Golden Days - Episode 1 - SAVOUR

Today our theme is SAVOUR and we’re advocating letting summer linger on as long as possible, savouring the tastes, fruits and flowers of the season, finding holiday habits to carry on with and appreciating things to treasure. Hosted by The Simple Things’ Editor Lisa Sykes and Wellbeing Editor Rebecca Frank

If you are in the UK, you can try an immediate start subscription to the The Simple Things and receive the current issue straight away. Or buy current and back issues here

Editing by Dhylyn Foster. Music by Arthur Cosslett. 

SHOW NOTES

On the blog

Fig and goat’s cheese bundles 

Search ‘What I treasure’ on the blog for some of our published pieces from readers on a belonging that means a lot to them.

To read

Reading Between The Lines by Emma Bache (Quercus)

In The Simple Things

From the September issue

New herbal non-alcoholic tipples series begins

Handwriting and why it is good for you

 Buy the September issue here

From the October issue

Home Economics: Koromagae and clothes care when you switch from summer to winter.

Buy the October issue at picsandink.com from 18 September and on the newsstand from 24 September.

In September 2024 issue – 147 Appreciating your garden at dawn, day and dusk

In August 2025 issue – 158 Kitchen therapy: figs, blackberries, plums and damsons

From The Simple Things Anthology Volume 4: A Year of Celebrations

Vineyard harvest supper

Dahlias

Transcript

Lisa Sykes (00:10):

Hi, welcome to The Small Ways To Live Well podcast from the Simple Things. I'm Lisa, the editor, and this is the first episode in season seven, which we're calling Golden Days. And specifically we're talking that time of year from just after the August Bank holiday through September to the end of summer vibe, right through the autumn Equinox to early October when you can literally watch the season turn and it's such a fleetingly short time, but it's a beautiful time to be really present and making the most of it. So we're very glad you can join us for Harvest Feasts, mellow weekends, warm sunny days. I'm going to be joined by, well, I am joined. She's here right now. Becs Frank, our wellbeing editor. Hi Becs.

Becs Frank (00:52):

Hi Lisa. It's great to be back. I'm all for enjoying this late summer with a mellow twist. Oh yes, sounds

Lisa Sykes (00:58):

Great. A mellow twist. Nice. And we're going to find some doorstep adventures and enjoy some treasures of the season, aren't we? Indeed. So today our theme, because as regular listeners will know, we try to have a little theme for each episode is Saver and we're going to be advocating, letting summer linger on as long as possible, savouring the tastes and flowers of the season and appreciating things to treasure, which also happens to be the word on our new September issue of the simple things. It's on sale now, but if you want to get it a bit cheaper, you can save 30% and get each issue delivered to your door before the start of each month. If you take out a subscription and if you choose an immediate start, you'll get September straight away. So Bex, hello. I know you get end of summer blues, don't you?

Becs Frank (01:42):

I do, but actually you've made it sound more positive. No, I do. It's just that I like Autumn, but it just comes too quickly. I feel like one minute I am fully embracing summer and all the kind of lovely relaxed warmth and lack of routine and freedom that it brings. Then before it, there's a nip in the air, the nights are drawing in and the heating's all together and I feel I get a slump. I get a bit of a blue period.

Lisa Sykes (02:07):

Yeah, you see, it's so the opposite for me really. All those things you just said, like the lack of routine, the flexibility, the different rules and the warmth, especially when it's hot, they're all sort of negatives for me.

Becs Frank (02:23):

Really? That's so funny, isn't it?

Lisa Sykes (02:25):

This right now is probably one of my favourite times of year because I find energy again, which I lose completely in August. I lose focus and energy and even the garden gets the last flourish.

Becs Frank (02:37):

It does, yeah, that's true.

Lisa Sykes (02:39):

But for different reasons. I also need to learn to save at the end of summer because I find August so discombobulating with people here, there and everywhere. I like getting back into the routine and being productive. I reckon if I had an epitaph, it'd be she got things done because that gives me so much pleasure. Well,

Becs Frank (02:58):

That's great.

Lisa Sykes (02:59):

Possibly because I'm institutionalised by making a monthly magazine for a lot of my working life.

Becs Frank (03:03):

Yes, true.

Lisa Sykes (03:04):

Many deadlines. We do work with deadlines a lot, don't we?

Becs Frank (03:07):

Yeah, yeah.

Lisa Sykes (03:08):

But actually it is about trying to appreciate this time of year, isn't it? Yeah. You do have that alarm back on, don't you? And the rush in the morning again,

Becs Frank (03:16):

I think that's what I don't like. Yeah, it's having to be super organised every minute kind of planned and checking my diary all the time, checking my calendar, what time, who's going where, what time do I need to get up, what time do I need to be here?

Speaker 3 (03:27):

Yeah.

Becs Frank (03:28):

Even though I get up before my alarm throughout the whole summer, I don't get up any later, but I like the fact that I don't,

Lisa Sykes (03:35):

I have to be somewhere straight away.

Becs Frank (03:37):

I don't actually have to get up

Lisa Sykes (03:39):

Or get someone else there

Becs Frank (03:40):

Or get someone else there

Lisa Sykes (03:42):

Because that whole childcare juggle when your kids are younger is a nightmare, isn't it? In summer

Becs Frank (03:47):

That I don't miss and I like having a bit more time to myself at this time of year.

Speaker 3 (03:52):

Yes.

Becs Frank (03:52):

Because I do still have one school age child and the other two, even though they're older at college uni, that kind of thing, the summer is still different and they're here.

Lisa Sykes (04:00):

Yes.

Becs Frank (04:00):

So I like to get quietly back into my routine.

Lisa Sykes (04:03):

But you live in birth or birth, sorry, and that must be so busy in the summer.

Becs Frank (04:08):

Oh my god, it's crazy. Yeah, it really is.

Lisa Sykes (04:10):

So does it calm down a little bit in September october

Becs Frank (04:13):

Through the month of September? You'll notice it getting in quieter. A hundred percent. Yeah. July and August are crazy. All school holidays are really busy, to be honest. So yeah, that is nice because I do kind of avoid the city centre because obviously we live up a hill, they're kind of very close, but it's cooler up here, it's quieter, and so I don't really bother going in the peak of summer.

Speaker 3 (04:32):

No.

