Life, apples and cinnamon crepes: An afternoon at Home Cottage Farm
Since Ben came along, and we decided to raise him in London, I have been determined to make sure we regularly get out of town to breathe, run and get muddy. Although we are very lucky to live near some beautiful parks, and the expanse of Kew Gardens isn’t far away, the hum and roar of road and Heathrow traffic are frequent reminders of the pollution we are exposed to here. Air quality aside, I want him to feel the freedom of isolation as much as the buzz of the city, and to learn that food doesn’t just magically appear on the shelves of a supermarket, flawless and plastic wrapped.…
London’s Natural History Museum: Summer holiday survival guide
The Natural History Museum is possibly my favourite place in London. I can spend hours poring over the Victorian display cases, admiring the intricate animals carved into the columns of Hintze Hall, and watching ice skaters whiz by in December. It’s even where my then-fiancé and I held out engagement party, underneath Dippy the Diplodocus. But there’s no denying it can be rather hectic during the school holidays, especially with children in tow. Having learned a few hard lessons in recent years I thought I’d let you in on my top tips for the best experience during the crowded summer months (valium and stiff drinks optional). Before you go, download…
Is sunscreen safe?
If there was a competition for world’s whitest woman, I would be a top contender. My legs have an eerie fluorescence akin to convenience store tube lights, and my face is as pale as the moon. Part of the reason for this is my prolific use of SPF 50 sunscreen which I religiously slather on the whole family in the hope of warding off skin damage. But does it really work, and is it safe? Global rates of skin cancer have been steadily rising for decades despite the widespread availability of sunscreen. This has led some people to worry that the chemicals in sunscreen are causing cancer rather than preventing…
The Children’s Garden at Kew
“Can we go to the playground?” I have to admit that my heart sinks a bit when I hear this request. After three years of trying to maintain a convincingly enthusiastic “wheeeeee!” whilst pushing a swing ad infinitum I feel I have hit park saturation point. I had therefore keenly anticipated the new Children’s Garden at Kew which opened recently after years of development. This thoughtfully designed garden has a variety of beautifully landscaped natural environments for children aged 2-12 to explore. It is set among 100+ mature trees including several magnificent eucalyptus, giving it a lovely Australian vibe but without the threat of imminent death from wildlife. If, however,…
4 ways science can help your baby sleep
I’ve read some pretty depressing books in my life (1984, The Road, Twilight etc) but Why We Sleep blows them all out of the water. Professor Matthew Walker cheerfully details the precise mechanisms by which sleep loss makes us fat, stupid, sick and ugly whilst shrinking our reproductive organs and propelling us towards untimely deaths. It is an (ironic) wake up call to the disastrous public health implications of sleep deprivation. The science is fascinating but it’s all rather academic unless you’re actually able to get some. My child, dog, feeble bladder and neighbours all routinely conspire against my sleep attempts. Despite explaining to my son that every nocturnal demand…
Books about space for children
I’ve always had a bit of a book problem. Attempts to streamline my collection were thwarted when my son’s arrival compelled me to amass an embarrassingly large number of children’s books. I thought it might be fun to share our favourites in a “book club” series with themes around science and the natural world. Given today is the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing it seemed appropriate to start with space. First books about space for toddlers These books give simple introductions to the moon, our solar system and space exploration. Solar System is an ideal first board book for babies and toddlers. It gives a really simple…
Terrarium Workshop with London Terrariums
In my former life as a responsibility-shirking 20-something I mercilessly teased my older friends for doing boring things like getting mortgages, having children and gardening. Of course a few years later I had to eat my words as I acquired my own mortgage, garden and baby. That baby started walking, then running, then having loud opinions about things. For the first time in my life it seemed easier (and less publicly embarrassing) to make my own fun at home. I swallowed my pride, apologised to my friends (sorry) and threw a bunch of seedlings into my barren backyard, hoping for the best. Initially my victim tally was high. The plants…
Alcohol and health: is there really no safe level of drinking?
I’m writing this with a crisp glass of verdejo in hand, curled into a worn leather armchair in our Cornish holiday cottage (after some negotiation with the dog). It’s a welcome reward following a day at the beach, where the idyllic photographs belie the effort required to ensure nobody gets too hot, too cold, or swept out to sea. So many of us use a drink at the end of a long day to relax, to celebrate our joys and forget our woes. It might act as a tonic for the soul, but is even one glass a day damaging our health? It is according to the authors of a…
