Taking time to live well

January

S TA R
Slow cook spiced cider & saffron dal • A feeling for ice • Nordic wintering
Slices of citrus sunshine • Ramblejacks • Board game gathering
Why we love mittens • Do less, think better • Cat cafés & arm knitting
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neptune.com
 A could-do list
January

Go on a walk with an audiobook

for company

Put up some new fairylights to

brighten the house

Take a windswept picnic to the seaside

Get up a little earlier to watch the

sun rise and the stars disappear

Invite friends over for a bonfire

gathering and the last of the
Christmas goodies
IMAGE: PATTERNED PAPER KALEIDOSCOPE IN BROWN AND TURQUOISE, CAMBRIDGEIMPRINT.CO.UK

Make soup. Lots of soup.

Try some of our ideas, write

your own could-do list or
just read and enjoy…
PHOTOGRAPHY: HOLLY JOLLIFFE
Houseplants, hot drinks, wool, citrus may better equip us for the life ahead.
and a good book are the shining stars Reaching for the stars isn’t only about
of January. They bring us solace, aiming high and leaving your comfort
nourishment and joy when sometimes it’s zone behind. At this time of year,
hard to summon up the optimistic start it can mean leaning on those everyday
a new year demands. As the holidays guiding lights we so often take for
draw to a close and real life intrudes, granted; a wintry scene outdoors,
we’re told to list our goals and make a cosy project or a warm fire inside
plans to achieve them. Instead, maybe can lift our spirits more than a list
use this midwinter hiatus to reflect of resolutions. Stars can’t shine
on the past year, appreciating the without the darkness, but they are
good and understanding the bad – it also not just found in the sky.

Lisa EDITOR LISA SYKES

 Winter sun
Oranges, lemons, grapefruits and limes bring
sunshine, colour and zing into the kitchen during
the darkest months. Try these solar-powered
sweet and savoury dishes with a citrus kick
Recipes: LOTTIE STOREY
Photography: KYM GRIMSHAW
 GOOD THINGS TO EAT

Blood orange Serves 4

500ml double cream
stirring until the sugar’s dissolved.
2 Boil the mixture for 3 mins, or until
posset 150g caster sugar it’s thickened, then remove from
2-3 blood oranges, zested the heat and stir in the orange juice
and juiced (you’ll need 75ml) and most of the
Dating back to the 16th century, TO SERVE: zest (leaving some for a garnish).
possets are one of the simplest 4 x 150g glass jars (bowls or glasses 3 Divide the mix between the glass
desserts to make. Blood orange will work if you don’t have jars) jars and transfer to the fridge to
juice adds both flavour and a bright set overnight. To serve, remove
yellow hue to this pretty posset. 1 In a pan, gently bring the cream from the fridge and top with
and sugar to the boil over a low heat, the remaining orange zest. »

7
 GOOD THINGS TO EAT

Creamy lemon
tagliatelle

Comforting pasta meets fresh lemon

for a supper that lifts the spirits.

Serves 4
227g clotted cream
25g butter
1 tsp cornflour
100g parmesan, grated
1 lemon, zest and juice
Freshly grated nutmeg

Almond, orange and butter, then gradually add the beaten

eggs. Add the remaining 1 tbsp
Freshly ground black pepper
250g tagliatelle
fennel biscotti amaretto and orange zest and stir. Parsley, chopped, to serve
3 Sift the flour and salt into a separate
bowl before folding into the biscotti 1 Combine the cream, butter
‘Biscotti’ comes from the Latin mix. Finally, stir in the drained peel, and cornflour in a large saucepan
biscoctus, meaning ‘twice baked’. fennel seeds and almonds. over a low heat. Bring to a simmer
These are studded with almonds 4 Line a large baking tray with then remove from the heat.
and amaretto-soaked candied peel. greaseproof paper and dust with 2 Stir the parmesan and lemon
flour. Transfer the biscotti mix to the zest together in a bowl along with
Makes about 30 tray, then chill in the fridge for 30 mins. a good pinch of the nutmeg and
60g candied peel 5 Preheat the oven to 170C/Fan 150C/ black pepper.
2 tbsp amaretto Gas 3. Remove the tray from the 3 Cook the pasta in a pan of salted
110g caster sugar fridge and, using your hands, shape boiling water until al dente. Drain,
80g unsalted butter the dough into a 25cm log. Bake reserving a small cup of the water.
2 eggs, lightly beaten for 20 mins, then set aside to 4 Over a low heat, add the cooked
1½ oranges, zested cool. Meanwhile, reduce the oven pasta to the pan with the cream
150g plain flour temperature to 130C/Fan 110C/Gas 1. mixture, then stir in the parmesan
¼ tsp salt 6 Using a serrated knife, cut the and zest mix until combined. Pour
2 tsp fennel seeds cooled log into 1cm-thick slices. in the lemon juice and keep stirring
80g whole skinned almonds Lay these cut-side down on the until the juice has been absorbed
baking tray and cook for a further and the pasta sauce has thickened.
1 In a pan, bring the candied peel 40 mins, or until crisp. Leave the If the sauce is too thick, you can
and 1 tbsp of the amaretto to the biscotti to cool on a wire rack. loosen it by adding a little of the
boil. Remove from the heat and Cook’s note: Store in an airtight reserved pasta water.
leave to steep for 1 hr before draining. container for up to 2 weeks. 5 Divide between four plates and
2 Meanwhile, cream the sugar and top with the chopped parsley. »

8
 Bring sunshine to
your plate with zesty
lemons and punchy
parmesan. Close your
eyes and think of the
Amalfi coast
 Chilli and
lime nuts

Spicy and citrusy flavours liven

up plain nuts for a snack that’s
deliciously moreish.

Makes 300g
1½ tsp olive oil
1 tsp chilli powder
Zest of one orange (about 1 tsp)
Zest of half a lime (about ½ tsp)
½ tsp salt
1 tsp maple syrup
300g mixed nuts

1 Preheat the oven to 140C/Fan 120C/

Gas 1. Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine
the oil, chilli powder, orange and
lime zests, salt and maple syrup.
2 On a large baking tray, toast the
nuts in the oven for 10 mins. Remove
from the oven and add to the bowl
with the spice blend. Mix well.
3 Tip back onto the baking tray
and return to the oven for a further Brighten up dark evenings with
10 mins, being careful not to let
the nuts burn. Remove from the a post work or pre-dinner tipple
oven and allow to cool on the tray.
Cook’s note: These flavoursome
and a dish of citrusy nuts
nuts can be stored in an airtight
container for up to 2 weeks.

10
 GOOD THINGS TO EAT

Pompelmocello 1 Peel the grapefruits trying to avoid

the pith as much as possible. Add
to a sterilised 2 ltr jar with a seal.
2 Pour over the vodka, seal, and
Think limoncello but with grapefruit. leave to macerate for a month
This classic Italian liqueur takes a in a cool, dry place.
few weeks to make, but it’s certainly 3 Meanwhile, make a sugar syrup
worth the wait. You could also try by dissolving the sugar in 1 ltr of
making it with blood oranges. water in a pan over a low heat.
4 Using a coffee filter, strain the
Makes 2 ltr grapefruit vodka and discard the peel.
8 grapefruits, washed Slowly add the syrup to the vodka,
1 ltr vodka until it’s the right sweetness for you.
500g sugar 5 Return to the jar and store in the
freezer for up to 12 months.

11
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 R E C I AT I O N O F
N APP CRA
A NES

Words: PETE DOMMETT

rom a distance, they resemble a flock of skinny This vast landscape of marsh, meadow and wet
grey sheep walking through a field on their woodland is my crane country. From an arched, red-brick
hind hooves. But, standing at more than a metre railway bridge, I scan the flat fields of Aller Moor and find
high, these are actually Britain’s tallest birds. On a far-off cluster of 30 cranes. In winter, they gather in big
lanky, knock-kneed legs, they purposefully pick groups, known as herds, to feed. Omnivorous foragers,
their way through the maize stubble, stretching they’ll eat anything from insects, snails and worms to the
their equally long necks to the ground to probe the soil. seeds and leaves of crops. Potatoes are a firm favourite.
Then, a faint trumpeting call drifts across the Somerset I head off down a muddy drove towards the cranes, but
countryside towards me: a sound not heard for centuries a padlocked gate at the end of the track prevents me from
and one that stirs my soul. It’s the bugling of cranes. getting closer. It’s probably just as well – these shy birds
The common crane was once just that. Widespread across are easily spooked, so I’m content to watch them grazing
low-lying parts of the country, the birds became a popular peacefully through my binoculars. But one of the cranes
dish at many a medieval feast. During the Archbishop of is behaving oddly: throwing back its head, fluffing out its
York’s inauguration banquet in 1465, an extraordinary 204 feathers and stamping its feet like a petulant toddler. Then
roast cranes were served up. Unsurprisingly, overhunting it dawns on me – this must be the bird’s famous courtship
and habitat loss took its toll. By the middle of the 16th dance or, at least, a prelude to it. In late winter, individuals,
century, the crane was extinct as a British breeding bird. pairs and sometimes whole flocks perform an elaborate
And so it stayed for over 400 years. Until, in 1979, a pair display of strutting, leaping and posturing that marks
of cranes – probably blown off course as they were migrating the beginning of the breeding season.
south from Scandinavia – settled in the Norfolk Broads. I’m waiting and hoping for an encore when suddenly,
ILLUSTRATION: ZUZA MIŚKO

A few years later, the birds bred and, slowly, the species on some unseen signal, the cranes lift off as one on
has spread to other parts of East Anglia, eastern England wide, dark-fingered wings, those long legs and necks
and even north-east Scotland. Between 2010 and 2014, The outstretched. As they treat me to a glorious fly-by, that
Great Crane Project released almost 100 birds – hatched distinctive bugling fills the air again. It’s both an echo
and hand-reared at The Wildfowl & Wetland Trust’s HQ of an earlier era and the herald of a bright new future
in Slimbridge, Gloucestershire – on to the Somerset Levels. for these fabulous birds.

13
 Do less, think better
MAKING TIME FOR QUIET CONTEMPLATION CAN
HELP NEW IDEAS COME TO LIGHT
Words: REBECCA FRANK

he urge to leap into forward nothing, you probably don’t do it very often,
planning can be strong in the if at all. We live in a world where busy
quieter post-Christmas days is considered better, we work hard and
and weeks with a new journal fill our free time with more things to do.
in hand and an empty year With all this ‘stuff’ and stimulation, it’s
ahead to fill with ideas, goals not surprising that our minds are rarely
and ambitions. However, while there’s no free to wander and be curious. Moshe
harm in planning, it could be wise to pause Bar, a renowned neuroscientist and author
first and allow yourself some time for quiet of Mindwandering: How It Can Improve
contemplation. For when we turn down Your Mood and Boost Your Creativity
the noise and clear some mental space, we (Bloomsbury Tonic), says that he regularly
give our minds the chance to wander and, encourages his kids and friends to “just
according to the experts, that’s when the lie on the sofa and stare at the ceiling for
creative thinking happens and our deepest, as long as they want to.” In doing so he’s
most intuitive thoughts and ideas come trying to rid them of the guilt they feel
to the surface. for not doing anything observable and
While you might like the idea of doing experience the benefits of ‘mindwandering’,
which he describes as the vehicle for
planning and where good ideas come
“When we turn down the from. “We know a great deal about the
brain network (known as the default
noise we give our minds mode network or DMN) that mediates
the chance to wander” these important processes, and it is

PHOTOGRAPHY: ALAMY; ISTOCK

14
 WELLBEING

most vigorously active when we are

doing nothing,” he explains.
“A quieter mind lets
us see the fruits of
T U R N D OW N T H E N O I S E our thinking better”
It’s not surprising that when we’re
bombarded with a constant stream of
information and stimulation, we find it positive thoughts. It’s perhaps unsurprising
harder to think clearly or come up with then that people often turn to distracting
ideas. Bar likens it to an engineering term activities rather than sitting quietly. “So
known as ‘signal-to-noise ratio’ – “Basically, much attention has been paid to ways to
the less noise there is the more salient the unplug from the bustle, but the greater
signal” and explains why improving your challenge can be freeing ourselves from
chances of getting a clear signal for your the distractions within which disrupt
creative thoughts to reach your conscious our attention and intrude on the quality
mind is so important: “Hidden inside of our experience even when we are in
the space that is our thoughts are the a perfectly quiet place.”
new ideas, insights, clear decisions and Even though humans are the only species
other mental treasures thrown at us that can engage in internal thinking we
from the subconscious,” he says. “And it’s seem to be increasingly uncomfortable
much harder for us to notice them when with our own company and thoughts.
they’re embedded in cluttering noise.” In one famous study, subjects chose to
It’s not only external noise but the give themselves mild electric shocks as
internal chatter of our minds. “A quieter a preference to sitting quietly in front of a
mind is clearer in that it lets us see the white wall. However, recent research from
fruits of our thinking better,” explains Bar, the University of Tübingen published in the
acknowledging that when we suddenly try Journal of Experimental Psychology found
to do nothing, we often find the mind starts that when people were instructed to sit and
racing – and not necessarily with helpful or wait with no stimulation available to them, »

15
 even though almost all showed an initial “Learning to do
reluctance to it, they enjoyed it and found
it more beneficial than they’d expected.
and think less is
an important skill”
S T O P B E F O R E YO U S TA R T
When we’re embarking on a new project of Not Thinking (Penguin).
or have a piece of work we need to finish, So, if we can give up the guilt associated
the natural urge is not to take a break and with doing nothing, practise quietening
to sit down until it’s finished. However, the down unwanted thoughts and allowing
brain doesn’t always cooperate, which can our minds to wander freely, then we can
lead to feelings that we’re inadequate or allow new ideas, solutions, and nuggets
lack creativity and ideas. “The mind will of inspiration to spring to mind. As Moshe
tense and become tense and uncooperative Bar says; “Learning to do and think less
if dominated by thoughts of having to do is an important skill that can be practised
something quickly, making it impossible and one for which you will be rewarded.”
to perform to one’s full potential,” explains Here are some ways to encourage your
Ryunosuke Koike, author of The Practice mind to wander freely and constructively…

16
 WELLBEING

Move your body Notice the ordinary

Former monk Ryunosuke Koike says that trying to notice
Often focusing on the body can help
ordinary things rather than those that arouse strong emotions
clear the mind. Any physical activity
helps to focus an overthinking mind. “The mind looks for
outside in nature is good, whether
short-term pleasure gained through stimulation. One example
it’s walking or running or gardening,
of how to resist this is while walking down a street. Don’t ignore
or a breath-focused practice like yoga
the things around you, pay attention to how the small details
or meditation. Some people find that
in your field of vision change while you’re in motion. Make a
during routine tasks, such as housework,
conscious effort to look and you’ll begin to see many things
mowing the lawn or decorating, their
that you may have previously ignored in a new light and thereby
minds will wander in a productive way.
boost your concentration. As you become more acutely aware
“My dad likes to think while folding
of the little things many people overlook, your attentiveness and
laundry,” says Moshe Bar.
sense of perception will deepen and your mind will be clearer.”

Enjoy pockets
of silence Rediscover
A bit like being bored, silence is something daydreaming
many of us find uncomfortable and resist Remember daydreaming as a child,
by watching TV, playing music or avoiding staring out of the window during class
being on our own. The mind responds to or lying on your bed just looking at the
stimulus so if you’re always surrounded ceiling? Now think about when you last
by noise, it’ll be harder to focus – try doing gazed out of the window on a bus or
some mental arithmetic while loud music is train or just waited in a queue instead
on or in a busy restaurant and see how much of pulling out your laptop/phone/book?
longer it takes than when you’re in a quiet If you consciously stop yourself from
environment. Introduce pockets of quiet into reaching for a distracting activity when
your day – you don’t have to be alone, you you have some downtime or even when
can spend time with others without talking you’re walking (put those headphones
or watching or listening – perhaps reading away) or on the loo (yes, we all do it!),
a book together or walking together silently. you’ll find that daydreaming habit will
come back to you. And the more you
do it, the better you’ll get at it until you
don’t automatically reach for something
to do when you stop for a moment.
Clear mental clutter
Our minds are never idle and self-chatter is pretty much
continuous, composed of inner monologue, where we rehearse
conversations and narrate our experiences, and dialogue where
we have conversations with ourselves, and negotiate moral and
practical issues. “We can’t control what’s happening inside our Meditate away
brains,” says Bar, “but we can observe it and decide what to
do with it.” If you find that when you try to switch off, intrusive impatience
thoughts keep coming to mind, he suggests a technique called You don’t need any kit to meditate, and
labelling. Every thought can be labelled along the following: you can do it at any time, anywhere. If
Is it positive, negative or neutral? you find yourself getting frustrated and
Is it about me or others? impatient while waiting, for example,
Is it concerning the past, present or future? try closing your eyes, concentrating on
For example, if you’re worried that something you said might your breathing and perhaps repeating
have offended someone, you can label it negative, me, past. a mantra to yourself such as “I am
Once you engage with this exercise, thoughts start to disappear calm.” You’ll feel refreshed and relaxed
as soon as you’ve finished labelling. instead of angry and irritated.

17
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CAKE
IN THE
HOUSE
Wrap one up and pop it in your
pocket to provide sustenance
on winter wanders

RAMBLEJACK

Serves 12
290g dried dates, chopped
315g chopped walnuts
480g gluten-free oats (a mixture of
jumbo and porridge/rolled is good)
1 tsp salt
260g golden syrup
200g coconut oil
200g soft light brown sugar
For the topping:
80g dark chocolate
1 tbsp desiccated coconut

1 Preheat the oven to 200C/Fan 180C/

Gas 6 and line a 22 x 33 x 5cm baking tray.
2 Make a date jam by combining the
dates with 290ml of water in a large pan thoroughly, then weigh 900g of the mix desiccated coconut. Leave to cool in the
over a medium heat and cooking until into the prepared tray and smooth down. tray. These will keep for 2 weeks in an
the dates have broken down to form a 5 Spread the jam evenly across the airtight container in the fridge.
soft paste. Set aside. pressed oats with a metal serving spoon Cook’s note: The easiest way to press
3 Blitz your walnuts in a food processor or spatula then loosely scatter the the mix down is by covering it with a
breaking them into a rough rubble, then remaining flapjack mixture across the top sheet of baking parchment and then
mix with the oats and salt in a large bowl. and gently smooth with a spatula. Bake pressing with the base of another baking
4 In a separate pan, warm the golden for 45 mins until golden, then set aside. tray – and you can press quite hard.
syrup, oil and brown sugar over a medium 6 To make the topping, melt the chocolate
heat until the sugar has dissolved and in a bain-marie then pipe the chocolate
Taken from Bake It Slice It Eat It by Tom
everything is fully combined. Pour this into over the flapjack (or flick with a fork) in a Oxford and Oliver Coysh (Quadrille).
the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix diagonal pattern before sprinkling with the Photography by Sam A Harris

19
 My day in cups of tea
We asked Marcia Riddington to show us around the treasures in her antiques
shop – and share something of her home-sewn wardrobe over a cuppa
Morning! First cuppa of the day, what are you up to? white but in the shop it’s always Earl Grey with
It’s always in bed, a habit we got into over lockdown a splash of milk. My favourite mug has a beautiful
– now I can’t start my day without it. I spend half an picture of my shop by local artist Tom Crittenden.
hour sipping tea and checking social media and emails. What do you like to do outside of the shop?
I live in a town house in the middle of the medieval My other passions are antique dolls’ houses and making
town of Bury St Edmunds. My my own clothes, mainly from vintage fabrics. I’ve made
antique shop is on the other side of many connections through the SewOver50 community
town, so I have a lovely walk to work. and my sewing Instagram (@marcialoisriddington).
How did you start in antiques? What’s for lunch?
Since I was little, I’ve loved old stuff, We don’t close for lunch so I bring a packed lunch,
but like most of us, had to do proper something I can put down if I'm serving a customer.
jobs to pay the bills. When I got my Work’s done for the day. What’s next?
pension at almost 63, I gave up my I get home about 5pm. I sit on the settee with Peter,
MARCIA
RIDDINGTON lives in
day job and started antiques dealing. my husband, and we’ll drink tea. I’ll have some oaty
Bury St Edmunds, I love the thrill of hunting for biscuits and watch something antique-related. Then
Suffolk, and is the treasures, discovering stories behind half an hour’s sewing before preparing dinner.
owner of Smoking
objects and the people that I meet. What are you most looking forward to this year?
Monkey Antiques.
Instagram: @smoking Kettle’s on, what are you having? I'm lucky to have a very good life. I’ve recently become
monkeyantiques On days away, I’ll have a skinny flat a granny and I do look forward to seeing little Rufus.

20
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 SEASONAL THOUGHTS TO HELP YOU ENJOY THE MONTH

THINGS TO NOTE AND NOTICE

Wild waters
JANUARY: Loughrigg Tarn in the Lake
Dipping your toe in District is a great shout. It’s
If wild swimming is on your said to be one of the warmest
could-do list for 2023*, don’t lakes locally to swim in as
just dive right in. You need to no rivers feed into it, and a
have been going regularly as little path running alongside,
the waters get colder through plus a car park, make it really
autumn, or the temperature accessible for beginners. Stay
may be too much of a shock. at the Three Shires Inn nearby
If you’re a newbie, instead (threeshiresinn.co.uk) or head
of taking the plunge, start there for a hot coffee to warm
January by finding a swim up after your swim.
buddy. Wild swimming is In January the average
safer and more fun with two. sea temperature is 6.5° in
For January, a swim at Airth, and 10.7° in Torquay.

