I have indescribably bad handwriting. Always have had, perhaps always will, Him indoors, before he was ‘indoors’ used to find my letters lasted for ages, because he took that long to decipher them in his submarine. But, in spite of my shortcomings, I have an absolute passion for fountain pens, and really good ballpoint and rollerballs.

Every time Random House bring out a book of mine I buy myself a fountain pen as a good girl reward. So to try the Parker Urban fountain pen has been a real treat. It feels good in the hand, and flows. There’s nothing more irritating that a new pen that produces words that look like spiders crawling across the page, and a nib that seems to scratch across the paper.

Parker Urban has a curved design and range of finishes, and really lives up to the good name of Parker. Each pen is crafted to complement personal style, (don’t know I’d say complement my style, but it’s certainly lovely to write with, or so I found, and is a smooth easy ‘ride’). The Core range offers fresh and energetic colours which include London Black Cab and Vibrant Magenta, and is also available in satin or glossy Black lacquer finishes. Go on, Santa, you can slip this into a little niche under the tree, easy peasy. A fair swap for a mince pie left on the mantelpiece.

RRP:£75, www.parkerpen.com/en-GB

There are many others to choose from. What about:

The Parker IM with its clean lines and elegant finishes, and would, I think, appeal to someone about to embark on a new job, or set off for uni. Available in fountain, ballpoint and rollerball, it’s something I would give to one of the grandchildren.

RRP: £20-£60, www.parkerpen.com/en-GB

The Parker Ingenuity combines breakthrough technology with bold design, PARKER launches the new Ingenuity Deluxe range – engineered for those always one step ahead of the latest innovation. Parker Ingenuity’s Deluxe range uses the brand’s pioneering patented 5^th technology – so named as it offers an innovative fifth mode of writing, offering an alternative to the fountain pen, ball point, roller ball and the mechanical pencil.

RRP:£215, www.parkerpen.com/en-GB

Find out more at: http://www.parkerpen.com/en-GB

I have a great fondness and respect for the fire brigade. My father-in-law served in it in London throughout the blitz, and was left with an enduring admiration. In addition, when a child we had a cat which twice (lord help us) got stuck up a birch tree in our garden. So out they came, with enormously good grace to be scratched and yowled at as they rescued this ungrateful creature. With Christmas on its way I thought this a brilliant idea for a special present: the London Fire Brigade’s 150^th anniversary photo book.

One Hundred and Fifty Years – can it really be that long – of London Fire Brigade gives an illustrated history of the Brigade, which began in its current form in 1866, and shows how it has evolved into the capital’s modern day emergency service.

This is a limited edition, containing 124 pages packed full of rare images which were handpicked by the Fire Brigades museum curators from the Mary Evans’ pictorial archives.

A timeline across a double page marks the key events and incidents in the Brigade’s 150 year history, including the outbreak of the two world wars, the King’s Cross underground station fire, the Clapham rail disaster and the 7/7 London bombings. Such iconic events, some so recent.

The photographs are split into 12 sections and clearly detail key areas of the Brigade’s history and make up, including how uniforms have changed, the role of animals within the fire service and how the range of vehicles used by firefighters have evolved throughout the years.

The glossy book is the perfect gift for anyone and everyone who values our Fire Brigade, and if you know former emergency service workers, or people who have a keen interest in the history of the Brigade or those who simply enjoy looking at historic images do please consider this wonderful book, covering a century and half of courageous and invaluable service.

London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson said: “Our photo book is a tribute to 150 years of bravery and commitment to London and is sure to be the perfect Christmas gift.

“This limited edition book give great insight into how we have served the capital for 150 years. Even those well versed on the Brigade’s history are sure to learn some fascinating facts along with seeing some stunning, rarely seen images.”

One Hundred and Fifty Years of London Fire Brigade is priced at £12 plus P&P. To order the book, visit www.maryevans.com/lfb150.php.

Following on from Milly Adams’ previous post about The Gin Foundry’s Ginvent Calendar, I was invited to pop down to Mr Fogg’s Gin Parlour to meet the two gents behind the desirable item.

Brothers Olivier and Emile Ward (pictured) have been interested in gin for many years and know more or less everything there is to know about the intoxicating liquid. For instance, did you know the largest consumer of gin in the world is The Philippines? Spain is second, the USA is third. The UK staggers in at fourth place. Surely, we can do better – and that’s one reason behind the Ginvent Calendar.

All twenty-four, yes, twenty-four (count them!) gins have been chosen by the brothers after much research and careful thought – this year’s selection being mainly from the UK and Europe. One is the award-winning Napue from Finland – it won the International Wine and Spirit Competition’s 2015 Spirits Award against 150 competitors.

