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Daily Mirror
03-08-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
'We're swapping £2,000 mortgage for £260 Airbnb - we've had enough'
Emily Hough, 28, and Jamie Elbeck, 31, were left disheartened after they couldn't find a three-bed property for less than £300,000 - meaning they would be paying £2,000 per month A couple are ditching their hefty £2,000 monthly mortgage in the UK for a life in a Vietnamese Airbnb that costs a mere £260 per month. Emily Hough, 28, and Jamie Elbeck, 31, were on the hunt to move homes but were taken aback when they couldn't spot a three-bedroom property under £300,000 - equating to £2,000 each month. With yearly nursery fees of £500 for their three-year-old Edison and one-year-old Nola, plus a £600 monthly shopping bill and £712 for utilities, the family was "tired of spending money". Jamie, who supervises a warehouse, was also "fed up" with his long workweeks and scant time with his children. The pair made the bold choice to sell all their possessions - now sitting on a travel fund of £90,000 after offloading their three-bedroom house for £70,000 and their furniture and clothes for £20,000. They're currently serving their notice periods, gearing up to embark on a one-way trip to Vietnam this September - with no plans to return. Emily, a Sunderland-based travel agent, said: "We're going to be living from a backpack - all our family and friends are saying we're crazy, but our kids are going to be world-schooled. It came about after realising we weren't spending any quality time together, nursery fees were going up and the mortgage was going up. "I thought to myself: 'This isn't the life I wanted'. Jamie pulled me aside one day and just said: 'Let's just sell everything and go travelling'." The couple first developed their wanderlust after meeting in Tenerife in 2017, while Emily was employed by Tui and Jamie worked in a bar. They subsequently had Edison and Nola in 2021 and 2023, respectively, secured full-time employment and settled into a nine-to-five routine. In 2025, Emily and Jamie were considering securing a mortgage on a new house - but were stunned to find they couldn't obtain a property cheaper than £300,000. Emily added: "We were looking for a three-bedroom house, when Jamie randomly said: 'I need to talk to you'. He told me he was fed up with only seeing the kids on weekends due to his 40-hour work week. "Then he said he had a mad idea - to just sell everything and go travelling. I was in no doubt I wanted to do that, I'd become so bored of the routine." The pair handed in their notices, with Emily working four weeks and Jamie working three months. In order to fund their travels, the couple have sold their house for £70,000, as well as other possessions, like furniture and clothes, bringing the travel fund total to £90,000. Their new nomadic lifestyle will see each family member living from a rucksack as they journey across South East Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Europe. Apart from spending £130 for the first two weeks of accommodation in an Airbnb in Da Nang, Vietnam, and £1,600 on four one-way tickets from Heathrow, Emily and Jamie have no clue what they're going to do when they arrive. "We're just going to see where the wind takes us," she added. "We know it's a big risk - and we find it more exciting that we haven't got a to-do list. "I can't wait to immerse the kids in the culture; try them with new foods like octopus, take them around the night markets and get up with the sun." After the first year, Emily and Jamie plan to sustain themselves through various freelance and part-time jobs. Emily has completed a level five TEFL course, which will allow her to teach English as a foreign language in different countries. Jamie is hopeful of finding work creating and editing content for clients. The couple have pledged never to return to the UK, opting instead for a life on the road. "I've taken the kids out of nursery - you can educate your kids on the world around them," Emily said. "We're excited to spend time with the family and really connect - with the nine-to-five routine, you only get a couple of hours together per day. "Our plan is never to come back to the UK, we're just going to find a country we fit in with. We're just a normal family and we want to make it work."
