Steven Smith

Former royal head chef Visen Anenden says 4pm or 5pm is the ideal time for dinner because it allows more time for digestion before bed. He revealed that King Charles III and Queen Camilla generally ate later, around 8pm or 8:30pm, although Camilla reportedly tried to move dinner earlier. Anenden also shared a summer beetroot salad recipe featuring watercress, cheeses, seeds and pomegranate dressing, recommending it with grilled lamb cutlets.

The UK will experience its most significant solar eclipse in 54 years on August 12, with more than 90% of the Sun expected to be obscured between 6:17pm and 8:06pm and maximum coverage around 7:13pm. Experts warn that ordinary sunglasses are unsafe and recommend certified solar eclipse glasses, solar telescopes, or projection methods such as using a colander with the viewer’s back to the Sun. Viewers should find an unobstructed west-facing location, while weather conditions remain uncertain. The next eclipse of comparable magnitude visible from the UK is expected in 2081, and the next total UK eclipse in 2090.

Dog grass‑eating is described as common and often harmless, with possible causes including taste preference, ancestral behaviour, boredom, or a need for more dietary fibre. Expert advice suggests using enrichment activities, ensuring adequate fibre, and consulting a vet if vomiting, weight loss, or frequent symptoms occur, but overall most dogs do not require intervention.

Hosepipe bans across parts of the UK following a severe heatwave restrict watering and outdoor cleaning, but several garden tasks remain possible without using excess water. Suggestions include preparing wooden garden structures for future painting, deadheading plants, installing trellises, and cleaning garden furniture with limited water. The guidance emphasises safety in hot weather and using manual, water-efficient methods to maintain outdoor spaces.

A neuroscientist warns that drying bedding outdoors during a heatwave with very high pollen levels can worsen hay fever symptoms and disrupt sleep for millions of sufferers in the UK. High pollen concentrations can cling to sheets left outside, increasing nighttime allergen exposure and reducing sleep quality. Advice includes drying bedding indoors, keeping windows closed, showering before bed, and using HEPA air purifiers. With temperatures forecast to reach the mid‑30s across parts of the UK, the guidance aims to help allergy sufferers reduce symptoms and improve rest.