Pets

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Heading towards summer with a happy hop

By Libby Williams MHAO AHDip Animal Healer and Holistic Therapist www.libbywilliams.co.uk info@libbywilliams.co.uk 07966 639671

Summer is almost upon us once again so it’s an ideal time to give your beloved bunny a health check to ensure that they are happy and healthy.

Rabbits actually don’t cope well in hot weather and can overheat and get sunstroke if exposed to direct sunlight for too long. It’s important to keep a careful eye on them particularly on very hot summer days. Always ensure that there is plenty of shade for your little friend and if it gets too hot outside bring them indoors. You could also give your rabbit some fresh vegetable treats to help hydrate them, celery in particular can help keep the little soul hydrated, chop the vegetables in to chunks and only feed small amounts as treats. If you really want to spoil your furry friend, you can give them a tasty piece of strawberry to enjoy, don’t do this too often though as he or she will get a poorly tummy.

Rabbits love company so why not spend some time in your garden with your little friend. While they are safely in their run munching on some lovely grass, you could plan out a little vegetable patch and herb garden so that you and your rabbit can enjoy some lovely fresh home-grown treats. Basil, parsley and oregano for example are all lovely tasty treats for a bunny and are also great to add to your own food. Rabbits absolutely love Dandelions too, they can eat the leaves as well as the flower, these along with twigs can be mixed into the rabbit’s hay and be hidden to make his or her life more interesting. In the wild rabbits would forage for a large percentage of their time. Something for bunny to safely chew on would also be a good source of amusement as well as playing a valuable role in helping to keep their teeth growth under control. Dandelions also have a lot of health benefits as they are high in fibre, antioxidants and a good source of minerals as well as vitamins.

At this time of year Flystrike can be a problem for rabbits, many flies are harmless but some, such as the bluebottle will lay their eggs on poor bunnies’ fur. When the eggs hatch the maggots begin to eat the rabbit’s flesh and sadly this can cause shock and death in a very short amount of time. Flies are particularly attracted to soiled or damp fur around bunny’s bottom so it’s good practice to check your rabbit daily throughout the year anyway, but especially in the warmer weather to ensure that they are clean and healthy. Pay particular attention to their behind, keep this area well groomed, clean and dry which will help minimise the risk of Flystrike and ensure that any issues are dealt with immediately. Should you notice any problems, ensure that you contact your Veterinary Surgeon as soon as possible.

It’s a good idea to get an annual check-up with the Vet to ensure that your bunny is heading towards summer with a happy hop!

Important always check that your garden plants are non-toxic for rabbits and that vegetables and herbs given to them are clean and not sprayed with chemicals. Do not feed your rabbit lawn mower grass cuttings. If you are ever concerned about your pet always consult your veterinarian.

A PASSEGGIATA* IN PALERMO; CAPITAL OF SICILY

by Rebecca Underwood, Travel Journalist

Palermo's Cathedral

Prior to the outbreak of Covid 19, I was fortunate to visit Sicily, which is only an hour’s flight from Rome. For ardent explorers considering future destinations, Palermo offers a plethora of adventures.

Steeped in a fascinating, rich and vibrant history, Palermo was once a Phoenician colony, an Arab emirate and a Norman kingdom. The intriguing legacy of villas, palaces and churches are constant reminders of a truly enchanting past. The locals exude a warm and laid back attitude and the lack of petty council regulations allows local restaurants, bars and shops to open and close at will.

In the evening, young and old gather together around tables, sipping wine, deep in conversation, while the children play together. That continental sedate atmosphere, which is created when families dine ‘alfresco’ demands that you take a seat, relax, order a glass of wine and just enjoy the warm weather or the balmy evening breezes, whilst you admire the surrounding splendour.

I wandered around the Piazza Verdi and admired the newly renovated and magnificent Teatro Massimo opera house, a cultural treat dating back to 1897 and the third largest opera house in Europe. If you book well in advance you may secure tickets for one of the many opera, ballets and concerts performed here.

Other attractions include the splendid Palazzo Reale, one of the finest courts of Medieval Europe, adapted by the Normans from the original Saracen palace, by creative Arab architects and gifted craftsmen.

The Palatine Chapel within was built between 1132 and 1143. The intricate interior, richly carved ceilings and ornately patterned marble floors are quite beautiful. The lush green oasis of the Orto Botanico, which houses an extensive variety of exotic plants and the excellent Archeological Museum should satisfy the most discerning nature lovers and culture vultures.

For lovers of art, a visit to the Galleria Regionale della Sicilia on Palazzo Abatellis is a must. The gallery, built in 1490, was extensively damaged during WWII and beautifully restored by Carlo Scarpa in 1954. It is an exquisite building exhibiting a fine collection of Sicilian sculptures and paintings from the

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13th to the 18th centuries. The most famous work ‘Triumph of the Dead’ dating from 1449 and often credited to Pisanello, is a powerful image and I was mesmerised. And Francesco Laurana’s 15th century white marble bust of Elenara di Aragona is simply stunning. There is also a remarkable collection of Arabian ceramics.

