Table of contents for July 2019 in The Simple Things

As we’re making every issue of The Simple Things we have a lively debate about the word on our front cover. What does it say to people? How does to relate to the photograph or illustration? The reason it’s a debate is what makes language such a wonderful thing. Our hero words are open to interpretation. If it’s a hot summer’s day then you may want nothing more than to be the person embracing (or, more accurately, devouring) the orange lolly on this cover. Or the word could conjure up a memory of a passionate clinch, a familial embrace or simply a welcome hug from a friend. You might have a more reflective viewpoint – in this issue we’re also embracing our bodies as they are right here, right now;…

Summer Nights kicks off a full season of alfresco cinema in heritage locations around the country with Bohemian Rhapsody at Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire, tonight. summer nightsfilm. co.uk PLASTIC-FREE JULY Join the worldwide Plastic Free Challenge this month and help reduce single-use plastic. For ideas visit Mcsuk.org/the-plastic-challenge. COMIC TIMING Love The Beano? Head to Mottisfont in Hampshire for the new Beano Time Travellers exhibition and outdoor trail looking back over 80 years of our much-loved comic. nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfont FESTIVAL ON THE FARM Fancy a weekend of feasting, music and general frolicking on the farm? Book your tickets for the River Cottage Festival (24-25 August, rivercottage.net) FOOD FOR THOUGHT Food Bigger than the Plate is a thought-provoking interactive exhibition at the V&A museum exploring the global food industry and the future of food.…

Brood box The larger box at the bottom of a hive where the queen and her eggs and larvae reside. A ‘queen-excluder’ mesh prevents her travelling up into the rest of the hive above, leaving honey frames free from eggs and larvae. Colony Collective term for the queen, workers, nurse bees, drones, larvae and eggs. In summer the colony is at its largest – in winter, at its smallest. Drone Male bees whose purpose is to mate with, and fertilise, a new queen. Drones are forced out of the colony by female worker bees in late summer, as a needless drain on resources. Foundation Flat sheets of wire-reinforced hexagon-printed beeswax designed to be used in a wooden frame, to make it easier and faster for honeybees to draw out their…

Next to the packhorse bridge over the beck that flows in front of Ravenseat Farm, there’s a hand-chalked sign. ‘Closed,’ it says (on the days when they’re not open for cream teas). ‘Please feel free to use the toilet, water tap and picnic tables.’ For full-bladdered coast-to-coast walkers used to encountering signs that say things more like ‘Private’, ‘Keep Out’ and ‘No Trespassing’ on their trans-Pennine rambles, it must be a refreshing (and relieving) change. If they’re familiar with Ravenseat Farm from its many television appearances, they’ll feel even more refreshed when they walk into a farmyard busy with toddlers, toys and terriers. This slightly chaotic, bohemian idyll is Amanda Owen’s real life. And she’s genuinely happy to share it. “What you see is what you get,” says Amanda, aka…

“Light a fire, gather a few friends and wait for the jokes to be shared” The extra hours of daylight you get at this time of year are not to be squandered. Remember winter when you got home in the dark and rose in the gloom, hankering for light-filled days that stretch lazily into the evening? Well, those days are here and they are a bonus that must be thoroughly enjoyed before they are snatched away. If you have a garden, you can use the extra time to catch up with a spot of deadheading before flopping on a sun lounger with a drink, waiting for the sun to set. A balcony offers a place to park a chair, a table and a convivial companion or two; even the back…

One of the most incredible discoveries in recent years was the burial tombs of an ancient nomadic tribe who lived in the Altai Mountains in Siberia, 400 BCE. The frozen landscape preserved many of the objects in the tombs, including the world’s oldest example of découpage. The Pazyryk, it turns out, were incredible craftspeople, skilled with felt and leather, which they cut into shapes and stuck onto the tombs of their dead. The word découpage comes from the French découper (to cut out), but it seems that Europe arrived late to the party. China and Japan had been covering objects with paper and lacquer for hundreds of years before Oriental lacquered furniture became highly fashionable in Europe in the late 1600s. Supply couldn’t meet demand and so Italian craftsmen began…

