Table of contents for April 2022 in The Simple Things

Spend an evening making a takeaway from scratch and invite friends over to join you Set aside an hour each week of this month for a hobby that you love Go guerrilla gardening and tidy up a scrap of earth no one cares about Learn the lyrics to a song you love so you’ll always be ready for a sing-a-long (or just belt it out in the shower) These are just a few enjoyable things we came up with. Write down your own below and try to make them happen this month…

➛Cinead McTernan’s garden measures the size of two VW camper vans parked side by side, and is home to three espalier apple trees, a bay tree and countless courgettes, corn and carrots. Inspirational, enthusiastic and hugely informative, she shares her carefully gleaned knowledge on cultivating veg, fruit and herbs on a small, unintimidating scale. Inspired by the Victory Gardens of WW2, she provides a modern take on grow your own; from wormeries to weeding, hot beds to herbs and seasonal tasks at a glance, there’s all the info needed to embark on your own growing adventure. (Bloomsbury Wildlife)…

These islands are nothing if not weather-obsessed, as the subject-matter of our small-talk proves. Without doubt, most inhabitants of this famously rainy country have, at one time or another, been drawn into a conversation with a complete stranger that started with “It’s raining cats and dogs out there,” or “Nice weather for ducks!” And these tropes represent only a fraction of the words and phrases available in the English language to describe this particular weather event. But our textured lexicon didn’t evolve to help us make conversation while standing in queues (another one of our national pastimes); rather it has seeped in over centuries due to the profound influence that rain has had on our lives and landscape. “April showers bring May flowers,” we might say – it’s in fact…

Learn to floss Remember that dance move everyone was doing a couple of years ago? It’s a great way to test coordination. There are tons of videos online showing you how to do it – or ask someone younger to teach you. Practise a new yoga pose As well as improving physical strength and flexibility, yoga helps to focus your mind and establish a stronger mind-body connection. Choose a pose you haven’t done before or that you find tricky, and practise until you’ve mastered it – maybe a standing balancing pose or a headstand, or even a handstand if you’re feeling strong. Run backwards A great combination of physical and mental training that requires concentration. You’ll probably feel a bit stupid but that’s a benefit!…

Morning, how early do you start on the tea? Weekdays, there’s no time before the school run. I’ll get my first cuppa around 10am. Weekends, my husband Ed brings me tea in bed – the greatest of luxuries! Agreed! Tell us a bit about your work. I’ve two areas of work. The first is Cotton Club, where I run classes for adults and children in my local community centre, teaching them to sew – core skills and new techniques. I’m also a seamstress for bridal boutique, Lily Jacobs, making dress alterations at home, with fittings interspersed throughout the day. What do you love best about it? Passing on my skills to others, seeing their progress and those “ah!” moments when things make sense. The wonderful byproduct of Cotton Club is…

Small Things By Frank Ormsby When I remarked to the two old boys in the parkthat I had not glimpsed the heron lately,they were beside themselves with disappointment:‘You missed him by five minutes. He flew across to the island.’They cast about for fitting consolation.‘Have you seen the egrets?’ I had not. ‘There’s two of themlives in the Milewater Stream. Keep an eye out for them.’That’s three pleasures: the old boysin their baseball caps delighting in small things,the small things made precious by their delight,to everyone who will listen, which today,in this stretch of the park, is everyone. About the author: Poet and editor Frank Ormsby grew up in the Enniskillen countryside, and now lives in Belfast, with 4,000 poetry books lining the walls of his house. He loves “accessible poems…

• At around two weeks old, calves play-fight, socially lick, and play mount. • Cattle have four-chambered stomachs (as do all ruminants), not four stomachs as is often quoted. Each part plays a different role in the digestion of semi-chewed swallowed grass, including the famous ‘chewing the cud’, where the cow regurgitates food to further masticate. • A cow’s pregnancy term is the same as a human’s. • Folklore states that if cows are sitting down it’s a sure sign of rain, which is udder nonsense (they do this for up to 14 hours per day). • A Friesian’s spots are like a fingerprint: no two cows have exactly the same pattern. • Being prey animals, cows’ eyes are located on the sides of their heads. This provides them with…

Over the last two years, garden centres – partly thanks to their excellent ventilation – have been able to open more than many other places. Wandering among the plants, having a cuppa and browsing local foods and gifts was a novel pleasure when much else was closed. On top of that, the best garden centres and nurseries were pillars during the pandemic, supporting the local community and delivering to those in lockdown. Many of us realised how much we love these – often independent and family-owned – businesses, so we asked our readers to tell us about garden centres in their neighbourhood. While all gardeners can agree the plants are paramount, it’s also nice when there’s a cosy place for coffee and homemade cake, ideally with a view of the…

