The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission.
What To Do, See & Buy: The Cold Water Swimming Championships 2013; Hunter's Chatel boots; Lush; Up Helly Aa
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Block of time
This is really rather neat. A plain block of wood, but click your fingers and an LED display tells you the time, date and temperature, then switches itself off again to conserve energy. It can be set to show the time constantly if you’d rather not faff, but the sound-activated option does allow you to pretend you have Dumbledore-like powers of illumination. £28.50, notonthehighstreet.com
Shiver me timbers
What better way to reinvigorate the spirit in the depths of winter than by plunging into a near-freezing swimming pool in south London? The Cold Water Swimming Championships 2013 are in town today! Tooting Bec Lido, SW16, registration from 9am.
Snow messing
Winter is getting serious, so cast off those ankle boots and get your feet into something more heavy-duty. Hunter’s unisex Chatel boots are big, bold and just do not give snow drifts the time of day. They also come in black or white, but we feel that big red, insulated boots make for a most emphatic two-finger salute, waggled in the general direction of a cold front from Europe. £34-48, amazon.co.uk
Hoot seat
Independent designers Marie Rodgers and Maria Livings, of south London firm Lush, bring a fine, mysterious folksiness to their designs for everyday household objects: reminiscent of wood carving. A jaunty-looking owl against a full moon is one of their motifs, deployed here on a lovely cotton-canvas cushion (see gallery). £35, lushlampshades.co.uk
Fired up
The people of Lerwick, in the Shetland Isles, have been celebrating Up Helly Aa for 150 years now – and it remains absolutely bonkers. Locals dress as Vikings, a ship is set alight and the town parties late into the long winter night. This Tuesday; uphellyaa.org
Qi whizz
This is a handmade Feng Shui dial (see gallery). Devices like it were used by astrologers to determine the flow of Qi through rooms and furniture. While you may need a working knowledge of traditional Chinese astrological practices for it to be any use when moving the sofa, it still makes for a beautiful ornament. £40, britishmuseumshoponline.org
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments