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A MUM-of-two who has racked up tens of thousands of followers with her money-saving tips has revealed her ultimate summer saving tips.
From 200 free attractions to Universal Credit discounts, Lianne Macfarlane, who posts under @mortgagefreeleigh, has shared how you don’t have to break the bank this summer.
With a following of 46,000, the 39-year-old mum-of-two, from the North West, began her budgeting journey after getting pregnant with her first child.
She shared with Fabulous: “I knew I wanted to take the full 12 months maternity leave entitlement from my job as a public sector worker which meant three months with ZERO pay.
“So, I started to teach myself about budgeting and ways to make and save money.
“I soon realised there were loads of ways I could put money to more use and I set a goal of mortgage freedom.
“Since 2020 I’ve overpaid our mortgage by over £22,000.”
Leigh set up an Instagram account to share her experiences and as well as money saving advice, she also helps demystify government schemes like maternity leave to help working parents with the cost of childcare.
She added: “It’s totally possible to have an amazing summer on very little budget.”
Here are her top tips for saving this summer…
Plenty of parents work over the whole summer which always throws up issues with childcare.
Don’t forget tax free childcare doesn’t end when your child leaves nursery.
It can be used to pay for ‘approved childcare’ which can include some holiday clubs for children up to the age of 11.
You could end up saving as much as 20 per cent of your summer childcare bill.
I love to take the kids on days out in the school break but the costs can quickly add up. There are so many things you can do to keep costs down though.
Beaches, parks and your local forest are great low-cost days out and there are many museums which are completely free or by donation entry – including the Natural History Museum in London and the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester.
The Money Saving Expert site has a list of 200 free attractions here.
Do check what free and low-cost activities your local authority and local libraries are running.
There are often completely free camps, drop-in crafting sessions, Lego clubs and other activities on offer.
Be warned, these can be hugely popular and may be means tested depending on your area.
If it is a big family day out you’re looking for, there are still plenty of ways to bring down the cost.
Look for local attractions that offer free return visits with the price of your one admission.
Some will offer a free second visit within seven days but the best value for money are those offering a whole year of entry.
Some examples include The Deep which is a Sealife conservation project based in Hull and Eureka which has sites in Halifax and The Wirral.
Be sure to get your annual pass set up during your first visit so you can make use of that initial spend for the rest of the year.
Families in receipt of universal credit and some other benefits/credits can take advantage of heavily discounted tickets to various attractions nationwide.
These include London Zoo entry from just £3 and £1 entry to various RHS gardens.
You will need to provide proof of entitlement and may need to book online in advance.
If you have your heart set on a particular venue and you’re struggling to find a discount you can check for promotional packets of cereal, chocolate and handwash for 2 for 1 offers.
You can get cashback on attraction tickets and if all else fails – Try KidsPass!
It’s a paid subscription service offering discounts on nationwide local attractions.
They currently have an offer to try your first month for just 99p and I saved much more than that by signing up.
The unreliable British weather may have you planning a cinema visit and there are a couple of ways to cut the cost of the big screen.
The first is to use discounted child screenings such as Mighty Mornings from Vue with tickets from £2.49 per person, Movies 4 Juniors at Cineworld and Odeon Kids all at much lower prices than a standard ticket.
These can be popular so book in advance.
If it’s a new release that is on your summer bucket list, check your mobile provider, some paid for bank accounts and utilities providers to see if you can take advantage of any offers. O2 priority currently offer 2 VUE tickets for £9 or 4 for £18 whilst Vodafone customers can claim 2 Odeon tickets for £8 or 4 for £16.
You might even be able to get completely free tickets depending on what offers you have available.
Through the school holidays we hear a lot about places where ‘Kids Eat Free’ however it’s often attached to a large adult minimum spend and so it’s only really a good deal if you were already going to be eating there.
Don’t get sucked in by these offers because there are a small number of places where these deals actually are good value.
The first is Asda who extended their Kids Eat for £1 offer some time ago and it has no minimum adult spend attached.
Tesco have opened their fantastic Kids Eat Free offers for the majority of the recent school holidays so whilst it hasn’t yet been confirmed, it’s likely we’ll see this return for Summer 2025.
This sees a child eat for free with any adult purchase from the café which has historically included a piece of fresh fruit from as little as 60p on weekdays.
