Table of contents for April 2021 in The Simple Things

Treat your ears A podcast and a piece of music to celebrate the month Listen to the dawn chorus (even if you’re a night owl) The Casual Birder is a podcast for anyone who’s interested in wild birds and is a lovely, relaxing listen. If you haven’t quite managed to get up to hear the real thing yet, this might be the thing to inspire you to do so. And if you can’t quite manage such an early start, you can listen here at any time of the day: casualbirderpod.libsyn.com/dawn-chorus. • Nick Drake, Bryter Layter Like all the best albums that put a spring in your step, you can’t quite put your finger on why Nick Drake’s Bryter Layter sounds like spring. Perhaps it’s the breathy vocals, the upbeat jazzy…

Favourite cafés HUMBLE COFFEE Great coffee and a deli counter groaning with delicious treats.humblecoffee.co.za THE GLENWOOD BAKERY A regularly updated breakfast menu and a heavenly selection of pastries and breads.glenwoodbakery.co.za Favourite restaurant 9TH AVENUE WATERSIDE Breathtaking views over Durban’s harbour and a sophisticated menu.9thavewaterside.co.za Favourite market SHONGWENI FARMERS’ & CRAFT MARKET Every Saturday, 6.30am-12.30pm, Durban’s biggest market boasts everything from food, clothing and footwear, to toys, crafts and jewellery. Enjoy live music there, too.shongwenimarket.co.za Favourite hotel THE OYSTER BOX Located in Umhlanga with magnificent views across the Indian Ocean, the Oyster Box offers a stylish escape and numerous dining options, as well as the Lighthouse Bar for a sundowner with a view.oysterboxhotel.com Favourite shops ADELE CATHERINE Home décor and furnishings predominantly made in South Africa, plus a lush array of…

On a chilly morning, stripping off and immersing yourself in freezing water might seem like the last thing you’d want to do but a growing number of people are becoming so hooked on the buzz that an icy dip delivers, they’ll take the plunge whatever the weather. “Once you’ve experienced the benefits of a cold shower, a coffee feels like a pathetic way to wake up,” laughs Tim Bowles, owner of Campwell (campwell.co.uk). Tim starts most days with a cold shower or, when he has the time, a dip in the river Avon or the lake at Cherry Wood, one of the two camp sites he owns near Bath. “I usually stay in the cold shower for three or four minutes, but if you’re new to it I’d definitely advise…

• “There are moments in a woman’s life when her heart flips in her chest, when the world suddenly seems uncommonly pink and perfect, when a symphony can be heard in the tinkle of a doorbell.” Bridgerton author Julia Quinn sums up the thrill of seeing the Hermes delivery driver coming up the path. • “I love you. You’re in the very core of my heart. I hold you there like a jewel.” Greeting even the most casual of acquaintances post-pandemic, inspired by L M Montgomery’s The Blue Castle. • “Each moment that I wait feels like a year, an eternity. Each moment is as slow and transparent as glass. Through each moment I can see infinite moments line up, waiting. Why has he gone where I cannot follow?” Waiting…

A decrepit former toothpaste lid factory may not sound like a building with the potential to become an envy-inducing property, but for two couples who were searching for a renovation project that could provide them both with their dream homes, it turned out to be the ideal solution. When Joana and partner Denis, along with Denis’ childhood best friend Romain and his partner Cécile – an interior designer – wanted to buy their first homes they quickly realised that finding the right properties for their budgets wouldn’t be easy. However, by widening their search away from houses and combining their funds, they soon came up with a unique solution. “One day, Cécile came across an ad for a warehouse in the Bordeaux suburbs which was on the market – it…

Cheerful, cheeky and entirely encouraging, Mark Diacono is an excellent guide to the intricacies of herb flavours, the conditions they thrive in, and how they elevate a dish from everyday to extraordinary. Vivid descriptions such as summer savory being “resinous as a creosoted fence,” while flowering chives look “like a clutch of purple sparklers” make Herb a delicious read; clear, concise growing instructions to make a container garden of thyme, lemon verbena, dill, mint, salad burnet and tarragon sound more than possible, and the recipes they’re used in – Greek Herb Pie, bright with dill and mint, or Crab and Chervil Linguine, are ones to relish. (Quadrille)…

HANGING PIZZA BASKET Refashion an old colander into a herb-packed hanging basket YOU WILL NEED: Colander Hanging basket chains Twine Muslin square (big enough to line your colander) Compost Plants – we used cherry tomato, basil and thyme 1 Turn your colander upside down and tie a length of twine securely around the top, so that it’s positioned between the rim and the handles. 2 Attach the hanging basket chains to the twine. 3 Place your colander back up the right way and line with the square of muslin. This will prevent the soil from falling through the holes. 4 Next, fill the colander with compost until it’s about half full, or at a level that will allow your plants to fit nicely. 5 Arrange your plants in the colander…

