Welcome to another month and another of Aunty’s advice columns. Good luck for all those who write into the world’s harshest Agony Aunt.
Dear Aunty,
I’m a little on the large side and was wondering if you had any top tips for losing some weight before my beach holiday in a couple of weeks?
With love James.
Dear James,
Your letter first excited me when you said you were large and I was going to invite you to holiday with me. That was until I realised you were talking about your waistline! I’ve been fooled by that line before. Top tip: cake is not your friend. Neither is the lard you wrap it in before you deep fry it.
The 40 bottles of coke a day and the evening bag of wine, also a no-no. If you only have two weeks to shed the weight then slap on a Miranda Hart box set.
This always puts me off my food!
Aunty XX
Dear Aunty
I’ve been with my boyfriend for 6 months now and it’s just not working out for me anymore. How do I tell him I no longer want to be with him? I’ve not slept with anyone else but have been tempted. Help!
Kevin, Manchester
Dearest Kevin,
When I want someone to leave I usually stop paying them, however, I believe this may be a little different in your case. There are many ways you can get the message across to your ex-to-be.
Start with increasing your annoying habits. Break wind in bed, be late for everything, forget his birthday, bite a little harder during sex.
This gradual increase of uncomfortable living will soon have the bf saying enough’s enough and he’ll walk out by himself. Failing this try to get caught boning his best friend or dad, or hamster.
Recently the opportunity came up to review gay dating apps. Now being a single pringle ready to mingle I thought to myself, why not? I need to get my lazy butt back out there and this seemed like my kind of thing and I do enjoy a good app (who doesn’t??).
Well I can safely say I’ve been on a little journey boys and girls and let me tell you it’s a maze of nonsense out there.
Ranging from the apps that Cupid would be proud of to the apps that try and fail miserably there are literally countless numbers of apps out there for you to chose from. I’ve gone with a small selection of the ones most people appear to have heard of (or that came recommended to me).
Let’s begin with the usual suspects. Number 1, good old Grindr…
Grindr Xtra
Now if you haven’t heard of Grindr then where have you been for the last five years or so? Love it or hate it the fact is that most (emphasis on most, but not all) gay men have been on it at some point over the last six or seven years. I gave it up for two years when I was with my boyfriend and didn’t miss it but now that I’m single again it does become a little habit. Good or bad, I’ll let you decide.
Grindr sells itself as “the best gay dating app” and yes as far as technology goes it is the simpler of the apps out there. It simply shows 1 profile picture for you, shows you people around you and lets you input basic information about who you are and what you are looking for. I currently pay for Grindr “xtra” (because I’m sad like that) and it basically gets you unlimited blocking capability and a much larger list of guys to view. I’m undecided if it’s worth paying the extra few pounds for. It could be to remove the ridiculous amount of adverts that are on the free version.
Now because it is location based it’s also very handy for those that want “a quick hook up” and nothing more. Hence there are a lot of guys on there that are after one thing and one thing only. On the ‘looking for love’ scale, if you go onto it with low expectations when it does happen (and I know that it has) then it’s a pleasant surprise. Otherwise, I’d recommend it for visiting new areas and seeing who is about or for those days when a booty call is really all you want (and don’t deny that you have those days, because we all know that you do!).
POF
For months I have resisted the urge to join Plenty of Fish because, rightly or wrongly, I saw this type of site as the last chance saloon of singledom. And I don’t think I’m quite there yet… (Famous last words). Now I fully accept that was being prejudiced having that view and I took the plunge some months ago and signed myself up with an account. I’m all about challenging perceptions and all that so why not start with my own? I have to say that I was surprised a little with what you are given. Yes, it’s the same faces on here as there is on Grindr but actually, this is geared up more to those just looking about to see who wants to connect.
Yes, you do get the people that start off all sweet and lovely and then declare that they are horny and “can our date be moved forward to right now”, but actually that’s just men. We can’t really blame an app for what an arse your average man can be.
But actually, if you’re looking for something different then POF could be for you. Unfortunately, the app does load other users that are near you so if you happen to check it while travelling about you may have to disappoint some people that message you thinking you are local when in fact you are just travelling through.
If you are concerned like I was that being on there is “sad” or not something to admit in public then I would challenge you do try it out. You might be surprised at what you see. Again, the app is only as good as what you put into it. Put rubbish in, get rubbish out.
