Felt leaves for Autumn craft, styling them as bunting

A couple of years ago I made these embroidered felt autumn leaves. I love them! I really like the contrasting autumnal colours, the little beads that look like dew drops, and the varied shapes of the leaves. Usually I display them for autumn in a bowl on the sideboard, but this year I had a think about some different ways to style them as part of my autumn decor.

I decided that this year I would use the felt autumn leaves as bunting over my mantlepiece. I have some miniature wooden pegs in my craft stash so all I did was hang a length of thin ribbon and use the pegs to clip the leaves at intervals. 

My autumn decor is a little minimalist, but here's what it could look like, with a little help from ChatGPT!

Is a power cut going to affect my boiler?

This is a collaborative post

Boiler malfunctions never come at the right time. It’s always going to be during the coldest January chill, or when you have elderly guests coming to stay. Knowing what can affect your boiler and heating system can make these issues slightly less daunting, and also help you figure out how to fix them. With that in mind, let’s take a look at how power cuts can affect your boiler. 

A quick answer

In short, yes. Even gas boilers rely on electricity for their control board, ignition, circulation pump and (on room-sealed models) the flue fan. When the electricity stops, the boiler won’t be able to function, so central heating pauses and, on a combi, so does instant hot water. The gas may still be perfectly able to flow; the appliance just has no electricity to allow all of its other functions to operate.

Combi versus system boilers

A combi only makes hot water when a flow sensor sees a tap open and the electricity lights the burner. No power means no sensor, no pump, no ignition - so you won’t have any hot water from your taps, and no heating from your radiators either. 

With a system or regular boiler feeding a hot-water storage container, the story is a little different. The tank may already hold a bath or two of hot water, so you may be able to use what’s stored, but you won’t be able to reheat it until the power returns. It’s also possible that the water won’t flow well, if it depends on an electric pump for heat.

What might still work during the power cut

Taps on a mains system should still be able to run cold water (unless your water is solely pressurised by a water pump), and a cylinder and radiators will hold heat for a while if it’s well insulated. 

Old gravity-circulation setups that run without a pump are rare now; unless an engineer from somewhere like Able Plumbing has told you otherwise, it’s best to assume your system needs power.

What happens when the power returns

Most modern boilers recover by themselves. Give it a minute, then check the fuses are still all flipped the right way, and look at the display. If you see a fault code, check the manual (and YouTube videos if necessary) to see what they mean. 

Next, have a look at the clock and any timers you’ve set. Even brief cuts can mean that it doesn’t know what time it is any more, so schedules may be an hour out and make the heating “mysteriously” late. 

Finally, check the pressure gauge on sealed systems; cold pressure should be around 1.0-1.5 bar typically. A power cut shouldn’t result in a drop in pressure, but if you bled radiators earlier, the boiler may refuse to fire until you top up via the filling loop, and it’s a good time to check it anyway.

Power cuts are annoying, and they can result in a break in your hot water supply. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do about it, other than wait for the electricity to come back online.

Review - Rolife miniature kit - Elsa's Tailoring

I received this miniature kit in exchange for a review

Last week I shared an in progress look at the Rolife miniature kit Elsa's Tailoring, and this week I am delighted to share a full review of the completed kit! Elsa's Tailoring is graded with a five star difficulty level, meaning that it is one of the more complex kits available from Rolife. It takes around 8-10 hours to complete, but because it is assembled in small sections you can work on it in short or longer crafting sessions.

The kit contains everything that you need, apart from two AAA batteries. There is no painting and no glue required, as all pieces are adhered using small double sided sticky tape. A display box is available to purchase to keep your creation dust free, and detailed instructions are included.

This is what you receive in the box. As a more advanced kit, I noticed that the wooden pieces are thinner. This makes them a little more delicate when putting them together, but it also means that the overall impression of the finished build becomes more detailed and lifelike. 

Most of the work involves building is all the tiny bits and pieces that are put together to form the complete sewing shop. It's a combination of wooden pieces which are slotted together, cardboard pieces to press out and stick together, stickers, fabric and ribbon pieces to cut to size and some clear plastic windows.

There is a light in the shop which has some simple wiring to a battery box which is hidden in the bottom of the dresser and accessed from the back. 

I found the assembly instructions very clear and easy to follow. The assembly is broken down into lots of small sections, and each part is identified using labelled wooden sheets or stickered plastic bags. I had no problems working out which piece to use, and no missing pieces. 

Some of the assembly in this kit is a little more complicated than the simpler kits that I've worked on. For example this kit has a lot of fabric pieces which need to be cut to size. The size is given in the instructions, and in some cases I found it easier to create a cardboard template which I could use to cut the fabric. It's important to be accurate because the pieces need to fit together exactly.

