Get set for
summer
With the nation in high spirits after a glorious Jubilee celebration, we’re ready to help make it a super Shire summer to savour. (Try saying that after a glass or two of Pimm’s!)
T
he past few years have been tricky ones. We’ve all faced challenges and restrictions, but it is finally feeling like things are back to normal for most. As we head into the middle of the great British summertime, we think 2022 is going to be a particularly special one. Over the next few pages we’re going to share some brilliant ideas for making the very best of it.
Home and away For a lot of people, the arrival of summer means packing a bag and heading abroad for a break. But having seen the chaos – and, in many cases, heartbreak – caused by last-minute cancellations and delays earlier this year, we think more of us will be opting to holiday nearer home. Countries that have always been a favourite with tourists are facing tough times, too. Without the furlough schemes we had here, many small resorts have shrunk – and arriving at your destination to find hotels on either side that have gone bust and noday trips on offer, could be the start of a disappointing stay. We’re lucky that we don’t have to go far to find holiday locations on a par with many foreign destinations. Between the rolling hills
Our home patch makes the perfect staycation Recreate the holiday vibe at home
of Shropshire, the historic towns on the plains of Cheshire and, of course, the glorious coastline of North Wales, the Shire patch makes the perfect destination for a 2022 staycation. Check out our holiday section on pages 61-64 for the ultimate guide to camping, glamping, lodges, boating and parks that offer an amazing escape this summer.
Family = Fun The other thing we know you’re all looking forward to this summer is seeing family. With time off, it’s the season for catching up with cousins and going away with grandparents. Maybe you’re the family 54 SHIRE MAGAZINE | July/August 2022
member that will end up hosting – and maybe you’re out of practice? Don’t panic. We’ve a few pointers to help you be the ultimate host and still enjoy the time as much as your guests do.
Relax!
Arrange a sleep-out
Your visitors are coming to see you, not your home. Don’t worry about redecorating or buying extra chairs – the ideal gathering is one that embraces the chaos of combining generations, and does so in a relaxed and enjoyable way.
Say yes!
Keep it simple – and enjoy!
We all want to be that person who graciously turns down offers of help and has everything under control – but in reality, it is much easier to just say yes. A big pot of something for dinner so no one has to cook one night? Yes please. A spare blow-up bed that may come in handy? Pop it in the car. Start saying yes to every offer and you’ll enjoy yourself more in the end.
Get out! A heaving house with guests tripping over each other spells tension. Make the most of your outdoor space for entertaining. Use the barbecue at every opportunity – it’s more casual and no one minds if timings are off and Take the party outside food arrives on a paper plate. Borrow a gazebo if the weather looks dodgy. You could even pop up a tent for the kids to sleep in – they’ll love the adventure.
