Epigram 351 - The Croft 12

the croft

Go with the flow Trying to relax at an otherwise chaotic time

Lifestyle • Style • Food • Wellbeing • Travel

issue 12 10.11.20

Editor ORIN CARLIN Digital Editor ALLEGRA LETTS Deputy Editor FREYA SCOTT-TURNER

editor's letter

top stories

5 hot dates for

cold days 12 pumpkin spice 24 November horoscopes inside

2 lifestyle 6 style 10 food 14 wellbeing 18 travel

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rankie says relax! But how exactly?

Everyone is different when it comes to nailing the art of relaxation. Some might like to listen to a motivational podcast (too annoying), be at one with nature (too boring) or go for a run (too exhausting to even think about). My personal weapon of choice is an eye-wateringly hot bath while I listen to Desert Island Discs and steam my face (yes, I am middle-aged and no, it’s not a pretty sight).

If spending some quality time with your significant other allows you to destress (I won’t presume, maybe they’re the real pain in your arse), this fortnight in The Croft we have put together a collection of cute Bristol date locations.

Or perhaps a spot of retail therapy usually

Logo by Bethany Marris

the croft

does the trick, in which case Style have compiled a must-read guide to shopping on Gloucester Road.

But don’t forget to indulge in the small things that can instantly lift your mood.

Prescribing a few days peace is often easier said than done, especially for those of you who are rather lacking in the reading week department. (No complaints please.

As an Arts student I heartily embrace Woodland Road’s ‘shabby chic’ interior and fully accept that my £9k creeps away to the Science faculty in return for my delicious week off.)

However, I encourage you to take the time to find out what mode of relaxation suits you best and if all else fails, you must (of course) blast one particularly sinful 80s pop song as loud as you possibly can.

Frankie says so. Works every time.

Orin x

THE TEAM The Croft Editor ORIN CARLIN The Croft Digital Editor ALLEGRA LETTS The Croft Deputy Editor FREYA SCOTT-TURNER The Croft Chief Proofreader ANNABEL MORGAN Style Editor MANON WILIAM Style Digital Editor MORGAN COLLINS Style Deputy Editor MAY GARLAND Style Sub-editor OLIVIA ANDREWS Food Editor SAVANNAH COOMBE Food Digital Editor MARIA SHEVCHENKO Food Deputy Editor TIM QUINEY Food Sub-editor PHOEBE RANSOM Wellbeing Editor ROSIE ANGEL-CLARK Wellbeing Digital Editor EVE COLEMAN Wellbeing Deputy Editor ELENA VENTURELLI Wellbeing Sub-editor SANJANA IDNANI Travel Editor DAISY GAME Travel Digital Editor MIA MUSA-GREEN Travel Deputy Editor REBECCA PARDON Travel Sub-editor SANJANA IDNANI Cartoonist ALICE PROCTOR Front Cover ROSIE ANGEL-CLARK

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Pillow Talk

Carrie Brizshaw, our resident sex columnist, takes on...

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s if COVID-19 hadn’t fucked us all over enough, it’s stopped us from getting fucked too. No more clubs or house parties to hunt for casual hookups. But where there’s a will, there’s a way! Tinder hookups are the new way forward. Before COVID-19 took over the world, some of my friends would rather die than download a dating app. But with a lockdown dry spell, they have begrudgingly downloaded Tinder. I personally don’t understand the stigma surrounding dating apps since I have had many great hookups on the app.

Sometimes, you just NEED to have sex. Immediately. Having always been about instant gratification, Tinder is the perfect solution. I had a date cancel on me once very last-minute stating he ‘had corona symptoms,’ which I’m sure is going to be the new get out of jail free card for dates now. What I had planned for the evening was really a hookup veiled as a date to add an air of romance to the evening. And so, I was left feeling very much in the mood for sex. I had no other option but to turn to Tinder to save my night. Rather than spend the night with Gina

Epigram / Freya Scott-Turner

Carrie's top tips: Don’t forget to use protection. Someone once told me she unknowingly gave a Tinder hookup chlamydia as they didn’t use protection. To make matters worse, it was his first time!

Tinder hookups

(my vibrator), I spent it with a boy who was more than happy to perform her functions. He even offered to buy me a bigger replacement for Gina!

However, not all hookups are plain sailing. Sometimes, they really pull a number on you when they turn up. Either they’ve catfished you or end up being a disappointing shag. My friend recently went all the way to Wales for a hookup only to discover he had no bedroom skills whatsoever. There’s nothing worse than travelling to meet a stranger for a bad hookup. She even had to dip into her emergency supply of K to get her through the night. On the bright side, it was an all-expenses paid trip, but that is time she will never get back.

Having never really given other dating apps such as Bumble or Hinge much of a chance, this article does sound like it’s been sponsored by Tinder, but it hasn’t. I promise! I did download Hinge once but only for one day. As a self-proclaimed lazy person, I personally found setting up and updating my profile took too much energy from me.

But in times like this, if I was single, these apps would be a staple feature on my phone!

Epigram / Charlotte Emma Facer

Illustration by Lizzie Burgess

lifestyle

Don’t meet at dodgy locations! Whilst on dating apps, don’t forget some people can be psychopathic murderers. Make sure you tell someone who you are meeting and where.

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Four flatmates walk into a bar...

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t's a Monday night at The Brass Pig and four housemates stumble past the bouncers. Wading through a dance floor heaving with mounting sexual tension, impending flat-cest and unpursued Tinder matches, they head to the bar to survey the options.

L, having been on a singular Hinge date, is already in an exclusive relationship and is just here for the ritualistic congregation of Stoke Bishop's finest mullets. Much like the shoes sticking to the Jäger-coated floor, L is reluctant to be without the comfort that comes with clinging to a partner – even if that means ignoring some serious red flags and questionable performance.

Striving to forget her previously discouraging sexual experiences, E dishes out looks to those that are drawn to her erotic aura. Alas, like every week before, nothing comes to fruition; inhibited by her not-so-underlying daddy-issues. Shame, as she is gagging for a shag.

Whilst L, E and H are reconvening in the smoking area, C is nowhere to be seen. Having dodged his initial advances in public, she is nonetheless heading back with a guy who has paid her no attention, bar a suggestive glance. And so,

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Epigr am / Robin C

Epigram / Orin Carlin

A Brass Pig regular shares a story of collective sexual dissatisfaction

she can be found adding to the fast-growing list of meaningless men who have enjoyed her company, beating something other than eggs on the Hiatt Baker kitchen table.

The subject of H's fancy is painfully unaware of her unspoken admiration and further thrown off the scent by her insistence on setting him up with other options. Her insecurity-driven self-sabotage leaves her permanently celibate and with a reputation inconceivably innocent to those who knew her before. She psychs herself up, determined to make her intentions known. She turns with conviction, only to see him necking on with one of her suggestions, again.

L is in the mood to leave (in favour of food) as dregs of noughties music are fed to the last few sex-deprived hopefuls, and those gifted enough to dance to even the most tragic of choruses. Among them are H and E, whose abilities to cope with the deteriorating quality of songs drives potential suitors away, so they don’t have to.

