Manatee did not worry about

getting her body ready for

the beach. Instead she
hollered at the beach,
‘Are you ready for ME?’

ISSUE 108 • JUNE 2021 • PRINTED IN THE UK

£6.00

TAKEN FROM BE WILD, BE FREE BY AMBER FOSSEY (HARPERCOLLINS),

ARTIST AND MENTAL HEALTH EXPERT WHO INSTAGRAMS @ZEPPELINMOON
 Taking time to live well

June

P OT T E R
Daisies & dragonflies • Found photographs • The scoop on ice cream
Pickles, relishes & barbecue dips • Wearing shorts • Carrot & clover cake
How to be a detectorist • Greenhouse hideaways • Dad music
 A could-do list
Potter
Invest in some really good coffee
and fill your cake tin to keep you
refreshed while pottering

Find something new to listen to;

a podcast, a radio station or
an audiobook

Rearrange your furniture in one

room, or just a corner, to give
it a different look

Give all your pots a really

good clean out so they’re ready
for potting on

These are just a few ideas we

like on how to purposefully
potter. Note down some of
your own and set aside some
time to make them happen…
IMAGE: SCION HAIKU WALLPAPER (JOHNLEWIS.COM)
Midsummer has always symbolised
a kind of freedom in both what we
do and how we think; we stay up
late into the long twilight,
believe in magic and see it as a
time of hope and possibility. So
it’s apt that this month in
Britain sees a return to the
freedoms of seeing and doing
what, when, with who and how we
want – which, until last year,
we simply took for granted.
Remind yourself of small
pleasures by lingering in a café
and pottering round the shops,
savouring this beautiful time of
year and seeing it with new, more
grateful eyes. Smell the roses,
seek out enchanted places, pick
strawberries and gather your
friends for a backyard barbecue,
just because you can.
Lisa EDITOR LISA SYKES
PHOTOGRAPHY: JESKA HEARNE
 Nature spot
JUNE
White robin (Lychnis O Strawberry butter. Whizz a handful
Flos-Cuculi) of strawberries with half a pack of
Ox-Eye daisies butter and a tablespoon of sugar.
(Leucanthemum Your scones will thank you. 
Vulgare) O Strawberry and brie toasts. Top
White campion tiny bruschettas with a slice of brie,
(Silene Latifolia) IN SEASON a halved strawberry and a basil

STRAWBERRIES
leaf. Drizzle with balsamic glaze.
O Strawberry salad dressing.
Blend equal parts olive oil and
apple cider vinegar with a few
We don’t like to take away from
strawberries, salt and pepper. 

LOCAL LORE strawberries and cream (the last thing

we’d want is the taking away of
strawberries and cream!) but here
O Strawberry salsa. Mix chopped

tomatoes, strawberries, spring

On the Saturday closest onion, lime juice and coriander with
to the solstice, the folk of are a few new ideas for things to do a little olive oil and vinegar. Beautiful
Ock Street, Abingdon, with a glut of strawberries... with barbecued chicken or fish.
elect a mock mayor. Once
the poorest part of town,
the ‘mayor’s’ role was to
hold the real mayor to
account. Tradition sees
them carried on a special
chair bearing ‘The Horns ow
H I S T O RY P R O J E C T
of Ock Street’*, amid o o
o
much merriment. eeo
e
eee
n
The first time Amelia Earhart the washing line, you’ll choice. Feel free to go for it

24
flew across the Atlantic she
was actually a passenger
(she and her pilot and
mechanic landed at Pwll,
south Wales on 18 June 1928)
but that flight inspired her to
become the first woman to
cross the pond solo, in 1932.
In honour of that, but
in a much less daring way,
we’re making bi-plane pegs.
They’re useful for clipping
Moonwatch together seed packets or
scraps of paper. You can even
Known as the
stick magnets to them and
strawberry moon,
use them as little photograph
due to the harvesting
holders on your fridge. And
of strawberries, or
of course, if you want to
sometimes the rose
make a few dozen and peg
moon, June’s full
up your smalls with them on
moon is full on the 24th.
make your neighbours very
jealous indeed.
YOU WILL NEED:
A wooden clothes peg
(the kind you squeeze,
not the dolly peg kind)
2 long straight lolly sticks
1 smaller lolly stick (the
ones you get for Magnums
are great)
Glue or a glue gun
Paint
A small bead or pompom
for the nose
Wheels and axle off an
old toy car (optional)
1 Paint the clothes peg and
lolly sticks in colours of your
with Spitfire symbols, etc, if
you like. Leave them to dry. 
2 Glue the two straight lolly
sticks on either side of the
peg, just below the metal
hinge. Glue the smaller lolly
stick at the other end of the
peg on the top for the tail.
3 Stick a pompom or bead
on the front for the nose. If
you’re using wheels, add
these now, too.
4 If you’re feeling ambitious
you could make a little
Amelia Earhart head from
a wooden bead and stick
it on the top.
5 Now peg up anything you
wish, saying “neeeeeooooo
oooowwww” as you do. 

*The Horns of Ock Street are a symbol of a longstanding local grudge that began in 1700 at an Abingdon event that included the roasting of a whole ox
on the marketplace. A fight broke out between some lads from Ock Street and a gang from the northern part of the town about who would get to keep
6 the horns. The Ock Street boys won the fight and continue to lord their victory over the town some 300 years on.
 ALMANAC Seasonal thoughts & things
to help you enjoy the month

JUNE DEVOTIONAL
Devotionals provide space in your
day for thought and meditation.
Join us for a quiet moment.

Treat your ears

POTTER
Like Bing Crosby, we like nothing
A podcast and a piece more than being “busy doing
of music to celebrate nothing, working the whole day
the month through, trying to find lots of
things not to do.” There’s a definite
OGrowing wild art to pottering, defined by the
This podcast is ideal for dictionary as ‘occupying oneself in
outdoor lovers, whether a trifling way.’ Like a practical and
you’re pottering with productive meditation, you can
your plants, out on a walk l ur mind wander or sit empty,
or at home on a rainy day. u get a few bits done. What’s
It includes chats with satisfying than finding
gardeners, soil scientists, e rested your mind and
wild swimmers and more. body, all while mackling in the
audioboom.com/ shed, tidying indoors, or just
channel/growing-wild generally having a sort out.  we put that jar of screws?
ODetectorists,
The verb ‘potter’ is
thought to come from the
obsolete verb ‘poten’, meaning to
push or poke. So pottering is really
just ‘poking about with things’, but
it’s since become an activity all
of its own. And hooray for that. 
For those of us who have
trouble clearing enough time to
just sit still and enjoy the quiet,
and for those who find the idea
of doing nothing uncomfortable,
pottering is an acceptable and
achievable way of looking after
our wellbeing. Now, where did
 

Johnny Flynn
If you thought TV theme
tunes weren’t terribly
highbrow, prepare to A day out
make an exception. This
song by folk artist Johnny READING GROUP Fabrica in Brighton is
Flynn, the score to the hosting an immersive
BBC’s Detectorists, tells THE SLEEPER AND Questions exhibition, where you
of the touch of the kings, THE SPINDLE to ponder can become lost in
COMPILED BY: IONA BOWER. ILLUSTRATIONS: ISTOCK; SHUTTERSTOCK

the breath of the wind,
and the promise of
hidden treasure – enough
to make us rush out to
buy a metal detector.
Meanwhile, if you didn’t
catch the series or it’s not
your thing, Flynn’s worth
a summer listen. (If it is
your thing, turn to p70
to meet a real detectorist
in our Modern
Eccentrics feature).  of dark humour thrown in.
June spells midsummer
magic, and what better
to read than fairy tales?
Proper grown-up ones.  fairy tales? How did you
Neil Gaiman’s The Sleeper
and the Spindle is a graphic
novel with illustrations by
Chris Riddell. It’s a female-
centred mash-up of Snow
White, Sleeping Beauty and
a few other fairytales you
might remember, with a lot
What does a fairytale wood. The
Gaiman have to Forked Forest Path
say about women’s role in by Olafur Eliasson runs
to 20 June. Or simply
enjoy the way the pictures visit a local
worked with the text or woodland for
did you find it distracting? some forest
Further reading immersion.
Gaiman has written a Find one at
wealth of fairytale stuff, but woodland
Angela Carter’s The Bloody trust.org.uk, or
Chamber is also a must for turn to p22 for more
grown-up fairytale fans. mystical inspiration.

7
A bit on the side
HOST A BARBECUE WITH EXTRA RELISH
BY CREATING THE DIPS, SAUCES AND
CONDIMENTS YOU’LL NEED TO
SHOWCASE YOUR GRILLS AND SIDES
Recipes: NICOLINE OLSEN Photography: HOUSE OF PICTURES
N
ow that summer has arrived
and gatherings are allowed,
we can chuck some coals
gratefully on the barbecue
(with an umbrella at the ready,
of course – this is summer in Britain) and
get grilling. Whether you prefer sausages,
burgers or a good old veggie skewer*, when
it comes to barbecuing food, we all know
that, really, it’s all about the condiments.
Pick a dull day the week before and enjoy
spending time in your kitchen making
ketchup, mustard, relishes and dips that
will elevate a humble sausage into the hot
dog of dreams (you could even bake the
bread bun, too). The filling of jars for your
larder and fridge is time well spent as – once
the coals have cooled – you’ll be able to slip
some pickles into your sandwiches and
sauce on your plates for weeks to come.
Pop a pork belly in the oven to make a
porchetta – even if rain stops play you’ve
Dips and sauces to help
got roasted meats to share – then add in build next level bangers
some fries and coleslaw, and nominate and burgers. You don’t
someone to do the grilling while you have to use them all at
once, but it is tempting…
bagsy a deckchair, a refreshing glass of
something chilled and pile your plate high. »

*We've got a recipe for a veggie-friendly Chipotle mushroom and black bean
burger on p77, if that's more your taste than the meaty version here. 9

Don't get in a pickle with your
condiments – make ahead of
time to add crunch to your food
Great for barbecues, they
double as fridge staples
to liven up lunches, too
10
Salty dill cucumbers
While gherkins may split the
crowd, these salty pickles will
make your burgers sing.
Makes two 500ml jars
3 cucumbers, cut into thick slices
½ ltr of white vinegar
500g icing sugar
100g salt
1 dill flower head or a handful
of fresh dill
1 Put the cucumber slices into a
bowl. Mix the vinegar, sugar and
salt then pour over and add the dill.
2 Place the bowl in the fridge for
two days, giving the cucumbers
a stir from time to time.
3 After two days, transfer the
cucumbers and vinegar mix to your
jars. Let them soak for about a week
before they're ready to be enjoyed.
Rémoulade
Forget plain old mayo – try
mixing it up with pickles and
capers for chip-dipping heaven.
Makes one 750ml jar
6 tbsp mayonnaise
2 tbsp crème fraîche
4 tbsp gherkins, finely chopped
1 tbsp capers, finely chopped
1 tsp pickled cucumber, finely
chopped
1 tbsp homemade mustard
Pinch of turmeric
Mix the mayonnaise, crème fraîche,
gherkins, capers and cucumbers.
Add the mustard, turmeric and salt
and pepper to taste, then transfer
to a sterilised jar.
Cook’s note: Rémoulade tastes best
24 hrs after making and can be kept
in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
 GATHERING

Cucumber relish Porchetta roast

(Boston cucumbers) Oven roasted, so you’ll have
Who doesn’t love a posh pickle – something to put in your buns
especially one with a kick to it too? no matter what the weather.

Makes three 500ml jars Serves 6

1kg large cucumbers, diced 1 large pork belly
into 2-3mm cubes 6-7 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 large onion, diced into 1 bundle of parsley
2-3mm cubes 1 bundle of oregano
1 green bell pepper, deseeded, 8 bay leaves
diced into 2-3mm cubes ½ bundle of rosemary
2 tsp grated fresh horseradish 7-8 shallots, finely chopped
for the brine: Grated zest of 1 lemon
400ml vinegar 2 slices of white bread, crusts
250g granulated sugar removed and breadcrumbed
1 tbsp salt 100g butter
1 tsp ground yellow mustard seeds
1 Preheat the oven to 220C/Fan
1 Bring the vinegar, sugar, salt, and 200C/Gas 7. Lay the pork belly meat
mustard seeds to a boil in a pan side up and season. Add the garlic,
then add the chopped veg. Leave herbs, shallots, zest and breadcrumbs.
to simmer for around 20 mins, or 2 Roll the pork up and tie with string,
until it thickens, stirring occasionally. before rubbing with butter. Roast in
2 Add the horseradish and more salt the oven for 20 mins before reducing
to taste then transfer to a sterilised jar. the heat to 200C/Fan 180C/Gas 6 and
Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. roasting for a further 50 mins. Allow
to rest for 20 mins before serving.

Coleslaw
Creamy and crunchy, it’s a reliable
side staple or burger enhancer.

Serves 8
1 white cabbage, cut into thin strips
on a mandolin
Juice of ½ lemon
½ tbsp salt
for the dressing:
200g mayonnaise
200g crème fraîche
1 tbsp dijon mustard
1 tsp acacia honey

1 Put the cabbage into a bowl and

add the lemon juice and salt. Use
your fingers to mix and give it a good
Something to relish: It's
squeeze. Leave for around 15 mins
not just the condiments before mixing and squeezing again.
that make a barbecue 2 When ready to assemble, stir in
taste so good. Try grilled
the mayo, crème fraîche, mustard,
courgettes (above)
with a porchetta and honey and season to taste. »
and coleslaw bun

11
 GATHERING
Crispy fried shallots
Heat up a tablespoon of oil in a frying
pan or wok. Thinly slice shallots then
add them to the oil and sprinkle with a
teaspoon of granulated sugar. Fry until
crisp then transfer onto kitchen paper
to drain any excess oil before serving.
12
Sweet mustard
Less of the heat, but all of
the flavour with a mustard
that’s a taste bud treat.
Makes one 250ml jar
65g yellow mustard seeds
30g mustard powder
120ml water
100ml apple cider vinegar
3 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp turmeric
1 tsp salt
1 Mix the mustard seeds and mustard
powder in a bowl. Meanwhile, in a
small pan, bring the water, vinegar,
sugar, honey, turmeric and salt to a
boil then pour it over the mustard mix.
2 Leave it to soak at room temperature
for around 24 hrs before blending to
your preferred consistency, adding a
little extra vinegar and honey to taste,
if needed. Transfer to sterilised jars.
Cook’s note: Mustard should be
refrigerated for a few days before it's
ready to eat, then it can be kept for
Hot-dog buns up to 6 months in the fridge. However,
Hot diggity dog! Make your the flavour does lessen over time.
own buns to accommodate
sausages of all sizes.
Makes 25
2kg wheat flour
1ltr water
50g yeast
180g granulated sugar
20g salt
2 eggs
150g butter, melted
1 Mix the yeast, sugar and salt into the
water, then add the flour little by little.
When about half of the flour has been
added, knead the eggs and melted
butter into the mixture.
2 Add the rest of the flour and knead
the dough thoroughly. Leave to rise
in a warm spot for about 15-20 mins.
3 Shape into hot-dog buns and allow
to rise for 30 mins more. Meanwhile,
heat the oven to 200C/Fan 180C/Gas
6 then bake for 12-14 mins. Give them
a quick turn on the grill before serving.

Beef burger patties
Quick to make and speedy to grill,
making your own burgers is easy,
fun and delicious.
Makes 6
1kg minced beef
2 small onions, peeled and grated
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 bunch of parsley, finely chopped
1-2 tsp tabasco sauce
2-4 tbsp olive oil
1 Place the mince, onion and garlic
in a bowl, then add the parsley and
tabasco sauce. Season with salt and
pepper and then use your hands
to gently mix everything together
until fully combined.
2 Shape into six patties and chill
for at least 30 mins.
3 Brush one side of each burger
with olive oil and place on the grill,
then brush the top with oil, too.
Cook for 4-5 mins on each side
for medium and 6 mins each
side if you prefer them well done. »
BEERS FOR
A BARBECUE
45 DAYS ORGANIC
PILSNER 4.7%, £3.70 
Danish craft brewers
To Øl appreciate it takes
time to make a good pilsner.
An unhurried, 45-day
fermentation and maturation
process produces crisp,
delicate flavours that
complement – rather
than overpower – anything
cooked over charcoal.
TIDAL REVEALS PEACH
& APRICOT IMPERIAL
GOSE 7%, £5.50
This beer by Polly's Brew Co.
balances sweet fruits with
measured tartness, then
wraps everything up with
a sprinkle of sea salt. This
IPA will bring out the beauty
in sweet and salted sides.
NEAL GETS THINGS DONE
IPA 6.5%, £5.95
As the sun sinks you’ll want
to sip something
substantial. While you
could turn to any of
Verdant’s outstanding
hop-range, Neal Gets
Things Done is a top-notch
drop. Thick and rich with
layer after layer of
Buns, burgers and all the pineapple and grape.
bits at the ready for the
first glint of sunshine
Beer pairings from of Oli Meade, founder of
taproom and bottle shop Craft Metropolis.
To order online, visit craftmetropolis.co.uk.
Free next day delivery on orders over £60.
13
 GATHERING

Homemade ketchup
Adding apples makes it tastier
than anything that can be
bought in a squeezy bottle.

Makes two 500ml jars

1kg tomatoes, roughly chopped
1 tin of peeled tomatoes
3 apples, roughly chopped
2 large red onions, roughly chopped
100ml apple cider vinegar
1 leaf of lovage
40g granulated sugar
80g brown sugar
1 tbsp salt
Freshly ground pepper

1 Put the fresh and tinned tomatoes,

apples and onions in a pot, along
with the apple cider vinegar and the
lovage leaf. Allow to simmer for about
40 mins, stirring occasionally, until
everything softens up and coats
the back of a wooden spoon.
2 Add the sugar, salt, and freshly-
ground pepper to taste. The ketchup
can then be blended to your preferred
consistency before transferring to
a sterilised jar and stored in the fridge
for up to 3-4 days.
Cook’s note: Mix the ketchup with
a strong chili paste for a hot chili
ketchup… just remember to forewarn
your guests!
Fries with thyme salt
Would you like fries with that?
Yes, we would!
Serves 8
8-10 baking potatoes
1 ltr peanut oil (or other neutral oil)
Thyme salt: thyme twigs ground with
salt flakes in a pestle and mortar
1 Peel the potatoes and cut them into
thin staves – best done with a french
fry cutter. Rinse them under running
water for a couple of minutes, then
pat them dry.
2 In a large pan heat the oil to 130C
then fry the potatoes for about 3 mins,
in batches if necessary. Remove to
kitchen paper using a slotted spoon
then transfer to the freezer to cool off.
3 After about 30 mins, increase the
oil temperature to 180-190C. Fry the
french fries until they're golden and
crisp. Drain on kitchen paper before
seasoning with the thyme salt and
serving immediately.

