Innehållsförteckning för August 2021 från Chat Specials

Rushing through the front door, my little boy Toby was as excited as ever Bouncing past me, he headed straight to his Auntie Susan. ‘Someone’s full of beans,’ my sister Susan chuckled, inviting us both in. My five-year-old boy and I had recently moved and were now living just down the road from her. Susan would often watch Toby while I was at work, so we saw her most days. As I made us both a cuppa, Toby was still practically bouncing off the walls. ‘Calm down, you,’ I laughed, giving him a pat on the head. Like any other five-year-old boy, Toby was full of energy and certainly kept me on my toes. After settling down for a cuppa, the doorbell rang. ‘Hi Geraint, lovely to see you,’ my…

Walking back from the playground with my daughter, Lacey-Maye, four, we were worn out. ‘When the baby comes, I’ll push him on the swings!’ Lacey-Maye said with a huge grin. ‘You’re going to be a brilliant big sister,’ I said. My partner, Chris, and I couldn’t wait to have another little one. Also, we could tell that Lacey-Maye was over the moon that she was going to have someone to share all of her toys with. The pregnancy was fine, other than some brief issues with dyspepsia which was caused by my acid reflux and dehydration. Only, one morning, when I was 32 weeks pregnant, I woke up feeling nauseous. ‘It must have something to do with the takeaway we ate last night…’ I suggested to Chris. But, over the…

The energy experts at money.co.uk have researched and revealed seven tips for cutting down on plastics in the garden. Gardening can generate a lot of plastic waste as it’s found in almost every aspect of the hobby. Whether it be seed trays, plant pots, compost bags, plastic labels, plastic cloches, or propagators, we are all surrounded by it in our gardens. Unfortunately, a lot of this plastic won’t make it into the recycling bin, and it can take hundreds of years to degrade. Use terracotta pots instead of plastic ones Terracotta pots are more environmentally friendly than plastic alternatives, as they are more porous and able to break down over time quicker than plastic. If you are going to use plastic pots, then source ones that are made out of…

Arriving home from a long shift, I headed straight towards the shower. As a Critical Care nurse, it’s safe to say, I lived a busy life. My life was a big open space and I could do anything I wanted. I never let anything hold me back from what I wanted to do. Over the years, as well as sometimes working seven days in a row, I would fly to see my family and go out with friends. I went abseiling and climbed mountains – life was exciting and full of adventure. Only, as I stood on the non-slip mat in the bath in 2015, ready for my shower, suddenly everything changed. I’d just got in, but somehow, I lost my footing and slipped on the mat – despite the…

Filling the bath with bubbles, I popped my two-year-old daughter Holly into the water to wash. ‘Splash, splash!’ I said, smiling, as she giggled away. I pictured what it would be like with two little ones to bathe. I was 13 weeks pregnant, and I knew Holly would be the best big sister to her sibling. As I reached for the shampoo, I felt something dripping between my legs. ‘Oh no,’ I panicked, as I looked down to see blood splattered across the bathroom floor. I noticed blood clots the size of my hands. ‘Mummy’s OK,’ I said to Holly nervously, trying to stay calm. I had been bleeding on and off throughout the pregnancy, but nothing like this. Calling my brother Richard, I rushed to A&E and left Holly…

Sudoku To solve the puzzle, each 3 x 3 box, each column and each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9. Solve the puzzle, then read down the numbers in the highlighted squares for the answer. Brick trick The Federal Republic of Adygea in southern Russia created a special police force to ensure that what events don’t get out of hand? To find out, enter the answers to the clues in the grid. Every word is an anagram of its neighbours, plus or minus a letter. Read the shaded squares in number order for the answer. 1 Con trick 2 Brandishes 3 Slip 4 Tick over an engine 5 Showed the way 6 Hand out a hand of cards 7 Woodland opening 8 Stared angrily 9 Rinsed the back…

