Kirklees Issue 74

BY ANGELA KELLY

By Angela Kelly

Would you be willing to open up your hear t and home and welcome individuals displaced by the war in Ukraine?

16-17 GARDENING

7 Flowers to plant in Spring

25-27 FOOD

Recipes from Mary Berry.

If you are willing to share your space with those in need of a safe place, you can find out more information here and register your interest: www.sjog-homesforukraine.uk

7 FLOWERS TO PLANT IN SPRING

RAIL TRAILS TO LAKE GARDA

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TWITTERING ON

By Angela Kelly

Staying patient is apparently viewed as a more positive trait by others. Research suggests that people who can stay calm in the face of these constant, petty frustrations are more likely to be empathetic, have a more even temperament and suffer less from depression.

So if you think you’re going to blow a gasket, just breathe, keep your temper and wait patiently.

Patience is definitely a virtue

HAVE you noticed how short-tempered we’ve become as a nation?

That famous British cool – the stiff upper lip and stoic approach –seem largely to have faded away in favour of impatience, temper and an unwillingness to understand the other person’s point of view.

Take to the road and you’ll see how quickly other drivers push to get past you, even if you’re keeping to the speed limit and sensible about driving conditions.

Road rage is now pretty common on a daily basis. According to police figures, there has been a steep rise since 2012 and in one recent year alone there were 18,605 road rage incidents recorded around Britain.

Queue anywhere and you’ll quickly winkle out the impatient people. Grumbling turns to raised voices in no time – and this from a nation so used to queuing post-war that our stoicism was the envy of the world.

In fact, it was hearing about a shocking incident in a Lidl store which reminded me how short tempers have actually become.

A woman waiting in the checkout queue felt another customer was taking too long and ended up screaming and shouting at him.

Worse, when another woman spoke up for him, asking her to calm down, the woman turned her ire on her …. chucking broccoli at her, bizarrely after scanning it first!

Patience is the ability to stay calm while you’re waiting for an outcome that you need or want. According to psychology experts, it comes in three main varieties: interpersonal patience, life hardship patience and daily hassles patience.

I suspect the latter causes the most problems for people and the advice is to focus to achieve what you want and to keep your emotions under control.

Self-discipline is the key here so we probably need to practise this skill more than others.

Yes, life can be irritating and make us impatient but we do need to keep a sense of proportion.

Pets with millions of online followers

LIKE many people of my generation, it has taken a while to get my head around online influencers and their many followers. But just when that all seemed logical, along come ANIMALS with millions of followers on Instagram and TikTok.

Yes, there are cats and dogs out there in cyberspace who are followed regularly by excited people all over the planet. Nor is it just followers they gain but often lucrative contracts for everything from petfood lines to their own feline fashions and doggy accessories.

They sometimes come in twos and threes. Darren and Phillip, alias the blueboys, are two bubbly Staffordshire bull terriers with more than 300,000 followers on TikTok and close to 10 million likes.

They wear cute dog outfits and followers are fascinated by their daily lives.

For bird enthusiasts, Wolfie and Sharky, two blue parrots regularly showcase their skills doing all sorts of tricks like skateboarding and playing basketball.

Now, a black and white cat called Gacek has captured the hearts of tourists visiting Polish city Szczecin. They’ve swapped visiting historical landmarks for a tour with Gacek.

He has his own Instagram page and a section on Google maps. Unfortunately, tourists constantly feeding him have made him a little, ahem, portly but he’s still adorable.

I don’t think our Jack Russell Ollie will be clocking up thousands of followers anytime soon, though.

He won’t keep still for a quick photo, is only interested in dog biscuits and lives a life dominated by naps. Not much to view there.

One such amazing lady is Stacey Victoria who lives in Huddersfield. She has revealed how she saves £200 a month with clever, waste-free ideas which even include re-purposing empty juice cartons into plant pots. She has cut back each month on items the family could do without and overhauled her shopping and now, she states: “I get such a good feeling from making use of discarded items again.”

There aren’t many upsides to the current money woes of people but taking that sort of practical, pro-active approach is a lesson to us all.

Hidden genius of ordinary people

PIANOS have been popping up in train stations and shopping malls for a while with the world and his wife having a go to prove their musicality – or lack of it.

But the brainwave to build a TV series around this with expert judges secretly watching is sheer genius.

This is the idea behind The Piano, a new Channel 4 reality show filmed in train stations in London, Birmingham, Glasgow and Leeds, with the best amateur pianists invited along to demonstrate their skills.

Helping the cost of living

THE severe hike in the cost of living has made all of us re-think daily household costs and general spending.

It’s a tough time, especially for those already struggling to get by, and heart-breaking to hear of many families and individuals whose lives have changed for the worse.

The only slight chink in the gloom is the way it has made many people more inventive with household cash and getting the most from every penny.

The result is surprisingly uplifting to the point of tears as talented youngsters and oldsters alike play, delighting passing station audiences and thousands more at home. Judges pop star Mika and star pianist Lang Lang both prove knowledgeable and enthusiastic.

Many of the performances reveal amazing stories, like 13 year-old Lucy who became blind from eye cancer and young Daniel who fell in love with music during lockdown and taught himself to play through YouTube videos.

The various styles are fascinating but the passion is shared and reveals a hidden national musical treasure trove.

