Innholdsfortegnelse for 31-Dec-2017 i Woman's Weekly

There’s a lot in this issue that celebrates people who are taking to mid-later life by storm. I was drawn to the feature on page 14 about the woman who’s begun an apprenticeship at this age. It makes me think of my parents, Mick and Gill, who are in their sixties and have taken to this stage of their lives like ducks to water. They’re moving out of my family home in East London, where they’ve lived for the past 26 years, so it’s the end of an era for them, and for me and my siblings. I feel I’m at an age now where I see my parents as the individuals they are, separate from their role as my mum and dad. Though I’ll miss them being round the…

‘I think you should stick with what you do best’ How do you take your tea? I like English breakfast tea with lemon, never milk. I had it with milk years ago but I really like it with a wedge of lemon and a sweetener. I also like a special tea that comes from Harrogate and funnily enough it’s called Taylor’s tea but it’s nothing to do with me. Who would you most like to have a cup of tea with? Elizabeth I. I’m a big fan of Elizabeth Tudor, I think she was one of our greatest monarchs. I love her deviousness... that she could look the Ambassador of Spain in the eye and say, ‘But I would never let Walter Raleigh attack Spanish ships,’ when she was encouraging…

One very ordinary day, Maya Flowers sees a new commuter board her train to London – and knows immediately and irrevocably that this is The One. But, from that day on, the man on the train has his head in a book, never noticing Maya sitting just down the carriage. Until, one day, Maya plucks up the courage to give the stranger a note asking him out for a drink. And so begins a story of missed opportunities and finding happiness where you least expect it. Based on the author’s true story, The Note is a life-affirming, uplifting reminder that taking a chance can change everything. • The Note by Zoë Folbigg, paperback, £7.99, Aria…

‘The experience I’ve had at work made the training much simpler’ Kath Lockhart, 62, from Wadebridge, is a customer services administrator for Cornwall Care. She says... I started my apprenticeship last July – it’s in business administration. I’ll get a Level 3 NVQ diploma and it takes 18 months to complete. I work in a residential care home, dealing with the money side of things for the clients and the clients’ families. I love my job. But over the 20 years that I’ve been doing it, the job has changed. I’ve had very little training, I’ve just picked things up along the way. So when this apprenticeship was offered, I really wanted to do it and my manager supported me. Between September to December last year I had one training…

1 The Pick-Me-Up Magimix Nespresso Vertuo, £199.99, available from all good department stores and cook shops WHAT IT DOES The Nespresso Vertuo turns capsules into perfectly made cups of coffee at the touch of a button. There are 20 coffee flavours to choose from, along with four different cup sizes, so all tastes are catered for. WHY BUY? Indulge in barista-quality coffee from the comfort of home – this machine tops the lot. VERDICT Ideal for coffee connoisseurs who want an investment piece. For the ecoconscious, the machine has an automatic power-saving mode to switch it off. 2 The Stain Eraser Bissell Stain Eraser Cordless Spot and Stain Cleaner, £99.99, available from Argos, Amazon QVC and bissell direct.co.uk WHAT IT DOES Removes spots and stains in an instant…

Missed Pill Risks According to leading contraception expert Professor John Guillebaud, taking the combined oral contraceptive pill for 21 days followed by a seven-day break is outdated. This encourages the ovaries to prepare eggs for conception, increasing the risk of unplanned pregnancy if a pill is missed. Taking the combined pill every day could reduce this, as well as period flow, premenstrual symptoms and menstrual migraine. Speak to your doctor before making any changes, as this advice isn’t licensed in the UK yet. True Or False? Green spaces are good for children who suffer from asthma. True, according to US research, city parents who live nearer to parks or green spaces report fewer symptoms, especially in older children. Cleaner air, exercise and the feel-good factor may all help, (assuming they’re…