Weatherlore Beneath your feet Etymology

Folklore forecasts for January SPOT ANIMAL TRACKS Hogmanay
“If St Paul’s Day be fair and Out on your walks in January, as well as looking up For anyone who woke feeling
clear, Then betides a happy at the bare trees silhouetted in the sky, look down to a little uncertain, forgetful
year!” 25 January marks the find clues about who’s been on a walk before you. and bleary on 1 January,
feast day of the conversion Clearer in the snow, but also easily spotted in you’re on topic etymologically
of St Paul (previously Saul). mud on the forest floor, you might see tracks from speaking. The origins of the
foxes, voles, badgers, squirrels and otters. Fox word ‘Hogmanay’ are pretty
However, since the Middle
prints are diamond-shaped, 4–5cm long, with two complex and largely unknown
Ages, it has also been
toe prints at the back and one at each side, with but the best guess is that the
believed to be a day which
the occasional claw visible. They tend to run in word comes from the Old
foretold how the rest of the
straight lines rather than meander. The Woodland French ‘aguillanneuf’ which
year would be. Snow on the
Trust has an animal snow print identification page means ‘last day of the year’ (or
25th indicated a poor grain
on its website to help work out the rest. ‘new year’s gift’). But either
year; clouds, the death of
way, it makes a kind of sense
cattle; and winds, a portent
what with the French and
of war. So keep your fingers
Scots enjoying a long alliance
crossed for blue skies and
before Scotland and England
an excellent year ahead,
were joined under King James
thanks to St Paul.
I of England (who was also
King James VI of Scotland).
Told you it was complicated.

*For more on getting started with cold water swimming, see our Miscellany pages this month.
22
 NOTES

THINGS TO PLAN AND DO

A LITTLE TRIP: Speakers in Sussex

Head down to darkest East Sussex
for the weekend where the great, the
good and the creative have shared
their ideas for centuries. In that spirit
of learning, Lewes Speakers’ Festival
runs from 20–22 January, with
speakers on an array of random but
delightful topics. The Countess of
Carnarvon discusses the gardens at
Highclere (the real Downton Abbey),
Diana Darke explains the culture of
the Ottoman Empire, and there are
politicians, scientists, comedians and
more all sharing their knowledge.
The Dubois Bed and Breakfast in
Lewes is a great base from which to
explore the area in between the talks
you want to attend on the Saturday.
Highlights include the Museum of
Arts and Crafts in Ditchling. Lunch
just around the corner at The Bull
is always a cosy affair. Then tootle
over to Virginia Woolf’s home Monk’s
House at Rodmell on your way back
to Lewes itself.
On Sunday, breakfast at the
Riverside café, before a look round
the fascinating Lewes Castle and then
stop off at Middle Farm in Firle, to
pick up goodies on your way home.

Kitchen table project Seasonal subjects

WORDS: IONA BOWER. ILLUSTRATIONS: CHRISTINA CARPENTER; SHUTTERSTOCK

SLOW COOKER WASSAIL Learn to tell a story Meanwhile, here are a few
Wassailing (bringing gifts to the spirits to National Storytelling week ways to tell a story well:
encourage a good crop) traditionally takes begins on 28 January. If you OHave an intriguing first

place on Twelfth Night. Make this Wassail in fancy yourself as a bit of sentence. Think Dickens’
advance and take it out in a Thermos to toast the a bard, now is your chance opening: “The Marleys were
orchards and generally make a Pagan din. Or to organise a storytelling dead to begin with.”
invite friends over for a hot toddy in the garden. event, or gather a gang of ODon’t begin at the

You can make this with either cider or a mix like-minded friends for tales beginning. Begin with
of apple, orange and cranberry juice. To around the fire at home. something that will grab
your cider or juice mix, add sliced The Society for Storytelling their attention instead.
oranges and apples, whole cloves, (sfs.org.uk) has lots of OBring your words alive

cinnamon sticks and sliced fresh advice and free resources with hand gestures, eye
ginger. Stir in honey to taste. Cook to help you on your way, contact, facial expression
on high for 2.5 hours. Serve with a and there’s also a great Ted and lots of energy.
little of the fruit in each cup or pour Talk called How to Tell a OHand out biscuits. They

into a flask and head off a-wassailing. Story that’s worth a watch. always ensure an audience.

Discover the Icelandic tradition of storytelling – kvöldvaka – on p114.

 Follow the trail
to Wales
Winter is the ideal time to visit Wales and take in its unspoilt beauty,
jaw-dropping wildlife and delicious local produce

T
he new year is here and with it, winter. Whether it’s a weekend visit
fresh opportunities to explore or a little longer to allow yourself more
somewhere different or learn a time to explore, Wales’ mix of dramatic
new skill. If you’re raring to visit a landscapes and diverse culture is sure
destination that offers a rich mix of nature, to open you up to new adventures.
culture, food and heritage, then look no Wales appeals to those who love the
further than Wales for an invigorating great outdoors and is home to three
break that will heighten the senses. National Parks and five Areas of
It’s easy to feel that the long nights and Outstanding Natural Beauty. The
grey days may never give way to sunnier adventurous will be in their element on
climes, however, now is the ideal time to a craggy mountainside, perhaps ascending
plan a trip to break up the monotony of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) or Pen y Fan. The
 ADVERTISEMENT PROMOTION

An out-of-season break
in Wales will enable
you to explore all this
beautiful country has
to offer at its wild
and windy best

views will be worth the climb, but many Wonderful

routes won’t be for the faint of heart. For
a more gentle amble, pull on your walking
Wales
boots and head for one of Wales’ well-worn Three National Parks:
trails, maybe a stint along the Wales Coast • Eryri (Snowdonia)
Path for breathtaking sea views, or inland • The Pembrokeshire
to take in the sights of ancient standing Coast
stones or ruined castles and to acquaint • The Brecon Beacons
yourself with local folklore, myths and
legend. 2023 is Wales’ Year of Trails, so Five Areas of Outstanding
whatever your ability or energy levels, Natural Beauty:
there’s a route to suit and to guide you • The Anglesey Coast
around the country’s beloved sights. • The Gower Peninsula
With spectacular scenery comes • The Llŷn Peninsula
wonderful wildlife, so pack your binoculars. • The Clwydian Range and
From the Wales Coast Path you may be the Dee Valley
lucky enough to catch a glimpse of dolphins • The Wye Valley
– Cardigan Bay is a hotspot – or a grey
seal bobbing playfully amidst the waves,
particularly around the Pembrokeshire
coast. Later in the year, on Skomer island, keep spirits raised. Head to a bustling
puffin colonies are a sight to behold, and market town or city and you’ll find an
twitchers will appreciate the red kites abundance of eateries proudly serving
and ospreys to be found in Mid Wales. local produce, from inviting pubs with
Meanwhile, with large areas unspoilt a welcoming fire to award-winning fine
by light pollution, budding astrologers dining – you’ll want to extend your trip just
PHOTOGRAPHY: VISITWALES.COM

will be in awe of Wales’ unrivalled network to taste all that’s on offer. But one thing’s
of International Dark Sky Reserves and for certain, enjoying a taste of this beautiful
Dark Sky Parks. Winter is the ideal time land during the quieter months is sure
to wrap up warm, fill a Thermos, and to ignite a lifelong love affair with Wales.
embrace the long nights to gaze skywards.
After a day spent exploring, the promise For more information and inspiration,
of a good meal and a cosy night’s sleep will visit visitwales.com
 A simple thing...
Humans have seen stories in
the stars for thousands of years,
making them into powerful
symbols for our hopes and
desires. You don’t need to wait
until a starry night to do a little
wishing. Make your own star from
twigs, paper or whatever else you
have to hand, and hang it where
it’ll be seen regularly. That way
your dreams will always be close.
PHOTOGRAPHY: BLICKWINKEL/ALAMY
 MY CITY*

ADELAIDE
JOSIE KELSH WELCOMES US TO HER HOMETOWN
WITH ITS RICH MIX OF NATURE, CULTURE, SPORT
AND WORLD-LEADING WINERIES, ALL WITHIN
A STONE’S THROW OF THE CITY

1
 MY CITY

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

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

How long have you lived in the city?

I moved to Adelaide when I was 12 to start boarding
school and it’s been home ever since. Before that I lived
in a small town called Wirrulla, which is about 700km
3
away and has a population of fewer than 100 people.

Tell us what makes your city unique 4

Adelaide sits on the traditional lands of the Kaurna

people. Though Australians generally consider it sleepy
compared to Melbourne or Sydney, it has a population
of around 1.4 million. However, it has a relaxed vibe,
which I put down to it being a planned city – our streets
are wide and square and it’s easy to get around. I love
that it’s squashed between the hills and the sea so we
can enjoy both, and it’s home to three top-rated wine
regions: The Barossa Valley; the Adelaide Hills; and
McLaren Vale.

What’s it like in January?

Hot! And I don’t even consider it hot until it’s over
35C. We expect at least a handful of days over 40C, but
life just goes on as normal as we have air-conditioning
everywhere. January is our summer holiday, with
all the kids off school and many people taking time
off work. It’s a relaxed month and we spend lots of
time outdoors, especially at the beach or at the nearby
Murray River, which is popular for water skiing,
wakeboarding and swimming. The Murray is lined 1 Adelaide lies

with huge red gum trees, so it’s a good place to relax in between the hills and
the sea. 2 The Torrens
the heat. There are lots of sporting events in January, river flows through the
including Tour Down Under, an international cycling city centre. 3 With so
event, while the Adelaide Oval hosts our men’s and much to see and do,
your days will be jam-
PHOTOGRAPHY: JOSIE KELSH; DAVID WALL/ALAMY

women’s international cricket teams and Memorial

packed. Luckily, there
Drive holds the Adelaide International tennis are plenty of coffee
tournament, a warm-up to the Australian Open. bars to keep you well
fuelled… 4 until it’s
time to take the weight
What time of day do you most enjoy and why? off with a cocktail by
Sunset. Adelaide faces west, so we have amazing the water’s edge. 5 We
sunsets with the sun sinking into the sea. Just find thought Adelaide was
a wine region, not a
a spot somewhere along the seafront to enjoy the
swine region – the
spectacle. Or there are lookouts in the Adelaide Rundle Mall pigs
Hills where you can watch the sun dip behind 5
the city – Skye Lookout is a local favourite. »

29
 “Adelaide is sometimes referred to as the 20-minute
city, as you can (almost) get anywhere in 20 minutes”
What’s the nature like?
It’s very green with plenty of parklands, ranging from
bushland to sports playing fields, curated gardens and
festival grounds. Belair National Park and Morialta
Conservation Park are home to several native animals
including kangaroos and koalas, while you can see
dolphins playing in the shallows at the city’s beaches.

Tell us about the colours of your city

Summer light is bright, hot and shiny – some days,
the pavements seem to shimmer, and the sky is a never-
ending blue. Australia Day on 26 January brings a mix of
our somewhat confusing national colours – there’s the
blue, red and white of our Australian flag, and the green
and gold of our sporting colours, and the red, black and
yellow of our First Nations people.
1

Tell us about the people who live in your city

2 It’s been less than 200 years since the first Europeans
settled here, but since then almost every nationality
has come to call this city home. Our strong German
heritage means we like to “stick to the rules” more
than the rest of Australia, but we have a dry sense
of humour and friendly banter is a given.

Where do you like to gather with friends?

Winery cellar doors are popular, and many offer food
– it’s easy to spend a whole day chatting in a beautiful
setting with friends, food, and amazing local wines.

Tell us about eating in your city?

Every food imaginable is available somewhere in the
city. We have delicious German food in the Adelaide
Hills, thanks to the region’s heritage. But this year’s
hottest ticket is family-run Abyssinian Restaurant,
which serves Ethiopian cuisine. Local South Australian
specialties include pie floaters (a meat pie ‘floating’ in a
green pea soup, doused with tomato sauce), fritz (like a
salami, often served in sandwiches with tomato sauce),
and frog cakes (little cakes decorated like green frogs).

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

The public transport here is acceptable but not
amazing. I often use the car, but once in the city centre,
I generally walk or use the free trams and buses.

What’s the shopping like?

South Australia is famous for a couple of things: the
town of Coober Pedy produces most of the world’s opals
and you can find some gorgeous jewellery. And Adelaide
3
is home to footwear and clothing brand RM Williams
– you can visit the factory outlet to pick up a bargain.

30
 MY CITY

Where do you like to escape to?

I like exploring the town of Hahndorf in the Adelaide
Hills, which has many small boutiques, antique stores
and food and drink producers. I also regularly visit
Cleland Wildlife Park and Monarto Safari Park.

Tell us about your city’s culture

The South Australian Museum is home to the largest
collection of Australian First Nation cultural items
in the world and well worth a visit. Adelaide is also
a UNESCO City of Music, so they’ve commissioned
street art and renamed some lanes in honour of local
artists and bands, such as Sia and Cold Chisel.

What attractions are loved by tourists and locals alike?

The wineries and, even better, there are hop on/hop off
buses that go to each of the popular wine regions.

What’s been your best discovery about your city?

The street art. There are some fabulous pieces hidden
down lanes, behind buildings and above eye-level.
In Frank’s Lane, off Rundle Street, there’s a portrait
of Kaurna Narungga man Jamie Goldsmith painted
by Jimmy C, or look up high in Hurtle Square to
see a portrait of Freddie Mercury by Lisa King.

What do you miss most if you’ve been away?

The beach. It’s one big long sandy beach with shallow
water and gentle waves. There are no crowds, either
– except maybe at Glenelg on a hot day.

What would surprise a newcomer to your city?

5
Adelaide is sometimes referred to as the 20-minute
city, because you can get anywhere in 20 minutes.
I’m not sure that’s exactly true, but it’s close. You can
experience an urban city centre with fantastic theatres,
1 Head to Hahndorf
museums, bars and restaurants, drink world-class
for small boutiques
wine at a cellar door, hold a koala, swim in the sea, and great food and
hike in a national park and see international sporting drink. 2 Who could
events all within half an hour of the centre of Adelaide. resist a bit of koala
spotting (seen here at
Cleland Wildlife
What one thing would you change about your city? Park)? 3 When the
We have what we affectionately call “Mad March” sun starts to set, the
– the second largest Fringe Festival in the world (after beach offers a
front-row seat for
Edinburgh) along with the mainstream Festival of nature’s greatest
Arts. There are sports, music festivals and other events show. 4 Then get
throughout the month, too. If I could, I’d space them out merry at the
Merrymaker Rooftop
to have this atmosphere all year round, it’s so much fun. Bar. 5 Eyes peeled for
koalas and kangaroos
Where would you recommend somebody to stay? at the Morialta
Conservation Park.
I’d recommend a few days in the city centre, followed by
6 See Adelaide from
some time at the beach and then a trip to a wine region. a new perspective,
aboard the Popeye
Where would you like to live if you couldn’t live here? river cruise

Somewhere warm, probably in South East Asia, or to

a cute European town in the mountains, just to explore 6
somewhere different. But I’d always return to Adelaide. »

31
 2 3

JOSIE KELSH loves to travel,

but always comes home
to Adelaide. Follow her on
exploringsouthaustralia.com.au
and Insta @exploringsouthaust.

JOSIE’S PERSONAL TOUR

Favourite shop a lane. Finding it is half the fun. Torrens, in a national park, or
DYMOCKS ADELAIDE maybemae.com on a beach, Adelaide has some
Located in a restored theatre great places to take a stroll.
in Rundle Mall, this beautiful Favourite restaurant
bookshop is open and airy. MADAME HANOI Place to see by night
dymocks.com.au Serves an Asian-fusion vegan Riverbank lights. Everyone
banquet that’s simply delicious. should visit Festival Plaza
1 Favourite museum skycityadelaide.com.au/ and admire the lights of
MOD eat-and-drink/madame-hanoi Adelaide Oval across the river.
One that many people
miss, this science museum- Favourite market Best view
1 You want it,
meets-art gallery is full of ADELAIDE CENTRAL MOUNT LOFTY SUMMIT
Adelaide Central
Market almost futuristic displays and exhibits. MARKET Visit at sunset to see the city
certainly has it. mod.org.au The largest undercover fresh from above as the sky changes
2 French-Vietnamese
food market in the Southern from blue to orange to pink
fusion food in opulent
surroundings at
Favourite bars Hemisphere. I eat at the food to black. It’s stunning.
Madame Hanoi. MIRRA BAR stalls, then pick up my favourite
3 Book some time
Serves beautiful mocktails, SA foods to take home. The one thing you
in to visit Dymocks,
located in a recently-
desserts and High Tea. adelaidecentralmarket.com.au have to see
restored theatre. mirrabar.com.au The Pigs in Rundle Mall. Then
4 MOD museum Favourite way to check out the pigeon and the
is out of this world MAYBE MAE spend an hour Malls Balls (officially called
An atmospheric cocktail bar Walking. Whether it’s around The Spheres, but few locals
hidden down a set of stairs in the city centre, along the River even know that).

32
 PAUSE
Take a moment with some well-chosen words

Aide-mémoire
By Brian Bilston

Thirty days has September,

April, June and November.
Unless a leap year is its fate,
February has twenty-eight
but all the rest have three days more,
excepting January,
which has six thousand,
one hundred and eighty-four.

Effortlessly capturing the feeling that January will never end, Brian Bilston’s Aide-mémoire
is delivered with his signature wry wit. Posted on social media and widely shared, Brian’s
subjects are as varied as women’s rights, failed love affairs, phone chargers, the plight
of refugees or a handy reminder of how many days there are in each month.

Things to ponder: How does the humour of his work make his serious subjects more
accessible? Are there any childhood prompts or rhymes you think are ripe for a funny
reinvention? Aide-mémoire is printed by permission of the author, copyright Brian Bilston,
whose latest collection Days Like These is published by Picador.

33
 WISDOM

Sense and sensibilities

THESE WOMEN HAVE A SUPER SENSE THAT SHAPES THEIR LIVES
AND WORK. AND, AS THEIR STORIES SHOW, WE CAN ALL USE OUR
SENSORY POWERS TO TUNE INTO THE WORLD
Interviews: KATIE ANTONIOU

Taste up “studying the science of potato salad.” cucumber is pretty disgusting.” She also
Rachel Edwards-Stuart uses her There she came to the attention of worked for a popcorn company, coming
super tasting abilities to influence Heston Blumenthal, who sponsored her up with unique flavours. “Anchovy
the food we eat and tastes we enjoy. PhD, focusing largely on the science of and rosemary, and coffee and banana
flavour. It proved to be the right recipe. were surprisingly good,” she admits.
Despite the many pleasures of eating, As a child, Rachel was always So how does being a flavour expert
taste is the least understood of our experimenting; “I remember putting effect Rachel’s life? “I discovered quite
senses, though that’s beginning to milk in the SodaStream – wrong on early on that I was a super taster – a
change through the work of food so many levels!” Little did she know term used to describe those sensitive to
scientists and flavour experts like Dr she would follow a career that involves a specific bitter compound. Super tasters
Rachel Edwards-Stuart. Her passions experimenting with influences on also tend to have a heightened sensitivity
since young were “science and cooking” flavour. “I had to cook cucumber at to other tastes, as well as oral sensations
and after graduating with a biochemistry different temperatures to see the effect such as the burn of chilli and the tingling
degree she trained in Paris, and ended it had on flavour – it turns out, cooked of fizzy drinks.” However, “one notable
downside of being a flavour scientist,”
she says, “is that I very rarely get invited
to my friends’ houses for dinner!’
While we can’t all be super tasters,
we can practise Rachel’s ability to focus
on taste. The adage that you should
chew each mouthful one hundred times
might be overkill, but it’s worth trying
to take your time, to really savour each
flavour and sensation and appreciate
the wonder in this everyday of activities.
racheledwardsstuart.com

“Anchovy and rosemary,

and coffee and banana-
flavour popcorn were
surprisingly good”
34
Smell was my starting point, and it just went BBQ. The smell of burning leaves in
For perfumier Maya Njie, smell is on from there.” the autumn. Gambian incense.”
a powerful tool that helps unlock We’re perhaps prone to take smell for That transportation back in time
some of our happiest memories. granted – only realising how much we thanks to our bottle of sun cream is
value it when we have a bad cold or lose down to the neurones in our nose. “They
Who hasn’t opened a bottle of sun our sense of smell. But working with extend directly to our olfactory bulb
cream and been transported right scent, Maya notices smells around her in the brain, which then links to other
back to summer holidays? Such is the all the time. “I tend to pick up on smells parts of our brain that store memories,”
power of smell, which has left an entire around me very easily. I’d say I’m not as Maya explains. “With over 400 different
industry trying to bottle that experience. good at blocking out an unpleasant smell types of olfactory receptors sending
Maya Njie founded her perfume as I am at blocking out an unpleasant signals, it makes sense that smell
company in 2016, using scents deeply sound. If a polarising smell is present, and memory are so tightly linked.
rooted in her Swedish and West African I have to either get rid of it or move.” “Smelling an old family member’s
culture. Though she’s always been The plus side is that she can be “very perfume or the scent of a scarf a loved
fascinated with scent, Maya initially good at picking out pleasant aromas one has left behind will make you feel
started working visually, studying that some might struggle to smell – closer to that person than a photo ever
surface design. Her attention turned to so it works both ways!” she laughs. could,” she believes. “You expect to get
looking at “scent as a means of sensory Ask her what her favourite smells an emotional response looking at a photo,
expression” and began “combining are, and they immediately spring to but scent has the power to catch you off
visual design, photography and scent to mind: “The damp Swedish forest, guard when you least expect it and take
create a direct link to my heritage. My jasmine and honeysuckle blooming you somewhere else in an instant.”
old family photo album from the 1970s during the summer evenings. A good mayanjie.com

