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Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy 2013

A note from Sue... Anyway back to, today. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you all for reading the gazette and using the advertisers within it. I love my job – truly. But the gazette is not the gazette without you the readers, my loyal and dependable delivery team and the wonderful advertisers who want to let you know about their local businesses. So I’d like to wish you a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones or even on your own and a very happy and healthy 2013.

A last minute Christmas rush is definitely on the cards for me this year. I just don’t know where the time has gone. My bank account has also had a big leak!! But what with the price of petrol dropping to a slightly more affordable £1.29 what do we have to complain about! There are a few last minute Christmas gift ideas for those that are really struggling. And remember that the local shops also offer gift vouchers for when you can’t decide what to give. When the festivities are over there is a bit of a lull. The thought of thinking up another meal is laborious! So the Four Mile at Kingswells has very kindly given us a 20% off voucher to use during January and February, Monday to Thursday. I’ll definitely be using mine! In fact prebooked already for January!

I think for this month we could maybe grab a cup of mulled wine or cider and enjoy this very full edition… See you all in February 2013.

Very best wishes, Sue The February issue of the magazine copy deadline is 16 January. PS: Any last minute events, local news, what’s on etc I will try and put onto our facebook page

Find out about the wonderful Cuba in our Travel Section and also the Penthouse at Aphrodite Hills, Cyprus - definitely worth a read.

https://www.facebook.com/gazettemagazines Ad-hoc contributions from : Helen Taylor; James Baggott; Pippa Greenwood; Jane Robinson and Amanda Wise Advertising Sales : Sue Simpson : 01224 - 318561 Distribution - thanks to : Mark; Sue; Carol; Caroline; Gregor; Jodi; Cameron; Kate; Sarah; Fraser; Laura; Freya; David; Maureen & Raymond; Vanessa; Lauren; Sophie; Sharon; Mary; Rebecca; Benjamin; Adam; Glenn; Kate; Alix; Connor; Carter; Laura & Molly

Whilst we’d be flattered if you would like to borrow something from the gazette be polite and ask first! Thank you. We try our hardest to ensure accuracy of editorial content but no responsibility can be taken for any errors and/or omissions. The views expressed within the gazette are not necessarily those of the publisher or advertisers. When replying to offers, competitions and other correspondence, we would strongly recommend that you check published information with each organisation beforehand. We thank you for taking the time to read the small print. All artwork is accepted on strict condition that permission has been given for use in this publication. www.thegranitecitygazette.co.uk

deadline : 16 January - February 2013 issue

publisher/owner : Sue Simpson

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going thru the letterbox in Airyhall, Ashley, Bieldside, Braeside, Broomhill, Countesswells, Craigiebuckler, Cults, Holburn, Kepplestone Houses, Mannofield, Morningside, Queens Cross, Rubislaw, Seafield, Viewfield, Woodland at Pitfodels, Woodend

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Letter

Hi Sue, On Saturday the 3rd of November we set off on our journey. It was 5:40 am, pitch dark and freezing cold and we were both terrified! I say both because we lost our third member of the Flying Mamas due to injury. Poor Sheila was mostly upset but I suspect also a little relieved. We arrived at Errol Airfield just before 7:30 am and our long wait began.

All too soon we were strapped to our respective instructors and at the jump height of 10,000 feet. By now the day had turned glorious with bright blue sky and not a cloud to be seen. Yes we still had our eyes open!

We were given a thirty minute training session and issued our jump order. Unfortunately Linda and I were to be the last to jump and the weather was not looking very promising. There followed a very long day in which we kept congratulating our fellow jumpers. THEN it was our turn to be suited up in thick suits due to the bitter cold and very glamorous headwear. A quick goodbye to our loved ones and away on the bus towards our very small plane.

The door was opened and the noise of the wind was deafening plus it was so so cold. The next part is slightly hazy but went a bit like; foot out, bend leg, drop head down and cross arms and before I could decide against it we were OUT. The free-fall part of the jump was incredibly noisy and weirdly didn't feel like falling. Then a slight jolt up as the parachute opened then absolute silence. It was amazing floating in silence with the brilliant views of the surrounding countryside. Breathtakingly beautiful and peaceful. A few stomach churning moments as the instructor showed off and span us round and then it was ready to land. Knees up and chin in and oomph we were down and in one piece. WE HAD ACTUALLY JUMPED OUT OF A PLANE!

What has made this an absolutely fantastic experience has been the support of our family and friends. Thank you to everyone who has supported us and with your generous donations we have managed to raise ÂŁ2141.40 for the very worthwhile charity Brain Tumour UK. Words simply cannot do justice as to how your generosity and support has moved us. So once again thank you all so much. Please do mention the gazette when responding to advertisers - thank you

Morna Sinclair & Linda Birnie

Karma Fern Necklace £15 Fern Ring £12 @ Flourish

Wool berets £11 and leather gloves £19.95. @ Flourish

Orli silver plated star necklace with crystal charm £35. @ Flourish Shellac nails and Nova-lash lashes available @ Pink Lily

MiH Longwood Knit £125 @ It’s Darling

Bolongaro Trevor Smithfield Vest £120 @ It’s Darling

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Solitaire - Again Hand printed fabric products including cushions, lavender bags and notebook packs, cost £8 - £38 @ Junction

Stephen O'Neil Kings College - Stephen is a photogra graphic designer based in Glasgow, here he has done of Aberdeen iconic images, sized either 5" x 5" or 5" x 12". This one is kings college and is a 5"x 5" image and comes ready mounted and wrapped, the prefect small gift and priced at £20. The large ones are £40. @ Junction

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TBA Lena Dress £250 @ It’s Darling

Colin Mathieson - ‘In the Grip of Winter’ Photograph, cost framed £120, unframed £85 @ Junction

ClothKat Decs - Hand printed cotton Tree decorations, cost £5.25. Other shapes available are Hearts and Baubles. @ Juntion

Xmas Cards 2012 - Junction have a range of individual and packed Christmas cards with unique and quirky designs priced from £2.50 - £4.95.

Helen Ryrie - Lustre glazed ceramic canaries, various colours, cost £35 - £45 @ Junction

Xiao Chang Ornate Jewellery Jewellery by Xiao Chang made from laser etched metals, various earring, necklace and brooch designs prices ranging from £8 - £16 @ Junction

Craft papers, ribbon, glitter, bits and bobs to make the perfect homemade Christmas @ Holburn Crafts

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s t f i g t s The be t fans e g d a g r o f What do yo

Buying Christmas presents for gadget fans can be difficult, because they don’t tend to wait for special occasions to splash out - but before you reach for the stand-by option of perfume or socks, it’s worth thinking laterally. The answer to the question “what do you buy for the person who has everything?” is often “accessories”. This doesn’t necessarily mean brightly coloured cases or novelty items that plug into laptops’ USB ports, although of course there are plenty of those to choose from; novelty USB items are this decade’s equivalent of hilarious musical socks, and best avoided.

Sony iPod dock

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Gorilla Pod camera tripod

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In many cases accessories can make gadgets even more useful. Take the Eye-Fi Connect memory card, for example: it’s a camera memory card with built-in Wi-Fi, so it turns any camera into a connected one for instant uploading. It’s not as expensive as you might expect - at the time of writing a 4GB Eye-Fi Connect X2 is £32.25 on Amazon - and it will genuinely delight any camera fan. Just make sure it’ll fit: Eye-Fi cards are designed to fit in SDHC slots, which you’ll find in most but not all modern cameras. Another camera favourite is the Gorillapod, an innovative camera tripod that can hang on to almost anything. It’s available for everything from smartphones to enormous digital SLRs, and prices start at around £10. Unlike traditional tripods it doesn’t need to sit on the ground: you can wrap it around lampposts and tree branches, hang it from tables or put it on your head. t : 01224 - 318561

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Eye-Fi Connect X2 camera card There are no shortage of useful accessories for iPads, and one of the best is Logitech’s Ultrathin Keyboard (around £75), which essentially turns an iPad into a small laptop. If you’d rather spend a little less, there are tablet styluses for writing notes and drawing for as little as £6.30 (Griffin’s Apple iPad Stylus), rising to around £22 for the Pogo Sketch Pro. Such styluses work not just on iPads, but any touchscreen device including rival tablets and smartphones. As you’ve probably noticed in the shop, Apple owners are particularly well served by accessories: you can’t wander round the supermarket without tripping over a pile of iPhone alarm clocks and speaker docks. Such items make great presents, but be careful which ones you buy: with the arrival of the iPhone 5 in September, Apple dumped its existing dock connector in favour of a smaller connector called Lightning. Accessories designed for the iPhone 4 and earlier will still work, but they’ll need an expensive adapter for the iPhone 5, updated iPods and updated iPads - and in some cases the cost of the adapter may be more than the cost of the accessory. It’s definitely worth checking which version the person has before spending any money - advice that also applies to very useful multi-device chargers such as the Bluelounge Refresh (£69.99), which can charge multiple gadgets simultaneously.

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If you’re still stuck for ideas, there’s always the famous answer to the present for someone who has everything: a box for them to put it all in. Rather than a box we’d recommend a bag, and we particularly like the Unit Portables bags (£59.99 from Muazo.co.uk): while they’re designed to accommodate gadgets, chargers and their accessories, they’re smart, stylish and available in a range of eye-catching colours. Please do mention the gazette when responding to advertisers - thank you

Christmas Goes Crackers If you’re fed up with your Uncle Jack’s unfunny oneliners this Christmas, why not retreat to a quiet corner and find a bit of comic relief away from the relatives. From classic cats to depressed rabbits, we have enough Christmas cheer to keep you laughing well into the New Year.

