Table of contents for April 2019 in The Simple Things

MAKER OF THE MONTH Salt Studios has pots of style There’s now so much choice in the crowded world of planters and accessories… All credit, then, to London-based artist Francesca Pappacoda, whose handcrafted designs using concrete, pigments and polystone are eyecatching and unique. Her Terrazzo range (pictured, from £12) comes in both monochrome and dusty pastels. We’ve a soft spot for her cute mini pots, too (from £7), in chalky rainbow colours – they’re calling out for cacti. saltstudios.co.uk SPIELING GOOD Will Storr grapples with what makes a tale compelling in The Science of Storytelling Stories make sense of the world, and our place in it: Will Storr’s thought-provoking book looks at our relationship with tales – whether they be taken from myths, modern novels, poems or movies. With the…

Gambling checks Children in the UK will be better protected from gambling adverts thanks to rules introduced this month. Changes to advertising standards will forbid bookmakers from placing ads on websites or in computer games that are popular with children. Gambling firms must also use “all tools available” to prevent their adverts from targeting under-18s on social media. Shakespeare for all Actors with disabilities will have prominent roles in forthcoming shows by the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), as part of a drive to involve more underrepresented groups. “There are some cool casting directors out there getting to know disabled actors all over the country,” said Amy Trigg, a wheelchair user, who has been cast in productions of Taming of the Shrew and Measure for Measure.  Scrap medals Athletes who triumph at…

Morning! What’s first on the agenda? I let the hens out at dawn and I don’t enjoy my first cuppa until that’s done. Hens come first! I top up their water, give them a feed and a little treat (usually a sprinkling of corn). It’s back into the farmhouse – Hens HQ – for breakfast and to see my kids onto their school bus. Tell us a bit about what you do? I hire hens and equipment to schools and train them to properly care for them – it gives children a better understanding of where their food comes from. I run activity days and sessions where the children can cuddle a chick, for example, and hire out incubators so schools can watch chicks hatch. Kettle’s on. What do you…

Let us count the ways… 1 It’s mainly fat and sugar which, in milk chocolate at least, is found in proportions of 1:2, fat/ sugar. This is rarely found in nature, other than in human breast milk, suggesting we are hard-wired to enjoy it. 2 It contains a cocktail of caffeine and other chemicals, albeit in trace amounts, which are thought to stimulate our senses, lift our mood and even counter pain. 3 The silky texture and mouthfeel are pleasing so that eating some is a physical joy. 4 The darker and less processed you eat your chocolate, the more likely it’ll be actively good for you, packed full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatories.…

60g raw cacao butter 50g raw cacao powder 2–4 tbsp fruit syrup 1 Place a clean bowl over a saucepan of hot water, ensuring the base of the bowl does not touch the water. 2 Grate the cacao butter, add to the bowl and allow to melt slowly. Don’t keep the water boiling, turn off the heat and just give it a quick blast every so often if necessary. 3 Once melted, add the cacao powder and stir in thoroughly with a balloon whisk or fork, until it starts to thicken slightly. The chocolate should still be runny and easy to pour. 4 Add 1 tbsp of fruit syrup and stir in thoroughly. Taste, and add more syrup to taste, ½ tbsp at a time, mixing thoroughly and tasting after…

The North Wales Way follows an old trading route for 75 miles along the North Welsh coast. A landscape of stunning cliffs and sandy coves, studded with castles, it offers plenty of loops and diversions, whether you choose to explore the rugged peaks of Snowdonia, head into the Vale of Clwyd, lined by a string of handsome market towns heading towards Llangollen, or hop across the Menai Strait to enjoy a few days in Anglesey. Discover some of its highlights… FINE FORTRESSES You can’t miss the castles. Literally. They’re huge! The walled citadel of Conwy together with Beaumaris, Caernarfon and Harlech castles form a UNESCO-listed World Heritage site. Dominating the town, Conwy Castle (below) is a 13th-century fortress – its 21 towers and medieval gateways visible from miles away. VALLEY…

