The Chiltern & Langleys spring 14

GREAT IDEAS

FOR HOLIDAY

RUBY WAX SANE NEW WORLD

Spring 2014

thechiltern & langleys

Magazine

SUMMER READY

HERTFORDSHIRE’S PREMIER SHOWROOM

1A Frogmore Road Apsley Hemel Hempstead Herts HP3 9RW T 01442 212838 F 01442 239505 www.ebberns.co.uk

View our kitchens View our bathrooms

Over 30 years, Ebberns has grown from a plumbing trade

counter to include our kitchen, bathroom and tile centre

showrooms. Each of these are built on the same principle

of showcasing a huge variety of products coupled with

informed, impartial advice.

What sets us apart is our team. Experienced, skilled and

friendly staff will be available to you when you visit any of

our showrooms. Our philosophy is simple: we know all

about our products, but only know what you want.

• Over 70 full displays

• Widest range of styles to suit thelatest trends

• British made furniture

• Complete service from initial surveythrough to project completion

• 30 years of experience and expertise

• Friendly knowledgeable staff

HERTFORDSHIRE’S PREMIER SHOWROOM

1A Frogmore Road Apsley Hemel Hempstead Herts HP3 9RW T 01442 212838 F 01442 239505 www.ebberns.co.uk

View our kitchens View our bathrooms

Over 30 years, Ebberns has grown from a plumbing trade

counter to include our kitchen, bathroom and tile centre

showrooms. Each of these are built on the same principle

of showcasing a huge variety of products coupled with

informed, impartial advice.

What sets us apart is our team. Experienced, skilled and

friendly staff will be available to you when you visit any of

our showrooms. Our philosophy is simple: we know all

about our products, but only know what you want.

• Over 70 full displays

• Widest range of styles to suit thelatest trends

• British made furniture

• Complete service from initial surveythrough to project completion

• 30 years of experience and expertise

• Friendly knowledgeable staff

THINGS TO DO

THEATRE

THIS MONTH

FASHION

INTERIORS

FOOD

WALKS

06 Ashridge Spring Trail

Tabitha Wilson

East of England Food Festival

07 Simon & Garfunkel

08 Ruby Wax

10 Liz McClarnon

12 Accessorize

16 Claire Loves

18 Windows

20 VIBIA.COM

22 Summer Goods

23 Recipes

26 Cocktail Party

29 Lookit Cookit

30 Captain’sWood Chesham

If you would like to contribute or advertise in our magazine - don’t hestitate to get intouch.

We are sure that we can help your business.

Contact Graham on:01296 620856

Follow us on Twitter:@thelangleysmag

Email:the_langleys@hotmai

TRAVEL

If you would like to contribute or advertise in the next edition of The Chiltern and Langleys Magazine-don’thesitateto get in contact.

Contact Graham:

By Phone:01296 620856

By Email:[email protected]

Web:www.thelangleysmagazine.co.uk

Twitter@thelangleysmag

SODAmediaSarah May

THE EDITORWelcome to our new magazine. We are here to show off the talent in Herts, Bed and Bucks to the best of it’s potential.

What is great about what we do here is that we let you determine what you want to see in our magazine - and then we showcase the finished article to thousands of people throughout the area.

Our subscription list is rising all of the time - so you can join us to show off what you or your business has to offer.

This month - in preperation for meeting Ruby Wax at the Watford Colleseum in May - we have an article on her and her show on the mind.

Also, in readiness for what we here at The Chiltern and Langleys hope is a wonderful summer, are lots of ideas to get prepared. From Fashion and Interiors to Food and Holidays - we have it all covered.

We hope you enjoy our magazine and don’t forget to tell all of your friends about us.

See you in the Summer.

Editor in Chief

ON THE COVER: Cherry print swim dress by Liz McClarnon

thechiltern & langleys

Magazine34 Costa Blanca

36 French Connection

6 The Chiltern and Langleys Magazine

THINGS TO DO

The East of England Food Festival

The East of England Food Festival at Knebworth House: Food & Drink Festival10am - 5pmKnebworth House, Knebworth, Hertfordshire SG1 2AXSaturday 12 Apr 2014 and Sunday 13 Apr 2014

THERE IS PLENTY TO DO IN HERTS, BEDS AND BUCKS THIS SPRING

SPRING FUN

Ashridge Spring Trail

Join us for a stroll through the woodland discovering more about springtime at Ashridge. Follow your map, answer the questions and return to the shop to collect your reward sticker.10am - 4pm £1 per childAshridge Estate Hertfordshire HP4 1LXMonday 31 Mar 2014 to Friday 30 May 2014

I’ve never seen the Mona Lisa: a work in progress.

