Innholdsfortegnelse for 10-Oct-2023 i Woman's Weekly

Staying warm and cosy I’ve written before on here about how much I love all of our seasons: the fresh promise of spring, outdoorsy living in summer, the mellow, warm colours of autumn, and even how the brash, invigorating cold of winter makes a delicious contrast to a cosy indoors. Alfred Wainwright, the rightly celebrated fell-walker and author, commented pithily that ‘There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing’, and that couldn’t be more true when it comes to winter, in particular. A warm coat, a well-wrapped scarf and even a hat (especially for someone with as little hair as myself) are things of beauty during the colder months. See page 18 for great coat ideas.…

Spreading their wings In your 27 June issue, a reader asked Keren’s advice about both her children living out of the UK. She doubted if she and her husband had been good parents. When I was faced with that same situation, I spoke to my daughters about my similar fears. But I was reassured that by being such a good mother, I’d given them the confidence to spread their wings. I hope this can also help her. Fiona, Kidderminster DEDICATED FOR 80 YEARS I have been reading your lovely magazine for nearly 80 years now. It is wonderful. I remember the first time I was given a copy by my friend Doris Michaels. She is 99 now and I am 104. I think the cover featured an ‘elegant lady’ all…

Improving certain areas of your life can be easier than you think. Whether you’re struggling with your weight, fitness, mood or energy levels, there’s no reason why you can’t take action right away. And you don’t need to pay for a trainer, a therapist or a self-help book. All you need is a bit of time to download one of these pocket-sized assistants on to your phone or laptop – and away you go. So what are you waiting for? Here are 25 fabulous free apps to get you started. Eat right Losing weight or eating well, these apps will help. NHS EASY MEALS Get inspired by 150 simple, calorie-counted recipes, and create a digital shopping list as you go. WATERLOGGED Drinking water is vital for our health. This…

BELTED BEAUTIES Coats with a belt are great for accentuating – or creating – an hourglass figure by cinching you in at the waist. Timeless and elegant, look for built-in belts or add one of your own for a fresh update. DOUBLE-BREASTED There’s nothing more classic than this tailored design. Opt for a slim-fitting style that hugs your shape, or add some curves with an oversized fit for a more laid-back aesthetic that leaves room for layering. SIMPLE TOPCOAT This fuss-free single-button design elongates the figure and adds instant polish to any look. A stylish choice for apple body shapes, it adds minimal volume to your frame. Wear open and let it skim over your figure. COSY QUILTED Practical and bang on trend, the quilted coat is one of the…

We Brits have a deep-rooted fascination with the weather. It’s our go-to subject for initiating a conversation and this shows no sign of abating. In fact, with climate change driving ever more extreme conditions, our fascination with what’s coming up is, if anything, increasing! So want to know how to work out if you need to pack an umbrella? Read on for some useful pointers. Head in the clouds Met Office spokesperson Stephen Dixon suggests we look to the sky to see if rain is on the way. ‘There are two main cloud types that give an indication of upcoming rain: cumulonimbus and nimbostratus,’ he says. ‘Cumulonimbus often look dark and menacing, and extend into the sky in towers or plumes. They are generally associated with heavy, thundery downpours that…

They’re fighting over the children Q My ex-daughter-in-law sadly passed away recently. My grandchildren mainly lived with her and her new husband. My son had them to stay every other weekend and one day in the week. He is a devoted father. My son wants the children to come and live with him but their stepfather is objecting. How do we resolve this without a fight? The children have gone through enough. Susan, address withheld A I am sorry; that is very hard of you. This situation is for your son to resolve, with your support. I think there are two issues here: one is the needs of the children, and finding out what they want; the other is the legal position. I think it would be…

The Plough was always busy on a Thursday, so Liz and Emma were lucky to find stools at the bar. The pub had seen better days, but it was conveniently placed for both women, midway between their workplaces. Plus, they had become chummy with Jake, the manager, who mixed a decent Martini. ‘I don’t understand it!’ Liz shouted in Emma’s ear to be heard above the chatter and David Bowie’s Fashion. ‘I’ve been on this dating site a week now. It’s called Winks, for heaven’s sake! Shouldn’t there be some winking going on?’ ‘You’re gorgeous!’ Emma shouted back. ‘They obviously think you’re out of their league.’ ‘I’m getting pretty discouraged,’ Liz pouted. ‘Here we are, ladies.’ Jake placed two Martinis on the bar. He raised an eyebrow at Emma. ‘Who’s…