In the nominative determinism stakes, I’ve been dealt a nice one. I’m an Ambler. And, yep, I’m a huge fan of a gentle amble: likewise, a mooch, a potter or a pootle. Those very words hint at the gentle pleasures to be found in setting out for a stroll with no determined mission or destination, other than to be led by your curiosity or your mood. A bit of leisurely freedom sounds nice but, in practice, it can be hard to do. Especially when we’ve become so used to dividing our life up by deadlines and to-do lists. So, when I came across the ‘Situationists International’ I found the justification I needed. One of the theories of this group of avant garde artists, around from the 1950s onwards, was the…

I’ve got too many things to do, so I’ve run away to Weston for a dose of freshness – to clear my head of silly lists and ticks. Out there, beyond the pier, is only the truth. The sky a vague remembrance of rain. And all this sand beneath my feet – so soft, so forgiving. Nothing to do but breathe. About the author: Beth Calverley is a poet, creative coach and founder of The Poetry Machine. She collaborates with places of work, learning, care and play, helping people to express what matters to them most. This poem, A Solo Rescue Mission to Weston-Super-Mare, is from her new poetry collection Brave Faces & Other Smiles (Verve Poetry Press).…

1 Let yourself acclimatise to cold water by slowly increasing the time you spend in it and if you’re swimming outdoors, starting when the water is warmer in the summer and autumn. 2 Stay warm as long as you can before you go in. Wrap up warm if you’re outside or have a warm shower before you turn the temperature down. 3 Practise some breathwork to help you keep calm when you get in. Visit wimhofmethod.com for tips. 4 Take your time getting in, splashing water onto your legs, torso, arms and shoulders before immersing yourself. 5 You’ll be at your coldest 10 minutes after you come out, so get out while you’re still feeling good, dry off then layer up and keep moving. 6 Don’t be too brave. If…

1 Take one dashing potential suitor (preferably an Earl, but a Viscount will do if you can’t find one in your local nobility shop). Add a dastardly, but ravishing, love rival who wears tight breeches and an air of mystery at all times. Allow to simmer for at least seven hours. 2 Stir in four interfering siblings and three jealous cousins. Sprinkle with a generous pinch of unsolicited motherly opinion. 3 Mix together at the family’s ancestral pile in Surrey. Try not to let tensions boil over, but don’t worry if you do – a dip in the fountain will help reduce the heat. 4 While the romance is slowly cooking, get to work on your side dish of A Letter Hand-Delivered To Yet Another Man, Regretfully Informing Him of…

The city isn’t the first place most people look for plant life. It’s probably the last. Yet the great English botanist, William Curtis, would beg to differ. When he published the first part of Flora Londinensis in 1775, he set out to document, record and, with the help of three of the most accomplished naturalist artists of the age, illustrate a comprehensive guide to the flora growing in and within ten miles of London. By the time the last part of his magnum opus came out in 1798, the year before his death, he’d described in unparalleled detail more than 430 plants and demonstrated the astounding diversity on every Londoner’s doorstep. And many of these plants can still be found today, not just in the capital, but in a variety…

• If you have a piece of furniture that you like to move around from space to space – like our dining table – consider attaching some wheels to the base so that you can easily change its position. • Get creative. Even if you’re not crafty, a few simple macramé hangers for plants add a homemade touch of which you can be proud. • In my opinion, if you’re doing a full renovation from the ground up, putting in underfloor heating is essential! • When renovating an old building, try and keep as many original features as you can to show the history of the space and to tell its unique story.…

Tracey Thorn has been friends with Lindy Morrison for 37 years. They met backstage at London’s Lyceum when Lindy was the drummer with cult band The Go-Betweens and Tracey was at the start of her musical adventure. The pair immediately bonded over gossip and gigs, feminism and the frustrations of being a woman in the macho world of music. It’s a beautiful look at a long-standing relationship, clear-eyed and honest as quiet Tracey, shares the stories of bold, brave Lindy, and pinpoints the joy of their connection – “We’re alike and unalike, but I think we see each other and being seen is everything.” (Canongate)…

Sutherland and Sadler is an independent store in Hove, East Sussex, offering an eclectic selection of gifts, homewares and unique vintage pieces. Sourced from the UK and France, products that tempted us included the hand-poured soy candles from Moult (from £9) and bars of artisan chocolate in beautiful wrappers (£4.95). Since opening their doors in 2013, they have used their retail space to host supper clubs, workshops and pop-ups, making it a local creative hub.sutherlandandsadler.co.uk…

