Winchester Gazette - June 2023

Welcome...

Dear Residents,

Has the weather finally turned, and will we get that delightful sunshine we all so desire over the summer? I do hope so, it makes such a difference to us all. Daichi visited Scotland last month and indeed the sun did shine, amongst some rain, but nevertheless it was not bad! We loved the trip and you can read all about it inside. Do you have a trip planned this summer or are you going to stay in our beautiful British Isles and enjoy some home comforts? We will be staying local, so let’s see where Daichi takes us next…

As always we have great trades and services inside your local magazine. They are all here for you, for advice and help and creating the space you want in your environment. Each would love to hear from you, so do pick up the phone or send an email. Stephen, myself and the girls who make the call, as well of course all the local trades and businesses really appreciate all that you do to keep our local economy and services going! Times are interesting and the more we can work together, the better we will all do. I am a big believer in that.

If there is anything you would like to read about or see here, please let me know. I would love to provide as much as possible within these pages.

All of us here at Modern Magazines wish you a Jolly June!

Debbie, Stephen & all the team at Modern Magazines

The journey of lapwing nesting: a story of resilience and renewal in the natural world

Fifty years ago, wandering across the lightly tilled agricultural land of rural Hampshire, a lapwing circling across the vista would have been a typical site in early Spring. Nowadays it is somewhat rarer but no less spectacular.

Lapwings are ground nesting birds found across much of the UK. In Hampshire, your best bet of seeing a lapwing is at the coast, especially at a grazing marsh site like Farlington Marshes Nature Reserve. These are birds of wide-open spaces, liking nothing better than a view of the surrounding area, unhindered by scrub and trees, allowing predators to be quickly identified.

On a sunny late February day, you will see them enacting aerial displays, and summersaults accompanied by their unique call. Territories are formed where males vigorously attack any intruder.

Come the end of March, things are generally settled down and into April, you will see nests appearing. A female may be huddled down on three to four eggs. This is the most vulnerable stage for the young. Crows or buzzards are but a few birds that will take all the eggs within an afternoon. Foxes, badgers and even the cuddly hedgehog will make short work of the nest, so they are up against it.

That is not to say that they are helpless. Lapwings are some of the bravest parents going. Any sign of an intruder, they will take to the air and bombard the wannabe egg thief mercilessly until it is deterred. The more lapwings there are

with nests in the vicinity, the more likely it is that they will successfully see off a predator.

At the end of April and into May, the first chicks will arrive. These little fluff balls are immediately able to feed for themselves so the parents will take them to wet areas where they pick invertebrates off the surface of the mud. In these first few weeks of mobility, they are particularly vulnerable to avian predators. A crow flying over will exact a very specific alarm call from the adult. At this sound, the chicks will bolt for cover, whether that is a patch of rush or a hoof print in the mud, they are well camouflaged and if quick, may avoid detection.

Roughly four weeks later, the chicks will be taking flight and we breathe a sigh of relief as a few lucky birds make it to adulthood, hopefully returning in a few years to raise some young for themselves.

Find out more about local wildlife at Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust’s website, www.hiwwt.org.uk

Photo Credit: Ian Cameron Reid

Brilliant British Cars

Eight marvellous motors that changed the culture and reputation of British motoring.

The British motor industry has a rich and illustrious history, with some of the most iconic cars ever produced. From luxury sports speedsters to rugged off-roaders, the UK has produced vehicles that have captured the hearts of petrolheads around the world.

1.

Land Rover Defender

The Land Rover Defender is an iconic British off-roader that has been in production since 1948. Originally designed for agricultural use, the Defender has become a symbol of British engineering and adventure. Renowned for its ruggedness and reliability, it has been used by the military, farmers, and explorers all over the world.

2.

Mini

The Mini is a British motoring icon that first appeared in 1959. Originally designed by Sir Alec Issigonis, the Mini was a revolutionary car that was small, agile and cheap to run. It quickly became a cultural icon, featuring in films such

as The Italian Job and becoming synonymous with the Swinging Sixties.

3. Lotus Elise

The Lotus Elise is a lightweight sports car that was first introduced in 1996. The car was designed to be a pure driver’s car, with an emphasis on agility, handling, and performance.

4.

Jaguar E-Type

The Jaguar E-Type is often cited as one of the most beautiful cars ever made. Introduced in 1961, this sports car was an instant hit thanks to its sleek styling, impressive performance, and affordable price tag.

5.

Bentley Continental GT

The Bentley Continental GT is a luxury grand tourer that was first introduced in 2003. The car is known for its exquisite craftsmanship, refined performance and luxurious interior.

