Well autumn is most definitely here: the heating is on, the leaves are all over our garden (time to make leaf mould!), and our outdoor adventures need an altogether sturdier selection of coats, hats and footwear. I've been on the lookout for a new pair of boots that can cope with winter conditions, and with perfect timing Hi-Tec have asked me to review their Kono Espresso women's walking boots. I'm also giving a pair away to one lucky winner, ...
Review & Giveaway: Zoflora ‘Green Valley’ disinfectant
Keeping a family home clean can sometimes feel like a losing battle. Young kids, pets, and the general tramping-in of dirt from outdoor exploring can all make the germs build up surprisingly quickly. While I'm not fanatical about living in a sterile home, I do think it's important to keep areas like sinks, bathrooms and work surfaces hygienically clean. I've tended to use pretty basic disinfectants in the past, and have put up with the ...
Review: BuyDirect4U camping mattresses
I’m starting this camping equipment review with a confession: I’m not a natural camper. I love getting outside and exploring all that the great outdoors has to offer, but I also like my home comforts; things like running water, comfy mattresses, and hairdryers. Mr H, on the other hand, is never happier than when he’s pitching himself against the elements with the bare minimum of supplies. He’s camped, tramped and trekked, and just cannot ...
Review: Robomow Robotic Lawnmower
At this time of year, everything in the garden is growing pretty quickly - and that includes the grass! Our lawn isn’t enormous, but it still requires regular mowing in the Summer, and with the usual chaos of family life it can be hard to find time to look after it properly. We’ve been guilty in the past of leaving it to grow quite long, which makes it difficult to mow and looks pretty messy. Robomow asked us to trial one of their robotic ...
Review: Riverford limited edition Sarah Raven recipe box
As you know from this blog, I’m a big fan of gardening, and we love cooking with the fresh fruit and veg that we grow. So when the team at Riverford asked us to try out their limited edition recipe box, featuring recipes by award-winning chef and gardening guru Sarah Raven, I didn’t hesitate to say yes. Riverford started as a very small-scale box scheme in Devon, and has grown to a UK-wide delivery service, supplied by regional farms. ...
Review & Giveaway: Greenhouse Sensation plant watering kits
Welcome to a new giveaway, courtesy of Greenhouse Sensations. I'm giving away a brilliant Quadgrow Planter worth £42.90, which is perfect for taking the hassle out of plant watering. If you grow plants in a greenhouse of any size, you'll be familiar with the task of regular watering. I've had a greenhouse on my allotment for a couple of years now, and I've learned the hard way that it only takes a day or two to create drought conditions in ...
Review & Giveaway: Primrose solar water feature
Are you planning any garden projects at the moment? This time of year tends to inspire us to make some improvements to our outdoor space, and I'm no exception. I've always wanted to have a water feature in our garden; with the water's lovely sound and gentle movement, they're a real treat for the senses, not to mention their benefits as an attraction for local wildlife. I've never quite managed to install one though, mainly due to my ...
Review & Giveaway: Blokpod lego storage solution
Welcome to a new review and giveaway, looking at a great storage solution for lego and toys with small pieces. We’ve been putting the Blokpod through it’s paces, and I’ve got a great giveaway for you too, with a Blokpod worth £34.99 up for grabs. Lego is probably the most played-with toy in our house. It’s also the one that causes the most mess and storage issues! Over the years we’ve tried various ways to keep our growing lego collection ...
Review: ChattyFeet socks
Socks can be so boring, can’t they? A quick glance into the sock collection of each member of my family tells me one thing straight away: the kids have all the fun. My four year old’s socks are a riot of colour, pattern and characters, and my nine year old’s collection isn’t really any more restrained. Move onto my wardrobe, and while there is an element of colour to my socks, on the whole they are low-key, with very little to grab your ...
Review: Trespass Rhone Men’s Leather Walking Boot
We’re an active family; we love to get outdoors and enjoy nature as often as possible. We particularly enjoy family walks, and often explore woodland, coastal and hilly areas. So when Trespass asked us to review their Rhone mens walking boot, we were well-placed to put them through their paces. If you enjoy exploring the great oudoors with your family, you’ll know that appropriate footwear is really important. We’ve learned from ...