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After a cold night, the day began early with a loud call to prayer at 5 am, jolting us awake and reminding us we were in a very different place.
By 7 am, we sat down to a hearty breakfast of porridge, pancakes with jam, coffee, and water. The meal gave us much-needed energy for the long day ahead.
We met our guide, Abdoul, along with the mule that would carry our main gear to base camp. Renting crampons for the summit climb added to the sense of both excitement and preparation for the challenges ahead. By 9 am, we set off.
The adventure began at the ungodly hour of 5 am on the frosty morning of 2nd January. With the cold snap in full swing, my entire family rallied to see me off. Ben and Toby tumbled out onto the street in their pyjamas, bleary-eyed and shivering in the freezing cold. They stood there waving goodbye, a sight both chaotic and heartwarming. Thankfully, the street was deserted, sparing them (and me) from any extra embarrassment. As soon as the car pulled away, they were likely back under their duvets before we had even reached the main road.
On the 29th of November, I received an invitation that was both thrilling and slightly terrifying: climb Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa. Oh, and I had only 31 days to prepare. With no mountaineering experience and barely enough time to gather the right gear, it felt more like an exercise in chaos than adventure.
Toubkal had been sitting on my bucket list for years, collecting dust while life kept getting in the way. Now, the opportunity was here, and despite the tight deadline and my inner voice screaming “Are you mad?”, I just couldn’t say no.
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The cost of moving home Buying a home comes with extra costs and fees you need to be aware of – from securing your mortgage to booking the removal van. In 2024, the average cost of buying or moving house is estimated around £10,255. These costs can be higher or lower depending on where you live, the value of your property, and some of the choices you make. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, downsizing or moving to your dream family home, it’s an exciting – and busy – time. It also comes with costs that could take you by surprise, so here’s a look at the ones you’re likely to come across and how we can help you through the journey.
Tips to finding your first home Searching for your first home can be an overwhelming experience, but when it’s the biggest purchase of your life, you need to ensure that it’s right for you. There are so many things to consider, so to help you with one of the biggest decisions in your life, we have drawn up some helpful tips and guidance when finding your first home.
Taking care of your health and wellbeing is always important, and many insurance policies offer access to a variety of health and wellbeing services to help you do just that. These services are available to you whether or not you need to make a claim, as your protection policies are designed to support you beyond just the unexpected.
What’s the difference between a product transfer and a remortgage?
Overpaying your mortgage: should you do it?
Do I really need a survey? Well, the short answer is yes.
Lindsay and Sam have just found out they’re expecting their first baby. Although they’re excited at the prospect of starting a family, it’s come as a bit of a surprise and their current living situation is far from ideal. They’ve been staying with Lindsay’s dad in his two-bedroomed terrace for just over a year while they save up a deposit for their first house . The lack of space and privacy has proved challenging to say the least. Adding a baby into the mix seems like a terrible idea. On the positive side, Lindsay and Sam now have a decent deposit to put down on a house. Despite this, friends have warned the couple they’ve no chance of getting a mortgage due to their working situation. Sam is a self-employed roofer and he’s pretty successful. However, he’s only been working for himself for two years. His friends have told him, he’ll need at least three years of accounts before a lender will go anywhere near him. They say any mortgage the couple can get will be based on Lindsay’s income alone. Lindsay works as a hairdresser and her salary is nowhere near enough to secure the kind of mortgage they’re hoping for. What can Lindsay and Sam do?
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