6. MG MGB

The MG MGB is a classic British sports car that was produced between 1962 and 1980. The car was designed to be affordable and practical, and quickly became one of the bestselling sports cars of all time.

7. Rolls-Royce Phantom

Rolls-Royce is one of the most prestigious car brands in the world, and the Phantom is its flagship model.

Introduced in 1925, the Phantom has been the choice of royalty, heads of state, and the rich and famous ever since. The car is famous for its luxurious interior, smooth ride, and attention to detail.

8.

The Aston Martin DB5 is one of the most iconic British sports cars of all time, and is best known for its appearance in the James Bond films. The car was produced between 1963 and 1965, and was one of the most expensive cars of its time, a symbol of luxury and sophistication.

Aston Martin DB5

Puzzle Page Quick Crossword

Word Ladder

Make your way from BIND to SORT by changing one letter on each step to make a new word! ANSWERS:

True or False Trivia

1. An ant can lift 1,000 times its body weight

2. The liver is the largest internal organ in the human body

3. Australia is the Land of the Rising Sun

4. All mammals live on land

5. In bowling, a chicken is 3 consecutive strikes

6. The skull is the strongest bone in the human body

7. Hawaiian pizza comes from Hawaii

8. The shortest war in history lasted for only 52 minutes

9. Dumbo is the shortest Disney Movie

10. While sleeping you cannot smell anything

Just Jake

The work and the ways of Jake Gyllenhaal.

It would be hard to find a more serious and articulate observer of his profession than Jake Gyllenhaal. He goes about every role with deep consideration, flawless delivery and unparalleled commitment. Yet for the 42-year-old star of Brokeback Mountain, Southpaw, Donnie Darko, Spider-Man: Far From Home and Wildlife, the action is involuntary.

“I made a decision a while ago to push everything else aside and see acting as a craft… which sounds up there you know,” he laughs, “but if you look at any of the greats, they fully commit. And when you watch those fully committing, it’s inspiring, it’s moving.

“That’s a priority for me, because the way you grow as an individual is by forcing yourself to exit your comfort zone. For me, life is all about discovery and risk and exploring new aspects of yourself as well as the world in general.”

In over two decades of producing cinema of improbably high calibre, Gyllenhaal, who is the brother of actress Maggie, is keenly aware of the inflated status of actors in the context of modern celebrity culture.

“The thing that really drives me as an actor is my curiosity,” says Gyllenhaal. “I’m far less adventurous in my own life, and my work gives me the ability to exceed my normal boundaries and explore things about myself that I wouldn’t do otherwise.”

In the immediate foreground is Road House, a brilliant remake of the Patrick Swayze movie from 1989.

“I bulked up a bit for the movie, but generally speaking, have tried to keep my shape since doing the likes of Southpaw and Prisoners,” he says. “It’s been a process of looking after myself and taking satisfaction out of how I look and the power and focus being built gives me, so it wasn’t too difficult to get into the right mode for this one.

“Southpaw was a ‘six hours a

day’ dedication – I don’t think I could go through that again for any film!”

Road House puts Gyllenhaal back into box office central, although the actor is keen to state he is about much more than big-money productions. He is at a stage in his career when it seems he has little to prove… and if there is something, it’s purely to himself.

“I find that as an individual I learn so much from looking at the world differently when I work on a film. I constantly feel the need to challenge myself, and I make sure I listen to my instincts.

“I believe we should all do that – follow the clues, follow your heart; and stay happy.”

Five Alive for Early Summer Reads

For June, five releases that combine romance, rock, and restorative justice.

The Trial by Rob Rinder

As fans of Judge Rinder will know, Rob Rinder has seen enough courtroom trials in his career to know that truth can be stranger than fiction.

No wonder, then, that his debut novel takes all of the drama he brings to proceedings and boils it down into a powerful thriller.

Transporting the reader from the murky world of Chambers to the grandeur of the Old Bailey, Rinder’s character Adam Green, a trainee barrister who doesn’t quite fit in, is one to stick with. Published by Century on June 22nd

Ordinary Human Failings

by Megan Nolan

Following her bestselling novel Acts of Desperation, Megan Nolan’s second book Ordinary Human Failings, explores the real stories behind tabloid headlines.

Set in the Nineties, ambitious reporter Tom Hargreaves stumbles

across a scoop: a dead child on a London estate, with the suspicion of one reclusive family

of Irish immigrants swirling in the background. Published by Penguin Random House on July 11th

The Late Americans: A Novel by Brandon Taylor Brandon Taylor’s third offering, after the Booker Prize-shortlisted Real Life and bestseller Filthy Animals is The Late Americans, a novel that places the endless intricacies of friendships, lovers and chosen family centre stage.

