Blog
Taking Time to Live Well
“Three times one.
What is it? (Three!)
Yeah, that’s a magic number”
DJ: Frances Ambler
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Photography: Jonathan Cherry
Find your inner (and maybe even your outer) mermaid with our guide to living the life aquatic
In our August issue, we meet a ‘real, live’ mermaid (St Ives resident Laura Evans) and we were inspired to be a bit more mermaid ourselves.
Here are a few tips and tricks to help you be more mermaid in your everyday life.
Find familiarity with the sea
Start by investing in an almanac so you know when the tide times are. No point sitting, combing your hair on a rock if you’re going to be stranded there and have someone offer you a Cornetto when you start to look a bit hot. You need to be on a rock with the spray splashing around you so that you can dive off before any embarrassing Cornetto moments arise.
Sing sailors to their deaths
No, it’s not ‘nice’ but it must be done when one is a mermaid. And if you sound anything like us in the shower in the mornings you shouldn’t have any trouble luring folk to their deaths at the sound of your singing.
Build up an air of mystery
Because obviously, if you are a mermaid living on dry land, you are living an amazing, secret double life, so mystery should come easily to you. If it doesn’t, try staring off into the middle distance in a manner of someone hoping to see France from the Isle of Wight.
Have good hair
An egg wash will definitely give it shine, but a sprinkling of sand or the odd shell weaved into your locks will go even further towards creating the illusion of a sea-faring life.
Use waterproof make-up
Mascara is a particular giveaway of a landlubbing life, when it’s running down your cheeks leaving black rivulets behind it.
Feign misunderstanding of the ways of ‘normal’ folk
Look with curiosity upon life jackets. Ponder the umbrella with complete miscomprehension. And - a must - stare at shoes with a complete lack of understanding. If forced to walk, try to keep your ankles together or flail on the sand on your belly as if you’d never seen a leg in your life.
Be low key
Go for an ‘undone’ look, with hair down, make up (and clothes, to be honest) minimal, and keep a wild look in your eyes.
Take a mermaid name.
You could go pure seaside with Ariel or Coralia, or you could go a bit more mystical.
Have scallop shells for bra cups
But know when discomfort becomes too much and have something nice and non-wired to slip into when you get home and slide onto the sofa.
Eschew talcum powder at all costs
You’re meant to stay wet, you know? Defy the chafe!
Photography: Shutterstock
Take a seat, stare into the middle distance, and let your mind wander with purpose
We’re programmed to see daydreaming as something we shouldn’t do. Hands up if you were told off for ‘daydreaming’ in class at school… We thought so. But perhaps day dreaming is something that should be encouraged.
Obviously it’s not to be encouraged while driving a forklift truck or during an exam; there’s a time and a place for everything, isn’t there? But simply sitting with the purpose of doing nothing but allowing your mind to go on a journey can be a very useful exercise. Day dreaming has been shown to lower stress and anxiety, help you solve problems, increase your creativity and use parts of your brain that don’t often get any exercise.
Srini Pillay, author of Tinker, Dabble, doodle, Try says “What you want to aim for is called positive constructive daydreaming (PCD). These sessions of unfocusing can be spontaneous or planned, and they will ultimately make you feel more self-aware, more creative, and far less bored. When you engage in PCD, you give your focused attention a break and allow yourself to plan and rehearse what’s to come. In other words, if you allow yourself to constructively daydream, you are likely to realise things about the future that you would miss otherwise.”
Here’s how to really make the most of daydreaming.
Choose the right time
Putting a slot in your diary isn’t really in the spirit of the thing so don’t ‘plan’ to do it but maybe have a think about a few times in your week that might allow for it: the half hour between finishing work and picking the children up, last thing before bed instead of checking your emails or watching TV, the empty half hour while dinner is in the oven. Then when the moment arises you can seize it. A w ord of advice though - try to only daydream when you’re feeling happy and relaxed, otherwise a daydream can turn into a bit of a worry session.
Find the right location
Sitting in the window or lying on your bed are both good places to start but if you find home life just too busy to be able to daydream properly, take yourself off for a walk and find somewhere quiet to sit unobtrusively. A bench in a park or just a coffee alone in a cafe work well. Train journeys are great daydreaming spots, too.
Do something mindless
Unlike meditation, you don’t need to empty your mind or control it by bringing it back to a mantra or a place of relaxation. So doodle if it helps, knit, polish your cutlery - whatever feels low pressure and doesn’t require any real thought. If you prefer, you can do nothing at all but it’s not a must.
