Frost Loves Sea Change Wines

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We love Sea Change wine. They are environmentally-friendly and have an organic range. We tried their Prosecco and it is to-die-for. Get your hands on some now. 
Sea Change are passionate about two things: protecting our oceans from plastic pollution and great tasting wine. Every bottle of Sea Change helps fund ocean conservation projects across the globe and our minimal packaging reduces waste and environmental impact.

They have an organic range available, the perfect accompaniment for your cosy fireside evenings or candle-lit dinner dates. Available in a lesser-known red varietal, Bobal (RRP £13.99), and a classic white Chardonnay (RRP, £13.99), the production process of these wines means only naturally occurring sulfites are present. So, every sip is gentler on the head and stomach than regular wine – excellent for a more relaxed evening.

As with all Sea Change Wines, both have minimal packaging, with the unnecessary plastic wrap covering removed from the neck of the bottle, and labels.


For Christmas, Sea Change’s Christmas Day Pack (£35 RRP) has got you sorted. The pack includes a bottle of their fruity, soft Prosecco, zesty Sauvignon Blanc and rich Malbec wines. Whatever your guests choose to drink, Sea Change is suited to everyone’s taste!
 
Amongst the excitement, Sea Change are committed to giving back this Christmas. With each bottle sold, a donation will be made to marine conservation charities fighting plastic pollution – ideal for those who want to do their bit for the environment.
 
The Sea Change wine collection is available to buy online at www.seachangewine.com. Free delivery is available for orders over £100.    

The UK’s first plant-based recipe box. We Review Grubby.

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I find cooking stressful. I also have no time. But I want to eat healthy and I do not want to damage the planet while doing so. Grubby attracted my attention for many reasons. It is plant-based and sustainable. I got sent two kits in impressive recyclable packaging. I hate how some recipe boxes have so much plastic.

The recipe card is so easy to follow. I made a superb mushroom stroganoff in 35 minutes. I think Grubby is fantastic and I cannot recommend it enough. The food is delicious and so easy to make.

Meet Grubby – the UK’s first plant-based recipe kit

Grubby are the UK’s first 100% plant-based recipe box subscription service on a mission to make plant-based cooking more accessible and convenient without costing the earth.

Championing British produce and suppliers, Grubby deliver delicious meals nationwide (excluding Northern Ireland and islands), with all London meals delivered via bicycle in partnership with PedalMe. Available from grubby.co.uk from £26 (£6.50 per meal) for two recipes.

Launched in 2019, Grubby has over 50 flavour packed recipes to choose from. In the box, customers can expect fresh, pre-measured ingredients needed to cook up two or three healthy and delicious, plant-based recipes with, on average, a variety of six or more fresh veggies in each box. Accompanying recipe cards make meat-free cooking simple, with easy to follow steps, cooking times and nutritional information, as well as QR codes to curated Spotify playlists to cook along to whilst prepping. Customers can also expect the occasional freebie, from drinks, desserts and more.

Founder Martin Holden-White comments: “When I first started adventuring into plant-based cooking, I found it really hard to approach. Mainly because I found ingredients hard to source, dishes weren’t filling enough, they lacked flavour and online recipes were hard to follow and full of ads. So with Grubby, I wanted to alleviate the uncertainty and stigmas around vegan cooking and eating and make our recipes accessible, simple, hearty, healthy and most importantly tasty! Grubby is for anyone looking for a little more adventure when it comes to plant-based cooking.”

With sustainability at its core, the packaging is 100% recyclable, compostable, ethically sourced, and produced in the UK in 95% of cases, with intentions to be completely plastic-free by 2023, in line with their efforts to reach B-Corp status. Determined to use ‘pedal power’ wherever possible, all London deliveries are made by bike and they have ambitions for bike deliveries in all major cities across the UK. Their food waste is offset through food waste partners and local food banks to ensure that no grub goes unused.

Passionate about giving back, Grubby donate a meal to a child in poverty for every box delivered through Uganda based charity 1moreChild. In 2020, Grubby also provided over 1,000 meals to London NHS hospitals.

Whilst solely plant-based recipes, Grubby do not see themselves as a ‘just-for-vegans’ box. “We are not preachy about eating solely plant-based. I’m a plant-based part-timer myself, and many of our team and customers do not define themselves as vegan.” says Martin.  “Instead, we want to invite plant curious individuals to give veggie-based cooking a chance with our tasty, quick to prepare meals, which are not only healthy but produced and delivered with sustainability at the core of everything we do.”

