Articles by Marc Reeves

Technology

I’ve just been on my first cruise – these are the travel essentials I’ll definitely take next time

I’ve just been on my first cruise – these are the travel essentials I’d definitely take next time I’ve just got back from my first ever cruise – two incredible weeks at sea – and after all the all-day cocktails, new friends and amazing places we visited, I’ve come back a convert. But I wish I’d known then what I know now. There are a load of small hacks and travel products that make life on board so much easier, especially when you’re living in a compact cabin for a fortnight. I also wish I’d known about the SimplifyLiving site before I set off. This Australian company specialises in clever travel and organisation products, and it’s fast becoming a name to know in the UK – especially with its Black Friday sale now live. Here are the six things from their site that I’ll definitely be packing next time I cruise. You can see the full range and deals here: SimplifyLiving Black Friday Travel Sale. TidyTech Electronic Accessory Organiser After two weeks juggling cameras, phones and chargers, my cabin desk looked like a nest of cables. The TidyTech Electronic Accessory Organiser from SimplifyLiving would have kept everything under control. It’s a slim, waterproof case with padded compartments for cords, power banks and gadgets, so nothing gets tangled or damaged in your bag. It fits neatly in a backpack and saves endless rummaging when you just need the right charger. For anyone who works remotely or likes to edit photos while away, it’s a must. It’s £18 in the sale, down from £41, and feels like one of those simple products that just make travel calmer. Pocket Pharmacy Organiser Halfway through the trip, I realised how many small health bits I’d thrown in loose – sea-sickness tablets, painkillers, vitamins. The Pocket Pharmacy Organiser would have saved me a lot of searching. It folds into a neat little wallet with ten labelled compartments for pills or supplements, small enough to slip into a wash bag. You can label each section and even track refill or expiry dates. When you’re at sea, being able to grab what you need quickly is surprisingly handy. It’s £16 in the sale, down from £39, and genuinely something I’ll use on every trip now. Compression Packing Cubes Cabin storage is tight, and two weeks of clothes for warm days, cool evenings and formal dinners can fill a suitcase fast. SimplifyLiving’s Compression Packing Cubes are the easiest way to fit more in. They squeeze out air so you can pack up to 60% more, and everything stays organised instead of exploding across the room. I like that each cube has mesh panels so you can see what’s inside and quick-grab handles for lifting them straight into drawers. They’re £39 in the sale (down from £69) and the sort of product that makes you wonder how you ever travelled without them. RFID Anti-Theft Travel Pouch Port days are brilliant but chaotic. You’re constantly swapping between your passport, cabin card, phone and cash. The RFID Anti-Theft Travel Pouch would have made that so much easier. It hangs flat under a shirt or jacket, keeping everything close to your body and safe from pickpockets. The RFID protection blocks digital skimming, and the waterproof fabric is ideal for humid days or boat transfers. At £18 (down from £46), it’s a simple way to keep valuables safe without lugging a heavy bag around. RainBuddy Compact Portable Poncho Tropical rain caught us out a few times – and there’s nothing like trying to shelter under a palm tree in your cruise-excursion clothes. The RainBuddy Compact Portable Poncho would have saved the day. It folds down to pocket size and weighs next to nothing, so you can keep one in your day bag. You just pull it on when the rain hits and ditch it when the sun comes back out. It’s £18 in the sale (normally £34) and exactly the kind of practical little item that earns its place in your packing list. Universal Travel Adapter Two weeks at sea taught me that cruise cabins never have enough plug sockets, and they’re often the wrong type. The Universal Travel Adapter fixes that instantly. It works in more than 150 countries, has USB-A, USB-C and AC outlets, and can charge up to five devices at once – ideal for phones, cameras and watches all competing for space. The built-in surge protection means you can plug in anywhere with confidence. It’s £26 in the sale, down from £51, and already top of my pre-departure checklist. After two weeks of learning on the go, I’ll definitely travel lighter and smarter next time – and I’ll be loading up on SimplifyLiving essentials first. You can check out their full sale and bundle offers here: SimplifyLiving Black Friday Travel Sale.

