How To | Have a Secret Day Off

A day off just to yourself is the best secret. Disappear for a day, Agatha Christie style, and recharge your batteries. Here’s how…

Book a day off, pack up a lunch, turn off your phone, and disappear somewhere nobody knows you! (It’s a good plan to leave a secret envelope and alert a loved one to your vanishing just in case but otherwise, jump on a bus or train and enjoy nobody knowing where you are for a few hours. 

Before you book trains or make plans though, decide what you want from the day. We’ve come up with a few ideas to get you going. 

In need of a bit of culture?

Head to a city with a gallery or museum you’ve never been to. If you’re in the north, Edinburgh, Oxford, York and Glasgow are good options for cities with galleries and plenty of culture. Brighton, Bristol and St Ives are good if you’re a touch further south, 

For a quirky museum, try the dog collar museum in Leeds, the pencil museum in Keswick, or the Flea Collection (viewable only through a microscope)at Tring Natural History Museum. 

In search of adventure?

Climb a hill! Pen Y Fan in the Brecon Beacons is a nice easy hill to climb if you’re a beginner. Yes Tor in Dartmoor or Cat Bells in the Lake District are also good choices for a ‘do in a day’ mountain hike. Just pack plenty of water, snacks, warm and waterproof layers and maps. And this is one to disclose to a loved one, maybe. You don’t want Mountain Rescue being called out for nothing. 

Fancy lunch alone?

Pop a good book in your bag, do some menu perusing and find an eatery where you can relax alone over several courses, not feel silly and - crucially - not have to make pointless small talk. Here are a few ideas that are perfect for a date with me, myself and I:

Asian restaurants where the kitchen is on view give you plenty to look at without feeling silly for being alone. From Wagamamas to Shoryu Ramen, Japanese street food was made for eating alone. If you don’t fancy watching the chefs at work, why not go for a restaurant with a view. Anywhere on the water is a good bet - there the scenery is always changing. We like Hix Oyster and Fish House at Lyme Regis, or the River Exe Cafe in Devon, but you might find the most humble of pizzerias or cafes on the banks of a river anywhere. 

Do a secret event 

It might be a non-league football match (or even a big league team you’ve followed). Or how about seeing a favourite band in concert, a premier for a film or exhibition or the recording of a TV show you love? Or even the opening of the Chelsea Flower Show? Whatever it is you fancy doing, do your research and then book your day off around it. Bonus points if you appear on the big screen in your sunglasses and hat disguise!

Hide in nature for a day

Drive or take a train to a wood or planned walk with amazing views. Visit a beach with great sunsets with a Thermos of soup. Or simply find a path through fields that will allow you a pleasant walk, plenty of fresh air and lots of peace and birdsong. Try The ORdnance Survey’s Get Outside app https://getoutside.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/app/ for more ideas and to plan a walk. 

Looking for nostalgia?

Why not visit somewhere you’ve been before? It might be your home town if you’ve since moved away (and can rely on your playgroup teacher not spotting you and squeezing your cheeks) or it could be the location of a childhood holiday or a first holiday with a new partner. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of turning each corner and saying to yourself “Oh! That’s just how I remember it!”

Feeling spontaneous?

There’s lots of fun to be had in simply sticking a pin in a map or a train route planner and Just Going. You could make it fun by picking a page number of the A-Z and just going there, or deciding to visit somewhere with a rude name, or a castle or a beach that you’ve never been to. The best part is never telling anyone you went there. 

We were inspired to plan a Secret Day Off by our feature How Hard Can It Be to take a Secret Day Off in our September issue.  Buy this month's The Simple Things - buy, download or subscribe

More from our September issue…

More outings to get excited about…

Recipe | Tomato Focaccia

Almost as much joy to bake as it is to eat. Use cherry tomatoes to get juicy little planets of blistered and sweet tomatoes in the surface of the bread, some sinking into the doughy dimples, and some not.

Makes 1 focaccia

330ml lukewarm water
7g fast-action dried yeast
500g strong white bread flour
6 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for greasing
1 tsp salt
200g cherry tomatoes, some halved, some not
8 sage leaves or 3 rosemary sprigs, torn
Generous ½ tsp flaky sea salt

1 Stir together the water and yeast and leave it to sit for 5-10 mins, or until it becomes foamy.

2 When it’s ready, tip the flour into a large mixing bowl and add the yeast mixture, mixing vigorously, either by hand or using the dough hook on a kitchen mixer for a minute or so, then add 2 tbsp of the olive oil and the salt. Continue mixing for a further 10 mins, or until the dough becomes less sticky, smoother and more cohesive.

3 Brush a bowl with olive oil and tip in the dough. Cover and leave the dough to rise in a warm place for about 1-1½ hrs, until it has nearly doubled in size.

