Innholdsfortegnelse for 08-Jan-2019 i Woman's Weekly

The citizens of our islands are uniquely fond of the countryside. In days gone  by, rich Frenchmen with a country estate wanted to spend all their time in Paris. Their British equivalents, in contrast, preferred to pass their days in fields and woods. It’s a folkway that continues today – lots of people, rich and poor, still dream of retiring to the country. The American equivalent of successful actor Martin Clunes might have bought a grand home in a starry district of Hollywood, to hobnob with celebrity pals. Martin, in delightful contrast, chose to buy a farm instead (read more on page 10). And in keeping with my British upbringing… I envy him hugely! A toasty twosome Sadly my kids are too old, but why not make these gorgeous knits…

This is me on my wedding day. I was 20 years old, and my dress was made by my best friend’s sister, Pam, who was studying dress design. It was a dream of a dress made of silk chiffon and mostly hand-stitched. My tiara was hired from Moss Bros for £5. We’d love to see how great you looked in any era up to and including the 1980s. Please send a good-quality photo with your name, address and daytime phone number clearly written on the back, to: Fashion Dept, Woman’s Weekly, 161 Marsh Wall, London E14 9AP. Photos will be returned.…

If one is to believe Google, the top New Year resolutions made by women across the country barely vary from year to year. Most of us want to eat better, exercise more, look vaguely presentable or learn a new skill. Sales of gym memberships, diet books and those weird strips of rubber that promise to turn you from an untoned blob into Pamela Anderson in just five minutes a day, go through the roof in January, but I, for one, will not be buying them. I’ve nothing against weight-loss books (I’ve written rather a jolly one, involving chocolate, myself) but I’ve come to realise that if I was meant to be the sort of person who gets up at 5.30am to do Ashtanga yoga before a breakfast of puréed broccoli,…

Agatha Christie is rightly known as the Queen of Crime. With 66 detective novels and 14 collections of short stories, as well as poems, plays and memoirs to her name, she is the best-selling novelist in the world. Beaten only by the Bible and Shakespeare, her publications have sold around two billion copies, and have been translated into at least 103 different languages. But how did this unassuming woman achieve such phenomenal success? A rich and varied life Agatha was born in Torquay in 1890, and grew up in a wealthy, happy household. Mostly educated at home, she was a shy child who loved to invent stories. She also read widely, choosing detective novels such as the Sherlock Holmes stories and Wilkie Collins’ mysteries as her favourites. One day, her…

Looking ahead People aged 50 to 70 who report moderate or severe vision problems may be more likely to develop dementia, says the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. It’s not clear if poor vision contributes to memory or thinking difficulties, or if these make existing visual problems harder to cope with. It’s hoped regular eye tests and treatments could lead to new ways to slow cognitive decline. BONE RISK People who have gastric bypass surgery may be up to a third more likely to suffer fractures linked to bone loss, according to Swedish researchers. They say surgery also increases the risk of falling, which could account for some of the fractures, but that large weight losses, having diabetes, or inadequate post-operative calcium and vitamin D supplementation didn’t seem to affect…

1 Get a diagnosis Your GP can check for anaemia, thyroid and hormone problems, prescribe iron tablets or refer you for an examination and scan to rule out serious causes. 2 Take birth control The combined oral contraceptive pill and Mirena IUS use hormones to reduce flow and are useful if you also need contraception. 3 Try these remedies Your GP may suggest tranexamic acid, NSAIDs such as mefenamic acid to reduce flow, or progestogen hormone tablets/ depo injections. 4 Consider surgery You may be offered endometrial ablation, uterine artery embolisation or hysterectomy. All are permanent fixes and usually rule out future pregnancies.…

Please will you come out from there Janie!’ I say, heart thumping and sweat prickling my skin. ‘No, Mummy. Staying in here,’ my four-year-old daughter responds. I sit back on my heels in the middle of our messy, child paraphernalia-filled hallway and try to take calming breaths. Janie isn’t allowed in the cupboard under the stairs. She’s never done this before. But then I’ve never accidentally left the door open before. I curse myself for being so careless. I’d been distracted for two minutes by someone at the door, and that had been enough. Now Janie is right at the back of the cupboard, just beyond my reach, refusing to come out. I try to decide what to do next. Any other mother would just go in there and get…

