Innholdsfortegnelse for August 4, 2015 i Woman's Weekly

Those of you who follow us on Facebook (please do feel free to join the gang at facebook.com/womansweekly) will already know this, but because of the time lapse due to our printing processes, I’m taking this opportunity to tell the rest of you this exciting news. At the recent publishing industry’s annual awards dinner, Woman’s Weekly was given the prestigious Chairman’s Award (the only one of the evening you don’t enter, it’s in the gift of the Chairman). In the citation Woman’s Weekly was praised for ‘delivering a stand-out performance in 2014 and a quite exceptional one within its sector. The magazine was described as chatty, kind, honest and amusing and the team commended for ‘taking a heritage title and showing that it’s possible to build it into a current,…

Shaun Williamson How do you like your tea? I have mine with milk and two sugars. Who would you most like to have a cup of tea with? Elvis. I’m sure he could have taught me a thing or two! Tell us about Love Me Tender, the musical you're touring in . Well, there’s obviously great music [the show features Elvis Presley hits], but it’s also a really funny, moving story, loosely based on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. A handsome stranger comes into a very depressed town where everyone is miserable, but gradually they all start to fall madly in love with each other and wonderful things begin to happen. Are you a big musicals fan? I wouldn’t say I’m a crazy fan of musicals, but…

Visit A Wetland Centre As well as the wonderful bird life at WWT Wetland Centres across the UK, the whole family can enjoy pond dipping, building dens and discovering all sorts of creepy-crawlies. To find your nearest WWT centre, visit wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres Book Bakewell Baking Festival From 14-16 August, Bakewell Showground hosts expert baking and cake-decorating demonstrations, plus nostalgic vintage attractions including cars, games and a marketplace. For information and tickets, call 07968 140 727, or visit bakewellbakingfestival.co.uk Admire Constable’s Gardens Until 6 September, this brilliant exhibition at Christchurch Mansion in Ipswich showcases over 30 of Constable’s paintings, sketches and drawings showing his mastery of landscape. For details, call 01473 433 554, or visit www.cimuseums.org.uk/Christchurch-Mansion…

Where I went… To this small but beautiful city with a bustling community life and architectural gems around every corner. What I did… I recommend taking a tour of the university colleges on a punt. The guides are usually students themselves, and have an abundance of knowledge and stories about the colleges’ history. You can’t go to Cambridge without a visit to the Fitzwilliam Museum. Its Ancient World collection first inspired me at the age of eight, and from my recent return, I can confirm that it’s still just as magnificent. Where I stayed… The Helen Hotel (01223 246 465; helenhotel.co.uk) is extremely good value for money, serves a good breakfast and is close to Cambridge University Botanic Garden – well worth a visit on the 15-minute walk into town.…

NO 'Happiness is what counts' says Eve Pollard First let me say, I love all weddings. The dress, the tears, the stiff-upper-lip dads… the whole ridiculous, emotional event. If I spy a car garlanded with white ribbons I’ll always look inside – whether it’s a long, snazzy Rolls or a Mini. You see, I’ve had the flash wedding, stiff white invites, the six-yard train. On the day, 250 guests turned up at the Park Lane Hotel, London, in all their finery. I knew about 40 of them. I asked my parents who one couple were. ‘The bank manager,’ said my father. ‘No bank manager, no wedding!’ And that was the point. My parents were the driving force. A long, white dress was essential for a ‘nice’ girl like me trying…

Chanel Inimitable mascara, £25 My go-to mascara for the way it thickens and curls my lashes. And it lasts all day without smudging. Brilliant! Nivea Daily Essentials Extra Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover, £3.59 Does exactly what it says on the bottle. It removes every scrap of makeup without me having to rub my eyes. St Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Lotion, £20.50 Whatever self tans I’ve tried, I always come back to St Tropez. I mix it with moisturiser for my face and body. It means I can control the depth of colour and it’s easier and smoother to apply. L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Extraordinary Facial Oil, £19.99 I’ve been using oil on my skin at night, rather than cream, for a couple of years now. I find it lighter and…