Dear Keren My son has been offered an amazing opportunity to work in Beijing for three years. It’s a promotion and he’ll be able to experience living in another environment with a very different culture. He went straight from school to university and then into a job so has seen very little of the world. He wants to go and, although I’d miss him, I think it would be good for him. The problem is he’s fallen in love and plans to marry in six months. They’re both 37 and keen to start a family. She doesn’t want to go. She says she wants to be in England near her family when she has a child. Of course, I understand what she’s saying and it’s reasonable. What I don’t know…

This Week CHRIS PARTRIDGE is a digital expert and writer. He’ll answer your questions on anything from computers to mobiles. Q I would like to get fitter and lose a bit of weight. How can technology help? The latest smartwatches are now quite sophisticated, with health monitors that track your activity levels and heart rate to help you live a healthier life. Q But will I use it? I’ve already got a fitness band in the drawer I never use. That is very common – research shows about half of fitness bands are abandoned after a few months because people get bored with being nagged to get up and walk around. Some can’t even tell the time, so you have to wear two things on your wrist. Smartwatches, however, now…

Nathalie Malevergne, 47 Tell us about your look… I love layering up in winter, and adore suede, faux fur and leather. I often scan eBay and check out charity shops for original pieces – you can unearth treasure! Today, my jacket is from a market in France and my top was made by my mother. My leather skirt is an eBay find, and I’ve had my boots and bag for years. And the best bit of your body? My skin. Jean Hand, 62 Tell us about your look… I like good fabrics, and look for styles that’ll flatter my figure. This coat and scarf combination is from Zara. I love the coat’s relaxed, easy shape, and it’s a good length on me. My T-shirt and jeans are both M&S. I…

Each year, thousands of people flock to rural villages and towns around England to participate in odd, sometimes dangerous, and often wacky, events all in the name of fun. What an utterly eccentric bunch you may think! However, many people consider these annual traditions, with some customs dating back to the Middle Ages, to be the core of their rural communities, bringing young and old together for merriment and joviality. Fortunately, the good people of High Wycombe no longer throw rotten fruit at their mayor during the annual weigh-in (next weigh-in Saturday 19 May 2018), but you can still be guaranteed a hint of danger at other events up and down the country, so mark your 2018 calendars and you won’t miss out. WIFE CARRYING 8 April 2018 – Dorking,…

BLOOD ON THE TOILET PAPER NO Common causes of rectal bleeding are piles and anal tears. ‘Haemorrhoids can cause discomfort, bleeding, itching and lumps around the bottom,’ says Nick West, consultant general and colorectal surgeon at Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals. ‘Although they can be left alone if not causing symptoms, they may get worse over time and need more invasive procedures to treat them.’ WHEN SHOULD I WORRY? It's always best to get rectal bleeding checked by your GP, but especially if blood is dark and sticky, or stools turn black or plum in colour. A NEW MOLE AFTER A HOLIDAY YES ’When you’ve been in sunlight, new moles are common. You can develop them at any point as an adult,’ says Dr Joanna Gach, consultant dermatologist at…

‘Get a move on, Porter! You’re blocking everyone under you...’ I was always that girl at school. You know the one I mean – couldn’t do handstands or rolls on a mat, belly-flopped going over the vaulting horse… Until one day in PE, I froze halfway up the climbing frame and clung there, going into a trance of terror. And when Miss Curtis bellowed from below, ‘Get a move on, Porter! You’re blocking everyone under you.’ I had one word for her. Would’ve been two, but I was out of breath. That was the thing – I was kind of defiantly timid. On holidays, I stayed on the coach while the rest of the group climbed winding steps to bell towers or crossed wobbly rope bridges to scenic viewing platforms.…