The Far Side Gallery 1 By Gary Larson If there’s any doubt that Gary Larson is some kind of comic genius, it was dispelled when they built a museum in San Francisco and filled it with his cartoons. Seeing the world through Larson’s eyes is viewing it through a pair of Dame Ednastyle glasses. He finds the funny in the ordinary and I guarantee you’ll never look at cows and chickens in quite the same way again. The Far Side books can be passed from grandparents to parents to children and all will be equally tickled by Larson’s humour. The Book of Bunny Suicides Andy Riley Poor bunny. Here we are, taking pleasure in his impending pain. It sounds terribly fiendish and it’s definitely not for Peter Rabbit fans but Riley’s cartoons somehow manage to maintain a touch of innocence in the macabre. The premise is simple and yet Bunny’s plans to end his days become more and more elaborate and ingenious as the book goes on. It brings new meaning to the phrase ‘not a happy bunny’. I guarantee that you’ll laugh out loud. Simon’s Cat Vs. The World! Simon Tofield Not since Garfield has a cartoon cat so captured the nation’s heart. Simon’s cat spends his days terrorising and tormenting his long-suffering owner but this time, it’s the puss that’s under threat. With

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a new kitten on the scene, Simon’s Cat is facing a power-struggle of a magnitude he’s never known before. Forget fighting dead flies…this time it’s war. Life-long cat fan Tofield has had years of feline experience, and it shows. The new cartoons are full of pure moggy magic. Garfield-Going for Gold Jim Davis Timed to coincide with London 2012, this special edition is one of the classic sports strips. He may have been around since the 70s but Davis’ furry anti-hero hasn’t grown out of taunting his owner with violence towards his canine counterpart, Odie and of laziness, gluttony, sarcasm and a hatred of Mondays. You gotta love a cat like that. The Best of Matt 2012 Matthew Pritchett Looking back over the last twelve months, you would expect cartoons on the Olympics, the Diamond Jubilee, the recession and everything else in-between. This multi award-winning cartoonist captures the spirit of the nation in his own inimitable way. It’s a subtle mixture of wit and satire that will have you chuckling into your pudding. His almost haphazard drawing style is quirky and suggestive, making you feel like he’s capturing British life on the fly. A brilliant way to look back over the year. The Best of “Punch” Cartoons Helen Walasek Prion Books Limited ‘Punch’ magazine may have closed its doors in 2002 but its legendary status lives on. This is the biggest collection of Punch cartoons ever and it’s one to be savoured. It’s essential reading for all fans of humour and satire, with no holds barred and nowhere safe to hide. The selection was made by Helen Walasek of the Punch Cartoon Library and it’s definitely to be

treasured. With 600 of the best to flick through, you’d better avoid doing it in one sitting, or you might end up Punch drunk.

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Letters Trying to learn Russian was not easy for a group of Explorer Scout Young Leaders from the 21st Aberdeen (Cults) Scout Group during their recent visit to Gomel, Belarus. At Gomel Technical College they were met by students in Belarus national dress before being taken to the College workshops where they were allowed to try bricklaying, plastering, plumbing and welding, alongside the students. The Young Leaders were in Gomel to help teach conversational English in various Gomel schools and to deliver books, maps and newspapers to the English language departments. They met over 60 pupils during their project work in the classroom and practical use of English and Russian in the city centre. Charles Lowe, 21st Aberdeen (Cults) Scout Group, Scottish Registered Charity No. SC018385

Hercules Moments launches third free Aberdeen music compilation A student-run music website based in the North East of Scotland has released its third annual compilation of the best music in Aberdeen, free of charge. Following the success of two previous releases, Hercules Moments, a student-run online music magazine founded by Eoin Smith and Russell Thom, both 21, is ready to unleash a brand new compilation featuring nine top Aberdeen artists. The creatively named ‘Hercules Moments: Vol. 3’ was released as a free download on www.herculesmoments.co.uk on the 5th of December, in a variety of digital formats. Boasting a wealth of talent from around Aberdeen and the surrounding area the sampler has been mastered by awardwinning producer Iain Macpherson, and also features tracks from Marionettes, Forest Fires, Brothers Reid, Ashley Park and Boy With Compass.

It was in March 2009 that then-school pupils Eoin and Russell launched Hercules Moments: a blog dedicated to writing about the music they loved to listen to. Since then, the website has become a thriving online music magazine featuring international stars alongside smaller local artists, and has been nominated for a variety of awards along the way. Eoin said: “Everyone at Hercules Moments is absolutely thrilled with, and humbled by, the feedback we have had over the past three and a half years. We can’t wait to see what the next year will bring.”

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Let’s talk wine...

Festive style council

I’m not talking about that LBD or 5 inch stilettos but wine styles! A small selection of contrasting wines will see you through Christmas day to Hogmanay and beyond. Firstly fizz, a festive essential- go for a fruity Prosecco from Italy, Cava from Spain or a classic Champagne. Go for 2 different white styles. Sauvignon Blanc remains popular as ever and the passion fruit and goose berry driven styles from New Zealand and South Africa work well on their own and with seafood. An elegant Chardonnay from the Maconnais in France is great with smoked and poached salmon and dishes with a light creamy sauce. For turkey and all the trimmings go for a Pinot Noir from New Zealand or something with dark fruit and spice from the southern Rhone such as a Chateauneuf du Pape Try a dry rose from France, Spain or Italy to lift tired Boxing Day taste buds, especially if a cold buffet is on the table. For the Christmas cake, Christmas pudding and mince pies have a sweet wine on hand such as a Botrytis Semillon from Australia, a Tokay from Hungary or a Malmsey Madeira. They will also work with a cheese board, but if you prefer to pass the port with cheese try and sweet, nutty Tawny style.

For more information on wine tastings, courses and events in Aberdeen go to www.wineuncorkededucation.co.uk or call Carol on 01224 312076

Wishing you a happy and healthy festive season! Wines to try: Muga Conde De Haro Cava brut £11.95 thewinesociety.com Perrier Jouet Grand Brut NV Champagne Fountainhall Wines Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2011, New Zealand Fountainhall Wines £11.99 Cassan Ventoux 2009, France £10.95 Wine Raks Yealands Black Label Pinot Noir 2011 New Zealand - Deeside Drinks, Dunnottar Wines, Fountainhall Wines Carol Brown

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Gloria’s Christmas Diary December 1st

Glen came back from hemming up our Sylvia’s curtains and asked me if I wanted the good news or the bad? The bad news was that he had ‘accidentally’ volunteered us to do the family Christmas dinner this year. Well, I had to sit down. Christmas dinner for 14 people. I don’t even own that many glasses. I said what’s the good news and he said turkeys are half price at the moment.

December 4th

Glen measured up the dining table. There’s a foot per person at a push. I told him he’d have to move his knitting machine, and he said he’s using it to make homemade gifts. He said I should put up the gazebo and have Christmas outside. A gazebo in the middle of winter, I ask you!

December 6th

Sylvia came round for a coffee and said these days we like everything organic and free range. Then she looked at me pointedly over the top of her varifocals. She knows some farm where the turkeys are all given names. I’ve had to pay out £50 for a turkey called Tim.

December 10th

I’d just got back from doing a big shop when our Gladys rang. Her Melvin came over all peculiar in the lingerie department and now he’s being tested for coeliac. She said could I hang fire on flour until the results come in? Well, I’d just put five packs of short-crust in the freezer. I said, are you sure it’s that, didn’t the same thing happen at that tarts and vicars party? She muttered something about bad vol-auvents and hung up. December 14th

Good news. Sylvia’s Matt and his girlfriend have split up; apparently there was a misunderstanding over a photo on Facebook. So the girlfriend won’t be coming. That gives us an extra twelve inches to play with.

December 16th

Glen decided to test his homemade crackers and caused an explosion that took the fairy off the tree. He said he might have to re-think given that his mum’s on tablets for angina. I said I think they’ll be fine.

December 18th

Matt and his girlfriend are back on. He’s only gone and proposed. Sylvia says we should make Christmas a double celebration and have a champagne toast. I told Glen to buy that cheap Cava and serve it up in the pantry; they won’t know the difference. December 21st

They had to call the paramedics to Melvin’s works do. Apparently the girls from admin dressed as Sexy Santas and made him eat mince pies. Poor Melvin, he’s on complete bed rest and milky drinks until New Year. At least we’ll have elbow room now.

December 23rd

Tim was delivered today, or Tiny Tim as Glen calls him. I said is it a turkey or a budgerigar? Glen had to hot foot it down to the supermarket for the last pick of the butterballs.

December 24th

Disaster of Biblical proportions! Glen put the butterball turkey in the bath to thaw, and left the tap running. It was like Niagara Falls in the dining room. Glen emerged from the mist like Rambo in marigolds and declared we’d be cancelling Christmas over his dead body.

December 25th

We managed to salvage the day! Glen put the gazebo up. It was draughty but that made us all the more grateful for Glen’s homemade ponchos. And the sparks from the crackers gave off some warmth. I’ve put my feet up now with a well deserved sherry. I wouldn’t normally drink out of a vase, but we’re short on glassware. Merry Christmas everybody. Cheers!

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Cryptic Crossword 1

1. African mix-up by nail (6) 4. First girl causing tears; riveting! (8)

10. Normal if somewhat unofficial (8)

15. Cone altered some time ago (4) 16. On paper it becomes a gas (7) 20. Annie is somehow vacuous (7) 21. Witness a Fed partly protected (4) 25. A snare round scenes of action (6) 26. A verb Tim laid out word for word (8) 28. Odd grade mum searched (8) 29. Concealed, but erects somehow (6) 30. Scone Ned made change to a liquid (8) 31. Reader in a groove, perhaps (6)

10 11

13. Behold, two articles to hate! (6)

9. One hundred before the bird becomes cowardly (6)

12. Convert covering for a traitor (8)

13 14 16 17 20

26 27

Down 1. Unorthodox oilcan to place (8) 2. Hit on a type of food for a girl! (8) 3. Outfit from Cagney, perhaps (6) 5. Turn to the smallest of the litter (4) 6. Deep form of poor fund (8) 7. I meant to turn to a fellow prisoner (6) 8. Lass went first, so irritated (6) 11. Angrier about a piece of jewellery (7)

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14. Planes I manoeuvre to get to the dog (7) 17. Outlandish ale sect a step up (8) 18. Former and spoken, thatâ€™s rustic (8) 19. Emitters redesigned for bugs (8) 22. Crab if woven correctly becomes a material (6) 23. Nationality of rag men? (6) 24. A book initially despatched has not arrived (6) 27. Writers in the middle of suspension (4) e : gazette@fsmail.net

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Sale Savvy!