Pick a daydream topic
As we said, this isn’t about emptying your mind. Daydreaming is a chance to indulge your thoughts. Where are they taking you? Pick a fun place to start (dreaming about a trip or holiday, or what you’d do with a lottery win) and then just let your mind wander. A couple of good places to start are either dreaming back to the past and remembering a happy event you remember or dreaming into the future, thinking about things you hope to one day do.
Don’t be shy
Role play is a common way to daydream, but no one can see your daydreams, don’t forget. If you want to rescue 400 puppies from a burning building and then graciously receive an award for bravery presented by Princess Anne, that’s absolutely fine. Ditto Salman Rushdie presenting you with the Booker prize for a novel you’ve not yet written. One of the reasons why daydreaming is good for us is the positive effect of happy thoughts on our brains. Just try not to accept your Booker prize out loud or you’ll give yourself away.
Know what you want to achieve from your daydream
That might simply be a pleasant half hour spent staring at the clouds and daydreaming of nothing much at all, but you can also use daydreaming to more productive effect, such as plotting that Booker Prize winning novel, or planning how you might redecorate a room. Feel free to plot world domination if you like, but that’s probably not in the daydreaming spirit of the thing. Whatever your plans, have a pen and paper to hand so you can write down anything particularly brilliant.
If you’re choosing to daydream on a bench like the one above, you might like to first read our feature on why we love a bench in our August issue.
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Escape to nature with Unique hideaways.
Any time spent in nature, is always time well spent. From walking amongst green pastures to a wild swim at a secret cove, however we choose to immerse ourselves into our natural surroundings, can do a world of good to our mental and physical wellbeing.
Unique hideaways gives you the chance to escape to nature throughout the year, all while staying in a little bit of luxury. During a stay, you can feel yourself becoming more aware of your natural surroundings. Your senses become more attuned to how the world changes throughout the day, and we start to appreciate the smaller things in life. Like the glow from the fire on a cool winter’s eve or the sound of the waves slowly making their way to shore, as you sip your morning coffee on a sweet summer’s day.
Each hideaway has its own unique character just waiting to capture your heart. From glamping in a shepherd’s hut in Somerset where you wake to the dawn chorus, to staying in a cliff top cabin in Cornwall where you end your day relaxing in the hot tub and admiring how the sky has transformed into a pastel palette of summer hues.
Unique hideaways offers a collection of one-of-a-kind places to stay in hidden corners across the UK. From a houseboat docked in a private quay to a bijou bolthole with countryside views, if it takes those on a journey to a place unknown to most, you can guarantee it’s in their portfolio of hidden havens. Take a look at their inspirations page and start planning your next adventure to nature’s paradise.
Photography: Emma Croman. Recipe: Lousie Gorrod
These coffee and chocolate cornets have a real kick; because ice cream’s not just for children
Serves 4-6
300ml double cream
175g sweetened condensed milk
4 tbsp instant espresso powder
4 tbsp coffee liqueur
100g dark chocolate, roughly chopped
6 Waffle cones
1 Using an electric mixer, beat the cream in a large bowl until soft peaks form. Add the condensed milk gradually, while beating, followed by the espresso powder and liqueur. Next, add the chocolate and continue beating until you have a light and fluffy mixture.
2 Pour the mixture into a container suitable for the freezer, cover with a lid or foil, and freeze for approx 6 hours or overnight. When ready to make the cones, take the ice cream out of the freezer and leave to soften for 10 mins before filling each cone with a scoop or two of ice cream. Topping optional but you’d be mad not to want a cherry on top.
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Photography: Carmel King
In our August issue, Pete and Emily Francis showed us around their houseboat and had us all hankering after a life on the ocean wave (or at least a life on the canal). To tempt you to the same, we’ve put together a watertight list of reasons why living on a houseboat is the best way to live.
You never need to declutter. If the item wasn’t essential in the first place, you’d never have brought it on board.
Whenever you’re sick of the view, you can change it.
It’s very hard to have accidents because every surface has a ledge on it. No more broken mugs.
You never have to shout up the stairs when it’s dinner time. Your family will simply see you put dinner on the table from six inches away.
If you fall out with your neighbours you can move house the same day.
You’ll never have trouble falling asleep; you’ll be rocked to the land of nod every night.
