Why not swap it for grazing cows in the rural fields of the Philippines? Or the dazzling lights of the Manhattan skyline? Or perhaps even the endless rooftops of a city centre in Budapest?
Travel may still be restricted, but a new video project is here to virtually transport you around the world, giving users the chance to watch the view from someone else’s window, and with millions of us having to settle into life amid tougher new restrictions once again, the lockdown wanderlust has never been stronger than it is right now.
The project was created by Sonali Ranjit and her husband Vaishnav Balasubramaniam – two advertising creatives based in Singapore – last summer, and between them, they’ve previously lived and worked in India, Shanghai, Singapore, San Francisco and Stockholm.
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Naturally, they spent the first lockdown wondering how their friends abroad were getting on, and so, WindowSwap was born.
Some of the viewpoints on WindowSwap offer expansive scenes or slightly-abstract yet immersive shots with a silhouetted window frame, others really lean into the window part, offering balcony corners, fluttering curtains, and plant-lined windowsills.
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Most come with background noise too, with everything from distant traffic or local kids playing, to faint music and household chatter in various languages.
WindowSwapWindowSwap
Now while you may be perfectly willing to admit you find it a little repetitive to look at the same view outside of your window everyday, that doesn’t mean everyone else with think the same, which is why WindowSwap is a brilliant two-way street that also allows you to submit your own view for others all across the world to enjoy.
It couldn’t be easier to get your window featured either, because all WindowSwap requires you to do is:
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1. Record a 10 minute, horizontal HD video of your view with part of your window frame in the shot.
2. Make sure not to shake or move while recording.
3. Rename the video with your name and location for credits (if possible).
And that’s it.
WindowSwap also provides you with some additional filming tips and tricks should you require them to get the best shot possible, and also makes those who submit their window aware that it has thousands of submissions to go through on a regular basis, so your view will likely take some time to appear, but you will be contacted once it’s live.
This not only means you get the opportunity to virtually travel the world right from the comfort of your own home, but you can also show the world life from your unique perspective too and spread the word of Greater Manchester to the masses.
You can head on over to WindowSwap to get started here.
Happy travels.
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Asda relaunches over 60s ‘winter warmer’ cafe deal with soup and unlimited hot drinks for £1
Emily Sergeant
Asda is bringing back its popular £1 ‘winter warmer’ cafe meal deal to support the over 60s during the colder months.
After it was sadly revealed that almost one in five elderly people claimed there were days when they didn’t speak to a single soul last Christmas, and that during the run up to the big day, 15% said they got used to not conversing with other people, Asda has decided to relaunch one of its most widely-praised cafe meal deals again this year.
To support those who need it most as the temperatures drop, the supermarket is, once again, offering all over 60s the chance to enjoy some hearty soup, a bread roll, and unlimited tea and coffees for just £1 in any of its cafes across the UK.
Back by popular demand, this year’s Winter Warmer initiative is bigger and better than ever, with three soup flavours to choose from.
With the offer now running until the end of 2024, Asda is aiming to transform its in store dining spaces into ‘Chatty Cafes’ – where senior citizens can come together under one roof, eat and drink, and make some new friends.
As well as its ‘Chatty Cafe’ offer, Asda colleagues will be also be donning ‘Happy to Chat’ badges throughout the festive season, checking in on older customers in store and when delivering home shopping orders, while the Asda Foundation will deliver £600k worth of grants to tackle loneliness amongst the elderly by boosting activities in the local communities, and funding Christmas celebrations.
Asda has relaunched its over 60s ‘winter warmer’ cafe deal with soup and unlimited hot drinks for £1 / Credit: Asda
“Christmas is a time to enjoy time with loved ones,” explained David Hills, who is the Chief Customer Officer at Asda, “and the fact one in 10 of our older generation is facing Christmas alone is genuinely sobering.
“That’s why we’re proud to invest almost £1 million through our in-store initiatives and grants to do what we can to tackle loneliness and isolation in the communities we serve.
“Our teams do incredible work to support communities all year round, and I’m so proud to be able to launch the Chatty Cafés initiative today, alongside our renowned Winter Warmers deal, which we know is a lifeline to many.”
Featured Image – Asda
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BBC confirm Gary Lineker will leave Match of the Day at the end of the season
Danny Jones
Following reports late on Monday evening, the BBC has now officially revealed Gary Lineker is leaving Match of the Day at the end of the current Premier League campaign.
Lineker, who has hosted Match of the Day (MotD) since 1999, is set to leave the long-standing British TV and sporting institution after 25 seasons but will still remain associated with the BBC on various other projects moving forward.
Confirming the news on Tuesday, 12 November, the network said that while his MotD tenure will conclude come May 2025, “The BBC and Gary Lineker have agreed in principle a contract extension through to the 2026 World Cup”.
The former footballer will also continue to host the MOTD Top Ten podcast and his The Rest is Football podcast on BBC Sounds alongside fellow co-presenters Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.
Gary Lineker will step down as host of Match of the Day at the end of the season. pic.twitter.com/BkHUScf9TK
Lineker said: “I’m delighted to continue my long association with BBC Sport and would like to thank all those who made this happen.”
The ex-Leicester, Everton, Barcelona and Spurs player was famously suspended from the show back in March 2023 after comments made about the previous Conservative government’s “dangerous” rhetoric.
Shearer and Ian Wright (‘Wrighty’ having also announced he will be leaving the show at the end of the season) both walked out in solidarity with their close friend and colleague before being reinstated after issuing an official apology.
Putting the brief separation aside, Lineker has enjoyed a long and prosperous relationship with the BBC for more than two and a half decades and when the title race does conclude at the end of next spring, he will have been one of the most recognisable faces in British football for 26 years.
Many have rightly pointed out that he served as the Des Lynam – the former MoTDhost for 11 years – for multiple generations of young football fans.
Timing makes sense as it’s more common for fans get their coverage elsewhere and quicker nowadays. Big shoes to fill regardless however but Lynham had a huge legacy too when Gary replaced him.
This past August marked Match of the Day‘s 60th anniversary, making it one of the longest-running programmes in British TV history, and to say that the household name and ever-entwined Walkers ambassador has made up nearly half of that is no mean feat.
Lineker has yet to issue a personal response via any channels by the official BBC statement, but viewers can expect to address the situation on the likes of The Rest is Football soon enough.
Thanks for the memories, Gary – especially for honouring your promise and hosting in those comically big white undies.
Emily Sergeant -
5th January 2021 