An exhibition by Tabitha Wilson, award-winning abstract landscape painter and artist-in-residence at St Francis College, Letchworth. “A work in progress is an exhibition concentrating on fusing painting and digital manipulation of an original to produce variants through reproductions,” she says. “The initial concept came from looking at reproductions of art; be it on screen or in print we are often more familiar with a reproduction than the original. The postcards we purchase after visiting a gallery to cherish or perhaps facilitate a sense of ownership? This exhibition is somewhat an experiment, rather than presenting all ‘original’ works I am presenting reproductions. The idea is still formalising as I edit and rework the original, cropping, enhancing and deliberating about composition from the original source.”Open Monday to Friday 10.00 am to 5.00 pm. Saturday 10.00 am to 3.00 pm. Admission is free to all Galleries.Letchworth Arts Centre. 2 The Arcade, Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire SG6 3EWTuesday 1 Apr 2014 to Tuesday 29 Apr 2014

The Chiltern and Langleys Magazine 7

THEATRE

THE SIMON &GARFUNKEL STORYHas it really been 50 years since the most successful Folk/Rock Duo of all time recorded their first no1 hit single ‘The Sound of Silence’?

With standing ovations at every performance, The Simon and Garfunkel Story is currently the biggest and the most successful No 1 touring theatre show celebrating the lives and career of Folk/Rock sensation Simon and Garfunkel, and come to Watford Colosseum on Thursday 19th June.

Featuring West End, award-winning leading man DEAN ELLIOTT (Buddy Holly in ‘Buddy - The Musical’) and a full cast of talented actor- musicians, The Simon and Garfunkel Story takes you back through the ‘Groovy’ times of the 1960s. It tells the story of both Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel from their humble beginnings as Rock n Roll duo ‘Tom and Jerry’, right through their massive success, dramatic break-up and finishing with a stunning recreation of the 1981 Central Park reformation concert.

Using a huge projection screen, the show features both original photos and film footage whilst a full live band perform all their hits including ‘Mrs Robinson’, ‘Cecilia’, ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’, ‘Homeward Bound’, ‘The Sound of Silence’ and many more!

If you’re a fan of beautiful music then this is an evening not to be missed at the Watford Colosseum.

Watford ColosseumThu 19 June 7.30Tickets £17.50/£19.50+ £1.50 booking fee

www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk


THEATRE

RUBY WAXSANE NEW WORLD

Ruby Wax – comedian, writer, mental health cam-paigner – is touring the UK with her one-woman show RUBY WAX: SANE NEW WORLD-THE

TOUR and visits Watford Colosseum on Wednesday 7th May. Ruby has based this new show on her No. 1 bestselling book Sane New World: Taming the Mind, which has enjoyed worldwide success since publica-tion in 2013.

THE TOUR will help us understand why we sabo-tage our own sanity and provides a manual on how to survive the 21st century, using Ruby’s knowledge from her recent Masters Degree in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy at Oxford University, spiked with comedy.

Why we need a ‘manual’...

According to Ruby: “We are not equipped for this century, it’s too hard, too fast, and too full of fear; we just don’t have the bandwidth. Our brains can’t take so much information in a world where we’re bombarded by bad news and force-fed information. I can just about take in the weather then I’m exhausted. You open a newspaper, everyone’s dead. We’re only supposed to know what our neighbour is up to; if the woman next door to you is having sex with the man next door to her we need to know; but four doors down and it’s none of our business.”

Using her signature humour, Ruby gives a tour of the brain and how to tame it: “We know so much about how the world works - but so little about our how our own minds work. It’s like having a Ferrari on top of your head but no one gave you the keys.”

“We are not equipped for this century, it’s too hard, too fast and too full of fear .... Our Brains can’t take too much information in a world where we’re bombarded by bad news and force fed information”

Ruby Wax arrived in Britain from the United States in 1977 and she began her acting career with the Royal Shakespeare Company. She went on to write and perform in her own hugely popular television programmes for the BBC and Channel 4 and was Script Editor on all series’ of Absolutely Fabulous. Ruby has since obtained a Masters Degree in Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy from Oxford University and has spoken at TEDGlobal. She has become a respected campaigner for mental illness in the UK.

Tickets £17.50 £15.50

www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk

0845 075 3993

*A £1.50 per ticket booking fee applies

Watford ColosseumWed 7 May| 8 pmProviding a Manual on Surviving 21st Century

Life –Trust her, She’s Hilarious!



FASHION


SUMMERREADY

FASHION WORLDwww.fashionworld.co.uk

LEFT:CHERRY PRINT SWIMDRESSLiz McClarnon for Fashion World available in sizes 12 - 32£38.00

RIGHT:FLAMINGO PRINT

SWIMDRESS£38.00


Left: LUCY ROUND SUNGLASSES £14.00

3D FLOWER SHELL STUD EARRING £8.00

CHRYSANTHEMUM STATEMENT NECKLACE £19.00;

BEA BOWLER BAG £29.00; RESIN FLOWER STRETCH BRACELET £14.00;

STACKING RING SET £8.00;

ABBEY CONTRAST OURJOURNEY 5 X LUXURY STRETCH BRACELET PACK

£1; H AR T AN D B U TT 7 RF LY .00 2 DAISY MESH BALLERINA £25.00

27 6 CLUTCH £22.00; SAFFY LADYLIKE BAR BAG £35.00;

DIAGONAL PANEL CLUTCH £22.00; CLAPHAM SIDEPOCKET SATCHEL

£27.


