Beneath Cornish Skies by Kate Ryder

 

"What is important is being true to yourself and not living life on someone else's terms. We're stronger than we know... Be the wild spirit you've always wanted to be".

Show me the words Cornwall or Cornish in the title, and you can bet, I will read the book. 

Beneath the Cornish Skies by Kate Ryder has been hailed as an international bestseller. It's a modern romance story, with a supernatural twist.

I had it on my TBR list for a while, and it recently appeared on the Prime Reading for free.

The main character, Cassandra, who goes under names Cass, Sandra, Sands, Cassie etc, is one of those trophy WAGs who passively allow their man dominate their existence, from choosing furniture for their house to petty things like not letting them leave a wet cup on the dryboard. David is a high-flying, high-profile businessman who thinks the world of himself. He is so obnoxious, it's hard to see what his redeeming qualities are, that is, apart from the money, money, money. 

Cass is so submissive, it hurts. She glides through the life, entertaining David's guests at their dinner parties, keeping herself fit for David's pleasure and riding horses.

Cass's parents died in a car accident, and she was seriously injured. David was the first on the scene to call the ambulance and visited her in the hopsital daily. On leaving the hospital, 18-year-old Cass moves straight into his house. "...halfway into my eighteenth year, I entered David Ashcroft's world. And that's where I stayed for the next ten". It's all very sus, as my son would say. Orphaned at such a young age, and basically abandoned by her indifferent older brother, it's no wonder she finds comfort in the arms of the first person who pays attention to her.

"I couldn't believe this gorgeous man with the movie-star looks, who had so unexpectedly come into my life under such tragic circumstances, was offering me a shiny new life to replace my smashed and destroyed, previously grey existence".

It's only later she comes to realise that David has installed her in his life as his most recent acquisition.

Cass has never had a chance to grow up, as she never lived independently, never went to college or found a job. Her life is all about pleasing her rich boyfriend and looking good. David is a controlling narcissist who forbids his girlfried from having children, as they would mess up their perfect farm house and supposedly ruin Cass's figure.

Having discovered that David has been sleeping with their cleaner, Cass decides to leave her dreadful boyfriend and finds a job as a housekeeper for a well-off family in Cornwall. 

The Kinsmans immediately dump all the house tasks on Cass and work her pretty hard, expecting her to get up early and sort out all their housekeeping, from the stables to looking after children and dealing with the business of running the farm. And like a Mary Poppins, Cass apparently can do anything.

She looks after and exercises five horses and ponies, helps out with the school runs, clubs and appointments, helps Ginny run the holiday let and provides admin assistance for Gyles, among other duties. 

Cass has an affinity with horses. She is an accomplished horsewoman. Her horse Caspian is her true friend. She says about him, "my conspirator, my soulmate, and the one with whom I share my deepest desires and concerns".

Cass is also prone to pompous speeches. "I enjoy helping horses to change physically, mentally and emotionally over time".

Among these numerous  tasks, she finds enough time to conduct an affair with a married man. And that's where I have issues with the plot. As the wronged woman, who was hurt by her boyfriend's affairs, Cass does exactly the same, plunging into the affair with the married man, not caring who she might hurt. I suppose, neither of them cares. A cheating husband and the other woman don't appeal to me as a romantic couple.

It is quite possible that Cass is one of those women who feel unfulfilled on their own. What Cass needs really is the time to accept that she wasted ten years of her life on a jerk, move on and gain independence before jumping in bed with another man. It is not so much a journey of self-discovery as a transit between one man to another.

Luke is a writer who knows a lot about the local nature, and oh boy, does he not share his knowledge too generously? He's one walking lecture on the local habitat. And Cass "drinks in" his words, and welcomes a never-ending lecture. "Talk about an overload of information.. but I welcome it. I feel like a student who, starved of education all her life, is suddenly offered a place at Oxford or Cambridge".