Becs Frank (04:33):

So I like that. Get my town back a bit and just that feeling of being able to quietly get on with things is good. I do see that.

Lisa Sykes (04:39):

Yeah. I always looked forward to going back to school as a kid though. Did you? I, yes and no. I think it was the promise of a new year because you've got new class, new teachers, it is all shiny and new, I think.

Becs Frank (04:52):

Yeah, I think I did. But it quickly wore off and that's the feeling and that's how I feel as well. I feel like autumn, we just need to kind of ease our way into it and then enjoy it and not just do this kind of freewheeling into, dare I say, at Christmas,

Lisa Sykes (05:06):

Which is what happens. It just speeds up it

Becs Frank (05:09):

It does, yeah.

Lisa Sykes (05:10):

This next season, and I don't like that the autumn clothes are in the shop so early.

Becs Frank (05:14):

No,

Lisa Sykes (05:15):

Because I really am not ready for buying boots and coats.

Becs Frank (05:19):

When I was looking for summer holiday clothes, it was the autumn things in the shop

Lisa Sykes (05:23):

Because I'm that last minute. And of course Christmas stuff in September, nobody likes that. Ridiculous. No, ridiculous. Weirdly, though, of course we should be used to it already started work on our Christmas magazine. We

Becs Frank (05:33):

I know. Well, I missed our Christmas planning meeting. I, which always does take place in

Lisa Sykes (05:37):

The beginning of the summer

Becs Frank (05:38):

Holidays in the park.

Lisa Sykes (05:40):

Yes. Well, this year it did actually rain, even though it's like the hottest summer or driest summer we've had for a long time.

Becs Frank (05:47):

We had that one day of rain

Lisa Sykes (05:49):

And that was the day we were doing our meeting. So we had to decamp to a pizza express because we couldn't stay in the bark. But no, there are always reasons to saver. Summer, let's focus on the positive. So when I'm saying summer, I mean late summer, I mean now, so there's no kids on the beach, so it's very quiet. The water's

Becs Frank (06:07):

Quiet,

Lisa Sykes (06:08):

Warm weather. In fact, the

Becs Frank (06:09):

Water's warm, isn't it? The water's warm. Yeah, it really is. And especially when the air temperature, I mean the water temperature is warmer anyway as it's kind of warmed up through the season, but when you are a little bit less hot,

Speaker 3 (06:21):

It

Becs Frank (06:21):

Feels less of a contrast as well.

Speaker 3 (06:23):

Yes.

Becs Frank (06:24):

So going for that sort of little sea swim or lake swim or whatever it might be, just feels a lot more kind of bearable, I think.

Lisa Sykes (06:31):

And I really love the golden hour. It's sort of end backlit end of the day.

Becs Frank (06:36):

Yes, I do.

Lisa Sykes (06:37):

I go down the woods near us, and of course what happens is because the sun's low in the sky, it comes through the tree trunks. And so everything's just absolutely beautiful. I only learned this recently, but there's a Japanese word for this, which is low scattered light dappling through trees, and it's called rebi in Japanese. And there's no equivalent description in English, which is quite interesting. But I love that. It

Becs Frank (07:00):

Is beautiful. And you could spend time in them there also forest bathing, which is another Japanese activity, isn't

Lisa Sykes (07:05):

It? Indeed. But you told me this interesting thing about sunset. So if you look sunset now is about 7 38, but in a month's time it'll be a whole hour earlier. But then that's depressing, isn't it? But also if that's not a kind of something to galvanise you to get out and make the most of it.

Becs Frank (07:23):

Yeah, seize the moment. Yes. With those after work or end of the day kind of pleasure.

Lisa Sykes (07:29):

Yes.

Becs Frank (07:30):

Whether that's time in the garden or a walk.

Lisa Sykes (07:32):

Absolutely.

Becs Frank (07:32):

Just get out while you can and enjoy that because that you said that light at this time where we get the most incredible sunset.

Lisa Sykes (07:38):

Oh, because you face west, don't you? Yeah,

Becs Frank (07:39):

Yeah, yeah. Nice. And the September sunsets are the best.

Lisa Sykes (07:44):

And of course it's still a good time to get your vitamin D as well, isn't it? You can still, I mean the levels will be lower, but they're still there.

Becs Frank (07:50):

No, yeah, absolutely. So I think this is the key. If you get a sunny day, get out there and as much as you can and make sure you are getting some of that sunlight and the UV will be lower. So it's actually easier and safer to get out in the sun at this time of year and enjoy those kind of top upper vitamin D.

Lisa Sykes (08:09):

And for people like me, it's the right sort of temperature as well.

Becs Frank (08:14):

I mean, we can get late summer heat waves, but usually it's cooler, isn't it?

Lisa Sykes (08:18):

But I think as North Europeans, you see it in the Netherlands and other North European countries as well. We like to find a balcony, a bench different step somewhere that's a little sun spot.

Becs Frank (08:29):

I love seeing people just taking a chair out the front of their house, the sunny side and just sitting there. Yeah, there was, yesterday I noticed a mum and daughter in a house opposite as they were doing something. I think they picked some blackberries and they were washing them or they got some, I dunno, fruit of some sort. And they were preparing it and they were just sitting in the only little sunny spot that was left.

Lisa Sykes (08:49):

And

Becs Frank (08:49):

I just thought,

Lisa Sykes (08:49):

What a sweet place. Yeah,

Becs Frank (08:51):

That's it. You've got to do that. You

Lisa Sykes (08:53):

Totally, I've always wanted a veranda.

Becs Frank (08:55):

Yes.

Lisa Sykes (08:56):

Ideally in the lake District, you get those lovely old Edwardian wrought iron ones that sit on the front of people's houses and then you get protection from the rain and the sun, and it's kind of a proper outdoor room.

Becs Frank (09:08):

Lovely place to sit with a cup of tea

Lisa Sykes (09:10):

And in sun spot, definitely. But actually it is a really good time to appreciate your garden as well, isn't it? And somehow it looks less tired in September than it does in August. It's like a last hurrah for flowers. There's berries everywhere.

Becs Frank (09:23):

I've noticed some flowers coming out that I thought had gone for the season.