Although no glue is needed to assemble the kit, I did use some of my own glue. Sometimes just to make sure that pieces were stuck firmly together, sometimes because I just found it easier as the little strips of tape can be a little fiddly. The tape was however excellent for sticking together any fabric pieces, for example the display dress on the stand which has ribbon around the base. The included tweezers were also very helpful, especially for the final positioning of pieces.

I love all the tiny details in the kit. I think that my favourite accessory is the ribbon holder display with miniature rolls of ribbon. I also love the little sewing machine and tiny scissors. Some elements are put together yourself, like the rolls of ribbon and the bundles of fabric, others are provided readymade, like the scissors and the necklace. The gold accent pieces really make the kit sparkle.

I loved completing this kit. Like all the Rolife kits, it's a really relaxing activity that you can work on whenever you have a few moments to sit down at it, and when complete it looks great on display.

If you are interested in trying a Rolife kit for yourself, you can receive a 10% discount on the Rolife website by using my code Jennifer10.

A tour into the DMZ from Seoul - the border between North and South Korea

In July this year we had an amazing holiday in Seoul, and one of the highlights was an organised tour from Seoul into the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea. The DMZ is the buffer zone which marks the border between the two countries. It's about 4km wide and is a site of ongoing tension, with a significant military presence on both sides. 

We booked our tour with Get Your Guide and the tour was operated by PLK Travel. We chose the Seoul:DMZ, 3rd Tunnel and Optional Suspension Bridge Tour including the suspension bridge, and paid £213 total for four adults. 

Travelling with an organised tour is really the only way to see many of these sights. You can visit Imjingak Park without a tour, but you can only enter the DMZ on a guided tour in an official tour bus. It is possible to make your way to Imjingak independently and transfer to an official tour bus but this would require some extra planning and research and I'm not sure how easy it would be. 

Our tour departed from and returned to Myeongdong Station which was very convenient for us as our hotel was located close by. It was a full day tour, we left early in the morning and arrived back mid-afternoon, and it's about an hour's drive from Seoul to the DMZ without stopping. 

Our tour guide was Paul and he was fantastic. While driving between the sights, as well as telling us about what we were seeing he also shared a lot of information about his own personal history relating to North and South Korea. It was fascinating, and gave us a huge amount of background information to help us understand the history of the two countries.

There was also the opportunity to buy some North Korean currency on the bus which we took advantage of, a great souvenir to take home!

Gamaksan Suspension Bridge

Our first stop was the Gamaksan Suspension Bridge (I've read that these extra stops offered as part of tours are a way of spreading out the tourists a bit to avoid congestion at the DMZ sights). It's quite a steep hike up to the suspension bridge, but we were left to do this independently so we could take our time and stop along the way to admire the views. It was a fun hike and the bridge was very impressive. At the bottom of the hill there are toilets and a convenience shop for snacks. 

Imjingak Peace Park

Then we returned to the coach to drive to Imjingak. Imjingak Park symbolises the hope of a reunification between South and North Korea, and there are many sights monuments, memorials, and other interesting things to see here. We started with a guided walking tour which highlighted the main sights, for example the Freedom Bridge which was temporarily built to exchange prisoners of war in 1953. The Mangbaedan Altar, below, is a place for South Koreans to remember their loved ones that remain in North Korea. Our guide told us many stories about his own family's escape from North Korea, along with the possibility that he has cousins living in North Korea that he knows nothing about.

You can also see an old steam locomotive which was the last train to cross the Korean border. It was rescued from the DMZ and is filled with bullet holes. You can pay a little extra to walk a short way down the partially finished train track towards North Korea which has been built in the hope of one day connecting the two countries.

The Statues of Peace can also be seen here in Imjingak Park. These statues are memorials to 'comfort women', women who were forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military during WWII. There are a number of these identical statues located across South Korea, and here in the park there are two side by side. The idea is that after reunification, one of these statues will be relocated to North Korea, and the statue intended for North Korea has a blank tablet ready for a future engraving. 

We had plenty of time to spend here in the park, and there was lots to see. Some tours include a ride on the Imjingak Peace Gondola, and you can climb up to the gondola station and see the view. There is also a Dunkin' Donuts here and a few other food options, so it was a good place to grab some lunch. There's a really good article here with 15 Interesting Things to do at Imjingak Park near the DMZ which is worth a read if you are visiting and don't want to miss anything.

Dora Observatory

The drive to the Dora Observatory is when you enter the military checkpoint which is very strictly controlled. It's essential that you bring your passport on the tour with you, as soldiers enter the bus and check everyone. One of the many interesting sights along the way is the old toll gate on the road into North Korea, which is no longer operational.