14

Coffee made simple
THE NEW TAYLORS RANGE IS NAMED WITH
BRILLIANTLY LOGICAL EASE, TAKING THE HASSLE AND
CONFUSION OUT OF A REFRESHING CUP OF COFFEE
T
he world of coffee can be complex
and baffling. Recreating your coffee-
shop favourite at home can seem
like a bit of a challenge – even when
the past year or so has presented us with
plenty of opportunity to practise.
Head to the supermarket coffee aisle and
you’ll be met with a sea of different options,
with obscure tasting notes, varying strengths
and roast types all to be taken into account.
Never mind all the various names and places
of origin. So where exactly do you begin to
find the one that’s right for you?
At Taylors of Harrogate, they’re on a mission
to free coffee lovers from compromise and
confusion. This in mind, they set their experts
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a challenge: make it simple to choose a coffee
and prepare your favourite drink at home.
ALL IN THE NAME
The result is a new range, developed hand-in-
hand with coffee lovers. Taylors sources the
beans, roasts them to bring out the flavours,
then blends them. There’s smooth Espresso,
comforting Latte and Cafetière, the ideal blend
for… well, take a guess. Latte and Espresso come
in a choice of ground or beans, depending on
your set-up at home. What a refreshing change.
Now making your coffee, exactly as you like
it, is as easy as ordering it at a coffee shop.
To find out more, visit taylorsofharrogate.co.uk
or follow on Instagram: @taylors
 LOOKING BACK

All scream!
NO BRITISH SUMMER’S DAY IS COMPLETE WITHOUT ICE CREAM,
A SEASONAL STAPLE THAT DATES BACK CENTURIES. WE’VE GOT
THE SCOOP. AND THE WAFFLE

Words: MADÉVI DAILLY

16
 F
rom a tub, on a cone, soft-served,
home-churned or grabbed from
the newsagent on a hot summer’s
day: is there anything more
happy-making than a good helping
of ice cream? From the humble Mini
Milk to the glorious scorched peaks of a baked
Alaska, ice cream has the power to transport us
to the simpler days of our sun-drenched youth.
If the inner workings of our kitchen freezers
still confound us today, ice cream’s invention
– some say in 7th-century China – must have
seemed positively magical. It’s no surprise that
these frozen delights stirred passions at royal
courts as far back as the 17th century. Rumour career for the serial entrepreneur who would go (L-R) The sign of a
has it that Charles II swore his confectioners on to become the biggest importer of Norwegian British summer – an ice
cream van and a trail of
to secrecy, on pain of death should the mystery ice, which was taken by ice ship to London, and eager customers in its
of ‘iced cream’ be revealed. Thankfully, the as far afield as Calcutta. wake; Before fridges,
secret did get out – and we can now raise a the less convenient
option of the brick ice
waffle cone to five centuries of superb scoops. W O U L D YO U L I K E G E R M S house; Bringing iced
W I T H T H AT ? treats to the streets
ICE, ICE BABY Carlo Gatti’s ‘penny licks’ – a penny’s worth of
Cooling, thirst-quenching Persian sherbets may ice cream served in a shell or reusable glass cup
PHOTOGRAPHY: ALAMY; MARY EVANS PICTURE LIBRARY, GETTY, SHUTTERCTOCK

have been all the rage in Florence in the 1660s,
but it was Britain that had the advantage when
it came to ice cream – and that was ice. Salted
ice, which draws heat from anything it touches,
was key to the chilling of rich creams. The tricky
part was preserving it until the hot, heady days
of summer. It was James I who became the first
monarch to commission brick-lined ice houses
on royal land in Greenwich Park and Hampton
Court. His science-loving grandson Charles II
carried on the practice, having inherited a taste
for winter’s bounty on a summer’s day. Needless
to say, these luxurious follies came at great
expense. In the 1850s, Swiss waffle maker Carlo
Gatti started selling penny ices to the masses
thanks to a contract to harvest ice from London’s
Regent’s Canal. It was the start of a lucrative
– quickly became popular. But the affordable
street snack would have failed the most cursory
of hygiene inspections: a quick plunge of the cup
into a bucket of dirty water, followed by a half-
hearted wipe with a soiled rag did little to avoid
the spread of disease. Thankfully, in a bid to
stop the spread of cholera and tuberculosis,
by 1899 the offending vessels had been banned.
Their replacement was the biscuit cup: a cheap,
single-use and, most importantly, delicious
invention first mechanically produced by
canny Mancunian-Italian Antonio Valvona. »
By 1922, Wall’s had taken its frozen
treats to the streets by horse and cart

17
 LOOKING BACK

Anything but
vanilla
While gelato is all about
classic cioccolato, pistacchio
and stracciatella, the
Great British Ice Cream
likes to go off-piste. Have
a lick of these:

•ofRose-infused with a fruits

the forest ripple: that’s
King Richard III, a House
of York-themed creation
from the history buffs at
Gelato Village in Leicester.
• Orange and fruity,
Luca’s I’rn Brew turns
Scotland’s vivid national
drink into a refreshing
sorbet. Find it at the brand’s
cafés in Musselburgh
and Edinburgh.
• It may be seasonal,
but Hackney Gelato’s Hot
Cross Bun flavour captures
all the Easter goodness
of its muse. Think sultanas,
candied fruit and, of
course, a generous
helping of salted butter.
• Bacon-infused milk,
a custard-filled egg
MRS EALES AND MRS WHEELS OF CHANGE
MARSHALL The origin of that most beloved of childhood
and plenty of dry ice
Forget Mrs Beeton: Queen Anne’s confectioner icons, the ice cream van, starts unexpectedly in
go into the making of
Heston Blumenthal’s
Mary Eales is credited with writing the first 1913, in a butcher’s shop in London’s St James’s
signature bacon and English recipe for ‘iced cream’. Published in Market. Here, T. Wall & Sons Ltd decided to
egg ice cream (complete 1718, Mrs Mary Eales’s Receipts described a supplement its sausages, which they’d been
with brioche soldiers) at simple concoction of sweetened cream and churning out since 1786, with a more summery
The Fat Duck in Berkshire. fruit, made in tin pots stacked in a pail on top of snack. By 1922, Wall’s had taken its frozen treats
• Beckleberry’s liquorice
and blackcurrant number
straw and salted ice. But her ingenuity was soon to the streets by horse and cart. By 1939, there
tastes like an English
surpassed by Agnes Marshall’s. East London’s were some 8,500 Stop Me and Buy One tricycles
summer. It’s best enjoyed Queen of Ices was a leading cookery writer in pedalling their wares to delighted customers.
after an invigorating Victorian times. Her two books on the subject, After rationing during the Second World
afternoon of foraging published in the 1880s, were the go-tos for any War, ice cream on wheels enjoyed a renaissance
in the hedgerows. dinner party calling for a frozen spinach custard, in the 1960s, before home freezers became
say, or a duck-shaped foie gras centrepiece. She commonplace. Then Birmingham company Mr
patented an ice cream churner in 1885, published Whippy made a name for itself with American-
the first known recipe for an edible cone in 1888, style soft-serve ice cream, the Greensleeves jingle
and even suggested using liquid nitrogen to and the finishing flourish of a Cadburys Flake
make ice cream. In short, she was a true culinary bar – the famous 99. It’s best not to ask where this
pioneer, much admired by maverick chef and moniker comes from – you’ll get anything from
nitro-poacher Heston Blumenthal himself. the cost of the bar to a Portobello address or the
name of Italian conscripts as an explanation.

The ice cream industry is constantly O N E S CO O P O R T WO?

But what of the beloved knickerbocker glory?
reinventing itself to keep our taste buds tickled The layered confection – a sundae stacked with

18
 Sundae best
Parlours worth a pit stop

Robin’s Boat,
Calgary Beach, Isle of Mull
Just steps from the sea, this
characterful shack shelters
under an upturned boat.
It’s not a parlour as such,
(Clockwise from far but you can plonk yourself
left) Wall’s, encouraging down on the Caribbean-
punters to ‘Stop Me and worthy beach to savour a
Buy One’; any excuse scoop of local Tobermory
for ice cream; 1950s
Whisky Marmalade.
Wall’s ad; Nardini’s in
Largs; a knickerbocker
Marine Ices, north London
glory in all its, er, glory It may face stiff competition
from its plucky upstart
neighbours, but this
frescoed parlour is a
Camden institution. It’s
been around since 1931
– plenty of time to hone
its smooth, moreish gelato.
Joe’s Ice Cream
Parlour, Swansea
Joe Cascarini, an Italian
immigrant, is the man
behind Wales’s most
beloved ice cream. Fans
come for the fresh vanilla
– a secret recipe brought
from the Abruzzi Mountains
and updated with Welsh
ingredients – although
you’d be remiss not to
ask for sprinkles on top.
Nardini’s, Largs, Ayrshire
With its red striped awnings
and eye-catching signage,
this glorious Art Deco
café is an unmistakable
meringue, fruit, syrups and toppings, served HOLD THE CREAM landmark in the Ayrshire
in a tall glass flute with a pleasingly long spoon Sales of vegan ice cream have doubled in the past seaside town of Largs. The
– packs in all the goodness of a childhood five years. But it’s far from being the only trend to sundae menu is extensive,
holiday. Across the land, from Broadstairs in keep an eye on in a crowded, highly competitive but the Paddle Boat, an
Kent to Glasgow’s Byres Road, heritage ice market. The ice cream industry is constantly ice cream canoe topped
with teddy bear biscuits
cream parlours have cottoned on to the enduring reinventing itself to keep our taste buds tickled
and plenty of whipped
appeal of the frozen ice cream treat. Here, – and our wallets at the ready. Magnums and cream, is always a winner.
as well as retro fonts and Art Deco stylings, Viennettas crackled out of their wrappers in the Lickety Split Creamery,
you’ll find flavours ranging from the classic to 1980s, the very height of frozen sophistication. Seaham, Co Durham
the exotic. With names like Verdi’s, Morelli’s or Meanwhile, in the 1990s, American friends Ben Get your Grease on at
Nardini’s, many of these parlours can trace their and Jerry swiftly monopolised our home freezers this retro parlour, complete
with jukebox, chequerboard
roots back to the turn of the previous century, with their chunky textures, progressive politics
floor and oversized
when Italian immigrants set up cafés across and a liberal sprinkling of dubious puns. Even sundaes. The house special?
the country, often despite the hostility of so, sandwiched between macarons, wrapped A chocolate basket made
locals. By 1905, there were an estimated 336 in bubble waffles, stuffed inside a watermelon, to order at the counter.
ice cream shops throughout Glasgow alone. spirit-laced or even glow-in-the-dark, it seems
Some, naturally, doubled up as chip shops, too. there’s a lot of life in the old scoop yet.

19
 PP R E C I AT I O N O F
A DRA
AN
S
Words: PETE DOMMETT
it by any riverbank on a sunny afternoon
in June and the air will be filled with flying
jewellery. Winged brooches of emerald-green
and burnished amber hurry back and forth
above the water, while ruby-hued hairpins
skim across its surface. Travel back 350 million
years and you’d be greeted by a similar sight, for dragonflies
are ancient creatures. Except, in prehistoric times, these
spectacular insects were flying giants: fossil records suggest
that the dragonfly’s early ancestors were four times the
size of the largest species alive today.
Dragonflies were once feared for their supposed ability
to bite or sting. Their former folk names attest to this:
adder bolt, horse stinger and (my favourite) devil’s darning
needle. However, they’re completely harmless to humans
and should only inspire awe, not dread.
They’re absolute masters of the air. Like a helicopter,
a dragonfly can move in all directions and hover on the
spot. With four wings working independently of each other,
beating at up to 55 times a second, it can switch direction
in a moment. This makes for a formidable aerial predator.
ILLUSTRATION: ZUZA MIŚKO
Dragonflies snatch midges, flies and even butterflies out of
the sky with ruthless ease, often consuming their meals in
flight. However, on a family walk once, I watched a pair of
discarded dragonfly wings flutter to the ground, like a fallen
sycamore seed. Overhead, a hobby – a type of falcon – was
dispatching and devouring dragonflies with even greater
GON
FLIES
expertise. My daughter kept the wings in a jewellery
box, wrapped in tissue paper, like scraps of veined lace.
After spending most of their lives underwater as larval
nymphs, adult dragonflies emerge in June to feed and
mate. Look out for pairs holding each other in a heart-
shaped embrace or ‘mating wheel’ as it’s known. But it’s
not as romantic as it sounds: during copulation, the male
uses special hooks on its tail, called claspers, to grip the
female by her head. Later, she’ll lay her eggs in water or on
water-plants, sometimes while still attached to her suitor.
Around 40 kinds of dragonfly (and their close relatives,
damselflies) breed in the UK. They can be difficult to
identify, especially as they don’t stay still for long. But
their names often offer a clue as to what to look out for:
hawkers cruise at eye level, darters dash from place to
place, skimmers fly low across the water and chasers shoot
out at passing prey from a plant-stem perch. Three of the
easiest to spot are the Brown hawker with its tea-stained
wings; the Broad-bodied chaser, whose chunky tail looks
to have been dipped in pale-blue powder paint; and the
brightly-coloured Emperor – which has a wingspan of
up to 12cm, making it almost an honorary bird.
Of course, you don’t need to know which species they
are to enjoy their spectacular aerial display this summer.
Just lie back on that riverbank, or at the fringes of a
garden pond, and enjoy the sight of these natural treasures
glittering above you. Because each and every one’s a gem.
21
 OUTING
Away with the fairies
FAIRY RINGS, STONE CIRCLES AND EVEN
MERMAIDS ARE PART OF THE FOLKLORE WOVEN
INTO OUR LANDSCAPES AND LOCAL TRADITIONS.
JULIAN OWEN FINDS THE MAGIC
M
idsummer. Also known as
summer solstice, drawn
from the Latin sol (sun)
and sistere (to stand still).
In other words, after
months of tracking north
and before turning south, the day the sun
stops. With the most worshipped, most
feared body in the ancient universe, at
rest; and the laws of nature and divinity
suspended, the supernatural had just
one day to weave its magic unhindered.
Ghosts, it was said, could pass from the
afterworld into ours on this day. Spirits and
fairies could commune with us. Bonfires
and all-night vigils provided light and
watchfulness to keep back demons, the
gatherings often sustained by dancing,
22
feasting and debauchery. Conditions in
which it’s easy to imagine the birth of such
customs as jumping over said fires, the
highest leap supposed to predict the height
of the coming harvest. Ritual begat ritual
with near-endless regional variations.
Growing up in Wiltshire in the 1980s,
the midsummer ritual at Stonehenge was as
much a part of the local TV news calendar
as cheese rolling on the spring bank holiday.
Namely, how the police were getting along
with preventing the ragtag assemblage of
old coaches and army trucks known as the
‘hippie convoy’ from celebrating the solstice
there en route to Glastonbury festival.
The stones have meant different things
to different people ever since their erection
circa 2,500 BCE. Variously, they've been
thought to be a prehistoric concert hall,
a celestial observatory, a healing site, a
burial ground, and an outsize picnic table.
Actually, that last one is verifiable fact.
In the 1950s, my mum was living nearby, in
a home whose name positively screeched
ancient mysticism: Druid’s Lodge. Or rather,
that was the name of the estate on which
my grandad was head gardener, and in
which his family lived in a tied cottage.
Mum would often walk the mile-and-
a-half to Stonehenge, where she and her Mysterious standing
pals would feast and play out the day. stones can be found
There was no fencing. No visitor centre. throughout the British
Isles, often in a circular
Indeed, barely a visitor, just the occasional
formation, as are the
curious passer-by who’d leave the girls stones of Callanish in
to their capering soon enough. » the Outer Hebrides
 OUTING
A Bronze Age barrow in
Avebury, Wilts (top). The
county is also famed for
crop circles (above), that
mysteriously tend to
appear between last
orders and daybreak. A
'fairy circle' (right), and
(far right) legend has it
that The Cove at Stanton
Drew is an ossified
wedding party
24
Far beyond the stones, Wiltshire’s
landscape remains inextricably linked
to other sacred sites of the Neolithic and
Bronze Ages, from the chambered tombs
of West Kennet Long Barrow to Silbury Hill
– at almost 40 metres the tallest prehistoric
manmade mound in Europe. Or, to Mum
and chums, the best slide in the county.
The innate mystery of the place meant
that, in my late childhood, Wiltshire was
able to add another string to its mystical
bow: crop circles. The work of aliens, or
lightly sozzled blokes tramping down
wheat with planks? Only in a place with
such history could the former theory be
treated with as much credence as the latter.
Even after the men with planks owned up.
Only one version makes for good folklore,
fit for a page or two in the voluminous
supernatural history of these isles. We
can but scratch its uncanny surface in
this modest guide. The number of regional
customs, talismans, and legendary beasts
is, ultimately, unknowable. The late master
of megalithic knowledge, Aubrey Burl,
reckoned that there are over 1,300 stone
circles in the UK. But that doesn’t mean
PHOTOGRAPHY: ALAMY; GETTY IMAGES; NATIONAL TRUST IMAGES; SHUTTERSTOCK
we can’t offer a few primers, starting with…
A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO
S TA N D I N G S T O N E S
For a game of ‘Imagine when…’ you can’t
beat standing in a circle of stones positioned
just there between three and five thousand
years ago. The world’s biggest stone circle,
Avebury, near Stonehenge, is an obvious
must-visit, although coachloads of bustling
tourists slightly limit take-off for flights of
fancy. Indeed, fellow stone-circle spotters
will surely lament just how many were
erected next to convenient car parks. Even
some ostensibly remote examples, like the
towering stones of Callanish in the Outer
Hebrides, ‘benefit’ from an attendant visitor
centre. Thus, my personal favourite is
the Nine Ladies stone circle standing in
bleakly splendid isolation on Stanton Moor
in the Derbyshire Peak District. Mythology
claims nine unfortunate women underwent
involuntary ossification as a penalty for
dancing on a Sunday, a fate shared with
the Sabbath-defying wedding party that
now forms another Neolithic treat, The
Cove, thoughtfully placed in the Druid’s
Arms’ beer garden at Stanton Drew,
Somerset. The Great Circle, second
only in size to Avebury, stands nearby.
M A G I C O N YO U R D O O R S T E P
Circular shapes are central to folk tradition,
and not only ones we’ve built ourselves.
Think, for instance, of the circles of
mushrooms known as fairy rings,
legendarily caused by dancing elves or
fairies and observable to mortals only the
following morning. Magical lore is rooted
in the soil almost anywhere, and in any
season you care to look. We’ve all tried
finding a four-leaf clover, for example.
St Patrick claimed that God added a
fourth leaf for luck, augmenting the three
symbolising faith, hope and love. Although,
at odds of one in 10,000, said luck may be
exhausted finding one in the first place.
For some close-to-home magic, look
no further than your herb rack. Witches’
lore stipulates that adding basil to your
mop bucket will wash evil and negativity
from the house; thyme should be burned
while seeking counsel from deceased
loved ones; rosemary boosts memory,
and sage heightens wisdom.
AS IS OUR CUSTOM
Food of all kinds is central to some of our
most widely celebrated traditions, from
Shrove Tuesday pancakes to hot cross
buns on Good Friday. Here, though, are
suggestions on where and when to find
some altogether more arcane customs.
While the rest of the country is focused
on burning effigies and bonfires, 5
November finds the womenfolk of Shebbear
lighting the way for crowbar-wielding
men to set about Turning the Devil’s Stone.
The one-ton rock was apparently dropped
on the Devonshire village’s green by Lucifer
himself and, for reasons lost to history,
ill fortune will apparently follow if it
isn’t given its annual rotation.
Satan is also central to a Christmas
Eve tradition in Dewsbury where, before
midnight, ‘Tolling the Devil’s Knell’ finds
All Saint’s Church’s tenor bell struck once
for every year since Christ was born. After
midnight it’s struck once more to remind
Old Nick of his defeat by Christ and to
protect the Yorkshire town from evil
during the coming year.
Finally, the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance
dates from the Middle Ages, replete with »
There are plenty of alternatives to spotting mythical
creatures besides typing ‘Loch Ness’ into Google
Could fairies exist?
Believing hasn’t always been
easy in a fairy-sceptic world.
No one wants to end up like
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who
was humiliated by his very
public championing of the
Cottingley Fairies. In 1917, two
young cousins photographed
cardboard cut-outs in their
garden, persuaded the likes of
Sir Arthur that they were real
fairies, only then to eventually
reveal their fakery. Happily,
97 years later, came real proof,
in the form of photographs
taken by John Hyatt – a
university lecturer, no less
– in the Rossendale Valley,
Lancashire. “They were just
enjoying themselves and there
was a little dance in the sunlight
going on,” he told the Daily Mail.
25

Laying down the lore
Suggestions for further reading
The Modern Antiquarian
by Julian Cope (Thorsons)
The singer pairs academic rigour
with personable accessibility to
detail more than 300 prehistoric
sites in the UK, visited during an
eight-year odyssey to find the
wellspring of our cultural
identity.
Folklore, Myths and Legends
of Britain by Russell Ash
(Reader’s Digest)
A doorstep tome exhaustively
detailing superstitions,
hauntings, festivals, mythical
figures, etc, in highly readable
fashion. So compelling, in fact,
that Simon Costin, founder of
the Museum of British Folklore,
cites it as the source of his
fascination with custom. “It’s
riddled with inaccuracies, but
it was so special,” he recalls.
The Faraway Tree
by Enid Blyton (Hodder)
In which three children discover
a sky-scraping magical tree, the
departure point for four novels’
worth of adventure. Borrowing
heavily from folklore, Enid Blyton
has the trio meet characters
including Silky the fairy and
the Angry Pixie, all in fantastical
settings such as the treacle
pudding-laced Land of Goodies.
26
reindeer antlers, a hobby horse, Maid
Marian, and Fool. Held annually on
Wakes Monday in September, it’s a stamina-
challenging affair, with the tour of the
Staffordshire village’s churches, pubs
and houses kicking off at 8am. Twelve
hours later, as proceedings stagger to a
close, it is just possible that protagonists
might be in optimum state for a little…
FA I R Y S P O T T I N G
Our journey around potential sprite-
spotting locales begins in the lakeside
grotto of Stourhead, a Palladian mansion
in Wiltshire. Built in 1748, comprising a
couple of enchanting chambers linked by
subterranean tunnels, its fairy-friendly
credentials are confirmed by the stone-
hewn presence of a sleeping nymph. In
North Wales, the Fairy Glen at Betws-y-
Coed is an otherworldly blend of forested
canyon and light dancing on water. Little
wonder that it has long drawn seekers of the
fantastical including, in 1925, Wilhelmina
Stitch (pseudonym of the poet Ruth Collie),
who wrote how she ‘waits and waits, to
see the fairy men.’ On which note, Ghillie
Dhu – a solitary male fairy – is said to
inhabit Puck’s Glen, a ravine on the Cowal
peninsula in the west of Scotland, wherein
a dreamy trail leads along a rocky gorge.
In case you're in any doubt, he’ll be the wee
dark-haired one clad in leaves and moss.
Enchanting views from
Stourhead's grotto
(left), while the folk
of Abbots Bromley
make merry on Wakes
Monday (below). Fairy
Glen, Snowdonia (right)
F O L K LO R E M A D E M A N I F E ST
As Ghillie Dhu suggests, there are plenty of
alternatives to spotting mythical creatures
besides typing ‘Loch Ness’ into Google
Maps. Llanllwchaiarn, for instance, the
stretch of coastline near Aberystwyth
where, in 1826, a farmer reported seeing a
mermaid bathing. ‘He was certain that the
water was six feet deep in the spot where he
saw her standing,’ said the local paper. Then
there’s Tiddy Mun, a Lincolnshire bog spirit
reputed to control Fenland waters following
their 17th-century draining. In times of
flood, villagers would gather at night to
call “Tiddy Mun wi’out a name, tha watter’s
thruff (through)!” until they heard the cry
of a peewit; by morning, the waters would
retreat. And on Orkney lies the Walking
Stone of Birsay, a four-metre megalith given
to walking to a nearby loch and dipping its
head for a Hogmanay drink; alas, legend
also dictates that no witness to its annual
perambulation will live out the year.
OUTING
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THE OTTER THE FROG

MAGICAL CREATURES MAGICAL CREATURES

THE SQUIRREL THE HEDGEHOG

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In every issue of The Simple Things, we appreciate a magical creature
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CAKE
IN THE
HOUSE
Go foraging for clover and enjoy
a floral twist on a classic treat

CARROT AND CLOVER CAKE

Serves 8
150ml rapeseed oil
125g caster sugar
6 clover flowers*, washed and
segmented
2 large eggs
250g self-raising flour
1 heaped tsp baking powder
200g carrots, finely grated
For the icing:
150g icing sugar
50g unsalted butter, softened
3 clover flowers, washed and
segmented Fold the flour and carrot mixture into 7 Spread the clover frosting over
the oil, sugar and egg mixture. the cooled cake, then sprinkle the
1 Preheat the oven to 180C/Fan 160C/ 4 Turn into the prepared tin and bake in reserved petals over the top.
Gas 4 and line a 20cm round cake tin the preheated oven for 40-45 mins until Cook’s note: You could also use
with baking paper. firm and well risen. Cool for 5 mins in the wild mountain thyme leaves
2 Put the oil and sugar in a mixing bowl, tin, then turn onto a wire rack. instead of clover.
add the prepared clover petals and beat 5 To make the icing, sift the icing sugar
in the eggs. into a bowl and beat in the softened
Extracted from The Forager’s Kitchen
3 Sift the flour and baking powder into the butter. Add most of the clover petals, Handbook by Fiona Bird (CICO Books).
bowl and stir through the grated carrots. reserving a few to decorate. Photography: CICO Books

* Both red and white clover grows in grassy places and flowers throughout the summer. Only pick young flowers where the flower segments are upturned (not down) and pick before they
turn brown. Segment the flowers before cooking with them, which helps avoid any green bits

29
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 My day in cups of tea
We asked refill shop owner and vegan hair product pro Hairy Jayne Rutland to
tell us all a how she spends her day in cuppas
Morn like to take your first cuppa? kimchi is the go-to. Then we take Graham for a walk.
I and Karl. He pretty much And what does the afternoon hold?
d biscuits,” meaning tea That’s when I run Hairy Jayne, making vegan hair care
scue terrier, Graham. products. I’m either on the laptop or head down, mixing
ingredients. My shampoo bars are the most popular.
, no sugar, with oat How did you end up doing what you do now?
ite Pantone mugs. I was a hairdresser and started playing with argan oil
where you are and essential oils as a hair treatment. It spiralled from
kery in Bristol. there. We make everything as sustainably as possible.
fill shop in Busy lady! How do you like to take a break?
r products I listen to guided meditations with a herbal cuppa.
signer) has Or play ball with Graham, he’s always up for a game.
c studio. When do you aim to down tools for the day?
JAYNE RUTLAND,
aka Hairy Jayne, runs
7pm, but after dinner the laptop invariably comes out...
Bloop, a refill shop in ork When do you really finish for the day?
Bristol. Her simple tles It’s one last cuppa, either watching TV or making
thing is dancing with
something – over lockdown I did everything from
friends. Follow on
Insta: @hairyjayne; patchwork and tie dyeing to making earrings! A soak
@bloop.bristol ggh with with bath salts is also nice to help me switch off.

