Innholdsfortegnelse for 20-Jun-2023 i Woman's Weekly

In search of perfection Around about the year 2000, after I’d started the Woman’s Weekly Gardening magazine (now part of the Living Series), we did a survey of readers who gardened. It turned out they’d had their current plot for 15 years on average, but the most popular description of its state was ‘still in development’. This caused some merriment in the office among non-gardeners, but of course the more green-fingered understood immediately - our plots are never quite perfect... yet! If you feel the same, see page 42 for great ideas. And don’t miss the latest Living Series issue, Woman’s Weekly Royals, in the shops now.…

Two weeks tops and I’m done with my easy chair and resting on my laurels. I have always been a tenacious Taurus. Music and being on the road are what fuels me. I love that curtain going up and, even this far down the road, I want to use music as my passport to the world for as long as I’m fit to do so. However, I do regret working so hard that I didn’t see the circus that life sometimes became. We were lucky to travel the world time and time again but the time spent in each town, city, country was usually only one night – so we had no time to appreciate the gift of being there and experiencing the people and the culture. I’m making an…

3 SIGNS THAT... You might be lacking iodine 1 DRY, FLAKY SKIN Up your intake of white fish and dairy products, which are top sources of iodine, necessary for the production of thyroid hormones, important for metabolism. 2 FEELING COLD ALL THE TIME ‘Iodine is required for the production of thyroxine, a thyroid hormone that helps to regulate body temperature,’ says nutritionist Dr Naomi Newman-Beinart. 3 UNEXPECTED WEIGHT GAIN Or a swelling at the front of your neck or memory problems. Consider a supplement – try Dr Seaweed’s Weed & Wonderful Organic Scottish Seaweed, £20 for 60 capsules, Boots. NEWSFLASH New drug slows Alzheimer’s by a third A new dementia medication has been shown to reduce the rate of cognitive decline in Alzheimer patients. Donanemab works by attacking toxic proteins…

YOU WILL NEED ✱ Bright plain and patterned tea towels (two for each bag) ✱ Pencil ✱ Scissors ✱ Pins ✱ Sewing machine ✱ Iron ✱ Cord ✱ Black and white felt ✱ Fabric glue (optional) 1 Using two contrasting tea towels, place them right sides together. Draw a fish shape freehand onto the tea towel and cut out. 2 Fold over the top edge (mouth) of each of the fish pieces by 3cm and pin. Sew along each to create a channel for the cord to go through later on in the process. 3 Keeping the fish pieces right sides together, sew around the sides and tail, but leave the ‘mouth’ open. Turn the bag right side out and iron. Thread the cord through the channel and knot at…

Difficulty level MEASUREMENTS Approximately 4.15m/163½in long, measured from each end of ties; each flag measures 18cm/7in across top edge and 15cm/6in from point to top edge; the space between triangles measures 2.5cm/1in and ties at end measure 23cm/9in each. MATERIALS 1 x 100g (210m) ball of King Cole Cottonsoft DK (100% cotton) in each of Pink (Hot Pink 1848), Blue (Azure 3366), Orange (Clementine 3464), Light Blue (Cloud 1575), Yellow (Buttercup 1600) and Green (Lime 1601)*. Pair each of 4mm (No. 8) and 3.25mm (No. 10) knitting needles and a 3.25mm (No. 10) circular knitting needle (length 80-100cm); cable needle. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk TENSION Tension is not critical, but as a guide, each flag measures 18cm/7in across top edge and 15cm/6in from point to top edge, using 4mm…

Wordwise You have 15 minutes to find as many words as possible using the letters in the grid. Each word must contain four or more letters, one of which must be the central square. No proper nouns, plurals or foreign words are allowed. There is one nine-letter word in the grid, for which the clue is: Mental condition Average = 6 More than 12 = well done LINKWORDS Fit 10 words into the grid so that each links with the end of the word on its left and the beginning of the one on the right. Then unscramble the letters in the shaded squares to make a word. CLUE: Goods that have been illegally imported or exported. Crossword Try the easy or cryptic clues, then rearrange the letters in the…

