Lifestyle

Travel

Island Escapes in the UK

Islands are synonymous with holidays. But did you know that you could get your dream island escape without needing to leave the UK? It’s time to discover some of our most beautiful islands.

The UK is home to not hundreds but thousands of islands, big and small. From Scotland’s archipelago of rugged isles to sun-soaked islands off the south coast, these hidden gems could be perfect for your next escape. Here are three islands you won’t need your passport for:

Isle of Wight

Easily accessible by ferry from Southampton, Lymington and Portsmouth, there’s no better place for a British bucketand-spade break than the Isle of Wight.

It may be our biggest island, but it’s still small enough to explore in a few days. Start in the west with a walk to the Needles, three stacks of chalk and a lighthouse rising impressively out of the ocean. Soak up the views across Tennyson Down before jumping on a speedboat at Alum Bay to see the Needles up close.

Then there’s the magnificent Osbourne House in the north, Queen Victoria’s family home, and Ventnor and Shanklin beaches in the south. With zoos, dinosaur trails, museums and adventure parks, there’s plenty for families too.

Isle of Skye

Scotland has no shortage of beautiful islands, but most visitors will agree on which is the most breathtaking: Skye. Spanning 50 miles from top to bottom, Skye is adored worldwide for its lush green moors, jagged mountains, sparkling lochs and towering sea cliffs.

The weather up here is not always cheery, but the frequent shrouds of mist only add to the island’s serene, mystical presence. On good days, climb to the iconic Old Man of Storr for one of the island’s best viewpoints, or trek along the Quiraing, drinking in the outstanding scenery. When the mist closes in, rest up in one of the island’s cosy pubs or take a tour of a castle or two. Come rain or shine, Skye won’t let you down.

Isles of Scilly

If you’re looking for somewhere off the beaten track, the Isles of Scilly are just the ticket, a peaceful pocket of paradise just 28 miles off the coast of Land’s End in Cornwall.

With white-sand beaches, subtropical gardens and some of Britain’s best weather, you could be forgiven for thinking you’ve left the UK entirely. There are five main islands: St Mary’s is the largest, followed by Tresco, with very few people living on Bryher, St Martin’s and St Agnes.

Visiting the Scillies is like stepping back in time. Quiet, beautiful and completely unspoilt, you’ll have almost every pristine beach to yourself. The walks are outstanding and the islands are popular with nature-lovers too, thanks to the Atlantic grey seals that breed here, not to mention the flocks of rare seabirds.

You can reach the islands by ferry or plane. Planes depart from Land’s End, Newquay and Exeter airports, or you can take the three-hour ferry crossing from Penzance to St Mary’s.

Jessica White Know Your Onions

The phrase ‘know your onions’ means to be knowledgeable about a subject. June 27th is National Onion Day. It was created by The National Onion Association to honour the day the association was incorporated in 1913.

But other than knowing the common yellow, red and white varieties, what else do you know about onions?

Here are some eye-watering facts about the many layered vegetable:

They help you travel the world!

Onions are a common cooking ingredient, used in various styles of cooking worldwide. You can visit India by adding some spices; with some tomatoes and herbs, you can be transported to Italy; with ginger and chilli, you can visit Thailand. It is certainly a versatile ingredient when it comes to cooking! And what would a ploughman’s be without the traditional pickled onion? If all this onion eating leaves you with interesting breath, you can chew parsley to get your mouth smelling sweet again.

They have mysterious origins

We are not actually sure where they are from – their geographical origin is difficult to trace. Some sources state Iran or Central Asia but, wherever they originate, most researchers do agree that they have been cultivated and eaten for more than 5000 years. They were perhaps one of the earliest cultivated crops as they are easy to grow and store.

They are useful at school

Most of us meet the onion up close and personal during a science lesson. Due to their large cells and the ease of peeling off a layer, they are a common choice in demonstrating how to use a microscope.

They make us cry!

The sulphuric compounds present in onions are what makes our eyes sting when we chop them. There have been various techniques suggested to prevent this irritation. According to my research, the safest way to cut onions is with a stainless-steel knife whilst underwater and wearing safety goggles...

You can live forever!

The onion was revered by the ancient Egyptians: their spherical shape and layers of concentric circles were believed to symbolise eternal life. They were used in burial ceremonies to presumably transport the deceased to the afterlife, and onions have been depicted in paintings found inside pyramids and tombs.

They have health benefits

Onions are nutrient dense and high in vitamin C, an antioxidant which assists with immunity. Their antiinflammatory properties may reduce high blood pressure and protect your heart, and they can also boost your digestive health as they contain prebiotics that strengthen your gut health.