How it works:

  1. Choose your recipes & delivery date.

  2. Grubby delivers everything you need.

  3. You cook up delicious plant-based meals. No stress. Skip or cancel anytime.

To see what’s on the menu this week, visit grubby.co.uk

The Jolly Gardener’s and the Sunday Roast of Dreams. 

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A Northerner and Southerner go in search of a decent roast in London and what do we find…

The Jolly Gardeners and what a jolly good afternoon we had. Not only did it win the approval of my guest, the most discerning Northerner who is for sure the judge and jury when it comes to a decent roast, but they also make a damn good Bloody Mary, have a pretty decent schedule of entertainment and is by far one of the most pristine, welcoming pubs i’ve ever visited in my life!

If you live South of the river, you must pay them a visit. Just moments away from Vauxhall and tucked down a sleepy Lambeth side street you’ll be pleasantly surprised when you happen upon The Jolly Gardener’s. This place is bright and airy, full of foliage, just how I like it. A far cry from the pub which lay here before and perhaps more noticeably known as ‘The Drowning Trout’ from Snatch. Well let me tell you the transformation is epic. As soon as you step inside you’re met with a serene atmosphere, one of relaxation, of family and friends gathering around, big groups enjoying a pint and punters soaking up the joys of a Sunday. It has to be said, i’ve not frequented a pub for a long time mainly because I’m not massively keen on going back to the old ways of queuing up at the bar for hours on end, sticky floors and stale beer but this is certainly not that kind of joint. I’m actually a little bit in love with this place because it offers up all the joys of a pub without all the annoying bits and it’s no surprise really if you look at how this place came about. 

The Jolly Gardeners was the brainchild of five childhood pals who spent their lockdown coming up with their ideal boozer. Jon Kaye, one of the founders quotes, “Having the chance to open the pub with my friends has been the dream for so long. We all grew up in pubs and for most of us was our very first job. It’s great to go back to our roots and build a proper local pub. Supporting other independent businesses is important to us, we have also had so many nice people from the surrounding area helping us build and fix the pub.” Unsurprisingly, a decent meal was the central focus as well as making it welcoming, honest and a great place to enjoy a proper pint with mates. I can vouch for all of those things and trust me if I did live South sides I would be making this place my new local!  

I did mention the roast but let me mention it in depth because this really is one of the best pub/restaurant roasts i’ve had. My guest even went as far to say, “tastes like a family roast”, praise indeed! The attention here really is on the quality of the produce and the kitchen work closely with Lyons Hill Farm in Dorset for high grade meat. We tried both the ‘iron age pork loin’ and the ‘retired dairy cow silverside’ with both tasting as epic as their names. The roast comes with a host of sides including cauliflower cheese, greens, Yorkshires, sweet potato mash to mention but a few and the potatoes….oh the potatoes. The most luxurious but traditional roast potato you’ll get your chops round. Melt in your mouth, pleasure. What I really loved about the beef roast was how thin the meat was cut, i’m not a fan of shoving hunks of meat in my mouth at the best of times but this was just sliced to perfection, slightly reminiscent of how you felt after a school roast… schooliness aside… Please – I’m not doing it enough justice, you’ll have to try it out for yourself. Aside from these offerings there are also a couple of plant based options and a fish dish to try out too. Something for everyone even if you’re just digging into the sides alone – because they were a plenty. 

If a roast doesn’t tickle your fancy or if you’re planning on visiting in the week, they offer a weekly changing menu bringing you the best of what’s around the local area. Notable mention must go to their bread supplier… Alby’s Bakery who are also based in Vauxhall. They specialise in sourdough and was also developed in lockdown by some bread loving mates. I must confess, I haven’t touched the stuff this whole year but when this warm bundle of joy arrived on our table with lashings of butter it would have been rude not to especially seeing as Alby’s have nailed the crust to pillowy dough ratio. Lesson learned ALWAYS try the bread. The sharing plates are also something to marvel at and whilst the dishes may look similar to what you’d find on a pub menu their sharing plates are more reminiscent of tapas coming out of a decent restaurant than a pub and I guess that’s where you see the main attraction of The Jolly Gardeners. 

