I loved this series, Milly, and I’m thrilled to see it coming out in e-book. So convenient for travelling, though you can’t turn down the corners of the page! You can though, adjust the size of the font, But enough… tell us more about the brilliant and intriguing series, The Waterway Girls.

You are kind, Kathleen. The germ of the idea came on a train to London. I was earwigging two ladies of a certain age discussing friends who had crewed Inland Waterway narrowboats for the war effort. Heavens, I even had to turn the page corner of my book down, and listen…

They were remembering how their two friends had blisters on their hands the size of moons, could barely move in the 7ft wide cabin where they slept, ate and cooked. They remembered them running along the towpaths, opening and closing locks, hauling on ropes, loading and unloading. In winter it was absolutely freezing and in summer, the sun would beat off the roof of the narrowboats while they steered, blinding them. Then there was the bucket… At which they burst out laughing.

Of course, Kathleen, being the nosiest person alive I had to ask more. ‘Ah the bucket,’ one said. ‘There’s no room for a bathroom just the one cabin. So a bucket was positioned behind the engine and cabin, which is why the pubs along the way were life saving – as well as their social aspect of course.’

The time flew and soon I was hearing about the kids on the bridges who threw whatever they could at the narrowboats as they passed beneath and later the V-1 and V-2s bombs causing death and destruction. But by then we were drawing into London, so the conversation had to end. Nooo. How could it.?

So, Milly, how did you move on from this fantastic chance meeting?

I dashed straight to the Canal Museum behind Kings Cross Station, close to the Regents Canal, sat in the tiny cabin and there and then a team of three young women toiling on the waterways, living cheek by jowl in this tiny space was born. Not only that, but how they still found love, laughter and friendship amongst the wonderful community of Inland Waterway women and boaters. I researched over the next weeks, and it almost wrote itself. I just wanted to do them all justice – the Inland Waterway women and boaters – and to pay homage to these extraordinary people. I hope I did.

Yes, you did Milly, and now readers, let me tell you all about The Waterways Girls which I have just enjoyed so much.

19 year old Polly Holmes leaves poor bombed London to join the war effort on Britain’s canals. Once on board narrowboat Marigold she meets Verity, the fellow trainee. She is not welcomed with open arms, but there is no time to even gulp as Bet, the Skipper and trainer, gets down to creating a team, one in which they must meld together, learn all there is to learn and to – trust. Polly rolls up her sleeves and they embark on the gruelling journey from London to Birmingham and soon both girls realise the canal has the power of healing, and that a world of new beginnings is within reach. Wonderfully written and envisaged. Captivating.

Millly, it has been a pleasure to talk to you, and to read all three of the Waterway Girls novels. What I love about all Milly Adams’ and Margaret Graham’s books (the same author under a different pen-name) is that one doesn’t just read, but rather finds oneself living the life of ordinary people from so many extraordinary walks of life, a life often forced upon them by a world war, and one which we could never envisage today without Milly’s research and phenomenal writing skills. Thank you to Milly Adams for keeping these amazing people alive.

Yes, The Waterway Girls is a triumph and is with me still, I didn’t want it to end, but the good news is, that Love on the Water ways and Hope on the Waterways are to be released as e-books in November. Hallelujah.

https://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/ The Waterway Girls: pre-order now for £0.99 rather than £2.99. www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FRN1JWMF/

Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q
http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

Microplane simply means quality for me, so I always get slightly over-excited when they launch a new product, and their new Container Grater has set my pulse racing a bit too much for my advancing years.

For those who don’t know, Microplane was inspired by a Canadian housewife in the early 90s, who, fed up with her traditional grater, borrowed one of her husband’s wood-working tools. Her discovery that a well-engineered tool could be so much more effective than the kitchen-grade grater she’d struggled with, resulted in the creation of Microplane – the original manufacturer of photo-etched cutting tools. After over fifty years of experience, their durable, photo-etched and razor-sharp stainless-steel blades are simply the best – effortlessly cutting through hard and soft foods, without tearing or shredding.

So let me tell you about the Container Grater. If you’ll pardon the pun, I just can’t contain myself a moment longer.

