Lie-in or early start? I’m a horrible sleeper – I spend very little time in the bedroom – and I’ll read until the rest of the world wakes up. On an ideal Sunday morning I’d go for a walk with binoculars. I like bird-watching. Favourite bird? The house sparrow. They’re in decline, so they’re more … Read more
In Deptford, south-east London, Holly Loftus hand-crafts between 10 and 15 knives a month. The least expensive of these could be yours for £160, while the dearest might set you back as much as £580. What do you get for your money if you seriously splash out? Loftus, who was born in Ireland and is … Read more
Will Murray isn’t sure about the toad in the hole. In the soft gleam of a prep kitchen, deep below St James’s in London, the chef-patron and co-founder of Fallow frowns at a pan of puffy bronzed batter and extruded sausages. “Do you think we need to do it again?” asks one of his chefs, … Read more
Cake or Death vegan dark chocolate and fondant eggs£20 for 6, cakeordeath.co.ukThat’s very good. It doesn’t taste cheap like some plant-based chocolate. The sweet fondant yolk is balanced by the bitterness of the chocolate.★★★★ The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. Lidl deluxe layered … Read more
The Crown, Arford Road, Headley, Bordon GU35 8BT (01428 288090; thecrownarford.com). Small plates from £4.50; large plates £18-£29; desserts £9; and wines from £36 I feel I shouldn’t be writing at all because I am so full and so happy. I have just had the meal of meals – a Sunday lunch of such perfection … Read more
How will the new rules work? At the moment, pensions tend to be outside people’s estates for inheritance tax (IHT) purposes. But last autumn Rachel Reeves announced that money left in a defined contribution (AKA money purchase) pension after your death will be pulled into the IHT net from April 2027. Most workplace pensions and … Read more
A series of photos that circulated around awards season made the internet roundly do its nut. I will describe them, and you will see how our reactions show that earnestness has gone violently out of style. The first picture accompanied a quote from Jeremy Strong responding to his Oscar nomination. He’d put out a long … Read more
Last November, my family brought home a puppy. Frankie was eight weeks old when he came to live with us, and right now, watching him bound around with my seven-year-old son, I don’t want to imagine ever saying goodbye to him. Well, maybe I won’t need to, or rather, I can at least kick that … Read more
Last week my phone pinged an alert to tell me it had made a little slideshow. It’s one of those ‘It’s Good To Remember!’ functions you’re probably familiar with, the kind that collates a dozen photos of, say, weddings you’ve been to, or beach trips you’ve photographed, scored with enough chintzy, heart-tugging music that you … Read more
The kids normally have breakfast at 7.30. I make eggs – soft boiled, scrambled or an omelette – sliced cucumber, toast with butter and a bowl of yoghurt on the side. Whether I eat too depends on how much I ate the previous night – and how late. Last year, I decided I’d skip breakfast altogether. … Read more