Ok so you have surgically removed the kids from their mobile phones or prized them away from the laptop and Facebook, you have lovingly put together a superb picnic full of culinary delights ……..so where should you go and what should you take with you on your picnic?

Picnics do actually require a bit of planning particularly if you are taking the kids and granny and grandpa along. Probably the most important thing to do is to check the weather forecast to see if rain is expected, if so take along couple of umbrellas.

Secondly, you will want to plan where to go to for your picnic. These days a quick search on the internet will reveal loads of different places, many of which you may not be aware of in and around your nearest town or surrounding counties.

Next must be the food. The Great British picnic includes food that is traditionally eaten with you fingers like sandwiches, fruit, crisps, sweets and snacks and drinks. Clearly, the simplest and easiest thing to make for a picnic is a load of sandwiches, but do take time to make them interesting with some unusual fillers or bread. Take a look at the Mydish Picnic Recipes here to get some great ideas (other than sandwiches), get the ingredients and make up the recipe yourself the night before. Don’t forget that fresh fruit is always an easy option and of course a couple of homemade biscuits will always go down well with the kids.

Ok so the location is decided, the weather forecast checked the food prepared and stored in suitable containers (a cooler bag with food wrapped in disposable plastic or tinfoil is a good idea, as you can just dispose of the wrappings once you have finished). What next? Yes of course, things to take with you to do and play with. Now folk can get a bit carried away here. Hey, “this is a picnic” so what’s the point of taking everything but the kitchen sink, this is supposed to be a fun and relaxed day out. My advice is to keep the accessories to a minimum, you will have less to carry, worry about or leave behind.

The more important things to take include a blanket or rug to sit on. A roll of paper kitchen towel to cater for those unexpected spillages, plastic cups for drinks, a cutting board and knife for cutting and pealing, drinks in suitable disposable containers, a bag to collect all the rubbish (don’t forget to dispose of this responsibly when you leave), sun-block for the kids and insect repellent for granny, and a light weight chair for grandpa so the can have his afternoon snooze. I also find a cricket bat and ball is a good idea, the kids get involved and let’s face it you could probably do with the exercise. Oh and don’t forget your mobile phone, no not to make calls or for the satellite navigation function - remember this is a picnic and “quality time” with family and friends, so you may want to take a photograph (assuming your phone has a camera otherwise leave it at home). Finally have a lovely day out and do try and relax – xxx.