SALE! No matter where you look or where you go, the message at this time of the year is the same: now is the time to bag yourself a bargain. Yet even though buying items in the sales can make your hard earned cash go further, please remember that you are still spending money, not saving it! Here are a few tips for getting the best possible deals without ending up with buyer’s remorse! First of all, do your homework before the sales start. Visit your favourite shops and pick out the items that you really want to buy, and even try them on beforehand. Make a list and stick to it, then when the shops open you can make a beeline for the items you want without wasting time, and risking life and limb battling with a hundred other shoppers who are elbowing their way through the pile of reduced items! Alternatively, why not shop online? Still do the research,

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and an even better New Year. Festive wishes from Muriel and Susan Salon Devonair

but buy in the comfort of your home without having to wrestle your way through a busy store. Online shops usually give some indication of stock levels. If they only have a few items left then make your purchase at the beginning of the sale, but if there are plenty, why not wait a week or so to see if the price drops further? When deciding what to buy in the sales, don’t choose anything that you wouldn’t be tempted to pay full price for. If you don’t love it, don’t buy it – or you could end up with something you won’t wear and it will end up being a complete waste of money – no matter how much you ‘saved’ compared with the usual price! When tempted to buy something, ask yourself whether you already have something like it in your wardrobe at home. If you do, it begs the question, do you really need it? You might have a penchant for a particular

To all my old friends and neighbours in Abbotshall and surrounding! Merry Christmas and a great 2013. With best wishes, Sue, Tom, Ben & Beth xxxx

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style or colour, but honestly, how many black pencil skirts do you really need?! That said, it is much better to buy items that you can add to your capsule wardrobe than it is to snap up a statement jacket, or bizarre shirt, that will only team up with one or two pieces in your clothing collection - even it does have 70% off! Stick with classic, timeless designs in tonal colours that suit your skin type, and in styles that flatter your body shape. Choose neutral colours which can be dressed up or down with colourful accessories and your clothes will go much further! So, armed with this guide to savvy sales shopping, go grab yourself a bag and bag yourself a bargain! Debbie Singh-Bhatti

Thank you for letting us put a sparkle in your oven in 2012! Merry Christmas The Oven Valet

Winter Planters Even if you’re sure you’re not going to venture into your garden much this winter, make sure you have every possible encouragement by creating a winter planter or two. They will not only look gorgeous from the warm comfort of your house, but will also help to coax you outside from time to time. Choose a larger container as it’s more likely to protect the roots on the plants due to the greater volume of compost. I’d avoid any container less than 30cm (12in) diameter if possible. Any container will insulate the roots a little, but one made from thick wood (such as a wooden trough or window box, or a half-barrel) will be very effective. Good quality, fairy chunky plastic also works quite well. Try to avoid metal as this tends to conduct cold. Warm undergarments are all the rage for winter planters. A lining of bubble-wrap polythene or even a few layers of old fabric or carpet, sandwiched between the sides of the container and the compost will help to keep both compost and roots warm.

If you live in a particularly cold area, or simply want to decrease the risk of winter damage further, try to position winter planters out of the windiest areas. If possible place them fairly close to a house wall on the south or west side as this will help to provide a little extra warmth. You’ll be amazed at the range of plants available at your local garden centre for adding winter colour and interest to pots and planters. Some of my favourites are the universal or other winter flowering pansies or even hardier smaller flowered violas. For some seriously sturdy winter colour, try the winter flowering heathers as these make a good base for the display and you can then add trailing plants such as variegated ivies to help provide extra colour, texture and interesting leaf shapes. All these plants will last for years, not just the winter months. At this time of year, garden centres may offer very tiny versions of shrubs such as skimmias, Pieris or hollies and many of the dwarf conifers. They will provide good colour and interest in a container for a year or two and can then be planted in your garden to reach their full size. In warmer areas, you can add bright patches of colour to your display using the ‘winter cherry’ or solanum which has bright yellow and orange fruits. You could also use a few winter flowering cyclamen but these definitely need a very sheltered spot such as a window box on a protected wall. Don’t forget to add in a few early spring flowering bulbs such as miniature narcissus, crocus and miniature iris. Hide them beneath the roots of your winter bedding plants; you’ll forget they are there until they burst out in spring. Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood.com and sign up for ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’. Choose from a fantastic selection of vegetables that Pippa will send to you at just the right time for planting AND each week you receive an email telling you all you need to know to ensure great results – from just £29 for up to 66 garden-ready plants.

A Christmas Carol was an instant success, and Dickens followed it up with four more Christmas novellas between 1844 and 1848 (The Cricket on the Hearth of 1845, actually outsold A Christmas Carol), with 17 short stories published in the seasonal editions of his two magazines, Household Words and All the Year Round, between 1850 and 1867. Christmas badly needed reinventing. In the countryside, the grand old midwinter feast of medieval and earlier times had been driven underground by Puritan opposition before and during the Interregnum; and even after the Restoration it never really recovered its previous significance. And in the burgeoning industrial cities of the 18th and early 19th centuries, commerce allowed no pause for 12 days of ritual merriment. The shops didn’t even close.

Christmas with Dickens, by Ted Bruning.

harles Dickens is often credited with inventing Christmas, or at least reinventing it and giving it its modern form. A Christmas Carol must be one of the most-filmed books ever, and the name of its central character, Scrooge, has entered the language. Yet it is one of his shorter works – a novella rather than a novel – and was only written to recoup the author’s finances after the failure of Martin Chuzzlewit.

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A companionable man, Dickens saw this as a great social evil. The traditional Christmas festivities had been communal events, and it was the sociable and communal side of Christmas that Dickens celebrated. Although privately he was a devout if unorthodox Christian, you will find little of the religious side of Christmas in his writings. Scrooge, frightened out of his miserly ways, does not rush out to church on Christmas morning but goes visiting. And at the heart of The Pickwick Papers is the Christmas Eve ball at Manor Farm, where Wardle hosts a blow-out of

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Lucullan proportions at which all comers, including the Pickwickians, are welcome. It would be a wonderful but wholly impossible endeavour to seek to recreate that feast at Dingley Dell. For one thing the sheer quantity of alcohol consumed – hot punch, mulled ale, warmed claret, brandy and hot water for the coachman, the “something good” enjoyed by Sam Weller and the Fat Boy at the Blue Lion at Muggleton, the “hot elder wine, wellqualified with brandy and spice” - would give your GP a fit. For another, even the most rabid “political correctness gone mad” merchant would have to admit that the game enjoyed by the partygoers (after the dancing to “the only harp in all Muggleton” and the blind man’s buff ) was dangerous to the point of insanity. This was snap-dragon. The lights were extinguished, and a “ghost” in white sheet and wild wig presented a tray of raisins which had been soaked in brandy and set alight. These the players would have to grab without burning their fingers (hence the modern expression); and “when fingers enough were burned, and all the raisins were gone, they sat down by the huge fire of blazing logs to a substantial supper and a mighty bowl of wassail in which the hot apples were hissing and bubbling”. More booze. Perhaps, then, a truly Dickensian Christmas is too strong for modern stomachs. But one thing we might try is turning off the TV. No Queen’s Speech, The Great Escape, The Sound of Music or even A Christmas Carol. He believed in togetherness: friends, relations, neighbours, and stray Pickwickians all joining in one great joyous riot. So, hide the remote and bring on the mighty bowl of wassail and the only harp in all Muggleton!

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Hygiene in the home Home hygiene? We all know what we should be doing to keep our home hygienically clean - or do we? Most of us think we know what to do to keep our homes clean - but one study found that two-thirds of Britons don’t follow basic home hygiene. Do you know what temperature your fridge should be? Or that clothes left on the floor can pick up germs? Or that within eight hours one bacterium on a damp cloth can multiply to six million? Read on... 22

Kitchen Work surfaces: A quick wipe with a damp cloth is not enough to kill bacteria - particularly if you’ve been using the same cloth for a few days. Use a disinfectant or antibacterial spray to clean surfaces - and don’t just leave that dried bit of food that’s been lurking in the corner for the past week. A home hygiene survey carried out by the Hygiene Council found that in 12% of cases visibly

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clean surfaces were in fact heavily contaminated by bacteria. Food preparation: It is estimated that up to 80% of food-borne illnesses happen in the home. Micro-organisms that cause these illnesses can be spread from raw meat onto chopping boards, worktops and utensils. Always use a separate board for chopping vegetables from the one on which you chop raw meat. e : gazette@fsmail.net

Your fridge should be at 5ºC.

Living/sleeping areas

Bathrooms

Defrosting and cooking: Always follow the instructions for defrosting food, particularly in a microwave where being only a few seconds off can make a difference. Always make sure food, particularly meat, is cooked to 70ºC. Reheated food should also be heated at 70ºC or above and only reserve leftovers once. Cooked food should not be left at room temperature for longer than two hours.

Bacteria in food dropped on the floor or sofa can survive for a long time, so ignore these at your peril. Regularly vacuuming the sofa will help prevent debris building up. It will also help to eliminate dust mites, which can cause allergies. Steam cleaning living room furniture and beds is a good way to rid them of mites.

Bathrooms are probably one of the cleaner rooms in the house as we know to clean the toilet well to protect against germs. But how often do you also disinfect the loo handle/ button or the bathroom door handle? Children should wash their hands every time after using the loo, but often forget, meaning germs are easily spread.

Dishcloths: These are the worst culprits for harbouring germs. Always use disposable cloths and rinse them out thoroughly after each use, before hanging them to dry. If they remain damp it allows bacteria to quickly multiply.

