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I’ve been on 100 camping breaks and I swear by a £9.49 travel item that makes trips with kids so much easier

CAMPING with young children can be tricky, but a mum has praised a travel item that costs less than a tenner as being a must-have on her family holidays.

Breanne Lovatt started going on camping holidays as a child before spending several years working for European campsite chain, Key Camp.

Woman standing in front of a campsite tent at night.
Breanne Lovatt
Breanne Lovatt started going on camping holidays as a child[/caption]
Baby sitting in a high chair with a busy board.
Breanne Lovatt
The camping expert recommends packing a fabric baby seat when going on family holidays[/caption]
Two young children in a wagon outside a campsite.
Breanne Lovatt
Another travel item Breanne recommends is a trolley, which is great for lugging items (and kids) around campsites[/caption]

Breanne and her husband have been to nearly 100 campsites, detailing their trips on website Family Camping Europe.

Speaking exclusively to Sun Travel, Breanne shared the seven items that make her camping getaways with young kids a whole lot easier.

She said: “One of the most useful items we’ve discovered is a portable fabric baby seat that straps onto standard chairs.

“We use it on camping chairs or when eating out – it’s super convenient.”

Portable fabric baby seats can be purchased for as little as £9.49 on Amazon, with other parents raving about the travel item.

One person wrote: “I purchased this to use on holiday with my 10-month-old son. It was just as described, easy to use and felt secure.

“It was also easy to wash and rolls up quite small for travelling.”

Another added: “It was perfect for the holiday“.

There are plenty of other items Breanne can’t camp without, including a baby carrier, white noise box and a trolley.

She added: “It packs down much smaller than a pushchair and is perfect for long walks.

“Campsites can be noisy, but our white noise box blocks out the sounds and helps all of us (adults included) sleep much better.

“While nature sounds are great, not all campsites are that peaceful.

“We often use our four-wheel trolley for bin runs, taking children and equipment to the beach, and just dragging anything and everything around”.

Camping breaks in the UK can often be hampered by the weather, which is why Breanne recommends packing activities for a rainy day.

She added: “We pack puzzles, stickers, notebooks, pens, paper, books, chalk, puddle suits, and wellies.

“While bubbles used to be a firm favorite, we recently learned they’re frowned upon on campsites because they can damage the waterproof lining on tents.

“All of these items are small and easy to pack (except for wellies, they’re kinda inconvenient but sometimes necessary).”

And sometimes it’s not just items for kids that make the world of difference on a family holiday, with parents needing something for themselves.

Two toddlers at a campsite table, eating and doing alphabet worksheets.
Breanne Lovatt
The family of four makes sure to pack lots of transportable activities to keep kids entertained on rainy days or slow afternoons[/caption]

Breanne recommends forking out for a large tent, adding: “Long gone are the days where I’m trying to dress myself whilst lying on the floor of a tiny two-man tent.

“A large, stand-up family tent is non-negotiable – unless we’re staying in a mobile home or pre-erected tent when it’s already a given”.

The camping expert also recommends trying to rope in a grandparent, relative or friend who can watch your kids when you want to unwind.

She added: “This isn’t really a must-have, but it’s a nice bonus when you can get it.

“While I love holidays that are focused on the children’s enjoyment, it’s nice to sneak off to the spa with my husband for an hour and enjoy some relaxing couple time.

“Over the past few years, we’ve holidayed with family and friends, and it’s definitely made the experience more enjoyable.

“It’s nice to share the holiday with other people, with that community aspect being really important to us”.

Three camping tips from an expert

David Scotland owns camping equipment retailer Outdoor World Direct and knows all about how to make a camping trip run smoothly.

When visiting any campsite this summer it’s important to make sure you’re not making simple mistakes that could ruin your holiday.

Check your tent

David recommends putting your tent up a couple of weeks before you’re due to travel to give you enough time to repair or replace any damaged parts.

He told Sun Online Travel: “You’d be surprised how many people turn up with broken tents.”

Test the ground

Picking a good spot to pitch your tent is difficult, with lots of things to consider.

One of those should be the condition of the ground you’re putting your tent on top of, according to David.

