Blog
Taking Time to Live Well
Finding the perfect place for lunch: This morning’s walk ended in the medieval Catalan village of Santa Pau. We wandered its flower-filled streets; and, on reaching the 13th-century, arcaded square, came upon the Restaurant Cal Sastre, with a table ready and waiting. As far as lunch venues go, this was just about perfect.
Moments that matter… brought to you by Inntravel, the Slow Holiday people.
Cresting the brow of a hill on two wheels... Meandering the back-roads and byways, the track carved its way gently uphill through fields of gold. Beyond the immediate horizon is nothing but a cerulean sky wisped with cloud. It’s tantalising, teasing, as we anticipate that glorious moment when, freewheeling and free, we head down the other side and into the view beyond.
Moments that matter… brought to you by Inntravel, the Slow Holiday people.
Just in time for the start of the trout fishing season, and with a nice garnish of seasonal watercress, we asked Yeo Valley for their favourite February recipe.
Ingredients
10 tea bags
175g demerara sugar
175g long grain rice
4 trout fillets
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper
Foil
For the Horseradish & Yogurt Sauce:
100g Yeo Valley Natural Yogurt
1 tbsp of hot horseradish
Juice of a lemon
Small sprig of dill
Method
Cut the tea bags open, shake out the tea into a bowl and discard the bags. Add the sugar and rice and mix together.
Line a deep, heavy roasting tin with silver foil.
Spread the tea mixture over the base.
Cover with either a cooling rack or another layer of foil. Place the roasting tray on top of the stove and heat up.
Once the mixture is smoking slightly place the trout on the rack or on top of the foil, skin side down. Drizzle the trout with 1 tbsp olive oil and season with salt and freshly ground pepper.
Cover the roasting tin tightly with foil or a tightly covered lid, and leave to smoke on the stove over a moderate heat for 15-20 mins.
Mix all ingredients for the sauce together, season to taste, then spoon over the smoked trout and serve with fresh watercress.
Thanks to Yeo Valley for the recipe.
Taking time out to admire the view - Eysturoy, Faroe Islands. “After an energetic jaunt up the steep clifftop path from the tiny village of Gjógv, views opened up over the aquamarine Atlantic all around. As I collapsed to the grass to gather my breath, a lone seagull hove into view and squawked its airy hello.”
Moments that matter… brought to you by Inntravel, the Slow Holiday people.
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Wandering through the souks of Marrakesh, I savoured unfamiliar sounds and scents. Crossing a quiet courtyard, my eye was caught by a shaft of light, illuminating a tranquil figure set in the shadows, ladling bowls of aromatic soup. Exchanging smiles and a little money, I was welcomed to this oasis, frequented by Moroccan artisans. Space was made at the wooden bench and we ate.
Moments that matter… brought to you by Inntravel, the Slow Holiday people.
Squeezing out every last drop of daylight on the final cross-country ski trail of the day.
Next stop: the cosy bar at the Fefor Hotel (Norwegian Highlands).
Moments that matter… brought to you by Inntravel, the Slow Holiday people.
Fancy heading to the snow? There's still time to enter our competition to win a week-long holiday in Norway. Enter now.
Believe it or not, we spend a third of our lives sleeping and while most of us may be thinking that our 7-hours-a-day is the best we will ever get, there are some small changes that can make a big impact on the quality of your sleep.
Here are five ways to make your bed cosier.
Although tightly tucked sheets and blankets have long gone (replaced by the marshmallow loveliness of the duvet), sheets still have their place on the modern bed. And that place is on top of the mattress (and possibly the mattress topper, see below) not on top of you – top sheets that lie below the duvet may keep it clean but always, always, get tangled around your legs. But what sheets to choose? Thankfully the days of brushed nylon are over, replaced by easycare, no-iron cotton polyester but, really, breathable natural fibre is what you want. Cotton with a long staple such as Egyptian or Pima (grown in the US, Australia and Peru and sold under the name Supima) is considered best for strength and comfort. Sheets made from organic cotton, grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment, are becoming increasingly available and worth looking out for. But linen is the queen of bedlinen. Spun from the fibres of the flax plant and repeatedly laundered in the manufacturing process,it is especially soft and becomes more so, the more it is used. It is also stronger than cotton, stays cool in summer and requires no ironing – if you are happy to live with rumpled sheets, which is part of the appeal. The downside is its price, which can be prohibitive, although H&M sells a linen double duvet cover and pillow set for £60.
