Table of contents for September 2021 in The Simple Things

Get a train or bus to somewhere new and see what’s there Make a meal inspired by a far-flung country Thank your feet for their hard work with a long soak in a bowl of warm water and essential oil Plan your next holiday and start a folder of accommodation, restaurants, and things to see Set aside half an hour to do nothing but let your mind wander Feel free to roam with your own ideas. Use the space below to jot down a few ideas that take you somewhere else…

WILD PLUM AND PISTACHIO CAKE Serves 6–8 175g unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing 175g caster sugar, plus extra for sprinkling Zest and juice of 1 lemon 3 large eggs 100g unsalted pistachio nuts, ground 100g Doves Organic Self-Raising Flour, sifted 500g wild plums*, halved and stones removed Icing sugar, for dusting 1 Preheat the oven to 170C/Fan 150CF/ Gas 3. Grease a 20cm springform tin with butter and line the bottom with baking paper. 2 Cream the softened butter, caster sugar, lemon zest and juice until pale and fluffy, using an electric mixer. Beat in the eggs one at a time, alternating with a spoonful of the ground nuts. Add the remaining nuts and continue to whisk until fluffy. Lightly fold in the self-raising flour. 3 Spoon half…

Of all the issues fuelling climate change, over-consumption is perhaps one of the most visible. We’re slowly burying the planet in mountains of ‘stuff’, from fast fashion £1 bikinis that don’t biodegrade, to the seemingly endless cycle of feeling like we need better tech and bigger TVs. E-waste (that’s the tech you cast aside) amounts to 23kg per person in the UK, while our clothes cause untold damage through child slavery and toxic pollutants dumped in rivers to releasing microplastics into every square metre of the sea. Taking more personal responsibility for what we throw away is a powerful way we can make a positive impact. Buying less and buying better is often lauded as the key to sustainable consumerism but it’s expensive, whereas reusing, repairing, repurposing and rehoming the…

Early autumn veg box Marrow, courgettes, apples, sweetcorn, cauliflower and runner beans In autumn, the riotous kaleidoscope of summer colour softens as the sun dips away a little earlier with each passing day. The leaves from spring’s burst ebb into earthy hues that camouflage the swelling fruit, burdening the branches where dainty blossom once flounced. Falling into the third season, the cornucopia spills with ripened gourds, brassica bouquets, juicy paper-wrapped sweetcorn cobs, bean-dripping vines and blushing orchard fruits. An autumn veg box is filled with opportunities for warming meals and stocking the pantry for the approaching winter. NO WASTE KNOW-HOW Dice, slice and use every part of your veg box to reduce waste and boost flavour Turn apple scraps into homemade vinegar If you’re preparing a glut of apples that…

Favourite shops DE LA SUITE DANS LES IDÉES This shop has an eclectic selection of clothes, bags, jewellery and homeware. Great for gifts or a treat for myself. delasuitedanslesidees.ch BLONDEL Find the best chocolate here. Blondel.ch/fr/ Favourite gallery FONDATION DE L’HERMITAGE This mansion house in a park above the city stages regular big-name exhibitions. fondation-hermitage.ch/ Favourite café LE POINTU Housed in a flatiron-style building in the town centre, this young, friendly place is hugely popular for brunch, a coffee or after work drinks. le-pointu.ch/ Favourite restaurant THAI AU LAC There are fancier places, but this restaurant offers tasty, simple Thai food in a lively atmosphere on a sprawling terrace next to the lake. On a warm day, it’s hard to beat. thaiaulac.ch/ Favourite market THE SATURDAY FOOD MARKET This takes…

• Treasuretrails.co.uk: with more than 1,200 trails available across the UK, there’s sure to be one or more near you. • Captainbess.com: Pirate-inspired trails in ten English cities (they’re the people behind the Brighton one, left). • thesecret.city: phone-based trails in Edinburgh, Harrogate, London, Manchester and York. Priced per team, from £10. • escapehunt.com: available in 13 cities (including Basingstoke, Cheltenham and Norwich, hunters are equipped with iPads for games that promise to make the most of augmented reality and geolocation. From £15 for four players. • huntfun.co.uk: find a family trail in more than 200 locations. Pick from a printed booklet of clues, or pay a bit more for a GPS version. From £6.99 for a booklet.…