Lisa Sykes (09:27):

I know. And some things are having a second flush this year. It's been so warm. But obviously apples and pears are all out as well. And I've got two ipot trees in my garden and they just make the whole garden look really special and bounty us this time of year. But yes. Do you remember a piece we did last year? I thought I really liked this, and I think it's really appropriate for this time of year about appreciating your garden at dawn in the middle of the day and at dusk.

Becs Frank (09:50):

Oh yeah. It's a lovely piece.

Lisa Sykes (09:52):

And because obviously Dawn's nowhere near as early now as it is in midsummer, so

Becs Frank (09:56):

You can get out there without getting up crazy early.

Lisa Sykes (09:59):

And there was a really nice line in the article, it said, it's like the garden's always fresh back from the cleaners.

Becs Frank (10:04):

I love that.

Lisa Sykes (10:05):

You feel like that too dirty. You wake up and you refreshed.

Becs Frank (10:08):

Yeah.

Lisa Sykes (10:08):

Yeah. And I've got an east facing in bench and I like to sit on the bench with a cup.

Becs Frank (10:12):

Yeah. Well, it's a good thing to do first thing in the morning that, because you can kind of, and we've written about this, about how just sort of having a bit of moment of calm in the morning before you start getting on with all your jobs and your to-do list or whatever it is, you've got to do that day just to kind of set a little bit of a intention maybe for the day or think about what you've got, think about what you've got coming up and how you want the day to pan out.

Lisa Sykes (10:32):

No, you're absolutely right because I think I tend to save those restful activities to the end of the day and then offer, I'm too tired to really appreciate them. You said to me it changes the path of your day when you do it first thing in the

Becs Frank (10:46):

Morning. It does. It really does. Try it.

Lisa Sykes (10:49):

Yeah. You'll see. It really does. And this is a perfect time to do it, isn't it? Not perfect because as everyone knows, the word perfect is banned, slipped one in there. There was an idea in there that I liked, which is something you could do first thing in the morning, make a mandala of leaves and petals that have fallen overnight.

Becs Frank (11:04):

Oh, that's such a good idea.

Lisa Sykes (11:06):

Just a temporary one. Something that disappears.

Becs Frank (11:08):

Yeah. So like a pattern to make a nice, it doesn't have to be a design you're following or anything does. It can just be something from your head. Yeah, that's a really nice

Lisa Sykes (11:16):

Idea. And on a more practical level, I didn't know this. Normally you water in the evening, your plants, because obviously the water doesn't evaporate in the heat of the day then, but this time of year it's better to switch to the mornings because any leaves that get splashed can dry in the air of the day and you don't get fungal diseases. And also slugs and snail thrive more in the dam.

Becs Frank (11:37):

Oh, that's a great tip. I'm still walking in the evening. That's a really good idea. I didn't know that at all. That makes perfect sense. Yes. And I didn't either. That's easy. I could, you can do watering in the morning. Yeah, that's a very restful start while you're setting your

Lisa Sykes (11:51):

Definitely. Definitely. And then of course, noon, warmest time of day, have your lunch outside still while you can.

Becs Frank (11:58):

Yes, definitely. Because one thing I will really miss when starts getting a bit cooler is the amount of time spent outdoors. So any chance lunch outdoors if it's a nice day? Definitely.

Lisa Sykes (12:09):

I think so. And then in the evening, what happens at dusk, isn't it that the wider world contracts?

Becs Frank (12:15):

Yes.

Lisa Sykes (12:16):

And so actually because you can't see much further, your other sensors heighten and you hear more sounds and you just notice other things more, don't you? Yeah, you do. And obviously scent is a big thing. You notice when it's dark as well. And so it's that whole thing of notice which areas of your garden get the last sunlight and that's where you should plant something that's centred.

Becs Frank (12:34):

Yeah,

Lisa Sykes (12:35):

Really obvious stuff actually when you think about it.

Becs Frank (12:37):

But that's something you could sit and think about for next year, isn't it? When you are having that, think about your garden and how it's been this summer, this spring, summer, what you want to maybe add or change. And it's a good time of year to do that.

Lisa Sykes (12:49):

And especially if you're like me, you are itching to sort get stuff done. Again, you can use it as a sort of planning time, but in a more slightly restful, savouring way. Yes.

Becs Frank (12:57):

Yeah.

Lisa Sykes (12:58):

And talking of savouring, I think it's time we talk food beck, because we are at least 10 minutes in and we haven't actually mentioned it yet. I'm getting hungry. I know, but it's not like us not to have brought food up already. So our kitchen therapy series, I know you know about this, but I'm going to explain because it's been such a success, this series, it's a little reminder that our kitchens are not always the calmest place, are they? I know mine never. Mine never is. You're always rushing to get tea on the table. But now and again, if we take it slower, you can get these sensory pleasures from your kitchen and doing things, maybe the scent of something might it or stirring slowly. And if you let these actions kind of ground you, and we always put a mindful activity and to do while you're waiting for something to cook as well, which I really love that idea. Anyway, this one is from our August issue, which is actually still on sale. We've got a newand pix inc.com, and we'll also put a link to that in the show notes, so you can still buy it, but I know you liked this one, didn't you? It had figs and blackberries and plums,

Becs Frank (14:00):

Just that it's kind of that richness but still fresh and light. And I think that's great for this time of year. And the fruits have been so good this year, haven't they? Oh, such a good year for fruit. Yeah. Get out and forage if you can, but I mean fix is something, yeah, I probably don't use as much as I should or I buy 'em if I see them and they're looking good in a farmer's market or something like that. Or there's some lovely recipes and ideas for figs and goats cheese bundles, which just, yeah, that still feels really summery, but it's got that kind of like you said, a little September twist.

Lisa Sykes (14:34):

I like that. She reminds us, it's a philo pastry about the crack of FO pastry when you bite into it.

Becs Frank (14:39):

Yeah,

Lisa Sykes (14:40):

Just that sensory thing again, it's really clever. But she also did some prints from fig leaves.

Becs Frank (14:45):

The fig leaves, which are beautiful leaves, aren't they? I

Lisa Sykes (14:48):

Know. Have you grown a fig? No, no, no. They look like something really exotic and tropical, don't they? But actually if you don't live in a very mild area, you might have to bring them in winter. But they grow in pots really well because they actually like to have their roots restricted because then they focus on fruiting rather than getting bigger. They can grow massive. You often see them in walled gardens at stately homes, don't you?