The food is of the highest quality in both presentation and taste, the place is visually stunning and they had a decent band on too, what a civilised Sunday ! But what makes a decent pub…? we all know it’s a cracking selection of booze. With house-pints for a fiver you might even be convinced you’re not in London anymore but when you check out their exhaustive list of what else is on offer there’ll be something to float everyone’s boat. With local offerings on draught, a whole bunch of speciality bottled beers, a pretty comprehensive list of wines including natural wines and of course a mouth watering selection of cocktails there’s no need to visit a bar or a restaurant because this place really does have it all. Did we mention they also have a secret garden?

So why do we love it? Well… need I say more? The Jolly Gardener’s is family and dog friendly, caters for a restaurant go-er, has the booze of a decent bar and still has the spirit of a good old pub. All that’s left to ask is, how fast can you open one North of the river?

The Jolly Gardener’s is open Tue-Sun and located at;

49-51 Black Prince Rd, London SE11 6AB

 

 

JANE CABLE REVIEWS TWO VERY SPECIAL CHRISTMAS READS

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Christmas with the Surplus Girls – Polly Heron (published 7th October)

I make no secret of the fact I love Polly Heron’s books, so the moment the review copy of this one was available I requested it and dived straight in. For a start, I think the premise of this series is brilliant; the stories of the women who had expected to marry, only for the First World War to kill so many men. Their battle to make something of their lives as single women in the 1920s is seldom told and quite frankly it should be.

A saga series needs central characters and in the Surplus Girls these take the form of unmarried sisters, Prudence and Patience Hesketh, who run a business school from their home to train women in the skills they need. In this, the third book, our understanding of their position deepens and their stories move on too, for one of them at least in a quite unexpected way.

Christmas with the Surplus Girls is a wonderful blend of the comfortingly familiar (characters from previous books making appearances, the orphanage as the heart-warming seasonal setting, and, of course, the love story) with quite a few twists and turns. There are moments when nothing is quite as it seems, as well as breath-takingly written passages of true drama, but to say more would spoil it for the reader.

For the saga fan, this is the perfect Christmas read. As ever with Polly Heron’s writing there is no mawkish sentimentality, there is genuine emotion, elegantly portrayed. And even better, if you haven’t read the other Surplus Girls books there is still time to catch up with them before it’s time to pour yourself a glass of festive cheer and settle down with this beauty.

 

Underneath the Christmas Tree – Heidi Swain (published 28th October)

While Polly Heron puts Christmas at the climax of her book, Heidi Swain’s has Christmas stamped through it like a stick of seasonal rock. Heidi is the absolute mistress of the contemporary Christmas romantic read and I think Underneath the Christmas Tree is her best yet.

Absolute genius to set the book at a Christmas tree farm, where there is every reason for the festive feeling to start in November. Nothing about the seasonality in this book is forced; it is there as a delightful backdrop to a cast of characters so brilliantly drawn you would want to meet them at any time of year.

At the heart of the book is the love story between Liza and Ned; you know it will be fraught with difficulties but you also know a happy ending could very well be written in the stars, because that is what the romance genre does. It is just that this particular book does it so very well and it was pretty hard to see how everyone’s happy ever after could possibly work out. The world Heidi Swain creates is as rich and warm and comforting as a mug of hot chocolate with a whole ton of marshmallows and cream, but never ever as sickly, and of course its entirely calorie free.

I was delighted to receive a review copy of this book but now I have a major problem. What on earth am I going to start reading when December arrives to get me properly into the Christmas mood?

 

 

 

 

WELSH WRITING WEDNESDAYS: INTRODUCING AUTHOR AND BLOGGER JESSIE CAHALIN

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The tranquil, ancient setting of the Wye Valley always soothes me and encourages me to let my mind wander and have always felt at home there. I was in Tintern five years ago when I realised the need to connect with my dream to write. Indeed, William Wordsworth adored this spot, and his ballad, Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey, captures the beauty of the setting we can still enjoy over two hundred years later.

These waters, rolling from their mountain-springs
With a soft inland murmur.—Once again
Do I behold these steep and lofty cliffs,
That on a wild secluded scene impress
Thoughts of more deep seclusion; and connect
The landscape with the quiet of the sky.

Tintern breathed life into the fictional setting of Delfryn in my work in progress, Loving You. Delfryn is a Welsh word for pretty view and the perfect place for my characters, Pearl and Jim, to seek sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the town. Writing about Delfryn has also been a wonderful destination, particularly during lockdown.