Over the summer months it can be difficult to take good care of your skin. As the weather changes, your skin requirements will change too and it can be increasingly difficult to keep your skin soft, protected and glowing in the heat. One of the best ways to keep your skin looking healthy is to keep it hydrated, and this can be done by following a healthy lifestyle and beauty regime. To explain more, top Nutritional Therapist, Eve Kalinik and Senior Aesthetician, Sara Waterman from Young LDN (www.youngldn.com), the new beauty and skincare destination in Notting Hill, share their six smart ways to hydrate your skin this summer… Having hydrated skin can reduce wrinkles! EAT YOUR WATER Certain fruits and vegetables are higher in water content, so you can increase…

NOURISHING SKINCARE With the summer heatwave, it’s important that you look after yourself. Our skin is a sensitive organ, but you can take care of it with Dove’s nourishing formulas. Available from Superdrug. 1. Care and Protect Body Lotion, £6.50 Take care of your skin this summer with Dove’s combined skin care and SPF body lotion, giving you an everyday protection whilst keeping your skin moisturised. It has a lightweight formula that provides deep nourishment to your skin and is dermatologically tested and suitable for all skin types. An ideal product for daily use when you are out and about. 2. Care and Protect SPF15 Hand Cream, £5 We’re exposed to UV rays every single day, making our hands extra vulnerable seeing as they are often uncovered and exposed. Make…

Opening the wardrobe doors, I couldn’t decide which jumper to pick out. Do I want sparkles or a cosy knit? I wondered. Only, I wasn’t looking for something for me to wear The trendy jumpers were for my two adorable pet pooches, Reggie and Romeo. They had a whole wardrobe full of clothes, and sometimes it meant there was too much to pick from. ‘I think we’ll go with the sparkles,’ I said to Romeo the Chihuahua, scooping him off the ground and pulling the jumper over his head. ‘Perfect,’ I said, popping him back on the floor. ‘You’re up next little man,’ I turned to Reggie, the Chihuahua cross Bichon. The dogs had a life of luxury and between me and my husband Steve, 42, we spoiled them rotten.…

On a wander It’s the perfect time of year for meeting up with friends and going on an adventure! Freya, Mirfield London calling Usually I’m terrified of swans, but these in Hyde Park always seem so sweet. Marie, Cirencester Field of dreams I went for a walk and stumbled across this gorgeous cornfield at golden hour. Phoebe, Bollington Don’t go chasing… If I could, I’d live in a waterfall because I love them so much. Tamara, Thornbury Japanese feast I am so incredibly proud of this sushi I made from scratch. Christa, Acle Rouge delights Couldn’t be happier with the giant bowl of strawberries I’ve grown this year! Robin, Christchurch Blooming beautiful Relaxing in my garden amongst all of my stunning flowers is always a delight. Pamela, Wivenhoe Balancing act…

Forget sandcastles, have you heard about the carefully crafted, life-sized sand bar which you could enjoy this summer? Eco-builder, Molly Windels-Lyte, has created this unique and stunning bar with beer brand Corona. Located on Porthminster beach in St Ives, Cornwall, this 100 per cent natural bar has been made without any man-made materials – only sand, clay, wood and bamboo! Everything, even down to the hand sanitiser dispenser, is natural – it’s a handcrafted sandstone pump. It’s a fully functioning bar where you can crack open a cold one in socially distanced seating. Molly said: ‘By limiting ourselves to natural materials, many of which are already recycled or reclaimed, we’re hoping to show that we can build by working with nature, not against it. ‘If we can create an entire…

Movie links Name the films in which these stars appeared together to link Carey Mulligan to Joan Cusack. The slim one In the state of Vermont there is a law still on the books that wives must obtain written permission from their husbands if they wish to wear what? To find out, solve the puzzle… Add a letter anywhere in each of the boxed-off words to fit the clue, eg, LUXURIOUS = PUSH + L = PLUSH. Write the added letter in the space provided. Read down the added letters to spell out the answer. • FIRE PART• LASAGNE, EG• LUXURIOUS• UPLIFT• BACKBONE• STORE• FLEE TO WED• INEXPENSIVE• DECORATE• HOUSEHOLD JOB Strike it On your bingo card, cross out all the numbers that appear on the balls. Read the letters…