Another is Sharish, which, to keep it unscientific, turns from blue to pink when the tonic is added simply because magic is involved… or, perhaps, it’s to do with the plant essence reacting with the quinine which means that – no, it’s simpler to say it’s magic.

The Calendar has a different gin for each day and, if you can restrain yourself, there will be a live Twitter Tasting (@GinFoundry) each evening at 7.30pm (UK time) so everyone can share their thoughts about that day’s tipple.

But – hang on – it’s not just gin. What about the tonic? I asked Emile and he said that his preferred choice would be Fever Tree (other tonics are available), but urged experimentation with tonic as with gin. Which is the very essence of what Ginvent is about: exploring new tastes and widening one’s horizons.

Fancy giving it a try? It may seem on the pricey side, but what you get is expertise and dedication from a couple of gin-lovers who don’t take gin lightly. They even infuse their own gins, experimenting all the time. Apparently, good gin can be created in four hours! Crikey. But if you’ve got the taste for it and a little patience (twenty-four days to be exact), you can enjoy gin throughout December – finishing just in time for Christmas Day.

If all that seems too much to take in, I think you should visit The Gin Foundry’s Pop-Up shop on the 16th/17th/18th December, at the Vinyl Factory in Soho, London. Information about this, the Ginvent Calendar, and more, is all at http://www.ginfoundry.com/ginvent/

Oh. Just in case you were wondering which was my favourite gin from the evening? The City of London Christopher Wren Gin.

Whoops, caught me red-handed… So, one for the road?

www.ginfoundry.com

www.ginkiosk.com

This season, The London Tea Company launch their new limited edition Winter Wondermint Tea which does have a most refreshing mint flavour. Made from a blend of peppermint leaves and natural peppermint oils it creates a refreshing blast of Winter Wondermint. I thoroughly approve, it was great.

Whether you need an afternoon pick me up, or maybe you’ve indulged a little too much during the seasonal festivities – and who doesn’t, this works really well. Buy it for yourself, or give it as a gift. There are other flavours too, so you could put together a hamper?

www.londontea.co.uk/shop/winter-wondermint/ £2.90

So, for the inner girl or boy – mint tea, and what for the outer? Well, having just been to see Strictly Come Dancing in Blackpool, how about:

Glow Luxury Tan Gift Set. With the glow this set will give you, or the person to whom you gift it, you’ll be well set up for the party season. Or for strutting your stuff in Strictly, of course.

This Vitaliberata product creates a natural base tan with the self tanning lotion, to be finished with Body Blur Instant HD Skin Finish. This particular product includes a limited edition rose gold gift bag, which elevates the whole thing, and there’s also a tanning mitt for an even application. I know a certain fifteen year old who would be over the moon to receive this.

The Vitaliberata Glow Luxury Tan Gift Set: £29.95

For other products and details. www.vitaliberata.co.uk

So, we’ve done the inner and outer person, which just leaves the mind, so how about a book?

I’ve been reading after Isabella, by Rosie Fiore. I was tempted because I have a little girl called Rosie. Well, a cockerpoo called Rosie if we’re being strictly accurate. But I’m glad I didn’t resist because I think you’ll enjoy it enough to turn the pages carefully and then give it to someone else.

Fiore addresses the question: can the ties of friendship ever be as strong as family? It’s a question I mull, as I’m sure others do.

So does Fiore bring it off? Indeed she does, with this thought provoking novel. It is structurally sound, delicately written and the author weaves the threads of Esther, and Sally’s lives with aplomb, some humour, and a dollop of thought provoking poignancy. There’s more than a little tension too, as Esther is forced to consider friendship and trust. Do the two always go together? Ah, well, read it and see. Great jacket too.

after Isabella. Allen & Unwin £12.99

Reviewed by Jan Speedie, and Frances Colville

Jan says: Donna Douglas’s latest story in her Nightingale series is set during the Second World War. Bethnal Green has suffered in the blitz with air raids destroying houses and communities but not the spirit of the East End residents. By 1944 everyone is longing for war to end.

Life for Dora Riley is a struggle, her husband is away fighting and she is left to keep the family together and work long hours as a staff nurse at the Nightingale Hospital. Her life is made harder when she is put in charge of a ward caring for German POW’s. Many of the hospital staff cannot accept or overcome their prejudices against the German POW’s and the arrogant Officer. Dora, Kitty and VAD Miss Sloan must put their feelings aside and care for these wounded young men. Struggling to cope at times Dora’s life is made harder when on Christmas day a telegram arrives with news of her husband Nick. Can life get any more complicated for the nursing staff? Well yes, perhaps, as it seems Kitty is getting too fond of one POW.

Donna has carefully researched her latest novel about the care of POW’s during the war. and woven a story about people who understand they must do their duty to help others and those who are not prepared to help.