Martha Stewart, who gets her bed changed almost daily(!), recommends replacing cotton and linen sheets with flannel (brushed cotton) sheets as the nights get colder. We’re with her on that, though not on the daily change thing. A word about thread counts: all bedlinen comes with a thread count. This is the number of threads per square inch or centimetre, which indicate how closely woven a fabric is. Finer threads produce smoother or softer fabric so a higher thread count is considered better quality: luxury bedlinen can have a thread count of 350 to 500 or higher. PS: Don’t even think about satin sheets.
Square pillowcases (65x65cm) have begun to appear on more beds as the ‘boutique hotel’ effect is aped by an increasing number of us. Too bulky for actual sleeping on, they are mostly decorative and sit behind the more conventional pillowcases: the Housewife, a plain fabric envelope (50x75cm), and the Oxford, which has a wide fabric border. It’s easy to forget to change pillowcases but considering the amount of time we spend with our faces pressed up against them, it’s worth doing so every couple of weeks. If you don’t, you face the grim prospect of facial oil, dead skin and residue from shampoo and general grime, clogging up both pillowcase and facial pores. A pillow protector prevents all of this besmirching the actual pillow (Marks & Spencer has some quilted ones). Some people swear that silk pillowcases make hair shinier and less static and skin less creased, and it’s certainly true that are lovely to lie against. Worth giving a go.
Propping pillows against the bedhead, magazine-rack style, gives the bed an extra dimension and prevents it slumping into limp student grunginess. Chuck a few cushions in front and you’re pillowscaping. Consider square pillows, too – they look good piled up in front of your regular pillows – and come with the added benefit of being a reading-in-bed prop (a bolster is also good for this). Whatever you do, avoid pulling a bedspread over the pillows unless you want the unwary to think they’ve stumbled across a dead body. Bedspreads look best folded back to frame your pillowscaping work and reveal your lovely linen sheets.
A throw or blanket in a co-ordinating colour or pattern, draped over the duvet, is an easy win in the bed-styling game. Keep it folded at the foot of the bed and it will also keep toes toasty, or higher up within grabbable distance for shoulder-wrapping warmth when TV-in-bed watching.
Anyone bitten by the bedlinen bug will know that it’s hard to stop buying it, once you start. Fortunately, there are no end of options to pimp your lie-in. Mattress toppers come filled with down, cotton fibre, topped with merino wool or made from memory foam, and add a layer of softness and ease to the bed (although an old duvet makes an adequate substitute). Bedspreads and quilts are handy for dragging over everything else when bed making really is too much to contemplate, and of course they bring colour and pattern. Valances, ra-ra skirts for divan bases, are good if you like flounce and can’t bear the sight of an undisguised bed base. And finally: if you have never considered an electric blanket, now might be the time to do so: a whole world of snuggly winter warmth and luxuriant comfort awaits you.
The design and sleep experts at Hästens can advise on the best bed buys that will have you waking up bright eyed and bushy tailed every day.
El Golfo, Lanzarote. By Linda Lashford for Inntravel.
The wild and beautiful landscape of Asturias, on Spain's northern coast. Photograph: Inntravel, the Slow holiday people.
Louise Curley, author of The Cut Flower Patch, shares this month’s planting diary.
'I always think there’s something very reassuring about the cycle of gardening. As one element fades there’s another coming into its own and just as summer merges into autumn it would be easy to become melancholy about the approach of winter but the task of planting spring bulbs reminds me of the year to come.
'Bulbs might seem like a bit of an extravagance for the cut flower patch as most will only produce one flower stem, unlike your cut and come again summer flowers. But after a long winter it’s a real delight to be able to go out and pick a few bunches of your own daffodils and tulips. And now is the time to be ordering and planting your cut flower bulbs for next year.
'Plant up a patch of bulbs purely for cutting and you’ll have a much wider choice of varieties for cutting than anything you could buy from the shops. For me, scented narcissi are a must. The fragrance is incredible and you’ll only need a few stems in a jar to scent a whole room. My must-have daffodil varieties include ‘Geranium’, ‘Winston Churchill’ and ‘Grand Soleil d’Or’.