Luke's wife is portrayed as a shrew, a caricature of a businesswoman. Amanda is a hedge fund manager in the city, who prefers London to Cornwall. She and Luke seem to be the opposites in personalities. Still it's not an excuse for Luke to start flirting with a new neighbour next door, or write corny inscriptions in her book. 

He is quite disrespectful talking about his wife's "histrionics", as apparently she finds it hard to resist a drama. That might be it, but you have chosen to marry this woman, nobody forced you. Sort out your divorce, then pursue the easily impressed females. Amanda is not likeable, and she has been unfaithful to Luke too, so in a way they totally deserve each other.

Will Cass find her inner strength and pull out of the grasp of her ex-boyfriend? Will Luke do the right thing by his wife and tell her the truth? Is Cass and Luke's affair a rebound, and do they have a future together?

Some ghostly shenanigans are going on at the manor house, and around it, these are not the evil spirits, rather more melancholic and stuck in limbo of their own wretched past. They don't take part in the main action, but enhance the atmosphere and the mood of the main protagonists. 

The author mentions in the Acknowledgements that Foxcomve Manor is loosely based on Tonacombe Manor, and that its ghostly sightings are well-documented. This made me want to discover more about the place, and hopefully one day I might be able to visit the location. The descriptions of the manor house and the surrounding area are spellbinding. Loved the historical facts about the eccentric Reverend Robert Stephen Hawker, and his legacy on the local landscape. The tour Luke gives Cass, telling her about Pastor Hawker, will delight any history buff.

I didn't warm up to any of the characters, sorry, and didn't care much about the romance unfolding. 

It was the Cornish landscapes that kept my interest throughout the tale.

The scenery plays the major part in the story. There are some gems of descriptions of the Cornish nature, that I found beautiful. "I start to notice my surroundings and am surprised to find the lichen-covered trees have a beauty of their own. I'd considered them grotesque, but their gnarled and twisted shaped are beautiful today, like a work of art adorning the hilldise in intricate patterns". 

The pages about seaweed foraging made me feel quite nostalgic about our trips to Cornwall.

 

Beneath Cornish Skies is an engaging book, which will appeal to different readers, for a variety of things. Horse-riding people would enjoy that a big chunk of the narrative revolves around horses. (There are also dogs and cats, and even sheep).

I relished the descriptions of the Cornish landscapes. There are some elements of the supernatural (benevolent ghosts etc), which will attract fans of the ghost stories. You will also learn a lot about the Cornish marine life and local flora and fauna.

A captivating tale of hopes and regrets, and second chances.

Beneath Cornish Skies is available for free on Amazon for Prime subscribers.

Christmas with the Surplus Girls by Polly Heron

 

"So you're good at shop work and good with people." Miss Patience looked at her sister. "That's not a bad start, and she's the right sort of age."

"The right age to train for office work?" Nancy asked.

"The right age for a surplus girl," said Miss Patience.

Nancy frowned. "Surplus girl?"

"The term refers to all the girls who now won't find husbands because so many men were killed in the war."

Christmas with Surplus Girls by Polly Heron is book 3 in the Surplus Girls saga. It reads as a standalone, but it makes sense to start with the first book, to appreciate the background and dynamics of relationships between the main characters.

Surplus Girls was the name given to the young women who were left single, or widowed, with a little chance of getting married as so many men perished during the WWI. To prepare them for the future of living as a single woman without a husband who would support them, they were trained for jobs.

Manchester, 1922.

Nancy Pike is a sweet girl, living with her parents and younger siblings above the tobacconist's shop. Her mother is ill, and her father doesn't earn much. Life is a constant struggle.

Nancy enjoys working in the pie shop and doesn't want to leave her job. On her father's insistence, she agrees to better herself by attending the local business school run by the Hesketh sisters. Everyone is pleased for Nancy, "You're going to mek summat of yourself, lass. You'll be a big help to your mam." She latched onto the thought, hugging it close. If she could help her family, in particular if she could make Mam's life easier, then it would be worthwhile". 

