Betting on sports is perhaps as old as the various games themselves. Millions of people have made huge money out of betting on sports. Possibly no game is left virgin of betting. All games have bookies and wages attached to them. Alike is the case with the countries across the globe. Betting is becoming a universal phenomenon nowadays. The difference however lies in the fact that some countries have accepted betting and so have legalized it while others still consider it illicit. For instance betting is taken to be legal nearly in entire Europe whereas Nevada is the only place in United States of America where wagering is deemed to be lawful. But the geographical scenario does not bring much variation in the terms and conditions or the rules and style of betting. The betting policies for a particular game for example cricket remain approximately the same around the world.

But what differs with the place or country is the sport and the amount of bets placed on it. Like people in Asian countries are leaders in betting on cricket. Cricket is the favorite sport in the Asian subcontinent. But in Europe and America games like horse racing, basketball, hockey, soccer and football etc. receive topmost priority. Thus that sport is wagered the most, which is relished, by maximum number of people.

Australia is one of the best places in the world to enjoy betting. This is because betting is legal in Australia and there are ample of sports that are cherished by the Aussies. Australian Football and Rugby are the two eminent names in this category. Lots of good information and even betting guidelines or tips about these games and many others like tennis are available on the Internet due to the legality of sports betting in Australia.

Ireland is the land that gives birth to the most of the English sports action. Irish football and Hurling are unique English sports. Rugby, cricket, golf and tennis are other English sports that invite lot many bookmakers and so bets. The English Premier League or one can say the English Soccer involves tremendous wagering in Europe. Darts are also famous among the English. Many people love betting on the not so common game of Darts. But this isnt all. Punters never leave The National Leagues, the National and International Cups, the Motor Sports like Formula F1 Racing, the IRL or the Indy Racing League and the NASCAR i.e. the National Association of Speedy Cars and Rednecks, involves million dollar wages or even more every year.

Human beings have always made good business through animals. Along with the horse racing the racing of animals like camels, pigs, ponies and dogs invite great amount of betting in Europe as well as on the land of America.

While betting on any game what should be followed is your knowledge of the game and what your intuition or common sense says. A bettor should be pretty clear and confident over the option of his bet. If an individual is making a bet for the first time, dont bet big. It can lead to unexpected snags. Remember, it takes time to learn and develop betting skills.

¶ 10:27 PM 0 comments

Reading ended Preston North Ends 22-match unbeaten run at the Madjeski Stadium. Steve Sidwell opened the scoring for the 7/10 Royals after six minutes but Calum Davidson equalised almost immediately. Leory Lita netted the winning goal for Stev Coppells side on the stroke of half time.

Sheffield United lost ground on Reading after losing 3-2 at Brammall Lane to Queens Park Rangers. Marc Nygaard gave the Hoops a sixth minute lead but the 1/2 lead 2-1 through Ade Akinbiyi on 21 and a Marc Bircham own goal eight minutes later. But 5/1 outsiders Rangers levelled through a Chris Morgan own goal after 54 minutes and completed an unlikely win when veteran Paul Furlong netted the third with 15 minutes left.

Watford edged closer to the second placed Blades with a late winner against Cardiff City. The 4/5 Hornets broke the deadlock after 69 minutes through Malky Mackay but Jeff Whitley levelled for the Bluebirds on 77. A Riccy Scimeca blunder allowed top goalscorer Marlon King to net the winner with two minutes left.

Gary Kelly became only the tenth player in Leeds history to make 500 appearances for the club as 8/11 United sunk Luton Town at Elland Road. Two goals in four second half minutes from Jonathon Douglas and Eddie Lewis put Leeds in the driving seat before Steve Howard pulled one back with seven minutes remaining.

Crystal Palace hammered Norwich City 4-1 as they maintained their fifth placed position. Andrew Johnson and Ben Watson gave the 5/6 Eagles a half time lead before Clinton Morrison and Fitz Hall piled more misery on Nigel Worthingtons side. A Darren Ward own goal two minutes from time was the only consolation for the Canaries.

In the battle at the bottom, rock-bottom Crewe Alexandra ended a 17-match winless run against second-from-bottom Brighton & Hove Albion. Colin Kazim-Richards gave the visitors the lead after 11 minutes but the Alex came back through Lee Bell and Stephen Foster to win at 13/10 odds.

Stoke City dealt a major blow to Millwalls survival hopes with a 2-1 win at the Britannia Stadium. Ben May gave the 3/1 Lions and unlikely lead after eight minutes but a Carl Hoefkens penalty seven minutes later restored parity. Paul Gallaghers goal after 57 minutes ensured a home win at odds of 9/10.

¶ 6:30 PM 0 comments

In my quest to find unusual destinations to visit in the Orlando area, I stumbled over a little town by the name of Mount Dora just about 45 minutes north of Orlando. I had read that it was a very picturesque small town located on a lake, and one of its main attractions was a scenic railway.Mount Dora is only 27 miles or 43 km northwest of Orlando. It has an elevation of 184 feet above Lake Dora, which makes it Florida's only "mountain top town". Indeed the rolling hillsides and winding roads are a welcome unique feature in the generally flat topography of Florida.