Becs Frank (15:10):

Yes, you do. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Lisa Sykes (15:12):

I mean, you can grow it in a greenhouse, but you get this amazing tropical look and they're self fertilising. Well,

Becs Frank (15:18):

I don't have a green greenhouse, but I would

Lisa Sykes (15:21):

Actually, you could put it in a pot against a warm wall though.

Becs Frank (15:23):

This is what I'm thinking. Yeah, no, exactly. We could have it on the terrace in the summer and bring it in. Yeah, I'd love to do that. No, definitely. Fresh figs are just, they taste like holidays to me as

Lisa Sykes (15:32):

Well

Becs Frank (15:32):

With a piece of cheese.

Lisa Sykes (15:34):

Talking of holiday food. What was your favourite holiday food you had this year?

Becs Frank (15:40):

Probably fresh seafood, I think because we don't live near the sea, we find it quite hard. We're not great for mongers here. And I just loved being able to eat it in the restaurants, obviously, but also go and buy it fresh every day. You don't need to make anything fancy if you've got a great fresh ingredient like that.

Lisa Sykes (15:57):

We went to Denmark this summer and we ate 14 species of fish in like 10 days.

Becs Frank (16:03):

Oh wow.

Lisa Sykes (16:03):

Because they just That's

Becs Frank (16:05):

Scandinavia for you, isn't it?

Lisa Sykes (16:06):

Yeah. And it was great. Every time we went anywhere we'd try one that we hadn't already tried. Oh, we loved it.

Becs Frank (16:12):

Did you come away with a new favourite?

Lisa Sykes (16:13):

Well, to be honest, they cook them in so many different ways, and I do love fish anyway, but it was just great to be somewhere where fish is the star of the show and they have all these fiy huts, the landing huts and

Becs Frank (16:25):

Stuff.

Lisa Sykes (16:26):

But of course we also went to France and croissants are essential all day food, aren't they?

Becs Frank (16:31):

Yeah. Yeah. That's inspired me being away and just cooking more simply is just to even. And now we're going, this is a great time for our homegrown fruit and vege, isn't it? And I just think focus on what you've got to hand and just keep it about a hero ingredient or two rather than trying to overcomplicate things.

Lisa Sykes (16:50):

You really don't need to spend a lot of time cooking, do you? This time of year you can just put things on a plate and because they're in season, they just taste delicious. I mean, fresh fruit in season is definitely something to treasure, and it's a good word for this time of year treasure, which is why we made it that hero word on a September issue. But it made us start talking about things we treasured

Becs Frank (17:11):

Next.

Lisa Sykes (17:12):

And of course we have this regular slot in the magazine called What I Treasure, and I can't believe it because what happened is Francis, our deputy editor, Becks and I wrote the first three of these eight years ago, Becks, can you believe it? This is when we started this series.

Becs Frank (17:28):

I'm staggered, that's eight years ago.

Lisa Sykes (17:30):

I know. And Francis wrote about her grandmother's bracelet. You wrote about your diaries, and I wrote about my love of ordinance survey maps,

Becs Frank (17:39):

Your maps,

Lisa Sykes (17:40):

And we thought we'll start this series, didn't we? But we'll invite readers to tell us about things they treasure

Becs Frank (17:45):

And maybe no one will send anything in.

Lisa Sykes (17:48):

And we thought we'll write a few ourselves and see how it starts. And eight years later, we have never ever been short of a what treasure, because people send them in every month.

Becs Frank (17:58):

And it's so brilliant reading people's stories, isn't it? It's just honestly

Lisa Sykes (18:03):

Really good. And they sent us a little snapshot of their thing and it's 500 words. So anyway, what we're going to do, because we're treasuring things at this time of year, we're going to read one out in every episode, and I'm going to share mine now. Great. And yeah, we'll read one in every episode this season, which will be fun. What I treasure my ordinance survey maps by Lisa Sykes. So some people might think I'm a bit of a nerd, but I've never understood how anyone can live somewhere or go on holiday without an OS map of the area. It's the first thing I do. Paper always, despite the potential hazard of folding it in high wind, I do use maps on my phone, but there's something about spreading the map out on the kitchen table for getting a sense of a place as someone who walks a dog and rides a bike.

(18:57):

The orange explorers of my map, scale of choice, one to 25,000, I highlight all the bridal waves and footpaths told you I was a bit of a nerd and I plan route that will persuade my family to come with. But a smaller scale roadmap of Northern England has also served as well. And it gives a picture of the broader geography where the towns and villages are in relation to each other and where the railways and canals were built, contours come to life, rivers flow, mountain peaks saw the flatlands and Roman roads heads off into the horizon. You can even picture the sunsets on a west facing coast. A map for me is really where history meets geography. And my collection is broadened to include ancient OS maps too. They're beautifully drawn and coloured maps from the 19th century. Some of the town I grew up in where I live now, counties that are special to me, I find them all irresistible, especially if it's a chance find.

(19:56):

I once found a random rule of maps at a book fair in a Norfolk village hall, and of course I had to have a peak and I was rewarded with a collection of large scale maps of the very area in the Yorkshire Dales where I intend to spend my dotage. In short, they made my day more than the map itself is the sense of belonging. I love the land I come to know, and the memories jogged by notes, jo it in pencil on the side about a great pub or a view. It's only when you go abroad, you realise how lucky we are to have cartography that covers every inch of our aisles. Not every nation has mapped its land with such detail, accuracy and clarity. Os maps rarely lie. They're almost never wrong. You literally know where you're

Becs Frank (20:50):

That's great, Lisa. I do love a map too, and it's a brilliant way to just not be on your phone staring at your, because actually I do have the OS app as well. You don't want to be looking at your phone all the time when you're out and about, do you? And having that overview before you go and obviously being able to refer to it when you're out makes for a better walk. Definitely.

Lisa Sykes (21:08):

No, it does. And I think I also use the app and it is really useful, handy if it's raining and you don't want to get your map out or whatever, but I think you kind of browse more on a paper map, don't you? Because when you get to a holiday cottage and you open it up and you see where everything

Becs Frank (21:24):

Is. Yeah, I love that

Lisa Sykes (21:25):

It leads you to think, oh, what's this landscape here? This wood looks interesting. Maybe we'll go there. Actually, this leads in really nicely, doesn't it? We've got this piece in our September issue about national

Becs Frank (21:35):

Treasures

Lisa Sykes (21:36):

And it's treasure, troves of nature, and it blew me away a bit, this piece.