Miss Hesketh and Miss Patience run their business school for surplus girls. They want to help girls from different backgrounds, not just middle-class girls or the ones who did better at school.

"We believe," said Miss Hesketh, "that it is the responsibility of every surplus girl to make the best of herself. Our pupils tend to be girls who became office juniors when they left school. They come to us to broaden their range of skills."

Nancy is terrified of going to the business school. "She had never shone at school and the thought of returning to the classroom made her heart tie itself in a knot, but Pa was determined". She is worried that the office job would be way above her station.

Her initial lessons are not auspicious for her future as the office employee. Nancy is shy and awkward, and very self-conscious. She also makes a mistake after mistake, some pretty serious. Her first placement doesn't go smoothly. Zachary Milner has started his own business, selling the fire extinguishers. He is determined to succeed, in memory of his late brother who perished in the war.

"Zachary Milner in business. He had dreamed of this for a long time and had worked hard for it, weighing every decision as he went along". 

There is a personal connection between Zachary and Nancy, but when one of her costly mistakes puts his livelihood in jeopardy, she has to go.

Her second placement seems to go the same way too, when Nancy's given a chance to work in the local orphanage. She has to compete with another girl, Ginny, for the job, and she finds the office tasks challenging. "Ginny and Miss Pike would each have the chance to learn the clerical routines and prove themselves. Then, come Christmas, one of them would be awarded the permanent position and the other would have some valuable experience under her belt".

What Nancy loves the best, it's working with children, who love her in return. She realises that most likely she won't get the office job but she is determined to make Christmas as memorable as possible for the orphans.

Will Nancy be able to make the Christmas time extra special for the children in the orphanage? And will she find love along the way?

Nancy is naive and awkward to begin with. She is also kind, loyal and inquisitive, she just needs the right setting to blossom into a more confident person.

I am particularly fond of the Hesketh sisters, Patience and Prudence. I've watched their characters developing through the series. They have become old friends, whose company I enjoy. It was lovely to catch up with the lives of some of the other characters who took the central stage in the previous books.

The novel deals with several issues, among them the topic of the unmarried mothers, the disgrace of the position they found themselves in, and the emotional impact of giving up their child.

This is a fantastic series for fans of wartime sagas and historical fiction in general.

Polly Heron's female characters are strong, determined women who find their way in the patriarchal society.

Christmas with the Surplus Girls is a beautiful thought-provoking read, emotional and heart-warming. This is a captivating story of a young woman's struggle to overcome the prejudices of the society, her background, finding inner strength and discovering hidden talents. Full of drama and romance.

You can catch up with the reviews of the previous books in the series:

The Surplus Girls

and

The Surplus Girls' Orphans

The Thief Who Sang Storms by Sophie Anderson

 

"It's been three years since my tenth birthday - when my magic should have arrived and yet didn't. But I know when it does come, I will sing a storm that will change the landscape of our lives once more".

The Thief Who Sang Storms by Sophie Anderson is an engrossing, deeply atmospheric middle grade/YA story, which will appeal to readers of all ages.

"The Island of Morovia is shaped like a broken heart. The humans live on the calmer side of the island, and the alkonosts - the bird-people - live on the stormier side. But it wasn't always this way".

Thirteen-year-old Linnet and her father Nightingale have been living in the Mournful Swamp for the last three years. They are alkonosts, and like all alkonosts, they are banished from their home. Three years earlier a tragedy shook the island. It was the Day of Union when Joy, the ship which carried two queens of Morovia, the human and the alkonost, with their courtiers and VIPs, sank during a tidal wave of epic proportions. 

Rather than being united in grief and comfort each other, the humans under the leadership of Captain Ilya, accuse the alkonosts of misuing their singing magic and bringing death to the island.

