December 2016 Magazine
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Cestria Magazine is Chester-le-Street & Birtley's premier and only lifestyle magazine. Our guaranteed free distribution through letter boxes in Birtley, Chester-Le-Street, Barley Mow, Ouston & Pelton every month. This distribution is also backed up with copies to hotels, cafes, restaurants, bars, health clubs, businesses, leisure & fashion outlets.
It's also the number one destination for local business, events, news, and stories.
Cestria Magazine is produced by local people, for local people, supporting local business and communities.
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CESTRIA MAGAZINE<br />
DECEMBER <strong>2016</strong> EDITION<br />
5 SPECTACULAR<br />
EUROPEAN<br />
CHRISTMAS<br />
MARKETS<br />
Christmas gift ideas for<br />
her and him<br />
TV - INTERVIEW WITH TIM ROTH,<br />
RILLINGTON PLACE<br />
HOW DID WE GET<br />
SANTA?<br />
THIS EDITION HAS BEEN KINDLY<br />
SPONSORED BY:<br />
FREE MAGAZINE EVERY MONTH<br />
Cestria <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
1
2 Cestria <strong>Magazine</strong>
FROM THE EDITOR<br />
magazine monthly edition just for you<br />
Christmas - its such a crazy time of year!<br />
People are rushing around frantically searching<br />
for perfect gifts and planning (usually very large)<br />
Christmas parties, lunches and dinners.<br />
I should say that I do love Christmas, to me its not<br />
all about tacky decorations, the carol singing or<br />
even the gifts! To me its about getting together<br />
with family and friends to enjoy each others<br />
company (and a fantastic christmas dinner of<br />
course!) and take some well earned rest away from<br />
the rat race.<br />
So what have we got for you this issue? Well,<br />
weve got a fantastic interview with actor, Tim Roth<br />
about his new role in the BBC’s newest drama.<br />
On page 8 we have a look at the history of Santa<br />
Claus and on page 14 we have a look at five of the<br />
most spectacular Christmas markets in Europe.<br />
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E: hello@cestriamagazine.co.uk<br />
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@cestriamagazine<br />
DISCLAIMER - Whilst we take every care to ensure accuracy in<br />
this magazine, we regretthat we cannot accept responsibility for any<br />
incorrect information. All advertisements are accepted in good faith<br />
as to their veracity and we are not responsible for views expressed<br />
by contributors or other sources. The copying of any material within<br />
this publication is strictly forbidden without the publishers or Studio<br />
Managers written consent. Tel: 07950 654920 for more information.<br />
To finish I’d like to take the opportunity to thank<br />
all of our readers and sponsors for making the first<br />
nine months of Cestria <strong>Magazine</strong> so successful and<br />
enjoyable. Your continued support gives us great<br />
encouragement going forward with our efforts to<br />
create one of the best magazines in our region!<br />
Have a Merry Christmas everyone!<br />
See you Next Year!<br />
Publisher<br />
Ian<br />
Cestria <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
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12<br />
Consideration and care are better<br />
than any gift<br />
14<br />
20<br />
5 Spectacular european christmas<br />
markets<br />
a brief guide to greece<br />
12<br />
TABLE OF<br />
CONTENTS<br />
8<br />
TV Interview<br />
We chat with Tim Roth on his role as a<br />
serial killerin the BBC’s new drama<br />
10 home ideas<br />
We tell why a new kitchen needed cost the<br />
earth.<br />
16 Fitness<br />
Stay healthy over Christmas<br />
06<br />
18<br />
6<br />
christmas gift ideas<br />
For her & him<br />
COVER FEATURE<br />
How did we get Santa?<br />
14<br />
4 Cestria <strong>Magazine</strong>
8<br />
18<br />
20<br />
Cestria <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
5
FEATURE<br />
HOW DID WE GET SANTA?<br />
Our Santa Claus tradition can be traced back to a real man called Nicholas<br />
who lived in Asia in the 3rd Century AD. He became a saint and many<br />
stories are told about him.<br />
The name Santa Claus was derived<br />
from the Dutch St. Nicholas, or<br />
‘Sinterklass’. Early Dutch settlers<br />
in New York (once called New<br />
Amsterdam) brought their traditions<br />
of St Nicholas. As children from<br />
other countries tried to pronounce<br />
Sinterklass, this soon became Santa<br />
Klass, then Santa Claus. The old<br />
bishop’s cloak with mitre, jewelled<br />
gloves and crozier were eventually<br />