Becs Frank (21:40):

Yeah, me

Lisa Sykes (21:40):

Too. Because we don't have the highest mountains. We don't have deserts, tropical forests or large predators, do we? In Britain?

Becs Frank (21:47):

No.

Lisa Sykes (21:47):

But what we do have is these habitats and creatures that largely only occur here, or most of them are here

Becs Frank (21:54):

On

Lisa Sykes (21:54):

Our small island. Yeah, I know. Who knew? And so obviously the obvious one is blue bells in spring that we all know about, but which are my absolute favourite seabird. I used to draw them as a kid as really into nature.

Becs Frank (22:08):

They're incredible. They really majestic.

Lisa Sykes (22:11):

Yeah. And they've got this six foot wingspan, but they live in big colonies, mainly on rocks where there are no predators. But apparently there is one on the mainland, and it's Benton Cliffs near Flamborough head in East Yorkshire.

Becs Frank (22:23):

Oh, where I used to go a lot as a child.

Lisa Sykes (22:24):

Did you? Yeah.

Becs Frank (22:25):

Yeah.

Lisa Sykes (22:26):

And there's a big colony there. And we've got over half the world's gannets on our shores.

Becs Frank (22:31):

That's right. Yeah. And ancient

Lisa Sykes (22:33):

Oaks. Oh yeah.

Becs Frank (22:33):

We've got 3,400 of them here. More than any of the other European countries combined apparently.

Lisa Sykes (22:39):

Yeah. And it's because they planted them in royal parks and forests where felling was prohibited. So they've being allowed to stay there. I think Blenheim has the most in the country. Blenheim palace.

Becs Frank (22:50):

And they're all, the wildlife that they support is just incredible, isn't it?

Lisa Sykes (22:54):

I think oak trees support more species than any other individual plant, don't they? In this country?

Becs Frank (22:59):

They do. Yeah. Thousands. There's over 2000 species or something. Wow. It's just incredible to see them, not just the way they sprawl and the things that are just the things growing off each of the branches and things

Lisa Sykes (23:10):

Like the bio and the lichens and the mosses and Yeah.

Becs Frank (23:14):

Yeah, the mosses. It's incredible. Yeah,

Lisa Sykes (23:17):

It is. And I think, oh yeah. And obviously we're slightly glossing over the numbers here because they're all in the piece. You can read it in September issue,

Becs Frank (23:24):

Thousands and hundreds.

Lisa Sykes (23:26):

Yes, loads. But I do know this figure though, because chalk streams, there are only 200 chalk streams that exist in the world, but 85% of them are here. Have you ever spent any time on a chalk stream?

Becs Frank (23:39):

Yeah. Yeah. They're incredible, aren't they? They're water.

Lisa Sykes (23:42):

I mean like gin, clear water. Yeah. And you can see the trout. I actually did some trout fishing once over a day there. And you can see these trout, they still can't catch them, of course, unless you know what you do. They're just so unbelievably beautiful. But of course, a lot of them have been polluted. And I think out of those 200 chalk stream, oh no, sorry, no. The ones that exist in Britain, only 11 have got legal protection, which is pretty shocking. But apparently there's a lot of restoration work going on.

Becs Frank (24:11):

There is. And there's a river F near me is a chalk stream. Oh yeah. And then two more, which I learned from this piece, which I'm actually going to go and check out. Oh, nice. Down near in Hampshire. Oh yeah. Near to Southampton. So I'll do that. It's incredible, isn't it? And the other thing which we must mention is the

Lisa Sykes (24:27):

Seals, grey seals.

Becs Frank (24:29):

Grey seals. Yeah.

Lisa Sykes (24:30):

Yeah. They're the ones that we have the most of here. And they're the bigger ones.

Becs Frank (24:33):

They're so easy to go and see, aren't they?

Lisa Sykes (24:35):

Yeah. Well I've been to Donna, no, the National Nature Reserve in Lincolnshire, where if you go sort of Christmas time, all the white fluffy pups are there on the beach. Oh, what a

Becs Frank (24:45):

Sign.

Lisa Sykes (24:45):

Yeah. But they're quite sad because, well, it's the way it works. But the mothers leave their pups after only a few weeks, just abandon them in this. They can't swim until they've melted the white fluffy coat. So they basically just have to leave them on the beach. But they're hugely fat at this point, so they live off their fat reserves and they're just there, vulnerable, stumped

Becs Frank (25:05):

There.

Lisa Sykes (25:08):

And so that's why you can't obviously go with a dog and stuff because they can't move at this point. They're just left there. And then once they go off to sea

Becs Frank (25:17):

And they hunt in our amazing kelp forests, which is another thing, isn't it?

Lisa Sykes (25:20):

Yes. Because that's why we were talking about them, weren't we? Because not only do we the most seals, but we also have kelp forests. I don't dive, but if I did, I would definitely go to one of those because they look amazing.

Becs Frank (25:31):

Yeah, meat is deep, aren't they?

Lisa Sykes (25:32):

Yeah. Yeah. But you've saw everyone's seen kelp, haven't they?

Becs Frank (25:35):

Yes.

Lisa Sykes (25:36):

When a storm's washed up on the beach and it's like a prop leather strap, isn't it? Yeah.

Becs Frank (25:40):

So strong.

Lisa Sykes (25:40):

Yeah. Anyway, so fascinating nature. We love all that. And I think that is the thing we tend to get out and about more still at this time of year. We explore our own area, but we don't have to stop doing this when summer's nearing its end.

Becs Frank (25:51):

No, that's right. We go to new and different areas and we tend to look up or read and learn about what's in the area and go and see it. Yes. And then we sort of just stop. Stop. Yeah, yeah, exactly. And just go back to our small narrow little area and our neighbourhood.

Lisa Sykes (26:05):

Yeah, I know. So getting out and out more this summer, but there are other things aren't there that we all only do on holiday, and then we stop eating ice cream every day on holiday, come home, just stop eating ice cream.

Becs Frank (26:16):

That's me completely. Not other people in my house, but yes, I am an ice cream on holiday kind of girl. But yeah, why? Actually we did a great future in the August issue on different types of ice creams for different occasions.