It was a warm, sunny morning…’ Fifty years ago, the opening line of Mr Tickle introduced the world to Roger Hargreaves’ Mr Men, one of the most enduring series in modern children’s literature, and a striking example of how tastes have changed. In my 1970s childhood, it was the breezy tale of a long-armed chap with a love of harmless mischief. Today, reading the story to my three-year-old son, it’s the lengthy charge sheet of a man dedicating his life to unsolicited touching. But if tastes in children’s literature change, its core appeal does not. To a child, reading is the most accessible, personal, all-consuming form of escape. Even drab days can be transformed by opening the cover and imagining squirrels pushing a spoiled child down a garbage chute, or…

• Create a flowering sedum roof, which is both ornamental and helpful to nature. • Plants not only produce fresh air, they also give life to the room. For us, it’s not a home if there aren’t any plants. The colours and textures are all a part of making a good atmosphere. • Don’t be afraid to roll your sleeves up and make the furniture you need or adapt a vintage piece to give it a new lease of life. • Create your own colours. The façade has been painted with our very own colour mix, which now goes by the name ‘Rune’ at the paint company.…

Every garden that I’ve ever owned, I have always found a spot for the marsh mallow plant. To some, Althaea officinalis is a weed usually found growing alongside railway tracks and roadside verges, but I love it because my parents bought me one to help fill a new border in my first garden flat. This attractive, large shrub reliably fills a dull, damp corner with a profusion of velvety, grey-green leaves and nectar-rich pink flowers every summer, which last until the weather turns. It’s also a wonderful talking point when friends come around for supper in the garden, because Althea produces edible bounty in the depths of the soil, which has inspired folklore legend through the centuries. Like something out of Alice in Wonderland, when you boil the roots of…

MOSAIC POTS Once you’ve learned the skills of mosaicing, you can apply them to all kinds of projects, inside and out. You will need: Terracotta pots (we used 17cm pots) Damaged or broken plates/tiles/ mirrors PVA glue Tile adhesive or construction adhesive Tile nippers Ready-mixed grout (white) Rubber gloves Protective eyewear Rubber tile float (optional) ' Foam paintbrush Pencil Kitchen sponge Acrylic paint (optional) 1 Start by washing your pots well in warm water and allowing them to air dry completely. This will help remove any dirt or dust stuck to them. Mix together one-part PVA glue with three parts water and paint the mixture generously over the inside and outside of your pots. The PVA mixture will help seal the terracotta. 2 Next, you need to break up your…

DOWN TO A TEA TOWEL Pay homage to your favourite herbs with this refreshing design from Swedish brand Jangneus. Made from 100% cotton, it's got a hanging loop so you can show it off when not in use. £7.50 from pasoluna.co.uk MATCHBOXES PUZZLE (answers on page 126) A clever, language-no-barrier combination of the 'On' line and 'Off' circle, adopted in 1973 by the International Electrotechnical Commission. “All the months are crude experiments, out of which the perfect September is made.”Virginia Woolf The PRACTICAL, the PLAYFUL and the SILLY Put a Post-it to new use. PRACTICAL: fold a Post-it in half and use it to scoop up the crumbs/lint in your computer keypad (and, in future, put a Post-it note up…

QUINTA DA CALÇADA ALVARINHO, £12.45 This Portuguese wine has beautiful aromas of tropical fruits and herbaceous notes, with lemon, grapefruit and subtle honey characters on the palate. A very subtle saline aftertaste is ideal for shellfish, as well as bringing out the flavours in the parsley and lime dip. CHARTHAM PINOT NOIR, £18.99 The red cherry flavours in this British wine cut through the rich cream cheese in the bagels without overpowering the delicate crab flavours. A wonderful silky summer red from Kent that beats a traditional Burgundy red. CHÂTEAU LES MINUTES SAUTERNES, £12.49 Intense flavours of caramelised fruits, pear, melon and almond work together to complement everything in an Eton Mess. The caramelised fruits counter the sweetness of the strawberries, the melon works with the cream and the almond…

First cuppa of the day, where can we find you? When the weather is good, I often pack a flask and my little tin cup and head out for a peaceful sunrise paddle. How does the rest of your day shape up? My days vary but will generally include making tea and coffee, some form of exercise, order packing, dog walking, emails and making snacks, a Post Office trip and more tea and snacks. Let’s crack on with the tea and snacks. What do you fancy? A big ol’ cup of Yorkshire tea, brewed quite strong, with oat milk, pretty please! And a chocolate Hobnob. Do you have a favourite mug? Am I allowed three? My Yellow Tin Cup comes with me on every adventure, and even has its own…