Design

Curtains can also be home to bacteria and mites if not cleaned properly. Again, steam cleaning is a good way to thoroughly deep clean or take the curtains to the dry cleaners. Toys often carry lots of germs as babies and small children love to drag them along the floor - and then put them in their mouth. Clean hard or plastic toys by washing them in warm, soapy water. Soft toys can often be put through the washing machine - check the label.

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Shower trays are another area where germs can easily build up, so make sure these are given more than a swift wipe. Simple measures mean it doesn’t have to be hard work to keep your home hygienically clean, keeping your family safe.

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Ford B-Max

By James Baggott, editor of Car Dealer Magazine (CarDealerMagazine.co.uk)

Model: Ford B-Max

Price: ÂŁ17,595 (as tested) Engine: 1.0-litre, petrol. Power: 118bhp, 169Nm Max speed: 109mph 0-60mph: 13s MPG (combâ€™d): 55.4 Emissions: 119g/km Residual values (three years): 37 percent

Ford has ditched its forgettable Fusion and replaced it with a bold car sporting no B-pillars, but is it any good? We find out. What is it? It is the first car in a massive product offensive from the Blue Oval, designed to keep the car giant profitable in Europe. The B-Max replaces the forgettable – but muchloved among certain UK buyers – Fusion and goes up against rivals from Vauxhall, Honda, Nissan and Citroen in the B-segment MPV market. But to steal sales away from these firms, the B-Max has a party-piece – no B-pillars. What’s under the bonnet? Petrol buyers will be able to choose between the new 1.0 litre Ecoboost engine with 99bhp or 118bhp. There’s also a 1.4 litre Duratorq with 89bhp and a 1.6-litre Ti-VCT unit with 104bhp and an automatic gearbox. Diesels include a 1.5 with 74bhp and a 1.6 with 94bhp. Ford says the best seller will be the 1.6-litre diesel, but, in time, the 1.0-litre could claim that title. What’s the spec like? The range kicks off at £12,995 for the Studio 1.4-litre petrol which comes with electric mirrors and electric windows front and rear, while prices top out at £18,895 for the Titanium

1.6-litre diesel. That model comes as standard with 16inch alloys, auto headlamps and Ford system – a clever voice control and device integration system. It’s a £250 option on all models bar the Titanium. What’s it like to drive? At launch we drove the 1.0-litre Ecoboost 118bhp and the 1.6-litre diesel. The 1.0-litre is a blast yet still offers agreeable fuel economy figures – 55.4mpg combined is quoted – while the 1.6-litre diesel is sluggish. It has light steering and the ride is supple. The B-Max retains the Fiesta’s fun handling – a car on which it’s based. What do the press think of it? The Telegraph said: ‘After the execrable Fusion, Ford has worked hard to produce something different and worthwhile. This is a wellengineered car, safe and good looking.’ Honest John adds: ‘And anyone already contemplating a Citroen C3 Picasso, a Hyundai ix20, a Kia Venga, a Toyota Verso S or a Vauxhall Meriva should get down to their Ford dealers and take a look.’

We asked Ford of Britain MD Mark Ovenden how much of a change the B-Max is over the old Fusion. ‘It’s a completely different vehicle. Fusion did pretty well for us and our dealers, but with B-Max the wow is the door system. B-Max also has lots of style, a large range of clever features and, of course, there’s the 1.0-litre Ecoboost engine. The B-Max is an excellent car – whereas the Fusion was essentially just a high-riding vehicle. B-Max has a got a lot more strength to it. As one of my younger colleagues said to me, the B-Max is more of an automotive app than a car!’ What do we think of it? This could well be the new class-leader as it makes other cars in this sector seem terribly conservative. Without having the benefit of trying all the engines and specifications, we can only really recommend the 1.0-litre Ecoboost 118bhp Titanium model which retails at £17,595. It’s not cheap but it’s probably worth the money.

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Colourful Cuba ‘It’s the most beautiful land human eyes have ever seen’, said Christopher Columbus as he marvelled at this gem of an island, its lush mountains and virgin beaches lapped by the clear waters of the Caribbean, barely 100 miles from Florida. Please do mention the gazette when responding to advertisers - thank you

In this once troubled land, history is always within reach, but the real charm lies in the ever changing scenery and colourful cities. Take Santiago de Cuba, nestling on a vast aquamarine bay meandering, almost deserted, in and out of the mangrove, with its sturdy del Morro fortress and Granma island where rickety houses on stilts jostle along the shore. Beyond the winding lanes, the grand churches and colonial buildings festooned in bougainvillaea, coffee plantations climb up the slopes of the Sierra Maestra, among flame and papaya trees, wild lemon and pines. Up there at nearly 4000 feet, the air is cool and on a clear day, the panorama over Cuba’s second city dazzles you with colour and light. It’s a fair drive across the island but the best way to discover the rural heartlands; here a grove of carob trees, there the feathery blossom of jacarandas, a patch of cassava or the forlorn chimney of an old sugar

mill. Pretty towns are sprinkled around Camaguey, famous for ballet and clay pots, Sancti Spiritus with its shaded arcades, Cienfuegos, the ‘Pearl of the South’ - set among flowering trees and elegant Italian style buildings. But framed by mountains clad in jungle and waterfalls, Trinidad is the jewel of them all, the mirror image of a nostalgic island where bicycles and horsedrawn carts outnumber conventional traffic. The heart of the town is a UNESCO site, a maze of colonial buildings, blue, yellow, pink or pistachio green, with beautiful ironwork and red roofs glowing in the sun. In the cobbled alleyways, lace and embroidery flap in the breeze, drums echo in hidden courtyards and on the splendid Plaza Mayor, the old sugar capital enjoys its afternoon siesta. Meanwhile the steam train takes a handful of visitors to Sugar Mill Valley for fabulous views of hills and vales and sleepy villages sheltering under the mango trees.

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Heading west, luminous rice fields bask in the sunshine, rare birds and sea cows gather on the Zapata peninsula and soon, the capital beckons. Even for seasoned travellers, Havana defies imagination with its swirling kaleidoscope of colours and sounds, stunning palaces and crumbling ruins, wide boulevards and tangled lanes, revamped Cadillacs, side-cars, three-wheeler scooter taxis and elegant horse-drawn carriages for tourists. The craft market sells Cuban dolls and hammocks while flower girls in bright costumes pose for pictures on Cathedral Square. It’s a wonderful dizzying city where you can eat al fresco, escape to nearby beaches, climb up to the fortress or follow the Hemingway trail to the fishing village of Cojimar. But the must-do excursion is to the hill town of Vinales, shaded by pine and orange trees, where pretty verandas frame every house in pastel colours. You can take a boat trip on an underground river to the Cave of the Indian Chief, partake of a farmer’s lunch in the forest and enjoy the view at the Jasmine Belvedere, overlooking the limestone hills which rise dragon-like from the valley floor. With its natural beauty and vibrant cities, Cuba is truly enticing. e : gazette@fsmail.net

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Image caption: Courtesy of Clinique

Body Beautiful

Treat your body to some TLC this winter By Helen Taylor

When it comes to skincare most of us are pretty good at looking after our face. We’re used to cleansing, toning and moisturising as part of our daily routine and every year we spend a small fortune on trying products that claim to make us look more beautiful, youthful and radiant. We think nothing of this, but what about our body? Many of us completely neglect the rest of our skin, especially in the wintertime. It’s easy to become lazy when you’re covered up under layers of clothing, but we all want super-soft skin. If you’re honest you probably won’t have thoroughly scrubbed, buffed and polished your body since the summer months just before applying your fake tan. There’s no doubt that your skin will be looking dull and lackluster as a result. You’ll be pleased to hear then, that there are some quick, easy and simple steps that will have you ready to bare all in no time. All you

have to do is promise to follow them once or twice a week. The reward? Fabulous skin all over. The Benefits of Brushing There’s been a lot of hype about body brushing. It has been shown to have great results on reducing the appearance of cellulite, toning the skin and guaranteeing a youthful glow. Using a dry natural bristle body brush, work from your feet upwards in long, firm, sweeping strokes. Be careful not to press too hard - the idea is to invigorate the skin, not irritate it. This action has been proven to boost circulation and lift skin-dulling impurities from the pores in one easy action. Be Brave - Boost Your Circulation Although this isn’t the most appealing step, it definitely does the job. When you’re in the shower, alternate between blasts of warm and cold water for about 30 seconds. You only need /contd

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to do it a couple of times to encourage blood that’s rich with fresh nutrients and oxygen to travel to the surface of your skin, leaving it looking healthy and glowing.

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Don’t be tempted to have the water too hot when you’re in the shower, as it dehydrates the skin - instead turn down the heat to pleasantly warm.

Exfoliators have great results when used on both face and body. The tiny grains lift and remove impurities and dead skin cells from the skin, leaving it looking instantly brighter. It’s best to use an exfoliator that has fine particles, rather than coarser varieties, because they are less abrasive on the skin. Use a circular motion to apply the product to damp skin and work from your feet upwards, spending time massaging every bit of your skin. Rinse thoroughly, and move on to the next stage. Gently Does It Whether you consider your skin to be sensitive or not, it’s always best to choose a shower gel that’s designed for sensitive skin and one which

The harsh chemicals that can be found in some products strip the skin of essential moisture and leave it feeling dry and irritated.

Lock-In Moisture It’s essential to moisturise your body every time you shower. Leave your skin damp and massage a generous amount of product into the skin - this helps to lock-in moisture for long-lasting hydration. Again, try to use moisturisers that have been designed for sensitive skin and which are free from harsh ingredients. Try to avoid perfumed products. They smell great, but can contain strong chemicals which have a drying effect on delicate areas of skin.

