transfer heat or cold.
The double glazing window is situated within a frame, so you must be careful when selecting the quality of window frame. The quality of the frame will affect the insulation properties of the double glazing window. The most commonly used window frames are made from timber, aluminium, and PVC.
Here is the list of most used window frames that might help you decide which frames to choose.
AluminiumAluminium double glazing window frames became popular during the 1970s in the UK. These are not used widely because of the high cost and poor insulation properties. Aluminium frames have some benefits as they are strong, secure, have long life expectancy and requires less maintenance. They are best-suited for situations where there are strong sunlight and humid weather.  Aluminium is lightweight, they can hold heavy pieces of glass. This means that the large windows do not have to be split into various window panes.
Wooden FramesTimber frames are made from various hardwood and the most commonly used frame is from tropical mahoganies like meranti. They are durable and attractive along with this, it provides a traditional look to the house. However, they have more maintenance requirements and are costly.
Moreover, some hardwoods like oak or beech are more expensive. But allow a better finish and great flexibility. An important tip to keep in mind when selecting the timber is to make sure the wood have been dried properly. If the wood is not dried completely then it might cause problems of cracking or shrinking in future.
Furthermore, other factors of the wood must be taken into accounts like the thickness, straightness, and grain. These will affect strength and resistance of the double glazing window. Timber frames make a great pick because they are low thermal conductors that make them excellent insulators.
PVC FramesIn recent times, PVC frames are most commonly used as they are low-cost option. They are the best pick because they are excellent insulators as the cavity between the frames is filled with insulating material. They are versatile regarding the shape, size, and colour. They can be moulded into various shapes which mean they are suitable for most of the window shapes. PVC frames require little maintenance.
However, they are not as strong as metal or wooden frames. PVC can suffer from expansion when under direct and strong sunlight. In case, extra resistance is required they can be protected with galvanised steel. It might reduce the thermal efficiency of the double glazed windows.
Therefore, replacement of standard window with double glazing window is a project of home improvement. The frames are very important part of window as they affect the energy efficiency of the whole window.

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​It is always a good idea to find a reason that will get you away from the city for a while, visiting Lake Michigan being one of those reasons. Not only will you have the chance to enjoy some quiet time, fresh air and relax, but you will also enjoy the natural beauty of the lake, regardless of the season you are visiting. This lake is fascinating enough around the year, so make sure you take some time to explore it. During the summer, you will be able to chill on its sandy shores, and in the winter, you will witness the frozen beauty of the entire environment. But there are many other reasons why you should leave the urban jungle behind, and find some peace of mind near this lake. 
Because the winter just got started, here are some good reasons to visit the lake during the cold season. You will have the opportunity to immortalize splendid winter scenery over here, so don’t forget to take your camera along. But besides sightseeing, there are plenty of activities you can do by the lake. If you enjoy skiing, know that you will be able to enjoy this outdoor activity over here as well. And when the night comes, there are some hot clubs you can check out, if you feel like having some fun. You can even check it at one of the hotels in the area, and enjoy a cozy breakfast near the fireplace. Isn’t that romantic? In case your adventurous spirit awoke, feel free to go snowshoeing in the nearby forests. It will definitely get you in the mood for a good meal later on, when you can start out with some homemade bread and butter, a delicacy you can grab at almost any restaurant. 
If you don’t like the idea of being around water in the winter, you can plan a visit to Lake Michigan when the weather is warmer. It is true that feeling the fine sand between your toes is indeed a unique sensation. It is told that the sand around this lake are singing sands because they make a particular sound when you walk on them. So you may want to try that out. Also, wondering a bit further, passing the sand dunes, a one of a kind ecosystem will unravel in front of you. About 1,400 types of plants can be found here, all perfectly adapted to the sandy soil. Not to mention that spring is the best period to come here if you want to catch them all in bloom. And if you enjoy bird watching then you will have plenty to see over here. It is simply an oasis of relaxation, each time you feel smothered by the busy traffic and noise of the big city. 
These are only a part of the things you can do at the lake, so it would be great if you would write down, on your to-do list, visiting Lake Michigan. There are so many aspects that can be discovered over there, both for nature enthusiasts, and for the people that just want a place where they can unwind.