Linnet is missing her old home, friends and living next to the humans. She is hoping that one day when her magic comes, she would be able to bring two hostile sides together.

The alkonosts are living in the swamps, and those who dare to rebel, are taken to The Keep, the equivalent of GULAG on Morovia, with intolerable working and living conditions.

"There is a Unity Movement that fights for change. I know that one day soon I will help it succeed, because my name, Linnet, is a kind of prophecy, given to me through an ancient tradition of using singing magic to glimpse a child's future".

Nightingale is involved in the rebel movement, stealing from the travellers to contribute to the cause.

"The treasures I steal also fund secret missions... they aim to remove Captain Ilya from power and build unity between alkonosts and humans, so that we can work towards living happier lives together".

When Nightingale is caught by bogatyrs and taken to The Keep, Linnet follows him, hoping to set him free. "I can't let the bogatyrs take Nightingale away. I'd be lost without him, and he'd be lost without me. We need each other."

Will Linnet's mission to free her father, remove Captain Ilya from power, free everyone in The Keep and the quarry and unite all of Morovia succeed? 

The main plotline is interspersed with the memory chapters, which give glimpses into the past events and explain the current predicament of the islanders.

Linnet doesn't fight for freedom alone. Her human and alkonost friends will help her along the way. Linnet's animal friends, the swamp-rat Whiskers and toad Lumpy, are as important to her as her family. 

I predict that one day someone will be writing a thesis on the importance of animal friends in Sophie Anderson's books. All her characters have animal/bird companions, fiercely loyal, loving and affectionate. As Linnet says about Lumpy, "He's not a pet. We're friends".

It was lovely to meet Baba and baby Marinka from The House with Chicken Legs again. As Marinka is still a baby here, this makes The Thief the prequel to The House time-wise. I love it when the House moves from one book to another, and we meet Marinka at different stages of life.

It's fascinating to see how Sophie reverses some of the perceptions of the Slavic folk tales and its heroes and villains. Solovei the Robber, the infamous monster, who is part-human, part-bird, whose whistle would slay the unsuspecting travellers, is the Nightingale of the story, a melancholic and even tragic character, who grieves the loss of his wife and takes care of his only child.

As Sophie says in the Author's notes, "He was cast as a villain in the poem, but of course we know the villain of one tale might be the hero of another".

The image of Nightingale is an important vessel of the theme of grief, and how we cope or not cope with it.

Ilya Muromets is one of the epic knights (bogatyrs) of the Kievan Rus, who serves Prince Vladimir the Fair Sun and defends his people from numerous attacks. In the legends (byliny) he is portrayed as a leader of spiritual strength and integrity. Sophie re-imagines Ilya as a deceitful haughty man who abuses his power.

"Captain Ilya has hundreds of bogatyrs enforcing his rules now, and there must be hundreds more humans who support him in other ways - by following his orders, or simply doing nothing and ignoring what is happening to alkonosts... While humans are allowing such cruelty to happen, how can unity between is be possible?"

Morovia is one of the Three Floating Islands, drifting across the oceans, moving towards and away from each other. While we get distant glimpses of Eldovia and Buyan, as readers, we do not travel to reach them. I would have liked to see these islands too (in The Thief no.2 perhaps?).

Sophie Anderson is a writer with a unique, distinctive voice.

Reading this book was a mixed bag of emotions. Sophie is an immensely talented, creative storyteller, who knows how to pull your heartstrings. But the comparisons with the current war are inevitable, and there will be no happy end to either side in real life. 

The utopian ending puts emphasis on forgiveness and tolerance, understanding the motivation of your enemies/opponents, humanity and compassion. 

The Thief Who Sang Storms is a beautiful, sensitive story of love and loss, grief and forgiveness, magic and power of hope.

The Manor House by Jane Holland

 

"Estuary House had a conflicting aura. It seemed to pulsate in some places with an almost raw, unadulterated evil. And yet in others, it glowed with warmth and understanding. Like two personalities in the same body".

