Daily Post

Interview: I Feel Differently About My Body, I'mjust Happy It Functions ; Robin Walker and Louise Douglas Find Out Why Diane Keaton Is Quite Content Without a Man, Thank You

DIANE Keaton still believes in love but she's just not so fascinated by men anymore. At 58 something has got to give, she admits,and it's being obsessed with men.

Food & Drink: Experiment with Your Tastebuds ; Soup has Flavours Full of Eastern Promise

CHINESE New Year has been and gone. I spent lunch on the day eating dim sums and, later, viewing a fantastic array of stalls that served everything from toys and food to having your name written in Chinese. I have never confessed to be proficient in cooking Asian food. Like many things, the culture of visiting China or Japan must have a great impact and influence,but I have yet to have that pleasure.

Country: Look for Life in a Cold Climate ; How Different Species Fare When the Weather Turns Chilly

WHAT does it mean for wildlife when a sudden cold snap hits our region? The threat of snow and icy roads mean complete chaos for humans in the UK,as we start behaving as if a slippery path is a portent of an ice bound apocalypse, but other species cope a good deal better.

Country: Weekend Walk to Moel Eilio

LET'Sgo...at a little under 2,500ft. ,Moel Eilio isn't as grand as Snowdon or the Glyder peaks that crowd up around Llanberis. But it's a stimulating hike and you'vegot a better chance of a clear view (although you can't bank on that,as I found out!). The lane you'vedriven up continues as a track. Follow it round to the right,over a stile and then bear left.

Antiques: You Could Strike Gould ; Christopher Proudlove Takes a Closer Look at a Remarkable Collection

WITH the weather turning nasty, I thought it was time to turn to more exotic things than slushy pavements and biting winds. The glass case full of stuffed humming birds,illustratedhere, was a distinct help.

Travel: Cornish Coastal Retreat ; Louise Barnett Becomes a Fan of Falmouth

CORNWALL'S north coast resorts seem to have enjoyed something of an image make over in recent years, with wet suit -clad youngsters fuelling its reputation as the country's top surfing destination. Stagnight groups flock to Newquay,halfof London's Chelsea appears tode-camp toRock in the summer months, and the once sleepy fishing village of Padstow is dubbed "Padstein" by locals due to the unmissable impact ofacertain television chef.

Gardening: Make It an Annual Event ; the Bright and Easy Way to Giving Borders a Springboard Into Spring

BEDDING plants provide new adventures in gardening every spring. The reason? Last year's died because either they were genuine annuals which live for only one year or they were too tender to survive a British winter. There are basically two kinds of annual flowers,half-hardy andhardy. Half -hardy varieties demand lots of attention. To reach a worthwhile size,even in the warmest British summer,most of them need to be sown in pots or cells, with heat under glass,and nurtured carefully until the...

Gardening: Diary

Monday,February 2: Heswall and District Horticultural Society, AGM and photo competition,Heswall Hall,Telegraph Road, 7.45pm. Wirral Flower Club, demonstration,Round the Yard,by Rosemary Scholes of Warrington, Royal British Legion Club, 75Pensby Road, Heswall, 7.45pm.

Gardening: Plants of the Week: Dwarf Conifers

LEYLAND cypresses, those quick -growing conifers notorious for creating "hedges from hell",are prominent all year round. But their tiny relatives,dwarf conifers,are barely noticed until this time of year when their role as focal points in beds -often among winter- flowering heathers -can be fully appreciated. Many of the winter heathers,mostly varieties of Eric a carne a ,are lime-tolerant so that, unlike their acid-loving summer cousins, they will grow in most kinds of soil.

Fashion: Pressed for Time ; Cheryl Burquest Advises On What to Look for When Choosing a Suit

WHETHER you're looking for anew job or just want to overhaul your working wardrobe, the suit is a sta-ple for most people. Looking smart in the office, without compromising on style, is essential to give a positiveimpression. After all, what better thanamatching jacket and trousers or skirt to give out an air of professionalism? Finding the right suit can be quite difficult. How do you know what to choose -pinstripe or plain, navy or black, trousers or skirt?

