Saturday, August 4, 2012

Mixed berry clotted cream custard


Summer Pudding: Recipes
You will need
150g raspberries
150g strawberries, hulled and halved
100g blueberries
2 tbsp icing sugar
227g Cornish Clotted Cream
200ml ready made custard
Method
1. Place the raspberries, strawberries and blueberries in a large bowl. Add the icing sugar and leave to marinade for up to an hour until the fruits have softened and the juice has oozed out. Lightly mash the fruits with a fork.

2. Spoon all but four tablespoons of the clotted cream in a large bowl and add the custard. Fold gently together.

3. Spoon some of the fruits in the bottom of four glasses top with some of the clotted cream custard, top with some more fruit and continue with another layer of clotted cream custard. Continue with the layers finishing with a layer of fruit. The layers will not be defined. Top with the reserved clotted cream.
4. Chill for 30 minutes and serve.
Recipe, Rhodda Cornish Clotted Cream

Only 30,000 Bolt places for Britons


Jamaica's Usain Bolt, left, in action with Great Britain's James Dasaolu, right, in a heat of the men's 100m at The Olympic Stadium, London
Jamaica's Usain Bolt, left, in action with Great Britain's James Dasaolu, right, in a heat of the men's 100m at The Olympic Stadium, London
Fewer than half of the precious seats at London 2012's 100m final have gone to members of the British public, organisers said.
Fans from the host nation will hold just 30,000 of the 80,000 places at the most highly-anticipated event of the Games.
The remaining seats will be taken up by international supporters, with some 20,000 reserved for the "Olympic family" - including officials, sports federations and sponsors - and the media.
London 2012 spokesman Jackie Brock-Doyle said: "We have 60,000 saleable seats in the stadium, 50% of them are going to the British public."
Seating at Olympic venues has become a subject of some contention after rows of empty seats were spotted at "sold-out" events. The issue sparked huge criticism and led organisers to put thousands of unused tickets up for sale online.
Sunday's climax will see the fastest athletes on the planet go head-to-head. But organisers said they could not give a more detailed break-down of how seats for the dramatic showdown have been allocated until after the event.
Away from the stadium, in Stratford, east London, vast numbers of viewers are expected to tune in from across the world to see Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, 25, pitted against rivals in what promises to be one of the most talked-about races of the Games.
A London 2012 spokesman said: "There is a difference between ticketed seating and accredited seating.
"Of the 80,000 seats in the stadium, once you take out seats which are used by people with accreditation - and most of these are used by media - there are around 60,000 seats available for us to sell.
"We have always been very open that around 50% of these have been sold to the UK public."

Pietersen leads England fightback


Kevin Pietersen put his regal stamp on the second Investec Test with a memorable 21st century to alter the mid-match momentum as England fought back against South Africa at Headingley.
Pietersen spurned the prosaic methods of his near namesake Alviro, in the latter's career-best 182 over the first two days here, as he powered England to 351 for five in reply to 419 all out.
England appeared to have little chance, at start of play this morning, of scoring quickly or heavily enough to retain any chance of a series-levelling victory. But after Pietersen (149 not out) had turned earnest reconnaissance into all-out attack in his third Test hundred against his native country, there was much to play for after all.
His onslaught after tea, as Morne Morkel tried to test him with the short ball to a deep-set field, included six fours from only 11 balls. Pietersen's hundred took 142 balls, but he needed only 52 of those for the second 50 - pulling and driving 17 fours on his way to three figures.


Kevin Pietersen put South Africa's attack to the sword after tea at Headingley
He operated on a different level to those who had batted before him on a fair pitch, but one which had appeared to preclude dominant strokeplay unless the bowlers dropped short. After sharing a hard-working half-century stand with Jonathan Trott for the third wicket, he took England seamlessly past the second new ball in a partnership of 147 with debutant James Taylor.
It seemed Pietersen would have to dig in after Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss had gone either side of lunch and, along with Trott, he had to employ the patience Petersen had demonstrated for so long for the tourists. The return of Steyn was too much for Trott, who edged an attempted cut low to slip - where Graeme Smith took a neat catch.
Morkel sought to discomfort Pietersen, as he had successfully at The Oval last week, with his pace and bounce. But this time, England's mercurial number four had set his mind on the long haul. The same could not be said for Ian Bell, who pushed out without foot movement at a full-length ball from Kallis and edged to Smith at slip.
After tea, Taylor's Test introduction was largely in an observer capacity as Pietersen took over. He completed his half-century with a pull for four off Steyn, and then gave his only chance two runs later when he clipped Morkel straight to short-leg - where Hashim Amla could not hold on to a sharp half-chance. Pietersen then clubbed the next two balls dismissively to the midwicket boundary.
Taylor proved an able assistant, as Pietersen continued his often brutal treatment of one of the world's best attacks. England's new number six would have been short of his ground for a scampered single on 24, had Amla hit the stumps from midwicket. But otherwise, he was the perfect foil of reliability and calm until he edged Morkel on to his stumps for 34.
Pietersen saved some of his absolute best until after his hundred was in the bag - a near straight-batted pull for four wide of mid-on and then straight six, in the space of three balls, off Steyn delighting a partisan full house and forcing Smith to withdraw his pace spearhead again.

