FOOTBALL’S NEW GAMING GENERATION July 13, 2011 REMEMBER when a schoolboy’s hopes of football stardom were fuelled by dreams of scoring the winner in a Wembley cup final, or perhaps the pride of donning their country’s colours at a World Cup? Well wise up, granddad, because we all know that tomorrow’s stars are just as likely to be chasing the trappings of [...]
Joining the technological revolution July 13, 2011 NEW IT inventions are always described as “revolutionary”. Why? Because they’re often bloody. Infuriating, that is. Back in 1789, radicals would post their manifestos in public places. Today’s equivalent platform for enlightening the masses would be an interactive billboard wherever the workers gather. All you would need is a tablet, be it an iPad, Android [...]
(Relatively) cheap and cheerful July 12, 2011 There was a time when the main reason for buying a Kia Picanto would have been its bargain price tag and jaw-dropping seven-year warranty – it certainly wasn’t great to drive or particularly good looking either. In fact it looked about as cheap as it’s price tag suggested. But this latest incarnation of the Picanto [...]
CAR TALK July 12, 2011 RANGE ROVER’S POWERFUL GREENER CAR Land Rover’s latest 3.0-litre SDV6 diesel Range Rover Sport has just been introduced with more power, reduced CO2 and improved fuel economy thanks, in part, to a new efficient 8-speed automatic gearbox. Engine power is increased from 245hp to 256hp whilst CO2 emissions are down from 243g/km to 230g/km. Combined [...]
House prices slip in June July 12, 2011 House prices fell more than expected last month, as worries about the economic outlook deterred homeowners from putting their properties up for sale and buyers remained hesitant, a survey showed Tuesday. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors’ seasonally adjusted house price balance inched up to -27 in June from -28 in May, below forecasts for [...]
Scorching summer beauty July 11, 2011 REINVENTING the wheel would be easier than altering the basic beauty look for summer. It’s common sense, really: when the sun’s out and the sweat’s pouring, you’re not going to want to wear Geisha makeup. Red lips, caked foundation, smokey eyes – no thanks. But there are subtle alterations as new products launch that make [...]
FIT IN THE CITY July 11, 2011 FITNESS & DIET EXPERT IT’S the abs exercise regime with a greater celeb following than Jimmy Choo, but how to pick your Pilates in a city offering such an abundance of choice? Here are my suggestions. PIPPA PILATES: Pippa Middleton recently described her Pilates classes as “a weekly necessity that keeps me fit, happy and [...]
No punishment for diners in this corner July 11, 2011 The Corner Room Town Hall Hotel, Patriot Square, E2 9NF viajante.co.uk; tel: 020 7871 0461 FOOD **** SERVICE **** ATMOSPHERE **** Cost per person without wine: £30 IF nothing else, the Corner Room, which is the second restaurant to open in Bethnal Green’s Town Hall hotel, gives you a worthwhile opportunity to nose around more [...]
Boston’s calling July 10, 2011 CAPE ANN: SMALL-TOWN BEAUTY MANCHESTER-by-the Sea is a little town about 30 miles north of Boston. It’s got white picket fences, a harbour, a tiny train station, two ice cream shops and an old diner called the Coffee Cup that’s recently been bought by a plucky, Italian-American mother and daughter called Christine and Kathy DeSalvo, [...]
Where country piles come grand …and affordable July 7, 2011 A 40-bedroom castle, supposedly haunted as well as being a 2005 location for Doctor Who, is on the market for £1.5m. Sure, there may be ghosts roaming its hallowed halls, but by any standard, Craig y Nos Castle, in the Upper Swansea Valley, is going for a song. To anyone used to London prices, the [...]