Nine enjoyable things to try in St Neots this October

In this three-minute read, we look at ways to keep your body and mind active in October.

Plant some bulbs
Bulbs are really easy to plant and can go in either the ground or pots. They require virtually no looking after and pack a colourful punch. Plant daffodils, tulips and hyacinths for spring blooms and alliums and lilies for summer flowers in 2021.

Play conkers
Every October, thousands of people flock to the village of Southwick in Northamptonshire to partake in the most British of pastimes: the thwacking of horse chestnuts. We are of course, talking about the World Conker Championships. Unfortunately due to Covid-19 this has been cancelled this year. That doesn’t stop you from hosting your own tournament at home, so grab your wellies and go on a search for the largest conker you can find. A little tip is to test out your conkers in water first, if they are damaged or rotten inside, they will float to the surface so make sure you get rid of those. You can also try and make your conker stronger by soaking it in vinegar (One of Barry’s fond memories as a child with his nan Joy)

Find a new nature trail
It is eight months since the word ‘coronavirus’ entered our lexicon so no wonder we all feel a touch frazzled. Thankfully, walking in nature can have a restorative effect on our mental health and reduce anxiety and depression. There are some lovely parks and woodlands in St Neots and the surrounding area. One of the Butler family favourites is Brampton Wood, a nature reserve run by the Wildlife Trust. Go for a walk in a beauty spot and feel reinvigorated but make sure you wrap up; Autumn has most definitely arrived.

Start a nature journal
There is a pretty little corner of the internet dedicated to nature journaling; the process of regularly drawing and writing about what you see in your natural surroundings. It is a great way (especially for kids) to slow down and observe the changing world around us. Check out this guide from the Natural History Museum on starting a nature journal. www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/how-to-make-and-use-a-nature-jounal-to-record-your-wildlife-obs.html

Get drawing
The world’s largest drawing event, The Big Draw takes place throughout October. It’s an initiative designed to encourage people of all ages to enjoy the simplicity of putting pencil, pen, crayon or pastel to paper. The theme this year is ‘A Climate of Change’. Let your imagination run free. With Halloween coming up you could get the children involved and draw some 'spooky' pumpkins to decorate your windows.

Move in a new way
If you spend your days sitting at a desk (or kitchen table) hunched over a laptop, then it’s time to get some of those neglected muscles moving. Discover the joys of doing a downward dog in yoga, mastering tabletop in Pilates or getting better acquainted with your yin and yang with some Tai Chi. Your body, mind and soul will say namaste (that’s thanks in yoga speak BTW).

Wine or Gin tasting online
Apparently, some of us have been (ahem) drinking more at home in recent months. If you veer towards the vino or (like us) the gin, then why not learn more about what it is you are imbibing. A host of companies now offer online tasting sessions. They deliver a few bottles or kits to your door, and then in a Zoom session an expert talks you through the finer details of the tipple that you’re drinking.

Bake something from the GBBO
Try to execute one of the really tough challenges that Paul and Prue gleefully set for Great British Bake-Off contestants. Step out of your kitchen comfort zone and get rough with the puff, tinker with a tarte au citron or attempt to blitz a Schichttorte (yes we can’t pronounce that either). You could even get the whole family involved and judge your very on STAR BAKERS for their creations.

Learn a language
Perhaps you learnt a language at secondary school and haven’t used it since. Or maybe you have plans to hotfoot it to an exotic location when we are (eventually) done with Covid-19. Either way, why not use one of the many apps available (most with a free version) to brush up on your language skills.

Here at Butler Residential, we know 2020 has been an unusual year, but we’re determined to keep calm, keep active and keep people moving homes successfully.

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