Try serving something a little different as an aperitif – we love Pink Grapefruit Mimosa Fizz (£5, M&S), which is a blend of sparkling wine with pink grapefruit juice. It’s light and refreshing, perfect for sipping outside on warm evenings. With the starter, we’d serve the Grand Héron Marc Ducournau 2014 PGI Côtes de Gascogne (£7.99, Majestic), which is a fresh white wine with citrus notes and hints of pear and pineapple. Rather than serving a heavier red wine with the main course, we kept it a little lighter with the Château Pigoudet ‘La Chapelle' Rosé (£8.99, Majestic) which is a classic Provence rosé with an abundance of red apple, ripe cherry and flower petal aromas, making it an ideal pairing for Mediterranean dishes. Non-alcoholic For a refreshing aperitif, or…

You’ll love this twining perennial climber, with its evergreen leaves and nodding clusters of blue flowers (1.5cm across) from June to September, followed by purple berries. It’s easy to grow, preferring a sheltered area, and perfect for training over an archway or pergola. It’s great for containers, too – in fact, this plant has received the RHS Award of Garden Merit. Height: 2m (6ft 6in). Spread: 60cm (24in). Buy 1 x 7cm potted plant for £11.99. Buy 3 x 7cm potted plants for £17.98 (RRP £35.97) – that’s HALF PRICE! Incredibloom Grow up to four times more flowers with our easy-to-use, single-application, cost-effective and long-lasting plant fertiliser. 1 x 100g pack for £4.99 Order By Phone Call 0844 573 6057*. Mastercard, Visa, or Maestro cardholders can order direct on this…

All In One Place Storing health and other essential information in one place can make life easier for ourselves and others, especially as we get older, or in an emergency. So you may wish to send for Age UK’s new LifeBook, a free booklet in which you can write important details about your health, family, friends, pets, documents, possessions, insurances, local shops and services (even your final wishes). Get your free copy by calling 0845 685 1061 (quote reference LFB3070), visiting ageuk.org.uk/ lifebook, or writing to Freepost RLXKHJJG-BTKB Age UK Lifebook, PO Box 653, Galgate, Lancaster LA2 OXB. True Or False? Consulting pharmacists instead of GPs about our minor ailments could save the NHS over £1 billion a year. True, according to Scottish research which says that, nationally, this could…

The Conventional Way Use heat Frozen shoulder is a long-term condition, so taking anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen every day can cause gastrointestinal side effects, warns osteopath and physiotherapist Tim Allardyce. Applying a hot-water bottle to the area can alleviate pain and increase blood flow, helping the body heal. Keep your shoulder mobile, advises Tim: ‘The temptation is not to move it, but your shoulder will just get stiffer. Lean over a table or chair with your arm hanging down. Let it swing gently in circles using its own momentum for one minute. Repeat five times a day.’ Visit exercisesforshoulderpain.com. Don’t sleep on the affected shoulder ‘We all like to sleep in certain positions, but if that means sleeping on your bad shoulder, you need to change it,’ says Tim. Some…

Call time on this unfair expectation QI’ve lived in the same close for over 35 years and so have many of my neighbours. My next-door neighbour is quite a lot older and her daughter asked me a couple of years ago if I minded keeping an eye out for her. The daughter lives at the other end of the country. Recently, my neighbour has fallen a few times and seems scared by noises in the house, and she’s called me a lot. I don’t want to say I can’t help, but it’s all beginning to feel too much for me. Patricia, Taunton A Your neighbour has clearly aged over the last couple of years and can no longer manage as well as she could. When her daughter asked you to…

Q Is it possible to take panoramic photos with an ordinary camera? A panorama is a great way of recording spectacular views from hilltops, dramatic interiors or group portraits like year-end photos at school. These days it is incredibly easy to take great panoramas with your camera or even a tablet or smartphone. Q What angle can a panorama cover? Most only cover up to 270° or so, mainly because it can be difficult to stitch the first and last edges together and also to keep the memory requirements of these huge images under control. If you want to take 360° wrap-around pictures, you’ll need an accessory with a doughnut-shaped mirror that enables the camera’s lens to face in all directions at once. This has the added advantage that, because…

Aries 21 March - 20 April Your personal magnetism is at an all-time high. Use it to attract an intriguing individual who has been on your mind. The coming days could mark an exciting new chapter in your relationships. It’s a great time for new beginnings, either passionate, professional or perhaps financial. For more, call 0901 609 2591* Taurus 21 April - 21 May A home improvement project will make life chaotic. Soldier on because when the work is finished you’ll be thrilled with the results. If you’re looking for another place to live, you could find one in a pleasant neighbourhood, but you may have to spend a little more than you’d first planned. For more, call 0901 609 2592* Gemini 22 May - 21 June Your quick thinking…

