Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 334 i Yours Magazine

As part of my self-imposed challenge to try 50 new things this year, I have travelled around visiting places across the country – and time and again I’ve been struck by the beauty and variety on offer right here in Blighty. As part of our Fit Mind 50 campaign we’re encouraging readers to join me and pledge to try new things as the latest science-backed way to improve energy, mood and boost your memory. (To find out more and to join us, visit www.fitmind50.co.uk). This issue we’ve collected together all sorts of things that are great about Britain that you can add to your Fit Mind 50 list, from travel ideas on page 95 to some new British Mary Berry recipes (p58) and learning how to forecast the British weather…

Soap memories ✒ I write regarding a recent Yours article on bars of soap that brought back fond memories of growing up on a new council estate in the Fifties. I can remember calling for friends and recall vividly the different soap smells associated with different households: Palmolive, Knights Castile, Imperial Leather, Cameo, to name but a few. But my all-time favourite was Lifebuoy Carbolic, used by our family for years. It conjures up so many happy times. I still use Lifebuoy and I like to visit Beamish Museum, a wonderful place, that still sells carbolic soap. Heaven! Gina Bianchi, Teesside Where are the coins? ✒ I can identify with a recent letter from Erika Baron on how difficult it is to use cheques for payments now. Another problem I…

We’d love to see your snapshots from the Fifties, Sixties, Seventies and Eighties. Send your photos, marked Fashion We Wore, to the address on page 8, along with your name, address and a 50-word description of your outfit. 1974: Here I am as a bridesmaid at a family wedding. I went with the bride to choose the material for my dress – a lovely pale-yellow fabric with a floral print. The bride’s auntie lent me a yellow necklace to wear with it and I also wore a hairband of autumn leaves – for an autumn wedding. I loved it! Linda Nesbitt, North Wales 1958: I was helping out at the annual local dress parade, aged 18, when this photo was taken. This particular dress was made out of white cotton…

■ Try something new The most surprising things can give you a real boost. I recently went open water swimming in the sea in Dorset with a group of women who call themselves The Bluetits, many of whom swim on a daily basis and who are working through challenging times in their lives. I thought it would be horrendous wading into cold water to neck height but it was actually exhilarating. There was an excited feeling of anticipation before I went in – like you get before running a race – then the initial biting-cold feeling that came when I entered the water. Then you start to warm up and feel really liberated and empowered. And when you come out, I got the same feeling I had when I’d finished…

Join the Yours Fit Mind 50 challenge Mavis’s courage epitomises the spirit of our Fit Mind 50 challenge (in association with HSL) – to try 50 new things. From taking up a new hobby to visiting a place you’ve never been to before, or taking on a physical challenge like Mavis, the challenge choice is yours. And there’s no time limit! To help inspire you sign up online at www.fitmind50. co.uk where you’ll find lots of tips and ideas to get you started or write to Yours at the address on p3 for more information.…

If you’re a comfort eater, or your weight fluctuates in times of stress, it can seem that weight loss is more than just down to calories alone. And you’re right. Recent research has shown what we’ve always suspected – how you feel can have a big impact on your weight. The more you know about your mood and motivation, the easier it will be to lose weight – not to mention feeling happier every day. Don’t believe us? A Californian study found that women who learnt to eat mindfully, becoming more aware of how their bodies felt before, during and after eating, lost significant weight (especially belly fat) without dieting. Meanwhile, US researchers also found that mindfulness and intuitive-eating lifestyle programmes are much more effective than traditional weight-loss programmes, plus…

Most animals are much more in tune with nature than we are and behave differently when certain weather is coming. Watch the birds as the higher they fly, the more likely fair weather is staying around. Bats flying around in the evening also indicate good weather is staying. And you’ll know rain isn’t far off when the frogs get louder, spiders come down from their webs, bees return en masse to the hive and cattle seek one corner of a field or lie down. Even our own pets can tell us bad weather is coming as cats will clean their ears just before a rainstorm while dogs can get agitated hours before a thunderstorm.…