This grater combined with storage container has been so well-thought through, I’m in awe. The firm plastic container appears compact, yet has a roomy 532ml capacity, plus a non-slip base for safe grating. It’s topped with a sleek wooden lid, which doubles as a mini cheese board, and removing the lid reveals the ultra-sharp stainless-steel bladed grater. This grater is so strong that you can grate not only hard and soft cheeses, but chocolate, coconut, various fruit and veg, garlic and nuts too, and the gratings fall neatly into the container beneath with no mess. A semi-circular gap at the end of the grater allows easy dispensing, for instance sprinkling grated cheese on pasta. You can either replace the nice wooden lid, or if you wish to store for longer in the fridge, remove the grater and replace with the well-fitting airtight plastic storage lid – so clever.

The Microplane Container Grater is dishwasher safe and the wooden lid just needs a quick wipe with a clean cloth. It’s available in two beautiful colours – Anthracite Gray with a Walnut Lid and Cashmere Beige with a Bamboo Lid and can be bought from John Lewis, RRP £39.95. The biggest problem is which colour to choose – they’re both so gorgeous.

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q
http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

Anything for Him by LK Chapman: Reeling from the loss of her parents in a house fire, Felicity is pulled into the dangerous orbit of the volatile Jay and allows herself to be drawn into Jay’s twisted revenge plan against his former best friend. Soon Felicity learns that no matter what she does, it will never be enough for Jay.

As his jealousy and insecurity tip him into escalating violence against her, Felicity questions everything he has told her about his past and his former girlfriend Sammie, and hatches a desperate plan to escape … Honestly,this is so tense – a real page turner Buy now for £0.99 instead of £2.99 www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FRMTKMYK/

There is a nuclear weapon in the hands of the Vatican City’s deadliest enemy. And time is running out to stop the attack …

Marco Venetti, the only man the Pope trusts, is on the hunt for a traitor. He is willing to do anything to protect the church, and the man at its heart. Even if it means getting blood on his hands … But when Marco finds him, the traitor reveals terrifying new information: the name of a Russian mafioso with a grudge against the Vatican and possession of a nuclear bomb.

If Marco doesn’t work with him, the consequences will be deadly. To prevent it, Marco must enter a deadly game of cat-and-mouse that will take him across the continent, on land and by sea. With time running out, he will stop at nothing to uncover the truth. Because the secrets inside the Vatican may be the deadliest threat of all. And only Marco can restore honour to the church, by any means necessary … It’s beautifully written and I loved every word.

Buy now for £0.99 instead of £2.99 www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FRG6Z4R3/

The Waterway Girls by Milly Adams

In war-torn London, young Polly Holmes leaves heartbreak behind to join a narrowboat crew on Britain’s canals – where friendship, resilience, and the hope of new beginnings carry her through the darkest days of war.

In October 1943, nineteen-year-old Polly Holmes leaves poor bombed London behind to join the war effort on Britain’s canals. Stepping aboard the Marigold in the pouring rain, there’s lots for Polly to get to grips with. Not least her fellow crew: strong and impetuous Verity, whose bark is worse than her bite, and seasoned skipper Bet. With her sweetheart away fighting in the RAF and her beloved brother killed in action, there’s plenty of heartache to be healed on the waterway. As Polly rolls up her sleeves and gets stuck into life on board the narrowboat – making the gruelling journey from London up to Birmingham – she will soon discover that a world of new beginnings awaits amid the anguish of the war. Emotional, evocative unputdownable – I loved it.

And just think, there really were volunteer Inland Waterway girls who rolled up their sleeves, managed locks, endured the hardships, the dangers, and let’s not forget the fun found in the world of these fabulous Waterway Girls. What a homage to love, friendship and the boating community. Absolutely heartwarming.

Buy now for £0.99 rather than £2.99. www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FRN1JWMF/

The breathtaking conclusion to the Guardians of the Crown series introduces a heroine with nothing left to lose and a hero with everything to gain … England, 1659: Following the death of Cromwell,(such a fascinating period) a new king is poised to ascend the throne of England. One by one, those once loyal to the crown begin to return … Agnes Fletcher’s lover is dead, and when his two orphaned children are torn from her care by their scheming guardian, she finds herself alone and devastated by the loss. Unwilling to give up, Agnes desperately seeks anyone willing to accompany her on a perilous journey to save the children and return them to her care.