Accessorize.com

Spring/ Summer 2014Left: FROM HEAD TO TOE: 5 X NEON

MULTI STUD EARRING PACK £10.00

RAVE DAYS STONE COLLAR STATEMENT

NECKLACE £22.00

TRIBAL JEWEL VEST DRESS £29.00

SWEET DROP STRETCH BRACELETS £12.00

4 X CARNIVAL DISCY STRETCH BRACELETS

£10.00

MALIBU MEGA STACKING RING SET

£19.00

3 X BEADED DISC ANKLET PACK £8.00

FASHION

Right: FROM HEAD TO TOE: MONACO TEARDROP

CHANDELIER EARRING £8.00

RIVIERA DREAM NECKLACE £22.00

STRIPE V-BACK VEST DRESS £22.00

AZTEC ENAMEL BANGLES £8.00

MARSEILLE STRIPE CLAMP BANGLE £12.00

AQUA SQUARE STONE STACKING RING SET £8.00

GEORGIA WINGED HANDHELD BAG £32.00

LEATHER CITY SANDALS £25.00

Dakini Leathercrafts specialise in commissions and one off pieces . We also have a wide variety of different products ranging from handbags, iPad and Kindle cases to sleeves, belts - plain and patterned - poppies and other flowers as brooches, guitar straps which can have your name or band logo and much more.

*Recently Commissioned by Walt Disney

Telephone 07854 815 291, email: [email protected] Website: www.Dakinileathercraft.co.ukHazeldene Farm, Chesham

P.B CARPENTRY & JOINERY

Laminate FlooringDeckingMade to measure unitsDoor fittingWall & floor tiling

All House refurbishmentsExtensions Loft ConversionsKitchensBathroomBedroom Refits

07752 630427 / 01494 866579 / 01628 485003 [email protected]

For a free estimate contact Paul on


BECOMEA

WRITER

Have you ever thought you could be a scribe. Have you got

something to say on almost any topic you like. Well here is your chance. You can reach an audience of thousands if you can write a captivating, interesting and thought provoking article for these pages. Send in an article to [email protected], and we will definitely readwhat you have to say and see if you make the grade.


The Best of the Britsavailable from Clare LovesLaunched in the summer sun of 2013, Clare Loves is devoted to selling 100% British made gifts and homewares. They are passionate not only about the pieces they sell, but also about supporting British designer makers and small scale producers. For their collection they select from the best of the Brits for their fun, contemporary and ‘classic

with a twist’ products.

Founder Clare Golding, goes against the current retail trend, making sure that everything is held in stock so it can be sent out as soon as possible with accurate delivery and lead times! This approach also means that Clare Loves knows firsthand that each piece they sell not only has superb

design but also brilliant quality.

Although they love everything they stock, everyone has their favourites, and Clare Loves likes to award their key pieces with a little heart in the corner of their top rated products (a useful place to start when taking a look through their charming range!).

www.clareloves.co.uk/ 01494 874101

INTERIORS


From cushions to key holders, at Clare Loves there’s something for the practical and the creative, so there’s sure to be a product than can add an extra spark into any home.

Here are some of our personal nominations that we think deserve to be award winners;

Man’s Best Friend can now be everyone’s with the Dog Lamp (£120). This playful design is available in two different colours- Dark Cherry or Lighter Oak, both with an off-white shade, fitted with brass fittings, a smart bronze cable and

a fitted plug.

A home within a home, the Dutch House Cupboard (£135) can be used freestanding or wall mounted. Lovely for a bedroom, kitchen or home office, it has two internal shelves and a hinged front facade so it could even be used as a practical bathroom cabinet! Sink into the Coastal Cottage Cushion (£36.00) filled with a luxurious duck feather pad and made from 100% cotton fabric. This cushion is available in two on-trend colours, Dark Navy and Sea Grey.

Forget grabbing the bull by the horns; now there’s a bull that can grab a bike by its horns! The Bull Head Bike Holder (£79.00) is crafted from solid steel and has a soft touch plastic coating to keep bikes beautiful. This piece looks great even on its own so it could even be simply used as decorative art.

Consider Role Just as important as style is the role your window dressings will play in a room. Do you wish to block out light in a bedroom? Choose a lined curtain or dim out blind. Or is privacy of utmost importance? Then a bamboo blind or frosting (great DIY options are now available) may be better.

Don’t Shy From Colour and Texture When you’ve spent time and money getting your room just right it’s a shame to simply hang a boring beige roller blind. A brightly patterned curtain or heavily textured blind can change a room from bland to bling in an instant.

Hangings Count When choosing curtains consider how you would like them to be hung. Gathered curtains on a rail can look dated but tab tops have a casual breeziness, a box valance is boldly luxurious while a rod and rings imparts a neat, classic feel to your room. More modern are the eyelet curtains which have a simplistic, almost nautical feel.

Go BespokeBuying curtains or blinds off the shelf may save money but badly fitting dressings stand out a mile and won’t always be fit for purpose. Why buy a blind which hangs an inch from the sill or a pair of curtains which don’t hang right? Going made-to-measure allows you to choose your ideal combination of fabric and shape for your room.

Tracks Are Key Just as important as the curtains themselves are the poles or tracks you hang them on. Choose a sturdy pole which will take the weight of your curtain without bending and which will suit your style - more decorative poles look good with eyelets or ties while simpler poles are better for rings.

