Answering your questions in my latest Q&A!

This week I'm tackling all of your fabulous questions beside the fire.

It's wet and miserable outside so I absolutely loved being able to sit fireside and talk about my favourite books, Christmas gifts, day organisation and so much more!

How do you keep your children amused on a long car journey?

We've done lots and lots of non-car journeys over the years, and I think audiobooks are my favourite thing of all. Ones that they haven't listened to so they can't say, "oh, we've already heard it". So I order something new and exciting that we can all enjoy listening to. There are also some great podcasts out there for children.

We also play really silly games such as 'Who will be the first person to spot the yellow car' or similar quite unusual sights.

At Christmas, we play a game called 'Santa'. Every time you see Christmas lights, you shout "Santa!" to gain points and the person with the most points wins a small prize.

Our car does actually have little TVs in the back. It wasn't something I chose at all and came with the car, but it is quite handy for a really, really long car journey. I will let them watch a movie from time to time, but really I want them to be able to look outside and see what we're driving past. I really restrict movie-watching to motorways only when there's not so much to appreciate outside.

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Can you tell me about your signet ring?

My signet ring is the Holloway family crest, which is my mother's side of the family. The Holloway motto is "unity is strength". It's actually Pelham horse bits in the shape of an H for Holloway.

I just really love it. It was given to me by my uncle on my 18th birthday, and I wear it with pride every day. In fact, I sleep in it. I very, very rarely take it off.

My second signet was my mother's one, so it's really special having it on my finger. Mine was feeling a little bit tight after having the children and so, when Mummy died, I put her one on and now I have her close to me at all times.

How do you fit so much into your day?

I've had this question a lot! I will film a day in my life at some point and take you with me so you can see all the things that I get up to. I think for me, I just have to be really organized and just get on with it. Nobody else is going to do the stuff, so I've got to do it!

I see this as a kind of really crazy 'season' in my life with loads of things going on, and I've just got to embrace it and kick on. I'll have plenty of time to lounge around in years to come!

There isn't much downtime, to be honest. I get up just before six, put my workout clothes on and start my day with a workout because it energizes me. It gives me a spring in my step and makes me feel like I can tackle everything and crack on. Then I get the children up. If I've got time, I will run up and feed the ponies, let the dogs out and then come back in and hopefully, the children are dressed and I can do breakfast.

Simon's really helpful on that front as well. He often does the school run whilst I clear away breakfast, unload the dishwasher and then go and get showered and ready for the day.

I plan my day out in advance of what I need to do. Either I plan it a week ahead or a few days ahead, or the night before, depending on what's going on. For instance, I will know that I've got an hour to clean the house and do laundry, and on some days I give myself more time - it really depends on what I've got to fit in.

Then I will set aside work time and time to walk the dogs, which is normally when I catch up on a podcast, chat with a friend or just enjoy walking. I plan it all out really carefully.

I don't sit down in the evenings every evening, though I am trying. This is one of the things that I've changed since I had a month off in August since Simon and I loved sitting down together and I had more time for me and him. A few evenings a week I will work pretty much until I go to bed, and then I will try to have some evenings where I can sit down and enjoy being with family. I will sit down to eat with the children and spend time with them but once they've gone to bed, I catch up on emails, make granola and tackle other work-related tasks!

I know that I've got to get a certain amount of things done within the day. I write my list, tick them off and get them done. It's busy, but I wouldn't have it any other way right now.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

To stress less. I used to worry about the most pathetic things at the time, but looking back with hindsight and wisdom, I really didn't need to worry about those things. So I think I would say to just enjoy and live in the moment.

To just try not to stress too much about things that you can't change, and to seize every opportunity. Enjoy life as much as possible, say yes to new exciting challenges and be bold and brave! I was a massive worrier and it did me no good at all.

What are my favourite books - fiction, non-fiction and coffee table?

This was a difficult, difficult choice.

Lady in Waiting - Anne Glenconner.

I listened to this on audible. I love listening to audiobooks because I don't have much time to read. But actually, I loved having the physical book as well, particularly to look at the pictures!

It made me cry so much, I was a blubbering wreck, to be honest!

Glencomer narrates set herself on audible and oh boy, just hearing her tell her story, I choke up thinking about it. It was incredible, and I'd consider it a highlight of my year.

Ranulph Fiennes - Mad, Bad & Dangerous.

I would have loved to have been an explorer. I think Ranulph is just incredible! I read this a number of years ago and I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed it. He is such a character.