31
A simple thing...
Though it’s fun to dream big, not all journeys
have to be epic to be an adventure. Nor do
they have to be scrupulously planned. On an
inviting evening after work set off for a gentle
meander around some back roads. Enjoy
feeling the breeze in your hair (or on your toes),
and pick up an impromptu explorers picnic to
munch while the sun sets. Though it may not
make the family photo album, it’ll likely linger
in the memory long after summer is done.
PHOTOGRAPHY: DAVID LEES/GETTY IMAGES
 GOOD THINGS POSITIVE NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
OPERA IS HELPING PEOPLE WITH LONG COVID TO RECOVER. The English National Opera have created Breathe, a social
programme of singing, breathing and wellbeing, which offers support to people still recovering from COVID-19.
Where s tistics
500
foraged native seeds have
been nurtured into
saplings by grandmother
Janet Willoner. Inspired
by her grandchildren’s
school strikes for climate
action, she decided to do
more. She may not see them
grow into a forest, but she’s
leaving a legacy for good.
34
eet
6
new blue plaques have
been announced, all
250k
celebrating the lives of
women. They’re part of
a campaign to give more
attention to women of
note, and English Heritage
has said half of all their
blue plaques will honour
women this year.
SMALL CHANGE
Found treasure
Hailed as the most
important discovery since
Tutankhamen’s tomb, a
3,000-year-old lost city
has been uncovered near
Egypt’s famous Valley of
the Kings. The city of Aten
dates back to the ancient
kingdom’s golden age,
and is already turning
up treasures like scarab
pendants and jewellery.
COMPILED BY: JOHANNA DERRY HALL PHOTOGRAPHY: BTS ENO BREATHE LULLABY FILMING, ALEXANDRA OOMENS © KARLA GOWLETT, COURTESY OF ENO.
Turtle treatment
Green sea turtles who have
been affected by a 120-mile
Mediterranean oil spill are
being nursed back to health
with a surprising treatment
– mayonnaise. Employees
at Israel’s National Sea
Turtle Rescue Centre
discovered that feeding the
turtles the condiment helps
flush the toxic tar coating
their digestive tracts
through their systems.
people logged on every
month during the
Skull secrets
The genome of a woman’s
skull uncovered in the 1950s
in the Czech Republic has
been analysed, revealing
it to be 45,000 years old;
pandemic to find
the oldest DNA ever found
resources on forgiveness.
in human remains. She is
The Global Forgiveness
believed to have been one of
Institute has seen ten
the first Homo sapiens to live
times the number of visits
in Eurasia after our species
to their site, as people
migrated out of Africa.
have reconnected with
family and old friends.

Power of play
A CLEVER SCHEME ACROSS INDIA IS SOLVING
THE PROBLEM OF SCRAP WASTE AND A LACK
OF PLAY SPACES FOR CHILDREN IN ONE GO
E
very year 31 million tons of
scrap is dumped in India’s
landfill sites. Back in 2015,
when architect Pooja Rai
was a student, she noticed children
playing outside on broken concrete
pipes, and using their slippers as
badminton rackets. It sparked an
idea that would tackle both the
problem of waste and the lack of safe
play spaces for children. She rounded
up some friends as volunteers and
together they built the children a
proper playground that was safe,
using the same waste materials.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY POOJA RAI.
That one-of-a-kind playground
proved so popular that others
from around the country, including
communities, schools and even
the UN where they were working
with Rohingya refugees, began to
GAZETTE
EXCELLENT WOMEN
Pedal-powered deliveries for safer streets
While she was on
maternity leave with
her second daughter,
Helena Downey
started to think
about traffic.
The neighbourhood
where she lived
had recently been
designated a Low
Traffic Zone, which
made the area quieter
and safer.
As more people turned to deliveries during
lockdown, rather than going out to shop, she
began to think about ways to keep the streets
where we live from filling up with traffic.
Inspired by images she had seen of couriers
and tradesman on cargo bikes in the Netherlands,
France and Denmark, she began to research
businesses that used bikes here in the UK.
It took some effort, and it inspired her to share
her findings in a directory called Brought By Bike.
“We want to be a source of information for
people who, like me, care about the safety and
environment of their streets and want to make
a difference, however small,” she says.
Bookshops, bakers, window cleaners, plumbers
and even beer deliveries can be found on the list
which is constantly growing. It’s a celebration
both of local enterprise and of people who choose
a quieter, and more sustainable, way to travel.
Search the list yourself to find local deliveries
at broughtbybike.com.
ask her to design and build similar
playgrounds for them. Six years on
from that first play space and now
Rai is one of the founders of Anthill
The Happy Broadcast
Taken from The Happy Broadcast by Mauro
Creations, a not-for-profit based in Gatti. Follow @the_happy_broadcast
Bengaluru that builds sustainable,
cost-effective places for children to
play. They have built 283 playgrounds
in 18 states across India, all made
with waste materials such as old
tyres and concrete pipes.
Before they start building, they
talk to the children to find out how
they enjoy playing, so they can build
a playground bespoke to their needs.
“Play shouldn’t be a luxury,” she
says. “We have a lot of focus on
classroom education, but we forget
how powerful play is. Every child,
whether rich or poor, deserves the
simple joy of a safe playground.”
35
In sta g r a m ...

PHOTOGRAPHY: PETER CASSIDY/LOUPE IMAGES

T h e Si m ple T h i n g s w a y.
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 1

MY CITY*

DUBAI
WHERE SKYSCRAPERS MEET SAND DUNES, ANNA IVANOVA SHARES
THE CONTRASTS OF HER FAST-PACED METROPOLIS

PHOTOGRAPHY: ANNA IVANOVA; ALINA KUZNETSOVA; KIEV VICTOR; SHUTTERSTOCK

2
 MY CITY

*There’s no better way to get to the heart

of a city than through the people who
live there. Every month we ask someone,
clearly in love with their city, to take us
on a personal tour and tell us what makes
it so special. You may feel inspired to visit
one day, but for now just sit back, relax
and enjoy some armchair travel.

How long have you lived in the city?

We planned to stay for two to three years, but we’ve
been here now for five years. There’s just something
about this place that makes you want to stay.

What brought you to Dubai?

My husband got a job offer and I saw it as an exciting
challenge. Coming from Russia, where it can get as 5

cold as -30°C in winter, the sunshine is a plus, too.

Tell us what makes your city unique

Buildings compete for titles such as ‘the biggest’ or
‘the tallest’. The Dubai Mall is the largest in the world,
with almost every store imaginable. And, at over 828m
and with more than 160 storeys, the Burj Khalifa is
the ‘tallest building in the world’ and ‘highest number
of storeys in the world’ (remember the scene with
Tom Cruise climbing it in Mission Impossible: Ghost
Protocol?). However, I recommend skipping ‘the highest
outdoor observation deck in the world’ and going to
At.Mosphere restaurant on the 122nd floor for almost
exactly the same view and a delicious lunch, too.
4
What makes Dubai such a great place to live?
I like the contrasts. You could be in Dubai International
Financial Centre (DIFC) for a work meeting in the
morning, which feels like New York or the City of
London, and an hour later you can be strolling along the 1 The skyscrapers of

beach. It’s a great city for a healthy work-life balance. Dubai, all competing
for titles of biggest
and best. 2 Rush hour
What’s it like in June? traffic isn’t something
Hot! Very hot! With temperatures rising to over to get the hump about
40°C and a high humidity level. However, there’s air as the glamour fades
to sand outside the
conditioning everywhere and you can cool off in the city limits. 3 An off-
pool or enjoy plenty of indoor activities (you can even road ride through
go skiing, snowboarding or ice skating at the malls). the dunes in the
Liwa desert offers
a different view.
What time of day do you most enjoy, and why? 4 The sparkling vista

Sunset at the beach. One of the things that lockdown of Dubai’s marina.
taught us is not to take the little pleasures for granted. 5 A typical Emirati

house of Old Dubai.

Spending a few hours at the beach has become our 6 And, inside, its
weekend ritual. I love to build sandcastles and collect rich jewel tones
shells with my young daughter. We especially love Kite 6
Beach – as its name suggests, a great place to kite surf. »

39
 1

“Bedouins lived here 50 years ago – now there are smart

police stations, flying taxis and a futuristic Hyperloop”
What’s the nature like? 
2
The Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary offers visitors
a closer view of the wildlife. It’s just magical to watch
flamingos in their natural habitats with skyscrapers
in the background. And 30 minutes’ drive away is
the Al Qudra Lakes, where Arabian oryx roam free.

Where’s your favourite outdoor space?

An off-road trip to Liwa Oasis in Rub’ al-Khali desert
(also known as the ‘Empty Quarter’) is a bit of an
adventure. While, the ghost town of Al Madam is
another interesting trip – the village was abandoned
in the late 70s or early 80s (no one knows why) and
is slowly being consumed by the sand.

Tell us about Old Dubai

One of the most interesting things to do is to take an
Abra ride through Old Dubai, stopping at the Gold and
Spice souks. An Abra is a traditional wooden boat and
the fare is only one dirham (1 AED). It’s a fascinating
glimpse of the original Dubai before the tourist boom.
Also worth a visit is Al Fahidi Historical District,
commonly referred to as Al Bastakiya, and its narrow
streets with sand-coloured historic Emirati houses.

Tell us about the colours of your city

If I had to describe Dubai, and the UAE in general,
it would be ‘sandy’, with shades ranging from red,
golden and brown to cream and soft beige – the sunset
really brings this whole palette of colour to life.

Tell us about the people who live in your city

Before I moved here I was worried about the cultural
differences and not knowing the language, but 80%
of the population is expat, with people from all over
the world, making it incredibly culturally diverse.

Give us a flavour of the local lifestyle

The clichés of gold, supercars, private yachts, fine
dining and luxury goods are true, however, there
is a deep respect and appreciation for tradition. Even
those who drive a Lamborghini by day will spend
their evenings in the majlis, a communal ‘sitting
space’ where people gather to share stories and
ideas, one of the cornerstones of Emirati life.

Where do you like to gather with friends?

Friday and Saturday are classed as the weekend in
Dubai and Fridays are all about brunch. Restaurants
offer amazing options from buffets to set menus. It’s
3
also fun to rent a yacht for a few hours – split between
friends, it can cost not much more than a cinema ticket.

40
 MY CITY

Tell us about the food in your city?

There are new restaurants opening all the time, even
through the pandemic. Fine dining can be found in the
DIFC area, while the local cuisine is influenced by
flavours and techniques from the region. Camel meat,
shawarma, houmous, falafel, fattoush, karak chai and
Arabic coffee are among the ‘must try’ local dishes.

What’s your favourite way to get about the city?

Dubai is a car-friendly megapolis meaning that
pedestrian life can be challenging, although Dubai also
has the third-largest automated, driverless metro
system in the world.

What’s the shopping like?

The Gold Souk, Perfume Souk and Spice Souk are all
located in the heart of old Dubai and are fascinating
to explore. I find the gold Indian bridal jewellery
beautiful, while you can buy saffron (a different
kind of gold) for a very good price here.
5

Where do you like to escape to?

Coming from Russia, I miss the seasonal changes,
especially the snow and greenery. We recently
discovered Wadi Shees – an amazing oasis in the
desert with a jungle-like ambience. We also visited
The Buhais Geology Park recently, an exhibition space
hidden in the desert which documents the region’s
geological phenomena. The site features marine fossils
from over 65 million years ago, spectacular mountain
ranges and ancient burial sites, and the buildings
have been created to resemble fossilised sea urchins.

What would surprise a newcomer to your city?

The rapid pace of change here. The UAE was founded
in 1971 and in December the country will celebrate its
journey over the past 50 years. Dubai has grown from 1 If walls could speak
a small trading outpost into one of the most modern – the narrow passages
of Old Dubai hold
cities on the planet. Bedouins lived here 50 years ago a rich history of an
– now there’s an Uber helicopter and smart police ever-evolving city.
stations, they’re testing flying taxis, constructing 2 Hire a yacht with

friends for a taste

the Hyperloop (a futuristic super-fast transport
of the super-rich life.
system) and sending a probe to Mars. It really 3 For a breath of

does feel like time is moving faster here. fresh air, visit the
green oasis of Wadi
Shees. 4 Shop till
If you could, what would you change about the city? you drop at the
I don’t have a driving licence, so I wish there were Dubai Mall, the
more pedestrian areas. world’s largest. 5
Resembling fossilised
sea urchins, the
Where would you recommend somebody to stay? Buhais Geology Park.
Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are 6 Park yourself at the

my current favourites. marina, along with

the private yachts

Where would you live if you couldn’t live here?

The truth is that we don’t know where life is going
to take us, but Dubai will always be very special 6
as it’s the city where our daughter was born. »

41
 2 3

ANNA IVANOVA is a Russian

journalist and presenter living in
Dubai. She recently launched her own
YouTube channel about Dubai and
the UAE, sharing the stories of local
people and exploring the city. Follow
her on Instagram @anna.ivanova.dxb.

ANNA’S PERSONAL TOUR

1 A taste of the Med
accompanied by
Dubai’s panoramas at
Alici. 2 Watch the sun
go down and pick up
dinner fresh from the
boats at the Jumeirah
Fish Market. 3 Coffee
and shopping at the
Marrakesh-inspired
Kulture House Store.
4 Take in the city’s
ever-evolving skyline,
from the Ain Dubai
at Bluewaters Island
Favourite shop
COMPTOIR 102
A great concept store offering
fashion, beauty, homeware and
an organic café.
comptoir102.com
Favourite gallery
XVA GALLERY
Pioneering contemporary
Middle Eastern art, the gallery
is located in a traditional
wind-tower building.
xvagallery.com
Favourite cafés
KULTURE HOUSE STORE
A bright and inviting store and
café with a Marrakesh-style
rooftop dining area.
@shopkulturehouse
THE GREY
This has a bistro supper club
feel, where coffee, culture,
design and creativity mix.
the-grey.co
Favourite restaurant
ALICI
This place on Bluewaters
Island brings a taste of the
Amalfi coast to Dubai. The
panoramic Marina view is
another reason to love it.
alici.com
Favourite market
Head to the Jumeirah Fish
Market for an affordable and
fresh catch of the day.
Jumeirah-1, 186 4C Street
Favourite hotel
SONARA CAMP
There are plenty of amazing
hotels in Dubai, but Sonara
Camp is on my bucket list as
glamping is something you
have to try when in the UAE.
nara.ae
Best view
BLUEWATERS ISLAND
You can enjoy a breathtaking
view of the Marina skyline
from Bluewaters Island,
especially from the Ain Dubai
or ‘Dubai Eye’. To appreciate
the world’s largest artificial
archipelago – The Palm
Jumeirah – I recommend
seeing it from the sky! Try the
experience at Skydive Dubai.
The one thing to see
THE BURJ KHALIFA and the
Dubai Fountain. Even though
it’s super touristy, you can’t
miss this landmark building
and the fountain’s spectacular
show of sights and sounds.

42
A POETIC PAUSE

The Fountain
By Nell Prince

The fountain’s quick transparent harp

is pulsing as I read. Each string
connects to light and loops unsharp
in splashy angles, slipped notes freed
to scatter over asphalt sparkling.

With shrieks and giggling, three kids

race through its music maze. They play
a sloppy circle with their hands –
they reconfigure, twist the spray
to spout scattershot, go haywire

across the pavement. I see

their pleasure is in breaking up
the lyre’s shape. They discompose
its fine design, they chop and cup
each jet, reroute and split what flows

into a flashy wreck. Anarchists!

They dash the sequenced protocol,
obstruct the water’s symphysis,
they flout control, force off course
with arms and legs the fountain’s har-

mony.What rains here now is sheer

glow.

About the author:

Nell Prince is a writer from Lincolnshire. She’s currently a research
student at King’s College London and recent work has appeared
in New Poetries VIII and Wild Court poetry journal. The Fountain
was first published in Carcanet’s New Poetries VIII.
 A HUT FOR ALL SEASONS

A home from home

WHETHER YOU’RE AFTER A ‘HOLIDAY AT THE END OF THE
GARDEN’ OR PERHAPS A HOLIDAY BUSINESS, BLACKDOWN
SHEPHERD HUTS CAN TAILOR HUTS TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS

H
ome is where the heart is – and over the
past year, our homes have been so much
more than we could ever have imagined.
They’ve been our sanctuaries as well as
being an expression of who we are and what we love.
With many of us having spent more time at home
than ever recently, we’ve found ourselves pottering
and rediscovering the joys of a simpler lifestyle.
And as we head into summer, any time spent
tending to the garden over the winter and spring is
now paying dividends. So when it comes to enjoying
the fruits of your labour, what could be better than a
beautiful shepherd’s hut in which to enjoy the views?
The team at Blackdown Shepherd Huts know how
special our homes and gardens are, so have created
a range of traditional shepherd huts that can be
tailored to your needs. Whether you’re after a home
office, extra space for yourself or guests, a business
venture or simply somewhere to retreat to when you
need a little ‘me’ time, Blackdown has the answer.
PHOTOGRAPHY: RACHEL BRAGG PHOTOGRAPHY; BEN CARPENTER PHOTOGRAPHY; THE FISH HOTEL
ESCAPE THE MASSES
Lovingly built at their workshop in Ilminster,
Somerset, each bespoke hut is designed to utilise
every last inch of space, offering style, craftsmanship
and flexibility. In fact, Blackdown customers have
often described their shepherd hut as ‘a holiday
at the end of the garden.’ And with that in mind, a
Blackdown hut may also offer the ideal opportunity
for a new enterprise, with many huts having taken
up residence as luxury glamping or bed & breakfast
businesses, delighting guests with their quirky
designs and modern comforts.
Not that you need any further convincing, but
should you fancy road testing a Blackdown hut, you
can find glamping locations throughout the UK on
its sister site: shepherdhutbreaks.co.uk. Or perhaps
experience them in the luxurious settings of The
Fish hotel in the Cotswolds or overlooking the
Exe estuary at Lympstone Manor, in Exmouth.
And, as you unwind beneath the stars, be inspired
by where a Blackdown shepherd hut could take you.
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1 The hotel lover You can explore
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2 The glamping enthusiast
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3 The green-fingered grafter
Whatever the weather, create a
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4 The social butterfly For a
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eat, drink and makes memories
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5 The family timer Host family
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6 The DIYer Love a project?
Awaken your inner artisan with
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revel in the satisfaction of really
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7 The work bee Be it a home office
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there’s a shepherd hut set to inspire.
For more information and inspiration,
visit blackdownshepherdhuts.co.uk
or follow on Instagram:
@blackdownshepherdhuts.
 WELLBEING

About time
BY SEEING TIME THROUGH A FRESH LENS, WE CAN
LEARN TO RE-SHAPE OUR DAYS WHILE MAKING ROOM
FOR THE THINGS THAT REALLY COUNT