And it’s never far to walk to the loo in the middle of the night either.
You’ll save a fortune on ‘calming water sounds’ apps for your wellbeing.
You can legitimately call yourself ‘captain’. And if you make a friend in the boating community you can promote yourself to admiral of the fleet.
And if you ever suffer from dissent in the ranks you can make your family walk the plank.
If you need any more (sensible) reasons to live on a houseboat, you can read about Peter and Emily’s lives aboard the Navah on page 88 of the August issue or follow them on Instagram at @littlefloatinghome.
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The weird and wonderful stories behind stones with holes in
There’s all kinds of treasure to be found at the seaside, from pretty shells and mermaids’ purses, to sea glass and pebbles. But there’s a particular joy in finding a stone with a hole in and holding it up to spy the sea through.
Hag stones, as they are properly called, have been enchanting the folk of Britain for centuries, often literally. They’ve often been believed to have magical properties and to be able to mysteriously ward off witches and other ne’er-do-wells.
It’s all in the hole, you see. The theory goes that only good things can pass through a hole, so while good fortune and good wishes will find you through a hag stone, bad luck and evil thoughts are too big to be able to pass through the hole and become stuck in the middle. This belief may be bolstered by the centuries old belief that magic cannot work on moving water. So, since the hole in a hag stone was created by moving water, it works as a sort of ‘shield’ against spells and the like.
If you visit the coast soon, keep your eye out for a hag stone of your own.* And when you’ve found one, take it home as protection. Here are a few uses for the hag stone in your life.
Hang it above your front door or over a window to keep evil spirits out.
If you’re a sailor, tie one with rope to your ship to prevent witches clinging to your vessel, and to swing in the wind to help break up storm clouds.
Wear it around your neck on a string to ensure good health and to heal any minor ills.
Nail one above the door of your barn to stop witches souring your herd’s milk or taking your horses for a gallop in the night.
Attach a hag stone to your bedpost to keep bad dreams away.
Tie one to your keys so they will never be lost again.
Use them to help you conceive a baby. (We’re not quite clear on exactly how this is done. Perhaps just have one about your person…)
Enter Fairyland through it (apparently the hole is a portal). Again, we’re unsure about how to do this, but it can’t hurt to just have a peer at Fairyland through the hole.
*Only ever take one at a time though, and only for yourself. The stones are said to find you; you don’t find the stones. And they only work for the person they found. Plus, you’re not really meant to remove things from Britain’s beaches, but we think the very occasional hag stone is probably ok.
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Photography: Jonathan Cherry
We’ve decided we’re making sides the main event. Nobody puts coleslaw in the corner!
Now. There’s plenty good about a potato salad and a bowl of greenery. But it’s fun to ring the changes occasionally. Here are a couple of new twists on classic BBQ sides to fire up your patio this summer. They’re part of our ‘School’s Out’ feature in our August issue, a dinner-through-to-breakfast menu for a back garden camp out.
This broad bean guacamole and kohlrabi slaw will go well with barbecued meats, fish or cheese and are full of fresh, summery flavours. And, frankly, they’re so good, we’d eat them on their own with a bit of good bread for a garden lunch, too.
Serves 4
240g podded broad beans
Glug of extra virgin olive oil
Handful of fresh coriander (both stalks and leaves), roughly chopped
Zest and juice of 1 unwaxed lime
Pinch of sea salt
½ tsp nigella seeds
1 In a pan of boiling water, blanch the beans for 2-3 mins. Drain and refresh under cold water.
2 Add the beans and the rest of the ingredients, apart from the nigella seeds, to a food processor (or large bowl if using a stick blender). Blitz together until smooth. Transfer the guacamole to a serving dish and sprinkle with nigella seeds.
Serves 6
1 kohlrabi, peeled and grated
½ white cabbage, shredded
2 carrots, peeled and finely julienned
Handful of radishes, thinly sliced
Handful of fresh coriander (both stalks and leaves), finely chopped
3 heaped tbsp mayonnaise
2 tbsp cider vinegar
1 tsp honey
1 In a large bowl, toss together the kohlrabi, cabbage, carrot, radishes and most of the coriander.
2 Combine the dressing ingredients and add to the veg. Toss thoroughly until fully coated, then garnish with the remaining coriander.