4 Once proved, brush a deep-sided baking pan with a little olive oil, then tip the risen dough into the pan. Pull the dough towards the edges of the pan and use your fingertips to dimple it in places, keeping some spots still nicely aerated. Add about 1 tbsp more of olive oil over the surface of the dough, cover and leave to prove once more for about another 20 mins.

5 Preheat the oven to 230C/Fan 210C/Gas 8. Add the cherry tomatoes to the dough, squeezing some deep into pockets and leaving others protruding out a little more. Do the same with the sage leaves or torn rosemary sprigs, then sprinkle over the flaky sea salt.

6 Bake the dough in the very hot oven for about 25 mins, or until the crust is golden brown and puffed around edges.

7 Once baked, remove the focaccia from the oven and immediately drench it with the remaining olive oil, then allow it to cool for at least 10-15 mins before slicing.The loaf should sound hollow when it is tapped on the underside.

Taken from Tomato by Claire Thomson (Quadrille) Photography: Sam Folan

Find more tomato recipes from the book above in our September issue, including Tomato Carpaccio with Tapenade, Roasted Tomato Falafels with Tomato Yogurt and a Borscht.

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More from our September issue…

More tomato recipes for late summer suppers…

Book Group | To The River

To The River by Olivia Laing

Share with your book group, read alone and join us virtually on The Simple Things sofa, or simply find a bit of inspiration.

In To The River Olivia Laing follows the River Ouse, where Virgina Woolf drowned herself 63 years ago, from its source to the sea one summer’s day. As we follow her, we reflect not just on this one river and its literary connections, but also on the role that rivers play in fiction, mythology and more. A lyrically beautiful non-fiction read.

Questions to ponder
How does history weave its way into landscapes that you know? In what ways are rivers a metaphor for creativity?

Further reading
In A Sleepwalk on the Severn, a play for voices, poet Alice Oswald describes walks along the Severn

Find our book group every month on our Almanac pages where you can also read about seasonal things to note and notice, plan and do each month.

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More from our September issue…

More literary things to amuse book lovers…

Competition | Win a pair of Mosey shoes from KEEN

Driven by a passion to make the outside and trades accessible for all, KEEN is a values-led, family-owned footwear brand from Portland, Oregon committed to creating original and versatile products, enhancing lives, and inspiring adventures outside.

For AW22 KEEN proudly present the Mosey Collection - their unapologetically comfortable, purposely crafted-to-last-all-day shoe.  All styles in the collection adhere to KEEN’s ‘Consciously Created’ approach, that commits to using materials that favour sustainability, do not disrupt the natural order or harmfully impact the environment in their construction.

From timeless Chelsea boots and classic Chukkas, through to quintessential Derby Lace-ups for men and women, all models in the collection feature a distinctive silhouette that perfectly blends form and function. All models are designed with KEEN’s legendary Original fit which provides generous space in the forefoot, giving comfort straight out of the box.  All models feature pesticide- and chemical-free Eco Anti Odour insoles, which use an effective natural probiotic proven to have no downstream environmental impact.

Choose from several options for men and women in a fabulous array of warming Autumnal shades. The Mosey Chukka (RRP £110) is a desert boot-inspired style featuring natural hemp laces and pull tabs and a gum rubber and cork outsole that reduces petrochemical use in construction. Choose from two upper options – a Felt option in the women’s edition, manufactured from a planet friendly 50% recycled Italian wool blend or a dark olive edition in  supple leather sourced from an environmentally preferred Leather Working Group (LWG) tannery.  The men’s leather edition (LWG sourced) comes in a choice of three colours.

The Mosey Chelsea  (£110) is a timeless classic for women in two colours.  Luxurious soft leather uppers from environmentally preferred sources feature stretchy, gore panels for for easy on and off, with a distinctive contrast gum rubber and cork outsole.

Available in men’s and women’s editions, the Mosey Derby (£90)  is classic lace up, featuring contrasting 100% recycled plastic laces and a removable PU insole with built-in arch support for all day cushioning. Choose from two colours in the men’s and women’s leather editions or Taupe, Blue or Red  in the natural felt wool edition for women.

For more information or to buy online visit keenfootwear.com

 Win a pair of Mosey shoes

To celebrate the launch of the Mosey, The Simple Things has teamed up with KEEN to give three lucky readers a chance to win a pair of Mosey Shoes. You can enter below…

How to enter

For a chance to win, simply click the button below and answer the following question:

Q: Which US state do KEEN Footwear call home?

Competition closes at midnight on Monday 10 October 2022, with the winners announced shortly after. For full magazine terms & conditions see page 125 of the mag or visit icebergpress.co.uk/comprules.

Competition | Win £250 worth of Denby ware from the Kiln Collection

Ceramics and homeware brand Denby is offering one lucky person the chance to win a prize worth over £250 from Denby’s new Kiln collection.  

Crafted using age-old techniques, Denby’s new Kiln collection is a versatile range that embraces organic shapes, hand-thrown features and softer tones to create a set that is uncomplicated and a joy to have in the home.  