The sexual dissatisfaction of the four flatmates lives to see another Monday night. They (once again) unconvincingly swear to one another that there will be no more Brass Pig trips on the horizon.

lifestyle

Location, location, location Elin Alexander suggests some locations for a hot date on a cold day

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uffing season is approaching and, although the past few months have been a real test on everyone’s love life (I have endured three failed talking-stages, I mean, come on), there’s no reason why we can’t get a little creative and spice things up a bit. Whether you’re preparing for a first date, celebrating an anniversary or just fancying a day out with your other half, these alternative date ideas will give you a taste of what Bristol has to offer.

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The Cube If bowling isn’t really your thing, perhaps you’d enjoy heading to Stokes Croft to watch some independent films at The Cube. A little different to your average cinema date, The Cube is entirely staffed by volunteers and offers international films, live performances and comedy shows.

It is an incredibly affordable option, offering tickets for as little as £2 on a Tuesday!

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The Clifton Observatory It might be a little far/C fetched considering the weather is undoubtedly going to get worse over the next few weeks, but if you can catch a clear day then watching the sunset or sunrise at the top of the observatory is super romantic. You also get an amazing view of the Clifton Suspension Bridge, as well as the rest of the city, so it's well worth climbing a few stairs! There’s also a lovely café downstairs for you to grab a warming hot chocolate. n to

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Bowling at The Lanes Bowling is a fun, relaxed way of getting to know someone better. If sparks are flying then things can get a little steamy with both your competitive streaks coming out, and if you’re feeling a little nervous then it’s an activity that doesn’t require much conversation (this can also be a bonus if the date is incredibly awkward). Whether it’s your first date or your 50th, I would highly recommend heading down to The Lanes for some excitement then grabbing a few drinks in any of Bristol’s amazing pubs or bars where

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Bristol Ferry Boats This boat trip takes you all around the Harbourside to see Bristol’s famous landmarks, including the Clifton Suspension Bridge and the SS Great Britain.

It stops at 17 different destinations, allowing you to get off and explore parts of the city together.

A really wholesome day out.

you can discuss the highlights of your game.

Christmas markets One of my favourite things to do is to visit the Christmas markets in Bristol's city centre. Heartbreakingly, there'll be no such fun this year but I'm confident that you could stage a homemade one, complete with Christmas knick-knacks, mulled wine and Bailey’s hot chocolate while festive tunes fill the air. An absolute blast! Warm mince pie, anyone?

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Editor MANON WILLIAM Digital Editor MORGAN COLLINS Deputy Editor MAY GARLAND

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Helena Reeds talks us through the best outerwear trends this season

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h, finally! Autumn is here. As the leaves turn orange and the days get shorter, it’s time to trade in our bikinis for blazers. Outerwear is probably the only reason (apart from Christmas, duh!) why I actually enjoy the cooler months, and this year is no different as I’m ready to choose my new coat of the season. Stay cosy and cute in a faux fur number, or go for the ‘cool girl’ style and don a leather blazer. Here’s a list of some of my favourite coat and jacket trends to try this season.

Leather blazers I’m currently adoring the leather blazer trend at the moment. For a clean, ‘model off-duty’ look, opt for black leather or branch out and find a coloured leather for a very statement look.

This faux leather piece from Monki checks all the right boxes and can stay in your wardrobe for many years!

Top tip – if you’re looking for a real leather piece at a lower price, check out your local charity shops. I picked up a gorgeous chocolate brown leather coat for just £15!

Faux fur-trimmed coats This season it’s all about big, fluffy, fur-trimmed coats and jackets. The more extra they are, the better! For vintage lovers, hop onto eBay or Depop and search for ‘Afghan Coats’ and ‘Penny Lane Jackets’ at bargain prices. Or if you’re looking to pick one up from the high street, try this navy version from Topshop.

For those of you wanting to invest in a statement piece (or just window shop if you’re deep into an overdraft, like me), have a look at coats from Saks Potts and Charlotte Simone.

Sheepskin Shearling jackets and Borg coats come back in fashion every autumn and each year the high street brings out delicious faux sheepskin versions of this trend.

Play it safe and go for a faux shearling number like this one from Urban Outfitters, or choose a more statement piece like this coat from Topshop, which gives me major ‘Scandi style’ vibes. Either way, you’ll look amazing and stay toasty!

Winter skincare essentials

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Morgan Collins tells you how to change up your skincare routine for the winter

Sunscreen lotion, £6.99 | Boots

Get the Glow Without much sunlight, right now it’s harder than ever to get that glow. This is where Vitamin C becomes an essential.

This antioxidant inhibits melanin production in the skin, helps lighten dark spots and enhances your skin’s overall radiance. Best applied in serum form, Vitamin C will absolutely give you that healthy glow.

Protect that Skin Barrier The biggest skin issues this time of year is dryness, so it is important to keep your skin barrier as healthy as possible to avoid cracking and flaky skin. Look for products with ceramides: they are a key ingredient in helping the skin strengthen its barrier and allows the skin to retain moisture. Ceramides also minimise the effects of environmental damage, such as pollution, meaning they are especially helpful in cities.

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Don’t Forget SPF Do not be fooled into thinking that because it isn’t sunny, SPF is unnecessary. UVA rays can still penetrate on cloudy and rainy days, so don’t forget to apply your sunscreen!

Facial moisturising lotion, £13 | Boots

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With Olivia Andrews

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Nourishing your hair

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Gel to cream Gel moisturisers are great for hydration and controlling oil production. However, with the change in weather, they are sometimes not enough to combat dryness. Swap them out for a light cream to lock in that moisture and use a hyaluronic acid serum beforehand to ensure you’re still getting that hydration. The Inkey List’s Hyaluronic Acid serum and Peptide

style

Olaplex bond smoother, £26 Cult Beauty I know I can’t be the only one who has seen this plastered all over Insta! There’s a reason why this is so popular. I’ve heard great things about the whole range, but specifically their No.6 Bond Smoother has been an absolute game changer for me. I use a small but fairly generous amount and lather it into my damp hair. Thanks to this little bottle, my hair is now even softer than it was before I bleached it!

Argan oil, £6.20 | The Ordinary I have long been a lover of argan oil.

I use it when my hair is still damp after every single wash. I use a pea-sized amount and massage it through the ends of my hair.

My hair doesn’t feel the same if I forget to use it, it makes that much of a difference. Now, I use this after using the Olaplex serum to really lock in all the goodness.

Vitamins, £14.99 | Beauty and the Bear Chewable hair, skin and nail vitamins. I’ve only just started using these and can already see a difference in the condition of my nails, so I can only imagine what it’s going to do for my hair soon. I love that they’re really tasty too.

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Epigram / Tom Goodwin

How to throw a Euphoria-themed photoshoot Manon Wiliam and Helena Reeds tell us how to spice up isolation with a Euphoria-inspired party Epigram / Manon Wiliam

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f you’ve been living under a rock, Euphoria (2019) is an American teen drama which follows seven main characters through their time in high school. Whilst the show covers a range of important social topics, it has also gained popularity because of its fun party aesthetic and stunning wardrobe selection. At the beginning of isolation, we decided to binge watch the series and were immediately inspired to recreate some of the looks exhibited on the show. Here’s how to replicate your very own Euphoria inspired shoot.

