Indholdsfortegnelse for 04-Jan-2018 i Chat

Sky high I picked a terrible day for weather, but I still managed a smile when I reached the top of Mount Keen in the Cairngorms in Scotland. Ashley Toner-Maxwell, Ferniegair The Way We Were These are my sisters Ann and Davina on Ayr Beach when they were teenagers! They're in their 70s now, but are still just as stylish! Agnes Carmichael, Bellshill DON’T I KNOW YOU?  At a recent wedding, I was lucky enough to bump into actor Gary Lewis, who played Billy Elliot's dad in the film. He was at the same hotel! Maria Wood, Thornton-Cleveleys Park life Me and my son Ashton love getting wrapped up nice and warm for a walk in the park! Ellen Warren, via email My favourite PICTURE! Here's me and my beautiful…

Watching my son Tristin, 12, clutching his right leg, I could see he was uncomfortable. ‘Mum, it hurts,’ he cried. It was March 2014, and Tristin had been moaning about his leg for weeks. ‘It’s growing pains,’ I assured him. Our GP agreed. But the pain persisted over the next two years. Then Tristin felt a lump near his knee. It hurt if he knocked it playing footy. Concerned, my husband Shane, 33, took Tristin for a second opinion. He was booked in for an MRI scan. ‘It might be a cyst,’ the doctor said. In February 2017, Tristin had the lump removed at Musgrave Park Hospital. Tristin was excited to be pain-free, already talking about his next footy game. Only, 10 days later, the hospital called. ‘Tristin needs more…

Logging on to my computer, I started planning my exciting trip to Europe. Living in Auckland, New Zealand, it was a big deal for me, flying to the other side of the world! And I couldn’t wait. As an artist, I dreamt of visiting Italy and taking in the stunning scenery. It was February last year and I was single after being widowed eight years earlier. My two children Matthew, 21, and Imogen, 19, had their own lives now. I needed an adventure to look forward to. Daydreaming, I clicked away online, trying to choose my perfect destination. Then I came across something fascinating. A story about a deserted village in the Italian Alps called Sostila. The freezing winters back in the 1960s had forced the residents to flee downhill.…

Source of Nature Anti-Age Night Cream, £4.50, Sainsbury's Launched as part of a new vegan skincare range at Sainsbury's, this rich moisturiser delivers plenty of hydration. B. Strong Night Cream, £14.49, Superdrug Designed for women 60+, this has been clinically proven to improve skin's density by 55%. Super Facialist Hyaluronic Acid Firming Super Lift Night Cream, £16.99, Boots This is a real splurge, but worth it for the high-end ingredients. You'll wake up with a plumper, smoother complexion. Nspa Expert Nightly Repair Cream, £10, Asda This nourishing formula works while you sleep to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.…

Lennie was an elderly man, wouldn’t hurt a fly Some people are just beautiful souls. My uncle Lennie was one of them. A former nurse, he was an actor, too, and appeared as an extra in Coronation Street and Casualty. For years, he’d travelled to Romania with packages of toys and food for orphans there. A kind-hearted man who’d do anything for anyone. He’d never married or had children, so he was incredibly close to me and my brothers, Tamer, now 40, and Ramy, 37. As children, we’d visit him in St Helens every school holiday. He was forever messing around and making us laugh. He was incredibly proud when I later got a job as a solicitor. And when I married and had my twins Carter and Raya, in…

My tics exploded with the ferocity of fireworks Stamping my feet, flicking my hair, you’d be forgiven for thinking I was dancing. But, with throat clearing, sniffing and eye-rolling in the mix, too, I wasn’t. ‘Stop doing that,’ a classmate hissed after I cleared my throat yet again. ‘It’s hay fever,’ I muttered, holding my breath. I thought these little things were just habits. Only, deep down, I knew I was different. Aged 7, I started getting motor tics. Embarrassed, I managed to hide them at school. But, at home, they exploded with the ferocity of fireworks. Foot stamping, eye rolling, head twitching. Over and over and over... Worried, my mum Bridget took me to the doctor. Only, terrified of looking stupid, I was able to control it. Then, on…