After enduring imprisonment, exile and torture, the fugitive Daniel Lovell has returned to England, determined to find his brother and kill the man who murdered his father. But the King has one last mission for him and there is the small matter of a desperate woman who needs his help. When they are finally given the opportunity to seize everything they ever hoped for, will they find the peace they crave, or will their fledgling love be the final casualty of war? A fascinating series, unputdownable and absorbing.

Buy now for £1.99 instead of £2.99. www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FRGDGWPR/

I have a brand-new obsession: these gorgeous, stylish and comfortable clothes for children. If you have a child with sensory processing difficulties then these clothes will have them looking fabulous with no complaints.

Not only are these clothes soft and beautiful, but they are super-affordable. I always say that my biggest compliment to a brand is if I would spend my own money on it. I will definitely buy these high-quality, yet affordable clothes. With the great styles mixed with the neurodiverse-friendly comfort, we love Känna.

A Devon-based mother has turned her family’s personal struggles into a groundbreaking solution for children with sensory processing difficulties. Today marks the official launch of Känna, a new online clothing brand offering stylish, sensory-friendly garments designed to bring comfort and confidence to neurodivergent children.

The inspiration behind Känna came from founder Katie Lodge’s own experience with her daughter Evelyn, who struggled to find clothing she could tolerate due to sensory sensitivities. “Evelyn had one outfit she could wear comfortably, and it was on repeat every single day,” Katie recalls. “Seams, labels, waistbands – everything felt unbearable to her. It wasn’t just about clothing; it was about her quality of life.”

Determined to create a solution, Katie assembled a team of expert designers and manufacturers to develop a range of clothing that is as kind to the senses as it is stylish. The result is Känna, a collection of thoughtfully designed garments that prioritise comfort without compromising on aesthetics.

What makes Känna different?

Every detail of Känna’s clothing has been meticulously crafted to address the unique needs of children with sensory sensitivities:

·       Minimal, ultra-soft seams for durability without irritation

·       Tagless, screen-printed care labels to eliminate itchy contact

·       Soft, breathable organic cotton blends, brushed inside for extra smoothness

·       Stretchy, non-restrictive waistbands for ultimate comfort

The inaugural collection, available for children aged 5 to 14, includes short- and long-sleeve tees, A-line skirts, and dresses in a variety of styles and colours. Prices range from £28 to £35, offering a mid-range, high-quality alternative to high-street clothing.

Comfort for all kids – with sustainability built-in

While Känna was born out of a need to support neurodivergent children, its mission extends to all kids. “Let’s normalise comfort and self-care for our children,” Katie says. “Everyone feels better when they’re comfortable, and Känna is here to make that possible for every child.”

Känna is also deeply committed to ethical and sustainable practices. All garments are made from OEKO-TEX or GOTS certified fabrics, responsibly sourced from European mills, and built to last.

A family’s journey, a community’s solution

Katie’s journey to create Känna has been one of love, determination and risk. “This brand was born out of necessity, even desperation,” she shares. “But it’s been created with so much love, and we couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved.”

The Lodge family’s story is one of resilience and innovation, and Känna is set to become a brand that empowers children to feel good in what they wear.

Learn more

For more details about Känna’s story and its sensory-friendly clothing, visit the blog at https://kanna.co.uk/blogs/latest-news-1/sensory-clothing

About Känna

Känna (inspired by the Swedish/Icelandic/Japanese word for “feeling,” “explore,” and “waves”) is a UK-based start-up creating premium children’s clothing that combines sensory-aware design with ethical sustainability. Känna’s mission is to empower all children to feel good in what they wear.

Childhood anxiety affects millions of families across Britain. One moment everything seems fine. The next, a child refuses to leave the house or bursts into tears over seemingly small things. For parents and carers, knowing how to help can feel overwhelming. 

Spotting the Signs

Anxiety wears many masks in childhood. A seven-year-old might complain of tummy aches every school morning. Teenagers sometimes become snappy and withdrawn. Younger children often struggle to explain their feelings at all. 

