Inspiration, bite-size news, reviews and great stuff to do
PUB WORDS: LES DUNN. PHOTOGRAPHS: ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES, MURDOPHOTO.COM
SPRING STROLLS
As you venture out on bracing walks, keeping an eye out to see whether the wild garlic has arrived, spring suddenly feels possible in March, doesn’t it?
This Mother’s Day (or any day), plan a trip to Barnsdale gardens in Oakham, Rutland – there’s something for every season, from the Woodland Walk to fragrant spring blossoms in the Japanese Garden (pictured) and, in summer, glorious blooms in the Rose Garden. You can buy plants at the shop and have a bite to eat too. barnsdalegardens.co.uk For the Easter trails, Shaun the Sheep and pals will be hiding in Tatton Park, Cheshire, from 29 March. Visit over the Easter weekend to get a chocolatey reward for finding the sheep in the 50-acre gardens. tattonpark.org.uk/visit In Kent, amble along the stream around Kearsney Abbey and enjoy an ice cream or hot chocolate. It’s a great wild garlic spot in spring. kearsneyparks.co.uk For more seasonal stroll-spiration, there are more than 195 National Trust Easter trails to choose from across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/whats-on
SEASONAL FOOD At their best Cauliflower, kale, leeks, purple sprouting broccoli, salsify, spinach, spring greens, spring onions, swede, rhubarb (forced) New in/early season Wild garlic, nettles From overseas Blood oranges, artichokes (from the Med), winter tomatoes (from Italy)
How to paint eggs
Revive an Easter tradition that kids will love. Clean fresh eggs in warm water, dry them, put in an egg box, then pierce the tops and bottoms with a safety pin – make one hole a bit bigger. Push a cocktail stick or wooden skewer into a hole and wiggle it to break up the yolk. Blow into the small hole – or use a straw – over a bowl to collect the contents (it takes a bit of puff). Let the kids decorate the shells with acrylic paint, while you enjoy scrambled eggs.
CAKE SLICE TERMINOLOGY
When offered a piece of cake we often say ‘just a sliver’ or ‘just a smidge’ without really thinking, but does anyone know how much a sliver or smidge is? Luckily Danish bakery Ole & Steen has done the scientific work to come up with answers (see right), so you can cut with confidence at afternoon tea. Research revealed that most Brits (42%) ask, rather modestly, for ‘a small slice’.
However, it also showed that 32% of us really wanted to be given a bigger slice than we asked for. Maybe it’s time for a ‘Be honest a