RAIL TRAILS TO LAKE GARDA

By Rosemary J Brown FRGS

A collective gasp of wonder sounded from rail coach number five as the snow-capped French Alps came into view on the TGV from Paris to Turin. Smartphones were abandoned and bookmarks placed as we admired the majestic peaks soaring above forest-carpeted foothills. We were not gazing between airplane wings and banks of clouds at these monumental Alps, we were gliding right alongside them ... and congratulating ourselves for opting for train travel -- ‘the green way to go’.

cities, but also to local destinations for independent adventures. We particularly relished a free day in Brescia, just 15 minutes by train. An under-appreciated treasure chest of astonishing Roman ruins including a temple, wall paintings and mosaics, Brescia boasts not one, but two cathedrals.

Where trains don’t run, buses offer links to regional sites including Gardone Riviera with the whimsical, sculpture-and-pond graced Heller Gardens tumbling down the hillside. Nearby stands The Vittoriale, a totally eccentric tribute to Italian war hero and poet Gabriele D’Annunzio with gardens, museums, a grandiose villa, amphitheatre and a sky-high mausoleum.

In between our own exploration days, we happily surrendered to excursion leaders in Venice, Verona and on Lake Garda’s largest island – Isola del Garda where the island’s proprietors welcomed us to the

Watching the world pass by -- villages, valleys, vineyards, flatlands and farmlands, even industrial yards and wastelands – reinforced the travel mantra that getting there is half the fun. Leaving London’s St Pancras station that morning, we were on our way to the southern shores of northern Italy’s Lake Garda, with an overnight stop to explore the stately baroque buildings and elegant squares of Turin.

Although many in our group of 25 came by train from across the UK to reach our St Pancras starting point, my husband David and I only had to travel one stop on the underground to join this Great Rail Journeys (GRJ) called Simply Lake Garda – a seven night stay beside the country’s largest and most popular lake.

As committed independent travellers, we were slightly anxious about joining a group and following a leader. But the Simply Lake Garda itinerary allowed enough autonomy during free days and a dose of reassurance when navigating heaving stations in London, Paris, Turin and Milan while travelling almost 1,300 miles round trip across three countries. As our dynamic GRJ tour manager Jane Lawson said, ‘leave the strain to Jane.’ We did.

Although dubbed the Simply Lake Garda tour, it was not simply Lake Garda. Our itinerary also included a selection of northern Italy’s most iconic cities: Turin, Venice and Verona.

In our charming, but lively base of Desenzano del Garda, we were steps away from the train station -- our gateway to these celebrated

Villa Borghese Cavazza, reminiscent of the Doge’s Palace in Venice. We wandered through the terraced gardens lush with roses, lemon trees, and ripening pomegranates and persimmons, before enjoying aperitivos on their terrace overlooking the lake. We felt more like guests than tourists.

To reach Isola del Garda we swapped high-speed trains for a luxurious private launch plying the lake’s waters. We crossed the lake again on a state-run ferry to the picturesque peninsula of Sirmione featuring the

Villa Borghese Cavazza

Desenzano del Garda

remains of a palatial Roman villa built 2000 years ago. Sirmione also hosts thermal spas and the magnificent Scaligero Castle, everyone’s fantasy of the perfect castle with its swallowtail battlements and walls.

Indeed, fortress castles crowned almost all of our destinations – Verona, Turin, Brescia, Desenzano – offering hands-on mediaeval history as well as spectacular birds-eye views. Nowhere near as ancient but impressive just the same, the train stations that welcomed us stand as exemplars of 19th and early 20th century architecture – St Pancras (1868), Paris Gare du Nord (1866), Gare du Lyon (1849) Turin (1864), Milan Central (1931) and Venice’s Santa Lucia (1952).

Emerging from Santa Lucia station, we were embraced by a magically frenetic Venice with vaporettos sashaying between rococo churches

Free activity groups for over 75s

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and exquisite palazzos lining the Grand Canal. We toured Saint Marks’ Square, one of the finest in the world, before entering its multi-domed basilica encrusted with 85,000 square feet of golden mosaics. From a side street off the square we slipped away on gondolas into a romantic web of water corridors.

After a week discovering Lake Garda and its fascinating environs, it was all aboard for the return rail journey to London. But the holiday was not yet complete; we still had the scenic rural and urban landscapes to enjoy ... all the way home.

Find out more

Rosemary travelled with Great Rail Journeys , you can book your rail holiday by calling our Silver Travel Advisors on 0800 412 5678.

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IDRIS ELBA STAR QUALITY

HE’S been a bouncer, a DJ, a rapper and a kickboxer. Oh, and he’s a very successful actor in the UK and the US and is regularly suggested as the next James Bond – although he denies he’d ever do it.

Idrissa Akuna Elba – aka Idris Elba – has the kind of star quality that wannabes would kill for. And, as he reaches his 50s, a timeless magnetism that means his star never looks like waning.

This year sees the return of one of his most iconic characters – dark detective Luther – when a new Luther film comes to Netflix. The tall, deep-voiced actor, however, has managed to resist being totally typecast.

His starry story started in the London borough of Hackney where he was the only child of Winston, originally from Sierra Leone and Eve, from Ghana.

Idris shortened his forename while still at school in Canning Town where he also first became involved in acting. He saw an advert in The Stage for a play, auditioned and later met his first agent while performing the role.

In 1986 he started helping an uncle with his wedding DJ business and within a year had his own DJ company with some friends.

He won a place at the National Youth Music Theatre after receiving a £1,500 Prince’s Trust grant. Later, between roles in his early career, he worked in various jobs including tyre-fitting, cold-calling and night-shifts at Ford Dagenham.

