Search

Clever tricks to keep bugs off your picnic rug

To keep insects from biting, stinging or annoying you – and just as importantly, to keep them away from your food – follow these 13 surefire, all-natural tips. Turn your body into a bug repellant By eating certain foods, you can repel many insects. For example, munch on a clove of garlic every day for three days before a picnic. As you sweat out the garlic odour, it repels many insects. You can also take 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar three times a day for three days before the picnic, too. Use the power of produce Rubbing a slice of onion over your skin can be a good way to keep away mosquitoes and other biting insects. Fresh orange or lemon peels also work. And another time-honored approach to keep gnats and mosquitoes at bay is to moisten a cloth or cotton ball with white vinegar and rub it over your exposed skin. All these work on your picnic table as well; wipe it with vinegar or onion, for example, and bugs will stay away. Be vanilla Turns out that bugs don’t like the smell of vanilla. Dilute 1 tablespoon vanilla extract with 1 cup water and wipe the mixture on your exposed skin (and if you wish, your picnic tablecloth) to discourage mosquitoes, blackflies, and ticks. Spray some natural mint mouthwash Insects do not like the smell of mint in any form. Transfer your favorite natural mint mouthwash into a spray container and spray it on yourself and the area around you while outdoors. Plant garlic, mint and rosemary Naturally ward away bugs from your patio meals by planting these three plants in decorative pots or your outdoor garden. They’ll keep the bugs away, plus you can use them in your cooking. Turn on a fan Set up a portable fan facing your outdoor food and eating areas, and turn it on to a calm breeze while you serve and entertain. The wind from the fan will make it difficult for bugs to fly in and pester you and your guests. Don't wear heavy perfumes or scents Stay away from wearing heavily scented shampoos, body sprays, perfumes, or deodorants while outdoors. The fragrances can attract bugs and the stings that follow. Leave sticky sweets at home Insects are particularly drawn to foods like melon, grapes, peaches, fruit juices and soft drink – to them, they’re like flower nectar. They can easily detect these foods, and will be persistent in their pursuit. While they may be terrific summer foods, avoid them at outdoor meals, or keep in well-sealed containers that you open only when everyone is ready to have some. Set up separate food tables for bugs One clever bug-battling tactic is to put plates of sweet foods (things like watermelon rinds, overripe peaches, or a large bowl of coloured sugar water) several metres away from your serving and eating areas, so the bugs feast separately from you and your guests. Keep your garbage cans far away as well, as bugs will flock to them for your leftovers. Cover all drinks Only serve drinks in covered cups or bottles, and drink through a straw. This is particularly important if your drink is sweetened. If you don’t have covered cups, use aluminium foil and poke a hole for a straw. Light some candles Smoke repels mosquitoes and flies. Tiki torches and citronella candles add ambiance to outdoor entertaining, anyway. Plus, they’re affordable, effective and have a pleasant scent. Float your table The best way to keep ants off your table is to put the feet in wide containers filled with water. Ants won’t be able to make it across the water to climb up. Cover up with a colander A simple wire-mesh colander can be used to keep bugs off dinner. If you are setting up a buffet-style meal, an upside-down colander over a plate of food protects it, while keeping the dish on display. You can also buy domed food covers or nylon netting. This article first appeared in <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/kitchen-tips/13-tricks-keep-bugs-away-picnics" target="_blank">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a rel="noopener" href="http://readersdigest.innovations.co.nz/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRA87V" target="_blank">here’s our best subscription offer.</a> Image: Getty Images <img style="width: 100px !important; height: 100px !important;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820640/1.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f30947086c8e47b89cb076eb5bb9b3e2" />