Flights to Milan, Bergamo and Verona from the UK start at around £60. The main holiday season is between Easter and October, and many hotels close during the winter. Expect crowds in high summer, when it can also get quite hot; the nicest times to visit are spring and autumn, when the weather’s still warm but there are fewer visitors. Prices at Hotel Britannia Excelsior ( comovita.com/en ) start at £75. During high season, the roads around the lakes get clogged with traffic, so take the scenic route – boats crisscross all the lakes linking the main towns, villages and sights.…

Bringing in baby Q I’m having a baby. Is there anything I can do before she arrives to help our dog adjust? A Make sure the dog is good on basics such as ‘sit’ and ‘stay’ and let her see new equipment well in advance. If possible, introduce her to the scent of the baby before they meet. When you bring the baby home, let Mum enter first to greet the dog. Then Dad can bring the baby in quietly. Encourage the dog to sniff the baby, but don’t convey anxiety. Never leave them alone together. Remember, the dog still needs walking – it’s a great way for friends and family to help you out! Elderly stiffness Q Our elderly cat seems to be getting a little stiff and doesn’t…

Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernières, (£8.99, PB, Vintage Publishing) The story It’s 1941, and Captain Antonio Corelli, a reluctant Italian officer, has been posted to the Greek island of Cephalonia as leader of the invasion force. Here he meets beautiful, headstrong Pelagia, the local doctor’s daughter. After Pelagia’s fiancé goes off to fight with the Greek army, it’s not long before she falls for the charms of humorous, mandolin-playing Corelli. Soon even the locals begin to warm to him. But love doesn’t run smoothly when you are on opposing sides, and, as the ugliness of war begins takes hold, they find it increasingly difficult to negotiate the minefield of allegiances. A tragic tale of star-crossed lovers. Our verdict Emotional, dramatic, humorous and absorbing.…

Tilly, our cute miniature dachshund, loves relaxing. Karen Welch, Warrington This is my grandson Benjamin’s guinea pig, Blaster. The caption on Benjamin’s T-shirt looks very appropriately placed! He’s 7 – a good age for a guinea pig. Christina Rule, Guildford This is Speedy Bob, our son’s tortoise, in his new pen. He escaped from the last one, and was found at the end of the road going at a rate of knots. We should call him Houdini, as he’s still trying to get out! Hayley Leese, Cheshire…

Help the planet Recently awarded a Which? ‘Best Buy’ endorsement for reusable coffee cups, the rCUP is the UK’s first reusable coffee cup made from recycled paper cups that’s leak-proof and lasts 10 years. ✿ rcup.co.uk, £12 Brighten up January These candles are hand-poured and made from soy wax (no colour dyes or nasty paraffin wax), and each one has a charm hidden inside. Once burnt to the end, hand-wash gently and reuse as a trinket glass. ✿ soyandjoy.co.uk, £18 Kitchen colour If you love baking, you’ll appreciate this classic mixing bowl – it’s the perfect addition to your kitchen for a splash of colour. ✿ masoncash.co.uk, £20…

‘The perfect antidote to work is having that space in front of me, instead of the camera’ He may be London born and bred, but having spent the past two decades tucked away on a farm in Dorset, Martin Clunes is well and truly a country boy nowadays. The much-loved actor, who is best known for his long-running role as cantankerous rural GP Doc Martin, enjoys nothing more than donning a pair of wellies as he tends to his motley collection of animals. And the 57-year-old finds the country lifestyle he shares with his wife, Philippa Braithwaite, and teenage daughter, Emily, the ideal way to switch off from the stresses and strains of his hectic filming schedule. ‘The perfect antidote to my working experience is having that space in front…

How can I stay warm? QI love wearing dresses but I really feel the cold. How can I make them work during the winter without adding heavy layers? Julie Wells, 53 A Smart, lightweight fabrics are the key to keeping cosy. To begin, layer a snug- fitting, heat- generating top under, or a thermal knit over, your dress. Knee-high boots worn with leggings or thick tights offer extra protection. Then add an ultralight down jacket under your overcoat. Any sales tips? QI want to make the most of the January sales – what do you recommend investing in? Kim Edwards, 60 A The sales are a great time to invest in quality items that might typically cost a little more. A classic go-with-anything coat, a simple leather handbag perfect for…