Subscriptions For the very latest subscription offers visit www.greatmagazines.co.uk/ yours-magazine or call 01858 438884 Back issues To order call 01858 438828 or email – bauer@subscription.co.uk Yours customer care If you have an advertising or offer query you need help with, call Angela Whenman on 01733 468444, Mon, Weds, Fri (mornings only). Yours on tape and CD A recorded version of Yours is available for blind and partially sighted readers from RNIB Newsagent. For a free sample and information call RNIB Newsagent Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or visit www.rnib.org.uk/ newsagent Don’t have a computer? We try to provide phone numbers as well as web addresses, but sometimes offers and information are only available online. If you don’t have a computer you can access the internet, with help, at libraries –…

There are currently more than 150 vineyards open to the public in Great Britain. In 2017, 5.9 million bottles of wine were being grown and produced in Britain, this jumped up to 15.6 million in 2018. It's predicted to reach 40 million bottles by 2040! The South East of England is the biggest wine-producing region in Britain with 76 per cent under vines. This is followed by the South West with 13 per cent. East Anglia, Wales and the Mdlands make up the remaining 11 per cent. The top five homegrown grape varieties are Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, Bacchus and Seyval Blanc. 69 per cent of wines produced in the UK are sparkling. English wine is exported to 40 countries. The USA is the biggest export market for British…

■ The perfect gift – smiling face potted plants, £8 each, Matalan (0333 004 4444) ■ Owl-shaped vase, £13, George Home (0800 952 0101) ■ Perfect for Hallowe'en! LED white tealights (pk 4), £5, Waitrose (0800 188 884) ■ Silver candle snuffer, £5.99, Yankee Candle (0800 234 6169) ■ Save your surfaces from drips with this handy candle dish, £1.50, IKEA (0203 645 0000) ■ Crochet Stashbusters by Nicki Trench, published by CICO Books (£9.99) Photography © CICO Books…

We can help you find… ■ Like-minded friends ■ A new romance ■ Long-lost friends & family ■ Just about everything Seeking friendship Find a like-minded penpal or companion for outings Gent, non-smoker, enjoys golf, cricket, holidays, nights out, dinners, has a car, seeks a lady, 50-60, for friendship, easy-going, non-smoker. Cambs/ Romford area OCT1-101 Active, caring, shaven-headed gent, gay, 66, smart-looking, pleasant, seeks a male friend. North London/Hornsby area OCT1-102 Young-at-heart, active female, positive outlook and quirky sense of humour, would like penpals with similar attitude to life. Cambs/East Anglia area OCT1-103 Lady, 60s, seeks female friends, enjoys cinema, lunches, days out, coffee, shopping, seeks penpals. Rochester/Kent area OCT1-104 Lady, 64, enjoys travelling, theatre, cinema, walking, days out, looking for new female friends, with a view to meeting up.…

Whether you’ve been to the Big Apple before or you’re planning your first-ever trip, discover how you can best avoid the hustle and bustle and still soak up the sights in this magical metropolis with our top insider tips. Jillian Anthony, Deputy Editorial Director at Culture Trip, who lives in New York, shares her advice. TAKE THE FREE STATEN ISLAND FERRY This commuter ferry shuttles back and forth from the tip of Manhattan to the St George Terminal on Staten Island, providing up-close views of the Statue Of Liberty as you sail past. Try to save the big reveal and don’t look back til you reach Staten Island, it’s worth the wait for the incredible view! Go green Everyone is familiar with New York’s beloved 843-acre Central Park. But for…

Just as we all have our own unique relationships with people in life, it’s natural that we all have different ways of wanting to say goodbye when the time comes. So while a traditional funeral with a proper service in a church or crematorium might be your choice for a farewell, it’s not right for everyone. That’s where a new service called direct cremation offers the choice for something a bit different so that you can celebrate a life how you want. What is direct cremation? Put simply, direct cremation – or immediate cremation at it’s sometimes called – is a basic cremation with no service performed at the crematorium. The person who has died is cremated at a convenient time, in exactly the same way as a traditional cremation…