35
 Hearing says. “Experiencing how quickly I felt of making sure I’m not actively doing
Farzana Ali harnesses the healing a sense of calm and deep rest, I knew anything that will damage my hearing.”
power of sound to help others therapeutic sound was for me.” Farzana uses Himalayan bowls,
reach a place of deep relaxation. Previously a journalist, Farzana drums and crystal singing bowls, but it’s
became a practitioner-level sound the sounds of rivers and rustling leaves
Whether it’s the lapping of waves or therapist. Even something as simple as that are among her favourites. Most of
leaves blowing in the breeze, we’ve listening to music can make a difference us have access to these sounds but don’t
all likely experienced the soothing to our mental state, Farzana explains. realise how transformative they can be.
power of sound. And, while many “Sound connects to us on such a deep You can also find ‘mini sonic rests’ on
use meditation in a quest for calm, level. It can evoke every emotion and Farzana’s Instagram page. “Embracing
the clearing of our minds might be that heighten our sense of connection to sound as a tool for meditation can
bit easier by adding in accompanying others and the world around us. It improve your life in so many ways,”
sounds. A calm voice narrating a can also connect us to the present. So, she says. “It can make you calmer,
meditation might work for some, but if you’re feeling anxious, then sound healthier, happier and more resilient.”
Farzana Ali found sound baths quickly can bring your focus back to the present @thesoundtherapist
transported her into a place of deep and therefore help you feel calmer.”
relaxation. Not to be confused with However, being so in tune with
bathing; “A sound bath is a meditative sounds has its ups and downs. “I’m “Sound can evoke every
practice that uses harmonic sounds to definitely more sensitive to sound and
induce a relaxed state for both mind and volume in general,” she says. “I wear emotion and heighten
body,” explains Farzana. “I struggled
with meditation and assumed it wasn’t
noise-cancelling earplugs on the tube
or anywhere too noisy and try to avoid
our sense of connection
for me, until I tried a sound bath,” she spaces with loud music. I’m also aware to others”
36
 WISDOM

Touch is, how tight a knit – my hands seem

Celia Pym sees touch as an act of to understand better than my eyes.”
tenderness, whether that’s mending Mending clothes that once belonged
clothes or caring for others. to someone you loved can take on a
different significance. “It used to sit
“I’ve always worked with my hands,” on the skin of someone you loved, it’s
says Celia Pym. “My family is quite like a diffused kind of touch,” says
crafty, so cooking, gardening and fixing Celia. “Touch isn’t only through your
things came naturally.” hands – your skin is your biggest organ
Known today for her visible repair – and clothing will take on the shape
of garments, after studying textiles and the smell of someone and become
and sculpture, Celia turned to nursing. an evocative reminder of the owner.”
“A big part of nursing is personal care, In her book, Celia tells the story of
helping people wash or dress, quite ten special items she’s mended. One that
intimate but everyday things.” There really illustrates the connection of touch
Sight
was, she discovered, a surprising link to memory: “I mended my mother’s
Colour specialist Leatrice Eiseman
between this and mending clothes. “They childhood sweater that my brother also
believes we can benefit emotionally
may seem like simple activities but both wore – it was so small I couldn’t imagine
and physically from bringing more
mending and nursing offer the chance my mother ever wearing it, but I could
colour into our lives.
to be close to someone.” Her book, On picture struggling to hold my brother
Mending: Stories of Damage and Repair when he was one and I was three,” she Sight is the sense that humans use the
explores the similarities between bodies recalls. “The tactility of the sweater most, and from childhood we are drawn
that are ‘on the mend’ and items of really conjured up that memory.” to colour. That fascination stayed with
clothing that she has repaired. While we could all benefit from Leatrice Eiseman who started her career
PHOTOGRAPHY: MICHELE PANZERI

And it is touch, rather than sight, that mending more and throwing away in fashion before quickly realising that
Celia finds key to mending. “I describe less, perhaps it’s worth considering there was a need for colour consulting in
it as your hands doing the figuring out that it’s not just for the good of the other fields, from product development
for you,” she says. “I’ll see what needs planet but for our connection to our and interiors to branding and graphics.
mending but then I’ll touch it and own past, as conveyed through touch. She’s now written ten books about colour
quickly get a sense of how difficult it On Mending: Stories of Damage and and, as the executive director of the
will be based on how heavy or light it Repair by Celia Pym (Hawthorn Press) Pantone Colour Institute, she uses many
sources of inspiration to name colours.
So what colours has Leatrice chosen
to surround herself with? “I live in
Tucson where the desert colors are a
huge influence. The main portion of my
house is done in a warm Pantone colour
called Desert Dust, a good background
to my colourful plantings and outdoor
furnishings.” Just don’t ask her to
choose a favourite colour – “that’s like
asking which is my favourite child!”
So how do we hold on to that childlike
delight in colour? The key is not to
be afraid of change. Repaint a room
or experiment with a different shade
on your wardrobe. Eat the rainbow.
Tap into what feelings a colour evokes.
Colour psychology advises us that
warm colours evoke love, passion,
happiness and anger while cooler
colours can cause calmness or sadness
and indifference, but our experiences
of colour are subjective. “Let the artist
in you come out,” advises Leatrice.
The Complete Color Harmony: Pantone®
Edition by Leatrice Eiseman (Rockport)

37
 Let the
games begin
BREAK OUT THE BOARD GAMES
AND SERVE UP SOME MOREISH
FINGER FOOD FOR AN EVENING
OF COMPETITIVE FUN
Recipes, styling and photography: CATHERINE FRAWLEY

T
o fill those long midwinter evenings or
wet weekend afternoons, it’s time to
cosy up, get out the board games and
invite friends over for an few hours of
over-competitiveness.
While the boards get set up, serve up some
snacks – no cutlery required – so hunger won’t
stop play. A root beer float will get you all in the
mood for childish fun, then moreish cauliflower
and halloumi bites with dishes of dips. While
you inevitably pause to debate the rules, enjoy
burgers that’ll please both meat eaters and
vegans alike, along with a side of slaw and mac
‘n’ cheese balls that are so good that you will feel
like a winner, no matter how well you do at
Monopoly. Finally, celebrate the champion with
churros and chocolate sauce (luckily, these work
just as well if you’re commiserating a loss, too).
Whether you go for a classic like Cluedo or
a modern game like Exploding Kittens, this
is a night in that works for young, old, and
everyone in between. Just watch out for dodgy
play, or be prepared to go directly to jail without
collecting £200… or – worse – a tasty nibble. »

38
GATHERING

39
 You'll be holding
a winning hand
when you have
one of these
deliciously cheesy
bites in it

Cauliflower bites
Cheesy little morsels that hit
a new level when dipped
in your choice of sauce.

Serves 4
Half of head cauliflower, cut
into small florets
50g parmesan, grated
1 tbsp garlic granules
1 tbsp onion granules
1 tsp coriander seeds, crushed
in a pestle and mortar
½ tsp nutmeg
1 egg, beaten

1 Preheat the oven to 220C/

Fan 200C/Gas 7 and line a
baking tray with baking paper.
2 On a flat plate, mix together the
parmesan, garlic and onion granules,
crushed coriander seeds and nutmeg
and plenty of salt and pepper.
3 Dip each floret into the egg, then
roll in the cheese mixture and place
on the baking tray. Continue until
all the florets are coated.
4 Bake in the oven for 20 mins,
turning halfway through. Serve
hot with dipping sauces; we served
ours with tomato salsa and a cheese
and chive dip.

40
 GATHERING

5 NEW GAMES
TO TRY
-Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza is an amped-up
form of snap with lots of shouting and even
gorilla impressions. It should be simple, but
the time pressure and keeping things straight
reduces even the smartest person to being
almost unable to function. (£10.99)

-Ticket to Ride
In Ticket to Ride you're building train routes
across continents or countries. It’s a simple
concept, but the tension comes when your
opponents snatch a vital route from you
just before you finish it! We recommend the
Europe (£44.99) or London (£21.99) versions
– the London version uses buses and is a
little smaller and quicker, but just as fun!

-Pandemic
For some reason, the Pandemic game has
been super popular for the past couple of
years. In it, you work together as a team to
stop the spread of diseases around the world.
Good if some folk can get too competitive, as
you all win or lose as a team – and you get the
satisfaction of saving the world, too. (£44.99)

-Yogi
Yogi has possibly the simplest rules of any
game. Each turn you draw a card and do
what it says; but you have to keep doing
what it says. Examples include: ‘This card
must balance on the back of your hand.’ Easy
enough, but the next card might be: ‘Your
right hand must be above your left hand,’
and the next: ‘This card must touch your face’
– which gets tricky. It’s like Twister but while
sat at the table, and with no touching. (£11.99)

Halloumi bites 1 Preheat the oven to 220C/ -Azul

Soft halloumi with a crunchy edge Fan 200C/Gas 7 and line a In Azul, you are building decorations in the
make these too good to resist – baking tray with baking paper. wall of a royal palace. You get to rummage
2 In a large bowl mix together through a lovely tactile bag of tiles and take
just watch for sauce on the board
the breadcrumbs, sesame seeds, turns to choose tiles of one colour – but each
paprika and black pepper. time you do, you make more tiles available
3 Add the cubed halloumi and to your opponents. Even if you don’t score
Serves 4 toss until coated, then tip onto the the most points to win, your board will look
4 tbsp breadcrumbs tray and spread out evenly. Bake really rather lovely. (£42.99)
1 tbsp sesame seeds for 24 mins turning halfway through..
1 tsp paprika 4 Transfer to a serving dish and
Pinch of black pepper sprinkle with fresh mint. Serve hot
Recommendations by Nick Smith, co-owner,
2 packs of halloumi, cut into cubes with dipping sauces; we used tomato Ludoquist Board Games Café and Bar in Croydon,
Fresh mint leaves, to serve salsa and a cheese and chive dip. » London. For more information, visit: theludoquist.com

41
 Burger in a bun in
one hand, leaving
the other hand
free to make your
move. Maybe just
give Twister a miss Lamb & mint burgers
while eating Distract your opponents with
these tasty small burgers – eatable
with one hand, keeping the other
free to roll the dice.

Makes 8 small burgers

500g 20% fat lamb mince
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tbsp dijon mustard
½ red onion, roughly chopped
2 tbsp fresh dill, roughly chopped
2 tbsp fresh mint, roughly chopped
2 tbsp fine breadcrumbs
TO SERVE:
Small burger buns of your choice
Thick-cut slices of beef tomatoes
Salad leaves
Mayonnaise (or condiment of choice)

1 Line a large baking sheet with

baking paper. Meanwhile, add all
of the ingredients to a food processor
and pulse until you have an even
consistency. Don’t over process
it, though, you want the patty
to have texture.
2 To create even burgers, weigh
out 70g per burger. Roll and flatten
into a circular shape, or use a 7cm
cookie cutter (smooth side) to get
consistently sized burgers.
3 Place each burger on the baking
sheet and chill in the fridge for
Beetroot & sweet Slices of gherkin at least 30 mins.
potato burgers Salad leaves 4 Brush a frying pan with a little olive
Mustard mayo (or condiment oil and heat over a medium heat.
Meat eaters don't have the
of choice) For a medium/well done burger,
monopoly on the best burgers,
fry for about 4 mins each side.
thanks to these colourful 1 Preheat the oven 210C/Fan 190C/ 5 Make up the burgers with the salad
veggie versions. Gas 6-7 and line a baking tray with fillings and condiments of choice.
baking paper.
2 Add all the ingredients to a food
Makes 8 small burgers processor and pulse to combine.
140g beetroot, grated (with excess 3 For consistent sized burgers,
moisture squeezed out) weigh out 60g balls of the mixture
200g sweet potato, grated (with and form into burger-shaped patties.
excess moisture squeezed out) Place on the tray.
1 x 400g tin chickpeas, drained 4 Cook for about 8 mins on each
3 tbsp parsley, roughly chopped side, the patty should retain its
2 garlic cloves, crushed vibrant colour but just be beginning
½ shallot, chopped to darken. The patty is looser than
1 tsp all spice the lamb burger so be careful that
2 tbsp fine breadcrumbs it doesn’t break when turning over.
TO SERVE: 5 Make up the burgers with the salad
Small burger buns of your choice fillings and condiments of choice.

44
 GATHERING

Winter slaw
A great crunch with a slight honey
sweetness – this is where a slaw
meets comfort food.

Serves 4 Oozy and

meltingly good
8 brussels sprouts, finely sliced
mac ‘n’ cheese
¼ red cabbage, thinly sliced balls. Everyone's
½ red onion, thinly sliced a winner tonight
2 carrots grated
FOR THE DRESSING:
1 tsp wholegrain mustard
1 tbsp honey or maple syrup Mac ‘n’ cheese balls 3 Mix together the ingredients for
1 tbsp mayonnaise Mac ‘n’ cheese you can eat the coating on a plate and set aside.
4 tbsp olive oil 4 In a medium pan, melt the butter.
with your hands? We’re in!
2 tbsp white wine vinegar Once foaming, stir in the flour and
keep stirring over the heat for about
1 Add all the dressing ingredients 2 mins. Remove from the heat, stir
to a jam jar and shake to combine. Makes about 30 balls in the mustard powder and season.
2 Put the prepared veg in a bowl 300g macaroni 5 In a large jug combine the milk and
and pour over the dressing. Mix 40g butter cream and start adding that gradually
until coated and serve immediately. 40g plain flour to the butter and flour mixture. Stir
1 tsp mustard powder to fully combine it before adding the
250ml milk next splash. Once it’s all added, return
150ml single cream the pan to the heat, bring to a boil and
100g cheddar, grated simmer for 2 min, stirring constantly.
50g parmesan, grated The mixture should begin to thicken.
Parsley leaves to garnish, optional Remove from the heat and stir in
FOR THE COATING: the grated cheddar and parmesan.
40g cheddar, grated 6 Drain the pasta and add it to a bowl.
Small handful parsley Pour over the cheese sauce and mix.
5 crackers, crushed 7 With your lined baking tray and
coating ingredients easy to hand,
1 Preheat the oven to 220C/ start forming small balls. Take a
Fan 200C/Gas 7. Meanwhile, line tablespoon of macaroni cheese,
2 baking sheets with baking paper form it into a loose ball then roll in the
(or cook in smaller batches). coating and place on the baking tray.
2 Cook the macaroni according to 8 Bake for 20 mins, turning halfway
pack instructions, minus 2 mins (as – the cheese should be starting to
it will be finished off in the oven). brown. Serve with a parley garnish. »

43
 GATHERING

Churros with
chocolate sauce
Doughnut fingers dunked in silky
chocolate sauce – don't miss a
turn when these are passed round.

Makes about 26
75g caster sugar
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
50g butter
200g plain flour
500-750ml veg or sunflower oil
FOR THE DIPPING SAUCE:
150ml single cream
150ml good quality dark chocolate
NOTE: You’ll need a piping bag with
a large 6 or 8-point star piping nozzle

1 To prepare, line a baking tray

with baking paper. Meanwhile,
mix together the caster sugar and
cinnamon on a plate and set aside.
2 In a pan, melt the butter in 250ml
of water. Add the flour and stir with
a wooden spoon until it starts to
come together, keep stirring over
the heat for 1-2 mins, or until all
the flour is incorporated.
Winner gets the
3 When it’s cool enough to handle last churro… loser
(don’t allow it to cool completely), gets to count all
fill the piping bag and pipe 5 inch the playing bits
back into the box
straight lines before snipping with
scissors or simply wiping the end of
the nozzle with a finger to finish each
churro. Continue until the mix is used,
but keep any last scraps to test the oil.
4 Heat a deep pan half full with about
500-750ml of oil – it’s hot enough
when a piece of dough, rises, sizzles Root beer floats
and goes brown in about 30 secs.
This classic makes a great party
5 Using a slotted metal spoon, lower
drink (or a portable pud), so you
2-3 churros at a time into the oil.
Don't be tempted to drop them in
can focus on the game in hand.
as this might cause the hot oil to
splash. Cook for 30-60 secs each
side then remove with a slotted Root beer
spoon and place on kitchen paper. Vanilla ice cream
When all churros are cooked, gently
roll them in the cinnamon sugar. Fill a glass with root beer then
6 For the sauce, heat the cream and top with a scoop of vanilla ice
chocolate together in a saucepan, cream. Serve with a straw.
stirring continuously. When you have
a thick combined sauce, transfer to a
pot and serve warm with the churros.

44
 BELONGINGS

W H AT I T R E A S U R E
My autograph book
By Anushua Biswas

M
um bought me my first
autograph book when I was
11. In the 1970s, they were
all the rage in my convent
school in India and it was
a barometer of popularity to be asked pandemic, this pocket book became a portal
to contribute. I wanted famous signatures, to happy times. Browsing through pages of
though, and I dreamt of being a professional exuberant sketches and simple verse, I found
autograph hunter. myself transported back to a sepia-tinted
Bottle green, my book had ‘Autographs’ time when everything seemed possible.
written in gold on the cover and gilt edged I read the message from our convent’s
pages that I thought was the acme of Mother Superior to ‘find courage to stand by
sophistication. In my mind’s eye, I was my convictions’ and my teacher’s quote from
already successfully sharp-elbowing my way HW Beecher to ‘demand more from myself
through crowds towards a celebrity, who’d than anyone else.’ Sister Helena, our school
reward my persistence. Acknowledging Principal, urged me ‘to sail, sometimes with
the possibility of this happening, however,
I wrote my foreword, addressing it to “Browsing through its
friends to ‘leave a sweet remembrance here.’
As it happened, I did collect some ‘famous’ pages I’m transported back
signatures. Most memorably, Sherpa to a sepia-tinted time”
Tenzing Norgay*, well known for shunning
the public. On holiday in Darjeeling, we went and sometimes against the wind and never
to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. drift.’ These homilies felt precious. People
Initially, he refused my request, but after I loved or looked up to, who’d taken the
a family friend who was with us mentioned trouble to write something they thought
her brother who’d climbed the Matterhorn was appropriate for me. I barely glanced at
the previous year, he emerged from his the famous signatures; they had lost their
office and signed my book. shine next to the childish scrawls of friends
I stopped chasing autographs when and the thoughtful quotes of my teachers.
I started university and my book lay Autograph books are now no longer de
forgotten about in a drawer. A few years ago, rigueur as tech and people have moved
it suddenly re-surfaced. In the peak of the with the times. But my autograph book has
preserved our youthful selves in pen, ink and
paper, of a time when the world was young.
What means a lot to you? Tell us in 500 words;
[email protected].

*Tenzing Norgay scaled Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953. They were the first (known) people to accomplish this feat.

45
 PASSIONS

M O D E R N
E CENTRICS
The cat café
Words: JULIAN OWEN Photography: JONATHAN CHERRY

46
 IN A WORLD THAT CAN FEEL
INCREASINGLY UNIFOR M ,
WE’RE CELEBRATING THOSE
HAPPILY DOING THINGS a bit
d if f e re n tl y. Me e t t h e
PEOPLE WHO ARE seriously “We get a lot of couples – it’s obviously a sweet date
night,” she says. “We’ve got an old people’s home that
P A S S I O N A T E about comes to us, students, family days out, birthdays…”
‘Us’ is Tabby Teas, the cat café she opened in
their pastimes . PERHAPS Sheffield in 2017.
THEY’LL PERSUADE YOU TO
“It didn’t happen overnight. It took about three
years to get everything together, like volunteering in a
TRY s o m e t h i n g N E W ? local shelter to see how cats work in big groups, how to
maintain and clean stuff, everything that goes with it.”
The result is a carefully planned haven for felines and
ay back in 1998, near Zhishan customers alike. In the main body of the café, between
metro station, in the Shilin the tables, lay scattered a number of floor-based toys,
district of Taipei, Taiwan, a beds and the ‘cat jungle’, a series of raised platforms
whole new theatre opened up offering be-whiskered residents the option to be seen but
in the age-old battle of cat versus not touched. Should full privacy be required, a customer-
canine. Which side did it favour? free chill-out room is within easy slinking distance.
Well, let’s put it this way: no one ever felt minded to open “The café is really quite relaxed,” says Charlotte. “We
a dog café. Certainly, popping out for coffee and a slice only have a certain amount of people at any one time, and
in the presence of a dozen or so pooches would be an we stagger it as well, so it’s never overwhelming for the
experience, but a good one? Let’s assume you manage cats. It means that whoever comes in has enough time to
to stay on your feet as you walk through the door to be able to chill out and walk around. Some people come
be greeted by a frenzied whirl of paws and slobbering because they want to pet the cats, some want to play with
tongues. Could you relax amid the endless entreaties to them, and some just want to watch them. We make it
reach for one of the 12 leads dangling from yonder wall? as calm as possible, with ambient music and lighting.” »
Or the fearful, ear-full prospect of a massed bark? Or,
especially, the pleading eyes from a hanging head that
say, ‘Actually, if you don’t hand over that last morsel on
your plate, I dare not think what will become of me.’
No, the owners of the hundreds of cat cafés to follow
in Cat Flower Garden’s wake have it right, filling their
establishments with furry bundles of
Isabel of Sheffield’s
insouciance that may or may not deign
Tabby Teas, possibly
the purrfect place to to share their time with you, but will
relax and get add to a relaxed ambience for all-comers.
up close to some Charlotte Pickering is the ideal person
feline friends.
Someone paw us to explain exactly what breadth that
a coffee, will you? all-comers tag can encompass.

47
 PASSIONS

It’s quite some contrast with the felines’ former lives.