"Were the dead able to inhabit the present so seamlessly they could appear a part of it? she wondered. Or perhaps those we lost never really went away after death, but remained in the stream, omnipresent, drifting silently through time along with the living, yet separate, too. Until one of them chose to make themselves see, that was..."

"I believe in... all this." He gestured to the wilderness about them, the estuary, the grey Cornish skies like granite glowering down at them. "Nature, the universe, whatever you want to call it".

Not that I ever need to get in the mood for the Cornish holidays (I'm always in the mood to visit my favoruite place), but the last couple of books I finished reading before our recent trip were set in Cornwall. 

The Manor House by Jane Holland is a dark psychological thriller, merged with a ghost story, set in dual timeline. The chapters alternate between 1963 and now.

1963.

Eleanor is a shy, gentle soul, living with her abusive father and brother. The father is the head of the religious cult, which treats women as inferior creatures. Poetry is her way of escaping the harsh, cruel reality and abuse. 

One evening, she goes to the poetry reading by the well-known published Cornish poet, Lyndon Chance. She finds courage to ask him a question, and later they spend the evening together. There is "a kind of smouldering restlessness and intensity about him" that Eleanour finds attractive. Lyndon invites her to visit him in Cornwall, promising to introduce her to the other local poets. 

Running away from an imminent threat from her father, Eleanor has nobody to turn to, except Lyndon. He offers her a way of escape, taking her to his ancestral home. Lyndon promises protection, as long as Eleanor pretends to be his wife.

Estuary House, a Tudor manor on the Camel Estuary in Cornwall, is situated in a secluded location, away from everyone. Once there, Eleanor realises that she might have escaped one prison to find herself in another. 

"The house seemed to be waiting for her.

It was a dreadful suspicion, and one that made Eleanor clutch the seat and wish she'd never come".

Lyndon's family is in shock to find out about the marriage. They are not exactly hostile, but not welcoming either. There is an ongoing feud between two brothers, Lyndon and his twin Oliver.

It soon becomes obvious that the old manor house conceals many dark secrets. Is Eleanor's life in danger?

"Ever since he'd first mentioned Estuary House to her, Eleanor had felt a lie in the air between them, its horrid, disjointed energy like a crackle of static under his words... But what could Lyndon Chance possibly have to lie about?"

Now.

Taylor comes to Cornwall to do research for her Master's thesis. She is a conservationist, with a deep interest in the life of the late Cornish poet, Lyndon Chance. 

"Lyndon Chance was the reason she'd come here this summer. The infamous, long-dead Cornish poet was why she'd chosen this lonely stretch of saltmarsh and intertidal mudflats as the focus for her conservation thesis, rather than a dozen alternative areas of special interest around the British Isles.

And she had no intention of leaving."

Taylor's story is interspersed with insights in her past, revealing the narrow alleys of her past trauma. She is haunted by her own tragic childhood: she witnessed the murder of her mother, and still blames herself for not helping enough.

Taylor meets Julius Chance, the grandson of the notorious poet, who lives in the now run down Estuary House with his elderly grandmother. He is quite hostile and determined to stop Taylor from digging into the Chance family's past. "Julius Chance had no idea how to behave in a reasonable, civilised way. But then, he'd been brought up in privilege..."

There is also a spark of physical attraction between them. They are drawn to each other, yet the old secrets and dark history of the Estuary House threaten to tear them apart. 

I enjoyed the atmospheric Cornish setting the most. The dramatic plotline with its tormented heroines made me think of some of Mary Stewart's romantic stories.

Without giving too many spoilers, I found the story dramatic to excess, there are just too many historical (and more recent) murders. As if the murder of the mother is not enough, our heroine is abused by her foster parents. Throw in several ghosts, a self-flagellating sinner, an abusive religious cult leader for a parent, and it becomes rather far-fetched.