Daily Mirror
03-06-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mirror
'I was on Rhodes when earthquake struck - whole hotel was shaking'
The earthquake, which was centred on the Turkish resort town of Marmaris, has left one person dead and at least 69 injured Holidaymakers have recounted terrifying moments as their hotels shook during a 5.8 magnitude earthquake that struck western Turkey and the neighbouring Greek islands in the early hours of Tuesday. The quake, which was centred on the Turkish resort of Marmaris when it struck at 2.17am, has resulted in one fatality and at least 69 people injured. The tremor also spread across areas such as the Greek island of Rhodes, abruptly rousing many from their sleep. Belfast dad Matthew McCormick, on a family getaway in Rhodes, was startled awake by an ominous rumbling sound. "We got to bed and had just fallen over to sleep and the next thing there was just this loud, rumbling noise," the 35 year old told the PA news agency. "And then the next minute, the whole hotel was just shaking." Completely taken aback, his immediate thoughts turned to protecting his young daughter: "It was very surreal, it woke me and my wife up and my first concern was for the four-year-old beside us. She woke up and she started to cry. "She was terrified – I think for us at that point, it was just trying to make sure she was OK. I tried to have a look at the roof, and it didn't look like there were any cracks or anything appearing in the roof. I figured that we were safe enough." Mr McCormick, who is returning to Belfast on Tuesday, initially feared a bombing, but soon realised they were experiencing a natural disaster. "My gut feeling was either there's been bombs landing somewhere or it's an earthquake," he said. "Given some of the current global politics there was a slight fear that something had kicked off here overnight." Despite the nocturnal disturbance, Mr McCormick observed no evidence of destruction and tranquil seas by Tuesday afternoon. Turkish interior minister Ali Yerlikaya stated on X that a teenage girl was rushed to the hospital and died after what he described as an anxiety attack. It remained unclear if she suffered from any pre-existing conditions. At least 69 people received medical attention for injuries caused by leaping out of windows or from balconies in a state of alarm, according to him, but no structural damage was reported. Salem Swan, a 25-year-old Sunderland-based carer vacationing in Bodrum, Turkey, experienced her hotel sway with the quake as well. "The earthquake wasn't that strong where we are in Bodrum, we are about 164km from Marmaris where the earthquake hit," she told PA. "There was some shaking around 2.15am for us, but it only lasted for maybe 30 seconds to a minute here so it was over quite quickly. "None of the buildings here were affected as far as I know but we have had a leak in our accommodation bathroom which we are under the impression the earthquake potentially had caused." Turkey is perched atop significant fault lines, making earthquakes a common occurrence. In 2023, a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake claimed over 53,000 lives in Turkey, leaving hundreds of thousands of buildings in ruins across 11 southern and southeastern provinces. An additional 6,000 individuals lost their lives in the northern regions of neighbouring Syria. Currently, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has not issued any travel advisories against visiting western Turkey or the Greek islands.
Scottish Sun
02-06-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Major rule change for millions of EV drivers across England – will YOU be affected?
The rule has already come into effect ELECTRIC SHOCK Major rule change for millions of EV drivers across England – will YOU be affected? Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAJOR rule change could affect millions of electric vehicle drivers. The rule came into effect on May 29. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 A new rule could make it even easier to find EV charging stations Credit: Getty 4 EVs could save drivers £1,100 a year in running costs Credit: Getty 4 The new rule came into effect on May 29 Credit: Getty It is good news for electric vehicle drivers, as the new rule means that drivers and businesses no longer need to submit a planning application before installing public or private EV sockets. It's hoped that it will save both money and time for drivers and the planning committees. Lilian Greenwood, the Future of Roads Minister, announced the news. She said in an announcement: "More drivers will be able to save up to £1,100 a year as the government cuts red tape to make it easier than ever to install electric vehicle chargepoints." This saving is calculated for the comparative running cost of a petrol or diesel model. The minister is hoping that the new system will lead to more public charging points, encouraging drivers to go electric. There are currently an estimated 80,000 charge points in the UK. with one installed every 29 minutes according to the statement. In the last year alone, 18,000 sockets were installed in workplace carparks. Further incentives have been offered through a scheme that entitles those renting or owning a flat with on-street parking to receive £350 off the cost of installing a home charger. Some motorists seemed less than thrilled by the news, sharing their concerns on social media. Japanese giant unveils its new bargain EV with quirky 'bug eye' headlights One person wrote: "There's four houses on my street it's going to be chocker block, my husband wouldn't be able to pull into the drive." Others were skeptical about how successful the scheme will be, as one said: "It will take decades for electric infrastructure not to mention the streets and homes and flats with no access for electric charging points." Another commented: "Why is our government so fixed on forcing us down the ev manufacturers are scaling back on ev now." As more car manufacturers shift towards electric vehicles, the government is hoping Britain will become a leader in the eco-friendly industry. Not only will this help with meeting climate targets, but they hope it will also create more jobs as part of their Plan for Change initiative. The government has already safeguarded 150,000 jobs in the industry through trade deals with the US, India and the EU. A further 1,000 jobs were created by an investment of £1 billion in a Sunderland-based gigafactory - the term for an electric vehicle manufacturing plant. Responding to the new changes, the Operations Director of Osprey Charging Network Lewis Gardiner, said: "This is a hugely welcome and practical change that will make a real difference on the ground. "Removing the need for planning permission for essential electrical infrastructure like substations across the majority of sites will save months of delays, reduce costs and accelerate the delivery of the rapid charging hubs drivers need. "It's the result of months of collaboration between industry and government and we're proud to have played a key role in making it happen." Switching to an electric vehicle can bring a range of benefits for drivers, particularly as the market continues to expand. This includes financial benefits like the running costs being as low as 2p per mile. As the market expands, EV cars are becoming more affordable, with 2 in 5 used EVs now under £20,000 and 29 brand new models for under £30,000. Their engines have also improved, with most new EVs boasting a range of nearly 300 miles on one charge. The new government rule is helping to make it easier than ever to drive an electric vehicle, with the hopes of encouraging more accessible charging stations across the UK.
The Irish Sun
02-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Major rule change for millions of EV drivers across England – will YOU be affected?