He worked in nightclubs under the DJ nickname Big Driis but in his early 20s began auditioning for TV roles. His first acting role was in a murder reconstructions for Crimewatch and in 1994 he appeared in a BBC children’s drama called The Boot Street Band.

The following year, he landed his first significant role on medical drama series Bramwell, set in 1890s England. Then he was cast as a gigolo in an episode of Absolutely Fabulous, heralding many supporting roles in British TV including The Bill, The Ruth Rendell Mysteries and Dangerfield.

Idris decided, however, to move to New York City, returning to England occasionally for TV roles. In 2001 he played Achilles in a stage production of Troilus and Cressida in NYC.

After being in a supporting role in an episode of Law & Order, Idris won a starring role on the 2002 HBO drama series The Wire. This proved an important step as he appeared in this popular series until 2004 as Russell “Stringer” Bell, giving him his best-known role in America.

In 2005, he appeared in HBO film Sometimes in April about the Rwandan genocide and in a 2007 special Black Men: The Truth. He was in the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency, filmed in Botswana – a series which premiered in 2008 on BBC One and attracted 6.3 million viewers.

In 2009, though, he signed a deal to star in the lead role in the six-part BBC TV series Luther. This aired in May, 2010, and the compelling detective series immediately captured viewers’ imagination. At the 2012 Golden Globes awards, it earned him Best Actor in a Series.

Alongside his TV career, however, he was carving out a very solid career in films. In 2007, he played the lead role in Daddy’s Little Girls as a blue-collar mechanic who falls in love with an attorney helping him gain custody of his children.

The same year, he appeared in 28 Weeks Later and This Christmas and the following year in horror film Prom Night and the Guy Ritchie London gangster movie RocknRolla.

In 2009, he starred in horror film The Unborn and in thriller Obsessed, opposite Beyonce, in a box-office success earning $29 million on its opening weekend.

Idris then played a black ops soldier in Legacy and another in thriller Takers before appearing in Kenneth Branagh’s film Thor based on the Marvel Comics’ superhero.

In 2012, Idris gave an impressive performance as Nelson Mandela in the film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom based on the African leader’s autobiography.

As part of his preparation for the role he spent a night locked in a cell alone on Robben Island where Mandela had been imprisoned. His subsequent performance earned him a Golden Globes’ nomination.

The same year, he played Captain Janek in Ridley Scott’s Prometheus and in 2013 joined the cast of futuristic Pacific Rim.

It was back to mingling with superheroes when he reprised his role in Thor: The Dark World in 2013 then played a vengeful psychopathic serial killer in No Good Deed in 2014.

In 2015 he was in the superhero blockbuster Avengers: Age of Ultron. Several voice roles followed: in Disney’s Zootopia, as

villainous tiger Shere Khan in The Jungle Book and as sea lion Fluke in Pixar’s Finding Dory.

There’s no doubt Idris plays an excellent villain, showcased next in the Fast & Furious franchise spin-off Hobbs & Shaw but he feels equally at home in other genres – he played Macavity in the film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Cats.

Music has plainly been important in his own life. He has appeared in music videos, featured on various singles and performed raps. He even launched his own record label, 7Wallace Music.

Away from the small and large screens, he collaborated with the UK Parliament in their efforts to eradicate ebola from West Africa and in 2016 addressed Parliament about the lack of diversity onscreen in race, gender and sexuality. He said:

“Change is coming but it’s taking its sweet time.”

His love of martial arts resulted in a documentary Idris Elba: Fighter, chronicling his 12-month kickboxing and mixed martial arts training.

In his personal life, he has been married three times and has two children. He has stated that he is spiritual but not religious. He also loves sport and is an avid Arsenal supporter.

In 2016, he was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) for his services to drama.

He says he would “never be fearful of any character” and his long and successful career so far ably demonstrates just that.

ALTERNATIVE HOMES

Remember that a new extension, conservatory or orangerie will also need furnishing so ensure you’ve budgeted for everything.

If you are looking to downsize – and around 55,000 households a year do - it’s definitely worth doing your homework beforehand.

One body of research concluded that 64 is the best age to downsize as people are still mentally agile enough to deal with the house sale process and benefit most from getting rid of unused space. But it’s never too late to take good decisions to improve your lifestyle.

You may have family and friends nearby currently in a support network that can be really important as we get older so there are important questions to ask.

This is not just about paying bills, getting more for your money or having a financial plan. It is also about taking a good look at where you live and deciding if this is the best place for you.

Lockdown may have even forced you to assess if the amount of space and lifestyle you have is enough for you. So you may be looking to upgrade your property to something bigger, either by building and altering your current home or moving to a larger property.

Whatever you’re doing next, it’s important to have a realistic plan about, not just money, but also the details of your new life – like the furniture you will want, décor and daily lifestyle needs.

As we get older and children become independent, many people look to downsize and cut their bills, streamlining their way of living to something simpler and cheaper.

Or, you may prefer to upgrade your lifestyle, perhaps moving from a house to a swish apartment. The move may mean you need to seriously assess everything you own because there simply won’t be room for all of it.

Arm yourself with plenty of information whatever you plan to do. If you’re BUILDING onto an existing property, you may need a surveyor as well as a builder.

Ask for recommendations from friends and family or other reliable tradespeople that you’ve already used. Look for builders with experience locally and check building firm reviews and ratings online.

Shortlist your favourites and talk to them in person, asking plenty of questions about your project. Don’t rush into anything, especially handing over money, unless you’re completely confident in an individual company and have checked them out thoroughly.

Does your new area have good transport system to ensure you can still get to see them and get about?