Epigram / Tom Goodwin

Create your own party Since we aren’t going out to clubs, this is the perfect opportunity to pour some drinks, put on a playlist and just have fun with your housemates. For us, this was the perfect Saturday night opportunity to get out of our pyjamas and have some drinks. We suggest putting on a playlist that makes you feel the most powerful version of yourself – think Ariana Grande, Cardi B and Beyonce.

Epigram / Helena Reeds

Epigram / Tom Goodwin

The set up Firstly, in preparation for the shoot, the atmosphere must be set. We went for some LED lights for that party vibe and butterfly wall decals to spice up the plain backdrop. For inspiration, log onto Pinterest and search for ‘Euphoria Aesthetic’.

We found that the LED lights emulated the party scenes in Euphoria perfectly and set the mood for the shoot.

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Makeup and wardrobe If you’ve watched Euphoria, you'll know that glitter and gems can’t be avoided. Remember that festival you were so looking forward to that got cancelled over summer? Now’s the time to dig out the glitter that you had prepared. Be as liberal as you like! We copied looks from the show, in particular Maddy’s eye makeup looks. But, be as imaginative as you can and have some fun.

The show’s outfits are immaculate – it only takes one episode to get inspired. Anything light-reflecting, such as chainmail, diamantes or metallics will look amazing in the light you’ve set up.

First up, we were inspired by Maddy’s sparkly prom look and donned a rhinestone studded jacket and rose gold chainmail dress. For our second look, we felt Maddy’s excitement as she received her new coat and wore the fluffiest coats that we could find. Finally, we wore matching pink butterfly looks to twin with our newly decorated butterfly wall. You can get outfits from your existing wardrobe; we found that wearing clothes that made us feel confident got the best and baddest pictures.

The final step Heart your favourite snaps and head to PREQUEL to add some cool effects. We used the Disco filter on some of our pics to add that dream-like party atmosphere to our pictures.

Shopping guide: Gloucester Road

style

May Garland lets us know the best shops to hit up on the UK's longest road of independent stores

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RePsycho 85 Gloucester Road, BS7 8AS This is one of the oldest exclusively vintage shops in Bristol and has a wide variety of vintage clothing, from funky printed shirts and shell suit jackets to sequins and party wear. If you venture up to the first floor, you will find the perfect throwback to the ‘60s with trinkets and homeware, or head down to the basement to enjoy records from all genres.

Co.Lab 123 Gloucester Road, BS7 8AX I love the eclectic mix of hand-selected fashion, jewellery and art that is displayed in this shop. They support over 150 local artists that produce timeless, one-off pieces and there is

Epigram / May Garland

something for every style.

Epigram / May Garland

Don Majors 233a Cheltenham Road, BS6 5QP This store has a colourful selection of designer clothing and vintage streetwear, stocking high-end brands such as Fendi and Gucci. This will be your new go-to for sourcing unique ‘80s and ‘90s garments at a high quality. The vibrant graffiti also matches the eccentric character of Gloucester Road.

Epigram / May Garland

Epigram / May Garland

loucester Road has the longest run of independent shops in the UK; the colourful array of stores encapsulates Bristol’s vibrant culture and is definitely worth a look!

Supporting independent shops is more important now than ever, and these clothing stores in particular have a quirky charm that matches the famous street-art of Stokes Croft.

Fox and Feather 43 Gloucester Road, BS7 8AD In the hub of independent stores lies this hidden gem that prides itself on non-conformity and refuses to follow high street trends. The independent lifestyle brand is crafted by a mix of local designers from Gloucester Road and displays fashion brands from across Europe. They place their focus on sourcing unique and sustainably produced clothing and have a zeroplastic policy. It’s great how forwardthinking this shop is!

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Editor SAVANNAH COOMBE Digital Editor MARIA SHEVCHENKO Deputy Editor TIM QUINEY

Honor Westlake shares her butternut squash recipes for students, from the busy to the bored

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utumn brings leafy greens, brassicas and squashes – my favourite of all has to be butternut squash for its versatility and sweet, rich, earthy flavour.

This autumn is a bit of an odd one for us all, with distanced learning keeping some busy and others with a lot of time on their hands. With that in mind, I’ve compiled three recipes below to use this wonderful ingredient, whatever your time requirements – from ‘too busy to think’ to ‘self-isolation boredom’!

Too busy to think about dinner – roast butternut and sausage traybake

Epigr am

/ Tim Quiney

Prep time: 10 minutes, £1.70 per portion Simply put it in the oven and walk away until it’s ready! There’s also only one thing to wash up…

You can vary this recipe week-to-week by adding in a dash of balsamic vinegar and a teaspoon of honey near the end; changing up the herbs; adding chili; using chorizo, vegetarian or vegan sausages and adding in any other vegetables you like. At the moment, kale is in season, along with broccoli, carrots, courgettes and tomatoes. Throw whatever you have in it, clear out the fridge and save yourself a trip to the shops.

For an average weeknight – West African squash, peanut & kale stew

Find Honor’s third recommended recipe online – butternut squash and sage risotto for those with a bit more time, self-isolating or just bored, plus links to the other two recipes.

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Autumn is cold and wet and calls for a warming soup. One of my favourites to make is chicken noodle soup, but often the most expensive part of student food shopping can be meat.

Knowing which cuts to buy can counter this and by making it at home more than one dish can be created along the way. For me, buying pre-cut chicken breasts is not always the best way to get value for money.

Buying a whole chicken and learning how to break it down into the cuts you want to cook is definitely worth it. Whole chickens can be broken down into eights cuts, plus the backbone for making soups! Online videos showing how to do so are great, such as Gordon Ramsay’s How to Part a Chicken.

When breaking down a whole chicken into the eight cuts, I like to cut the two breasts in half again so that they are thinner and will cook faster and more evenly. This makes four cutlets which are great for making thin strips for stir-fries and/or chopped into salads for the week. The two thighs are, in my opinion, the best cut, as they are more flavourful and forgiving when cooking them for any weeknight dish, either roasted/ fried on their own or cut into pasta, etc. The two drumsticks and wings are so easy to chuck in the oven on one tray with any hardy vegetables (many of which are in season now) with a dressing of choice. For an easy under 30-minute traybake, see Honor Westlake’s article on butternut squash traybake opposite.

And finally, the backbone – do not throw this away! Simmer it in a big pot of water with any vegetables lying around. Think roughly chopped carrots, onion, garlic and celery (maybe some bay leaves and herb stems if you have any starting to wilt).

Spoon off any grey foam from the top as you bring to a simmer for 1-3 hours then strain to leave you with homemade stock, which is great for your homemade soup! I like to add the cooked meat from the breasts and thighs to the strained stock and add preboiled noodles and any fresh cut vegetables to make the best homemade chicken noodle soup! This will make enough stock to last the whole week and allows you to make a variety of dishes with the different cuts too.

Not only is it budget friendly (a whole chicken starts from £2.05/kg in Sainsburys versus chicken breast fillets from £4.84/kg), but you made it yourself!