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Wedding Plans 34

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Many say their wedding was the best day of their lives! For others, the stress of planning the event turned the whole thing into a nightmare. So, whether your dream wedding is big and grand, or small and simple, here are some tips to help you have your perfect wedding day. Some couples will pick their wedding date first, whilst others will choose their venue. If you have a strong preference for a particular date, then do try and book at least 12 months in advance as the most popular venues soon become booked for prime dates. Whilst a Saturday Summer wedding remains the most popular choice, some couples are increasingly taking advantage of discounted off peak and last minute wedding packages. To become legally married, you can choose a religious service, a civil ceremony, or get married abroad. Churches may require you to attend regularly, be baptised and /or

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live in the parish, so check this in plenty of time to avoid disappointment. Whilst many feel a civil ceremony can be more personal with a greater opportunity to choose vows, readings and music which suits the individuals, all weddings have strict legal requirements. Your eligibility to marry will be checked, and your service must fulfil established criteria. If you wish to marry abroad, you must meet your destination’s wedding requirements as well as UK law. You will usually require a ring or rings as part of the ceremony. Once you’ve arranged your wedding ceremony, you can think about your celebrations. As well as thinking about how you will get to your wedding, if your day includes several venues, you will need to provide your guests with directions or could choose to provide transport for them during the event. You will also need to decide where you want your photographs taken at a multivenue wedding. Most newlyweds provide their guests with food and drink. Catering can be a large part of the wedding budget, so you should make sure you know what’s included in any packages offered. The timing of a wedding can be important in determining how many meals you will need to provide for guests. Lots of couples choose a theme for their wedding. This may be a colour based theme, or a genre such as Victorian or Hollywood. This theme can be facilitated through the clothing, flowers, invitations and table settings that are chosen. The wedding cake is a traditional part of many weddings. Increasingly modern designs and cakes with various flavourings are featured instead of tiered iced fruit cakes. The cake offers a further opportunity for the bride and groom to stamp their personality on proceedings, and some also choose to use the cake as a dessert for their guests to save

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on costs. Make sure your venue has the capacity to deal with all your guests, check the access arrangements for less mobile attendees, and if you have guests who want to stay overnight , ensure the venue has bedrooms or that there are hotels close by. If you want to celebrate until the early hours, check the venueâ€™s licensing hours, and as some venues do not allow fireworks if they

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are high on your wish list, remember to ask about this before parting with a deposit. Many couples choose to have singers, musicians or entertainers as part of their wedding day. There may be a choir or other performers during the ceremony, an opportunity for music in the background at the Reception and to accompany evening dancing. Or you may choose to provide acts such as waiters who become opera singers, childrenâ€™sâ€™ entertainers, magicians, or a live band. Of course, no wedding would be complete without the outfits. Many wedding dresses can take several months to arrive at UK shops, so be sure to order in plenty of time. You may also be surprised, and disappointed to find, that the dream dress you chose from a magazine or in a shop window does not suit you, so allow sufficient time to try on enough dresses to be sure youâ€™ve found the perfect one. Think about your size, height and perhaps the theme of your wedding to determine whether an A line dress, Empire,

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Sheath, strapless, long or short dress will be the one for you. Do remember that you might require help to get into your dress on the day, particularly if it has a lace up back or small buttons. Set yourself a realistic budget, and remember that you need to pay for accessories too. Once the brideâ€™s dress is chosen you can focus on the bridesmaids, other attendants and the bridegroom. Usually the style and formality of these will follow the brides outfit. Many of the guests, including the Mother of the Bride, will also want to take care to ensure they have the perfect clothing and accessories, so do encourage them to shop well ahead - and if there is a theme let them know, so that they can enjoy feeling a special part of your wonderful wedding day. Congratulations and enjoy planning your wedding! By Sue Brookes PS : If you are totally overwhelmed then why not pop along to the Your Wedding Exhibition at the AECC on 19 and 20 January where you can browse the exhibitors, watch the fashion shows and get a feel for what youâ€™d really really like! The photos to the left show you how good it will be.

Photos provided by YWE Ltd

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Photography is also likely to be one of the biggest costs of your wedding – another reason to get it just right.

After you’ve set the date and booked your venue, your choice of photographer is probably one of the most important decisions to make about your wedding. Your photos will shape your memories for years to come, and it’s crucial that they capture the atmosphere of your special day.

To give yourself the widest choice, start researching photographers as soon as you can. Visit wedding fairs, look at websites such as www. findaweddingphotographer.co.uk for ideas, and ask friends and family for recommendations. Your venue may also be able to make suggestions. Before you meet potential photographers, think carefully about what you want from them. Most will offer prices based on how many venues you need them to attend, how long they stay with you, how many photos they take and how many you have printed. Get together a list of shots that you’d like to have taken. Your photographer will tell you the traditional groups, but you may want different combinations, family portraits, or pictures of friends visiting from abroad for example. When you have a shortlist of photographers, arrange to meet each one in person so you can see their work and get an idea of their personality. You need someone who can get everyone organised, but they must also make you feel at ease.

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Look at as much of their work as you can – if possible, ask to see one couple’s full album to see the story it tells, rather than a random selection of the photographer’s best shots. You will need to decide if you prefer traditional photographs, a more informal style, or perhaps a mixture of both. Also consider if you like colour, black and white, sepia or other effects that may be available.

your photos if something goes wrong. If not, you will need to take out your own insurance. Finally, you should think about how you want your photos to be displayed. An album is traditional, but digital versions on a website are easy to show to friends and family. Talk through different options with your photographer to make sure what they are offering is right for you. Alex Brown

Look carefully at a variety of shots. In the big groups, is everyone looking at the camera? Do the happy couple look relaxed? Do you like the poses and backgrounds used? Can you see the detail in the dress, flowers and cake? How have they coped with bad weather? It’s very important to find out if photographers have wedding indemnity insurance to cover the cost of retaking

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Chocolate Pecan Pie If you have a bowlful of nuts left over from Christmas then why not make this classic American favourite with a British twist â€“ simply replace half the pecan nuts with walnuts, hazelnuts and Brazil nuts. Serve with a dollop of thick Greek yoghurt or whipped cream. Serves 8 Ready in 1Â˝ hours plus chilling Ingredients For the pastry: 225g plain flour 100g butter, diced 1 medium egg, beaten with 2tbsp cold water For the filling: 100g dark chocolate, broken into pieces 50g butter, diced 75g golden syrup 4 tbsp maple syrup 75g caster sugar 4 medium eggs, beaten 175g pecan nuts (or a mixture of pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts and Brazil nuts)

Method To make the pastry, sift the flour into a bowl and add the diced butter. Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir in the egg and water and mix to a crumbly dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently until smooth. Wrap and chill the pastry for 20 minutes. Roll the pastry out on a lightly floured surface and use to line a 25cm round deep metal pie tin (or a loose-based fluted flan tin). Crimp the pastry edge with your fingers and prick the base all over with a fork. Chill for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6 and place a baking sheet in the oven to heat. To make the filling, melt the chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Remove from the heat and stir in the golden syrup, maple syrup and sugar then whisk in the beaten eggs. Chop half the nuts and stir into the mixture. Gently pour the mixture into the pastry case and sprinkle over the rest of the nuts (roughly chopping the hazelnuts and Brazil nuts, if using). Slide the pie tin onto the preheated baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 180C/350F/Gas 4 and bake for a further 25-30 minutes until the filling has set and the pastry is crisp and golden. Serve warm or cold.

Muriel’s Puzzle Solutions Cryptic Crossword

2 Min TRIAL DEN DEW NEE END EWE WED WEN WED WEE DEED NEED WEED WEND ENDED WENDED

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Number Solution

Easy Hard

Calcudoku

Codeword Solution

Children’s Page : Magic number: 69

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Now you have 18 pages of local businesses... Local events, theatre listing, clubs and classes, notices. Keep trade local and start using and supporting local businesses today.

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Woodend Barn ... Film Night: Elf (cert. PG) At Woodend Barn Arts Centre Thursday 20th December 2012, 19:30

Saturday Storytimes , At Banchory Library Saturday 22nd December 2012, 11:00 - 11:30 Saturday Storytime at Banchory Library Saturday 22nd December 2012, 11:00 - 11:30 Hogmanay at Stonehaven Music, Stonehaven Market Square Monday 31 Dec 2012 2:00pm This year, Stonehaven will stage it’s largest ever Hogmanay event. After last years Open Air in the Square was cancelled due to a lack of volunteers, a new group of residents have come together to put on an even bigger event to fill the gap. The party will be all ticketed and climax with a blistering set from the fantastic Red Hot Chilli Pipers. Burns Night Film, Music, Talks, Woodend Barn Friday 25 Jan 2013 7:00pm Enjoy a a traditional Burns Night with a twist at Woodend Barn, featuring a delicious Burns Supper from Buchanans Bistro. Burns-themed entertainment will include local speakers, music from Wounded Knee, and Alastair Cook introduces his film ‘Not In My Name’, featuring poetry by Kevin Williamson which explores the radical, seditious, revolutionary side to Scotland’s national poet. Renowned fiddler Paul Anderson and band will round the evening off with a ceildih. £34.50 per person + bf. Session A9 Music, Woodend Barn Friday 01 Feb 2013 8:00pm Nominated for Live Act of the Year at the 2012 Scottish Trad Music Awards, Session A9 grew from informal music sessions arranged by Capercaillie fiddler Charlie McKerron. Current fellow members include: Adam Sutherland, Brian Mcalpine, David “Chimp” Robertson, Gordon Gunn, Kevin Henderson and Marc Clement. They have recorded two critically acclaimed albums and have toured many of the UK’s major music festivals in additional to international tour dates. £14.00, £12.00 conc. £5.00 u16 in advance + bf