Farah takes gold in 10,000m


Mo Farah won the 10,000m gold medal on Saturday evening
Mo Farah won the 10,000m gold medal on Saturday evening

Mo Farah made it a golden athletics hat-trick for Great Britain at the Olympic Stadium.
In a stunning display of tenacity, talent and speed he beat Kenenisa Bekele, the Ethiopian 5,000m and 10,000m World and Olympic record holder, to win the Olympic 10,000m title.
His wife Tania, who is pregnant with twins, and daughter Rihanna came on to congratulate him on the track. Farah looked stunned but delighted as the crowd roared.
The packed stadium was already buzzing from Jessica Ennis's gold in the heptathlon and a surprise victory from Greg Rutherford in the long jump at the Olympic Stadium.
And Farah then rounded off an astonishing three triumphs in the space of 45 minutes with a blistering last lap in the 10,000m, completing it in 53 seconds to take gold ahead of American training partner Galen Rupp.
World 5,000m champion Farah had thought his race would not come down to the last lap as his rivals feared his sprinting speed, but in the end that was what happened and Farah hit the front at the bell to time his finish to perfection.

Ennis takes heptathlon gold



Jessica Ennis has lived up to her billing as Britain's golden girl with a commanding victory in the Olympic heptathlon at London 2012.
Three personal bests in the previous six events meant Ennis went into the final discipline, the 800m, with a commanding 188-point lead that equated to a 13-second advantage over Lithuania's Austra Skujyte.


Jessica Ennis has won her first Olympic gold medal
Jessica Ennis has won her first Olympic gold medal

A run of two minutes 5.69 seconds would have seen her become only the fourth woman in history to score 7,000 points, and even though there was no need for such heroics, the 26-year-old athlete from Sheffield blasted through the opening lap on her way to victory in 2:08.65.
That time was outside her personal best but still enough for a new overall PB of 6,955 points to improve on the national record of 6,906 she set earlier this year.
Russia's Tatyana Chernova, who took Ennis's world title last year, claimed silver a distant 327 points behind, with Ukraine's Lyudmyla Yosypenko taking bronze a further 10 points back.
Ennis, who follows in the footsteps of 2000 champion Denise Lewis, had fittingly ignited the athletics programme with a sensational performance in the opening discipline on Friday morning, her 100m hurdles time of 12.54s not only a British record and personal best but also the same as that which won individual gold in Beijing.
A high jump of 1.86m was marginally disappointing and she briefly lost the lead following Skujyte's heptathlon world best of 17.31m in the shot, but another personal best of 22.83s in the 200m gave Ennis her biggest first-day score of 4,158 points and a lead of 184.
The second day brought an excellent 6.48m in the long jump - a source of concern over no-jumps just six weeks earlier - before yet another personal best of 47.49m in the javelin effectively sealed the win.

Friday, August 3, 2012

London 2012: Kate Middleton flashes super flat tum while looking majorly loved up


Kate Middleton and Prince William even manage to look sickeningly loved up while cheering on Team GB!
Kate and Wills cheer on Team GB. 
The pair were spotted cheering on the cycling at the velodrome yesterday.
Onlookers said how the couple looked as happy as ever and were constantly holding hands, giggling and whispering to each other.
Proving that they really are just another normal couple, K-Middy and her Prince got well into proceedings and were snapped hugging in celebration.
Kind of like when we watch the X Factor results.
Kate went for a super casual look — with her Team GB polo on and her hair tied back.

However, the celebration also meant that we caught a flash of the Duchess' super toned tum.
Could she get any more perfect? In between her 55 Royal appointments a day, she must be squeezing in some Pilates somewhere!
Or maybe it's all that running from one place to another. Just a few hours earlier the couple were spotted cheering on the tennis.
Kate looked super glam at the tennis. Copyright: [rex]
However, her dressed down look meant a costume change from earlier on in the day when she was snapped watching the tennis in a much more glam look.
No wonder she was voted the Best Dressed Woman in the whole wide world.

John Lewis charges £2 to view park



A John Lewis store with a view of the Olympic Stadium and other venues is charging customers to look out of its window



A store overlooking the Olympic Park has begun charging customers for the privilege of looking out of its main viewing window.
The John Lewis store in Westfield, which neighbours the site in Stratford, east London, introduced the £2 charges on Sunday.
Customers are promised "panoramic views of the London 2012 park" from the viewing gallery on the third floor.
Binoculars are on offer and visitors are treated to views of the Olympic Stadium, the Orbit tower and other venues but some customers have taken exception to the charges.
Paul Atack, 65, from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, said: "I've come all the way down to London to see the Olympic Park. I'm surprised that I can't even get near it. The park volunteers told me to go to John Lewis but I didn't expect to be paying for it.