Here is Valda Cromie (left), from Dungannon, Northern Ireland, a loyal reader of WW since 1963. She spotted a delicious recipe in one of our specials last year, for Swedish Vanilla And Almond Cake – as recommended by our Specials Chief Sub-editor, Heather. She thought the cake was so delicious that she sent the recipe to her nephew Daniel and his wife Cathleen (on the right), who run a little coffee shop in Coleraine. Word has spread, so Cathleen bakes the cake every day to keep up with customers’ orders! Thank you for letting us know, Valda. Have you made something gorgeous? Well, don’t be shy – we want to see it!…

We love letters Woman’s Weekly, 110 Southwark St, London SE1 0SU. PS. It really helps when you put your details in capitals We do not return photos (apart from ‘You Look Great!’) so please don’t send originals Email us Womansweeklypostbag @timeinc.com  Tell us your full name, address and daytime phone number, please Fancy a chat? Log on to facebook.com/  womansweekly We can’t wait to hear from you! Important! All contributions to Woman’s Weekly must be original and NOT duplicated to other publications. £25 will be paid to the writer of the ‘Letter Of The Week’, and the ‘Good To Meet You’ contributor will receive a gift or similar as stated at time of publication of contribution, for all rights in each letter printed. The Editor reserves the…

Pamela King, 63, St Ives Tell us about your look… I like classic clothes but with a modern twist. My dress is from Precis and my friend knitted this cardigan. I wear a lot of pinks and purples – I had my colours done a few years ago and it’s changed the way I shop. My favourite stores are M&S and TK Maxx. And the best bit of your body? My legs aren’t bad! Anne Bannell, 57, St Ives Tell us about your look… I always wear trousers – I have a shop and I find that they are so much more practical for work. My bag is from Accessorize and I bought my printed trousers from Boden – which is where I get most of…

There are many aspects of the ageing process that are unattractive: that little involuntary ‘oof’ noise as you sit down, the fatal error of waving farewell in a summer frock (tried it once in front of a mirror; never again), and not getting to the end of the sentence because you can’t rem... ooh, hang on a minute. Wait. Um. Sorry, it’ll come to me. Start again. Worse even than forgetting, I caught myself tutting recently in a disapproving fashion – just like an Old Person – about the girl who stripped off on top of a sacred mountain in Malaysia. ‘But you’ve gone topless,’ a friend said. ‘Dived off the top of a boat once.’ True, and I’ve confessed to it here. ‘Yes, but it wasn’t a sacred boat!’…

STOCKISTS Accessorize 020 3372 3053; uk.accessorize.com Bon Prix 0871 275 6232; bonprix.co.uk Clarks 0844 499 5544; clarks.co.uk Dorothy Perkins 0345 121 4515; dorothyperkins.com East 020 8877 6543; east.co.uk La Redoute 0844 842 2222; laredoute.co.uk M&S 0333 014 8555; marksandspencer.com Mango 0800 026 0028; mango.com Monsoon 020 3372 3053; uk.monsoon.co.uk New Look 0344 499 6690; newlook.com Next 0333 777 8000; next.co.uk Phase Eight 020 7471 4422; phase-eight.com Primark 0118 960 6300; primark.com Very 0844 822 2321; very.co.uk Yours 0844 820 4204; yoursclothing.co.uk Zara 0800 030 4238; zara.com…

Knitting Design Editor, Kandy This beautiful baby blanket is knitted in an all-over lace pattern, with a lace panel border, and would make the perfect gift for a newborn. Easy-peasy A Bit More Tricky Hard–ish Quite A Challenge MEASUREMENTS Finished size 107 x 107cm/ 42 x 42 in. MATERIALS 7 x 50g (235m) balls of Patons Fairytale Soft 4-ply (55% polyamide, 45% acrylic) in Snow White (04300). Pair of 4mm (No.8) knitting needles. TENSION 22 stitches and 37 rows, to 10 x 10cm, over lace diamond pattern, using 4mm needles. ABBREVIATIONS K, knit; p, purl; st, stitch; k1b, k1 through back of st; sl, slip; tog, together; p2togb, p2tog through back of sts; inc, increase (by working twice into same st); dec, decrease (by taking 2 sts tog); ss, stocking…