Made in England, Kiln is a celebration of true British craftmanship that uses locally sourced clay to create a range that is durable and versatile as well as beautiful. Each piece of Kiln passes through 20 pairs of hands as it’s being made, to ensure it’s finished to the highest standard. Available in plates, bowls, serving items and Home Décor accessories such as candles and diffusers, Kiln is a great choice for use throughout the home and can be mixed and matched with other Denby ranges or existing ceramics.

The Pottery is also proudly the UK’s first tableware manufacturer to claim zero waste to landfill and continues to recycle moulds, clay waste and glazes for more conscious homewares.  

One winner will receive a selection of stylish pieces from the Kiln collection worth over to £250 including: 

1 x Kiln 12 Piece Dinnerware Set  

4 x Mugs  

1 x Candle tin

See how to enter below…

How to enter

To be in with a chance of winning, just click the button below and answer the following question.

Question: How many pairs of hands do Kiln products pass through before they’re finished?

Closing date: 11.59 PM, 12 October 2022

Terms and conditions

For full terms and conditions see page 125 of the magazine or visit icebergpress.co.uk/comprules

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Beachcombing | Things you can take home from the seaside

Photography by Greta Rybus from Remodelista in Maine by Annie Quigley (Artisan Books)

Pebbles and stones may be out but there are lots of inventive ways to find a souvenir to take home from the seaside

If you’ve spent a holiday or even just an afternoon at the beach, it’s lovely to be able to take a small memento home with you. Pebbles are out of the question now but there are plenty of ways you can remember a favourite bit of coast while leaving the wild habitat as it should be.

Seaside souvenir no-nos

Sadly, but with good reason, it’s not ok to raid your local bit of coastline or holiday destination for pebbles and sand. The Coast Protection Act of 1949 made it illegal to remove natural materials such as these from any UK beach. The law is there to protect Britain’s beaches from erosion and encroachment by the sea, so it’s in all our interests to help. 

Coastal takeaways that can be ok

While pebbles and sand are totally off limits, other items are ‘grey area’ and not illegal to remove. Shells should never be taken if inhabited of course, but what about empty shells? Well, they’re ok. Empty shells can still provide important habitats for seaside creatures so think carefully before you take a shell home and definitely don’t be greedy - you’re applying the same rules as foraging here - but the odd empty shell isn’t too much of an issue. 

And what about driftwood? It’s ‘a natural material’; it doesn't ‘grow’ on the beach but is washed up, so you are allowed to take it away. As with shells, driftwood can be a good habitat for small sea creatures, however, so be thoughtful about what you remove. A nice, big piece of driftwood with lots of nooks and crannies might make a rather lovely community for some tiny sealife, but little stubby bits of smooth wood might not be missed so much. And again, be abstemious about what you take. One lovely piece of wood to close your hand around in your coat pocket is fine - bags of driftwood to use for craft - not so much (try Hobbycraft, please!)

But there are plenty more environmentally safe ways to bring a little of the seaside back home with you still. Here are a few ideas. 

Sea-safe seaside souvenirs

Sea glass

Unlike pebbles and shells, sea glass is essentially litter. Very beautiful litter, but litter all the same, so good news - you’re fine to pick it up. It’s simply broken glass bottles, polished smooth by the sea. Sea glass is a lovely thing to collect and the green, blue, white and brown sea glass pebbles you find on most of Britain’s beaches look a bit magical stored in a glass jar on a shelf, or made into a mosaic. 

Sea water

The days of filling a glass bottle with pretty sand on your seaside trip are definitely in the past, but if you’ve enjoyed a wild swim in the sea on holiday, no one will begrudge you taking a small bottle of sea water home to occasionally sniff the ozoney scent and be transported back to the days of late summer. Label your bottle and pop it in your bathroom to remind you while you take your morning shower. 

Buoys

Occasionally those brightly coloured reddy-orange balls wash up, slightly broken or dented on the sea shore. They make great garden ornaments if you’re lucky enough to happen across one. 

Lost metal

Taking a metal detector to the beach is a fun way to spend an afternoon. Why not make a collection in a little box of all the coins, ring pulls and other tiny scraps of metal you found and display it as a piece of art? Who knows, you may even happen across some pirate gold!

Fossils

Lots of beaches in the UK are home to amazing fossils. If you’re lucky enough to find one, do take a photo and note the location so you can tell the relevant agencies or local museum. Some areas have restrictions on fossil hunting so pay attention to signage and check local rules. In many cases, fossils belong to the landowner. But mostly, in the UK, it’s fine for amateur fossil hunters to take home the odd find. It’s not like you’ll be falling over perfectly preserved ammonites wherever you go anyway. 

