Pick Me Up! 29-Sep-2022

Struggling for breath, yet another wave crashed against my body. Desperately attempting to grip onto the sand for my life, at seven years old, I felt completely helpless. Only, the next thing I saw was black. Waking up disoriented on the shore, I scrambled up and began to clean the sand off me. My parents hadn’t noticed what had happened and I was too scared to say anything. They were always drilling water safety into me and so I felt I should have known much better. One moment I was playing happily in the waves, and the next I was submerged. But nearly drowning made me even more of a water baby. Nearly drowning made me a water baby Growing up in South Africa, I have many fond summer memories…

FUN DAYS OUT Looking for something a bit different for your next date night or meet-up with friends? Look no further! StreetHunt Games is a self-guided tour – get outside and up that step count on a grown-up scavenger hunt, meets escape room, meets murder mystery! Played outside around York or London city centres, all you need is your phone and a sense of adventure to solve the cryptic clues – it’s a brilliantly unique way to see the city! • £15 per person • Please visit: streethuntgames.com What’s trending Bring Aldi’s infamous Cuthbert cake to life at home! The budget supermarket has launched a brand-new range of affordable home baking kits – including caterpillar-shaped silicone moulds. Whether it’s a rainy day activity, a gift for Cuthbert fans or creating…

My seven-year-old granddaughter Billi absolutely loves any animal, so it was no surprise that when this baby frog turned up in their garden all alone, she rushed to find him a bed from her dolly furnishing collection to keep him comfortable. Patricia Cordon, Cheltenham My hubby and I having drinks in a Turkish restaurant. We always celebrate special moments and we have been together now for 19 years. Maria Godlova, Liverpool My little cutie Amari, seven, loving his pool life in Kos this summer. Sian Walker, Cradley Heath STAR LETTER I was on a train in Ireland when I saw the lady across from me was reading Pick Me Up! We got chatting about one of the stories (‘Jealous Rage’) and swapped numbers. Kate is a Cork lady, and Irish eyes were certainly…

Pulling a yellow jacket over my shoulders, I put on my best security pose. Loving all types of sports from basketball to American football, I was very lucky that my job meant that I could have a glimpse at some of the big games in Oregon, US. Yet, I wasn’t the only one. Catching the eye of my supervisor Sean, 45, doing the same thing, we definitely had a lot in common. Both working 70 hours a week, back in 2015, meant we would spend a lot of time together on the same shifts. And before long, I’d quickly look forward to seeing him. Talking all things sports, I couldn’t help but feel a certain way – I was falling in love. ‘Do you want to go for dinner?’ Sean…

Throwing my rucksack off my back, it hurtled onto the hostel bed. Now this is the life, I smiled, already able to tick London and Greece off of my travelling list. Growing up in Massachusetts, USA, with my mum Susan, 66, and dad Craig, 67, I wasn’t convinced by seeing much of the world. I was always quite happy where I was. Only, as I hit my 20s, that mindset changed entirely. I wanted nothing more to experience what the world had to offer, and what crazy things I could get up to jet-setting across the globe. When it came to my first European solo-trip in June 2018, I had big plans. One month packed full of sights to see and new hobbies to pursue. There was nothing I could…

This week, our tip of the week will receive a great product from Addis! Ideal for all hard wood surfaces and carpets, the Carpet Sweeper will make your home sparkle. With no batteries or leads requires, it is also effective on pet hair. Folding flat for easy storage – what more could you want?! Please visit: addis.co.uk Dual purpose! To avoid a dirty tidemark ring after having a bath, simply put a few drops of moisturising lotion in your water and your bath – and you – will have a clean smooth finish. Margaret Anderson, Sunderland An easy clean After using my blender I always fill it with water and a little washing up liquid. Give it a blend and then rinse – perfectly clean! Alexandra Low, Halesowen FAMILY CONNECTIONS…