Home Hints & Tips

Sydney's top 5 picnic spots

If you're in Australia, try out these gorgeous places for a sweet picnic with loved ones. Who loves going on a delicious picnic once the weather turns warmer? We do too! After all, it is a fantastic opportunity to gather friends and family for a fun afternoon. Ready to go? 1. North Bondi Beach Moving away from the tourist filled Bondi Beach main stretch, head north and you’ll find where the locals spend their time. There are a few picnic shelters and coin-operated BBQs, but get there early to save yourself a good spot! Highlights: Relax at the beachside park whilst enjoying the beautiful ocean view. Plus, if you feel like going for a dip, it is only a short walk to the beach. Facilities: Playgrounds, outdoor workout gym, running water, outdoor shower, lockers, change rooms, gelato stores, cafes, buses, coin-operated barbeques. 2. Como Pleasure Grounds Living up to their name, the Como Pleasure Grounds offer serenity and relaxation among its well-tended plant life and riverside views. Highlights: Enjoy stunning panoramic views of the Georges River. Facilities: Playground, picnic tables, bike track, BBQ areas, parking, seasonal aquatic recreation facility, tidal baths, cafes and restaurants. 3. Auburn Botanical Gardens The Auburn Botanical Gardens are famous for their idyllic Japanese Gardens, complete with a waterfall, decorative bridges and bonsai. Numerous animals also wander freely around the Botanical Gardens including Black-faced Cuckoo Shrikes, Peacocks, and Magpie larks - just to name a few exotic birds! Highlights: An annual Cherry Blossom festival is held between mid-August and early September in these traditionally landscaped Japanese Gardens. Facilities: Playgrounds, buses and free parking. 4. Wendy’s Secret Garden After the death of her husband, artist Wendy Whiteley took it upon herself to clean up a patch of derelict land owned by NSW Rail. Over the past 15 years Wendy transformed the area into a beautiful garden, entirely open to anyone who knows where to find it. In 2009 Wendy was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for her efforts in creating the garden. Highlights: A peaceful haven to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, with beautifully maintained gardens, outdoor sculptures and antiques plinths, it is deemed an oasis in North Sydney. Nearby: Luna Park. 5. Cockatoo Island A quick ferry ride from Circular Quay will get you to Cockatoo Island, a former naval site with stunning views of the harbour and plenty of industrial buildings to explore. Highlights: The island is centred in the stunning Sydney Harbour with numerous shady picnic spots, BBQ areas and even an Island Bar. Facilities: Cafes, BBQ areas, bars, ferries, vending machines and camping areas. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/travel/top-ten-picnic-spots-in-sydney.aspx">Wyza.com.au. </a>

Travel Tips

Old picnic favourite: The Pan Bagnat

Serves 4 Love using olive oil in the kitchen? This hearty and delicious lunch recipe will delight! When you prepare this sandwich, make sure not to be stingy on the olive oil, pan bagnat literally means ‘bathed bread’. This old picnic favourite tastes of the French Riviera – a pan bagnat is simply a salad Niçoise in a practical bread packaging. Don't slice the sandwich up until it’s time to eat. Then you won’t have to deal with any mess. Too easy! Recipe from The Ultimate Sandwich which include 100 classic sandwiches from Reuben to Po'Boy and everything in between (Pavilion, $34.99). Ingredients <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;">1 Sicilian loaf - click here for recipe</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;">1 tomato </li> <li style="font-weight: 400;">1 egg </li> <li style="font-weight: 400;">200g can of tuna in oil, drained </li> <li style="font-weight: 400;">½ red onion, sliced </li> <li style="font-weight: 400;">a bunch of fresh basil</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;">6 anchovies </li> <li style="font-weight: 400;">50g/½ cup chopped black olives </li> <li style="font-weight: 400;">2 tbsp capers </li> <li style="font-weight: 400;">olive oil </li> <li style="font-weight: 400;">red wine vinegar </li> <li style="font-weight: 400;">salt and freshly ground black pepper</li> </ul> Directions 1. Cut the top off your Sicilian loaf as if it was a lid and then scrape out quite a lot of the crumb from the bottom. The hole should be big enough to stuff with filling but no so big so only the crust remains. Slice the tomato and place in the bottom. Then add layers of sliced egg, tuna, onion, basil, anchovy, olives and capers. Drizzle over some oil and vinegar, then season with salt and pepper. 2. Now it’s time to press this sandwich together into one yummy unity. Do this by placing it back in the tin, cover with a piece of greaseproof paper, then place a plate on top and finally, a weight. Leave in the fridge for 1–2 hours, or until it’s time to set off for the picnic. 3. When it’s time to eat you just have to take out the sandwich from the tin, slice it into four pieces and enjoy it on a blanket with the sun in your face. Tips For more luxurious sandwiches see the Sicilian Loaf and the Vietnamese baguette, Banh mi. Republished with <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/recipes/old-picnic-favourite-the-pan-bagnat.aspx">Wyza.com.au. </a>

