Pumpkin Spice

With Autumn and Halloween just around the corner, we’ve taken a little inspiration to bring you a collection of pumpkins to help you transition into the new season and beyond.

Pumpkin Bauble Decorations (Set Of 3), £20, Sophie Allport

Brown Velvet Pumpkin, £16, Rockett St George

Wood Effect Pumpkin, £65, Fy!

Ceramic Pumpkin, £8.50, We Love Seasons

Pumpkin Trio, £22, Truffle Tablescapes

Fry’sFootieCorner

As I am writing this column, England have just played their final warm-up games ahead of the World Cup in Qatar and even though the tournament is just around the corner, I still can’t quite get my head around the fact that this competition is taking place in the middle of the domestic campaign and in a country with no real football experience.

It is certainly going to be a very different World Cup that is for sure. There has been an awful lot of talk about England and Gareth Southgate’s position as manager. I think that given what England have achieved during his tenure should mean that he gets a little bit more slack.

A semi-final and a final of a major tournament, regardless of the squad at your disposal, is still a pretty good achievement when you compare and contrast with previous manager’s efforts. Yes, of course, we need to go one better now, but I believe we have a great opportunity to do that with the players that we have.

It is just about finding the right balance. I think that Jude Bellingham has emerged as a potential starter in midfield and that is a bit of a problem position for us, while we know that there are challenges at centre back, however, when you look at the attacking options at our disposal, I am sure we can score more than the opposition – which was my mantra as a manager! At Peterborough United, we have had a few players away on international duty. Ronnie Edwards played two out of the three games for England under 20s in Spain, while Joe Taylor made his first appearance for Wales under 21s. Both players were signed from Barnet and Kings Lynn respectively and I have always said there is plenty of talent, young and old, outside of the EFL. I think our transfer policy proves that.

Ronnie helped England under 19s win the European Championships in the summer and has taken the step-up into the under 20s in his stride. While Joe has scored plenty of goals for our under 21s and on his first appearance for his country, hit the post in a 90minute appearance and I know their management loved him.

I personally love it when players go away with their countries. It is a different environment, different opposition and they can only learn and improve from that experience. We have seen that first hand. Hopefully more of our players will get that opportunity moving forward.

Barry

Go for a Gilet

For those days when a full-on insulated jacket would be overkill, but you still need a hint of warmth, there’s a simple solution – the humble gilet.

Orange Gilet, £36, FatFace Black Gilet, £230, The North Face

Two-Tone Gilet, £44, M&Co Blue Padded Gilet, £169, Barbour

Wax Gilet, £69.50 M&Co FatFace

Blue Gilet, £114, Raging Bull .

TRAVEL

Fall in Love with Vietnam This Autumn

Often recognised as one of the greatest fall destinations across the globe, visiting Vietnam in autumn should be on every traveller’s bucket list. During the autumn months, Hanoi becomes cooler, while the central coast and south continue to be warm, providing the perfect opportunity to explore a mix of bustling cultural hotspots, while also enjoying some relaxation on the stunning coastline. For those looking to book their next autumn getaway, here are some reasons why Vietnam makes the perfect autumn time destination.

The coastal climates are at their best, but you can still avoid the crowds

The coastal regions of Vietnam are second to none. From the picture perfect Ha Long Bay, to the golden sands of Phu Quoc, autumn provides the perfect occasion to lap up some sunshine and enjoy the serenity of the coast, while avoiding the crowds of peak season.

Sea lovers won’t want to miss a trip to Ha Long Bay, a world UNESCO site that features thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various shapes and sizes. It's easy to see why it’s one of the most popular destinations in Vietnam throughout the year, with autumn providing the ideal time to make the most of the views as a result of the seasonal cool and sunny climate.

Hội An, a coastal city located in Southeast Vietnam, boasts incredible history through its ancient Japanese houses and Chinese temples. Hội An is home to an attractive seafront area with a beautiful setting for restaurants and lively bars, where visitors can enjoy a variety of traditional cuisine in an idyllic setting. Boats can also be hired to explore the neighbouring areas, and during the autumn nights, visitors can buy lanterns and release them into the river, making for an unforgettable atmosphere.

It’s the perfect time of year to walk the streets of Vietnam’s bustling cities

Vietnam is full of vibrant, eclectic cities, which are best discovered in the months when the air is a little cooler. Bustling streets and the famous trams making their way through narrow lanes are some of Vietnam's best loved sights. Around autumn time, the capital city of Hanoi is a sight that shouldn’t be missed. A visit in autumn can save guests from both the high temperatures in the summer and the colder winds of the winter. The old quarter is famous for its 36 iconic streets named after the products sold by the residents, perfect for a leisurely stroll to take it all in. It’s also a great time of year to experience a bike or motorbike ride through the streets, watching the falling leaves of autumn and the changing colours.

Off-the-beaten-track adventure attractions are at their best

The Mekong Delta is a sight to behold all year round, but really comes into its own during the damper seasons which peak in October. Tourists visiting the Delta have the chance to travel by boat at this time of year instead of using cars and scooters, offering them the opportunity to capture stunning images of sunrises and sunsets across the waters, spotting wildlife in its natural habitat and watching locals cast their nets to cash in on the plentiful fish supply that migrates to the area. Boat rides through the mangroves, forests, floating markets and fruit orchards are the perfect way to experience this area from a whole new perspective and autumn is one of the only times of year when it’s possible to do so. Visitors can join the hundreds of little boats as they move their way through the Delta and experience this unique, natural landscape.

You can get there on a budget, with flights at their cheapest

For those looking to explore this beautiful country without breaking the bank, October and November are among the most affordable months to fly to Vietnam. Visitors begin to return to Vietnam after the rainy season around this time of year, but not yet in sufficient numbers to drive up the flight prices. For those who want to get away while avoiding the sky high prices of travel around school holidays and the Christmas period, autumn is the perfect time to visit Vietnam, making the most of the beautiful weather while rainy days and colder nights begin to draw to the UK.

BOOK IT

Vietnam Airlines, the 4*Skytrax carrier flies three times a week from London Heathrow to Hanoi (Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday) twice a week to Hanoi (Tuesday & Thursday) and once to Ho Chi Minh City (Saturday). The airline operates a Boeing 787 with three class configurations of business class, premium economy and economy cabin. Economy fare starts from £615pp.