SUMMER OF YUM Foodies Festival is a celebration of all things delicious! A series of events across the UK features live music, cookery workshops for kids, artisan markets, street food and a chef’s theatre. It’s at Chelmsford from 23-25 June. ✱ Find full dates and tickets, from £18, at foodiesfestival.com Capital comeback for furry engineers Paradise Fields in Ealing will welcome two busy beavers this autumn, in an important step towards rewilding our urban communities. The breeding pair will make their home in west London, after receiving funding from the capital’s mayor, Sadiq Khan. Beavers are ecosystem engineers, known for boosting native wildlife and reducing flood risks by creating wetland habitats. These beloved rodents were hunted to extinction 400 years ago in Britain, but are now legally protected. It’s thought…

There are 190,000 servicemen and women protecting UK interests, with around half in the British Army and the rest split between the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. Perhaps surprisingly for some, women have been allowed to serve in all combat roles since 2018, though they still account for just 11% of people in uniform. Let’s take a march around our marvellous military. The Royal Air Force The Royal Air Force (RAF) has been protecting British skies for more than a century. With 37,000 servicemen and women, including more than 3,000 reservists, the RAF has more women than any other area of the armed forces – 15% of regular staff and 23% of reservists. There are more than 50 air force bases in the UK, with the largest in…

1 SUMMER SCENT SPF waters are brilliant if you hate sticky creams, and this one is a favourite of the beauty team. It smells heavenly, so much so that it feels like a treat to use rather than a chore. It’s an invisible formula, sinking in in seconds. Caudalie Vinosun Very High Protection Sun Water SPF50+, £32, uk.caudalie.com 2 EXTRA PROTECTION If you’re in a really hot country or spending a lot of time outside, you may need an extra level of suncare. This hard-working buy has been formulated to protect skin from UVA and UVB rays, plus blue light and pollution. The 40ml size means it’s handy for travel. Nivea Sun UV Face Specialist Triple Protect SPF50+, £14.50, Boots 3 HANDY SPRAY Our pick for the body is this…

Chicken nam jim This easy marinade and dipping sauce is a flavourful way to upgrade your chicken. SERVES 6 PREP 20 mins, plus infusing COOK 20 mins, plus resting ✱ 6 skin-on chicken thighs ✱ Juice ½ lime ✱ 1tsp sugar ✱ 1tsp salt ✱ A little olive oil FOR THE NAM JIM DRESSING ✱ 1 large red chilli, deseeded and roughly chopped ✱ 1 red bird’s-eye chilli, deseeded and roughly chopped ✱ 2 garlic cloves, chopped ✱ 1tbsp chopped fresh coriander, plus extra to garnish ✱ 2tbsp grated palm sugar ✱ 2tbsp Thai fish sauce ✱ 2tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice ✱ Plain boiled rice and/or Asian salad leaves, to serve 1 Put the chicken in a bowl with the lime juice, sugar and salt. Stir and set aside…

ADVICE FROM OUR WOMAN’S WEEKLY DOCTOR There are many different presentations of tremor – there’s rest tremor, occurring at rest, easing on movement, worsening if anxious, and most common in Parkinson’s disease. There’s kinetic/action tremor, which occurs on movement, and postural tremor, which occurs when maintaining position such as reaching out an arm. There’s intention tremor, triggered by intentionally moving a limb, and task specific tremor, which can be triggered by an activity like writing. Idiopathic dystonic tremor is associated with dystonia (see below), usually hands, head or voice. The causes of tremor are complex and varied. It’s a common problem in many neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. If you have a tremor, talk to your GP, who will assess you and refer you to an…

Are you OK?’ Brian slipped his arm around Anne’s shoulders as they stood in the driveway. She nodded. ‘It just… it makes you realise how long it’s been,’ she said. Childhood summers at Le Coquelicot had seemed endless. She remembered the first time, sitting on her father’s shoulders, that they’d made her way along the tree-lined drive to the tiny stone building. The excitement when she’d been allowed to turn the key. Inside was like a cave – dark and damp and smelling of mildew. But when Dad had flung open the shutters, light flooded in. Aged seven, she’d felt as if her father had cast a spell on the place, turning it from forbidding to magical. She remembered exploring the garden with her little sister Isobel, the grass up…

Horoscopes ARIES 21 MAR – 20 APR Timing is everything. Listen carefully to your intuitive voice deep inside. It will guide you in the right direction. TAURUS 21 APR – 21 MAY Finding time to be in seclusion and silence will be of great value to you this week. Even 10 minutes a day will help. GEMINI 22 MAY – 21 JUN Your social circle could be changing; you may focus more on forming new relationships and friendships at this time. CANCER 22 JUN – 23 JUL Remaining calm and peaceful no matter what is your challenge this week. Don’t forget to breathe and relax! LEO 24 JUL – 23 AUG Creatively, this can be a very productive time for you. Focus only on whatever gives you pleasure and joy,…

