The Simple Things

Fancy digging up a Saxon hoard or Viking treasure? Here are a few hints and tips to get started You’ll need a detector: a good entry-level type costs £200-300. You’ll also need a small handheld wand called a ‘pinpointer’ to help you track down the find once you’ve dug your hole. Permission’s required from the landowner, so why not start by going to a group dig organised by a local metal detecting club? Check their guidelines and requirements before joining.

A larger and richer alternative to hen’s scotch eggs – and easily pocketable for picnics. Makes 4 large scotch eggs 4 duck eggs 6 duck sausages, we found these at a local butchers or you can buy online at: veyseysbutchers.co.uk ½ tsp dried rosemary ½ tsp dried thyme 1 tsp english mustard Small bunch parsley, chopped 1 ltr vegetable oil In three separate bowls have: Handful plain flour 1 hen egg, beaten 100g panko breadcrumbs 1 Boil the duck eggs for 8 mins (this will give a soft-boiled egg).

We hope you’ve spotted our April cover out in the wild, which is full of signs of spring to notice. We’ve put together an Eye Spy type guide to help you spot all our spring cover stars from wildflowers to wildlife. Tick them off as you go - Spring has truly sprung! Cowslips Spot cowslips from April to May, depending on where you are in the country and how warm it’s been.

Osterbaums (or Easter trees) originated in Germany but they’re so easy to make and look very cheerful. All the fun of a Christmas Tree with none of the logistical difficulties! Forage for some thin branches, around 50cm each. Willow is used traditionally, but you can work with what you have. A few stems of blossom will look lovely amongst barer twigs, or you could buy pussy willow, birch twigs or similar at a florist’s.

Working on your conversational skills can improve your wellbeing as well as your friendships and relationships. Try these simple ways to be a better communicator. l Slow down and be present. If you find your mind wandering off while somebody else is speaking, bring it back to the moment. 2. Reflect a person’s words back to them. Repeating some of what they’ve said to you in your response shows that you’re listening. 3. Don’t be afraid of silences.

Raise a drink to the coming season with this refreshing twist on a classic mojito. Makes 6 400g rhubarb, topped, tailed and roughly chopped. Plus 1 stalk extra, to garnish 100g unrefined brown sugar Crushed ice 10g fresh mint leaves. Plus an additional sprig of mint per person, to garnish Juice of 2 limes 6 shots (25ml each) white rum, optional Sparkling water 1 lime, to garnish 1 Place the rhubarb and sugar in a small saucepan along with 100ml of water and bring to a boil.

As we gently move into spring, the call of warm, blossom-scented days leads us to hidden escapes in flourishing landscapes, where nature sets the soundtrack to sun-dappled stays. Whether you seek a clifftop cabin with sparkling sea views,  spellbinding treehouse with alfresco bathing,  or dog-friendly woodland cabin wrapped in serenity, discover a magical collection of glamping escapes in the UK with Unique Hideaways for the rejuvenating season ahead.

Defying the laws of physics for decades (or was it only minutes?) meet some of our favourite time travellers from film and TV Marty McFly, Back to the Future A salutary reminder to us all to remain below 88 miles per hour at all times, the first Back to the Future film saw Marty McFly (Michael J Fox) accidentally travel from 1985 back to 1955, nearly mess everything up and then save Doc Brown and return them both to the eighties safely.

Roll up your sleeves and tackle the spring clean with Ecoleaf’s range of eco-conscious cleaning products and accessories Spring is the time for opening windows and giving your home a thorough deep clean. Longer days motivate us and help us to feel more energised and productive. If you’re looking for a responsible cleaning brand to get the job done, then Ecoleaf by Suma has got you covered.

Earlier this year, we asked you to nominate your favourite brands using glass packaging responsibly. Here are a few of our favourites… Back in January, we teamed up with Friends of Glass UK – the community that celebrates glass packaging – to ask for your favourite brands which are championing glass packaging. A sustainable, healthy and stylish choice, glass is pure, endlessly recyclable and reusable, making it ideal for packaging across the food, drink, health, beauty and cleaning industries.