Speaker 3 (26:27):

Yes.

Becs Frank (26:27):

That has inspired me to keep going and try some different flavours at home.

Lisa Sykes (26:32):

Definitely. And because that issue was called Ripple, we had my favourite, which is Raspberry Ripple, obviously.

Becs Frank (26:37):

Yes.

Lisa Sykes (26:37):

And actually you can still buy that issue as well. Maybe I said that earlier on, but I did like the sound of a peach and ginger beer sorbet because tinned peaches, they say 1970s to me, they're like seventies tea, aren't they?

Becs Frank (26:51):

Completely. Yeah,

Lisa Sykes (26:52):

Yeah, yeah. I always preferred the pears myself.

Becs Frank (26:54):

Oh no. Oh,

Lisa Sykes (26:56):

Did you not like tin pepper? The disgust in your voice? Give me me a peach any day over a pack. But I bet you liked the g and t semi Fred though, didn't you? That we had in the piece.

Becs Frank (27:09):

Why would you say that? Yeah, just the

Lisa Sykes (27:12):

Thought.

Becs Frank (27:13):

Yes, I did. No, it looked great. And also the kind of homemade arctic role. Oh yeah. So you make your own sponge and you buy ice cream, add some nice bits to it and then make your own, which is great fun

Lisa Sykes (27:26):

Talking of the seventies. But actually there are loads of recipes on our blog for ice cream over the years, aren't they?

Becs Frank (27:32):

Yeah. And you don't need an ice cream maker for lots of these.

Lisa Sykes (27:34):

And oh, you know what we forgot to mention when we were talking about the figs and the philo pastry goats cheese, that's also on the blog as well. But we're put links to all these in the show notes. And actually, of course, cocktails. That's what you drink those on holiday. And maybe the, I mean, I don't entirely give up, but you definitely don't drink them as regularly.

Becs Frank (27:52):

No, I don't. No, no. But we've got a new series, haven't been coming out about because I dunno, this time of year I've had, dunno if everyone's the same, but overdone it, overdone it on holiday, overdone it on the cocktails and summer drinks and beer gardens. So I'm up for a bit of a reset. There's a new series of non-alcoholic drinks.

Lisa Sykes (28:12):

There is. Yeah. Herbal tipples. And they're the way forward I think.

Becs Frank (28:15):

Well, there's such a great range now of non-alcoholic drinks, aren't there?

Lisa Sykes (28:19):

Yeah.

Becs Frank (28:19):

That you don't have to go out and drink a boring coke if you go to a restaurant or pub anymore, do you?

Lisa Sykes (28:24):

No. Well, neither of our partners drink anymore, do they?

Becs Frank (28:27):

No.

Lisa Sykes (28:27):

And I know they've both sampled lots of non-alcoholic beers and things, aren't they? And the range is apparently it's one of the fastest growing food and drink sectors now, which is understandable.

Becs Frank (28:36):

And then getting creative at home and making your own different herbal drinks and kombucha and things like that.

Lisa Sykes (28:42):

Yeah, well the one in September is a gardener's herbal iced tea, which sounds nice.

Becs Frank (28:47):

That sounds great.

Lisa Sykes (28:47):

But I've got to tell you about, I don't think you've seen this yet, the one coming up in October, people might have different views on it.

Becs Frank (28:53):

Okay.

Lisa Sykes (28:54):

A chai mushroom latte. Now I like a chai latte

Becs Frank (28:59):

And I like mushrooms.

Lisa Sykes (29:00):

So a chai obviously is a tea with a spicy tea, isn't it? And a latte means it's got milky.

Becs Frank (29:06):

So it'll be sort of sweetened spicy flavour, but then with a bit more of an earthy. An earthy twist.

Lisa Sykes (29:12):

Yes, I know. I think we might need to try this one. I bet it's very good for you. Yeah, I'm sure. Anyway, there's going to be quite a few experimental drinks like that coming up running this series for six months over the winter. Good fun. So yeah, I know there's one near Christmas with pine needles, which will be quite interesting.

Becs Frank (29:29):

Oh, lovely. Yeah.

Lisa Sykes (29:30):

So any of the things that we do on holiday that we stop doing when we get home.

Becs Frank (29:34):

Well, what about our wardrobe? Oh

Lisa Sykes (29:36):

Yeah, yeah.

Becs Frank (29:38):

The summer wardrobe, we've talked about it for summer and dressing with colour and how we feel more cheerful and positive. So let's resist putting all the summer clothes away straight away.

Lisa Sykes (29:50):

I have fallen in love with maxie dresses and maxie skirts this year.

Becs Frank (29:53):

Oh yeah. They're so breezy, so cool and breezy. Yes. And they can be dressed up or down, can't they? And I loved it actually. There was a wearing well piece where we talk about a different item of clothing and the writer, I loved this, she wrote about how her maxi dress, I think it was She was talking about Oscar, it doubles up as a picnic blanket.

Lisa Sykes (30:14):

It's true. Yeah. Well she were telling me, you're going to a festival, aren't you this

Becs Frank (30:17):

Weekend. Yeah.

Lisa Sykes (30:18):

And you are wondering whether to, because it's going to be hot, but is actually more clothes better because then you can sit on it and

Becs Frank (30:25):

Yeah. Yeah. I think they are cooler, aren't they?

Lisa Sykes (30:27):

Yeah.

Becs Frank (30:27):

And I dunno, we have a different kind of attitude to our bodies, don't we? In summer, I always, at the beginning of a holiday or the beginning of the season, feel a little bit like, oh, should I put my shorts on? Or how do I feel in my swimsuit? Not great. But then literally by the end of it, I don't give a stuff anymore.

Lisa Sykes (30:42):

No. And it's like I find it much easier to either go braless or wear a little bralet when I'm on holiday than I do at home. And it is silly really, because it's not like, I mean, half the time I'm working at home anyway, so I can wear what I like. Okay. Your bra off, Lisa. Yeah, there you go. That's the headline for this podcast, but also much shorter skirts as well. So this is interesting because we really only have another month to wear this stuff. We, there's cottons and linens.

Becs Frank (31:11):

Yeah, we do.