replaced with his red suit and<br />
clothing seen in modern images.<br />
His clothing was initially green, and<br />
according to urban legend, the red<br />
and white is down to the influence<br />
of Coca Cola.<br />
Many legends and tales have grown<br />
up around St. Nicholas. He was born<br />
in 280 AD, in Patara, a city of Lycia,<br />
in Asia Minor. He became the gift<br />
giver of Myra. His gifts were given<br />
late at night, so that the gift giver’s<br />
identity would remain a secret. St.<br />
Nicholas was named patron saint of<br />
children, sailors, Russia and Greece.<br />
One story is about a poor man who<br />
had no money to give to his three<br />
daughters on their wedding day. St.<br />
Nick dropped bags of gold into the<br />
stockings which the girls had left to<br />
dry by the fire. The sisters found the<br />
gold and ever since, children have<br />
hung up stockings on Christmas Eve<br />
hoping that they will be filled with<br />
presents by Christmas morning.<br />
Despite being quite young, Nicholas<br />
earned a reputation for kindliness<br />
and wisdom. In the year 303, the<br />
Roman emperor Diocletian<br />
commanded all the citizens of the<br />
Roman Empire, which included<br />
Asia Minor, to worship him as a god.<br />
Christians believe in one god and<br />
one god alone, so their conscience<br />
would not allow them to obey the<br />
Emperor’s order. Angered by their<br />
stubbornness, Diocletian warned<br />
the Christians that they would be<br />
imprisoned. The Emperor carried<br />
out the threat and St. Nicholas, who<br />
resisted too, was also imprisoned.<br />
For more than five years, St.<br />
Nicholas was confined to a small<br />
cell. He suffered from cold, hunger,<br />
and thirst, but he never wavered in<br />
his beliefs. In 313, when Diocletian<br />
resigned, and Constantine came to<br />
power Nicholas was released, and<br />
he returned to his post as Bishop of<br />
Myra. He continued his good works<br />
and became even wiser and more<br />
understanding by the time of his<br />
death on <strong>December</strong> 6, 343. By 450,<br />
hurches in Asia Minor and Greece<br />
were being named in honour of him.<br />
By 800, he was officially recognized<br />
as a saint by the Eastern Catholic<br />
Church.<br />
In the 1200s, <strong>December</strong> sixth<br />
began to be celebrated as Bishop<br />
Nicholas Day in France. By end of<br />
the 1400s, St. Nicholas was the third<br />
most beloved religious figure, after<br />
Jesus and Mary. There were more<br />
than 2000 chapels and monasteries<br />
named after him.<br />
6 Cestria <strong>Magazine</strong>
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7
TV Interview - Tim Roth, Rillington Place<br />
Screen icon Tim Roth stars in a brand new drama heading for our small<br />
screens, setting the scene in Notting Hil of the 1940s and 1950s, where a<br />
multiple murderer is on the loose. We ask the Hollywood hotshot to help<br />
us examin the evidence<br />
Were you aware of the case before joining the<br />
project?<br />
I’d seen the film when I was a kid but I haven’t<br />
seen it since, and John Hurt had talked about it<br />
when I worked with him. Of course, the case itself<br />
we knew about when we were kids. I was born in<br />
1961 so it was recent history and the death penalty<br />
was outlawed not long after, with the case and the<br />
possibility of Evans’ innocence put forward as one<br />
of the reasons. Bogeymen were a thing of kids’<br />
stories at that point and that’s who Christie was.<br />
How did you feel about taking on the role of John<br />
Christie?<br />
The idea of taking him on was really a challenge.<br />
I’ve never played anything like this before. It is<br />
especially a challenge when someone is so deceitful<br />
in a psychopathic way. He deceived the public and<br />
he deceived people close to him. He murdered with<br />
virtual impunity. He used and abused his power and<br />
was allowed to go about his merry way. His circle<br />
was quite small but he operated within it well. I<br />
can’t believe he got away with hiding the truth in<br />
the court room.<br />
How much do you actually know about Christie?<br />
I know facts about him and I think Attenborough<br />
would probably say the same thing that, up to a<br />
point, you can peel away the layers but you hit stone<br />
after a while. You can’t get to the core of him. But the<br />
fact of not being able to get at the inner workings of<br />
the man actually says a lot about him. He developed<br />
a character, a performance, that was very warm and<br />
comforting to people around him, to his neighbours,<br />
