How about a plant subscription for someone who loves plants? 

Now, Flying Flowers are based in Jersey, in the Channel Islands (the island famous for Gerald Durrell, the conservationist) and the beautiful, gentle Jersey milking cow), and they've been delivering flowers for over 40 years.   

So how did it start? Back in 1981, some holidaymakers in Jersey stopped sending postcards home and they began to send carnations instead.  They were a great and colourful way to send love to family and friends back home and to let them know that they were being thought of! 

And if you're looking for a gift for whom flowers would be just the thing, you could take a look at their flower subscriptions.  You can choose from  3, 6 or 12 months - and there's a choice in the subscriptions of seasonal flowers or a flower subscription.  

The seasonal flowers depend on what Mother Nature has in stock.   And Flying Flowers support British growers, so they say they ensure British stems are included in each box, year round. 

This is a lovely gift idea to give someone a surprise for however many months you choose to have your subscription run - just imagine their faces when they open the door!  And plants arrive in a co-ordinating container, so the recipient doesn't have to go rummaging for pots and so on - they can just decide where to put them and sit back and enjoy them!

Fly away to see the subscription gifts here.

At the moment, they've got special offers on flower subscription gifts, too - I'm not sure how long that will last, so make the most of it! 

Keep the love flowing month after month!

Gift experience company Into the Blue have lots of experiences to choose from!   

The company began by selling flying experiences out of Biggin Hill in Kent, and they've been making memories since 1996.   Founder and Managing Director Jim Maitland went to Biggin Hill as a child with his father, who opened up Biggin Hill as a civilian airfield back in 1958.  Jim spent many happy hours there and joined his father to help him run the Biggin Hill Air Fair.  Realising lots of people who were at the shows would love to have a go themselves, he worked with his contacts and so Into the Blue was born!   Needless to say, they have lots of flying experiences - including flight simulators - and also adventure, creative, water, sports, food and drink, breaks, days out and at home experiences.  So there's lots to choose from!

What's more, they've got a special offer for you!

Enjoy 15% off*
The code below is valid on experiences up to £250.00
Some products are excluded.

ITB15FORME

How about a Flight Simulator Experience - perhaps a Vulcan Bomber?
Take a look at the Flight Simulator Experiences here.

How about a Champagne & Sparkling wine experience?  Choose between a 
Champagne & Wine Tasting Evening or a Champagne & Fizz with Lunch from £49.00

There are Chocolate Making Experiences too! 
Perfect for anyone who loves chocolate!

The Animal Experiences include a Sheepdog Experience in Yorkshire - 
just imagine a day with border collies, as you learn how to handle and train them
and shepherd a small flock of sheep! 

There are lots of Gourmet Gifts and Subscriptions as well, 
just the thing for lovers of gin, rum, wine, spices, brownies, sweets,
charcuterie, and cocktails.  


They've got lots of Afternoon Tea options, too,
including Afternoon Tea for Two at Fishmore Hall in Shropshire.
View the Afternoon Tea products here and tuck in!

Subscription and membership gifts include one for knitters.
See the subscription and membership gifts here.

Use ITB15FORME for 15% off* experiences up to £250.00

(*Some products are excluded from this offer.)

Head over to Into the Blue 

Here's a shout-out for Heritage Open Days!

It's England's largest community-led festival of history and culture, and thousands of local volunteers and organisations are involved.  

The festival celebrates heritage, culture and history - so there are stories to hear, traditions to explore and histories brought to life!  And it's all FREE!

Amongst the events, there are walks and tours, exhibitions, workshops and talks.  They cover all sorts of categories:  local history, faith, outdoors and nature, living history and re-enactment, traditional skills, sport and leisure, eco/green living and geneaology, to name a few.  Many need you to pre-book.

Organisations taking part (not at every venue they look after, by the way), include the National Trust, the Churches Conservation Trust and English Heritage.

There's a search facility so that you can find out what's on in your area, which makes life easier - or perhaps next year, you could think of volunteering yourself!

Find an event near you here.

Volunteering is a great way to meet people and make new friends amongst people who also want to do things for their local community (or further afield!).

In 2025, the Heritage Open Days run from the 12th  to 21st September. 

Find out all about Heritage Open Days here.

RHS Garden Wisley Flower Show

The RHS Wisley Flower Show in Surrey takes place from 2nd to 7th September 2025 and what an opportunity to experience a great floral day out!

Enjoy expert advice, vibrant floral displays and lots of shopping opportunities!  And there's plenty of chances to sit and refresh yourself with refreshments! 

You can join in the National Dahlia Society Show's marquee - there are over 100 competition classes to see!  

And the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies (NAFAS) Show is back, with the theme  ‘Wish you were here’.  The floral art display competition celebrates countries worldwide, with wonderful arrangements - don't miss it!  

Tradestands are aplenty at the show, selling garden and homeware.   The RHS asks that you please bring bags to take your goodies home with you!

There are fantastic displays, specialist nurseries, expert talks and of course the opportunity to do lots of shopping… and eating and drinking…

Browse a fantastic range of tradestands too, selling garden and homeware from pruning tools to garden art and outdoor ovens. Where possible please bring bags to take purchases home. 

Flowers, eating and drinking, and relaxing – what a perfect combination!   Enjoy!

Buy your tickets for the RHS Garden Wisley Show here.