Epigram / Tim Quiney

Prep time: 30 minutes, £2.50 per portion This amazing dish originates from the Mandinka and Bambara people of Mali and now has hundreds of variations all across West Africa. The Senegalese version often includes some kind of spice in the form of chili too. This particular version is already gluten free, dairy free and vegan! The ras el hanout in this recipe is a Moroccan spice mix that works amazingly well against the sweetness of the butternut but can be replaced with garam masala or curry powder if you haven’t got space for another spice in the cupboard.

These recipes demonstrate how easy it is to eat well on a budget when you pay attention to what is in season. Whatever your time limitations, one ingredient can be so versatile when you know how to use it.

Spilling the tea: Tim’s tasty tips

Epigram / Tim Quiney

Eating in season

food

Easy soy salmon Savannah Coombe’s ’s dish for when you want to impress with minimal effort

Ingredients

Buy cheap bulk salmon from the frozen aisle

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4 salmon fillets 3 tbsp olive oil 3 cloves garlic, crushed 60ml light soy sauce 5 tbsp honey 1 tbsp lemon juice 1 tsp chilli flakes 1 lemon, sliced into rounds Black pepper & salt

Top Tip!

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1 Put 2 tbsp olive oil and the salmon fillets (skin up) in a pan on medium-high heat 2 Cook until golden brown, flip salmon fillets and add final tbsp of olive oil 3 Add garlic and cook until fragrant, around one minute 4 Whisk together soy sauce, honey, lemon juice and chilli flakes 5 Add lemon rounds and soy mix to the pan 6 Cook until sauce has reduced by a third, continuously basting the salmon as you go 7 Serve with a lemon round on top and lots of reduced sauce

Epigram / Savannah Coombe

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Pumpkin spice (and all things nice) Phoebe Altman rounds up all things pumpkin spice this season

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e’ve all heard of the now clichéd ‘Pumpkin Spice Latte’. It is officially autumn when you spot the first Instagram story of a takeaway coffee cup with the hashtag ‘PSL’ and instantly feel very ‘un-Gen Z’ for never having tried one yourself (please tell me I’m not the only one!). There is, however, something about the words ‘pumpkin spice’ which immediately make me feel very cosy inside, so here’s a roundup of pumpkin spice recipes which are NOT a latte (you know where to go for that).

First, a recipe for how to make a Pumpkin Spice mix. Mix the following ingredients together and store in an airtight container for up to six months:

Pumpkin Spice Banana Bread

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Epigram / Phoebe

2 tbsp ground cinnamon 1 tbsp ground ginger 1 tbsp ground nutmeg 1/2 tbsp ground cloves

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Pumpkin Spice Recipe

I’m sure we’ve all cooked a classic lockdown banana bread over the last six months, so here’s one with a bit of an autumnal twist.

Find the recipe from the blog, with a very apt name, ‘The Spice Train’.

Pumpkin Spice Hummus

Slightly unusual, I know, but it looks delicious and once I’m out of isolation I’m definitely going to give this one a go! The recipe on This Healthy Kitchen looks amazing and is the one I plan to follow.

Pumpkin Spice Scones I love this recipe idea because it can be sweet or savoury. I can imagine them being equally good lathered with jam and clotted cream as well as cheddar and chutney (although maybe not at the same time…). I recommend BBC Good Food’s recipe for these delicious scones.

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Pumpkin Spice Popcorn 1.

Pop the popcorn in the microwave following the instructions on the pack

1 bag microwaveable popcorn 1/2 tsp pumpkin spice mix 1 tbsp sugar

2.

Whilst it’s popping away, mix together the pumpkin spice and sugar in a small bowl 3.

Remove the popcorn from the microwave and open up the bag (be careful of the steam 4.

Sprinkle in your pumpkin spice sugar and give the bag a good shake to coat the popcorn evenly 5.

Share with your friends or gobble it down for yourself (we won’t judge you at all)

Check out Phoebe’s awesome recipe for Pumpkin Spice Porridge on the next page!

Pumpkin spice porridge Phoebe Altman shares her recipe for a very seasonal breakfast

food Epigram / Ph oeb

Ingredients

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200ml milk of your choice (or water, I go for a 50/50 split) 50g rolled/porridge oats 1/2 tsp pumpkin spice mix Pinch of salt 1 tbsp raisins

Method 1 Place your milk and water in a small saucepan over a medium heat and bring to a simmer Pour in the oats and pumpkin spice mix and turn the heat to low, stirring constantly the oats begin to soften and break down, absorbing the liquid to get your desired 2 until consistency 3 Add a splash more milk if the porridge is becoming too stodgy for your liking 4 When it’s almost ready, add a pinch of salt and the raisins to warm through into a bowl and add your toppings - I went for peanut butter, sliced apples and 5 Pour cinnamon sugar!

Our Food Instagrammer of the month, Ellii from @avoiceofvegan tells us why she loves autumn:

This autumn I’ve been loving warming bowls of spiced carrot cake oats each morning. I mean, who can say no to cake for breakfast?! Carrots are pretty much seasonal all year round, meaning they often don’t have to travel far to get to your plate which is great sustainability-wise. They’re also super budget-friendly along with the other ingredients for this deliciously warming breakfast – oats, cinnamon powder, ginger powder, brown sugar and oat milk. A steaming bowl of oats on a crisp autumn morning is heaven to me, and I also love how this combination can easily be converted to overnight oats for when you need a quick get up in the morning (uni students and I’ve got you covered). What’s not to love!

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Editor ROSIE ANGEL-CLARK Digital Editor EVE COLEMAN Deputy Editor ELENA VENTURELLI

ver since I can remember, I’ve had real trouble expressing myself vocally.

My difficulties with speaking were at their worst in secondary school. I couldn’t even talk in lessons without my face glowing red, my stomach churning like I was on a rollercoaster ride and my brain fogging up so I couldn’t think straight. No matter how much I wanted to speak, my body would just not allow it. Someone only had to say my name for me to go into Panic Mode.

As you can probably imagine, the problems I had with speaking led to many amusing incidents. The most memorable of these was in Year 12 when I had to participate in a public speaking competition as part of my Art A-Level. Unhelpfully, my teacher had lost the only copy of the script I had prepared.

I rambled on for about eight minutes, struggling to think above the roar of the Panic Siren going off in my head, but the ending of the speech was the true pièce de resistance: I concluded my presentation with a very insightful ‘… also… ummm… nothing.’ My brain had completely switched off, abandoning me when I needed it most, stranded awkwardly in front of the crowd. I did my best to make a joke of it as I wobbled off the stage, and one physics teacher did give me an encouraging thumbs-up, which I appreciated a lot at that moment.

I always saw my low confidence as a horrible character flaw that made me a weak and cowardly person. Every evening after school, I would beat myself up for being pathetic and try to force myself to be better the next day. Of course, this never made a difference, and just led me into a self-flagellat-

ing spiral that lasted from the ages of 12 to 18. It was only when I got to university that I realised that a little kindness and self-care can go a long way.

When I got to university, things really changed for the better.