Ikea also offers 95p tomato pasta, a drink and piece of fruit for Ikea family card members – which is free to join and you can book kids aged 3 – 10 into one hour of FREE childcare at the Småland Creche whilst you browse the store.
Some store exclusions apply, check the Ikea website for local store details.
When it comes to food, it’s not just eating out that’s a concern.
Many families are concerned about the increase in their grocery bills over the summer holidays.
This is where my top tip is to get cashback.
A new wave of cashback sites will give you instant cashback when you buy e-giftcards for so many retailers including grocery shops.
Simply buy an e-giftcard for your chosen store and pay on that instead of your contactless and get some of your hard earned money back in your pocket.
My favourite instant cashback sites to use for this are EverUp, Jam Doughnut and Cheddar.
You don't need to spend a penny to keep your kids entertained this summer...
Museums – Some museums offer free entry to some exhibits, and also host events for kids.
Parks – Head to your local park to enjoy the playgrounds, games areas, courts and splash pads. Some even have trails for kids to enjoy.
Beach – It doesn’t have to be sunny to enjoy the beach, you can go rock pooling, crabbing, make sandcastles, or enjoy a walk along the headland.
Library – If the weather is awful, head indoors and borrow books, audiobooks, dvds.
Cooking – Have your own mini bake-off, or Come Dine With Me challenge.
Playdates – Invite friends over for an afternoon of socialising.
Boardgames – Enjoy a little sibling rivalry with rounds of Monopoly or stretch your brain with Scrabble.
AN angry homeowner has revealed that his neighbour is refusing to sort out their hideous garden.
But not only is the overgrown garden an eyesore, it’s also home to rats and bugs too.
And if you thought that was bad, think again, as now, not only these pests, but uninvited weeds, are invading this man’s garden through his fence.
Frustrated and unsure on what to do, the anonymous man took to social media to alert others to the situation, leaving many totally stunned.
Posting on the r/Milton thread on Reddit, the man, who writes under the username @Feelthematrix, uploaded a snap of his neighbour’s unloved garden and titled the post “Neighbour’s overgrown backyard…”
He then explained: “I have been noticing some rodents and bugs in my backyard recently and had a few overgrown weeds coming through my neighbour’s fence.
“I decided to take a quick peek and it was horrendous.”
On a mission to fix the issue, he added: “I have tried knocking a few times over the course of last month, with no answer.
“Haven’t seen anyone come and go in the house either.
“Left a few notes offering to cut it down for them, if they can’t for some reason, but notes are still there.”
Eager for advice, he asked: “Not sure if anyone has any ideas what I can do about it?”
Reddit users were stunned by the man’s post and many eagerly raced to the comments to share their thoughts and advice.
One person advised: “Call the city. They’ll send officers and give them warnings, if they don’t do it they will arrange someone to cut the grass and bill the owner for the landscaping service. This was the case a few years ago from my experience.”
Another added: “If it’s becoming a nuisance, you gotta be that guy that calls it into the city.
One study by Compare the Market revealed the top reason British neighbour's argue
“Sometimes, these people only act whenever a fine is imminent.”
A third recommended: “Call the city. This is ridiculous.”
Maybe they don’t own a lawnmower?? Help them??
Reddit user
Whilst someone else observed: “That’s a sad back yard.”
But at the same time, another user suggested: “Ask if you can mow it, maybe they don’t have a mower or they do and it’s broken. Seems like a better use of your energy then this.”
Meanwhile, one gardening guru agreed: “Maybe they don’t own a lawnmower?? Help them??”
Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club
THERE was some good news for cancer survivors this week.
The Government said it will progress plans to give them the “right to be forgotten” and end barriers to accessing financial products.
The Central Bank (Amendment) Bill 2025 will ensure cancer survivors can’t be discriminated against when it comes to obtaining certain insurance products, specifically mortgage protection, due to their medical history.
For too long, cancer survivors in Ireland have faced an uphill battle not just in beating the cruel disease but then in rebuilding their lives, particularly when it comes to accessing basic financial products.
Despite being in remission for years, many are penalised for their past diagnosis. The legislation was proposed by Fianna Fail’s Catherine Ardagh.
Writing in The Irish Sun on Sunday today, Robert Troy, Minister of State with special responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance, says a fairer deal for cancer survivors starts now.
THIS week marked a significant step forward in our commitment to fairness, transparency and compassion in the insurance market.