Knitting Editor Teresa These two projects couldn’t be simpler! Both are knitted in super-chunky yarn which grows quickly on your needles and hooks. Our wrap is knitted in plain garter stitch with stitches cast on and off for an easy armhole. And the crochet cowl (overleaf) only takes one ball of super-soft yarn and, on a 12mm hook, you can finish this off in an evening. Knitted Wrap Easy-peasy MEASUREMENTS To fit bust: 81-86 (91-102) (107-112) cm/ 32-34 (36-40) (42-44) in. Actual measurements across back: 51 (56) (61) cm/20 (22) (24) in. Length (without collar turned back): 84 (90) (96) cm/ 33 (35½) (37¾) in. MATERIALS 16 (18) (20) 50g (50m) balls of Freedom Super Chunky (100%) in Turquoise (1110). Pair of 10mm (No. 000) knitting needles. TENSION 9 stitches…

I waited. He wasn’t big on apologies or admitting he was wrong... Luke won’t have chosen this colour,’ Pete said, frowning at the pale oyster paint I was applying to the lounge walls in our son’s flat. ‘It’ll be Maddy’s doing.’ ‘He wouldn’t have agreed if he didn’t like it,’ I argued. ‘You’ve got it in for that poor girl, have done since day one.’ ‘I’ve nothing against her per se,’ Pete replied. ‘It’s just…’ ‘What?’ I stared at him, willing him to come clean. ‘What exactly is your problem with Maddy? She’s your son’s fiancée and yet you continually find fault with her looks, her career…’ ‘I wouldn’t call doing women’s make-up a career,’ he grumbled. ‘It’s not even a proper job.’ ‘Try telling that to her clients. Her…

‘Massage helps to keep pain at bay’ For years I worked in various desk jobs and, in my spare time, did a lot of sport, such as rugby and long-distance running. But because I wasn’t very body aware, I didn’t do any stretching or look after myself. Eventually, I developed awful back pain and a slipped disc. I had surgery, which went well, but the resulting internal scar tissue caused more problems. My backache continued and the pain travelled into my hip and leg. Medically, as far as the experts were concerned, I was fine because the slipped disc had been repaired, and the pain was niggly rather than debilitating. So I simply took painkillers and got on with life. But then I started having regular massages to keep the…

‘You looked lovely with wet hair and a smudge of oil on your cheek’ We know our place here on the back page, the whole team. That’s the make-up people, the lady who does my hair, the script supervisor, the intern who puts the flowers in my dressing room, the charming young man who combs Mr Dear’s moustache, and the body double who plays Mrs Beasley, the charity shop manager, in the demanding stunt scenes. (You remember the day she chased a supposed burglar out of the shop and fell off her high heels? That required four retakes before the editor was satisfied.) We know that it’s our job to cheer you up. And our work is most important at this time of year. Once the arthritic knees-ups of Christmas…

Rachel Woj I get our big craft box out with my daughter and make something – probably sparkly! Or if we're feeling adventurous, grab our wellies and coats and walk our dog. Julie Stone I love walking with our dog Millie – we both love splashing in the puddles. We like a snooze on the sofa afterwards. Ros Hart I look for easy patterns for some elderly ladies to knit! I visit them and we have a knitting session! Pauline Burke Sit down all cosy in front of the fire with hubby, a good book and a nice cup of tea. Sarah Boyer Mostly the same things as we do on dry days, just in waterproofs and wellies!…

Book Giselle Get tickets for the greatest of all romantic ballets. Peter Wright’s production of Marius Petipa’s tale of betrayal, the supernatural, and a love that transcends death is glorious. • 19 January – 9 March.Visit roh.org.uk/productions/roh.org.uk/productions/giselle-by-peterwrightgiselle-by-peterwright Enjoy Christmas at Kew Follow the sparkling trail of more than a million twinkling lights, illuminating heritage trees and buildings through the Gardens. Fairy tale meets fantasy in a world of singing trees, larger-than-life flora, ribbons of light, giant baubles and a flickering Fire Garden. The Palm House leaps into life with a dazzling show of laser beams, jets of light and kaleidoscopic projections. • Until 1 January 2018. For more information, visit kew.org Visit Charles II Art & Power The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, is home to a new exhibition showing the…

