BMWi3 rode and reviewed

After attending the launch event for the BMWi3 back in the autumn, I was super excited to get my hands on the real deal and road test the latest electric car to hit the market.

BMWi3, the German car manufacturing company’s first fully-electric and multiple award-winning car, has just been released for sale in the UK. It starts at £25,380 when factoring in the government’s £5,000 grant for electric vehicles.

Undoubtedly, the BMWi3 is a striking and interestingly-designed car. Boxy and upright, its unusually large front doors and flip open rear-opening back doors make it truly unique.

BMWi3 is definitely male; handsome, strong and sturdy. And boy, does he grab attention! Countless people stopped me to ask about it, pedestrians gawped from the kerbs, while other drivers frequently slowed down to take a good gander.

The interior is suitably funky, mixing a high-tech look with natural materials all made from renewable resources; a rather delightful and thoughtful combination.

And it feels big. Very spacious indeed thanks to the omission of door pillars, a super flat floor and raised seating position, which I’ve discovered is also drolly known as the ‘semi-command’ position. There’s plenty of head and leg room and the seats offer support and comfort. This all means that a family can comfortably fit into it and it can also hold a serious amount of shopping too.

As expected, the BMWi3 is jam-packed with an endless array of super-clever technical treats. Daunting for me I’ll admit, but undoubtedly handy stuff. And if it really does prove too tricky, the in-house BMW Genius team are on stand-by to show you the way.

Among others, it comes equipped with blue tooth, a digital radio, sat nav, and three driving mode options (comfort, eco pro, and eco pro+) to set its responses to your intended trip and driving style.

It’s not dull to drive – it definitely burns rubber. It darts off like a silent rocket, faster than the BMW’s sporty M3, and its battery regenerative system slows the car rather fiercely when you lift off the accelerator. And while its handling was a little choppy at times, overall it was a splendid ride.

The BMWi3’s range is similar to other electric cars, around 80 to 100 miles, so the pesky range anxiety did rear its head. I got down to just one mile before finding a charging point. While it was a rather fretful experience it highlighted to me that my planning ahead skills desperately need honing.

I joyfully note, however, that it comes complete with a mains power lead so charging overnight at home is a welcome option.

The BMW i3 is definitely one of my favourite electric cars available to date. It’s good looking, luxurious, practical and lovely to drive. And while progress on range obviously needs to continue I would go so far as to say I’ve experienced electric car nirvana.

For more information about the BMWi3 tweet Andygclark or visit www.lloydnewcastlebmw.co.uk

I’m all over the BMWi3

In the company of Renault Zoe – a girl’s world review

As an electric vehicle aficionado I jumped at the chance to take Renault Zoe, the latest addition to the French car manufacturer’s lekky car collection, for a four-day jaunt.

Of course, I want to talk about Zoe’s appearance first. And why not, as it’s certainly a head-turning, pretty-looking motor effortlessly bucking the trend of the aesthetically-challenged electric cars of the past.

Its exterior design is sleek and futuristic; sweeping squinty headlights and a cute rounded nose complete with an over-sized Renault badge doubling as the charging point adorn the front, while its beautiful backside is perfectly complemented with a large round bumper and small brake lights set at the outer edges.

Upon further inspection, I discovered that the hidden rear door handles pleasingly bear the thumb print of Zoe’s designer Jean Sémériva. Nice touch, Renault.

The Zoe’s interior doesn’t disappoint either. The dash is well laid-out and its touch-screen system is super-sleek with clear and easy-to-use menus. And while the use of some cheap-feeling plastics here and there was disappointing, the overall feel was undoubtedly ultra-modern.

It’s clever too: the dash display area informs how economically you’re driving. The digital readout glows green for eco-driving, blue if you’re a bit heavy on the metal and violet if you’re consuming a lot more power than necessary. Another smart touch is the ability to warm up the car’s interior remotely, perfect for frosty mornings.

Any electric car is not good for long distance treks, and the Zoe is no different. The gearless, automatic design is especially built for city driving and its range falls short of 100 miles. As most of my initial impressions of the Zoe were mainly gathered on long stretches of more rural roads rather than city streets, I did experience a few bouts of range anxiety.

Somewhat naively, I was expecting to be able plug the Zoe into the mains and easily charge her overnight. This was not the case. To my chagrin, I was restricted to using public charging points leading to a mad-capped quest to charge the Zoe as her power speedily drained away.