Words: JESSICA JOHNSON

46
 O
ver the past year, our diaries
have been wiped clean of
the most familiar markers
of everyday time: from work
commutes and weekly coffee
with friends to birthday
parties, haircuts and holidays. As befits time’s
curious, paradoxical nature, it’s been both the
longest and shortest of time. Now, as workplaces
and high streets rumble back to life, we are once
again timekeepers of our old, busier lives. But
what about the precious evenings we might
have carved out to start a hobby, our daily
amble around the local park plugged into our
favourite podcast or that new project we’ve
been planning? How can we work a slower
rhythm into our soon-to-be-busier lives and
learn to prioritise and practise the things that
really make us tick whilst also leaving room
for some spontaneity and rest?
MAKING TIME
As writer Penny Wincer explains, getting
forensic about how we spend our hours can
help us both be more productive and make
time for those all-important moments of
self-care. As an author, speaker, photographer,
newly-qualified book coach (enabling her to
mentor potential writers) and single mum to
two children, one with special needs, Penny
writes from a lived experience. Her self-paced
course Creating Time is packed with practical
exercises, real advice and reflective questions
that can help bring the seeds of a long-awaited
creative project to fruition – whether it’s
writing, sewing, gardening or simply finding
the time to read more books.
“It’s about creating time not just for our
physical needs but to find some way of
expressing ourselves creatively or just to
have some time for solitude,” says Penny, who
co-hosts the podcast Not Too Busy to Write with
author Ali Millar. “We are so bad at judging
ILLUSTRATIONS: SHUTTERSTOCK
time. We pre-emptively say no to things because
we think we need a whole evening, but it might
be about finding a more imperfect way of doing
things.” Penny encourages students to keep a
time log journal, noting down daily activities in
30-minute chunks. “Most of us have too many
things to do but writing it down can help bring
As workplaces rumble back to life
we are once again timekeepers of
our old, busier lives...
our attention back to what’s really happening
and also to remind us that we do have choices,”
says Penny. “Time can become our go-to
excuse and barrier. Sometimes it’s generally
the problem but sometimes not.”
OUT OF OFFICE
One of the many perks of freelancing or remote
working can be shaping the day to best suit your
deadlines and fridge contents, but then work
has a way of seeping into all hours of the day,
and home workers can find it just as hard to
chisel an hour or two for themselves as those
keeping office hours. The ‘Time Dorks’ – aka
US-based authors John Zeratsky and Jake
Knapp (maketime.blog) – have a few ideas
on how to grapple back some time for yourself.
Increasingly finding themselves slaves to the
‘always on’ work culture, they wrote Make
Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every
Day (Bantam Press) to help people break
free of the ‘Busy Bandwagon’ and what they
refer to as the ‘Infinity Pool’ – the endlessly
replenishing stream of content that make
apps and social media such a pull on our time.
The basic principle of the book is four daily
steps. First off, choose something to highlight
in your day that you’d really like to do, be
it planting your garden or finishing a work
presentation. Step two is to employ specific
tactics to help you stay focused, such as
adjusting your use of technology (more on
this over the page). Step three tunes into our
exercise, sleep and eating habits, encouraging
both quiet time and re-connecting with our
friends or family which in turn helps ‘build
energy’ and allows us to stay in control. Finally,
by jotting down notes at the day’s end we can
reflect on which tactics we might like to drop or
continue with, and work out, most importantly,
what’s bringing us the greatest amount of joy.
When it comes to technology, ‘the Busy
Bandwagon’s immediate-reply culture is
powerful, and you need faith to overcome it »
47
WELLBEING
How to create time
Changing the way you look at time will instantly
help you feel less busy, says Penny Wincer
Embrace your situation
Maybe you’re working and studying or you have a
young child who is a terrible sleeper. Accepting what
is out of your control can help you create more time
as you can’t simply blame it on something you can’t
change. When we accept the things that drain our
time, we can find work-arounds that take those things
into account. Try using the writing prompt: ‘Before
I create more time for myself, I need to accept…’ to
get that process started.
Pay yourself first
There is never any ‘leftover’ time after all the jobs
and demands of life are done so make sure you
‘pay yourself first.’ Choose times for yourself that
you set aside in advance, the same as you would
a medical appointment or important meeting.
Stop saying “I’m too busy”
Instead, try “I’m choosing not to focus on that right
now.” When we change our language from “too busy”
to “choosing not to” it reminds us that we are focusing
on our priorities.
Find accountability
Some people struggle with commitments to
themselves but have no problem when commitments
are external. If that’s you, setting up accountability
could make a difference. Promise to run with a friend
instead of exercising alone or use a virtual co-working
platform to work on a writing project.
To find out more about Penny’s Creating Time course,
visit pennywincerwrites.com.
Micro rests are as vital
for our minds as exercise
is for our wellbeing
and change your mindset,’ they write. To help,
they encourage scheduled email time, times
where you go ‘off grid digitally’ and resisting
the need for a morning internet check-in,
instead enjoying the ‘golden moment’ of an
undistracted brain to help prioritise for the
day ahead. Above all, taking control of your
inbox requires a mental shift from ‘as fast as
possible’ to ‘as slow as you can get away with.’
TIME TO REST
Time plays a pivotal part, too, in Claudia
Hammond’s book, The Art of Rest: How to
Find Respite in the Modern Age (Canongate).
She believes micro-rests – allowing ourselves to
spend 15 minutes an afternoon doing an activity
that leaves us feeling refreshed – are as vital
for our minds as exercise is for our wellbeing.
“We hate it when inactivity is imposed on us,
but instead of feeling infuriated and stressed by
a ten-minute delay to a train journey, why not
rebrand this time as an opportunity to rest for
a short while?” says Claudia. “And how about
recasting the wait in a long queue as pleasant
downtime, a chance to pause, daydream,
recharge your batteries?” When we do set aside
time for active rest, Claudia explains how we
often get wedded to an idea of what we think we
should be doing. “You might have been hanging
onto an idea, like meditating for ten minutes
every day when actually, reading or crafting
might be a much better way of relaxing for you.”
As humans, we’re constantly trying to grapple
with time. “The week has flown by,” “the hours
are dragging,” and “I can’t find the time” are
all typical concerns about the time – or lack of
it. However, Claudia points out that the elastic
nature of time is a two-way process. “Time can
warp and play strange tricks on us, but we can
deliberately warp time to our own advantage,
too,” she says. “Rather than walking the
quickest way to the station, say, which you
will end up not really remembering, if you walk
along a parallel street, or look up high at the
tops of the buildings, rather than at eye-level,
you will make some new memories. This in turn
changes your perception of time because one of
the ways we judge how much time has passed is
by the number of new memories we made. The
more we make, the longer time feels looking
back.” Hence the time we spent in lockdown
feeling like it flew by when you look back on it.
As the days get longer, it feels like time is
on our side. Perhaps by prioritising a regular
time to create and pockets for rest, along with a
dash of spontaneity, we can learn to dance with
time in new, soul nourishing ways. As to how
we spend our wild and precious days? Author
JRR Tolkien said it best: “All we have to decide
is what to do with the time that is given us.”

R
ecently, my mum gave me back
my childhood photo album,
the one showcasing the results
from my very first camera.
Dating from when you still took your
films to Boots to be developed, it was
a motley collection of school friends,
school trips and sunsets, and a record
of early forays into choosing clothes for
myself. Looking at my various outfits,
there was one obvious favourite: my
black Lycra cycling shorts, emblazoned
by a purple stripe down the side.
Rather than being exercise gear,
these were fashion – or at least in the
eyes of a pre-teen – worn to birthdays,
PHOTOGRAPHY: LFMARKEY.COM; PEOPLETREE.COM; WHITESTUFF.CO.UK
school discos and on a trip to Jersey
with my grandparents, where I talked
them into getting me a matching purple
silk quilted bomber jacket. Though
I grew out of that (terrible) outfit long
ago, the happy associations remain.
Come summer – the season of my
birthday and holidays – it’s time to
get my shorts on, and get ready, or at
least feel ready, for some adventures.
It’s controversial, I know. Many
shudder at the thought of going near a
pair and they’re probably also the item
that most frequently figure on the
wrong side of dress codes, for both men
WEARING
WELL
Stories of the clothes we love
SHORTS
Words: FRANCES AMBLER
“Shorts are a symbol
of liberation, a more
leisurely way of life”
and women; even in the 21st century,
their suitability for city or office wear
is debatable. I’m guilty of transgressing
that first rule but, for me, part of the
pleasure of pulling on a pair is knowing
that I’m not headed to the office –
shorts are a symbol of liberation, of
a more leisurely way of life.
Sometimes that liberation is literal.
In 1934, Eileen Bennett was first to don
STYLE
a pair on Wimbledon’s Centre Court.
She described them as “something to
improve the standard of play,” noting
that “they allow for more freedom of
movement.” Shorts are practical – the
delight of having the sun on your legs,
without having to battle gusts of wind,
or worrying about accidental flashing.
You can just get on with having fun,
whether that’s wielding a tennis racket,
or lounging about on a picnic blanket.
Just thinking through my shorts
sums up memories of summers past: the
grey pair first worn in Crete; the navy
buttoned pair, part of my Glastonbury
sailor costume; the cord pair that’s my
weekend pottering at home uniform.
This summer, I’ve been eyeing up the
colourful offerings by LF Markey –
shorts as joyful as I hope my mood will
be. Possibly triggered by that old photo
album, I’ve even found myself on the
site of US brand Girlfriend, known for
their eco-friendly leisurewear, hovering
over, yes… a pair of bike shorts. Perhaps
(probably), it’s a step too far, but if
there’s a summer to embrace our
freedom, this is it. And, powered by
those shorts, I hope I’ll go for it with
some of the energy and wide-eyed
enthusiasm of when I first wore them.
49
 GOOD THINGS TO MAKE

Heart, body and soul ROSE

CREATE AND COOK WITH A SIMPLE INGREDIENT TO FEED YOU,
GIVE TO OTHERS AND TO LIFT YOUR SPIRITS
Recipes and Styling: LOTTIE STOREY Photography: KIRSTIE YOUNG

50
For the heart, a joy-filled make that’s as
much a pleasure to create as it is to give
away to loved ones. For the body, capture
the organic benefits of plants in handmade,
homegrown skincare. And finally, a
collection of delicious recipes that pair
flowers and herbs with their complementary
flavours. One flavour, three ways. This
is potion making for grown-ups.

ROSES
Blooming Marvellous

Peppering hedgerows and peeking over

walls, nothing says ‘English country
garden’ like a classic rose. With more
than 30,000 varieties from palest white to
deepest crimson; running up 30ft walls or
staying diminutive as potted houseplants,
roses have a range of personalities.
Sometimes described as the divas of
the flowerbed, in reality roses aren’t that
fussy. Plant with plenty of rich compost, a
feed during flowering season, deadhead
regularly and carry out a brutal haircut in
October or March and you should be fine.
If you’re planting with a view to using
petals in the kitchen, choose a heavily
scented variety and, according to flower
folklore, roses should be picked on a
sunny day. Some varieties have a bitter-
tasting ‘heel’ (where petal joins stamen)
so sample yours and pluck it off where
necessary. Leave picked petals for half
an hour before using to allow any bugs
to find their way out (and don’t pick
plants that have been sprayed). »

Hello, petal. Blousy roses

are fun to work with and
can smell, and even taste,
as beautiful as they look

51
 Add a floral finish
to your G&T with
rose-infused bitters
– using petals and
spices to pep up
cocktail hour

Rosewater can be
frozen and used year-
round for a little burst
of summer whenever
you need it

52

Heart
ROSE BITTERS
Bitters are a lovely addition to
cocktails or mocktails. An old-
fashioned blend of alcohol and
botanicals, this recipe combines
dried rose petals with spices for
a hint of Middle Eastern warmth.
Add a few drops to your G&T.
Makes around 500ml
1 tbsp fennel seeds
1 tbsp coriander seeds
1 tbsp cardamom pods
2 tbsp dried rose petals
500ml good-quality vodka
1 In a pestle and mortar, lightly
bash the seeds and pods until
they are just cracked.
2 Fill a clean, dry jar with the rose
petals, seeds and pods (a jar straight
from the dishwasher is sterile if it’s
used quickly).
3 Pour the vodka over the petals,
seeds and pods and then seal the
mix with the jar lid.
4 Leave for a fortnight, shaking the
jar every day. After 2 weeks, strain
the bitters through a muslin cloth,
squeezing hard to get all the flavour
and liquid from the spices (which can
now be discarded) and re-seal the jar.
Maker’s Note: The bitters will keep
for up to a year as long as they are
stored in a cool, dark place.
A trip down memory lane for those
of us who used to make rose petal
potions as children
GOOD THINGS TO MAKE
Body
R O S E WAT E R TO N E R
A trip down memory lane for those
of us who used to make rose petal
potions as children. Rosewater is
lovely to use on your skin morning
and evening as a toner, making
it both nostalgic and effective.
Makes around 500ml
A large handful of fresh rose petals
(around a mugful)
500ml water
250ml witch hazel
1 In a pan, bring rose petals and
water to a gentle boil. Reduce to
a low simmer for 45 mins, poking the
petals back down under the water.
2 Turn off the heat and allow the
rosewater to cool down. This added
steeping time increases the intensity
of the rosewater so don’t be in too
much of a hurry.
3 When cool, strain the rosewater
through a muslin cloth or coffee
filter and discard the petals.
4 Combine equal quantities of
rosewater to witch hazel in a jar
and seal. Keeps for up to a month.
Makers Note: To make rosewater
toner at times of the year when
roses are a distant summer memory,
you can freeze homemade rosewater
in 250ml batches, defrosting and
combining with witch hazel as
and when it’s needed. »
53
 GOOD THINGS TO MAKE
Soul
COURGETTE AND
TO M ATO G A L E T T E
WITH HOMEMADE
ROSE HARISSA
There are a few steps to this recipe
but it makes a substantial supper
centrepiece or a good alternative
to sandwiches for a picnic lunch.
Use the rest of the harissa mixed
into a barbecue marinade or
alongside a tagine.
For the pastry:
175g plain flour
A pinch of salt
100g cold, unsalted butter, cubed
4-5 tbsp ice cold water
1 egg, beaten
For the rose harissa (makes
about 120ml):
30g dried hot red chillies
30g dried rose petals
½ tsp coriander seeds
½ tsp cumin seeds
8 garlic cloves, peeled and
coarsely chopped
¾ tsp salt
4 tbsp olive oil, plus more to top
For the filling:
1 courgette, sliced into ½ cm pieces
10 cherry tomatoes, halved
2 tbsp olive oil
½ red onion, thinly sliced
400g tin chickpeas, drained and
rinsed
2 tbsp rose harissa
½ lemon, juice only
Salt and black pepper
Heady rose harissa shows us a different side to English roses,
with its deep, spicy aromas and vibrant colour
54
6 tbsp plain yogurt
Handful of flatleaf parsley,
finely chopped
1 Begin by making the pastry.
Combine the flour and salt in a bowl,
then add the cubed butter. Use a pair
of knives or a food processor to cut
the butter into the flour until the
mixture resembles wet sand.
2 Add the water little by little until
the pastry comes together. Use
your hands to combine into a ball,
then wrap in cling film and leave to
rest in the fridge for about 45 mins.
3 Preheat the oven to 220C/
Fan 200C/Gas 7 and move on to
the rose harissa. Soak the chillies
and rose petals in 600ml warm
water for 1-2 hrs then drain.
4 Heat the coriander and cumin seeds
in a small pan, stirring frequently until
they begin to release their aromas,
then tip them into a pestle and
mortar and grind to a fine powder.
5 Remove the tops and seeds from
the chillies, before chopping coarsely.
Put the chillies, rose petals, spices,
garlic and salt into a blender and
purée, slowly, adding the olive oil.
Keep blending until the harissa
becomes a coarse paste.
6 Remove 2 tbsp for this recipe
and then transfer the rest to a jar
and pour over olive oil to coat the
top. Keep in the fridge.
7 Next, make the courgette and
chickpea filling. Place the sliced
courgette on a baking sheet, drizzle
with oil and season with salt and
pepper. Place the cherry tomatoes
into a different baking tray and drizzle
and season. Roast the tomatoes for
15 mins and the courgette for 30 mins,
turning the latter halfway through.
8 While you’re waiting for the
vegetables to roast, heat a teaspoon
of olive oil in a pan over a medium
heat. Cook the onion slowly for
5 mins, or until soft and beginning
to turn golden. Add 1 tbsp of harissa,
stir through, then add the chickpeas.
Cook for another 5 mins before
seasoning and squeezing over the
lemon juice. When the tomatoes
are cooked, add these to the
chickpea mixture as well.
9 Get the pastry from the fridge,
flour a clean surface and roll out to a
30cm diameter. Transfer to a baking
tray lined with baking paper. With
the remaining 1 tbsp rose harissa,
spread onto the centre of the pastry
leaving a 5cm gap around the edge.
Tumble the chickpea mixture into
the centre of the pastry. When the
courgettes are cooked, place them
on top of the chickpeas.
10 Fold the 5cm pastry edge in
on itself to contain the filling and
brush the edges with the beaten
egg. Bake the galette in the oven
for 30 mins, or until the pastry
is golden and crisp. Serve with
spoonfuls of yogurt and scattered
with the fresh parsley. »
A pretty centrepiece for a picnic or
garden gathering... or something
to show off in your lunchbox

55
 GOOD THINGS TO MAKE

Sweet, juicy and fresh-

flavoured, these sit
somewhere between
a decadent cake and
a workaday sarnie

R O S E P E TA L A N D
S T R AW B E R RY
S A N DW I C H E S
Give your afternoon tea a floral and
fruity twist with sandwiches that
give scones a run for their money

Per sandwich:
Two slices of brioche bread
1 tbsp clotted cream
1 tbsp strawberry jam
A few drops of rosewater
3 strawberries
Fresh rose petals, six or more

1 Spread the cream onto both slices

of the brioche bread.
2 Stir the rosewater into the jam, then
spread this on top of the cream on
one slice of bread. Thinly slice the
strawberries and carefully lay on
top of the cream on the other slice.
3 Remove the heels of the rose petals
if needed before laying the petals
on top of the jam and carefully
putting the two pieces together.
Either cut into dainty fingers or
leave as delicious doorsteps.

A tea fit for a midsummer fairy queen..

or simply a few of your friends on a sunny
afternoon in the garden

56

Win! £200 worth of Earthborn paint
WE’VE JOINED FORCES WITH ECO DECORATORS EARTHBORN TO GIVE
TWO LUCKY READERS POTS OF COLOUR, EACH WORTH OVER £200
P
lanning on using some of summer’s
long, productive days to paint a
nursery or redecorate a child’s
bedroom? Then you could be in luck.
Earthborn are all about environmentally
friendly paints that are better for you, your
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giving two lucky readers the chance to win
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Claypaint, a super-breathable ultra-matt,
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hard-wearing washable emulsion that hits
the mark in busy homes.
A spot of decorating can be a calming
and uplifting task – especially when you’re
working on children’s rooms. It brings with
it the hope of a brighter future, as well as the
satisfaction of a job well done. And choosing
an eco-friendly paint is just one of the little
steps you can take towards a greener world.
A CARING ENVIRONMENT
We all want a safe, caring home for our
family. So we’re happy to note that Earthborn
paints all carry the Toy Safety Standard. This
means they contain no hidden nasties and are
fume free, so you can get on with creating
gorgeous spaces for your children, without
compromising on colour.
There’s no limit to the colour you can
introduce, from walls to furniture and even
toys – and all help to provide a colourful
environment where youngsters can grow and
play. Whatever your style, we’re sure you’ll
find something to inspire you at Earthborn.
The finishing touch? Knowing your paints
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COMPETITION
How to enter
For your chance to win 12.5 ltr
of Earthborn paint, worth over
£200, enter our competition
at thesimplethings.com/blog/
earthborn by the closing date
of 7 July 2021.
Terms and conditions: The competition closes at 11.59pm
on 7 July 2021. Two winners will be selected at random from
all the correct entries received and notified soon after. The
winners cannot transfer the prize or swap for cash. Subject
to availability. Details of our full terms and conditions are
on p127 and online at icebergpress.co.uk/comprules.
A simple thing...
As you stand on the shore watching the
surface gently ripple towards you, take a
moment to absorb the peace and tranquillity.
Venture in and you’ll feel your stresses gently
float away as you glide through the cool
water, free and at one with nature. As well as
the euphoria that comes with wild swimming
there are bountiful health benefits, too.
Circulation and immune systems are
boosted, while stress and anxiety levels are
reduced. From soothing thermal spas to
PHOTOGRAPHY: OESTERREICH WERBUNG; PETER PODPERA

invigorating waterfalls and stunning lakes,

Austria has a variety of water-centric
destinations, that all offer a moment of clarity.
To find out more, turn to p62 and discover
a country awash with therapeutic positives.
In Association with