It was surprising how quickly my confidence improved when I started being kinder to myself. Rather than beating myself up for what I did ‘wrong,’ I learnt to praise myself for things that I succeeded at and to take pride in any instances where I had to speak in front of a group, no matter how small. I even performed a cringey rendition of ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ at an open mic night in my first-year halls, which would have been unthinkable a year before. It sounds silly, but I remember being so proud of the fact that I was able to stand in front of all 200 of the people in my halls and do something embarrassing and outgoing; this moment was incredibly liberating for me.

Something that I have noticed since being at university is that loads of other people struggle with similar problems or have it worse than I do. That is why I decided to start Speak Up, a public speaking society for people who struggle with confidence and self-esteem. I am really lucky that I have largely overcome this issue now, but it is time that I used my experiences to help others facing similar confidence problems.

At the time of writing, I am in the process of getting the society affiliated, but once we’re up and running, Speak Up will provide a fun, safe environment where people can practise being comfortable with their own voices. I’ve always been in awe of those who can do this naturally, and now it’s time that more people get the chance to develop this skill!

If you’ve related to anything I’ve said about my struggles, I hope you will join Speak Up as we try to overcome them for good!

/ Alice Proctor Epigram

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Epigram / Alice Proctor

Alice Proctor explains what inspired her to set up a new society

Epigram / Alice Proctor

Learning to Speak Up

wellbeing Misuse of mental health terminology: why it matters Remember assignments?

How to deal with their stressful return

Aisling Duignan- Murphy reminds us of the importance of our words

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e have all seen and heard mental ill-health terms thrown around carelessly.

From the ‘psycho ex-girlfriend’ trope to the flippant ‘I’m so OCD’ comment when arranging revision notes, these serious areas of mental health are reduced to clinginess and cleanliness.

With popular TV shows using mental health needs such as OCD and serious addictions as punchlines, it is hardly surprising that the misuse of such terms is ubiquitous in day-to-day language.

This is not an excuse for ableist language, especially given the wealth of online re-

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sources of alternative phrases. However, damaging portrayals of mental health in the media reflect the pervasive problem of ableism in our society.

Incorrectly applying mental ill-health terms to unrelated and/or non-clinical behaviours (e.g. OCD = cleaning) is not simply misspeaking, but damaging in many ways. The primary impact is on those who experience such mental health needs, as they see their experience being minimised, stigmatised and laughed at.

This can leave you feeling isolated and unable to talk about your real experience, which could worsen your condition.

Moreover, misuse of language can support dangerous stereotypes of mental health conditions. For example, ‘psycho’ can be a shortened form of ‘psychosis’, a term describing a loss of contact with reality – often in the form of hallucinations and delusions. However, the misuse of ‘psycho’

can misrepresent people experiencing psychosis as dangerous and threatening.

This impacts general perceptions of such people, leading to the possibility of them being harassed or avoided.

Finally, misuse of mental ill-health terms can be damaging to those who are considering seeking support. A common symptom of OCD is intrusive thoughts which can present in any form. If an individual has been exposed to the notion that OCD = cleaning they might be discouraged from seeking help due to the misbelief that they do not ‘meet’ the criteria.

Clearly, our use of ableist terminology needs to change, so here is a (by no means exclusive) list of commonly misused mental ill-health terms and alternatives to them: Misused term: OCD Alternative: meticulous, strung

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Misused term: addicted Alternative: enthusiastic, devoted, keen on chocolate Misused term: bipolar Alternative: indecisive, going from one extreme to another Misused term: depressed Alternative: upset, devastated, heartbroken Misused term: delusion(al) Alternative: unrealistic, out of touch At the end of the day if you’re in doubt and don’t have access to the internet at the time, always focus on using person-centred language e.g. ‘a person experiencing addiction’ rather than ‘an addict.’

Remember – calling out people in real life and online is paramount. There is no point in changing your own language and remaining quiet when friends and family use ableist language too!

You’ve been at university for nearly two months now and the initial excitement of meeting new people or seeing old friends is wearing off.

You’re exhausted, your diet consists of 99 per cent pesto pasta and you’re snowed under with essays.

That’s right – essays. It’s getting to the point when due dates for essays, portfolios and coursework are hitting hard; how did it get to this point so quickly?

Well, you know what they say – time flies when you’re having fun! (And at university all the days seem to merge into one anyway.)

Once you’re over the shock of realising we’re halfway through the first term, it’s time to think about your assignment.

Fear not. This assignment may feel totally overwhelming, but I promise you, you can do it.

Whether this is your first year or your final year, assignments can be intimidating. Especially this year, when teaching has been so unconventional.

Start by making a list. Writing down what you have to do, whether a list of sources to read or things to revise, help make a task feel more manageable.

The next thing to do is start making your way through that list. A common mistake that people make here is trying to complete everything that they need to do in one day. Give yourself room for leniency and maybe give yourself a couple of assignment-related tasks a day.

And remember, don’t let this assignment take over your life! An all-nighter might seem like a great time-saver for getting work done, but you need sleep!

Try to stick to a routine.

If you find yourself completely lost and struggling then your personal tutor or seminar leaders are always there to help. You’ve got this.

Caitlin Palmer O’Shaughnessy Wellbeing Columnist

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Long-distance: a recipe for disaster?

An anonymous student explores the difficulties of maintaining a long-distance relationship at university

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eing in a long-distance relationship at university is tough enough – believe me, I know. Arguments.

Tearful video calls. Nagging loneliness. And, worst of all, everyone telling you what the ‘inevitable’ grim outcome will be. ‘It’s going to end anyway.’ ‘Don’t waste your youth.’ ‘You’re going to regret it someday.’ ‘What’s the point?’ The point is: it’s our choice and our lesson to learn.

Surely it’s our right to make our own experiences without unsolicited judgement, condescension and ominous fortune-telling?

That’s not to say that there is no validity in these arguments, but let’s be honest, most of us have already considered them

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and yet here we are, still believing in and fighting for the future of our relationship. That’s actually really beautiful and takes incredible strength. Take a moment to appreciate your resolution and courage. I mean it.

Now, factoring in a global pandemic; many of us haven’t been able to see our partners nearly as much as we would have liked to – if at all. This makes the dawn of a new academic year even more challenging.

How can we possibly stay optimistic in these difficult times? Truth be told, I think it is unrealistic – and detrimental to our mental health – to chase relentless optimism. It is okay to be sad and sometimes lose hope. You are not weak for having these feelings and accepting them can help relieve some pressure.

Anyway, let’s answer the question posed by this article: is a long-distance relationship during a pandemic a recipe for disaster?

Simply put – of course not. It’s certainly not a rosy situation, I won’t lie, but nothing about the ‘new normal’ is.

On that note, let me share some tips that I use to cope with my pandemic-exacerbated long-distance relationship. Something that I have found helpful is to make a list of activities to do in the future: cafés to check out, movies to watch, weekend trip ideas

– anything really.

When I feel lonely, I look back over them and remember that my situation and feelings are not permanent. Better times are coming and having that little list can be an excellent reminder of that.

Plus, it is also very fun to share these ideas with your partner and to look forward to them together. Turning this list into concrete dates for visits is even better. You are not grabbling in the void of a seemingly endless time apart, but have a much closer, more manageable date to work for. Long-distance needs to be taken day-by-day as much as possible.