his peers and people at work. Although his downfall<br />
seemed to be that he really loved power and he<br />
couldn’t stop himself.<br />
Why do you feel it’s important to be re-visiting the<br />
story?<br />
It will hopefully spark some interest in that case<br />
again which, remembering that there’s a whole new<br />
generation who will have no idea who Christie and<br />
Evans are, I think will be a good thing. The life of<br />
Evans before this event is fascinating. That would<br />
make an interesting film in itself. If you<br />
go back and look at the police work,<br />
it’s shoddy. They missed so much<br />
as they weren’t looking in the<br />
right direction. There was<br />
an inherent classism that<br />
was at play because they<br />
would believe this man<br />
and they would never<br />
really believe Evans.<br />
Would you say that<br />
Rillington Place itself<br />
acted as an accomplice<br />
to Christie?<br />
I kind of think it worked<br />
against him. There is a<br />
certain kind of seclusion but I<br />
think in the end it defeated him.<br />
They lived in two and a half rooms<br />
in pretty grim, box like conditions and<br />
he ran out of space. Once he went to walk<br />
about, it was only a matter of time before the police<br />
would come in and something would be discovered.<br />
How have you found working with the rest of the<br />
cast?<br />
I’ve always wanted to work with Sam, and when I<br />
heard that she was up for the role, it was part of the<br />
reason I said yes. Sam’s phenomenal.<br />
8 Cestria <strong>Magazine</strong>
I didn’t know Nico and Jodie before, as they’re<br />
part of the new generation of actors and for their<br />
entire lives I’ve been away from London, but I’ve<br />
really enjoyed watching them.<br />
How have you found working with Craig?<br />
Craig’s great. I think Craig quickly learned that you<br />
have to be a different director to different actors.<br />
You have to wear 20 different hats every day and<br />
he wears them well. I watch him working with the<br />
other actors which is always a good indication. It’s<br />
a very easy working relationship.<br />
What do you think will draw viewers in to watch<br />
it?<br />
People are intrigued, and always<br />
have been since the time of<br />
Shakespeare, with the devils<br />
that are within us. That kind<br />
of stuff is always going to<br />
be part of human nature.<br />
The question then<br />
becomes, how do we<br />
give justice and respect<br />
to the people who died<br />
at his hands? If you have<br />
a woman who, like Ethel,<br />
is quite obviously abused<br />
on a psychological and<br />
physical level, we have to<br />
give her her voice. You can do<br />
that in your performance, as Sam<br />
does with Ethel. It’s a difficult line<br />
that she has to dance around but you<br />
owe that to the victims.<br />
Tim in the role as serial killer John Christie<br />
Three-part drama series based on the true story of<br />
serial killer John Christie airs on BBC1 on Tuesday<br />
at 9:00pm<br />
John Reginald Halliday Christie, known to his family<br />
and friends as Reg Christie, was an English serial killer<br />
active during the 1940s and early 1950s. He murdered<br />
at least eight women – including his wife, Ethel<br />
Cestria <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
9
Home idea<br />
A new kitchen doesn’t<br />
have to cost the Earth<br />
It’s easy to feel as though nothing in life comes cheap anymore,<br />
let alone free. Britain in the 21st Century is amongst the most<br />
expensive countries in the world when it comes to cost of<br />
living, the result of which means that once you’ve paid for<br />
monthly travel to work, mortgage or rent, food, water and<br />
clothes for you and yours, there might not be that much<br />
leftover for things like holidays and home improvements.<br />
This sirarely more pronounced than in the<br />
kitchen and bathroom. Once the sole reserve<br />
of the domestic chef, these days there’s far<br />
more to the room traditionally associated<br />
with cooking than simply an oven and work<br />
surface. It’s a space to socialise in, entertain<br />
and, when combined with a dining table in an<br />
open plan layout, sit down to eat with loved<br />
ones. Meanwhile, the bathroom is a sanctuary<br />
for many, providing a corner of the house<br />
where we can unwind, take stock of the day,<br />
and pamper ourselves.<br />
IIt’s a reality somewhat at odds with how much<br />
pressure there is to keep up with the Joneses. Or,<br />
more accurately, the latest interior design trends, thus<br />