Jim is a car mechanic who wants to be an artist and adores to visit his sister’s farm in Delfryn. Pearl is a seamstress who wants to sing. The landscape inspires Jim to paint and is also the romantic setting for him and Pearl. Alas, life in the country will not allow Pearl to fulfil her dream to become a singer.

Pearl and Jim fall in love but both want to follow their dreams. The novel is set in the seventies because I wanted to travel back in time to the decade I was born. Exploring the seventies was not as familiar as I thought it would be and the restrictive nature of society shocked me. During my research, I reflected on how my parents had very different opportunities to me and used this to add colour to my characters. Like Jim, my late father excelled at art but was from a working class, northern family and was expected to earn a living in a trade.

Despite their experiences, my parents always encouraged me to grab opportunities, pursue my dreams and celebrate creativity. I am also so grateful I can pinpoint the time and place where I chose to change the ‘what ifs’ into a destination. Ironically, I recently discovered that my ancestors hailed from Monmouthshire in the Middle Ages, so it feels as if I have gone full circle.

I will publish Loving You, a family saga, one day and discover whether Pearl and Jim will follow their dreams and their hearts. And the beauty of writing is you can provide the characters with opportunities, but they will still decide which paths they wish to take.

 

Contacts: 

Website:     http://jessiecahalin.com/

Facebook   https://www.facebook.com/people/Jessie-Cahalin/;  https://www.facebook.com/JessieCahalinAuthor/

Twitter        @BooksInHandbag

 

 

 

 

SIMONSTONE HALL HOTEL: A LITTLE PIECE OF HEAVEN IN THE YORKSHIRE DALES

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Jane Cable reviews a rather special country house hotel

Sometimes when you’re travelling, quite unexpectedly you come across a real gem of a place that you know you’ll go back to time and again. And that’s what happened when we spent a few nights at Simonstone Hall Hotel near Hawes in the Yorkshire Dales.

Arriving late on a wet afternoon, I have to say the building looked a bit grim from the outside; very grey and mullioned, but the welcome inside was as warm as could be, and our ‘estate room’, while not large, was extremely cosy. The bathroom was state of the art (so much so it had one of those extremely trendy rainfall showers that deluged half the floor), the bed comfortable, and there was proper coffee for the cafetiere. And that view… did I mention the view?

Simonstone still has the feel of a proper country house and we walked past a number of well-furnished living… or should I say drawing… rooms, overlooking the terrace with its rattan furniture and firepit, and perfect for curling up in with a good book or meeting friends for a chat. We walked past them because we’d had a long journey and were heading for the bar, where we received yet another warm welcome and a decent choice of drinks, including some locally brewed draft ale.

We were coming to realise that friendly staff and great customer service are at the heart of everything Simonstone does. You are quickly on first name terms with the people looking after you because they introduce themselves that way, and while everything happens as it should and when it should, there is still a very relaxed feel about the place, something you don’t always associate with a country house hotel. It was clear most of the guests were not on their first visit, and that in itself is always a recommendation.

The food was very good too. There were five or six dishes to choose from for each course and my gluten intolerance was catered for without fuss – there were even delicious warm bread rolls and quality gluten free crackers to accompany the cheese. Unlike a Michelin starred establishment we stayed in later in the week that thought it was OK to serve supermarket sliced GF bread. But I digress… at Simonstone the style falls just on the cheffy side of hearty, and my beetroot and goat cheese starter was absolutely exquisite. Mains were robust and delicious, in particular the Wensleydale beef and Texel lamb. There were some interesting wines on the list too, with bottle prices starting at £22 so no-one was going to feel ripped off.

On our one full day at Simonstone we left the car where it was and walked. There are some wonderful footpaths to follow with steep climbs (optional) and dramatic views (everywhere) so we tramped until we were desperate to take our boots off. Returning to our room mid-afternoon, the only small fly in our ointment was that we’d run out of the excellent coffee. It seemed no sooner than we’d thought it than there was a knock on the door. It was a young lady with a basket over her arm, filled with goodies. We’d run out of coffee? Take two… and some more mineral water. Did we need anything else? Biscuits? Tea?

It kind of summed up Simonstone. The warm generosity of the place, the nothing too much trouble attitude. We’ll certainly be going back.

