Out & About Summer 2018

GERALDINE GARDNER

EDITOR

H ere’s hoping that marvellous May was a precursor to a sizzling summer. The British obsession with weather is legendary, but I think that’s because it is so unpredictable and we can never be sure what each season will bring. At Out & About we have assumed that we’re in for a scorcher, which is why this issue is packed with ideas for outings (p25), al fresco dining (p58), summer fashion (p8) and all things warm and friendly. It’s often said that the sun’s rays make us feel better about ourselves and although we have to slap on the suncream, a bit of vitamin D supplied by the warm outdoors is good for us all. At the risk of sounding like a bit of a doom- monger we do also need to be aware that with the summer months also come ticks. Most of these pesky little bloodsuckers are harmless and can be removed without out any ill-effects. But the long-term effects of Lyme disease, which is passed on by around 15 per cent of ticks, is becoming more apparent and hit the headlines last year when former England rugby union

player Matt Dawson spoke out about the heart operation he underwent after contracting Lyme. At the same time, one of my sons rang me from the summer camp he was working at outside New York with the news that he too had Lyme. The difference was that my son was treated immediately with antibiotics and fingers-crossed there will be no lasting damage. It seems in this country Lyme disease is not picked up so quickly and patients are often misdiagnosed with ME when they exhibit similiar flu-like symptoms. Angela Knight, who contracted the disease some 20 years ago when she lived in Kintbury and has suffered various illnesses as a result, talks to one family about their battle to get the right diagnosis and treatment for their two sons, who unluckily were both bitten – one in Berkshire and one in Scotland – and became very ill (p22). It’s easy enough to take precautions and look out for ticks and, if removed quickly, there should be no harm done. So run wild and free over the summer and enjoy the best of the long days and balmy nights.

Editor’s picks

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Cover picture

Awaydays

Rainy days

44 CAFE CULTURE

25 SUMMER OUTINGS

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BORED GAMES Some alternative suggestions to the traditional ‘throw the dice and race round the board’ games to keep everyone entertained when the weather’s not so sunny

Independent tea shops and cafés are thriving and if you can enjoy your homemade goodies sitting out in the sunshine even better. We continue our round- up of some of the best

Places to go and things to see for the whole family and all within less than two hours away, plus some ticket giveaways and other competitions

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