Crab omelette with chilli & sweetcorn Fresh crab always tastes of holidays by the sea and adds a little luxury to your weekend eggs. For the cut-out-and-keep recipe, see over the page. » Crab omelette with chilli & sweetcorn Serves 2 100g pre-cooked fresh white crab meat 1 lime (grated zest and juice of ½ and the rest cut into wedges) 1 corn on the cob (or 150g frozen or tinned sweetcorn) 3 tsp sunflower oil, plus extra if needed 10g peeled fresh ginger root, thinly sliced then cut into matchsticks 1 garlic clove, thinly sliced 1 red chilli, thinly sliced (seeded, if liked) ½ hispi or pointed spring cabbage, core removed and leaves finely shredded 4 eggs 1 tsp toasted sesame oil ½ avocado, peeled, halved and sliced 1…

Hydrangeas Like a school science experiment, hydrangeas are the litmus papers of blooms – turning blue in an acidic soil, pink indicating that with more lime in it. Many have bought one, attracted by a cerulean shade, only to see it, when planted, drift though pale mauve and lilac before settling on pink. But if blue is what you’d like, grow one in a big pot of ericaceous compost. Their summer flowers, easily cut for a vase, last ages and keep some colour when dried, too. But will it be pink or blue for you?…

Greenhouses and potting sheds are not exactly known for looking beautiful. They are also not normally available to people with a small back garden or with limited access. This charming three-door shed design uses old glazed doors (that allow light through to your growing plants), a scaffold board and a bit of corrugated tin to create a usable shelter in which you can prepare and grow herbs and small plants – with all the charm of being one of a kind. Simply adapt the shelving according to your needs. Designed to be built in situ, the construction cleverly requires no power cables trailing out of your house – simply a battery-powered screwdriver drill and a hand saw. You can completely strip and repaint the doors first if you wish, or embrace the…

Maker of the month Leather accessories to covet from design duo Campbell Cole A handmade accessory is an everyday pleasure – especially if it’s one of Ian and Felicity Campbell Cole’s designs. Made from Italian leather with pleasing details, their collection of accessories includes belts, bags and pouches, plus cardholders and key wraps (both pictured, from £32). Full marks for resourcefulness, too, with key fobs, for example, made from offcuts. This month sees ‘Rebel’ buys, which are slight seconds (we say uniquely imperfect), up for grabs. campbellcole.co.uk Happy mending Clothes repairs helpfully tackled in Mend & Patch by Kerstin Neumüller A patch of sunshine, a deckchair and a pile of mending make for a restorative summer’s day. Kerstin Neumüller’s handbook is a brilliantly practical guide to repairing clothes and textiles.…

He told me he drove the Seven Nation bus. Could say ‘Good Morning’ in seven different languages. Back in the 70s – his name Jack Bright on the streets of Wolverhampton, and he’s in his shirtsleeves but still wears a tie as he drops off, picks up the workers at Goodyear. And it’s a good year, this year. A Caribbean sun some folks left behind, and he agrees: curry does taste better in the heat. He accepts it in Tupperware, along with Halva and Jerk chicken, crowds his family around an old pasting table in the street and smiles as his wife smooths out a tablecloth. “Now sit,” she tells the kids as Jack sizzles Polish sausages over a camping stove with a spatula: laughs when his wife butters a…

UPSIDE-DOWN APRICOT CAKE 30g light muscovado sugar 30g lightly salted butter, softened 5 apricots, halved and stoned FOR THE SAUCE 100g set honey Juice of ½ lemon 1 tsp potato flour or cornflour FOR THE CAKE 150g lightly salted butter 150g golden caster sugar 2 medium eggs Finely grated zest of 1 lemon 125ml whole milk 200g plain flour, sifted 1½ tsp baking powder, sifted Double cream, to serve (optional) 1 To prepare the sauce, place the honey, 100ml water and lemon juice in a small saucepan and bring to the boil. Blend the potato flour or cornflour with 2 tbsp of the liquid in a small dish and stir into the sauce. Simmer for a minute, stirring continuously, until the mixture thickens slightly, and then pour into a bowl…