The Manor House is a compelling and nuanced psychological thriller/domestic noir, tense, dark and menacing. 

Potential triggers: murders, death of a child, abuse, religious fanaticism.

Summer & Get Outdoors Degustabox

 Degustabox is a monthly food and drink subscription box. It's an excellent way of discovering new products which have only just appeared in the shops, or those which have been around for a while, but you haven't had a chance to try them yet.

Thanks to Degustabox, I have found new favourites to add to our shopping list, including some products which I otherwise wouldn't have tried.

Each time a monthly box arrives, its contents are a total surprise. You get a good selection of foods and drinks.

If you haven't tried Degustabox subscription box yet, and would like to have a go, I have a £3off discount from your first box (and you can unsubscribe any time), just use code DKRLN when placing an order. 

What did we get in the Summer and Get Outdoors Degustabox box?

Herdez Mexico City classic taco seasoning/Yukatan seasoing/Oaxaca barbacoa seasoning (£1.19)

Herdez is the authentic Mexican flavour brand, with over 100 years of experience, creating quality regional flavours.

You should receive two items in your box. 

Yucatan Zingy Citrus, Garlic & Coriander seasoning for Mexican tacos & fajitas could be used in a Yukatan slow cooked pork recipe. Ingredients include spices (dried gralic, cumin, dried onion, coriander seed, chilli pepper, paprika, chipotle chilli pepper powder, black pepper), sea salt, herbs (coriander leaves, oregano), natural flavourings, orange powder etc.

Once pork is cooked, serve in warm tortillas with salsa and a squeeze of lime.

Also great in a marinade for chicken or fish. Alternatively, rub directly into meat, fish or vegetables before grilling.

It was lovely in a fish stew, with sweet peppers, onion, carrots and potatoes, and some fresh herbs.

Barbacoa Smoky Chipotle, Black Pepper & Allspice Mexican seasoning for tacos & fajitas is a tasty mix of spices (smoked paprika, dried garlic, cumin, chilli pepper, chipotle chilli pepper powder, allspice, dried onion, black pepper, cloves), sea salt, natural flavouring, herbs (oregano, bay leaves), cocoa powder etc.

Use it in a slow cooked Barbacoa beef recipe, or rub over lamb shoulder.

Both seasoning mixes are suitable for vegans, contain no artificial colours or flavours, no added preservatives or MSG, and are free from hydrogenated fat.

Available in the majority of larger Tesco stores.

Mission Chargrilled Wraps (£1.50) is a perfect wrap for a summer BBQ. These wraps are soft, squishy and tasty, with a smoky flavour. Best served warm. Pop them on the BBQ or heat up in the hot dry pan for a few seconds on each side.

These wraps are suitable for home freezing to be enjoyed at a later date.

Suitable for vegans. Nutritional values: 191kcal and 1.3g of sugar per wrap.

Available in Sainsbury's, ASDA abd Morrisons.

CLIF BAR White Chocolate Macadamia Nut (£1.75) is a plant-based energy bar. The combination of roasted macadamia and white chocolate is well-balanced.

It contains 9g of protein. Made with Rainforest Alliance certified cocoa, this energy bar is a source of vitamins and minerals. 

Nutritional information: 279kcal and 21g of sugar per bar.

Available at most supermarkets, sports retailers, and health stores.

Rose Marketing UK Polaretti Fruits Freeze Pops (£1.50) - perfect for the heatwave we're having - these fruity lollies are made with real fruit juice. There are four flavours to choose from: strawberry, lemon, orange and sour cherry.

Shake well before freezing and enjoy the zingy fruity taste.

Made in Italy, these ice lollies to freeze contain no colourings or preservatives. 34kcal and 7.6g of sugar per serving.

Available in ASDA and Aldi.

Pravha Lighter Tasting Pilsner (£2 per 330ml bottle or £25.99 for the 24-pack). You get all the bold flavour of a high quality Prague Pilsner, perfectly balanced with a light and refreshing taste.