NOISES OFF IS ON Forty years since its first performance, a comedy classic is back with the revival of Michael Frayn’s play, Noises Off. Starring Felicity Kendal (above) at London’s Theatre Royal Haymarket, it follows a series of disastrous performances both on stage and behind the scenes. If you need a good laugh, this is the play for you. ✱ Book tickets at trh.co.uk Chuffed to be back Winging across the skies of Dover, the red-billed chough (pronounced ‘chuff’) has made a welcome return to Kent after 200 years. Thanks to a joint project by Wildwood Trust and Kent Wildlife Trust, a creche-reared flock of these beautiful birds – members of the crow family – are making themselves at home in the county’s precious chalk grasslands, which provide the perfect…

A conversation with Kate Humble is like a cuppa on a chilly day – warming, replenishing and a reminder of life’s simple pleasures. At her 17th-century farmhouse in the Wye Valley, which she shares with her husband of 31 years, TV producer Ludo Graham, Kate spends her time doing exactly what she likes. So after reading, writing, caring for her farm full of animals, walking her dogs Teg and Mouse, and enjoying the great outdoors with daily 10km hikes or runs, social media – naturally – never gets a look in. ‘It’s exhausting enough just being a scruffy, middle-aged woman with a few dogs and a pig,’ laughs Kate, 54. ‘Apart from anything else. I don’t have the time to pretend I’m something that I’m not, or feel the need…

Minutes after meeting my co-stars for my new role in Calendar Girls the Musical, we found ourselves standing next to each other with just our underwear on. We were shooting pictures for the new poster for the tour and it was certainly a baptism of fire! I am playing Annie Clarke in the new tour, and I am especially excited, as it’s my first professional musical. What is particularly special about this show is it celebrates female camaraderie. I think it is so great to embrace women and I definitely think I will be making friends with my new female co-stars very quickly. Even though I will be nervous, I want to channel my nerves into doing the best I possibly can do. I’d always wanted to crack doing a…

Standing in the barn, covered in muck, helping to deliver a lamb at 3am in the morning, wasn’t the typical glamorous night out that Laura was used to – but life had led her in a new direction. Growing up in Manchester, Laura, now 42, loved the idea of living on a farm but by the age of 30, her situation couldn’t have been more different. She was living in a block of flats in London and worked from home all day selling recruitment software. Although she owned a pair of wellies, she rarely used them. ‘I’d been in London for five years and I started looking at what else was out there,’ Laura says. ‘I always knew I wanted to be in the countryside in some shape or form,…

HOW TO UP YOUR EXERCISE IN LATER LIFE James Staring is the lead fitness trainer at Fit to Last. Reaching your 60s doesn’t mean you and exercise need to be strangers – even if you’ve been sedentary through middle age. You could see significant improvements to your health but it’s vital to choose activities you like. Tom Cruise, who’s 61, loves to run. But if you find it tedious, don’t do it. We all gravitate to the things we enjoy, so if you like being in the countryside, start with long walks. If you love beach holidays, swimming may be best for you. Starting with things that you already like makes it easier to maintain the habit. Planning is important. Choose times and durations that you can commit to week…

SEPTEMBER 1953 Alice looked up from where she was setting out a display of stationery products. She worked in the Erith branch of Woolworths, and nearby a group of girls were chatting about items they needed for the new school term. She adored working on this counter, as it reminded her of being at school herself and stocking up on exercise books and pencils. The last time she’d done such a thing was a year ago, before her life was turned upside down. Her father had been disabled after an accident in the docks, and she’d had to leave school to contribute to the family’s income. These days, she kept her dreams of being able to attend college to herself, although her heart ached at what might have been. It…

Books The Traitor by Ava Glass (£8.99, PB, Cornerstone) It’s the second novel in the Alias Emma series and it is as gripping as the first. When a body is found in a padlocked suitcase, it’s soon discovered that he had been shadowing oligarchs suspected of procuring illegal weapons in the UK. It’s also clear that there’s a traitor – maybe one working for MI6. Emma is sent to go undercover on a superyacht – the vivid Mediterranean settings making for a glam backdrop to this exciting story. But, can Emma Makepeace find the traitor before they find her? A pulse-pounding thriller. Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll (£16.99, HB, Pan Macmillan) Inspired by real-life events, this fictionalised crime thriller brings the past and the present together, as the brave…