He said: “Once you’ve found the perfect spot, test the ground with your pegs before you commit to camping there to make sure the ground is soft enough.”

Don’t nap in your tent

It may seem the perfect place for it, but a nap in a tent could end badly, if it’s done at the wrong time of the day.

David explained: “If the sun’s shining and it’s hot inside your tent – don’t do it!

“One of our friends nodded off in his tent during a heatwave at Glastonbury and ended up at the medical tent with heatstroke.”

Instead, he recommends finding some shade outside or somewhere well ventilated.

Meanwhile, there’s a beautiful campsite in the middle of a vineyard and it’s near one of Europe’s most underrated cities.

At the end of last year, a beachfront campsite in Europe revealed a huge £21million revamp.

Woman at water park holding baby in carrier.
Breanne Lovatt
Breanne Lovatt has visited nearly 100 campsites in the UK and Europe[/caption]

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Sidemen Charity Match 2025: Date, kick-off time, stream FREE and confirmed line-ups for Wembley Stadium showpiece

THE Sidemen Charity match returns for 2025, as KSI and the Sidemen take on the YouTube Allstars in HUGE clash at Wembley Stadium.

The sixth iteration of the match takes place at Wembley Stadium, with the Sidemen having visited many stadiums around England throughout the history of the event.

KSI by the ringside at the Co-op Live Arena, Manchester. Picture date: Saturday January 18, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story BOXING Manchester. Photo credit should read: Richard Sellers/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.
KSI will play with YouTube group the Sidemen of Sidemen FC
Richard Sellers/PA Wire
EDITORIAL USE ONLY Sidemen’s Vikkstar (left) scores a goal during the Sidemen FC VS YouTube All Stars charity match at Charlton Athletic FC’s The Valley, London. Picture date: Saturday September 24, 2022. PA Photo. The match which was first staged in 2016 has since become an annual event, halted by Covid-19 in 2020, this is the first time the match will take place since 2019. The British YouTube supergroup have sold out the 27,000-seater venue, so no tickets are available but those who missed out were able to watch online. Money raised during the match will be donated to charities such as Calm and Teenage Cancer trust. Photo credit should read: Kieran Cleeves/PA Wire
Sidemen FC vs YouTube Allstars is an event to raise money for charity
Kieran Cleeves/PA Wire

Despite taking the game to the 90,000 capacity stadium, Sidemen sold out the stadium in just THREE HOURS.

The Sidemen are taking on the YouTube Allstars, and currently hold a 4-1 record in five matches, ranging back to 2016.

How to watch Sidemen FC vs YouTube Allstars?

  • In previous years, the game has been shown via a live stream on the Sidemen YouTube channel, and this year is expected to be the same.
  • The match will take place on Saturday, March 8, 2025.
  • Kick-off is expected to be at 3pm, but further details will be confirmed closer to the day.
  • The match will take place at Wembley Stadium in London.

Who is playing in the Sidemen Charity Match?

Confirmed for Sidemen FC will be their seven members:

  • Olajide Olatunji aka KSI
  • Simon Minter aka Miniminter
  • Tobi Brown aka TBJZL
  • Joshua Bradley aka Zerkaa
  • Harry Lewis aka W2S
  • Vikram Barn aka Vikkstar
  • Ethan Payne aka Behzinga

Names will be confirmed on the Sidemen social media channels, but so far they have announced:

  • LazarBeam
  • Fanum

More names to follow…

History of the Sidemen Charity Match

The group first took to the pitch against the YouTube Allstars in Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium in 2016.

Sidemen FC won the game 7-2.

YouTube Allstars picked up their first win against Sidemen FC in a much closer contest a year later at The Valley, home ground of Charlton Athletic.

Goals from streamer Castro and YouTuber Chris MD were the difference in an anomaly 2-0 win for the Allstars.

To date, the 2017 YouTube Allstars are the only team to keep a clean sheet in any iteration of this match, and the only version of the team that have a win over Sidemen FC.

The Valley became a regular spot for the Sidemen to host these games, as they played there again in 2018 and 2022.