Letter of the week Hats off to Connie Your 7 March issue featured a Connie Bate, aged 94. Could I just congratulate this woman – I couldn’t believe her age and she looked absolutely stunning in her outfit! I’m 20 years younger than her and I’ve never managed to look that elegant in whatever I’m wearing. It really made my day to see her lovely smiling face greeting me when I opened my magazine! Krys Bather, Blackwood, Gwent Editor Geoff says: We originally featured Connie last year, but when we came across her again, we couldn’t resist featuring her for a second time! She’s an inspiration to us all. FAMILY KNITTING TRADITIONS My 91-year-old mum has been knitting since she was 11 years old. Over the decades she has knitted…

SHAPING SWIMSUITS Designed to sculpt your shape and show off your curves, clever tummy-control panels keep the midriff in place, while a deep V-neckline will flatter a fuller bust. SPORTY SWIMSUITS With high necklines and low-cut legs, these athletic styles are ready for action – great for serious swimmers who want to move around in comfort while being supported. TANKINI TOPS If you want the coverage of a swimsuit but the convenience of a two-piece, try a tankini. They allow you to mix and match a choice of bottoms, from sporty shorts to more high-cut styles, and are a comfortable choice if you are long in the body. SKIRTED STYLES If you want extra coverage, opt for a swim dress, which will boost your confidence. Add a wide-brimmed hat and…

My neighbour’s dog is the problem Q My dog and a neighbour’s dog got into a fight, and I was bitten by the neighbour’s dog when I tried to separate them. I want their dog to wear a muzzle when out, as I worry it might happen again. The neighbour says only if mine does. But my dog didn’t – and wouldn’t – bite anyone.Lynn, Stevenage A If you had asked your neighbour before this incident if they thought their dog would bite someone, what do you think they would have said? That it wasn’t possible? Dogs are unpredictable and, when provoked, this can happen. Your neighbour may be being difficult because they don’t want to muzzle their dog, but they also may be suggesting a precautionary solution to a…

Eilean Shona, Scotland If you saw spring’s Peter Pan & Wendy movie, you may love the private Scottish west-coast island where JM Barrie penned a 1920 screenplay of his original story. Around Eilean Shona’s manor house you’ll discover mossy woods, moorland, hills and sandy seasides in appropriately fairy tale fashion. Also scattered about are 10 bright, vibrant holiday cottages designed by Vanessa Branson, Sir Richard’s sister. These range from the new, romantic Sail Loft, with its mini sauna and splendid sea views, to an old schoolhouse lit by gas lamps. Whether it be wild swimming, sketching pine martens, crabbing or rambling to whale-watching spots, guests can plan slow, soulful days. ✱ Seven nights self-catering for up to two from £1,100, including boat crossings, from April-October; eileanshona.com Mandø, Denmark Crossing dunes,…

Books The Moon Gate by Amanda Geard (£20, HB, Headline) 1939: Grace leaves for Tasmania, where she falls for her Irish neighbour Daniel – until he is called away by war. 1975: Artist Willow and her husband Ben are thrilled to be left a home on the Tasmanian coast, but their lives change forever when they delve into its history. 2004: A faded photograph leads Libby to discover the shocking truth about her father Ben’s death. Sweeping across three generations, this tale of family secrets is utterly unputdownable. The Guest House by the Sea by Faith Hogan (£20, HB, Head of Zeus) The warmth, friendship and Irish sea air of the guest house might just change your life forever… Esme’s health may be declining, but she remains full of wisdom.…

Tell me,’ said Wendy. ‘Have you ever thought that Tom might, you know, be seeing somebody else?’ For the benefit of new readers, Tom is Mr Dear. Wendy is my friend from the charity shop, and we are strolling through the woods near Chateau Dear with our dogs. I am in charge of Charlie, who is part spaniel and part bichon frisé (which still sounds to me like a French cheese). Wendy has Jack, a chocolate labrador. Jack and Charlie are currently chasing a butterfly, and it is my solemn duty to report that the butterfly is getting the upper hand. You are now bang up to date with the background, so let’s return to the burning question of the moment. Have I ever suspected that Mr Dear might, you…