1 Hercule Poirot The dapper Belgian is famed for his moustache, his logic and his fastidiousness. At 5ft 4in tall, he’s ‘an extraordinary little man’ with a head ‘exactly the shape of an egg’. 2 Miss Jane Marple Based in part on Agatha’s own grandmother, the elderly spinster is neat and tidy with a pin-sharp mind. She first appeared in short stories in the late 1920s. The Murder at the Vicarage (1930) was the first full-length novel to feature her. 3 Tommy and Tuppence are two young detectives who first featured in The Secret Adversary (1922).…

Heart failure (HF) means your heart isn’t pumping blood efficiently enough. It’s becoming more common (almost a million of us), and can affect all ages. But recent UK research says that late diagnosis and under-treatment (especially in women and older people) are shortening life expectancies – more than a fifth of people diagnosed with HF die within a year – so don’t ignore early warning signs. The causes HF can be caused by coronary artery disease (angina and heart attacks), blocked or narrowed heart valves, weakened heart muscles, or abnormal heart rhythms. These conditions can be congenital, linked to lifestyle (see tips) or caused by infections, immune-system disorders, lung diseases, anaemia, thyroid disease and other conditions. The symptoms Weak pumping leads to back pressure in the circulation, and reduced delivery…

3 ways to… supercharge your immunity 1 Wash your hands regularly. A US military study found that people who washed their hands five times a day had 45% fewer coughs and colds. Rub with soap and warm running water for at least 20 seconds. 2 Cut back on sugar. Eating too much can reduce your white blood cells’ ability to kill germs. 3 And relax… Being stressed dramatically reduces your resistance to coughs and colds, so make time for relaxation and get a good night’s sleep. It’s a crucial immune booster. NEWS FLASH Swimming improves your mental wellbeing Research by Swim England discovered that 1.4 million British adults believe swimming has significantly reduced their symptoms of anxiety and depression. In addition, nearly half a million swimmers say the activity has…

1 Fix flooding Where ground is covered with concrete or paving, water will run off and may flood your garden. Lawns, borders or a quick-draining gravel garden will reduce the risk. If a high water table is caused by an underground seam of clay or rocks, you could consider installing land drains to help drain water away from the house. Instead of a patio, try a raised deck. 2 Encourage wildlife Even a small garden can be a nature reserve if you include nectar-rich flowers, which are a magnet for butterflies and bees. You can also create eco-friendly features to encourage birds into your garden, such as planting trees and shrubs with edible berries, and setting up birdhouses and birdbaths. Provide suitable wildlife habitats, too, like an area of long…

✿ It is recommended you brush their teeth every day. ✿ Brushing reduces plaque and tartar to help keep their teeth healthier for longer. ✿ Make sure to use special pet toothpaste. ✿ Most dogs learn to accept brushing and can enjoy it. ✿ Start with a finger to get your dog used to the idea. ✿ Then move on to a dog toothbrush, bought from the vet or a pet shop. ✿ Brush right to the gum line, including the very back teeth.…

THE STORY SO FAR: Former cop Beth Palmer fears she’s being framed for the murder of Jez Lambert, a small-time crook who was murdered shortly after she visited his flat and demanded the money he’d conned out of her stepdaughter Lacey. One evening, Beth is doorstepped by Sheila Cosgrave, the estranged wife of her lawyer, Simon, who reveals that Lambert and Simon were talking to each other secretly before Lambert’s death. She believes that evidence of their connection may be on a USB stick he keeps in his home office. Certain she can only clear her name by finding the USB stick, Beth invents a ruse to visit Simon at his house, and starts snooping. She unearths what she’s looking for – only to be caught red-handed retrieving it. The…

Reading Kate Eastham’s recollections in A Christmas to Remember (27 November) brought back memories. In 1973, my first baby was due on 27 December , but he came five days early. Back then, giving birth meant a six-day hospital stay, so I was in for Christmas Day. I felt so bad being a way from my husband and family . Then The Salvation Army came to play carols, and the tears flowed. We were served a lovely Christmas lunch by three gynaecologists who worked there, which I thought was a lovely gesture. The best part was being discharged with my newborn on the 28th – my birthday! Carole Cox, Preston…