My name is Mike, and I was born and spent all my life in Michigan, USA. I always wanted to travel and see the world, so when the opportunity arrived, I decided to fly all the way to Europe. I thought it was best to start my traveling adventures in the UK, since going to an English speaking country appeared to be an excellent way to start my visits around the world. It is true that England is very different from the US, but it is precisely what makes this entire experience so exciting. Thus, I packed and got my airplane tickets, with the destination in Birmingham, UK.
The taxi company Birmingham Taxis that took me all over the city was just great. The driver did his best to take me to my destinations as soon as possible, so I don’t lose too much time, having enough to visit as much as possible. Also, he made some suggestion about some things I could enjoy the evening. One of them was to go to the Birmingham Hippodrome, as it was the perfect place where one could see an incredible show. I don’t regret following the taxi driver’s idea, as it was a great way to end the day. I also took his phone number so that I can enjoy his company and knowledge about the city for the rest of my stay in Birmingham.
I came across some pictures of the city over the Internet, which left me with a great impression, mostly due to the buildings with fascinating architecture. Birmingham looked like a perfect mix between the centuries that are gone and the modern days of the present society. The flight was rather tiring, but even so, I went to the hotel to drop my bags, as I was extremely excited to start visiting the places as soon as possible. After checking in and grabbing a backpack with a few things that I considered to be useful, I asked the receptionist of the hotel to help me out with a cab. I needed one to know the city and take me around to visit as many objectives as possible.
Birmingham is the second city in size in the entire country, so I was expecting to have a lot of things to see over here. I did some research before arriving in the city, so I knew I wanted to visit a couple of things up front. First, I stopped at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. Whenever you wish to grab a piece of history and local artworks, a museum is the best place to visit. Another great way to get used to the British style is to see the Winterbourne House and Garden. The house is rather old, but very well maintained, having the air of an old, but elegant, manor. The garden was also great, showing me that British people do care about having a beautiful garden around. Of course, this aspect became more and more evident as I visited more areas of the city. I’d wish there were so many gorgeous gardens back at home as well, so you can have a place to retreat whenever you feel the need for a fresh breath of air.

Did you know that Lake Michigan is the third largest Great Lake in the whole world? It is also the sixth largest fresh water lake in the whole world too! This being said, the Kalamazoo, the Grand and the Fox-Wolf are some of the major streams that flow into Lake Michigan along with many other rivers.
 
The size of Lake Michigan is phenomenal! With a length of 307 miles long and a breadth of 118 miles wide, no wonder it is the third largest lake in the world! With an average depth of 276ft and a maximum depth of 925ft, it is just an extraordinary lake and is truly stunning to look at.
 
Lake Michigan has been on record for 99 years as holding its replacement time… 99 years! And for 99 years it has attracted millions of people and there is no wonder why so many people are attracted to it and so many people come back to it and choose to live around it. With the fresh water, it gives off such a peaceful and breath taking experience.
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When you can benefit from a place like this, there is nowhere is in the world that can compare. Because of its fine hotels, succulent food and astonishing scenery, it attracts people from all over the world! From young to old, there are so many things to do on and around Lake Michigan, it really is a place that you can do anything, see anything and also be anything.

​A tour of Lake Michigan, just one big circle.
 
For your holiday experience, why not change it up a little and instead of having a holiday, have an experience of a lifetime! Many times I have begun my journey around Lake Michigan and I have yet to be disappointed. This blog is to tell you how it is possible to make your way around Lake Michigan from one place and back again.
 
Chicago
So, starting off in Chicago, you can enjoy the busy lifestyle with all the hustle and bustle of the city but the friendliness and characteristics that make Chicago a wonderful place to be a part of.
 
Gary, Indiana
Next is Gary, Indiana. Gary is the ninth largest city in the state of Indiana and is home to thousands of people. This city is well known for its large steel mills and is also famous for being the birth place of ‘The Jackson 5’.
 
Michigan City       
So, after Gary it is Michigan City, the beautiful place where most tourism takes place as it is mostly well known for its Dunes, the lighthouse which is the City’s notable symbol and for the amazing views of the Great Lake Michigan, especially in the summer months.
 
St Joseph and Benton Harbour
St Joseph and Benton Harbour are famously known as the ‘twin cities’. With their amazing restaurants and bars, providing you with exquisite food and their theme parks and activities, they are both really fun cities, packed with things to do and also amazing for that wind down mode.
 
Ludington, Michigan
Ludington is a gorgeous harbour town packed with amazing scenery and a peaceful atmosphere. Ludington has some of the best views of Lake Michigan and really shows off the lakes scenic side. Ludington is definitely a place that must be visited.

​So Lake Michigan, being 307 miles long and 118 miles wide, it is rather big, don’t you think? There are so many amazing places to visit and it is so hard to know where is best to go for what you like, so why not visit every place and experience every amazing feature of this great lake? From south of the lake to the north and back down again, there is no other experience like it. I have done it many times myself and every single time I do it, it just gets better and better and every time I experience new things that I never noticed before.
As long as you keep the lake to your left on your journey, you can’t go wrong. In every part of the lake, you experience a different feeling. Everywhere is so different yet similar at the same time. With its skyscrapers, sunsets and people surrounding Lake Michigan, it really is the greatest lake of them all.
You really can’t possibly understand how amazing it is until you have experienced it for yourself, the scenery, people and places are different to any other you could have experienced. Taking a tour around the great Lake Michigan really is for anyone. To experience so many different things, it will literally suit everyone and everyone’s needs.

Thanks for reading, Mark Raybold