I often mention my veg patch’s clay soil in this column, and that’s because soil type affects what we grow and how. Getting to know your soil is an essential part of becoming a great grower of edible plants. Soil type is determined by the size of the soil’s particles which, in turn, determine its characteristics. … Read more
This outfit looks so classy, doesn’t it? Understated, but with an indefinable air of poshness. Effortless, but elevated. But did you spot the best part? It’s in the small print. The clothes are from Uniqlo and the shoes are from Zara. The look is expensive, but the clothes aren’t. The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will … Read more
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/picture/2025/apr/18/high-streets-shops-the-stephen-collins-cartoon
I never thought I’d write so uncritically about a mineral sunscreen, but what follows is an unequivocal rave. Sunscreens that use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide (rather than synthetic chemical filters) can be useful, even essential, for those with highly sensitive and reactive skin. They tend not to cause the stinging or streaming eyes common with … Read more
I’m sure many of us are guilty of relying on our phones to decompress, even when taking some downtime. But if your social media feeds are anything like mine – an endless stream of fad workouts, meal plans and extravagant skincare routines – it’s more likely to whip you into an anxious frenzy than leave … Read more
My husband completely covered up the fact that he retired two years ago and has been pretending to go to work ever since. He made up stories about work events. I only found out by seeing the pension payments into our joint account. He is 68 and has reapplied on spec to his old company. … Read more
Joanne, 52, Southampton Occupation Knowledge manager Voting record Doesn’t have a party political preference, tends to focus on local issues – but mostly Labour Amuse bouche Is a huge football fan, and held a Charlton Athletic season ticket for 20 years Jane, 58, Winchester Occupation A little bit of property development Voting record Normally Conservative; … Read more
It is a very modern feeling. That sense of dangling in limbo, enduring a tinny rendition of a Simply Red song down the line, and watching the morning drift away. It was my fourth call to customer services to discover the fate of a valuable delivery that had been attempted without warning three days earlier … Read more
After a while it is clear that someone, or something, is following us. A figure, some distance back. But here’s the thing: it doesn’t appear to draw any closer, or get further away. It seems to remain, matching our pace, just at the edge of vision – at the edge of the dusk now descending … Read more
Style and comfort have always been of equal priority for me. I got my first pair of Converse All Stars at the mall in Indiana in the 1980s. They were teal and yellow – I would fold the lip of the hi-top over to show off the lemony interior. For my wedding, I wore low-top … Read more