Put to writes
It may be easier to fire off an email or bash out a text, but writing an actual letter can bring its
own rewards. These converts show how it can bring unexpected pleasures – whether writing
to strangers, or people you think you know. It may even teach you something about yourself
For Terri-Jane Dow,
aking penpals has
iven her an abundance
of recipe ideas,
reading suggestions and
connections with like-
inded people all over
the world. But it’s also
helped her create new habits and
carve out some valuable head space.
Last summer, when lives still felt on hold, I saw a tweet
from The New Yorker journalist Rachel Syme about
the vintage typewriter she’d just bought. To test it out,
and to forge some sense of community in a very strange
time, she offered to send typewritten letters to people
in her wider network. A year later, Penpalooza.com
has over 12,000 members all over the world, a monthly
e-newsletter, a buzzy hashtag on Twitter and even
merchandise available on Etsy. Using special software
to match up aspiring penpals, Syme had to redesign
its algorithms to accommodate the sheer volume of
people signing up. Of those sign-ups, I was just one.
It’s no secret that I’m very online. I moved my book
clubs to Zoom at the beginning of March last year, and
they might never go back to real life; I have more social
media logins than my Keychain can remember; I met
most of my real-life friends online, and the majority
of my closest friends live in different countries to me.
PHOTOGRAPHY: SHUTTERSTOCK
I spend every day in front of my laptop, flinging tweets
and WhatsApp messages out into the world at top speed.
But, in a year where real-life connections have been
few and far between, letter-writing has been cathartic.
It’s such a different experience to sit down and write
longhand to a stranger. So far, I’ve resisted the urge to
Finding a bright airmail-
stickered envelope in the mailbox
easily beats 100 Insta-likes
PASSIONS
look my matches up on social media – I want them to
stay in my brain, rather than appearing on my screen.
Writing letters has been a welcome break from staring
at a screen all day, and it’s much easier than I thought it
would be at the start. I’ve a couple of people with whom
I exchange long letters, one who sends me the best
notecards with hotel stationery tucked inside, and a
few postcard book reviews, a scheme that a Penpalooza
alumni, Liz Maguire, set up at the beginning of this
year. Buoyed by my sudden influx of post, I sent a card
with my red wine chocolate cake recipe in it to a friend
who moved back to New Zealand a couple of years
ago. We chat online a lot, so I was genuinely surprised
when a tiny gold card appeared a month or so later,
with a summery recipe for apricot clafoutis.
Checking my mailbox became part of my lockdown
ritual – 11am meant getting up from my desk, putting
the kettle on, and running downstairs in my slippers
before it boils. The serotonin boost when it contained
a bright airmail-stickered envelope easily beat 100
Insta-likes. I love seeing the little round forever
stamps from the US, or the blue stamps shouting
PRIORITY! in various European languages.
My penpals have taught me some excellent habits,
such as working with my laptop on airplane mode,
so that I can write without checking my Twitter feed
every four minutes. I’m looking forward to having
actual things to tell my new long-distance friends,
stories that happen outside of my living room, and
maybe even writing to them from somewhere outside
of my house. It’s exciting to imagine rifling through
the postcards at an exhibition shop to find the right
card to send to my friend in Chicago, or scribbling on
a few sheets of hotel paper to send back to the friend
who already seems to have an endless supply. In carving
out time to sit down and write something, instead of
dashing off a quick text, letter-writing has created a
different space in my friendships. When we do return to
‘normal’, I’ll be bringing my penpals out into the world
with me. Of the positive things to come out of lockdown,
the sense of slowness is one that I’d like to hold on to.
I’m hoping that some of my new penpals feel the same. »
PASSIONS
By encouraging her children to
strike up a written correspondence
with their grandparents, Katja
Gaskell has discovered that
letter writing can help deepen
relationships and encourage new
discoveries, even with those you
think you already know well
Much like every family around the country, our time
with grandparents has been limited this past year.
During Lockdown 1.0, my children – aged 13, ten and
six – enjoyed regular Zoom meets with my in-laws and
held Houseparty sessions with my parents. During the
shorter November lockdown, it was all about FaceTime
and Sunday evenings were set aside to chat with family.
When we went into lockdown for a third time,
however, online catch-ups became more of a chore than
something to look forward to as there was little to talk
about. But I was keen for the kids to keep in touch with
their grandparents, which is why we turned to letters.
I remember vividly the thrill I used to get when I
received a letter as a child. When I moved overseas with
my family, I’d spend hours writing to friends (emails
and mobile phones not having been invented yet), and
they’d write long missives back. It was only during our
time cooped up at home that I realised my children had
never sat down and written an actual letter. And so a
plan was put in place so that every week, each child
would write a letter to one of their four grandparents.
“You can ask them anything you want,” I said.
More offline ideas for
long-distance connections
l Send a recipe for something that you love to cook – you
could maybe send a parcel with a few ingredients, too.
l A quick book review or recommendation bumps up
someone else’s reading list and is a good way to connect.
l Revive mixtapes. Spotify playlist URLs are easy to jot on
a postcard and you can make them completely personal.
l Set up an ‘art on a postcard’ theme each month and
post the results to each other.
l A subscription to a magazine that you both love
(hint: visit thesimplethings.com/subscribe) means you
can discuss it together, even if you can’t read it together.
l Many floristry businesses, such as bloomandwild.com,
offer ‘letterbox bouquets’ to brighten someone’s day.
I’d love to say that the kids jumped at this suggestion
with the same kind of enthusiasm they express when
playing their Nintendo Switch, but what started out as a
challenge quickly became something they looked
forward to, especially once letters started landing on
the doormat addressed to them.
Thursdays were earmarked as letter-writing day.
Questions ranged from ‘what did your parents do?’ and
‘did you have any pets?’ to ‘what was it like being a
teenager when you were young?’ Their grandparents
would write funny, engaging and insightful letters in
return, sometimes including old photos, too.
Through this exchange of letters, the kids now know
so much more about their grandparents. They learned
that their Granny sailed on The Windrush when she was
evacuated from Egypt as a child and that their great-
grandparents survived the Spanish Flu. Their Nana
shared stories of moving house more than 20 times,
while Popi regaled tales of having to share a bed with
his four brothers, which they once broke when fighting.
Through these letters, the children
have learned that their grandparents
haven’t always been old
Grandpa wrote long letters describing what school
punishments were like when he was a child; standing in
a corner and writing ‘lines’, being made to take a
freezing cold shower or told to run around the cricket
pitch three times in under nine minutes – if you took
any longer, you were forced to run again! All three kids
agreed that they were much happier to be at school in
2021, even if home learning was involved for part of it.
Most interestingly, perhaps, the children have
learned that their grandparents haven’t always been old
and that they all enjoyed countless adventures before
welcoming grandchildren into the world. My husband
and I have also discovered new things about our
parents. I had no idea, for example, that my mother’s
entrepreneurial streak developed at a young age when
she’d meet holidaymakers off the bus and charge them
to transport their luggage to the nearby caravan site.
As life slowly returns to normal and school days,
activities and playdates resume, it’d be easy to swap
handwritten notes for text messages and phone calls.
But this exchange of letters has been such a rewarding
experience for all involved that we’ve promised – both
the children and the grandparents – to keep on writing.
 O U R N E W A N T H O LO GY
A S E A S O N A L C E L E B R AT I O N

If you love spring mornings, autumn afternoons, winter evenings

and summer nights then our new companion guide is made for you.

Think of it as an invitation to remember the things that matter most –it is

full of ideas for living well. Over 256 beautiful pages, we’ve curated some
of our favourite good things to eat, comforting things, ways to feel better
and homemade projects to be proud of – and gathered them together by
season to lead you through the year.

It’s a slow book to be kept close to hand and dipped into as needed.

B U Y O N E F O R YO U , O R A S A G I F T F O R A F R I E N D , F O R J U S T
£ 2 1 ( P L U S P & P ) AT P I C S A N D I N K . C O M
 GROWING

The flowerpot man

ARTHUR PARKINSON CREATES FLAMBOYANT, FLORAL DISPLAYS WITH
BIG CHARACTER – IN CONTAINERS. HE REFLECTS ON HOW HIS TINY
COURTYARD PLOT IS HIS SANCTUARY, STUDIO AND SOLACE
Words and photography: ARTHUR PARKINSON

64
Make your world alive. Even a window
box has the power to unleash vitality for the
greater good of your mind and of the planet,
a nurturing of flora and fauna alike, creating
visual and mental sanctuaries.

To be a gardener is to be an artist. You’re

painting a living picture, one that continues
to evolve and delight. There seems to be an
abhorrent idea that beauty is something you
can only aspire to and achieve in a grand house
or in a large garden, but beauty doesn’t bow to
this; it can be nurtured in the smallest space,
and here it can be truly fabulous. Perhaps, best
of all, is its potential to connect and support the
natural world around us, a world that’s waiting
to be given the vital help to thrive once more.

The garden is central to my life. It’s a daily

therapy. Its seasonal highlights and growing
calendar fill my head with the excitements and
longings of its emerging and temporary beauty.
I’m constantly thinking about the next season.
This growing of flowers from spring to autumn
is a changing, living ballet that adds mental
vigour through the year. It requires months
of planning, patience and constant care. You
can never be truly head stuck if you immerse
your mind in the needs of a garden.
I garden in pots because I don’t have a
choice. But I rarely resent this as it’s like having
living vases of growing flower arrangements.
You can fill pots easily, cramming them
with colour and textures, creating islands of
flamboyance. Good, big pots elevate the garden
helpfully for a small space. This is wonderful as
you get floral grandeur that’s uplifted to almost
hip height immediately. Plants such as violas
that you would otherwise have to get on your
knees to properly study require just a light bow
to admire. If you place large pots around seating,
a tulip behind you can seemingly be perched
on your shoulder like a parrot. Summer flowers
can be literally in, around or above your face,
towering and engulfing.
Pot gardening is fast and satisfying. The
job of planting and replanting is quick, a sharp
look for a whole season can be prepared within
an afternoon. You can also treat a container
garden like a changing stage, with the pots as
props that can be moved around as you see fit.
Compare this to having to maintain a constant
expanse of earth that at times can be either a
great mud slick or baked hard, requiring a good
dose of backache to get it looking ship-shape.
You can never be truly head stuck if you
immerse your mind in the needs of a garden
Compost is the foundation of a container
garden. It’s vital that you nurture and
understand it. Compost needs to be alive and
rich, full of worms, moisture, air and fibre.
Think of it as needing to look like a freshly-
baked chocolate brownie and being like the
topping of an apple crumble in texture.
Earthworms in pots signal that the soil’s
chemistry is good. Worms will appreciate
annual applications of organic compost.
Leaf mould is rich in humus and easy to make
yourself. Stuff leaves lightly into jute sacks in
the autumn. Keep these moist in a corner and
the leaves will rot down within a year. Unlike
a black compost bin, these sacks will not look
unsightly. Ash, beech, hornbeam and lime leaves
all make good leaf mould. As these are popular
street trees, leaf piles in the autumn will not
be hard to find – just ignore the funny looks
you may get while you gather them up!
Form a palette of your own favourite
colours; this will make your heart sing and
your mind buzz. When putting mine together,
I think of sun-ripened fruit bowl tones and of
rich, antiqued Persian carpet tapestries. What »

65
 GROWING
The growing of flowers from spring to
autumn is a changing, living ballet that
adds mental vigour through the year
I avoid are factory sweet colours as these are
too brash and chemical, and white is totally
banned, as are any milkshake pastels. These
would ruin the carnival, samba dance bravado.
This diversity of colour and shape forms an
erupting coral reef. A bizarre yet gorgeous
collective of Vivienne Westwood-like dresses,
an outrageous Muppet rabble, zinging off
one another’s presence from pot to pot.
A garden is a constant space of planning
and regrowth. Although labour intensive,
it is massively nurturing to creativity. I always
try a new variety of tulip, dahlia or annual and
look forward to seeing if I like it or not. If I fall
in love with it, fantastic, if I don’t, then not to
worry as I can just take it out and try something
else. After a few seasons of growing a garden
66
like this you will create a sort of personal Noah’s
Ark of seeds and bulbs that you really love and
trust to create the feel and look that you want
– the packets of seeds and bags of bulbs that
you would take to a desert island.
You need repetition of similar colours and
shapes, with the occasional flare of something
slightly bolder and different, but not something
that commands attention stupidly away from
everything else – combinations of flowers
that are complementary but still exciting, with
pop and zing but also flow. It’s important to
maximise your space with the largest containers
you can accommodate; small pots cannot give
the root space plants need to grow to their
full, door-engulfing potential.
The most important thing for all gardeners
to do is to forgo the use of chemicals.
Herbicides and pesticides have somehow
become cunningly embedded in many
gardening tasks; the aisles of garden retailers
are full of them. But thankfully attitudes are
now changing – a few years ago you’d have been
considered an over-sensitive hippy for shunning
pesticides, now the science is telling us that
such chemicals are not just bad for the insects,
but for everything else on the planet, including
us! If we as gardeners could work together
to banish these chemicals, then we could
do a huge amount for biodiversity.
A garden with fences covered in foliage
will not only feel wonderfully engulfing
but will be more accommodating to
visiting birds; the blackbirds certainly seem
to feel happy in the back garden, a refuge from
a hostile world, with more cats, more magpies
and fewer hedges than ever. Town life, indeed
any life, would be unbearable without waking
up to the defiantly triumphant song of the male
blackbird; in the summer, towards the longest
day, they sing long into the evening. Heavenly.
They’re particularly grateful for the soaked
mealworms they are served in the morning;
soaking transforms them from dried crisps
into soft delicacies that a baby blackbird
can easily swallow. These treats have to
be hidden between pots so that they’re not
scoffed by greedy wood pigeons, though.
There’s nothing more magical than seeing
bees and butterflies visiting your flowers.
Even in a small space you should try to provide
as much flower power as you can for pollinators
through the spring, summer and autumn
seasons. These vital insects give the garden
a true sense of being alive; a window box can
support them if the right flowers – rich in
both pollen and nectar – are being grown in it.
Think of the golden age of cottage garden plant
tapestries having an abundance of flower faces,
full of nectar, in sizes large and small, a bloom
for every bee and butterfly. While native species
of wildflowers are indeed excellent from the
point of view of a bee or a butterfly, you honestly
don’t need to turn your garden into a wildflower
meadow for it to be a pollinator paradise.
Garden flowers, if they’re single or semi-double
varieties, are hugely valuable to pollinators, too.

Where we now live once had an uneven

dirt surface of sandy gravel resembling
a dry riverbed. It formed great pools when
it rained, creating a paradise for dabbling in
Wellington boots for my younger brother and
me. But the romantic farmyard surface of the
yard is no more. It has been replaced with a
smooth, uniform, health-and-safety-clipboard-
ticked-off canvas of porous cubes. Safe and
tamed, no more scuffed knees, no more puddles,
dull, flat and human. And so it’s the garden that
has been the saviour in what would otherwise
have been an irreversibly changed place to live.
It offers, right by the door, an exciting stamp
of colour and vibrancy that, vitally, brings
life. This in turn gives me hope, essential hope,
within what is now an Earth being smothered
by us, humanity. We may have forgotten
what Eden is but through gardening this
connection can be made strong again.

Taken from The Flower Yard: Growing

Flamboyant Flowers in Containers
by Arthur Parkinson (Kyle Books)

ABOUT ARTHUR
After training at Kew Gardens, Arthur
went to work for Sarah Raven at her farm
in East Sussex. He also created an acclaimed
urban cut flower garden at the Emma
Bridgewater factory in Stoke-on-Trent.
Known as one of the UK’s young gardening
stars, Arthur specialises in “creating islands
of flamboyance” using only containers in
his tiny but abundant plot – a five-metre
pathway leading to the front door of his
parents’ house (the back garden is his
mum’s territory). His much-loved little
flock of bantam hens live in his grandmother
Min’s garden down the road. For more
flamboyant flowers, follow him
on Instagram: @arthurparkinson_.

67
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 (L-R) The glacial waters
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PHOTOGRAPHY: ACHENSEE TOURISMUS; INNSBRUCK TOURISMUS/ANDRE
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For more information, visit austria.info.
 PASSIONS

M O D E R N
E CENTRICS
The metal detectorist
Words: JULIAN OWEN Photography: JONATHAN CHERRY

70
 IN A WORLD THAT CAN FEEL
INCREASINGLY UNIFOR M ,
WE’RE CELEBRATING THOSE
HAPPILY DOING THINGS a bit
d if f e re n tl y. Me e t t h e
PEOPLE WHO ARE seriously
P A S S I O N A T E about
their pastimes . PERHAPS
THEY’LL PERSUADE YOU TO
TRY s o m e t h i n g N E W ?
N
o curator has ever coveted more
or discriminated less. Any article
ever wrought or woven or worn by
humankind, gravity has attempted to
claim it. And whenever carelessness
and soft ground have intersected, it
has succeeded. Thus, an invisible museum lies beneath
our feet, spanning the entirety of human history, each
exhibit held for all eternity.
Or such was the case until 1931, when Gerhard Fischer
patented the handheld metal detector and cleared the
path for treasure seekers such as Dawn Chipchase
to go climbing through the briar and bramble to
return unearthed artefacts to terra firma.
“I’ve got quite a vivid imagination, and I always have
a little story about how they got there,” she says.
In the fields surrounding her native Rochdale, in
ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY: SHUTTERSTOCK
Greater Manchester, that often means imagining the
everyday lives lived during the Industrial Revolution.
“When I look at a penny from the 1800s
Most of Dawn’s – I must have dug up about 1,000 of them
expeditions have been
solo over the past
– I think about what a penny was worth
year or so. But she’s to a family of poor people. It was like a
always accompanied loaf of bread, which might have been all
by one guaranteed
their food for the day. Everything I find,
enthusiast: Diggy the
border terrier, who is I think ‘That had meaning for somebody.’
with her rain or shine That’s what the treasure is for me.”
Sometimes the stories she imagines lie a little closer
to home. “I was always after a half-crown because they
reminded me of my granddad; he used to give me one
for my birthday when I was little. I’d had a few, but
I wanted a George III one because it’s my favourite.
When I finally found one, I was nearly crying – you’d
have thought I’d won the lottery.
“The thing I like most about metal detecting, and
it’s become really apparent during lockdown, is the
feeling of tranquillity it gives me. It’s like meditating in
some ways. I can be out in the field for hours and not
know where the time has gone. I get home and feel
tired but refreshed and happy.”
Dawn first caught the unearthing bug aged 13, while
playing hide and seek on a building site. In the newly
turned ground, she suddenly spied something that had
been hiding for rather longer than a count of 10: a coin
from 1789. Exciting as the moment was, the bug lay
dormant for decades. Because who’d ever heard of
a female metal detector?
“I think metal detecting is one of those hobbies that
everyone is interested in, but – especially being a woman
– there was never anyone to ask,” says Dawn. “Every
time you looked it was these anoraky guys, always
on their own, searching for Roman helmets.”
It was just six years ago, while watching Diggers on
National Geographic, that Dawn became convinced
that the hobby was for her after all.
“I started late and it’s given me a whole new life. I
have something to look forward to every weekend, then
during the week I’m always researching something
I’ve found or looking at old maps – if you can find a pub »
 PASSIONS

and a church, you can guarantee that somewhere

between them will be an old path.”
Dawn says that in 2015, when she started out, women
accounted for just 10% of detectorists. Today, that
figure’s risen to 17%. “I don’t know whether that’s
me being on YouTube,” she says.
It certainly can’t hurt. What began as an attempt to
help gently mocking workmates understand the joys
of detecting has grown into Digger Dawn, a YouTube
channel on which 19,000 subscribers watch her
sharing finds with giddy glee. Jocelyn Elizabeth – aka
the Relic Recoverist – plays a similar role in the US.
“Between us, we made it possible for women to go
out, in a way. They see you doing it and think, ‘Oh, I can “You can phone people, but we prefer to knock on doors
go.’ It makes me feel quite proud. When I go to things – it’s not the same if they can’t see you.”
like Detectival [the Glastonbury of metal detecting Most importantly, “Make sure you have somewhere
gatherings], I’m usually one of the celebrities. I have you can detect. I’ve seen people spend ages researching
loads of little girls of about 10 standing there waiting the equipment, then find they’ve nowhere to go. Then
to have a picture taken with me.” they get despondent and end up selling their kit before
Should you feel moved to follow in her muddy even starting out. You need to know that you can’t do
footsteps, Dawn has three main tips. parks, and only very few councils allow it on their land.”
Acquiring a metal detector, she says, is “not like buying We bid farewell to Dawn on the eve of her visiting a
a car. If you buy something that costs £1,000, it’s going “dream field.” One she’d always admired while walking
to have so many settings and programmes that you’ll be the dog but didn’t know who to ask for permission to
completely overwhelmed.” Instead, she recommends investigate. She does now.
something like a Garrett Ace 250, which “It’s next to what was originally a Saxon church, so
Along with her metal
detector, Dawn’s
we found advertised from around £180. I know it’s going to have old things in it. I’m very excited
detectorist tool “You can learn the signals [different – I’ll take my best coils and everything. There’s a good
set includes a objects produce different tones] and chance I could find some old Henry VIII stuff. I’d love
serrated trowel and a then upgrade afterwards.” to get a coin with his fat head on it!”
hand-held detecting
rod, as well as a lot Secondly, remember to get permission Find Dawn’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/user/
of patience from landowners to search their soil. astrodawn1, or follow her on Instagram: @digger_dawn.