In the bag Fold plastic bags into triangle shapes to save cupboard space. Sam, Girvan Gleaming goods In a bowl, mix together some lemon juice, fresh or bottled, with twice the amount of olive oil for a homemade wood polish. Trisha, Pembrokeshire Caribbean feel Spice up your garden by adding a lick of brightly coloured paint to boring brick borders. Tracy, Plimpton Lazy mornings Keep your least favourite mug next to your kettle to put used tea bags in to save a trip to the bin every time. Sandra, Trowbridge Up in smoke Keep the protective packaging that you receive in any deliveries for excellent fire lighting material. Rosie, Carmarthen Let there be light During the summertime, I tie the cords on my blinds together so that they don’t keep…

Growing up in Melbourne, Australia, Robyn Lindholm seemed to have a perfect life. With loving parents and an abundance of talent, she was destined for greatness. As a national ice-skating champion and a horse rider, she was everything her parents had hoped for. At 23, Robyn had even saved enough money to buy a 74-acre farm in Glenhope, North Melbourne. Her life was on track for success, but things took a sudden turn when she took a job as a barmaid and then hostess in the high rollers’ exclusive Mahogany Room in the Crown Casino. It was there that Robyn met Alex Prelac, the owner of Simply Irresistible Stripping agency. In a bid to pay off her mortgage, Robyn started stripping part-time under the professional name Colette. A waitress by…

ACROSS 11 Small pincers for shaping eyebrows (8) 12 Confess (3,2) 13 ‘Fall’ in America (6) 14 Outer rim (4) 15 Regular inspection at the dentist (5-2) 16 Young attendant on a ship, Jim Hawkins in Treasure Island perhaps (5,3) 17 Old collector’s item often of some value (7) 18 Ocean between America and Asia (7) 19 Detest (4) 21 Commence (5) 23 Large luxury house (7) 24 Child’s engineering construction toy (7) 28 Twelve o’clock, midday (4) 29 Lubricant, ‘black gold’ (3) 30 Tent material (6) 33 Broken to pieces (7) 35 Sister in a convent (3) 36 Bus that runs on rails (4) 38 Large cat, cougar (4) 39 Small hotel (3) 40 Item you might find in a pub table (7) 42 Managing journalist (6) 43 Possesses…

Adrenaline junkies - it's time to listen up! The thrill-seekers amongst you will want to clear your diaries on 16 August for National Roller Coaster Day - an excuse to form an orderly queue and get ready to ride some of the UK's best coasters. Whether you're a fan of loop-the-loops or just have a head for heights, there are some pretty incredible rides here in the UK. To give you some inspiration, we've compiled a list of some of the very best… THE BIG ONE AT BLACKPOOL PLEASURE BEACH Blackpool is famed for its roller coasters and this one actually held the title for the tallest and steepest roller coast in the world for a while. Still the tallest roller coaster in the UK, The Big One climbs you…

Give back all of their love! The 26 August is an important date for many pet parents… it’s World Dog Day! Here’s how you can make your canine companion’s life as luxurious as they deserve… Sensory spaces Melanie Smith, a pet care expert at Webbox Naturals, shares how to create a safe sanctuary in your garden for your furry friend. ADVENTURE If your doggy is active and loves jumping around, climbing and exploring then installing obstacles and different textures in your garden could bring them a lot of joy. Do this by hammering in some stumps, adding some ramps and platforms for them to hop onto. For the textures, add some Astro Turf, gravel and wood to stimulate their paws. PAWSOME PLANTS What pooch doesn’t love a snack? Fill your…

Bachelors Bigga Marrowfat peas are perfect for creating delicious family recipes. Not only are they one of your five a day but they are also full of taste and British grown! Find out more at: batchelorspeas.co.uk SUPER GREEN SALAD WITH CHICKEN & MARROWFAT PEAS SERVES 4 FOR THE SALAD: • 20g pea shoots• 15g coriander• 25g mint - picked• 50g smoked chicken breast - sliced• 10g toasted pumpkin seeds• 50g Marrowfat peas, drained• 75g sweetcorn FOR THE KALE CRISPS: • 5ml rapeseed oil• 50g kale pieces, 35mm diced• 2g Maldon sea salt FOR THE VINAIGRETTE: • 80g mushy peas• 10ml white wine vinegar• 250ml rapeseed oil• 15g wholegrain mustard• 5g Dijon mustard• 3g salt• 1g cracked black pepper• 5g brown sugar HOW TO DO IT… 1. For the kale crisps,…