avoiding any embarrassment when we invite friends,<br />
family and acquaintances round only to realise that our<br />
home is in urgent need of modernisation.<br />
Two very important parts of any home,<br />
making improvements and modernising<br />
either doesn’t actually have to cost as<br />
much as many people think. Or at least not<br />
in the long run. Quality craftsmanship and<br />
innovative design can provide you with a<br />
timeless kitchen and bathroom that won’t be<br />
outdated in a matter of mere years. By opting<br />
for neutral, traditional finishes, and clean,<br />
handleless modern lines, you’ll be guaranteed<br />
beautiful rooms that don’t have to be<br />
completely replaced in order to keep up with<br />
10 Cestria <strong>Magazine</strong>
ever-changing trends- think of<br />
this like a base coat of paint, ready<br />
for any additions in the future<br />
that won’t look out of place. The<br />
same rule applies whether we’re<br />
talking about the kitchen or the<br />
bathroom, and regardless of the<br />
budget you have set aside. All you<br />
need is a reputable, innovative<br />
specialist firm with a proven track<br />
record of delivering great goods<br />
at a range of price points, which<br />
may be closer than you think.<br />
Cestria <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
11
Consideration and care are better<br />
than any gift<br />
Its the most wonderful time of the year, or so we’re<br />
told. In reality though, its not uncommon for some<br />
of us to struggle when it comes to <strong>December</strong>’s<br />
festivities, with personal problems, loneliness,<br />
debt and loss often feeling more pronounced at<br />
Christmas.<br />
For many people, this time of year is nothing short<br />
of miserable. <strong>Magazine</strong>s are full of images of folk<br />
celebrating the season of goodwill, commercials<br />
show content families exchanging gifts whilst<br />
wearing ear-to-ear beams across their faces, and<br />
the vast majority of films on TV are geared towards<br />
Hollywood conclusions where everything is alright<br />
in the end. In truth, though, a lot of us have a<br />
very different experience- more in line with the<br />
annual Eastenders Christmas Day episode, where<br />
something terrible almost always happens, set to<br />
the soundtrack of merriment floating on the wind<br />
from the Queen Vic; a stark contrast.<br />
There are some obvious reasons why <strong>December</strong><br />
can be a difficult month to get through, others are<br />
less clear. Those who have recently experienced<br />
bereavement, the break down of a relationship,<br />
or have underlying stress factors such as financial<br />
problems, are particularly vulnerable to feeling low<br />
when they’re told to feel high. And even if a death or<br />
separation happened years ago, it’s still likely that<br />
Christmas will be a double-edged sword; we are<br />
constantly reminded that the festivities are a time<br />
to reflect on those we care about, but it’s hard to<br />
concentrate only on those who are still in our lives.<br />
The list of causes of depression during <strong>December</strong><br />
don’t end there, either. Loneliness has a lot to<br />
answer for too. Some people may feel isolated due<br />
to a lack of close friends, others might have a poor<br />
work-life balance, one that involves a lot of business<br />
travel, for example, making them feel far away from<br />
those they would prefer to spend time with. Add to<br />
this SAD, or Seasonal Adjustment Disorder, whereby<br />
climactic conditions- namely the short days and<br />
very long nights- can leave people down in the<br />
dumps.<br />
The point being that in the midst of filling up your<br />
diary with soirees, shopping and social events, it’s<br />
imperative that you try to make time for those who<br />
either aren’t on the guest list, or can’t face being<br />
surrounded by fun and laughter for one reason or<br />
another. What you do with them doesn’t need to be<br />
expensive, or indeed anything particularly specialjust<br />
dinner and a film, or a heartfelt conversation<br />
over a cup of tea will be enough to show that<br />
someone out there cares dearly about them.<br />
And that’s a present worth 1,000 gift-wrapped<br />
purchases, and then some.<br />
12 Cestria <strong>Magazine</strong>
Cestria <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
13
5 Spectacular European Christmas Markets<br />
From France and Italy to Norway and Austria, we run through some of<br />
the best continental destinations if you’re looking for traditional festive<br />