Apart from their current digs, the one thing Tabby Teas’
Felidae family have in common is that they’re rescue cats.
“We work with local shelters and they tend to pick
the cats for us,” explains Charlotte.
And what it is that they are looking for?
“Cats that are tarts, essentially. Ones that enjoy a bit
of everything, that are okay with each other and enjoy
a cuddle. If they’re not quite right, we re-home them.
But if they’re happy, and they suit the café, they can stay
as long as they want; we’ve had cats pass away with us.
“It’s like a big cat family. If you had a load of stray cats,
they would pack up in the wild and look after each other.
It’s like that in the café. When you bring in a new one, We’re guessing, Charlotte, that your staff turnover
they have to work each other out. Once they realise is lower than the industry standard?
that they’re all cool, it’s pretty settled.” “Oh yeah, no one leaves!”
Eleven cats are padding around their quarters at There are out-of-hours perks, too.
the time of our chat. “If you join the team, chances are that you’ll end
“Twelve is my max,” says Charlotte. “If there were up with a cat.”
any more, they’d be on top of each other.” Charlotte, Isabel and co’s expertise is not only
The biggest logistical challenge is simply “making deployed for the benefit of the residents.
sure they’re all happy. When people come in you have “We’ve had customers that have never been around
to make sure that they understand the house rules. For cats,” says Charlotte. “Depending on what they want to
instance, if a cat is sleeping, let it sleep. When you come take away from it, we’re there to make that experience
into the café, you’re very much coming into their home.” happen. You have to teach them the basics of where cats
Isabel Morley entered their home three like to be touched; the head, neck and chin stroke are
Customers come to
cat cafés to watch,
years ago, having grown up dreaming favourite, body strokes are fine, but don’t go for a belly or
pet or play with of running a cat café of her own. paw stroke unless you want to incur the wrath of the cat.
the cats, however “When Tabby Teas opened, I became “We’re watching the cats, but we’re also watching the
Charlotte sets strict
a regular customer,” she says. “I became people; ‘That cat doesn’t like that, I’m just going to let
house rules… but we
all know who’s really good friends with the owners and they you know that now before you get yourself into trouble…’”
in charge. Meow offered me a job which I couldn’t refuse.” tabbyteas.co.uk

48
 “ENJOY FURRY BUNDLES
OF INSOUCIANCE
THAT MAY OR MAY NOT
DEIGN TO SHARE THEIR
TIME WITH YOU”

49
 T H E R OA D A H E A D
WITH A BIT OF FORETHOUGHT, RESEARCH AND PLANNING,
YOUR TRIP CAN MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE TO THE
PEOPLE AND PLACES YOU VISIT

Words: IMOGEN LEPERE Illustrations: JULIA MURRAY

PICK THE SECOND

C I T Y, O R T H E T H I R D …
Like the famous actor who ends up
here’s no getting away from it, travel, and being typecast, over-tourism turns
flying in particular, cause carbon emissions certain destinations into parodies
(although there are ways to mitigate this). of themselves. As well as leading to
However, tourism also creates one out of inauthentic experiences, too much
every ten jobs globally. Many of these are tourism decimates local ecosystems
in remote corners where communities play and makes life nigh on impossible
a crucial role in protecting delicate ecosystems and for locals. It’s far better to pick a
ways of life. Others allow those on the margins to gain region’s second, third or even fourth
independence in societies where that is far from a given. city. Think skiing in Bulgaria’s
Travel can be one of many ways to making our planet Rila Mountains instead of the
a safer, fairer and kinder place – somewhere people and Swiss Alps, browsing Rotterdam’s
nature thrive in harmony. And taking time to plan your galleries instead of joining the crush
trip can pay dividends. So, here are a few ways to see in Amsterdam, or strolling along
the world while helping to save it, one trip at a time. Treviso’s canals instead of Venice’s.

50
 IDEAS

(UNF)AIRBNB
By 2021, Airbnb had more
than seven million listings in
220 countries, making travel
more affordable and accessible
– for travellers that is. In cities
that suffer from over-tourism,
such as Paris, Amsterdam
and Barcelona, short-term lets
have caused skyrocketing rents
that displace locals. Do your
research and, if necessary, opt
for a locally owned guesthouse,
hostel or serviced apartment
instead. Or try: Fairbnb
(fairbnb.coop), where hosts
must be local and can only
list one property each, while
50% of the platform’s fees go
towards community projects.
Or Ecobnb (ecobnb.com),
BECOME AN
A I R L I N E AC T I V I ST
PA C K L E S S
Did you know that the lighter
Try a ‘greener which offers accommodation
that fulfills 10 criteria including
We do get it: because you’re your bag, the fewer CO2 choice’ search car-free access, 100%
pressed for time or travelling emissions produced by your renewable energy, organic
long-haul, flying is sometimes flight? According to the UN’s filter or offsetting food, and recycling more
the only viable option. Don’t Environment Programme, than 80% of their waste.
beat yourself up about it, reducing the weight of your
your trip
though. Instead, try using luggage by 15kg decreases
Skyscanner’s (skyscanner.net) your emissions by around
‘greener choice’ filter when 50-100kg on a 4.5 hour flight.
you search, and once you’ve
chosen a flight, head over
to Atmosfair (atmosfair.de)
to work out the carbon cost
of your trip and to offset it.

A WO M A N ’ S Planeterra (planeterra.org)
P L AC E champions community
Look out for opportunities tourism enterprises led by
to support women in travel women, including Women
jobs that have stereotypically with Wheels, which has
been seen as ‘belonging’ to so far trained 1,000 female
men, such as porters, guides cab drivers in India, and
and drivers. It might take a the Pink City Rickshaw
little extra digging but seek Company, your go-to for
and ye shall find. Non-profit rickshaw tours of Jaipur. »

51
 IDEAS

S TAY L O N G E R
Not so fast. Rather than taking
multiple micro-trips a year,
try going away less often and
for longer. Not only does this
save on carbon emissions from
flights, but it also allows you
to connect with a destination
in a more meaningful way.
Many employers are far more
flexible on working from home
since the pandemic and as
long as you have good internet,
it’s very possible to work from
the road. So why not ask? The
worst they can do is say no.

MEANS TO A MEND
If it’s broke, see if a local
can help mend it! When travel
equipment gives up on the road,
always try to find a fixer rather
than chucking it, particularly
if you’re somewhere without
municipal waste facilities.
People living in destinations
where resources are harder
to come by may well have the
skills to bring even the weariest
possessions back to life.

PA S S I T O N
When it’s time to go home, look
Look at your stuff
at your stuff through a local’s through a local’s
eyes. Is there anything that
could make a useful gift? Items eyes – could it
like sanitary products, clothes,
books, over-the-counter
make a useful gift?
medicines and sun cream can
all be far harder to get hold of
in certain countries, so your
hosts may really appreciate
them. Make sure they’re clean Taken from The Ethical
and left in a neat pile in your Traveller: 100 Ways to Roam
the World (Without Ruining
room with a thank you note to It!) by Imogen Lepere
be discovered after you’ve gone. (Smith Street Books)

52
MORE THAN JUST
A COUGH DROP
Made in Switzerland with 13 Swiss Alpine herbs.

Only natural With Fair Trade

colours Honey
 SHARING
STORIES
It’s offici a l, a s ubs criptio n to
THE SIMPLE THINGS m a kes you feel goo d

‘I’m forever living for a glimpse of sunshine’ ‘What today looks like for me’ ‘My fave mag and fave project on a Sunday avo
@_oceancityliving @bethandthebobbins while the little one sleeps’ @hush_and_huggle

PHOTOGRAPHY: SHUTTERSTOCK

‘It’s important to take time out when it’s needed’ ‘A well chosen magazine and tea and biscuits’ ‘A post run hot choccy & a new mag’
@katyhowephoto @dimpsey_glamping @hm__coates
‘I make an effort to give myself an early night ‘Tea and November’s issue of The Simple ‘I’m hoping this year I can take a bit more care
or morning with this’ @smithscountrycottage Things… and breathe…’ @clarissamulholland of myself and slow down a little’ @tinkhickman

‘Friday evening treats’ @samanthatyler88 ‘SNUG – keeping cosy while waiting for ‘Crochet, cuppa and this month’s
baby to arrive’ @daintydora @simplethingsmag’ @robinsandrainbows

Av ai la ble o n Apple, A m a zo n,
B a r n es & Noble, Zi n io,
Pres sRe a der

Sa ve m o n ey with a ye a r’s
s ubs criptio n (12 i s s u es).
T h e ch oice i s si m ple.
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PHDQLQJIXOPRUQLQJV

DIP A TOE IN THE WATER

Next available Spring and Autumn 2023

For dates, locations & packages email [email protected]

www.sea-change.me
 OUTING

By seeking out a few

architectural clues, it’ll
help you see your
hometown through
fresh eyes. Alley-up!

RIGHT UP YOUR STREET

FAMILIAR BUILDINGS AND LANDMARKS CAN APPEAR IN A WHOLE NEW
LIGHT ONCE YOU KNOW SOME OF THE STORIES BEHIND THEIR FAÇADES
Words: LAURA BROWN

s I set out on an Within the first five minutes, however, into one day – there’s plenty of time
architectural tour of I’ve uttered half a dozen “gosh-I’ve- to research, reflect, and revisit.
Dundee, my home for the never-noticed-that-befores.” It seems that
past 20-something years, familiarity hasn’t bred contempt, exactly, GUIDING LIGHTS
I secretly believe I’ve but a lackadaisical approach to looking Accompanying me in my pocket, urging
seen it all before: Frank – really looking – at my surroundings. me to stop and look, is the late Professor
Gehry’s Maggie’s Centre; the V&A museum The beauty of a local tour, I quickly realise, Charles McKean, an architectural historian
designed by Kengo Kuma; the art college’s is that there is no pressure. Everything and champion of Dundee’s urban landscape.
James Paul-designed Brutalist building; will still be here tomorrow, and so, all being I’m armed with a series of leaflets based
Robert Lutyens’ Art Deco M&S; and all the well, will I. There’s no need to cram over on the walks that he once led around
tenements and tower blocks in between. four centuries of architectural history the city (dundeeheritagewalk.com). »

57
 OUTING

There are printable architecture trails

for lots of big cities – councils often have
A great guide offers a unique perspective links to the official ones – but you don’t
on a place, either through insider need to be in a metropolis to admire
knowledge or personal connection. I love splendid buildings, of course. The terrific
Invisible Cities, where those giving the CHALKUP21 trail is a 17-mile coastal walk
tours have all experienced homelessness, that steers you past nine striking structures
and know their areas inside out – I fancy along the Strait of Dover (chalkup21.com).
the From Huts to High Rise excursion
along Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, headed BUILDING BETTER
up by Angus (invisible-cities.org). When you’ve lived in a place as long as
Architect-led tours are always a safe I have, schlepping around its most famous
bet, too. The Royal Institute of British landmarks on an all-encompassing tour can
Architects (RIBA) is a good place to start feel a bit pointless (I cheated by skipping
– past walks include a Royalty v. Parliament a few). Instead, homing in on just one
tour of Westminster’s buildings, and a jaunt intriguing building or site can be a better
around Liverpool (architecture.com). option for the wander-weary among us.
Apps like the University of Aberdeen’s London’s particularly good for this.
Take a fresh look around ‘Discover: Old Aberdeen’ are so nifty to fire The Barbican regularly organises walks
PHOTOGRAPHY: ALAMY; SHUTTERSTOCK; STOCKSY

your neighbourhood up for a spontaneous stroll ‘n’ scroll, or for through its Brutalist estate, and Tate
to discover its secrets – those who prefer to keep their hands Modern and Tate Britain both offer guided
(clockwise from above)
look down to spy Brighton’s unhindered, try an audio guide. The tours of their buildings. The ever-brilliant
boot scrapers; spot out- Supreme Court, located on London’s Open City has some wonderfully niche
of-character buildings; or Parliament Square, has an interesting one walks, including a trip around the 2012
similar architectural styles;
and look up to see the likes
(search ‘audio tour’ at supremecourt.uk to Olympic Park (open-city.org.uk).
of Ely’s Tudor brick download it), and back in Auld Reekie (or A more meta way to appreciate different
chimneys. Even windows Edinburgh for the less well acquainted), types of architecture is by peeping inside
give clues, from Georgian
Cobble Tales narrates the architecture of an architect’s former home, or their
fans to Modernism’s straight
lines, these ones designed the Old Town, New Town, and Dean Village workplace. Ernő Goldfinger’s modernist
by Ernő Goldfinger straight into your ears (cobbletales.com). masterpiece at 2 Willow Road, Hampstead

58
(which is part of the National Trust), and
RIBA’s headquarters at 66 Portland Place,
London, are both worth visiting.

A R C H I T E C T O F YO U R temple-bar-walks), while Stefi Orazi’s

OW N D E ST I N Y lovely little Perambulations series includes
In front of a handsome neoclassical a tour dedicated to Richard Rogers (look
terrace in Dundee, one that I’ve barely for guide no.14 at thingsyoucanbuy.co.uk).
cast a second glance at since, oh, sometime Pioneering Arts and Crafts architect
in 1998, I learn about its designer, the Edgar Wood was born in Middleton,
respected City Architect of the early Greater Manchester – take yourself on
Famous façades
The Best Supporting
19th century, David Neave. an informative trail of his highlights at Architecture that’s starred
Focusing your attention on the work home (middletonheritage.co.uk) or in as somewhere else entirely
of a single architect can also be fun, Huddersfield (edgarwoodsociety.org/
especially when you start to identify tours). And if you’re in Nottingham, O Glasgow’s grid system

trademark details from building to try a guided walk celebrating Watson and grand buildings have
masqueraded as Chicago,
building (I now know that Neave was Fothergill’s Gothic Revival gems
New York and, in World
big on fanlights above the front door). (watsonfothergillwalk.com). War Z, Philadelphia.
The Scottish Ecological Design O The Doric columns of
Association has a free tour map devoted HOME TRUTHS Dundee’s Caird Hall passed
to Ebenezer MacRae, Edinburgh’s long- I find myself drawn to the residential for the Bolshoi Theatre in
serving City Architect (seda.uk.net/ areas of Dundee that might never be part An Englishman Abroad.
O In London, Lancaster House
architectural-tours), and the ‘Go of an organised tour. I ask house historian
has been an understudy for
Glasgow’ app is an interactive tour Melanie Backe-Hansen for her advice on Buckingham Palace in shows
of – who else? – Charles Rennie how I can delve deeper into these dwellings. such as The Crown and films
Mackintosh’s finest buildings. Her excellent book Historic Streets and including The King’s Speech.
London’s Temple Bar Trust leads regular Squares: The Secrets on Your Doorstep (The O With the highest number of

walks exploring the architecture of Sir History Press) does exactly that, combining Grade I listed buildings outside
Christopher Wren (templebar.london/ architectural heritage with social history to » of the capital, Liverpool doubles
for many North American
and European cities. Spot
“Focussing on a single architect can be fun, especially it in Florence Foster Jenkins
or, at the opposite end of the
when you start to identify their trademark details” adrenalin scale, Fast & Furious 6.

59
 OUTING

Left-right: Clues to
the past in Edinburgh’s
medieval dense closes;
how bombing changed
this London street;
and in architectural
nods – like at Judge’s
Institute, a 1990s take on
Cambridge colleges

without the help of my leaflet, I could

have guessed, for example, that many of
Dundee’s impressive villas once belonged
to jute barons and whalers, because I know
enough about the city’s past to put the
reveal the secrets of some of Britain’s pieces together.
best-known postcodes. That also applies to new towns or modern Style clues
The obvious starting point for street housing: “There might be connections
Tudor
sleuths, she tells me, is to look really closely to other historic buildings nearby, or to
Half-timbered houses with
at everything on a house’s exterior, noticing what was on the site before the housing thatched roofs and small
the material, the shape and size of windows was built,” she adds. Don’t be tempted to diamond window panes
and doors, the height of the building, dismiss unprepossessing newer builds as make for quintessentially
the roof, and any decorative features. architecturally arid, either: “Maybe it was chocolate-box cottages.
Keep an eye out for architectural groundbreaking architecture for its time Baroque
Buildings are huge and
anomalies, too: “If there’s a different house – what does it tell us about how housing
awe-inspiring, with a hefty
smack-bang in the middle of a terrace row of developed in the late 20th century; how dose of drama. Domes
Victorian houses, then that might give you we changed the way we built houses?” and colonnades loom large.
a clue that perhaps it was bomb-damaged If you want to witness architectural Georgian
during the war,” explains Melanie. (The day history as it’s being made, try touring Symmetry and balance
after she shared this, I spot an incongruous a very recent housing development for reign supreme – look out for
classically inspired elements and
tenement block on a familiar street, and a fascinating insight into forward-thinking,
uniform rows of terraced houses.
learn that a bomb had, indeed, fallen there.) sustainable living. The Architecture Victorian
Give everything you glean a Google, or Foundation often organises walks around Patterned brickwork, big
do some swotting beforehand – I enjoyed regenerated estates and trailblazing social bay windows, steeply pitched
Historic England’s spotter’s guide to early housing (see shop.architecturefoundation. roofs and ornate iron railings:
Georgian townhouses from the comfort of org.uk for more details), or perhaps opt for a the Victorians went to town
my sofa in Dundee (historicengland.org.uk/ self-guided tour of Eddington, Cambridge’s with their architectural details.
They also adored a turret.
get-involved/visit/walking-tours). For a newest neighbourhood (eddington-
Art Deco
crash course in architecture on the move, cambridge.co.uk/explore/tours). Bold and bright is the name
carry Carol Davidson Cragoe’s How To Read As I finish up my own eye-opening of the game, with geometric
Buildings: A Crash Course in Architecture tour of Dundee, I’m now seeing everything patterns, stepped silhouettes,
(Herbert Press) or Rice’s Architectural through a newly polished lens of wonder streamlined curves, and more
Primer by Matthew Rice (Bloomsbury). and connection. From an upstairs window, than a touch of luxury.
Modern
a man yells over to me, “Are you lost?”
Form follows function, and less
THE REST IS HISTORY I smile to myself. On the contrary: I’m is very much more – horizontal
“A bit of local history can give you some finding stories in the architecture that lines are unfussy, roofs are flat,
big clues,” Melanie reminds me. Even I didn’t even know existed. and there’s lots and lots of white.

60
 Blackdown, discerning space makers
for winter escapers...
blackdownshepherdhuts.co.uk
[email protected] | 01460 929774
Shrubbery Farm | Catherine Wheel | Ilminster | Somerset |

Huts for home | Huts for business | Huts to build yourself

A simple thing...
Crisp, winter’s days can be magical…
and then there are the days when
it feels anything but. Warm places
on cold days – cosy pubs, saunas
– are always welcome, but for
particularly grey times, go green.
Tropical hothouses promise balmy
temperatures alongside botanical
delights, transporting you through
their verdant flora. It’s not just about
the pleasure of feeling your fingers
again, it’s about travelling the
world with every step.
PHOTOGRAPHY: VICTOR KORCHENKO/ALAMY
 P O SITIV E N E W S F R O M A R O U N D T H E W O R L D

T RUCE C A L L E D
Peace looks possible in Ethiopia
after Ethiopian government
officials and representatives of
the Tigray People’s Liberation
Front (TPLF) came to a truce.
It brings hope of an end to a
two-year long civil war.

125
trees will be planted
in the first ‘urban
forest’. Work’s started
on Roots In the Sky, a
1.4 acre space filled
PHOTOGRAPHY: THE COLOURIST

with trees and over

10,000 plants on the
roof of what was once
London’s Blackfriars
Crown Court.
PAIN T F O R U K R AIN E
Artists create folk art-inspired works

W
hen artist and colourist Annie explains. “Many pieces were sold for
DIV E R S E HIST O RY
Sloan heard that some of the Ukrainian charities.” It’s proved to be a Researchers believe that early
works of Ukrainian folk art beautiful way both to show support and Medieval Britain might have
painter Maria Oksentiyivna Prymachenko to celebrate Ukraine's history and heritage. been as racially diverse as it is
had been destroyed in the current conflict “I think that art, and folk art in particular, today. A third of the DNA from
in Ukraine, she asked fellow creatives who’d is the lifeblood of a country,” Sloan adds. the Updown girl, uncovered by
been inspired by Prymachenko to create “Even in terrible times like war, art is archaeologists in Kent, is
their own pieces in her style and in her important for people’s wellbeing. Maria African – similar to that found
honour. “It started with the 12 painters and Oksentiyivna Prymachenko represented among the Esan and Yoruba
then gained momentum and escalated the history and heritage of Ukraine – the people of modern day Nigeria.
all around the painting community,” she soul of the country.”

64
 BETTER NEWS

Excellent women
Creating safer stoves
In Mukuru, one of the largest slums in Kenya’s
capital of Nairobi, Charlot Magayi made her
living selling charcoal for stoves. Across Africa,
700 million people use solid fuel to cook on
open fires, but they give off toxic chemicals and
aren’t safe. For years, Charlot struggled with
respiratory infections, but it was in 2012, when
her daughter suffered severe burns from a
charcoal-burning stove that she took action.
After studying at night school, she founded
Mukuru Clean Stoves in 2017. Rather than
burning solid fuel, they run on processed
biomass, which creates 90% less pollution
than an open fire. They’re cheaper, too.
Her idea’s been so successful that she recently
M O O R F O R NAT U R E won the prestigious Earthshot Prize for
A Scottish community buys local land her contribution to clean air, scooping the
£1 million prize.