Food & Wine

Hawk drops snake on family picnic in Melbourne

A video of a hawk dropping a snake on a barbecue picnic lunch in Melbourne has gone viral, but some experts have questioned the legitimacy of the footage. The video, which you can view above, was originally posted on Monday by a YouTube user called Douglas Wong. The footage shows a family lunching by the Yarra River. One family member spots a hawk that flies over a river and appears to pick up a snake. It holds the creature in its claws before heading back over and dropping it on the family. In the description box that was posted with the video, Mr Wong wrote, “So funny. Bird dropped snake on my uncle last weekend. Scary.” The video has since become an internet sensation, being viewed over 400,000 times, but some experts have gone on to question the legitimacy of the footage. Emma Goldstone, from Melbourne creative agency Jumbla, told <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/" target="_blank">Fairfax</a>, “The professional consensus seems to be that, no, it's not real. The snake is massive in the last shot, but when the bird supposedly picks it up, you can't even see it. The camera work is too good. Why would a snake be hanging out in short grass in winter?” Sean Dooley, the editor of Australian Birdlife magazine, added, “They rarely take snakes and I would be surprised that a young bird would have that skill. Even more damning is that the silver gull in the foreground does not move an inch as the eagle approaches to catch the snake or when it drops it. There is no way a gull wouldn't react to a huge predator swooping in like that.” After watching the video, what’s your take? Do you think it's legitimate footage, or is it a cleverly edited fake? Let us know what you think in the comment section. Video credit: YouTube / Douglas Wong Related links: <a href="/news/news/2016/03/man-casually-removes-venomous-snake-from-car/">Man casually removes venomous snake from car</a> <a href="/travel/international-travel/2016/06/snake-hiding-under-sand/">Can you tell what animal is hiding in this photo?</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/07/man-checks-shoes-and-makes-terrifying-discovery/">Man checks shoes and makes terrifying discovery</a>

News

Summer recipe: Perfect picnic frittata

Question: What picnic food won’t fall apart in your bag or go soggy, is light enough to enjoy on a hot day in the middle of a walk, but has enough sustenance to get you through the afternoon? Answer: Asparagus, prosciutto ham and tomato frittata! Ingredients <ul> <li>8 eggs</li> <li>¼ cup milk</li> <li>Pinch salt and pepper</li> <li>large knob of butter</li> <li>4 slices of prosciutto, roughly chopped</li> <li>1 bunch of asparagus, woody ends trimmed and cut into 3cm lengths</li> <li>8 cherry tomatoes</li> <li>½ cup grated tasty cheese</li> </ul> Method <ol> <li>Preheat oven to 180°C.</li> <li>Whisk together eggs, milk, salt and pepper in a bowl. Set aside.</li> <li>Melt butter in a 20cm ovenproof frying pan or skillet over medium heat and cook the asparagus for four minutes.</li> <li>Add prosciutto and cook for about 1 minute, until slightly crisp.</li> <li>Halve the cherry tomatoes and add to the frying pan for about a minute, until they’re slightly soft.</li> <li>Pour in the egg mixture and cook for 4-6 minutes, or until the bottom begins to set, but doesn’t stick or burn.</li> <li>Top with grated cheese and place the pan in the oven until the top has set and the cheese has melted.</li> <li>Let cool before sliding it out onto a place and slicing into handy wedges for your picnic. </li> </ol>

Food & Wine

New pictures of Duke and Duchess enjoying picnic with George and Charlotte

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have enjoyed a day out of the spotlight, treating Prince George and Princess Charlotte to a relaxing picnic in Norfolk. The royal family of four enjoyed a low key day, cheering on competitors at the Houghton International Horse Trials with some close family friends. Onlookers said the royals looked very relaxed at the event. To see all of the photos of the event, scroll through the gallery above. They look like such a normal family – but we think our favourite part of the whole thing is Prince George’s cute striped top, which matches Mum’s outfit perfectly. Don’t they seem to be such a lovely, caring family! What’s your favourite memory of this new generation of royals? Share your thoughts in the comments. Related links: <a href="/news/news/2016/05/duke-and-duchess-of-cambridge-pet-names/">Revealed: the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s nicknames for each other</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/05/what-you-didnt-notice-about-this-royal-photo/">The one thing no one noticed about this royal photo</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/05/10-photos-of-the-royal-family-at-the-chelsea-flower-show/">10 best photos of the Royal Family at the 2016 Chelsea Flower Show</a>