Keep Curtains Out Of KitchensIn both kitchens and bathrooms curtains look fussy and out of place and gather dirt and moisture which leads to mould. Pick a simple roman or roller blind but add interest with a bold design to ensure your window doesn’t fade in to the background.

Try Non-FabricWooden and bamboo blinds can look fantastic in modern spaces and make an interesting change from the usual curtains. In traditional homes, particularly those with large bay windows there’s really nothing as sophisticated as shutters - panelled or louvered to suit the style of your home.

Shade Glass Rooms Conservatories and sun rooms take the brunt of the sun’s rays. It can prove expensive to protect them with specially created blinds but it’s important to do so. Just an hour in the full sun can turn a conservatory in to a sauna, negating the price you paid for it in the first place!

WINDOWSCurtains do more than just keep the light out. They maintain privacy, divide a room and provide a punch of colour and personality. Yet many people ignore window dressings when they redecorate, sticking to plain, ill fitting or just plain ugly curtains or blinds. Follow these tips to get the perfect look for your windows.


SET: GAMEOF LIGHTSSet is a collection of lighting fixtures that can be combined to create mural compositions that play with light, shadow and volumetric lighting effects. General indirect lighting. Borosilicate glass diffuser. Available in matt white lacquer or matt mink lacquer

www.vibia.com


SODAmediaPrint Ad & Logo Design

[email protected]


Look out for items in the sales to make your home and garden

sparkle. Lots of places are reducing the garden furniture and barbecues - it may be time to grab a bargain!

Temperature Clock 39.50, Ret-ro Dome Case Wall Clock £25, Clock That Jack Built £35, Ra-tion Ticket Wall Clock £29.50, Hoop Alarm Clock £15, Country Dome Wall Clock £39.50, Tea Clock £29.50, Fob Wall Clock £35, Black/White Clock £12 All from M&S

M&S Carmelo CollectionDining table and 2 benches £699, Chair £199, Plain Cotton Rib Cushion £12, Metallic Stripe Cushion £15, Extra Large Lantern £89, Medium Lantern £25, Shirt Pillar Candle £2.50, Large Pillar Candle £3, Windsor Martini Glass Set £15. Some of these are currently in the sale at time of print.

Picolino Lavender Barbecue, £65 (Reduced to £45.50 when we went to print), DebenhamsAlso available in turquoise and lime.

Jaspar Conran Suitcase Hamper, £95 (Reduced to £76 when we went to print), Debenhams

For a spot of glamping...

Perfect for a romantic

picnic...

Leave people in no doubt the sun lounger is taken…

Ben Di Lisi Light Blue “Reserved” Motif Towel, £18, Debenhams

Temperature Clock, £39.50, M&S

M&S

Deb

enha

ms

Debenhams

For those beautiful summer evenings.

Our personal favourite...

Debenhams

M&S

M&S

Clocks to make you Tick-Tock

INTERIORS


Directions

FOOD

As usual we have some great ideas to give you and your family some great treats for this time of year. A big thank you to allrecipes.com - go to their website for some more great ideas. First of all try this great salmon dish.

IngredientsServes 4

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

2. Combine paprika, onion and garlic powder, salt, oregano, thyme, black pepper, cayenne pepper and brown sugar in a small bowl.

3. Cut salmon into 4 portions and brush with oil. Distribute the rub over the salmon generously coating all surfaces. Place salmon on a shallow baking pan with sides.

4. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until fish flakes easily. 5. Coarsely chop grapefruit into bite size pieces. Combine all salsa ingredients and serve with salmon. Grapefruit salsa can be made ahead and refrigerated until ready to serve.

Sweet and Spicy Rub: 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon oregano 1/4 teaspoon thyme 1/4 teaspoon finely ground black pepper 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 1/2 teaspoons brown sugar1 pound salmon fillet 2 teaspoons Mazola® Corn Oil Grapefruit Salsa: 2 cups grapefruit sections 1/3 cup chopped green onion 1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro 1 jalapeno pepper, diced


Directions

Raw Vegetable Salad

6 slices bacon 3 cups chopped broccoli 3 cups chopped cauliflower 3 cups chopped celery 1 (10 ounce) package frozen green peas, thawed 1 cup sweetened dried cranberries (such as Craisins®) 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese 1/4 cup white sugar 2 tablespoons grated onion 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup Spanish peanuts

1. Place bacon in a large deep skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown, 10 to 15 minutes.

2. Drain bacon on a paper towel-lined plate; crumble.Mix broccoli, cauliflower, celery, peas, and cranberries in a large bowl.

3. Whisk mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, sugar, onion, vinegar, and salt together in a bowl. Pour dressing over the salad; add nuts and bacon and toss well.

Ingredients

FOOD


Chunky Cheesecake BrowniesIngredientsServes 41/4 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened1 tablespoon white sugar1 egg1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips1 tablespoon butter1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips2 tablespoons white sugar1/2 eggs2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour1/8 teaspoon baking powder1/8 teaspoon salt

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9 inch square baking pan.

2. Combine cream cheese with 1 sugar and quarter of an egg in a mixing bowl; beat until smooth. Stir chocolate chips into the cream cheese mixture. Set aside.