"A John Lewis store with a view of the Olympic Stadium and other venues is charging customers to look out of its window


A spokeswoman for John Lewis confirmed the fee had been introduced.
She said: "We have introduced a small charge to enter the viewing gallery at our Stratford shop - £2 for adults, under 16 years go free - as operationally we felt the need to separate those customers who wish to visit the London 2012 shop and those who wish to experience the view. This is something we've introduced from a need to manage the crowds.
"The net profit from our London 2012 shop in Stratford goes back to London 2012, and any proceeds taken from customers paying to visit the viewing gallery will be donated to local charities."
Those include housing charity East Thames Potential, homeless charity Cardboard Citizens and The Panathlon Challenge, a charity for disadvantaged young people.
John Lewis chose the location of the store partly because it would have a great view of the Olympic Park, the spokeswoman added.

Pendleton storms to keirin gold




Victoria Pendleton claimed Great Britain's third gold medal in two days of competition at the London 2012 Olympic velodrome with a stunning triumph in the keirin.
Moments after watching Ed Clancy, Geraint Thomas, Peter Kennaugh and Steven Burke clock a world record three minutes 51.659 seconds to triumph by a supreme margin ahead of arch-rivals Australia, Pendleton delivered in her least favoured event.
In the event which begins behind a motorised Derny bike, the 31-year-old from Stotfold, who is set to retire after London 2012, stormed to victory. Guo Shuang of China was second, with Lee Wai Sze of Hong Kong third.
The win sparked jubilant scenes from coach Jan van Eijden, British Cycling performance director Dave Brailsford and head coach Shane Sutton and was Britain's third gold medal of the track programme after Sir Chris Hoy, Philip Hindes and Jason Kenny won the men's team sprint on day one.


Victoria Pendleton celebrates after winning keirin gold on the line


















Victoria Pendleton celebrates after winning keirin gold on the line



It was Britain's third success from four events. Pendleton won the second gold after her Olympic sprint title in 2008 and continued an eventful final competition for the multiple world champion.
World champion Anna Meares made an early move as soon as the pace-setting bike went off, but Pendleton accelerated from one-and-a-half laps to go and took to the front before sensationally pulling away to claim her second Olympic gold. Meares, of Australia, was a distant fifth. Pendleton celebrated with her fiance Scott Gardner, a coach with British Cycling.
Pendleton said it was hard not to be distracted by the excitement British riders' success was causing in the velodrome.
"I can barely believe it right now," Pendleton told BBC1. "It was really hard with the excitement of the great job the girls did qualifying with a world record and then the guys smash the world record and win a gold medal - I was just, like, 'Focus, Vic, focus. You've still got a race'. But it was so hard. I can't believe it.
"Thank you so much to everyone who's helped me get here. The crowd have been fantastic and it really helped me."
Told she had produced the perfect tactical race, Pendleton said: "I think Jan [van Eijden, coach] might have something to say about that. But he said to me, 'Don't look for their race. Just make your own. When it's your moment, just go'. My legs were good from last night and I still wanted to really show what I've got and it worked out okay, I guess.

Thursday, August 2, 2012

A week in style




Style guru Nick Ede reveals who was a fashion hit and who was style miss this week.
Nick says: 'Blake Lively is the ultimate female bombshell in this figure-hugging, floor-length gown by Zuhair Murad. Rocking masculine tailoring one day and a feminine floaty dress the next proves she really can pull off any look. Swoon!'

nick says: 'Rihanna looks red hot in masculine tailoring. This co-ord jacket and trouser combo is a big hit for S/S. Howeve,r I would have loved to have seen her short hair slicked back - but all in all, a good outfit choice Riri.'

Nick says: 'Jessie's a clear miss in these Rocky Horror Show ensemble. The open denim jeans and pink dip dye hair is a punk look gone wrong. However, Jessie gets the right amount of quirk in her peach crop top and Beetlejuice jeans. Remember Jess, less is more.'


Nick says: 'Emma Stone is rocking the electric blue look this season. Her pale skin works perfectly with this colour giving her gamine look the punch it needs. This simple tip of adding a punch of colour to any outfit will keep you right on trend for SS12. Take note girls!'