Are there good facilities like local GPs and clinics. Can you continue your hobbies and is it pet-friendly if you have a pet to take with you?

What sort of property are you considering? Is it a house, an apartment, sheltered housing, a retirement development or a park home?

Age UK have very helpful information on downsizing and also about the kinds of retirement properties to suit individuals. Go to ageco.co.uk for information.

They also suggest that if you have decided to downsize after careful consideration, put your property on the market then organise and de-clutter - but do give yourself lots of time for all this.

If you measure up in your new place beforehand and make a floor plan you may be able to fit in your FURNITURE

It’s quite likely, though, that you may have to get rid of some –especially larger furniture that simply won’t fit into your new existence.

You could sell them on ebay or give them to a local charity or organisation like Freecycle which finds homes for furniture and other items.

Charities like homeless organisation Emmaus have branches selling furniture all over the country as have The British Heart Foundation and the Salvation Army. Go to http://emmaus.org.uk https://bhf. org.uk or https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk. Your local hospice may also have a shop specifically selling furniture so check it out.

HIKES in the cost of living this year and a greater awareness of all our domestic bills has made many people think about changing the way they live.

Charities may not be able to take all your items but they are usually able to collect those they can.

It’s a good idea to DE-CLUTTER as soon as you start thinking about moving generally. Improving and refining your present property this way can help with a quick sale by making it more attractive to potential buyers.

If the task seems overwhelming, just try 10 minutes a day for a while to make inroads into it. This is sensible and stops you being exhausted and disheartened.

We also accumulate masses of paperwork over the years but it’s unlikely you’ll need it all so be brutal!

Ensure you give family and friends anything you want them to keep but otherwise be practical about whether or not you use an item and whether it will fit into your new home.

If, for example, you don’t have a garden at your new place or it’s a communal garden, you may not need a lawnmower.

Wetroom & Walk-in Shower Specialists

Sell or give what you have identified as not needed and, again, local charity shops are very grateful for donations of all kinds of items including clothes, books and bric a brac.

Will your CURTAINS be useful or suitable for your new property or are you opting for new ones that better suit it? This may be the opportunity to go for new blinds – it’s certainly worth looking at the latest types which can really open up a room and make the most of available light.

Most people leave behind items like LIGHT FITTINGS because they go well with that property but you may have favourites that you feel would look good in your new home. Check details like ceiling height there before you start removing light fittings, though, as this may be pivotal in your choice. Enjoy planning new colours and styles for your new décor. This is a chance for you to look at the latest shades and home-styles to create a new and happy home all over again.

Great choices for the smallest room

Thinking of updating your bathroom? Then take a look at the extensive showroom at Huddersfield’s Atlas Bathrooms of Lockwood With now even more choice in store, Atlas has invested heavily in the extensive showroom and now has even more displays of bath suites, showers and wet rooms to choose from.

It now has one of the biggest displays of bathrooms and accessories in the Huddersfield area Spread over two floors it has ranges from top manufacturers including Jacuzzi, Heritage, Roca and Ideal Standard

There is also plenty to suit all budgets with bathrooms and showers ranging in price from affordable to the luxurious end of the market.

For more information, look at the website

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7 FLOWERS TO PLANT IN SPRING

The beautiful flowers are great options for people looking to add a burst of colour and fragrance to their garden. In terms of location, you can plant primroses in borders, window boxes or hanging baskets, as they look great in all areas of the garden.

2. Marigolds

Marigolds are popular flowers for spring planting. The vibrant flowers do best in areas exposed to sunlight, therefore you should avoid planting marigolds in fully shaded areas such as behind trees. However, it is worth noting that in periods of extreme heat, these spring flowers will benefit from partial shade.

Some of the most popular flowers to plant in spring, marigolds are available in a range of stunning colours. The flowers can be planted in containers or flower beds, while smaller marigolds are perfect for creating beautiful borders in your spring garden.

3. Sunflowers

Gardening is a popular hobby for people all over the world and it brings several benefits. It’s the perfect chance to keep busy and get some exercise while spending time in the great outdoors. It’s also a great way to get some fresh air and enjoy the sunshine in the warmer months.

With Spring fast approaching, now is the perfect time to plan ahead and think of what to plant in your garden. Planting the correct flowers makes a huge difference to your garden - spring flowers bring joy, vibrancy and an abundance of colours to the space.

If you’re looking to create a thriving garden this spring, you’re in luck. In this post, we’re sharing 7 flowers to plant in spring. Let’s begin.

What To Plant In Spring

Primroses are beautiful spring flowers that come in various different colours, from pink to yellow to white. You should plant primroses in spring and ensure you regularly water them. Most primroses thrive in moist soil, therefore you do not want to leave them underwatered.

Sunflowers should be planted in spring, so they are ready to bloom in mid to late summer. Make sure to frequently water your sunflowers, and even more so during dry weather conditions. However, be careful not to overwater them as this can lead to root rot and become fatal for the plants.

As some of the most famous flowers in the world, sunflowers are loved by humans and wildlife alike. The vibrant petals attract all types of insects and pollinators including bees and more. Sunflowers are a great choice for your garden and are some of the best flowers to plant in spring.

4. Hydrangeas

With hydrangeas, you have the choice of planting them in either autumn or spring. The beautiful flowers do best in moist soil that is well drained. Available in a range of colours, the colour of the flower is actually determined by the acidity or alkalinity of the soil. To expand, hydrangeas will turn blue in acidic soil, whereas they will be pink in alkaline soil.