Aries 21 Mar – 20 Apr If you’re feeling like making big changes – especially connected with home and family – a move could be in store for you. Taurus 21 Apr – 21 May Time to be proactive in your relationships. Jupiter is bringing good fortune and potential opportunities. Take action to make things happen! Gemini 22 May – 21 Jun Finances are highlighted. What would you like to change? Make a list, and take at least one action daily. Cancer 22 Jun – 23 Jul Big personal changes are underway. It’s time to be the true you. If you don’t want to do something, speak up! Leo 24 Jul – 23 Aug Quiet time and peace are what you need this week. Keep a journal of your dreams,…

It seemed such a marvellous idea. I cleared the diary, and booked some super-cheap winter sun in Gran Canaria. ‘Brilliant!’ said our friends. ‘Why don’t we join you?’ I could hardly say no, and besides, we’d discussed going on holiday with them before. They’re great friends: generous and excellent company. What could go wrong? And the first three days went smoothly, apart from Steve’s irritating habit of leaning over my shoulder and trying to complete my crossword. The Beloved and I have our tried-and-trusted holiday routine. Explore, swim and relax during the day: back to our rooms at 5pm to rest, read and shower, before an aperitif in the bar. Lizzie and Steve, however, preferred to drink their duty free in their room and invited us to partake. Umbrage was…

Mushroom Eggs Benedict SERVES 4 FOR THE HOLLANDAISE 1 To make the hollandaise, whizz the egg yolks in a processor for 1 min. In a pan, heat the lemon juice and white wine vinegar until steam comes off the surface. With the processor running, gradually pour in the hot lemon juice and vinegar then slowly pour in the melted butter until the sauce is thick. Season and keep warm over a pan of warm water. 2 In a large frying pan, heat the butter and oil, add the mushrooms and fry until golden. Add the garlic and cook for 2 mins. Set aside and keep warm. 3 Meanwhile, poach the eggs in a pan of barely simmering…

Easy-peasy YOU WILL NEED 4cm x 8cm thick fusible interfacing scraps 5cm x 10cm cotton fabric scraps Matching ribbon Split ring PVA glue Pins Sewing needle Matching thread TAKES 30 minutes 1 Enlarge the hexagon template below on a photocopier so that it measures 4cm across. Cut two hexagons from the thick fusible interfacing scraps and fuse to the reverse of the fabric following the manufacturer's instructions. Cut the fabric all the way around the hexagon, leaving an extra 5mm from the interfacing’s edge. 2 Fold and press the 5mm seam allowances to the reverse of both hexagons. Thread a 5cm piece of ribbon through a split ring, fold in half and glue to the interfacing side of one of the hexagons. 3 Pin the two hexagons together with all…

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), or Hughes syndrome, is a disease of the immune system that causes an increased risk of blood clots. It’s linked to abnormal blood proteins known as aPL antibodies. However, some people, with other immune disorders, such as lupus, or apparently unrelated conditions, have these aPL antibodies without any signs of APS. APS affects an estimated 1% of people, although many don’t realise they have it. More common in young people and black people, it affects at least three times as many women as men. The symptoms APS is diagnosed if you’re found to have aPL antibodies following a thrombosis (blood clot) or pregnancy problems. With hindsight, you may realise you’ve been having low-grade symptoms such as headaches/migraine, memory problems, dizziness, unsteadiness, joint pains and fatigue. Blood clots…

Time to make amends Q I have a friend who’s always late. We make arrangements and she turns up half an hour late. I’ve got used to this and now turn up late myself. Last time we met, she turned up on time and was furious with me for being late. I tried to explain why but she just wouldn’t listen and finally flounced out of the cafe. We haven’t spoken since. We’re really good old friends so it seems such a pity. Jenny, Glasgow A It is and, unless you want it to stay just as it is, one of you is going to have to do something about it. You can wait for her to contact you which may never happen or suggest you meet up and discuss…