There are also lots of signs warning of landmines, and signage to make sure that you know you are entering a military area.

Inside the observatory there are large windows which look out over North Korea, and lots of information about what you can see. This model shows the area, the big building is the observatory and the blue lines mark the edges of the DMZ. You used to be able to go outside up to the roof but this is not currently permitted, however the windows on the top floor offer a similar view.

At the current time you are not allowed to take photographs into North Korea from the Observatory, and this is very strictly enforced. Our guide had a selection of photos which he had taken before this rule, and he shared them with anyone interested. There was also a video playing which showed the same scenery that you can see from the windows, and the photograph below is taken from the video. 

Our guide gave us lots of really interesting information about what you can see from the observatory, including the flags of North and South Korea, the speaker system in South Korea which broadcast K-pop and news reports (the speakers were recently demolished), guard towers, housing tower blocks and industrial buildings). 

The Third Invasion Tunnel

Then we drove to the The Third Invasion Tunnel. This is one of four (known!) tunnels built by North Korea underneath the DMZ with the purpose of invading South Korea. It was discovered in 1978 and is an incomplete 1.6km long tunnel. The tunnel has been blocked and turned into a tourist attraction where you are able to walk down a section of the tunnel.

Before entering the tunnel you must leave all your belongings in a locker (so there is no photography), and don a hard hat. One tip - be quick with the locker and get ahead of the tour group. We spent too long faffing and ended up at the back, meaning that we got caught in a long queue at the end of the tunnel before the turn around point. The entrance to the tunnel is a wide, smooth pathway but the actual tunnel is very narrow and low, so it can be quite claustrophobic if you are there with a lot of other people not moving. It's also quite a tough climb, so you do need to be physically fit. If you don't fancy it you can just wait for your group at the top, there is plenty to see to keep you busy.

There is an illustration of the tunnel outside which is quite misleading - it's not to scale and the tunnel that you walk down on the left is much longer than it looks in the picture! There is an old monorail to the tunnel entrance, but I don't think it's operational at the moment.

Outside there is a reconstruction of the end of the tunnel so that you can take pictures, and also lots of other photo opportunities, including the large DMZ sign. Even though we were last out of the tunnel we still had plenty of time to look around the area.

Unification Village

Our final stop was The Unification Village. This is a small farming village located within the southern area of the DMZ. We didn't stop here for very long, just time for a quick visit to the gift shop which sells various DMZ souvenirs. There is also a stand selling vegan ice cream which was very popular!

Historically, DMZ tours have also included a stop at the JSA (Joint Security Area) but it is currently closed to the public after a US soldier crossed the border in 2023 during a tour which triggered increased tensions. It's unclear whether the JSA tours will resume in the future. 

Although I was a little apprehensive about taking this tour because of the ongoing tensions in the area, I'm really glad that we did it, and it was definitely a highlight of our entire trip. We never felt at all unsafe at any point, and it really was fascinating. 

It was very interesting to learn about the history between the two countries, and to realise that the people of South Korea are genuinely longing for a reconciliation with North Korea. 

If you are visiting South Korea I would absolutely recommend taking a tour to the DMZ, it will really enhance your knowledge and enjoyment of a trip to the country.

Some books that I've enjoyed recently - September 2025

Every now and then I love to share some books that I've really enjoyed recently, thinking that some of my readers might enjoy them too. These books were all borrowed from a friend with excellent reading taste that is kind enough to keep me supplied with fantastic books!

Four Seasons in Japan by Nick Bradley

I love books about Japan, and as I mentioned recently I'm in the process of planning a trip to Japan next year so I'm eagerly lapping up anything that might inspire me. This book is a story within a story, set in Tokyo but framing a narrative set in the smaller town of Onomichi. Onomichi wasn't on my original itinerary, but I'm very tempted to add it in because it sounds like a lovely place! 

The story follows Flo, a translator from Japanese to English, who has no work, has ended her relationship and is struggling with her direction in life. By chance she discovers an unknown book left behind by a fellow passenger on the Tokyo metro and is drawn to working on a translation, even without being able to trace the author. The book alternates between Flo's experiences as she translates the book, and the entire text of the short novel that she is working on, which is the story of Kyo who comes to live with his Grandmother in a rural town so that he can focus on his studies and pass his failed medical school exams. 

I loved how the book travelled with the reader through the different seasons, and I loved reading about the relationships between the characters. It was beautifully written, and the descriptions really brought the locations to life for me. 

Abroad in Japan by Chris Broad

This was another book about Japan, which I was reading while taking notes at the same time. It's a biography by a YouTuber that I was unfamiliar with but am now following. He talks about how he moved to Japan as part of the Japanese Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme, working as an English teacher in rural Japan. The first part of the book shares his experiences as he settles down to life in Japan, and then he goes on to talk about how making videos about daily life in Japan led to his career as a YouTuber. 