LIBRA SEPT 23-OCT 23 A relationship blossoms, perhaps becoming a marriage, or a business tie undergoes a transformation. ■ For a weekly update call 09044 705706 SCORPIO OCT 24-NOV 22 Much is going on in the background, at work, or with fitness issues, with plans worked out within three months. ■ For a weekly update call 09044 705707 SAGITTARIUS NOV 23-DEC 20 What is your heart’s desire? A mid-month development boosts the wind beneath your wings, after a ‘stuck’ phase. ■ For a weekly update call 09044 705708 CAPRICORN DEC 21-JAN 20 Reconnections with people you haven’t seen for a long time underline an unusual period when the ‘impossible’ perhaps isn’t. ■ For a weekly update call 09044 705709 AQUARIUS JAN 21-FEB 18 Your passion to spread your wings or…

MODERN-DAY MISGIVINGS Endless calls from unknown numbers, forgetting passwords and autocorrecting texts are just some of the most annoying inconveniences of modern life, according to a new study. The research found mobile phones were a big cause of our frustrations as were computer updates and dodgy internet connections. STRICTLY THE BEST Despite leaving Strictly Come Dancing three years ago, Len Goodman has been voted the all-time favourite panellist on the show. Len, who of course was head judge, waltzed to the top of a recent TV magazine poll, with Darcey Bussell coming in second and current judges Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood third and fourth. SEVENTIES FASHIONS RULE OK! Many of us may look back at the Seventies and wonder how we could have loved those flared trousers and…

‘Music channel has changed my life’ ✒ I listen to music on my iPad and, quite by accident, discovered something called Playing For Change. And it really has changed my life! It is on YouTube and was a movement set up by Bill Gates and his wife, Melinda, to inspire and connect the world through music. Some players are buskers, and there are lots of children as well as more recognisable names such as David Crosby from Crosby, Stills and Nash. It really lifts my spirits. I keep post-it notes in my handbag and give them to everyone I meet who loves music. I was in a coffee shop recently and met two Rastafarians. They couldn’t speak English, so I typed the details on to their smartphones. One of them…

From liberty bodices with their fiddly cloth-covered buttons to the first roll-on girdles, underwear has changed a lot over the years. As schoolgirls we had to wear regulation navy-blue knickers. Later on, feeling very grownup, we wore layers of starched net petticoats. If you remember struggling with a suspender belt and seamed stockings or buying a pointy bra for the ‘sweater girl’ look, send your story (with a photo if you have one) marked Blast from the Past to the address on page 3. If published, you’ll get a £10 High Street voucher.…

I CAN DO THIS! This little chipmunk looks like he’s bitten off more than he can chew with his winter food preparations! Nature news Britain’s loudest bird – once extinct in Britain – has enjoyed its best year since records began, according to a new survey by the RSPB. Conservationists are heralding the success of projects to bring bitterns (a type of heron) back from the brink of extinction. This year numbers reached record levels once more with 198 males recorded at 89 sites. This compares to 188 at 82 sites in 2018. Two rare Scottish wildcat kittens have been born at the Aigas Field Centre near Inverness. The kittens, which will grow to be double the size of a domestic cat, could eventually be released into the wild. Treats…

1 Before you rush to have a snack, drink some water, sit down and breathe and ask yourself if you are really hungry? 2 Focus on your plate before you start eating; notice the colours of your food, recognise how the nutrients will help you and provide energy. 3 Chew each mouthful of food slowly and really enjoy it before swallowing. 4 Put your cutlery down after each mouthful. 5 Recognise when you feel full and stop eating. 6 Always leave something on your plate. ■ Find out about mindful eating courses at www.everydaymindfuleating.com or contact your local Buddhist centre or yoga teacher to find something similar in your area.…

There’s no doubt us Brits love talking about the weather. From if it’ll be fine enough for us to hang out the washing, to whether we need to pack a brolly or sunglasses, it’s a constant concern about what the weather will bring each day! Of course, there are the weather forecasts that use complex scientific and meteorological data to predict what’s to come, although they don’t always get it right, with ten per cent of forecasts thought to be incorrect. But the great news is that you don’t actually need a professional weather forecast to work out if it’s worth taking a coat out with you or if a thunderstorm might be headed your way. Instead, get to grips with the subtle but amazing signs that surround us in…