Each pattern will be printed on A4 card and delivered to your door HOW TO ORDER Order By Phone Call 0800 024 1212* MasterCard, Visa or Maestro cardholders can order direct on this number quoting WWK2041. Lines open Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm, but closed bank holidays. Fill In The Coupon Payment must be made by cheque, sent with the coupon to the address provided. For more patterns, visit womansweekly.com /patterncollections To order, call 0800 024 1212* or complete the coupon TERMS AND CONDITIONS Subject to availability to readers in the UK, offers cannot be used in conjunction with other promotions, prices are correct at time of printing. All correspondence concerning this offer should be sent to: WW Toy Knits Offer, WWK2041, WW Shop Customer Care, Blue…

High blood pressure (hypertension) affects at least 30% of us in the UK (and more than twice as many people after the age of 75), but many of us don’t realise we have it, as it rarely causes symptoms. Yet, early diagnosis and effective treatment can protect our arteries and reduce our risk of developing serious cardiovascular disease (CVD), including heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure and poor circulation. It can run in families, especially African/Caribbean families and be worsened by our lifestyle (see ‘5 Natural Ways To Help Blood Pressure’, right). The causes aren’t fully understood, but one in 10 cases is ‘secondary’ – linked to other conditions, such as kidney disease, diabetes, hormone disorders, lupus, pregnancy or drugs, including the contraceptive pill, ibuprofen, herbal medicines, decongestants, and amphetamines. What…

Cancer Research UK advises: 1 Most of us can make enough vitamin D from short, everyday exposure to the sun without protecting our skin or risking sunburn – however, we can’t store extra vitamin D, which is why regular exposure is so vital. 2 For longer exposure, even high-factor sunscreens can’t provide 100% protection. Cover up or take to the shade between 11am and 3pm. Generally, the more easily you burn, the higher your risk of skin cancer. Buy sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor of at least 15 (to protect from ultraviolet B rays). In the past, we might have thought SPF15 meant we were protected for 15 times longer than it would take us to burn. But Cancer Research UK does not recommend this formula. 3 Use a…

Roger Humbles, London pharmacist and Prevalin Allergy ambassador, reveals how he boosts his health and wellbeing. What’s in your medicine cabinet? Painkillers for headaches or aches and pains, various first-aid supplies and, because I suffer with hay fever, I have Prevalin Allergy Nasal Spray and sodium cromoglicate eye drops at the ready. I also have high-factor sun block, as my skin doesn’t like the sun. What’s good in your fridge? Olives, natural yogurt, and – if I’m in luck – the remains of yesterday’s roast chicken! What’s your favourite exercise or health routine? I recently bought a lightweight bike and have discovered the joys of the open road! If I’m not desperate for a lie-in on a Sunday morning, I’ll go out early for 30 miles or so. I love…

Dear Keren I’ve been in a relationship for six years and it isn’t working any more. He wants to stay home and potter in his retirement; I want to get out and about. He says he’s had a very active life and travelled when young – but I didn’t. I brought up three children as a single mum and feel it’s my time now. We’ve come to an impasse and need to split up. We bought a place together early on in our relationship. I put in more money, and we wrote an agreement in case we ever broke up which said we’d each take out our capital and divide the rest. We signed it with two witnesses. He says he won’t have enough money to buy anywhere and will…

Almost a year ago, my granddaughter, Anna-Rae, suggested buying me a subscription £ to Woman’s Weekly for my birthday. I was delighted as I live in Toronto, Canada, where it is just about impossible to find one. I particularly like to take the magazine with me when travelling – it’s lightweight but packed full of fabulous features. My family have enjoyed Woman’s Weekly for four generations, and I still own copies from as far back as 1953, as you can see from this photo of Anna-Rae and me. I still use the knitting patterns today! We’re so glad you’re enjoying WW more regularly, Desiree ! We love to hear from you, so do get in touch if you have something to say…

Toddlers Shrek’s Adventure This brand-new walk and ride attraction has come to London’s South Bank. Hop on Donkey’s tour bus for an adventure to the kingdom of Far Far Away, with storytelling, DreamWorks animation and lots of fun! For details, call 0871 221 2837, or visit shreksadventure.com/london Talkers ZSL Whipsnade Zoo Set in 600 acres of Bedfordshire countryside, Whipsnade is home to 3,000 animals, including cute newborn lemurs and iridescent insects in the newly-opened Butterfly House. To find out more, call 0344 225 1826, or visit zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo Teens Drayton Manor Theme Park This multi award-winning Staffordshire theme park combines white-knuckle rides with a range of more sedate attractions and even a zoo! For more information, call 0844 472 1950, or visit draytonmanor.co.uk…