It was a really interesting read, especially about daily life in Japan and the challenges of adapting to a new culture. Even if you only have a very slight interest in Japan, the fascinating anecdotes make it a really interesting read.

Photo credit David Emrich via Unsplash

One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This book from the author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo was a great read, although it did give me anxiety while I was reading it! It's about a woman whose husband is in a helicopter crash and presumed dead. They had lived a life filled with adventure, escaping from the small town where they grew up, but after his death she returns home and falls in love with a man from her childhood and they build a life together in the town that she left behind. But just after they get engaged her husband calls her, he is alive and has survived on a remote island with just the thought of returning home to her to keep him going.

I couldn't imagine how this story could possibly have a happy ending, and I was desperate to keep reading to find out how it would resolve itself. I won't spoil the ending, but I was relieved to find that it did reach a satisfactory conclusion!

Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors

A story about four very different sisters and their complicated relationships. When Nicky dies unexpectedly, her sisters Avery, Bonnie and Lucky reunite in their childhood home and learn to navigate their grief, addiction and heartbreak. I loved the strong characterisation of the sisters and it was very readable. 

All the Colours of the Dark by Chris Whitaker

This was quite a dark read, a coming of age tale dealing with themes of abduction and murder. One of those stories when you aren't quite sure if you are reading the imaginings of an unreliable narrator, and you want to keep reading to find out exactly what is going on. It was quite a long read, but it kept me interested with lots of twists and turns.

This was a great selection of books which I enjoyed very much. If want to see what I'm reading now, you can follow my reading over on my Goodreads account.

Review - Rolife miniature kit Elsa's Tailoring - a progress post

I received this miniature craft kit in exchange for a review

A couple of weeks ago I shared my review of the Rolife Miniature Kit Silent Corner Study. I loved putting this kit together, it didn't take too long but it was complicated enough to keep my interested and the finished miniature book nook is gorgeous. 

Now I'm moving on to the second kit which I received to review - Elsa's Tailoring.  

The Elsa's Tailoring kit is graded with a five star difficulty level. This means that it is more intricate and will take a little longer to complete. Opening the kit I could see that it contained a wider range of materials - as well as the wooden pieces, stickers, card cutouts and plastic accessories there is also ribbon and fabric pieces. The wooden sheets are thinner and the pieces are finer and more delicate.

This kit begins with the assembly of many small components. I just love all the tiny details! My favourite part so far is the little ribbon spool holder which you can see on the left of the white display case in the photograph below. It's so tiny and perfect! The display case and the dresser will be filled with accessories when the kit is completed.

There is definitely more work required when assembling this kit. All of the fabric pieces need to be cut to size, so I needed to make a template using a ruler before cutting. It requires a bit more thought and concentration than just slotting together wooden pieces.

The instructions are easy to follow and comprehensive, but you do often need to pay attention to the direction a piece is facing or the order in which to put parts together. No glue is required for this kit as pieces are stuck together using the supplied double sided tape.

My favourite part when putting together a miniature house kit is getting the main structure together! You can see that the light fixture is in place on the left side wall, this was really easy to assemble. The battery box is hidden at the back, it cleverly slots inside the base of the dresser. You need to provide two AAA batteries and there is a very small amount of simple wiring to do, just connecting two sets of wires and threading it through at the back to keep it secure.

The next steps are to build lots more tiny components, and then it's a case of putting everything in the correct place and making sure that it is all firmly stuck together ready for display.

I love that these Rolife kits are broken down into many small sections, so as long as you have some space to leave everything out you can come easily back to it after a break and add a little more. It's perfect for people that don't have the chance to sit down with a craft for hours, but have odd moments throughout the day when they can spend a few minutes working on it.

I will share a full update and review when I've completed the kit!

A visit to Yu Garden and Market in Shanghai, China

Yu Garden is located in Shanghai's Huangpu District in the Old City. You can reach it via metro to Yuyuann Garden Station, although we mainly travelled around Shanghai using a taxi as we found it much more convenient and often cheaper for us as a family of four. The gardens are open during the daytime, closed on Mondays, and there is a small entrance fee.

Yu Garden was constructed during the Ming Dynasty, starting in 1559, by Pan Yunduan to act as a comfort for his father in his old age. The name itself 'Yu Yuan' means 'pleasing and satisfying to one's parents'. The gardens cover five acres and occupy a peaceful spot next to the busy Yuyuan Bazaar shopping area just outside.

The gardens are a bit of a maze, especially when it's busy which I think it probably is most of the time. Although people were respectful, there were large crowds which made navigating some of the narrow paths a bit difficult at times. But there were quieter areas too, where you could stop for a few minutes to watch fish and turtles in the water.