Set in Iowa City around a potent friendship group of dancers, amateur pornographers, poets, landlords, meat-packing workers and mathematicians who occupy the city’s many facets, The Late Americans culminates in a reckoning that will change all of these young people’s lives. Published by Jonathan Cape on June 22nd

The Girls of Summer by Katie Bishop Summer romances are the stuff of many a novel, but debut author and seasoned backpacker Katie Bishop twists

this familiar scene on its head in her debut.

Don’t let the title fool you, The Girls of Summer tackles dark subjects through a dual-history narrative, and when Rachel thinks back on the first love she believed changed her life as an adult, she realises just how far she had fallen. Published by Penguin Books on May 23rd

Into the Void by Geezer Butler With over 70 million records sold, heavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath are one of the most influential bands of all time.

From the very beginning, Geezer Butler was at the heart of their success. He named the group, provided the bass behind their distinctive sound and wrote the lyrics that resonated so powerfully with fans around the world.

Here, he tells his rock ‘n’ roll story from industrial Birmingham to global stardom with wit, passion and a surprising softness. Published by Harper Collins on June 8th.

75 Years since Windrush

We look back and celebrate 75 years since the arrival of the SS Empire Windrush to Tilbury Dock in London, in June 1948 – a seminal moment in the immediate post-war rebuild, and beyond that in the evolution of the UK’s cultural path.

“That’s the extraordinary thing about this ship – it takes you into the currents of history… The Windrush sailed all the way through them.” –

The ship now commonly known as the Empire Windrush was originally built as a transatlantic cruiser by German-Jewish shipbuilders Blohm & Voss, and was christened the Monte Rosa, in 1930s Hamburg.

The vessel was captured by the British during World War II, and by 1948 was one of the most startling reinventions of freedom imaginable, as it delivered 492 migrants from the Caribbean, docking in Essex.

Many of the passengers were former servicemen who served their wartime in the country they had now travelled to. They represented the initial wave of desperately needed post-war labour designed to help get Britain back on its feet.

When its travellers eventually disembarked, around 230 were given accommodation in a deep air-raid shelter beneath Clapham Common, while the rest had already arranged work and a place to live upon their arrival.

While some immediately flourished in their new surroundings, for others work was harder to find, despite many being overqualified for jobs. While the UK had owed a huge debt of gratitude to those who had joined its war effort, the conflict had cemented a feeling of self-preservation and selfprotection, and that extended to the jobs market where some employers only wanted to look after their own.

Over time, and as more arrived from foreign shores, a fair spread of job opportunities presented itself, not least because the country was powering behind a rebuild that required labourers in food, iron and steel production, coal, expansion of the capital’s public transport and, of course, the newly-formed NHS.

While the Windrush Generation made huge contributions to the society that already existed in Britain, many set about making waves of their own.

Wind forward and AfroCaribbean community has made an enormous contribution to British culture through music, sport, education, the arts, politics and, of course, culinary genius; and those influences on the very fabric of British life is now recognised every year in the form of Windrush Day, on June 22nd.

In 1948, the fallout from the conflict was a decimated economy, and a nation short of housing, industry and workers.

The arrival of that boat to a bleak and rather inhospitable Tilbury Docks signified not just a ray of sunshine for those on board, but the country as a whole.

Paul Arnott

Spot the Difference!

There are 10 differences between the two images below. How many can you spot?

STAR GAZING

WRITTEN BY KATE EARL

kateearlastro@gmail.com

Welcome to the June Stargazing Page. Highlights this month include a very close encounter between the Moon and Antares, the star that ‘rivals Mars’.

International Space Station

For the final few days of June, the ISS is visible an hour or so before sunrise, low in the southeast. To establish exact timings please refer to www.heavens-above.com or a similar webpage for up-to-date information, remembering to set the location to your observing area.

Events

Midsummer, or the Summer Solstice (from the Latin for ‘the sun stands still’) occurs on June 21st. For the northern hemisphere, it marks the day when the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky at noon (GMT). We experience this as the ‘longest day’ of the year (the longest amount of daylight and the shortest night).

Mercury

The innermost planet is too close to the Sun to be seen this month.

Venus

Venus is now sinking lower every evening but remains visible in our skies until just

before midnight. It appears close to Mars and the Moon on the 21st and 22nd around 11pm (see figure).