Tatt-tastic! Having just a single tattoo myself, I really don't get the obsession with them. But there are many people, like Izzy (16 November issue), who get a real buzz from tatts. Tattoos don't do any harm and some look really nice - so who are we to criticise? I loved the large tiger on her bottom, though I can't imagine how painful it must've been to have it done. But I'm really glad she's pleased with it! Demi Roberts, Llanbedr Work and play Sitting down with my granddaughter Heidi, 4, I asked if I could play dolls with her. When I asked which one I should be, she said, ‘The one that does all the housework!’ Karen Aitkins, Prenton Cafe workout Time to stop worrying about calories when eating…

I watched in horror as the colour drained from his face... Getting ready for bed, my partner Matthew Creme, 30, fancied a late-night snack. It was an evening last July, and, finding some cherries in the fridge, he ate a few straight from the packet. Only, then he decided to try the stones in the middle, too – out of curiosity more than anything. ‘I wonder what they taste like,’ he said. Biting down on a stone and cracking it open, Matthew found a nut inside. Popping it in his mouth, he chewed on it. ‘This tastes quite nice – a bit like cherry almond,’ he grinned. ‘I think I’ll have another.’ So he popped a second nut in his mouth, followed by a third. Each to their own! After,…

Could it be my twins are the only ones in the world..? As I walk down the street with my twin girls Anja and Agnetha, people turn to watch us. They can’t take their eyes off the girls’ unusual looks. They’re identical twins, so they always attract attention. They’re beautiful and I dress them the same. But there’s something else that makes my lovely daughters stand out… Their hair! ‘Can I touch it?’ strangers will often ask, gawping at their frizzy, fluffy, voluminous manes. You see, their hair is similar to that of the Troll dolls! First on the scene in the late 50s, Trolls even ended up starring in their own movie in 2016. And, like those fabulous, fluffy-haired little folk, my girls are a sight to behold. My…

Glancing in my rear-view mirror, my daughter Kaydee’s big, brown eyes looked back at me. ‘We’ll be home soon, sweetie,’ I smiled to her. Kaydee, then 1, was getting tired and irritable. We’d been out all day, visiting family in San Angelo, Texas, and running errands. Now my littl’un was ready for a feed and a nap. My parents’ place was on the way home, so I decided to stop and fill up her bottle. ‘Won’t be long,’ I told her, before jumping out of the car. I only planned to be a couple of minutes. Plus it was a safe neighbourhood and I knew Kaydee would just fall asleep. My parents were out, so I let myself in with my spare key, expecting to find an empty house. But,…

Windy confusion Q What is wind? My mum always used to blame it for tummy pains - but I don't know what that means! Harri, 27 A Wind can mean anything, as it's not a medical term. Some doctors use upwind to mean belching, or downwind to mean farts. It can also describe tummy cramps or bloating, often due to conditions like irritable bowel. Forget wind, and simply describe your symptoms! Lens worry Q I use contact lenses, and I think one is lost behind my eye. What should I do? Sian, 40 A Don't panic, the conjunctiva, the covering over the front of your eye, folds onto the inside of your eyelids so nothing can slip behind. Drop some lens solution into your eye, and gently massage your top…

Over the years, I’ve taught about 3,500 pupils in all! Walking through the door of the classroom, I was really excited. It was my first day at a new school. Only I wasn’t a child. It was 1947, and, aged 20, I’d just started my first teaching job at Thornbury Primary School in Bradford. I’d wanted to be a teacher since I was 6 years old, threw myself into the job. I loved teaching my little charges how to read and write, and when they’d mastered that, other skills such as needlework and knitting. Maybe that seems old-fashioned now – but, back then, they were handy skills! Over the years, my confidence as a teacher blossomed. I was firm but fair. And loved making children laugh. ‘Look at the helicopter,’…

Card game My purse was getting bulky with all my loyalty cards, so I punched holes in each of them (avoiding the numbers or metallic strip!) and threaded them on to an old key ring! They're so much easier to find now. Donna Flint, Cleethorpes Make a stand  Placing a small binder clip inside a larger one will create a handy stand for your mobile. Barbara Champion, Meadowfield Storage solution  I reused the pretty bag from my new shower curtain to store bathroom items. It's a useful addition for keeping stuff tidy - and it matches the shower curtain. Kerry Robinson, Ebbw Vale Cake that!  For a baby shower, I turned a vest, bib, hat, sleepsuit and boots into cupcake shapes and put them all inside a cupcake box. Sian…