■ The Weather Detective: Rediscovering Nature’s Secret Signs by Peter Wohlleben, out now – the ultimate handbook for  getting to grips with what nature’s telling us. ■ Moon and Tide Clock and Barometer – made from recycled plastic bottles, this barometer  measures air pressure, with high pressure a sign good weather is coming RNLI (0300 300 9916/shop.rnli. org) ■ Border Terrier Weathervane – this little fella will tell you the direction of the wind, with an easterly wind revealing a storm might be coming while winds from the south generally bring warm weather Cuckooland (01305 231231/cuckooland.com)…

Q When I fly I usually only take carry-on luggage, but on the return journey I never seem to be able to fit everything back in! How can I be better organised? P Oldershaw, Bolton Yours saysA capsule wardrobe is vital when travelling lightly. You can try vacuum bags, but we love these packing cubes. Available online, they are designed to fit all sizes of case and they fit like building blocks, so keeping you organised and maximising your space. ■ Available from Amazon, prices vary Q I love cardmaking, can you find me a charity that will accept them to raise funds? T Bryant, Leics Yours saysFirstly, you can try asking around your local charity shops. Alternatively, Donna’s Dream House Charity sells cards to help raise funds for free…

MUSHROOMS AND SPINACH EN CROÛTE Mary says: “Whether it’s on a buffet table or at a supper party, vegetarians will love this. Be sure to buy all-butter puff pastry, as it has a much better flavour than other kinds and is a little softer to handle.” Serves: 6 Prep: 10 mins Cook: 55 mins VEGETARIAN 1 tbsp olive oil ½ large onion, chopped 1 garlic clove, crushed 150g (5½oz) chestnut mushrooms, sliced 225g (8oz) baby spinach 125g (4½oz) ricotta 75g (2½oz) Gruyère, grated 1 egg yolk dash of Tabasco salt and freshly ground black pepper A little plain flour, to dust ½ x 500g packet ready-rolled all-butter puff pastry (freeze the other half for another occasion) 1 egg beaten with 1 tbsp milk 1. Preheat the oven to 220°C/425°F/Gas Mark…

SPOON HOOKS A stylish way to create a unique set of useful kitchen hooks Skill: Beginner Time: 1 hour Skirting board, cut to your desired length Paintbrush and paint in your choice of colour Kettle Ruler and pencil 4 soup or dessert spoons Tongs Tea towel Heavy duty glue Command picture hanging strips 1. Paint the skirting board and allow to dry. 2. Fill a large bowl or sink with boiling water. Place the spoons in the water for a minute, then remove with the tongs and, using a tea towel to hold them, bend each one at its halfway point. 3. Measure and mark the positions on the board where you want to place the spoons. 4. Glue the spoons to the board using heavy-duty glue. 5. Leave the…

The Yours team Editor: Sharon Reid Deputy Editor: Claire Tapley Associate Editor: Jenny Cripps Admin Manager: Karen Griffiths Reader Care Editor: Rosie Sandall Senior Contributing Writer (News): Carole Richardson Deputy News Editor: Katharine Wootton Art Director: Christine Curtis Art Editor: Della Smith Deputy Art Editor: Karen Booth Picture Editor: Davina Dunn Picture Researcher: Joanne Brooks Fashion & Beauty Editor: Michelle Nightingale Features Writer: Gabrielle Albert Contributing Fiction Editor: Marion Clarke Junior Writer: Lorna White Production Editor: Sam Hendley Deputy Production Editor: Kate Hardy MARKETING Marketing Manager: Charlotte Walsh Product Manager: Amy Kirton Newstrade Marketing Manager: Samantha Thompson ADVERTISING & COMMERCIAL Group MD Advertising: Abby Carvosso Sales Director: Claire Chamberlain Group Commercial Director: Simon Kilby Brand & Commercial Director: Flora Macmillan (0203 879 2086) Creative Solutions Director: Sara Jubb (0203 879…

I’m still on the road! As that over-the-top but smashing actor Donald Wolfit used to say, “Laurence Olivier is a tour de force, while I am forced to tour!” No, I’m not forced at all – I enjoy being in a different theatre every week (because you’ve gone before the audience can seek their revenge!). With any luck this week I should be staying in the best digs on the tour – when offstage I’ll be living at home. The accommodation is quite nice, the grub’s great and the landlady’s a bit of alright. I do enjoy the company of our neighbours and miss all they get up to. I know I’ve said this before, but we do have a great community spirit in Suffolk. I’ve been keeping busy but…