1. Primroses

Primroses

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are a stunning choice of flower to plant in spring and are sure to add warmth and colour to your garden from the minute they bloom.

Petunias should be planted in spring. The gorgeous flowers like to be fully exposed to sunlight, so planting them in shaded areas is a no-go. The flowers will need watering more than usual in hot or dry weather conditions - this can be up to twice a day. Prop tip: take care not to over or underwater petunias as this will cause them to wilt, which can be detrimental.

Zinnias are beautiful, vibrant flowers that should be planted in spring. The spring flowers thrive in full sun; they may be able to survive in partially shaded areas, however will not produce as many flowers. For best results, plant your zinnias in an area of your garden that is exposed to direct sunlight and avoid placing them in completely shaded areas.

The colourful flowers are a great addition to any garden in the spring, attracting bees and butterflies. Planting zinnias in your garden will have you on your way to creating a garden that is bursting with colour and life.

Lily bulbs can be planted in early spring for bloom in mid-to-late summer. They are beautiful spring flowers to plant in March and are available in a variety of bright colours including pink, yellow, red and white. The classic flowers are considered low-maintenance and are easy to grow so won’t cause you any hassle.

The spring flowers look great wherever they are planted, whether in containers or dividing sections of your garden via borders.

Above, we have discussed what flowers to plant in spring to create a luscious spring garden filled with vibrancy and colour.You should now have an insight into some of the best flowers to plant in spring. Remember, it is important to choose your flowers wisely when deciding what to plant in spring, so they can bloom and grow properly.

The versatile flowers provide a great burst of colour wherever they go and can be placed in your choice of containers, hanging baskets or garden borders.

Whatever you decide to plant in your garden this spring - whether it’s marigolds, petunias or primroses - we’re sure the space will look beautiful this spring and beyond.

5. Petunias

6. Zinnias

7. Lilies

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THERE’S NOWHERE LIKE AUSTRALIA

Sally Cope, Regional General Manager, UK/Northern Europe,Tourism Australia spoke to Jennie Carr about the incredible natural beauty in Australia and what Silver Travellers might enjoy best.

First time visitors

Given that this is such a vast country, almost the size of Europe, visitors would be challenged to visit the whole country in one visit. Interestingly, about 50% of all British travellers who do visit return to Australia at least once more.

Sally suggests a three weeks’ trip, starting in Sydney to explore the city, the harbour area the bridge and of course, the Opera House. Next fly to Uluru in the red centre of the country, to experience the remarkable outback landscape and learn about the Australia’s indigenous culture. It’s a very flat region and the skies seem enormous, perfect at night for stargazing with so little light pollution. Finally fly up to Cairns in tropical North Queensland, which is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest, both UNESCO World Heritage sites. Visiting these three places will give a real appreciation of the diversity of Australia’s landscapes and a good flavour of the country.

Sydney’s attractions

An absolute must do in Sydney is a harbour cruise, either on a small boat or with dinner on a larger vessel. Even for non-surfers, Bondi Beach can’t be missed, just enjoy a drink, people watch and get a sense of the Australian lifestyle. For great dining, head to Circular Quay and The Rocks area, with the old sandstone buildings whose building blocks were hand-carved by convicts. You can also take a tour with an Aborigine

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

guide and hear the traditional creation stories of the harbour area along with tales of the first European arrivals.

The Opera House is an extraordinary building just to visit, although Sally thoroughly recommends watching a show there if you can. Sydney is also the starting point for trips to the Hunter Valley Wine region and the Blue Mountains’ spectacular landscapes where very accessible bush walks are on offer.

Tasmania, nicknamed Tassie

This large island, off the coast of Victoria in the south east, has no international airport so you have to fly into Hobart, the capital, via another Australian city. Tasmania has over 40% of its land protected in some form of reserve, so eco-tourism and the environment are hugely important here. It’s incredibly easy to get out of the city into wilderness

Margaret River,Western Australia

areas. Coach tours can take you on full island tours or else self-driving gives the freedom to explore as you wish.

Hugely popular for Silver Travellers are multi-day walking tours such as the coastal Bay of Fires trip or Cradle Mountain Hikes, where you could see the famous Tasmanian Devil in the alpine scenery. You carry what you need for the day, then stay at lodges or cabins offering hot showers and a decent meal. So that’s wild walking but not wild camping! Perfect for slowing right down and immersing yourself in the pristine natural environment. Sally reckons it can be really transformational to get out into Tasmania’s wilderness.

Luxury Experiences across Australia

For a collection of superb, small, independent boutique hotels (lodges in Australia), take a look at luxurylodgesofaustralia.com.au. Sally really recommends them for their ‘sense of place’ and for really belonging to where they are located, along with the outstanding guided experiences they provide. Take Lake House, on Lake Daylesford in Victoria’s spa country which offers a school cooking school focussing on local produce: it’s true foodie’s delight. Or Bamurru Plains in the wetlands near Darwin which is akin to a safari lodge, with boat tours of the Sampan river for wildlife and bird spotting. All with high environmental and sustainability standards. As Sally put it, ‘muddy or dusty boots by day with a hot shower and a very good glass of wine in the evening.’

Extraordinary Australia

Lizard Island at the northern end of the Great Barrier Reef, opposite Cooktown, has exceptional accommodation where you can swim out over the reef, possibly sharing the waves with a large green sea turtle. Off the coast of Adelaide in the south, Kangaroo Island is a haven for

wildlife, kangaroos and koalas included, which is recovering fast from the fires in late 2019/early 2020: the bush vegetation regenerates swiftly. Just two and half hours from Perth, Margaret River and its surrounds are home to Australia’s premium wines, with self-guided wine tours, outstanding eateries and good places to stay. A must for gourmands.