72
 A simple thing...
Some creatures feel so harmless, gentle and
beautiful that it’s impossible not to love them.
Take butterflies, with their painted wings and
soft fluttering. On some sunny afternoon, park
yourself among flowers to stop and watch
awhile. Noticing the small stuff is surprisingly
satisfying and remember what someone
wise once said: “Time you enjoy wasting
is never wasted time.”
PHOTOGRAPHY: SARAH DOOW/ISTOCK
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FOOD FOR THOUGHT
A simple recipe, with an interesting twist

Chipotle mushroom
and black bean burgers
with peanuts and lime
These meat-free burgers are great
on the grill but also work a treat
straight from the oven. »

77
 Chipotle mushroom and black bean
burgers with peanuts and lime
Serves 4
50g smooth peanut butter
1 x 400g tin black beans, drained
but not rinsed
2 garlic cloves
2 tsp chipotle chilli flakes
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tbsp olive oil
1 heaped tbsp rye flour
Zest of 1 lime
1 tsp sea salt flakes
250g chestnut mushrooms
To serve:
Lime wedges
A handful of chopped salted
peanuts
A handful of chopped fresh
coriander
4 burger buns
1 Preheat the oven to 200C/Fan
180C/Gas 6. Put the peanut butter
in a food processor with 60g of the
black beans, the garlic, chilli flakes,
cumin, olive oil, flour, lime zest and
sea salt flakes. Blitz to a thick paste.
77
Scrape into a large bowl and
stir in the remaining beans.
2 Tip the mushrooms into the
processor and pulse until minced.
Stir into the black bean mixture.
3 Divide the mixture into four
and, with damp hands, form into
thick burgers. Arrange on a baking
tray lined with baking paper.
4 Bake in the preheated oven for
25-30 mins. When they have about
10 mins left, gently flip them over.
5 They’re ready to serve straight
from the oven, but for a bit of
smokiness let them cool, then
finish on a medium barbecue
for a couple of minutes per side.
6 To serve, squeeze over some
lime juice and top with chopped
peanuts and coriander, then pop
into lightly grilled burger buns.
Taken from The Green Barbecue: Vegan
& Vegetarian Recipes to Cook Outdoors
& In by Rukmini Iyer (Square Peg).
Photography: David Loftus

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 Lines in the landscape
WHAT HELPS MAKE SOMEWHERE FEEL LIKE HOME? LOOKING
TO ROOT HERSELF IN A NEW PLACE, LIZZIE KAYE TOOK
HER CUE FROM ONE OF THE AREA’S MOST DEFINING
CHARACTERISTICS – ITS DRY STONE WALLS

80

N
ever have I seen the Lake District
from this angle before. Filling the
horizon in my rear-view mirror,
my mind adds in details I know
are there but can’t possibly
see at this distance. There are
names attached to certain peaks and memories
contouring the fells. Others remain mysteries,
reminding me how vast the landscape is, and
how much I still have to learn about it. I turn
off the motorway and start climbing towards
the village, bolstered by the line of mountains
at my back that have come to mean “home”.
The Lake District as we know it is both an
ancient and a young landscape. The foundations
of the mountains are around 500 million
years old, sediment and volcanic rock sheering
upwards then smoothed by glacial erosion to
create the peaks and valleys so loved by poets
and walkers. The surface though is much newer,
geologically speaking. The high moors and
windswept fells covered in bracken and gorse,
hatched by dry stone walls, and human-made.
Through a process of continuous farming
over a thousand years a particular beauty was
created, dependent on these lines of the walls
that cleared the fields of stones and enclosed the
common land. The harsh winters and cunning
sheep of the Lake District required thick high
walls. The abundance of stones cluttering up
potential grazing led in some places to walls
metres thick and strong enough to fend off
an army. More than a match for even the most
determined of sheep. Over time, as swathes
of the flatter more accommodating south
were turned over to arable crops, the walls
of the Lake District and the rural north
remained, providing shelter for the flocks
of herdwicks and swaledales, a geometric
latticework laid gently across the landscape.
Finding a way to root myself in such an iconic
landscape had been daunting initially. I was a
latecomer and didn’t have the casual knowledge
PHOTOGRAPHY: RAY WILSON/ALAMY
of it that childhood visits and school trips bring.
Alone, at first, I set out to tentatively explore,
following the solid, moss-covered walls that
surrounded me – the dry stone walls that bind
the scraps of life in the wild and rural north
together. As I inched my way around beauty
spots, along with the hundreds upon thousands
of tourists that flocked to the area, I felt
REFLECTION
“We could never be lost – the
walls would lead us somewhere.
We just didn’t know where yet”
reassured by the organised and organic walls.
They felt encouraging somehow. While there
seemed to be no logic to my meanderings –
I was just adventuring in a small quiet way
– an order of sorts began to reveal itself. I was
laying the foundations of a life, finding the right
places, the right people, to slot together and
build something whole, something strong.
As I became more tethered to the place,
and increasingly tethered to a person, the
foundations of my life here also became wider
and stronger. With familiarity, the crumpled
landscape of scraggy peaks and water-sodden
valleys was smoothing itself out in my mind.
We tracked the lines of the walls deep into
birch woods, up onto grasslands, to the feet
of waterfalls and the basins of lakes all in
the space of a day. Presented with a glorious
summer, there was chatter about camping
“above the fell wall,” the common land, where
supposedly you wouldn’t get in, or cause, any
trouble. Clearly seen across valleys, the line of
the wall was a constant reminder that freedom
was only ever a quick leap away. As we first
sketched and then inked in a life, we’d venture
down tiny single track roads – the walls flowing
past the wing mirror perilously close, we’d
follow them safe in the knowledge we could
never technically be lost – the walls would lead
us somewhere. We just didn’t know where yet.
They skip past the car as the sounds of the
motorway slip away. Funnelling the road over
the hills and swooping through valleys until the
wall line retreats slightly and allows the horizon
line once again to take centre stage. Behind
me sprawl the mountains of the Lake District,
reassuring and constant. In front of me a proud
imposing landmark that heralds the start of
the Yorkshire Dales. Stark against the fiercely
blue sky, this new line stays solidly in view as
the wall-bound road pours me into the village.
I have already decided before I park the car
and walk down the narrow path – lined with
dry stone walls, of course – that this would
be a new home. All the lines have led here.
81
 PULL UP A CHAIR.
THE TIDE IS TURNING.
Sea Change is back
4th - 6th June &
12th-14th November

www.sea-change.me
 GALLERY

PHOTOGRAPHIC
MEMORIES
WE MAY NOT KNOW THEIR NAMES BUT THERE’S AN UNDENIABLE
APPEAL TO FAMILY PHOTOS. THE GENTLE ACT OF UNEARTHING
‘FOUND PHOTOGRAPHS’ IS A WAY OF EXPLORING AND EMBRACING
OUR RECENT PAST, BOTH OUR DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES

Words: FRANCES AMBLER

T
wo women tentatively walk towards the
water; a couple pose on foldaway chairs,
behind the blanket of a car picnic; a man
grins from inside the impressively large
hole that he’s dug on the beach. These
aren’t snapshots from my own family
photo album – in fact, I don’t know who the people
are or any of the specifics of their situation – but
they feel like they could be. These are all examples
of ‘found photography’ – images found at car boots
and auctions, discovered in second-hand shops or
even skips – their intimacy and immediacy helping
explain why they’re so popular among collectors.
The images here, dating from the 1950s and 60s,
come from Lee Shulman’s collection of more than
800,000 slides, presented online as The Anonymous
Project (anonymous-project.com), and also in the
book When We Were Young. Lee began his collection
in 2017 when he purchased a box of slides online “on
a nostalgic whim.” He describes the experience that
got him hooked: “I picked out the first slide and held
it up to the light. This little window into the past
seemed so precious, a capsule containing a family
memory once lost in time now brought back to life.”
As people move on and lives shift, millions of
physical films, slide and photographic prints find
their way to the second-hand market. Lee is just one
of many enthusiasts seeking out memories that would
otherwise be lost to time. They have an everyday
appeal – rather than being the stuff preserved in
museums, these photos appeal because they’re the
kind of things we record ourselves: holidays, parties,
weddings, births, and good times. The difference
is that, today, our preference for digital means
that many would have been deleted along the way,
as we attempt the ‘perfect’ shot. For Lee, in found
photographs, it’s “their imperfections [that] make
them all the more arresting and beautiful.”
As with any collection, part of the appeal of the
hunt is the promise of rediscovery. Just think of
the now-acclaimed work of Vivian Maier, whose
four decades’ worth of street photography was only
seen by the wider world when the negatives were
developed and put online by John Maloof (he’d
purchased them as part of a wider book project about
Chicago). Meanwhile, Liverpool’s The Hardman’s
House – formally a photographic studio – released
historic photographs of the city’s streets, developed
from film rolls found by the National Trust at the
property. Sometimes these rediscoveries bring hidden
 GALLERY

histories to light, as with 340 photographs taken at

‘Casa Susanna’. Now exhibited in museums, they
record a weekend destination for gender non-
conformists in the mid 20th century. Unearthed in
a New York flea market, they’re now seen by a wider
audience than they ever were intended for, offering
a visual rebuttal to stereotypical ideas of the 1950s.
But even noting what these found photos don’t
show can be a lesson in itself. Despite the scale
of his collection, Shulman highlights the lack of
images he’s found that show people of non-white
backgrounds. The lack of diversity doesn’t reflect
the stats of the UK population in the period he
collects – but photography was still “expensive,
an undeniably privileged white middle-class
pastime,” he explains. The images therefore become
“important historical documents that lay witness
to this lack of representation.”
While we’ll never know the “truths” that lay
behind each image, or the myriad stories frozen in
one frame, found photography does tap into the very
human desire to celebrate, to note and record what’s
dear to us. Lee captures their particular charm well,
“I remember many of these moments in time and
yet they are not mine. They belong to us all.” »

85
 GALLERY

FINDING YOUR FOCUS

How to start your collection

While you can easily buy old photographs

online, it’s probably more fun to begin in the
flesh, at an antique shop or car boot. Taking
your time rifling through photographs and
figuring out what kind of images appeal to
you is part of the enjoyment of collecting.
Many collectors find themselves drawn to
particular themes – such as Libby Hall (whose
collection is now in the Bishopsgate Archive)
who sought out dog photos from the 1960s
on, or Jochen Raiß, who unexpectedly started
spotting vintage images of women posing in
trees (see The Simple Things issue 60/June
2017). Or you could look for images from a
specific era. It might be worth learning about
photographic developments – the kind of
photos taken when – to help with dating. If
you’re interested in value, keep eyes peeled
for significant people or events, and you want
the photos in good condition. But there’s no
point in starting a collection if you don’t enjoy
the hunt itself – as with the photographs
themselves, it’s all about the process(ing).

When We Were
Young: Memories of
Growing up in Britain
by Lee Shulman
(Hoxton Mini Press)

86
 Found photographs
of people of
colour are rarer than
Slide show
they should be: Ideas for your found photographs
@discoveringlostsouls
and @foundphotouk l Give them some exposure
made these Enthusiasts can upload discoveries
precious discoveries to the Flickr pool, ‘The Museum
of Found Photographs’, currently
featuring more than 112K photos.
If relevant, you could donate finds
to the UK’s Museum of Youth Culture,
a photographic record of the lives
of young people over the last century.
Or start your own social account,
such as @discoveringlostsouls,
who also sells on Etsy, and
@foundphotouk, the collection
of Dawn Parsonage, drawn from
more than 25 years of collecting.
l It’s a snap! Can you find out more
about the people or places in your
photographs? The archive of the
Belle Vue photographic studio in
Bradford – spanning the 1920s to the
1970s – was rescued from a skip. As
the images were shared, many sitters
were identified by family members.
Likewise, last year William Fagan
shared his found images of a couple
photographed on a European tour
widely, as he attempted to find
out their identities to pass on
the images to their relatives.
l They’ve been framed If you find
images that you love, frame and
honour the photographs in your
own home. Or use them as transfers
to print onto candles or fabric.
l See what develops Found
photographs have been artistic
prompts since the Surrealists.
Why not use them for collage
(see the work of Belgian artist
Sammy Slabbinck) or combine with
embroidery? We love the colourful
geometric embroidery of Welsh
artist Francesca Colussi Cramer
(@colussicramer) and Han Cao’s
‘Quarantine collection’, featuring
beautifully sewn masks (hanwriting.
com). There’s a handy how-to tutorial
if you search ‘embroidered postcards’
on blog.etsy.com. You could even
use them to create your own
collection of greetings cards.
l Picture the person Often as soon
as we look at a found photograph,
we start speculating about their
lives. They can be a rich creative
writing prompt as you try to imagine
the person behind the image.

87
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 FLOWERS IN THE HOUSE
Bringing blooms indoors: it’s what every home needs

Buttercups
What you’re after here is the tall and
stately meadow buttercup, rather than
the creeping variety that can run amok
in garden borders and lawns. Yes, they
are technically perennial weeds but
who cares about that when they’re
such joyous little spots of sunlight.
Seek them out in the damper parts
of parks and pastures and bring a
few home for a jug of golden glow.
PHOTOGRAPHY: JAN BALDWIN/NARRATIVES

89
90
 HOME TOUR

A SLOW LIFE
THIS HOME IN DENMARK IS MADE FOR SUMMER
LOUNGING, WHETHER THAT’S SWINGING IN
A HAMMOCK OR SHOWERING TO THE SOUND
OF BIRD SONG

Words: MILENA LINDHARDT OTTO Styling: RIKKE GRAFF JUEL

Photography: CHRISTINA KAYSER O./LIVING INSIDE

91
 HOME TOUR

92
O
nce the ugliest house on the
street, built with concrete
blocks, unloved and run down,
the only thing that the tired
1970s building in Holløselund,
Denmark, had going for it
was the plot that it found itself on.
Surrounded by nature and with the North
Zealand coastline just a stone’s throw away, the
potential was spotted by Katrine Roug and her
husband Max to create a summer home for their
children Irma, Walter and Anker to grow and
play in, as well as a place to escape busy city
life and embrace outdoor living. “Holløselund
is such a beautiful little spot on the map. The
meandering stretch of coast is something very
special, and nothing beats the magical sunsets
on the north coast,” says Katrine.
With an abundance of nature on the doorstep,
the couple wanted the house to blend in to its
environment and take inspiration from the
trees that help seclude it from the outside world.
“Several years before we bought the house we fell
for the wooden cladding at a local smokehouse on
the Danish island, Bornholm,” explains Katrine. “It
was treated with Finnish tar and has a very special
burnt look. When we had to choose a style for the
cottage, that was what spoke to the both of us,
turning a large grey brick building into a house When the orange
that fits into the surroundings.” architect lamps didn’t fit
with the simple colour
As pretty as the house is inside with its calm scheme, Katrine niftily
and light colour palette, soft fabrics and natural upcycled them by
materials, it’s the outdoors that makes it extra spray-painting them
white (left). The cottage
special. The covered terrace is an extension of
is the family’s sanctuary
the living room where the family can sit and enjoy away from their busy
the bright Danish summer evenings on a bamboo lives in the city and the
sofa made welcoming with plenty of cushions. “It’s huge windows help
them make the most of
something very special to sit under the half-roof its leafy surroundings,
and hear the rain fall. It’s almost as therapeutic providing plenty of
as hearing the roar of the ocean,” she smiles. natural light and a
vantage point from
which to watch the
S PA C E T O H A N G O U T garden come to life and
Relaxation is top of their to do list when at the to keep an eye on the
ever-changing weather
house, with hammocks placed amid wisteria and
butterfly-attracting bushes so that you can lie back
and enjoy the smell of the fresh flowers that line
the beds surrounding the cottage. Meanwhile, the
other side of the terrace is home to a sun bed, big
enough for the whole family to squeeze on to.
The family not only relax outside – they wash
there too! One of the first things they added
was the outside bathroom so they could shower
outdoors, listening to the birds sing, from April
until the night frost arrives.
Even when inside the house , the large windows
turn into vivid and changeable paintings of the »
93
HOME TOUR

Inspired by the
wooden cladding of a
smokehouse they once
visited, the cottage’s
exterior has been
designed with its leafy
surroundings in mind
Two of Katrine’s
favourite items are
her safari chairs (above
left) and the kitchen
bench, impressively
built by husband Max.
Always room for an
extra guest or two…

95
 world around them. “The windows bring nature
all the way into the living room,” explains Katrine.
“Especially the morning light – it’s absolutely
magical, being able to sit at the breakfast table
with a coffee and watch the garden wake up.
I enjoy that the boundary between inside and
outside is almost non-existent and that we can so
clearly keep up with the weather and the seasons.”
The family’s love of timber forms a large part
of the cottage’s decor, helped in part by Max’s
training in carpentry, which has seen him
building furniture, such as their dresser, to mix
in with their flea market finds. “I love wood, it’s
a delicious organic material that only becomes
more beautiful from being used,” smiles Katrine.
When the couple bought the cottage, they
replaced the old pine kitchen with a practical
IKEA solution, adding oak worktops and some old
architect lamps. Originally orange, Katrine sanded
them and spray-painted them white. The couple
also knocked down the wall between the kitchen
and dining area to make one large space for living.
The lounge area is home to Katrine’s favourite
furnishings – two safari chairs she fell for on a
holiday a few years before buying the cottage. Back
then, she didn’t have room for them, but knew she’d
regret it if she didn’t buy them. Now the chairs have
moved permanently into the cottage, one covered
96
with a big Gotland sheepskin. The dining table, Much of the cottage
which also shares the open plan space, is used not is furnished with
wood as the family
just for eating but as a creative area, too, where the love timber and the
sewing machine occasionally appears, the children way that it becomes
draw and puzzles and games are enjoyed by all. more beautiful with age.
Meanwhile, the outdoor
Katrine is also a big fan of the corner bench they
bathroom makes for
built themselves. “It makes good use of the room an invigorating shower
and you can always squeeze in a little and make with the local bird life
room for an extra person,” she laughs. “It’s a small providing the tunes.
With plenty of options
cottage, but there’s always space for guests.” to sit back, relax and
take in the sights,
sounds and smells of
the plot, Katrine admits
KATRINE’S STYLE that her simple pleasure
is listening to the rain
l Your outdoor space is as important as fall on the roof above
the decking area
the inside, so find furniture that’ll fit your
needs in the garden. You can’t have too
many places to sit and enjoy the view.
l Create a harmonious and relaxed look
by mixing wood, such as oak and pine,
with muted colours.
l If an item jars because of its colour,
it’s simple to repaint it and start again.
l If you spot something in a second-hand
shop or market that you love, buy it and
store it until the time’s right – otherwise
it’ll always be the one that got away!
HOME TOUR

97
 MY PLOT

Colour me happy
WHO SAYS A VEG PATCH CAN’T BE PRETTY TOO? LUCY
HUTCHINGS GROWS HEIRLOOM VARIETIES IN CLEVER
WAYS THAT LOOK AS GOOD AS THEY TASTE

Words and photography: LUCY HUTCHINGS

98
 GROWING

Jewellery designer turned gardener, Lucy Hutchings lives in an old and

not entirely watertight cottage in Suffolk, with her partner and her two
daughters. The extended family includes chickens, seven quail, a giant
tortoise, giant snails and a token cat. Unsurprisingly, there’s never a dull
moment on her plot. Her first book, Get Up and Grow (Hardie Grant)
is out now, and you can follow her adventures on Insta: @shegrowsveg.

The story so far
I didn’t follow a traditional gardening path.
I used to have my own couture jewellery
label, suppling luxury stores, working with
fashion magazines and dressing celebrities.
But for a girl who grew up in the Suffolk
countryside, at her happiest when climbing
trees, I never felt completely comfortable.
When the time came to grow the brand,
I realised I hadn’t been happy for a
long time, and instead walked away.
At the end of 2017, I was going through a
stressful time, but found solace in growing
food. All through my student days and my
career in fashion, I’d always had something
edible on the go. From windowsill herbs to
an edible green wall or wind-blown pots of
veg on a tower block balcony. I had very Red and yellow and
orange and jet black
little idea of what I was actually doing,
– Lucy’s rainbow crop
and the results were mixed, but it made of heirloom tomatoes
me very uncomplicatedly happy. from last year (above).
I started my Instagram account to It’s the fruit of her
philosophy that
document my growing experiences and to an edible garden, and
interact with other gardeners. I had no idea its harvest, can be
it would grow in the way it did, but I soon beautiful, too
realised that people liked what I was doing.
I decided that this was something I wanted
to work in, so I retrained in Horticulture
and Garden Design, thinking that edible
garden design would be a natural direction
for me. My Insta following continued to
grow and I realised I had the opportunity
to inspire people all over the world. I feel so
lucky to do what I do, and I’ve never looked
back to the days of my career in fashion. »

99
 GROWING
Beautiful Peppermint
chard (right) will
give your veg beds
and dinner plates
a welcome shock
of colour long into
the winter months
Space saving
People see the amount that I grow and
think that I must have masses of land but
I really don’t have a very large garden – it’s
just absolutely bursting at the seams. All in
all, it’s probably no bigger than an average
allotment plot, but it’s spread around the
house in a variety of inconvenient forms.
Upturned house The wellbeing benefits of gardening are
bricks make attractive well documented these days, but growing
and long-lasting your own food is also a really tangible
raised bed edging for
growing veg while step towards lessening our impact on
trailing squash the planet. So much plastic-wrapped food
tendrils vertically up is flown in from abroad, giving it an epic
an archway is a clever
use of limited space.
carbon footprint. The best way to reduce
your food miles is to start producing
some at home, and you can grow all
your favourite produce, too.
I’m absolutely passionate about
heirlooms – which are heritage varieties
100
of fruit and veg originally bred for the
best flavour that have been handed down
through the generations untouched by
modern agriculture. I grow only a handful
of modern hybrid varieties, mainly for
colour – for example black sunflowers and
nasturtiums. As a general rule, I want the
plants I grow and eat to look and taste the
way they have for hundreds of years, not
things that have been mucked about with
for the sake of enhanced performance.
When planning my plot I had a few
specific aims: I wanted it to be 100%
edible, to show that an edible garden can
be beautiful, too, and to prove just how
much you can grow in a small space. The
result is a lush and colourful garden with
completely edible ornamental borders,
polyculture kitchen garden beds with
arches, and tunnels laden with squash
and beans – as well as three greenhouses.
“I’m passionate about heirlooms – as a general
rule, I want the plants I grow and eat to look and
taste the way they have for hundreds of years”
Simple pleasures
I’m absolutely wild about tomatoes and
there’s nothing better than watching the
first tomatoes set on the vine, knowing that
only a few months ago you planted one tiny
seed and nurtured that plant through to
this moment. I swear those first tomatoes
are by far the slowest to ripen all year,
like they want to drag out the delicious
anticipation for as long as possible.
My greatest success
The 2020 tomato harvest was one of my
greatest successes, both from the past year
and from my plot as a whole. I grew a whole
rainbow of them, all heirloom varieties in
every shape and colour imaginable, from
jet black to rainbow striped – there wasn’t
a round red one among them. It was a
source of enormous joy for me and I can’t
wait to see what new shapes and colours
I can add to my collection this summer.
What I’ve learnt
I honestly believe trial and error is the
best way to learn. If I’d started out reading
the classic GYO books and following their
instructions to the letter, I wouldn’t have
learnt how much some rules can be bent.
We live in a country that has a huge variety
of climates. Trial and error is the best
way to learn what works in your growing
space, wherever that may be.
My advice would be
Limited or even a complete lack of outside
space doesn’t mean you can’t grow some
of what you eat. There are so many ways
to cleverly and beautifully utilise every
little bit of space you have, from growing
vertically, to green walls, to getting into
micro greens and sprouts. You can even
turn chilli and pepper plants into bonsai!
You can have a lot of fun finding the
best ways in which to grow food.
Incredible edibles
June is a busy month. Lucy
shares some of her seasonal
favourites to enjoy now, and
to plant for later.
O If you’re into tomatoes,
I highly recommend seeking
out heirloom varieties rather
than the standard hybrids you
find in most garden centres. The
harvest may be a little smaller
but the flavour is far superior
and nothing will make you smile
quite like a technicolour rainbow
tomato salad. Try Indigo Rose
(black), Jersey Devil (giant,
long and red) and Ananas Noir
(tie-dye green, red and yellow).
O Nasturtiums are brilliant!
The whole plant is edible. The
bright trumpet-like flowers are
a beautiful addition to salads,
while the peppery leaves are
a great rocket substitute – and
they also make an amazing
pesto. You can even eat the
fresh seeds, pickled like capers.
O Towards the end of June start
thinking about what you’ll grow
during winter. Chard is fabulous
as it’ll give you delicious greens
all through autumn, winter and
well into the following year.
For something special, look for
Peppermint chard with its neon
pink stems to brighten up winter.
Look out for Lucy’s edible
allotment garden at this year’s
Hampton Court Palace Garden
Festival (6-11 July 2021).
101
 NEW THREADS
IMPRESSIVE EMBROIDERY IS WITHIN YOUR GRASP
PHOTOGRAPHY: IMMEDIATE MEDIA PHOTO STUDIO

WITH THESE SIMPLE, PORTABLE PROJECTS. YOU’LL

BE COCK-A-HOOP WITH YOUR NEW-FOUND SKILLS
Projects: JEN SMITH and MIRIAM POLAK

102
 WEEKEND PROJECT

U D LY
PRO MADE
E
HOM 1 2

DESERT DUNES HOOP

Get to grips with just one simple
stitch and you can craft this
creative cacti scene.