You’ll follow scenic self-guided walks, meet award-winning producers on guided visits by local food experts and eat dinner at some of the area’s best restaurants. This short break from ‘slow holiday’ company Inntravel is rather special, featuring a mixture of leisurely discovery, beautiful scenery, welcoming accommodation and regional cuisine. It savours all that is great about the North York Moors and Howardian Hills – the corner of the county that Inntravel is proud to call home. “Savour all that’s great about the North York Moors and Howardian Hills on a self-guided trip” A group holiday this is not – the four-night itinerary is self-guided, meaning you can book, tailor and enjoy this short break with the companions and dates you choose. Your bags are transported for you, leaving you free…

With an estimated nine million homes in Japan lying empty and more than half of single mothers reportedly living in poverty, the Tokyo-based charity Little Ones saw an opportunity to address two national crises. Its concept is simple: it identifies abandoned properties and helps turn them into affordable housing. The charity has now gained international recognition for its work, winning top honours at the World Habitat Awards. According to Little Ones, the rate of poverty among single mothers in Japan is the highest of all 34 counties in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. Rising divorce rates, a culture of shame and the fact that Japanese courts do not recognise joint custody add to the woes of single parents. At the same time, the country has a growing number…

Sometimes it takes a significant life event to prompt friends to get together – a birthday, a house move or decades of friendship. Whatever the reason, good food makes your get-together even more memorable. We’re not talking hours spent in the kitchen, but unusual and eyecatching dishes that are straightforward to prepare. Prettily filled pastry-case nibbles, chilled soup in teacups and a rainbow Mediterranean salad all fit the bill. Even our showstopper cake is a simple sponge made spectacular with clever decoration. Just what a summer party needs. MENU Beetroot & horseradish bites Chilled cucumber soup Spanakopita Fig, prosciutto, tomato & rocket salad Watermelon lollies Celebration sponge with berries & edible flowers Chilled cucumber soup REFRESHING IN EVERY SENSE, SERVED IN VINTAGE TEA CUPS Serves 6 2 cucumbers 300g Greek…

✓ Power tools They’re expensive and not used enough to warrant owning. ✓ Camping equipment Unless you’re a more-than-twice-a-year camper. ✓ Books, DVDs and CDs Because honestly – once is usually enough… ✓ Kitchen appliances Because we all have an ice-cream maker that never leaves the cupboard. ✓ Clothes Enjoy threads you can’t afford to own. ✗ Toothbrushes Just no. Yes, even your partner’s. ✗ Anything you can’t afford to replace, financially or emotionally. ✗ Shoes They’re just bound to give you blisters. ✗ Anything comestible It’s not borrowing if you can’t return it undigested……

* 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 rediscover the charms of a city closer 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 Tallinn and went to school here before going to study in our university city, Tartu. I’ve spent time in Holland during the past five years and now I’m back in Tallinn. Tell us what makes your city unique? Its history and…

Perhaps you remember the surreal and hideous headlines from the summer of 2011 about the expedition to the Arctic Circle that turned to tragedy when a school boy was killed by a polar bear. What you may not know is that, despite being utterly devastated at losing the eldest of her three boys, Horatio Chapple’s mother Olivia somehow gathered the strength to lay the foundations of a charitable organisation within days. It was the fulfilment of her son’s plans: to offer strangers refuge and rehabilitation in the form of green space. She describes setting it up as “a small thread of positivity when our world had exploded”. As well as possessing the spirit of adventure, the 17-year old was known as a doctor in waiting among his fellow students. During…

Honey Prized universally as a sweetener since the dawn of civilisation, honey lasts pretty much indefinitely despite a suggested ‘best before’ of about three years. Other uses include as a soothing, healing balm thanks to its natural antiseptic properties. Eating a spoonful of local honey every day is believed (but not proven) to help alleviate the symptoms of hayfever. It can also be used to make mead, an alcoholic drink produced since ancient times throughout Europe, Africa and Asia. Pollen Honeybees have extensive pollen stores within the hive that sit alongside honey stores as a broad-range food source for the colony. Pollen granules can be harvested and used as a dietary supplement, sprinkled on food or in smoothies. Health benefits reputedly hinge around the breadth of nutrients, but the complexity…