3. Fill a saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Turn the heat off, and set a heatproof mixing bowl over the water. In the mixing bowl, combine butter with the remaining cup of chocolate chips; stir until just melted and blended together. Stir in the remaining sugar and eggs, then sift together flour, baking powder, and salt; stir into chocolate until evenly blended.

4. Pour half of the batter into the prepared baking pan. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the chocolate layer. Top with remaining chocolate mixture (this doesn’t need to completely cover the cream cheese layer). Using a knife, swirl the top chocolate layer into the cream cheese to make a marble pattern.

5. Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes, or until top is crinkled and edges pull away from sides of the pan. Cool thoroughly. Cut into squares. Store in the refrigerator or freeze.

Directions


Whatever happened to the tradition of the Cocktail Party? When all the ladies dragged out their best LBD (little black dress) and the

men donned smart trousers and jackets, for the purposes of making small talk around a collection of light snacks and a glass or two of something alcoholic?

Having been pushed back into the realms of the “passe” it seems the occasion is undergoing something of a revival, particularly in these cash-strapped times, to encourage business into hotels and restaurants between the hours of 4pm and 6pm.

It is now also fashionable for wedding receptions to be preceded by a cocktail hour which often also includes entertainment such as live music.

The type of food and drink served can vary, while the guest list is likely to be intimate, with all encouraged to mingle while cocktails are served by a professional or dedicated bartender.

Although many believe the inventor of the cocktail party was Alec Waugh of London, an article in the St. Paul Pioneer Press in May 1917, credited its invention to a certain Mrs. Julius S. Walsh Jr. of St. Louis, Missouri.

Mrs. Walsh invited 50 guests to her house on a Sunday at high noon for a one-hour affair. “The party scored an instant hit” the newspaper declared, and stated that, within weeks, cocktail parties had become “a St. Louis institution”.

Such an event is now welcomed by those venues seeking to encourage new ways of

Bring back the cocktail party


bringing in patrons - and private hosts who want to entertain a larger number of people than for a formal dinner without opening their doors to a full-on party.

When planning for a cocktail party, many experts on entertaining suggest hosts should assume at least three beverages per guest, unlike a dinner or reception where heavier foods are expected to be served and fewer mixed drinks are served.

The party may include a variety of finger foods, light snacks or canapes and the invitation should mention any special food arrangements, especially if the party is scheduled during regular dinner hours.

Cocktail parties are a great way to entertain, because they accommodate any kind of guest list, ranging from neighbours to business associates. Regardless of what kind of crowd you’re entertaining, however, there are a few basic guidelines to throwing a fabulous cocktail party...

Set the appropriate time . The traditional time-frame for a cocktail party is two to three hours in length held between 6pm and 10pm

Buy more than enough ice . Remember that you’re not just using it for drinks, but also for chilling bottles and cans.

Have a variety of glasses on hand, depending on the variety of drinks you

plan to offer . You should offer wine glasses for wines, juice and water; straight-sided highballs for tall drinks; tumblers for spirits and juices; and martini glasses. In terms of quantity, be ready with approximately twice as many glasses as you’ll have guests.

Stock your bar . For the wine drinkers, have one bottle for every two people, assuming five servings per bottle. For the beer drinkers, have one six-pack for every two people, assuming 12 oz. servings. Get one or two spirits that can be made into a variety of cocktails (probably vodka, rum, gin, scotch, bourbon, blended whiskey, or tequila). Don’t forget mixers and garnishes, including orange juice, soda, tonic, ginger ale, cola, grenadine, tomato juice, Tabasco, lemons, limes, horseradish, and Worcestershire sauce. And for something a bit different try the Apple Cider Martini (recipe below).

Prepare the menu . Aim for variety (meat, vegetarian, hot, cold, spicy, and sweet). If you’re not serving dinner, estimate 6 bites per person, but remember that it’s better to have too much food than not enough and that luxury items such as prawns and smoked salmon will be light and well-received by most guests. (See recipe for Smoked Salmon Crostini below).

Offer coffee to your guests towards the end of the party as a courtesy, but remember that coffee does not help increase sobriety . Keep the number of a local taxi service handy for those guests lacking a designated driver.

The type of food and drink served can vary, while the guest list is likely to be intimate


COCKTAIL PARTY CATERING SUGGESTIONS:

Smoked Salmon Crostini This recipe makes around 30 crostini. Serves 10-15 ... Ingredients

1 thin, long baguette

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

2 tbsp melted butter

140ml Greek yogurt

6 tbsp cream cheese

2 tbsp fresh chopped dill

1/2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Salt to taste

100g smoked salmon

Capers for garnish

METHOD

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F or 200 degrees C Slice the baguette along a diagonal into even 5mm slices using a bread knife. Place the slices on a baking sheet. Stir together the melted butter and olive oil. Brush the tops of the bread pieces with the oil and butter mixture.

Place the bread into the oven and let it toast for 8-10 minutes until the bottoms of the bread slices are golden brown and toasted. While baguette slices are toasting, place Greek yogurt, cream cheese, dill, and lemon juice into a food processor. Process for about 30 seconds until the ingredients are well combined. Add salt to taste and process again to combine. Cut the smoked salmon into pieces large enough to top the baguette slices. When the baguette slices have cooled, top each slice with 1 tsp of the Greek yogurt mixture. Top the Greek yogurt mixture with a slice of smoked salmon. Place another small dollop of Greek yogurt mixture in the center of the smoked salmon slice. Top the small dollop with a couple of capers and serve immediately.