Mount Dora's history dates back to the 1800s. In 1846 Lake Dora was named for Dora Ann Drawdy. She and her husband homesteaded two miles south of Mount Dora. In 1880 the towns first name was Royellou, named after the three children of Postmaster R. C. Tremain - Roy, Ella, and Louis.

Then in 1883 the town was renamed Mount Dora. Incorporated as a town in 1910 with 370 residents, the town now has a population of around 10,000 people. The first railroad service through Mount Dora began in 1887 and by 1915 there were two passenger trains daily in each direction. At one time citrus was the major industry in the area, with a great deal shipped from Mount Dora, while today Mount Dora's major industry is tourism.

According to the Local Chamber of Commerce, the town also has a number of claims to fame, including:
- The Friendliest Small Town
- Best Antique Shopping
- The New England of the South
- The City of Parks
- Festival City
- Top 100 Great Towns of America
- Best Romantic Escape
- Money Magazine "Top Places to Live Today"

What drew me here personally was the ride on the the "Herbie Express", which is part of the Inland Lakes Railway, located in Mount Dora and Eustis, Florida. The ride I went on is a one hour train ride between Mount Dora and Wooton Park in Tavares. We departed in a Pullman sleeper railcar originally built in 1949 that was later refunctioned as a commuter railcar.

The route initially takes you along Lake Dora and later continues inland past shopping malls, and suburban residences. A young conductor explained the local sights to us and kept us entertained. The Lake Eustis / Mount Dora Railway also features other train rides, such as the Lake County Champion, the Blue Swan Dinner Train, and the Magnolia Sun Lunch Train. The Lake County Champion round trip is 2 hours and 20 minutes, with an opportunity for a short visit in Eustis to enjoy Ferran Park and area shops.

The oldest structure in Mount Dora is the Lakeside Inn, established in 1883. It features a wrap-around porch, gingerbread trim and a steep roof crowned with a corner spire. The grounds are beautifully landscaped.

Many of the walking and trolley tours through this quaint town start at the former 1915 Atlantic Coast Line Depot, home of the Mount Dora Area Chamber of Commerce since 1973. Mount Dora's most renowned architectural jewel is the Donnelly House. This Queen Anne-style structure uses design elements characteristic of the Victorian Era.

The Donnelly House was constructed in 1893 by John Phillip Donnelly, the first mayor of Mount Dora. The home sits on Donnelly Street within walking distance from downtown Mount Dora. The Donnelly House is just one of the many restored 19th and early 20th century buildings in the Golden Triangle area.

This charming little town also features a whole host of specialty retailers and is one of Florida's largest antiques and collectibles centers. Renninger's Twin Markets is renowned for its antiques shopping. The town also features a large variety of gift shops, fashion boutiques, decorative art galleries, interesting cafes and restaurants as well as charming bed and breakfasts.

One of my favourite features of this town, which also refers to itself as "City of Parks", are the many public green spaces by the water. Donnelly Park, located right downtown and dating back to 1924, offers free concerts and other civic events. The park also features a tennis court and shuffleboard facilities.

After my demanding stroll through Mount Dora's winding streets I walked down to the waterfront to Evans Park, which is located across from the lighthouse. The view from the waterfront bench was magnificent and I relaxed on the bench as I soaked up the sunshine. The park is adjacent to the Mount Dora Lawn Bowling Club, one of the largest in the United States. Its 300 member association plays host to local and regional tournaments.

Simpson Cove and Grantham Point are adjacent to Palm Island Park and feature the only inland freshwater lighthouse in Florida. This lighthouse was built of bricks and donated by local residents. Gilbert Park features a public boat ramp, picnic area, croquet court and children's playground along Alexander Creek.

Palm Island Park features a 1700 foot fresh water hiking trail and boardwalk through oak trees draped with Spanish moss. Other wildlife, including bald eagles, and local indidgenous plants can be admired here as well.

The City hosts many major annual events such as the popular "Mount Dora Arts Festival". This event attracts over 150,000 people each year and has been ranked among the top art shows in the country. Other events include the Antique Boat Show, Antique Car Show, Golf Tournament, Bicycle Festival, Crafts Fair and Plant and Garden Fair.

While I was exploring this charming little town, my husband played golf at the Mount Dora Golf Association. He played a beautifully manicured full-size 18-hole course, and at $18 including cart, this outing was a real bargain. The Mount Dora area also offers a variety of other golf courses, including the Black Bear Golf Club, the Country Club of Mount Dora, Deer Island Golf Club, Eagle Dunes Golf Course, Heathrow Country Estates Redtail Golf Course, the Mission Inn Golf & Tennis Resort and the Pine Meadows Country Club.

I capped off my explorations with a delicious late afternoon ice cream on the patio of the Sunshine Mountain Bakery, soaking up the sun while waiting to hear about my husband's golf adventures. Mount Dora is a great day trip from Orlando and we enjoyed our drive back through the countryside of rural Florida.

For more information about Mount Dora you can visit the Mount Dora Chamber of Commerce's website.

¶ 2:54 PM 0 comments