Quesadillas to cornbread and tacos. Embrace ‘la cocina Mexicana’ with this cookery book which has a healthy dosage of la fiesta. Recipes such as sweet potato nachos with crispy onions, hot ’n’ spicy habanero chicken, and a black bean and cheese quesadilla will thrill friends and party guests.

A GPS-enabled pet tracker for oldies with wayward pets. The Kyon collar is the thinnest GPS pet tracker on the market, complete with 30-day battery life. It uses mobile data and a phone app to notify you of the exact location of your pet. It costs £190.

A perfect low-key activity for outdoor enthusiasts on the prehistoric Jurassic coastline. Stay at the refurbished Castle Inn on the doorstep of countless coastal paths and just 15 minutes’ walk from Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door.

This arty town will be host to a festival of arts and heritage, 8th-9th September. Maze-like streets and pretty fishing cottages make this an eerily romantic spot. The cottages will morph into art galleries, and Staithes heritage will be celebrated in fossils, historic photographs and films.

Rosemoor, an RHS garden, lends itself to all the seasons. Cherry trees blossom in the spring; the Hot Garden glows with blazing shades in summer; the woodland jolts to life in all its autumnal greatness come October; and the Winter Garden proves just what can be done later in the year.

Base yourself in the market town of Petworth, West Sussex, a place known for its arts and antique shops. Meander onto the rolling South Downs for a walk and visit the local vineyards too, including delightful Nutbourne, with its family of alpacas and sensational views across the Downs – plus wine.

In the ‘Times’, Nancy Durrant writes, ‘The phrase “magic realism” was first used in 1925 by the art critic Franz Roh, to describe a contemporary artistic realism that nonetheless cast “a magical gaze opening onto a… transfigured reality”.’ The exhibition runs until July 2019.

Michael Burleigh, the great historian, watches it twice a year. In the ‘Sunday Times’ Review section he explained, ‘ Every time, I notice some cinematic reference I missed before. George Clooney is brilliant as the moronic Roman centurion abducted by a bunch of Marxists.’

An alternative and thrilling activity for guests offered by a new little B&B called Lee Byre. The ‘Times’ reported that on a night walk you ‘descend from the open moor into the Lyd River valley  and see the dramatic tors silhouetted against the night sky as you try to spot bats and tawny owls’.

I used to use toothpaste as a relief whenever I burnt myself while cooking. However, after hearing that is not good for the skin I searched for an alternative. After testing a few different creams, I found Lanacane to be the most soothing.

If you have grandchildren and don't fancy taking them to noisy theme parks, try Chislehurst Caves. Not only are the caves rich in history, but they are also rumoured to be haunted. The day there was thoroughly enjoyed by both generations.

Jock It is a computer repair service in the Leatherhead area. Donald fixed my smashed iPhone screen for a fraction of what it would've cost elsewhere. He managed to fit me in on the same day and he did a great job. I really recommend this service.

A Twitter account that tweets extracts from Samuel Pepys’s diaries from 1660 to 1669 in real time. The account is currently up to the year 1665. It is interesting and can be funny at times, well worth a follow. 

Set in an old hop kiln in a village near Farnham, the Packhouse has an interesting mix of antiques and contemporary home furnishings to browse. It also runs craft workshops and there is a little café next door.

My friend, who grew up in India, swears by turmeric for nearly everything – including arthritis. The magic ingredient found in turmeric is curcumin, which studies have shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect– so it's worth a try. You can find turmeric capsules by clicking on the link below.

Published in 1880, this is Baring-Gould's most famous novel and was said to be Gladstone’s favourite. Set on the Essex island of Mersea, a desolate region but not without beauty, it’s about humans corrupted by jealousy and greed who mess things up. 

Davenport-Hines’s’ examination of the Cambridge Five debunks the popular misconceptions about them. Far from being a part of the Establishment – a term he disapproves of – they were part of a mezzanine class more inclined to ideology. A good introduction to the subject.

Forever Fit specialises in exercise for the over-50s. The classes are a lot of fun and the coaches adjust them to your fitness level. They also have fitness programmes tailored to each individual.

In his new book, Hanbury-Tenison returns to the Borneo jungle after 40 years to retrace his footsteps. He mourns the damaging impact of logging and settlement. Though the book’s tone is principally melancholic, the prospect of saving the jungle is still considered with a slim degree of optimism.

Set within the Surrey countryside, Leith Hill Place was the childhood home of composer Vaughan Williams. Now owned by the National Trust, it was opened to the public in 2013 for the first time since the 1960s. It also hosts regular concerts.

Do you ever find that flight prices go up the next time you look at the airline website? That’s because the companies monitor your online search habits and raise the prices accordingly, so make sure you change your browser settings to ‘private’ to prevent this. Below is a link to show you how.

The Painted House sells patterned paint rollers. The rollers are a beautiful alternative to wallpaper. The founder, Clare, discovered them on a train to Romania where the technique has been used for hundreds of years.

In this book, Seierstad examines the sense of dislocation and lack of identity that can affect the children of migrants. It follows the story of two such girls, who left home to join Isis, and the interactions they have with their brother, who was unable to convince them to return.

A fascinating 300-acre time capsule, where visitors can also dip into the goings-on at a grand 1820s hall, a 1900s colliery and a 1940s farmhouse. Featuring bewildering and authentic actors in character – a great day out for all the family.