News

6 best picnic spots in the world

There’s nothing like sitting down with your nearest and dearest for a picnic. And a picnic at one of these amazing destinations would be incredible. We’ve put together a list containing the six best picnic spots in the world. To see the spots, scroll through the gallery above. Milford Sound – South Island, New Zealand Rainforests hug dramatic cliffs on what has become one of New Zealand’s most famous destinations. Enjoy scenery unlike anything you will experience in the world. Villa Borghese Gardens – Rome, Italy While you’re strolling through the ancient ruins and Renaissance highlights of Rome, the Villa Borghese Gardens provide the perfect spot for a quick picnic. Singapore Botanic Gardens – Singapore A walk through Singapore Botanic Gardens feels as though you’re strolling through a tropical garden in one of the world’s busiest cities and makes for a great picnic. Point Reyes National Seashore – California, USA This spectacular nature preserve is located on a 70,000-acre peninsula north of San Francisco and makes for an amazing view on which to have the perfect picnic. Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden – Western Cape, South Africa This refined space on the slopes of Table Mountain is surrounded by rugged scenery and is home to 7,000 planet species. Definitely one that you need to check out. Jardin des Tuileries – Paris, France With the Seine on one side and Rue de Rivoli on the other, Jardin des Tuileries features fountains, sculptures and two museums that will make for a great picnic. Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/travel-tips/2016/02/tips-for-handling-flight-delays/">5 tips for dealing with flight delays</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/travel-tips/2016/02/photo-shows-german-shepherd-enjoying-flight/">German Shepherd really enjoys plane ride</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/travel-tips/2016/02/tips-for-travelling-with-people-that-get-on-your-nerves/">Tips for travelling with people that get on your nerves</a>

Travel Tips

7 essential items for a summer picnic

Summer’s here, which means we’ve just entered peak picnic season! But, as with anything in life, the most successful picnics are always the ones where you’ve planned ahead and haven’t forgotten anything. We’ve put together a list containing seven essential items for every summer picnic. Follow this simple guide to summer picnics and you’ll be picnicking like a pro in no time at all. 1. Picnic blanket Arguably the most important element of this event (we’ll touch on this later), a picnic without a picnic blanket is really just eating your lunch in a swarm of ants. Protect yourself from bugs, damp grass and the perplexed looks of confused onlookers by remembering to take a picnic blanket to your next picnic. 2. Sunscreen Australia isn’t the skin cancer capital of the world for no reason, so when you’re heading to your summer picnic don’t forget to slip, slop, slap. A little bit of sunscreen can make a big difference, so bring it along to your next picnic and avoid sunburn – just don’t mistake it for mayonnaise. 3. Mosquito repellent Mosquito repellent is a great way of making sure you aren’t getting bitten by mossies and they’ll generally be out in force when it comes to Australian summers. Do a little bit of planning ahead and make sure you’ve got some repellent. 4. Disposable glasses, plates and cutlery You might be outside by that doesn’t give you an excuse to eat like animals. Make sure you’ve got some picnic wear or even better some disposal glasses, plates and cutlery that can make clean up an absolute breeze. Just make sure you follow park rules and dispose of these materials ethically. 5. Mini chairs Sitting down on the ground with legs crossed is for kindergarteners and yogis, but not for you! Bringing some mini chairs along to the picnic can make the experience considerably more comfortable a can save you from a bit of a back ache at the end of your glorious day out in the sun. 6. Resealable containers Just because you’ve bought a huge feast doesn’t mean you have to eat it all at the one time. If you bring some resealable containers along to the picnic you don’t have to worry about having food left over and you’ll be able to take whatever you don’t eat home to enjoy at a later date. 7. Food Because it’s technically not a picnic if you don’t bring any food. If you’ve been tasked with bringing one of the dishes you’re probably not going to the most popular person when you tell them you’ve forgotten the caramel slice. A picnic attendee does not have many responsibilities, generally speaking but bringing food to the picnic is definitely one of them.

Food & Wine

Watch this alligator gate crash a picnic

Students at the University of Florida were enjoying a picnic when they were interrupted by a rude alligator who obviously didn’t see its lack of invite as a reason not to join lunch. Michael Tamayo, one of the students, filmed the footage as the alligator chows down on a sandwich. Mr Tamayo told NBC this sort of thing is not altogether uncommon, stating, “It's Florida so most people are used to seeing them come out... especially in Gainesville.” Thankfully this alligator seemed happy enough with a sandwich. That being said we probably wouldn’t want to hang around and see what it had in mind for dessert.

International Travel

Monaco’s royal twins steal spotlight at picnic outing

They may only be eight months old, but Monaco’s royal twins stole the spotlight from their parents at a picnic on the weekend. Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella wore traditional Monegasque costumes for their outing to the annual Princess Antoinette Park picnic. Dad and mum (otherwise known as Prince Albert and Princess Charlene) looked jubilant as they showcased their adorable bubs.

News

Over 60

News

Shop

Catalogues

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Entertainment

Property

Information

Keep up to date

Search

Clever tricks to keep bugs off your picnic rug

Sydney's top 5 picnic spots

Old picnic favourite: The Pan Bagnat

Hawk drops snake on family picnic in Melbourne

Summer recipe: Perfect picnic frittata

New pictures of Duke and Duchess enjoying picnic with George and Charlotte

6 best picnic spots in the world

7 essential items for a summer picnic

Watch this alligator gate crash a picnic

Monaco’s royal twins steal spotlight at picnic outing