Welcome to Ask Charlie - A little introduction from me...

Hello and welcome to Ask Charlie!

My name is Charlie Gray, and I am so, so pleased you're here.

I thought it best to start this journey with a little introduction. Ask Charlie has been such a labour of love, a lifetime in the making, and it really is something I am so proud to be launching.

I live in the beautiful Sussex countryside with my husband Simon, my three children Archie, Coco and Gus and our many animals; ponies, chickens, dogs, a cat, a tortoise and last but by no means least - the goldfish.

There is only 2 and a half years age gap between my three children, so it really is often quite chaotic at home! Keeping up with them all is a skill in itself! 

It's become very apparent to me that so many practical skills, once treasured and lovingly passed down through generations, are just not being taught anymore. Name taping, button sewing, ironing, they are all being lost - without people realising how fundamentally important they really are.

This is why I came up with the idea to build this website and share all the practical skills that I have learnt throughout my life with you.

My Mum was absolutely brilliant at teaching me how to do things. I didn't realise at the time that I was forever learning, from hemming trousers to making a white sauce, to gardening to cleaning - but it's become so apparent to me now as a Mother and Wife what a fantastic role model and teacher she was. She imparted her knowledge and passed down these invaluable lifelong skills within me effortlessly from such a young age and I will be forever grateful.

Hopefully, from the website, you will learn new, interesting and fascinating skills that you can use daily to enrich yours and your loved ones' lifestyle.  

I get such a satisfaction if I don't know how to do something in finding out. learning, asking, discovering different techniques...

Ask Charlie

My ultimate aim for Ask Charlie is to constantly update you using blog posts covering a wide and varied range of skills. From ironing, gardening, organising and hosting children's birthday parties to Christmas tips, making a bed and caring for your animals. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy making them.

Love, Charlie x