Pick Me Up!

Scribbling my thoughts on paper, I felt relieved. After coming out of rehab in 2005, writing really helped me come to terms with my emotions. I’d battled with addiction for most of my adult life, but now, I was finally on the straight and narrow. I’d had my fair share of trauma, when my dad passed away in 2005, and nearly losing my sister, Vikki, 53. However, my friends and family were so proud of me for turning my life around. Being sober, I thought the worst was over. Only, after putting myself through all that, my mental health was in a bad way. Whilst meditating in 2011, I had an overwhelming urge to write a book. Journaling had been such an escape for me, I thought this was a great next step. Battling with anxiety and depression, it…

FUN DAYS OT Is there a better way to spend a summer afternoon than out in the English countryside, sipping on delicious sparkling wine? The vineyards at Tinwood Estate are waking up for the season, and the grapes are being stomped for use. Sit back and take in the picturesque views of the West Sussex countryside, as you sample Tinwood’s three exquisite sparkling vinos and meet the winemakers, to discover how they grow the vines and produce the wines. Go on a tour of the vineyards before sitting down for afternoon tea. • Daily vineyard tours and wine tasting from £21 per person • Visit: tinwoodestate.com GET IN TOUCH Send us your stories and photos, including all names and ages, a daytime phone number and full address. E-mail hello@pickmeupmag.co.uk WRITE TO Pick Me Up! Media Centre, Emma-Chris Way, Abbey…

I have just visited the Scottish Maritime Museum. My husband took a photo of me reading a diary entry from WW2. I had to wonder – where’s my hand? Fiona Deans, North Ayrshire. This is Mia, eight, my daughter, having the best time on her holiday. Bless her. Lisa Adams, West Midlands. This is my gorgeous dog Norman posing for your magazine. Fran Aiello, Hove. My and my partner have just come back from a long holiday in Zante. It was full of relaxing and lots of delicious cocktails! Casey, Devon. STAR LETTER I had an amazing holiday in Australia visiting my sister. One of the highlights was getting to cuddle an adorable koala bear! Mandy Burgell, Burgh Castle. If your letter makes Star Letter of the week, you will receive some beautiful blooms from Flying Flowers. With over…

Piling into the back of a Mini, I settled in the seat for a ride. Scrolling through social media, I kept my head down, lifting it to look out the window every so often. ‘Thanks so much for giving me a lift,’ I shyly smiled at the driver, Jay, then 18. My friends had known Jay and had all got lifts with him before, so I felt at ease jumping in his car to go to London. Saving both time and money, instead of using the train. I hadn’t met him before now, he seemed alright though, if a little strange. Only, I didn’t really make an effort to speak to him. At just 15, back in 2019, none of my friends had passed their driving tests, so Jay started to become our go to lift. We were…

Dropping the fish food into the tank, I did my rounds. It was 2013 and I was working in a tropical fish shop called Amazon Aquatics. Making sure all our little swimmers were happy, I noticed a message pop up on our Facebook page from a woman named Sara. Can you help me? I’ve got a question about reptiles, the message read. I’m in Wigan. At the time, I was based in Warminster – 245 miles away – so I wasn’t sure how much help I’d be. We’re a few hundred miles away from you, I joked. But how can I help? We got chatting and I did what I could to help when she sent a message I wasn’t quite expecting. I thought you’d be a fat dude with a beard, she wrote. But you’re not…

This week, our tip of the week Shine bright will receive a great product from Addis! You can use the Handi Airer outdoors to chase the sun or use indoors when the weather turns. Simply push down to open and pull up to close. The free standing airer means there’s no need to secure to the ground. For more ways to make your life easier, visit addis.co.uk Keep scrubbing I make sure to keep an old toothbrush in my sink. It’s handy for cleaning the blades on sharp knives. Rose Janes, Monmouth. Shine bright I buy glass vases from charity shops and fill them with coloured solar lights. They create a beautiful effect and there is no electric bill! Colleen Marin-Storey, Hale. Car insurance know-hows… Trying to find the best deals on your car insurance can be a tiring game…