Technology

Greene King launches cut-price pub stays to grab share of winter getaway market

One of the UK’s biggest pub chains has made a move to capture the winter short break market by rolling out a string of seasonal deals across its pubs-with-rooms. Greene King Inns, which runs more than 100 historic pubs with on-site accommodation, is offering cut-price stays throughout autumn and winter — including Sunday nights for £50, up to 15% off longer stays, and 20% off food for direct bookings. The deals come as demand grows for lower-cost weekend breaks and easy access to festive events like firework displays, Christmas light switch-ons and local markets. Many of the pubs are in town centres or on village greens, putting guests just steps away from the action. A spokesperson for the company said the offers were about encouraging people to “stay INN the middle of it all” this season. Why the pub is becoming a go-to place to stay Pub accommodation has quietly become a more popular alternative to budget hotels in recent years — especially in places where chain hotels are either fully booked or miles from the centre. Greene King Inns has properties across the country, with locations in historic market towns, suburbs, rural villages and seaside spots. Most come with a restaurant and bar attached, meaning guests don’t need to travel elsewhere to eat or drink — a major plus for those arriving by train or hoping to avoid taxis. The rooms themselves are typically simple and comfortable, with prices that undercut many traditional hotels, especially on short notice. Current deals on offer Greene King’s seasonal campaign includes: Sweater Weather Weekends – 15% off Thursday to Sunday stays until 31 October . See participating locations Lazy Sundays – Sunday night stays for £50 at selected inns Find a deal Stay Longer, Pay Less – Save 10% on stays of 2–4 nights or 15% on stays of 5+ nights Offer info here Book Direct Bonus – 20% off food at the on-site pub or restaurant Book direct here Each deal is subject to availability and blackout dates apply, but the majority of locations are taking bookings now for stays through to the new year. Pub stays offer front-row access to local events With Bonfire Night displays and Christmas markets now in full planning mode across the country, accommodation in the centre of town can book up fast — especially on Friday and Saturday nights. Greene King’s pub locations often sit at the heart of those communities, meaning guests are within walking distance of the main events. The group’s current offers are being pitched as a way to “not just visit the festivities, but live them from your doorstep.”

Technology

Is Manuka honey worth trying for Covid sore throats? Here’s what the NHS says

The latest Covid strains doing the rounds this autumn – officially XFG and NB.1.8.1, but more casually dubbed Stratus and Nimbus – seem to be hitting people like a freight train. The symptoms are all too familiar now: a throat like sandpaper, heavy fatigue, headaches, and that telltale ache behind the eyes. It’s starting to feel like Covid has joined the usual roster of autumn bugs – not necessarily more dangerous, but definitely unwelcome. And with so many of us getting sick more than once a year, it’s no surprise people are reaching for all sorts of remedies. One that keeps coming up is Manuka honey – the pricier, richer cousin of the usual stuff in the cupboard. And while it might sound like a trendy health food, it turns out the NHS actually recommends honey as a first line of defence for coughs and sore throats. Prices for Manuka Doctor’s MGO-certified honey start from just £5.25 What makes Manuka different? It contains higher levels of MGO (methylglyoxal) – a compound linked to antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Some early lab-based studies even suggest MGO might inhibit the Covid virus itself. And Dr Hilary Jones – a practising GP – has publicly backed Manuka honey for nearly a decade, calling it soothing and supportive during recovery. Whether or not you buy into all the claims, it’s hard to argue with something that’s officially recommended, easy to take, and actually tastes good. See the full range and prices at Manuka Doctor Thousands of people clearly think it helps – a recent survey found that over 90% of Manuka Doctor users said it eased their symptoms, with many saying it helped shorten their colds or sore throats by up to five days. Verified reviews mention smoother Covid recoveries, less coughing, and daily doses stirred into lemon tea or eaten straight off the spoon. At worst, it’s a tasty comfort. At best, it could be something worth keeping in your cupboard as winter rolls in. Whether you count it as medicine or just a treat, Manuka honey might be one of the more pleasant defences we’ve got this season.