Lonesome Dove - Larry McMurtry

This one is enormous! I read it six years ago and it is my favourite book I have ever read. It is unbelievable. I loved it and I couldn't put it down. I'm a terrible bookworm, so when I'm into a good book I will stay up all night reading it. My dentist actually sent me this book when I broke my shoulder blade seven years ago and I had a lot of time to read. He also sent me the DVD as well when I broke my leg because he knew I wasn't going to be moving for a while! It is absolutely phenomenal, and I think everybody would enjoy it.

The House & Garden Book Of Country Chic.

I love this book for design inspiration. I am all about country chic and I love opening this up and getting inspiration from it. It's filled with beautiful interiors, traditional and just gorgeous.

The Secret Gardener.

Archie gave me this for Christmas in 2017 and it's wonderful. It features lots of different people's gardens. We've got Kirstie Allsopp, Julian Clary, Hugh Fernley Whittingstall, Julian and Emma Fellows, Jeremy Irons, Andrew Lloyd Webber and many more gardens. It's just wonderful and when I've got a moment I'll come and sit and flick through for inspiration.

Where are my favourite places to eat in London for a girly dinner and a family meal?

Ziani's on Radnor Walk walk is probably one of my favourite places.

La Famiglia in Chelsea is a wonderful place to eat with the family. I adore Italian food!

Outfit ideas for smart casual workwear without suits.

Sezane is one of my favourites. They have great trousers, really pretty blouses and knitwear and you can dress it all up or down. Boden has got some brilliant things at the moment too. Jigsaw is great as you can be slightly smarter or dress it down depending on your needs.

Accessories, footwear, handbags, jewellery, and a coat can really change a look. So think of versatile pieces that you can wear at the weekend and be slightly more casual with but that can also be dressed up for work. I love Ralph Lauren but it's quite expensive. And Other Stories have some great things as does Mint Velvet. Those would be my go-to places for smart casual!

What does father Christmas bring and leave in your children's stockings?

I love this question. My line is that 'if you don't believe you don't receive' and we stick to that, no questions asked. If I get asked any awkward questions, that is my answer. So they do still write letters at the end of November, and that is a really good way of me getting an idea of what they would really, really like. They have a few big presents from Father Christmas. So that might be something like a new rugby ball or something that they really want but is not hugely expensive, probably around the 25 to the 50-pound mark. So they'll probably get one of those and then little smaller things as well. For instance, they may want a new pencil case or some new colouring pencils, whatever they're into at that time!

I don't want to fill stockings with a whole load of tat and rubbish, so I will look for things that are practical and that they need. I love games so they may receive different card games such as Dobble or the Avocado game which are great fun to all play together. There are all sorts of fun things, but I buy useful things that they need and that I know that they're going to enjoy. Santa also always brings some satsumas, chocolate coins and sometimes some sweets too, depending on how generous he's feeling.

How do I get Tumeric out of my new oilcloth tablecloth?

The first thing you need to do with stains is tackling them as swiftly as you possibly can. Don't delay because it will set in even more. Don't use really hot water because that will also set the stain, so cold or lukewarm water is my advice. I'm guessing it's been there for a little while, and you may have tried other things, but my advice would be to try removing it with a solution of one part bleach to two parts warm water and a cloth. Test it first on an inconspicuous area of the oilcloth to make sure that it's colourfast and that nothing's going to run.

If you don't want to use bleach, or if the bleach makes it run, then you can use vinegar. Again create your solution with one part vinegar to two parts of water. Vinegar is great at getting out all sorts of stains, and Tumeric actually does come out relatively easily so you should have success with the bleach or the vinegar.

I swear by a bit of fairy liquid in lukewarm water, that gets out so many stains. Remember if you're tackling a bloodstain, plunge it into cold water or even put an ice cube on it, and the sooner you get to it the easier it is to get out. Leave it to soak and then wash as normal.

Can you recommend a good raincoat for dog walking?

My favourite coat is by Ilse Jacobson and it is a few years old, but they still do them. It's got a great hood and I use it for everything from dog walking to looking after the ponies. Don't wash waterproof coats in the washing machine with detergent as it stops them from being waterproof. If you really need to wash them, put them in the washing machine without any detergent. You can get products that waterproof, clean and condition such as Nikwax if you need to give it some more care.

Which brands of wellies and Chelsea boots would you recommend?

I have Le Chameau wellington boots. They are really expensive, but they do last and they're such good quality. I have had mine for six years and they are still going strong.

