This is a review post in collaboration with VonHausWe’ve had some gloriously sunny days this month, and in our house that means it’s officially patio season!Our patio is south-west facing, which means it’s a real sun trap. On a sunny day there’s no shade from mid-morning, and by late afternoon the low sun can really dazzle us. In the past we’ve had a small, upright garden parasol, which we’ve had to drag around as the sun ...
A foam mattress, but not as you know it: Leesa mattress review plus £100 discount
How comfy is your mattress?I absolutely need a decent night’s sleep to function properly, so a good mattress is a must-have for me. I’ve recently been trying out the Leesa mattress, to see how it delivers on comfort and support. Read on to find out how I got on, plus there’s a £100 discount on offer for my readers!We’ve had our Leesa mattress for over a month now, and I’ve deliberately waited this long to write my review. I think ...
Review: Stihl RMA339C Cordless Lawn Mower
Have you explored the world of cordless garden power tools yet? Cordless power tools have come a long way in recent years, and the current generation of lithium ion batteries are capable of delivering more than enough power and performance to rival the more traditional electric and petrol options. Our current mower is an electric model, and to cut the whole lawn we need a conga line of extension leads - it’s a faff to set up, a nightmare if the ...
Review: Berghaus outdoor clothing from Simply Hike
Now that the cold weather is firmly a distant memory, have you been getting outdoors and making the most of nature? We're an active family and we try to make time for outdoor adventures as much as possible; our most recent trip involved climbing Snowdon, which is definitely our most ambitious expedition so far!I've written in the past about the importance of having the right kit and clothing for outdoor pursuits; it makes such a difference ...
Review: First Tunnels Mini Polytunnel
If you grow your own fruit and vegetables on any scale, you're probably familiar with trying to keep pests away from your precious crops. Caterpillars, birds, slugs and snails... there's a seemingly endless list of hungry garden visitors who will happily feast on your plants and crops given the chance. And while I actively encourage local wildlife to visit our garden and allotment, I do want to enjoy some produce myself too!Some crops are ...
Garden storage: GearHooks review & giveaway
Do you struggle to effectively manage the storage in your outdoor buildings?I suspect your typical family shed or garage has to cope with a multitude of storage challenges - including bikes, gardening equipment, DIY supplies, toys, and pretty much anything else that we don't want to store in the house. Here's what the inside of our shed usually looks like - be warned, it's not pretty...If I'm being completely honest, I actually had a ...
Review & Giveaway: RHS I Can Grow a Sunflower
If you’re a regular visitor to my blog you’ll know that getting children into gardening is a passion of mine. Gardening fits so well with lots of the things that kids tend to automatically like: hands-on activity, exploring nature, and helping the grown-ups spring instantly to mind, not to mention getting grubby! I’m always on the lookout for products, activities and crafts that encourage a love of gardening in children, and my latest discovery ...
Review & Giveaway: Gardeco Aragon Cast Iron Fire Basket
It may still be very much winter out there, but if you're anything like me you'll be itching to get out in the garden and start enjoying it again!We've had some beautiful crisp, sunny days lately (before the snow hit!), and I've been making the most of them by wrapping up warm and doing a bit of garden pottering. I've been reviewing a lovely cast iron fire basket from www.chimineashop.co.uk, which has been the perfect piece of kit for ...
Review: BenQ e-Reading LED Lamp
How much time do you spend working on screens each day? We all worry about the amount of screen time our kids are getting, but chances are as adults we spend much more time than them staring at computers, tablets and smartphones. I spend a lot of time working on screens, and by the end of the day I’m often feeling the strain in my eyes, especially when the natural light in my office is poor, or I’ve been working in artificial light. Over the ...
Review: Vine House Farm super suet fat ball bird feed
Our garden has been a hive of activity in the last couple of weeks. We’ve been reviewing some high energy bird feed from Vine House Farm, and it’s safe to say it’s been a big hit! We always make an extra effort to feed our local wild birds in winter, because this season is really tough for them. The cold weather causes wild birds to use more energy keeping warm, and also natural food sources are thin on the ground. Providing a source of ...