Taken from Lynne’s weekly column ‘Green Scene’ for the Western Mail. 4th February 2017
Such a Gentle-man
I was saddened to hear of the passing of John Hurt last week. I had the privilege of meeting him at a Chelsea Flower Show. After our brief chat he asked if I minded if he walked around some of the gardens with me as I could tell him what different plants were!
He told me that his wife, Anwen, (who he affectionately described as a ‘Welsh Brummie) is the gardener in his family, and said: “I do enjoy gardens and living with somebody who is a gardener you learn quite a lot. I also like the physical activity of gardening. It’s kind of thrilling. I do a lot of the weeding.”
He was an absolute gentle-man and I am grateful for our meeting and the memories.
Viva! Vegan Festival
I have been vegan for several years – and am one of those people who would never have thought it would happen!
I have found numerous benefits, from health and wellbeing to smaller shopping bills and although I don’t preach about it I do often get asked, ‘How do you do it?’
In a nutshell (pun intended), you have to learn to shop, cook and eat differently. Eating out is infinitely more difficult than making tasty nutritious dishes at home but all that is changing as awareness is being raised – especially by events like Cardiff’s vegan festival, which is taking place at City Hall, on Saturday, February 4th, running from 10.30am until 5pm.
I try to avoid labelling my eating preferences at all, swerving terms like ‘vegan’ and ‘plant-based diet’ if I can. I simply choose not to eat flesh and dairy – mainly because I feel so much better as a result of not doing so.
As well as the obvious benefits to animals, eating ‘clean’ has improved my energy levels, boosted my immune system (I haven’t had a cold since changing my diet), reduced my ‘wobbly bits’ and hugely improved my skin.
I highly recommend it but you can find out more for yourself at the Viva Vegan Festival where there will be people on hand to talk to, as well as talks, samples and goodies to try.
Warm Feet
Whilst clearing a bank of brambles and brash above a stream last week – and spending more time in the stream – I discovered my wellies had a small leak. Remembering Nan’s thrift and common sense, I put two plastic bags over my socks before putting my wellies on the next day, which kept my feet dry … and warm! I had forgotten that aspect! It’s a great tip for short amounts of time spent in cold wellies – two thin plastic bags over your socks will keep your feet toastie. It is probably not healthy for long periods, and I have now invested in a new pair of wellies but I still have my plastic bags on stand by for those colder days!
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