The Best Way to Holiday This Summer

The freedom of the open road: heading for sunshine and clear skies, new horizons and the savouring of a coffee and croissant in a little side-street café, map outstretched on the table. Where will the day take us …?

Hey, let’s dream. After these last few months of lockdown, we’re all looking to escape. The kids are climbing the walls, parents are in need of a break from the horrors of combined home-schooling and WFH-ing. We all need a get-away! Maybe it’s just a seed of an idea right now, but something to plan and look forward to when restrictions are eased.

With the slowed-down pace of life this past year and our regular walks in the local wood sand countryside, as a family we’ve felt a greater appreciation of the natural world and our place in it. We’ve had time to notice the gradual change from winter to spring: the green shoots of crocuses pushing through the soil in the park, the birds scouting for the best nesting spot – all the things we might be too busy to take note of in our usual hectic routines. And when thoughts turn to holidays, we’d like to incorporate this new awareness: how can we all be mindful of our environmental impact while indulging our love of travel and exploring?

Perhaps making the switch to an electric vehicle is now a consideration. Producing zero = carbon emissions and using around half the energy of a petrol-powered car over its life span, it’s the obvious choice for those who want to reduce their carbon footprint. Renting one for a short break might be a good way to test the water. Or if you’ve already made the change, how about venturing further afield with it and taking it across the Channel for a road trip?

The thought of packing the family up, throwing everyone in the car and heading out for new adventures has an awful lot of appeal right now. It’s still unclear whether overseas travel will be possible this summer, of course, but it’s never too early to get some ideas together, and I always think half the fun of a trip is in the anticipation.

Flying abroad may be curtailed for a while (and in any case, it’s not exactly environmentally-friendly) but hitting the road in an electric car makes perfect sense for a European holiday – France, for example, has over 30,000 electric-vehicle charging points throughout the country which makes travelling easy. If you sign up with one of the European charging apps (such as Izivia, Plug Share, Chargemap, etc.) you’ll have info on the location of charging points, whether they are currently in use and how long charging will take, as well as the ability to make payment through the app.

For a hassle-free trip, it’s a good idea to plan your day around the location of charging points and aim to drive no more than around 100 miles a day (the average electric car has a range of 100-150 miles, although some higher-end models can run for up to 300 miles). A relaxed pace of travel will give you time to take in the sights – the Normandy beaches, an ancient chateau, the vineyards of Champagne, perhaps and to schedule charging sessions during mealtimes or an overnight stay. Many hotels in France now have charge points, as do numerous supermarkets, shopping centres, tourist attractions and motorway service stations.

Okay, time to dust off that old road map of France. Decisions: head west to Brittany, for rocky coves and quaint, medieval cobble-stone towns? Southwest, for wide Atlantic beaches and a few days of surfing and swimming (this gets the kids’ vote!) or a dash to Paris for a quick culture fix? A more extensive road trip is possible via the cross-channel ferry routes from Dover to Calais or Dunkirk in North-Eastern France, which offer easy access to Belgium, Germany, even Scandinavia (Norway, in fact, was voted best European country for an electric-vehicle holiday last year by carwow.co.uk).

With a quick and easy Tunnel or ferry crossing (Dover to Calais takes just an hour and a half, for example) you can be in France in no time, and the road is yours. French motorways are generally quiet (quieter still in an electric vehicle!) and relatively light in traffic compared with their English counterparts. It’s worth investing in a Liber-t tag if you intend to drive long distances on the motorways, as it allows you to avoid potential queues at the tolls.

Maybe, then, the next holiday is the perfect time to ‘go electric’. Hopefully, it won’t be long now before we can get back on the road, with a refreshed appreciation of our beautiful world, the freedom to explore new places and make memories. And linger over that coffee and croissant in an unfamiliar town, as a new day unfolds with all its possibilities.

Here at Kelly, we are trying to play our small part in building towards a better world. As the dust begins to settle after a stormy year, hope is on the horizon and it’s time for change. Our dedicated team of EV experts can connect you to the talent of tomorrow. The Electric vehicle's space will continue to grow, so don’t let the hiring process slow you down.

Check out how we can help you in the EV space today and let’s pave the way for the future ahead.