Tinder
Like POF tinder a simpler app designed to “match” people based on their personalities and likes/dislikes. Tinder asks you to complete a survey and provide as much information about you as possible so that it can create a list of possible matches for you and ask you to “like” or “not quite right” profiles that it presents to you.
The traditional features are all there including location-based searches but like POF there are very little opportunities to declare your sexual preferences or put on your profile that you’re horny. Like POF they are still on there but this app is geared up to be very “blind date” matchmaking.
It sounds cheesy but it really isn’t. I’d recommend checking it out as it’s fairly modern in design, appears to be stable and like POF if you put some real effort in you may be surprised with what you get out.
Jack’d
Jack’d is a really odd app as it is very simple to use, a little more functionality that Grindr does (more pictures for example and a “matching” service) but it’s also very basic, very clunky in places and has a habit of presenting you to a lot (and I do mean a lot) of US-based guys. I’d say out of all of the profiles that messaged me during my time on here a good 50% were “non-UK” based. Which is great if you’re looking for a long distance to marry and move to the states with. But for us lowly average gays it doesn’t really do much for your chances.
It also seemed to struggle with logging in quite a lot (more than Grindr anyway which is saying something). Can you see Willam Belli or another drag queen making a song with a reference to Jack’d? No me neither!
As far as “hook up” usefulness, yes like Grindr it is location based so can show the guys around you it doesn’t really sell itself as a hookup friendly app. You will find the same guys on it mind you. Except on this one its long walks and snuggles and on Grindr its long dicks and group sessions. That’s a massive generalisation but you get the point.
Wapo
“Wapo” (what used to be called Bender before someone cottoned on that it really is a stupidly unwise name) apparently is Spanish for ‘handsome man’. Far be it for me to quote trade descriptions at them as I oversell myself but seriously?
In recent years it’s undergone a major overhaul so that now it’s not bad looking. It gives you more functionality than Grindr (ability to view your profile views for example without having to pay for it) but it is slightly temperamental. Not only in my experience but some of the reviews on the app store also give it a scathing report that it is unstable and not very user friendly. On the upside it does let me detail my height in feet and inches (it’s the small things. Oh and I’m 6 foot 3).
Again, most of the people you’ll find on Grindr or Jack’d you’ll find on Wapo but it does seem to be more of a mixed bag. Worth a look and see what you think. I do however think the name is lame.
Hornet
Now hornet seems to be a mix of all the others. It has a very simple setup like Grindr with some added features liked Jack’d (public and private photos, view tracks, add favourites etc) but isn’t quite as ‘tidy’ or as finely tuned as Grindr. The Hornet app is also geared up for those looking for something more as not once does it ask you your “role” or if you are listed as looking for “hook-ups”.
What I also like about Hornet is that it asks you if you know your HIV status and when you were last checked. You can choose not to provide that information as it’s not mandatory but alongside asking you it also encourages you to find out and get checked. As a promoter of good sexual health, this is a big tick in the box for me. An app that seems to actually care…
Booty call usefulness again depends on your profile. Like the others it is location based so if you are anywhere near another user then you’ll show up and who knows what could happen. It doesn’t appear to offer any sort of “matching” service nor does it offer chances to detail your sexual preferences so in the battle between “sex app” vs “dating app” Horney remains decidedly neutral.
Gaydar
For those guys, that like me had a gaydar profile back in the days when it was just a dating website I couldn’t not mention the app they now have. Given all the changes Gaydar has been through lately the app isn’t bad overall. It is reasonably well designed, clear and easy to understand. It follows the same sort of layout as the website profiles and gives you pretty much all the same information as the full website.
As Gaydar is the longest serving gay dating website that I’m aware of, its ‘looking for love’ factor is quite high. The days of sitting on Gaydar just for the chat rooms are long gone. Having a look around online and talking to other people I get the impression that everyone has a profile on there, but not many people actually use it or update it.
This means that Gaydar does have a chance of helping you find love, little to no chance of finding a hook-up and providing you’re in no hurry to find anyone or get a reply to your messages then this is the app for you.
(After this little exercise I decided to completely delete my profile on there… No real reason other than I very rarely got anything from it and I decided it was the end of an era).
Fitlads
Now I’ve always liked the Fitlads main website. Yes, it is basic but functionality wise it offers a lot and some of the guys on there are a laugh. I’ve had many a good night on Fitlads and made a few online friends from it.