With an abundance of places to visit, it will of course all end in aching feet! For those of us who like to be pampered, the luxurious Rocco Forte Villa Igiea, due to open in June, is sure to provide the highest standards of service and comfort, first class accommodation and facilities.

Overlooking the Bay of Palermo, the property was purchased in 1899 from Sir William Domville, an English admiral. The Sicilian buyers, the Florio family, converted the property into a luxury hotel, which attracted the highest echelons of society and in 1907 King Edward VII, Queen Alexandra, Princess Victoria and the Tsarina Maria Feodorovna, who were sailing onboard the Victoria and Albert royal yacht, disembarked in Palermo to explore the city and stopped for luncheon at the Villa Igiea. The interior of the property will retain many of the originally designed features of Ernesto Basile, the master of Italian Art Nouveau and the jasmine scented gardens by the swimming pool, overlooking the sea, offer the weary traveller the perfect sanctuary to plan a day’s activities or to snatch an extended snooze!

Villa Igiea Suite

Villa Igiea

PIAZZA PRETORIA

Be sure to take a leisurely stroll around the centre of old Palermo, the baroque intersection known as ‘Quattro Canti’, which includes the quarters of Albergheria, Capo, Vucciria and La Kalsa. There are bustling markets in Albergheria and Vucciria and a warren of narrow alleyways with small family owned boutiques displaying the latest Italian fashions. Carrying all those bags, crammed with Italian shoes, bags and clothing can become a burden after a while but, rest assured, the most tantalising aromas drifting from the many restaurants dotted along the way are sure to entice you away from all that extravagant activity!

Sicilian cuisine includes Arab, Greek and Roman influenced recipes making use of the finest local ingredients such as swordfish, pine nuts, red chillies, sardines and capers. Local specialities include ‘pasta con le sarde’ (fresh pasta with sardines and fennel) and ‘pesce spade all ghiotta’ (swordfish cooked in onion and tomato sauce). Any one of these dishes is sure to satisfy the most discerning palate.

For a spot of ‘people watching’, the Antico Caffe Spainnato on the Via Principe di Belmonte is the place to be. This cafe and pastry maker was established in 1860 and the decor is sumptuous and very cosy. The property is set in a quiet ‘pedestrian only’ street and is very popular with trendy locals, which is always a good sign! The vast selections of calorie crammed pastries and cookies are a real dilemma and a losing battle! You may have to queue for the one of the tables if you wish to dine ‘alfresco’ but it is well worth the wait. The evening’s entertainment is quite sedate and includes a rather handsome pianist with a fine repertoire of romantic tunes!

Of course the recent history of Sicily will always encompass images of the Cosa Nostra. After the trials of the 1980’s, the assassination of two anti- Mafia judges in 1992, and the gangland killings in the mid 90’s, Palermo, is for many, synonymous with the Mafia. Although the visitor is unlikely tosee any obvious signs of Mafia life, the imagination runs riot and you find yourself being highly suspicious of any out-of-the-ordinary characters!

Palermo is certainly a fascinating spot and you can be sure of a warm welcome.

Images (excluding accommodation) supplied with the kind permission of Assessorato Turismo Regione Sicilia.

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01902334224 21/04 - 20/05 Taurus

It is worth thinking about taking life at www.john-starkey.co.uk a slightly slower pace, as the advent johnstarkey123@outlook.com Capricorn PiscesAquarius December 21 - January 19 January 20 - February 18 February 19 - March 20 of the planet Jupiter, could suggest that you need to hold yourself back for just a week or two, whilst you weigh up the important options Scorpio 23/10 - 22/11 It is important to keep a padlock of the planet Jupiter, could suggest that you need to hold yourself back for just a week or two, whilst you weigh up the important options Try not to get caught up in the world of paperwork and officialdom. Keeping life simple now could save a lot of aggravation later, everything needs to Perhaps it's time to build an empire as working and business things seem well expected. Its time to knuckle down and forefill some of those long felt You will probably drift your way through life like a feather in the breeze, this means that you should not be worried or concerned about anything, you are in front of you. you may be professionally head upon your temper and allow yourself in front of you. you may be professionally head be shipshape and Bristal fashion. ambitions. You're in the driving seat so take control. one step away from easy street. hunted which could be well worth waiting for.to think before you act. Indecision now could hunted which could be well worth waiting for. create untimely delays. The next few weeks Gemini21/06 - 20/06 do however look very promising particularly for Your wonderfully placid attitude and gentle approach to others, could make you the ideal person to put balm on Scorpions in love. Sagittarius 23/11 - 20/12 make you the ideal person to put balm on Aries March 21- April 20 What a good time to bite the biscuit and hold on to Taurus April 21 - May 20 You are now entering the numbers game and it is Gemini May 21 - June 20 Try not to paper over the cracks as far as the truth troubled waters. There may be those who will thank you for your good advice and well Try to take a neutral view particularly in matters relating to others. Perhaps, troubled waters. There may be those who will thank you for your good advice and well any bits of information that you have recently received, this kind of intelligence could create wisdom in the future. Knowledge is important to do plenty of research before you make crucial decisions. It is a great time to consider your future options and act is concerned, your candid opinion of others should prove to clear the air. Avoid past difficulty, facing the music now will earn you thought out and empathetic ideas.it is a good time to put up, shut up and bide thought out and empathetic ideas. wisdom and wisdom leads to power. upon your gut feelings. the respect of everyone. your time until you say your piece. Time is on your side. 56 21/06 - 21/07 56 Cancer

