How much do you know about the town you’re from or now live in? Maybe there’s more interesting things to learn than you realise.

Traveling back in time through the archives of your local authority or by searching online can be a hugely interesting and rewarding experience.

Maybe your town was a pioneering industrial hub of the great industrial revolution of the 19th Century; or perhaps your village was the birthplace of someone rich or famous.

Why not spend a morning finding out about the milestones and events that made your local town what it is today? You could even combine this activity with a look into your family genealogy – you never know what gems of the past you might uncover.

Websites worth a look:

http://www.local-history.co.uk/

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/

Enjoy a more natural fragrance in your home.

The thing with aerosol and other shop-bought room fresheners is that they can have a rather ‘chemical’ aroma.

For a more natural and much more subtle way to add fragrance to your room, make and display your own pot pourri.

It’s incredibly simple to make, and you can chose your own petals and spices depending on the aromas that you prefer.

And the really great thing is you’ll know that no one else’s home will have exactly the same fragrance as yours.

Use the website inks below to get started:

Make Stuff

Save On Crafts

DIY Life

Why not spend the morning investigating recipes and ideas using the websites below, or get started with our delicious Cauliflower & Asparagus Tart, which includes Quaker Oats for an even healthier veggie meal.   

Ingredients

For the pastry:
300g self-raising wholemeal flour
1 tsp vegan bouillon powder
125ml rapeseed oil
125ml rice milk or Soya milk

For the filling:
olive oil, for oiling and frying
1 medium cauliflower, broken into florets
125g asparagus, trimmed and washed
2 red onions, chopped
50g shiitake mushrooms, sliced
125g frozen sweet corn, mashed
250ml sweetened Soya milk
250ml rapeseed oil
1 lime, juice only
2 tbsp Quaker Porridge Oats
2 dessertspoons vegan bouillon powder
2 tbsp vegan tomato sauce
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
smoked paprika
freshly ground black pepper

Method

1. Oil a 30cm/12in flan or pie dish. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas mark 4.
2. To make the pastry, place the flour and bouillon powder in a bowl and rub in the oil, then mix in the milk. Knead the pastry gently for a few moments, then roll out on a floured surface and use it to line the prepared dish. Bake for 10-15 minutes, until just cooked through.
3. Meanwhile, steam the cauliflower and asparagus until hot but not cooked – about 4-5 minutes.
4. Heat a little olive oil in a frying pan and fry the onions and mushrooms until soft. Add the mashed sweet corn and stir until hot.
5. Heat the soya milk in a saucepan until hot but not boiling. Transfer to a food processor or liquidiser, add the rapeseed oil, season with pepper and mix well. With the machine still running, add the lime juice and mix thoroughly to prevent curdling.
6. Add the oats, bouillon powder, tomato sauce and mustard to the milk mixture and blend again.
7. Oil the inner base of the pie crust, then spread a thin layer of the oat mixture over it. Place a layer of the mushroom mixture on top, then a layer of the cauliflower, followed by the remaining oat mixture.
8. Arrange the asparagus spears on top and sprinkle with smoked paprika. Return the tart to the oven and cook for a further 20 minutes. Serve with a green salad.

Enjoy!!

…but it can never outshine old fashioned writing and/or receiving hand written letters via snail-mail.

Next time you reach for the computer to knock out an email to a friend of family member, stop, reach instead for a piece of paper and an envelope and write it by hand instead.

You’ll be surprised how rewarding it can be.

Castles, country estates, villages, gardens…

Britain is awash with inspirational historic places and getting out to experience them is always an enjoyable way to spend a morning.

If it’s a nice day you can pack up a picnic, or stop off on the way home for a bite of lunch to round off an interesting, educational morning.

Search using the National Trust’s website below to find an interesting place to visit in your area:   

National Trust

Pack up a weekend bag and head off for a weekend away.

Whether you’re looking to spend more quality time with a partner, sample local food and drink, do some sightseeing or hit the nightlife, getting away for a long weekend has never been cheaper or easier. 

And the UK has so many great places to visit, there’s no excuse not to get out there and experience some of them.

Websites to visit:

Vacation Inspiration

Lastminute.com

…or if the mere idea of it sends you running for a comforting snack (Quaker Oat Bar) , get started with just a ten minute gentle jog around the park.

Your heart, lungs and circulation will love you for it, and it’s never too late to begin.

If you are seriously overweight or suffer from any medical condition, it’s best to check with your GP before you start any form of exercise – just to get the A-okay.

Websites to visit:

Get Started With Running

How To Start Jogging

3 Mile Training Plan

Many adult education centres and course organisers offer free pottery taster classes to give you a feel for it before you plunge in.

Use the websites below to find a class or course near you.

Websites:

Hot Courses

Craft Tracker

Education & Learning

Bingo on the pier, fish and chips for lunch, and a paddle in the sea.

Well, it might be a bit nippy for paddling, but it can still be invigorating to have a stroll along the promenade.

And if all that sea air works up and appetite, take along some of our delicious Brownie Oat Cookies.

Ingredients

85g all-purpose flour
135g white sugar
80g Quaker Oats
30g unsweetened cocoa powder
5g baking powder
2g salt
2 egg whites
80ml light corn syrup
5ml vanilla extract

Method

1. Spray the cookie sheet with non-stick spray. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2. In a bowl, mix the flour, sugar, oats, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Mix in the egg whites, syrup, and vanilla. Drop spoonfuls on the prepared cookie sheet.

3. Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven.

4. Enjoy!!

There is lots of photo screensaver software that you can download – many of which are free.

Use the websites below to find one that suits you and start your own personal screensaver this morning.

Websites:

My Photos Screensaver

Google Photos Screensaver