Innholdsfortegnelse for 17-Oct-2023 i Woman's Weekly

The magic of mysteries It was, I think, 1974 and we were sitting down as a family to watch a BBC TV crime drama. Adapted from a Dorothy L Sayers novel, it was called The Nine Tailors, starring Ian Carmichael as sleuth Lord Peter Wimsey. I was immediately captivated by the intriguing mystery, plus the story’s powerful evocation of the bleak Fens scenery, landmarked by occasional magnificent medieval churches, and its focus on the strangely fascinating world of bell-ringing. That series started my interest in whodunnits (and also campanology). Fast forward to the present day, and cosy crime has never been more popular. See page 10.…

Pattern pro I’ve been knitting this bunny pattern from Woman’s Weekly for… 41 years! I made the first toy for my niece, and then for every baby that has been born to family and friends ever since. I have honestly lost count how many have hopped off my needles over the years. This latest one is for my first great grandchild, who is due to be born in August. Jane Forster, Egham GET IN TOUCH WE LOVE LETTERS Woman’s Weekly, Future plc, 121-141 Westbourne Terrace, London W2 6JR. P.S. It really helps when you put your details in capitals. ✱ We do not return photos (apart from You Wore It Well) so please do not send originals. EMAIL US womansweeklypostbag@futurenet.com Tell us your full name, address and daytime phone number,…

It’s common to feel less flexible and more stiffness in the winter. ‘During cold weather, the body focuses on circulating blood around the core and major organs, and away from muscles and joints,’ says consultant rheumatologist Dr Rod Hughes. ‘Low barometric pressure can also have a physical impact on the joints, encouraging inflammation and making joint movement more painful.’ But there are plenty of ways to help. Think vitamin C ‘It’s important for the formation of collagen, a key component of protective joint cartilage,’ says Dr Hughes. Foods rich in it include citrus fruits and vegetables, or consider a supplement. Cut back on sugar It can increase inflammation throughout your body, which aggravates stiffness and pain. Too much sugar will also increase the likelihood of you being overweight, increasing stress…

Have you ever woken up wondering what a strange dream might mean? According to Theresa Cheung, who has been writing about dreams for more than 25 years, by learning to interpret them, you can find out more about yourself, boost creativity and move closer to your goals. ‘Just like decoding a poem at school, we can find important symbols in our dreams,’ she says. ‘Writing down your dreams each morning is the most valuable five minutes you’ll spend. It’s like having your own in-built therapist.’ Here are her suggested interpretations for some of the most common themes. Snakes ‘Dreaming of snakes could be a symbol of transformation, representing a shedding of the old to make way for the new,’ says Theresa. ‘It may also be a warning – your dreaming…

I dread going to work every week Q I’m finding myself dreading work, and spending Sunday afternoon and evening on my computer trying to get ahead, ready for the coming week. I know this is not ideal but it’s hard to go in unprepared. I never feel fully rested after a weekend and I’m sure it’s because I’m working most of Sunday. Cynthia, London A You’re not alone in thinking this. The Sunday feeling has been dubbed the ‘Sunday scaries’ by some university researchers. It was found to be particularly prevalent in those who checked their emails over the weekend, or felt they hadn’t completed what they were doing on Friday. There are a few things you can do. Firstly, spend 30 minutes on a Friday before you…

Rosie actually gasped as she spotted the window display. Elegant, exquisite dresses made in gorgeous fabrics were suspended in mid-air, floating like beautiful butterflies. It was as if she was looking through a portal into another world where everything was pretty, colourful and carefree. But she didn’t dare go into the shop. ‘Tomorrow. I’ll go then when it’s quieter,’ she said, trying to convince herself. Rosie had always felt intimidated by these exclusive boutiques, assuming they weren’t for her. They were for confident women who always looked effortlessly put together. She longed to be like them, then remembered that, many years ago, she had been. As she threw on her clothes the following morning – the usual uniform of baggy, navy layers – she glanced in the mirror and her…