Another encouraging thought is that I am lucky to miss someone so much.

I know that sounds cliché, but a little gratitude goes a long way. Having someone that you’re willing to trudge through the long-distance sludge for is not to be taken for granted. Appreciate the strength of that connection, even if it does not always seem tangible.

Lastly, pick a time for video calling that suits you both! It took me far too long to realise that calling at night was not good for me. By the end of the day, I am exhausted and quite emotionally vulnerable. Calling at this time just created a maelstrom of negative feelings on my end – reminding me how lonely I am and how much I miss my partner. Scheduling calls for different times when I have more energy has allowed us to have much more meaningful and fun conversations.

These suggestions are just the tip of the iceberg and ultimately you’ll need to discover others that suit your situation.

Long-distance will never be easy. But you are not alone, always remember that. Don’t be too hard on yourself, and try to enjoy the journey and appreciate all that it can teach you about yourself.

Bon voyage!

Stuck indoors?

Stay calm!

The Wellbeing Editors share their tips for instant, atyour-desk stress relief

wellbeing Sometimes it’s so important to simply externalise the thoughts and worries that are unsettling your mind. When we keep our stress bottled up, a small list of tasks or problems can quickly mutate into a giant, scrambled mess in our heads; often we cannot even pinpoint the source in this clouded mental space.

Externalising these thoughts – through journaling, listing, talking to a friend or uttering a kind of prayer – helps halt the over-thinking and reassures us that we are more than capable of facing and overcoming the causes of our stress.

- Eve Epigram / Alice Proctor

Perhaps controversially, a stress relief technique that works for me is setting aside time to cook a fresh meal. I find the process of chopping fresh ingredients exploding with colour, smelling the fragrance of herbs and hearing the bubbling sounds of something brewing very therapeutic! Encouraging myself to cook forces me to get away from the desk, scanning the mounting pages of seminar reading, and instead gets me moving and provides a much-needed change in scenery. And if all goes well, I get a massive confidence boost and an instagrammable photo too!

One approach to calming down when work is getting overwhelming is to light some scented candles, incense or an essential oil burner. Sandalwood oil is good for calming nerves and aiding focus, and lavender helps to relieve stress. Rose and chamomile are said to improve mood and relaxation. You can experiment with different oils and you can also buy backflow incense burners that look like a swirling waterfall.

When you’re feeling panicked, it’s instinctive to breathe really quickly like you’re not getting enough air.

But this will only add to your anxiety! I use a simple breathing technique to calm down: breathe in deeply for a count of seven, and count to 11 as you exhale. If 11 feels a bit much you can reduce this, just breathe out for longer than you breathe in. This essentially forces you to slow your breathing, slowing your heart rate and helping panic subside. The counting also provides a distraction to focus on, taking your mind off what’s stressing you until you feel calm enough to deal with it.

- Sanjana

- Elena

- Rosie

A conversation with Nilaari Sanjana Idnani sums up her phone call with the Bristol-based BAME led charity

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s we learn and celebrate this Black History Month, I talked to Jean Smith, the director of Nilaari, a Bristol-based and BAME-led charity that provides culturally appropriate therapeutic services for individuals of Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds which has been operating for 21 years.

With the aim of making mental health and wellbeing services more inclusive, destigmatising mental health in BAME communities and fighting for criminal justice by highlighting the major role talking therapy can play in breaking the cycle, Nilaari’s contribution to Bristol’s mental health care for these communities has been invaluable.

Introducing Nilaari, Jean mentioned that the name means ‘to

have self-worth and value,’ which perfectly encompasses the charity’s vision.

Originally a drug and alcohol service that delivered drug awareness sessions in schools and other organisations, Nilaari set out a new vision to tackle the roots of the drug and alcohol problems they were treating.

Nilaari also plays a major role in our student community as they are now integrated with our wellbeing services. From providing COVID-19 support to helping new students feel settled (and signposting the best places for spices, hair and more!), this interview celebrates and sheds a light on Nilaari’s brilliant work.

Read the rest of Sanjana’s interview on Epigram’s website.

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Remind yourself that this is a great opportunity to save money for future trips

How to travel when you can’t travel

Pandemics make travel tricky! Public transport can be best avoided, you need to watch closely for any updates on coronavirus restrictions and there are few cultural or social events to enjoy. By keeping your money in the savings account now, you’ll have sufficient funds for post-pandemic trips – once this is all over, you’ll be able to enjoy travel as much as you want.

If you’re living in the area around main campus, you can have a walk on Brandon Hill, or go further to The Downs, Leigh Woods, or Ashton Court for huge green spaces and beautiful views. If you live in the east part of Bristol, Eastville Park is a lovely place for a potter. If you prefer city views, then the Harbourside and the area around Castle Park are great alternatives – you could even try a self-guided Banksy walking tour.

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Epigram / Daisy Game

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Explore your local area

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Lingfeng Ge tells us how we can cope when wanderlust kicks in

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Enjoy some cosy indoor activities

By finding something you really enjoy doing at home, your desire to get out and about may well drop. Now the University’s libraries have reopened – why not borrow some books? You can also participate in some virtual fitness classes, which make you feel healthy even when spending a lot of time indoors.

And I suggest everyone does a bit of art at home: no matter if it’s painting, handcrafting or room decorating, it’ll lift your mood and make you feel more comfortable and happy with staying at home.

Paris, city of ... routine?

Xander Brett Travel Columnist

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reativity thrives in a structured framework. Perhaps that’s why Paris is an artistic powerhouse. Rodin, Klein and Picasso: all revolutionary artists; all lived in Paris. They followed the dress codes and social norms of this city, turning the art world on its head.

Routine is why the new 9 pm to 6 am curfew hasn’t hit the French too hard.

With two-hour lunch breaks and rigid mealtimes, France is dependent on its national schedule. They even have two hours reserved to see their mistresses: the infamous cinq à sept.

Though I don’t yet need the cinq à sept, routine is what makes life in Paris so relaxing. Without it, Paris would become a city like London or New York.

Epigram / Xander Brett

Editor DAISY GAME Digital Editor MIA MUSA-GREEN Deputy Editor REBECCA PARDON

Living on the Île Saint-Louis, habits become even more noticeable. Just under my window, I chat to the waitress who knows my Sunday order. In the boulangerie and the tabac, they have my bread and paper ready each morning.

Paris is two cities.

To visit for the weekend, you’re living a parallel, tourist’s life.

To visit for a month or more is to become – however temporarily – a resident. I may never be Parisian, but with time to practise, I can at least try.

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Keeping your central heating off to save some money? Why not try Maraq Fahfah (Somali soup) to keep you toasty during the chilly months instead?

This soul-warming dish reminds me of autumn at home, spending time with family and ignoring the piles of work that have started to mount since the start of term. If you want to recreate this dish, try this budget-friendly recipe!

This is a veganised version of the dish, but you are more than welcome to add any meat of your choice – traditionally goat, lamb and beef are used!