Apple Cider Martini

This is a refreshing twist on the traditional Martini and goes well with canapes, and anything spicy.

60ml of apple cider 60ml of vodka 30ml of triple sec 30ml of brandy 1/2 tbsp of freshly squeezed lemon juice 1/4 tsp of brown sugar 1/4 tsp of grounded cinnamon 1/4 tsp of caster sugar Ice Combine all the ingredients except the ice together in a cocktail shaker and stir with a spoon. Fill your shaker to about two-thirds with ice. Attach the martini shaker lid and shake for a while, ideally until condensation starts forming on the outside. Strain your apple cider martini into a martini glass and garnish with strips of apple peel.


LOOKIT COOKIT It doesn’t take you long to realise that Judy Jackson’s attempt at getting kids interacting with food has a very different approach to other cook books. In fact, one look at the ‘Un-contents’ alone (a list of what isn’t in the book) will suffice:

No long recipes or lists of ingredients you don’t have No mention of eating five-a-day or hiding vegetables in a sauce. Fruit and the green things are not to be taken like medicine, before you’re allowed dessert No instructions for making Chocolate Rice Krispies - if you want to get messy fingers there are more exciting things to cook - like Sticky Chicken Wings or Blueberry Pancakes .

With that in mind, it’s probably best to focus on what Lookit Cookit does offer, which is plenty. Jackson, a food writer herself, has compiled over 25 kitchen games, 130 photos and innumerable hours of research to deliver a publication that aims to do two key things: encourage children to enter the kitchen, and get them interested in food. Not least, what goes into a dish and why those elements may appeal to their palate.

The idea presumably being that when people are more aware of what it is they are eating, their diets usually reflect this with a focus on healthier options. Given the ongoing problems Britain faces thanks to its decidedly unhealthy

youngsters, and the constant relationship between edibles deemed to be “fun” and junk, it was only really a matter of time until someone came along with an idea like this.

So by developing these unique tasks and challenges, which are in themselves recipes, the author has created a somewhat psychological road map to instilling good eating habits in our little ones. Rather than simply being a case of explaining which ingredients need to be mixed in order to serve up a dish, instead they are given an insight into why flavours are the way they taste, various methods of cooking, and how a healthy, mixed diet can be delicious, exciting and doesn’t need to involve parental tricks. Thus appealing to their desire for independence.

Each “game” comes with a star rating, making it easy to work out the age a child should be in order to take it on. The selection offered ranges from the simplest tasks to preparing an entire three course meal, the latter best reserved for older youngsters. The final tasting, then, is an addition to the culinary bookshelf that families are likely to revisit time and time again, making for both a worthwhile investment in advance of inevitable rainy days to come, and a shrewd purchase on the part of anyone that wants their kids to understand that they are what they eat.

Judy Jackson - a book about food for kids


Imag

e:A

ndre

w S

mith

RouteExit the pub car park and turn right down the road for c100m.

1. Turn right over a stile, continue ahead to cross the next one and thenfollow the transmission cables up to the top of the hill. Go over the stileon the right into the next field. Turn right and continue uphill, keepingto the left of the hedge. Follow the field edge round to the left to a gapin the hedgerow and turn right through it. Continue straight across themiddle of two fields to a kissing gate. Go through it and the next onedirectly ahead.

2. Turn left and follow the hedgerow, passing through two further gates,all the way down to the bottom of the hill. Turn right and follow thevalley floor for 400m to cross a stile to a wide track: Hawridge Lane.

3. Turn left along the track as it climbs gently and then continue to a busyroad. Cross with care, turn left along the verge and then right into TwoGates Lane. After 100m bear left and follow the lane as it bends leftand then right. Continue for c150m to a kissing gate on the left.

4. Go through it and across the middle of the field to the next gate. Onthe other side,

bear diagonally left to a gate in the corner of the field.Go through it and stay in the same general direction past the next fourgates to meet a wide track. Turn right along the track and where itbends to the left, keep straight ahead through a gate. The path thenemerges at the top of a field.

5. Turn left and follow the hedgerow along the top of the hill for over800m. Just before a hedgerow joins from the valley floor, bear left intoCaptain’s Wood. Stay on the wide track for another 800m, ignoring allpaths left and right and always maintaining the same height.

6. The path then sweeps to the right by a line of garages on the brow ofthe hill. Here, turn sharply left and go gently uphill to a playing field.Keep to the left of a playground and cross to the far right-hand cornerof the field. Go past a barrier on the right to an access road. Turnleft, go through the smaller

WALKS

START: The Black Horse Inn, Chesham Vale, Bucks HP53NS. Grid ref SP963045. The landlord has given permission to park at the far end of the car parkDISTANCE: 5.7 miles, with c140m of ascentTERRAIN: An easy walk, with two gentle climbs and onesteep descentMAPS: OS Explorer 181 and Chiltern Society 8 and 17w


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CAPTAIN’S WOODCHESHAM

BY ANDREW CLARKCourtesy of The Chiltern Society

gate and continue ahead. Just before thepath swings to the left, turn right through a large metal field gate. Gothrough the smaller gate directly opposite into a field. Bear left acrossthe corner of the field and over a stile. Stay in the same direction, bearto the right of a paddock and go through a gate onto the drive to

Mount Nugent Farm.