When to visit Australia

Such a vast land mass, Australia generally does not suffer from over tourism or crowds so you can be confident of having space to enjoy your visits. Being in the Southern hemisphere the seasons are the opposite of those in the UK. In the middle of the year, head north to Darwin, Northern Queensland, Western Australia and the Kimberley for cooler drier weather. Go south in the summer (November to March) for the most comfortable time to travel.

Yoga and Meditation Walking and cycling Bridge, board games Dancing Bowling, Table Tennis

Next steps

For all things Australian, visit australia.com. Call our Silver Travel Advisors to discuss and book your trip 0800 412 5678, they’ll help you create the perfect, personal itinerary.

Opera house and Harbour bridge

The Kirkwood exist to improve quality of life for local people across Kirklees, against all the odds. Together, we help those in our care to live well and make the most of every single day.

From the furthest corner of Kirklees to a street near you, we support life in our community, delivering dedicated care for those affected by any life limiting illness and their families. Whenever and wherever you need us, we are here for you.

We believe everyone affected by a life limiting illness deserves the very best care.

Visit

THE STRINES INN

Despite being within Sheffield's border, the Strines Inn could be a world away. Nestled amongst breathtaking moorland scenery, it is one of the local landmarks in the Peak District National Park.

Traditional Country Pub in Sheffield a perfect destination for walkers and dog walkers

Food and drink

Our menu is based around old favourites and traditional crowd pleasers, from pies and Yorkshire puddings to lasagne. We also have an extensive range of vegetarian options so there is something for everyone. We serve a host of fine real ales, alongside quality wines and spirits of all kinds.

Beer garden

The beer garden at The Strines Inn is the perfect place to enjoy stunning views of the surrounding countryside when relaxing with a pint of real ale. Geese, chickens and peacocks roam nearby, while our enclosed play area means there’s plenty of fun to be had for kids.

Atmosphere

There’s nothing like a roaring fire and a good beverage to warm the cockles on a winter’s night, and The Strines Inn’s historic building offers atmosphere in spades to those who come through our doors. There’s plenty of nooks and crannies and quiet corners where you can settle in for an afternoon or evening.

Visit us today and find out why people come from miles around to sample our food, drink and unique atmosphere.

Originally a manor house, it was built in 1275 for the Worrall family, although most of the present day structure is 16th Century. After becoming an Inn in 1771 when John Morton leased the property from the Worrall's, it got its name from an Olde English word meaning the meeting of water, quite appropriate as nowadays it overlooks the Strines Reservoir.

In the height of Winter the Inn attracts walkers and visitors on a daily basis. The roaring fires and stunning views perfectly compliment the excellent food and drink available, with many dishes being homemade.

The Strines Inn is also famous for its numerous peacocks, the previous Landlord having introduced several pairs twenty years ago, there are now over thirty of them.

There is also accommodation available for those people looking to escape for a few days to relax. Our rooms all feature four-poster beds, en-suite bathrooms, hot drinks facilities and colour televisions. Each has a dining table where breakfast will be served to you, offering you comfort and privacy. Two of our rooms have fantastic views across the reservoir, so please ask if you would like a room with a view.

• Four-poster bed

• En-suite facilities

• Breakfast included

CORONATION INSPIRED RECIPES FROM MARY BERRY

Blue Cheese Roasted

Lamb ‘Coronadas’ with Leek and Mary Berry’s Blue Cheese Dressing

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cooking time: 1h 20 mins

Makes: 12 medium sized empanadas

Ingredients:

600g Lamb shank

½ a bottle of Mary Berry’s Blue Cheese Dressing

1 leek finely chopped

2 tbsp cooking oil

2 onions finely chopped

1 beaten egg

2 sheets ready to roll shortcrust pastry

100g Blue cheese, crumbled

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 200°C. On a baking tray place lamb shank and generously cover with Mary Berry’s Blue Cheese Dressing (about a third of a bottle or 80ml). Marinate overnight for the best results. Season lamb with black pepper and place in the oven for at least one hour or until cooked through. Set aside to cool.

Once cooled shred the meat off the bone and set aside. Bring a pan of oil to medium heat and fry onions and leeks until softened. Add your lamb, the rest of the blue cheese dressing and black pepper to taste. Take the filling off the heat and set aside.

Finely roll the pastry sheets and, using a large cookie cutter or a bowl, cut pastry into circles of roughly 12cm across.

Place two tablespoons of the filling in the centre of each round and fold the pastry over. To seal the empanada, use a fork to crimp the edges together.

Repeat with remaining rounds. You should end up with approximately 12 coronadas.

You can use any remaining dough to cut crowns to decorate the coronadas and give them a coronation themed twist.

Brush with beaten egg and bake for 15-20 min on 180°C until the pastry is golden brown in colour.

Serve with some extra Mary Berry’s Blue Cheese Dressing for drizzling or dipping and enjoy!

Instructions:

Peel the potatoes and cut lengthways into roughly 1cm slices. Cut each slice into fairly thick chips, rinse in cold water and pat dry with kitchen towel.

Heat the oil in a deep frying pan. Carefully lower the chips into the hot oil and fry for 10 minutes, or until cooked through, but not browned. Carefully remove the chips from the pan, set aside to drain on kitchen paper.