TESTED BY US so they work for you Difficulty level YOU WILL NEED ✱ 24x27cm piece of cream-coloured 28-count evenweave fabric✱ 16cm cream zip✱ Two 14x20cm pieces of cream lining fabric✱ 14x20cm piece of backing fabric Cross-stitch key All symbols that appear on the chart (left) are listed in the key with their corresponding thread code alongside it. The key also tells you the different stitches used in the design. Stitching the design 1 The 0 or dotted central lines on the chart should be matched with the centre of your fabric. Fold your fabric in half and then into quarters. Where the fold lines cross is where you should start stitching. You can mark the centre with a line of tacking stitches to use as…

The sigh from the spare room was like a wind tunnel doing an impression of a steam train. This was followed by the sound of Mr Dear doing his best impression of Victor Meldrew: ‘I doooon’t believe it.’ ‘What on earth are you doing in there?’ ‘I’m just measuring my body fat,’ came the reply. Of course he was. Silly question really. ‘Why would you want to do that?’ ‘I’m just curious, that’s all.’ ‘Curious is a polite word for what you are. As long as you don’t expect me to measure mine.’ ‘I’m not sure my instruments are powerful enough.’ ‘Ouch!’ We have some high-tech bathroom scales which supposedly measure body fat, which is why I only weigh myself with my hands over my eyes. Mr D, though, has…

ALL WASHED UP According to a survey by Hotpoint, we Brits spend the equivalent of 25 working days a year washing-up – with dried-on porridge and Weetabix named as the toughest foods to scrape off plates. Washing-up also emerges as the most disliked household chore, followed by dusting and, yes, cleaning the loo*. ✱ The average UK household (2.4 members) spends 11,388 minutes or 190 hours a year washing-up; 190 hours divided by 7.5 (the average working day) equals 25.3 working days. *RESEARCH CONDUCTED BY CENSUSWIDE FROM A SAMPLE OF 2,002 NATIONALLY REPRESENTATIVE RESPONDENTS. THE DATA WAS COLLECTED BETWEEN 4-6 JULY 2023 Restored to glory It’s taken 24 years, £1.7 million and 5,470 hours of cleaning and stitching, but a project to restore a set of 13 magnificent Elizabethan tapestries…

To say that the past few years have been challenging for Julia Bradbury would be putting it lightly. The 53-year-old’s career was flourishing when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2021. Just two months later, Julia underwent a single mastectomy to remove the 6cm tumour. Now, two years later and after a huge life upheaval, she tells us, ‘I don’t know if there is such a thing as an all-clear,’ before adding reassuringly, ‘but I seem to be in reasonably good shape at the moment.’ So, how does she remain so positive? The former Countryfile presenter, who is mum to twin girls Zena and Xanthe, and son Zephyr, notes ‘it’s important to accept the sadness, surrender to the fact that you’re not having a good day, and try…

There’s something so liberating about releasing your inner child – like going on a swing. There’s an adult swing just outside King’s Cross Station in London, near to where I record my Reasons to Be Joyful podcast. It’s such a freeing experience, and I go on it often. People come up to me and say, ‘I wish I had the nerve to do that.’ I’ve helped people up on it and they really enjoy it. This week, my daughter recorded me on the swing. The response on Instagram was extraordinary. People were telling me how much they used to love going on one, and asking when we got too old for it. Well, we are never too old. I’ve always thought there should be parks for adults. I think there…

In the UK, breast cancer is the most common kind of cancer, with one woman diagnosed every 10 minutes. This month – Breast Cancer Awareness Month – nearly 5,000 people will be diagnosed, but thanks to research, improvement in care and early detection, almost nine in 10 women survive for five years or more. For 51-year-old Tanya Hibberd, from Southampton, that five-year mark is just six months away. She counts herself lucky, after she was alerted in the most unusual way to check her breasts. Tanya returned from a two-week holiday in Cyprus with her husband, Gary, now 66, and son, Connor, 15, in August 2018, and the family were reunited with their husky, Sapphire. ‘I noticed quickly that Sapphire was overly affectionate and wanted to be with me all…