W
hen people work up for sale in their area, and can “We have an
together, even qualify for government support opportunity to
when the odds seem if there’s local interest and transform the
impossible, communities can a credible business plan. lives of millions
achieve the remarkable.” So When the land of the Tarras with cheaper,
said John Hanrahan, chair of Valley came up for sale, the safer and more
the Langholm Initiative, a group people of Langholm leapt at sustainable stoves
of people from Dumfries and the chance to reclaim it for the and fuels. It’s
COMPILED BY: JOHANNA DERRY-HALL. PHOTOGRAPHY: THE LANGHOLM INITIATIVE; MUKURU CLEAN STOVES/EARTHSHOT PRIZE

Galloway who’ve completed people who lived in the area, a privilege,”

the largest ever community land and to rewild it. Since 2020, says Charlot.
buyout in the south of Scotland. they’ve fundraised £6 million
While many believe Scotland to and, in November last year,
be rich in mountains, moors and completed the second phase of
forests that are havens for wildlife, the landmark purchase. Thanks to
that hasn’t been strictly true – the contributions of thousands of
until now. Much of Scotland’s people and support from several
land has been owned by charities, 10,500 acres of what
landowners who’ve kept the was once private land is now
landscape suitable for grouse the Tarras Valley Nature Reserve,
shooting and deer stalking. a place that will be restored
But thanks to changes in and wild once more, a place
Scottish law, communities can for people and for nature,
now bid for land that comes offering hope for the climate.

Don’ “
t get so busy
making a living that you
forget to make a life”
Dolly Parton, who turns 77 this month

65
 it’s the natural time of year
to take things slow....

To help you relax, unwind and stop worrying.

ơ‡ –‹˜‡Ǥƒ–—”ƒŽǤƒˆ‡Ǥ

www.saskiasfloweressences.com
ƒ™ƒ”†™‹‹‰ƪ‘™‡”‡••‡ ‡•ƒ†‡™‹–Š‹–‡‰”‹–›‹–Š‡‘‡”•‡– ‘—–”›•‹†‡
 KNOW A THING OR TWO...

Hard but fragile, beautiful but dangerous, ice

is a material of contrasts that’s been inspiring
explorers and storytellers for centuries
Illustration: LARA PAULUSSEN
Words: LINDSEY HARRAD
 rom the delicate crust formed on a and Greenland, who have forged an existence
puddle that crunches underfoot, to in the harshest of environments for millennia.
millennia-deep glaciers at the Poles,
ice is a spectacular phenomenon. C O O L I N G A N D WA R M I N G
Frozen landscapes – which cover Our ice caps provide more than habitat and
around 10% of the planet – appear hunting grounds for polar bears and orcas;
motionless, but it’s a mistake to think they’re they reflect excess heat back into space, helping
standing still; they merely move at a different to cool the planet. Climate change means the
pace. Fast flowing rivers become creeping, Arctic is warming twice as fast as anywhere
calving glaciers; garlands of twinkling icicles else on earth, with a loss of over 10% of sea
form drip by drip in caves where water once ice every decade. This great melt is triggering
gushed through crevices, and icebergs drift potentially devastating changes to Earth’s
languidly through dark seas. delicate ecosystem, including rising sea
Ice-bound terrain has always attracted levels and temperatures, loss of biodiversity
adventurers, from the thrill of reaching hostile and unpredictable weather systems.
snowy peaks to ascending frozen waterfalls, But the remaining ice reveals clues for
suspended in motion. And it’s gripped our scientists to learn more about the impact
imaginations, providing a dramatic backdrop of climate change, and help find solutions.
for stories, from folktales to modern literature. As snow is slowly compressed into ice, gases
Ice plays a role in preserving the past. Tundra are captured and sealed inside, providing
and polar ice – thousands of metres thick – researchers with snapshots of the Earth’s
keep the secrets of Earth’s history trapped atmosphere going back hundreds of thousands
within their frozen strata. But it’s also enabled of years. Climate scientists use ice core samples
scientific advances, from storing food safely to look at prehistoric levels of CO2 in the
to IVF treatment. atmosphere so they can be compared with
current levels in our industrial age, helping
LIFE ON ICE to build a picture of what might happen
Our landscape has been sculpted by glaciers,
with several ice ages occurring during Earth’s
history. Some were so severe that the entire

A VALUABLE COMMODITY
planet froze in a ‘snowball’ ice age. The earliest
we know about was the Huronian glaciation,
2.3 billion years ago. Scientists theorise that
this big freeze laid the foundations for life as we
know it. As the Earth thawed, strong oxidants
were released into the oceans and atmosphere
for the first time, setting off a chain of events For many centuries, possessing many manor houses and great
that led to the evolution of oxygen-tolerant ice was a status symbol. Hacked estates had ice storage in their
marine organisms and plant photosynthesis, from mountain-tops, frozen lakes, grounds. There are around
which eventually enabled a greener world glaciers and icebergs in colder 2,500 surviving ice houses
to emerge from under the ice. nations, wealthy households in the UK, many of which
Today, Greenland and the Poles remain stored this highly perishable can be visited. There’s a fine,
covered in ice. The North Pole is a tectonic- bounty in ice houses. These cool, painstakingly restored example
plate-like crust of ice floating on the Arctic dark subterranean structures at the National Trust’s Croome
Ocean, while Antarctica is land – one of had thick walls, in which tightly- estate in Worcestershire
the Earth’s seven continents. Antarctica packed ice could take up to (nationaltrust.org.uk/croome).
contains an incredible 90% of the planet’s 18 months to completely thaw. By the 19th century, ice
glacial ice. Improving on primitive medieval was imported in vast quantities
Ice may be associated with sterility, but these ice pits, it was King James I who from Norway and America for
frozen ecosystems support a surprising variety commissioned the first modern ice commercial and domestic use.
of well-adapted flora and fauna, from Emperor house in Greenwich Park in 1619. Today, manufactured ice is still big
penguins huddling together for warmth in The 17th-century ice houses were business, especially in hospitality,
the brutal Antarctic winters, to the comedic typically brick-lined, cylindrical with the Aperol Spritz and G&T
walruses of the Arctic, usually found lolling structures and by the 18th century, boom helping to fuel sales.
about on ice floes. Not to mention the Inuit
people of northern Canada, Alaska, Siberia

68
 THE SCIENCE OF ICE
IRock-hard and impenetrable, levels of environmental pressure
ice’s apparent permanence and temperature; although some
and solidity is an illusion. The of these ice varieties only exist
temperature has only to creep theoretically, perhaps in the
a whisper above zero for ice centre of far-distant planets.
molecules to start jostling IIce is not so straightforward as
energetically against the bonds we think. It’s often described as
of their crystalline matrix, casting ‘pure’, but this is a misnomer; to
off their hydrogen bonds and completely freeze pure water you
returning to a plain old puddle. need temperatures closer to -40
IScientists believe there are degrees. It’s the impurities found
at least 18 different kinds of ice, in most water – such as salts in tap
possibly more, which are created water, volcanic ash or mineral dust
by the varied rearrangement of – that help it freeze so efficiently
water molecules under different at higher temperatures.

“It’s the stuff stories are made of and ice and

snow play starring roles in many a gripping tale”

to our climate as carbon dioxide levels rise. mountains, hunting with her bow, always
Ice core samples have revealed other secrets, depicted in snow shoes or skis, and believed
too. In 2017, for the first time ever, scientists to practise the same magic as the Viking völva
observed living bacteria in ice and snow that (witches). While the poignant legend of the
was frozen hundreds and even thousands Snegurochka, the Russian folktale of a girl
of years ago, challenging the idea that ice is made from snow – also known as The Snow
a lifeless environment. This discovery means Maiden – is a fable retold through the centuries
that planets in our solar system that were in fairytale books and even in an opera by
once assumed to be sterile could perhaps Rimsky-Korsakov.
be teeming with microbial life. An icy landscape adds a chilling edge to a
fictional tale of adventure. Who could forget
L E G E N D S A N D L I T E R AT U R E the eternal winter imposed upon Narnia by the
It all sounds like the stuff stories are made of White Witch in CS Lewis’s The Chronicles of
and certainly ice and snow play starring roles Narnia series, or more recently, the armoured
in many a gripping tale. With the ability to be polar bears and icy prison of Svalbard in
both smooth and slippery yet simultaneously Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials books? In
dagger-sharp, to support life or hold it in Disney’s Frozen movies, Elsa struggles against
suspended animation, ice manipulation is the embracing her powers and fulfilling her destiny
super-power of several legendary and fictional as a solitary ice queen, while Hans Christian
characters, often a beautiful but deadly Anderson’s classic battle between good and
woman. In Japanese folklore, Yuki-Onna is evil in The Snow Queen is won when Gerda
a superhumanly beautiful, ghostly woman weeps warm tears of love upon her friend Kay,
who appears on snowy nights in the mountains, defrosting his heart and releasing him from
freezing travellers to death. From ancient the icy spell cast upon him by the evil queen.
Norse myth comes Skadi, a giant goddess of In an ice-bound fairytale, love – or a slight
winter and snow, who lives high in the frozen rise in temperature – can conquer all. »

69
 GREAT ICE ADVENTURES
AND SPECTACLES

Ice caves
Among the most spectacular sights supple and our minds sharp.
on the planet, with many of the best It’s not for everyone: cold
examples found in Iceland. There are two showers and ice baths are all part
types: a cavity in ice that is formed either of the Wim Hof regime. hotel, the Sorrisniva Igloo (best-served.
by meltwater streams carving labyrinths wimhofmethod.com co.uk), or learn how to make your own
into the bases of glaciers or by streams igloo to stay in at Schneedorf, Austria’s
and wind that hollow out tunnels in Fascinating finds first igloo village (schneedorf.com).
snowfields, or a second type is formed Animals and people have been found
either by freezing cold air settling into virtually intact in frozen graves, many Capturing change
vertical caverns or by moisture freezing with perfectly preserved ancient DNA. Chasing Ice is a fascinating and award-
in currents of cold air, which creates Several frozen woolly mammoths have winning documentary film made by
beautiful icicled caverns. Some of the been uncovered – one discovered in the James Balog and a team of adventurers
most famous include Vatnajokull glacier Siberian permafrost in 2010 lived 39,000 and scientists. It uses time-lapse cameras
and ice caves at Skaftafell, Iceland – years ago, and scientists were able to across the Arctic to capture a multi-year
also known as the Crystal Caves, while extract flowing blood from its body. record of the world’s changing glaciers,
Eisriesenwelt in Werfen, Austria, is one In a Jurassic Park-style twist, US-based compressing years into seconds and
the of the world’s largest, with a maze of bioscience and genetics company capturing ancient mountains of ice
icicle-hung tunnels and caves. Dobšinksá Colossal has recently secured funding in motion as they disappear at a
Ice Cave in Slovakia is a UNESCO World for its project to use DNA from frozen breathtaking rate. chasingice.com
Heritage Site, part of a cave system specimens to resurrect the woolly
that is tens of millions of years old. mammoth and bring them back to the Art in ice
Arctic tundra. Ötzi the Iceman is the The World Ice Carving Championships
Arctic conquerors name given to the remarkably well- are held every year in Fairbanks Alaska
In 1997, Caroline Hamilton decided to preserved remains of a man who lived in February/March, attracting the finest
assemble a team of amateur women – and was murdered – in the Otzal Alps ice sculptors from across the world
explorers for an expedition to the over 5,000 years ago. Discovered by to compete in this prestigious ice
North Pole. Nearly two hundred women hikers in 1991, Ötzi is Europe’s oldest sculpting competition. See photos of
applied, some had never even worn known natural human mummy, offering the some of the amazing creations at
walking boots before. Five teams of a fascinating insight into life in the alaskaphotographics.com/alaska-photo-
four trekked the 1,000 miles of hazardous Chalcolithic (Copper Age) era. His body articles/ice-sculpting-photos.
sea ice in relays, hauling supplies and and belongings are displayed in the
equipment in -45C temperatures. Listen South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Armchair adventures
to their story at 30for30podcasts.com/ Bolzano, South Tyrol, Italy (iceman.it). If you love an enthralling tale of real-life
episodes/on-the-ice adventure, The Worst Journey in the
Glacial getaways World by Apsley Cherry-Garrard and
Chilly wellbeing The biggest and original Icehotel in Caroline Alexander tells the story of one
Wim Hof’s philosophy of regular Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, is over 30 years of the most famous polar expeditions in
exposure to extreme cold has made old now, and guests can enjoy frozen 1911. Cherry-Garrard was one of Robert
waves in the wellness industry. He drinks in the Ice Bar and head to nearby Scott’s men in the race to the South Pole
believes our comfortable, screen-based Abisko, one of the best places to see – eventually won by Roald Amundsen’s
modern lives are making us exhausted, the Northern Lights (icehotel.com). In Norwegian team. Cold by modern
lacklustre and prone to illness, and that Romania you can take a cable car to the adventurer Ranulph Fiennes is a story of
throughout our evolutionary history, Hotel of Ice nestled deep in the Fagaras exploration in brutally cold environments,
sub-zero temperatures, howling winds Mountains (hotelofice.ro). Head to including both personal stories and
and hungry wolves kept our bodies Norway to stay at the northernmost ice voyages of discovery by other explorers.

70
 STYLE

WEARING
WELL
Stories of the clothes we love
MITTENS
Words: LAURA BROWN

A
winter’s day is gentler and more even without the tangle-prone string
gorgeous in mittens. Not just for that kept our childhood mittens as
reasons of charm and whimsy, a pair, they have a distinctly toddler-
but because they force my hand(s) and esque style that I can’t resist.
make me take it easy for a while. Mittens help me shake off the
Wrapped in gloves, you see, fingers distractions of modern life and
are still expected to be nimble. If immerse myself in my surroundings. I
there’s an outdoor task to be done, my pause before fishing my phone from my
digits can do it, snugly unhindered, pocket to take an Instagram-worthy
despite Jack Frost’s best efforts. Even snap of a frostbitten landscape – do
prodding a phone screen is now a I really want to let in all that cold air by
possibility, thanks to clever conductive whipping off my mitten? – and so, the
yarns. Life’s most tedious demands temptations of the digital world remain
hurtle on, working hand in glove hidden away a bit longer. Messages
with, well, gloves to keep me busy. go unanswered, emails unread. It can
Mittens, on the other hand, have all wait until the mittens come off.
only one demand: that I must slow I might not be able to successfully
PHOTOGRAPHY: ADOBE STOCK; SEASALT CORNWALL; CATHERINETOUGH.CO.UK

down. They make it difficult to do rummage through a bag of Liquorice

very much at all and I welcome this Allsorts to find my favourite, but they
wintry blessing with open arms. don’t render me completely useless.
The minute I wriggle my hands into Many al fresco undertakings are
those two little manual sleeping bags, actually enhanced by mittens:
they (and, in turn, I) get to rest. Mittens unscrewing a flask and cradling a mug
are both serious and silly all at once, of hot coffee; shovelling great mounds
and that’s why I love them. Serious, of snow and stopping to sculpt a
because they offer superior warmth snowman or fling a snowball; holding
– precious heat can be shared among hands on a frosty morning walk.
the fingers nestling inside a mitten, These are the simplest, most joyful
making them cosier than gloves. of pleasures, thrust front and centre
Silly, because one must impersonate a while the fiddly, fretful stuff takes
particularly clumsy lobster to achieve
“Diminished dexterity is a back seat until my fingers are fully
such toasty temperatures. Diminished
dexterity is the price we pay for
the price we pay for cold functioning again. Forget a velvet
glove; this winter, like every other, I’m
optimum cold weather comfort, and weather comfort” glad to be ruled by my woollen mittens.

71
Vorarlberg
A breath of
fresh air
As the winter sports season gets
underway, Austria’s Vorarlberg region
offers something for everyone

I
f the new year has ignited your sense of
PHOTOGRAPHY: ADOLF BEREUTER; ANGELA LAMPRECHT;

adventure, and the lure of snow is tempting

you to book a well-deserved trip, then look
no further than Vorarlberg for a destination
that truly offers something for everyone. Set
JOSEF MALLAUN; MARTIN MORSCHER

in Austria’s westernmost corner, bordering

Switzerland, Germany and Liechtenstein, the
stunning backdrop of Vorarlberg offers amazing
ski resorts, charming villages and an unrivalled
selection of gastronomic treats that will truly
make it a holiday to remember.
Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned pro on
skis, Vorarlberg caters for all abilities with both
 ADVERTISEMENT PROMOTION

cross-country skiing and winter hiking, to take

in the spectacular scenery and breathe deep the
invigorating, crisp air. There are plenty of tours
available including magical torch-lit evening
hikes in Lech Zürs, night-time tobogganing
in the Montafon valley, a snowshoe hike with
accompanying gourmet picnic in Kleinwalsertal,
or you could discover the vibrant cultural life
in the towns of Bregenz, Dornbirn, Hohenems,
Feldkirch and Bludenz.
After so much action, it’s inevitable that there
will be hungry tummies in need of refuelling and
there’s any number of eateries to explore, all with
a side helping of scenic views. For an authentic
taste of winter sports life, head to Trittkopf BBQ
gentle and demanding runs. There are plenty Station in Zürs – a converted mountain station
of ski schools and guides to nurture your talents, that still boasts the old red cable car pulleys and
too. And thanks to its location on the northern offers a delicious selection of barbecued meats.
rim of the Alps – some two-thirds of the region Frööd, in Brand, is a carbon neutral restaurant
is situated more than 1,000m above sea level, that effortlessly combines contemporary design
while many resorts reach an altitude of 2,400m with energy efficiency and prides itself on
– there’s always plenty of fresh, natural snow. serving regionally-sourced ingredients, while
Stunningly picturesque, many will attest that the Baumgarten Panorama Restaurant, in
You’ll be spoilt for choice taking the cable car to the summit is every bit Bezau, really is something quite special with
on what to do first in
as enjoyable as the journey back down on skis. views extending down to Lake Constance.
Vorarlberg – however, one
thing that everyone’s in However, what really makes Vorarlberg Whether swooshing through fresh powder or
agreement over is how so appealing is its regional ski pass networks, simply enjoying the après-ski, a trip to Vorarlberg
spectacular the views are free ski buses and short distances between is sure to capture your heart and will leave you
each resort. So every day you can explore feeling revived, recharged, and raring to return.
and experience something new, all the while
surrounded by pretty villages dotted with For more information, visit austria.info
traditional wooden architecture and state- or vorarlberg.travel/en
of-the-art contemporary designs.
No matter if skiing isn’t your cup of tea,
though – the region offers a host of alternative
activities, including snowshoe rambling,
 LAUGHTER LINES
A LIFE SPENT SEEING SHAPES AND PATTERNS IN ORDINARY
OBJECTS INSPIRED ARTIST HELGA STENTZEL TO START CREATING
WASHING LINE ANIMALS FROM HER LAUNDRY

74
 GALLERY

Left: Meet ‘Camella’ – who Above: ‘Pegasus’ began his

would have thought that two journey as a dirty sock and a
pairs of joggers would make few pegs lying in the bottom
such a convincing camel? of Helga’s laundry basket,
resembling a horse’s head. He
morphed from peg bag to
fully grown horse, with the
sock being replaced by a pair
of child’s trousers. Here he is,
the ‘magical winged soul’. »

Right: Helga created this dove,

‘Peace’, to symbolise peace
between countries, between
people and also the different
parts of our personalities that
can battle each other.

75
GALLERY

76
Left: ‘Smooothie’ the cow
chooses not to be fenced in
but to savour life in the crisp,
mountain air. With her delicate
pink nose, she’s smooth, wise
and oh-so-sweet!

Left: After several months

in the creating, ‘Inky’ the
cat – made from three pieces
of clothing (knickers, tights
and a sock) – finally found
her home up on the rooftops.

Left: ‘Laundrosaurus’ – have

some paleo-play with your
white wash by hanging a
load of socks, a pair of shorts
and tights on the line to dry. »

77
 GALLERY

Right: Not only handsome

in her stripes, ‘Zelda the
zebra’ is a reminder that
life is like a striped pattern:
in dark times better days
are just a step away.

Below: ‘Baa-Baa-Ra’ was

commissioned by the
See more of Helga’s line of work
Unpolished Gallery in Stow-
at helgastentzel.com and on
on-the-Wold to reflect the
Instagram: @helga.stentzel
historical significance of the
town’s sheep. You rock, sheep!

78
“I WANT TO MAKE PEOPLE SMILE
AND APPRECIATE THE BEAUTY
OF THE MUNDANE”

79
 PHOTOGRAPHY: ALAMY; IMAGNO; MARY EVANS PICTURE LIBRARY; MELINTREGWYNT.CO.UK

FRUITS OF THE LOOM

OUR CONSTANT COMPANION OVER THE CHILLIER MONTHS,
BLANKETS ARE ALSO REMARKABLE FEATS OF SKILL, WITH
DIFFERENT CULTURAL STORIES WOVEN INTO EACH ONE
Words: JANE AUDAS
 LOOKING BACK

blanket is a lovely thing,

redolent of cooler days
when you need to layer
over the warmth. In Britain
(with the notable exception
of Welsh blankets) we’ve
a rather staid and utilitarian history of
blankets. Luckily, around the world the
blanket is a much more decorative affair.
In many countries blankets have their own
decorations, colours and meanings. They
are woven about with cultural significance
and tradition. And as much weaving is and
was done by women – blankets are tangible
examples of women’s craft and history.

W E L S H WO N D E R S
Those aforementioned Welsh blankets
– often seen draped over vintage Ercol –
look so modern but have their origins in the
mid 19th century. Then, striped and plaid
blankets were handwoven on narrow looms
and the strips sewn together. By the early
20th century, the Welsh tapestry blanket –
more patterned, more colourful – was in
ascendance. A double cloth blanket, woven
to look good on both sides, it’s the Welsh
blanket usually seen today. These blankets
have their own pattern vocabulary,
including the Caernarfon, a grid pattern
with small battery and space invader-style
shapes; the Liquorice Allsort pattern of
crosses and lozenges, originally designed
by Freda Williams in the Vale of Conwy
(a centre for blanket weaving) in the 1950s Left-right: Huddle up
and Dyffryn, a dotted grid design by Frank like these 1930s pals to
Davies. The Welsh blanket industry was appreciate the pleasure
of a good blanket;
driven by tourism – Edwardians on walking there’s been a mill on
tours of Snowdonia might well have taken Melin Tregwynt’s site in
a blanket home. And the post-Second World Pembrokeshire since the
17th century; on the loom
War boom in travel and caravanning was at family-owned Trefriw
followed (of course) by the need to purchase Woollen Mill in Conwy
a picnic blanket or two.