In 2023, the YouTube group dared to go bigger, and sold out the London Stadium in a thrilling 8-5 win over the Allstars, having won 8-7 the year prior.

In short, don’t be a goalkeeper in the Sidemen Charity Match.

Are tickets still available for Sidemen Charity Match?

In short, no, tickets are now officially sold out on the Sidemen FC website.

Despite upgrading to the 90,000 seater stadium, the YouTube sensations had no problem selling out the match.

Wembley has hosted YouTube events before, with Hashtag United owner Spencer Owen, otherwise known as Spencer FC, hosting the EE Wembley Cup there.

An early iteration of Sidemen FC actually faced Spencer FC in the first game in 2015. The EE Wembley Cup was played four times in 2015, 16, 17 and 18.

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‘I have zero interest training in golf’ – Charley Hull putting her efforts into different sport despite £4m on the line

GOLFER Charley Hull has revealed she does not practice away from tournaments and is focused on another sport.

The 28-year-old has come second on three separate occasions at LPGA majors.

Charley Hull of England playing golf.
Getty
Charley Hull is playing for £4m at the PIF Saudi Ladies International[/caption]
Woman in pink and black bikini by a pool.
But she has not been practising and has ‘no interest’ in golf

Hull is currently in action at the PIF Saudi Ladies International, with the overall winner after five events this year pocketing £4million.

Despite the staggering amount of cash on offer, the Kettering-born star has not been finding her range on the fairway during the off-season.

Hull told Sky Sports: “My main goal actually isn’t on the golf course.

“I want to try and get my 5k run time down to 20 minutes by the end of the year. It’s around 26 minutes at the moment.

“I don’t train in golf. I have zero interest in training in golf. I don’t want to just be a golfer.

“I want to be an athlete. I train because it’s good for my mental health and it’s good for me. I just enjoy it as a hobby.”

The £4m to be won is the same amount on offer at the men’s tournament.

On the equal pay, Hull said: “It’s really good and moves the game forward.

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“It’s pretty cool to have the same prize money as men. So I think it’s really, really good.”

Hull, who is the world No11, comes into the event as one of the favourites and is teaming up with Germany’s Chiara Noja.

The format of the PIF Saudi Ladies International sees a 36-hole team competition played as well as a 54-hole individual event.

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I used a unique method to grout my bathroom floor & people are horrified – I think the transformation speaks for itself

AFTER trying her hand at DIYing her bathroom, one woman faced backlash despite the impressive finish.

People criticised her unique grouting technique after she shared her process.

Bathroom with white hexagonal tile floor, white vanity, and a bath mat that says "GET NAKED".
TikTok/@itsmeshelbyturner
i-think-transformation-speaks-https-971991567[/caption]

In her viral video, TikTok user Shelby (@itsmeshelbyturner) gave her viewers a look at the before and after of her bathroom.

She also talked her audience through the DIY process she used to transform the floor.

First, the TikToker laid down painter’s tape and laid out her peel and stick tiles.

She explained that she is only renting the space and need the tiles to be easily removed.

While she carefully stencilled and cut the “little white elongated hexagon tiles” there were still gaps between the tiles.

Shelby used Simple Grout to fill in any spaces of the tiles “that didn’t line perfectly.”

She explained that she didn’t want moisture to get between the peel and stick tiles.

“So I’m going over every single crack with grout,” she said as she used her finger to apply the premixed grout.

The TikToker used the one finger that didn’t have a fake nail to work the grout between the tiles.

Shelby also used caulk to seal the space between the tiles and the base of her toilet.

After finishing, she showed her audience a side by side comparison of her bathroom.

Shelby concluded that the tiles “completely changed the room” and said she was “so excited” for the result.

While viewers were impressed by the transformation, many pointed out their issue with the grout application.

TikTok users shared their thoughts on the unique method in the comments section.

“Applying the grout with the one finger without a nail is killing me,” wrote one viewer.

How to do your council house up on the cheap

  • Take inspiration from pricier shops and head to B&M, Home Bargains for interior decorations.
  • Head to YouTube for easy to follow tutorials on how to decorate rather than paying for professionals.
  • For a quick glow-up for your floors or anywhere with tiles, opt for stick-on vinyl to save on costs.
  • A lick of paint does wonders to make a room feel brand-new.
  • Switch out kitchen cupboard knobs for modern ones instead of buying brand-new cupboards.

