Robin Cottle

Dried, toasted coffee grounds may temporarily deter flies from kitchens because of the smoke and compounds released during heating. An Ideal Home test reportedly kept flies away for about three hours, but the effect wore off. Pest-control experts caution that there is little scientific evidence specifically supporting coffee grounds as an insect repellent and recommend removing food and other sources attracting the flies.

Annie Redfern said her family’s 10-day stay at Sol Pelicanos Ocas in Benidorm was marred by guests queuing from 6:30 a.m. to reserve pool sunbeds, despite the pool opening hours later. She claimed her family often had to use plastic chairs until late afternoon and criticised what she described as a routine dominated by middle-aged men reserving beds before breakfast. Her TikTok account of the experience attracted 192,000 views, while the hotel was approached for comment.

Gardeners' World presenter Joe Swift recommends planting drought-tolerant daisies, including black-eyed Susan and coneflower, to address the August colour gap caused by dry, bleached-out gardens. He says the flowers work well with ornamental grasses and attract pollinators. Additional experts advise keeping grass longer during heatwaves and watering established lawns deeply but infrequently to protect their roots.

Alan Titchmarsh recommends the evergreen euonymus ‘Emerald Gaiety’ for UK gardens facing heatwave and drought conditions, highlighting its ability to grow in almost any soil and in sun or shade. He also advises potato growers to earth up plants, protect tubers from exposure and solanine, and harvest at the right time—generally when the plants flower—to avoid undersized or oversized potatoes.

Experts advise keeping grass longer during the ongoing UK heatwave to protect soil and maintain moisture, recommending mowing at higher settings and watering during early morning or evening to reduce evaporation. Gardeners are urged to focus on root zones and prioritise frequently used areas when water is limited, as parts of England experience extreme dryness and widespread hosepipe bans with no clear end to the heatwave in sight.

Craig Revel Horwood recalls being publicly humiliated at school when a PE teacher made him run shirtless in front of classmates, leading to a hurtful nickname. Speaking with Anton du Beke on their podcast, he reflected on the incident while the pair also discussed personal habits, including Anton’s dislike of takeaways and Craig’s fondness for pepperoni pizza.

Alan Titchmarsh warns gardeners that planting trees too deeply can cause expensive specimens to deteriorate or die, urging them to keep the rootball level with the soil surface. He highlights examples of large trees failing due to deep planting and advises using the swollen stem base as a depth guide. He also offers tips for preventing rats in gardens by maintaining solid compost heaps and keeping lawns short to reduce cover for pests.

Bob Mortimer reflects on his struggles with negative thoughts as he ages, describing an internal battle to maintain joy and resist despair. He recounts how a 2015 near‑death experience during triple bypass surgery changed his view of mortality, initially easing his fear of death before medical explanations tempered his beliefs. Living with rheumatoid arthritis and shaped by his health challenges, he says the experience has made him more willing to embrace new opportunities.