/ Mia Musa G reen

When discussing our favourite traditions from around the world, one of my friends told me about the Schultüte and how her friend’s mum would give it to her every autumn. Popular in Germany and some parts of the Czech Republic and Poland, a Schultüte is given to children on their first day back to school. The cone-shaped gift typically contains school supplies, sweets, toys and a variety of other small trinkets. Coinciding with autumn’s arrival, this tradition not only marks the start of the school year but also the beginning of the festive season.

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ack in the sweet days when travel was allowed, I took a winter trip to Prague. The outdoor markets, the scent of Trdelníks seeping through the streets and the ice-cold weather made this trip my most festive holiday to date. My favourite thing about Prague – and a tradition I now hold dear – was the mulled wine.

Priced at €1.5 each and readily available on every street corner, how could we say no? The switch from Pimm’s and Kopparberg to mulled cider and wine is when I know autumn has really hit. Why not travel to Prague from home by making some with your flatmates and friends? Try it with cider instead to satisfy your true south-west cravings.

Serving size: six-eight people You will need: 1.5L water 1 onion 5 carrots 4 medium potatoes, thinly chopped 3 tomatoes 1 cabbage 1 cup red lentils 1 cup pearl barley 2 vegetable stock cubes 3 garlic cloves 2 teaspoons chopped ginger 2 tsp all-purpose seasoning 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp cumin 2 tbsp coriander leaves, finely chopped 2 tbsp oil

How to cook it!

1) Saute the onions in the oil until caramelised. Then add the garlic, ginger, tomatoes, cumin, smoked paprika and the all-purpose seasoning and cook until the garlic becomes golden.

2) Add the water, stock cubes, red lentils, pearl barley and the rest of the vegetables and cook for 25-30 minutes.

3) Finally, add the chopped coriander and serve! This can be eaten on its own but is also great with rice or lahooh!

Mia Musa-Green explores what traditions make her feel ready for the colder months

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Fall traditions from around the globe

Illustration by Alice Proctor

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Quiz which holiday Quiz: wardrobe item are you?

Daisy Game asks the all important question

‘Stick to the schedule’ or ‘let’s see what happens?’

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We have a wardrobe-winner!

You’re classic, but flexible you make it a great time pretty much anywhere.

Bar, cafe, museum, hike: whatever the destination, you’ll be cool, calm, and collected.

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You approach any trip 100 per cent prepared – you always have suncream/a portable phone charger/blister plasters close at hand, and you’re happy to supply the rest of us chaotic holiday makers.

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You’re soft, forgiving and loyal: always a comfort, you make a great travel companion. At your happiest in a low key, casual setting; pottering side streets, browsing bookshops, sipping coffee. Bliss.

Ponder from a park bench or get stuck right in?

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You might be a bit scruffy around the edges, but you’re about as reliable a traveller as they come. Supportive, familiar and always prepared to help friends through any homesick rough patches.

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Early morning market or late evening wander?

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Gallery visit or hilly hike?

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You tend to get lost, can be a tad fragile and have a fun habit of going missing for a few days; probably last seen at the beach, dozing on some rocks with a cocktail in hand, looking incredibly cool.

The Travel Editors share their favourite autumn destinations

All pg 20-21 photos Epigram / Daisy Game

Dartmoor, England

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As autumn settles, I fall back in love with home. Dartmoor is at its best in October – summer crowds have lifted, and the cooler days settle any holiday-raised pulses.The moorland turns to a hammered gold and hums with rusted bracken and spun sugar grasses. Garden lawns crunch with first-frost footsteps and windows glow warm in the dusk.

In these pre-winter months the world turns gold for a while: the glitter before the winter-dull.

Daisy

Bratislava, Slovakia

Whilst my original interest came from cheap flight prices, Bratislava is my favourite autumnal trip to date. Despite its small size, the city is rich with culture, Baroque-style architecture and darkbeer breweries. Passing through Michael’s Gate leads you to the Old Town, where dainty streets lead to hidden pubs, lively bars and an array of specialized stores. Vendors sit ready for tourists, selling traditional foods, including their famous Slovakian mead and honey.

Mia

Anonymous in a Canadian train station Now in final year, Daisy Game looks back with an article written in her first few weeks of university

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e should have packed more pizza.’

The Location: Jasper, Alberta, Canada.

The Dilemma: an extremely delayed train and a distant destination.

In the summer of 2018, because we are both young and both mad, my brother and I flew to Western Canada. It had all gone astonishingly well. We had hired a car without being scammed; conducted civilised meet-and-greets with bears, orcas and even chipmunks; and managed to find our way to the Rockies. But at 4am on 12 July, peering out onto a distinctly empty platform, it seemed our luck had finally called it a day.

There weren’t even any sandwiches left to pillage. So far, we had been enacting our vengeance on this He-Who-Shall-NotBe-Named train ‘service’ by taking not one, but two of each of the items they had supplied in their attempts to subdue the riotous passenger body. We deserved two egg and cress sandwiches, and we would take two egg and cress sandwiches, thank you very much.

Seven hours after the first announcement was made, the crew left a modestly

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alarming message on the strange, make-shift whiteboard rigged in the centre of the station: ‘please see staff for further details.’

It was that whiteboard which plucked the feathers from the ugly duckling. I caught the eye of the girl next to me, shrugged, and laughed. Nothing brings people together like the joys of shared outrage. And here was a situation so outrageous, it had become utterly glorious.

Later, as I was sitting on the floor and grinning at a gorgeous French man I had fallen in love with whilst chortling at the nutty German, whose Mad-Tales-of-Mountaineering-Woe (his health insurance would come through soon, he assured us) inspired a peculiar fondness for humanity.

Hands wrapped around a paper cup filled with tea, head resting against my rucksack and the Canadian Rockies through the door.

Some journeys stay with us. I’ve not experienced such a physically emotional reaction in response to a landscape before, or since. But looking out that window – a total eight hours after our original departure time, 20 hours to go - gazing at the miles upon miles of trees, river and rock – I was reminded that I live on a planet named Earth. And here she was, ignoring us and looking pretty impressive as she did so.

Today I sit, writing from my Halls of Residence at 1.15am, five weeks into my first year of university, and I envy that girl. Because how lovely it is to think, four months ago, I was sat amongst the mountains: anonymous in Canadian train station.

Rebecca Edinburgh, Scotland

Although a tad drizzly and cold, Edinburgh can be especially charming in the Autumn months.

Don a puffer jacket and spend a few happy hours traipsing around the city’s stunning cobbled streets and admiring its Gothic architecture. Its historic fortress looming over the city makes for some appropriately spooky sight-seeing, and Edinburgh’s many parks and trees ensure that orange-y leaves decorate the ground wherever you’re treading.

Copenhagen, Denmark

An autumnal travel memory that really sticks out is my trip to Copenhagen, Denmark. From cobbled streets and coloured houses to the magic of The Little Mermaid statue made famous by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale, Copenhagen is full of cosiness. If you are looking to bring spooky season to life, look no further than Tivoli: the orange of the pumpkins light up the evening and the fairground is decorated with scarecrows and more!

Sanjana

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Reading week relaxation

Carlin / Orin

Epigram / Tara Ghias

Podcasts If the idea of reading anything during your free time daunts you, there are always podcasts to listen to, in topics ranging from self-care, confidence or just advice in general. I recommend giving Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place podcast and the Mindful podcast a go to help relieve stress and anxiety.