Holding out my arms, five-year-old miniature dachshund, Ernie, was given to me. I ran a respite care centre, and I could see that his owners were clearly terrified about Ernie’s IVDD. This stands for intervertebral disc disease – sadly he had nerve damage which meant that he wasn’t able to walk and was incontinent. Unfortunately, Ernie’s back end was paralysed, and his tiny front legs were struggling to support him. ‘We’ll do everything we can,’ I reassured Erie’s owners. A team of us, including my husband, Gus, took care of him for the next three months to give him all the treatments and therapies he needed. The goal was to strengthen his muscles as well as trying to improve both his nerve function and balance. Sadly, due to Ernie’s need…

Tot Knots of Brighton is an accessories brand creating beautiful handmade headbands, hair ties and turbans for little and grown-up people. Specialising in Liberty prints and luxury fabrics, and perfect for delicate skin. Tot Knots was born when Katie and her mum Susan went on a sunny holiday with Katie’s two little girls. Katie struggled to keep a hat on their heads, and started to fashion headscarves instead. She found they loved them and so did everyone they met – more importantly, they kept them on! The concept is an oldie but a goodie – and the rest, as they say, is history. Every piece is handcrafted and handmade to the highest standard. So whether you are a fashion aficionado, recovering from hair loss or medical treatment or looking for…

The slim one All new employees and promoted executives at the Japanese advertising agency Dentsu are required to climb to the top of what? To find out, solve the puzzle… Add a letter anywhere in each of the boxedoff words to fit the clue, eg, BOG = SWAP + M = SWAMP. Write the added letter in the space provided. Read down the added letters to spell out the answer. Bog Oily fruit Set of chairs Pulverise Pong Sparkle Leap Excursion Leader The little one In Mexico City there are special rubbish bins that provide free what if you put your dog’s poop there, the more you put in the more you get free? Solve the crossword, then read down the yellow squares to find the answer. ACROSS 1 Extreme…

MAKE YOUR JOURNEY COUNT Trainhugger Ground-breaking new train ticketing service Trainhugger is enabling people to explore Britain by rail, see friends and family again and care for the planet – all at the touch of a button. Every time a passenger books a train journey through the Trainhugger app or Trainhugger.com, a tree is planted here in the UK. Passengers have access to the best available fares and pay the same ticket price as they would elsewhere. The difference is that Trainhugger has teamed up with the Royal Forestry Society and the Royal Scottish Forestry Society to donate a third of its revenue to tree planting. Customers can access all their journey information in the Trainhugger app, which also keeps track of how many trees each user has planted and…

Staring in the mirror, I was well and truly fed up. With angry, red patches spreading across my face, all I wanted to do was crawl back into bed. In fact, I’d felt like this for years now. Ever since I could remember, my skin had always been problematic. Patches of red, inflamed skin covered my face. I hated how I looked, and my confidence was at rock bottom. Back and forth to the doctors, I never seemed to get answers. ‘It could be eczema,’ one doctor mused. But nothing I was prescribed ever did the trick. And as I got older, my skin only got worse. Impossible to conceal, the painful, red welts were making me miserable. And a widower, after my fiancé died, I felt like I had…

Our must tries this month!…

DOTHRAKI: GAME OF THRONES David Peterson was hired to turn the Dorthraki language from the A Song of Ice and Fire book series into a complete lexicon for the Game of Thrones television series. As the Dothraki people’s lives depend on their horses, Peterson created the language to reflect this close relationship with horse riding and rearing. Dothraki is frequently spoken by actors on the show, and many fans are learning it, too. KLINGON: STAR TREK Klingon is one of the most well-known fictional languages. It was created by linguist Marc Okrand as the language of Klingon for Star Trek. There are several books about the language and an organisation known as the Klingon Language Institute has a quarterly journal dedicated to it. Fans use the language to conduct marriage…