But having said that I wouldn’t recommend the app. It’s very basic, not very stable and makes you want to log on to the website to see what it’s trying to present to you. You can search for members, use your location to find other people, message and post on the forums but is pretty much it. Whereas the mobile web page lets you do much more. I mainly use the mobile web page now, to be honest. I may also be the person that subscribes monthly to get access to the porn videos. Far better than storing them on my laptop. ;o) I’d recommend checking out the website www.fitlads.net as it’s a pretty good, albeit basic, site for meeting guys, getting dates and various other things. I think I bought my first sex toy from the Fitlads shop. For that reason, well that reason and others, it will always have a little soft spot in my heart.
If I was to tell you that I was ever so slightly hairy and fell into the category of “otter” would you be surprised? No? Didn’t think so! Well for those that also love the male form with a little bit of hair (or not) then Scruff is the app for you. It’s got all of the functionality of Grindr and Jack’d and is a little more stable and easy to navigate. It’s a little more complex than Grindr as you can have private “albums” and search internationally for people but essentially it is simple to use. Having been on Scruff during my single years I’ve found it to be very handy for meeting guys that not only like the hairier male form but also some real guys that are looking for something more. I’ve got a couple of dates out of Scruff and while they haven’t developed into a relationship (because not everyone has to fall in love with the first guy they meet) I’ve actually made some good friends from it. And yes I have also had some good times from it. As it is location-based and allows for private album sharing it is very “hook up” friendly. But like all the others, it is an app where what you put in is what you get back out again. If you’re after the more masculine man then Scruff is for you. If not, then I’d stick with Grindr.
Recon.
Now I thought I’d throw this one into the mix purely because of my last article about kink in the media. If you are looking for love on here then you will be hard-pressed to find it but that isn’t to say that you can’t. I know a fair few people that have met their partners in a roundabout way through Recon. So don’t automatically dismiss the idea.
Now that being said, Recon is very much aimed at those with a kinkier side to their personality. From the hardcore through to the milder tame stuff. The app, just like the website, is very geared up at the sexual aspect detailing what you are into, what your body is like and what you can be contacted for. The app allows messages, searching based on your current location, editing your profile and searching for Recon events in your area.
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If low libido or erectile dysfunction is a problem for you then do consult your GP in the first instance. I have designed these recipes around various nutritional elements that have been effective in many areas of a man’s sex life & drive.
The beauty of these recipes is their simplicity. Simple things like salsa, salad, smoothies and even chocolate truffles can be tailored using readily available ingredients to relieve various sexual concerns. Regardless of low libido or wanting the hardest of hard-ons, these are really lovely and easy to follow recipes that can be enjoyed by anyone!
If you do want to utilize food as a natural remedy, then look for foods high in Arginine, Nitric Oxide, Ecdysterone, Bromelain and Boron.
Factors such as not smoking and regularly exercising obviously play a vital role in optimum performance.
Sex Salsa
(Food trend 2015! Sweet & Fiery) | Serves 4 | Prep 15 mins | No Cook
Pineapple contains the enzyme Bromelain, which can improve libido in men.
Pomegranate increases testosterone levels, believed due to its array of antioxidants. Also shows an increase in Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS), which is essentially the same function as medication like Viagra etc.
Garlic a potent testosterone booster, and again increases NOS.
Onions as with garlic, contain allicin that thins your blood and thus improves circulation.
Chilli Capsaicin promotes circulation and endorphins for the feel good factor.
Parsley more antioxidants and a great odour neutraliser for the onion and garlic!
Ingredients.
½ pineapple, in small chunks
1 pomegranate, seeds of (around 80g)
1 red onion, finely chopped
1 bunch (30g) parsley, chopped
1 large red chilli, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 lime, juice of
Method.
1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl, season and serve alongside grilled or barbecued meats or vegetables. Alternatively, go for prawns as these pack Arginine which will increase your NOS levels. Store in an air-tight container for up to 24 hours.