There’s always a friendly group of people Aberdeen is a beautiful place to live. It’s my home and I really couldn’t think of anywhere else that I’d rather be. Now happily retired, my days are spent exploring the city, spending time with my daughter Nicola, now 43, and my three grandkids. One is 20 and another is 17, so they’re growing up quick, but my son Alan has a 15-month-old now, too! When I’m not out and about, one of the things I enjoy is a game of bingo. It was at the beginning of 2016 that I decided to join Chat Mag Bingo. It looked so much fun! There were so many different games. With some, you could play from just 1p. My favourite is Tiki Bingo, a 90-ball…

Serves: 4 Prep: 10 min Cook 20 min Cost per serving: 95p 1 In a large pan, heat a little oil and cook 1 sliced onion until softened, then stir in 2tbsp garam masala. 2 Add 250g peeled, cubed Maris Piper potatoes and 1l veg stock, then bring to the boil. Simmer for 10-15 min until potatoes are tender, then add 400g frozen peas, and 1 small bunch chopped, fresh coriander and mint leaves (reserving a few to garnish). Bring back to the boil, cool a little, then whiz in a blender until smooth. 3 Toast 8 slices of bread and rub each with a cut garlic clove. Reheat soup, then garnish with a pinch of garam masala, the reserved herbs and, if liked, a few chilli flakes and a…

The £5,000 it cost us to save Jago’s life is worth every penny Kneeling down to stroke the fuzzy little pup gambolling at my feet, I knew I’d found a keeper. ‘We’ve got to have him!’ I said to my friend Jennifer, 74. We’re lifelong mates and had shared a dog for as long as I could remember. Little Jago – a 7-week-old Yorkshire Terrier – would be our fourth. We got him from a breeder last January. Energetic, boisterous, and so good-natured… It was a no-brainer! The following day, we took Jago to our vet. We wanted to get him registered as a new patient, and his nails needed clipping. Natasha, the vet, ran all the tests needed to register Jago, then dealt us the most devastating blow. ‘Jago…

They felt a sinister presence inside their bodies It was 29 March 1892, and the winter fishing season had just begun in Iceland. Fishermen had descended on the cabins along the shore near the village of Stokkseyri. In one hut, 10 men were bedding down before braving the freezing conditions of the Icelandic sea early the next morning. Harsh wind and rain battered the cabin, while the men tried to keep warm. One by one, they fell asleep. All except Eyjolf Olaffson and his friend… Unable to nod off, Olaffson was staring at the ceiling, listening to the weather pummelling the roof – when, suddenly, he noticed one of his sleeping companions stirring restlessly. After a few minutes, the man started making strange, unsettling sounds as if he were crying…

Aries 21 March - 20 April Some things are really worth spending time and money on - but others can’t be put right, no matter how much cash you throw at them. So, for now, ignore sentimental attachment and just go and buy a new one! Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April - 21 May Living the dream in a faraway place is fine in theory but, looking into what’s involved, you’ll see lots of legal stuff to get through first. If you’re serious about it, it’s possible. It’ll just take time, that’s all. Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May - 21 June You tread a fine line this week, acting as the middle man. If you get it right, you’ll make a profit.…

I needed three blood transfusions. Then spent 13 hours in theatre being stitched back together in a desperate bid to save my life. My right hand was really mangled from trying to protect myself from Salazar’s knife. Doctors were worried they’d have to amputate. Thankfully, though, they gave it a chance to recover and heal. When my anaesthetic finally wore off, I awoke to find myself surrounded by my family and loved ones. ‘I’m so sorry, love,’ Mum choked, heartbroken. ‘I should’ve been there to protect you.’ But it wasn’t her fault, she’d been in town at the time, and couldn’t have known. Salazar had been robbing the house, hoping to sell the guns for drugs. I was black-and-blue, unrecognisable. But, by some miracle, I was alive. The doctors said…

My daughter Charlene was glued to the TV, watching a DVD of her fave singer Darren Day. She knew every word. ‘Finish your breakfast,’ I smiled. It was 1 November 2003, and Charlene was hopelessly in love with Darren Day. I had four kids with my husband Robert – Emma, then 18, Rebecca, 16, Charlene, 14, and Robert Jnr, 12. Charlene was cheeky, kind, loved animals and children. Though she’d been testing my patience recently, answering back and staying out too late. A typical teenage phase. That day was just like any other Saturday. ‘I’m going out with friends this evening,’ she said later. I worried, as mums do, but she had a good group of mates. Delivering leaflets for a local restaurant that evening, I spotted Charlene walking towards…