Mars

Mars is also getting dimmer and lower each night. Use Venus and the Moon as markers to try and spot it low on the western horizon on the 21st and 22nd. Binoculars will help bring out its red colouration.

Jupiter & Saturn

Jupiter is visible from around 3.30am low in the east, but is dazzling bright and for early risers it cannot be mistaken for anything else. Saturn appears earlier, around 3am.

Moon

June’s full moon occurs on the 4th. It is very close to the star Antares on the 3rd at 11.30pm (see figure). On this date, the Moon is pretty much full, so binoculars might be required to see Antares through its glare.

Star of the month

Antares, the brightest star in the constellation of the scorpion, Scorpius (note, not Scorpio), can be spotted low in the south during the month of June. Its name is derived from the Ancient Greek for ‘rival of Mars’, as it is often seen in the same part of the sky as the red planet, and is also coloured red, but for different reasons. Mars is red because its surface contains oxidised (rusted) iron, whereas Antares is classed as a red supergiant star, which has cooled to a temperature that gives off red-coloured light. In one version of Greek mythology, the scorpion was responsible for the downfall of the boastful hunter Orion, causing his death by a quick sting on the back of his foot. The whole star pattern of Scorpius can’t be seen from the UK, but if you travel farther south for your holidays this summer try and spot the scorpion in all its glory as it really is one of the most spectacular constellations.

Please canwe have trees added to the horizon as view isvery low to the south. Thanks

View south at 11.30pm on 3 June

Antares: ‘Rival of Mars’

Near full moon

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The Hairy Bikers’ Steak and Ale Pie

Introduction

Treat your old man this Father’s Day with a recipe from the ultimate creators of comfort food: The Hairy Bikers. Rich, flavoursome and pretty simple to make, this steak and ale pie will earn you ultimate parent points.

Ingredients

(serves 4-6)

For the filling

• 900g stewing steak, diced

• 25g flour, plus extra for dusting

• 100g butter

• 2 onions roughly chopped

• 2 cloves of garlic, roughly chopped

• 2 medium carrots, roughly chopped

• 150g button mushrooms

• 2 sprigs fresh thyme

• 400ml good-quality ale

• 500ml beef stock

• Salt and pepper

For the pastry

• 300g ready-made rolled puff pastry

• 1 egg, beaten for glazing

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 220°C/ Gas Mark 7. Tip the flour into a bowl and season well. Coat the meat with seasoned flour.

2. Heat half the butter in a heated pan and add the meat. Sear all over until golden brown.

Top Tip

You can also prepare the pie filling in a slow cooker for a richer, deeper flavour.

3. Add the vegetables, herbs, ale, and stock. Bring to a simmer, then cover with a lid and gently simmer for one hour. When cooked, season, add the remaining butter, and pour into an ovenproof serving dish.

4. Brush the edge of the dish with the beaten egg. Roll out the pastry using as little flour as possible and place it over the dish. Pinch the edges of the dish so that the pastry will stick to it and trim off any remaining pieces of pastry from around the edge. Brush the pastry top thoroughly with the remaining

beaten egg and place on a baking tray.

5. Bake for one hour and 20 minutes until the filling is bubbling and the crust is golden brown.

Top Tip

• Remove your pastry from the fridge at least half an hour before you want to use it and let the pie filling cool a little before placing the pastry over the top as the heat may cause it to tear.

COVID-19 spring vaccines are available for those most at-risk of serious illness:

• Adults aged 75 years and over

• Residents in care homes for older adults

• Individuals aged five and over who have a weakened immune system

The level of protection we get from the COVID-19 vaccine can reduce over time, so it's important you attend for this spring dose when invited.

You may have been invited by your GP Practice, through the NHS App or by post, but you can also visit nhs.uk/CovidVaccination to book online.

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Vaccination Helpline on 0300 561 0018 can help with booking an appointment or checking if you are eligible.

If you are yet to have any COVID-19 vaccines, it isn’t too late. Everyone aged five and over is eligible for two doses. You have until 30 June to get protected.

Getting vaccinated saves lives.

12 Months of Tech

The major advancements in everyday tech we can expect over the next year.

The rate of technological advancement shows little sign of abating. We are in a rich period of innovation where developments that seemed impossible one or two years ago are now supercharging their way into the mainstream.

With that in mind then, here are five key trends that are set to dominate the tech industry over the next 12 months and, as a result, make our lives significantly easier, safer, healthier, or simply better informed.