“Did you take that one nail off just to do the grout?” asked another follower.

“Don’t forget to pull off ONE finger nail for the grout fill,” commented a third person.

“I’m kidding, good job looks great.”

“OMG, you doing this with those nails! I have no excuse now and mine are shorter,” joked another TikTok user.

“Not sure if it’s a nails or tile advertisement,” wrote another viewer.

Hand grouting hexagonal bathroom tiles.
TikTok/@itsmeshelbyturner
i-think-transformation-speaks-https-971991560[/caption]

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‘It’s a fabulous off roader’ – YOU can own James May’s Caterham built for The Grand Tour for just £30k

PETROLHEADS have the chance to get their hands on James May’s custom-built Caterham.

The race car was made especially The Grand Tour and comes with a £30,000 price tag.

Orange Caterham Seven 310R from The Grand Tour.
mediadrumimages
The Caterham Seven 310R is up for sale, but it will cost you a few bob[/caption]
Three men standing near an orange Caterham Seven 310R and a blue car.
Amazon
It featured on a special episode of The Grand Tour on Amazon Prime[/caption]

The Caterham Seven 310R was made famous on a special episode where James took the car on an epic adventure across Madagascar.

Ahead of the ‘A Massive Hunt’ episode, the TV presenter transformed the car into an off-road beast.

“The Caterham Super 7 racing car is a fabulous off-roader and vehicle.

“Why you’d buy a Land Rover or Toyota Land Cruiser I don’t know,” James told RadioTimes.com.

Images show this one of two 310Rs involved in that production, with subtle modifications, including a race car nosecone from the 420R and part-black, part-silver 13-inch wheels, track day roll cage, a quick-release Momo steering wheel, and AP Racing brake components.

The car retains its original 1.6-litre Ford Sigma engine, producing 155hp, with a 0-62mph time of 4.8 seconds.

This 2018 Caterham 310R is now being offered for £30K by PT Sports Car.

“This is a great chance to own a piece of The Grand Tour history,” reads the listing.

“It’s mechanically the same as a regular 310R, but with a fascinating story to tell.

“The car also comes with an array of upgrades, including a track day roll cage, a quick-release Momo steering wheel, and AP Racing brake components.

“This is a true collector’s item, perfect for someone who wants to own a piece of motoring TV history.”

Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond joined James on the show after the trio migrated from BBC’s Top Gear.

It was launched in November 2016 on Amazon Prime Video.

The show kept viewers entertained by mixing car reviews in with road trips to far-flung places, and eccentric challenges.

However, after six successful seasons, the motoring series wrapped up last year with its final special: One For The Road.

During a recent appearance on Sunday Brunch, James was quizzed about why he and his co-stars decided to call time on the show when it was so loved.

He initially brushed off the question with a bit of humour, joking: “I just couldn’t stand them!”

However, James eventually gave a more thoughtful response.

He told show hosts: “We always said, between us, that we would end it with some race, hopefully, rather than fly into the White Cliffs of Dover, desperately trying to keep it along – and I think we just about managed that.

“We’d exhausted the subject, we are getting on a bit. I believe it’s time for a new generation to find a new take – I don’t know what it is.”

When Simon Rimmer asked whether the decision felt right, James responded: “Yes, I think so. You can’t overstay your welcome. You’re supposed to leave the audience wanting more. It’s the rule of show business.”

Tim Lovejoy joked about the trio possibly returning for a Grand Tour 25th-anniversary special if the price was right.

Interior view of an orange Caterham Seven 310R.
mediadrumimages
The car comes with an array of upgrades, including a track day roll cage[/caption]
Interior view of an orange Caterham Seven 310R, showing the roll cage and seats.
mediadrumimages
It has a roll cage and AP racing brake components[/caption]

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New best 0% balance transfer credit card that gives you 32 months to shift debt without paying ANY interest

CUSTOMERS should be aware of the a new 0% balance transfer credit card that gives you 32 months to shift debt without paying any interest.