MY HEALTHY LIFE Elisabeth Carlsson is a nutritional therapist My fail-safe remedy For low moods, getting out in nature come rain or shine. For coughs and colds, hot water with fresh lemon and ginger. For anything else, Helios Homeopathy remedy kit. My favourite meal Homemade chicken soup made from scratch with an organic chicken, vegetables, and rice noodles. It’s nourishing, full of vitamins and minerals, and like a hug in a bowl. How I keep fit and healthy By walking the dog three times a day and gardening. I also do regular exercise classes weekly, as it feels so great to have a good all-body workout combined with strength training. Some of these classes are held outdoors in my local park, which I love, as not only do I get…

Set inland from the Bay of Biscay and north-east of wine city Bordeaux, Charente is a rural French department with a seriously delicious export: cognac. From the stone-fronted buildings of its photogenic towns to the vineyard-striped surrounding countryside, the celebrated aged brandy factors into almost every visit. However, there’s much else to draw a holidaymaker to the region, including its rolling hills, waterside adventures and historic sights – all just a train ride from Paris too. Bottoms up! Made from grapes and aged for many years before blending and bottling, cognac brandy is one of the most elegant and refined of the world’s dark spirits. The region’s vineyards are dotted across a broad area, from north of La Rochelle into the Dordogne, but the finest tipples come from the ‘Grand…

Books Flying Home for Christmas by Helen Whitaker (£9.99, PB, Hodder & Stoughton) Curl up with a romcom novel that has more festive feels than a glass of eggnog. Thea is trying to get home to see her family on Christmas Eve but her flight to London has been grounded by a snowstorm. The next flight out is Christmas Day, so she books the last room at the nearest hotel and heads for it. However, Logan has beaten her to it. What to do? The only option is to share with the tall, attractive stranger… Murder on the Dance Floor by Shirley Ballas (£14.99, HB, HarperCollins) The debut novel from Strictly judge and Latin ballroom queen Shirley Ballas is a sequinned-spattered crime caper set in the fevered world of the…

There’s been a murder – and we are about to meet the suspects, who quite often live in a sleepy village. Twists, turns, hidden clues and red herrings – it’s all in a day’s work for the local detective. It’s fair to say, cosy crime novels are having a moment. Those of us who are looking for a little escapism take on the role of amateur detective in a whodunnit or intriguing mystery. No gory murder scenes here. Of course, this isn’t a new phenomenon. Agatha Christie was the doyenne of the genre. Iconic books, such as Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile, and famous creations Miss Marple and detective Hercule Poirot, made her an international name, with countless films, TV series and theatre productions adapted…

1 KNOW WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR Whether you’re trawling through a rail in a charity shop or searching online, shopping for second-hand clothing can be overwhelming, so it helps to have specific items in mind. ‘There are some things that come back year after year with almost no change – a trench coat, a pussy-bow blouse, a leopard wrap dress. The key to longevity is to choose a classic design in a quality fabric. You can always remove an egregious 80s shoulder pad,’ says Chiara Menage, founder of Menage Modern Vintage. 2 HUNT DOWN YOUR FAVOURITE DESIGNERS High-end brands can be more affordable secondhand, so if you’ve been admiring some designer boots or a premium handbag, try searching for it on trusted sites such as eBay, Handbag Clinic, Vestiaire or…

Gnocchi and chicken A tasty one-pan dish that makes a pleasant change from traditional pasta. SERVES 2 PREP 5 mins COOK 20 mins ✱ Olive oil, for frying✱ 6 sage leaves, plus 2 extra finely sliced✱ 4 small skin-on chicken breasts✱ 1 onion, chopped✱ 500g pack gnocchi✱ 1 fat garlic clove, crushed✱ 400g tomato passata✱ 150ml chicken stock✱ 3tbsp crème fraiche✱ 3tbsp freshly grated Parmesan 1 Heat a glug of oil in a large, ovenproof frying pan. Fry the whole sage leaves for a couple of mins over a medium-high heat until crispy, then set aside. 2 Add the chicken to the pan, skin side down, and fry for 4 mins until golden. Turn the chicken and add the onion to the pan. Fry for 3-4 mins more,…

