There’s great news from those fabulous people at gift experience company Into the Blue.

And they have a number of Gourmet Gifts and Subscriptions you could take a look at if you want a gift for someone who loves food.

There are Spice Boxes, a 241 Curry Card, and a Date Night Subscription Box.

For anyone with a sweet tooth, there’s a  Hotel Chocolat Adventure Subscriptions, a Luxury Chocolate Brownie Subscription, a Two Person Brownie Heart Subscription and a Monthly Sweet Subscription.

Lovers of drink aren’t forgotten either, with subscriptions for those who love to taste whisky or wine, and a monthly fresly roasted coffee subscriptions.

If your loved one enjoys dining out a lot, you could take a look at a 12 month gourmet society membership, a Dine Club Membership or a 12 Month Tastecard Membership.  

And finally, there’s even a Cookery Book Club! 

Why not browse Into the Blue’s website and take a look for yourself!  Happy Browsing! 

This offer even applies to experiences on special offer already!

Whatever the weather…..

Whatever the weather, there’s something to see at ZSL’s London Zoo.   In fact, they’ve put up a list of suggestions on their website to give you a few pointers.

If it’s pouring with rain, fear not…

Enter London’s Rainforest Life and come face to face with species such as sloths, tamanduas and Emperor tamarins.  Then go to the Night Zone to see what the nocturnal animals get up to after dark….

See Rainforest Life

Go to the Blackburn Pavillion where you’ll find many birds, some free flying…..

Learn more about life cycles, biodiversity and climate change in Butterfly Paradise – you’re surrounded by the hundreds of butterflies chosen to represent the 100,000 species existing on the planet

Then you could go to BUGS which stands for Biodiversity Underpinning Global Survival, a biodiversity and conservation exhibit.  It’s the main place where invertebrates (who have no backbone) are, and there’s the UK’s first ever walk-through spider exhibit, too!

The Reptile House goes back to 1926 and here you’ll find reptiles and amphibians, including snakes, lizards, frogs and crocodiles! 

Behind the Reptile House, you’ll find the home of Ganas, a Komodo Dragon.  Komodo Dragons have incredibly sharp teeth and toxic saliva that can fell a buffalo.  You wouldn’t want to mess with a Komodo Dragon.

The good news is that many of the outdoor exhibits have sheltered spaces where you can watch the animals out of the rain.  There’s the train station at Land of the Lions, two big viewing areas at Tiger Territory and the western lowland gorillas’ jungle gym at Gorilla Kingdom mean you can watch under cover.

The Lemur area has a big indoor area for people and lemurs, whilst you can see inside the indoor area for pygmy hippos Thug and Nicky.

You can always stop off for a hot drink and something to each in the Terrace restaurant – and then why not just take a peek at the penguins, even if it is still raining and just brave the weather?

So even if there’s a deluge, there’s plenty of things to see……   so why not head off to ZSL London Zoo to see them for yourself?  

This year (2019) sees the 50th anniverary of Neil Armstrong's epic steps as the first Man on the Moon.  Let's not forget his co-astronauts, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins who were with him on that incredible journey.

It's nice to have something to celebrate such an occasion and Emma Bridgewater produced a very colourful Moon Landing Half Pint Mug in honour of it.

This product is no longer available sadly - but take a look other wonderful products on Emma Bridgewater's website - there's lots to choose from!

It's really important to encourage future generations of people who care about our beautiful places and landscape.

A number of organisations have junior memberships, and the National Trust has introduced a Junior Membership which you can give a youngster as a gift.

It wants to encourage young people to care about our nature and heritage, and foster a love for conservation and the outdoors.

The Trust also wanted to offer a flexible membership which would support grandparents and relatives who help with child-care regularly. 

The benefits of junior membership include:

• Unlimited free entry to all the places the Trust looks after, inside and out 
• An age-appropriate welcome pack
• Special guides for junior members to plan your next adventure
• Ongoing inspiration, tips and seasonal ideas online

There are different welcome packs for primary age children (0 to 11) and secondary age youngsters (11-17) but they won't receive Junior members won’t receive free car parking, the Handbook or the National Trust Magazine.  Memberships are just £10.00.

Under 5s can continue to enjoy the Trust places for free :-) 

Treat a young person to a Junior Membership to the National Trust