Actual litter

Be a beach Womble and take a bag with you so you can do your bit and collect any rubbish you find (do take gloves and be careful about what you pick up). You find all sorts of mad things left on beaches so you could make a piece of modern art from your finds. Or you could just, you know… bin it. But there’s less fun in that!

Seaweed

Beautiful in water - a little bedraggled looking when washed up on sand - seaweed can be brought back to its beautiful self by pressing it as you would press a flower. Find the instructions for making a seaweed print like the one pictured above on page 104 of our September issue. 

No-trace souvenirs

If you want to leave no trace of your visit at all, modern technology allows us lots of ways to take a little of the seaside home with you while leaving no footprint. You could make a sound recording of the waves to listen to in bed at night, or take a photo of a rockpool filled with seaside treasures and blow it up into a canvas to hang on your wall. The seaside may need protecting but we can all carry a little piece of it in our hearts, after all.  

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More from our blog…

More things to enjoy by the seaside…

Recipe | Ricotta & basil stuffed nasturtium flowers

Packed with vitamin C, everything about the nasturtium plant is edible - and bold and beautiful, too

Makes 25

25 nasturtium flowers
125g ricotta
2 tbsp finely chopped basil leaves
30g finely chopped walnuts
¼ tsp sea salt, plus more to taste

1 Trim the nasturtium stems to around 1cm, then submerge flowers in water for 5-10 mins to remove any dirt or bugs. Gently rinse in cool water before placing on a towel to dry.

2 Meanwhile, combine the ricotta, basil, walnuts, and season with salt.

3 Using about 1 teaspoon per flower, stuff each nasturtium with the flavoured ricotta.

These nastirutium flowers make a wonderful nibble with drinks or a starter to a late summer lunch. They’re just one of the recipes by Lottie Storey in this month’s edible flowers series, Pick n Mix, in which we look at different floral edibles. August’s edible flowers are nasturtiums and chives.

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More recipes with edible flowers…

More from our blog…

Tipple | Mason Jar White Sangria

A refreshing tipple that always tastes better outdoors and goes beautifully with a picnic or garden lunch

Serves 4
180g strawberries, hulled and cut in half (or frozen berries)
180g grapes, cut in half
1 lemon, thinly sliced
120ml white rum
750ml bottle white wine (preferably Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
Ice cubes
750ml lemonade

1 Divide the fruit between four jars.

2 Pour the white rum and wine over the fruit and give it a little stir. Close the lid tightly on each jar and keep chilled for up to 24 hours.

3 To serve, add some ice cubes and pour the lemonade to the top level of the jar.

This is just one of the recipes from our feature ‘Making Camp’ in our September issue, which includes lots of ideas for food with friends outdoors, such as Smoked Aubergine Dip, Toasted Breadsticks, Potato, Chorizo and Beans Pan Pie, Herby Nut Salad and a Deconstructed Peach Cobbler.

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More summer tipples to share…

More from our blog…

Sponsored post | Painting a Greener Future

Earthborn’s eco-friendly range of paints makes choosing a nursery colour scheme dhild’s play

Decorating a nursery or child’s bedroom and creating a warm, inviting space is a joyous thing, but when it comes to choosing paint, it’s not just the colour that needs careful consideration. Conscious of this, family-owned brand Earthborn has developed an eco-friendly alternative to conventional paint, with no hidden nasties, recyclable packaging and an inspiring palette of 84 colours. And opting for a low VOC paint that’s fume free means that you’ll be protecting both your child and the planet that they will one day inherit, without compromising on beautiful colour.

When it comes to picking a suitable shade, Earthborn suggests opting for a scheme that creates a calming, positive environment. It says neutrals are a great starting point as they’re relaxing and easy to live with. Warm neutral hues such as Hopscotch and Mittens are softer alternatives to white, which can appear cold and harsh in some lights. While adding splashes of colour to the mix will add personality and individuality – shades such as its creamy pink Ballet Shoe or the powder blue Bo Peep are ideal for this.

What’s more, with little ones around, Earthborn has developed its Lifestyle range to keep your walls looking as fresh as the day that they were painted, so marks, scuffs and sticky fingerprints are a thing of the past. Great for kids’ bedrooms and high-traffic areas, this hard-wearing emulsion paint will help to create your dream home and a space to be proud of in more ways than one.

For more information on Earthborn paints, visit earthbornpaints.co.uk or follow on Instagram: @earthbornpaints. Readers of The Simple Things can enjoy 5% off online by using the code SIMPLETHINGS5 at checkout. Valid until 31 December 2022.

Make | Outdoor canvas hammock

Have a go at this simple but sturdy hammock project. You should be able to make it in half a day, leaving you plenty of the bank holiday weekend left to lie in it lazily!