Film: The Descendants (Payne 2011) Film, Woodend Barn Tuesday 12 Feb 2013 7:30pm From Alexander Payne, the creator of the Oscar-winning SIDEWAYS, set in Hawaii, THE DESCENDANTS is a sometimes humorous, sometimes tragic journey for Matt King (George Clooney) an indifferent husband and father of two girls, who is forced to re-examine his past and embrace his future when his wife suffers a boating accident off of Waikiki. The event leads to a rapprochement with his young daughters while Matt wrestles with a decision to sell the family’s land handed down from Hawaiian royalty and missionaries. £5.50, £4.50 conc. + bf Smallpetitklein: CUT Theatre, Woodend Barn Wednesday 13 Feb 2013 7:00pm CUT is an interactive promenade performance around various spaces in Woodend Barn, fusing dance, text, design, animation, new music and comedy, in a quirky, melodramatic reimagining of the story of Bizet’s opera Carmen. Scottish Opera: Opera Highlights Music, Woodend Barn Thursday 14 Feb 2013 7:30pm Scottish Opera is hitting the road once more, travelling the length and breadth of Scotland with a selection of opera highlights, and bringing the 50th anniversary celebrations to a venue near you! Scottish Opera Highlights Theatre, Woodend Barn Thursday 14 Feb 2013 7:30pm Scottish Opera bring their 50th anniversary celebrations to Woodend Barn. The show will feature musical highlights from their favourite productions over the years, and includes stories and anecdotes from the Company’s history. Full of energy, versatility and plenty of humour, a cast of four young singers and a pianist perform a line-up of excerpts from favourites including Bizet’s Carmen, Puccini’s La Bohème, and Mozart’s Don Giovanni, as well as music by Handel, Rossini, Britten and Bernstein, and some surprises from lesser-known works. WMS: Gildas Quartet Music, Woodend Barn Sunday 17 Feb 2013 7:00pm

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Recent winners of a 2013 Tunnell Trust Concert Award this outstanding young quartet, formed in 2010 by Masters students at the Royal Northern College of Music, has performed widely in the UK and across Europe. They have accumulated numerous prizes between them, most recently being awarded the prestigious Barbirolli Prize for String Quartet. This concert is sponsored by the Tunnell Trust. Haydn: String Quartet Op. 54 No. 2 Britten: String Quartet No. 1 Brahms: String Quartet Op. 51 No. 2 Eugene Onegin – Live from the Royal Opera House Theatre, Woodend Barn Wednesday 20 Feb 2013 7:15pm An opera full of poignancy and sensitivity to the nuances of growing up and wrestling to understand your emotions. Eugene Onegin is Tchaikovsky’s tender exploration of a young girl’s awakening passion, her rejection by the aloof Onegin and her ultimate choice of honour over true love. Working with the Danish set designer Mia Stensgaard, whose design hallmark is clean, strong images ripe with emotion, and fielding a brilliant cast, director Kasper Holten will provide a fresh reading of this classic opera. Whatever Gets You Through The Night Film, Woodend Barn Friday 22 Feb 2013 8:00pm A stellar line-up of Scottish musicians including Emma Pollock, Withered Hand and Rachel Sermanni feature in this beautiful collection of stories told in song, shot during the night in locations across the country. Come and meet lost souls, party animals and dreamers in a snapshot of an entire nation between the hours of midnight and 4am. WMS: Stephen Osborne Music, Woodend Barn Sunday 24 Feb 2013 3:00pm Pianist Steven Osborne is one of Britain’s foremost musicians, renowned for his idiomatic approach to a wide variety of repertoire. His numerous awards and prizes includes the 2009 Gramophone Award for his recording of Britten’s works for piano and orchestra. e : gazette@fsmail.net

Tickets from boxofficeaberdeen.com or tel : 01224 641122

Music Theatre Live Entertainment Now until Sun, January 6: Aberdeen Performing Arts and Qdos Entertainment present the truly wicked panto, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, starring Elaine C Smith, Alan McHugh and Jordan Young, at His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen, with matinees at 1.45pm or 2.30pm and evening performances at 7pm daily except for Tues Jan 1. Fri, January 11: In the best Viennese tradition, One Night in Vienna, featuring the Johann Strauss Dancers, guest soprano Charlotte Ellett and conductor Rainer Hersch, in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, at 7.30pm. Wed to Sat, January 16 to 19: Scottish Ballet presents The Nutcracker, featuring Anthony McDonald’s stunning sets and costumes, Ashley page’s breathtaking choreography and Tchaikovsky’s sumptuous score, in His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen, at 7.30pm, with 2pm Wed and Sat matinees. Free pre-show talks on dance at 6.30pm on Thur, January 17, and on music at 6.30pm on Fri, January 18.

Sat, January 19: Scottish Chamber Orchestra present The Little C Major, with SCO associate artist Richard Egarr as conductor and on fortepiano, performing Beethoven’s Overture Prometheus, Dussek’s Piano Concerto in G Minor Op49 and Schubert’s Symphony No6 in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, at 7.30pm. Pre-concert talk at 6.45pm, free to ticket holders. Sat, January 19: A welcome return of the Edinburgh trio Moving Pictures for two hours of selected classics from Rush’s early repertoire, in The Lemon Tree Lounge, West North Street, Aberdeen, doors at 7.30pm. Mon to Sat, January 21 to 26: Straight from her triumphant West End season, the sensational Emi Wokoma in Soul Sister, a new musical inspired by the music, life and times of Ike and Tina Turner in His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen, at 7.30pm from Mon to Thur; at 5.30pm and 8.30pm on Fri and 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Sat.

Fri, January 18: Another chance to enjoy one of the best ceilidh bands in the world, Ceilidh with Clachan Yell, in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, at 8pm.

Fri, January 25: A deliciously wicked evening of gloriously camp no-holds-barred comedy with Craig Hill: Jock’s Trap, in The Lemon Tree Lounge, West North Street, Aberdeen, doors at 8pm.

Sat, January 19: Scottish Ballet presents an Insight into The Nutcracker in His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen, at 11am, with a recommended age of six plus.

Fri and Sat, January 25 and 26: Greycard presents Scotland’s Little Sparrow and multiaward winning songwriter and performer Christine Bovill in PIAF, a homage that will

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transport the audience from Aberdeen to the streets of Montmartre, in The Lemon Tree Studio, West North Street, Aberdeen, at 7pm. Tues, January 29: Known for his work fronting the enigmatic rock band Pedro the Lion, David Bazan takes his emotionally charged narratives, eye for telling detail, and mournful voice to The Lemon Tree Lounge, West North Street, Aberdeen, doors at 7.30pm. Wed, January 30: Entertaining and thought-provoking, Infinite Scotland journeys through Scotland’s fascinating natural diversity and brilliant artistic life, led by Blythe Duff (Taggart) and Kenny Taylor (BBC Attenborough programmes), in the Music Hall, Aberdeen, at 7.30pm. Wed and Thur, January 30 and 31: Quids In Theatre presents Dead Dad Dog, a comic nightmare when Eck tries to survive the day and a job interview with the ghost of his long-dead father in two, in The Lemon Tree Studio, West North Street, Aberdeen, at 7pm. Into the future... Birds of a Feather with Pauline Quirke, Linda Robson and Lesley Joseph April 2-6 2013 The 39 Steps (June 3-8 2013) The Woman in Black (June 10 -15 2013) For younger audience ... Dora the Explorer (April 12 -14) Horrible Histories (April 23-27) Spot’s Birthday Party (June 13-15)

Revamp it up Tatty tables, boring bookcases and lacklustre lamps? Improving your furnishings isnâ€™t expensive or difficult if you take the make-do-and-mend approach, says Katherine Sorrell

Sofas and armchairs Worn or grubby upholstery is easy to disguise in an instant with a blanket, shawl, throw or other large piece of fabric. Unfortunately, the moment you sit down the fabric will start to come untucked so, for a more permanent solution, a new cover is the best option. For those who are handy with a sewing machine, making a simple loose cover will not be too demanding but, even if you have to go to a professional, a new slipcover can transform the proportions and character of your furniture, and is worthwhile if you have a good-quality piece to which you want to add another few years of life. Either way, save money by using cheap canvas on areas you canâ€™t see, or consider a boho-chic patchwork effect combining several different (but co-ordinating) fabrics. For that finishing touch, add cushions made from leftover lengths of fabric, silk scarves, vintage linens or even attractive tea towels.

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Lamps Wooden lamp bases of all shapes, sizes and styles are perfect candidates for a revamp – just sand down and then choose your paint. White or off-white eggshell is cool and simple but, for a more eye-catching effect, try vibrant colours or interesting finishes such metallic, pearlescent or glitter. Fabric shades are easy to re-cover with a small length of new (or vintage) fabric and some spray glue. Ruffled fabric added to the bottom edge of a plain shade gives a pretty, country-style look, or embellish with ribbons, braid, buttons, bows or frills.

Wooden furniture More or less any old wooden furniture (though not, obviously, valuable antiques) can be rescued quite easily. Take your time, however – it’s all in the preparation. First, carry out any necessary repairs. Then remove drawers, handles and knobs. Rub the piece down thoroughly with medium-grade sandpaper, and wipe with a damp cloth. Bare wood needs a coat of primer; otherwise, it’s undercoat then a top coat of eggshell or gloss. Bear in mind, too, that a simple change of knob or handle often makes a dramatic difference, giving a sophisticated feel to a cheap, modern piece, or transforming something frumpy and old-fashioned into a modern delight. Further changes, for those feeling confident enough, could include adding or removing mouldings, replacing solid doors with glazing, or fitting hanging rails or hooks.

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Headboards A gorgeous new headboard will brighten up the most boring of bedrooms. For divan beds, pad an appropriately sized rectangle of MDF with a sheet of foam or wadding, sew a slip cover, then attach to the wall or the bed frame. Use a soft, tactile fabric (such as velvet or moleskin), that co-ordinates with everything else in the room, from bed linen to walls and window treatments. For an impromptu headboard, use a folding screen or a length of hemmed fabric hung from a baton above the bed. If your bed has an integral headboard, try placing a quilt or padded throw over it, or sew a rectangle of quilted fabric and tie it onto the framework.