Serves 2 (or 1 if you minimise / leave out the wild rice)
Prep 10 mins
Cook 25 mins
Quick, Super Easy, Minimal Ingredients
The soy, garlic and spring onions could imply this dish being of Asian origin. However my Filipino chicken is based on a sauce referred to as “Adobo” (literally meaning sauce or marinade), and has Hispanic heritage. It’s method of cooking is used widely in the Philippines and involves stewing poultry or meat in a sauce with vinegar. Trust the amount of vinegar here, you simmer it for 25 minutes so it does take away a lot of the vinegar’s acidity.
I have added red chilli into the mix as I fancied a meal with a kick tonight. If you’re not keen on chilli then leave it out- it’s just as good! The flavour of this dish is a wonderful meeting of sharp and mellow with a lovely garlic undertone running through it. For using such simple minimal ingredients, this really gives you back so much more than you put in!
I served mine with wild rice, tenderstem broccoli, sugar snap peas & asparagus.
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR- Only 3 calories per tablespoon, and array of health benefits. I actually take 1 ½ tablespoons of it with a tall glass of warm water every day to utilize it’s health properties. Apple cider vinegar has been found to lower blood sugar levels (great for diabetics), lower cholesterol levels, potentially reduce blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease, and some research has displayed promising results as to killing cancer cells and shrinking tumours (SOURCE: http://authoritynutrition.com/6-proven-health-benefits-of-apple-cider-vinegar/ )
Ingredients
2 chicken breasts, chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 spring onions, sliced on the diagonal
1 bay leaf
1 chilli, finely chopped (it’s really up to you how much you add or leave out, I hold some back for the final decoration of the dish when serving)
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
½ tsp garlic granules
60ml apple cider vinegar
60ml light soy sauce
60ml water
Serve with 150g wild rice and 200g vegetables of your choice
Instructions
Mix the chicken pieces in the dry spices.
Fry the chicken in a wok with 1 tbsp oil on a medium heat until browned.
Add the chilli and chopped garlic to the pan and cook for 1 minute.
Add all the liquids along with the bay leaf, bring to the boil, and reduce to a fast simmer for 25 minutes.
If you are cooking wild rice then put this on now as it takes 25 mins.
Remove the bayleaf, and transfer the chicken with it’s sauce and serve with scattered spring onions and chilli.
Berlin might not be the first place you think about when you want to have a romantic weekend away; most people head to Germany’s largest city for the history, wild parties, and relaxed sexual liberty. However there is another side to this amazing city, a romantic, softer side that most people miss out on.
My boyfriend and I visited Berlin over the Valentine’s Day weekend to check out what the city had to offer.
Berlin was founded in the 1300s and is the capital of Germany. It is also one of the largest metropolitan cities in Europe. With nearly 8 million people residing in its boundaries, there really is something to excite everyone’s tastes. Berlin and its people (and yes, they are ‘Berliners’) are well known for their love of a good party. From weekly romps at the many and varied night clubs, to Pride festival, film festivals, and a myriad of other cultural festivals, it’s almost impossible to come to Berlin and not find anything of interest to do. The hard part can be deciding which of them we should do first.
After arriving in the city we checked into our simply beautiful room in the Radisson Blu hotel in the Mitte area, a short walk from Alexanderplatz. The hotel itself is quite incredible, with an enormous aquarium tank in the foyer, stretching almost from floor to ceiling commands most of the attention of everyone in the room, whether you’re checking in or enjoying a drink in the foyer bar, or even riding in the glass-lifts to and from your room, it’s hard not to stare into the water watching the fish swim around.
Once we checked in, we got to our room and found we had an excellent view of the Berliner Dom.
After my boyfriend prized me away from the window looking at the view, we headed into the city for a little sight-seeing. As we walked down the street towards the Brandenburger Tor (which I am pretty sure seemed closer on the map) the sun started to set behind the Tor, providing for some engaging photos and a great atmosphere.
After spending a couple of hours wandering around the Tor, Jewish and Gay & Lesbian Memorials, the Tiergarten Park, we headed back to our hotel to begin the search for a place to have dinner. Since we’re pretty lazy, but enjoy something a bit different, we decided to check out 360, the revolving restaurant in the TV Tower. (Fehrnseheturm) This is a well-known Berlin landmark, the giant tower can be seen from anywhere in the city. It’s located in Alexanderplatz, and we paid the €23 fee to ride to the top and guarantee a table at the restaurant. The restaurant revolves once every hour, providing a wonderful view of the entire city as you enjoy your veal roulade and red wine. This is without a doubt the best view of the city, and it is totally worth the entry fee. (Buy your ticket online to save waiting in the sometimes massive queues.)
