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Environment

My Penguin Necklace Story: From Antarctica to Jewellery with Elouise Makes

My husband is a wonderful man. Before our ‘trip of a lifetime’ to Antarctica, South Georgia Island, and the Falkland Islands — a journey three years in the making — he surprised me with a beautiful gold penguin necklace. It wasn’t just any necklace, but a piece from Elouise Makes, a jeweller who focuses on sustainability and traditional craftsmanship in every aspect of her jewellery making. With the penguin made from reclaimed and repurposed gold, I have been wearing it almost daily ever since!

Little did I know, this single gift would be the start of a very special relationship with the artist behind the brand, Rosie Deegan. Today, I want to share both my journey with Rosie and her incredible process, which is all about a slower, more sustainable way of creating.

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October 1, 2025
3354
Environment, Sustainable Travel

César Manrique: Art, Nature & Sustainability in Lanzarote

I’m back with another travel tale following a dear friend’s prompting, and this time, we’re talking about a true visionary. If you’ve ever been to the stunning island of Lanzarote, you’ll know that it’s unlike anywhere else. There are no high-rise hotels (bar one!), no gaudy billboards, and a beautiful, harmonious blend of white-washed buildings and dramatic volcanic landscapes. This isn’t an accident. It’s all thanks to one man: César Manrique.

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September 23, 2025
3584
Environment

Harvest Fest & Seed Secrets at Ricky Community Garden Autumn Workshop.

As the days get shorter and the leaves start their spectacular show, there’s a buzz of excitement at the Ricky Community Garden! We’re all gearing up for the Sustainable Three Rivers group’s fantastic Harvest & Autumn Workshop happening on Sunday, September 28th, from 11 am to 1 pm. And guess what? It’s going to be packed with free goodies and fantastic learning opportunities! Everyone from the Three Rivers District is welcome.

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September 12, 2025
3821
Environment

Zero Waste Week: Rethinking What We Throw Away

Happy Zero Waste Week! Now, regular readers will know I’m all about making small changes that add up to a big difference for our beautiful planet. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being thoughtful. And this week is the perfect time to get our thinking caps on about a topic that affects us all: waste. Specifically, food waste.

We’ve all been there, haven’t we? That sad-looking bag of lettuce at the back of the fridge, or the bananas that have gone from yellow to a speckled brown overnight. It’s a bit of a heart sinker, isn’t it? But did you know that the waste we see in our own kitchens is only a tiny part of the story? A staggering amount of food is wasted before it even gets to our plates.

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September 5, 2025
4119
Environment, Sustainable Travel

From Floppy to Fabulous: Simple Tricks to Keep Your Veggies and Fruit Fresh Longer

Do you ever feel like you’re in a race against time with your groceries? You bring home a beautiful haul of fresh fruit and veggies, only to find them wilting or going soft a few days later or your two-weekly fruit and vegetable box is delivered, and week two, that lettuce is looking a little sad! It’s a waste of food and money, and nobody likes that especially our planet!

Luckily, with a few simple tricks, you can stretch the life of your produce and make your fridge work harder for you.

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August 27, 2025
4361
Environment, Sustainable Travel

The Antarctic Code: How to Be a True Penguin Pal

My deep-seated love for penguins started years ago, and my trips to the Antarctic have only solidified my belief that we have a responsibility to protect these incredible creatures and their pristine home. It’s easy to book a trip with an “eco-friendly” tour operator, but being a responsible traveler goes much deeper. It’s about how you behave once you’re there.

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August 20, 2025
4313
Environment

Nature in Decline: Why Our Gardens Matter More Than Ever

Our recent Transition Streets session for Dove Park was all about biodiversity, and what better place to discuss it than in a neighbour’s truly magnificent garden! While many of us in Dove Park don’t have sprawling plots, this particular neighbour was fortunate enough to acquire some unused land at the back of their property, creating a wonderful blend of formal garden and a wilder, winding area filled with trees. They’ve even got a fantastic nature pond, built soon after they moved in, which has now beautifully softened with aquatic plants and is teeming with pond life and, importantly, provides a vital drink for thirsty bees. They also keep chickens, adding to the wonderfully rural and diverse feel of the place – if you remember an earlier post of mine, we donate our green vegetable trimmings to the chickens, which they love!

It was a perfect setting for our last official Transition Streets meeting, though a slight shame we finished too early for our bat detectors to pick up any of the Chorleywood pipistrelles we often see! Nevertheless, we had a fantastic and unusually large group this time, all keen to delve into how we can boost biodiversity in our own backyards.

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July 30, 2025
4426
Environment, Sustainable Travel

Penguins on the Edge – What the Latest Science Tells Us About Our Icy Friends (and What We Can Do!)

The planet’s magnificent, mysterious, and utterly vital blue heart is brimming with life, regulating climate, and providing immense beauty and wonder. Among its most iconic inhabitants, and top of my list, are penguins; creatures that symbolise the pristine wilderness of the polar regions and capture the imagination of many, not just me! A profound passion for the planet, its incredible wildlife, and particularly the spectacular island of South Georgia inspires my deep appreciation for these remarkable birds.

However, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer scale of environmental challenges facing the planet, with news often painting a grim picture. Even these seemingly resilient creatures are now facing unprecedented threats.

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July 20, 2025
5278
Environment

Sustainable Three Rivers: Nurturing Community & Challenging History

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer scale of environmental challenges facing our planet. The news often paints a grim picture, and for many, the path to making a difference can seem unclear, or even impossible. But what if we shifted our focus from the daunting global to the impactful local? What if we discovered that positive change is not only possible, but is already being quietly and passionately driven by individuals right in our own communities?

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July 13, 2025
4430
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