I pinch myself to believe how far she’s come… Like any first-time mum, I was full of excitement for my due date. ‘Not long now!’ I said to my husband Shaun, then 30, in October 2014. But at my 32-week scan, doctors noticed our baby wasn’t growing as she should. So they decided to induce me six weeks early, in November. Maia arrived weighing 3lb 1oz. She had her newborn checks, which revealed she had a heart murmur – but then a detailed scan showed two holes in her heart at the top and bottom. Doctors didn’t know what had caused her heart condition, but we were told she’d need major surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). However, Maia was too small and weak to have the op yet.…

I had something to inspire me – our 25th anniversary Every girl wants to look like a princess on her wedding day. And back on 11 July 1992 when I married my husband David, then 28, I was no different. I wore a stunning white, satin dress. My mum Sheila, then 61, had helped me to pick it out. All frills, ruffles and killer shoulder pads, it was the second dress I’d tried on. ‘Gorgeous!’ Mum had said. These days people would call it a meringue. Back then, though, it was all the rage! And as I floated down the aisle, I’d never felt so beautiful. I was 25 then, a size-16 with curves in all the right places. And I was madly in love. ‘Let’s renew our vows in…

Serves: 16 Prep: 15 mins, plus chilling Cook: 2 mins Cost per serving: 38p 1 Grease and line a 20cm sq, shallow baking tin. 2 Melt 350g chocolate and 50g butter in a bowl set over a pan of simmering water, or in the microwave on a low heat for 1-2 min, stirring after the first minute. Don't overheat or chocolate will seize. 3 With a rolling pin, crush 150g rich tea biscuits in a plastic bag, leaving some chunks. Stir 50g walnut pieces, 50g raisins, 70g halved glace cherries and the crushed biscuits into the melted chocolate. Mix well to combine, then tip into the prepared tin, pressing the mixture down with the back of a spoon. 4 Leave in the fridge for about 2 hours until firm and…

I rang round all my family and we headed out For the past five years, I’ve enjoyed playing Chat Mag Bingo. I’ve always loved bingo and playing online is just as much fun, especially as many of my friends play, too. I run my own business looking after holiday cottages and, of an evening after a busy day, it’s nice to relax and have a few games of bingo. It was late evening on 2 August, and I thought I’d have a quick game before bedtime. I pre-bought some tickets for Sapphire, a 90-ball bingo game. I spent £2 on tickets for the next few games. Playing online, you don’t have to sit and watch the numbers being called as they are dabbed automatically. Feeling sleepy, I left the game…

Neither of us ever talked about dying or treatment not working There’s never a great time to find a lump in your breast. But the night before I was due to fly to Portugal was particularly bad timing. ‘You should see a doctor,’ my husband David, 64, said. He was right. But I couldn’t cancel my trip. I was due to fly out and visit my mum, who lived in Lisbon, for a few weeks. ‘I’ll get it checked out there,’ I told him. The lump in my right breast was hard, but I’d only just noticed it. Hopefully, it’s nothing serious, I thought, making an appointment to see a Portuguese doctor a few days later. I was referred for scans, biopsies and investigations. And, a few weeks on, in…

1 Beautiful beaches With temperatures close to 30C in summer, a beach day or two is a must. The best and sandiest are in the north of the island. 2 Island hopping Easy to reach by boat, the tiny neighbouring islands of Gozo and Comino are well worth a visit. Wander through the winding lanes in Gozo or try a spot of snorkelling in Comino's crystal-clear water. 3 Historic culture It's not all about sunbathing, though. Malta has more monuments per square mile than any other European city, so you're never far from a piece of history. If you only have time to explore one thing, make it the stunning 16th-century St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta. 4 Popeye Village Created as the set for Disney's 1980s production of…

The conmen had built a rapport with the couple THE CRIME Two decades ago, in 1995, two wannabe gangsters dreamed of getting rich and living the high life. So they kidnapped and murdered millionaire Frank Griga and his beautiful, young girlfriend in a case so notorious, it was made into a Hollywood movie. THE STORY Frank Griga was living the American dream. In the 1980s, he came to the country as an immigrant from Budapest, with just $10 (£7.50) in his pocket. He got a minimum-wage job in New York, washing cars – but Frank was an entrepreneur. While still a young man, he’d launched his own sex phone-line company. The business had grown quickly and, within just 10 years, he’d built an empire worth millions. Frank, 33, made no…