Two attempts to charge up Zoe in the market town of Morpeth, Northumberland failed me due to unexplained technical glitches. Eventually I was led, thanks to the handy Charge Your Car iPhone app, to a lovely Northumbrian cheese farm where a charger was thankfully was in order. While this presented me with a good excuse to sit in a warm café while the Zoe rebooted, it did mean that I lost nearly a whole working afternoon; not a practical or convenient arrangement for most.

To be fair, however, it should be noted that a home wall charger is included in the purchase price.

Clearly with its limited range, the Zoe is not going to be the average motorist’s first car. As a second urban run around it’s ideal. Available from an acceptable £13,650 and with the addition of the £5,000 government grant it’s affordable, has bags of character, drives pretty well and, in my opinion, is one of the more attractive electric vehicles on the market.

To enquire about Renault Zoe tweet @WORGC or visit www.drivebenfield.com

A trip to Dordogne

It’s been a while since I last posted on here. Suffice to say it was a long and difficult summer involving a name change (no I didn’t get married), a home move and also a lovely trip to the Dordogne.

My review was initially published on the fabulous Daisy Green website, but I could resist posting it here too as a way to get back into the blogging habit.

Here it is:

The Dordogne region of south-west France is said to be one of the most beautiful and popular destinations in the country and it’s not difficult to understand why. Flying into Brive-la-Gaillarde treated me to a scenic feast of green forests, rolling hills, glinting ponds, beautiful villages, and ancient chateaus.

Brive is the central city for the region of Limousin in Southern France and has plenty to offer for everyone. As well as a pleasant array of shops and cafés to while away a few hours in, being medieval it also has plenty of architectural beauty adorned with slate roofs and sandstone facades to admire.

It is also home to the most delightful Denoix House, a family-run distillery founded in 1839. A tour with the charming owner revealed the secrets behind the traditional distillery craft that produces beautiful quality liqueurs using herbs, nuts and other fruits. In particular, their signature liqueur distilled from the local walnuts, is well worth a sample as is their purple mustard, which should be savoured with cold meats and cheese.

The Dordogne is well known to be the gastronomic heart of France. While the town of Brive hosts a market twice a week offering the produce of local smallholdings – everything from fruit, vegetables, honey and preserves. The local land also yields delightful delicacies like truffles, walnuts, chestnuts and wild mushrooms. Our tours through the winding forest flanked lanes in the area it became evident this is serious business for many local foragers.

A short distance south west lies the eighth century village of Collages de Rouge, which is probably the most hauntingly gorgeous villages I have ever had the privilege to visit. Entirely built with red sandstone, the village is entirely unaffected by modern trappings like overhead electric wirings and street lighting. It rightly has the status as one of the most beautiful villages of France.

Local proprietors Brigitte and Pascal Monteil offer the most generous hospitality in the beautiful fifteenth century Jeanne Maison d’ Hote. The quaint and luxurious hotel boasts a Rapunzel-esque tower where my room for the night was located right at the top.

An evening spent under the stars in their charming cottage garden with my exceptional hosts was delightful. Their previous restaurant ownership in Paris shone through both with the exceptional home cooked meal that was placed before me and their charming company and conversation.

The region of Limousin is littered with interesting medieval villages all unique and all offering a rich tapestry of fascinating history.

In the village of Curemonte follow the footsteps of French author Collette who found refuge here during World War II. The village boasts a rather unusual combination of three castles with round and square towers and turrets alongside noble houses and a twelfth century Romanesque church. The region is obviously proud of its links with Collette, who is considered to be France’s best natural writer, and a visit to Les Jardins de Colette reveal more of her interesting life, interests and personality. The attraction, which is situated close to luxury hotel the Château de Castel Novel, where she once lived, includes six unique gardens each centred on an era of her life and each having inspired her books.

Equally fascinating is the village of Aubazine where Coco Chanel spent her teen years living in the village’s abbey after her mother died and her father abandoned the family. It was here she learned sewing skills and, according to local legend, took inspiration from the patterned church windows for the Chanel world-famous brand.