Curtains and blinds Nothing dates a room more than old-fashioned curtains so, if you like their fabric but not their style, check out whether it’s possible to replace either the header tape – change deep gathers or goblets for more up-to-date, simple gathers or pencil pleats – or the hanging method itself: from hooks and rings to ties, tabs, clips or eyelets. Alternatively, you could add a twist to plain curtains by stitching a complementary border along the leading edge or

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across the bottom, or adding a trimming such as ribbon, ric rac or a row of buttons. If your curtain pole is out of date, try painting it, replacing the finials or substituting the whole thing with a more modern example. Blinds can be instantly improved either by adding an interesting trim along the bottom or – a tiny but important detail – swapping a cheap plastic pull for a good-looking one made from leather, glass, raffia, stone or rope. If you need to re-start from scratch, remember that inexpensive fabric makes sumptuous-looking curtains if used generously, and lined so that they hang properly. Queen Anne antique chair re-upholstered in mangle cloth, £895, The Old Cinema, 020 8995 4166; www.theoldcinema.co.uk. Upcycled 1960’s sideboard by Lucy Turner, £650, The Old Cinema, 020 8995 4166; www.theoldcinema.co.uk. Silk memento cushions, from £35 each, Re, 01434 634567; www.re-foundobjects.com.

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Y EXP EARS ERIE NCE

Muriel’s Puzzle Pages NUMBER CRUNCHER 1

8 9

13 14

16 18

21 24

Easy Sudoku

Easy

23 25 ©Puzzlepress.co.uk

Across 1. 16 Across multiplied by three (4) 4. 13 Across multiplied by three (4) 7. 2 Down minus three eighths of 2 Down (2) 8. 22 Down minus one third of 5 Down (2) 9. 237 squared plus 8 Across plus 22 Down (5) 12. Yards in four furlongs (3) 13. 12 Across plus one (3) 14. 6 Down multiplied by four (5) 15. 28 squared (3) 16. One thirteenth of 25 Across (3) 18. 193 squared plus 22 Down plus double 7 Across (5) 21. One sixteenth of 15 Across (2) 23. Months in seven years (2) 24. 94 squared plus 112 (4) 25. 12 Across plus 15 Down minus 11 (4) Down 1. Ounces in seven stone (4) 2. One eleventh of 12 Across (2) 3. 15 Across plus two (3) 4. 22 Down plus 5 Down plus 23 Across plus four (3) 5. Pints in six gallons (2) 6. 1 Across plus 1 Down minus four (4) 9. 224 squared minus one third of 22 Down (5) 10. 21 Across multiplied by 3 Down (5) 11. 136 squared minus one third of 23 Across (5) 15. 13 Across multiplied by eight (4) 17. 97 squared plus 38 (4) 19. 3 Down plus one quarter of 5 Down (3) 20. 16 Across minus double 23 Down (3) 22. 8 Across plus one third of 5 Down (2) 23. 23 Across minus three (2)

Harder Sudoku

Hard E D W D E N You have two minutes to find all the words of three or more letters that can be made from the letters above. Plurals are allowed, proper nouns are not. The 6 letter word will always be just a normal everyday word.

3 letters: 9 4 letters: 4 5 letters: 1 6 letters: 1

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Murielâ€™s Puzzle Pages CODEWORD Each letter in this puzzle is represented by a different number between 1 and 26. The codes for three letters are shown. Once you have filled these throughout the grid you can start guessing words and reveal other letters. As you find the letters enter them in the box below. 1

25 18

21 16

26 14

x12

19 10

21 14

18 17

7 11

Pictograms E Y E B I R

N I O L R I S

PEEP

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3 words

A R

3 words

24 21

16 4

Fill each cell with a number from 1-6. No number can be repeated in any row or column. The numbers in the heavily outlined set of squares (cages) must combine in any order to produce the target number in the top corner, using only the mathematical operator specified: +, -, x or /. Numbers can be repeated within a cage, but not in the same row or column.

Calcudoku

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A perfect Christmas North-East Scotland's Gift : Issue 11 of magazine of literature

North-East Scotland’s and the visual arts is delighted to its magazine ofcontinue literature partnership with NEOS, and visual arts is on sale organisations with a atboth local vendors or via mutual passion to foster the Contact the gazette! artistic talents of our Sue tounique get your copy or pop corner of Scotland - and...toJunction share this Art secret into & with the wider world!Stores; Gifts; Hammerton Books and Beans Issue 11 on sale at some Art Gallery. NEOS studios and outlets Aaround bargain £6.00 theat North East.

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That old thing? I never use it now By Claudia Leaf Whilst clearing out during a recent house move I found something that gave me an odd shock of recognition. There, at the back of a drawer, was a box containing a small pad of blue writing paper with matching envelopes, a fountain pen and a box of ink cartridges. The box, with its neatly arranged contents, now seemed like something out of a museum and it alarmed me that something so utterly familiar and regularly used could become redundant within the space of a few years. I use emails all the time now when I communicate with friends and family. Any formal letter look so much better typed and printed on the A4 sized paper that fits in my printer. What use, then, for a tiny pad of ‘proper’ paper and matching envelopes? This started me thinking about other things that are no longer part of our daily lives. For the last six months my teapot has stood, unused, on a shelf in my kitchen. I love the homeliness of a teapot but nowadays I find I actually don’t like the taste of tea that has stewed in its pot for more than five minutes, so I use teabags. The photo album is another familiar item that has gone the way of the dinosaurs. I miss

the ease with which you could simply turn its pages without having to power up, attach cables and turn on monitors. Do I sound old-fashioned? Do I care? Don’t get me wrong, I think digital photography - and the freedom it offers to take an infinite number of photos - is fantastic, but despite all my good intentions I never seem to find the time to take my digital photos somewhere where they can be professionally printed. Many other objects - once regarded as the stuff of everyday life - are rapidly disappearing. When did you last make a call from a phone box? Read a printed map in a book? Watch a video cassette? Light a candle that smelt of candle wax rather than ‘fresh linen’ or ‘mango’?

thousands of years of human existence, but recently the rate of change has become exponential. In the fifty or so years since the first electronic, digital computer was created, people have had to master new skills and technologies undreamed of by their parents. In particular the Baby Boomer generation of the 1950s and 60s – who were confronted with major technological advances in middle age – have demonstrated how well humans can adapt to change. I’m happy with my current lifestyle even though I’ve had to sacrifice a few familiar objects along the way. My teapot’s status may have changed from an essential domestic item to a nostalgic collectors’ piece, but it still has pride of place in my kitchen.

We tend to blame the march of technology for many of these changes but in truth new developments generally happen for two reasons: either someone’s invented a better version (remember all those sharp-edged metal tabs from drinks cans that used to litter beaches and parks?) or we have simply become bored with doing things the old way. A desire to embrace the new is a very human quality and one that has served mankind well over the hundreds of

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So again we find ourselves starting the New Year on the financial back foot, following overindulgence at Christmas. While this dilemma may seem inescapable, it is certainly not without remedy. Here’s how to begin your New Year with a proactive monetary success story rather than spending Q1 worried about cash flow. 58

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This is your five-step guide to recovering from a Christmas financial hangover. 1. Personal Preparation Start by deciding whether you’re going to use a paper notepad or software. Some people prefer pen and paper, but software for personal finance management or even just a spreadsheet will give you an efficient way to keep track of your funds using an intuitive interface. Next, you need to bolster your conviction to rectify the situation. If you’ve had good intentions in the past to tackle your finances but found yourself falling by the wayside, you’ll t : 01224 - 318561

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2. Assessing Your Situation Before addressing the problem at hand, you need to understand what the damage is. This means coming to terms with exactly how much you spent and involves delving into the nitty-gritty of your naughtiness, a psychologically repelling task that is tempting to avoid. If you haven’t had your credit card statement in yet, sit down with a notepad or a spreadsheet and tally up what you spent on Christmas presents. After this, do a rough calculation of what was spent on other factors such as food, drink and travel. You can always phone your card company and ask for the current balance if you’ve lost track. 3. Laying Down Your Targets Next, make a comprehensive list of every single essential outgoing for the month including an allowance for food. Once you know what this figure is, subtract it from your income and you will know exactly how much is left to divide between your card bill/overdraft and other spending for the coming months. 4. Breaking Your Targets Down Breaking targets down into milestones is another strategy adopted by many renowned business coaches. Once you have your monthly budget, you can then break down your weekly, or even daily spending allowance. If you stick to these targets, you cannot fail and by the end of your plan, you will inevitably be free from your Christmas financial woes. Be as detailed as possible in your planning, accounting for any and all expenditures.

5. Other Steps to Take It’s common when struggling to get on top of finances to avoid contacting organisations to whom money is owed, such as credit card or utility bill companies. Ironically, communication can gain a great deal of leeway here. If necessary, phone up and inform them you’re unable to pay the bill this month but you can pay extra at the end of February. They will often be more than happy to accommodate, allowing you get on with your day-to-day life, conscience unburdened from money issues. If you continue to struggle to make ends meet, there are companies out there to help. Both CCCS (http://www.cccs.co.uk) and Payplan (http://www.payplan.com/) are organisations set up to offer free advice and also debt management plans for those in need. Best of luck.

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understand the importance of this step. A process touted by many world-renowned business coaches is to take a notepad and create two columns. On one side, put the positive things which will come from organising your money, and on the other list the downsides of what will happen and how failure will feel. This process can transform your intentions from whimsical fancy into serious conviction.

An estimated 51,000 people living with heart and circulatory disease in Grampian region Did you know that heart and circulatory disease is Scotland’s biggest killer? There are around 51,000 people in Grampian region living with it and it’s responsible for the deaths of more than one in four men and women. British Heart Foundation (BHF) Scotland is urging local people to get involved with Rock Up In Red on 1 February, in National Heart Month, to help raise vital funds for those living with heart and circulatory disease. This year, National Heart Month raised over £1m across the UK to support the BHF’s life-saving work. In 2013 the BHF hopes to raise even more but needs local people to Rock Up In Red and help raise funds. Kathy McIlwain, local Fundraising Volunteer Manager, commented: “We are calling on local people to put on their best red items on 1 February and encourage their colleagues, friends and family to do the same and help support the nation’s heart charity by getting involved and raising money. It’s easy to organise a Rock Up In Red event and fun for everyone involved.” Whether it’s painting your nails red, donning a red tie, some red socks or going all out and rocking a top to toe red outfit, BHF Scotland is urging people across the country to organise a Rock Up In Red day with friends, families and colleagues to raise funds that will go directly towards vital research, support and care for those suffering with heart and circulatory disease. If you want to get involved with Rock Up in Red, simply encourage your colleagues, friends or pupils to rock up wearing something red and give £2. Anything goes, as long as it’s red. A workplace, group or organisation can simply rock up wearing something red and give £2 – or schools can do it for £1 per pupil. As well as being the leading cause of death, more than 620,000 people in Scotland are living with heart and circulatory disease, many of whom struggle with everyday tasks. Rock Up In Red this February and make a heartfelt statement for your loved ones. To order your free fundraising pack, just go to bhf.org.uk/red or call the hotline on 0300 330 0645.