markets. Needless to say, Germany features rather heavily.<br />
Whilst the phenomenon is a relatively recent<br />
addition to Britain’s festivities, over on the<br />
continent, city squares have been filling up with<br />
stalls selling everything from fresh food to gifts for<br />
longer than anyone can remember.<br />
than you can hope to hang in any normal sized<br />
front room, then...<br />
A tradition spanning centuries, it’s unsurprising<br />
that with the rise of budget airlines, many towns in<br />
Europe have begun marketing themselves as great<br />
weekend destinations in the run up to Christmas,<br />
primarily because they have world class markets at<br />
this time of year. We’ve been lucky enough to visit<br />
quite a few, and have come up with the following<br />
list of places that can’t help but get you into the<br />
goodwill spirit. Prepare for a gallon of mulled wine,<br />
a ton of bratwurst and more wooden decorations<br />
14 Cestria <strong>Magazine</strong>
Bologna, Italy<br />
Although Christmas markets are<br />
more synonymous with northern<br />
Europe, Bologna really puts Italy on<br />
the map. Centred around the 12th<br />
Century San Pietro Cathedral, the<br />
Fiera di Natale, the larger of two<br />
markets in town, is a wonderfully<br />
atmospheric offering in the heart of<br />
a city that has retained much charm<br />
thanks to well-preserved medieval<br />
streets and buildings.<br />
quaint timber architecture by<br />
transforming itself into what<br />
you might imagine the North<br />
Pole looking like, if it weren’t<br />
a barren frozen wasteland.<br />
Cobbled streets lined with<br />
stars, angels and snowflakes,<br />
a fir tree towering over Place<br />
Kleber (apparently it has<br />
done so for 400 years), and<br />
streets divided into 11 market<br />
villages.<br />
can be found. capital doesn’t<br />
need that much help pulling<br />
in tourists, with its incredible<br />
abundance of museums, art<br />
galleries, and palatial buildings.<br />
Nevertheless, dating back to<br />
the 1200s, the city’s Christmas<br />
market tradition (then known<br />
as <strong>December</strong> Market) has more<br />
history than most cities in our<br />
list, with around 150 stalls in the<br />
spectacular Rathausplatz- at the<br />
steps of spectacular city hall.<br />
Dresden, Germany<br />
Rumoured to be the oldest in<br />
Germany, there are accounts of<br />
Dresden Christmas Market- or<br />
Striezelmarkt- as long ago as 1434.<br />
Set against the backdrop of the River<br />
Elbe, it’s home to the world’s tallest<br />
Nutcracker, an abundance of vintage<br />
Stuttgart, Germany<br />
Many say that Stuttgart’s<br />
market is the most beautiful<br />
in Europe. We’d be inclined to<br />
agree. Located in the shadows<br />
of the Old Palace, which is<br />
worth the trip alone, along<br />
with stalls outside the<br />
fun continues within<br />
the gates, with the<br />
Renaissance inner<br />
courtyard teeming with<br />
activity. You’ll have to<br />
go a long way to find<br />
anything as nostalgiainspiring<br />
as this.<br />
Trondheim, Norway<br />
fairground rides, and a Stollen<br />
Festival on the second Saturday in<br />
advent. If you like stollen then you<br />
know where, and when, to go.<br />
Strasbourg, France<br />
France’s number one destination for<br />
market fiends, Strasbourg, capital<br />
of Alsace, makes the most of its<br />
What’s more fitting for<br />
this time of year than a<br />
jaunt up into the Arctic<br />
Circle itself? Probably<br />
nothing, hence us<br />
recommending this<br />
little-known Norwegian<br />
city. You can ride a horse<br />
and sleigh, snuggle up<br />
next to open fires in the<br />
bars and cafes, and shop<br />
until you drop around the<br />
main square, Torvet, where<br />
an abundance of wooden<br />
chalets and Sami lavvos<br />
(tepee-style tents traditional<br />
in this corner of the world)<br />
Cestria <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
15
FITNESS<br />
Stay healthy over<br />
Christmas<br />
16 Cestria <strong>Magazine</strong>
A healthy diet and lifestyle can really take a<br />
hammering over Christmas.<br />
The extra nights out mean there are more<br />
opportunities for temptation, and less inclination to<br />
be active the next day.<br />
No one wants to spoil the fun but it’s worth arming<br />
yourself with a few facts on how beat the bulge.<br />
Experts estimate that most people gain one pound,<br />
or 0.5 kg, over the Christmas period - that’s around<br />
3,500 extra calories in a couple of weeks!<br />
The trick to preventing this is by trying to make<br />