Later that night we hit the town and headed over to the world famous Kit Kat Club (yes, like in Cabaret) for the monthly Revolver Party. Easily one of the best parties in Berlin, this monthly event brings in some of the hottest DJ’s, floor shows, and men from around the world. A word to the wise: Don’t follow regular German clubbing tradition here: arrive shortly after 12 for speedy entry, arriving after 1am might see you stranded on the street for a couple of hours waiting to get in. Once you’re inside, the venue has an in ground pool and lounge area, several bars, dance floors, and darkrooms/areas to keep everyone busy until well into the next morning.
It was just after leaving Revolver that I was very happy to have booked the breakfast buffet at the hotel. After a long night of clubbing, one thing I didn’t look forward to was searching the streets of Berlin for breakfast. Luckily, with the wide variety of food available from the hotel’s buffet, we didn’t have to worry about that at all. The breakfast was a welcome way to start the day, and (to my boyfriend’s delight) included an egg chef to prepare your eggs exactly as you like them, while you wait.
After a short nap it was time to discover some more of fun Berlin. Since the weather was playing ball, we headed into the Kreuzberg area to wander around the markets and stores that line the streets. Since it’s very un-German to give things a name that describes a specific thing, without that thing being there, you may be unsurprised to find that there is, in fact, a Kreuzberg, in Kreuzberg (crossing mountain). It’s pretty generous to call this a mountain, but considering how flat everything else in Berlin is, it’s pretty high. From the summit you can look out over almost all of Berlin.
While in the area we took a little stroll through the market hall in Kreuzberg, and grab a little bit of Spanish tapas from a stand there. I also found this very cool little store that sold various household items and gift ideas
A quick subway trip back to the hotel to rest and refresh was well deserved. We had thought about heading down to the basement level and having a couple’s massage or a dip in the pool, but the overly comfortable bed got the better of us. As the night rolled in we enjoyed a couple of glasses of Champagne before heading out to dinner and a show. Berlin has, unsurprisingly, a plethora of cultural events to see. From live theatre, musicals, classical music at the Philharmonie, there’s so much to choose from. We decided on a personal favourite: The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Check out the English Theatre for an excellent program of events this year.
If you head over to Potsdammer Platz, where you can find the Philharmonie, Mall of Berlin and the Sony Centre, which has an awesome indoor ceiling design and a lot of touristy restaurants, you can catch a tuk-tuk style trip around the city from one of the many riders waiting on the corner. The very best of these is the rolling bed. Basically a guy on a bike pulling a double bed. You hop in, snuggle up under the blankets and enjoy a tour of the city while warm and cozy in the bed. A great idea for a coldish winter night. Prices vary depending on how far or how long you want a ride, but if you’re keen to try something different, this is certainly that.
The following morning saw us getting up a little earlier to grab another buffet breakfast. The hotel’s team are awesome about late checkouts, with the regular checkout being at 12, and you can of course leave your bags in the hotel so you can spend your day doing something more interesting than waiting around for your taxi to the airport. Next time you’re planning a romantic getaway, give Berlin a try, you’re sure to fall in love.
The reporter stayed as a guest of Radisson Blu Berlin.
REVIEW AND PHOTOS BY: Aaron Holloway
Rainbow Pride Watch by Be Pride – www.bepride.it
If you’re looking for an excuse to escape London and see the sea, sand and scenery, then head to Kent! Here you’ll find the beautiful seaside town of Whitstable, famed for its oysters and only a short drive down the coast, you’ll find the up and coming art scene of Margate.
★★★★
While in Whitstable, why not stay in a retreat of absolute relaxation and solitude, the Crescent Turner boutique hotel. This hotel is perched at the top of Wraik Hill, with views over Whitstable town and out to sea, encompassing the famed oyster beds and only a 10 minute drive from Canterbury. The 18 bedroom boutique property, also boasts a seaside staple and an iconic Whitstable Beach Hut the ‘Sundowner’, complete with kitchen, BBQ, chandelier and 3 canoes for guests for daily exclusive use, and also a chef to cook for you for the day too.
The hotel’s bedrooms are all individually designed, with luscious soft furnishings, and details such as exposed brick and nooks to while away the hours reading and relaxing. Designed with distinct headboards, each covered in a different fabric to create layers of interest. Each room also features ornate mirrors and eclectic furnishings to complete the boutique aesthetic.