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T: 01902334224 W: www.john-starkey.co.uk E: johnstarkey123@outlook.com

Taurus 21/04 - 20/05 It is worth thinking about taking life at a slightly slower pace, as the advent Cancer Leo Virgo June 21 - July 21 July 22 - August 21 August 22 - September 22 of the planet Jupiter, could suggest that you Though many around you A romantic encounter Give yourself space and may seem to be on the may change the way you time to consider your need to hold yourself back for just a week or take, keeping a cool head as far as your financial think and make a lasting impression upon your life. current position. It may be a good thing to think about two, whilst you weigh up the important options affairs are concerned will win the day for you. Keep Cupid is at last looking in your direction and that a professional change and use your talents and skills in front of you. you may be professionally head your eyes on the bank statements and your hands in your pockets. super spark of love should be arriving shortly. in a more constructive way, you are a very able person and now need to reap the hunted which could be well worth waiting for. rewards of your labours.

Gemini 21/06 - 20/06

Your wonderfully placid attitude and gentle approach to others, could Libra September 21 - October 22 Scorpio October 23 - November 22 Sagittarius November 23 - December 20 make you the ideal person to put balm on It's lovely to see you stepping out of the As the moon becomes prominent in your sign, Love is well and truly in the air as the planet Venus darkness into the light and expect to be abundant flirts with the perimeter of troubled waters. There may be those who getting recognition for your past efforts do not with energy and to be dancing around like a your chart. A Long lasting relationship could be will thank you for your good advice and well allow yourself to be put at the centre of other peoples spring chicken. A windfall of cash could make a destined to be made now as your future becomes set problems blaze your own wonderful time ahead. on a more positive road. thought out and empathetic ideas. trail and you won't go far wrong.

CITROEN C3 SHINE PURE-TECH

The car market is awash with the small car varieties, think Fabia, Polo and Fiesta and now the Citroen C3, writes Bob Hickman.

Each manufacturers have always done well at making cars that are comfortable and easy on the eye, and the re-worked Citroen C3 is no exception.

Citroen’s have style and a knack of making their vehicles to be a little bit unusual and with the C3 they have done this with a multitude of choices of paints and a roof that can be coordinated or contrast, and air bubble panels on the side, that avoid having dinks when somebody opens a door.

The inside is striking, I really loved the throw back of the leather effect door pulls as opposed to the moulded items that we have got used to, a customisation feature, yes, but nice to have something different. There are a choice of engines within the C3, my test car came equipped with the PureTech 1200cc 3-cylinder version. This produces a meagre 83hp but bearing in mind the size of the vehicle, it was more than adequate. The 5-speed manual gearbox coped admirably in all conditions, a top speed is quoted at 105mph. The 0-60 is a very lethargic 15.2secs and Citroen suggests that a combined fuel figure of 46mpg could be achievable, I managed to achieve 49mpg in a week of varied driving. The CO2 emissions are on the low side at 124g/km.

I really like the front seats in the C3, they are like your favourite armchair, in fact I am a bit of a sucker for all Citroens upholstery. They are comfortable, but not necessarily that supportive if you start to throw the car around but who buys a C3 to throw it into bends and drive it like a rally car.

There is plenty of space inside especially, for the front passengers, the rear, can accommodate 2 adults, but 2 children in the back would be wonderful. The boot at 300 litres is a reasonable capacity and it can comfortably swallow a pushchair or a couple of suitcases and in addition both rear seats drop forward to give you quite a lot of carrying capacity.

The C3 has very light steering and nice soft suspension to swallow up all those horrendous pot holes we seem to have. Driving in cities, the C3 was an easy companion both comfortable and relaxing. Motorway driving can be tackled without concern bearing in mind the limited amount of power available and the diminutive size of the car.

I really liked from a drivers point of view the height adjustable steering wheel, it meant with the multi-adjustable driving seat you could get yourself comfortable. The in-car infotainment had a 7-inch touch screen to operate most of, if not all, of the controls, Apple Car Play and Android Auto were also features and the navigational system was quite easy to operate.

The Citroen C3 has a 3-year or 60,000 miles warranty and they suggest servicing at every 12 months or 12,500 miles, and the on the road price for the C3 Shine Pure-Tech is £16,155.

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