The Government will bring forward legislation before the summer recess to enshrine in law the ‘right to be forgotten’ for cancer survivors — a reform that will make a real difference in people’s lives.
At the heart of this legislation is a simple principle: if you’ve beaten cancer, your past diagnosis should not define your financial future.
Survivors deserve to move on with their lives — to buy a home, protect their family and access insurance products without being penalised.
Many cancer survivors in Ireland have found themselves excluded or charged unfairly when applying for basic financial protections like mortgage cover.
That’s not right. It’s not reflective of the person they are today, nor is it reflective of the values we aspire to as a country. That’s why this Government is acting.
This is a Bill with broad cross-party support. I must commend my Fianna Fail colleague Catherine Ardagh for her work in drafting it.
Her effort over the years has allowed me to introduce it as a Government Bill, speeding up the process and advancing it before the summer recess.
Her tireless advocacy has helped bring this issue to the fore and push it up the political agenda.
The new legislation will start with mortgage protection — following international best practice — and we hope to review the scope of the legislation in future in a careful, informed way, with a view to delivering the most impact for the greatest number of people.
I want to acknowledge the positive steps already taken within the industry.
In 2023, a Voluntary Code of Practice was introduced by Insurance Ireland and supported by the Irish Cancer Society.
It was a welcome move that showed what is possible when an industry works with advocates and Government to do the right thing.
However, voluntary codes alone aren’t enough. Survivors deserve certainty. That’s what this legislation will provide.
Enshrining this into law means insurance companies are compelled to treat cancer survivors with fairness.
While eight companies signed up to the Voluntary Code, its very nature meant they could withdraw or that new entrants to the market could disregard it. That will not be the case with this law.
This is about removing unnecessary barriers to home ownership and financial stability for people who’ve already faced enough.
It’s about making sure our insurance system treats people with dignity, respect and fairness.
And it’s about restoring confidence that the market is transparent and working in the best interests of all citizens.
Cancer is a monumental hill to climb for individuals, their partners and families.
We are fortunate that with advances in medicine survival is more likely than before.
That advancement should not be punished.
Survivors who have been without treatment for seven years, or five if diagnosed under the age of 18, will now have clarity and comfort.
This legislation is also a direct delivery on our Programme for Government commitment.
It was included for a reason: because it’s the right thing to do.
The Government has been clear in its ambition to drive a more inclusive and fair insurance landscape. This announcement is a major milestone on that journey.
It was a piece of legislation which I wanted to make real progress on when I took up my role in January and it is my intention that this Bill will be enacted before the end of the year.
It is also important to recognise the ongoing work of the Irish Cancer Society whose campaigning and research has been instrumental, and Insurance Ireland, who have constructively engaged throughout and managed the Voluntary Code of Practice.
Legislative drafting is underway and we are working closely with colleagues across Government to ensure that amendments are comprehensive, fair, and effective.
We’re also talking with key stakeholders to ensure the law strikes the right balance between consumer protection and market integrity.
We want to send a clear message to cancer survivors: We see you, we support you, and we are changing the law to make your path forward easier.
This reform is not about punishing insurers, it’s about building a market that is based on fairness, transparency, and compassion.
That’s what modern Ireland should be about.
And that is what this Government is delivering.
SHOCK new YouTube allegations that Antoinette Smith was raped three weeks before she was murdered are being probed by cops — after her daughters flagged them.
The Irish Sun on Sunday can also reveal detectives are looking into claims the mum of two was stalked in the days before the last confirmed sighting of her walking by the Gresham Hotel on Dublin’s O’Connell Street after 2am on July 11, 1987.
The 27-year-old’s remains were found nine months later at the foot of the Glendoo Mountain in Co Wicklow on April 3, 1988.
Although Gardai have conducted more than 1,000 lines of inquiry over the last 38 years, nobody has ever been arrested nor a prime suspect identified.
The new claims — made in a YouTube video — are being analysed after they were raised by Antoinette’s daughters Rachel, 42, and Lisa, 45.
According to the sensational allegations, Antoinette told one friend that she had been raped in Dublin’s Phoenix Park by a man who had given her a lift home from a city centre nightclub.
And it was also claimed she told a pal she was being stalked by a man she spotted in a bar in south Dublin.
Investigators at Bray Garda Station are now working to identify the user who posted the new information.
Speaking exclusively to us on the 38th anniversary of her mother’s murder, Rachel described the new allegations as “horrific”.