The food is exquisite thanks to new Head Chef Mark Kember, a Whitstable local who has developed a menu of classic British fayre such as fillet of beef, potato fondant, smoked garlic and mushroom puree, sea-bass, sweet potato hash brown and kale and rich desserts such as dark chocolate torte, berry soup and raspberry sorbet. Afternoon tea is made from scratch (apart from the clotted cream) where the strawberry, raspberry and fruit jams are made from local berries and the scones, and cakes including sticky toffee sponge and carrot cake and sandwiches made on site.
All produce is sourced locally as much as possible, supporting local Whitstable suppliers Salvatori, Whetwhelks and Chapmans who all help to ensure a local flavour. A trip to Whitstable would be incomplete without sampling the Rock Oysters, which are available in the hotel from just £1.40, (for one) to as many as you can fit. Eaten plain or with a chilli and mango salsa, they have been paired by the GM come Sommelier Toni with Chenin Blanc, Riesling or Grillo, or Champagne. If staying in Whitstable you can sample the famed Oysters of Whitstable, which have been a delicacy for over 2000 years, when the Romans discovered them and shipped the delicacy across Europe back to Rome.
There is no doubt that Whitstable is the family-orientated and fashionable seaside town, famous for its beach huts, Oyster Festival and quaint harbour. There is an eclectic and quirky mix of independent boutique shops and galleries, Whitstable Castle and an increasingly popular arts festival,the Whitstable Biennale. However if you’re looking for something a bit livelier, Canterbury is only a 10 minute drive away and also accessible by bus.
Visit Whitstable Castle, which also has a lovely Tearoom and a pirate inspired wooden playground for the kids and beautiful gardens. Jojo’s Tankerton, just a few minutes on from Whitstable and Tankerton Slopes is JoJos right on the beach with views of the sea which has a coffee shop and lunch & dinner menu with meze and Mediterranean salads, fish and meat. There’s also Crab & Winkle Way, which is a lovely countryside cycle route all the way to Canterbury.
For more details:
The Crescent Turner Hotel, Wraik Hill, Whitstable Kent, CT5 3BY
Classic Double’s B&B from £110 per night for two
Suites B&B from £145 per night for two
Exclusive rental of the Whitstable Beach Hut from £150
Reservations: info@crescentturner.co.uk or 01227 263 506
www.bespokehotels.com/crescentturnerhotel
Only a little bit further down the coast, you’ll find the Crescent Victoria in Margate. The sister hotel to the Crescent Turner, this 14-bedroom boutique escape by the sea, is a hop, skip and a jump from the Turner Contemporary Gallery. The Crescent Victoria and Crescent Turner are the first 2 hotels in the Crescent Groups portfolio.
Only a little bit further down the coast, you’ll find the Crescent Victoria in Margate. The sister hotel to the Crescent Turner, this 14-bedroom boutique escape by the sea, is a hop, skip and a jump from the Turner Contemporary Gallery. The Crescent Victoria and Crescent Turner are the first 2 hotels in the Crescent Groups portfolio.
The Victoria Margate offers individually designed bedrooms and a plethora of opportunities for convivial eating and drink, the Hotel boasts a restaurant, bar and courtyard lounge area and an enviable location for exploring a quintessentially English resort.
Victoria Margate embodies the changing face of this historic seaside resort. It is home to artists, galleries and vintage shops peppered along cobbled streets overlooking the beach with fishing boats lining the shore. General Manager Mat Pugsley said “The Victoria Margate aims to be a sanctuary by the sea. Celebrating the great British coast and offering a modern take on seaside heritage.”
The restaurant with attached courtyard will serve delectable food throughout the day with afternoon teas being a highlight with everything from the jam to the petit fours made from scratch. The chefs will seek out the freshest local produce from suppliers he has worked with for many years; they’ll be found wandering down from the hotel to Mannings daily on the seafront to find out what the catch of the day is.
Margate has been a popular seaside haven for over 250 years, drawing busy Londoners to its peaceful Victorian winter gardens and the restorative sea air of its beaches. The hometown of Tracey Emin, its recent regeneration has firmly established its place on the British art map. The town’s new Turner Gallery – just a stone’s throw from the hotel – celebrates British artist J M W Turner, who described the skies around Margate as the loveliest in all Europe. In neighbouring Broadstairs, you’ll find Bleak House, Charles Dickens’ summer home, on the clifftop of a pretty old smuggling town.