Roll up! Roll up! While the romance of the circus coming and pitching up nearby never faded – bestowing spectacle to the humblest village green – the actuality was generally about as much fun as a custard pie in the face. That was, of course, until Giffords rolled up. As its legions of fans will tell you, Giffords Circus is all about returning myth to reality: whether tethered to the village commons or stately home grounds it chiefly frequents, the traditional big top will be encircled by hand-painted wagons, rustic food, and children dwarfed by teetering candyfloss mountains. In the ring, all eyes fix on a succession of dazzling acrobats, jugglers, dancers, and the like, handpicked from around the world by show director Cal McCrystal and associates. The only animals…

The Flames by Sophie Haydock (Doubleday) Step into early 20th century Vienna, and inside the scandals that surround boundary pushing painter Egon Schiele and his four, very different, muses. Trilby by George du Maurier (Wordsworth Classics) One of the books that fuelled public interest in bohemian Paris, this 1894 books tells the tale of a beautiful model and her (inevitable?) downfall. The Age of Light by Whitney Scharer (Picador) Inspired by Lee Miller, who moved from being Man Ray’s muse and a model for Vogue, into shooting some of the magazine’s most renowned and iconic images. The Naked Civil Servant by Quentin Crisp Crisp’s witty memoirs of queer life in true bohemian London include recollections of life modelling from the 1930s through to the 1960s. Keeping the World Away by…

• We start with one object – like my grandmother’s table – then we design a from there, meaning there’s a focal point. • I prefer to conserve – things have a new purpose but remain what they once were. For example, we cleaned, treated against woodworm and waxed the kitchen island, so it looks exactly as found. • Natural materials weren’t readily available when we restored the house. We used classic plaster, but if we did it again, I’d definitely choose clay.…

“I always like to have flowers on my coffee table as there’s nothing more joyful to look at than some bright blooms. In the evenings I sit here with a glass of wine, a candle burning and I’m instantly calm and comfortable. I’m a paramedic, which can be an incredibly challenging job at times. Because of this, I’ve decorated my place in light and muted tones to create a sense of calm when I come home. I love the feature arched window which makes this a bright and happy place to sit.” Olivia Parkin, Banbury, Oxfordshire@livs.home “I love my table because I made it myself. I used an old Ikea Kallax unit, a single bed headboard and some half dowels I had from a previous project. It’s now a real…

Editor Lisa Sykes Deputy Editor Frances Ambler Sub Editors Abbie Miller John Carroll Editor-at-Large Iona Bower Picture Researcher Liz Boyd Wellbeing Editor Rebecca Frank Art Editors Anneliese Klos Joe McIntyre Commissioning Editor (Homes, food & projects) Karen Dunn Commissioning Editor (Travel, nature & growing) Jo Mattock Books Editor Eithne Farry Wishlist Editor Louise Gorrod Reprographics Editor James Wootton Commercial Director Rob Biddiss Subscription Manager Molly Knight Publishing Assistant Fiona Hamilton Managing Director David Parker…

THE RIGHT NOTES This Woman’s Work: Essays on Music Edited by Sinéad Gleeson and Kim Gordon ➛You may not know all of the musicians in This Woman’s Work but you’ll recognise the passion, playfulness and political stalwartness that underpins these exhilarating essays. From author Anne Enright being rendered speechless by an encounter with Laurie Anderson, to Maggie Nelson on her brilliant friend Lhasa, from Jenn Pelly’s lonesome take on the work of Lucinda Williams to Fatima Bhutto on songs of exile – there’s a vibrant sense of a world resonating with connection and recognition. Celebrating the pioneering practitioners who pushed boundaries in a male-dominated industry; this gets to the heart of why music matters. (White Rabbit)…

How long have you lived in the city? I’ve lived in Paris for almost five years. What brought you here and where are you from originally? I’m from Melbourne, Australia. I first travelled to Paris when I was 21, fell in love with the city – the history, the culture, the architecture, the winding cobblestone streets – and decided I wanted to live here one day. So, five years later, I packed my bags and moved here alone, without a job or an apartment, and not knowing anyone. Tell us what makes your city unique When I first visited, I resisted any expectations, as I thought I’d be disappointed. But I wasn’t – even the ‘ugly’ side of the city is beautiful to me. I love the culture and lifestyle,…

