FEATURE: 5 Picnic Basket Essentials

<p>Just when we thought it was going to be another summer of keep your head down and work through the grey clad skies, the sun comes out. Yes, this weekend is set to be a scorcher with bright sunny skies and high temperatures. So now is the perfect time to grab the picnic basket as we give you our top 5 must haves for a perfect picnic.</p> <p>By Graham Davies | 3rd July 2013</p><p></p><p> </p><p><img src="http://www.thegayuk.com/communities/8/004/009/928/388/images/4588843791.jpg" width="460" height="307" alt="Soda Bread - TheGayUK" title="Soda Bread - TheGayUK"/></p> <p></p><p>1. Homemade Bread. The taste is 100 times better than any pre packed store bread and the smell can only be the cherry on top of this perfect sunny day. Bread is great for travelling with and mopping up any olive oil and balsamic or home made chutneys you may be taking. Do check out our recipe for Soda bread and have a go. It’s easier than you might think! <a href="http://www.thegayuk.com/magazine/4574334751/RECIPE-Traditional-Irish-Brown-Soda-Bread/5152499">www.thegayuk.com</a></p><p></p><p> </p><p><img src="http://www.thegayuk.com/communities/8/004/009/928/388/images/4595046699.jpg" width="459" height="206" alt="Greenall's Pre Mix Drinks" title="Greenall's Pre Mix Drinks"/></p> <p></p><p>2. Drink. Most of us enjoy a little tipple now and then. Personally I favour a G&T whilst out enjoying the sun and often go for the handy pre-mixed cans. Greenall’s Gin have recently launched their own summer cocktail series with the following flavours to choose from, Gin & Tonic, Gin Fizz, Gin Sin, Gin and Bitter Lemon or Gin & Pink Grapefruit. Available from most supermarkets for £1.90 </p><p></p><p> </p><p><img src="http://www.thegayuk.com/communities/8/004/009/928/388/images/4595046739.jpg" width="460" height="460" alt="Scrumpy cider apple cheddar - The Original Cheddar Cheese Co." title="Scrumpy cider apple cheddar - The Original Cheddar Cheese Co."/></p> <p></p><p>3. Cheese. I’m not one for fancy blue cheese or stuff that smells bad in the fridge let alone in a warm rucksack after a 40 minute walk, however I do love a good cheddar or red leicester and if I’m being really posh a slice of Edam. All non threatening and make good travel buddies with your fresh bread and chutney. One to try would be the Scrumpy Cider Apple Cheddar available from <a href="http://originalcheddar.co.uk/cat/product_info.php?cPath=0_30&products_id=93">www.originalcheddar.co.uk</a> for £3.95</p><p></p><p> </p><p><img src="http://www.thegayuk.com/communities/8/004/009/928/388/images/4595046947.jpg" width="459" height="306" alt="Fruit Mix" title="Fruit Mix"/></p> <p></p><p>4. Fruit. Strawberries are the Wimbledon tennis favourite with thousands of bowls sold every year. Personally I like to mix it up a little and make a box up with some added blueberries, apple, raspberries and plums. Fruit is not only very healthy but also full of natural energies to get you though any long walks the picnic may take you on. </p><p></p><p> </p><p><img src="http://www.thegayuk.com/communities/8/004/009/928/388/images/4595046994.jpg" width="460" height="460" alt="Clarins - Sunscreen for face wrinkle control cream" title="Clarins - Sunscreen for face wrinkle control cream"/></p> <p></p><p>5. Suntan lotion. We all love to enjoy a bit of summer sun but I haven’t seen anyone pull off the beetroot look well yet. Despite looking like an umpa lumpa there are also the serious health risks around getting burnt! So get yourself slapped up with sun cream before you go out, and re-apply once sat down for your picnic. Our favourite handy face sun cream is the Clarins sun wrinkle control cream available from <a href="http://www.clarins.co.uk/Sun-Wrinkle-Control-Cream-For-Face-High-Protection-UVB/UVA-30%C2%A0/C040201015,en_GB,pd.html">http://www.clarins.co.uk</a> for £18.00 (currently on offer for £12.60 - 03/07/13)</p><p></p><p> </p><p><img src="http://www.thegayuk.com/communities/8/004/009/928/388/images/4586001108.jpg" width="380" height="28" alt="" title=""/></p> <p><a href="http://www.thegayuk.com/magazine/4574334751/FASHION-Top-5-Sunglasses/5660939">Top 5 Sunglasses</a></p><p><a href="http://www.thegayuk.com/magazine/4574334751/FASHION-Top-5-Swimwear/5411545">Top 5 Swimwear</a></p><p><a href="http://www.thegayuk.com/magazine/4574334751/FEATURE-The-Pride-Survival-Kit/5877590">The Pride Survival Kit</a></p><p> </p>