She said: “These new allegations surrounding the weeks before my mother disappeared are shocking — we just want the truth.
“The information that has been posted on social media is very sensitive and something we have never heard before.
“We have raised this information with the Gardai and it’s incumbent on them to establish whether it is accurate or not.
“They should also be able to identify the person who produced this video and then ask them if they have any information which can assist their inquiry.
“They have posted a lot of information and it looks to me as if it has been done by someone who had access to the case files.”
Rachel added: “If there is anyone out there who has other information similar to these allegations then I would ask them to come forward.
“My mother was a single mother of two who did not deserve to lose her life in the manner that she did. My sister Lisa and I are her voice now and will not stop fighting for justice.
“It’s hard to believe that 38 years have passed and no one has been held accountable for taking the life of a devoted mother who had everything to live for.”
We just want justice for a young mother who went out to a concert and never came home to her kids.”
Antoinette's daughter Lisa
The Irish Sun on Sunday can also reveal that the murder victim’s daughters met with Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan about their fight for justice in May.
A spokesperson for the Department of Justice confirmed the meeting had taken place.
The spokesperson added: “Minister O’Callaghan met with the family of Antoinette Smith on May 14. By law, the Minister cannot intervene in criminal investigations.
“He encouraged the family to remain in contact with An Garda Siochana as they will be best placed to assist with their queries.
“The investigation into the murder of Antoinette Smith is ongoing and developments will be reported in due course by An Garda Siochana.”
Rachel’s sister Lisa also told how her family “just want closure” after 38 years of pain.
She said: “We just want justice for a young mother who went out to a concert and never came home to her kids. As a society we seem to have become desensitised against the murder of women and this is concerning.
“The State failed my mother in life and they have failed her in death because no one has been held to account for taking the life of a young mother and traumatising her children for almost 40 years.
“It is up to us to keep her memory alive and I trust these allegations which have been made are thoroughly investigated.”
As the family’s fight for justice continues, the case is constantly under review by the investigation team at Bray Garda Station.
A number of exhibits, including two plastic bags placed around Antoinette’s head, have gone missing.
But Rachel believes all remaining exhibits in the case should be sent away for retesting.
She added: “I see no reason why the current exhibits can’t be retested again. The advances in technology have been amazing.”
Anyone with info can contact Bray Garda Station on 01 666 5300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
IRISH boxing legend Katie Taylor has hinted at a final fight on home soil, saying: “Maybe at Croke Park? That would be unbelievable.”
The 39-year-old was last night hailed “Ireland’s greatest ever sports star” after her record-breaking trilogy win over nemesis Amanda Serrano in New York — which could be Taylor’s last ever bout.
However, the Bray bomber said she could be tempted back into the ring one final time, if she is allowed to fight at the home of the GAA.
This is a move backed by Sport Minister Charlie McConalogue — who told The Irish Sun on Sunday that the Government would be willing to step in to help make that happen.
Thousands of Irish boxing fans jammed into Madison Square Gardens in the early hours of Saturday morning to watch Katie take on her old foe Amanda to complete a box office smashing trilogy.
The first two clashes between the fighters were all-out brawls that left them bloodied and bruised — but had fans begging for more.
Both bouts were close decisions which led to calls for rematches.
However, last night’s trilogy closer was the Katie Taylor Show — with Serrano unable to land a glove on the Irish superstar.
Taylor — who bagged €6million for the win — played a clever game by avoiding a slug fest.
She instead used smart footwork to dance in and out of Serrano’s range while landing hard hits with one and two-punch attacks.
The judges awarded a majority decision win to Taylor with scores of 95-95, 97-93 and 97-93.
After the fight, Katie had just a minor graze under her right eye as she said: “It was an easy night for me tonight.”
When asked if she was going to get back into the ring again the multiple-weight world champ said: “I don’t know. I’m just going to enjoy this victory right now, sit back and reflect and then I’ll make a decision.
“I’ll make a decision on whether I will fight again in the future.”
Katie has long-held ambitions of fighting in Croke Park — an event that would no doubt be a sell-out, considering the huge Irish support that travels all over the world to watch her fight.
Asked about one final fight, Katie again flagged Croke Park as an event that could coax her back into the ring.
She said: “Maybe at Croke Park? That would be unbelievable.
“People are spending their hard earned money to come over and support me. It just means the world, honestly.