Lose track of time Rachael Wragg, the stonemason Most visitors to Lincoln Cathedral find themselves looking up: at the intricate rose windows, Gothic pinnacles and famous grinning imp. Resident stonemason Rachael Wragg, though, has a different perspective, perched on high amid the gargoyles, with spectacular views all the way to the Wolds in the distance. Suspended between earth and sky, above the sounds of the city, time passes differently. “It’s very calming,” she explains. “All your concentration is on the task at hand, and nothing else seems to matter.” Rachael only began learning her trade at 29, after a fine art degree and a decade drifting between retail jobs. When she saw the cathedral were looking for apprentices, something resonated – and sure enough, she won a place. “I’d never…

Beef up If something needs a little extra substance, this phrase neatly refers to strengthening or bolstering it. Cash cow A consistently profitable business, which is a good source of money with little input or work – akin to a high-yielding dairy cow. This phrase has largely replaced ‘milch cow’. Herd mentality Group thinking without individual differentiation, sometimes used to describe a crowd’s lack of sense. Chew the cud Cows chew over semi-digested food, or cud, at great leisure, appearing reflective while they do so. The phrase describes a social scenario where folk get together to chat. Ruminate – another word for chewing the cud – also means to think something through deeply. Have beef To complain or gripe – some say it originated when cattle farmers were having to…

Building better Following a global poll, Lego has announced it’s removing any gender bias from its iconic bricks, building kits and advertising. The report, conducted by the Geena Davis Institute, found that girls are often confident to engage in all types of play and creative activities, but remain held back by society’s ingrained gender stereotypes. Toadally great The natterjack toad is endangered, but a key habitat on the 20km-long Sefton Coast dune system, which stretches from Liverpool to Southport, is set to grow. The National Trust plans to restore a two-hectare wildlife deadzone in the dunes known as ‘the tobacco cliffs’, giving the 40% of the UK’s natterjack population living there, a bigger home. Madam President The Central American state of Honduras has sworn in its first ever female president.…

Lily of the Valley If you go down to the woods today keep an eye out in shady spots for Lily of the Valley, with its bell-shaped white flowers and sweet scent (don’t let dogs gets too close, though, as it’s poisonous). The flowers are not only said to symbolise youth, discretion and sincerity but also, and most importantly, happiness – and a bunch of blooms in a vase will certainly bring you joy.…

When you’re choosing herbs to grow, look beyond their culinary pleasures to their health benefits and you’ll soon have a garden of homegrown natural remedies. Easy to cultivate and store, medicinal herbs have multiple uses, from tinctures and teas to skin compresses and sleep aids. And what could be more satisfying than treating a cough, headache or upset stomach with a herbal remedy harvested from your own garden? Chamomile Good for: Sleep problems, anxiety, stress, upset stomach, skin conditions. This pretty herb, with its calming and soothing properties and apple-like scent, has been used for centuries to help combat stress, insomnia and anxiety. It can also be used in poultices to soothe itchy skin and conditions such as eczema. Growing: Plant chamomile in early summer. It needs well-drained soil and…

The locals love Brum. And now we do, too. Easy to get to from anywhere in the UK and, as with all great cities, there are diversions and distractions that can lead you in pretty much any direction you fancy. You’re spolit for choice when it comes to museums, galleries and heritage sites, not to mention places to eat out. Plus, it’s always fun to explore a new-to-you city and it’s family-friendly, too. So we set out for a city-centre stay – a weekend of wandering through the streets, seeing the sights and sampling some of the city’s restaurants. We certainly managed to pack a lot into our weekend, making the most of being at the very heart of the action. Where we stayed We’re self-catering types usually, but a…

Gloria The Cadillacs Peggy Sue Buddy Holly Cecilia Simon & Garfunkel Felicity Orange Juice Dear Prudence Siouxsie and the Banshees Valerie Mark Ronson, Amy Winehouse Angelina Louis Prima Allison Pixies Wake up Little Susie The Everly Brothers Barbara Ann The Beach Boys Maria Blondie Hard Hearted Hannah Ella Fitzgerald Bernadette Four Tops Michelle The Beatles Cristina Teleman Sweet Jane The Velvet Underground Laura Bat for Lashes Suzanne Leonard Cohen Jolene Dolly Parton thesimplethings.com/blog/namesplaylist stop look listen  “Gloria, Gloria It’s not Marie it’s Gloria, it’s not Sherie it’s Gloria…”…