The garden is divided into six general areas which are separated walls and connected by corridors. It's definitely worth taking a quick photo of the map at the entrance to make sure that you don't miss anything!

I loved the traditional architecture and the beautiful greenery everywhere. You could just stand and stare, taking it all in and finding something new in each view. It's a lovely, traditional place to visit in the heart of the busy and chaotic city of Shanghai.

Just outside Yu Garden you will find the very busy Yuyuan Bazaar with lots of shops filled with both traditional crafts and more modern offerings. It's a great place to pick up those tourist gifts and souvenirs - if you don't mind being approached every time you show an interest in anything! I would have bought more if I had been left alone to browse. The shops are also definitely a place to haggle, which I'm terrible at! 

It's worth stopping for a look around this area too, just because it's such a unique and interesting shopping experience and such a contrast to the gardens! Both are definitely somewhere to add to your list if you are planning a visit to Shanghai.

How I've decluttered my home over the past year

I've carried out several decluttering challenges over the last few years, like the #minsgame and decluttering 100 items in a week. I do try to keep on top of organising and decluttering my home, but recently I've really noticed that the unwanted things were starting to pile up.

With the building of our extension and having new carpets fitted we had to empty most of our rooms, and it really makes you realise how much clutter you have lying around when you have to pack everything up and store it somewhere that's in your way. Our garage was also in a mess as the workers had been sawing wood and storing rubbish there, and we had huge piles of cardboard everywhere.

Another thing I realised is that there were lots of items lying around the house that I didn't want anymore, but just didn't know what to do with. Every time I saw these things it reminded me that I needed to do something about it, and now that I've passed on many of those tricky items I feel so much calmer when I look around the house.

So I've had a really good clear out! Here are some of the ways that I moved things along:

Friends and family

This is always the first port of call, just on the off chance that someone needs something we are getting rid of. I have a friend who is a primary school teacher and so I pass on lots of toys and books which she can use in her school.

eBay

I had great success with selling things on eBay, in particular Lego. It was a lot of work - I had to build sets, find missing pieces, photograph, research key selling points and prices, and then keep an eye on the listings and make sure I was posting things out on time. But now that it's done and I've made several hundred pounds I can't believe we were just sitting on all that money!

CEX

Another way we've found to successfully sell items is with CEX. You can use their drop and go service to create a basket of the items that you want to sell, choosing the item and condition from the lists on their website. Then you just take it into the store to drop it off, they do a quick check and then call you within an hour or two to confirm the price they will offer. We filled several shopping bags with old electrical items, some which had been sitting around for years, and they took almost everything. We made a decent amount, and even the things which weren't worth a great deal will at least be recycled if they can't sell them. They will also offer more money if you choose a store voucher rather than the cash.

Facebook free sites

We have an active 'Free before the tip' Facebook group which I've made a great deal of use of. It's brilliant for larger items like furniture and random things which you know could be useful to someone. I have been messed around a few times - it's funny how you can post something and someone will jump on it immediately in the comments. but when you try to arrange pick up they go silent for days! But overall I've had a good experience, and it's a great feeling to pass on something useful that someone wants.

Charity shops

We have a new charity shop and donation centre which has opened in an old petrol station on my school run. It's perfect - plenty of parking and they are always grateful for donations. I can never resist having a quick browse myself though, I'm always on the lookout for books and jigsaws!

Photo credit Julien-Pier Belanger via Unsplash

Textile recycling

There are plenty of textile recycling bins in the area which are easy to get to, and I also use the charity bags which we get through the door. I sometimes use these for the clothing and household linens that aren't in good enough condition to donate to a charity shop.

Local metal collector

There's a local man who is always happy to come and collect scrap metal for free. I usually wait until I've got a pile together and then message him on Facebook, he comes straight away.

Local licensed waste collector

We had to say goodbye to Mia's loft bed over the summer as she had outgrown it and it took up so much space. There was no way we could remove it ourselves - it took us a whole day to assemble and the larger pieces wouldn't fit in our car for the tip. I found a local company that disassembled and removed it for a very reasonable price.

Council recycling and waste

We managed to get away with only one trip to the tip over the summer for those larger items of rubbish that wouldn't fit in the bin. Otherwise I sent a lot of rubbish out with our council recycling collection and waste collection. We are very lucky at the moment because they will take extra rubbish, next year we are switching to fortnightly collections and a smaller bin so it won't be as easy.

Now when I look around my home I love seeing all the empty space. I've cleared many corners where things were piled up, and it makes me feel so much calmer. Of course there is still plenty to do, because decluttering is a job that is never finished. But I've had such a good go at getting it under control, and I know that now I can keep on top of it all. 