“I can’t believe I’m headlining a show in Maddison Square Gardens on an all-female card.
“Looking back on the journey, what an amazing life. These are nights that I dreamed of as a kid and to be sitting here again as a winner I’m so happy.”
Taylor’s team were previously in talks about holding a fight at Croke Park but her promoters eventually backed down due to the cost of hosting a one-off event in Dublin.
However, Sport Minister Charlie McConalogue last night told The Irish Sun on Sunday that the State could help make the fight happen as he urged Katie’s promoters to get in touch with a proposal.
The Donegal TD said: “Last night’s fight in New York cements Katie Taylor’s status as a real legend of boxing.
“There has been constant support in Ireland for Katie throughout her career and her gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics was a real moment of national celebration.
“Since then, her progress to the pinnacle of professional boxing has been followed with great pride.
“She has led the growth of women’s professional boxing. It was wonderful to see her headlining an all-female card in one of the most iconic venues in world sport.”
The Minister added: “As for whether Katie might fight next in Ireland, that’s a matter for her promoters and for potential venues such as Croke Park to tease out and to assess the financial and logistical issues arising.
“When considering the provision of financial support to a major sports event, there is a range of considerations that the Department takes into account, including the value for money return on investment — in terms of economy and tourism — and the benefits for community/grassroots participation in the sport in question.
“The Department, when engaging with a possible major sports event, will ask the promoter to complete an Initial Event Assessment screening form and it’s on this basis that such proposals are considered.”
Meanwhile, Katie’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, seems keen to keep the Bray star in the ring — he joked that she has at least a dozen more fights left in the tank.
He said to her: “I think you’ve earned the right to do whatever you want. I think those fights with Amanda were great.
“I think if it was a really tough fight tonight then maybe we’d be sitting here and asking, ‘Is that the end of the road?’
“But I feel like Katie could do another 20 or 30 rounds.
“She’ll decide if she’s going to fight again. For me, I think she’s got at least another 11 or 12 left, to be honest with you.”
Fans were last night pleading with the Government, promoters and the GAA to make Katie’s dream of fighting in Croke Park come true as Taylor was also labelled “the greatest Irish sports star of all time”.
Former Irish footie hero Kevin Kilbane said: “True champion without a doubt regardless of the totally biased production and narrative.
“Katie Taylor is our greatest sportsperson. Hope she gets the homecoming fight she deserves!”
Irish boxing star Michael Conlan also backed Katie as the biggest Irish sportsperson in history.
He said: “Boxing clinch tonight, no wars needed just skill! The greatest Irish athlete of our time. Congrats champ.”
Politicians from across the Dail also hailed Katie as a “hero for all time” as the nation celebrated her win last night.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin said: “Simply amazing, Katie Taylor. The undisputed world champion again. A masterclass — full of discipline, power and precision.
“No fan of boxing, in Ireland or across the world, will ever forget what you achieved.”
Tanaiste Simon Harris added: “Katie has done it again. The greatest of all time.”
And Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said: “Undisputed! She did it again! Taylor is STILL the Champion of the World! Her legacy cemented. A hero of the Irish nation for all time.”
The build-up to the trilogy had been filled with trash talk between Katie and Puerto Rican star Amanda Serrano — whose careers have been tied together with a series of incredible fights.
However, after the final bell went Katie showed her class as a true champ by paying tribute to Serrano in her ring interview.
Katie said: “First of all, I want to thank God for an amazing victory. Thank you, Jesus. I needed a lot of help, a lot of strength today.
“I can’t tell you the amount of people that are in the stadium right now praying for me for this particular fight — that gives you the strength to step in here.”
She added: “I want to thank Amanda Serrano as well. What an amazing fighter. We made history again. Three times.
“Such an historic fight and it’s such a privilege to share the ring with her. We’re history makers forever and my name is embedded with Amanda’s forever.”
In response, Katie’s old foe heaped praise on the Irish fighter as she said: “So blessed to have shared the ring with such an amazing fighter.
“To be considered the greatest you have to act like one. She does that both in and out of the ring.”
The spirit of the Old Wild West will never die as long as there are towns like Pioche in Nevada, I can tell you!
This is a little part of Americana that outdid even the likes of the iconic Tombstone in building up a reputation for lawlessness and gunslingers.