Sharon Blackmore, 63 Tell us about your look… I like to pick and mix from the high street. My biker jacket is from Zara and my white, zip-up polo neck is Miss Selfridge. My skirt was a find in M&S last year and my boots are Johnson. I’ve had my gloves for ages and my bag came from TK Maxx. It’s a great place to find affordable designer bags. And the best bit of your body? My long neck. Bee Scott, 73 Tell us about your look… My rollneck jumper is a recent buy from H&M – I love a big, baggy jumper! My coat came from M&S a couple of years ago. I like the soft, tonal shades and simple, easy shape. My grey jeans are Mint Velvet and…

...Book The Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show View the latest glamping trends, campervans and caravans as well as enjoying climbing walls, a skating ring, a Bear Grylls Adventure Area and a whole host of celebrities at the Live Theatre. Runs from 19-24 February at the Birmingham NEC. ✿ Visit caravancampingshow.seetickets.com ...Watch Cirque du Soleil Returning to London’s Royal Albert Hall with Totem, the performance features Cirque du Soleil’s mind-blowing signature acts making it an unforgettable spectacle. Until 26 February. ✿ To book, visit royalalberthall.com ...Last chance to Ice skate Pop-up rinks will soon be packing up, so go now. Winter Wonderland (Hyde Park, London), The Eden Project (Cornwall) and Brighton’s Royal Pavilion are just a few. ✿ hydeparkwinterwonderland.com; edenproject.com; royalpavilionicerink.co.uk Important! All contributions to Woman’s Weekly must be original and…

Masala omelette An omelette makes a quick and easy, super-healthy meal. We’ve used Indian flavours here to spice up this veggie staple. SERVES: 2 ✿ 2 eggs plus 3 whites (we used Clarence Court) ✿ Handful spinach ✿ 6 cherry tomatoes, halved ✿ ½ small green chilli ✿ ½tbsp garam masala ✿ ½tsp turmeric ✿ ½tsp cumin ✿ 1tsp olive oil ✿ ½ red onion, sliced ✿ 2 spring onions, chopped ✿ ½ bunch coriander, optional 1 Beat the eggs and whites. Season. Mix in the spinach, ½ the tomatoes, the chilli and spices, reserving a little chilli. 2 Heat the oil in a small frying pan over a medium heat, and fry the red onion and most of the spring onions until softened. Pour in the egg mix and…

HERCULE POIROT Charles Laughton was the first actor to play Poirot on stage, in 1928, but many other actors have played the Belgian detective on the big screen. They include Albert Finney in Murder on the Orient Express (1974) and Peter Ustinov in the Death on the Nile (1978). In 2017, Kenneth Branagh played Poirot in a remake of Murder on the Orient Express . On the small screen, David Suchet played Poirot in 13 series of ITV’s Agatha Christie’s Poirot . MISS MARPLE has been played by Margaret Rutherford, Angela  Lansbury, Joan Hickson, Geraldine McEwan and Julia McKenzie. There have been recent adaptations of Agatha’s novels for TV, including And Then There Were None in…

DR MELANIE WYNNE-JONES HELPLINES Stress 0904 470 0681 Migraine 0904 470 0682 IBS 0904 470 0683 Varicose veins 0904 470 0684 Heartburn 0904 470 0685 Heavy periods 0904 470 0686 JAN DE VRIES ALTERNATIVE HELPLINES Osteoporosis 0904 470 0812 Bladder problems 0904 470 0813 Rheumatism 0904 470 0814 Losing a parent 0904 470 0871 Depressed 0904 470 0873 Arthritis 0904 470 0874 Calls cost 65p per min plus your telephone company’s network access charge and last approx. four mins. Users must be 18+. You must have the bill payer’s permission. Service provider: Spoke, 0333 202 3390…

My relationship with my partner has become stale QI sat watching an elderly couple on the train the other day. They were holding hands and chatting together all the way. It made me sad about my own relationship – we’ve got into such a rut, I don’t know how to get out of it. Trish, Aberdeen A How lovely to see people who have grown older together and still enjoy each other’s company. But, instead of focusing on the negatives in your relationship, try looking at it in a different way. This couple made you stop and consider your relationship. Turn that into a positive. Now you’ve identified the rut you’re in, you and your partner have the opportunity to do something about it. If you tell him the couple…