• Go bite-size. If you get a new plot, accept that you won’t get it all done at once. Roughly chop down the weeds to ground level and cover with large sheets of tarpaulin. This allows you to peel back the sheet little by little to clear small areas. • Don’t expect prize-winning veg. The seed packets and catalogues might give the impression it’s easy to grow exhibition-worthy carrots, but it rarely is. A homegrown crop, especially those nurtured without chemicals, will more than likely be a bit knobbly and ugly. But they make up for it with incredible flavour and freshness that you just can’t buy in the shops. • Don’t worry about weeds. Weeds help maintain soil structure, reduce erosion, improve fertility and attract beneficial insects. While digging…

DOWN TO A TEA TOWEL Transport yourself to the veg patch, with this beautiful tea towel hand printed by Thornback & Peel. Though you’d better hope those rabbits are staying well away from your cabbages. £11.95 from annabeljames.co.uk MATCHBOXES PUZZLE “All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.”Charles M Schulz Introducing the interrobang, a combo of the exclamation mark and the question mark. Reach for one in any “no, really?!” moments. The PRACTICAL, the PLAYFUL and the SILLY How do you like your eggs? Three ways that you might not have thought of yet… THE PRACTICAL Birdie bonus: Boil any leftover shells to sterilise, then crush up small and leave out for the birds…

Here Comes the Breeze Gomez Spring Angel Olsen Arrival of the Birds The Cinematic Orchestra Avril 14th Aphex Twin You Make it Easy Air, Beth Hirsch Whistle Down the Wind Nick Heyward Southern Sky Alex G Dawn Chorus Beth Orton Between Two Lungs Florence and the Machine I’ll Be With You in Apple Blossom Time Bill Hayley & His Comets Automatically Sunshine The Supremes Dance ‘Til the Morning Light Slow Club Silver Lining Rilo Kiley Pure Shores All Saints I’m On My Way Dean Parrish My Friend the Sun Family thesimplethings.com/blog/freshairplaylist stop look listen “Here comes the breeze Come on blow me out”…

Morning! Where do you enjoy your first cuppa? I wake early and have my first mug of tea in the kitchen while the family sleeps – it's what gets me out of bed! You’ve made that big step. What’s next? I start mixing my dough – I run my microbakery from home and enjoy the silence before the family wakes. I'll have another cup, and a sit down after the school run, while the dough is rising. How did you start your bakery? After having kids, I couldn’t get excited about going back to my old job. I was baking a lot and my six year old asked, “Why don’t we open a bakery?” I began baking for free, then in 2018, I started to sell my bread. Using your…

Choose the right liner. A moss or coconut coir liner enables plants to breathe and allows trailing plants to break through more easily. Soak the liner overnight before planting up. Hanging baskets dry out quickly, so use a water-retaining, peat-free compost mix and water daily in summer if necessary. If the compost does dry out it will be hard for water to soak in. Gradually increase moisture with small, frequent watering, or sit the basket in a bucket of water for a few hours to rehydrate. Mix slow-release fertiliser, such as seaweed pellets, into the compost when planting, or boost nutrients with a homemade nettle or comfrey liquid feed throughout the growing season. Harvest ripe fruits such as tomatoes or strawberries regularly and snip herbs and salad leaves to promote…

Call yourself a pet owner? Then you don’t have a cat. They say that dogs have owners while cats have staff, and anyone with a feline housemate (or employer) will be nodding sagely now, all the while surveying their shredded curtains, decimated sofa cushions and tattered stair carpets. But there are ways to make your cat house-share a success, and the first rule is to ensure they have nicer things than you do. If you buy your cat a ratty looking cat bed and then park your posterior on a plush, velvet chaise, you know very well how that will end. When Pascale Weber began photographing house cats in their cat trees and cat houses for her book For Cats Only, she was taken aback by the variety of stylish…

Romance isn’t dead. We can find it perched on our aunt’s bedside table, or stowed in our bags, so we can be swept away on the top deck of the number 27 bus later. When we’re lost in the pages of a romance novel, happily ever after is guaranteed. This hugely popular genre is adored and attacked in equal measure. For millions of fans across the world, romance stories are pure bliss – but, for countless critics, also the subject of ridicule. This isn’t new. Mary Anne Evans chose her nom de plume, George Eliot, to distance herself from the frivolous female writers she lambasted in her 1856 essay, Silly Novels By Lady Novelists. Germaine Greer took a swipe in The Female Eunuch, denouncing romantic fiction as “escapist literature of…

