Being British - I don't always mean what I say

This really made me smile, it's just so true! We British, with our stiff upper lips and love of queueing, like to think of ourselves as being tactful and diplomatic. Yet, in our quest to avoid offence, it seems that we've developed a whole dictionary of phrases that really shouldn't be taken at face value. I don't know about you, but I've...

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Making Mummy friends - my top tips

Help! I'm a first-time Mum and I don't know anyone else! For many people (me definitely included) one of my biggest worries, aside from how on earth was I going to look after a baby having had no experience or training, was whether I was going to spend my maternity leave as a billy-no-mates, or whether I could find some new friends. Actually, I'll admit, this wasn't something that I spent ages worrying about. I had some blind...

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Through the lens - St Ives

St Ives, Cornwall, is one of my most favourite places. I love it. I've only been twice but we have plans to go again this year and I can't wait to take Bobble there. This picture was taken in the late afternoon and is of Porthmeor beach. I'm a bit of a wannabe surfer - I have the board but no skill whatsoever - body boarding is more within...

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Best ever chocolate cake

May is a busy month for us. We both celebrate our birthdays and sandwiched between them is our wedding anniversary. As well as lots of presents, this also means lots of cake! My husband's birthday comes at the start of the month and, as always, he requested a chocolate cake. Always on the lookout for a new recipe, I thought I'd try something...

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