A MAJOR rule change could affect millions of electric vehicle drivers. The rule came into effect on May 29. Advertisement 4 A new rule could make it even easier to find EV charging stations Credit: Getty 4 EVs could save drivers £1,100 a year in running costs Credit: Getty 4 The new rule came into effect on May 29 Credit: Getty It is good news for electric vehicle drivers, as the new rule means that drivers and businesses no longer need to submit a planning application before installing public or private EV sockets. It's hoped that it will save both Lilian Greenwood, the Future of Roads Minister, announced the news. She said in an Advertisement Read more Motors This saving is calculated for the comparative running cost of a petrol or diesel model. The minister is hoping that the There are currently an estimated 80,000 charge points in the UK. with one installed every 29 minutes according to the statement. In the last year alone, 18,000 sockets were installed in workplace carparks. Advertisement Most read in Motors Breaking Some motorists seemed less than thrilled by the news, sharing their concerns on social media. Japanese giant unveils its new bargain EV with quirky 'bug eye' headlights One person wrote: "There's four houses on my street it's going to be chocker block, my husband wouldn't be able to pull into the drive." Others were skeptical about how successful the scheme will be, as one said: "It will take decades for electric infrastructure not to mention the streets and homes and flats with no access for electric charging points." Advertisement Another commented: "Why is our government so fixed on forcing us down the ev manufacturers are scaling back on ev now." As more car manufacturers shift towards Not only will this help with meeting climate targets, but they hope it will also create more jobs as part of their Plan for Change initiative. The government has already safeguarded 150,000 jobs in the industry through trade deals with the US, India and the EU. Advertisement A further 1,000 jobs were created by an investment of £1 billion in a Sunderland-based Responding to the new changes, the Operations Director of Osprey Charging Network Lewis Gardiner, said: "This is a hugely welcome and practical change that will make a real difference on the ground. "Removing the need for planning permission for essential electrical infrastructure like substations across the majority of sites will save months of delays, reduce costs and accelerate the delivery of the rapid charging hubs drivers need. "It's the result of months of collaboration between industry and government and we're proud to have played a key role in making it happen." Advertisement Switching to an electric vehicle can bring a range of benefits for drivers, particularly as the market continues to expand. This includes As the market expands, EV cars are becoming more affordable, with 2 in 5 used EVs now under £20,000 and 29 brand new models for under £30,000. Their engines have Advertisement The new government rule is helping to make it easier than ever to drive an electric vehicle, with the hopes of encouraging more accessible charging stations across the UK. 4 The government is working to make the UK a leader in the EV industry Credit: Getty
Mint
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
The day after her breakup, skilled skydiver ‘chooses' not to open her parachute 10,000 feet above ground
A day after her breakup, Jade Damarell, a skilled skydiver, 'chose' not to open her parachute 10,000 feet above ground and fell to her death in Caerphilly, South Wales. According to a Mirror report, Jade's death was initially assumed to be a tragic accident, but the SkyHigh Skydiving, the skydiving company she was associated with, said they suspected her death to have been 'a deliberate act'. Later, it became known that Jade, 32, had broken up with her boyfriend Ben Goodfellow, 26, the day before her fatal skydive. Jade had been dating Ben, a fellow skydiving enthusiast, for nearly eight months after her split from her ex-husband. According to MailOnline, they had been living together in a property near the airfield, rented specifically for parachutists. According to a Mirror report, Jade, a keen skydiver who had jumped around 80 times this year, deliberately failed to open her parachute as she plunged at speeds of more than 120mph. The fatal skydive was marked 'non-suspicious' after the police discovered a note disclosing her intentions. Jade's friend also confirmed that the incident 'wasn't a skydiving accident'. Her friend said that they believe Jade intended to take her life. 'She skydived with someone else, broke off and turned onto her back and impacted. She chose not to open her parachute, and she landed on her back,' they said The friend also shared that the night before Jade's death, Ben had ended their relationship. He reportedly went to work the following day, during which time the tragedy occurred. Police and emergency services were called to a nearby farm, where she landed, but she was pronounced dead at the scene. One person is believed to have witnessed the horror. Ben Goodfellow is a Nissan technician and the lead singer and guitarist for the Sunderland-based indie band Post Rome, whose music has been featured on BBC Introducing. Following the incident, the band cancelled a scheduled performance, citing 'unforeseen circumstances.' Jade's friend described their bond as extremely close and said Jade was 'completely devastated' by the breakup, despite the fact that it was not the first time the couple had hit a rough patch. 'They were inseparable. They did everything together and didn't really interact much with others. They often went skydiving as a pair,' the friend said, adding that Jade and Ben had been living together since Christmas and had been dating for a few months before that. 'Jade had ended things with Ben on previous occasions, but Saturday was the first time he ended it with her. Ben is a quiet person - he's completely devastated by what's happened,' the friend added.
