Having one of those days? Whether it’s tube disruptions, disputes with colleagues or a run-in with the boss, a bad day at the office can generate a maelstrom of emotions ranging from anger and frustration through to anxiety and feelings of inadequacy. The tried-and-tested distraction techniques below are guaranteed to transform Mont Blanc-style mountains back into mole hills – allowing you to take back control and get your day back on track.
Smiley stress ball
Following my May Bank Holiday Snowdon ascent, my training schedule has recently ramped up a gear in preparation my first international trek in September. On top of my twice weekly-runs and daily lunch break stair climbing antics, I decided it was time to head for the hills again, this time, on a mini break to the Lake District. With walking poles and Compeed plasters at the ready, (lessons learnt from last time), I set off from work last Friday lunchtime to explore Britain’s largest hiking playground.
With the mercury hitting 34 on the hottest day of the year so far, I wilted out of the office in a state of near melt-down. Desperately seeking shady trees and wide, open spaces, I headed straight for the sanctuary of the world’s most famous botanical gardens to experience Spicy Lates – part of Kew’s Full of Spice Festival. Exploring the origins of our favourite seasonings, the festival takes you on a fascinating journey from distant lands to our dinner table today. Departing the tube inferno, I made straight for the giant inflatable chilli pepper.
Spicy Lates
With the annual summer holiday exodus about to hit offices, those left behind to pick up the pieces can still escape to a weekend of fun and freedom at one of many Great British Summer Festivals. Proving there’s so much more to summertime frolics than Glastonbury, we’ve compiled a list of the most eclectic festivals taking place across the British Isles this summer. From hot air ballooning to oyster shucking, there’s a festival to suit everyone – some even with luxury toilets.
The landing of the oyster
“Don’t worry, everything on the menu’s already dead,” pronounced our dark and mysterious Romanian waitress with a reassuring smile. An ominous start to an evening spent exploring the exotic at Archipelago – London’s culinary portal to world cuisine. Putting my squeamish sensibilities to one side, I joined two colleagues on a gourmet rampage across dark continents, sampling the dubious delights of python, bison, zebra and a kangaroo kebab or two thrown in for good measure.
Archipelago restaurant interior
As a champion of tiny museums, I was delighted to stumble across the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Gallery on my way to a meeting. Telling the tale of Britain’s first female doctor and founder of London’s first women’s hospital, the pint-sized gallery proved an inspirational lunch break find.
The Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Gallery
Hot-on-the-crumbs of the Cereal and Porridge Cafes, toasties are the latest addition to London’s sizzling single snack cafe trend. Promising quick and comforting sustenance in the tricky starvation hour between work and play, I decided to succumb to the cheesy delights of The Melt Room on my way to an evening out.
The Melt Room
Hurtling from home to office, I pay scant attention to the stations that pass in a blur on my daily commute on the Metropolitan Line. Washed up at King’s Cross on a tidal wave of bodies, my main focus is to get out of the station as quickly as possible. But unknown to most of the four million commuters who use the network every day, the tube is due for a facelift. As part of the London Architecture Festival, I popped along to the achingly trendy offices of Studio Egret West to find out what’s in store for the London Underground of the future.
From pavement to platform
With only four months to go (yikes) until my Atlas Mountain trek, I decided to head for the hills this May bank holiday weekend to do my first ever mountain climb. Equipped with compeed plasters, gloves, scarves and a mountain of cereal bars, I left my desk at lunchtime on Friday to join thirteen other intrepid Londoners destined for Mount Snowdon in the Welsh outback.
Mount Snowdon
After a stressful working week, what could be more soothing than the thought of slipping away to your very own country retreat. But before most of us have googled weekend breaks in the Cotswolds, visions of a grid-locked M25 sends us scurrying home for a glass of wine instead. Cooped up in concrete for another weekend, few realise that only twelve miles from central London lies a fairy tale Manor house nestled in 40 acres of award-winning gardens and woodlands. (leave a comment below for a chance to win a stay at the Grim’s Dyke hotel)
Grim’s Dyke gardens