Back when things were open and travelling from home was allowed, Bruce and I went out for an evening at RHS Wisley to see their evening Glow event. In order to keep numbers in check it was a ticketed event, and because I am a member of the RHS I managed to get a couple of tickets half price before they all sold out. As you know I am a
Musings
Look back at 2020 — Part 3
Welcome to the third part of my look back at 2020. If you missed part 1 or part 2 then do click on them to be taken straight to the posts. September Not going to lie, I loved September. It is also one of my favourite months of the year but this year, somehow it felt even more special. The days were long and lazy and
Read More
Musings
A look back at 2020 — Part 2
If you missed part 1 of my 2020 retrospective then do click through on the link. Since you are here though, here is part 2 of my look back at 2020 May May was the month we were all still furious at Dominic Cummings, where Barnard Castle was firmly on the map and where memes about Specsavers were doing the rounds. Boris was on the TV doing
Read More
Musings
A look back at 2020 — Part 1
It is easy to look back at 2020 and say nothing happened, that life as we knew it was cancelled. Whilst it might feel that way I was determined to document that absolutely wasn’t the case. 2020 was the year we became grandparents and will always be viewed as the year of Lily first and foremost, and that whilst Coronavirus obviously played a large part in all our
Read More
Musings
Covid and the end of 2020
Covid and the end of 2020 is now feeling much more like the end of the world quite frankly. When I started doing a weekly diary at the start of lockdown back in March I had no idea it would go on for so long, and when I wrote a post at the beginning of August it was week 21 of my social isolation diary and I genuinely thought we
Read More
Exploring
Lap Land Silverstone
AD — Gifted tickets Just off the M40 might not be your first thought for where to find Lap Land this year, but if 2020 has taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected. And so off we went in early December, to a perfectly socially-distanced-doesnt-matter-if-its-raining event that the whole family can enjoy. In the comfort and safety of their own cars, visitors will drive on the iconic
Read More
HomeLife
Why I’m having the flu vaccine
I didn’t even think about it when I received a text from our local surgery saying I was within an age bracket eligible to receive the flu vaccine this year. I called them straight away and am booked in for this Saturday (at 09.02, how terribly precise) despite never having had it (or been eligible) before this year it feels like I am doing my bit for the greater good.
Read More
Musings
An alcohol free Christmas Gift Guide
There can be a multitude of reasons for people to not be drinking at this (or indeed any) time of the year. Therefore it is really important that we don’t forget to have some low alcohol or alcohol free drinks for them to enjoy. Seedlip Seedlip is a staple in our house all year round. Distilled in the same way as gin this is the perfect drink for anybody
Read More
Musings
The Boozy Christmas Gift Guide
This guide features items sent for inclusion in my gift guides Bobby’s Gin Regular readers will know I love a back story behind a distillery and this gin has a cracker. It is named after Jacobus “Bobby” Alfons who arrived in the Netherlands from Indonesia in the early 1950s. Bobby loved Dutch Genever still gin but missed the flavours that reminded him of home so he started making his
Read More
Musings
The Eco Christmas Gift Guide
Some ideas of what to buy the environmentalist in your life are included in this gift guide. Please note that some of them were sent to me in order to be included in the guide. A swap box from Save Money Cut Carbon I wrote about the last month and think the idea is so fab I am including it here. You sign up to the club and then get
Read More
Musings
Christmas 2020 Gift Guide for Couples
My Christmas gift guide for couples, features some items that were sent to me for the purpose of including them in this guide, and some other ideas I have seen whilst doing my Christmas shopping this year. I hope you like them! Kindred Fires Candle I instantly fell in love with everything on this website. Not only do they have candles for every occasion and recipient, you can have them
Read More
Musings
Christmas Gift Guide for Animal Lovers
Podium Pet Products We have been a huge fan of these products since we were first sent some for Mr Cheeks to review earlier this year. All of their products are natural, and some are even vegan. I might have also been known to use the Paw and Nose balm on my own hands. Don’t tell anyone. You can buy the products individually, or you can buy a bundle