Lazing in a hammock is hard to beat: especially in a shady spot on a warm summer’s day, ideally with a book in one hand and a cool drink in the other. And if you’ve managed to make the hammock yourself – well, you can bask in satisfaction, as well as sunshine. This hammock is surprisingly easy to make, and is much sturdier than one of the knotted ones. We’ve added pompoms, too, because who doesn’t love a pompom? Put the labour in now and hopefully you’ll get the payoff in sunny days to come.

Outdoors canvas hammock

Made of weatherproof canvas, and as robust as it is comfortable

YOU WILL NEED
2m of 140cm-wide strong, canvas fabric
Pins
Sewing machine and thread
Tape measure
Pencil or fabric marker
Scissors
22 rivets, 23mm (1 in) in diameter, plus a rivet tool (which should come with the kit) 
Mallet or hammer
66m of natural rope (ensure this is good quality and load bearing), plus extra rope for hanging
2 metal hoops or carabiners strong enough to handle appropriate weight
FOR THE POMPOMS
Wool to match the canvas fabric (this uses black and white)
Pompom maker

1 Fold a 4cm hem at each end of the fabric. Pin in place and sew.
2 Mark out where the rivets will go on the seam. This uses 11 at each end, spaced about 11cm apart. Using scissors, make small holes on the marked points. Following the instructions on the
packet, attach the rivets using the rivet tool and the mallet. Placing a wood offcut underneath the canvas will help to protect the work surface.
3 Cut the rope into 22 x 3m lengths. Fold each rope in half and thread it through each rivet using a cow hitch knot
to fasten. To form a cow hitch knot, insert the folded end of the rope through the hole and then pull it through to form a loop. Push the two rope ends through the loop and pull to tighten the knot (there are plenty of YouTube videos around if you get stuck with this bit).
4 Once all the 3m lengths are attached through the rivets, gather all the rope at one end and tie it into one large knot. Repeat for the other end. This might need adjusting once it is attached to the hanging space.
5 Pompoms: wind the wool around the pompom maker and, once full, cut the wool. Place some string or a length of wool around the cut wool, then pull it tight
and tie a knot to keep it in place. Cut this piece of wool, leaving ample length for hanging. This hammock uses two white and two black pompoms.
6 Attach the lengths of wool left on the pompoms to one end of the hammock (or attach two on each end).
7 To hang the hammock, attach the ropes on each end to a metal loop or carabiner with a double knot (make sure the knot is
very tight so that the hammock is secure). Attach extra rope to the other side of both carabiners and then tie that rope around a tree or somewhere else sturdy enough to take the weight.

Taken from Sunshine Spaces: Naturally Beautiful Projects to Make for Your Home and Outdoor Space by Beci Orpin (Hardie Grant).

Get hold of your copy of this month's The Simple Things - buy, download or subscribe

View the sampler here

From our August issue…

More weekend projects to make…

Playlist | Clever covers

You can tell everyone that this is your song… But is it actually Elton’s song, or maybe Billy Paul’s? We’ve gathered together some of our favourite cover versions to make a playlist – let us know if we’ve missed any ones that you love.

Take a listen on Spotify here
And browse our back catalogue of playlists here

Competition | WIN a Brother Sewing Machine, worth £369

Karelia House is your one-stop shop for all things crafty and they’re giving one lucky reader a chance to win a fabulous sewing machine

The sewing bug has caught many recently, thanks in part to The Great British Sewing Bee, but whether you’re fresh to the craft or a seasoned pro, a trip to Karelia House in the heart of Highland Perthshire is sure to inspire creativity. Packed with everything you need for all types of sewing and knitting projects, Karelia House prides itself on being one of Scotland’s premier crafting destinations. And now it’s offering one lucky reader of The Simple Things the chance to win a Brother Innov-is A16 sewing machine, worth £369.

No matter your ability, the talented team at Karelia House are always on hand to offer a warm welcome and advice on your next project, whether you’re a complete beginner or are looking to further your skills. And when it comes to materials and equipment, they believe in sustainability and using the best that you can afford.

In fact, their mantra is ‘use the best ingredients and you’ll get the best results!’ – as was the case 25 years ago when Karelia House founder Shirley Shearer knitted a Jaeger wool hoodie for daughter and fellow founder Sam Weir to take to uni with her. All these years later, it’s still going strong and is a favourite go-to to pull on after a refreshing loch swim.

Quilting is another much-loved pastime of Shirley’s, having lovingly created a number of quilts, including a beautiful memory quilt featuring all things special to the family, such as dogs, Land Rover, kayaking, campervanning, Sam’s dad’s jeans pockets and her father-in-law Harry’s HMP tie heart applique.

So if you’re inspired to have a go at crafting your own family keepsakes and treasured items, enter our competition to win a Brother Innov-is A16 sewing machine with 16 stitch options and a handy one-action needle threader. Good luck.

For info and to sign up to the Karelia House newsletter with details of events, courses and products, visit: kareliahouse.co.uk, or follow on Instagram: @kareliahouse_kh.