small changes to reduce what you normally eat over<br />
the festive season, or by taking the opportunity to<br />
be more active during your free time.<br />
Reducing your portion sizes is probably the best -<br />
and simplest - way to keep your diet under control.<br />
That way, you can eat a little bit of all your favourites,<br />
rather than cutting out seasonal treats completely.<br />
Here are a few switches to you help avoid those<br />
extra inches:<br />
* Eat one mince pie instead of two - save 185<br />
calories. And take the pastry top off your pie and<br />
save an extra 80.<br />
* Always have a glass of water when you are<br />
drinking alcohol - cutting down by one glass of wine<br />
(125 ml) will save you around 100 calories. Adding a<br />
handful of ice to your wine glass before pouring will<br />
also shave off another 80. And beware huge wine<br />
glasses - drinking out of a smaller glass will reduce<br />
your calorie intake.<br />
* Substitute diet or slim line mixers in your G&T and<br />
save 40 calories.<br />
* Have mashed potato and skip the roasties - save<br />
379 calories for three medium roast potatoes.<br />
* Take a small portion of turkey instead of a large<br />
one - save 120 calories. Steer clear of the skin and<br />
avoid an extra 50 calories.<br />
* Opt for a small portion of ham instead of a large<br />
one - save 170 calories<br />
* Eat two chocolates instead of four - save around<br />
90 calories<br />
* Don’t munch on bowls of crisps and nuts at parties,<br />
just take a few and then move away. 30 grams of<br />
crisps contains around 150 calories and a handful of<br />
nuts gives you 256<br />
* Swap a glass of Baileys at 180 calories for<br />
champagne and save 70 calories<br />
* Substitute two sausages on sticks for two chicken<br />
satay pieces - save 80 calories<br />
Of course parties are the time when we relax and our<br />
guard is down so it makes sense to eat something<br />
like wholemeal toast with an egg or peanut butter<br />
to take the edge of our hunger before heading out<br />
on the town.<br />
Thirst is often mistaken for hunger so staying<br />
hydrated by drinking plenty of water before a party<br />
will ensure you don’t drink wine to quench your<br />
thirst which inevitably lowers your resistance to<br />
calorie-laden snacks.<br />
If you’re chilling out at home, keeping snacks<br />
covered or even out of reach will encourage you to<br />
eat less. And don’t snack in front of the TV. Above<br />
all, staying active over Christmas has huge benefits<br />
for your body and mind. Get outside, clear your head<br />
and walk your way to a healthier New Year.<br />
Cestria <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
17
Christmas -<br />
gift ideas for her<br />
It’s never easy trying to figure out what to buy the woman in your life. Well,<br />
OK, there are the standard ideas- jewelry, trips away, clothes- but what<br />
about those interesting items that prove you spent some real time picking<br />
out the perfect present yield?<br />
There’s a lot to be said for going over the proverbial piste and picking something they probably won’t be<br />
expecting, and with that in mind we decided to put together four very special items you’ll definitely earn<br />
some brownie points with. Not that this is the reason anyone should be buying gifts, of course.<br />
Gin & Tonic Box £44.99 from The Fowndry<br />
Just as it sounds, this toolbox arms every wannabee distiller with everything they need to try and hopefully<br />
not fail miserably at making their own version of a British staple.<br />
Lumir C Mood Lamp £79.99 from The Fowndry<br />
Shaped like a little lighthouse, the innovative and beautifully designed Lumir C Candle-Powered LED Mood<br />
Lamp uses a tealight you sit in the base as its energy source. Seems pointless, given the candle emits light,<br />
nevertheless it gives off a lovely glow.<br />
Citrus Zinger Sport Gift Pack £20 from Root 7<br />
Customize infused water with a pack that includes a<br />
classic citrus press, slicer and kiwi reamer attachments.<br />
That means you can press, twist and infuse lemons,<br />
limes, and clementines directly into water, detoxifying<br />
and alkalizing your body; add impossibly thin slices of<br />
cucumber; and craft a sweet, silky, tropical tinge to the<br />
world’s favourite drink.<br />
Himalayan Salt Shots £14.99 from Root 7<br />
Sometimes you have to take life with a pinch of salt,<br />
but it’s better if you thrown in a slice of lime and shot<br />
of Tequila too. Hence this device catching our eyehand<br />
carved from high quality pink rock salt mined in<br />