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Navigating Career Crossroads: Your Guide to a Fulfilling Your Next Career Move!

12 Feb, 2024

In the ever-evolving landscape of the professional world, many of us find ourselves at crossroads, contemplating a change in career or seeking new opportunities to ignite our passion.

September Surge – Our Top Tips for Job Seekers

by Shazamme System User • 07 Sept, 2023

Summer is over. September is here. For you lovers of the summer, this can often bring feelings of the blues, but September can represent a time for a fresh start. This time of the year can offer many opportunities for job hunters to find a new job that aligns with their skills, goals, and experience. Check out our top tips on how you can land your dream job this time around (and why you should work with Kelly). 1. Get Clear On Your Goals First and foremost, you must have a clear objective of what you want for your career. Searching for a new job can bring feelings of excitement and motivation but it can also be overwhelming for applicants. Having an idea of what industries, you would like to work in, the timeline in which you would like to find a job, and the companies you’re interested in will reduce those negative feelings but will also give you a sense of direction and focus. 2. Update Your CV The next thing you should look at is improving and updating your CV. Have you demonstrated your most valuable skills? Have you highlighted your most important accomplishments and achievements? Have you included your personal websites, business profiles, and your LinkedIn profile? These are some of the many things to consider when updating your CV. Job applicants should also keep in mind that you should adjust your CV for every job you apply for. You should customize your CV so that it reflects the job you’re applying for. 3. Work with a Recruiter Are you aware of the benefits of working with a recruiter? Recruiters are experts in the hiring industry. They can help save you a significant amount of time during your job search as they know exactly what jobs are available in the market and they can match you with a role that aligns with your experience. Recruitment consultants can help you improve your CV and cover letter as well as make sure you are prepared for interviews. If you would like to read more about the benefits of working with a recruiter, click here . September is an excellent time of the year to find that new opportunity that you have been longing for. By following these tips, you should be on the right course to navigate the job market and find a role that suits you. It’s important to stay positive during your job search as it can sometimes be a lengthy process. But just remember, the right opportunity can take time. If you would like assistance during your job search, please do not hesitate to reach out and email us at info@kellyservices. co.uk. Or click here to search our latest vacancies and apply today!

Change. How to turn your fear into fuel for a rocket move and wake up in a different reality.

28 Aug, 2023

Rephrasing the famous song, “Love is in the air”, let’s talk about change is in the air – and everywhere. We grow. We change. Look at your childhood photos. Watch your kid, your nephew, your niece. The change is there, and it’s incredible. Nature is constantly changing. We wait for summer as the time to enjoy outdoor activities and gardening, for a quick visit to the beach, or simply take time to relax and spend time with family, friends and loved ones. We wait for winter (even if we never see snow falling) to decorate the house for the holidays, pack presents for the people we love and unpack our own. The colour of the leaves changes, the weather shifts, and flowers blossom in their time – the landscape is constantly transforming. The world around us is changing. We travel to other countries and learn new things, cultures and languages. We take on new hobbies. We get new skills. After a couple of minor kitchen accidents (sometimes), we can cook delicious dishes and get compliments from family and friends. We transform our bodies at the gym or simply by creating the habit of walking every day. We meet new people, we sometimes fall in love, we build families, we have kids. And if you step back for a second, you realise you might have met your other half by pure accident. But you took a leap of faith into the unknown. We embrace many types of unknown change, except for the one that can change how we live five days a week – to change jobs. “I am too old/too young to change”, “I’m used to this environment; It’s my comfort zone”, “Well, I don’t get any promotion, and what I do doesn’t change the world, but it’s stable”, “I am afraid to ask for more interesting projects. What if my manager fires me?”. We often don’t want to change because that step requires a vision, courage, external support, and a leap of faith into the unknown. Scary? Yes. But also promising. A step into the unknown? Yes. But it can open a new door. Do your inner values marry what you do? Yes, it is essential. There is nothing terrible about staying in your comfort zone. At some stage of your career, staying put can be an excellent decision. But if you feel that you need a change – talk to Kelly. We don’t mind going the extra mile and support your wish to embrace the change. The one which will give meaning to what you do, feel proud, motivated and fulfilled. Ready for changing? We’ll make sure your talent can truly shine.