A W O O L LY- I S H H I S T O R Y
The originator of the word blanket is said
to be Thomas Blanquette, a 14th-century
Flemish weaver living in Bristol, who
produced a heavy woollen woven ‘blanket’
fabric. Yet mentions of blankets known
Welsh tapestry blankets – woven
as ‘Kambala’ (made from sheep or goat hair) to look good on both sides – have
can be found from 7th-century China.
Whenever the word came into being, it’s safe » their own pattern vocabulary
LOOKING BACK

Intricately woven by
hand, with imagery
evoking animal
features, fringed
Chilkat blankets are
for ceremonial best;
we like the stripes of
this Navajo chief
blanket (below)

OFF THE BACK cedar bark and goat’s wool. Too good for
OF A CAMEL everyday wear, these fringed and fabulously
decorated blankets came out on special
Although many blankets come occasions. Worn over the shoulders, their
in a sheep-based wool mix fringe (extended warp threads*) was free to
(Chilkat blankets a notable move in a dance. Chilkat weaving is similar
exception), Jaeger, a British to the hand knotting used in carpet making
brand famous for its use of camel and is highly skilled. The abstract symbols
hair, produced heavy toffee- used were based upon animal features
coloured blankets (and sleeping – eyes, claws, paws, feathers and faces –
bags) all woven from hair off the and represented the wearer’s animal crest.
lumpy backs of camels. Many Blankets were also woven in interesting
were used on the early polar ways around the world. In Nagaland, north-
expeditions. Douglas Mawson, a eastern India (and Myanmar), the Naga
member of the Australasian people developed cotton and hemp blankets
Antarctic Expedition, 1911–1914, as body wraps or shawls, and decorated
wrote that Jaeger of London: ‘is them with embroidery and shells. Naga
unexcelled in the production of to say that when the weather gets chilly we’d blankets were woven using a ‘backstrap
camel’s-hair garments and has need some sort of cover to keep warm in bed. loom’, where the warp threads are attached
supplied most polar expeditions Not all blankets are destined to live on beds, to the weaver at one end, and to a tree or
of recent years with under- however. In many countries blankets are post at the other. The blankets were often
clothing, gloves, caps, and the often worn, draped on the human body in boldly striped and depicted spears, the
like. From the same firm we also a decorative style or wrapped around it in national animal – a cow called a Mithun
secured heavy ski-boots, a cuddly style. And while the most common – or tigers and lions woven in pairs. As
finnesko-crampons, and the material for blankets the world over is wool Nagaland counts the Himalayan mountains
blankets which were used at (or a wool mix), happily not all countries among its borders, a warming blanket
Winter Quarters at both limit themselves to the common. or two was probably very much in order.
Antarctic Bases.’ The indigenous women who wove the
fancy five-sided Chilkat blankets (worn by BLANKETS TO WEAR
indigenous peoples in Alaska in the 19th One of the most vivid of blankets is the
century) used a twined thread made from serape or poncho, thrown over the shoulder
*Warp threads are the ones going lengthwise, fixed in place as the weft thread is woven between them.
 SECTION | FEATURE HERE

Showing how Basotho

blankets should be
worn, with a heritage
that dates back to
the 19th century

of many Mexican characters in films – Decorative Basotho blankets SNOOPY AND

and made famous by Clint Eastwood in THE SECURITY
the Sergio Leone Westerns. In the mid reputedly replaced the animal BLANKET
19th century, the town of Saltillo, north
of Mexico City, loomed large as a centre skin wraps previously worn For many fans of Charles M
of serape manufacture. Serapes were finely Schulz’s cartoon Snoopy, the
woven, often in ombre stripes (because ceremonial ways: as fertility blankets, as real star was Linus’ baby blue
you can never have too many stripes) and brides’ blankets, pinned on with a large security blanket. It has its own
intricate geometric patterns. Although safety pin, and as a chief or king’s Seana fan Wikipedia page, which tells
the Mexicans didn’t invent the serape (it’s Marena blanket – the crème de la crème us that his blanket first appeared
thought the Peruvian Paracas peoples did, of Basotho blankets. Although the first in June 1954, with Linus clutching
back in 300 BCE, or so), they did make it Basotho blankets were made by women it and sucking his thumb. Over
their own, and into an icon of national dress. on box looms, Jacquard looms would soon many stories Linus tried to
Another blanket-to-wear was found in take over, allowing for more sophisticated, cure himself of his dependency
Africa, where the first Basotho blanket was often symmetrical, designs. on his blanket, often asking
given to King Moshoeshoe I – founder of the Blankets, then, have more than warmth Snoopy and Charlie Brown
Basotho Kingdom of Lesotho in southern to offer. As objects they carry meaning and to take it away. Not just a
Africa – in the late 19th century by a visitor memory. As textiles they exhibit craft and blanket, it also featured over
from Europe. King Moshoeshoe’s decorative artistry. And they are all that, and more, the years as, among other things:
blanket caught on in their cold mountainous are blankets. But perhaps a blanket is still a belt, a quilt for a doll’s bed, a
region and reputedly replaced the animal at its humble best when wrapped around hammock, and a fly swatter, aka
skin ‘kaross’ wraps previously worn. a chilling, goose-pimpled body; a welcome the “fastest blanket in the West”.
Different designs were used in different weight, just promising warmth.
See Weekend Project on p 106 for how to arm knit your own blanket.
 carriercompany.co.uk
always made in the uk

Gift Vouchers available Escaping the busy never looked so good.

Treat your loved ones to a
wonderful stay at Dimpsey Dimpsey Days…Shepherd hut stays

DIMPSEY.CO.UK • [email protected] • 01460 477770 • @dimpsey_glamping

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

Honesty
Always the best policy when it
comes to dried flowers. Originally
from the Balkans, its Latin name
means ‘moon shaped’, but it’s
also known as the ‘money plant’ in
southeast Asia and ‘silver dollars’
in the US. In spring, it appears with
heart-shaped leaves and clusters
of purple flowers which turn
into round, silvery seed pods as
summer ends. To preserve your
own, cut on a dry day, place in
an empty vase then after a couple
of weeks peel the seed casing
PHOTOGRAPHY: DARIA MINAEVA/ALAMY

and brush away the seeds.

85
 HOME TOUR

OFF PISTE
HIGH IN THE FRENCH ALPS, THIS CANADIAN-INSPIRED
CHALET SITS COSILY AMONG THE PINE TREES PROVIDING
WARMTH, COMFORT AND TOTAL ESCAPISM

Words and styling: FRANCESCA SIRONI/LIVING INSIDE

Photography: MONICA SPEZIA/LIVING INSIDE

Despite a thick blanket of

snow outside, the cabin
radiates cosiness thanks
to its big stone fireplace.
Total escapism, it’s
Charlotte’s love letter to
Canadian holiday cabins

87
HOME TOUR

itting in a rocking chair on the CABIN FEVER

veranda, wrapped cosily in a blanket, With its little red doors and inlaid balustrades,
all you can see is forest and snow and Charlotte’s chalet could be straight out of a fairytale.
the splendid vista of Mont Blanc. It’s “Once there was a small mazot here (a rustic stone
easy to feel like you’re in the middle and wood farmhouse), reduced to ruin – it was
of nowhere – except hidden behind inhospitable and irretrievable,” explains Charlotte,
the tall pines is a ski slope and a small hamlet lies who is French by birth with an Italian mother.
just a couple of minutes walk away. A few kilometres Raised between Paris and Tuscany, she lived in the
down the road is the charming medieval village US for many years and travelled as often as possible.
of Megève, known as the pearl of the Haute-Savoie While the architecture has a definite Savoyard feel,
region, in the heart of the French Alps, but here at there are influences of Charlotte’s travels through
the chalet the atmosphere is completely different. Canada and the USA throughout, including her
Take a few steps from the door and you find yourself love for Navajo designs.
in a calm glade surrounded by forest, with a stream When planning and building the chalet, Charlotte
flowing just below. It was this wild and natural was determined to use traditional methods, which
beauty that captured Charlotte Mauge’s heart 10 her local contractors didn’t always understand.
years ago, when she was motivated to give up her She admits, “I wanted an atypical chalet, which was
career in luxury goods and decided to swap city life kind of an experiment.” Her determination paid off,
for a move to the country, along with her husband though, and she found an experienced carpenter
David and their children Léon, Ava and Gioia. who even referred to his grandfather’s construction
notebooks to build the cabin using charred, brushed
spruce wood. They avoided modern materials,
“USING TRADITIONAL METHODS, popular in local buildings, resulting in a rustic feel
THE CABIN IS BUILT FROM that befits a high-altitude home. She smiles; “It’s
now my version of the Canadian holiday cabin
CHARRED, BRUSHED SPRUCE” in the mountains that I’d always dreamt of.” »
 HOME TOUR

In the kitchen, custom-made

raw wooden cabinetry, granite
tops and a stone sink add
to the cabin’s rustic appeal

89
 HOME TOUR

Charlotte’s bespoke
table and the rough-hewn
stair banisters draw the eye,
while Navajo-inspired
patterns have been painted
on the floor in place of rugs

90
91
Thinking outside the
box: Charlotte’s bespoke
bunks make the most of
the space, while pieces
such as the bath, were
reclaimed and given
a new lick of life
 HOME TOUR

CHARLOTTE’S STYLE
OIf you want a change from rugs, go for

a painted pattern on the floor, which is

not only a great design feature, but helps
to break up an open-plan room.

“THE TUB IS A 100-YEAR-

OTo get the right fit for your home, go for

custom built furniture – the children’s bunk

beds were made to measure, so we were OLD CAST-IRON CREATION
able to make the most of the space.
OAdd texture – and always have something
THAT WE REPAINTED”
to snuggle up in – by adding blankets to beds
and chairs. Don’t forget outdoor seating to well as traces of her time spent in North America,
enjoy the fresh air for as long as possible. there are vintage trunks from England and leather
stools originating in Scotland.
Head up the staircase, with its banister of
unfinished rough-hewn wood trunks, and you
reach the master bedroom and more of Charlotte’s
BRINGING THE FOREST INSIDE special finds, including stunning turquoise handles
Entering the chalet, you’re greeted by a large open- bought from an American Indian reservation
plan living area which borders the rear veranda, in Santa Fe. “Love at first sight,” she smiles.
views of the forest are reflected in the glass. A While the chalet had no original items to reuse,
custom-made kitchen made of raw wood and granite Charlotte wanted to reclaim from similar cabins
with a stone sink blends with the wood that’s used where possible. “The bathtub is a 100-year-old
throughout the house. And thanks to the blazing cast-iron Jacob Delafon creation that we repainted
open fire in a central stone fireplace and the comfy with rust paint. It comes from a neighbouring chalet
leather sofas, there’s no hint of the cold outside. that was about to be pulled down. The same for the
Charlotte frequently visited local shops and gorgeous blue ceramic and brass stove in the living
antique dealers to find items that fit the space, such room corner, still in full working order.”
as the feather pendant lamp and the bespoke wooden This cabin may be located a long way from the
table – set with handmade ceramic dishes and Adirondack cabins that it was inspired by, but it
painted, patterned tableware. Her passion for travel looks at home – and feels just like home – right
can be seen in the furniture around her home. As here among Europe’s highest mountains.

93
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95
 PHOTOGRAPHY: JADE MURRAY

The GREEN HOUSE

IF YOU’RE MISSING THE CHRISTMAS TREE, CONSIDER BRINGING MORE
GREENERY INTO THE HOME. JADE MURRAY, AUTHOR OF THE INDOOR
GARDEN, EXPLAINS HOW TO CHOOSE AND CARE FOR HOUSEPLANTS
 GROWING

Life in a cold
climate
Winter can be a tricky time
for plants, with less light and
erratic temperatures. Most
also slow their growing.
Jade suggests some ways to
see them through to spring.

• Water less frequently, and

with room-temperature water
During winter months, to avoid shocking your plants.
houseplants such as
And be aware soil can dry out
this lipstick plant (left)
and Maidenhair fern more quickly in heated rooms
(above) need a little • Frequently wipe foliage
extra TLC to keep them with a damp cloth to remove
looking their best
dust. This helps plants absorb
what light there is more easily
• Move plants away from
draughty windows, air vents
What do you love about houseplants? they’re relatively easy to care for and and radiators, which could
I love how rewarding it is to care for them. they’re all trailing plants. I didn’t have stress them with sudden
They’re forever changing and growing. much shelf space at the time, so placing temperature changes. And if
A new leaf or a flower emerging always them in hanging baskets worked for me. you have underfloor heating,
excites me. I also love the tranquil place them on a plantstand.
environment that they create. My children How do you choose a healthy plant? • Place plants on windowsills
are on the Autism spectrum and they There are a few things you should look so they receive extra light.
benefit from having plants around – they out for: Avoid plants with leaf discoloration However, if there’s a radiator
have a very grounding and calming effect. and always look under the leaves for any directly underneath, choose
They also love the sensory experiences pests or eggs. If the plant isn’t too tight in another bright spot to protect
plants bring – smells, textured leaves, the pot, I always gently lift it to check the the plant from a cold draught
shadows on the walls cast by hanging roots are healthy. Healthy roots should coming from the window and
plants. Plants create an indoor oasis. appear white or tan and succulent. If there the dry heat from the radiator.
are multiples of the same plant in the shop, Extreme temperature changes
What plants would you recommend I always compare them and choose the one can be fatal for houseplants.
for starting an indoor garden, and why? in the best condition. Bear in mind that • Mist your humidity-loving
Start with just three plants then slowly when purchasing plants online you cannot plants frequently as the air is
build your collection. I started with check a specimen before buying. more likely to be dry. Pebble
Scindapsus pictus (satin silver pothos), trays can also work well.
Dischidia nummularia (string of nickels) How do you display plants in your home? • Check your plants,
and the stunning Aeschynanthus Clustered on shelves and hanging from particularly under the leaves,
japhrolepsis (lipstick plant). I chose baskets. My favourite is my ladder shelf, for pests such as aphids,
them as they have two things in common: which can hold up to 12 plants. I group mealybugs, spider mites
plants together that have similar needs. and thrips, which thrive and
For example, plants that require extra breed over the winter in warm
humidity, such as the Polka dot begonia,
‘Plants are forever which sits alongside the Maidenhair fern.
rooms. Remove any dry or
dead leaves to help prevent
changing – a new leaf or Placing plants in groups with the same mould or mildew and get
light requirements is also important as rid of any lurking pests.
flower always excites me’ some plants require more than others. »

97
GROWING

Keep your Rex begonia

(below, left) and
Caladiums (below, right)
looking in the pink… or
variegated green… or
even polka dotty

Join the club

Sam Rodwell,
owner of
Stem & Co,
a houseplant
shop in
Cleethorpes,
had a bright idea for
houseplant growers during
lockdown. “No-one could
connect or be together,”
she explains. “Propagation
Club was something to
occupy us, it took your mind
off anxious worrying during
lockdown. It was a chance to
focus on the here and now.”

Each month, Propagation

Club members receive a box
containing something to grow
– it could be an experiment,
such as growing the same
plant in two mediums, or
How do you keep plants looking good? after). Anthuriums are a staple in my a good-natured challenge,
I regularly mist the ones that require indoor garden, and I also love Caladiums, like growing the longest chilli.
higher humidity to prevent brown leaf which come in many colours and leaf Most importantly, though,
edges and keep the foliage looking lush. patterns and are a joy to look at. Propagation Club is about
I also wipe leaves that are prone to dust, talking to other members
such as Monstera (swiss cheese plant). I Is there a plant that has special about growing, sharing tips
give plants a tidy by trimming old foliage – meaning for you? and a passion for houseplants.
this also encourages new growth. Don’t be That would be my variegated Schefflera “I love how plants can connect
afraid to trim off any leggy stems on your (umbrella plant), which is approximately you with people from different
plants, it will make the plant look better 3ft tall. My daughter fell in love with it backgrounds or walks of life.”
and you could propagate those trimmings. when she saw it. I knew we had no space Club members aren’t reliant
for it at home as it was so large, but we on Sam for advice – it comes
If you’ve been gifted a houseplant got it anyway and it now lives on top from the community.
or cuttings, how do you confirm what of our dining table facing the window. The hottest topics recently
you’ve got and how to look after it? have been dealing with
I’d do one of two things. I’d either take Is there a plant that you’re still looking pests, which were a particular
a photograph of the plant along to a plant to add to your collection? problem due to last summer’s
shop or garden centre where they should An Epiphyte orchid. They don’t need any hot weather, and the how
be able to identify it and advise you on soil medium to grow, their thick roots are tos of feeding plants.
its care needs. Or there are a few really exposed and hanging. Epiphyte orchids Sam’s general plant rules
good apps – Picture This, NatureID and can be displayed hanging or by allowing are: “Usually, the showier the
PlantSnap – where you upload a photo their roots to attach themselves to other leaves, the more likely they
and it identifies it for you. tall plants where they absorb the moisture are to be tropical. They require
they need from the air. temperatures no lower than
Any recommendations for plants 15C but higher moisture, so
to bring colour to the house? Jade Murray is the author of The Indoor position them in a bathroom
Try the Coleus plant (for beginners) Garden: Get Started No Matter How or kitchen, out of direct light.”
and the Rex begonia (more tricky to look Small Your Space (Pimpernel Press)
 T H E G R E A T
B R I T I S H R H I N O

SALE
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and features, elegant design and a
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 Things to
want and
1

wish for
Loving your home, inside
and out. Books and treats
for you to enjoy.
2
Edited by LOUISE GORROD
Book reviews by EITHNE FARRY

1 Large jug > £29.50 This glazed jug would look fantastic with flowers, but just as elegant on its own. marksandspencer.com
2 Mural > £15 Forget standard prints and embrace some texture with a fabric wall hanging. habitat.co.uk 3 Mirror > £165
A thing of beauty, just like the reflection staring back at you. oliverbonas.com 4 Rug > £70 Looking like a well-loved vintage rug,
a low-pile floor covering that won’t break the bank. ikea.com 5 Ottoman bean bag > £74.99 Pleasingly squishy and a cheerful
pop of colour, what more could a grey January day call for? rucomfybeanbags.co.uk 6 Candlestick > £17.99 hm.com

100
 WISHLIST

Find inspiration in nature and science with this

collection designed in collaboration with the
Natural History Museum. No dinosaurs included.
Wallpaper > £12 per roll; 3-Seater Sofa > £1,299; Velvet
footstool > £429; Canvas > £22; Light fittings > from £40;
Display cabinet > £209; Rug > from £59, all dunelm.com

101
 Shopkeeper
Bookshop of the
browse month

ALL IN THE MIND

Mind Food: Plant-Based
Recipes For Positive Mental
Health by Lauren Lovatt

ªLauren
Lovatt’s recipes
are designed
to foster a sense
of mental well-
being. Packed
full of flavour,
the dishes use
seasonal ingredients, are
plant-rich and filled with Stationery heaven
fibre, wholegrains, vibrantly Purveyors of design-led stationery,
coloured vegetables, vital cards & wrap, gifts and printwares
proteins and essential fats.
Having struggled with mental ªSarah Holmes grew up with a passion
health issues, and aware for stationery and the dream of becoming
of the connection between a shopkeeper, so decided to combine
food and mood, she serves the two to create Pencil Me In, in
up meals that are designed to Elgin, north-east Scotland. The boutique
soothe, chill, uplift and focus stationery store prides itself on its
the mind. Winter warmers impressive range of products; from station.” Sarah and her small team also
include Toasted Walnut Oat UK designers, illustrators and makers to run a wholesale service offering custom
and Rosemary Berries for iconic stationery brands from around the printed pencils and pens, with all the
a brain-boosting breakfast world. “I love our customers, their stories, hot foil printing done in store. Designs
and Smoked Mushroom catching up on local news, showing them include ‘Grammar Pencils’ stamped
and Celeriac Tacos for dinner, what’s new in store,” says Sarah. “I really with reminders of some of the English
with a slice of Squash and enjoy it when teenagers come in. They language’s most frustrating homonyms,
Walnut Drizzle Cake for might not be able to afford lots, but I was to ‘Biscuit Pencils’ adorned with
dessert. (Leaping Hare Press) them once, too, so I enjoy chatting, finding tea-time treats. Pencil Me In is well worth
out what they love and encouraging them a visit and their online shop will inspire
to try out a pen or pencil at the testing productivity, too. pencilmeinshop.co.uk

A M YST E R I O U S WO M A N
Agatha Christie: A Very Elusive Woman by Lucy Worsley

ªWith infectious enthusiasm, historian Lucy and above all, the stories that made her
Worsley investigates the life and times of the world famous. It’s an honest appraisal – alive
Queen of Crime. With a feminist slant and to Agatha’s character flaws and questionable
an eye for a telling detail, she jauntily powers attitudes as she is celebratory of her many
through the story, honing in on the author’s achievements. It’s hugely entertaining, and
mysterious 11 day disappearance, her interest is guaranteed to make you want to revisit
in archaeology, her marriages, many houses her crime classics. (Hodder & Stoughton)