You will need:

Template, downloaded from 3 4
thesimplethings.com/blog/
embroidery-hoop-template
Cream linen, 35cm x 35cm
Heat-erasable fabric pen
15cm diameter embroidery hoop
Stranded cotton skeins, 1 each in
black, brown, gold, lavender, mauve,
olive, pale pink, light pink, sage, tan,
light terracotta and dark terracotta
Needle
Scissors
Iron

1 Transfer the design from the
template to the centre of the fabric
with a heat-erasable fabric pen.
Mount the fabric into your hoop
with the design in the centre.
2 Stranded cotton is made up of six
strands – in this design, you’ll be using
all six strands in each colour. Cut a
50cm length of black and start by
stitching the five Saguaro cacti in
satin stitch (see the Stitch Library
overleaf), working the stitches
horizontally across the shapes
and keeping them close together.
3 Next, start to fill in the background
colours in satin stitch, again working
the stitches vertically. Start at the
top, then work downwards, always
stitching into the edge of the traced
outer circle. Your stitches will come
to the edge of the inner hoop. Fill
the top band with mauve cotton.
5 6
4 Start band two using pale pink.
Where the two colours meet, aim
to stitch into the same holes as the
bottom of the band. This will avoid
any fabric showing and give you
a neater finish. Move on to band
three, filling it with light pink, then
fill band four with brown.
5 Band five is where you’ll begin to
stitch around the Saguaros using light
terracotta. Again, make sure you work
your background stitches into the
same holes as the Saguaro stitches.
Start band six with dark terracotta.
For the beginning of each band, start
where this connects with the previous
row. Make this stitch as vertical as
possible to keep the direction of the
stitches consistent from band to
band, then continue to fill the band.
This band contains a lot of sections
of the Saguaros, too, so take care
to stitch neatly around them.
6 Fill in band seven with lavender,
band eight with tan, band nine with
sage and band 10 with olive. Finally,
fill in band 11 with gold to complete
the design. To finish, erase your
guidelines by pressing gently with
an iron. Trim the fabric so that it’s
about 3cm larger than the hoop.
Sew a simple running stitch around
the fabric edge, then gently pull on
the thread to gather the fabric neatly
at the back. Work a few stitches
on top of each other to secure. »

103
 STITCH LIBRARY
1. Satin stitch (Desert Dunes
and Notebook Cover)
Bring the needle up on the left, down on
the right and back up on the left, working
stitches close together. Keep stitching in
this way, under and over, so that the back
of the work looks the same as the front. To
maintain an even tension, always take the
needle out at the back, then back in at the
front in two steps rather than one motion.
2. Long and short stitch
(Notebook Cover)
Work alternate long and short stitches for
104
the first row – the short stitches should
be half the length of the long ones. Start
from the back bringing the needle up then
down for the second stitch, up for the third 1
and so on. Subsequent rows are worked
with stitches the same length as the first row.
3. Stem stitch (Notebook Cover)
Stem stitch creates a solid raised line with
a textured appearance. It can be used for 2
any shape, especially curved lines. Bring the
needle up just above the design line for the
first stitch, down for the second below the
line, and back up above the line. Continue
3
in this way, always working back on yourself.
 WEEKEND PROJECT

NOTEBOOK COVER
Using a few more techniques and
stitches, this pretty project is a 1 2
great one for honing your skills.

You will need:

Calico, 44cm x 24cm
A5 notebook
18cm diameter embroidery hoop
Template, downloaded from
thesimplethings.com/blog/
embroidery-hoop-template
Heat-erasable fabric pen
Scissors
Stranded cotton skeins, 1 each in light 3 4
blue, dark blue, light brown, dark
brown, chestnut, cream and pink
Needle
Pins
Iron

1 Fold the fabric around your

notebook. Decide where you want
the centre of your design to be and
mark this point. Mount the fabric in
the hoop with the marked point in the
centre. Transfer the design from the
template to the fabric using a heat-
erasable fabric pen, with the centre
of the design over the marked point.
2 Cut your thread to about 50cm,
then separate into individual strands
and recombine the number of strands
as required. To start the design, use
long and short stitch in one strand
of light brown for the arms and legs.
Work the face, neck and waist in satin
stitch in one strand of light brown.
Do the skirt with long and short
stitch in three strands of chestnut,
the T-shirt in long and short stitch in
three strands of cream, and shoes in
satin stitch in two strands of cream.
3 Use stem stitch for the hair and bun
using three strands of dark brown.
4 From the top of the pile working
down, stitch each book as follows.
Book 1: satin stitch using two strands
of light blue. Book 2: cover in stem
stitch using two strands of pink,
5 6
pages in long and short stitch using
one strand of cream. Book 3: cover
in stem stitch using two strands of
chestnut, pages in long and short
stitch using one strand of cream.
Book 4: satin stitch using two strands
of pink. Book 5: satin stitch using two
strands of dark blue. Book 6: cover
in stem stitch in two strands of light
blue, pages in long and short stitch
in one strand of cream. Book 7: satin
stitch in two strands of chestnut. Book
8: cover in stem stitch in two strands
of dark blue, pages in long and
short stitch in one strand of cream.
5 Work the plant in dark blue. The
stem is made in stem stitch with one
strand; the leaves use satin stitch in
two strands. Work one vertical half of a
leaf at a time. Work the plant pot in stem
stitch in two strands of light brown.
6 To finish, turn the raw edges of the
fabric under by 1.5cm to the wrong
sides and press. Hem in running stitch
in two strands of cream. Fold the fabric
around the notebook, ensuring it’s
centred, then fold and pin short edges
around front and back covers to form
slip pockets. Remove the notebook,
press with an iron, then slip stitch the
pockets in place at top and bottom.
Taken from Love Embroidery magazine. For
more inspiration, pick up a copy and head to
buysubscriptions.com/tryloveembroidery
for a special subscriber offer.

105
 Galvanised milk churn | £45
Whether you fill with flowers or plants, this
vintage-style pot will have you feeling like
the cat that got the cream. coxandcox.co.uk

Things to
want and
wish for
Towel | £45
This generously
sized waffle-weave
towel brings some serious
texture to the bathroom.
Loving your home, inside and out. chalkandmoss.com

Books and treats for you to enjoy.

Chosen by LOUISE GORROD
Reviews by EITHNE FARRY

Picnic hamper | £55

Stylish hamper for park and beach eating.
Pass the scotch eggs. next.co.uk Sleepwear set | £84
Made from bamboo
fabric to keep you
cool on hot nights. And,
joy, it has pockets!
nightire.com

Bamboo serving bowl | £49

A securely sealed dish so you can go big
on salads on the go. cielshopinteriors.com

106
 WISHLIST

Outdoor pizza oven | £540

This corten steel design cooks
pizzas pronto and bakes bread
beautifully. At 37cm wide, it’s
also small-space friendly.
rowenandwren.co.uk
 Embroidered top | £69
Daisy, daisy, give me
your answer to an
embroidered delicate
chiffon top that’ll dress
up jeans a treat.
hush-uk.com

Salad bowl | £35

Bring some splatter to your platter with these
Italian-made
Italian dishes hotpottery.co.uk
made deep dishes. hotpotteryco uk

Amber tree glasses | £33 for two

Traditional Portuguese techniques brought
bang up to date. wagreen.co.uk

Pizza peel | £10

Dust with polenta, add dough,
shape and add toppings, then
flick and slide into the oven. Easy
peasy pizza! souschef.co.uk

Directors chair | £40

Lights, lemons, action!
A filmic, fruity and
foldable chair. habitat.co.uk

108

Printed cotton mattress | £70
Super soft and just the right
size for carrying (and, far
more importantly, lounging).
heavenlyhomesandgardens.co.uk
Glow up
Phosphorescence by Julia Baird
There’s a beguiling sense of wonder in
Baird’s beautiful book, Phosphorescence:
On Awe, Wonder & Things that Sustain
You When the World Goes Dark. Deeply
awed by the creatures that create their
own light in the dark of the night or the
depths of the sea, she wondered if we
could take a valuable life lesson from the
likes of fireflies and cuttlefish, and learn
WISHLIST
Maker of the Month
Add charm and elegance to
your front door
Make coming home even better with
furniture for your front door by
Adams & Mack, founded just last year.
Husband-and-wife-team, Mike and
Jenny McClement, consider their
door knockers to be sculptures – as
beautiful as they are practical. The
nature-inspired designs, which
include birds, fish, a hare and a bee,
start life as a simple pencil sketch
before moulds are created and are
sent to a family foundry in India,
run by skilled artisans. When casting
is complete, the door knockers
are assembled back in Devon.
adamsandmack.com
to harness our own inner glow for when
times are tough. In a series of essays she
attempts to pinpoint the ways to nurture
resilience, embrace our vulnerabilities
and encourage a sense of connectivity to
both the natural world and people. It’s a
timely reminder of the need for reverence
and revelry in our worlds, even when they
feel at their darkest. (William Collins)
109
 Container garden veg
patch gift voucher | £29.99
A voucher for a selection of
container-friendly veg plants.
It’s user friendly, too, as it
comes with helpful growing
advice to get you started.
rocketgardens.co.uk

Shop of the Month

An artist co-op stocking designs
that are made to last

Prior Shop is a thriving retail outlet

and studio space in Bristol
championing independent brands,
with sustainable design and
community at its core. Of particular
note are founder Beck Prior’s lamp
bases, handcrafted from layers of
plywood and finished with a flash of
colour. Take a look, too, at the modern
jewellery made from recycled silver
and sustainable brass from Lima
Lima. All profits go back in to support
the community and local artists.
Unique, with a supportive ethos
and neighbourly spirit.
priorshop.uk

Mood food
Crave: Recipes Arranged by Flavour, to Suit Your Mood and Appetite by Ed Smith

Food is often at the forefront of Ed Smith’s
mind, as the weather, his mood and
memories affect his appetite for tastes,
textures and combinations. Crave is
divided into six sections designed to
happily answer the question, “What
flavour am I craving right now?” and
includes quick-off-the-mark recipes as
well as ones that demand more time and
attention. Speedy salads with crisp
lettuce and herbs feature in the Fresh
and Fragrant chapter. Moreish cherry
and apricot slab pie brings a flash of
acidity for Tart and Sour tastes, while
Many chilli pepper squid provides
a “messy pile of mouth-tingling
deliciousness” in the chapter entitled
Chilli and Heat. (Quadrille)

110

Wild Aster flat lay
notebook | £24.95
Made for summer
lists and seasonal musings.
katieleamon.com
Planter | £39.95
Ready to hang right now, with
a rusted finish that’ll look
even better as it ages.
nkuku.com
Bike basket | £59.50
Carry your market
buys (or a small dog?)
easily in this cute little
hold-all. oliverbonas.com
Crra
Shed
dding The Shackles: Women’s Empowerment Through Craft by Lynne Stein
Lynne Stein’s beautiful book celebrates
female crafts from across the globe, from
the exuberant embroidery of Rajasthan
to the beautiful beadwork of Yoruba
tribeswoman and a crocheted coral reef
in Australia. Forming collectives and
co-operatives, the women crafters have
been emotionally and economically
sustained by their painstaking, inspired
WISHLIST
Electric aromatherapy
diffuser lamp | £78
What’s that soft glow? Could be
this new diffuser, or your glow of
pleasure as you savour its scent.
elalife.uk
Sandals | £39
Light eight comfortable and washable,
Lightweight, washable
it’s pretty much all you could ask for from
a summer sandal. lifestoryshop.com
creations. Using local materials,
inventive methods of recycling and
combining age-old methods with a
modern sensibility, the weavers, potters,
knitters and artists are reviving folk art
and the charm of the handmade while
creating jobs, fair wages and a route
out of poverty. This is an entirely
inspiring endeavour. (Herbert Press)
111
 My place
THE CORNERS OF OUR HOMES THAT MEAN THE MOST.
THIS MONTH: IN THE GREENHOUSE

Words: LOTTIE STOREY

“The greenhouse was

in place when we
bought the cottage
but it looked very
sorry for itself.
During the first
lockdown I gave it a
budget makeover and
it’s been used
non-stop ever since.
During the spring, it’s full of hundreds
of cut flower seedlings and dahlias in
pots. In winter, I bring in small citrus
trees and other tender plants for
protection. In between, I use it as an
extra room. There’s a beautiful old
wooden table in there which we
regularly gather around with coffee
and cake, and the scent of jasmine
growing inside is incredible.
I visit first thing in the morning to
water and to check on new growth.
It’s been particularly lovely during the
past year to have the hope that comes
from seeing new flowers emerge.”

Julie Aldridge, Cambridge

@aldridgejulie

112
 HOW WE LIVE

“I grew up with this greenhouse

- it’s filled with happy
memories of helping my mum
plant seeds. It was very
dilapidated when we inherited
it, so we rebuilt the wooden
part, copying the original
design exactly. My husband
did most of the work and it’s
now a beautiful usable space.”
Harriet Thistlethwayte, Herefordshire
@yomargey

“We built it from scratch with

reclaimed materials and chose
the spot because the views
are so calming. My little
boy has special needs and he
loves to learn in nature and
it gives me my own space, too.”
Vanessa Smallridge, Holsworthy, Devon
@vanessaswild

“I designed the
greenhouse – it’s
made from oak so
will last a lifetime.
I adore spending my time sowing
and potting up sweet peas, cosmos,
ammi and delphiniums, with the
rain beating down on the glass and
the hens wandering in.”

Samantha Greetham, Topsham, Devon

@cowparsley_and_foxgloves

113
 “I love the peaceful
feeling I get when
I’m in my glasshouse.
It’s in the woods and you can sit there and
look out to sea. I start every morning with
a cup of coffee in there. I may do a little
planting or some yoga during the day, or
use it as a place for drinks in the evening.”
“I’m a cut flower grower so
Jonna Kivilahti, Inkoo archipelago, Helsinki
this is my workspace. I love @jonnakivilahti
being surrounded by trays
of seedlings, the radio
playing in the background
and my tabby cat for company
when he comes in looking for
somewhere warm to take a nap.”
Cobi Snelson, Shepton Mallet, Somerset
@batchcottageflowers

“The greenhouse is a
porch to a shed which
we reglazed using old
stained glass that my
mum found at the dump.
The fabric canopy we put in to shade
the auriculas gives it a beautiful
light and we love to share it as part of the
National Garden Scheme every year.”

Beth Tarling, Helston, Cornwall

@seaview_gunwalloe

114
 Where we stayed
With uninterrupted views of the
meadow and fields beyond, one of
the sensitively converted cottages,
the Cowshed, was our home for
the weekend. The stylish rustic
interiors mean that the Cowshed is
all about understated luxury. The
four bedrooms – two with superking
beds, each with their own en-suite
shower rooms – provided ample
space for the four of us (and would
make a great base for a family
gathering). The large oak-beamed
sitting room, with its comfy sofa
and doors onto the garden provided
generous space to hang out together,
while the farmhouse kitchen was
Weekend away the stuff of dreams. The kids (11
and 16) were delighted to discover
the barn, which was recently
WITH MEADOW WALKS, LOCAL CRAFT BEER converted into a giant playroom
AND BEAUTY PRODUCTS, THIS LUXURY FARM with home cinema, table tennis,
air hockey and pool tables.
STAY OFFERS EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO RELAX

Words: LOUISE GORROD

W
PHOTOGRAPHY: SARAH WEAL (SARAHWEAL.COM)

e’ve all, no doubt, felt that desire to find somewhere to escape

to, where we can pocket ourselves away from the ‘real world’
for a little bit. This family-run organic farm in rural East Sussex
is just the spot for that kind of restful time away. Set in 140
acres and surrounded by ancient woodland, Hawthbush Farm
invites you to immerse yourself in the tranquil setting, to
switch off and enjoy the simple pleasure of picturesque walks straight from your
cottage door. You can even pre-book a delivery of beer from the on-site microbrewery
and products from the farm’s own botanical-based skincare brand, so if your idea of
a great escape involves some, or all, of pottering, picnics, pints, and pampering, you’ll
feel thoroughly cossetted here.

116
 A PLACE TO STAY

What we did in the wood-fired cedar hot tub,

We headed out to Farleys House tucked away in a private spot among
& Gallery in Chiddingly, the the trees, just steps away from the
former home of photographer garden. Soaking in the bubbles and
Lee Miller and Surrealist artist looking up at the stars was the most
Roland Penrose. The house is now relaxing way to end a thoroughly
a museum and archive celebrating pleasurable day. In slightly more
the lives and work of its former competitive mode, we played a
residents as well as a collection of couple of the board games provided.
contemporary art by artist friends Entertainment also includes a well-
such as Pablo Picasso, Man Ray, stocked bookshelf and Netflix for
Max Ernst and Joan Miró. We took movie nights, too.
advantage of the good weather and
wandered around the sculpture
garden that surrounds the house,
The best thing
or enjoy a spot of lunch at the café, Just being there. We didn’t feel the
where a permanent collection of
including cakes made in the village need to stray too far and immersed
works chosen by Miller and Penrose
and locally-roasted coffee. Not far ourselves wholeheartedly in the
are on display alongside pieces
from the farm (20 minutes’ drive) is Hawthbush Farm way of life.
by contemporary guest sculptors.
Firle, at the foot of the Firle Beacon This included treating ourselves
You’re encouraged to bring a picnic,
in the South Downs National Park. to some of the farm’s own AMLY
but we decided to take advantage
This charming village is home to beauty products, made using local
of the refreshments on offer – the
The Ram Inn, renowned for its ingredients, and some Gun Brewery
lemon drizzle cake comes very
seasonal menu and proximity to beer, both of which can be pre-
highly recommended.
glorious walks. We also enjoyed the ordered for your arrival. Our visit
wood-fired pizzas from The Gun also coincided with ceramicist
pub, about 15 minutes’ walk from Katharine Rabson-Stark’s residency
the farm (five by car), all washed at the farm, and we made time to
down with the farm’s artisan beer. view her smoke-fired pieces using
local clay and foliage. We floated
home relaxed and restored, feeling
We also liked like we’d been away for a week.
We loved exploring the fields and
woodland surrounding the farm,
where we foraged for wild garlic
and enjoyed spotting wildflowers
and occasional deer. Thanks to
careful stewardship of the land,
wildlife flourishes abundantly here.
One evening we took the plunge

What we ate
Knowing we would arrive at the
farm at around lunchtime, we’d
brought our own picnic, planning
to go for a walk and find somewhere
to enjoy our lunch, but the Cowshed
garden with its meadow views was
the loveliest spot imaginable, so
we didn’t have to go far. If you don’t Prices start from £600 per night,
arrive picnic-ready, the Chiddingly (minimum three nights) and
Village Shop and Café (just one mile the Cowshed and Granary can
away) stocks local produce such as accommodate up to 13 guests.
organic bread, cheese and chutneys, hawthbushfarm.co.uk

117
 BELONGINGS
W H AT I T R E A S U R E
My washing line
by Rebecca Howard
T
here’s something about a line of
washing, blowing in the breeze,
A lively, dancing suspension
bridge harnessing the natural
power of the weather.
I’m known among my friends for putting
my washing line to use no matter what
the weather and, though I’ve been caught
out many a time, I put my trust in this
narrow cord on which I peg a daily load.
When my daughter was born, a friend
introduced me to cloth nappies and the
virtues of rewashing. She shared her
satisfaction in seeing a row of uniform white
terry squares hung out to dry. I was curious
and, patting myself on the back for sparing
the local landfill, I soon succumbed to the
lure of a simple row of white orderliness
amid the, otherwise, chaotic life with little
ones. At the time, we had a blue plastic-
coated line and a prop. Our post was crudely
crafted from the discarded ‘For Sale’ post
left behind by the estate agent.
Our cricket-loving boys were keen to point
out that my winter forays across the lawn
to hang the latest load were an unwelcome
assault on their pitch, my footprints leaving
a worn patch on their ‘outfield’. We now have
a rotary line to give the lawn a much-needed
break. Though I was, I admit, apprehensive
at first, wondering whether the same drying
118
results could be achieved by the closer,
more compact style of hanging, I need not
have worried. The previous occupants had
thoughtfully placed the line hole at a sunny
edge of the patio, near enough to the back
door to enable slippered hanging out and
far enough to catch some warming rays
and an accompanying breeze. A bonus
being that it packs away, leaving no trace of
domesticity blighting the garden landscape.
The meditative benefits of pegging out
cannot be underestimated. I take time
selecting appropriate pieces to hang on
the shorter lengths of line, while reserving
the more voluminous items for the outer
perimeter. I know of some who colour code
their pegs, too, keeping them in matching
pairs; an attempt to liven up an otherwise
monotonous task. I feel I know my pegs well,
some are strong, while some are more suited
to delicate situations. Like friends; always
dependable, keeping things grounded
while all about is wild and unpredictable.
When the job’s done and a basketful hangs
neatly, swaying gently to the tune of the
wind, I look back and admire the simplicity
of line and pegs, grateful to have the space to
dry my washing in the way nature intended.
What means a lot to you? Tell us in 500 words;
thesimplethings@icebergpress.co.uk.
 June

iscellany
your own
thing

g l
ni s
Compiled by F AN ER Illustrations
I KAVEL RAFFERTY

DOWN TO A TEA TOWEL

Top topiar and a
garden to dream of
complete hopefully
with our own hand
‘gentleman gardener’.
It’s got a good stor
too its charming
design is based on a
midcentur design b
Daphne Padden. £11. 5
from todryfor.com The PR ACTICAL,
the PLAYFUL and the SILLY