Books: Reviews

The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri (Flamingo, pounds 15.99) It is the brilliant use of detail throughout The Namesake,along with Jhumpa Lahiri's total mastery of narrative, that mark her out as a writer of rare gifts and make this novel such a fine achievement. Ashima has suffered a traumatic upheaval,moving with the husband she does not know from India to America during the 60s. Separated from her own close family, she is lonely and unhappy her baby will be born into a foreign place.

Books: Reviews

Wish I may by Justine Picardie (Picador, pounds 15.99) Justine Picardie's first book,If the Spirit Moves You, was a tribute to her sister Ruth, who died of breast cancer at the age of 33. It was described by critics as "a book of soul". While the passionate and introspective style worked well for that book, it's muchless successful in a work of fiction. The result is a lead character -Kate -looking at the whys and wherefores of the inanities of everyday life,and irritating the reader.

Books: Mind Over Matter ; Cathy Winston Talks to the Hypnotist Paul Mckenna About How He has Turned His Life Around

PAUL McKenna can change your life. He knows this for a fact becausehe's already turned his own life around using the same techniques. Best known for his stage and TV hypnotism shows, McKenna has far more strings to his bow than simply persuading burly lorry drivers that they a reactually primaballerinas.

Books: Best Sellers

Homes: With Plenty of Appeal ; Cheshire Farmhouse has Lots of Room

AN attractive dairy farm in the Cheshire heartland is expected to appeal to a wide range of potential buyers. Manor Farm could be continued as a business and/or be extended into providing enhanced equestrian facilities.

Interiors: Sofas Are Centre Stage ; Gabrielle Fagan Examines What Makes the Sofa the Leading Actor Within the Home This Year

IF THERE'Sone piece of furniture that most people hang on to for far too long it's the sofa. It usually comes second only to abed in terms of its house life. Be warned, sofas a recentre stage this year --and if yours looks sad under the spotlight it could let your whole room down. The trend for more uncluttered settings coupled with the emphasis on relaxation makes chic seating vital; not only for comfort but as a visual statement.

Homes: Country Appointment ; Cheshire Property has Room for Improvement

HEATHFIELD is situated just north of the Cheshire village of Malpas and comprises a country house, separate coach house,gardens and paddock. The property, priced at pounds 525,000,is south west facing and enjoys rural views as well as amenities such as a summerhouse,greenhouse and fruit trees. A paddock and stables arealsolocated within the 1.2 acre plot. Agents say the house does require some modernisation but offers excellent potential. Accommodation on two floors includes a drawing room, d...

Homes: Get On the Property Ladder

LINNET Park has seen some famous football exploits in the past - but now it's a development site it is still a talking point. Persimmon has designed a range of homes on the former site of Runcorn FC specifically aimed at first time buyers. Apartments from pounds 80,000 and houses from pounds 97,000 should score a hit with those attempting to climb on to the housing ladder. Richard Tuke, sales director, said:"We realise how hard it can be to buy your first home which is why we have released a ...

Homes: Carpet Dealers

FAIRCLOUGH Homes is offering purchasers a great deal at its Springfield Parkdevelop-ment on Ditchfield Road. By reserving anew home this weekend they can receive carpets fitted throughout for free. Approaching the end of phaseone, the popularity of this development has led to Faircloughopening its second phase early with anew release of 17 properties.

Homes: Mortgage of the Week

THE UK's leading independent mortgage broker Mortgage Talk highlights the week's best mortgage deals. Short Term Fixed Rate: The Chelsea BuildingSociety is currently offering a fixed rate until January 1, 2006,at 4.54pc(APR5.8pc).The valuation fee is pounds 195, with an arrangement fee of pounds 345.