 

Simonstone Hall Hotel is currently offering autumn and winter breaks and fabulous Christmas and New Year packages. Check them out at https://simonstonehall.com

 

 

 

 

 

Valerie Williams of Williams’ Handbakes told Margaret Graham all about her family run bakery that produces the biscuits and cakes Margaret and Dick eat far too often.

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Back in the late 1990s, Valerie Williams began selling traditional tarts and cakes at local farmers’ markets around Lancashire. They sold like hot cakes,  (sorry about that) and never one to stand still, Val developed a more extensive range of traditional homemade biscuits , based on local recipes. These continued to gather fans , so much so  that very soon farm shops and garden centres were asking to stock her range. Steadily,  like Topsy, Williams’ Handbaked  ‘growed’.  Now their Eccles and Chorley cakes, Goosenargh Biscuits and Lancashire Parkin are a by-word in the area.

As the team has expanded, so too has the bakery’s reach: exhibiting at food festivals and events across the country, and now  it’s good to know that their online wing is growing fast.

Situated on the Docklands in Preston, Lancashire, in the very same spot where Val began it all, the bakery is still very much a family affair, though now the day-to-day running of the business is  the capable hands of the next generation,  Val’s son Thomas, with help from her daughter-in-law Katie. Though it has to be said, Val is still in evidence.

    

       Val- Director                                                   Tom – Director                                               Katie – Operations Manager

As Val told Margaret,  ‘Williams Handbaked will continue the same principles instilled from the start. Our focus will always be on quality. All our products are still made and packed by hand with the utmost care and attention by our small but beatifully formed bakery team(!) using only the finest ingredients.’ 

So let’s meet the Williams’ team:

       

                             Rachel                                                         John                                                                    Julie

Rachel  – head baker – joined Williams as a modern apprentice, and they wouldn’t let her leave. A very talented baker,  she is always to be found experimenting with new recipes. John has worked for Val since he was 16. He’s responsible for logistics, making sure every single order is packed and shipped correctly and on time. The team always know when baker Julie is in the building as they’ll most likely hear her before they see her, and quite frankly, they wouldn’t have her any other way.

  

Tom has been selling Williams’ biscuits and cakes at events and shows for over ten years, and, says Val, he has the market trader banter to match.  Rory is responsible for the Williams brand, incorporating the website, packaging, point of sale, social media and photography. Bringing a wealth of experience to the role Tim manages the dispatch warehouse and ensures every order sent out is spot on.

                    

                  Sheryl                                                        Vicky                                                         Toby

Sheryl , bakery assistant, has been with Williams for twenty years, and has a keen eye for detail. Sheryl is currently working on her piping technique. Vicky .also bakery assistant says it’s been ‘a joy joining the Williams family‘ Vicky always arrives with a positive attitude, and will do whatever’s needed. Toby’s been baking cakes since he was 12. He first joined the team on work experience and is now working on his Apprenticeship.

           

Jesse is the newest recruit and has jumped in with both feet. He’s a fast learner and enjoys testing out recipes with his young daughter. Megan is John’s little cousin, and in between her studies at college, Val tells me you  can find her packing our biscuits and cakes. Ben is currently working for his Warehousing Apprenticeship and is Tim’s assistant in our dispatch unit.

So there we have it, Margaret’s curiosity is satisfied. Somehow it makes the hampers even more delicious to have met the team, all exuding enthusiasm, and comradeship, just as a family should. I do wonder what the Christmas hampers will look like. Seems likeChristmas presents for my family  is pretty much sorted

https://www.williamshandbaked.co.uk/

Have You Considered Downsizing As Part Of Your Retirement Planning? Here’s Why Going Small Could Benefit You

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For many people planning their retirement, downsizing is becoming a popular option for amassing retirement funds. However, having lived a life where bigger is often viewed as best, the idea of downsizing can seem slightly counter-intuitive. 

This article aims to alleviate any concerns you might have about downsizing and highlight its social and financial benefits.

What is Downsizing?

The enduring goal throughout your life has likely been aiming for something bigger and better. After all, it is this principle that tends to give people status in Western society. 

More essential than status is practicality. As you age, you tend to need more space for children, a bigger vehicle to transport the family, and more stuff for everyone to use. 

However, your family might have left home when you reach middle-age, and your interests may have changed. Perhaps you’ve had your fill of the latest gadget and sporty cars. Maybe you’re finding your large family home is a little too spacious for just the two of you. It is at this point that downsizing becomes a viable lifestyle choice.