Baked eggs with nettle-pumpkin pesto This vibrant green pesto, spiked with garlic and jalapeño, not only complements the creaminess of the eggs, it brightens your bowl up, too. Baked eggs with nettle-pumpkin pesto Serves 4 4 tsp salted butter, melted 8 eggs 190g fresh stinging nettle leaves, washed thoroughly 190g fresh flat-leaf parsley 1 jalapeño chilli, deseeded and finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, chopped 60g pumpkin seeds 1 tsp fine sea salt Juice of 1 lemon 60ml extra virgin olive oil 1 Preheat the oven to 180C/ Fan 160C/Gas 4 and brush four medium ramekins with 1 tsp of melted butter each. 2 Using tongs, prepare the nettles by dropping them in a pot of boiling water for 3 mins, then place in a bowl of iced water. Chop finely.…

Violas Don’t let the garden get all the spring colour, replant a vibrant viola and bring it indoors. Easy to care for and to pick up at a garden centre, you can plant them in a pot – or even in your fine china – and they’ll last the month. They may even inspire you to pen a verse or two. William Shakespeare was a fan, mentioning them in both Hamlet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, where “the juice of the heartsease” – a wild pansy and part of the viola family – is used as a love potion.…

Founded by husband and wife team Paul and Maria Le Mesurier, WoodEdit is dedicated to making pared-back, classic pieces of furniture. Designed by Maria and hand-crafted by Paul, from responsibly-sourced woods in their workshop at their home in Uppark, West Sussex, each made-to-order piece starts from rough sawn wood before it’s honed into a beautifully designed piece for the home –from large pieces like tables and kitchen islands to serving boards, boot racks and peg rails.woodedit.co.uk…

Forecasters have developed an amazing understanding of weather on a large scale, spotting incoming storms and outgoing heat waves, but their predictions aren’t much help in finding the warmest spot on a chilly walk, or interpreting what the shade of a pale sky might mean for an optimistic spring picnic. Tristan Gooley is on hand to help on a localised level; his carefully honed observational skills have transformed him into a weather detective who’s able to spot clues in clouds, breezes, dewdrops, and plants and trees in our neighbourhoods. He gleefully shares this carefully acquired knowledge to make us equally adept weather watchers. (Sceptre)…

“When you’re curled up here under the stairs it feels like you can disappear into an imaginary world of books and forget about real life for a while. This area previously housed a desk that was way too big for the space so was never used and it became a dumping ground. This is the first thing you see when you round the top of the stairs before you head up the next flight, so I wanted it to be an inviting, unusual space that made everyone smile as a reward for climbing up. It’s a wonderful spot to curl up and daydream in with a cup of tea. It’s generally a me-time space which the cats and dogs love as well, so I often have company! Everything about this…

Finding an ‘undiscovered’ beautiful corner of your home country can make your weekend and this little pocket of Herefordshire, near Bromyard – north of the better-known Wye Valley and west of the famous Malvern Hills – is just such a find. If you’ve been no further than your county, or even your neighbourhood recently, the rolling countryside and big views here encourage you to drink it all in, to refresh and recharge. Staying in an eco-treehouse, just one of three built from scratch on a patch of woodland saved for, bought and managed by locals Dale and Heather Badman, places you right in the rural heartland, with walks from the door and barely any need to stray further afield. Where we stayed Among the treetops at The Rookery Woods, near…

Murasaki Shikibu Gazing up at the moon? Not wasted time in the 11th century, if like Murasaki, it inspires you to write the world’s first novel, The Tale of Genji* Aphra Behn A restoration-era raconteur who penned four novels, 19 plays, poetry and more. Restored to wider fame thanks to the likes of Virgina Woolf. Mary Shelley Shelley’s own story had a touch of the Gothic, featuring personal tragedy and poverty – and spawning Frankenstein’s monster at only 18. Agatha Christie Surfer, archaeologist and poison expert – like her characters, nothing about Christie was as it appeared. No mystery to why she’s so popular. Harriet Beecher Stowe Her belief in slavery’s abolition spread far beyond Uncle Tom’s Cabin, reaching over 2 million readers over its first decade. Octavia Butler Age…

I close my eyes so I can see her. Even though she’s not thirty feet away looking like one of her own flowers in her faded blue hat. I would see her perfectly well with my eyes open, but I’m not always a brave man. She’d arrived in October, as the town turned its face toward winter. A strange time to take on an allotment, I’d thought, yet we all have our reasons. I’d had mine, two summers previous. Get back to nature, grow flowers, listen to birds, they’d said. It’ll take time, nobody expects you to get over it quickly, they’d said. I’d planted freesias and hydrangeas that died in prize-winning proportions and everyone stayed away, including the birds. In November, she’d painted her shed yellow and planted tulips…