Some warning signs are obvious. Others sneak up gradually:

• Difficulty concentrating at school
• Nightmares or trouble falling asleep
• Avoiding friends or favourite activities
• Explosive anger over minor issues
• Constantly asking “what if?” questions

Physical symptoms matter too. Headaches, nausea and exhaustion often accompany anxiety. Yet doctors find nothing medically wrong. This frustrates everyone involved.

Opening Up Conversations

Getting anxious children to talk requires patience. Direct questions rarely work. “What’s wrong?” often meets silence or “nothing.”

Better approaches exist. Sharing activities creates natural openings for chat. Baking together, walking the dog, or building Lego removes pressure. Children often open up when their hands stay busy.

Timing matters enormously. Anxious children need space to process feelings. Pushing for immediate answers backfires. Sometimes waiting until bedtime or the weekend helps. Each child has their own rhythm.

Validation beats advice initially. “That must feel scary” acknowledges feelings without judgement. Children need to know their emotions make sense before tackling solutions.

Practical Anxiety-Busting Tools

Body-Based Techniques

Anxiety lives in the body as much as the mind. Teaching children to notice physical sensations helps. Tight shoulders? Time for shoulder rolls. Racing heart? Let’s try slow breathing.

The 7-11 breathing technique calms most children. Breathe in for 7 counts, out for 11. It’s harder than it sounds! This difficulty actually helps by focusing attention away from worries.

Progressive muscle relaxation works brilliantly at bedtime. Tense each muscle group for five seconds, then release. Start with toes, work upwards. Many children fall asleep before reaching their heads.

Creating Routine and Predictability

Anxious minds crave structure. Regular mealtimes, consistent bedtimes and predictable schedules reduce uncertainty. This doesn’t mean rigid timetables. Flexibility within framework works best.

Visual schedules help younger children. Knowing what comes next eases transitions. Even teenagers benefit from shared family calendars showing upcoming events.

The Power of Play

Play therapy isn’t just for professionals. Drawing, crafts and imaginative games let children express fears safely. A child who can’t discuss school anxiety might draw angry pictures or act out scenarios with toys.

Older children often prefer journals. Writing worries down gets them out of spinning minds. Some children enjoy creating worry monsters – drawing their anxiety as silly creatures removes some power.

When Outside Help Makes Sense

Professional support becomes necessary when anxiety disrupts daily life significantly. Missing school regularly, losing friendships, or family relationships suffering all signal intervention time.

GPs provide starting points for help. School pastoral teams often have training in anxiety support. Waiting lists for CAMHS can stretch long, but early referral means getting in the queue sooner.

Different children need different support levels. Those in care situations, including foster placements, often face complex anxiety from past experiences. Organisations like orangegrovefostercare.co.uk offer specialised guidance for supporting these vulnerable young people.

Private therapy remains an option for families who can afford it. Many therapists offer sliding scales based on income.

Conclusion

Supporting anxious children challenges even the most patient adults. Progress rarely follows straight lines. Good weeks follow difficult ones. Setbacks happen just when everything seemed sorted.

Remember that small improvements count. A child who couldn’t enter shops last month but managed five minutes today has achieved something huge. Celebrating these victories, however tiny, builds momentum for bigger challenges ahead.

Above all, anxious children need to know they’re not broken. With time, understanding and the right tools, they can learn to manage their worries. The journey might be long, but hope always exists.

Guest post from our partner.

Ever wonder how to reduce your beauty bag? Is your skincare overflowing with multiple choice products, so much so that  you find you neglect them or simply don’t know how to add this in to your routine? Consumerism has driven the availability of some brilliant products that are holy grail in our skincare routines, but also, the amount of steps to treat our skin can be overwhelming. So how much do we really need daily? Whilst everyone’s skin and skin needs are different (be it oily, dry, sensitive, acne-prone, aging, etc), there are some staple skincare products that should be used by all. We spoke to skincare experts to find out what those are…