Nick says: 'For me nothing is right with this outfit. The ultra-skintight jersey fabric looks cheap and makes Miley's fantastic figure look mundane. This is a clear style miss.'
Nick says: 'Holly is the epitome of Jessica Rabbit in this outfit. The little white collar only adds to her sex appeal while her windswept hair gives her a typical 'girl next door' look, which keeps the outfit girly and classy. There's only one way to describe this outfit...super cute.'
Nick says: 'Whitney Port's look is the ultimate in relaxed city-girl chic. Her printed trousers and cropped tee couldn't be more on trend, so S/S. '



Nick says: 'Katy is the image of French chic in this beautiful red prom dress. The cinched-in waist and full skirt is a beautifully classic style. However, the velvet fabric and purple-tinged hair make the look modern and unique. A clear style hit.'
Nick says: 'Beatrice, I would love to say that I love this outfit and on first glance- I do! But on closer inspection the flared electric blue cuffs scream Adam Ant and the mis-matching clutch and heels all make the outfit drab and dull. Sorry B.'



Nick says: 'Jess has really turned it up in the style stakes recently, opting for bright colours and neon splashes. I love the faded red jeans with this boho top. She is certainly one hot mama!'

The modern day Spice Girls? Welcome new girl group Vida


Question: If you mixed the brashness of the Spice Girls, the vocal power of Destiny's Child and the ambitious style of Cher Lloyd what do you get? Answer: New girl group on the block, Vida.
The street-savvy girls are set to burst into the charts with their debut single Boombox later this summer. But who the devil are these girls? And where have they appeared from?
MSN Music spent the morning trying to get a word in edgeways with the chatty group, digging for dirt about their time on tour with JLS, questioning what a pop-up toaster is (all will be explained) and talking about Vida's huge ambitions for the future.
Vida (© Outside Organisation)
The VIda girls are ready to hit the charts with single Boombox
"We just want to keep working hard really, because nothing's too much at the moment", Che3ks told MSN.
"I think because we've all had our own individual journeys, and believe me we've had our days, months, years where we struggled, I don't think we'll forget that any time soon."
With the X Factor hitting our screens again soon, and last year's winners Little Mix primed to climb the charts this summer, do the Vida girls view the Little Mix crew as a threat?
"I think we're so different. It's nice to see other girl groups coming out. It's like girl power!" Jade explained.
"Big up to them (Little Mix) for winning the X Factor because I know there's not been anyone else like them win", V.Vee said.
"I think they paved the path for a lot of girl groups to come. Right now there are a lot of girl groups coming out, but everyone's doing something different.
"We're about to take over - all the boys move aside."
Vida (© Outside Organisation)
“We’re about to take over – all the boys move aside”, V.Vee said
Mieow - boys take note! We wouldn't mess with these girls. Their determination is second to none - but it hasn't been instant success for the feisty foursome.
AJ explained: ": I put the band together in 2010."
"Myself and Che3ks are from Manchester - I hounded her on MySpace. She spat a few bars to me at a grime night, because I was looking for a rapper, and I was like 'Yep, she's amazing'".
"V.Vee and I had the same vocal coach so that's how we knew each other and Jade and I had done backing dancing together", Aj continued.
The group has come a long way since working the club scene, thanks to a certain member of JLS:
"Oritse came to watch one of our shows when we were doing the clubs, came backstage after the show and agreed to be our mentor!" AJ told MSN.
V.Vee continued: " I was so starstruck! I remember when we found out we might be touring with the boys (JLS) and everyone was going 'Oh my god, oh my god!'
"The tour was amazing."
Vida (© Outside Organisation)
MSN Music's Felicity met the Vida girls!
With comparisons to Little Mix flying around and working with JLS, would the girls ever have contemplated auditioning for the X Factor or The Voice?
Jade didn't think they would: "It's really good for the people who have done that, obviously JLS came from the X Factor. But for us, no.
"It wouldn't suit us to go down that route because we're so strong minded", she explained.
"They couldn't handle it. They'd be saying "do this" and we'd say no!" V.Vee joked.
"We'd go on stage and sing a different song! They'd be like 'I swear we didn't tell you to sing that!'"
With awards season just around the corner, the girls are thrilled to have been nominated for the Brand New for 2012 MTV award
"We're a very ambitious group", Jade said.
"We've also won our first award! An Urban Music Award which means the world to us!", AJ added.
So what do the girls foresee for Vida in a year's time?
"Ooooh! Definitely with a few top ten singles, an album... After supporting the JLS boys on tour, I think we would definitely like to have our own tour." AJ said.
Jade added: "That would be the dream"
To which Che3ks replied: "Oh my god yeah! We want our own pop-up toaster."
(For all of you as confused as we were at this remark, the girls explained this isn't a household item used to toast bread - but a piece of stage equipment used to launch popstars onto stage. "We want to be human bread", V.Vee giggled.)
For four girls just starting out in the daunting world of the music industry, Vida are sassy, determined and extremely talented. And my, they can talk!
We predict huge things for the fabulous foursome! Put your Vs up ladies!