the Himalayas, add a subtle salty flavour to your shot.<br />
18 Cestria <strong>Magazine</strong>
But what about gifts for him? Fear not, we’ve<br />
got you covered, with the following list of great<br />
presents, ideal for the man in your life.<br />
XBOX ONE<br />
Since its launch, the XBOX ONE is still going from<br />
strength to strength, with a staggering selection<br />
of great games aimed at the one-player market.<br />
Granted, you probably don’t want to come home<br />
from work every day to find him glued to Halo ,<br />
but there;s no denying he’ll appreciate the gift<br />
nonetheless.<br />
Mackintosh Jacket<br />
The Mac is a timeless garment that’s also fit for<br />
a multitude or purposes. Coupled with a suit it’s<br />
the ideal smart coat, but these design classics<br />
are also a perfect match for less formal affairs.<br />
Of course the ‘original’ Burberry jackets may well<br />
be unaffordable, but thankfully many high street<br />
stores have alternatives at far less than half the<br />
price of those.<br />
Scarves and gloves<br />
Cliched? Perhaps. Useful? Definitely. Although<br />
<strong>December</strong> isn’t the beginning of the cold season<br />
& FOR HIM...<br />
in the UK, winter continues until late-Februaryearly-March,<br />
and even after that Britain has a habit<br />
of not being that warm. As such investing in a good<br />
quality, beautifully made scarf, along with a pair of<br />
gorgeous gloves is always money well spent.<br />
iPad<br />
Although Apple’s legendary tablet doesn’t come<br />
cheap few people who own one would say they<br />
aren’t worth forking out for. Thanks to a recent<br />
software update, the latest model is the closest<br />
yet to matching low-end laptops for functionality,<br />
making it an ideal piece of kit for those who travel<br />
for work and need to stay on top of things whilst<br />
away.<br />
Weekend break<br />
This may well be the best of all our ideas. In fact<br />
it definitely is. Escaping for a romantic getaway<br />
is rarely anything short of amazing, and when<br />
someone takes the time to plan a weekend away it’s<br />
incredibly touching. Websites like Air B&B, coupled<br />
with budget airlines like Easyjet, ensure that you<br />
don’t have to spend a fortune to take someone<br />
somewhere incredible too.<br />
Cestria <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
19
TRAVEL<br />
Santorini, Greece<br />
a brief guide to greece<br />
Greece is a country of contrasts and boasts a multitude of places to explore,<br />
both on the mainland and around the islands.<br />
The Hellenic region remains<br />
one of the world’s most<br />
fascinating. Here the foundations<br />
for democracy and Western<br />
civilization were first laid, and<br />
several millennia-worth of<br />
history, along with the resulting<br />
melting pot of cultures, have all<br />
combined to create the country<br />
we see today.<br />
Although not particularly vast<br />
in terms of land area, Greece’s<br />
offering is huge. You could lose<br />
yourself in the country’s most<br />
southerly island, Crete, for more<br />
than a fortnight alone - exploring<br />
its gorges, mountains and lost<br />
beaches, or simply sitting back<br />
in a traditional village taverna.<br />
Meanwhile, a few hundred miles<br />
north, the mainland’s coast<br />
remains largely untouched by<br />
mass tourism, with cities such as<br />
Thessaloniki resplendent with<br />
ancient monuments, museums,<br />
and world-famous markets. With<br />
so much choice it can be difficult<br />
to decide exactly where to plant<br />
your holiday flag, and as such<br />
we’ve put together this quick<br />
reference guide to the various<br />
options. Happy planning.<br />
Mainland:<br />
In a nutshell - The Greek mainland<br />
is largely overlooked by tourists<br />
travelling from outside the<br />
country, and much to their loss.<br />
Less crowded, even in the peak<br />
season months, it’s far less<br />
developed and as such hides<br />
some of the most serene parts of<br />
the country.<br />
20 Cestria <strong>Magazine</strong>
Cyclades Islands<br />
Highlights - Santorini, Folegandros, Mykonos, Naxos, Kea<br />
In a nutshell - The most famous of the island groups is amongst the most<br />
beautiful. Although you need to be under 25 to enjoy the nightlife on Ios,<br />
party and family-friendly Mykonos, traditional Folegandros, and luxurious<br />
Santorini are far more universal.<br />
Northern Aegean Islands<br />
Highlights - Chios, Ikaria, Limnos, Samos, Lesvos<br />
In a nutshell - Perhaps the least visited, certainly in terms of mass tourism,<br />