Now is the time to consider focusing on more minor things rather than larger ones, and this is the principle behind downsizing. Downsizing offers you the opportunity to realise a lifestyle that you and your partner, reduces stress in your life, and is financially rewarding. 

Therefore, downsizing is not so much about cutting costs but about adjusting your lifestyle. Re-evaluating your spending and the resources you need will allow you to match these to your streamlined lifestyle. 

Benefits of Downsizing

  1. Assessing Your Lifestyle

The initial benefit of downsizing is that you’ll conduct an inspection of your lifestyle and assess what things are crucial. It’s too easy to drift through life, simply enjoying the same creature comforts that everyone else craves, often striving to go bigger and better. Conducting a lifestyle assessment is enlightening and is the first benefit of downsizing.

  1. Financial Rewards of Downsizing 

If you’ve owned your home for some time, it is likely to have increased in value by a considerable amount. Therefore trading in your property for something smaller could leave you with a significant amount of cash. 

This boost of money can enable you to live mortgage-free, pay off other loans, or pay for some substantial capital purchases. 

The same applies to cars and other large items. Downsizing to a smaller vehicle might not only allow you to get some capital return but could also save you a considerable amount of money on running costs each month. The accumulated money you release from your downsizing will not only give you financial benefits but will enable you to enjoy a more stress-free life. 

  1. Long-Term Benefits 

Although society is enjoying modern advancements in medicine, healthcare, and lifespan, it’s still likely that you’ll suffer from an illness or restriction at some stage of your life. As you age, your health and home environment become much more of a priority. 

Downsizing is a way of meeting these needs and providing you with long-term benefits. For instance, you might find downsizing from a three-story townhouse in the city centre to a bungalow in the suburbs more suitable as you get older. 

Considerations When Downsizing 

By now, you might think that downsizing is a good idea. However, there are several things to consider before making any hasty decision.

  • Practicality. Although your downsizing venture might be to boost your finances, you should also consider the practical aspects. Moving home is stressful at the best of times, and you should ask yourself if the hassle is worth it.
  • Adapting to a Smaller Space. Having lived in a large space for some time, you might find it challenging to adapt to a smaller space. You may have become too used to extra bedrooms, bathrooms, or TV rooms.
  • Emotional Ties. You are bound to have plenty of memories and emotions associated with your family home. Consider how you’ll feel about severing these emotional ties with your home.
  • New Area. If you are moving into a smaller home, chances are you’ll be moving to a new area. You’ll be leaving behind neighbours you may have known for many years. Will you be able to maintain these relationships?
  • Shedding Possessions. Moving to a smaller home means you’ll likely have to get rid of some of your possessions. Before downsizing, consider which of your prized possessions you can shed and those you can’t live without.
  • Paying a Premium. Bungalows are a popular choice for downsizing. However, these properties are rare, so you’ll likely have to pay a premium to secure a purchase. 

Using Your Freed-Up Capital For Your Retirement

Downsizing is a considerable undertaking, so you should ensure you put the money from it to good use. Of course, you might have downsized as a lifestyle choice, but many people also have financial goals for the process. Therefore, you should clearly understand what you will do with the money you release from downsizing.

You’ll notice the most immediate impact of downsizing on the reduced cost of your lifestyle. You can release yourself from the burden of some debts or even clear your mortgage. Doing so will give you substantially more disposable income every month. 

However, you mustn’t use all of this additional money for short-term spending. You should also consider the longer term and your retirement years. If you regularly check your pension, you’ll understand what you might need to do to improve your pension’s performance.

An excellent option for boosting your retirement savings is to make top-up payments into your pension. Also, if you have any gaps in your National Insurance contributions, you might be able to use some of your spare money to fill these.

Conclusion

Downsizing is a natural process as you age and your lifestyle priorities shift. However, it often goes against everything you may have strived for previously. Before you make the leap and start shedding a large property for a smaller one, a more modest vehicle, and fewer possessions, consider the practical aspects of giving such things up. 

The financial benefits of downsizing are probably the most significant. These include the opportunity to clear your mortgage, other debts or make substantial top-up payments to your pension pot. Regardless of the amount of money you free up from downsizing, being more comfortable in your retirement should be one of your primary considerations for doing so. 

If you are thinking about your pension, consider using a regulated pensions specialist such as Portafina or, view the advice at Pension Wise.

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