For info and to sign up to the Karelia House newsletter with details of events, courses and products, visit: kareliahouse.co.uk, or follow on Instagram: @kareliahouse_kh.

How to enter

For your chance to win a Brother Innov-is A16 sewing machine from Karelia House, click below and answer the following question by the closing date of 12 October 2022:

Q: Where is Karelia House located?

TERMS & CONDITIONS The competition closes at 11.59pm on 12 October 2022. One winner will be selected at random from all correct entries received and notified soon after. The winner cannot transfer the prize or swap it for cash. Details of our full terms and conditions are on p125 and online at: icebergpress.co.uk/comprules.

Competition | Win £500 to spend at Garden Trading

Create a snug space this season with Garden Trading’s range of stylish homewares and clever storage

As the evenings cool and the nights draw in, it’s inevitable that our minds turn to making home a cosy and inviting space to retreat to in the months ahead. With this in mind, our friends at Garden Trading are inviting readers of The Simple Things to embrace the changing seasons with the chance to win £500 to spend on its Autumn/Winter collection.

Garden Trading has everything needed to give your home a seasonal refresh, making it warm, welcoming and ready for those quieter moments. If curling up with a good book is how you like to spend your downtime, then treat yourself – and your sofa – to the softest of rugs, cushions and throws to snuggle up with, while home cooks can update their baking supplies ready for a comforting feast of cookies and cakes, pies and muffins. And for those who love to get outdoors and take in nature’s changing colours, there’s an impressive line-up of furniture and storage designed to keep muddy boots, wellies and coats in check, and your space feeling like the calming sanctuary that it should be.

However you plan to welcome in the new season, Garden Trading has a stylish and functional range of furniture, lighting, storage and homewares to complement any home and lifestyle, and will have you excited for the cosiness to come.

For more info, visit gardentrading.co.uk or follow: @gardentradingcompany.

HOW TO ENTER

For your chance to win £500 to spend at Garden Trading, click on the button below by the closing date of 12 October 2022 and answer the following question:

Q: What do Garden Trading invite us to embrace?

TERMS & CONDITIONS
The competition closes at 11.59pm on 12 October 2022. One winner will be selected at random from all correct entries received and notified soon after. The winner cannot transfer the prize or swap it for cash. Details of our full terms and conditions are on p125 and online at icebergpress.co.uk/comprules.

Enter | Our Neighbourhood Awards 2022

One of the very few benefits of the past couple of difficult years is that many of us learned to slow down, enjoy what we have and make the most of where we live.

As a result of the pandemic, many high streets have continued to struggle, while our neighbourhoods have often adapted and innovated. More of us are supporting local businesses, organisations and community groups who are doing their best to make their corner of the world a better place.

So we’re launching the Neighbourhood Awards for the second year to celebrate the best and brightest ideas, initiatives and helpful projects all over the country. Your nominees might be an organisation that helps those who are struggling – with costs of living or with mental health – or a community-run scheme to recycle, reduce waste, repair and even generate power. Maybe it’s a good shopkeeper who goes the extra mile for their customers.

HOW TO NOMINATE

Choose the category that feels most appropriate, fill in some contact details and tell us a little about the organisation you are nominating by clicking the Nominate Here button below.

We’ll get back in touch if we need any more info. The closing date for entries is 20 October 2022.

The Simple Things team will research each entry and choose ‘our favourite of your favourites’ to be featured in our February 2023 issue. They’ll also receive window stickers and certificates that we hope will be displayed with pride.

THE CATEGORIES

Most neighbourly gesture - An organisation making a daily difference to the area

New to the neighbourhood - A fledgling business

Most community-minded organisation – An initiative that brings people together

Working together – People who have co-operated to get things done

Going greener – A worthwhile eco project

You’ll find our full terms and conditions on p.125 of the magazine and online at icebergpress.co.uk/comprules

More from our blog…

Bird Watch | House Martins

House Martins start leaving for warmer climes in late August so now’s a great time to spot and appreciate them.

Look for: A bluey-black head and back and white undercarriage, a white rump that ends in a forked tail and a short, black beak.

Spot them: Darting in and out of their mud nests, which they build in the eaves of buildings. They’re seen all over the UK, other than in the north and west of Scotland, especially in buildings close to woodlands or water, where they can find insects to eat easily.

Listen for: A high-pitched trill, similar to a sparrow.

More from our August issue…

More from our bird hide…

Eye Spy | In a Rockpool

All over the UK, rockpools allow you a miniature glimpse of life beneath the sea but which of the following rockpool inhabitants will you spot this summer? Tick them off as you go!