ADVICE FROM OUR WOMAN’S WEEKLY DOCTOR Lumps, cysts and swellings can occur in the testicles and surrounding tissue, which includes blood vessels, the spermatic cord, the epididymis (a long coiled tube on the back of each testicle that carries and stores the sperm that testicles create), and the scrotal skin sac that contains them. Swellings are common and usually benign, but testicular cancer needs prompt treatment. Symptoms that need checking include swollen testicles, a lump or changes in the shape of the testicles or groin, one testicle that’s become bigger than the other, changes in how they feel, testicular aching or discomfort that doesn’t go away. Although it’s not the most common cause, lumps in the testicles can be a sign of testicular cancer, which is easier to treat if…

Coconut rice pudding with fruit compote This recipe is simply flavoured with vanilla, but you could add a little cinnamon too. SERVES 6 PREP 25 mins COOK 1 hr ✱ 75g short-grain pudding rice✱ 75g caster sugar✱ 400g tin coconut milk✱ ½tsp vanilla extract✱ Butter, for greasing FOR THE COMPOTE ✱ 450g frozen mixed summer berries or cherries✱ 2tbsp caster sugar YOU WILL NEED ✱ Baking dish with a capacity of around 1.5ltr, greased 1 Sprinkle the rice into a bowl with the sugar. Give the coconut milk a good shake then pour it over the rice and stir well. Stir in the vanilla extract and pour everything into the baking dish. 2 Heat the air fryer to 140C. Cover the dish with foil and air-fry for 1…

IT’S A WRAP Tender plants will need protection from cold winds, heavy rain and falling temperatures. Group potted shrubs, such as bay, hebe and phormium, somewhere sheltered (such as next to a house wall), and tie bubble wrap around the pots. Tender specimens in the ground, such as tree ferns, should be wrapped in fleece or hessian, or covered in straw or bracken secured with netting. OVER THE MOON A captivating new variety of globeflower (Trollius), called ‘Full Moon’, is available for planting now. Its bowl-shaped, peony-like blooms appear in May and June, and are ivory to pale primrose with hints of lime, set off by deeply cut green leaves. Compact (H45-60cm) and showy, it will brighten a damp spot in sun or light shade. GARDEN TO VISIT NOW Surrey’s…

TESTED BY US so they work for you Difficulty level MEASUREMENTS To fit bust 82 (86) (92) (97) (102) (107) (112) (117)cm/32 (34) (36) (38) (40) (42) (44) (46)in. Actual measurements 90 (95) (101) (106) (112) (117) (123) (128)cm/35½ (37¾) (39¾) (41¾) (44) (46) (48½) (50½)in. Length to back neck 57 (58) (59) (59.5) (60) (61) (61.5) (62)cm/22½ (22¾) (23¼) (23½) (23½) (24) (24¼) (24½)in. Sleeve length All sizes 46cm/18in. MATERIALS 4 (4) (4) (5) (5) (5) (6) (6) 100g (230m) balls of King Cole Bamboo Cotton DK (50% bamboo viscose, 50% cotton) in Navy (542), and 2 (2) (2) (2) (3) (3) (3) (3) balls in White (530)*. Pair each of 3.25mm (No. 10), 3.75mm (No. 9) and 4mm (No. 8) knitting needles; stitch holders. Yarn…

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, plural words are allowed. There is one nine-letter word in the grid, for which the clue is: Abusive language. Average = 8 More than 16 = well done SUDOKU To solve this puzzle, fill in the grid so that each 3 x 3 box, each row and each column contains the numbers 1-9. 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…

Horoscopes ARIES 21 MAR – 20 APR All your hard work will pay off. Don’t get disheartened if you don’t see results yet. Keep going with a positive attitude and everything will come to you. TAURUS 21 APR – 21 MAY Learning to relax no matter what is going on is your task for this week. Remember to breathe and to smile inwardly! GEMINI 22 MAY – 21 JUN There may be many demands on your time and prioritisation will be very important. Start your day with a clear picture of what you want to accomplish. CANCER 22 JUN – 23 JUL Your intuition is one of your greatest talents, yet you don’t always listen to it. If your heart doesn’t sing, it’s usually a message not to proceed. LEO…