A life in the countryside Leaving their home in London for a slower paced life in Somerset, bloggers Kathy Bishop and Tom Crowford have built a smallholding around their stone cottage, complete with vegetable garden, a gaggle of geese, hives of bees, free-roaming sheep and a multi-coloured flock of chickens. The pair then use their homegrown produce to create seasonal recipes that taste of their surroundings.theseasonaltable.co.uk The first harvests Spring has arrived in a flurry of colourful flowers, orchard blossom, and dusky sunshine. The swiftly lengthening days bring new life at every turn. Frogspawn floats at the stream edges, butterflies and bats emerge, and garden birds flit past the windows, collecting nesting materials and insects from the cobwebbed tangle of roses that scramble up the cottage walls. Our geese and…

Throwing shapes Pottery made to be used every day ➛ Salisbury-based ceramicist Rachel Gray crafts stoneware ceramics to be used daily, enhancing everything from morning coffee to family suppers. Rachel’s work blends traditional techniques with a contemporary fresh edge. “At the moment, I’m enjoying making my wave design mugs and bowls, finding a fresh way to interpret simple designs such as brushstrokes or stripes can be a challenge,” explains Rachel. “I aim to keep the joy of making in every piece, which retains the marks, making it unique.” Rachel originally studied textiles before starting to make wheel-thrown pottery from her home a few years ago. However, her textile background comes across in her ceramic work; from fashion-inspired patterns to the tactile nature of her ceramics, which are coated in glazes…

Positive shopping Products that give back to makers and those in need ➛ Radical Giving is an ethical lifestyle store where creative minds, beautifully designed products and community come together. Situated within the historic Needlemakers building, a hub of independents, in Lewes, East Sussex, the store showcases handcrafted, zero-waste and ethical products for the home, wellbeing and gifting. Founders Steve Coley and Milly Edge, who launched the initiative with a Crowdfunder campaign in 2018, wanted to open a welcoming space without the hard sell following years in retail seeing profit take precedence over wellbeing. “We wanted to create something where each purchase gives back, gives support to the people who need it the most and where our customers can engage freely without being sold to,” explains Steve. The shop also…

SHOTLEY SPARKLING, £22.99 Move over Italy, this is a fun bottle of bubbles made in the same way as Prosecco, but created in Suffolk. Made using the Charmat method, this is easy drinking and great value for money. A glass of this will go particularly well with the lemon powder puffs. KINGSCOTE SPARKLING ROSÉ, £19.99 This Sussex estate can trace its history right back to 1320 – with iron ore on the land rumoured to have been used to make cannon balls. This has a fresh, modern taste that will be a wonderful companion for the strawberry sando. WESTWELL PELEGRIM, £29.99 This English sparkling came out on top in our recent blind tasting of English Fizz versus Champagne, beating the likes of Moët and Lanson. Works as an excellent aperitif…

Favourite shops MERCI Paris has many elegant concept stores [combining fashion, design, art and architecture]; this is one of the best.merci-merci.com THE FRANKIE SHOP Lovely women’s clothing and accessories from major brands.eu.thefrankieshop.com Favourite bookshop SHAKESPEARE AND COMPANY The history and wooden interiors make this bookstore a must-see when you’re in Paris.shakespeareandcompany.com Favourite galleries PALAIS DE TOKYO Incredible history and architecture, and wonderful contemporary art exhibitions.palaisdetokyo.com LA SAMARITAINE This department store reopened in 2021, having been closed for 16 years. Its art deco/ nouveau architecture and interiors have been restored.dfs.com/en/samaritaine 59 RIVOLI This former artists’ squat is a fascinating place, with art from floor to ceiling. You can chat to the artists as they work.59rivoli.org Favourite café or bar GRAMME This is easily one of the best cafés for brunch in…

With a spring in their step they are off, darting about the field with the odd rather ungainly jump into the air… This isn’t a flock of gambolling lambs but a herd of hefty cows, celebrating their freedom and rejoicing in fresh grass to eat, having spent all winter in a barn. Most of us have seen the young ovine phenomenon, but have you witnessed the bovine version? There’s a lot to discover about this cloven-hoofed herbivore, which is both familiar – and yet little studied. Scientists have traced domestic cattle back 10,500 years to the now-extinct wild ox, or auroch, in Europe and Asia, which had a black coat and curved horns. Cows appear in the Old Testament’s Book of Isaiah as part of this timeless agricultural idyll: ‘He…