Common Starfish

Five orange arms with lighter coloured short ‘spines’. Usually around 10-30cm in size

Shore Crab

Look for a greenish shell about 9cm across with five spikes on each side of the eye

Mermaid’s purse

The egg cases of sharks, rays and skates. Very dark brown in colour and up to 21cm long, with distinctive ‘horns’ on the end

Limpet

A grey cone-shaped shell with ridges running down the sides from the top. Grows to up to 6cm diameter

Gutweed

Green hair-like fronds of seaweed. Very common in rockpools

Common Blenny

A small, brown fish with dark patches and fins on its side. Grows to around 16cm

Beadlet Anemone

Look for small round red blobs with dozens of ‘tentacles’ growing out of it. Their tentacles retract when they are not in water

Hermit Crab

Small, soft brown crab who squat in empty spiral shells

Common periwinkle

Another conical shell with spiralling ridges. Usually brown but also grey, black or even red. Up to 5cm in size

Bladderwrack

A browny greeny seaweed with a rib running down the middle of each piece and round air bladders which help it float and photosynthesise

If you need a little help with your rockpool identification, the Marine Conservation Society has a very useful rock pooling guide with videos. 

Feeling inspired by the idea of watching sea life close up? You might enjoy our ‘Outing’ feature this month, which is all about the underwater creatures and eco systems you can explore just off the beach. We also have a ‘Magical Creatures’ guide to the Starfish. Both are in our August issue, on sale now. Buy this month's The Simple Things - buy, download or subscribe

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Simple Things | Summer's Tiny Pleasures

We’re all about celebrating the simple things in life. Here are a few things we love about summer

• Picnics in odd places: on a tiny roof garden surrounded by tomato plants; in a tree house; on the kitchen floor. A familiar thing in a new place.

• A neatly-packed suitcase: everything, for the moment; beautifully ordered; the ideal number of socks – not too many, nor too few; a smart jacket, well folded; more of life should be like this.

• Celadon blue: or perhaps it is really more a shade of green; hard to decide; it’s serene without being passive; cool and ample – your gaze can rest in it.

• Fresh French bread and butter: so simple, so reliably delicious, it’s the marriage that’s magical – the butter is salty and sleek, the bread is soft, yet chewy and filling.

• The sound of cicadas: the ideal sound of summer, a hot day; work means making a salad for lunch, driving to glance at a ruined temple and an afternoon swim.

• The heat as you step off the plane: it’s physical, in your lungs, on your forehead. It implies afternoon naps, ice, lemons. You’ll be someone slightly different here.

‘Summer’s tiny pleasures’ is taken from Small Pleasures (The School of Life Press) theschooloflife.com. Read more about putting first the things you love in our feature The Pursuit of Pleasure, in our August issue. And if you’re all about the simple pleasures of summer, you also will not want to miss our Gathering feature, Field Day, which includes lots of ideas and recipes for a simple summer picnic in a meadow… or anywhere you choose! From cocktails and chipolatas to toasting marshmallows and tucking into muffins - it’s a recipe for a jolly good summer’s day in the sunshine.

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Recipe | Summer Veg Coleslaw with Coriander

We can’t get enough of this crispy, flavoursome coleslaw. It works as a side for a barbecue, a picnic dish to add zing to your sarnies and sausage rolls or as a filling veggie lunch served with crusty bread

Serves 6

1 fennel bulb, finely chopped
5 spring onions, finely chopped
2 tbsp finely chopped coriander
4 celery stems, finely chopped
1 apple, cored and finely chopped
1 tsp fennel seeds
1 tsp dijon mustard
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Zest and juice of ½ a lime
150g natural yogurt

1 Add the chopped fennel, spring onions, coriander, celery and apple to a medium bowl.

2 In a separate small bowl, stir together the fennel seeds, mustard, vinegar, lime juice, zest and the natural yogurt until blended.

3 Pour the dressing over the chopped veg and stir thoroughly. Season with a pinch of rock salt and some freshly ground black pepper before serving.

This recipe is part of our ‘Gathering’ feature in our August issue, which we have called ‘Field Day’ and which includes lots of recipes for a Summer picnic in a meadow, including Peach Daiquiri cocktails, Courgette & Tomato Tart with Herby Pesto, Chipolatas wrapped in Parma Ham on Rosemary Skewers, Rocket, Pea & Mint Salad and Raspberry & Choc Chip Muffins.

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Cooking | Meals for a One-Ring Burner

Whether you’re camping or caravanning, meals you can make in one pan on a one-burner ring are always a winner… Or make them just for fun at home!

We’ve collated our six favourite meals for cooking on a one-ring burner. (On the seventh night, we think you should head to the pub or get fish and chips). Crack out the Travel Scrabble and gather round the teeny kitchen (or the open fire) and cook up a tiny storm!

One-pan Full English

As good at breakfast as it is for lunch or dinner, here’s how to do a cooked breakfast with just one thing to wash up. 

• Heat the pan high and fry chiplota sausages for around three minutes. 