'Tulips come in so many stunning colours and forms, not just the single coloured goblets you’ll find in the supermarket. Conjure up arrangements inspired by Dutch Masters’ paintings with flamboyant Parrot tulips like ‘Rococo’ and plant double flowered varieties such as ‘Angelique’ with it peony-like blooms for dreamily romantic displays. For me, the discovery of scented tulips has been a bit of a revelation – the cream-flowered ‘Verona’ and ‘Ballerina’ with its vibrant red/orange petals and orange jelly scent are my own favourites.
'Think small too. Grape hyacinths and dwarf narcissi such as ‘Tête-à-Tête’ might produce flowers no more than 20cm tall but they look incredibly pretty in small glass jars and are perfect for edging your cut flower beds where they take up very little space.'
Louise Curley is the author of The Cut Flower Patch, published by Frances Lincoln.
Louise Curley, author of The Cut Flower Patch, shares this month’s planting diary.
'There are bountiful harvests of blooms at the moment and my home is chocked full of vases but it’s hard to ignore the sense that autumn is not far away. As this year’s cut flower patch slowly fades it’s time to start thinking of next year. There’s a short window of opportunity to have bigger, stronger plants which will be more floriferous next year. By sowing certain hardy annuals now they will germinate and form small plants which are able to withstand the winter weather. Then, when the ground warms up next spring, they will romp away. Don’t sow too early as they may be encouraged into flowering prematurely if we get a mild autumn but likewise don’t sow too late as they won’t form large enough plants to cope with winter. The optimum time is mid-August to mid September.
'You could sow direct into a dedicated patch of ground, moving plants in spring to their final planting place or you could sow into pots and overwinter in a greenhouse or cold frame. The best plants for autumn sowing include cornflowers, larkspur, calendula, nigella, ammi and euphorbia oblongata. Autumn sown cornflowers and larkspur on my own flower patch can be a third taller than spring sown plants and produce flowers 3 to 4 weeks earlier.
'There are a few things to bear in mind if you fancy a spot of autumn sowing. If you grow them under protection you’ll need to keep an eye out for fungal problems such as botrytis, a grey fluffy mould that thrives in moist conditions and low light levels. Keep plants slightly on the dry side and ventilate your greenhouse or cold frames on milder autumn and winter days, but remember not to leave them open at night. If you’re growing them directly in the ground and winter turns out to be very cold your little plants will benefit from the protection of fleece or cloches. And, just because it’s winter it doesn’t mean you can forget about those pesky slugs. Check over your plants regularly and use organic slug pellets if necessary. It might seem like a bit of effort but when you’re picking your flowers next may it will all be worth it.'
Louise Curley is the author of The Cut Flower Patch, published by Frances Lincoln.
Flying boat on the water in Mortsund, Norway.
Photograph: Inntravel, the Slow holiday people
In our new competition, Inntravel is offering one lucky ready the chance to win this elegant memento box! It’s specially designed to keep your holiday postcards, photos, souvenirs and letters safe. And to make it totally personal, you can choose an original map to cover it.
Measuring 22.5cm x 11.5 cm x 5.5cm, this delightful keepsake by Bombus is handmade to order in birch wood ply.
Not only can you use it for your own holiday mementoes but you could also use it to hold the postcards, letters and notes you receive from loved ones abroad.
‘Like’ the Inntravel Facebook page and enter your details for a chance to win this exquisite prize. Remember the Moment with Inntravel, the Slow Holiday People.
Louise Curley, author of The Cut Flower Patch, shares this month’s planting diary.
'Mid-summer is the peak for any cut flower patch. July is all about maintaining your patch to get the most from your plants, to enjoy the fruits of your labour and to pick, pick, pick.
'Weeding, watering and deadheading might sound dull but there’s something really quite meditative about an hour or so pottering in amongst your flowers making everything look tidy and well-cared for. You’ll have the visual delight of the colourful tapestry of all of your flowers, the heady scent from sweet peas and the pleasure of seeing so many insects enjoying and sharing the plot too. So don’t see your time maintaining your plot as a chore but revel in the opportunity to be outdoors with bees buzzing and butterflies flying silently past.
'It’s easy for weeds to take over so keeping on top of them with a little regular hoeing is the best way for you and your flowers to not be overwhelmed. Get to weeds before they have a chance to flower and you’ll also prevent another generation of weeds springing up. Cut flower plants are much more tolerant of a dry spell than many vegetables but to keep your plants in tip-top shape, a watering once a week will be of benefit. A good soaking is much better than just a quick sprinkle every day or so. This is really just a waste of time as the water is not sufficient to penetrate the soil and much of it evaporates never actually making it to the plant.