They are magical

There are many magical myths associated with onions! They are said to cure baldness if you rub a cut onion on your head. Other folk remedies include protection from the plague, eliminating warts and getting rid of the common cold (if you eat one raw). You can also try placing onion slices in your socks overnight. When you wake up in the morning, your ailments will be cured (apparently).

Having digested all these facts, you really can say you know your onions!

By Jessica White

Life List: All Above Board

Few games can inspire family arguments and grudges like Monopoly. Maybe it’s all that pretend money or the main objective being to bankrupt all of your opponents. But my biggest issue is that the game is riddled with inaccuracies.

To start with, it’s called Monopoly but there are dozens of versions. As well as the various locations, you can also get special editions for: Batman, Alice in Wonderland (go to jail and off with your head?), Formula One, Star Wars (take a Chance card you must…), FIFA World Cup, Pirates of the Caribbean (community treasure chest?), and even a Dinosaur Edition (I make no bones about it).

Here are some of the other anomalies:

- Even the traditional London version has free parking. In London? I ask you! - Whoever heard of a bank error in your favour? - Everyone starts off with the same amount of money and makes their fortune in the property game on a roll of the dice. No business plan, no building regs / planning permission and not even a licence for a skip. - The idea that anything can be insured for a £50 insurance premium. - Affordable utilities? In your dreams.

Some elements are true to life though. It’s not unusual to visit a railway station and end up spending £200 for the privilege (seating optional!), and selling stock these days may well only net you around £50.

They’ve even replaced some of the pieces, bringing in a T-Rex, a penguin and a metal ‘rubber’ duck. Is nothing sacred?!

By Derek Thompson

What did the daddy buffalo say to its son before it left for school?

“Bison.”

Joe: What does your father do for a living? Josh: He’s a magician. He performs tricks, like sawing people in half. Joe: Do you have any brothers or sisters? Josh: Yep, four half-sisters and a half-brother.

How is the baby bird like its Dad? It’s a chirp off the old block

Son: Dad, can you put my shoes on? Dad: I don’t think they’ll fit me. Dad thought: I have mixed emotions when I receive my Father’s Day gifts. I’m glad my children remember me. I’m disappointed they think I dress like that.

Teacher (on phone): You say William has a cold and can’t come to school today? To whom am I speaking? Voice: This is my father.

Just a Thought...

Back to the Future

Summer is here and, at the time of writing, we are on course to be free of most social restrictions imposed by the cruel mistress, Covid. That’s that then; as you were and back to the future we had in mind c. January 2020 … or is it?

I don’t think we can gloss over the emotional effects the pandemic has had on every single one of us and especially our mental health.

Many people will be welcoming the re-opening of society and the freedoms it presents, however there are also those who view it with trepidation. Anxiety and depression are just two health conditions that have risen exponentially in the last 18 months. They are, sadly, not going to evaporate into the balmy summer ether merely because the immediate threat of the virus is in the rear view. We need to be more vigilant, honest and aware than ever of ourselves and those around us.

You can’t always see mental health struggles. That smiling face with the, ‘I’m fine thanks,’ retort is the most common of masks. You may notice friends cancelling last minute, not answering calls or just avoiding eye contact. These are subtle signs that someone may be struggling. Patience is key here. It is easy to personalise these behaviours, ‘Oh they don’t like me anymore,’ or, ‘Oh he’s making my life difficult’. Please, let’s try to always assume the best of others because, under these socially obscure presentations, may be a world of pain and struggle. Your understanding can be the first step to much needed support.

The sunshine and long days are a gift indeed to be enjoyed and completely relished, so let’s do our absolute best to ensure that we can ALL be afforded that right. We must be considerate, courageous and kind in equal measure and only then can we truly get back to the future.

If you are struggling - PLEASE contact one of the support centres below open 24hours a day, 7 days a week. Never struggle in silence.

Call: 0800 028 0077 – Derbyshire Mental Health Support Email: jo@samaritans.org Samaritans Support Online

By Fliss Goldsmith of Belper

Poem

Summer Shadows

As night gives way to morning Depending where your windows face You may see behind the curtains Perfect patterns you can trace A sunny summer day has started And brilliant birdsong fills the air Your world is once again reflected In the summer shadows there

Diamond doorway decorations Dance their image on your floor Brilliant beacons bounce off walls Where no colours were before Stretching silhouettes spread silently Like extra guests not there at all And you know they’re always with you When the summer shadows fall With no detailed definition A mobile mirrored shape of black I wonder what they’d say to us If our shadows could talk back Would they be the happiest reflections Of the life that you have made Or is there still hope of brighter promise Before the summer shadows fade

By Carol Brewer

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