What makes me happy: My beautiful baby girl. My best piece of advice: Just because you can get the jeans on, doesn’t mean they fit! I can’t live without: My MAC make-up. My favourite bit of Woman's Weekly : The celebrity interviews. They are so informative and I always learn something new. Tell us about yourself by answering the questions above and letting us know your age and occupation. Send them to us, with a daytime phone number and a good-quality photo/jpeg of yourself (for the address, see below). You’ll win this beautiful Spring Rose and Germini bouquet, worth £26.99, which will be delivered to your door. For more beautiful bouquets from just £9.99 with FREE delivery nationwide, call 0844 453 3777 or visit flyingflowers.co.uk Georgia Volpe,…

We’ve seen celebs waltzing across a ballroom floor (some more elegantly than others), gliding (and falling) on an ice rink; we’ve even seen them plunged into the jungle and forced to eat creepy-crawlies. What sort of trial could they possibly be put through next? Enter Flockstars. For the next eight weeks, eight famous faces will be put through their paces as they learn the art of sheepdog trials. Will it be puppy love, or simply a dog’s dinner? ‘I find it hilarious,’ says Gabby Logan, who’s presenting the new ITV show. ‘One minute, you’re there in a field watching a rapper from N-Dubz shouting commands to a dog and the next, Amanda Lamb, who’s usually showing us beautiful homes in exotic places, is tramping through sheep poo. It’s even funnier…

Where I’ve been... New York, where – and there’s no modest way to say this – I was picking up a Silver Medal at the New York Festivals International Radio Program Awards. Thrilled, but a nightmare for hand luggage. What I’ve seen... The Gustav Klimt painting that was the subject of the recent Helen Mirren film, Woman In Gold . So beautiful I just gazed at it. Who I’ve met... Yoko Ono, who showed us around her amazing art exhibition at MoMA. Tiny and slender, with her trademark dark glasses, she was bouncing with energy. Hard to believe she’s 82! What I’ve bought... Apart from a coffee ice cream – my favourite – special blister plasters for toes. I’m a woman with happy summer feet.…

The Shirt Dress Available in three different prints, this dress is machine-washable and has a detachable belt. £39.50, sizes 6-22, Boden Wear It Smart Wear It Casual Take The Denim Jacket And Wear It Like This Too STOCKISTS BHS 0344 411 6000; bhs.co.uk Boden 0844 873 0000; boden.co.uk Clarks 0844 499 5544; clarks.co.uk Debenhams 0844 561 6161; debenhams.com Dorothy Perkins 0345 121 4515; dorothyperkins.com Dune 020 7258 3605; dunelondon.com Hobbs 0845 313 3130; hobbs.co.uk H Samuel hsamuel.co.uk M&Co 0800 031 7200; mandco.com M&S 0333 014 8555; marksandspencer.com Monsoon 020 3372 3052; uk.monsoon.co.uk Very 0344 822 2321; very.co.uk Zara 0800 030 4238; zara.com…

Menu Fruity Crab & Bean SaladLamb Cutlets With Port &Redcurrant Jelly SauceBoulangère PotatoesMediterranean Grilled VegetablesWith Balsamic GlazeCrunchy Green SaladCherry Millefeuille Fruity Crab & Bean Salad 250g (8oz) broad beans,podded weight250g (8oz) green beans½ x small watermelon, thinlysliced4 peaches (stones removed),sliced200-300g (7-10oz)white crabmeatPinch of paprika FOR THE DRESSING: 8tbsp olive oil2tbsp lemon juice1tbsp caster sugar1tbsp freshly chopped dillPinch of xanthan gum 1 Bring a pan of water to the boil, add the broad beans and green beans and cook for 3-5 mins, or until just tender. Drain them well and rinse under cold running water to cool them quickly. Slice the green beans in half lengthways, and remove the skin from each of the broad beans. 2 Arrange the watermelon slices on plates and the peach slices on top. Scatter the…