What I've been up to lately - September 2025

It's time for another catch up! Here are some of the things that I've been up to lately:

Reading

I've read some great books recently! You can see all of my reading over on Goodreads, where I track what I've read and give it a star rating. Some of my recent five star reads - Four Seasons in Japan by Nick Bradley, Abroad in Japan by Chris Broad and One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

Planning

Two of these books have been very helpful, because I've been busy planning a holiday which we have booked for next summer. We are going to Japan which is very exciting, it's somewhere that I've always wanted to visit and I like to think that I'm reasonably knowledgeable about the country thanks to the fact that I've read a lot of books set in Japan and by Japanese authors. 

I'm using ChatGPT a lot in my planning and I'm finding it really helpful, in fact I'm intending to write up a blog post with some tips for using ChatGPT to plan a holiday. It's great for a quick but more obscure question that might take a long time to Google the answer, for example opening times for a less popular attraction or one that doesn't have much information available about it in English. ChatGPT will tell me the answer, but also give me a link to an official website where I can check the information. 

This step is crucial as you do need to check everything. It can make things up, and also does things like skip a day if you are asking it to plan an itinerary, but it's a really good starting point and definitely speeds up the searching. It is especially helpful for grouping together close by attractions that can be visited in the same day, and for suggesting day trips that I might not have thought of. I'm getting a really good plan together!

Puzzling

A few months ago I became a little obsessed with jigsaw puzzles. Working on a puzzle was very helpful to me at a time when lots of things were out of my control. I slowed down a bit over the summer but I've taken it up again recently, I'm back to touring the charity shops looking for bargains and I've been redoing a few of my favourites. 

Recently I've worked on some older puzzles including a vintage wooden puzzle that my Mum had been given. The box didn't come with a picture so I had to work it out as I went along, maybe not the kind of image that I would have chosen for myself but I enjoyed the challenge and loved the different shaped pieces. It's called 'A Tiresome Sitter' from Victory.

Watching

I've not been watching a lot lately, but my husband and I have been enjoying re-watching Extras on iPlayer, I've watched it a few times now but it's still very funny! I also watch content on YouTube. Even though I don't have TikTok I love videos by creators that discuss trends on TikTok, like #teachertok or #coloringtok and include the viral clips which are really over the top and just filmed in order to generate interaction and promote their products (these videos also make me glad that I'm not on TikTok, I couldn't keep up!)

Sorting

I've been having a good sort out in the house recently. We had new carpets in a lot of rooms, which meant we had to empty them completely, and that was a really good way to have a think about what would go back. We have also reorganised our rooms a bit, moving Mia's bedroom upstairs and creating a communal room for exercising, playing games and watching television. That room had been a bit of a dumping ground before, and it's really nice that now each room in the house has a purpose and all the random things have either been put away properly or passed on. 

Crafting

I've been doing a lot of miniature crafting recently. I've shared my reviews of two miniature kits - the Cutebee Mrs Hunt Bakery and the Rolife Silent Corner Study which I loved assembling. I have another kit from Rolife to work on which I'm looking forward to getting started with, I know that it's quite a long and complicated set so I'm a little daunted, but once I get it out of the box I'll be fine!

Looking forward to

I've loved working on our garden this year, and I'm still enjoying the masses of flowers which I've managed to grow and keep alive. I'm looking forward to having a good tidy up this autumn and thinking about what worked well and what I want to try for next year. I've already been buying bulbs and making lists of the seeds I want to buy for the spring!

We also have a holiday coming up in October which I'm very much looking forward to, it will be an opportunity for a last bit of summer sun before we head into winter.

What have you been up to lately?

A journey on the Shanghai Maglev train from Shanghai Airport to the city centre

The Shanghai Maglev runs between Pudong International Airport and Longyang Road Station in Shanghai city centre. Completed in 2002, it wasn't built to solve a transport need but rather to showcase the advanced technology and boost Shanghai's international profile. It's the only high-speed maglev line in commercial service. 

Although capable of running up to 431km/h, the typical operational speed is around 300km/h, a speed which is only maintained for about 50 seconds due to the short route. The distance between the two stations is approximately 30km, and the journey lasts between 7 and 8 minutes. There are plenty of other ways to travel from the airport to Shanghai city centre, but if you want to have a unique experience then the Shanghai Maglev is definitely the way to go! 

What is a maglev train?

A maglev train is a train which levitates above the tracks using magnets instead of wheels, which means that it can travel very fast with little friction. However both the trains and tracks are expensive to build, and there are only a very few short commercial lines worldwide. It's a technology which has a lot of potential for high speed long distance travel, but because of the significantly higher costs involved and greater energy consumption it hasn't yet realised its potential. 