■ ‘Mmuseumm’ is a tiny museum housed in a New York freight elevator in Chinatown, featuring a curious collection of artefacts ■ There are scores of tiny doors dotted all across New York City. Keep your eyes peeled, especially around pedestrian crossings, where you might be lucky enough to spot one on a lamp post. ■ For a taste of old New York, visit the Lexington Candy Factory on the corner of Lexington Avenue and 83rd Street – it’s the oldest  family-owned luncheonette in the city where photos of visiting celebrities and other memorabilia adorn the walls. ■ Cat fans should visit The Roosevelt Island Cat Sanctuary where you’ll spot feral felines lazing around and stalking their little fenced-in sanctuary (an abandoned smallpox hospital). They’re well fed and utterly content!…

Pat Davey was just 16 when she met the love of her life. A dashing young man called Jeff walked into the sweet shop where she worked and, in Pat’s words, “It was love at first sight.” Pat and Jeff were married in 1962 and two years later, their son, Richard, was born. They planned a long and happy life, including retirement together, but that changed in 1994 when Jeff died suddenly. The shock of his death is something Pat will never forget, but today, 25 years later, she wants to encourage other people that life can be enjoyed after losing a loved one. Jeff was a highly respected gamekeeper, working on a large estate. He and Pat loved country life and lived in a farm cottage. Jeff was never…

Here at Yours we know all too well that carers face many challenges, both emotional and practical. It can feel lonely, but you are not alone. There are more than six million carers across the UK and Yours magazine is helping to connect them with our free-to-join Carers in Touch Group and Forget Me Not Group for bereaved people. ■ To join either Carers In Touch or Forget Me Not groups simply complete this form and return it to Rosie Sandall, Yours, Media House, Peterborough, PE2 6EA or email: rosemary. sandall@bauermedia.co.uk In each issue Rosie meets one of these amazing carers and asks them to share their experiences and advice.…

…you are born under Libra, sign of the scales of justice and you’re forever weighing and balancing situations to get the best out of them. You work well in the areas of entertainment, psychology, law and accountancy. Ruled by love planet Venus, you can be gloriously romantic, but sometimes fall in love with love! ■ Famous Librans celebrating this fortnight include Ingrid Tarrant, Dawn French, Sarah Lancashire, Sharon Osbourne, Sigourney Weaver, Sarah Ferguson and Cliff Richard (both pictured).…

Experts say this autumn is set to be one of the most colourful for years. And so far it’s living up to the expectations, with glorious russet tones, orange hues and delicate golds transforming landscapes across the UK. Forestry England says a wetter than average June followed by a warm and sunny July have helped create the perfect conditions for a vibrant autumn in our woodlands, forests, parks and hills. Trees need sunlight and rain in equal measure to produce the high levels of sugar needed to create the colour in their leaves. And Forestry England is also predicting a bumper crop of wildlife-friendly fruit and nuts in woodlands to help our native species. So let’s grab our walking shoes and get out and about to enjoy the colour show…

✒ I always say to my granddaughter to keep her eyes peeled when we are looking for something. Recently, I asked her to help me find my spectacle case and she responded, ‘Don’t worry Nana, I’ve got my oranges peeled’. Bless her! Jean Milne, West Sussex ✒ My seven-year-old grandson, Marley, was asked by his elder brother when he finishes school. Quick as a flash, Marley replied, “Every day”. We did laugh. Mrs S Ferguson, Wilts ✒ I love this photo of my lovely great-granddaughter Isabella (2), taken on a recent visit. The tortoise ornament kept her amused all afternoon! Frances Greenhalgh, Staffs…

Nobody was more astounded than Mavis Paterson’s surgeon when she completed a gruelling 996-mile cycle ride from Land’s End to John o’Groats. It wasn’t just the fact that his patient was an 81-year-old granny, or even that she suffers from painful osteoarthritis – X-rays taken a fortnight before she set off revealed that she was in need of a new right hip! “He told me he had some bad news for me and showed me the X-rays. I could feel the tears coming but he said it was up to me whether I went ahead,” says Mavis, who’d been training for the charity challenge for months. Undeterred by the fact that it would be a painful ride without any cartilage to separate her hip bones or that, unable to swing…