For more details:
The Crescent Victoria Margate, 25 – 26 Fort Crescent, Margate, Kent, CT9 1HX
Classic Double B&B from £100 per night for two
Reservations: reservations.victoria@bespokehotels.com or 01843 230 375
Website: www.bespokehotels.com/crescentvictoriahotel
An actor who starred in the Harry Potter franchise of films has unleashed her disgust at anti-gay social network trolls, telling them to un follow her if they don’t back gay rights.
The Irish actor Evanna Lynch, who played Luna Lovegood blasted nasty, scathing and downright cruel’ users who left remarks on an Instagram post which outlaid her belief in marriage equality.
Last week Ireland had a public referendum to change its constitution to allow same-sex marriage. An overwhelming 62% of the votes cast were in favour of the change.
In her statement on Facebook, she said that she would block anyone ‘breeds hate or revulsion or shame’.
Read the full letter below:
I am making a special request to all of you today in light of an ugly instagram thread that is really bothering me. Simply, if you are someone who perceives homosexuality as ‘disgusting’ or ‘f**ked up’ or ‘unnatural’, will you do me a kindness and please unfollow me on all social media platforms. And then block me.
If I was someone who wanted to devote her life to fighting this fight to expand people’s minds on the definition of marriage and to break down people’s prejudices towards homosexuality I would probably encourage this constant antagonistic debate and I would invite the radicals to do verbal morality battles with me.
But this is not my life’s purpose, it’s just life as I see it, something I endorse and the nasty, scathing and downright cruel remarks just Wear. Me. Out. I believe in always promoting a positive message and I don’t want your poison all over my carefully curated wall of light and positivity heart emoticon And let me be very clear and say people’s ‘beliefs’ have nothing to do with this. It is your attitude and the way you choose to react. Please don’t for a second pin the intolerance and hatred you spread on ‘religion’ for no religion endorses the darkness you’re spreading. It is possible to not like the idea of homosexuality, to find it a wholly alien, uncomfortable concept and to NOT impose this view on the people it affects and above all to NOT shame people for the way they are.
Coming from Ireland, I am friends with a lot of people who handle their oppressive views on other people this way. I admire the grace with which they struggle to reconcile their beliefs with this changing society, and their respect for other humans. I have so much respect for these people, even though I will always consider their views misguided. If you can’t handle this concept then kindly LEAVE my page. There are other fiercer, more articulate, more outspoken and more controversial figures who lead the LQBTQ+ community and will gladly engage in fiery debate with you, will be fueled and energised by your anger and vitriol even and I ask that you go to them to wrestle verbally with your conflicting beliefs. I cannot deal with this kind of venom, and more to the point it is wasted energy on your part to put it here.
And on a not-unrelated note, why are you following me? I think it’s safe to assume that the majority of you on here clicked ‘like’ on account of my portrayal of the character ‘Luna Lovegood’ in the Harry Potter films (Mackenzie Price fans…gosh, I am sorry but you’re a bit off track here). The clue is in the name, people! Luna Lovegood’s love is a GOOD kind of love. It is not conditional or possessive or needy or demanding. It doesn’t fall apart the moment you expose a piece of yourself that is unconventional or even unbecoming. Luna is a character who accepts all people and creatures in all forms, loves them for exactly what they are and who is constantly in awe at the diversity, strangeness and newness of each being she encounters.
Did you ever wonder why she stares openly, unblinkingly and for uncomfortable periods of time at people? It’s because she is literally falling in love with an odd shaped freckle on their nose, the quirky way they pronounce ‘asked’, the uncontainable awkwardness they can’t hide for a beat longer under such loving scrutiny. And lastly the only way Luna can be quintessentially Luna is because she loves and accepts herself fully.
If Luna were to condemn and villify such an intrinsic human thing as our sexuality and see ANY colour of it as wrong she would not sit so comfortably within herself and she would not be who we know and love. Luna is someone who has always taught me to love myself and I don’t know what you are doing on my instagram, facebook or twitter helping others feel awful about the way they are. If you are one of the people who bred hate or revulsion or shame on my instagram post today then you clearly haven’t thought very deeply about what I or Luna Lovegood represent and it’s time for you to unfollow.