1974 Born in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire 1995 Meets sheep farmer Clive Owen at Ravenseat Farm in Swaledale 2000 Marries Clive at St Mary’s Church, Muker, wearing riding boots under her gold silk gown 2001 Gives birth to Raven, the first of her nine children, during the foot-and-mouth crisis 2009 Appears on television for first time after Clive rescues Julia Bradbury and her film crew from a boggy heath in thick fog 2011 First series of The Dales airs on ITV 2014 Publishes The Yorkshire Shepherdess: How I left city life behind to raise a family – and a flock, which becomes a Sunday Times bestseller 2015 Named Yorkshirewoman of the Year by Dalesman magazine 2015 Appears in Ben Fogle’s New Lives in the Wild on Channel 5 2016 Publishes A…

Firewok A wok-shaped portable fire pit that can be fitted with a grille, firecone or trivet to enable campfire cooking. Handmade in Bristol using local steel suppliers. From £79-170 depending on size. firewok.co.uk Brazier Load up this iron basket with logs and watch the flames flicker. Try, a Patio Brazier, £29.99, primrose.co.uk, or the Outdoor Fire Pot by Morsø, £180 (above), houseology.com, made from sheet iron, designed to screen the wind. Firepit This low bowl of fire comes in many different styles and finishes, including rusted and copper. For a strong and sturdy black matt option, try the Mars Firepit, £183, johnlewis.com. Chimenea Usually made from clay (although they come in cast-iron, too), this free-standing stove hails from Mexico. Its advantage is that its fat, hollow body with a narrow…

When he moved from Suffolk to Norfolk with the aim of downsizing, writer and birdwatcher Simon Barnes acquired eight acres of wild marshland. Often he goes out onto the marsh with Eddie, his younger son, who is almost 18. Eddie has Down’s Syndrome and has helped Simon to see and understand nature in a rather different fashion. As a result, he wrote a book about the marsh and about the life he shares there with Eddie: On the Marsh: A Year Surrounded by Wilderness and Wet (Simon & Schuster). The story so far We’d lived 14 years in Suffolk and decided it was the right time for a move. Or rather, Cindy my wife did. I was reluctant. But in a story I always like to tell, we went to…

Austrian photographer Stefan Draschan goes to a lot of museums, drawn as much to the people looking at the art as he is to the artworks themselves. Especially if they happen somehow to resemble the artwork they’re contemplating. Perhaps it’s the pattern of their dress, or even the colour of their hair. The photographs may look effortless, but they require both Draschan’s well trained eye and a fair bit of patience. “When I see something interesting, I react to it; I slow down and try to adjust to my prey, so to speak,” he says. He’s been capturing his ‘prey’ since 2015. The results are not only amusing – they also have the effect of making us slow down and look again. ‘THE WATER LILIES: GREEN REFLECTIONS’ BY CLAUDE MONET,…

When the urge to leave the city became too much, Angèle Vuillet and Patrice Coeytaux didn’t have to wander far to find their idyllic country home. At the time, they were living in Annecy in the Haute-Savoie region of France, an area known for its mountains, lakes, castles and dramatic gorge, Les Gorges du Fier. A short drive (12km) from Annecy, is the village of Lovagny where they found an abandoned family hotel and restaurant for sale. Tucked away in a glade, the house, built in 1894, felt enchanted. It was also peaceful: the only sounds were birdsong, the rustle of the trees and the burble of the river below. A FRIENDLY RUIN “I HAVE A PASSION FOR RENOVATION... I LOVE TO PRESERVE THINGS THAT REALLY DESERVE IT” The delapidated…

COSMOS A jolly and generous plant, cosmos keeps on flowering until autumn, producing a succession of daisy-like flowers. Its long slender stems are covered with feathery leaves from which tangle the wide-open flowers emerge as though rising from a cloud. Good in a border or container, with 25 varieties to choose from, cosmos make great cut flowers (deadhead to prolong flowering), mix well with other flowering plants, and attract bees. Need to know A native of Mexico, cosmos like sun and lots of it. Plant in well drained soil once any risk of frost has passed. Very little trouble, it will tolerate neglectful watering and is rarely bothered by pests. Pinch out tips to get a bushier plant and even more blooms. How to grow Cosmos is very easy to…