Lisa Sykes (31:13):

Yeah, we're going to be storing them in a cupboard, in my case, a black bin, Bagg in a cupboard. But we're doing this feature coming up in October. And in Japan, another Japanese tradition, they really do get it right. They, it's Korum Maggi, and it is on the 1st of October. And also the 1st of June actually is when they swap clothes and bedding.

Becs Frank (31:32):

So

Lisa Sykes (31:33):

Obviously this time it's summer clothes and bedding for winter and in June, the other way around,

Becs Frank (31:37):

I think. Yeah, I've read about this. And they do it with their whole home as well. They, it's a proper ritual. Yeah. They bring out different cushions and different colorways.

Lisa Sykes (31:45):

Exactly. I mean that might be a bit much for most of us, but we have a day for that. And most people do it around that time, don't they? I

Becs Frank (31:51):

Think because maybe their seasons are a bit more distinct, but I do think that's probably quite a nice ritual to do.

Lisa Sykes (31:58):

Yeah. They definitely have colder winters than we do, don't they? Whereas we are a bit more temperate and it sort of drifts in from one to another, doesn't it?

Becs Frank (32:05):

But it's about that kind of caring for your clothes as well, rather than shoving them in a bin Bagg in the back of the wardrobe.

Lisa Sykes (32:10):

Indeed.

Becs Frank (32:10):

It's putting them away clean and making them moth proof into boxes and things like that.

Lisa Sykes (32:17):

No, we're doing it as one of our home economics pieces. And there's advice about stashing, caring, refreshing clothes, washing, things like that. Misting. Steaming point is though, for us, savouring the moment stuff you've got to wear your summer clothes now make the most of them because they'll be away in a month.

Becs Frank (32:35):

Yes. And also savouring the moment. I think we're just better at doing that in the summer where we're a bit more present when we're doing things.

Lisa Sykes (32:42):

It's easier to be present, isn't it?

Becs Frank (32:44):

It's easier to be present. I was thinking this is a good time of year and moving into a slightly back to school feel, which I know you're going to be talking about next week, is just getting into a little bit of a mindful practise perhaps reflection or something. So it could be journaling, it could be a gratitude practise, something involving handwriting. How about that? We've got a piece coming out on handwriting in September, and that's all about why we should do more of it, basically. Did you find that piece interesting?

Lisa Sykes (33:11):

Yeah, I did. And I think I like the idea of getting a new notebook obviously, but that idea of writing, being good for you,

Becs Frank (33:20):

Good for the

Lisa Sykes (33:21):

Brain is not something I'd really thought about. And yet I do so much less writing than I ever used to. And when I do, it's really scrawled notes in a meeting or something. I've never really done much journaling. I always felt that my job was about writing, but as an editor, I don't do that much writing anymore. And I kind of like the idea of doing a bit more of it.

Becs Frank (33:42):

So I guess it's about finding what type of handwriting thing appeals to you. So journaling, definitely. Yeah. It's not going to be for everyone, but even if you're doing some gratitude notes or if you're writing a note to someone or a card, just maybe spend a little bit more time on it and think about it because it's not only the physical act of writing is really good for the brain because it's a brain function by doing it. You are activating parts of your brain that you don't, if you sit and tap away on a keyboard, but you also, it makes you more likely to dig to things. So like your list or your goals, your intentions, whatever

Speaker 3 (34:11):

Studies

Becs Frank (34:11):

Have shown that you're more likely to actually fulfil those intentions if you write 'em down than if you just think about them.

Lisa Sykes (34:18):

Very interesting. And actually, of course, if you haven't been on holiday yet, because lots of people go on holiday in September, don't they?

Becs Frank (34:23):

Yeah.

Lisa Sykes (34:24):

Even sending postcards.

Becs Frank (34:25):

Absolutely.

Lisa Sykes (34:26):

But making them a bit more using that practise on holiday and actually seeking some cards and sending them home.

Becs Frank (34:34):

Yeah.

Lisa Sykes (34:34):

Well, a nice idea. And it doesn't matter if you arrive home before the cards. No, it's the point of it, isn't

Becs Frank (34:39):

It? Sometimes the only time that we write is to literally scribble a birthday card. Quite sad it. It is. It's a wasted opportunity for a really kind of simple

Lisa Sykes (34:48):

Practise. I think I need to improve my handwriting though. Do you remember we did that piece? Oh, it was a few years ago. It you'll remember the name of the handwriting experts.

Becs Frank (34:57):

Yes. She was called Emma Bash.

Lisa Sykes (34:59):

Yes. And she had a book, didn't she? Reading between the Lines.

Becs Frank (35:02):

Yes.

Lisa Sykes (35:02):

And we volunteered our sample of handwriting to be analysed. We

Becs Frank (35:07):

Did. There were a few of us did. And gosh, it

Lisa Sykes (35:08):

Was interesting, wasn't it? And accurate. Unbelievable. She knew nothing about us. Did she? Nothing at

Becs Frank (35:13):

All. No. I mean, she's a graphologist to the stars. We should say.

Lisa Sykes (35:16):

Yes. I like it. I like, it's called graphology. It's nice, isn't it? But apparently we've been analysing handwriting since the time of Julius Caesar, and it's interesting, isn't it? We are the only species that communicates with writing and symbols, and yet we take writing for granted really, don't we?

Becs Frank (35:31):

And also we do worry, like you said, I think I need to improve my handwriting. I just should want to say that it doesn't really matter what your handwriting is, if you want to get the benefits of some handwriting, but fascinating to even no matter what your handwriting is, there's lots of different tips within this piece that we wrote, but also in the book, obviously, yes. But we should just mention a few of them. Go on. So one of the things that came out for me is I had apparently open lower zones. So that's my G'S and my Y's are quite loopy and open and big. And apparently that indicates a caring and maternal side. Well,

Lisa Sykes (36:05):

There you go.

Becs Frank (36:06):

Caring and maternal. Well, I've got three children, so

Lisa Sykes (36:08):

Yeah, no, that works. And you are very caring and maternal. You were always supporting people, but it was just so interesting. She didn't know even Whose handwriting did she?

Becs Frank (36:16):

No, no, she had no idea.

Lisa Sykes (36:18):

So mine, because mine and your handwriting are not dissimilar.

Becs Frank (36:22):

No. Very different descriptions of those, weren't they?