It can be close to midnight and blowing a gale outside but if a text comes through to Jo Collins about an animal in distress on her nearby coastline, she’s straight out of the door to help. Armed with all the equipment she needs, she heads off to look for a marine animal that’s been spotted in trouble and reported, usually by members of the public or by the coastguard, police or fire brigade. Once there she acts a bit like a paramedic, making an initial assessment of the situation, providing some basic care and deciding what to do next. But what Jo does in that moment can be the difference between a life saved and a life lost for our precious marine wildlife. Jo is one of thousands of…

Presenting the weather is not as easy as you might think, although things have got simpler in recent years. In the past weather was presented in front of a plain green screen with the weather map superimposed over it for the viewer. The presenter then had to look in TV monitors to work out where to point. Today, Good Morning Britain’s weather presenter Laura Tobin has the luxury of presenting in front of a digital TV screen showing a real moving weather map. Laura memorises her forecast instead of using an autocue, based on all the information she gathers from her research and calling her friends at the Met Office.…

Stringy, wispy clouds that are high in the sky and look like long streamers – called CIRRUS CLOUDS – mean change is on the way and rain is likely in the next 36 hours Big fluffy CUMULUS CLOUDS that look like cotton wool balls are a sign it won’t rain for the rest of the day ALTOCUMULUS CLOUDS that look like fish scales suggest rain or even a thunderstorm is to follow soon Grey, fragmented shreds of clouds called PANNUS CLOUDS that lie below the main clouds indicate rain is on its way imminently… so get the washing in! Dense, towering, vertical clouds that seem to take up much of the sky – called CUMULONIMBUS CLOUDS – are a sign a thunderstorm is coming…

It’s a sad moment when we realise one of our best-loved possessions is past its best. Whether it’s had an unfortunate injury, a run-in with the grandchildren or a pet, or has just worn out with the passage of time, a trip to the dustbin might seem its only fate. But the good news is there’s usually a way you can fix most things, from threadbare teddies, to furniture scratches to broken jewellery and holey socks! To get you started, here’s a few easy projects and ideas to help make your things last. Wartime wisdom When clothes rationing came in during the Second World War and the Ministry of Information published the Make Do and Mend pamphlet, it became the housewives’ bible. From patching holes in clothes to protecting against…

Guide to Wills & LPAs This updated guide has all the latest essential information on Wills and LPAs and why they’re so important. Peace of mind for you and your family is vital – that’s why Yours has partnered with Key and produced this guide to help you make informed decisions. • The Yours Guide to Wills and LPAs Call free: 0808 252 9468 Write to: Key, Yours Retirement Services, FREEPOST NWW201A, Preston PR2 2TF with your name, address and phone number and which service interests you most. Guide to looking after yourself as a carer If you’re caring for someone who’s living with a terminal illness, it can be hard to find time for yourself. This useful guide is full of tips and information to help you take care…

Difficulty rating: YARN AND MATERIALS 1 part ball of Debbie Bliss Rialto Lace in shades: 09 Cyclamen (bright pink) 43 Rose (pink) 01 Ecru (off -white) 26 Coral (salmon) 18 Aqua (deep aqua) 35 Acid Yellow (yellow-green) HOOKS AND EQUIPMENT 2.5mm (UK size 13) crochet hook Yarn needle TENSION 26 sts x 12 rows over a 10cm (4in) square, working treble crochet using 2.5mm (UK size 13) hook and Debbie Bliss Rialto Lace. FINISHED MEASUREMENTS To fit a 190ml (6.5fl oz) round jam jar BEFORE YOU START… Ch-chain; dc-double crochet; rep-repeat; RS-right side; sp(s) -space(s); ss-slip stitch; st(s)-stitch(es); tr-treble; tch- turning chain; tr3tog-treble 3 stitches together; yrh-yarn round hook SPECIAL ABBREVIATIONS 3trCL (3 treble cluster): yrh, insert hook in sp, yrh, pull yarn through work (3 loops on hook). Yrh,…