1. Biotechnology

Gene editing technologies have recently opened up new possibilities in medicine and agriculture. In 2024, the anticipation is that the application of one of these, named CRISPR, which extends into gene therapies and genetically modified organisms, could play a crucial role in addressing food shortages and climate change by creating drought-resistant and highyield crops.

2.

AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) has had an unprecedented level of advancement in 2023, moving from the domain of Silicon Valley tech-heads into the consumer mainstream.

The use of this in language processing, computer vision, and reinforcement learning is set to be at the pinnacle of

advancements in 2024, with the technology looking to further its understanding and interaction with the world.

Industries such as healthcare, finance, transportation and manufacturing are expected to benefit most from improved AI-driven solutions.

3. 5G The rollout of 5G networks will continue to expand in 2024, offering faster connectivity, reduced latency, and improved network capacity.

These advancements will further the idea of smart cities and autonomous vehicles, as well as laying the groundwork for 6G technology, promising even more dramatic improvements in communication and connectivity in the years to come.

4. Energy storage and renewable energy

As the world moves towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources, advancements in energy storage and

renewable energy technologies will be critical.

Over the coming months, we can expect significant progress in battery technology, with higher-capacity, fastercharging, and longer-lasting batteries becoming more commonplace. This will make electric vehicles more competitive, facilitating the large-scale adoption of renewable energy sources like solar and wind.

5. Space exploration and colonisation

Space exploration is always noted as a gamechanger in ‘what to expect’ circles, yet as 2024 unfolds, the advancements of private companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin should push the boundaries of space travel to never-before seen places… literally.

We should expect more ambitious missions, including the possibility of humans returning to the Moon, as well as significant advances in satellite technology from Earth.

General Knowledge

Across Clues:

1. Attract peoples’ interests (5)

3. Collection (3)

5. Monetary unit of Lesotho (5)

7. Inquire (3)

8. Acts as a representative (3)

9. Maori tribe (3)

10. Organs inside (3)

11. Bend (3)

12. Crumble (5)

15. Tree with needle shaped leaves (5)

18. Stagger (7)

21. A set of predefined devices (7)

25. Striking (7)

29. Live entertainment (7)

32. Very deep hole (5)

34. Grain (5)

36. Centre of an activity (3)

37. Long wooden seat (3)

38. Toilet (3)

39. Eliminates (3)

40. Product from a widely cultivated plant (3)

41. Meat prescribed by Muslim Law (5)

42. Cereal grown in cold countries (3)

43. So hot, it makes you sweat (5)

Down Clues:

1. Too much of something (5)

2. A sign that you belong to an organisation (5)

3. Wooden object used as a target (7)

4. A spindle used in making tubes (7)

5. To say in a rough manner (5)

6. Planet (5)

13. Decay (3)

14. Barrier (3)

16. The whole (3)

17. Signal to begin (3)

18. Exercise and treatments (3)

19. Achieve a particular result (3)

20. An exclamation (3)

22. Sphere (3)

23. Polite way of addressing (3)

24. Indicate disapproval (3)

26. Thin net made by an arachnid (3)

27. Signal indicating danger (3)

28. Permits (7)

29. Put together (7)

30. Brilliant (3)

31. Old age (3)

32. Flooded (5)

33. A shell (5)

34. Move from side to side (5)

35. A Brazilian dance (5)

Answers: Across: 1. Blurb, 3. Set, 5. Sente, 7. Ask, 8. Rep, 9. Iwi, 10. Gut, 11. Bow, 12. Erode, 15. Larch, 18. Stumble, 21. Toolset, 25. Awesome,

29. Cabaret, 32. Abyss, 34. Seeds, 36. Hub, 37. Pew, 38. Loo, 29. Axe, 40. Soy, 41. Halal, 42. Rye, 43. Sauna.

1. Binge, 2. Badge, 3. Skittle, 4. Triblet, 5. Spawl, 6. Earth, 13. Rot, 14. Dam, 16. All, 17. Cue, 18. Spa, 19. Use, 20. Boo, 22. Orb, 23. Sir, 24. Tut, 26. Web, 27. SOS, 28. Enabler, 29. Compose, 30. Ace, 31. Eld, 32. Awash, 33. Sheal, 34. Sways, 35. Samba.

Down:

Green ngers… the Alan Titchmarsh column

He’s a brilliant presenter, accomplished gardener, talented novelist, and allround horticultural inspiration. This month, Alan Titchmarsh discusses an array of wildlife we may not expect to see in our gardens over the summer months.