7. Turn right down the drive to a busy road. Cross it, go through a kissinggate opposite and follow the wide track round to the left. After 200m,follow the track round to the right. Go past a field gate and stile, andcontinue to the entrance of a wood. Go over the stile and then

straightahead for c170m.

8. As the main track swings to the left, bear right to exit the wood at afield edge. Follow the fence down to a kissing gate and onwards tomeet a byway. Turn right to reach a busy, narrow road. Taking greatcare, turn left along it to return to the Black Horse.

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Real Spain on the Costa Blanca


If you’re looking for a cultural break to Spain but you don’t want to stray too far off the well-beaten tourist track of the Costa Blanca, consider Altea. Despite lying just north of Benidorm and within an hour of Alicante by car, the city has the feel of an unspoiled Spanish fishing village. Remarkably, it has managed to retain its small-town charm and natural beauty despite the invasive spread of tourism in the area. It is the Costa Blanca, but not as you know it. Altea is nestled in the edge of the mountains of the Sierra de Bernia and offers some of the most beautiful views of the Costa Blanca. Local regulations banning high rise hotels and buildings mean Altea is the area’s least overdeveloped city and certainly the most attractive. Its Spanish feel attracts tourists who want to break away from the usual offerings of towns and cities with endless British pubs, fish and chop shops and clubs.

Altea has an attractive harbour and seafront boulevard alongside the pebbly but picturesque beach that surrounds the town. At its centre is the Plaza de la Iglesia, a popular gathering spot in the evening with beautiful views of the Mediterranean, and from which lead narrow cobblestone streets.

By day you can stroll through the Old Town (Casco Urbano), which sits atop a hill overlooking the sea and is dominated by the famous church of Nuestra Senora del Consuelo, a piece of Mediterranean architecture with a blue tiled doomed roof. From there you can lazily meander through attractive cobblestone streets, past whitewashed houses, watch the fish unloaded daily at the busy harbour, relax on the pebbled beaches or shop at the weekly craft market near the harbour, where you can buy arts and crafts from local artisans. The market is open from Easter through to September.

A short drive to the little hillside villages surrounding Altea is a must, especially La Nucia to the north, which has a bustling Sunday market.

Evenings in Altea are a far cry from the chaos of Benidorm. Eating good food comes before drinking gallons of beer. The Old Town has plenty of cosy bars and charming restaurants in which you can enjoy the evening. The Campomanes marina has a good but somewhat expensive choice of bars and restaurants. Alternatively, you can go for an informal meal at Altea la Vieja’s chiringuitos, which are simple restaurants on the beach.

If you are looking for five-star accommodation, the Hotel Melia Altea Hills is your best choice, although it is located 3km out of town. The hotel overlooks Altea Bay and the historic town and offers superb facilities including the a health and beauty spa. A selection of three and two-star hotels are located directly on the main beach promenade of Altea, including the popular three-star Hotel Cap Negret and the two-star Hotel Altaya.

TRAVEL


TRAVEL

The French Connection


The French ConnectionWhen most people think of visiting France, often the first place they

want to see is Paris.

But while this exciting city has much to offer, there are a huge number of things to see and do throughout the country. Apart from being known for

its food and wine, France also has a great deal of history and culture, as well as some stunning scenery. For anyone who wants to enjoy relaxed seaside chic, La Rochelle, a charming fishing town located along France’s Atlantic coast, has much to offer. In addition to the simplicity of the town itself, there are also many museums to enjoy.

Properly known as the Cote D’Azur, the French Riviera is actually a string of small villages and cities on France’s Mediterranean coast, that offer all

sorts of opportunities for guests. Spend time in Nice and Antibes, as well as explore the more remote locations of Saint-Agnes and Saint-Paul. Live as simply or as lavishly as you like, with everything from private cottages to luxury hotels available. The south-western city of Bordeaux is located where the Garonne and Dordogne rivers meet, and also has much to offer - particularly for anyone who enjoys fine wine. There are many different vintages produced in the area, but apart from the spectacular wineries and great food, there are also beautiful footpaths to explore and plenty of shopping opportunities.

France isn’t a destination just for the summer; it is also very well-known for its incredible winter resorts. Located in Haute Savoie in the heart of

the French Alps, Courchevel offers some of the most spectacular skiing found anywhere in the world. However, there is a lot more to do here than play in the snow. Even during the summer months, when skiing opportunities are limited, there is still plenty to do and lots of beautiful scenery to enjoy. Nearer to home, Deauville and Trouville are popular with UK visitors, and both are a short drive from where the troops landed in Normandy on D-Day, helping to bring an end to the occupation of France during the Second World War. Deauville is regarded as being one of the most stylish places in the north, with an elegant sea front and famous casino. For those who associate France with castles, the Loire Valley brings you the Chateaux de la Loire a collection of many different castles of different ages, dotted along the banks of the Loire River.