Our reading habits often change during the summer – home or away. Perhaps you’re considering an audiobook for a long journey or feel it’s the right time to delve into something a bit more wellbeing focused? Or maybe you’d just like to try a different author to while away a twilight evening or lunch hour in the park? Have a browse through our Books Editor’s recommended reads for some warm-weather inspiration. » One for twilight evenings Things in Jars by Jess Kidd (Canongate) Jess Kidd heads to Victorian London in the company of the incomparable Bridie Devine, fiery and tender of heart, as she attempts to find kidnapped Christabel Berwick, aged 6, said to have supernatural gifts. Accompanied by her housemaid, the be-whiskered Cora Butter and ghostly Ruby…

Rediscovering your neighbourhood The Art of Noticing by Rob Walker (Ebury Press) Rob Walker knows the secret of seeing… In this field guide to honing your observational skills he shares his method of noticing anew in 131 exercises, especially designed to spark creativity, inspiration and finding the joy in the everyday. One for a grey day How To Fail by Elizabeth Day (4th Estate) Inspired by her hugely popular podcast, Elizabeth Day’s wise, witty and painfully honest memoir takes as its theme “everything I’ve ever learned from things going wrong”, as she muses on dating, marriage, friendship and anger, and explores the enlightenment that comes with failure. For early mornings Bird Therapy by Joe Harkness (Unbound) Following a breakdown in 2013, Joe Harkness tried…

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 JULY Normally we country , edges and sea shores for our foraging but, in July, gardens throw up such a gorgeous perfumed and delicate crop that you don’t have to go far to find fragrant treasures. Roses and lavender are bountiful this month – tumbling over front walls and wafting out into our paths. (If the plants aren’t yours, it is of…

Hospital of hope In a country where government forces stand accused of routinely targeting healthcare facilities, one hospital in Syria has risen from the rubble to treat tens of thousands of children. Hope Hospital – the world’s first crowdfunded hospital to be built in a conflict zone – opened two years ago in Jarabulus, with £246,000 pledged by donors. Aids breakthrough Scientists appear to have made a major breakthrough in preventing Aids. A study, published in The Lancet medical journal in May, examined nearly 1,000 gay male couples who had sex without condoms, in which one partner was HIV positive and taking antiretrovirals. It found no cases of transmission over eight years. Researchers say, if everyone with HIV was fully treated, there would be no further infections. Brick by brick Lego has created a set…

The biggest thing in favour of mules is that you can slip them on, then kick them off with barely a thought. With no straps, buckles or laces to trouble you, these backless shoes are the easiest of footwear to manage. They are just the thing for baking summer days when all you want to do after traipsing about town is to liberate your hot feet in an instant and pad around the house barefoot. This ease of wear is also responsible for their rather racy reputation. Intended originally for the bedroom, they were the chaussure de choix in the 18th-century French court, for example, and worn by Madame de Pompadour (official mistress of Louis XV), peeping out beneath layers of flouncy crinolines. Manolo Blahnik, luxury shoe designer, is quoted…

There have been many claims made for the most overdue library books borrowed. These must be two of the tardiest texts returned, though. • The Siege of Troy and The Wanderings of Ulysses by Charles Henry Hanson was borrowed by one Rusholme Hutton from Chapel Allerton Library in Leeds in 1883. It was eventually returned by his grandson Stephen in 2016, 133 years overdue. Fortunately, the library waived the £10,679 fine. • Less punctual even than that was Colonel Robert Walpole who borrowed Various Historians of the Northern Germans and of Neighbouring Peoples from Sidney Sussex College’s library in Cambridge in 1667–8. It was later found and returned by his biographer, some 287 years later in 1956.…

Favourite shop RAHVA RAAMAT One of my favourite ways to kill time is popping in to a bookstore – and this one is especially great. rahvaraamat.ee/en Best coffee LIVING ROOM CAFÉ / NORDIC DESIGN HOME It’s an ongoing debate between my friends, but to me, the best filter is served at Living Room Café. For a cappuccino, head to Nordic Design Home.thelivingroomtallinn.com nordicdesignhome.ee Best pastries RØST Scandinavian-style Røst bakery has the best cinnamon buns in the city – amazing with coffee. rost.ee Best breakfast FAEHLMANNI CAFÉ A cute neighbourhood café not far from the centre. Try the traditional Estonian black bread with avocado and poached egg.faehlmannikohvik.weebly.com Favourite restaurant PEGASUS Estonian cuisine and a 60s vibe in a house formerly inhabited exclusively by writers. My go-to for special occasions! restoranpegasus.ee Favourite…