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS 

Happy Holidays 

As our darkest and frostiest days are upon us many of us dream ofHAPPY sunshine and holidays for the year ahead. HOLIDAYS As our darkest and frostiest days are upon us, many of us Many people are surprised to learn that there’s a dream of sunshine frostiest and holidays for the year ahead. Many As ourcountry darkestinand days are upon us drive manyon of the Europe, a country where they people are surprised to learn that there’s a country in us dream of sunshine and holidays foras the yearwhich ahead. left and use the same 3 pin plugs us(!) offers Europe, a countrysurprised where they drivethat on the left aand use the Manysunshine people are to learn there’s and real warmth almost all year round. same 3 pin plugs as us(!) which offers sunshine and real country in country Europe, isa country That Cyprus. where they drive on the warmth almost all year round. That country is Cyprus. left and use the same 3 pin plugs as us(!) which offers From February onwards Cyprus offers the chance sunshine and real warmth almost all year From February onwards, Cyprus offers theround. chance for for lunching few extra layers, there’s That country isal-fresco Cyprus. lunching al-fresco withwith few extra layers, and and there’s nothing nothingtosothe uplifting to the spirit andwhiff soul as so uplifting spirit and soul as the of whiff warmofair From February onwards offers the chance forour Spring is even thinking about peeking around the corner. airazure and a seas viewCyprus of azure seas before and awarm view of way before ourway Spring is even thinking about peeking around the corner. lunching al-fresco with few extra layers, and there’s The Aphrodite Hills resort near Paphos in Cyprus offers golf, tennis and a fabulous award-winningSpa, Spaall all of nothing so uplifting the spirit soul in as Cyprus, whiff of offers golf, The Aphrodite Hills to resort, nearand Paphos tennis and a fabulous award-winning which are most enjoyable these coolermonths months ofthe year. There about some fantastic walking of which most enjoyable ininthese of year. There is also peeking some fantastic coastal walkingand warm air are and a view of azure seas way cooler before our Spring isthe even thinking around coastal the corner. mountainbiking biking and and guided guided cycle fun in in Cyprus in February / March asas the and mountain cycletours tourswhich whichare aretremendous tremendous fun Cyprus in February/March the The Aphrodite Hills resort near Paphos in Cyprus offers golf, tennis and a fabulous award-winning Spa all stunning Spring flowers come into bloom and the island is resplendent, verdant green at this time of stunning Spring flowers come into bloom and the island is resplendent and verdant green at this timeofofyear. year. which are most enjoyable in these cooler months of the year. There is also some fantastic coastal walking and The Penthouse Aphrodite HillsHills (www.AphroditeHillsPenthouse.com) luxurious and incredibly The Penthouse at Aphrodite (www.AphroditeHillsPenthouse.com) offers luxurious andas incredibly flexible mountain bikingatand guided cycle tours which are tremendous fun in Cyprus offers in February / March the flexible accommodation. Notfor only for families but forresplendent, groups of friends who enjoy shared living accommodation notcome just families but foralso groups of friends who wish to wish enjoy shared living space. Up to stunning Spring flowers into bloom and also the island is verdant green atto this time of year. space.3 couples Up to 3 can couples theirwith privacy suite and terrace, an easy to all the havecan theirhave privacy theirwith own their suite own and terrace, and it’s an and easyit’s stroll to allstroll the resort’s The Penthouse at Aphrodite Hills offers luxurious incredibly flexible resort’s facilities. if some of(www.AphroditeHillsPenthouse.com) your party wish play tennis at the fantastic tennis and academy, maybe facilities. So if So, some of your party wish to playtotennis at the fantastic tennis academy, maybe even joineven one of accommodation not justtennis for families also for groups of friends who wish to enjoy shared living toSpa join one the Annabel Croft tennisbut programmes, whilst others golfor orluxuriate gym orinluxuriate in thespace. beautiful the of Annabel Croft programmes, whilst others golf or gym the beautiful Spa orUp simply 3 couples can have their withabsorb theirabsorb own terrace, and it’s easyisstroll to all the the resort’s or simply a coffee, a book and theand stunning sea views, this definitely for you.  grab grab a coffee, read read aprivacy book and the suite stunning sea views this is an definitely the place for place you facilities. So if some of your party wish to play tennis at the fantastic tennis academy, maybe even join one of The earliest months of the are also perfect for driving up into thethe Troodos Mountains (on some days The earliest ofyear the year arewhilst also perfect for up Troodos Mountains (on daysthe the the Annabel Croftmonths tennis programmes, others golfdriving or gym orinto luxuriate in the beautiful Spa orsome simply audacious canread ski the swim in the sea on on the same dayday!) (!).the The coastline aroundAphrodite AphroditeHills canin inmountains the swim insea the sea the The coastline around grab aaudacious coffee, aski book andmountains absorband theand stunning views this is same definitely place for you Hills is spectacular, with sweeping craggyiscliff lines andwith of course the craggy legendary Aphrodite's Rock, the butlegendary you can spectacular sweeping clifflines and of course quickly leavemonths the coast andyear findare yourselves in ancient villages that time has left behind, or take a monastery The earliest of the also perfect for driving upbut into thecan Troodos Mountains (on some the Aphrodite’s Rock, you quickly leave the coast andindays find yourselves and a traditional audacious can ski mezze. in the mountains and swim in the sea on the same coastlineoraround Hillsand a in ancient villages that timeday!) has The left behind, take inAphrodite a monastery is spectacular with sweeping craggy clifflines and of course the legendary traditional mezze. The local villages of Kouklia and Pissouri, as well as Paphos itself, offer a Aphrodite’s Rock, but you can quickly leave the coast and find yourselves variety oflocal restaurants should youand tirePissouri of the selection on the resort, The villages Kouklia wellinasaavailable Paphos itself offer in ancient villages that of time has left behind, orastake monastery and a a the latter, of of course, leavingshould you free to stroll back to the Penthouse atthe the variety restaurants you tire of the selection available on traditional mezze. end ofresort, your meal. the latter of course leaving you free to stroll back to the The local ofthe Kouklia and Pissouri a Penthouse at end of your meal.as well as Paphos itself offer Check outvillages our website www.AphroditeHillsPenthouse.com for loads variety of restaurants should you tire of the selection available on the more information about what your Cyprus break could offer you, along with Check out our website www.AphroditeHillsPenthouse.com for loads more information what your resort, the latter ofyou course free to stroll backabout to the photos to inspire and leaving a videoyou to show you around the Penthouse itself. Cyprus break could offer you, along with photos to inspire youmeal. and a video to show you around the Penthouse Penthouse at the end of your We have 100% 5* reviews on Trip Advisor so far and more on our website, so itself. We have 100% 5* reviews on Trip Advisor so far and more on our website, so you wouldn’t be the first you wouldn’t be the first to discover this amazing gem but hopefully you’ll be thrilled that you have  Checktoout our website www.AphroditeHillsPenthouse.com for loads information about what your discover this amazing gem but hopefully you’ll be thrilled thatmore you have Cyprus are break could offer along with photos and to inspire you and video show you around thejourney Penthouse Flights available fromyou, Edinburgh, Glasgow Newcastle, as awell as to other options and the time Flights are available from Edinburgh, Glasgow Newcastle asWith wellwebsite, as other options and thebe journey timeno itself.Paphos We have 100% 5*the reviews on TripisAdvisor so and far 15 and more on our youtime wouldn’t thethere’s first from airport to Penthouse only around minutes! only a 2so hour difference from Paphos airport to the Penthouse is only around 15 minutes! With only a 2 hour time difference there’s no to discover this amazing gem hopefully be thrilled that you have jet lag and flight time can bebut as little as 4.5you’ll hours. jetlag and flight time can be as little as 4½ hours. So howare about you take moment Glasgow out of your check out this fabulous possibility? And if you Flights available from aEdinburgh, andfestivities Newcastleand as well as other options and the journey time So about you takemore, a moment your festivities and With checkonly out athis fabulous And ifand you want to how ask me anything please doofemail me Amanda@AphroditeHillsPenthouse.com from Paphos airport to the Penthouse isout only around 15 on minutes! 2 hour time possibility? difference there’s no I want to ask me anything more, do email me on Amanda@AphroditeHillsPenthouse.com and I will be will be happy totime come back youasplease as4½quickly as possible. jetlag and flight can be asto little hours.

Amanda x

happy to come back to you as quickly as possible. Happy HolidaysAmanda x Happy So how about you take a moment out of your festivitiesHolidays and check out this fabulous possibility? And if you want to ask me anything more, please do email me on Amanda@AphroditeHillsPenthouse.com and I will be happy62 to comewww.thegranitecitygazette.co.uk back to you as quickly as possible.

Amanda x

t : 01224 - 318561 Happy Holidays e : gazette@fsmail.net

Old Skene Road, Kingswells, Aberdeen, AB15 8QA Tel. 01224 740318 Email. info@fourmile.co.uk

www.fourmile.co.uk

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Your lunch or dinner food bill, Monday to Thursday in January and February 2013. Voucher can be used once only, and only one voucher per table. -voucher cannot be exchanged for cash - Valid until March 1st 2013

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