Did you know that it's National Marine Week from the 26th July to 10th August 2025? 

It's organised by the Wildlife Trusts around the UK and this year, the theme is all about showcasing the Secrets of our Seabeds.  

How much do you know about our marine habtitats and who lives there?  Mud,kelp beds and forests, sand and gravel, seagrass, chalk reefs and others?  This is a chance to get informed and really find out more - unlock the mysteries of the sea!

There are events all around the coasts of Britain - and don't worry if you can't get there, there's plenty happening on social media as well!

Whilst we're on the subject of marine life, please find out about the practice of bottom trawling.  The Wildlife Trusts are calling for it to be banned in seabed Marine Protected Areas, and you can help that effort and give it your support by signing the Trust's petition.  The process is extremely destructive, as it drags heavy chains across the seabed and really bulldozes marine habitats which are very fragile. It kills marine life, and it also means that carbon is released from the sea bed. Bottom trawling is just to catch one or two species of fish - but many other animals are caught up in the nets used. And to make things worse, three quarters of what’s caught is chucked away.  Please sign this petition here and give it your support! 

If you're on the hunt for a gift for a sea lover, take a look at Beach House Art, as they have lots of beautiful pictures and prints of sea life, coastat art prints, seaweed prints, shellfish and seafood, and shell art.  Bring the sea and marine life into your home!  Click on the Seahorse print to visit their website!

This is the Indigo Seaweed Print | Seaweed Art (Sea Oak)

There are some great gifts about for animal lovers and if you're looking for something diffierent to give someone who adores ducks, then take a look at Paper High!

They have a wonderful range of presents, many of which are recycled.  These include gifts for bird care and wildlife, such as recycled cotton birdhouses.  

And they've got garden ornaments and stakes, including quacking great gifts for duck lovers, just the thing for the garden to give a certain extra something to it!  Each ornament is handmade so they are all unique, but lovely! 

This is Anka, the Drinking Duck Wire Garden Ornament
for £42.95 from Paper High
Expertly hand crafted from recycled wire,
each one is unique - but they are all lovely!



Flap, flap!  This is Kriti, the small flapping duck wire garden ornament
who is available from Paper High for £26.95.

Quack, quack!  This is Janhvi, the Small Quacking Duck Wire Garden Ornament
for £26.95 from Paper High.

This is the Recycled Wire Duck Garden Stake Decoration
for £21.95 from Paper High.
The ornament is supported by two stakes at the base
to ensure it stays in place.  It's easy to move as it's got a lightweight structure.

These ducks have been made by Noah's Ark in India.  Their goal is to change the lives of grassroots artisans.  Noah's Ark works with about 49 talented producer groups and they represent about 500 artisans.  Together they work towards the eradication of poverty.  

Visit Paper High here.

I am so pleased that I’ve discovered the fabulous Beach House Art! They've got lots of gift ideas for both adding some colour to the home or at work, or somewhere where you want people to get a connection to the sea and coasts!

They have a real passion for the coast, the sea, nature and outdoor life.  And it shows in their prints and photographic gifts which are both high quality and affordable.  I think they are great fun, they are lively and full of energy and passion and vibrant in colour.  Mind you, the black and white ones are amazing, too, such as this one, the Three Surfboards on the beach Photography print. 

I love their simpleness in their designs such as this one with the lobster – so striking;  it really draws the eye.

 
I just adore the colours in this picture,
the Ethereal Coast Painting from Beach House Art.
I really get the sense of power from the sea and the natural world.

To show the depth of their passion, they’ve got prints and photos you wouldn’t normally think of having, such as red seaweed prints and watercolour seaweed paintings which really bring the sea into a room!    There’s coral art, too.

This is the Indigo Seaweed Print from Beach House Art - just beautiful!

Their beach photography shows many aspects of beach life and sea life which immediately connect you to the coast.  Some of the photos and prints pick up on different aspects of sea life, zooming in on items such as ropes and tackle, sails, a lifeguard hut, and palm trees. 

There’s sailing wall art, too, two of which have quotes such as “A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor” and “We can’t direct the wind but we can adjust our sails. 

They come framed or unframed – if the latter, they come in a roll.  And there are different sizes to choose from, too.

The prints and photos also understand the connection many of us have with the sea and sealife, such as this one, with the quote, Gulls just wanna have chips.   Gulls just love to swoop in on human food and you can imagine them flying down to grab some chips. 

 
This is a fun print from Beach House Art, and it's full of colour!

There are print sets, too, of two or three pictures, making for a very striking display. 

Their prints and photo prints make for great gifts for anyone who feels a connection  the sea – it brings it into the home.   You can almost smell the salty fresh air!

Sail away to Beach House Art to take a look for yourself!

Gift experience company Virgin Experience Days have an offer for you !  

They've got a wide range of experiences with a wide range of budgets to suit all ages!  Whether you're looking for a family day out, or a romantic break for couples, or the chance to do something you wouldn't ordinarily do perhaps, this is a chance to break from routine!

With animal experiences, afternoon teas, arts and craft opportunities, adventurous days out, short breaks, food and drink, spa and beauty and more, there are lots of gift ideas, and plenty of fun to be had! 

For garden lovers, there are garden experiences at Kew, the RHS, and gardens north, south, east and west!  

There are animal experiences, featuring big cats, donkeys, horses, dogs, birds, bees, pigmy goats, Arctic wolves, capybaras, alpacas, llamas, meerkats... the list is endless! 

If you want to have a go at something of an arts and crafts nature, you can - some experiences can even be done from home!   There's cooking, chocolate making, candle making, blacksmithing, Hobbycraft workshops, photography, pottery, glass blowing, create your own perfume, brush painting and more! 

Head off to Virgin Experience Days here

Have you heard of Snoozimals™?   

They are soft, plush toys, perfect for bedtime, naptime or snuggles on the sofa! 

At the CalendarClub.co.uk, there's an offer on them - you can Buy 1, and Get 1 Half Price!  This offer is available until the 28th August 2025.  

There are lots of Snoozimals™ to choose from at the CalendarClub
and you can buy 1 and get 1 half price.

You can choose from animals such as a red panda, a polar bear, a fox, a dinosaur, sloth, shark and unicorn.  There's also a panda, an elephant, a unicorn, and a dolphin.  A kitty and a hippo, a corgi, turtle and penguin are also in the range!

Hop off here to the CalendarClub to see the Snoozimals™ from the CalendarClub.