We made our way there after spending a night in Vegas, heading off along the Great Basin Highway for a 585-mile trip that would take four days.
Setting off, our elderly driver, Earl, advised: “Buckle up, you are in for some ride,” and he wasn’t wrong as we set off across the Mojave Desert.
Here we visited ghost towns where the silver miners fought it out with guns on the streets in scenes reminiscent of the old Western movies like High Noon, They Died With Their Boots On, The Gun Fighter and many more.
As I stood on the main street of Pioche I expected to see the tumbleweed coming towards me and the ghosts of those who died by the gun emerging to play out the violent scenes again.
This once prosperous and thriving silver mining town gained its deadly reputation when the word spread in the 1800s that none of the first 72 people to die there passed away from natural causes.
A visit to this town with its nice friendly community makes it hard to believe that it was once one of the roughest and toughest mining towns in the Old West – attracting thousands of fortune seekers who believed they would hit a rich vein of silver.
This ghost town in Lincoln County – and believe me there are ghosts aplenty here attracting supernatural hunters from all over the world – was one of the highlights of our road trip along the Great Basin Highway.
Having been a fan of the great Western movies since my younger days, I was drawn to exploring the little town.
And there I found the Overland Hotel and Saloon, which on the Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures was deemed to have provided some of the most successful interactions with spirits.
So pro tip, if you want to stay there but don’t want any interactions with the spirits, avoid room 10, where others have reported doors mysteriously slamming and being awakened from a deep sleep by something supernatural.
This was the town where the gunslingers let their guns do the talking because there was no law and order – life was cheap and the many saloons all led to the lawlessness for which Pioche became famous.
As a reporter who covers courts, I was fascinated by the Million Dollar Courthouse where many of those caught ended up.
Boothill Cemetery also exists to this day with some fascinating headstones – including one stating that the occupant of the grave was shot in an argument over a dog.
If it’s phenomena of a different kind you want, we swapped ghosts for aliens.
The mysterious Area 51 is synonymous with tales of UFO’s, and vehicles stopping for no reason on the Extraterrestrial Highway.
We even stopped under the sign to see if our presence could attract even the smallest of spaceships, but alas it was not to be.
You may not automatically think of Las Vegas, Nevada and State Parks, but we visited a number of great ones, including the amazing Valley of Fire, a geological park with rocks of many different colours.
It gets its name from the way the sandstone formations combine to give an image of a valley on fire.
When you stand and gaze at so many different shapes and sizes of rock formations and realise you are looking at 150 million years in time with the maze of canyons, domes, ridges and towers carved from sand deposited back when dinosaurs walked the earth, it is truly awesome.
As we joined the queue to gain entry I was very taken with the sign which said “Heat warning. You might die.”
And seeing as it was late May, we were very lucky that the heat was not overwhelming, meaning we could spending hours there.
When it is too hot, the park can often close, which happened the day after we visited.
But be warned. Do not venture alone as people have been known to get lost and some have died.
Among the State Parks clustered around the towns of Caliente and Pioche is Cathedral Gorge, which many regard as one of the State’s crown jewel.
This is thanks to spectacular slot canyons, spires, and other erosional features.
This is a place for exploring and is a hiker’s paradise, which was once completely underwater.
As we drove along the highway with the Mojave Desert as our backdrop, we passed amazing sand dunes and forests of Joshua trees, but even more fascinating is the number of farms along the route, something you wouldn’t expect in the dry desert.
It is truly nature’s beauty in its very rawest form.
An interesting fact about the Joshua trees, apart from the U2 connection, was that Mormon preachers used them as a navigational aid to find their way back home.
GET THERE: I flew with Aer Lingus to Las Vegas, who operate a seasonal service three times weekly from October to May with prices starting at €450 return
STAY THERE: Stay in Prospector Hotel and Gambling Hall in Ely, a really unique and very Wild West hotel for €112 for two sharing a room.
EAT THERE: Dining out was not a gourmet experience and very often it was grab-and-go at gas stops. But the Historic Silver Cafe in Pioche provided good food and great service.
MORE INFO: Visit TravelNevada.com to find out more info on the US state.
Then we went to the Great Basin National Park which stretches from California’s Sierra Nevada to Utah’s Wasatch Mountains.
They say “half the park is after dark”, the reason being that this is designated an International Dark Sky Park by DarkSky, and has its own amphitheatre for looking at the most amazing star-filled skies.