Easy-peasy A Bit More Tricky Hard–ish Quite A Challenge YOU WILL NEED • Fish template • ½m of patterned cotton fabric – our bags measure 66cm from top to tail • Pencil • Scissors • Pins • Sewing machine • Cotton thread • White and black felt • 2m of ribbon or cord • Safety pin All materials available from Hobbycraft ( hobbycraft.co.uk ). Making The Fish Bag 1 Fold a length of fabric in half and press flat. Print the fish template to your desired size, and cut out. Place the template on top of the fabric, draw around and cut out two fish pieces. 2 Along the longer side of a fish piece, measure down 5cm from the top. Cut 1cm into the fabric. Fold and…

Q I want to book a last-minute exotic holiday – will I be able to get immunised in time? A It depends where you’re going and what you’ll need – personally I wouldn’t go anywhere exotic without making sure I was protected against absolutely everything! If you haven’t booked already, visit fitfortravel.nhs.uk which has advice for all types of traveller, including what you could catch in each country, what the symptoms and risks are for each disease, medical and lifestyle advice on staying safe, and whether you need a certificate to prove that you’ve been immunised. It also has details on each type of immunisation recommended, how long the course is (for example, you only need one yellow fever jab, but three doses of rabies vaccine over five weeks), whether…

1 Maintain a healthy weight and eat a balanced, ‘rainbow' diet, including your five a day and fruit and veg in a variety of colours. 2 Limit salt to 6g (a teaspoon) daily; read labels, a void processed foods and don't add salt in cooking/at the table. 3 Exercise for 30 minutes, five times a week – this helps arteries and aids weight loss, too. 4 Stick to recommended alcohol limits (14- 21 units weekly for women, 21-28 for men). 5 Smoking damages arteries, too. See nhs.uk/smokefree for advice on stopping.…

Each pattern will be printed on A4 card and delivered to your door To order, call 0800 024 1212* or complete the coupon HOW TO ORDER Order By Phone Call 0800 024 1212* Mastercard, Visa or Maestro cardholders can order direct on this number quoting WWK2058. Lines open Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm, but closed bank holidays. Fill In The Coupon Payment must be made by cheque, sent with the coupon to the address provided. For more patterns, visit womansweekly.com/patterncollections TERMS AND CONDITIONS Subject to availability to readers in the UK. Offers cannot be used in conjunction with other promotions. Prices are correct at time of printing. All correspondence concerning this offer should be sent to: WWK2058 Ladies’ Summer Knits Offer, WW Shop Customer Care, Blue Fin Building, room…

Four-Star Dubrovnik Autumn Special Eight days from £549pp With stunning coastal views, the great walled city of Dubrovnik is steeped in artistic treasures. See for yourself on this superb-value four-star autumn deal. Departing Sunday 18 October and 25 October 2015, from East Midlands, London Gatwick, Leeds Bradford or Manchester airports. Price includes: • Return flights to Dubrovnik, luggage, taxes and transfers. • Seven nights’ half board at the four-star Hotel Lapad. • Optional excursions you can book in resort – many excursions free for under-12s. Lake Garda Wine Festival Autumn Special Eight days from £659pp End of season in Lake Garda sees the region’s biggest event, the Grape and Wine Festival, with parades, stalls, superb food, music, fireworks and, of course, Bardolino wine. Book now for a terrific deal that…

Situated on the southern fringe of the frozen Arctic Ocean, remote Spitsbergen is the natural habitat of the polar bear, and on Hurtigruten’s six-day cruise it’s hoped you’ll spot the ‘king of the Arctic’, as well as white whales and walruses in the freezing waters. The Norwegian cruise company’s expedition-style landings mean you don’t just get close to ghost towns of old whaling stations, spectacular fjords and gigantic icebergs but varied wildlife, too. As you sail alongside the Nordvest-Spitsbergen National Park, northern fulmars follow in the ship’s slipstream. Cruising high above the Arctic Circle means you’ll experience the midnight sun, so there’s more time to enjoy the adventure! Small boats transport you from ship to shore, where expert guides provide an insight into this icy region. Zambia is one of…

There is an anxious moment every so often in our house when it looks like Mr Dear is about to have an idea. It’s important to watch for telltale signs. He develops a nervous cough and paces about the room. As the idea develops, he stares out of the window and scratches his head. When he’s in one of these moods, there’s nothing to do but wait and hope that it’s not the one about driving to the South of France in his vintage motorbike and sidecar. ‘It’s a lovely day,’ he says after the latest bout of coughing, pacing, staring and scratching. ‘Let’s get the bikes out and go for a ride.’ You can imagine my relief. It’s such a squeeze in that sidecar. However, it was news to…