Locating all the species of fungi in the UK would be like finding the end of a rainbow, because there are many thousands of them, and new ones are continually being discovered and identified. A rare find is always an exciting experience, and today I came across some wrinkled peach fungus, Rhodotus palmatus, growing on a damp old elm tree trunk, submerged beneath nettles. Wrinkled peach favours rotting elm wood and was therefore abundant after the outbreak of Dutch elm disease, but with a sparse population of elms now present in the countryside, these peachy beauties are something of a rarity. My garden week One of my roses, Rosa ‘Zéphirine Drouhin’, was badly affected by black spot this year, so I have just gathered the fallen leaves and put them…

The Royal Warrant Holders Association has been recognising purveyors of fine craftsmanship and personal service of the highest order since 1840. We take a look at some of the nation’s long-standing clothing and accessories companies who were granted a Royal Warrant by appointment to HRH The Prince of Wales – now King Charles III. Ceremonial splendour Dating back to 1689, Ede & Ravenscroft is London’s oldest tailor. As a specialist in ceremonial robe making, the company holds the Royal Warrant as robe maker to King Charles. During its long history, the company has produced royal garments for 12 British coronations, including robes featuring precious materials and fine needlework. Since its doors first opened, the company has created mantles for the six British Orders of Chivalry, including the stunning blue Royal…

1 DAILY WASH 100% of the purchase price of this cleanser will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation to support the pioneering charity. This bestseller helps remove make-up while purifying and balancing your complexion. Origins Limited Edition Checks And Balances Frothy Face Wash, £28, origins.co.uk 2 FANCY FRAGRANCE This luxurious perfume combines the notes of jasmine, rose and gillyflower. An elegant option for special events, a couple of sprays will last all day and £20 will be donated to support the Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign. Jo Malone London Peony & Blush Suede Cologne, £118, jomalone.co.uk 3 GLOSSY LIPS This gorgeous lip gloss duo is infused with nourishing oils to keep your pout smooth. Featuring nude pink and berry blush, your lips will look glossy all year. 100% of…

Baked salmon gnocchi Everyone loves a hearty tray bake, especially one that requires minimal preparation. SERVES 4 PREP 10 mins COOK 30 mins ✱ 400g fresh potato gnocchi✱ ½ vegetable stock cube dissolved in 100ml boiling water✱ 15g chunky breadsticks or grissini✱ ½tsp chilli flakes✱ 5g Parmesan, finely grated✱ Zest 1 lemon✱ 200g asparagus spears, cut into bite-sized chunks✱ 200g bag baby leaf spinach✱ 4 salmon fillets✱ 2tbsp low-fat creme fraiche✱ 1tsp wholegrain mustard 1 Heat the oven to 200C Fan/Gas 7. Put the gnocchi in the base of a roasting tray, pour over the stock and cook for 10 mins. 2 Bash the breadsticks/grissini to a crumb. Mix in the chilli flakes, Parmesan, lemon zest and a grind of black pepper. 3 Reduce the oven to 170C Fan/Gas 5.…

ADVICE FROM OUR WOMAN’S WEEKLY DOCTOR The exact cause of stomach smokers, and people whose diet is low in fibre, and high in processed, salted and pickled foods. Those with a family history of stomach cancer or a condition called familial adenomatous polyposis, people who have had other cancers or stomach surgery, and those who’ve had gastric infection caused by Helicobacter pylori are at greater risk too. Initial symptoms include persistent indigestion, discomfort, nausea, difficulty swallowing, bloating or trapped wind. Symptoms may be vague and easily mistaken for less serious problems, so this can delay the diagnosis if you ignore them. Later symptoms include unexplained weight loss, reduced appetite, and blood or blackness in your motions. It’s vital to see your GP early, as the outcomes are better. There are…