1 billion Australian dollars have now been pledged by the Australian Government to protect the coral reefs in its oceans. Prime Minister Scott Morrison made the announcement which will benefit the Great Barrier Reef, an area that’s lost half of its coral populations in the last 25 years. 9,000 species of tree have yet to be discovered meaning the world has 14% more of them than we thought, according to a global count by thousands of researchers. They used codebreaking techniques created at Bletchley Park during WW2 to calculate the number of unknown species. 10years after their immune cell treatment has ended, leukaemia patients are being declared completely cancer-free, rather than just in remission. It follows close observation of the effectiveness of the treatment, which has been shown to wipe…

What links Marianne Faithfull, Alice Liddell, Zelda Fitzgerald and Yoko Ono? One answer is that, on a quick Google, they’re all linked to the description of ‘muse’ – their place in pop culture defined by their relationships with artists and musicians. But, if muses are easy to identify, they’re harder to define. We know what they do. Sophie Haydock – whose novel The Flames tells the stories of the early 20th-century Expressionist painter Egon Schiele’s four muses – beautifully describes them as “the spark that lights the match of creativity. They ignite the urge to create, and are often integral to something magical – art, music, literature – being borne into the world.” But how does this creative magic happen? A MUSEUM OF MUSES Their mystical aura possibly stems from…

Filled to the brim with restored furniture picked up anywhere from junk shops to zoos, plants flourishing in the light-filled rooms and unique finds scattered throughout, Nathalie Posson and Pieter Hemerijckx’s Antwerp home is a haven for unloved items given a new lease of life. However, it’s not just the interiors, but the building itself that’s packed with history and quirks. Originally a carpet cleaning factory, the couple found the building by accident when they bumped into an architect with big plans for a communal way of living. “After a two-year backpacking trip, we took a break in Belgium where we met Filip Mathieu,” explains Nathalie. “He’d found a building in Borgerhout that he wanted to convert into two residential units. We immediately fell in love with it – especially…

PROUDLY HOMEMADE MACRAMÉ BAG You’re just three types of knot away from your own handy bag. You will need: 32 x 2.5m of 3mm rope for the main bag (we used simple, natural rope, available from eBay, but you can also buy coloured cord by makers such as Hooked – available in John Lewis – or even jersey cord for a softer finish, just make sure it’s at least 3mm thick) 2 x 3m of 3mm rope, for straps Scissors Masking tape Fabric glue (optional) Knots you’ll use (see boxes for our how-to): Mastering the knots is the trickiest bit of macramé – get these skills in the bag, and you’ll be well away… Gathering (also known as a Wrap knot) Square knot Double knot 1 Divide your ropes into…

DOWN TO A TEA TOWEL You say tomato and we say ‘have you seen this very lovely tomato tea towel by Joanne de Pace?’ When it comes to this celebration of the humble hero, definitely call the whole thing on. £10, joannedepace.com MATCHBOXES PUZZLE “Can February march? No, but April may.”(Anonymous) The UK recycling labelling is based around how much of the population has access to recycling for that material. With the black ‘check locally’ background, it’s 20% to 75% of us. Check quickly at recyclenow.com/ local-recycling. The PRACTICAL, the PLAYFUL and the SILLY Take a shine to recycled foil. PRACTICAL: A foil-covered reflector near your router can boost signal and security. Wacky but it works. Search ‘WIFI Antenna Signal…

Breakfast tart Serves 4-6 50g butter, cut in two 1 leek, thinly sliced 1 garlic clove, finely chopped 2 tbsp roughly chopped thyme and oregano (or 1 tsp each of dried thyme and oregano) 8 filo pastry sheets 10 slices of pancetta 6 eggs 1 tbsp olive oil 1½ handfuls of rocket, coarsely chopped Tomato chutney, to serve (optional) 1 Preheat the oven to 180C/Fan160C/Gas 4. Melt half the butter in a large frying pan over a medium heat, add the leek and garlic and fry, stirring occasionally, until the leek starts to caramelise. Add the herbs and remove from the heat. 2 Melt the remaining butter and brush the base and sides of a 20x29cm baking tray. Trim the pastry sheets to fit the inside of the baking tray.…

You’re at a party. You’ve talked to several people, they all work in tech, they all make five times what you do, the party is giving you a complex. Who needs this? You grab your coat and head for the door. “Enjoying yourself?” a man with gin and tonic breath asks as you slip the unopened bottle of wine you brought back into your bag. “Sure am!” He asks you what you do for a living (admin!); then, for fun (not this!). Here, there are only two answers: Bitcoin or NFTs. So you buck the trend. “Home repair,” you say. Because it’s true: you love fixing things. He looks back, dubious. “You’re saying that you actually enjoy home repair?” “I do!” He picks up a cracker, smears it with beige…