Since the very dawn of civilisation, man has been in awe of the honeybee, its peaceful communal existence and ability to create honey. Prehistoric cave art painted by bushmen in southern Africa depicts bees and their nests, and the insect even features in their creation mythology. Throughout the course of thousands of years, in almost every ancient culture, we encounter the bee. The mythology of bees is as rich as their honey, with folklore and parable aplenty across all cultures and religions. The exact reasons and origins remain unclear, but most likely its root is a basic human admiration for the industry and cooperation of the hive as an entity, along with its creation of such a delicious and sweet substance, seemingly from nothing. The first recorded references to organised…

Lavender Who doesn’t love lavender’s floral-herbal fragrance and glorious purple hues? And if the bees love it too, so much the better. However, not all varieties of lavender are created equal in terms of attracting pollinators. Look out for ‘bee friendly’ labels at garden centres. The Hidcote variety is a good blend of attractive, hardy and beloved of bees. Flowering from May to the end of July, depending on the type, lavender is a great choice as a way to help fill the ‘pollen gap’ in high summer, where many flowers die off. Clover Clover is often a casualty of over-zealous lawn-mowing. Strictly speaking a name applied to some 300 different species, the most common types to appear in garden lawns are white and red clovers. If grass is left…

Grandad grins at you from his deckchair, mum squints into the sunshine, while a child brandishes their spade proudly. In another, a toddler takes their first tentative steps into the sea, firmly gripped by two supportive adults, trousers rolled up for the purpose. These particular photos actually date from the 1930s but they could have easily been taken any time, on any beach, from then to today. The holiday snap – alongside records of births, birthdays and weddings – is a staple of the family photo album, a way of marking our memories that’s been going strong for over a century. Recording our holidays came about almost as early as we started taking them en masse. The growth of the railways in the 19th century, and the introduction of cheaper…

1 Make Turn a mason jar into a softly glowing lantern by screwing a solar jar lid (a tiny solar panel built into a lid) in place. Some versions come with fairy lights attached for extra twinkle. Thread string or wire around the rim to enable you to hang from a tree and create an enchanted glade. Glue tissue paper or paint the outside for added colour. Regular Mouth Mason jars, 6 for £15.99, lakeland.co.uk. Six Solar Mason Jar Lids and six handles, £24.99, amazon.co.uk. 2 Customise Take a few pretty cupcakes cases (300 Rainbow Brights, £5.50, hobbycraft.co.uk), puncture a hole in the centre of each, and slip into place over the LED bulbs of a garland of outdoor lights (ensure the cases don’t touch the bulbs). Alternatively, you could…

Otter (pictured) Seen a few times in the dykes, sometimes very close indeed. And they leave aromatic little reminders of their presence. Savi’s warbler Something of a rarity, singing hard, didn’t stay to breed. But seven other species of warbler have bred here in our time. Grass snake We keep small squares of corrugated metal: the snakes like to get under these and bask in the heat. Hummingbird hawk moth Moving from flower to flower and sipping from each like a wine connoisseur. Southern marsh orchid A gorgeous purple spike of flowers.…

Ducks’ ditty Kenneth Grahame All along the backwater, Through the rushes tall, Ducks are a-dabbling. Up tails all! Ducks’ tails, drakes’ tails, Yellow feet a-quiver, Yellow bills out of sight Busy in the river! Slushy green undergrowth Where the roach swim – Here we keep our larder, Cool and full and dim. Everyone for what he likes! We like to be Head down, tails up, Dabbling free! High in the blue above Swifts whirl and call – We are down a-dabbling Up tails all!…

