Innholdsfortegnelse for 8-Apr-2025 i Woman's Weekly

Light-bulb moments I’ve written before about our current garden (if you can call it that) being overgrown and long neglected. The old couple who lived here for well over 40 years before us were keen gardeners in their younger days but, understandably, the very steep plot became too much for them in later life, and each spring they restricted their gardening ever closer to the cottage. As a result, the upper part is now wild woodland – dark under summer foliage, though brighter in leafless winter – so we were delighted in our first April when unexpected bluebells sprung up under the trees. If you’d like to plant late-spring bulbs in your plot, see page 42.…

Risk-taking is clearly in Ben Fogle’s blood. He first found fame thanks to the reality show Castaway in 2000, when he was one of 36 people marooned on the Scottish island of Taransay for a year. Twenty-five years on, he’s still taking risks, enjoying amazing adventures, and he’s bringing all those incredible experiences together for his tour, Wild, which he’s taking around the UK. We caught up with the globetrotter for an exclusive chat. Ben admits he can’t believe that it’s been two-and-a-half decades since Castaway aired, but he’s incredibly grateful for all the opportunities being a part of the groundbreaking programme has given him, even though sometimes he’s had his ups and downs. So how does the 51-year-old stay positive when things feel tough? ‘It can be hard. We…

"Like so many people, I’ve got into using an air fryer lately. I’ve got the Ninja with two drawers, which is fantastic. I haven’t used it tremendously yet, but I’ve just bought Jamie Oliver’s new air-fryer cookbook, so I can hopefully use it more. I’m getting recipes together because I like to have a little cook when I’m home, between doing shows, and interviews and travelling. I have an AGA at my house in Wales, which is always on, and it’s great because our kitchen is always cosy and warm, even in winter. That’s probably why I don’t use the air fryer as much as I should. I like pottering around in the kitchen with different things. Yesterday, I went out with a list of ingredients to buy that I…

White chocolate cheesecake A sweet treat with a cute edible nest on top – perfect for dessert. SERVES 12 READY IN 30 mins, plus chilling ✱ 300g Bourbon biscuits✱ 100g unsalted butter, melted✱ 100g mini chocolate eggs, chopped, plus extra whole eggs, to decorate✱ 500g soft cheese✱ 300ml double cream✱ 2tsp vanilla bean paste✱ 250g white chocolate, melted and cooled FOR THE NEST ✱ 100g dark chocolate✱ 15g unsalted butter✱ 45g (2 large) Shredded Wheat, crumbled YOU WILL NEED ✱ 20cm springform cake tin, greased and the base lined with baking paper✱ 12cm bowl, lightly greased and lined with cling film 1 Whizz the biscuits in a food processor to a fine crumb, add the butter and whizz again. Press the crumb over the base and 5cm up the sides…

Coping with NEUROENDOCRINE TUMOURS Originating in neuroendocrine cells, they are rare but becoming more common Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are also called neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs), neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) or carcinoid tumours. Most NETs develop slowly, symptom-free at first – commonly they will have spread to other body areas before diagnosis. The neuroendocrine system consists of nerves and gland cells making hormones to control growth and development, which are released into the bloodstream via the organ network. They are affected by responses to environmental changes. For example, lung neuroendocrine cells make hormones controlling lung air and blood flow, while gut neuroendocrine cell hormones control digestive juice production and muscles moving food through the bowel. Neuroendocrine cancers develop if cells grow out of control, with 50% occurring in the digestive system. If doctors…

Colour bursts Bulbs are tiny eye-catchers that erupt into colour as soon as the days lengthen and the temperatures rise. These spring crackers reassuringly pop up year after year, and many spread willingly to form lush carpets. Scatter them between perennials and around shrubs, thread through a lawn for a meadow feel, or cram into pots for snazzy displays. Plant now while ‘in the green’ (with leaves), or in autumn as dry bulbs. Shady splashes Jazz up a dusky corner with bulbs that flower March to May: ✱ Siberian squill (Scilla siberica, H10-20cm) – like a mini hyacinth, this bulb has nodding, sapphire flowers. Plant in groups, or mix with Anemone blanda to drift around the base of shrubs. ✱ English bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) – more delicate than its invasive…