MATCHBOXES PUZZLE Stretch the use of elastic

bands, three ways.
PRACTICAL: stop a
to palm. Hold with little
finger. Release to fire (at
inanimate objects only!). Or
slamming door by hooking search ‘make a catapult’ on
a band around handles on the BBC Bitesize website.
both sides. Cross over latch SILLY: How about making
to keep it from locking. a new outfit? Architect
PLAYFUL: Revive a classic. Margarita Mileva managed
Stretch band from index a dress constructed entirely
Introduced in finger tip, in front of thumb, from elastic bands.
2019, this sign
doesn't just
notify drivers
of the likelihood
ǔ
the imple venn
of hedgehogs,
it also covers
other mammals
Ignoring
including
Tinkering Admirable the
badgers, otters
in the shed ways to overflowing
and squirrels. shed and
(answers on page 126) with the spend an

radio on afternoon making

flapjacks
“There are two seasons in instead
Scotland: June and winter.”
Billy Connolly

119
 R
READE DS
RE C O M M EN
COLLECTIVE NOUNS
A GOOD READ
A compelling novel about an
episode of colonial histor
the Nigerian civil war in
the late sixties and the
fight for independence in
Biafra. An enlightening read
on true events that I knew
nothing of, and yet Britain
played a big part
in leaving me
with mixed emotions
but also hope in
the strength of
human spirit.
Carol Jarvis, Balcombe, West Sussex
Got a reading recommendation
you’d love to share? Email
thesimplethings@icebergpress.co.uk
to tell us all about it

➤ IT'S IN THE BAG

A t o w e r o f g i r a f fe s

TALK LIKE … A SAILOR

urgoo’: porridge;
‘B
nk
‘Canteen medals’: food or dri
p
stains on clothing; ‘zizz’: slee

PUNCTURE kit
Pack a pump to help locate the puncture and chalk or
➤ PET CORNER

crayon to mark the pesky spot. You’ll want tyre levers

to get the thing off (and talc as a handy aid for when you CATS ON MATS
want to get it on again). Bring a buffer or sandpaper to
prep the surface for attaching the patch, as well as the Westley, 5
patch itself and the vulcanising solution to adhere the “The cat pose in yoga? Looks
two. Finally, a robust bit of paper can be a ‘boot’ between
like a lot of work to me – try
the tyre and tube, if the tyre has been gashed. US riders
use dollar bills – perhaps an alternative use for any this one instead.”
foreign holiday money going underused? As nominated by Robyn Howell

120
 Berry,
berry
good GOOGLE VOX...

+ +

Store cupboard sums… Roughly 4 out of ten

people in the UK can
speak a second
Traditional summer fruit jam Add 300g redcurrants (removed language.
from strings) and 3 tbsp water to a preserving pan, cover and cook
gently for 20 minutes until soft, stirring from time to time and
Congrats!
breaking up the fruit with a wooden spoon. Add 225g raspberries,
500g strawberries (hulled and roughly chopped) and 1kg granulated Congratulazioni!
sugar. Mix together. Cook over a low heat, stirring from time to time, Félicitations!
until the sugar has completely dissolved. Bring to the boil
and boil rapidly for 10–15 minutes, stirring from time to
time, until setting point is reached. Skim off the scum And an impressive 6%
with a skimming spoon, then take off the heat. Stir in manage three or more.
15g unsalted butter to disperse any remaining scum, if
needed. Leave to stand for 10–15 minutes so that the fruit
Traditionaluit SEEING
SEEING DOUBLE
DOUBLE
summer fr will not rise to the top of the jars when potted. Ladle into
warmed sterilised jars right to the top, then screw on lids Each pair of words share two middle
letters The first has been filled in as an
or cover with waxed discs and cellophane tops secured example. Complete the remaining
with elastic bands. Leave to cool, then label and date. words to find the mystery keyword
Store in a cool place. Taken from National Trust Book reading down the middle.
of Jam by Sara Lewis (National Trust Books)

³ SIMPLE YOGA

A BIT OF A stretch
INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED BY EKHARTYOGA.COM, START YOUR 2-WEEK FREE TRIAL TODAY;

Mermaid Pose Deep backbend, stretches the whole front

of the body, including hips, torso and shoulders. 1 Start
PHOTOGRAPHY: ALAMY, CATHERINE FRAWLEY; ISTOCK; SHUTTERSTOCK

in Pigeon pose on the right side – from all fours, bring

your right knee forward towards your right wrist, and
right ankle in front of your left hip. Slide your left leg
back and point your toes. 2 Inhale to come onto your
fingertips and lengthen your spine, draw your navel
in and open your chest. 3 Bend your back knee
and hook inside your left elbow crease if possible.
4 Stretch the right arm over your head and bend
the elbow, finding the left arm and interlacing
the fingers behind your head. 5 This is an
advanced pose, please practise within
your limits and take a step back if you
feel any pain in the knees. (answers on page 126)

121
 The story of songs
(SIT T IN’ O N) T H E
D O C K O F T H E B AY
B Y O T IS R E D DIN G
Written, as you might hope, while
sitting on the dock of a bay. But,
although its lyrics may describe
Redding “heading for the Frisco
bay,” he was staying on a houseboat
moored in nearby Richardson Bay.
Regardless of the location, we’ve all
been there: sitting, turning things
over in our head as the world goes
on around us. Begun in June, the
song wasn't completed until early
December 1967. Its famous whistle
ending came about when Redding
was given space to ad-lib, while the
seagulls were added later. According
to guitarist/producer Steve Cropper,
“Be lik e the f lo wer, turn
your face to the sun ”
HERE'S ONE I MADE EARLIER
Take one regular looking side of a shed
and transform it into a space for “summer
evenings and laz da s.” Needless to sa
we fully endorse Sam Harding’s message
here. Got a DIY pro ect to show off? Email
us at thesimplethings@icebergpress.co.uk.
122
Redding tried to mimic some gulls,
but just “sounded like a crow.”
Why Redding never finessed his
gull call is an extremely sad story.
On 10 December, as Cropper was
adding the track’s finishing touches,
Redding died in a plane disaster,
aged just 26. Record bosses had
been sceptical about the song – a
departure from Redding’s usual
RnB – but he knew he’d hit gold,
calling it his “first million-seller.”
He was right. It made number one
in the US on its posthumous release,
and later became the 20th century’s
sixth-most performed song, perhaps
showing that everybody needs a
little time to sit, think, watch the
ships roll in, and the tide roll away.
Kahlil Gibran HOW TO...
T O T E ACH A D O G W O R D S
Forget new tricks, and aim for a few old words
Poster dog for canine wordsmiths is Chaser, a
Border Collie, whose vocabulary is estimated to
cover more than 1,000 objects. However, it turns
out language comprehension is not equal in all
dogs. It's not yet known whether this is down
to individual dogs, or their breed. But to give
Chaser's record a try:
START WITH THE BASICS: show them only
the named object as you say its name; repeat
as they play with it. Likewise, only say ‘sit’ as
they are actually sitting – until they catch on
that the two are linked. Repeat. Then move
on to the next object/command.
ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE: dogs learn better
if they're happy (don’t we all?). Praise and reward
them when they get things right, and keep your
voice upbeat. Who’s a good owner then?
TRY IT THEIR WAY: dogs are better with the
olfactoryy than the visual. Why not consider
showing and spraying rather than saying?
 Take THREE QUICK FIRE QUIZ

Daisy designs Forget “They love you not,” as it’s all love for this
hand-picked bouquet of daisy-patterned designs
BAGGU REUSABLE
BAG
Folds up and stashes away,
so you’ll never be without
a bag to hand.
Best for: a petal-powered
contribution to less plastic
£14, roosbeach.co.uk
WALD BERLIN
NECKLACE
A step up from our
homemade daisy chains
Best for: fun to wear and
fairtrade made, it’s an
all-round feel gooder
£75, studiobfashion.com
1 What was introduced
75 years ago this month,
initially costing £2?
2 Who painted the
renowned 19th-century
artwork Flaming June?
3 Which trailblazer for
women in medicine was
born on 9 June 1863?
4 Collins Dictionary
attributes the name of
what seasonal flower
to the belief it “wolfishly”
and “ravenously
FLORAL DAISY
BOTTLE exhausted the soil”?
A reusable bottle that’s as
5 June Brown played which
pretty as it is practical.
Best for: keeping soap opera staple for
things fresh as a daisy 35 years?
(for 12 hours, in fact)
£25, chillysbottles.com (answers on page 126)

³GIVE IT A GROW
LOTUS
HOWEA
To solve: • Each arc must contain numbers 1-7 • Each ring of shaded
petals must contain numbers 1-7 • Each ring of white petals must
contain numbers 1-7 • No number can be repeated in any arc or ring.

FORSTERIANA
Also known as Kentia palm, sentry
palm and thatch palm. A very slow-
grower, it reaches 2–3m indoors and is
popular for its air-purifying qualities. Did you know
STAYING ALIVE: Able to tolerate you can make
a degree of neglect, it's a great a battery
indoor palm. Preferring bright from fruit?
indirect light and high
Or several
humidity, it's ideal
fruits: last
for bathrooms or
kitchens. Allow top
year, students
of compost to dry in Denmark
out before watering. generated
a record
Adapted from Plant.
Houseplants: Choosing,
breaking 1,521
Styling, Caring by Gynelle volts using
Leon (Mitchell Beazley).
Photography: Gynelle Leon 1,964 lemons. (answers on page 126)

123
 SPOT THE DIFFERENCE
Can you spot the six things that have changed on our Scandi spread? (answers on p126)
a jolly good follow
@asianfashionarchive
Eco DILEMMAS
We answer the green questions you were too afraid, or too confused, to ask
Lovingly chosen archive images extending from
ARE THERE ECO-FRIENDLY GLASSES AND SUNGLASSES?
fashion to Asian wider culture (Instagram)
Adjusting every purchase can
have an impact. Three-quarters
of people in the developed world
wear glasses and even more wear
³FAB GADGET
sunglasses. Glasses tend to be
made up of multiple materials,
CORK ROCKET making them difficult to process
DESK TIDY at recycling facilities. Most cheap
Especially useful for any ad-hoc sunglasses, meanwhile, are 100%
home office situations, it definitely plastic and are discarded quickly,
usually added to landfill waste.
puts the fun into functional. As the For sustainable specs:
rocket shape is hollow, it's suitable • Avoid acetate, a material
derived from wood pulp.
for stashing all your pens away, and
Although labelled
you can pin photos and post-its onto “sustainable”, it’s
it. Plus, as it’s made from cork, it’s often produced
much better for the planet than in unregulated
factories using
a typical plastic desk tidy. What toxic substances.
a corker! £20, suck.uk.com Acetate frames
124
June, or
Midsummer.
So significant in
Estonia, Latvia
and Lithuania, it’s
a public holiday.
Something to
celebrate.
can’t be recycled like plastic
or wooden ones. “Bio-acetate”
does biodegrade, but we don’t
yet know how long it takes.
• Look for natural or recycled
materials such as sustainably
sourced wood, bamboo, recycled
plastic or even 3D-printed frames
made from scraps of old plastic.
• Buy from companies that give
back – some use revenue to fund
educational programmes or for
restoring-vision initiatives. Some
brands let you return the glasses
to be given to people in need.
• Recycle your glasses: plastic
and glass lenses can go in with
your normal recycling.
Taken from Is It Really Green?
Everyday Eco-dilemmas Answered
by Georgina Wilson-Powell (DK)
 IDENTIFIER
'41>5@5?4Ȇ
You may have got your burgers and your veggie kebabs on hand, but how well do you
know your way around the rest of the kit? Follow our handy guide for no missed steaks

O utdoor u m brella Sp a tu la To n g s
In our dreams, keeping us shady on a sunny day; Often purchased as one of three, with your tongs Stop it all going a bit Pete Tong by keeping
in reality, providing essential shelter in another and fork: sadly, never seem to be found together two sets: one restricted to meat only; the other
round of ‘the barbecue’ vs. ‘the British weather’. at the exact moment you need them. for everything else.

O ve n m itt
Some credit its invention to one 'Earl Mitt'. We’ll
ad-mitt we’re sceptical about that, but fully
endorse its credibility
ibility in protecting fingers.
B a rb
rbecu e
The centrepiece of the occasion. Pay attention to
temperature, timing and apply some patience for
a job well done. Or, sometimes, medium rare.
Wi re br u s h
For the less exciting bit: keeping your grill clean.
Most effective while still warm. No brush to
hand? Try using scrunched up foil instead.

F
Fork
r Fi
i s h g ri ll Apro n
Not just any old fork. For optimal barbecuing, Some additional bait for barbecue lovers: Essential for designating who is actually
you want a long, heat-resistant handle. And holding your fish firmly in place, this grill helps in charge of the barbecue (and not those
plenty of space to wave it around commandingly. you add some fin-esse to your menu. ‘supervising’). Waxed canvas looks extra pro.

These illustrations are the work of Victoria Eggs. You can buy her designs on homewares, accessories and stationery, which are all proudly made in Britain –
including a British barbecue tea towel. Visit her website victoriaeggs.com or follow on Instagram @victoriaeggs

125
 How to... AN EYE OPENER
D O A CRY P TIC CR O S S W O R D Can you be sure of what you see? Take a gander at our
optical illusions and let your eyes play a trick on you…
This month, get tripped up on a curious set of stairs.
Don’t let it get you too down or (a)cross: the wicked
wordplay is all part of the fun
racking the coded might suggest there’s an anagram,
language of each clue. Start by or even a word in reverse, if it talks
studying answers, and you’ll begin about ‘coming back’, ‘going west’
to recognise a few devious means. or ‘on reflection’. ‘Sounds like’,
The definition (as found in a regular ‘spoken’ and the likes could suggest
crossword) will likely be at either you’re after a homophone (two
the start or end of each clue. Try words that sound the same but
some word association once you mean different things). Some words
think you’ve found it. Everything indicate abbreviations. ‘Computer’,
else is the ‘subsidiary indicator’, for example, is likely to mean ‘PC’,
a devilish bit of word play that and ‘Image’ ‘PIC’. Search ‘crossword
reinforces the definition. Here, abbreviations’ on Wikipedia for a
keep your eyes peeled for specific handy list. Keep thinking laterally:
cluewords: Hidden words found ‘beginning’ or ‘Initially’ might
within the words of the clue might indicate using a first letter; the
be indicated by the use of ‘some’, or use of ‘ring’ or ‘egg’ point towards
‘in’ or ‘within’. ‘Muddle’, ‘transfer’ etc using the letter ‘O’, and so on...

NICE FIND Unearthed by

@for ottenbookmarks in
this ‘Stor of a Fi ht’
it definitely looks like
the owner of these specs
has come off the loser
hopefull not still
missing their pair! This illusion is taken from Ginger Fox Presents Optical Illusions
(Hacche Retail Ltd), a series of 50 cards, from Amazon.

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS
Quick fire quiz Spot the difference
1. The TV licence 2. Frederic Lotus solution
Leighton 3. Elizabeth Garrett
Anderson 4. Lupins
5. Dot Cotton

Matchboxes
Sundry, manage, marrow,
legend, mayhem, finale,
robbed.
Mystery keyword: Win

Seeing Double
1. Staple 2. Teapot 3. Aspect
4. Superb 5. Bearer 6. Quartz
7. Chance 8. Shanty 9. Deceit
10. Excess Puzzles provided by Lovatts Crosswords
Mystery keyword: Appearance & Puzzles (lovattspuzzles.com)

126
 J U LY I S S U E

SPLASH
Outing My neighbourhood Gathering
Travelling rivers, canals and lakes The delights of Broadstairs Sunshine and sushi

Campervans Looking back Wearing well

Life on wheels A chorus of girl groups Why we love our Birkenstocks

IF YOU ENJOYED THIS ISSUE…

… you can buy the next one at picsandink.com from 23 June 2021
If you really liked it, might we suggest a subscription delivered to your door? – see p36
PHOTOGRAPHY: CARMEL KING; CATHERINE FRAWLEY

ON SALE 23 JUNE 2021

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GETTING IN TOUCH WHERE WAS THAT?
thesimplethings@icebergpress.co.uk Good things to eat Good news 34 Flowers in the house 89
020 3950 1835 Pickles, relishes & dips 8 My City: Dubai 38 Home tour 90
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Croydon CR0 1UH Hoop embroidery 102 Playlist 129 Magical creatures 21
Bedtime story 130 Miscellany 119
Good people & places Be wild, be free 132
Ice cream history 16 The comfort of things
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Magic, myth & legends 22 Shorts 49
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 PLAYLIST

Soundtrack to June
T H E DA D S ’ P L AY L I S T

Blue Skies Ella Fitzgerald

Fly Me To The Moon Frank Sinatra
I Walk the Line Johnny Cash
Sweet Little Sixteen Chuck Berry
Nutbush City Limits Ike & Tina Turner
Orinoco Flow Enya
Dancing Queen Abba
Will You Love Me Tomorrow? Carole King
The Killing Moon Echo & the Bunnymen
Cry Me A River Julie London
I Left My Heart in San Francisco Tony Bennett
Desperado The Eagles
Funeral For A Friend / Love Lies Bleeding Elton John
(Is This The Way To) Amarillo Tony Christie

thesimplethings.com/blog/dadsplaylist

Our playlist was inspired by the dad of our regular

stop
look
contributor, Lottie. Richard Storey became an internet
DJ: FRANCES AMBLER

sensation when he selected tracks for a ‘desert island

disco’ on Lauren Laverne’s 6Music show earlier this year.
To mark Father’s Day, we asked our dads (including
listen
Richard, naturally) to suggest some favourite tunes.

129
 BEDTIME STORY

WILD RICE
A short story by HELEN PARIS

I
can lose a whole afternoon in the spare room.
“Just going to do some sorting,” I call to His Nibs.
He’s already away, having his postprandial 40-winks
with David Suchet. Won’t get a peep till I bring him
his Yorkshire Gold and a couple of Rich Tea fingers at 4.
I clear a path through the bin bags of old clothes,
coats and what have you. Lord knows where it comes
from, all this stuff. Really must have a good clear out…
Bath towels, hand towels, beach towels… you’d think we’re
running a Guest House! Now then, what’s in here? Old
Bluey. Well I never. Picnics at the coast, His Nibs, me and
the kids all sitting on it, pretending it was a magic carpet.
Faded, threadbare, but still so soft… mmm… smells just
the same. Ambre Solaire. I’ll just pop it back for now.
What else? My lemon yellow mini dress. Whatever next.
Short? I’ve got a chill in my kidneys just looking at it.
That stain on the hem is the spit of the Isle of Sheppey.
Beaujolais.
Friday night. Summer 1960. Me, Joan Willis and Pat
‘Tommie’ Thompson at Guy’s Hospital Nurses’ home.
Shifts so long we’d fall asleep with our girdles still on.
But not on a Friday night. Friday nights we were wild.
Tommie found a way to jimmy the meter with a coat
hanger – all three of us had baths. Not just a teaspoon computer. I remember when he used to sit in the garden
of water covering our nether regions, either, but right in his plastic orange car, “Anything from the shops,
to the top. Bubbles, too – a whole bottle of Avon’s Wild Granny? I’m off in my tar!” … “You can have jasmine,
Rose between us. risotto or wild?”
Then Tommie got the records spinning: Johnny Mathis, Sundays, His Nibs does a chicken curry. Madhur Jaffrey.
Elvis. Dancing, drinking, singing. Laughing so hard I I’m forever asking him to empty his trouser pockets yet
spilled my wine. Breaking the 10pm curfew and sneaking am still picking half-dissolved Polo mints and old hankies
out. Hell to pay if we got caught. Wild! The three of us from the washing machine drum, but if Madhur wants
squeezed on Tommie’s Vespa, warm breeze in our hair, him to mix half a crushed star anise into a paste with
Summer sky strewn with stars. Driving out to Ally pally. a pinch of cumin and a dab of coriander he’ll do it with
The whole city shimmering before us. Ours for the taking. bells on. So, if Madhur asks for basmati…
Oh bugger, there’s the phone. It’s set on ten rings but “Granny? Sorry, it’s just that I’ve got my swimming
I still have to Usain Bolt it to get there in time. If it’s the lesson in a bit.”
Dementia Lady wanting me to count back from a hundred Outside, the sound of women’s laughter, glasses clinking
in increments of seven then I’m afraid it’s not today, thank on next-door’s lawn, a riff of music from the open window
you! Haven’t got the time! I’m sure she’s very nice and of a passing car. Summer. Even now there’s something
all but really, what can she tell me? I was on Women’s about this time of year that flutters the heart; short skirts,
Gynaecological for forty years – I’ve seen more fannies bare legs, warm nights.
ILLUSTRATION: LARA PAULUSSEN

than she’s had hot dinners! “Wild,” I say. “Let’s get wild.”
“What sort of rice do you want, Granny?”
It’s the Grandson, little poppet.
“We’ve already had our lunch, love. Boil-in-the-bag fish
Helen Paris works in the performing arts and has toured internationally
with parsley sauce. Very nice.”
with London-based theatre company Curious. As research for a
“No, for the Ocado – they don’t have the rice you usually performance she shadowed employees in a lost property office which
get. You can have…” I hear him clicking away on the inspired her life-affirming debut novel, Lost Property (Doubleday).

130