I was just blown away by the sight of so many stars against the very black backdrop and could never have imagined the sheer beauty and magnificence I was viewing.
In the park, too, are some of the oldest living trees on Earth. The ancient Bristlecone pine groves throughout are believed to be almost 5,000 years old.
The best place to see these ancient trees is along the Bristlecone Trail, which is accessed from the Wheeler Peak Campground.
And you just can’t leave the park without a visit to the Lehman Caves, with marble roofs and limestone formations.
This is Nevada’s largest cave system, but remember you must book in advance as visits require guides.
There was so much crammed into our trip, like the scenic drive up Wheeler Peak, or popping into towns like Ely, home to railroad museums and beautiful murals.
One thing is for sure, it made me see a whole new world in Nevada away from the slots and the lights of the city.
THERE is no other player in the world quite like Lauren James.
In terms of raw talent, she is undoubtedly one of the very best.
Her potential was evident from a young age, with her ability even succeeding the level of some top girls’ academies.
And now she is one of the shining stars of Euro 2025 despite England’s turbulent start.
James scored twice for the Lionesses in a must-win match against the Netherlands on Wednesday, demonstrating just why Sarina Wiegman took a risk by including her in the squad while she was recovering from a hamstring injury.
The 23-year-old is a game-changer. She can make something happen from nothing, with some of her international team-mates even branding her a “cheat code” and ex-manager Emma Hayes claiming she is “the most naturally gifted footballer” in the country.
Already one of the most popular members of the England squad, she is now on track to become one of the richest players in women’s football.
Walk into any British supermarket this month and chances are you’ll see a photo of her among some of the top brands.
James, the younger sister of Chelsea men’s captain Reece James, is currently partnered with the likes of Pepsi, Cadbury, Optimum Nutrition, Barclays and Sure. She is also a Nike athlete and has featured in adverts for Google Pixel.
In 2023, talent manager Jonathan Shalit predicted that she would become a multi-millionaire regardless of whether England won the Women’s World Cup or not.
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And since then, she has only continued to shine on the pitch.
The arrival of new head coach Sonia Bompastor at Chelsea last year elevated her game, with the former Lyon boss implementing a more aggressive pressing style of play with increased focus on responsibilities off the ball.
However, the forward faced some setbacks, including a hamstring injury which jeopardised her place at this summer’s European Championship in Switzerland.
Despite the scare, Wiegman took the risk by including her in the 23-player England squad – and it has already paid off.
With two goals to her name, James will keep her place in the starting line-up bar any injury scares.
And she could be the spark to inspire England to another major title.
The Lionesses face Wales in another must-win game on Sunday. Anything less than three points would put them at risk of a premature exit.
Following her latest five-star performance, James said: “The win is massive. As long as I am helping the team in every way I can, whether that is providing or scoring, I just try and do my best each game.
“Hopefully, as the games keep going on, I keep getting more involved.”
Meanwhile, Wiegman has tipped her to build on her performances, adding: “I think she can do even better. Of course, she has been out for a while but she is really back on it and that looked really good.
“She’s a special player and that’s what you see, and the team supports her and she supports the team and it’s really nice she plays to her strengths because she can change games.”
PATRICK McCLEAN scored against his hometown club as Sligo Rovers moved further clear of basement dwellers Cork City.
The Bit O’Red were deserved 2-0 winners over Derry City at the Showgrounds — and are now eight points clear of City.
Wilson Waweru scored Rovers’ other goal to hand Derry their first defeat in six league outings.
The result means the Candystripes remain nine points off leaders Shamrock Rovers with one game extra to play.
Bohemians remain in second with Tiernan Lynch’s Foylesiders sitting in third.
Looking to maintain their unbeaten home run since the summer break — which stood at three games before last night — Rovers boss John Russell stuck with the same side that drew with Shamrock Rovers seven nights previous.
Midfielder Ronan Manning recovered from injury in time to make the bench.
Derry also came into the game in a rich vein of form — but their gaffer Lynch made one change from his side’s 7-2 trouncing of Waterford last week.
Northern Ireland international Shane Ferguson came in for Kevin Holt — who is understood to be close to a move away — as Derry looked to extend their winning run to five.
New signing Dipo Ankinyemi’s international clearance did not arrive in time for the former York City striker to take part.
The Brandywell club have enjoyed the better of the recent meetings between these two sides with eight points taken from the previous five meetings.