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Photography: @rachelbraggphotography
With summer in full swing, a Blackdown Shepherd Hut provides the ideal getaway to make lasting memories, whether glamping or at the bottom of your garden
August, it’s when most of us tend to make a little extra time to enjoy the best that summer has to offer – sunny days that stretch late into warm evenings, dining al fresco and an opportunity to gather good friends and family to both catch up and make future, long-lasting memories.
After the most unusual of years, exotic travel is still a while off, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create that holiday feeling, especially with the escapism that a Blackdown Shepherd Hut provides – be it in your garden or a rented hut at one of many glamping locations throughout the UK. See shepherdhutbreaks.co.uk for inspiration.
Even if this year’s summer holiday destination is not much further than the bottom of the garden, there are still plenty of ways to switch off, relax and take a break from life’s daily challenges. After all, a change is as good as a rest.
Lovingly crafted, a Blackdown Shepherd Hut offers a bespoke space for you to enjoy time with your loved ones. Picture a cosy hut around which to idle away the hours, with a wood-fired hot tub or a swinging day bed to stretch out on and catch up on that essential summertime reading. As the sun dips, get a fire pit going and gather around to keep the festivities rolling late into the night. For inspiration, visit Blackdown’s display garden in Ilminster, Somerset, where you’ll see its own fire pit, expertly crafted by Fire Pits UK. It’s the ideal opportunity to huddle in a little closer, share stories and good times and to toast marshmallows for a delicious evening sugar kick.
One thing’s for sure, a Blackdown Shepherd Hut is built to stand the test of time – as will the memories made spent enjoying these beautiful spaces.
Planning your own shepherd hut shindig? Here are a few ideas to create a memorable get-together
1 Bring out the blankets
Each Blackdown Shepherd Hut is cleverly designed to make use of every inch of space, so you’ll have plenty of storage for additional blankets and cushions. Great for cosying up as the evening temperature cools a little.
2 Don’t worry about the weather
Whether it’s an awning off the side of a Blackdown Retreat Hut, or a Blackdown handcrafted Oak Canopy, there’s a solution to the great British weather. With options including Blackdown’s Oak Canopy Swinging Day Bed, there’s also a comfy spot to relax, come rain or shine.
3 Pretty up your space
Collect a couple of blooms from the garden or some excess foliage and display in small vases, jars or even milk bottles. It’s a simple touch, but one that’s sure to delight your guests.
4 Savour the veggies
Colourful and caramelised on the grill, veggie kebabs will suit all tastes, either as a tasty main or a sensational side. And even if the heavens open, there’s always the hob in your shepherd hut to whip up a last-minute plan B.
5 Sweet like candy
A retro-style pick ‘n mix will go down a storm, as will ice cream or summer fruits. Simply grab a stack of bowls, serve up and satisfy that sweet tooth.
6 It’s cheesy, but… It’s a classic
For those who prefer something a little more savoury, serve up a cheese board with plenty of crackers, chutneys and grapes, all guaranteed to delight your guests.
For more information and inspiration, visit blackdownshepherdhuts.co.uk or follow on Instagram: @blackdownshepherdhuts.
Photography: Kirstie Young Styling: Lottie Storey
Whether you’re going to San Francisco or not, now is the time of year to be wearing flowers in your hair for sure.
This easy make is just one of the ideas for things to do with Jasmine from our July Heart, Body and Soul feature. Once you’ve crowned yourself Queen of Summer, you might like to whip up the jasmine body butter and even use the flowers in some cookery to make jasmine tea and honey chicken or tofu skewers, or the dark chocolate and orange tart with jasmine cream.
But first things first; let’s get that garland made.
Tendrils of jasmine, with their star shaped flowers, lend themselves for use in a garland that you can wear in your hair or hang on your wall.
You will need:
Several strands of flowering jasmine
Scissors or secateurs
Floral wire
1 Snip off any broken leaves or petals from your jasmine strands.
2 Find your most robust strand and wrap it around the crown of your head to get a rough size for your garland. Take it off your head and wrap some wire around the ends
to secure.
3 With the remaining strands, continue to wrap the garland in both directions covering up or tucking in the ends of the strands where you can, using a small twist of wire to fasten. Keep going until you have a garland that pleases you!
Maker’s note: The circle can be whatever size you like, but for a garland to wear it will need to be around 25cm diameter or go large for a jasmine wreath to hang on the wall.