Frances Colville, has added her thoughts on the novel: Donna Douglas writes with a lightness of touch which makes this book a quick and enjoyable read, but at the same time deals with some big issues with an empathy and understanding which gives the reader pause for thought.

This is the first Nightingale Nurses book I have read and I did feel I would have benefitted from reading the earlier books and knowing more of the background of the main characters. But that is something which can be easily and enjoyably remedied. And at the same time it does also work as a stand-alone book. A must for fans of Call the Midwife or for anyone who enjoys stories set on the home-front in WW2.

……………

Donna Douglas became a Sunday Times bestselling author in 2014 with her Nightingale series. Donna lives in York with her husband and grown up daughter. As well as writing novels she is a freelance journalist writing features for the Daily Mail.

Published by Arrow in paperback: £5.99

Also available as an eBook

I was sent some gorgeous treats for my besties, Rosie, Polly and for their friend Scout who is staying with us. They offered to do a photo shoot, for a reward, of course.

It was only afterwards I said they’d have to wait, because Santa has only lent these scrummy goodies for today, but on Christmas Day they’d materialize under the tree. They were allowed to be tasters, of course, and would have eaten the lot, so not a long wrong, and everything right, with the goodies.

So, here they are, made at the Four Legged Fancies, which is a dog bakery on the outskirts of Bath that specializes in handmade, natural, wheat-free treats for dogs.

Honestly, they look good enough for granny to eat, not just the four legged guys.

There’s a treat filled bauble for the tree. Choose from Peanut butter, chicken or cheese (£4.50)

Santa’s Sack – Cute little sacks filled with bags of treats or treats and toys (£17)

Doggy Christmas Crackers – Each cracker contains a bag of biscuits, a Christmas collar charm and a hat. No bang. Customer chooses from chicken or cheese (£5.50)

Four legged Fancies personalized birthday cakes for dogs, and all sorts of accessories including tweed collars and leads, handmade tweed dickie bows, edible wrapping paper, toys and more. Be still my beating heart. They are writing their Christmas list as we speak.

Find out more: fourleggedfancies.co.uk

Social media: @4leggedfancies

Lives, Loves, and Losses

From 3^rd – 23^rd December, the National Trust’s Fenton House in Hampstead will be transformed by art collective Traces into an immersive, atmospheric experience that delves into the intriguing world of its eighteenth-century residents.

Fenton House adds to its existing treasure trove of collections with the work of 80 contemporary artists telling the story of the Gee family for this unique three-week installation. Wander through abandoned rooms and discover the lives, loves and losses of these former inhabitants and their relationships to each other, Georgian London, and the ‘New World’.

Award-winning artists and designers include pattern designer Camilla Meijer, product designer Haidee Drew, artist Maisie Broadhead, silversmith David Clarke, food and scent designer AVM Curiosities, and furniture and product designer Gareth Neal. All artworks will be available for sale.

Fenton House and Gardens, Hampstead Grove, London NW3 6SP

Saturday 3rd – Friday 23rd December 2016

All tickets must be booked in advance, including for National Trust members, from www.nationaltrust.org.uk/fenton-house-and-garden, 0344 249 1895

National Trust members – free
Adult day – £10
Child day – £5
Adult evening (includes complimentary drink) – £15

Please note that the evening openings are not suitable for children under the age of 18. Ticket price applies to all, including National Trust members, for evening admission.

Disney classics get a supersized update in ‘Big Sleeve Editions’ –  stunning 12” vinyl style sleeves to be launched for selected DVD and Blu-ray releases which include Finding Dory, Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Aladdin

The Walt Disney Studios continues to lead the way in collectables, as six of the nation’s best loved movies release on a new, never before seen format. The brand’s latest offering, ‘Big Sleeve Edition’, will feature collectable packaging, the movie on both DVD and Blu-ray plus a set of beautiful bespoke artworks.

A mix of classics and new releases, Disney’s Big Sleeve Edition will launch with six titles including Cinderella, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Beauty and the Beast, Guardians of the Galaxy, Aladdin and Finding Dory with further releases planned next year.

Viewers will have the chance to see behind the scenes footage, deleted and alternative scenes and gain an insight into each story through jam packed audio commentary from directors and stars.

Ben Loades Head of Commercial Development at Disney comments; “We’re thrilled to be launching Big Sleeve Editions this Autumn. We think it’s a great way for collectors, film lovers and families to treasure the movies they love and bring both Disney’s beautiful artistic cinematography and children’s imaginations to life at home.“

Disney’s unique Big Sleeve Editions can be pre-ordered online from the 7th of October at £19.99 and will hit the shelves on 28^th November 2016 at £29.99.

www.amazon.co.uk/b?node=11420887031