As You Like It , William Shakespeare Read this to your new beau – or oldest love. Like Water for Chocolate , Laura Esquivel An ideal read between friends preferably over steaming cups of cocoa. The Old Ways , Robert MacFarlane Read this to a friend and rejoice in the soundscape Macfarlane creates, says Francesco Dimitri. The Quangle Wangle’s Hat , Edward Lear Travel with your toddler to a land of gloriously nonsensical words and characters. ‘Love after Love’, Derek Walcott A poem to read to anyone facing new beginnings following loss, says Helen Willows. Treasure Island , Robert Louis Stevenson Relive a swashbuckling classic – this is one of Meghan Cox Gurdon’s favourite family reads. Letters to a Young Poet , Rainer Maria…

An aromatherapy massage, a deep bath scented with heady oils – is there anything more relaxing? Aromatherapy has become synonymous with spa and beauty treatments, but don’t be deceived by its sweet scents and soft focus image – it can be powerful medicine. Essential oils can mitigate serious complaints, from high blood pressure to chronic migraines. The effects don’t stop at the physiological; essential oils can help us know ourselves better, gently balancing our emotions. Pretty much every ancient culture understood the power of plant oils. Scented unguents were found in King Tutankhamun’s tomb. And the Greek physician Hippocrates, writing in the fourth century BCE, said, “The way to health is to have an aromatic bath and scented massage every day.” However, modern aromatherapy originated in France in the early…

• The Inner Light and Joy candle (£40, ila-spa.com) positively belts out uplifting jasmine. Always choose candles that use 100% soy, beeswax, coconut wax or hemp oil as a base. • Keep Amly’s Digital Detox Face Mist (£30; amlybotanicals.co.uk) close by your computer or when commuting or flying – it’s an instant de-stresser. • Root and Flower’s Chakra Anointing Oil Set (£50, rootandflower.co.uk) includes seven blends, each helping to balance one of our subtle energy centres. • Choose good quality oils when making your own blends. Prices should vary according to the oil. Tisserand (tisserand.com), Neal’s Yard Remedies (nealsyardremedies.com) and Star Child (starchild.co.uk) all offer good carrier oils and essential oils. • Some spa-based treatments give you a personalised ritual to carry on at home. Therapie Roques-O’Neil (roquesoneil.com) sells various…

“I THOUGHT, ‘I DON’T WANT TO LIVE IN A CITY ANY MORE. I WANT TO LIVE SOMEWHERE BEAUTIFUL’” “One of the first things I did before we bought this house was crouch down where the bed would be and make sure I could see the sea,” says Manda McGrory of her home on the Isle of Wight. Manda moved to the island from Leeds, in search of a place to raise her daughters, Bella (14) and Lily (11), and in need of a change. “I thought, ‘I don’t want to live in a city any more’,” she says. “‘I want to live somewhere beautiful.’” An internet search for an affordable property that could accommodate three generations of her family (her father came, too), took her to Brighstone (“The best village…

Top drawer Upcycle a sideboard or chest of drawers by lining each drawer with wallpaper for an unexpected hit of pattern each time you reach for a spoon. Shelf conscious Treat box shelves like picture frames and wallpaper the back of each one in a contrasting design. On the rise If you have uncarpeted stairs, wallpaper individual stair risers and finish with several coats of hardwearing varnish to protect them. Be dazzled Wallpaper a landing’s walls and ceiling in a bold geometric paper.…

Guillemot Considered one of the world’s most beautiful eggs, not least for its shape which helps prevent it rolling off cliffs. Puffin Huff and puff but you won’t blow this away – the male puffin digs a burrow for the female to lay her one, solitary egg. Golden eagle Typically laid in clutches of one to three, the oldest chick wins gold, leaving the youngest only a 20% chance of survival. Osprey Ospreys get better at breeding with practice. Novices lay two beautifully blotchy eggs – old hands lay up to four. Chaffinch The chaffinch should be chuffed with its nest: creating a compact cup for eggs from moss, feathers and spider webs. Peregrine falcon Adapted to city life, nesting in electricity pylons and cathedrals. They lay three to four…