'You won’t need to do too much deadheading if you’re picking flowers on a regular basis. But, if you go away for a holiday or there are flowers you didn’t get round to picking you’ll need to snip them off once they’ve gone over so that the plant doesn’t go to seed. Keep doing this over the summer and your plants will keep on blooming well into autumn.'
Trail of Aphrodite along the Akamas Peninsula in Cyprus. Photograph: Linda Lashford for Inntravel, the Slow holiday people
Discover the most beautiful rivers, lakes and waterfalls of Italy in Wild Swimming Italy.
The Wild Swimming series travels to Italy to explore freshwater lakes, rivers, waterfalls and hot springs.
• Dip in to the emerald-green plunge pools of Sicily and swim at river beaches in Campania • Discover the secret hot springs of Tuscany and amazing waterfalls of the Dolomiti • Explore the hidden shores of Lake Como and Garda
Perfect for family explorers or romantic adventurers, this stunning travel book combines beautiful photography with all the practical information you’ll need to get off the beaten track, including maps, directions, grid references and walk-in times. There are also recommendations for canoe trips, campsites and tavernas.
From the emerald streams of the Dolomites, to the azure colours of the Trentino lakes. From idyllic Tuscan hills with thermal pools to basalt gorges and valleys immersed in fragrant scrub, Wild Swimming Italy is a comprehensive guide to Italy’s wildest and most beautiful natural areas.
Fancy a fruity summer treat? Try our recipe for chocolate dipped strawberries - perfect for parties and picnics. Wimbledon fortnight is nearly upon us. The polite cheer of the crowd, the dull thud of ball against racket, and the wall-to-wall Pimms and strawberries make this British institution a true staple of summer. Ditch the cream and try something a little different this year, with a recipe for indulgent chocolate-dipped strawberries from Betty Twyford.
You will need: 450g strawberries 100g dark chocolate 100g milk chocolate 100g white chocolate
To make: Melt the chocolate by breaking it up into squares and placing each type of chocolate into separate bowls. Place the bowls into a neat little row at the back of the Aga (or place each bowl over a pan of boiling water) and leave there until melted. Rinse the strawberries and pat dry. Lay some bake-o-glide (silicone paper) onto a flat chopping board or tray. Leaving the stalks and leaves intact, dip the tips of the strawberries into chocolate and lay onto the bake-o-glide. Transfer to the fridge to cool. When set and cool, and you are ready to serve, put your strawberries into a serving dish and decorate with a sprig of mint. Want to get fancy? Double dip the strawberries to create whatever combinations you like. We particularly like a dark chocolate base and white tip.
Louise Curley, author of The Cut Flower Patch, shares this month’s planting diary.
'June is the month when I breathe a little sigh of relief. The seeds which I have nurtured into young plants over the last few months are all now planted into their final homes on my cut flower patch. The last of the half-hardy annuals have been planted out as the days and nights should hopefully be warm enough now for these tender plants. Cosmos, rudbeckias and dahlias will take a little longer to come into flower than the hardy annuals but they will provide buckets full of blooms throughout the summer and autumn.
'It’s a little odd after months of there being a sea of green my windowsills, greenhouses and cold frame are now empty. It would be easy to sit back and think that was the last of the seed sowing for the year but there’s a range of plants which can be sown now if you can muster up some more seed sowing energy. Miss this opportunity and you’ll miss out on some of the best cut flowers.
'Biennials tend to be a bit neglected but they are well worth the effort. Sow from now up until mid-July and they’ll make small plants this year which will sit in the ground over winter. Then, next spring they will shoot away providing cut flowers in late spring through to August. This makes them perfect for that difficult gap when spring bulbs have finished and your hardy annuals are yet to start flowering. Sweet williams and wallflowers are classic cottage garden flowers; both are fragrant and last well once picked. Other biennials to try are Iceland poppies, forget-me-nots, sweet rocket and honesty.'
Louise Curley is the author of The Cut Flower Patch, published by Frances Lincoln.
The perfect spot to reflect. A jetty at Aperlae, The Lycian Way, Turkey. Inntravel the Slow holiday people
We celebrate slowing down, enjoying what you have, making the most of where you live, enjoying the company of of friends and family, and feeding them well. We like to grow some of our own vegetables, visit local markets, rummage for vintage finds, and decorate our home with the plunder. We love being outdoors and enjoy the satisfaction that comes with a job well done.