• Add bacon, turning repeatedly until in goes crispy

• Add chopped mushrooms and cook until soft

• Drain any fat and liquid off, then spread the ingredients out evenly across the pan’s surface

• Beat some eggs and add to the pan to create a breakfast omelette. Cook for two minutes on a low to medium heat

• Scatter over tomatoes and cheese if liked and continue to cook until melted

• Serve in wedges once fully cooked

Chilaquiles

A holiday twist on nachos. We’re not saying this meal includes all the major food groups (other than crisps) but it is warming, filling and delicious!

• Heat oil high in a pan or skillet and then fry tortilla chips in single layers, draining each layer on kitchen towel as you go

• Reduce heat and gently fry some chopped red onion until softened and add some chopped garlic for the last half a minute

• Tip in some passata or tinned tomatoes and reduce. Once reduced and simmering, put the fried tortilla chips back in and stir to coat them

• Create a well in the middle and drop a few eggs into the sauce, cooking them through gently

• Top with chopped herbs, spring onions, grated cheese and whatever else you fancy

One-pot Orzo with veggies

A clever pasta dish, in which the water boils the pasta and the veggies together and then disappears like magic!

• Prep your veg. Anything that cooks in less than 10 minutes, like the orzo, is good… Asparagus, peas, broccoli and the like

• Put the veg with the orzo, enough water to cover it, a tablespoon of oil and any spices you like to your cooking vessel and bring to a low boil

• Once boiling, cook for a further five minutes until orzo and veggies are tender

• Reduce heat and add grated cheese, and any of the following you fancy: pine nuts, olives, sundried tomatoes, other deli veg

Chick pea and Chorizo Stew

Hearty, warming and pleasingly simple, this stew is great served with crusty bread or any other carb you fancy it with. 

• Heat a little olive oil in a large pan and then fry a chopped onion until it softens. Add chopped carrot, celery and herbs such as thyme and bay leaves. Continue to cook for around three minutes, stirring to prevent the veg sticking

• Add chopped garlic, chorizo and paprika and continue to fry with the veg for a few minutes

• Add a can of chick peas and a can of tomatoes and cook down

• Add a couple of handfuls of spinach and let wilt

• Remove from heat, season and serve with bread

Bubble and squeak

An oldie but classic. Another recipe that works for any meal from breakfast to supper - and it helps you get your greens in, too.

• In your pot, layer a chopped whole cabbage, five medium chopped potatoes and chopped Polish sausage or hot dogs from a jar

• Add a cup of water and simmer for 20 mins

• Once water is all soaked up and veg are tender, serve up

Black bean burgers

You can customise these burgers to your own tastes with many additions. Serve in big burger baps with ketchup. 

• Mash a tin of drained, rinsed black beans

• Mix in a tablespoon of ketchup and the same of mustard if desired along with a third of a cup of instant oats

• Throw in any extras for customisation - chopped onions, leftover diced veg, grated Cheddar etc

• Form the mix into patties, heat a little oil in the pan and then fry on each side until nice and crispy

• Serve in buns with plenty of sauce

If you think the caravanning life might be for you, don’t miss our Home Tour feature in our August issue, which features this beautiful van (above) in Sardinia, as well another retro van on the Kent coast.
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Recipe | Honeysuckle Posset & Fennel shortbread

The nectar of honeysuckle flowers is sweet and alluring (just ask the bees) and adds a floral perfume to this posset recipe. A sweet way to end a summer lunch or dinner

Serves 6

For the posset :
450ml double cream
2 handfuls honeysuckle flowers, petals removed and refridgerated
125g honey, plus an extra teaspoon
Juice of 1 lemon

For the shortbread :
125g unsalted butter, softened
65g icing sugar
2 tsp fennel seeds, dry roasted and crushed
65g cornflour
125g plain flour

1 For the posset, place the cream, chopped honeysuckle flower bases and honey into a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat, cover and allow to infuse until cool.

2 Stir in the lemon juice before straining the mixture through a sieve. Pour into six small glasses or jars and chill in the fridge overnight.

3 To make the shortbread, cream together butter and icing sugar and then stir in the fennel seeds. Sieve the cornflour and flour together and combine with the butter/sugar mix and form into a log around 5cm in diameter. Wrap in cling film and refrigerate until firm, at least an hour.

4 Preheat the oven to 180C/Fan 160C/Gas 5. Take the dough out of the fridge and unwrap, then slice the log into ½cm circles. Transfer them to a greased baking tray and bake for 15-20 mins until just golden.

5 Cool on the tray for 10 mins before transferring to a wire rack to cool.

6 Remove possets from fridge. Brush the remaining honeysuckle petals with the teaspoon of honey and divide between the six possets as a garnish. Serve with the shortbread.

This recipe is part of our series on edible flowes, which we’ve called ‘Pick n Mix’, by Lottie Storey. This month we’re using honeysuckle and lemon verbena to make the pud above as well as a honeysuckle vodka and lemonade, heritage tomato and lemon verbena salad, and herby fish en papilotte.

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