102
 WISHLIST

Maker
of the
month

Pen, paper and – beautifully handmade using campaigning to social justice,”

vintage heavyweight velvet with explains Alice. “I’m very proud of
protest banners white lettering and upholstery the banners that have been donated
Wise words from east London fringing. Inspired by the rich to community centres and been
lettering artist Alice Gabb history of peace campaigning, made for protests for campaigns
secret societies and social justice that I’ve been part of. That’s the
ªFrom wedding stationery and movements, they make for a best bit of my job.” Alice loves
bespoke signage to personalised thoroughly thought provoking nothing more than sharing her
hand lettering, if it involves piece of artwork. “The banners skills with others through her
lettering, Alice Gabb is your I make are the product of much regular workshops, which include
woman. Alice’s other unique and political research and the history all materials to take away, plus
beautiful craft is banner making of protest in the UK, from peace tea and cake. alicegabb.com

LIFE LESSONS
The Swedish Art of Ageing Well by Margareta Magnusson

ªSubtitled ‘Life Wisdom From Someone and sentimental,” she doesn’t shy away from
Who Will (Probably) Die Before You’ this difficult subjects – the trials of old age and
beguiling collection of essays from sprightly losing people you love, but overall the book is
86-year-old Margareta Magnusson shares cheerful, chatty and chock-full of advice that’s
some salient lessons on how to embrace easy to follow: eat chocolate, wear stripes,
life, whatever your age. Acknowledging volunteer, litter pick and find ways to make
that Swedes are often “blunt, clear-eyed your daily routines dear to you. (Canongate)

103
 WISHLIST

Horse around in the kitchen with equestrian

inspired aprons and oven mitts , just don’t
get saddled with the washing up.
Apron > £24; Oven mitt > £16.50 , all sophieallport.com

104
 2

Markets
& fairs

FLEAMARKETS*
Malvern Flea and
Collectors Fair
>Interior designer, crafter
or thrift seeker, you’ll find
something to treasure at
the UK’s largest flea fair.
There will be hundreds of
3
stalls selling an eclectic mix of
goods against the backdrop of
the Malvern Hills on 15 January,
7.30am–3.30pm, entry £5.
b2bevents.info.
The Giant Shepton
Flea Market
>Situated close to the Avon/
Wiltshire/Dorset border, this
huge flea market has over 250
inside stalls and 200 outside
stalls (weather permitting).
The fair takes place on 22
January at The Royal Bath and
West Showground in Shepton
Mallet, 9.30am–4.30pm,
entry £5. sheptonflea.com.
Kelso Antique
Fleamarket Fair
>The Largest Antique Flea
Market in the Scottish Borders. 4
This indoor fair has around
120 sellers and takes place
at the BUAS Showground
on 7–8 January, 9.30am–4pm.
5

6
1 Lampshade > £49 This collapsible linen lampshade creates lovely, diffused light.
lightsandlamps.com 2 Print > from £55 Make your home look like the National Gallery
without having to find a spare £1 million down the back of the sofa. surfaceview.co.uk
3 Soap > £9.50 Never run out of suds again with an eco-friendly soap on a rope.
radicalgiving.co.uk 4 Cardi coat > £170 Too hot for a coat, but too cold for a cardigan
– meet the coatigan. With an organic wool and cotton blend, this one’s both comfy and
eco-conscious. wearethought.com 5 Egg rack > £39 Crafted from oak with space for a dozen,
this rack is egg-cellent. rowenandwren.co.uk 6 Teapot > £35 A good brew guaranteed with
this handsome teapot… pass the biscuits. abigailahern.com

*One theory about the name ‘fleamarket’ is that 19th-century city developers wanted to spruce up central Paris. Traders and dealers fled,
or were forced out, but these exiles reopened shops – dubbed ‘flee’ markets – outside Porte de Clignancourt. 105
 A R M E D A N D R E A DY
WHO NEEDS KNITTING NEEDLES WHEN YOU CAN
SIMPLY USE YOUR ARMS TO CREATE A COSY THROW
Project and photography: WOOLLY MAHOOSIVE

106
 WEEKEND PROJECT

PROUD
H O M E M LY
ADE

KNITTED THROW
Get your arms out to create a 1 2 3

blanket with nothing but yarn.

Just make sure you have a cuppa
before you begin.

You will need:

4kg ball of Mammoth Yarn, an extra
chunky arm knitting yarn (makes a
150cm2 or a 120cm x 180cm blanket)

BEGIN BY CASTING ON: 6

4 5
1 Make a loop at the end of your
yarn with the tail end over the
top of the working yarn.
2 Take one hand and reach through stitch will end up further up your arm. around 5cm. A 15 stitch cast on could
to pull the working yarn through 5 Create your next loop as before and create a blanket that measures about
the loop. thread through onto your arm. Repeat 75cm wide, but it’ll depend on the
3 Thread your arm fully through until you have as many stitches as size of your arms and tension.)
this loop. you want (As a guide, most people 6 Tighten slightly between casting
4 Tighten slightly with your spare can manage approximately 15 to 30 on stitches, and re-shuffle up your
hand, leaving a little slackness as this stitches comfortably – one stitch is arm as comfortable.

KNITTING A ROW:
The following stitches are the same LEFT
whichever arm you’re working with.
ARM
We’ve shown both arms to help.
1 Take the working yarn in your
spare hand.
2 Pass this to the hand that’s holding
the stitches, with the yarn going
upwards over the fingers and
between your thumb.
3 Using your spare hand, pick up 1 2 3
the first stitch on your arm.
4 Slip this stitch over the hand that
is holding the working yarn.
5 Drop this stitch and with the spare
hand, slip your fingers under the
working yarn so palms are together.
6 Pass this stitch onto the spare hand
and repeat until you reach the end of
the row. Your stitches will then be on
your other arm. Repeat these steps
as before for the amount of rows
you’d like, but leave at least 4 x the 4 5 6
width of the blanket in yarn to cast off. »

107
 WEEKEND PROJECT

RIGHT
ARM

1 2

3 4 5 6

CASTING OFF:
1 Knit two stitches as per the method.
2 Using the arm with the stitches
on, pick the first of the two stitches
(the furthest up your other arm).
3 Pull this stitch over the second
stitch that you made.
4 Drop the stitch into the work.
Knit one further stitch and repeat
the process.
5 When at the end of the row with 1 2
one stitch on one of your arms, thread
the working yarn through this loop,
pull tightly and trim the yarn leaving
enough to gently weave in to hide.
Makers note: To work out how much
yarn you’ll need, multiply each side
together and divide by 5,000. The
result is the weight in Kg you’ll need.
For example: 100cm x 100cm = To buy yarn or for more
10,000sq cm ÷ 5,000 = 2Kg project ideas and advice
on arm knitting, visit:
Video: If you need more visual help,
woollymahoosive.com
head to thesimplethings.com/blog/ 3 4 or follow on Instagram:
armknitting for an exclusive tutorial. @woollymahoosive

108
 THE BIG IDEA
So many wellbeing books, so little time. Our deconstruction of someone’s
fresh thinking could send you in a new direction

THIS MONTH WE READ FORTITUDE: UNLOCKING THE SECRETS OF INNER

STRENGTH BY BRUCE DAISLEY (CORNERSTONE PRESS)

In a nutshell we feel, how much we feel we’re being true to

In a quest to discover the true meaning of resilience, ourselves, and the support we have around us.
how we come to have it and whether we can emulate Overcoming adversity also plays a role. ‘It seems
it, Daisley tracked down experts, spoke to victims of that the occasional knockback may help, but
misfortune and worked through reams of academic you don’t have to move the dial much before you
papers. In doing so, he settled on the term ‘fortitude’ to experience the damage that adversity can cause.’
describe personal strength, which he says is ‘a far more
compelling model’ to that of resilience as we know it. Where do I start?
Daisley’s three main factors contributing to fortitude:
Why now? Identity: Having an understanding of who we are
Because resilience has become a ‘buzzword’. According and who we wish to be contributes to how we approach
to Google’s Ngram Viewer (which tracks specific words and deal with challenges. And while we can’t control
in books and literature over the last two centuries), what level of adversity life serves us, we can influence
during the 20th century, use of the word ‘resilient’ how much that becomes part of our identity.
rose sixfold. Between 2000 and 2020 it quintupled. Control: Evidence shows that those blessed with
Daisley refers to how we’re bombarded with stories more control over their lives, and themselves, are less
about heroes who’ve been resilient, companies offering prone to stress and fatigue, and those with low levels
resilience coaching and best-sellers telling us how to of control have less energy when it comes to coping
be more resilient, but is this obsession with resilience with the stresses of everyday life. To help, we can
doing us any good? adopt ‘self-control strategies’ such as mindfulness
and explore ways to find the positives in life.
What’s the problem with resilience? Community and connections: A meta-analysis
Daisley’s concern is that the notion behind this call covering 90,480 individuals across 268 studies found
for resilience – that things would be so much better that lack of social support is twice as good a predictor
if we all toughened up a bit – is flawed and potentially of PTSD as the severity of the trauma experienced.
harmful. ‘Resilience emerged as a construct about 10 Daisley concludes that ‘fortitude is a collective
years ago… companies started talking about resilience strength, not something we can acquire on our own.’
EXPLAINED BY REBECCA FRANK. IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK

as a way of shifting responsibility for stress from the

organisations onto the people.’ If someone experiences
high levels of stress because they’re overworked, being
taught to toughen up with resilience coaching might
not be the best approach. ‘There’s an implication that
the responsibility for achieving resilience lies at the
door of the individual.’

So, how do we become emotionally stronger? Read more in Fortitude:

Unlocking the Secrets
Daisley concluded that the way we view challenges is
of Inner Strength
critical to achieving greater mental toughness and this by Bruce Daisley
depends on several factors, including how in control (Cornerstone Press)

109
 My place
THE CORNERS OF OUR HOMES THAT MEAN THE MOST.
THIS MONTH: AT THE FIRESIDE

Words: LOTTIE STOREY

“Once the fire is

lit the room comes
alive and everyone
is fighting for
space in front of
it, pets included.
Our daughter loves to sit in front of
the fire to read, which I imagine many
children have done here over the last
century. The space is timeless and the
fire has such an amazing therapeutic
effect. The whole room becomes
moody, calming and invites you to
reflect. The logs crackling and the
flames dancing make the whole space
magical and I love to watch
it reflecting off the walls and mirrors.
I imagine it makes the room look how
it was when our home was first built
– a very grand and special room.”

Carly Rock, East Yorkshire

@the_high_road_home

110
 HOW WE LIVE

“When we knocked out the old

gas fire we were overjoyed to
find a brick arch and, despite
a few broken bricks, we love its
imperfections. It’s a wonderful
focal point for all seasons,
but it comes into its own in
winter when it really helps
take the edge off cold evenings
and brings us together.”
Sarah Tempest, Sunderland
@the_seaburn_house

“In winter, I spend most of

my time here. My focus is
often torn between the TV
and the wood-burner. For
the dogs, fire-bathing is
definitely the priority.”
Luke Singer, Presteigne, Herefordshire
@thegranaryatthecrookedhouse

“We commissioned a
stone mason to make
our fireplace with
natural stone from
a local riverbed.
It’s huge and the design was inspired
by one we spotted John Wayne
leaning on in a classic film!”
Nicky Grant, Newtonmore, Scotland
@imrich_lodge

111
 “For me, having a real
fire brings the room to
life. We live in a 1903 Arts and Crafts
house and this burner is in the kitchen, which
has been designed with free-standing pieces
of eclectic furniture. It’s very much a living
space so you can cook and sit by the fire – it’s
very convivial.”

Mary-Ann Kauntze, Midhurst, West Sussex

“So many people have said how @mymidhurstlife
welcoming and cosy this room
feels, which is exactly what
we set out to achieve. The
joy of having a real fire has
never dwindled and I still
pinch myself that I live here.”
Laura Davies, Worthing, West Sussex
@leopard_print_stairs

“When we moved here three

years ago we inherited
14 fireplaces! Each is unique.
This particular fireplace is in our entrance hall and is over
600 years old. Despite minor repair work, we wanted it to
feel as it was in the 15th century, so much has been left as
it was. Behind this fireplace there’s a hidden study and it’s
in here that there was originally a priest-hole which dates
back to the early stages of the reformation.”

Charlie Irons and Josie Fear, The Cotswolds

@oldhouseourhome

112
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 The evening wake
Bringing together people, a good book by lamplight and a pile of knitting, Sarah Thomas
believes that embracing the Icelandic tradition of kvöldvaka is a calming and creative way
to see us through the darker months

114
 REFLECTION

ere in Iceland, in the (mostly) quiet days When I lived in Iceland between 2008 and 2014,
between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, I was lucky enough to partake in this tradition –
fairy lights frame the darkness outside, whenever we went to my in-laws’ summerhouse
the aroma of biscuits furls around (which had no electric light as the sun does not set in
the house, waistbands are tight and, summer) and on some winter evenings at their main
lounging on the sofa in their woollen home. In either place, after dinner, my father-in-law
socks, families are deep in their new books. For this would lie on the sofa and read for us, his wife knitting
nation of book lovers, the annual Jólabókaflóð, the without cease. For a long time, I did not understand
‘Yule Book Flood’, is over. A period which begins Icelandic, but I could hear what a story sounded like,
in November with the thud of Bókatiðindi onto the and I learned about the quality of listening together.
doormat – a free catalogue of new books which has Inspired by this tradition, I wrote The Raven’s Nest
been delivered to every household since 1944 – and – a memoir of my time living in Iceland’s Westfjords
ends with a pile of books, wrapped and ribboned, among sheep farmers and fishermen – with reading
under the Christmas tree. aloud in mind. I wanted
A culture of gifting books it to sound good, to have
dates back to World War an oral quality, to land in
II, when Iceland was the reader’s body as well
newly independent from as their mind. How words
Denmark. As one of the Betra er berfættum en land in us is about cadence,
only luxury items not to bókarlausum að vera sentence length, echoes,
be strictly rationed, while pauses, breath. As an
imports of other items audiobook this is evident,
dried up, books became Better to be barefoot but even as you read silently
the gift of choice. The love from the page, I feel that a
of reading has not entirely than without a book voice in your head is audible.
evaded the distractions of Since The Raven’s Nest
Icelandic proverb
smartphones and Netflix was published, kvöldvaka is
but books still play a how I’ve taken it on tour – as
central role in Christmas, the days have grown shorter.
as in life. On 24 December I’ve invited audiences
– the day Christmas is celebrated – after a traditional to bring their knitting and mending projects to the
meal of ham or lamb, the gift giving begins. Almost reading, sometimes holding a mending workshop, too.
everyone is given at least one book, and those who From village halls in Orkney to bookshops in London,
receive books spend part of the evening reading them. it is the ideal activity at this time of year. It creates a
The Icelandic appreciation of books and stories place that people seek: convivial and warm, safe, and
goes back much further. The foundations for the allowing space to think your own thoughts. It also
nation’s high literacy rate may well have been laid by creates time: you can come to a social event and get
the tradition of kvöldvaka – the ‘evening wake’, which that pile of mending done that you never get around
began several centuries ago when most people lived to. Most importantly of all, it calms the nervous system.
on farms. On winter evenings as the nights drew in, “I haven’t been read to for years,” many adults
the household would come indoors to their turf roofed report. Making something with our hands while
houses, to the baðstofa – the single loft room in which listening to a story is the most fundamentally human
ILLUSTRATION: JOSEFINA SCHARGORODSKY

they lived, worked, slept and ate. After dinner, there thing we could do. It is what we’re made for. There’s
was still wool work to be done, so they would gather nothing more rewarding for me than looking out
around a lamp of animal fat, fish liver oil, whale or at a gathering of people, their ears attentive to my
seal blubber, the wick made of bog cotton. While they story, their hands busy. It feels like together, in a small
knitted, darned, and spun, someone would read aloud quiet way, we are making and mending the world.
to the household – the Sagas, folktales, or the Bible. The Raven’s Nest (Atlantic Books) is out now. For more
Storytelling, making and mending were forever on Sarah’s #kvöldvaka tour, visit sarahthomas.net/events.
intertwined. In a time of scarce resources, everyone See what things have been made and mended on Twitter
could share in a story and become literate. @journeysinbtwn and Instagram @journeysinbetween

115
 Come on a journey
through the wonderful
world of independent
magazines ew
u r n ne
Yo gazi
ma its
a
aw

Pu
t
ket the
tle
on Oo
h!

Pick a subscription stream that sounds like

you. We’ll scout out the best indie mags
around and package them up nice. Then
deliver a different one to your door every two
months. Along with some tasting notes to
introduce you to your new magazine.

Sign up for you or as a gift

for a friend at freerangemags.com

11
 Starry
eyed

iscellany
Cold
d wat
a er swimming, constellati
tiion spotting and home crafting. Plus, making lip balms and latte art
e by FRANCES AMBLER Illustrations KAVEL RAFFERTY
Compiled

down to a tea towel

Fond(ue) of
travel and cheese?
French designers
Misteratomic have
combined the two
in gloriously retro
style. The result
is emmentally
ace. £10.50 from
home-landing.co.uk
What to do with...
S A LT
MATCHBOXES PUZZLE PRACTICAL: Fill a creations at the lowest
bowl with a strong oven temperature.
saltwater solution and SILLY: How silly you
leave candles to soak think this is depends,
for a few hours to make as many cultures have a
them drip less, and history of believing that
therefore last longer. salt can keep evil spirits
PHOTOGRAPHY: ADOBE STOCK; ISTOCK; SHUTTERSTOCK

PLAYFUL: Get at bay. If so, check in to

Technically sculpting with salt the Palacio de Sal hotel
called a ‘pilcrow’, dough: combine 125g in Bolivia. Built on salt
this has been salt with 250g plain flats, everything in the
around since flour, then work in hotel – from walls to
Ancient Greek about 100ml of water beds to pool – is made
times, though its until it's pliable. Bake ffrom salt.
name comes from
Medieval times
– when it was
(answers on page 124)
commonly used a jolly good follow
like a paragraph
ing break is today, @sign_of_the_time
“ There is nothing like stay marking a shift
Nostalgic signage, like a road trip around the shops
between ideas
at home, for real comfort ” or speakers. and theatres of vintage North America (Instagram).
Jane Austen, in Emma

117
 R
READE DS
MEN
RECOM
COLLECTIVE NOUNS
A GOOD READ
"In 'A Wood of One’s Own',
city dweller Pavey fulfils
a dream by buying four acres
of scrubby overgrown orchard.
This delightful book charts
her trials and tribulations
and the peace
and tranquility
that it brought.
For gardeners,
nature lovers and
dreamers alike."

As suggested by Lesley Haggar

Read a good book you want

to share? Tell us all about it
by emailing thesimplethings@
icebergpress.co.uk

³IT'S IN THE BAG

A lou n g e of li z a rd s

;
Halu: Hello
TALK LIKE … AN INUIT*
aqtuq:
Kannijuk: It ’s snowing; Mam
k you;
delicious; Nakurmiik: Than
uq:
COLD WATER SWIMMING
Nallig ivag it: I love you; Nan
Whether wetsuit, surfsuit or swimsuit is up to you – what
uipit?:
unites cold water swimmers is the benefit of a hat/swim
polar bear; Natseq: seal; Qan
cap (the kind depends on whether you dip your head in
tuk:
or not), neoprene gloves and socks or boots as fending How are you?; Silakpiunngi
moon;
The weather is bad; Taqqiq:
off the cold essentials. Goggles and earplugs are both
also recommended if you’re going to put your head

Ullaakuut: Good morning

below water. What you put on as soon as you get out is
as important: a changing robe is helpful, as are thermal
base layers, and another pair of gloves. And a flask of
*Rather than being one language, like we think of ‘English’, Inuit languages are a group of very closely related
something warming will always be welcome, and may languages/dialects. These definitions are from Inuktitut. Listen to some being spoken at Let’s Speak Inuktitut!
feel like even more of a treat after your cold water dip. (soundcloud.com/user-623280927)

118
 Take THREE QUICK-FIRE QUIZ

At home crafting kits, for learning something new or revisiting old favourites
1 Who wrote, ‘Bright star,
would I were stedfast
as thou art’?
2 What wayfinding
device, invented by
Harry Beck, celebrates
its 90th anniversary
this month?
3 What’s the name of
the festival that takes
place in Shetland to
signify the end of Yule?
4 Opening its doors
on 12 January 1773,
where would you find
STITCHING ME SOFTLY ARTISAN DIY LEATHER SCULPD
America’s first museum?
Yarn-based kits: friendship From a London collective, No kiln or wheel required,
bracelets, pots, hats and more a leather craft skill taster this is kitchen table pottery 5 What fruit has
Best for: the emphasis Best for: accessibility, make Best for: fashionable, a variety called
on making sustainably a bookmark or key ring for colourful designs, and a ‘winter banana’?
throughout. From £20, £20 and under. From £15, thriving social community.
stitchingmesoftly.co.uk artisans.life From £25, sculpd.co.uk (answers on page 124)

T HE LION, THE SWITCH

LOTUS
To solve: • Each arc must contain numbers 1-7 • Each ring of shaded
& THE WARDROBE petals must contain numbers 1-7 • Each ring of white petals must
contain numbers 1-7 • No number can be repeated in any arc or ring.

Decoration, with a literary twist. A nifty decoupage project

to add a touch of magic. 1.Take a beautiful page from a book
of your choice (we recommend CS Lewis, of course) and cut
so that it’s at least 1cm bigger on all sides than the switch
plate. 2. Apply Mod Podge to the back of the page, then place
the switch plate (front-side down) on top of it. 3. Cut the
corners of the paper away, fold in the sides and glue to the
back of the switch plate. 4. Trim the points of the top and
bottom flaps on the diagonal, then fold them in and glue them
down, too. 5. Use scissors or a craft knife, with the switch plate
still facing down, to cut a hole in the
paper for the switch-plate hole. 6. Poke
holes for the screws, then screw the
switch plate over the light switch. Mr
Tumnus should show up in no time!