You are certainly on your way to 7-a day if you incorporate this super healthy soup into your day.
PARSLEY – I tend to put parsley on everything. It’s versatile, tastes great, it’s cheap and it’s health benefits are amazing. The vitamin C content is higher than oranges. It’s packed full of antioxidants and can help neutralise carcinogens. It’s also great at neutralising garlic breath!
TURMERIC- The turmeric gives the soup great warmth so would be perfect for taking to work in a flask to keep you toasty! There has been much press coverage around turmeric and it’s benefits of late. Turmeric can rapidly increase the antioxidant capacity in your body, which will really work along side the sweet potato, carrots, and parsley in the dish.
RICE BRAN OIL – A great cooking oil alternative. Containing no cholesterol, including plant sterols, and antioxidant rich vitamin E.
Ingredient
3 cloves garlic
3 carrots
3 celery
3 onion
3 tbsp parsley
1 ½ tbsp turmeric
1 sweet potato
1 leek
1 bay leaf
1 vegetable stock melt / cube (made up with 1ltr water)
1 tbsp rice bran oil
1 tsp herbes de provence
Instructions
Prepare your vegetables by chopping them finely. Keep your carrots, celery, and onions together as we will begin by frying these first in rice bran oil on a medium to low heat for 10 minutes.
Add all the remaining ingredients except for the parsley. Increase the heat so the soup reaches boiling point, then reduce and simmer for 20 minutes.
Take off the heat, remove the bay leaf, and leave to cool for 5 minutes.
At this point I then use my hand blender, but you really could use a blender or food processor if you do not have a hand blender. I got mine for a fiver from my supermarket. Blend until smooth. Stir in the parsley, and serve.
Time Saver – The base of this soup uses 3 stable ingredients that should always be stocked in your kitchen. Onion, celery and carrots form the base for many sauces, ragus, gravy and soups. To reduce your chopping time, most supermarkets offer a frozen bag combined of these 3 useful ingredients.
Experiment – If you have a surplus of veggies that you need to use up, go ahead and chuck them in this versatile soup. It may change the colour and consistency, but will enrich this already super healthy soup even further.
The Purifry cooks by circulating & blasting hot air onto food. The manual suggests it cooks vegetables, meat, and even cakes. Hang on… this is sounding very much like an oven isn’t it?
The cooking basket has a 2 litre capacity and requires no oil in order to cook food (some of their recipes suggest a teaspoon of oil). It can reach 200c and I found upon setting the heat, it was ready within five minutes – very quick, albeit noisy.
Firstly, I used the Purifry for sweet potato chips. Ready in fifteen minutes, they were marginally superior to those from an oven. They came out slightly charred, crispy but soft inside. Following the manual I made onion rings – appearing nothing like usual onion rings, but were crunchy with no grease.
Initial cake making in the Purifry was highly unsuccessful. It erupted coming out looking more Mary Scary than Mary Berry. I was already dubious when the recipe stated to dent the center of the batter- riddle me this, how can you make a dent in liquid?
Not one to be defeated, I tried again once I’d stopped sulking post-failure. Second attempt was just as awful, so abandon the cake making and in turn due to an overall underwhelming experience, abandon the Purifry altogether.
It sits on your worktop looking like Eve from Disney’s Wall-E, with the name “Purifry” but essentially being an oven, even the product doesn’t know what it is. The design wants to be “minimalist” but is chunky, not ideal for small spaces, and despite its price (RRP 149.99), looks cheap.
Chips and onion rings were a pleasure to eat from the Purifry, yes – but I hardly ever cook these normally.
The outcome is not substantially better for me to change my cooking dynamics and use the product any further, and my oven/hob method with meat & veg is already successful and healthy.
This product would probably benefit those that need chips and need them now. As a home cook I am uncertain of an instance I would require the use of the Purifry. Ever. PROS
Minimal use of oil (0-1 tsp)
Faster heating & cooking than an oven
Safety timer with auto switch off
CONS
Identity issues (fryer or oven?)
Cake calamity
It’s hideous.
http://uk.russellhobbs.com/
RRP £149.99 (although available from £82 if you shop around)
http://uk.russellhobbs.com
RRP £149.99 (although available from £82 if you shop around)