Great for BBQs, garden parties or just relaxing on a pizza and Netflix night. Serve chilled. 

Available on Amazon and Revl.co.uk.

Only available for purchase as multipack.

Shaken Udder Chocolush (£1.75) is a creamy, velvety smooth milkshake made with real Belgian chocolate.

Packed of goodness including vitamin B12, calcium (51% RI calcium per 330ml serving) and protein, they are also gluten free and suitable for vegetarians. No artificial colours, flavours or preservatives, less than 5% added sugar.

Available in selected Waitrose, Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Boots stores and more.

Heinz Plant Proteinz Thai Red Curry Soup 400g (£1.50) is a tinned soup, based on a traditional Thai recipe. You get 15g of protein per can. 

Ingredients include vegetables (onions, carrots, red peppers, green peppers), haricot beans, modified cornflour, pea protein, chickpeas, red curry paste etc. 1 of your 5 a day, eat this soup as part of a healthy balanced diet.

Nutritional information: 204kcal and 5.2g of sugar per can. Cook on the hob or in a microwave.

You can always add a handful of your favourite herbs (spring onions, parsley or coriander) to jazz up the tinned soup.

Available on Ocado and at Sainsbury's, Tesco and Morrisons.

Mister Free'd Mango Chilli Tortilla Chips (£1.99) are crunchy chips with a sweet and spicy kick. When you open the pack, the smell is sweet and fruity. The first bite, and your mouth is on fire. These chips are better eaten with a sour cream/yogurt based dip.

Gluten free, non-GMO, vegan and made using natural ingredients, these chips will make a nice base for nachos, grilled with lots of grated cheese. If you enjoy spicy food, add some halapeños.

Available in Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Tesco, Planet Orgaic, Selfridges, Whole Foods Market, Ocado and independent stores across the UK.

KP Salt & Vinegar Snack Pack 5pk (£3) - if salt & vinegar is one of your favourite flavours, you will enjoy these punchy peanuts.

Now available in convenient smaller packs, these are tasty little snacks. Each portion is under 185kcal each. A source of protein and fibre, these peanuts are an epic upgrade on the classic snack indeed.

Available at Sainsbury's and Morrisons.

Rubicon Spring Orange Mango/Black Cherry Raspberry (£1.29 for the single unit or £3.49 for the multipack) is a healthy refreshing sparkling water drink. This is a mix of spring water and fruit juice, with natural flavours and vitamins.

Low cal (only 9kcal per tin) and 1g of sugar, Rubicon is a lovely summer drink. Serve chilled, with ice or without.

You should receive 2 items in your box.

Available in multipacks in Morrisons and Tesco, but soon will appear in cafes and pubs.

SKITTLES Squishy Cloudz Fruits/Squishy Cloudz Crazy Sours (£1) are the new addition to the Skittles' range. A unique twist on the original Skittles treat, these soft candies are like mini pillows of fruity sweetness.

Squishy Cloudz has no artificial colours.

We were divided in our appreciation of the new candies. Kids enjoyed them, I found them way too sweet, and the texture is not to my taste either.

Nutritional values: 100kcal and 17g of sugar per serving (31.3g).

You should receive two items in your box.

Available in all major supermarket chains (we also saw them in WHSmith).

Hamadaya Naturally brewed soy sauce/Seasoning soy sauce (£2.99) - origintaed in 1818, Hamadaya's fine sauces are made from the same closely guarded, time tested, two century-old recipe.

Immense time and effort are spent to produce this gourmet soy sauce from the best koji.

I was very excited to try this soy sauce. I use the soy sauce on a daily basis, making stir fries with vegetables, chicken or tofu. This is a truly superior soy sauce.

You should recieve 1 of 2 items in your box.

Available on Amazon and Japan Centre.

This was another corker of a selection from Degustabox, with several products which we haven't had before.