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Fire up the barbie and get your taste buds tingling thanks to Coombe Farm Organic’s great range of award-winning meats
Those sounds and smells that signify it’s summer – the distant shrieks of laughter, the hum of lawns being mowed and the unmistakable smokiness of barbecues being fired up.
When it comes to organising a barbecue, the team at Coombe Farm Organic have it covered thanks to its award-winning, Soil Association-certified meat. With grass-fed beef and lamb and free-range outdoor pork, Somerset-based Coombe Farm Organic also partners with other Soil Association-certified farmers to produce a wider range of organic meats, including free-range chicken and duck from the Blackdown Hills and Sharpham Park venison.
The Soil Association stamp ensures that animal welfare is a top priority, as well as encouraging biodiversity across the land. Coombe Farm Organic’s field-to-fork philosophy – managing the supply chain from start to finish – also means that its customers can have complete confidence in what they’re eating.
Customers can purchase individual products or choose from a selection of meat boxes that have been thoughtfully created to cover a range of needs and all are delivered nationwide the following day. Included in the selection is the Organic Steak box, the Organic Everyday box and the Monthly Organic Meat box, with cuts suited to each season. The Large Organic Barbecue box features a selection of ribs, chicken cuts, kebab meat and classic sausages and burgers, along with rolls, and organic ketchup and mustard. So, with the food sorted, all you need do is keep an eye on the weather and get that grill going.
Coombe Farm Organic is giving away a Large Organic Barbecue box, worth £94.40 each, to four lucky readers. Enter by clicking the button below and answering the question before the closing date of 8 September 2021.
Four winners will be selected at random from all correct entries received and notified soon after. The winners cannot transfer the prize or swap it for cash. You’ll find our full terms and conditions on p.127 and online at icebergpress.co.uk/comprules.
For more information and to see the full range, visit coombefarmorganic.co.uk
Photography: Jeroen Van Der Spek
A quick and easy dip to bring a bit of Syrian sunshine and spice to your garden gathering
Summer is definitely a good time for cold dips and a bit of gentle spice. So let us introduce you to the unctuous, nutty, slightly spicy, Muhammara. The recipe is from our feature Food, Family, Friends, in which Anas Atassi introduces us to the food, culture and community of his native Syria.
Muhammara is a really easy recipe to put together and is great mixed with houmous, or on its own, with flatbreads, raw veg and whatever you like to dip into it. Best served alongside cold drinks in the garden.
Serves 4
150g roasted red peppers from a jar
1 tsp red pepper paste
1 hot red chilli pepper
75g walnuts
50g flatbread or breadcrumbs
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp pomegranate molasses
Juice of 1/2 lemon
To serve:
Extra-virgin olive oil
Pomegranate molasses
Small handful flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
Small handful of walnuts,
roughly chopped
In a food processor, pulse all the ingredients for about 2 mins. It should be thick and keep some texture from the walnuts. Drizzle with oil and pomegranate molasses. Garnish with chopped parsley and walnuts.
Taken from Sumac: Recipes and Stories from Syria, by Anas Atassi (Murdoch Books)
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Photograph: Getty
When the temperature rises, there are plenty of places to enjoy the cool
It’s lovely to see the sunshine out but if you’re in need of a little relief from it, seek out the shade, the cool and the dark. Cold places that you might wrap up in during winter (or simply avoid), in summer become welcome retreats to relish. Here are a few places to enjoy the cool on hot days.
Churches
If the heat gives you the urge to throw yourself down on the nearest cold stone floor, get thee to the nearest church where being prostate is less likely to be frowned upon. Churches and cathedrals with cloisters, crypts and catacombs will win you extra cool points. But, not only do they provide a refreshingly cool environment, churches can be a quiet and soothing place to sit and think, as well as an opportunity to appreciate some of the most beautiful art and architecture on public display.
Caves
In the hot weather, it’s easy to understand why Bilbo Baggins was so reluctant to leave his hobbit hole. There’s a cave for every kind of troglodyte, whether you prefer your cavities natural or manmade, inland or on the seashore. Their temperatures of around 8 to 10C provide the necessity – nay giddy pleasure – of being able to pull on a pullover. Seek them out in the gardens of stately homes - a much cooler place to lounge than a chaise longue.
High places
If you want to catch a breeze, head to the top of a hill or – even better – the top of a tall tower on a tall hill. It doesn’t need to mean a hike up a mountain though - just an area that is slightly higher than average. According to the Met Office, temperatures fall by around 5 to 10C for every 1000 metres you go up, making somewhere like the Cotswolds, for example, significantly cooler than the nearby Severn Valley.