Think of our gardens in summer and you can probably come up with the same old things that make those outside spaces such pleasurable places to spend time in. There are flowers such as roses, lavender, foxgloves, delphiniums; there’s all that lush green grass that offers visual magnificence with an aroma that is as unique as it is unmistakable. Beyond that, there’s the beauty of climbing plants such as ivy, clematis and honeysuckle. And of course, the odd bat.

Hang on, did I just say that?!

Well I did, and it’s true. Bats in the summer in our gardens

are common, albeit not the first thing you would immediately think of.

And while you’re there, have a look for grass snakes, stag beetles, slow worms, glow-worms, foxes, and even rare amphibians such as the great crested newt. And what about the humble hedgehog, or the sparky sparrowhawk?

Few of these animals we would confidently associate with summer gardens, but they are there, they are present, and if we seek them out, they can truly enrich our admiration for this wonderful habitat and where life – beyond flowers and plants – is shown to flourish.

So while the summer months typically enable us to sit back, relax and enjoy the immediate visual beauty of our gardens, the truth is there is so much more going on behind the scenes. You’ll see all this if you delve a bit deeper into your outside space, and can attract the wonderful visitors – all the while supporting local

biodiversity – by ensuring you are planting native species, by providing water sources, as well as creating habitats like log piles or compost heaps.

The fact is, while we look on our gardens primarily as places that stimulate our senses so spectacularly, it’s worth remembering they are habitats for all manner of wonderful little creatures and critters, and we are all, at times, guilty of forgetting their existence.

My recommendation this year is to give a bit more back to animal life – even if that means keeping the grass a bit longer than you usually would – because you’ll be surprised at just how much more your garden evolves.

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Heat Waste

How to enjoy summer without the excess environmental waste it can often create.

Summer is a season that brings excitement, energy and opportunity at every turn. From outdoor barbecues to beach trips, it’s a time of year when people tend to do more, spend more and, unfortunately, waste more than usual.

Here are some practical ways by which we can reduce our environmental impact and save money during the summer months.

Reduce your energy consumption

Summer can be a time when people use a lot of energy to keep cool. To reduce your energy consumption, consider fans instead of air conditioning, take showers instead of baths and use your oven as little as possible.

You can also close your blinds or curtains during the hottest part of the day to keep your home cool, and switch to LED lightbulbs which as well as being more energy efficient, also give off less heat.

Plan your meals

Summer is a great time for fresh fruits and vegetables, but such buoyant supply can often lead to us overbuying. To reduce food waste, plan your meals in advance and only buy what you need.

Also consider freezing any overripe fruits or vegetables for later use in smoothies; and when barbecuing, try to cook only what you need.

Use reusable containers and bags

When packing for a picnic or a day at the beach, bring reusable containers and bags instead of disposable ones. This will reduce the amount of waste you produce and save you money in the long run.

It’s also worth investing in cool packs that will keep your food tasting fresh, along with insulated bottles that can

ensure water or other drinks (including wine!) stay cool for hours.

Choose eco-friendly activities

When planning activities for the summer, why not make the most of the great outdoors and go hiking, biking or even paddleboarding?

These activities have less of an impact on the environment than, say, visiting a theme park, and are also considerably cheaper. You can also look for local events that promote sustainability and conservation such as group litter-picking events and family fun days that channel resources back into your local community.

Use public transport

While it can be tempting to take that long-haul holiday or campervan road trip, planes and cars are costly and produce a lot of emissions. So why not pick a destination you can reach by train or coach instead? And where possible, try to commit to walking or cycling short distances, rather than driving.

The Adventures of Daichi The Modern Magazines Camper Van

As you know Daichi, our beloved Modern Magazines campervan, loves to travel. Well last month he did his longest journey yet and travelled all the way to the beautiful, stunning and inspiring Trossachs in Scotland. We decided to do the first journey in two parts. After a busy and fun Bank Holiday Monday in Wafflicious our ice-cream and waffle parlour, the three of us stepped into a rather packed Daichi and set off for ‘just north of Manchester’ where we would have a snooze. Daichi was in his element. This is exactly what he is made for. Family time, travel and adventure. After an overnight stay on the motorway, well not literally of course, we set off again all refreshed. I have to say that the service station at Tebay with its rather nice farm shop, good food and lovely scenery was a welcome break. It was designed and constructed after the motorway was planned to meander all the way through the farm itself. The owner took advantage of the situation and created this whole new business. What a brilliant idea. Instead of complaining and stopping the planned road, he thought with it, for the good of all. The whole trip was a lesson in this as you will read.