YOU WILL NEED ✿ 60cm square navy cotton fabric ✿ 30cm thermal batting or fleece ✿ Four patterned fabric fat quarters ✿ 25mm wide bias tape maker ✿ Bondaweb ✿ Matching sewing thread ✿ Scissors ✿ Sewing machine ✿ Hand-sewing needle Time to make: 5 hours Stockists: Timeless Treasures Sketch quilting fabric in Sapphire, £13.99 per m; cotton bias binding, 19p per m; Clover bias tape maker, £11.99; all minervacrafts.com. Voyage Fabrics in Jambi Mandarin, Kerala Delft, Kew Mandarin, Bomeo Mandarin and Porto Mandarin, £3.25 per fat quarter, all Fabric HQ (fabrichq.co.uk). INSTRUCTIONS 1 Photocopy the template and enlarge by 100%. Fuse the Bondaweb to the wrong side of the patterned fabric pieces. Using our graphic as a guide, copy the cherry, knife and fork, vegetable and mug motifs onto…

epicurean travellers Many restaurants overlooking Como boast panoramic views of the lake. Osteria Sali e Tabacchi, a hidden treasure situated in Maggiana, combines authenticity, creativity and warmth. The food and ambience will make this one of the most memorable meals you enjoy in Italy. green- fingered visitors Art masterpieces and a magnificent botanic garden are among the offerings at 17th-century Villa Carlotta in Tremezzina, famed for its amazing springtime display of rhododendrons and azaleas. Geometrical flowerbeds, statues and fountains cover five terraces in front of this spectacular house.…

MEASUREMENTS SWEATER: To fit chest: 46 (51) cm/18 (20) in. Actual chest measurements: 50.5 (55) cm/20 (21½) in. Side seam: 16 (18.5) cm/6¼ (7¼) in. Length to shoulder: 26.5 (30) cm/10½ (11¾) in. Sleeve seam: 16 (17.5) cm/6¼ (7) in. TROUSERS: Actual waist measurement: 62 (69) cm/24½ (27¼) in. Side seam: 37.5 (42) cm/14¾ (16½) in. MATERIALS SWEATER: 2 (2) 50g (116m) balls of Sublime Baby Cashmere Merino Silk DK (75% merino wool, 20% silk, 5% cashmere) in each of White (Vanilla 003) and Red (Teddy Red 192)*; 4 removable stitch markers or contrast thread; 2 buttons. TROUSERS: 4 (4) 40g (50g) balls of Sublime Baby Cashmere Merino Silk DK (75% merino wool, 20% silk, 5% cashmere) in Red (Teddy Red 192)*; waist length of elastic. FOR BOTH: Pair each…

A Quarter Past Dead by TP Fielden (£11.99, PB, HQ) When the body of a murdered woman is discovered in the little Devon town of Temple Regis, it proves to be just the drama Miss Judy Dimont was looking for. The death of the woman, shot in an upmarket holiday hut, leaves a rival hotelier thrilled, but as Judy begins to investigate, she realises the murderer may be a lot closer to home than she thought. TP Fielden brings the 1950s Devon scenery to life and evokes the nostalgic, cosy feel of the crime greats. Cuckoo by Sophie Draper, (£7.99, PB, HarperCollins) This haunting, psychological tale will keep you guessing – terrified – to the end. When illustrator Caro returns to her remote family home in Derbyshire following the death…

Aries 21 Mar – 20 Apr Work and your career are well starred for you this week. You may receive some good news. Taurus 21 Apr – 21 May This is a good week for investing, buying, selling and negotiations of all kinds. You could strike a wonderful deal. Gemini 22 May – 21 Jun Relationships are in the spotlight with some very favourable stars. People will be drawn to your magnetic personality. Cancer 22 Jun – 23 Jul This is a good time for pampering and taking good care of yourself. Give yourself a treat and really enjoy it! Leo 24 Jul – 23 Aug The attention this week is on your health and wellbeing. It’s a good time to adjust your diet and exercise regime. Virgo 24 Aug…

Would you come over?’ said my sister Deborah, shortly after New Year. ‘I’m feeling a bit down. I could do with someone to talk to.’ You might remember that Deb last featured here when she invited herself to Christmas at Dear Towers, adding that she’d bring her new chap Graham, who she described as ‘a bit of a character’ who ‘likes a laugh’. This description struck such terror into Mr Dear that he suggested we book immediately into a hotel, preferably somewhere very difficult for others to find and reach. As it turned out – and, if we’re honest, as we’d suspected – Graham didn’t last until Christmas. He was the latest disaster in Deborah’s love life, and, as I was to discover, the reason we were summoned to her…