Someone else’s air con
Precious objects and manuscripts require carefully controlled temperatures, so galleries and museums also make for cultured and cool visitors. A well-timed trip to the cinema allows you the ultimate indulgence of a couple of hours in a properly cool room. You could even order an indecently icy slush drink and experience the thrill of added brain freeze. For the ultimate quick fix, take a trip to the supermarket. Skip straight to the chilled food aisle and devote some serious time to debating the merits of petit pois versus garden peas. The M&S picnic section is also a great place for the overheated to linger – although you’re likely to leave weighed down with fancy stuffed olives and the like, considerably lighter of purse.
Woods and forests
For sun that twinkles, rather than blazes, seek out the sanctuary of a secluded forest. Wooded areas create their own microclimates that make them particularly enticing in hotter weather. The natural filter of the leaves and branches make them seem cooler. They’re also less windy, as the trees act as a natural windbreak, making for ideal picnic conditions: just take a look at Manet’s 1860s painting Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe for inspiration (stripping off optional).
These ideas for cool places to spend hot days in were originally published in issue 38 of The Simple Things. For more ideas on places to stay cool this summer, don’t miss our feature on rivers, waterways and lakes in our current July issue, in shops now, or available from our online store.
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With a bold new look Maldon salt continues to bring out the best in your cooking
What makes a truly delicious dish? Often, it’s that final twist – or pinch – of seasoning that really helps to bring flavours alive. For four generations, Maldon Salt has been handharvesting its famous pyramid-shaped salt flakes using the same, time-honoured techniques.
Based in the coastal town of Maldon, Essex, the Osborne family continue to produce a globally-recognised brand, loved by chefs and home cooks the world over. Used to enhance all manner of dishes, from savoury to sweet (see our tasty recipe below for Blackcurrant ripple ice cream) Maldon Salt continues to go from strength to strength. And, as it approaches it 140th anniversary, this family-run business is marking the occasion with a striking new look for its packaging, designed to look as good in your kitchen as it tastes in your food. Ideal to keep next to the cooker or on the table for fantastic flavour at your fingertips.
Serves 8
200g blackcurrants
2 tbsp sugar
Juice of ½ lemon
230g double cream
450g ricotta
800g condensed milk
2 tsp vanilla bean paste
Pinch of Maldon Salt
1 Start by making the blackcurrant ripple. Put the blackcurrants, sugar and lemon juice in a small saucepan over a medium heat and allow to simmer for around 10 mins, or until it thickens and resembles jam. Tip the mixture into a bowl and place in the fridge to cool.
2 Meanwhile, to make the ice cream base, add the double cream to a large bowl and, using an electric or hand whisk, beat it until it forms stiff peaks. In a separate bowl, whisk together the ricotta, condensed milk and vanilla bean paste, along with a good pinch of Maldon Salt, then fold the double cream into the ricotta mix until smooth. Transfer to a freezer-safe container and place in the freezer.
3 After about 30 mins, remove the ice cream from the freezer and dollop some of the blackcurrant coulis across the top of it, then use a knife to ripple it through the ice cream. Return to the freezer and freeze overnight. Any leftover blackcurrant coulis can be drizzled over the ice cream just before serving. Cook’s note: If you don’t have fresh blackcurrants, frozen work just as well, although you may need to simmer the mixture for a little longer to thicken it. Try experimenting with other seasonal berries throughout the year, too.
Photography: Getty
A few fascinating facts about one of our favourite all-female bands
Bananarama’s first demo tape was in Swahili, a cover of Black Blood’s Aie A Mwana.
The name ‘Bananarama’ was inspired by the Roxy Music song Pyjamarama - and bananas, because they felt they were exotic.
The first flat Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward shared was above the Sex Pistols’ rehearsal rooms in Denmark Street, London. The walls were covered in Johnny Rotten’s murals of Sid and Nancy, so Sara and Keren added their own names to the image, too.
When Jacquie O’Sullivan replaced Siobhan Fahey, she rerecorded her vocals on I Want You Back and Nathan Jones.
Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward have been friends since they were four and growing up together in Bristol.
After finding fame fast, they now admit they kitted out their first flats stealing sheets and towels from hotel rooms while they were touring.
Keren Woodward is a classically trained pianist.