Taken from A Loom of One’s Own: Crafts for

Book Lovers by Virginia Wool (HarperCollins)
(answers on page 124)

119
 Track record
D A N CIN G IN T H E of course, this became a
DA RK BY BRUCE huge hit (though not reaching
S P RIN G S T E E N no. 1 in the US, down to, first,
‘I ain’t nothin’ but tired’, Duran Duran’s The Reflex
moans Bruce in his biggest and then Prince’s When
hit. It’s January – that Doves Cry). Notable also
feeling’s relatable. But, unlike is its video, filmed at a real
Bruce, you’ve probably not concert, where Bruce picks
just spent two years carefully a ‘fan’ out of the audience
crafting an album (what to dance with him – the fan
would become Born in the being the actress Courtney
USA), to have your manager Cox, later to be Monica in
tell you that you still needed Friends. The song’s story
to write ‘a hit’. Bruce was, as carries a message worth
you might imagine, not best noting – the hardest hours PHOTOGRAPHY: MEDIAPUNCH INC/ALAMY
pleased with this judgment might give birth to the
and after a few heated words greatest successes. Though,
poured his frustration into perhaps not for Courtney,
this song – written over the who is doomed to see herself
course of one evening. The dancing nervously for the
lack of creative inspiration is rest of her life every time

How hard can it be...

clear in the lyrics – “You can’t the video is played. “It was
start a fire without a spark” pathetic,” she later said.
or “I’m sick of sittin’ ‘round “I’m not a bad dancer, but
here tryin’ to write this that was To make latte art
book”, for example. But, horrible.”
Think it'll be easy? Wake up and smell the coffee.

One estimate is that you’ll tilt the cup and aim for a
³PET CORNER need around 1,500 coffees constant – not too fast, not
to start getting heart art too slow – pour. Level cup
right – the simplest latte when nearly full to create
art shape to master. r what Jori @baristainstitute,
Get the kit: a lipped steel calls the ‘canvas’.
milk jug, milk thermometer, r Add artistic flourishes:
CATS ON MATS and steam wand (part of move the jug closer to add
the espresso machine). details – practise a gentle
Marvin, 18 And the right ingredients: wiggle. Forr a heart, pour
“They don’t call me charmin’ whole milk (its fat content a circle and use a final pull
Marvin for nothing” makes things easier) and through with the jug’s lip
a freshly made espresso. to make a heart. This final
As nominated by Karen Dunn Put in the prep: cold step is key to many designs.
milk goes in the jug, with Capture on camera: Jori
the wand near the base. suggests filming yourself.
Gradually draw the wand Note that he says it took
s, but
“Keep your eyes on the star
upwards until it’s just below him half a year to master
the milk’s surface. Look latte art, only becoming

your feet on the ground”

for small bubbles and ‘great’ after a few years.
a temperature in the The cheat's way: Use a
mid-60Cs (don’t top 70C!). stencil forr chocolate or
Theodore Roosevelt Go with the flow: to pour, cinnamon on top instead.

120
 A winter
balm
GOOGLE VOX…

+ + =
Six in ten UK kids
want to do something
to help others when
they grow up.
Store cupboard sums…
Spearmint lip balm Add 2 drops of spearmint essential oil to
ten lip balm tubes. Then melt 10g each of raw cocoa butter,
organic beeswax and organic coconut oil with 22ml calendula Their most popular
oil in a double boiler (don’t heat excessively, you’re just looking career ambition is
to combine the oils at melting point). Once melted, decant the oil
to become a doctor,
mixture into a jug, before carefully pouring it into each of your lip
balm tubes. It’s handy to set the jug in another bowl of hot water,
followed by a nurse.
as this will stop your mix from setting too quickly. Leave the lip
balm tubes with their lids off until fully set. Recipe by Abi Jackson, SEEING
medical herbalist, thesageapothecary.com/uk
SEEING DOUBLE
DOUBLE
Each pair of words shares two middle
letters. The first has been filled in as
an example. Complete the remaining
³SIMPLE YOGA words to find the mystery keyword
reading down the middle.

A BIT OF A stretch
Downward Dog pose Strengthens the whole body – upper body,
arms, shoulders, abdomen and legs, stretches the back of the body
and calms the mind. 1 Start in an all fours position, with your hips
above your knees and shoulders above your wrists. 2 Bring your
hands slightly forwards of your shoulders, with your middle finger
pointing forward, spread your fingers. 3 Tuck your toes under,
and on an exhalation, engage your lower belly drawing the navel
back to the spine. Press through your hands and lift your hips back
and up to bring yourself into an upside-down V pose. 4 Keep your
knees bent at first as you find length in your spine. 5 Slide your
shoulder blades down along the spine, collar bones spread. The
base of the neck relaxed. 6 Stay for 5 breaths.

Instructions provided by EkhartYoga.com, an online yoga studio

where you can deepen your practice. It offers a 14-day free trial. (answers on page 124)

121
 The sound of birdsong
T H E S O NG T H RUS H

It happens now until April at least, without fail. Britain’s

gardens resound to a sweet-voiced bird song, and
everybody is confused. ‘I’ve heard this loud song, can you
tell me what it might be?’ The answer is always a song
thrush. Listeners hear a few fragments and think it should be
obvious what it is. But you have to give it time. This thrush
repeats every phrase (or strophe) several times, in a studied,
unhurried fashion, before moving on to another phrase and
repeating that, too, and the next. So, you’ll hear something
like: ‘It’s me, it’s me, it’s me! I’m a song thrush, I’m a song
thrush, I’m a song thrush! Listen out, listen out! I’m here, I’m
here, I’m here, I’m here …’ In all, a single song thrush may have
more than 200 phrases in its vocabulary, although it tends
Scan to to use favourites again and again. The song thrush’s
hear me proclamations are also a serenade of earliness, both of
sing the year and the day, at its best during the lightening or
the darkening of the sky.

Edited extract from A Year of Birdsong by Dominic Couzens,

with illustrations by Madeleine Floyd (Batsford).

Heritage hunter
A meander through UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage
³FAB GADGET

SPROUT EYELINER PENCIL

JOUMOU SOUP, HAITI
Bringing pleasure in all stages
Forget a bacon sarnie, or Some say that it’s so symbolic
a bloody Mary, in Haiti the because that’s what the of its life cycle, this may start
New Year’s Day dish of choice colonisers used to eat; others
is joumou soup. It’s a soup that the time it took to make out as an eyeliner but, when
of celebration – marking (it needs several hours of finished, simply
the Haitians overthrow of simmering) just wasn’t
their French colonisers on previously available to the plant, and it’ll
1 January 1804. It’s made enslaved Haitian population.
with squash, typically Turban Either way, you’ll find a pot
sprout bee-friendly
squash, and an assorted available in most households flowers. It comes as
range of meat, potatoes and from the morning on –
other root vegetables as well and it’s a common Sunday a brow pencil, and
as the likes of peppers and breakfast, too. Fancy making regular pencil, too.
sometimes pasta (recipes your own? You’ll find a recipe
vary from family to family). at twistedfood.co.uk. £8.49, amazon.co.uk
122
 IDENTIFIER
odiac constellations
Asking where is Aquarius, or lost looking for Libra? With our handy
guide to spotting the constellations, the sky’s the limit.

Aries Taurus Gemini Cancer

One to ram home: Aries is most Hit the bull’s eye spying orange-y Containing ‘Great Twins’, stars Like a flipped ‘y’. In myth, ‘y’ it’s so
visible about now. Seek out ‘Hamal’, Aldebaran, which also looks towards Castor and Pollux. Non-identical, dim is because of the banishment of
(‘head of the ram’), the brightest star. the nearby Seven Sisters. though: Pollux shines a little brighter. the crab to a spot without bright stars.

Leo Virgo Libra Scorpio

Spot ‘the sickle’, the inverted question Resembles a modest maid, but has Ancient Greeks saw it as part of There’s a sting in this tale. In other
mark bit. Our question is why it’s said some impressive stats, including Scorpio; Romans said, on balance, cultures, the scorpion is seen as a
to be a lion, not a mouse? galaxies numbering in the thousands. it’s a constellation in its own right. swan, a coconut tree, even a fish hook.

Sagittarius Capricorn Aquarius Pisces

Hunt ‘the teapot’ – Sagittarius’s Don’t forget about ‘us’ – you’ll find Tricky to spot, amidst the murky bit Let the scales fall from your eyes: not
brightest stars – and you’re also that the constellation is usually of the sky ‘the sea’. The dawning of meant to resemble one fish, but two,
pointing at the Milky Way. known as ‘capricornus’. the Age of Aquarius can hurry up. swimming in different directions.

These constellations are illustrated by Dorset-based artist Kate Shephard at Crafty Cow Design, CraftyCowDesign.co.uk. You can buy them as a print from
her Etsy store, craftycowdesign.etsy.com and follow her on Instagram @craftycowdesign

123
 H ow to...
READ MORE BO OKS
³THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO

You’re not alone: about a third

Y Put your phone aside or switch
of us wish we read more. it off to avoid distractions.
'Why' not 'how': Think about Give it space: Find a set time
why y you want to read more to do it, just as you’d always
books. If it’s because you think tune in to a favourite show,
you should, like many things, whether first thing, for
duty alone is unlikely to get you example, or last thing at night,
turning pages. If it’s something or – if you’re now a home
you know you’ll relish, you’re worker – using time you once
far more likely to stick to it. spent commuting. For the
At your leisure: Books same reason, always have a
compete against all the other book on you, in whatever form
leisure activities for our time. (not forgetting audiobooks),
Weigh up whether you’ll enjoy
W for any spare moments, rather
a book more than the telly than phone auto-piloting.
(you might not!), and so on. Enjoy it: it'll keep you going.
Make a plan: Set a few Put aside anything too much
achievable aims – ten minutes of a struggle – it's stopping NO. 1, MAKING A LIST
each day, for example, or ten you getting to the books you’d
If you're in a rut, if you feel overwhelmed, if
pages. You might want to love more. Perhaps have a few
make yourself accountable, on the go to switch around,
you're uninspired and out of sorts, make a list
whether by joining a book depending on mood. And of Things to Look Forward To. Simple things,
club or using an app like tell us, and your bookish everyday things. Things that don’t cost much
Bookly that helps set goals. pals, about any favourites. money. Things you can do without leaving
the house. Things that bring you pleasure.
Things that you don’t want to take for
granted. Things that may never actually
DID YOU KNOW: Stars do
n’t twinkle. The effect happen but are fun to look forward to all the
because the light gets same. And if you make such a list, share it
('atmospheric scintillation') is with us, and it might make us all feel better.

rted when trave lling thro ugh the atmosphere. From Things to Look Forward To by Sophie Blackall
disto (Chronicle Books). Illustration by Sophie Blackall

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS
NICE FIND
Quick-fire quiz Lotus solution
Metal detectorist John 1. John Keats
2. The London Tube Map
McGimpsey must have been 3. Up Helly Aa
overjoyed when he unearthed 332 4. Charleston, South Carolina
5. The apple
coins in Staffordshire. Except
they turned out to be fakes,
Matchboxes
Britain’s largest ever fake Keepsake, Folklore, Choppier,
hoard. Turns out Baseball, Bearable, Beauties,
Browsing. Mystery keyword: King
they were buried
in 1801 by George
Fearns, a famous Seeing Double
1. Cereal 2. Parent
forger, who was 3. Devour 4. Revolt 5. Volume
hanged later that 6. Column 7. Action 8. Fetish
9. Pronto 10. Ironic
year for Mystery keyword: Revolution
Puzzles provided by Lovatts Crosswords
& Puzzles (lovattspuzzles.com)
his crimes.

124
 FE B RUARY ISSU E

AWAKE
Gathering Wellbeing My place
Cook book travel How to make good things happen Why we love a bookcase

Outing Looking back Gardens

The beauty of the winter coast The story of coffee Greener growing

IF YOU ENJOYED THIS ISSUE…

… you can buy the next one at picsandink.com from 25 January 2023
If you really liked it, might we suggest a subscription delivered to your door? – see page 54
PHOTOGRAPHY: CATHERINE FRAWLEY; KIRSTIE YOUNG

ON SALE 25 JANUARY 2023

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 PLAYLIST

Soundtrack to January
S TA R R Y S K I E S

Catch a Falling Star Perry Como

Shake Down the Stars Ella Fitzgerald
When Lights are Low Lionel Hampton
Stars The XX
Shining Star Earth, Wind & Fire
We Are All Made of Stars Moby
Floating in Space Jacob Faurholt
How High the Moon Pat Suzuki
Into Dust Mazzy Star
Just Like Heaven The Cure
She’s A Star James
Stars Dubstar
Spinning Round the Sun Gavin Clark
The Stars Patrick Wolf
Starman David Bowie
Satellite of Love Lou Reed

DJ: FRANCES AMBLER

For the full playlist, take a listen at: thesimplethings.com/blog/starryskies

stop
look
listen “We’ll take our hearts outside
Leave our lives behind
I’ll watch the stars go out”

126
 CU
A N DT O U T
KEE
FOOD TO SHARE P

Too good to keep to ourselves. Try it and pass it on

Hasselback
potatoes and
kale in saffron dal


Crispy roast potatoes

submerged in creamy dal
make for a colourful, comforting
pick-me-up for dreary days. »

127
 Hasselback potatoes and kale
in saffron dal

Serves 4–6 the edges are starting to look

6 medium baking potatoes crispy, brushing the potatoes with
6 tbsp olive oil a little more oil halfway through.
4 garlic cloves, peeled 4 Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons
1 large onion, peeled of oil in an ovenproof frying pan.
2 tsp curry Cut the onion in half and then into
1 tsp cumin thin wedges. Slice the remaining
1 tsp fennel seeds garlic cloves finely. Sauté the onion
½ tsp chilli flakes for 5 mins before adding the garlic,
1 tsp freshly grated ginger spices, ginger and a pinch of salt.
1 good pinch saffron threads Sizzle for 1 min, then add the lentils
100g red lentils, washed and 750ml water. Bring to the boil,
1 x 400g tin of coconut cream then reduce the heat to medium
2-3 kale leaves, finely chopped and simmer for at least 20 mins.
5 Add ⅔ of the coconut milk and
1 Preheat the oven to 200C/Fan stir – reserving the creamy part on
180C/Gas 6. Cut all the potatoes in top for drizzling – then stir in the
4mm slices going three-quarters of kale. Transfer the potatoes to the
the way through. (Place a chopstick dal and brush the cut sides with oil.
on either side to prevent from 6 Increase the oven temperature to
cutting all the way through.) 220C/Fan 200C/Gas 7, then return
2 Place on a baking tray, cut side the dish to the oven and bake for
up, and sprinkle with salt. Press a further 10 mins. Serve drizzled
1 garlic clove into 4 tablespoons with the remaining coconut cream
of oil. Stir and pour over the and top with fresh herbs, extra
potatoes, tossing them to get chilli flakes and a squeeze of lime.
the oil in between the cut slices.
3 Add 4 tablespoons of water to Taken from Green Kitchen: Quick & Slow
by David Frenkiel and Luise Vindahl
the bottom of the tray and place in (Hardie Grant). Photography:
the oven. Bake for 45 mins, or until David Frenkiel, Petter Bäcklund


128
 GETTING IN TOUCH WHERE WAS THAT?
Good things to eat Washing line animals 74 Shop: Pencil me in 102
[email protected]
Winter citrus sunshine 6 Blankets 80 Maker: Banners 103
020 3950 1835
Ramblejacks 19 Flowers in the house 85 Icelandic wintering 114
thesimplethings.com
Game night snacks 38 Alpine cabin 86
Visit our blog for original features
Saffron dal 127 Indoor garden 96 Proudly homemade
and sign up for our newsletter
Wishlist 100 Slow cook spiced cider 23
Feeling better By the fireside 110 Arm knitted throw 106
Iceberg Press
Do less, think better 14 Latte art 120
The Old Bakery
Poem 33 Good people & places Spearmint lip balm 121
3b Hoskins Road
Fortitude 109 Magical cranes 13
Oxted
Playlist 126 My day in cups of tea 20 … and more
Surrey RH8 9HT
Bedtime story 130 My City: Adelaide 28 Could-do list 3
Women of sense 34 February almanac 22
The comfort of things Cat cafés 46 Miscellany 117
/THESIMPLETHINGSMAG What I treasure 45 How to travel well 50 Wise words 132
/SIMPLETHINGSMAG A feeling for ice 67 Hometown façades 57
Mittens 71 Good news 64
/SIMPLETHINGSMAG

/SIMPLETHINGS
MEET THE TEAM
Subscriptions Editor Lisa Sykes Art Editors Wishlist Editor
[email protected] Anneliese Klos Louise Gorrod
Deputy Editor
020 3950 1835 Joe McIntyre
Frances Ambler Reprographics Editor
Sub Editor Commissioning Editor James Wootton
Advertising
Abbie Miller (Homes, food & projects) Commercial Director
[email protected]
Karen Dunn Rob Biddiss
07896 239433 Editor-at-Large
Iona Bower Commissioning Editor Assistant Publisher
Publishing & Licensing (Travel, nature & growing) Fiona Hamilton
Picture Researcher
[email protected] Jo Mattock
Liz Boyd Managing Director
07768 873139 Books Editor David Parker
Wellbeing Editor
Eithne Farry
Rebecca Frank
Taking time to live well
THE SIMPLE THINGS

January
JANUARY 2023

Co-founders
David Parker, Guy Foreman, Lisa Sykes
Night skies & toasty blankets

icebergpress.co.uk

The Simple Things is published by Iceberg Press, printed by Warners and distributed by Marketforce.
S TA R
Slow cook spiced cider & saffron dal • A feeling for ice • Nordic wintering
We print on chlorine-free paper from suppliers that have been independently certified by the Forest
Slices of citrus sunshine • Ramblejacks • Board game gathering
Why we love mittens • Do less, think better • Cat cafés & arm knitting Stewardship Council. Our subscription copies come wrapped in paper which can be recycled. © Iceberg
Press Limited 2023. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be used or reproduced without
the written permission of the publisher. ISSN 2050-4136
FRONT COVER JO GRUNDY
Iceberg Press Limited is registered in England, company no 09051321 with its registered office at
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IN BROWN AND TURQUOISE,
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CAMBRIDGEIMPRINT.CO.UK Iceberg Press Limited does not accept any responsibility for errors or inaccuracies in such information.
BACK COVER ANNELIESE KLOS Readers are advised to contact retailers directly with regard to the price of products/services referred
AND LIZ BOYD to in this magazine.
 BEDTIME STORY

S TA R O F
THE WEEK

A short story by LINDA GREEN

“ hat makes someone a star?”

Finn asks, gazing wistfully
out of the window at the
bare ground slowly emerging
from under last night’s
thin covering of snow.
I frown at him, unclear what he’s getting at.
“You mean like famous people on TV?”
“No,” said Finn. “What would make someone like
me a star? Only I wasn’t picked for Star of the Week last
term. When I got one word wrong in my spelling test,
Mrs Cuthbertson told me what the missing letter was,
but she hasn’t told me what I’m missing to be a star.”
I glance away for a second, trying not to let him see
how much this breaks me.
“You’re not missing anything, sweetheart,” I say,
reaching out to ruffle his red curls. “I expect it’s simply
a matter of taking turns.”
Finn doesn’t appear convinced and goes back to tracing
the droplets of water on the window.
“What sort of things did the other children get Star wellies on. We’re going to go outside.”
of the Week for?” I ask gently. Finn looks at me quizzically but doesn’t offer up a word
“Luke Bayliss got one for scoring a hat-trick – that means of protest. He loves the garden. Always has. It’s the oasis
three goals, it’s nothing to do with hats. Libby D got hers he comes back to for nourishment when he comes home
for going scuba diving when she was on holiday in the from school, all sad and depleted.
Maldives, and Jahanzeb got one for reciting something I let Finn go ahead of me up the steps to the top of the
in Arabic.” tiered garden, his yellow wellies a stark contrast to the
I nod slowly, aware that none of these routes are open white of the snow and the dark earth on the least sheltered
to Finn. side of the garden. He stops by the apple tree at the top and
“What about kindness?” I ask. “Do children sometimes waits for me to catch up. I smile at him as I see the colour
get it for thinking of others because you’re good at that?” rise in his cheeks, the life suddenly bursting to the surface.
Finn wrinkles his nose, his freckles clustering together “There,” I say pointing at the tiny green shoots poking
as he does so. through the snow. You remember the bulbs that we planted
“Not really. Not unless they can’t think of any other back in November?’
reason to give it to them. Tyler Jenkins was the last one A smile creeps across his face.
to get it in Year Three and they said it was for enjoying “Are they my snowdrops?”
his school dinners, which made everyone laugh because “Yes. And when they flower in a few weeks or maybe
they knew that wasn’t a proper reason and I don’t want to next month, we’ll take a photo, and you can show Mrs
be last, and I don’t want them all laughing at me. I want Cuthbertson what you grew. You made the world a more
ILLUSTRATION: LARA PAULUSSEN

them to give it to me because I’ve done something special.” beautiful place. How special is that?”
I pull Finn towards me, wishing I could rub the hurt Finn’s smile broadens further still.
away like I used to when he fell over and bumped his knee “It’s a lot better than enjoying eating chips,” he says.
when he was little. It was the thing I hated most about
sending him off to school every day; the knowledge that
Linda Green has 11 best selling novels to her name. Her latest
he was on his own without a Teflon coating to protect him. offering In Little Stars (Quercus) is a post-Brexit retelling of Romeo
“Come on,” I say encouragingly, standing up. “Pull you and Juliet, with a Yorkshire backdrop and heartbreak aplenty.

130
5 YEARS
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