There’s heaps of Easter fun to be had at the Lost Gardens of Heligan including the Championship Egg Show on 20 April with more than 110 categories.heligan.com If you were a fan in the 80s, you’ll love Fame the Musical. With amazing dancing and Mica Paris’s brilliant performance as Miss Sherman you’ll be itching to get out of your seat. Touring the UK now.fameuktour.co.uk “I’ve not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work”Thomas Edison, inventor KETTLE’S ON… Today is a celebration of one of our favourite pastimes – tea drinking. Toast National Tea Day by taking a pause to savour your favourite brew. Find out more about tea-related events, including London’s Festeaval (13–14 April), at nationalteaday.co.uk. GET FIT & GIVE BACK Good Gym is a genius initiative where…

When the weather is warm and the need to wear something comfortable but not frumpy arises, thoughts turn to the tunic. Worn by many of us practically all of the time, especially in the summer months, it is the go-to option for quick and easy dressing. Slip one over your head, pull on skinny jeans and a pair of trainers and you are good to go to the school gates, to the park to walk the dog and on to the shops. Dress it up with a scarf or a necklace, a pair of leggings and some flat shoes and it’s fine for work, too. The joy of the tunic is, of course, that it is loose. There’s nothing fitted about this most simple of garments – at its most…

1966  Born in Seaton, Devon 1989–1993  Sails square riggers and J Class yachts in Europe, the Caribbean and on transatlantic voyages 1991  In a break from her PhD in Natural Dyes and Symbolism of Colour in the Andes, starts working with producer groups in Ecuador. Gives up the PhD and sets up Pachacuti 1992–2013  Designs and produces knitwear, embroidered clothing, felt and panama hats, working with women’s groups in the Andes 2007  In recognition of her significant contribution to UK business, Carry meets the Queen 2013  Has the idea for Fashion Revolution in the bath a few days after the Rana Plaza factory collapse 2016  Named one of London’s most influential people in the Equality Champions category of the Progress 1000 Awards 2018  More than 275 million people in over…

Foraged crops are free, abundant and flavourful. All you need do is get yourself to a good spot at the right time, basket and secateurs in hand, and you have some of the best crops available. Through the foraging seasons of spring, summer and autumn, we’ll show you where to find these crops, how to pick them, and ways to turn them into delicious dishes. THE MONTH OF APRIL The scent of wild garlic fills your nostrils as you drive through the countryside on a mild spring day. The appearance of these leaves – popping out of the ground as early as March – is a sure sign that life is stirring into action beneath our feet. Along with dog’s mercury, bluebells and yellow pimpernel, wild garlic is an indicator…

33% Global terror attacks fell by almost a third last year, and deaths caused by them fell by a quarter. Attacks by Daesh fell by 71%, according to the annual Global Attack Index, released by Jane’s Terrorism and Insurgency Center. 2038  All coal-fired power plants in Germany should close by 2038, a commission has concluded. Coal provides nearly 40% of the country’s power, compared with  5% in the UK. Gas is proposed as Germany’s back-up power of choice. 4/10 Four in 10 Britons volunteer, A YouGov survey has revealed. The majority of respondents to the survey, conducted for the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, said it counters loneliness and boosts mental health. * These articles have been written by our friends at Positive News, the magazine for good journalism about…

* 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 or to redsicover the charms of a coty clower to you, but for now jut sit back, relax and enjoy some vicarious travel. How long have you lived in the city? I was born in Lyon. I moved to Porto when I was 25 to study and become a professional photographer but after five years I missed my beautiful city. When I came back it was very different, some of the old districts had been modernised…

Although the chocolate industry is estimated to be worth US$50 billion annually, and we Brits each chomp through 8.4 kilos of the stuff a year, the average cacao farmer in Cote D’Ivoire or Ghana lives on less than $1 a day. The Fairtrade Mark is a certified scheme which ensures sustainable prices for farmers and which pays an additional premium to be spent on business investment or community projects. Aware that top-quality chocolate can only be made from top-quality beans, many UK chocolate makers now go a step further, forming close relationships directly with the growers and paying two or three times the market price to the farmers for them to invest as they see fit, though these measures are unregulated. Some, such as Hotel Chocolat and Rococo own their…