ARIES 21 MAR – 20 APR This is an excellent time for you to learn a new skill or to hone an existing talent. Concentration is your ally now. TAURUS 21 APR – 21 MAY Beware of taking on too many responsibilities right now. It’s important to clearly state your boundaries and stick to them. GEMINI 22 MAY – 21 JUN Resolve to speak kindly and not to engage in gossip. Your words have great power. Use them wisely to help and uplift others. CANCER 22 JUN – 23 JUL A promotion or good news about your work is indicated. Subtle messages are being transmitted, try to tune into them and they’ll lead you to success. LEO 24 JUL – 23 AUG There may be some changes at home. Although…

NOBLE DECEPTION Based on the 2001 film starring Heath Ledger, A Knight’s Tale, The Musical tells the story of William Thatcher, who fakes nobility to qualify for knightly jousting tournaments. But not everyone is impressed by his success, and enemies are soon circling. At the Manchester Opera House from 11 April to 10 May. ✱ aknightstalemusical.com Conserving the past For 500 years, Mourne Park in Northern Ireland was private. But since 2022, its 180 acres of ancient woodland have been open to the public. And now, with a £2.5 million National Lottery Heritage Fund grant, Mourne Park will become even more accessible, with conservation – such as removing invasive species – and community involvement as top priorities. Managed by the Woodland Trust, it’s teeming with wildlife including otters, red squirrels,…

True love never did run smoothly, particularly when it comes to King Charles and Queen Camilla. Thought to have met at a polo match in 1970, the pair soon realised they had a lot in common – their love for polo, the countryside and a similar sense of humour. But it was not to be and both moved on, Charles to other girlfriends then Diana; Camilla to Andrew Parker Bowles. Despite this, their friendship endured and as their respective marriages failed, their ease in each other’s company – often the best basis for a long-lasting relationship – turned back to love, ultimately leading to their marriage in 2005, 35 years after they first met. As the couple approach their 20th wedding anniversary, we look back at some of their most…

1 TROPICAL TREAT If you’re a fan of sweet aromas, you’ll love Lacura Tropical Essence 32 Body Mist, £2.99, Aldi. Inspired by tropical sunshine it combines delicious notes of pistachio, almond, salted caramel and vanilla. It’s a total treat for the senses – and a real bargain to boot. 2 FLORAL BOUQUET Blending musky, fruity and floral notes, PS… Floral Muse Scented Body Mist, £3.50, Primark, is ideal for those busy days when you’re on the move. Allowing you to top up your fragrance with ease, this lightweight mist settles on clothes, skin and hair for a subtle scent that’s perfect to wear in the daytime. 3 FRESH COTTON There’s no better smell than newly washed and dried laundry, and H&M Modern Minimalist Eau de Toilette, £8.99, H&M, imitates it…

I can’t take more time off work Q My brother-in-law, who lives in New Zealand, was widowed recently. He’s asked to come and visit, which is lovely, but he wants to arrive two weeks after we’ve been on a three-week holiday. I’m a sole trader and don’t get paid when I’m away. The business provides our income. I’ve said to my retired husband that I won’t be able to take any time off but whenever we discuss this, he gets cross with me.Dawn, Worthing A I understand that your husband wants you to spend time with his brother and that you can’t afford to take more time away from your business. I’m wondering what you can do. Is it possible to take a long weekend so you can go away, or the odd…

The New Neighbours by Claire Douglas (£16.99, HB, Penguin) Single mother Lena feels disconnected and unfulfilled after separating from her husband, and on accidentally hearing a conversation between her wealthy new neighbours, misinterprets it as a criminal plot. Ignoring warnings from friends and family, she embarks on an investigation, unknowingly uncovering secrets tied to her own past. As Lena’s fixation on the truth intensifies, the lines between reality and obsession blur, threatening to unravel the relationships she has with those she loves. A pulse-pounding thriller that will make you think twice before opening a can of worms. The Famous by Rachel Lynch (£9.99, PB, Canelo) Powerhouse daytime TV presenter Gloria White is an experienced celebrity, but when her immoral ex-father-in-law and media mogul Roger Wade dies, a Pandora’s box of…

We all know that the more active we stay, the fitter and healthier we feel. The benefits of regular activity are colossal – research shows that it slows the progression of 40 chronic diseases and conditions, and reduces the risk of an early death by disease by 30%*. But less than one in 10 of us (8%) hits the recommended 10,000 steps a day**, and staying active can become more of a challenge as we age. However, it is possible to keep fit and healthy in your later years if you know how to go about it. When we’re younger we can just blast it in the gym and get away with it, but the older we get, the more savvy we need to be about staying active and avoiding…