• Mix different types of lighting in one room to create varied moods. And never underestimate the power of the dimmer switch. • Keep walls and ceilings plain – you can use floor tiles and wallpaper to introduce pattern. • Group similar things together in interesting ways. We hung our collection of framed bird prints around a corner of the stairwell, and suspended various glass lampshades at different heights over the dining table. • Clean and fresh can also be cosy so long as you introduce a few softer elements.…

That’s right, I treasure living in a tree. It might sound strange, I realise that. However, I live in a second-floor flat with an ancient oak right on the corner of the house. House and tree have been here, side by side, for well over a century. No one really knows how old the tree is, but it was already there when builders started on the house at the beginning of the 1900s. It was still rather young and flexible back then, so it easily welcomed the new structure into its orbit. It bent and adjusted itself to make room, and to find the space to grow big and strong and wise. Which means that some hundred years later, the solid, strong branches of the oak reach around two full…

They say if you’re rushing, you’re doing narrow boating all wrong. There’s no slower way to live than tilling a boat, being overtaken by dog walkers. You’d struggle to find any part of Britain’s 2,200 miles of canals that isn’t pretty scenic, but here in the heart of England it’s all pretty blooming bucolic and very Great Canal Journeys. You start out in Britain’s industrial heartland and by the time you’re gliding past farms and canalside pubs, you can practically hear Prunella Scales uncorking a bottle of wine for Timothy West. We planned to go from Worcester Marina to Stoke Prior and back over three nights, staying the first and last nights in the marina, but as virgin narrow boaters we took it steady and, in the spirit of slow,…

While queuing at the Natural History Museum Sapiensby Yuval Noah Harari (Random House) The Earth is 4.5 billion years old, and humans have inhabited it for just a short flicker of time. In those few years, humans have transformed the world, becoming the most advanced and the most destructive species on the planet. Harari’s book tells the extraordinary history of humanity in dramatic detail, narrated by Derek Perkins, whose cool voice adds an air of gravitas. For a road trip The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt (Hachette Audio) Thirteen-year-old Theo Decker survives the accident that kills his mother. His estranged father returns and takes him to live in Las Vegas – a tempestuous time which sets him on a path into the worrying ways of the criminal…

For most of us, looking back on old pictures can be a bittersweet trip down Memory Lane. We were so young, we were so beautiful… yet somehow we didn’t even realise it. If only our younger selves had embraced our looks and celebrated our bodies at the time – seen the beauty hidden in plain sight. But whilst hindsight might give us enough space to see ourselves more objectively and more compassionately, is it possible to change how we feel about our bodies in the present? Research around body image – put simply, the way we think and feel about our bodies – suggests it’s an area with room for improvement. British women have some of the lowest body image scores in the world. Research by the Mental Health Foundation…

Atlantic sailfish Reaching up to 3.15 metres long and travelling at speeds of up to 35 mph. You could be tempted to try and catch a ride. Christmas tree worm Each worm spawns not one but two Christmas Tree-esque ‘crowns’, to bring double the festive feel to tropical oceans. Bioluminescent octopus A flasher lurking in the darkest depths of the ocean, it blasts blue-green light from its suckers to help lure in lunch. Common fangtooth The size of this fish’s teeth proportionate to its body is jaw-dropping. In fact, the teeth are so big it can’t close its mouth. Goblin shark Jaw-some skills. It tracks its prey, with sensing organs in its snout, then it goes for the kill with a swift jaw extension. Leafy sea dragon This stylish Aussie…

Who Let the Dogs Out Baha Men Ol’ Red Blake Shelton Me and You and a Dog Named Boo Lobo The Girls and the Dogs Scott Walker I Love my Dog Yusuf/Cat Stevens The Puppy Song Harry Nilsson I’m Gonna Buy Me a Dog Duke Robillard Everything Reminds Me of My Dog Jane Siberry Gypsy, Joe and Me Dolly Parton My Dog and Me John Hiatt & the Goners Walking the Dog Rufus Thomas Dogs Are Everywhere Pulp Old King Neil Young Black Eyed Dog Nick Drake I Wanna Be Your Dog The Stooges Atomic Dog George Clinton Listen at thesimplethings.com/blog/dogplaylist DJs: Clare Gogerty, with the help of readers Wendy Browning, Louise Collyer, Carole Hirst and Michelle Monteleagre.…