Tigh Mor is located on Loch Achray, near the famous Loch Katrine. It is so picturesque. The imposing Hotel did remind me of Hogwarts from Harry Potter, with its majestic turrets and high stone walls. It was all rather exciting, and I am led to believe that some guests have heard their name mysteriously called out when their partners were out. The views down to the Loch and across to Ben A’an and Ben Venue are awe inspiring. They calm the soul. Perfect for a relaxing break. We met with Stephen’s dad, Alan and his sister Rachel, so it was a time to catch up and make some memories too. Daichi, and me, were in our elements.

Hayden was only staying for a couple of days as the King had decided to have a Coronation (even more excitement – what a week!) and Hayden needed to get back to work in his beloved Icecream parlour with Coronation Specials. The first day we planned a boat trip on Loch Katrine. What a beautiful location. What I did not know is that Loch Katrine is famous and actually the very reason this area is now so frequented and loved. Sir Walter Scott had written the novel “The Lady of the Lake” published in 1810. Prior to this Scotland was seen as a dangerous, inhospitable place with fierce warriors, outlaws (that is my maiden name by the way… honestly!), thieves, wolves, ferocious birds of prey and

Daichi at “An Tigh Mor Trossachs”

I got to steer the boat on Loch Katrine!

savage stags. Sir Walter’s novel, portrayed a rather different picture. It is a romance after all with much adventure. I have not read it yet but am getting my copy for sure. This is a story of turning a whole view around and creating good, where once there was only bad. After the great adventures in Lady of the Lake had been published, with heroes, heroines, myths and legends, hundreds of visitors arrived to witness the sheer beauty and delights of this alluring area – but there was nowhere for these people to stay! Arriving in luxurious carriages these gentry slept on straw in barns and wherever they could lay down. One intelligent and thoughtful man, James Stuart, started renting out rooms, albeit the stale bread and rough whiskey he provided was little to be desired. The local landowners then built a hotel with all the luxuries of a London dwelling to accommodate the increasing numbers of high guests all pouring in. The Trossachs Hotel it was called. Now known as Tigh Mor, having gone through many owners and changes over the years, this is where we were staying. How exciting. Daichi may not be a horse drawn carriage, but the setting is such that you almost feel this is how you arrived! History is fascinating, don’t you think?

The following day we visited Doune Castle. Another famous place now, due to the filming of the recent series Outlander and previously Monty Python and the Holy Grail. We love castles and this did not disappoint. The high curtain walls in the courtyard that would once have been the height of activity with a thriving community, the Great Hall still showing its splendour, the

Gate house, the spiral staircases up to the chambers, the magnificent views across River Teith, it was all very thought provoking. Built in the late 1300’s by Robert Stewart, the 1st Duke of Albany and the renown “uncrowned King” who ruled Scotland without ever being given the title to actually do so. Lots of intrigue with the real heir imprisoned in England. History at its best. Another fabulous day was had by all.

Hayden took his train from Glasgow to London and then onto Weymouth, while we continued to enjoy our stay. We watched the Coronation with the backdrop of Ben A’an behind the TV, gorgeous.

A visit to Loch Lomond was an absolute must and with beautiful sunshine it was just gorgeous. One day Stephen took me on a mystery tour and we visited Nick Nairn’s Restaurant, at Port of Menteith. We had to stop for coffee and cake of course! We met Julia, Nick’s lovely wife in her delightful shop full of quality kitchen ware and house furnishings. Nick was the youngest Scottish chef to win a Michelin star in the early 1990’s. More fame to be experienced this trip. All these accolades and acclaims are getting to Daichi’s head! A lovely setting, good coffee and delicious desserts were enjoyed by all.

A visit to Stirling to see our niece, meals out, strolls alongside Lochs, wonderful Daichi tours around the “Three Lochs Drive”, and picnics by the glistening waters, what more could we want. Daichi was extremely happy and so were we. Thank you to Grandpa for an amazing week! Where will Daichi take us next… I wonder?

By Debbie Corney

Our view of Loch Achray

The Curtain Walls at Doune Castle

A Design for Life… e Kevin McCloud Column

Designer, writer and television presenter, Kevin McCloud leapt into our consciousness with his vastly successful Grand Designs show on Channel 4. This month, the affable architectural business owner talks about how to enrich and update your home, without the need to raise it to the ground.

If I were to make one criticism of the Grand Designs concept, it’s that everything starts from scratch… well, almost everything.

The concept across 23 series has often been to develop a basic, unremarkable plot of land into a dream home; yet in reality, 99 per cent of people never have that option. In short, we have to make the most of what we’re given, and that means taking an existing home and redeveloping it, and that means dealing with limitations as far as the freedom we have.