But in the sizzling Sligo heat, it was the hosts who were the more impressive from the off.
Loanee Ryan O’Kane fired over from 25 yards 11 minutes in.
Rovers should have taken the lead six minutes later, but defender Ollie Denham nodded Owen Elding’s cross from the left past Brian Maher’s post from two yard out.
Sligo made the most of their next visit to the well as Derry switched off at a 19th-minute corner.
Jake Doyle-Hayes’ set-piece landed on the foot of unmarked Derryman McClean who finished past Maher for his first goal since his return to the Showgrounds last month from Irish League outfit Glentoran.
Elding kept his side ahead on 23 minutes when the youngster cleared Hayden McCann’s header from Michael Duffy’s corner off the line just before the water break.
The visitors again went close 11 minutes before the interval as they looked like they might wrestle control of this contest back in their favour.
But Carl Winchester’s header towards the back post bounced in front of goal before trickling away.
Rovers managed two first-half goals last week against the Hoops and they did it again last night.
But it came after another defensive mishap from the hosts when Maher spilled O’Kane’s cross at the foot of Waweru who finished into an open net.
Sligo had to call on goalkeeper Sam Sargeant early in the second period to meet Duffy’s low drive with a strong left fist.
It was a fine save from the Englishman after Duffy’s run brought him all the way into the opposing penalty area, having robbed the ball off Denham on the halfway line.
Lynch’s men went at Rovers in waves but robust defending from a young Sligo outfit kept last year’s beaten FAI Cup finalists at bay throughout.
Denham again went close with a headed effort from another Elding delivery on 64 minutes.
Teenager Elding, 19, then forced a routine save from Maher just 90 seconds later.
Derry had introduced some of the league’s best finest talents in the likes of Adam O’Reilly, Danny Mullen and Robbie Benson during the second half.
But a Mullen effort on the turn which Sargeant tipped over was the closest they came to scoring a consolation.
SUN STAR MAN
Conor Reynolds (Sligo Rovers)
SLIGO ROVERS: Sargeant 7; Reynolds 8, Denham 7, McClean 7, Fitzgerald 7; McManus 7, Doyle-Hayes 8; Elding 7, Hakiki 7, O’Kane 6 (McDonagh 76, 6); Waweru 6 (Lomboto 61, 6).
DERRY CITY: Maher 5; Cann 6, Connolly 6, Todd 7; R Boyce 7 (Patton 84, 6), Ferguson 5 (Mullen 61, 6); Diallo 5 (Benson 72, 5) 5, Winchester 6; Whyte 5 (O’Reilly h-t, 6), Duffy 6; L Boyce 6 (Bannon 61, 6).
REFEREE: R Hennessy (Clare) 7.
ITV look set to air back-to-back quizzes all week for a four-hour quiz takeover in the afternoon.
The channel will have quizzing enthusiasts chomping at the bit with the addition of a FOURTH quiz show to its afternoon line-up.
From this week, quizzes will take over from 2pm and will dominate the scheudles right through until the ITV Evening News.
It’s good news for fans of Celebrity Catchphrase with the primetime show now being aired at 2pm each afternoon.
ITV will be airing a slew of re-runs of the programme fronted by Stephen Mulhern before its usual three quiz mainstays.
As usual, Adil Ray‘s Lingo will then follow at 3pm before This Morning star Ben Shephard swoops in with Tipping Point at 4pm.
The four-hour marathon will then be closed out by ITV’s quizzing juggernaut, The Chase, at 5pm.
It means fans will have a total of four hours worth of quiz shows to keep them entertained.
This schedule shake-up comes shortly after ITV launched its very own dedicated quiz channel to purely focus on their quiz outputs.
ITV Quiz replaced ITVBe known for airing hit reality shows and programmes from across the pond.
Much-loved shows such as TOWIE and Real Housewives moved to ITV2 as a result of the massive shake-up.
When announcing the move earlier this month, bosses said ITV Quiz will feature the broadcaster’s “market-leading UK quiz and game shows”.
Wheel of Fortune, Tipping Point, Lingo, Tenable, the rebooted Deal or No Deal and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? all appear on the channel.
Elsewhere, The Chase has its own dedicated channel on ITVX.
Episodes are screened 24 hours a day via a special channel created for the online streaming service.
Would you know the answers to some of quizzing TV's hardest questions