As I look out over the Suffolk creek I see the rich pattern of its bed, revealed by low tide. It shimmers white gold in the April sunlight and a darker mud emerges from it like swirls of chocolate sauce in vanilla ice-cream. Bright green algae and spiky sea grass interrupt the monochrome pattern of the flats as, marble-like, it spreads out across the creek merging into a darker, metallic grey in the distance. Close up, this formation loses its definition and becomes a soggy mess of damp sticks and churned mud beneath the raised footpath I am standing on. But it is a proper spring weekend after a dreary winter and nothing can dampen the experience of admiring this view with the sun on my face and arms. At…

Absolute A highly concentrated, semi-solid or solid perfume obtained by enfleurage (see below) or solvent extraction from a concrete. Balsam The resinous liquid or semi-solid extract taken from a plant. Carrier or base oil Essential oils are usually too concentrated to be used on the skin undiluted so they are blended with an unperfumed vegetable oil such as sweet almond. Chemotype Chemical variations in an essential oil, even though they are obtained from the same botanical type of plant. Concrete The waxy solid or semi-solid material prepared from plant matter. Distillation In which the plant is heated (either directly in water or via steam) so its essence is released as vapour. Enfleurage A traditional method of extracting oils from delicate flowers. Petals are sprinkled over a layer of fat, so…

Serenity Lavender is renowned for soothing anxiety: clinical studies have shown that terpenoids in the oil help switch on the relaxation response. Sandalwood, cedarwood, clary sage, camomile, bergamot and cypress are also anxiety-busters. DIY: If anxious and pressurised, try a blend of camomile, bergamot and orange. If tense and exhausted, lavender, clary sage and cypress. Expert blend: Calming Temple Salve (£6.50; nealsyardremedies.com). Massage into temples and pressure points. Inspiration When you need a shot of creativity, a new way of thinking, or even an entirely new start, surround yourself with uplifting, inspiring jasmine. It was used in first-century Persia to scent celebrations. Its sidekicks include ylang ylang, neroli, orange and palmarosa. DIY: Jasmine, ylang ylang and orange is a good mix for creativity. Cypress, hyssop and pine help release outworn…

The days may not be long in April, but the light is already different, bringing a glamour to life that’s been sadly lacking in recent months. The outdoors is more enticing, the air alive with insects buzzing and birds courting — when it’s not lashing us with wind, hail and snow. Too often, longed-for weekends outside are compromised by unpredictable weather systems, in any season. Take your cue from professional gardeners who confront the elements by dressing accordingly (hint: invest in some waterproof trousers). By consulting our weather calendar, you will find yourself similarly un-bothered by whatever the day throws at you. “Too often, longed-for weekends outside are compromised by weather” SPRING When a wicked wind blows It’s invigorating to feel the wind against your face: a stiff breeze gets…

The choice is overwhelming. Emma stands at the boulangerie counter, eyeing up the neat rows of perfectly formed pastries. Next to her, a small boy presses his face against the glass, eyes wide, the tip of his tongue poking out from the corner of his mouth. His mother pulls him away sharply by the hand. Emma catches his eye and smiles. She knows how he feels. She comes here every Sunday and yet every week it proves nearly impossible to decide. Golden croissants lie curled against one another like spooning lovers. There are plump, round brioches dusted in sugar crystals and huge pains aux raisins studded with sticky black currants. Beside them begin the daintier treats. Éclairs lined up like toy boats, each iced in a different shade from pistachio…

Seafood scotch eggs Makes 6 1 tbsp olive oil 4 shallots, finely chopped 6 eggs, at room temperature 200g cooked small Atlantic prawns 250g smoked cod/haddock, chopped 1 tbsp chopped dill Zest of 1 lemon Pinch of cayenne pepper ¼ tsp grated nutmeg 100g plain flour 2 eggs, beaten 150g dried breadcrumbs (eg panko) 1 litre sunflower oil 1 Heat the olive oil in a pan and gently sauté shallots until just softened. 2 Bring a pan of water to the boil then drop in the eggs, ensuring they are fully immersed. Boil for 6 mins, then put in iced water to stop them cooking more. 3 Put the cooked shallots, prawns, smoked fish, dill, lemon zest, spices and a pinch of salt in the food processor. Blitz to a…