3 WAYS TO... Help quit smoking 1 SET A DATE TO QUIT ‘Even adding this date to your calendar or announcing it to friends and family can make a huge difference,’ says GP Dr David Gwynne**. ‘Not only will it hold you to account, but you’re also giving yourself a countdown and time to prepare mentally.’ 2 GET SUPPORT Try the free NHS stop smoking service. ‘Leaning on stop-smoking aids is three times more effective than trying to quit by yourself,’ says Dr Gwynne. Vaping can help but try to do it instead of smoking, not alongside. 3 DON’T GIVE UP Had a setback? Keep trying. ‘On average, it can take five to six attempts before you finally quit for good,’ says Dr Gwynne. A QUICK RECOVERY PLAN FOR SPRING…

1 INSTALL A VANITY UNIT Lacking storage? If you have a pedestal basin, slot an under-sink unit below it, which has enough space to store towels, extra loo roll, handwash, cosmetics and cleaning products away from sight. ✱ Pink Farnley under-sink storage unit, £135, Next 2 STYLE YOUR BASIN Add a matching bathroom set with a soap dispenser, dish and tumbler to tidy up the area around your basin. Plus, you can buy your favourite handwash in a bulk bottle to save money, then decant it into the soap dispenser whenever you need to top it up. ✱ Faux daisies in glass vase, £3, soap dispenser, £3, tumbler, £2, all B&M 3 FRESHEN UP TOWELS Bring colour into your bathroom with a new set of towels. Choose a pattern or…

Difficulty level SIZE 12x11cm YOU WILL NEED (PER COSY): ✱ Sharp HB pencil, ruler and tracing paper✱ 5.5x29cm bias strip of patterned fabric A✱ 25cm square of patterned fabric B✱ 13x25cm wide fusible medium loft fleece✱ Matching sewing threads NOTE Take 1cm seam allowance, unless otherwise stated. Stitch seams with right sides facing. 1 For the binding, press the bias strip of fabric A lengthwise in half with wrong sides facing. Enlarge the pattern by 160%. Trace the patterns on folded tracing paper and mark the arrow. Cut out the pattern and open out flat. Use the pattern to cut two pairs of cosies from fabric B and one pair from fleece. 2 Press fleece to one pair of cosies on the wrong side. Stitch each padded cosy to an…

Difficulty level MEASUREMENTS Coasters Approximately 8.5cm/3¼in diameter. Container Approximately 9.5cm/3¾in diameter and 4.5cm/1¾in tall. MATERIALS 4 x 20g (43m) balls of Sirdar Happy Cotton (100% cotton) in Pale Grey (Shower 762), 1 ball in each of Blue (Princess 798), Orange (Sorbet 793) and Yellow (Melon 794)*. Size 4mm crochet hook. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk TENSION Not essential for this project. ABBREVIATIONS BLO, back loops only; ch, chain; dc, double crochet; dc3tog, double crochet 3 sts together (to decrease 2 sts) thus: [insert hook into next st, yrh and pull loop through] 3 times, yrh and pull through all 4 loops; dtr, double treble crochet; htr, half treble crochet; slst, slip stitch; st(s), stitch(es); tr, treble crochet; yrh, yarn round hook. NOTES Make 2 coasters in each of the colourways…

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: Smoothing equipment. 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: Chelsea _, retired veterans living at the Royal Chelsea Hospital in London. Average = 25 More than 45 = well done Crossword Try the easy or cryptic clues, then rearrange…

Who was that pinging your phone?’ said Mr Dear. ‘Just a WhatsApp message from Wendy. She’s invited us to dinner.’ ‘Oh,’ said Mr D. ‘I’d better get my best suit dry-cleaned, then.’ I mention this, by the way, to show how modern we are at Dear Towers, which is at the very cutting edge. We use WhatsApp and everything, although we keep a quill and a trained carrier pigeon in the kitchen drawer as backup. Dinner at Wendy’s place is quite an event. You’ll perhaps remember that she lives in a modest manor house with her husband Iain. It’s not quite Downton Abbey, but it dates back to the 17th century and has been in Iain’s family since his great-grandfather, a very cunning solicitor, bought it cut-price from a client…