And finally, a Simple Things/Banarama fun fact: Siobhan Fahey’s sister, Maire, was the editor of Prima magazine, a title also once held by TST editor Lisa Sykes. See we’re much less than six degrees of Kevin Bacon away from our eighties idols?!
We were inspired to find out more about Bananarama after reading the Looking Back feature on girl bands in our July issue. The issue also has a rather wonderful girl bands playlist in it, too, which we thoroughly recommend.
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Photography, recipe and styling by Catherine Frawley
The unmistakable flavour of matcha is tempered by the rich chocolate and feather light sponge
This modern take on a traditional Swiss Roll is full of fresh Asian flavours (and sticky chocolate), ideal for a summery tea party in the garden or to round off a Japanese feast. It’s the finale to our Sunshine Sushi menu in our July issue, which is on sale now.
Serves 8
3 large eggs
75g caster sugar
75g plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
20g matcha powder, extra to garnish
For the filling:
75g dark chocolate (min 70% cocoa)
100g butter, room temperature 150g icing sugar
To make:
1 Pre heat the oven to 200C/Fan 180C/Gas 6. Line a Swiss roll tin or baking tray with baking paper, leaving some overhang and have another piece of baking paper ready for rolling.
2 Add the eggs and sugar to a stand mixer and whisk on medium speed for 8 min (or whisk by hand) – the result should be light and airy and doubled in volume.
3 In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and matcha powder, then fold gently into the eggs and sugar.
4 Pour into the baking tray and cook for 8-10 mins. Remove from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack (you should be able to lift the sponge out via the baking paper). Remove the baking paper from the sponge and transfer to the fresh piece. At the short end of the sponge, score a line with a sharp knife about 4cm from the bottom being careful not to cut all the way through. Using the baking paper, roll the sponge up into the Swiss roll shape. It’s important this is done whilst the sponge is still warm to prevent it from cracking or refusing to roll. Set aside to cool completely.
5 Meanwhile, make the filling by melting the chocolate in a bain-marie. Beat the butter and sugar until smooth, then fold in the chocolate.
6 Once the sponge is cool, unroll carefully, removing the baking paper, then cover one side in filling using a palette knife. Roll the sponge up again, transfer to a serving plate and dust with matcha powder to serve.
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Image courtesy of Hinterlandes, Canopy and Stars
Gather round the foldy-up table and join us for some fun and games for small spaces
If you’re heading off camping this summer you’re probably planning a few games around the campfire. There’s nothing like staring into the flames over a hand of cards with a steaming mug of tea (or a whisky) by your side.
But the reality of British weather means you need a back up plan, too, and we’re all about embracing the back-up plan. While basking in the great outdoors, under the stars on a warm night is a wonderful thing, we love just as much the cosiness of playing a game, crammed happily around a tiny table with hot drinks on the Primus and rain battering the roof (or canvas) over your head.
Camping accommodation wasn’t built for large board games with many pieces. So here’s our round-up of games for small spaces that require few props, or nothing at all, and won’t end with someone’s tea being spilt during a particularly riotous round of charades.
Monopoly Deal
Monopoly without the board and, better still, without the commitment of hours! This tiny travel version of the classic board game can be played in around 15 minutes.. Buy Monopoly Deal.
Mini Jenga.
As much fun as the giant, building and balancing game, but fits easily into your rucksack and can be played on the teeniest of caravan furniture or on a fold-up camping table. Buy Mini Jenga.
Wink Murder
An oldie but a goodie. Take as many sheets of paper as you have players. Write ‘potential victim’ on all but one. Write ‘murderer’ on the last one. Chat, eat, drink and go about your business as usual. The murderer must secretly wink at others to ‘murder’ them without being spotted. If you are winked at you must silently count to five then enact a grisly ‘death’. If you think you have spotted the murderer you may accuse them by ordering them to turn over their card.
Balderdash
All you need is a pen and paper for this. A dictionary is useful but you can also look up ‘Balderdash free words list’ on your phone to get you started. Take it in turns to choose an unusual word and secretly write down the definition. The other players make up their own plausible definitions. The person who picked the word then reads out all the definitions including the real one and everyone votes on which they think is the real word. Players score points for every person who votes for their ‘definition’. You get a point if you guess correctly, too.