There’s a certain satisfaction that comes with wiping the final smear from a mirror or catching the last cobweb in a corner that’s good for the psyche, helping us impose a little order on the chaos of modern life. Do it on your own terms, as a way of taking care of your own space, and cleaning can become a calming and even creative act. The therapeutic effects of a spot of spring cleaning are even greater, of course, if you feel good about the products you use. There’s been a green-cleaning boom in recent years with eco-friendly cleaning agencies, non-toxic dry cleaners and a flush of new books and blogs guiding us in lower-impact living. But perhaps the most visible change has been the upswing in earth-friendly products for…

RYE, BUCKWHEAT & FRUIT BREAKFAST MUFFINS Makes9 70g walnut halves or pieces (optional) 140g unsweetened almond milk 1 tsp cider vinegar 100g Doves Farm Organic Stoneground Wholemeal Rye Flour 55g Doves Farm Stoneground Wholemeal Buckwheat Flour 1½ tsp mixed spices of your choice (such as 1 tsp ground cinnamon and ¼ tsp each of ground nutmeg and allspice) 1¾ tsp baking powder ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda 1 firm conference pear 1 cox apple 125g rapadura or light soft brown sugar 30ml rapeseed oil 1 large egg Zest of 1 orange 1 Preheat oven to 200C/Fan 180C/Gas 6 and line a muffin tin with 9 paper cases. If using, toast the walnuts on a baking sheet for 5–6 mins until lightly browned. Cool, then roughly chop. 2 Mix together the…

Favourite shops LE SIROP DE LA RUE Expect a warm welcome and tempting local products from meats to wines to confectionery.lesiropdelarue.com Favourite gallery GALERIE POLTRED Temporary exhibitions and carefully selected photography. poltred.fr/galerie-photo-lyon Favourite bar LE FANTOME DE L’OPERA Laid-back atmosphere, a great playlist and delicious cocktails. 19 rue Royale, 69001 Lyon Favourite restaurant KITCHEN CAFÉ A weekly changing menu according to the season and inspiration of chefs, Connie Zagora and Laurent Ozan.lekitchencafe.com Favourite market LES PUCES DU CANAL A giant fleamarket with more than 400 exhibitors every Sunday morning. A must for those who like to rummage for rare treasure.pucesducanal.com Favourite hotel LE MOB HOTEL Cool design hotel with a sustainable, organic kitchen and a convivial atmosphere.mobhotel.com Favourite way to spend an hour JARDINS DU MUSÉE DES BEAUX ARTS A…

Am I alone in hoping, any time a chocolate factory is mentioned, that it really might contain a chocolate river, rooms full of snozzberries, or banks of nut-testing squirrels? Brought up on Roald Dahl’s classic, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, I pray that somewhere, somehow, it really could be true. Anyone who has lived within sniffing distance of a major producer will know that it doesn’t really seem that far-fetched – blown on the wind, that sweet, warming scent of chocolate can transform the dullest day into a whipple-scrumptious fudgemallow delight. Dahl’s book was inspired by his imaginings of what might be going on within Cadbury’s chocolate factory at Bournville, the very factory that sent him and his fellow pupils at Repton public school unmarked boxes of chocolates to taste…

As a symbol of new life, eggs have been associated with Easter since the early days of Christianity, but ovoid chocolate didn’t arrive in Britain until 1873, thanks to the ever-innovative Bristol company, Fry’s. Chocolate eggs were an instant smash hit. Cadbury rolled out its version two years later and by 1893 had a cracking 19 different designs to offer, either filled with dragées (sugarcoated chocolates) or decorated with marzipan or piping. The Cadbury Creme Egg was first laid in 1971. One of the company’s most popular inventions, it is today produced in Bournville at a totally whizz-popping rate of up to 1.5 million a day.…

When you walk along a coast path, there’s always a house that takes your fancy. A ‘what if this was ours’ place with a gate straight onto the beach, views out to sea and set a little apart from the neighbours. Plas Esgob (its roof is visible, above), literally the last cottage on the Rhoscolyn headland of Holy Island, is that house. Ynys Môn (Anglesey) is separated from mainland Wales by the scenic Menai Strait, making Holy Island an island off an island but, because of the ferry route from nearby Holyhead to Dublin, you can actually get there by train in under four hours from London. For lovers of secret coves, distant mountains, ancient burial chambers and standing stones, it is hard to beat. Where we stayed Plas Esgob,…