Preheat the oven to 180°C. Place chips on a baking tray and cook for another 8-10 minutes, or until crisp and golden brown.

Meanwhile cut fish into strips and season well with salt and pepper. Place the flour, whisked eggs and panko crumbs in 3 separate dishes, ready to coat the fish. Start by coating the fish in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then coat the fish in the whisked eggs and finish

Fish and Chip Celebration

Cones with Mary Berry’s Blue Cheese Dressing

Preparation time: 10 mins

Cooking time: 45 mins

Level: easy

Total time: 1hr

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

4 large potatoes

1 cup vegetable oil for frying

Sea salt (to taste)

2 cod fillets

Salt/pepper (to taste)

1/2 cup Panko crumb

1/2 cup flour

2 eggs, whisked

4 tbsp Mary Berry’s Blue Cheese Dressing to serve

Lemon wedges to serve Chopped chives to serve

them off by coating in the panko breadcrumbs, making sure to really press the breadcrumbs on the fish so they get a good crust.

Transfer the coated fish strips onto a baking sheet. Let the fish sticks rest while you heat the oil in the deep frying pan.

When oil is hot, add the fish strips. Fry for 3 minutes, after which the fish strips should be nicely browned on the underside and can be flipped.

Flip and cook for another 3 minutes on the second side. Then remove and let them cool on a few paper towels. Serve your double cooked chips and fish in paper cones, with a lemon wedge, sprinkle of chives and a drizzle of Mary Berry’s Blue Cheese Dressing.

Enjoy!

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 200oC, gas mark 6.

For the pastry, place the flour and butter in a food processor and blitz until it resembles breadcrumbs. Add the egg yolk and 2-3 tbsp water and pulse to form a soft dough. Knead lightly, wrap in clingfilm and chill for 20-30 minutes.

Divide the pastry into 6 and use to line 6 x 10cm deep fluted tins. Line with foil and baking beans and bake for 10 minutes, remove the foil and beans and cook for a further 5 minutes.

Picnic Quiches

Prep: 25 minutes plus chilling

Cook: 25 minutes

Makes 6

Pastry:

175g plain flour

100g butter, diced

1 medium egg yolk

Filling:

100g asparagus tips, cut into 3’s

150ml double cream

2 medium eggs plus 1 medium egg yolk

100ml Mary Berry’s Blue Cheese

Dressing

4 spring onions, sliced

50g Gruyere cheese, grated

1 tsp red bell pepper flakes

Meanwhile, blanch the asparagus in boiling water for 2 minutes, drain and cool.

Whisk together the cream, eggs, egg yolk and blue cheese dressing in a large jug, season. Place the asparagus and spring onions in the pastry cases followed by the cheese. Pour over the sauce, sprinkle with pepper flakes and bake for 25 minutes until golden. Allow to cool slightly before removing from the tins.

Cooks tip

Try using Cheddar instead of Gruyere and a leek instead of the asparagus.

FULLY PRIVATE LUXURY CARE HOME

Situated in a secluded Georgian property with enviable transport links and an abundance of local shops, activities and amenities, we offer the luxury experience you’d expect from an all inclusive holiday, with the warmth and welcoming feeling of your own home.

following facilities, all maintained and staffed to the highest standard:

Full Kitchen

Our full kitchen allows us to create beautiful meals for our residents and their guests, giving you true home style cooking in comfort without any hassle

Restaurant

We believe that a truly luxury care home is one that pays attention to both the small touches as well as the overall experience, and have many years of experience tailoring bespoke home care packages, ensuring that you’ll receive exactly the level of care you require to provide you with happiness, comfort and the level of independence you deserve.

At our home, our team are a family, and our extensively trained and vetted home makers all seek to provide both a high level of care and a friendly atmosphere for you to feel at home in.

No home is truly a home without people, and our team are on hand to meet your care requirements while also providing company, compassion, and friendship during your time with us.

Our Approach:

Our home is built on the approach that has led us to becoming one of the premier home care providers across West Yorkshire. At Angelcare Residential Living, we pride ourselves on providing an exemplary standard of care with a personal touch.

We are a family company and have almost two decades of experience working with individuals in our community. Now we can bring that approach out from people’s homes into our own purpose-built space. Our goal is to provide a service that works for you, and your rights and freedoms are a top priority for our team. All the individuals who live with us have care that is bespoke. Not only do we look to provide exemplary, personal, care, but we do it in a way that suits your lifestyle. Our full package of care is tailored to the

requirements of you, the individual, to either increase your qualify of life when staying with us or extend the great quality of life you have had before coming through our doors. Our home offers a social network, exemplary personal health (supervision with medication) and meals, in beautiful surroundings, all for less than the cost of live in care.

Our Services:

At Angelcare Residential Living, we offer a variety of services to meet the needs of our residents. No two people are the same, and your reason for staying with us may be completely different to your neighbour.

As such, all of our residents have an initial free assessment to determine their requirements, which allow us to build a bespoke package of care unique to you or your loved one.

Our services include, but are not limited to, the following:

l Residential Care

l Step Down Care

l Short term & Respite Care

l End of Life Care

l Postoperative Care

l Dementia Care

l Over 18 Care

l Over 65 Care

l Specific Illness Care

Our Facilities

We have invested a significant amount of time into developing first rate facilities at our home and have taken advice both from the community and our home care residents as to what they would like to see in premises like ours. We are delighted to be able to offer the

Our restaurant runs a full a la carte menu for our residents, with the same offering to all their guests and families

Bar

A fully stocked bar in our living space provides all the amenities you expect, including fresh bottled water, bottled beers and spirits.