Practicalities for travelling on the Shanghai Maglev train

The train travels between Pudong International Airport and Longyang Road Station, and trains run every 15-20 minutes throughout the day from around 7am to 9.40pm. You can check the exact timetable here - Shanghai Maglev timetable. From Longyang Road Station you can transfer to Metro lines 2, 7, 16 or 18 to reach downtown Shanghai, although we chose to travel by taxi to and from our hotel as we had several large suitcases.

The journey takes between 7 and 8 minutes, and even though you'll only be travelling at top speed for less than a minute, it still feels super fast! There's a display board in the carriage showing your current speed which is fascinating to watch.

You can buy your tickets when you arrive from ticket counters and self-service machines at the stations. We bought a round-trip ticket which is valid for return within 7 days using one of the ticket machines, the current price for this ticket is 80 yuan. We used Alipay to buy the tickets from the machine, which we had already installed on our phones before travelling to Shanghai. This was our first time attempting payment in China so it did take a little while to get it working, and if you are planning to visit China from another country you definitely need to do some research into payment methods so you are all set up before you arrive.

When you've bought the tickets you then use them to enter the gates which take you to a waiting area and there is also a security screening area. In the airport waiting area there is a model of the train along with some information boards.

At the station, when the train is close to arriving you are directed by staff down to the platform. There is a marked out queuing area, and then it's easy to board once the train arrives. It was a lot less chaotic than our experiences of using the Shanghai Metro, and it wasn't busy on either of our journeys. The seats have plenty of space around them for suitcases, or else there are large luggage storage areas at the ends of the carriages. 

There are no stops on the way, it's just a direct train between the stations. There are some great views along the way, and you can definitely feel the speed that you are travelling! It's something that you can't experience in many places around the world, so if you are visiting Shanghai I would definitely recommend it.

Reflections on the start of a new school term

September is well underway and there are some big changes for our family as the children start this new school year. The routine that we've been following for a good few years has been completely shaken up, mainly because Harry has started at a new sixth form which is a fair distance from our home. He's having to deal with a long commute by train, and I need to add regular trips to the station in addition to the school run that I'm already doing. 

He's already been given plenty of work to do, and Mia starts her GCSE options this year, so she's also feeling the pressure. They have both been exhausted at the end of the day. It's going to take us all a couple of weeks to get used to the new timings and to get settled!

It's difficult having to take a step back from them as they become more independent, even though I am also glad that I don't need to be so involved with their day to day anymore. One thing that I'm really grateful for is being able to drop them off and pick them up without needing to leave the car - especially on a rainy day like today. We can just keep in touch by phone and they can come and find me where I'm parked!

I'm trying to get the balance right between them knowing that I'm there for them to try and sort out any issues, but also giving them the opportunity to work out problems by themselves. They relish their independence, but I am also very much needed!

Photo credit Deleece Cook via Unsplash

Things that I want to do by the end of the year

It has been a long time since I was at school, but September always feels like the chance for a reset. Even though it has still been really warm today I can sense the approach of Autumn, and a few months to countdown before a fresh start in January.

Here are some of the things on my current to do list:

Sort out our digital photos

I try to keep up with our digital photos, but sometimes I get a bit behind. Last week I finally finished off the 2024 photos - removing the blurry ones, random screenshots and duplicates - making sure that I keep only the very best photos. Now I need to work through the 2025 photos, and I'll aim to keep on top of them as we go along.

Make a plan for displaying my favourite photos

Whenever I sort through photos it makes me realise that I want to see them more often. We haven't printed out any photos out for years, and I'd love to put some more recent ones on display. We have a photo frame in my study which holds 15 photos that were printed around the time that Harry started school in 2013 - that definitely needs updating!

A longer term project is to think about putting together some photo books. I'd love to make one for each year, with the best photos in chronological order along with some text and other memories. Actually making the books will be a job for next year, but I'd like to make a plan for what I want to do and maybe start setting aside some photographs.

Sort out our family history archives

My Dad died earlier this year and left behind his life's work on researching our family history. Many large boxes have been piled up in my Mum's dining room for months, and it's finally time to go through it all. I've volunteered to be the custodian and store the majority of it, but having gone through it with him a little bit last year I know that there is quite a lot there that I feel we don't need to keep. I want to curate everything so that the most interesting and important things are easily accessible to myself and my siblings. It's a big job and also an emotional one that the family will be working on together, but I'm now ready to make a start on sorting it all out.