Village fate Throughout the 19th century, local people living in Highland villages were removed by the landowners in what has long been called the Clearances. But people could soon be living in Rosal in Strathnaver for the first time in over 200 years as part of a restoration of the landscape planned through a community buyout of the land. Edible construction Onion skins, wilted cabbage leaves and banana peel – they’re not obvious construction materials, but researchers from the University of Tokyo have discovered how to transform food scraps into a material stronger than concrete. It resists rot, fungi and insects and, incredibly, remains edible. Solar cycle In the favelas of Rio, there’s plenty of sunshine, but a lack of infrastructure. Now a project run by NGO Revolusolar is installing…

Parents have always relayed stories. The oral tradition has lost none of its appeal, or power; a 2011 OECD study found that kids read to during their first year of school still showed the benefit at 15. At its peak, a million children drew near to the wireless for Listen With Mother (1950–82), while today’s kids flock to carpets both real – with a variety of storytellers in local libraries – and virtual, such as Julia Donaldson’s online dramatising of her stories to help kids through lockdown.…

Rudbeckia These craning, sturdy, star-like flowers love the sun. While the perennial versions tend to be golden, if you plant an annual you can expect deeper-coloured petals that look as lovely in your borders as they do in a vase. Hailing from North America, they are said to symbolise motivation and encouragement – which, as summer fades, we could all do with a bit of from these daisy-style blooms.…

Using homemade products with natural ingredients for self-massage is a luxurious, satisfying experience. Whenever you feel tired and achy – or just in need of a bit of looking after – you can slope off to the bathroom, light a candle and ease out your stress with the aroma of your favourite oils to relax you. BLISSFUL MASSAGE BARS These massage bars look, smell and feel amazing. Cocoa butter is beloved for its delicious chocolate scent, but you could also use sumptuous shea butter or mango butter. Use your favourite essential oil to create a scent that you love. 80g beeswax 120ml almond oil 80g cocoa butter 1 tsp essential oil of your choice Soap moulds 1 Heat the beeswax, almond oil and cocoa butter slowly in a bain-marie or…

Llewellyn’s Herbal Almanac A veritable bible of all things herb-related, this is now in its 23rd year. Each new edition profiles different plants, so look out for back issues and collect the full set. The Gardener’s Companion to Medicinal Plants by Monique Simmonds, Melanie-Jayne Howes and Jason Irving. Complete with gorgeous illustrations, this useful reference book also features practical projects and home remedies. The Wild & Weedy Apothecary by Doreen Shababy. An A–Z companion guide for anyone who is interested in using plants to make remedies, as well as lotions and other gift ideas. You’ll be inspired to use plants from your garden for more than just pretty displays.…

“I planned the whole bathroom around the botanical tiles after falling in love with them. When I’m in here I feel very lucky! It’s a really spacious bathroom and is whimsical and pretty. It has a Parisian feel to it so is a little place to escape. When renovating, I used leftover tiles from another room and discovered that most bathtubs are paintable. It was really fun choosing the right colour for the tub and I’d encourage everyone to paint their baths! I spend most of my time in the bath planning the rest of the renovation, but it’s lovely to gaze out the window as the sun sets in that direction, you can see the village twinkle during the golden hour.” Hannah Young, Bristol @theoldredhouse “This is my bathroom…

Arbequina Small and round and been around the world: arriving in Spain via the Ottoman Empire, now commonly grown in California Lucques ‘Pearls of Languedoc’ or ‘Green diamonds’, these shiny gems are the jewel in the French olives' crown (despite hailing from Lucca, Tuscany). Raw green olives Looks appetising but eat with caution. Very bitter raw, due to high levels of oleuropein. The cure is curing: in brine, water, or dry with salt. Manzanilla Shaken and stuffed: this Spanish favourite is not only often found filled with pepper, garlic or almonds, it also often bedecks a classic martini. Kalamata The Greek gods of olives: sleek and shiny, handpicked when at their peak. Their uniquely salty flavour comes via a curing in red vinegar brine. Hondroelia A meatily robust number to…

Her bag has so much in it she has to sit on it to zip it. She won’t show me what she’s packed, but she’ll survive, she says. I ask her where she’s going. “Just a-roaming,” she says. She’s drawn a watch on her wrist, checks its time. “I have to go,” she keeps her eyes low. Time’s very fast. I nod. Bite my lip. Think – this is really going to happen and I’m not ready. I ask her what else she needs. She has plasters, she says. An atlas. “Good,” I say, encouragingly. “And a taxi card,” she says. “In case my legs get tired.” “Ok,” I say. I look at her feet. “What will you wear?” “Walking boots, of course.” A hat? No. “You want me to…

