Lifestyle Choices

In a few of the less densely populated countries including Norway, Sweden and Finland there is no law against camping for a short time in the publicly- owned countryside, apart from in certain restricted areas. In other countries, subject to local byelaws, farmers can give permission for you to put up a tent on their private land. But for the most part, ordinary holidaymakers prefer to stay at organised campsites. The advantage of doing so is that a number of important facilities are always provided: a drinking water supply, clean toilets and washrooms, proper garbage disposal and electricity for such things as shavers. Often too there are additional amenities such as a shop, a restaurant_; a children’s playground and a public callbox. (more…)

Although money can’t buy it, anyone intelligent can learn to have good taste. You can spend like a drunken film star, but you risk an expensive clutter that hasn’t quite come off. If you pay someone else to design your home you risk something pretty expensive, lifeless and unlived in, or alternatively, an exuberantly camped-up setting with mouldings picked out in white and in which you feel uneasy.

So the first rule is Do it yourself. Because otherwise you’ll never learn.

Discovering your own good taste is an unpeeling process, eliminating the layers which other people have impressed upon you. One of the easiest ways to find out what you like is to get a pinboard and start sticking up anything which takes your fancy — a scrap of lace, photographs, postcards, a colour swatch, a cartoon. (more…)

Which mattress is best?

Latex foam on a laminated wood base is considered smart among the handwoven set (a disadvantage is that restless sleepers generally hit base). These mattresses are generally 4inches deep and don’t need turning, don’t make fluff, and don’t attract moths or vermin.

Foam plastic mattresses have the same qualities and keep their shape and resilience better than they used to.

Interior sprung mattresses are made of coiled wire springs, well padded with cotton waste, coiled hair and rubber or plastic foam. Beware of those which are over-sprung: one bed almost threw me out every time I turned over. (more…)