It’s not all bad news though. What you have with older properties is a build quality that is often significantly better than we have today. We’ve all been in old houses where the walls are several feet thick, or the overhanging beams, for all their ageing, are as rigid and secure as the day a couple of hundred years ago they were put in. Trust me, this stuff counts.

So if you have the opportunity to renovate rather than buy new, take it and embrace it. Sometimes, if we already have something on the canvas, so to speak, it can stimulate a whole plethora of ideas you would never have thought of previously.

most important of all, be brave in what you create.

What

I will say is give this creativity the respect it deserves.

Ensure to hire a reputable builder, use highquality materials, focus on energy efficiency – as well as saving the planet, it will save you money too! – consider sustainable building practices and,

Look at extreme detail as well as the big picture, think about what styles you’ll like in a year’s time, in five years’ time, in 10 years’ time, and drive ideas that fill you with energy and creativity… the like of which you would never achieve in a newbuild.

There is no place more important than our home –it is our inspiration, our salvation, and our sanity. It’s the place we thrive, and the place we protect those around us, so getting it right is essential, and sometimes reinvention – making use of some existing elements and working them into a new outcome – can be the golden nectar a space requires.

Astronomy Wordsearch

BLACK HOLE

COSMIC DUST

DARK MATTER

GALAXY

GAMMA RAY BURST

LUMINOSITY

NEBULA

SUPERNOVA

TELESCOPE UNIVERSE

WHITE DWARF

Puzzle Page Answers

Quick Crossword Solution #028

Answers:

Across: 5. Nutbutter, 8. Step, 9. Renminbi, 10. Bestrew, 11. Neume, 13. Major, 15. Evident, 18. Actuator, 19. City, 20. Landslide. Down: 1. Output, 2. Aborted, 3. Stint, 4. Derive, 6. Utterance, 7. Abominate, 12. Overall, 14. Ocular, 16. Decade, 17. Etude.

True or False Trivia Answers

1. False – it can lift 5,000 times their body weight

2. True

3. False – it is Japan

4. False – Dolphins are mammals

7. False – It comes from Canada created in 1962

8. False – it was between 38-45: The Anglo-Zanzibar War

9. True – it is 64

Alison Roman’s Birthday Cake

Whether you’ve got a big celebration coming up or just fancy making a really moist, beautiful cake, this classic birthday recipe from American baking superstar Alison Roman will make even the most ordinary day feel special.

Ingredients

(10 to 12 servings)

• Non-stick spray or butter for the pan

• 225g unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into 1-inch pieces

• 470g all-purpose flour

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 1½ tsp salt

• 1½ tsp baking soda

• 360ml buttermilk

• 180ml vegetable oil

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 400g granulated sugar

• 110g lightly packed light brown sugar

• 5 large eggs

• 3 large egg yolks

For the Chocolate frosting

• 340g bittersweet chocolate, chopped (chocolate chips are fine)

• 225g sour cream, room temperature

• 225g unsalted butter, room temperature

• 185g icing sugar

• Generous pinch of salt

• Lots of sprinkles

Method

1. Heat the oven to 180°C. Spray three 9-inch cake pans with non-stick spray or grease with softened butter.

2. Whisk the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda together. In another bowl, combine the buttermilk, vegetable oil and vanilla extract.

3. In another bowl, combine the butter, sugar and light brown sugar. Using an electric mixer, beat everything until light and fluffy. Add in the eggs and egg yolks one at a time. Beat until combined.

4. Add a quarter of the flour mixture. Before fully combined, add in half of the buttermilk mixture. Repeat with remaining flour and buttermilk until everything is blended.

5. Divide the batter equally among the pans. Bake for 35-40mins, rotating the pan halfway through baking. The cakes are done when they are golden brown and pulling away from the sides of the pan.

6. Melt the chocolate. Add half the sour cream to the chocolate and combine. Repeat with another half. The chocolate will

Top Tip

• For a pro effect, apply a ‘crumb layer’ first whereby you apply a thin layer of icing on the outside of the cake and then place it in the fridge to set. Once chilled, you can apply the rest of the frosting over this layer for a flawless effect.

stiffen a bit as you add the sour cream.

7. In a bowl, combine the butter, sugar and salt using an electric mixer on low speed at first. Beat until everything is almost pure. Slowly add in the chocolate mixture and beat until combined.

8. Assemble the cake with frosting between each layer and use the last of the frosting to cover the entire cake. Decorate with sprinkles and serve.

Top Tip

It is essential to ensure the cake layers are properly cooled before frosting them