My Nutcracker cross stitch

This has been a work in progress for far too long! It's not a particularly difficult piece as there aren't very many colours, but it can be tricky working on the dark fabric if the lighting isn't good. It's stitched in two layers, a basic cross stitch layer underneath and then a top layer containing some more elaborate embroidery stitches. I've completed over half of the first cross stitch layer, so I'd really like to finish the rest of the cross stitch base before Christmas as a minimum.

Pick up my journalling again

My journalling has sadly fallen by the wayside. It's been a busy year with lots going on, and some of that would definitely have benefitted from being worked through in my journal. I need to get in the habit of writing again, even if it's just a small paragraph every day.

Finish my current decluttering round

I've been having a major declutter this year, and I'm loving how the house is looking clearer and tidier. Decluttering is a job that is never really finished as more things are always appearing, but I'm determined to just get a few last things out of the way and the remaining spaces sorted out ready to go into the new year.

What would you like to achieve by the end of the year?

Review - Rolife Miniature Craft Kit - Silent Corner Study from the Book Nook and Wonderland series

I received this miniature craft kit in exchange for a review

A little while ago my husband and I had a lot of enjoyment completing a miniature craft kit from Rolife - Cathy's Flower House. It occupied us happily for quite a while, and I love admiring the finished model sitting on the bookshelf. So I was really pleased to be given the chance to review a couple more miniature kits from Rolife.

I began with the Silent Corner Study, which is part of the Book Nook and Wonderland series. The assembly level is 3 stars which makes it slightly easier and quicker to complete than Cathy's Flower House, which is a more advanced kit with a 4 star rating. The Silent Corner Study kit doesn't even require any glue - all that you need in addition to the kit contents are two AAA batteries for the light.

Inside the box are a selection of wooden sheets with press out pieces, a printed cardboard sheet, a printed sticker sheet, a lighting kit and a few other accessories. Then a large instruction book which I found clear and easy to follow. 

The first thing to do is to find some batteries and check that the light works, then you can get started. What I really liked about this kit was that one of the first parts to complete was the battery box and lighting wires - I find this part of the kit a little intimidating so I like to get it out of the way early! It was really easy to install though so I didn't need to worry.

To assemble the kit it's just a case of working through the instructions in order, and pressing out the pieces as you need them. Most of this kit is made using pre-printed and cut wooden pieces, which are really good quality. The finish of the printing is excellent, and all the pieces popped out easily and slotted together well.

When I first saw the picture of the kit I thought that it would take a lot longer as there are so many books to make. But it is deceptive, because many of the books are just printed onto a wooden or cardboard piece which slots into place on the shelf. There are still a few books that need to be assembled individually, and then it's just a case of carefully placing a book cover sticker onto the correct wooden piece. It's easy to reposition a sticker if you get it slightly out of alignment. 

There is never any doubt when it comes to assembly because most of the time pieces can only be placed in one position, and if it's more complicated then there are either guide arrows or extra help in the instructions to make sure that you get it right. 

I love the bookshelves crammed with not just books but also small paintings, vintage suitcases, a clock and even a cat walking along the shelf! There are so many tiny details. 

Although this kit doesn't require any glue, there is still some sticking to be done with supplied pieces of double sided tape. I did find that I wanted to add a dot of glue on a couple of occasions just to make sure everything was stuck firmly, so it's worth having some on hand just in case.

As I mentioned above, the lighting for this kit is very simple. There is only one bulb which is positioned outside the window, and the wires run neatly up the back and are later covered by the back panel. The battery box is at the top with a hinged flap which allows you to easily access the batteries. The switch for the light is affixed to the bottom of the wooden floor piece, and when you touch the discrete power symbol it turns the light on.

I found that this kit was a really good level of difficulty - easy enough to not need to worry about getting it wrong, but complicated enough to make for a satisfying craft project that kept me interested and engaged in the process.

I spent about a week working on this kit from time to time. I would imagine that you could probably finish it in a couple of evenings if you sat down to work on it, but I liked taking my time and enjoying the process!

I've completed a few miniature kits now, and I think that this is definitely my favourite so far. I love the theme - anything to do with books is a winner for me - and it fits beautifully on my bookshelf. The kit was simple to put together but also very satisfying, and I enjoyed every minute working on it. I loved that I could work on it a little bit at a time without having to sit down for hours - it's perfect for busy people that need to snatch some time to themselves when they can. The quality and finish of the kit was excellent and I love admiring the finished product.

If you are interested in trying out a Rolife kit for yourself I have a discount code which will give you 10% off kits from the Rolife website. Just use the code Jennifer10.

The second kit that I have received to review is a DIY Miniature House called Elsa's Tailoring. The kit is a vintage sewing studio with plenty of tiny details, and I'm really looking forward to making a start. It's a larger kit and a higher difficulty level, so I'm anticipating that it will take me a little longer to complete. I'll be sharing my progress soon!