Of course the region is also a haven for outdoor activities. The Gimel-Les-Cascades, a succession of three waterfalls falls created by the River Montane falling down a 450 feet ravine, offers a particularly enjoyable walking route. Even better, a gastronomically-sound wining and dining treat awaits at the charming Hostellerie de la Vallée. Overlooking the waterfalls, this two-star Michelin restaurant specialises in authentic French cuisine, beautiful local wine (I had Mille et Une Pierres 2001), along with breathtakingly beautiful panoramic views.

Equally, the dramatic Dordogne Gorges is a must-see. The morning I visited, the gorges were shrouded with a magical mystical mist but I am assured they offer sweeping scenery of some of France’s most picturesque countryside. Certainly I was privileged to follow the peaceful Vallee de la Dordogne, its edges home to a pleasant scattering of restored water mills and cosy holiday retreats. Les Flots Bleus restaurant, situated by the riverside, offered a stylish venue to enjoy a perfect summer lunch and of course plenty of delicious French wine.

Cycling is also a pursuit enjoyed in this region, its terrain offering something from novices to whizzes alike. Correze Cycling Holidays offers luxurious eco-friendly accommodation, lovely home-cooked meals and expert advice and tours on cycling in the area. Run by Sam and James Parry, who traded busy city life in Britain for living the dream in rural Dordogne in 2008, offer a most welcome stay for guests. Their enthusiasm for France and cycling is infectious and to my delight their pet dogs Henri (see picture below) and Dotty are wonderfully affectionate and entertaining.

Lovely Henri dog was very entertaining and affectionate.

My visit to Dordogne was loaded with scenic and foodie delights and offered welcome relaxing respite from the bustle of everyday life. I can’t wait to return!

Thank you for the kind hospitality of Régine Chassagne of Limousin Tourism.

A hair mask for my Worzel hair

I’ve been treated to another lovely product to review for the Daisy Green gals. Here it is…

I’ve suffered with my hair. While it’s soft and pleasant to the touch visually it’s a nightmare.

It looks like straw, and is frizzy, unmanageable and just very badly behaved.

Any moisture in the atmosphere is guaranteed to turn my mane into a Grinch-like bouffant.

I’ve tried oils, conditioners, sprays and potions galore. None make a long-lasting difference.

Twenty four hours respite from the Worzel Gummidge look is the most I usually get.

The label.m therapy age-defying recovery mask offered me a glimmer of hope. It promised to quickly transform my weak, dull, aged hair into strong, radiant and youthful looking hair.

Using the product was a joy. Scooping out the thick, luxurious gloopy cream out of the sleek purple jar released its beautiful fragrance. Slathering that luscious gloop onto my parched barnet was pure indulgence.

My hair instantly felt softer and smoother – and that was while it was still wet!

After drying and styling it looked less frizzy and hadn’t taken on a greasy look as often happens with intensive hair conditioners.

I have used the mask a couple of times a week, as recommended, for about four weeks now.

While my hair still has an uncontrollable urge to frizz at will, it does feel tamed and tends to hold its heat-induced (guilty secret: I use straighteners) style a little longer than before.

It’s not a miracle cure for me, but it certainly lets me swap my Gummidge head on occasion to a more styled and sleek look.

Beyond organics cleanser and moisturiser review

I’m loving reviewing beauty products it has to be said. I’ve written up this one for Daisy Green Magazine this evening, but just couldn’t wait to publish it.

It’s for a cleanser and moisturiser from Beyond Organic Skincare’s new age defying range.

I wouldn’t say that I’m any more obsessed over my skin than the average 30-something woman, but I do take the trouble to cleanse well and I do enjoy a luxurious moisturiser.

So when I was asked to try a cleanser and a moisturiser from Beyond Organic Skincare’s new age defying range I was keen.

This new collection is made with 100 per cent natural ingredients and combines the latest scientific know-how with clinically proven active botanicals.

The Ultra Radiance Age Defying Cleanser uses gel-to-milk technology that washes off with water without containing any harsh surfactants or chemicals.

I was impressed with its ability to wash off eye make-up and it left my skin feeling really clean.

It was a pleasant change not to use cotton wool and it smells fantastic.

The Ultra Radiance Age Defying Day Cream is crammed with natural active ingredients that have been clinically proven to be effective in wrinkle reduction, which is great news for my rapidly ageing skin.

It’s a potent skin cream that is absorbed swiftly and left my skin feeling super-soft.

After weeks of using it I definitely feel toned and less wrinkly. I especially feel that the ever-deepening smile lines I’ve noticed around my cheeks have lessened.