Reading time: 4 minutes. In a letter to Isabel Standen, a young friend of his, the author of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland has some wise advice to impart on how to deal with changing conditions: I can quite understand, and much sympathise with, what you say of your feeling lonely, and not what you can honestly call ‘happy’. Now I am going to give you a bit of philosophy about that – my own experience is that every new form of life we try is, just at first, irksome rather than pleasant. My first day or two at the sea is a little depressing; I miss the Christ Church interests, and haven’t taken up the threads of interest here; and, just in the same way, my…

Spring is in the air. The sound of birdsong is loud and clear. There are new lambs in the fields and blossom dotting the hedgerows. What isn’t as obvious to the eye are the busy bird nests, which are a hive of activity. Nest building, egg laying, hatching and feeding is a time of great change which we rarely get to see before fledglings take flight. NATURAL ARCHITECTS Each species has its own unique spin on nest construction, using anything and everything – twigs, leaves, moss, feathers and more – to ensure their nest is suitably insulated. After laying their eggs and incubating them until hatching, the majority of birds will care for their chicks until they are ready to leave the nest, and sometimes beyond. Not only do adult…

You can use essential oils in place of synthetic home fragrance. There are more ideas in The Fragrant Pharmacy by Valerie Ann Worwood (Bantam). • Add essential oils to unperfumed washing-up liquid (around 9 drops per bottle). Bergamot, lavender, lime or orange work well. • Pop 3–5 drops of oils in the softener compartment of your washing machine. Lavender or Roman camomile turn bedlinen blissful. Or add two drops of oil onto a small square of fabric and place in the tumble dryer. • Replace air fresheners by filling a house plant mister with water and adding 15–20 drops of oil. Shake gently to disperse before spritzing. • Spray lining paper for drawers with your choice of oil. Cedarwood, lavender, vetiver and lemon are tried and trusted.…

Sure, it’s easy enough to make your tea in the mug, but isn’t it much nicer to enjoy the ceremony that comes with the gentle pouring of a teapot? Ever since the first tea was imported from China, we’ve been buying and creating the vessels with which to enjoy it. Although the essential features of a teapot – the body, lid, handle and spout – have remained virtually unchanged over the subsequent centuries, generations of designers have tried to refine the basics to cater to changing fashions and our changing lifestyles. These seven designs not only show the changing status of tea in our homes: they also demonstrate the inventiveness encompassed in this slice of everyday life. Now that’s something to ponder over a cup of tea… STEEPED IN HISTORY…

Where does an obsession with mid-century design come from? If you’re anything like us, it kicks in at an early stage. Over the years, we’ve each amassed a collection of far too much crockery, clothes, magazines and fabric – all picked up at car boot sales and jumble sales for next to nothing. Mid-century style means Scandi design classics to some people and thrift store treasures to others, but it spans the whole period from mid-1930s to early 1970s. When we began, crockery was in plentiful supply via car boots and charity shops. We learned what we liked – from Hornsea to Midwinter, Susie Cooper to Jessie Tait. An avid interest in the Festival of Britain, the 1951 exhibition on London’s Southbank, which showcased all that was new in British…

A favourite pudding for early spring, when the wild watermint* has appeared at the stream edges and the rhubarb crowns are pushing up their sage green and electric pink stems. Serves 6 150g plain white flour 3 tsp ground ginger 80g cold unsalted butter, diced 50g demerera sugar 600g rhubarb 6 tbsp granulated sugar Handful fresh watermint leaves (or garden mint leaves) TO SERVE Vanilla ice cream and watermint leaves 1 Preheat oven to 200C/Fan 180C/Gas 6. Sift the flour with a pinch of sea salt and the ground ginger into a large bowl. Using your hands rub the diced butter into the flour mixture until it resembles breadcrumbs, then stir in the demerera. 2 Tip the crumble onto a baking tray, spread out evenly, and bake for about 35…