this island group is regarded as the most unspoilt in the eyes of many<br />
Greeks, with Limnos having almost avoided holidaymakers altogether. Ripe<br />
for exploring, you might say.<br />
Saronic Islands<br />
Highlights - Hydra, Aegina, Angistri, Poros<br />
In a nutshell - If you fancy seeing the sights of Athens but staying on an island<br />
then the Saronics are for you. Hydra’s ultra-cool-yet-hyper-traditional<br />
atmosphere makes it a hit despite lacking beaches, and Angistri is a longestablished<br />
favourite<br />
Sporades Islands<br />
Highlights - Skyros, Skopelos, Skiathos, Alonissos<br />
In a nutshell - Alonissos boasts Byzantine ruins and pine forests, Skopelos is<br />
allegedly the greenest island in the Aegean, and Skyros has been attracting<br />
holistic travellers from across the planet for decades now. Definitely best<br />
suited to the naturally-minded.<br />
Dodecanese Islands<br />
Highlights - Halki, Karpathos, Kos, Rhodes,<br />
With huge contrasts between islands, it’s no wonder the Dodecanese prove<br />
so eternally popular. Halki and Karpathos are like stepping back in time,<br />
perfect for rest and relaxation, whilst touristic Kos and Rhodes have abundant<br />
historic sites and facilities.<br />
Elsewhere<br />
Highlights - Crete, Cyprus, Elafonissos, Evia, Zante<br />
Crete is nicknamed the mini-continent, thanks to its dramatic peaks,<br />
endless wildernesses, bustling towns and cities. Cyprus is a true yearround<br />
destination, boasting enough charm and history to satisfy anyone.<br />
Evia is the country’s second largest island, and Elafonissos is said<br />
to have some of the most jaw-dropping beaches in Greece.<br />
Cestria <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
21
Turkey and cranberry salad<br />
This is a great way to use up leftover turkey and<br />
cranberry after the big day, and also makes a<br />
tasty filling for baguettes and rolls.<br />
BOOK review - The Last<br />
Fiesta<br />
One for fans of Hemingway and J.M. Coetze, Andy<br />
Rumbold’s tale of a road trip through flamboyant<br />
Spanish culture is what you might call the perfect<br />
holiday read. Or at least it is in our opinion.<br />
We’ve all had friends that have, for one reason<br />
or another, become acquaintances. We’ve all felt<br />
compelled to reunite after all this time, and dedicate<br />
a week or two to their company. And, those of us<br />
that have managed to do just that, will understand<br />
there will always be highs and lows that come from<br />
that reunion.<br />
IINGREDIENTS<br />
1lb cold cooked turkey, cut into small cubes<br />
250g mayonnaise<br />
1 tsp paprika<br />
150g cranberries, dried or fresh<br />
3 spring onions, chopped<br />
1/2 cucumber, peeled and cut into small cubes<br />
salt and black pepper to taste<br />
METHOD<br />
1. Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix<br />
well.<br />
2. Add seasoning to taste<br />
3. Place in the fridge and chill for an hour before<br />
serving<br />
4. Serve on a bed of little gem lettuce leaves<br />
Buen Apetito!<br />
This fact forms part<br />
of The Last Fiesta ,<br />
Rumbold’s debut novel<br />
and one that promises<br />
much for the future of<br />
the writer in question.<br />
A bunch of pals decide<br />
to get back together<br />
and hit the dusty trails,<br />
with the main intention<br />
being attending the<br />
famous fiestas of San<br />
Fermin, along with the town’s iconic and hugely<br />
controversial bull run. Penned with such visceral<br />
language it’s impossible not to picture each and<br />
every scene (or chapter), we’re also privy to the<br />
secrets, hometruths and realities that make up<br />
each of the characters, meaning we’re also drawn<br />
into their lives as though they were our own former<br />
besties.<br />
Part travelogue, then, and part tale about why<br />
sometimes we have to forget the past, or at least put<br />
it behind us, it’s easy to understand why the pages<br />
in question have been in receipt of so much praise<br />
from critics and peers alike. It’s reflective yet tense,<br />
poignant, heartbreaking and genuinely intriguing.<br />
Or, to put it in a far more concise way, the best<br />
word to describe this work is utterly remarkable.<br />
Unique from beginning to last, by now you should<br />
already be guessing that, despite there being a pile<br />
of literary material waiting to be reviewed sitting<br />
on our far-too-small desks, this one is definitely<br />
coming with us for the next jaunt to sunnier climes.<br />
22 Cestria <strong>Magazine</strong>
Cestria <strong>Magazine</strong><br />
23
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