These creams do come with a price tag but the products are highly-concentrated, so a little goes a long way and should last a long time.

I don’t want mine to run out!

A heavenly facial scrub review

One of the perks of working closely with the lovely ladies at Daisy Green Magazine is that I occasionally get asked to review beauty products. In fact this is the first and there are a few more in the pipeline.

This review is for Heavenly Organics ‘Invigorating Tea Tree Moisturising Facial Scrub’ and was first published on the Daisy Green Magazine website.

I’ve always been a bit obsessed with facial skin scrubs following bad advice during my teen years when I was told to use a kitchen sponge scrub!

Years of experimenting and trying different products for my sensitive dry skin that flares up with occasional spots means that I now have a list of firm favourites. Its a rare occasion when I add to the portfolio.

So when I tried Heavenly Organics ‘Invigorating Tea Tree Moisturising Facial Scrub’ I was pleasantly surprised.

Its simple ingredient list (unrefined Soil Association certified sea salt, organic extra virgin olive oil, and organic tea tree essential oil) reassured me that I needn’t expect any reactions to chemicals and additives – it happens to my sensitive skin a lot – and the scrub was environmentally sound too, which is a requisite I hold dear.

I used the scrub for the duration of around six weeks and really noticed a difference. The antiseptic and antibacterial properties of tea tree oil helped to keep away pesky spots that crop up on occasion, and the sea salt exfoliated my skin with enough ‘feeling’ that I felt clean but gently enough that it didn’t leave a mark. The olive oil made my skin feel utterly soft, and frankly rather fabulous.

It’s definitely a keeper in my beauty product case!

My weekend with a Nissan Leaf

I’ve never been one to gush over a car. As long as it gets me safely from point A to point B and doesn’t cost the earth (in more ways than one) I’m happy. Even so, the opportunity to take the Nissan Leaf electric car for a weekend held enormous appeal.

In principle, I’m a massive fan of electric vehicles, but I had never actually sat in one let alone driven one.

The Nissan Leaf’s quirky styling immediately had me smitten. The headlights are like frog eyes and its body is sleek and sporty.

The interior is smart too and was luxuriously spacious with plenty of leg and head room.

Climbing behind the wheel and switching on the power button activates a host of lights on the dashboard in a futuristically impressive fashion.

Its clever on-board computer includes a sat-nav, a rear-camera for reversing, and can even look-up nearby charging points.

There’s even an app so you can instruct the car to warm up from afar so it’s toasty upon arrival.

As expected, the car was disconcertingly silent. More surprisingly, it was quick – its power immediate and responsive, and torque uphill was even and constant.

It was a pleasure to drive in weekend city traffic, as well as winding country roads. It felt robust and sure-footed and handled well. Once I had adjusted to the auto gearbox it was a pretty relaxing experience.

When it comes to charging up the battery there are a few options. You can recharge with a standard cable and household plug that takes up to eight hours. Great for me but admittedly no good if you live in a block of flats or don’t have a garage or driveway.

The other options are offered via charging points, which takes around half the time. Better yet, there are also rapid charge points that take about 30 minutes. Using these spots is free, so in the cities you’ll escape annoying parking fees.

While North East England is incredibly well plugged-in, lack of recharging points elsewhere in the country poses a problem for distance driving and requires meticulous forward planning.

But things are getting better. I was reliably informed that charging points are arriving on both the M6 and M1 so ‘range anxiety’ may well soon become a thing of the past.

A full charge will last for about 100 miles, which costs roughly £2 in electricity. It doesn’t take much number crunching to realise the significant savings this offers.

At £31,000 the Leaf isn’t cheap, but drivers can claim a £5,000 government grant towards this upfront cost.

Running costs are cheaper than its conventional counterparts. Aside from the eye-watering fuel savings, electric cars are exempt from tax and congestion charges and tend to have cheaper insurance premiums.

So if you drive to work and have access to charging points, it’s worth seeing if the sums work for you.

A stress-free option could be to lease one, which works out at about £250 a month – which is likely to work out less than the average monthly fuel bill.

I can safely conclude that my weekend with the Leaf was a joy and when I’m ready to purchase a car in the future, it will be at the top of my list. Even my petrol-head husband agreed.

For information on charging points in North East England visit the Charge Your Car website.

For details on electric vehicle grants go to the Department of Transport website.