Of course, Paris may still be at the top of your ‘must-see’ list. This enchanting city is brimming with attractions and activities, including

famous landmarks and museums providing an insight into centuries of culture and creativity.The Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame cathedral, the Champs Elysees and the Louvre are all household names, and really need to be included in any trip to France, where possible. During the 19th and 20th centuries, France had built the second-largest empire of all time, and you can see this mighty manifestation mirrored in such grand sites. The city has a number of other attractions, such as the spectacular gardens of Versailles, whose grandeur and opulence reflect their regal heritage. Visitors with an interest in culture and the arts can visit Montmartre, a popular haunt for creative types, and see the Sacre Coeur church.

As well as Paris, art-lovers should also visit Giverny in Normandy, the famous location of Claude Monet’s garden. If you love grand scenes,

don’t miss Grenoble which is the gateway to the glorious Alps. Equally visually-impressive is the fairytale-looking tidal island of Mont Saint-Michael on the Brittany/Normandy border, with its abbey’s spindly towers that jut into the clouds from the island’s heart. Like the rest of France, the magic must be witnessed first-hand.


We’ve all heard the old adage “all work and no play make Jack a dull boy”, which is why so many of us take up a hobby. However, with less free time to spend on hobbies and more time spent in the office, it seems Britain’s work-life balance has fallen seriously out of kilter.

If you find yourself too tired to go to that yoga class you’ve been meaning to join or long office hours prevent you from indulging in after-work activities, you are not alone.

As many as nine out of 10 of us would like more free time to spend on our hobbies, according to a study by leisure information website realbuzz.com.

The independently commissioned survey delves into perceptions regarding the UK’s work-life balance and the amount of time and money the British public invests in a hobby or pastime.

Unsurprisingly, due to increased office hours, the study shows that the British don’t have enough time to do the things they enjoy doing

- with 87 per cent wishing they had more free time for a hobby or pastime. Only five per cent said they have ample free time to themselves.

Pastimes play such a vital part in our lives, helping us to reduce stress, keep fit and meet new friends, that its hardly surprising we are beginning to harbour some resentment toward increased office hours. More than half of us believe work severely gets in the way of our social life at least once a week, while an additional quarter of the UK workforce think their career impacts on their hobbies at least twice a week. Cumulatively this shows that more than three-quarters of us feel that work has a noticeable, and ultimately negative, impact on the enjoyment of their free time.

Work hours are not only curbing our free time but they are now curbing our spending on hobbies too. When asked how much money people spend on a hobby or pastime the results showed that 38 per cent - slightly more than one in three of us - do not actually spend any money on their hobby or pastime. This has triggered a resurgence of free pastimes such as, walking, cycling, reading and jogging and now more of us are beginning to indulge in a more

physical pastime.

Work is also impacting our choice of hobby, as one in four of us finds colleagues far more motivational than our own family and friends - particularly in terms of getting us to do a more physically challenging activity. Going to the gym, walking and running are some of the more physical hobbies we are most likely to start because of our workmates.

As many as nine out of 10 of us would like more free time to spend on our hobbies, according to a study by leisure information website realbuzz.comThis growing level of resentment toward work from hobby-loving Britons surprises Fiona Gibbins, marketing director of realbuzz.com. “Our research has thrown up some interesting findings,” she says. “It’s staggering to see how strongly the British public feels about work impacting on their free time and ultimately getting in the way of them enjoying a pastime.”

Hobbies keep work-life balance in check

John and Jackie May run a small family business in Chorleywood that serves its local community and treasure their customers.

John and Jackie May have had a shop in Chorleywood for over 20 years. They started with a butchers shop and when the green grocers across the road shut they added a range of green grocery. When the shop next door became available they moved and were able to offer the full range of grocery, green grocery and butchery.

John makes all his own sausages and burgers from locally sourced producers. They offer fresh and frozen meats; with multi-pack freezer orders and special offers are usually displayed on the blackboard in the window. During the game season they offer a full range and if you have any special requests then John can usually source what you’re looking for.

Since the horsemeat - scandal trade has increased as customers can be reliably informed about the origins of their meat.

Over the years they have introduced a wide range of home cooked pies, pasties, quiches, sausage rolls, soup, meals, fruit pies and cakes. Jackie’s cakes have taken Chorleywood by storm; she has a selection

of loaf cakes, sponge cakes, brownies and flapjacks.

J and J May’s have 6 freezers of Cook’s meals, these are ready meals with quality ingredients that are cooked the way you would at home and not over processed like most prepared

meals. They have a wide range that includes different portion

sizes and some amazing curries and puddings.

John and Jackie do catering for local events which can range from platters of

sandwiches and nibbles to hot dishes to your

specification to a barbeque if required. Barbeque events

can be tended or supplied with sausages, burgers, chicken and

other barbeque treats.

They also sell sandwiches and salads made daily on the premises with their own coleslaw and wardolf salad. During the summer months there is a small range of bedding plants, vegetables and hanging baskets. All enquiries: 8 Main Parade Chorleywood Herts WD3 5RB 01923 283450

J & J MAY

[email protected]

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