Frying pan calzone with mozzarella and chilli Making fresh dough on a camping trip is a step too far for most, so buy a good-quality naan bread or Italian-style flat breads as a short-cut. Serves 4 1-2 tbsp olive oil 250g cherry tomatoes 4 large flat breads or sturdy wraps 2 x 125g balls of mozzarella, drained, roughly chopped and patted dry Dried oregano, to taste Dried chilli flakes, to taste 1 Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over a moderate heat. Add the tomatoes and a big pinch of salt and cook for 3–5 mins, until the tomatoes have softened but still hold a little of their shape. Remove from the heat, drain, and set the tomatoes aside. 2 Wipe out the pan, ready to cook the…

I had a little nut tree, Nothing would it bear, But a silver nutmeg And a golden pear The King of Spain’s daughter Came to visit me, And all for the sake Of my little nut tree. Her dress was made of crimson, Jet black was her hair, She asked me for my nutmeg And my golden pear. I said, “So fair a princess Never did I see, I’ll give you all the fruit From my little nut tree.” I skipped over water I danced over sea And all the birds in the air Couldn’t catch me. About the origin: Think back to childhood and you can just about hear the melodic, silvery sound of this beguiling song echoing along school corridors on a warm September afternoon. First published in…

Strapatsada Serves 4 3 ripe tomatoes 2 tbsp olive oil ½ pepper, deseeded and sliced 3 spring onions, sliced 1 green jalapeño chilli, sliced ½ garlic clove, crushed ¼ tsp ground cumin ¼ tsp paprika ½ tbsp dried oregano A pinch of sugar 80g feta cheese, crumbled 3 eggs, whisked Handful of mixed green herbs, such as flat-leaf parsley, coriander, dill and mint, all roughly torn ¼ red onion, very thinly sliced FOR THE CROUTONS: 1 slice bread, cut into 1.5cm cubes 2 tbsp olive oil 1 Preheat the oven to 220C/Fan200C/Gas 7. To make the croutons, put the cubed bread in a bowl, season with salt and pepper, then toss with the olive oil. Tip onto a baking sheet and bake for 4 mins, or until golden. Remove and…

“I was glad my father was an eye-smiler. It meant he never gave me a fake smile” Roald Dahl, Danny the Champion of the World “I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship” Louisa May Alcott, Little Women “What is given from the heart reaches the heart” Patricia C McKissack, What is Given From the Heart “Here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye” Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince…

For many, a renovation is a long dreamed of project that can test even the strongest of relationships. But for Tine Kjaer-Strange and her partner Rune, their relationship began with trips to the dump and the knocking down of walls in a rundown master builder’s villa in Amager, part of Copenhagen, as Rune had bought the property just a fortnight before they met . Looking around the light and bright home filled with vintage furniture, windows galore, lush plants, secret nooks and just a little bit of rock and roll, it’s difficult to imagine that the house was close to being demolished before they rescued it and transformed it into a stunning modern family home. “Rune bought the house 14 days before we met and our third date was a…

Maker of the Month Sustainable furniture from the Stroud valleys It was while buying and selling mid-century furniture, that Andy and Catherine Cunningham stumbled across some science lab stools and repurposed them with seats crafted from salvaged iroko timber. Their popularity led the couple to start making their own, replacing the black and grey frames with bright colours. Operating from their workshop in a former stable block, the couple’s collection now includes tables, benches and stools all crafted from reclaimed, sustainable, locally-sourced wood or recycled materials.woodmancoteretro.com If you go down to the woods today The Great British Tree Biography by Mark Hooper Trysting and kissing, bows and arrows, magical powers and mythical creatures – all of them have been associated with the fifty storied trees in Mark Hopper’s fascinating look…

When two long-time friends decided to run away to the Welsh hills for a relaxing weekend, there were a few boxes to tick – great food, space and time to unwind, and some minimum-effort sightseeing in a beautiful destination. While the charming market town of Abergavenny in Monmouthshire has a well-established reputation as a culinary destination, partly thanks to the popular food festival every September (abergavennyfoodfestival.com), an organised foraging tour of the town’s edible wild plant life added a fresh twist to a tried-and-tested recipe for the ideal weekend getaway. Where we stayed Our overnight stay and foraging course was organised by The Angel Hotel in Abergavenny, which also owns several holiday cottages in the town. We were booked into The Lodge and were thrilled to discover that it came…