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June Newsletter
Welcome to the June issue of the Contours newsletter. We are thrilled to be operating our tours once again, and the first holidaymakers of 2021 have ventured out into the Great British countryside – we hope you all have a fantastic, well-deserved break!
Things continue to be very busy at Contours during this exciting time and we are anticipating a bumper summer season to help UK tourism get back on its feet – if you are considering a holiday with us, please do book as far in advance as possible to avoid disappointment. We will as always make sure you are kept up to date if and when anything changes – check our website here for more information.
In this month’s edition, Matt Usherwood from DistanceHiker shares his expertise regarding eco-friendly waterproofs for walking, and we also have a blog dedicated to the Salt Path in the South West by Sally Phillips. As always, we have a variety of other features to share, so grab a cuppa and enjoy! Thanks for reading, and Happy Adventures!
Featured Video:
South Downs Way
Walk the length of the chalk downs of Hampshire and Sussex on the South Downs Way, which dips into beautiful river valleys to visit Norman and Saxon churches, deserted medieval villages, and historic thatched villages bursting with flowers.
This spectacular National Trail boasts a wealth of old beacon viewpoints overlooking patchwork fields and woodland. Those inland vistas are matched only by the breath-taking views from chalk clifftop trails out over the English Channel at the adventure’s end. The South Downs Way is a stunning walking holiday through iconic English terrain.
Watch our South Downs Way film here.
Featured Trail:
Mendip Way
The Mendips are a range of impressive limestone hills stretching across Somerset – our Mendip Way walking trail covers a fabulously varied 52 miles, stretching from the coast near Weston-super-Mare and travelling all the way to Frome.
Walk over the undulating escarpment and admire superb landscapes and breath-taking scenery, uncovering the enthralling caves at Cheddar Gorge and Wookey Hole along the way. Visit fascinating old market towns, discover intriguing historic landmarks, and spot amazing wildlife, all on this spectacular Southern England route.
Check out our Mendip Way walking holidays here.
The Best Environmentally Friendly
Waterproofs for Long-Distance Walkers
By Matt Usherwood
Your waterproofs may have a dirty secret.
They potentially use harmful chemicals to keep the rain effortlessly beading from their surface.
This harmful chemical is fluorocarbon, and it is used in a variety of applications where a non-stick surface is required. For example, non-stick cookware and cupcake wrappers.
Continue reading ...
Featured Posts
Having a well-structured training plan will always result in better performance than ad hoc training. And training before your walking, running or cycling holiday is worthwhile: good fitness gives you the freedom of variable pace and the comfort of arriving at each stop with plenty of energy still in the tank.
Read more...
There’s no better companion for the outdoor world than a really good book, and no quicker way to get to know a community than with a wander around its bookshop. These shops are troves of local insight, sure to sharpen your appreciation of a place with knowledge of its history and living traditions.
Read more...
In the last month's newsletter, Christine shared her first blog written before embarking on her epic English Coast Path adventure, and Director Karen shared her knowledge of Thomas Telford and the lasting impact he made on British architecture. We also struck up a charitable partnership with Hammersley Homes, and there was plenty more good stuff for you to enjoy too. Thank you very much for reading, and Happy Adventures!
Read more...
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Our Photo
Competition is Open!
We always love to see what our customers get up to while out on their holidays; hearing about your experiences and admiring your photos has been something we’ve really missed during lockdown. Now that holidays are running once more, we are delighted to reopen our annual Photo Competition for everyone who has taken a 2020 or 2021 holiday with us!
If you return from your break and have some corking snaps you want to share, send them in to us and you could win up to £150 off your next Contours Holiday!
Click here for more information about our Photo Competition.
Walking Inspiration from The Salt Path
By Sally Phillips
Raynor Winn’s life-affirming book, The Salt Path, has sold almost a quarter of a million copies and inspired walkers from all over the world to walk the South West Coast Path.
The book documents the true story of Raynor and her partner Moth as they discover the healing power of nature. The couple lost their home, their business, and all their savings in a business investment that went wrong. Left homeless and directionless, they walked the 630-mile coastal path through Cornwall, with only a tent and very little money. For Moth, who is terminally ill, the walk is a test of endurance that helps to revive both his spirit and body.
Continue reading ...
Christine and Gino’s England Coast Path Adventure
Our fabulous work colleague Christine and her lovely Labrador Gino are currently walking the entirety of England’s coast to raise money for Yappy Ever After, the rescue shelter that cared for Gino prior to his adoption. They have already been out on the trails over a month and have been updating their Facebook page with daily updates (and awesome photos) from their journey. It has been amazing to follow their progress each day, and the whole Contours team is cheering them on, every step of the way!
Follow “Yappy Hikers” on Facebook or Instagram to follow their epic venture.
Send us your Feedback
Thank you to everyone who has booked a Contours Holiday for the rest of 2021 – we really appreciate your support! Once you have enjoyed your holiday, please remember to submit your feedback form via the Members Area on our website. Not only will this help us continue to improve our services and provide the best experience possible, but you will also be automatically entered into our annual prize draw to win a £250 Contours voucher!
Last Month's
Competition:
Congratulations to Helen A. for being the lucky winner who correctly identified the Housel Bay Beach. It is loacted near The Lizard and Falmouth, Cornwall.
 (click image for full picture)
Competition Time:
Guess Where?
To be in with a chance of winning this month's competition, can you guess where?
 (click image for full picture)
A winner will be chosen at random using an online wheel spinner from all the correct entries to win a £20 Contours Holidays gift voucher. Good luck!
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