They're the neoprene-lined ones and the only thing I find annoying with them is that you have to wear long socks, otherwise they suck your socks off! Which is really irritating. But they're amazing and I wear them all the time. I used to get through wellies really quickly and somebody once said to me it's not a luxury, it's a necessity when you live in the country.

For Chelsea boots, I am absolutely dreaming of some Blundstone boots. They're really hard-wearing and they've got really good soles so you can wear them for hours and be on your feet for a long period of time without getting sore.

They are a great work boot that actually, I think you can slightly dress up. They're great for when you don't want to put wellies on, you just want to pull out a boot quickly to go for a dog walk or some gardening. They are on my wishlist!

What is your favourite ever perfume?

Acqua Di Parma - Magnolia Nobile. Simon bought it for me a few years ago and I just love it. It's not too sweet, and not too overpowering. I don't want my perfume to walk into a room before I do, I just want something subtle, delicate, and pretty that I can wear from day into the evening as well. I don't have a certain perfume for the evening. I just wear this all the time and I absolutely adore it.

Do you get any help with housekeeping at certain times of the year?

Yes, I do. I have a lovely chap who comes and cleans the windows a couple of times a year. He turns up and does all the windows outside and inside. I have somebody that comes and does all of the gutters and checks the drains because that's really, really important. Simon is not great with ladders or heights, so we outsource that one. I have a chimney sweep that comes every September and sweeps the chimneys. We've got three chimneys here so he does all of those in one go. I do also have a lady that comes and helps with the ironing because with the B&B I just can't do it at all - so that is really, really helpful.

Tips on growing your hair?

My hair has grown quite a lot over the COVID period, I have actually had about 2 inches chopped off it relatively recently as it had gone a little bit long and straggly, I am not blessed with the best hair at all. I say to my hairdresser if I want to be growing it, that I'd like just a little trim. It's really important that you have your hair trimmed on a regular basis, even if you're trying to grow it because it keeps everything healthy and gets rid of the split ends that can cause hair to break off. I have mine cut every six weeks.

I also take Clean Collagen Ultra from The Clean Body Company and that's made a real difference to my hair. I think it's helped it to grow a little bit longer and give it a boost because my hair is normally ridiculously fine and quite lifeless.

Be mindful of the products that you're using on your hair and also how much heat you're subjecting it to, because that all affects your hair growth. You don't want to damage your hair by curling it lots or consistently using straightening irons.

Did you not consider putting an extractor fan above your AGA?

With an AGA you don't need an extractor fan. That is another joy of them. So rather than having that up here, I have a clothes airer. You can buy a clothes rack that sits on the top, but actually, that can be a pain because you're having to take it on and off the whole time. So a hanging air dryer works really, really well for drying laundry.

I only use it when the AGA is not being cooked on, it doesn't get greasy at all and if I pop things on there after breakfast, it's all dry by midday. You've got all of this heat from the AGA so you may as well use it productively to dry your laundry!

How do you iron on your AGA?

If I had an AGA with a sheet of metal on top, which is wonderful for warming, I would do a lot more of my ironing on the AGA because you've got a whole flat surface of warmth. I would put down an old tea towel or similar, fold my shirts, pile them up and then rotate the pile as they pressed. If I'm ironing on my AGA here using the plate lids, I use the cooler side's lid. Make sure you fold the item as neatly as possible, and that the protector pad is clean. Then simply pile them up, and gradually the weight of the items will press them down. Rotate them every now and then to ensure even ironing.

Do you dry or iron things on the AGA from wet or dry?

The best way to iron things in any way, whether you're using the AGA or a standard iron, is to do it when things are slightly damp so you get a really crisp iron. With the AGA I will dry items on the airer above and then pile them up as above to iron them from dry or just slightly damp. Then every time I walk past, I'll turn the pile. Then they can just go straight into the airing cupboard and they don't need any further ironing.

Where are the dogs when you're filming? We only see Penny!

Tessa and Maud bark quite a lot, to be honest. Plus Bonnie has a naughty habit of running off if I turn my back. So I just shut them away when I'm filming and the rest of the time, they're in the house with us. I've learnt that Penny behaves beautifully - they don't! So she gets spoiled and rewarded for her good behaviour by making her cameos!

I really hope you've enjoyed this week's Q&A. I've loved the opportunity to come and sit beside the fire to answer your questions, do send me any others you think of so I can tackle them in the next one!

Thank you so much for tuning in wishing you a very, very happy weekend.

Lots of love and see you soon,

Love, Charlie x