Lisa Sykes (36:24):

Yeah, because she said about mine that on the face of it, it looked quite regular, but then when you looked in more detail, there were missing bits. And basically it was recognising that I'm impatient, tick, dislike of routine, tick, get bodies, let tick. But actually what was really interesting is that she also said that you can be sensitive and easily hurt. And that is something that I keep very hidden.

Becs Frank (36:48):

So interesting.

Lisa Sykes (36:50):

As somebody who's a person's boss or whatever, you kind of keep that under control. And she saw that somehow in my handwriting, which is fascinating.

Becs Frank (36:58):

I know. It's amazing, isn't it? Very accurate. Yeah. She said to, didn't she about me, that I'm better at understanding other people's forms of my own. Same. Very, very true. Totally. Yeah. Which I think probably we all are anyway. But there's some things that listeners might find interesting. So there was a little flow chart, wasn't there?

Speaker 3 (37:13):

Yes.

Becs Frank (37:14):

So is your handwriting regular in size, speed, and slam? So both of us know probably yes, she did say we poor organisation, we may have poor organisation, which

Lisa Sykes (37:25):

If you're listening to this and yours is regular, apparently the good phrase to write is the quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog. It uses every letter in the alphabet. And apparently you should write that without really thinking about it. And then you can apply some of these things to it. And if it is regularly, so signs of a well organised, logical mind,

Becs Frank (37:43):

But

Lisa Sykes (37:43):

Then if you regularities really rigid, that can mean you're less spontaneous and which kind of makes sense, doesn't it? They're not leaps of faith to understand these things are they?

Becs Frank (37:54):

And I like that. If you've got quite an embellished writing style,

Lisa Sykes (37:58):

Oh yeah.

Becs Frank (37:58):

This can mean actually can mean that you're quite self-conscious or evasive.

Lisa Sykes (38:02):

Interesting. And even you signature, we use mine as a sample and my flying stroke at the end. I'm sorry,

Becs Frank (38:10):

I'm struggling to understand how that can, what does it actually say? Does it say Lisa or Lisa Sykes?

Lisa Sykes (38:18):

It says Lisa Sykes. And this is the thing, it says if you've got an illegible signature, you want to hide behind a wall of anonymity. Yes. You're quite secretive are Lisa. But my flourish stroke at the end shows stubbornness apparently. See,

Becs Frank (38:33):

I would've thought flamboyance, but no, you see. Well, yeah. Anyway. But if you want to read the book. Yes. Reading between the Lines, it's very good. We'll put it in the show notes.

Lisa Sykes (38:43):

It's a great book. But none of it is an excuse to not do handwriting, is it? I think that's the

Becs Frank (38:49):

Thing. No.

Lisa Sykes (38:49):

Yeah. I think we've shown ourselves and hopefully listeners, Becks, a few ways to save a summer.

Becs Frank (38:54):

Yeah. I feel much more positive about September

Lisa Sykes (38:57):

And I feel less in a rush to get on with September. Do you know what I mean?

Becs Frank (39:00):

Yeah.

Lisa Sykes (39:00):

Which is good. So we've just got time to talk about something we're going to do in every episode of this golden Day season of small ways to Live. Well, do you remember we're going to do golden hour activities, aren't we?

Becs Frank (39:09):

Yes.

Lisa Sykes (39:09):

Which is a little thing that you might have done or you're going to do in that golden hour for you. So what was your speed?

Becs Frank (39:15):

So I'm taking this quite literally this week. Go for it. And I'm going to find my sun spot, which is what we talked about. Oh yeah. Find the golden hour. So different bits of my home inside and outside and on my, probably when I'm out and about my walks where I know if I get a moment in the sunshine or see a sunny spot, I'm going to go and sit in it and make the most of it.

Lisa Sykes (39:33):

Nice. And I am also going to take inspiration from something we talked about today. I'm going to use the morning golden hour before I start my working day for me.

Becs Frank (39:41):

Oh yeah. That precious time when no one else is up,

Lisa Sykes (39:45):

Son. Or even write a little, because I do miss that writing. Give it a go,

Becs Frank (39:49):

Lisa. I think you'll really enjoy it. Yeah.

Lisa Sykes (39:51):

Yeah. I'm

Becs Frank (39:51):

Going to try this free writing, which is where you just write about anything. Anything that comes in your head, anything that comes to your head. Yeah, that was a suggestion of an exercise that was in the piece.

Lisa Sykes (40:00):

Do you just do it for as long as you feel you want to or? Yeah,

Becs Frank (40:03):

I mean in the piece, he suggested doing it for quite a long time, but that was, if it was solving, I think it was like 15 minutes, three consecutive days. Yeah. So you could try that. But I've heard before, just doing it for five minutes.

Speaker 3 (40:14):

Yeah,

Becs Frank (40:15):

Don't worry about punctuation, grammar, your handwriting. You don't even need to read it back afterwards. Oh, that's going to be tricky for us, isn't it?

Lisa Sykes (40:23):

As editors. Yeah.

Becs Frank (40:24):

Yeah. But it's good if you've got something on your mind, it helps you to process.

Lisa Sykes (40:27):

Yes. I'm going to give it a go. I'll report back. Good. So you and I are back bes in a couple of weeks with an episode called Nest. I'm off next week. Yes. And we are going to take what? A fresh look at our homes, stocking up the pantry. Nice. Yeah, I like the

Becs Frank (40:40):

Sound of this

Lisa Sykes (40:41):

And setting ourselves up for the season to come, aren't we? Yeah. I might be a bit more in the mood by then. I think so. I'll see you then. But before that, I'm going to be back next week with our other regular co-host, Joe Tinsley, as we go back to school. And her daughter is literally just starting school, so I'm sure we'll be talking about that a little bit as well.

Becs Frank (40:59):

Oh

Lisa Sykes (41:01):

Yeah. Big day. Yeah. And we're getting into the routine again, taking on some new projects in our beginner episode. So don't forget to follow us via your podcast app so you don't miss an episode. And our show notes on the app, we'll have links to our blog and lots of other things we've mentioned today. And if you like the sound of our September treasure issue, you can choose an immediate start subscription@icebergpress.co uk slash subscribe and get it straight away. You can also buy back issues from our Simple Things website as well. So thanks very much for listening. See you next time.