Family Suite

Our one of a kind family suite allows visitors to stay in the room next door to their relative or friend. With a full kitchen, living area, en suite and bedroom, only a door away from your loved one, you can stay close whenever you need to and experience all the amenities our residents do.

Living Room

Our generously proportioned and fully equipped living room provides ample space for residents and guests, with a smart television and comfortable seating for watching sport, socialising, or catching up on a good book.

Rooms & Suites

All our rooms have recently been refitted to the highest standards, with en suite bathrooms and top of the line furnishings. Whether you are looking for the cosy space of a room, or if you would like to upgrade to a suite including a walled off sleeping area, living space, and built in kitchen.

Entertainment & Community Engagement

You will never get bored with a full entertainments programme of live music, games night, visits form local schools and animal farms.

We hope you will consider staying with us, and we would love to welcome you down to visit, our doors are always open for new guests. For more information please contact 01422 419710 or email living@angel-care.co.uk www.angelcareresidentialliving.co.uk

NOW ACCEPTING ADMISSIONS

accepting admissions and for respite and permanent stays. Completely enovated and 100% modernised, Angelcare Residential Living is Calderdale’s only all-inclusive fully private care home.

NOW ACCEPTING ADMISSIONS

NOW ACCEPTING ADMISSIONS

accepting admissions and for respite and permanent stays. Completely renovated and 100% modernised, Angelcare Residential Living is Calderdale’s only all-inclusive fully private care home.

accepting admissions and for respite and permanent stays. Completely renovated and 100% modernised, Angelcare Residential Living is Calderdale’s only all-inclusive fully private care home.

RESPITE CARE

older it gets harder to run your own home. someone you love, is starting to struggle ound Angelcare Residential Living. mansion has just had a complete to create beautifully appointed rooms suites for both individuals and couples.

As you get older it gets harder to run your own home. If you, or someone you love, is starting to struggle take a look around Angelcare Residential Living

Our All-Inclusive approach provides our residents with no hidden or additional fees. These include everything from meals, haircuts, newspapers and any care you may require.

Our Victorian mansion has just had a complete refurbishment to create beautifully appointed rooms and luxury suites for both individuals and couples.

As you get older it gets harder to run your own home. If you, or someone you love, is starting to struggle take a look around Angelcare Residential Living. Our Victorian mansion has just had a complete refurbishment to create beautifully appointed rooms and luxury suites for both individuals and couples.

Our All-Inclusive approach provides our residents with no hidden or additional fees. These include everything from meals, haircuts, newspapers and any care you may require.

We are fully COVID safe with regular testing of staff and clients!

Our All-Inclusive approach provides our residents with no hidden or additional fees. These include everything from meals, haircuts, newspapers and any care you may require.

We are fully COVID safe with regular testing of staff and clients!

We are fully COVID safe with regular testing of staff and clients!

mation or to arrange a viewing for yourself or a loved one, please contact us on 01422 419710 or email living@angel-care.co.uk

If you’d like more infor mation or to arrange a viewing for yourself or a loved one, please contact us on 01422 419710 or email living@angel-care.co.uk

| 116 Green Lane, West Vale, HX4 8BL

like more infor mation or to arrange a viewing for yourself or a loved one, contact us on 01422 419710 or email living@angel-care.co.uk

Affordable Funeral Service

Not only involved with losing a loved one is the emotional upset, but it can also be a time of financial worry and strain and we not only lend a sympathetic ear but also an affordable funeral service too.

Or maybe you see not the need for an elaborate funeral and want only a simple, low key occasion without all the fuss.

Losing a loved one can be one of life's most upsetting and distressing times. We go out of our way to help ease the worries where funeral arrangements are concerned.

Serving all areas

SPRINGHEAD

Funeral Service

Your Local Caring Independent Funeral Director

Direct Cremation - £1200

Direct cremation at a fixed price inclusive of necessary disbursements, cremation fee, doctor’s fees and an eco friendly coffin (no funeral service)

Low Fuss Funeral - £2150

• The payment of a cremation fee

• The payment of the Doctor's fees

• The payment of the Minister's / Celebrant fees

• The conveyance of your loved one into our Chapel of Rest

• The provision of an oak effect coffin with handles.

• The arranging and conducting of the funeral

• The provision of the hearse and necessary staff on the day of the funeral

Bespoke Funeral - £2300

• All of the above plus..

• The viewing of your loved one at our traditional chapel of rest

• The leaving from a home address on the day of the funeral before proceeding to the crematorium

Inclusive Funeral - £2600

• The payment of a cremation fee

• The payment of the Doctor's fees

• The payment of the Minister’s / Celebrant fees

• The conveyance of your loved one into our Chapel of Rest

• The provision of an oak effect coffin with handles.

• The arranging and conducting of the funeral

• The provision of the hearse and necessary staff on the day of the funeral

• The viewing of your loved one at our traditional chapel of rest

• The leaving from a home address on the day of the funeral before proceeding to the crematorium

• Obituary in the local newspaper

• Floral tribute to the value of £50

• One family limousine

ALL OTHER FUNERAL REQUIREMENTS UNDERTAKEN AFFORDABLY

Springhead Funeral Service Chapels of Rest

616 Wakefield Rd, Huddersfield, HD5 8PZ

Tel: 01484 534 488

7/9 Stainland Rd, Halifax (opposite Andy Thorntons)

Pre-paid

at

Affordable without compromising on care. If we can help please call for an informal chat and advice