MBNA Limited, which is part of Lloyd’s Banking Group, has launched the offer for potential customers.

Credit card on British banknotes.
Alamy
MBNA has launched a new credit card for customers[/caption]

A 0% balance transfer credit card allows you to move debt from one card to another without paying interest for a set period. 

This can help you pay off your debt faster.

With this particular offer you will initially pay a 3.2% fee on the balance you transfer across.

You will not be charged anything further on this transfer for 32 months, which is almost two and a half years.

So for example, if you had £1,000 on a previous credit card you would initially pay £32 to transfer this debt.

However, if you use this credit card for any other purchases, you will be hit with a 24.9% APR on any further transactions.

APR stands for Annual Percentage Rate. It’s the yearly cost of borrowing money, including interest and other fees. 

Credit card interest rates can range between 0% and 50%, but the average credit card charges about 18% or 19%, according to MoneySuperMarket.

So this particular rate by MBNA is slightly higher than other credit card deals you may see on the market.

To be accepted for this offer you must also meet a number of requirements laid out by the bank.

For starters, you must be aged 18 years or older to qualify and also make a minimum income of £14,000 a year.

You must also have a UK bank account and hold a permanent UK address for three years.

You can apply for the deal online at the MBNA webiste

If you are curious about applying the MBNA website has a credit card eligibility checker which tells you whether or not you could be granted access to one.

This can be found at www.mbna.co.uk/credit-card-eligibility-checker.html.

WHAT OTHER OFFERS ARE ON THE MARKET

There are plenty of other 0% balance transfer deals on offer at the moment.

For example, Lloyds Bank has a platinum 0% Balance Transfer Credit Card, which offers no fees for 35 months.

M&S Bank is also running a 0% balance transfer offer which runs for 42 months.

Both deals charge a 24.9% APR if you make any purchases on the card.

If you have credit card debt, start by working out how much you can afford in monthly repayments.

You can then work out how many months it will take before borrowed money is repaid in full.

Opt for the card with enough time to pay off your debt at the lowest possible fee.

You can compare credit card deals on comparison sites such as Moneysupermarket.com and moneyfactscompare.co.uk.

If you can’t repay all the balance during the longest time promotional period, you may need to switch again before the 0% offer finishes.

However, there is no guarantee that you will be able to do so.

When you move a debt from one credit card to another, it’s a good idea to close the original credit card or keep it tucked away and use for emergencies only.

This helps make sure you don’t end up racking up a fresh debt on the card while still paying off the balance transfer card.

How to shift your credit card debt quickly

By James Flanders, Consumer Reporter

UK Finance reports that we spend a whopping £2 billion a month using our credit cards.

While that little strip of plastic makes everyday spending easy peasy, it comes at a huge cost.

According to The Money Charity, the average credit card debt sits at £2,485 per household or £1,312 per adult.

And if you’re stuck on a credit card with a high APR and only making the minimum repayments, you could be forking out hundreds of pounds extra in interest charges.

For example, if you owe £1,312 on your credit card and are charged 24.8% APR.

If you don’t make any more transactions and pay £100 a month in repayments, you will pay off the card by September 2025 but at £207 in interest.

However, by hunting around for a better deal elsewhere and switching to a balance transfer credit card with a lengthy interest-free period, you can save yourself £162.

If the same person was accepted for a 28-month-long zero-interest credit card with a 3.4% balance transfer fee and made the same £100 repayments each month.

They would pay off the debt sooner, in July 2025, and only fork out £45 towards the 3.4% balance transfer fee.

Before taking out a new credit card or increasing the amount you borrow, it’s vital to consider the consequences.

You should only borrow money if you can afford to pay it back.

It’s always vital to ask yourself if you need to borrow before committing to a new credit card, personal loan or overdraft.

If you use a credit card, I’d recommend that you always pay off your balance in full at the end of each statement period.

Lenders have a responsibility to help customers who are in debt.

If you’re in a debt crisis, your first point of call should be your lender.

They might help you out by offering you a reduced interest rate or a temporary payment holiday – so check in with your lender if you’re struggling.

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