CLEANSER

Chartered Chemist, founder of SOS Serum Skincare, Bruce Green, says, “Cleansing is one of the single most important things you can do for your skin. Everyone’s skin gets dirty from dust, sweat, make-up, sebum and atmospheric impurities, at all times of the day. A nighttime cleanse clears the day’s gunk, giving your skin a chance to repair while you sleep. our skin doesn’t get that dirty while you sleep – unless you roll around in pizza at 3 a.m., a splash of water in the morning can be enough. It is estimated that over 50% of users of cleansers, suffer from skin discomfort, tingling or itching. In my opinion, many cleansers on the market contain too much ethanol and an excess of surfactants that can upset and unbalance the skins natural protective barrier, its ‘Acid Mantle’ – which can lead to redness, irritation, clogged pores and the skin feeling tight and the skins barrier being compromised. Do not over cleanse or use an aggressive cleanser as this can stimulate the skin to produce more sebum and the need to cleanse more. Your skin might even thank you for not scrubbing it like a kitchen countertop. Over-cleansing wrecks your skin barrier and can cause dryness, irritation and even more oil production. I recommend SOS Cleanse as your go to cleanser for healthy looking skin: alcohol-free & petrochemical free.”

MOISTURISER

Dr Bonny Armstrong, Teoxane expert and award-winning Aesthetic Doctor, says, “A healthy skin barrier protects against almost all skin issues including dryness, sensitivity, breakouts and early signs of skin aging. Even oily/acne-prone skin needs hydration to prevent overcompensation. If your skin “feels fine,” daily moisturising prevents problems before they start. Your skin barrier is the outermost layer of skin and protecting it with daily moisturiser keeps water in and irritants out. Throughout the day, your skin loses water (transepidermal water loss), and can lead to tightness, premature fine lines and sebum overproduction to compensate. Pollution, weather, indoor heating/AC and UV rays all wear on your skin daily, so finding a solid moisturiser that is protecting and nourishing to your skin makes a big difference to your skin’s appearance over time from daily use. Sometimes, we feel we want to avoid moisturiser, especially if it feels too heavy. Teoxane Advanced Filler Normal‑to‑Combination Skin is a light formula suited to normal or combination skin, delivering hydration, smoothing and anti-wrinkle benefits using RHA and a restructuring complex.”

SPF

Clinic Lead at Face the Future, Kimberley Medd, says, “If there’s one none-negotiable in your daily skincare routine – no matter your gender, skin type and age, it’s sun protection. Whilst skin cancer is rightly still the number one reason to wear SPF, there are a multitude of protective benefits to wearing sunscreen that go beyond sunburn. UVA protection in the UK is the key understanding to protect the skin from premature fine lines and wrinkles, which we are more at risk of throughout all seasons, whereas summer is more closely tied to UVB protection (protecting against sunburn). Other SPF benefits include minimising and protecting the skin from hyperpigmentation, sunspots, fine lines and wrinkles, accelerated collagen depletion, drier skin from no barrier protection and maintaining an even skin tone. As skin gets thinner and less resilient with age, it becomes more vulnerable to UV damage. When we’re younger, we might not think too much about sun protection, but as we age, the consequences of not using SPF regularly—like wrinkles, age spots, and an increased risk of skin cancer—become more evident. This is telling in that the latest 365 Days of SPF report by Face the Future, 77% of the UK believe it’s important for people aged over 40 to wear sun protection.”

LIP BALM

Emma Coleman, Senior Magnitone Ambassador, Clinic Director and Dermatology Nurse, says, “Lips don’t have oil glands, so they dry out faster than the rest of your skin. They’re constantly under pressure from talking, eating, licking and weather. Applying lip balm can help prevent dryness, cracking, chapping from environmental factors, lip lines and irritation. Just like our skin barrier needs protecting, our lips are often neglected or seen as a “nice to have”. Even those with smooth and generally non-problematic lips can adhere to daily wear, as travel, lifestyle, outdoor exposure, or breathing through your mouth at night, can impact the health of your lips. Some balms cause the very dryness you’re trying to fix, so it’s important to watch out for irritants such as menthol, camphor, phenol, eucalyptus, or fragrances. Avoid lip balms with exfolitating ingredients like Salicylic Acid, which is too harsh for daily lip use. Some balms only offer an addictive feeling and not much healing – they give quick relief but don’t seal in moisture, leading to more reapplying. Instead, look for a lip balm with humectant qualities such as hyaluronic acid or glycerin, and nourishing ingredients like shea butter, ceramides and vitamin E. UV rays cause lip ageing and increase the risk of skin cancer, especially on the lower lip, so opting for an SPF enriched lip balm can also create an added benefit.”