Bulls and Cows
For the mathematically inclined… One player writes down a secret 4-digit number. The other players take it in turns to guess it. Player one tells them how many they got right or wrong and how many were in their correct position. (Clue: it pays to write down each guess and how many were correct or incorrect and how many were in the right positions). By process of elimination someone will eventually work out the correct number. Good for anyone who has ever felt the pain of forgetting the combination to the padlock on the shed. And no, we’ve no idea why it’s called bulls and cows either.
Bananagrams
This is basically Scrabble but faster and with no board. Even more fun when camping and you have no access to a dictionary for anyone to check if you’re cheating or not. Buy Bananagrams.
Find me on a Map
OK, we’ll admit we just made this one up but it’s great for when you’re in an area you don’t know well and want to know better. Get out the OS map. One person chooses a square and everyone takes it in turns to ask a question. Is there a church in your square? Is it close to water? Is it on a fold? You get the picture. The first person to get it goes first. Bonus points if you choose somewhere with a rude place name in.
Ultimate Werewolf
Our favourite game of the moment, again in a very compact little cards-sized box. You need at least five players and are all given roles - as seers, witches, werewolves and more and you have to work out who the werewolf is amongst you. There’s an excellent app to make it more atmospheric but you can just play it with one of you as the ‘moderator’. Lots of fun and excellent for nights when there’s a storm howling outside your campervan. Buy Ultimate Werewolf.
The After Eight Game
You will need a box of After Eights. Everyone sits around a table, tips their head back and places and After Eight on their forehead. The aim of the game is to move the After Eight down your face towards your mouth using only your facial muscles and gravity (no hands), and then eat it. Delightfully silly and immature and lots of fun.
Pub Cricket
This is one for the way home in the car. You can play in teams or as individuals. Team one or person one goes in to bat. Every time you pass a pub you get a run for each leg in the name of the pub, so The Dog and Duck scores 6 (4 for the dog’s legs and 2 for the duck’s). The Coach and Horses would be 8, though you could probably argue for more horses based on the painting on the sign. You keep batting as long as every pub you pass has legs in. If you score no points (The King’s Arms, The Crown etc) you head back to the pavilion and someone else goes in to bat. You keep your score as it is for your next turn in to bat.
If you’re inspired by the idea of living a campervan life, don’t miss the feature in our July issue about people who’ve adopted the campervan lifestyle in a more permanent way.
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This spring, Millican is offering three lucky oh readers a chance to win a companion for their everyday adventures. First prize will be a Millican Smith Roll Pack 15L (with pockets), worth £125, and the two runners-up will receive a Millican Core Roll Pack 20L, worth £80.
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Illustration: John Tenniel/Alamy
Get to know one of Wonderland’s most loved characters a little better
With midsummer upon us, and London’s V&A Museum’s Curiouser and Curiouser exhibition newly opened, we took some time in our July issue to consider a few life lessons from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
There’s sage advice in there for everyone, from always eating the cake, to not boring people about your cat, to (of course) staying curious.
In that spirit of curiosity, we decided to do a little digging into lesser-known aspects of Wonderland. So here, for your curiosity, is an introduction to the Real Mad Hatter.
Of course, the first thing to know is that Lewis Carroll never described him as the ‘Mad’ Hatter at all, only ‘Hatter’. But who was this mysterious millinered man?
Well, he was probably a chap called Theophilius Carter, who was also not a hatter but a purveyor of furniture with a shop at 48-49 High Street, Oxford and had possibly been at the same Oxford college as Carroll at the same time.
He was known as a local oddball who used to stand around outside his shop wearing a top hat at a rather rakish angle on the back of his head, and looking generally a bit unusual. It’s been asserted that John Tenniel, who illustrated the original Alice book, came to Oxford for the purpose of drawing him from life without his knowledge, though there’s no record of this being the case. Apparently, Tenniel’s illustrations are an uncanny likeness, however, of his rather obvious chin and juglandaceous face
Whether he was mad or not, is unclear but he was certainly an eccentric and also invented the ‘alarm clock bed’, a hare-brained contraption that would wake the sleeper by dropping him into a bath of cold water. Now, that would have successfully roused that sleeping dormouse. The alarm clock bed was shown at The Great Exhibition of 1851, apparently.
And, should you be interested in the answer to the Hatter’s riddle to Alice: “Why is a raven like a writing desk?“, the answer is that it isn’t; Carroll intended it as a bit of meaningless nonsense. However, several people have since suggested that the answer might be “Because Edgar Allen Poe wrote on both”. So now you know.
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.