Espresso martini When pudding meets cocktail, and we didn’t skimp on the booze! SERVES 1 PREP 5 mins COOK 1 min 20 secs ✱ 2tbsp soft light brown sugar✱ 2tbsp plain flour✱ 1tbsp cocoa powder✱ ¼tsp baking powder✱ 1 medium egg✱ 2tbsp sunflower oil✱ 1tbsp espresso or double-strength coffee, cooled to room temperature✱ 1tbsp coffee-flavoured liqueur (we used Kahlúa)✱ 1tbsp vodka✱ Mascarpone, to serve YOU WILL NEED ✱ Straight-sided 300ml microwave-safe mug 1 In your mug, mix the sugar, flour, cocoa powder and baking powder with a fork until combined. Add the egg, oil, coffee, coffee liqueur and vodka, and mix until just smooth. 2 Microwave for 1 min 20 secs, or until risen and springy to the touch. This cake has a big rise in the microwave but then…

Difficulty level YOU WILL NEED ✱ 3 patterned cotton fat quarters✱ Thin fusible interfacing✱ Matching thread✱ Ruler, cutting mat and rotary cutter 1 From each patterned fabric and the interfacing, measure and cut a 10cm square. 2 Fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of one of the fabric squares. Take another of the fabric squares and fold it in half along the diagonal, with wrong sides together, to form a triangle. 3 Stack the interfaced square with right sides up, top with the triangle piece, followed by the final fabric square, right sides down. 4 Pin and sew the layers together around the edge with a 5mm seam allowance. Leave a 5cm gap along one side for turning through. 5 Trim the corners and turn right sides out. Fold…

Crochet Difficulty level MEASUREMENTS Approximately 20cm/8in across main body of bag. MATERIALS 1 x 100g (298m) ball of Cygnet DK (100% acrylic) in Green (Apple 6711) and oddments in Black (217) and White (208)*. Size 4mm crochet hook; stitch marker. Yarn is available from: theknittingnetwork.co.uk TENSION Not critical for this project ABBREVIATIONS Ch, chain; dc, double crochet; dc2tog, double crochet 2 sts together (to decrease 1 st) thus: [insert hook into next st, yrh and pull loop through] twice, yrh and pull through all 3 loops; htr, half treble crochet; sl st, slip stitch; st(s), stitch(es); tr, treble; yrh, yarn round hook. NOTES Some pieces are made in rounds that are worked in a continuous spiral. Place a stitch marker at the end of each round and move this up…

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: reproach. Average = 15 More than 35 = well done Crossword Try the easy or cryptic clues, then rearrange the letters in the shaded squares for the answer. CLUE: Let it Go is about Elsa flourishing with ice, at last (7). EASY CLUES Across 7Pinkish-yellow colour (5)8 Evolved (9)10 Sooner than (6)11 Sanction (8)12 Assailed (8)13 Pry (4)15 Own (7)17 Fundamental (7)20 Accurate (4)22 Against the current (8)25 Contaminates (8)26 Cool (6)27 Encircles (9)28…

Horoscopes ARIES 21 MAR – 20 APR Sometimes you try to cram too much into a day. Decide on your top priorities and focus on these. You’ll be much more productive. TAURUS 21 APR – 21 MAY You’ll probably need more quiet time for contemplation this week. Being in nature, with animals, will be very healing. GEMINI 22 MAY – 21 JUN You have many abilities that are waiting to be expressed. Choose a skill you’d like to learn or develop and give it more of your attention. CANCER 22 JUN – 23 JUL This is a great time for your intuitive abilities. Your sensitivity enables you to tune into invisible energies that are supportive and uplifting. Trust yourself! LEO 24 JUL – 23 AUG You are going through a…

Plink-plonk plink… plonk… plonk… plonk. ‘Did you have a nice weekend?’ said Mr Dear. Plonk. Plink plink. ‘Very nice, thank you,’ I said. ‘A strange man spilled egg mayonnaise on my top while he was on the way to the toilet, and then we rescued him from the woods, where he had fallen over.’ ‘Jolly good,’ said Mr D, not really listening. Plink plink pling… bong. I should explain that Mr Dear is having the piano tuned, which explains the unusual accompaniment to this week’s edition. I should also explain, in case you weren’t here last week, that I have just come back from a hotel break with my friend Wendy. ‘Was it relaxing, though? It doesn’t sound very relaxing?’ ‘A change is as good as a rest,’ I said.…