If it was an hour or so of glamorous escapism you were after in the Eighties, there was nowhere better to look than the gloriously glossy, LA-based murder mystery show, Hart to Hart. The Harts were a jet-setting couple who lived a life of luxury with their pet pooch, Freeway, while solving crimes on the side. Self-made millionaire Jonathan Hart, played by Robert Wagner, was, according to gravelly-voiced butler, Max, whose monologue opened every episode, ‘Quite a guy.’ ‘Mrs H’, played by Stefanie Powers, was ‘gorgeous’. It’s 40 years since the first episode and to mark the milestone the show is currently being screened on Sony Channel (formerly known as True Entertainment) – and Stefanie (77) couldn’t be more delighted. “Hart to Hart has an enduring appeal,” she says, speaking…

Peggy Lee singing The Folks Who Live on the Hill never fails to stir me. Coming from a family who moved house often, I still envy the couple in the song who ‘liked to be called, what they had always been called, the folks who live on the hill’. Kathy Pledge had to move when her husband’s job took their family to Nigeria: “Having never been outside the UK, I found everything strange and intimidating. During a visit to a local market where vultures perched on the roof of the meat stall and open drains were the norm, over a loudspeaker came the unmistakable voice of Tom Jones singing The Green, Green Grass of Home. Even now, that memory brings a lump to my throat.” ‘See the pyramids along the…

Though small in size, the British Isles pack a punch when it comes to undiscovered corners. And what’s more – you needn’t travel too far or spend a fortune to enjoy them. Add some of these destinations to your Fit Mind 50 list of new ideas – see p101 for more details Explore these wonderful isles THE NORTH AND SCOTLAND MOUNTAIN MAGIC FAIRY POOLS, ISLE OF SKYE, SCOTLAND Set at the foot of the Cuillin Mountains, these rock pools of crystal clear spring water look like something out of a Scottish fairytale. Only accessible by foot, visitors can take the scenic 1½ mile walk from the car park via the gravel path bordered with grass, heather, peat and rocks up towards the largest waterfall – or walk further up to…

Grab a fancy hot dog or bagel from Crif Dogs in East Village or Williamsburg – topped with everything from sour cream and peanut butter – for just $5. Swing by Vanessa’s Dumplings in Chinatown or Williamsbury, where you can get full on their legendary sesame pancakes and crispy dumplings for less than $10. Mamoun’s Falafel on St Mark’s serves a falafel sandwich dripping with sauce for around $6. The restaurant also offers tasty selection of chicken, shish and kofta kebabs.…

■ Age UK’s Call in Time service is free for people aged 60-plus and offers a weekly 30-minute phone chat. It matches clients with trained volunteers. Call 0800 434 6105 ■ Around 60 million people worldwide live with glaucoma, a condition which affects the optic nerve. Glaucoma damage can be prevented if treated early. Have your eyes tested every two years. Call the RNIB on 0303 123 9999 ■ Wiltshire Farm Foods has been cooking and delivering frozen meals for more than 25 years. There are more than 300 dishes to choose from. For more information, call 0800 524 4285 or visit www. wiltshirefarmfoods.com If you’re caring for someone with a life-limiting illness, this free guide is full of useful tips to help you take care of your own needs,…

BOOK AHEAD BARRY MANILOW Legendary pop icon Barry Manilow is returning to the UK from next May, performing his much-loved hits including Can’t Smile Without You, Copacabana and Mandy. ■ Tickets from £35. Call 0333 321 9999 or visit www.ticketmaster.co.uk EXHIBITION ABBA- TASTIC From flamboyant flares to gold discs galore, ABBA: Super Troupers The Exhibition at London’s O2 takes fans back in time to see treasures from the band’s sparkling history that have never been seen before in the UK. ■ December 6, 2019-August 31, 2020. Call 0844 249 1000 or visit abbasupertroupers.com FICTION POSTSCRIPT Get ready to have your heartstrings pulled in Postscript, Cecelia Ahern’s sequel to her much-loved romantic novel PS I Love You. It’s seven years since Holly Kennedy’s husband died but now the letters he left…