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Reading I have recently been reading The Rules to Break by Richard Templar, and I would recommend everyone check it out. It really puts things – such as life, emotions and memories – into perspective.

I think everyone needs to hear his words during these difficult times.

Exercise I know you must be groaning right now, but trust me when I say exercise is one of the best ways to feel good and release all the stresses of life. Yoga does not require much equipment and a thick towel could always replace a yoga mat. Just pop on a 10-minute yoga video from YouTube and let your body relax.

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Dinner parties Flat dinners and movie nights are one of the best ways to hang out. My flat have recently had roast dinners and curry nights, where we all bring some ingredients, making it cheaper overall. Dinner is followed by a movie; recently we have chosen to binge watch all of the Twilight films (2008-2012) again, not because we like them but more just to trash them!

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Epigram / Tara Ghias

Tara Ghias suggests some ways to chill out

Splash the cash: Money diaries Olivia Andrews reveals where her money went this week

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Day Four Honestly, I really should have grabbed life by the horns on Tuesday. I didn’t really buy anything exciting that day, except, of course, a very tasty lunchtime stop at Eat a Pitta. Three falafels and two sides, it’s almost routine at this point. £3.95.

Day Five Feeling sorry for myself over the prospect of isolation and my likelihood of succumbing to corona, it having entered the flat, I treated myself. Luckily for me, there’s nothing a little retail therapy can’t solve. I looked at my phone and saw Look Fantastic were offering 20 per cent off, how did they know? – I love skincare! £79.19 down the drain, see you later student loan…

Rest of the Week Honestly, I found it hard to resist online shopping, with not much else to do. However, all I really bought from here on out was groceries, nothing especially riveting. Also, I disputed aforementioned subscription and received a refund, thank God. (roughly £15) Total: £129.43

Epigram / Olivia Andrews

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Day One Shocked and confused, I opened my emails to a receipt from Apple informing me that I had been charged precisely £55.64 to renew my subscription for an app I don’t even remember buying. Money not well spent.

I tried to look past it and met with my fellow u n i society team members at none other than Boston Tea Party; not everyone’s first port of call for socialising, but great for a productive committee meeting in a friendly environment.

Nursing a mild hangover, I feasted on the Veggie Breakfast for £8.65.

After getting kicked out of BTP, for what I can only assume was outstaying our welcome, we later moved to Fed1B, on Cotham Hill. I opted for something savoury and tried the arancini balls – for only £3.80.

This was clearly a big food day. Enticed by Uber Eats offering me a 50 per cent off voucher, I was sold! I ordered one of my favourites, a thai green curry, with just a few sides. I shared the sides mostly with a flatmate, sort of…£8.30.

Day Two I went to BTP again, but this time, to switch it up, I had a goat’s cheese and red pepper toastie – I’d recommend! After the feast the day before, I couldn’t justify spending too much more, and with my flat’s thrifty routine of sharing flat meals, my wallet called it a day at £6.25.

Day Three Everyone has bad days and for me, today was absolutely one of those days. Dinner time was looming and my inner spoilt child was getting ‘hangry.’ Thus, I found myself wandering round the corner to Sainsburys. My eye caught a new plant display in the veg shop en route and my curiosity got the better of me. Hidden at the back of the shelf was my new collectable item. For those of you who don’t collect plants, £3.50 is an absolute steal.

Proud of my finding, I smugly swanned to Sainsburys where the gleaming yellow sticker of pure joy shone on a box of chocolate-coated flapjacks. £0.79 – practically nothing.

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Secrets of the cosmos

The Croft’s resident clairvoyant, Rosie Angel-Clark explains what the stars have in store for you this month Sco

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Home is the perfect place for you to study right now, so don’t stress about the four hour library limit. Your home comforts make all that screen-staring manageable! From the 21st relationships intensify – if you’re on the lookout for love now’s the time. Expect unusually vivid or even unsettling dreams, they may shed light on something you’ve been unsure of!

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-2 2 As Mercury goes direct in your sign, O communication has never been easier! Schedule any conversations you’ve been meaning to have for after the 13th. You may hit some indecision in your studies (familiar territory for you!), but talking to a coursemate or tutor about it might help. It’s a good time for you to meet someone in an unusual way - on a zoom quiz maybe?

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-2 Your ruling planet Mercury ends its retrograde on the 3rd, and with it communication untangles. Whether this brings clarity in a relationship or makes your dodgy WiFi work itself out, it can only bring good things! Your mind is your driving force and right now you’re interested in someone who can talk for hours about the most obscure of topics.

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A Passion kicks in with your studies as fiery Mars moves through your house of learning – maybe you’ll finally get to grips with a complicated theory, or find that perfect dissertation topic. Later, you’ll be sociable as Venus radiates warmth in the home area of your chart – perfect timing for flatmate-only drinks and family video calls!

You may be a little bored this month as routine tasks demand much of your attention – don’t forget to let yourself relax. Later, the restless full moon and eclipse in your sign on the 30th invoke impatience alongside unbridled inspiration!

Use your intellectual powers to rationalise, but be open to new things.

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Any tensions in relationships ease off mid-month as your ruling planet Mars ends its retrograde.

You either find an unexpectedly simple solution to what’s hanging over you or problems will just fade away. Thanks to Mercury and Venus your social side is shining, so take the opportunity to make some new friends (from a safe distance of course!)

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21 May

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0 The Halloween full moon in your sign has left you full of ideas and interests. Be aware of confrontation in relationships as Venus moves through your opposite sign – don’t stress, any negativity is only temporary! Finding a balance between your studies and social life is easier from the 10th, and any brain fog clears to reveal a clearer path.

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Towards the end of the month you may feel a new connection to someone in your friendship group - Venus suggests they’re feeling the same! The full moon on the 30th encourages your inclination towards disciplined routine and provides the perfect time to sit down and plan out your study schedule.

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22 December

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N The transformative new moon in your sign on the 15th provides an opportunity to start afresh with something important to you.

After a setback in confidence last month, you’re propelled by the Sun and Venus charging through your sign.

Your magnetism reaches a new high: reflect on what it is you want and it’ll be easier than ever to attract it into your life!

20 Janua ry 18 F Career plans take shape e this month as the Sun and Mercury team up in your house of ambition.

The Sun enters your house of friendships on the 21st, bringing light and energy to your social life.

Even if you’re stuck indoors, staying connected to old and new friends will be entertaining and effortless.

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22 Novem ber As the Sun enters your sign on the 22nd, a surge of energy makes everything you have to read and learn feel less of a chore. Your interest in social justice is engaged more than ever, so don’t be surprised if you’re signing petitions and painting placards! The eclipse on the 30th nudges you to let go of something (or someone), and throws you back onto the path you may have strayed from. 19 Febr ua ry This is a passionate month for you.

Love is intense but prone to rapid change as Venus storms through your house of transformation. Your ruling planet Neptune going direct in your sign on the 28th and the changeable full moon on the 30th make the end of the month the ideal time to recognise your most out-there dreams!