Travel

Capricorns are known as the hardest working sign in the zodiac, but they still need time to unwind on holiday. While they won’t want anything too adventurous from their holiday, they are not the type to sit around lounging on the beach all day. They will most likely enjoy the planning process as much, if not more than the holiday itself. A good travel destination for those under the Capricorn sign is St. Petersburg. Regarded as the cultural hub of Russia, St Petersburg offers hundreds of museums and worldclass opera and ballet. The architecture of the Romanov empire within the city will appeal to a Capricorn’s love of tradition and opulence.

Prague is also a good option for Capricorns who do not want to travel as far. It is rich in culture; from its stunning historic architecture, varied music scene, and collection of the finest beers in Europe. With thorough planning, Capricorns will not miss an inch of this beautiful city. Capricorn - Jenny Kinnersley

Taurus - Patrick Harland Upon a quick Google for Taurus destinations, you find quickly suggestions for places close to home, a familiar environment in which they are comfortable with lots of good food and alcohol. I however mostly disagree with this, being a Taurus myself, I will base it off the holiday I know I like the most..

Any destination that invites a sense of exploration, and promotes challenging new experiences is a far more appropriate destination for a Taurus.

For this reason any sort of adventure holiday allowing a person to explore the world and themselves is the only suitable holiday. I would suggest Peru, trekking the Inca trail as the ideal Taurus holiday destination, a place with rich history and beautiful scenery, incredible food and most importantly a challenge, to test and intrigue a tourist as no relaxing holiday will help a Taurus as much as a difficult and interesting one would.

However if you as a Taurus disagree it’s of no issue as it’s a common theme amongst Tauruses (Taurusi?) of be- ing head-strong and knowing themselves so in truth any destination is perfect for a Taurus as long as they have had hand in choosing it.

Virgo - Beth Robson

Hi my fellow Virgos! I hope this semester hasn’t been too stressful (who are we kidding, we’re always stressed!) and you’ve had some time to kick back and relax. As the days are getting longer and the sun is starting to peek through the drab winter clouds, I’m sure your feet are itching to go on a (meticulously well-planned) adventure! As an Earth sign, the theme of our trip is nature and letting loose! GASP! We live in a beautiful country so our trip is going to be pretty close to home; the Scottish Highlands. With never-ending mountains to climb, lakes to visit, and valleys to venture in, visiting the Highlands is going to be a great way to look after yourself and your own mental health first this year! As creative control-freaks, this is also the prime opportunity to perfect your art – there’s a reason so much art is inspired by the Scottish Highlands. Naturally analytical creatures, we Virgos have a keen drive to learn and I can’t think of a better opportunity to go somewhere beautiful and learn about the rich history of our Scottish neighbours. Make sure to relax on your trip; Lord knows we need to! We Aquarians are known for being inquisitive and freespirited, as such we deserve to find a holiday destination that befits our nature’s and fulfils our need to learn. Therefore, I believe that the ideal location for us to visit, as an Aquarian is Japan. Japan is renowned for its unique culture, architecture and history. Its stunning pagodas and beautiful zen gardens would pique our creative interests, and the booming technology and science sectors will astound our intellectual and inquisitive minds, as they are filled with new information. Moreover, a trip to Japan will broaden our horizons, and allow our minds to expand and become more aware of other cultures to our own, and as such, creating a sense of unity with the rest of the world- playing into the humanitarian nature of our star sign. Aquarius - Patrick Young

Gemini is most commonly known as the sign of the twins. And what better place to visit than a city that has two faces?

Among the younger generation, Berlin is famed for its nightlife. Public transport that runs 24/7, clubs like Berghain, and bars and pubs that just never seem to shut. Berlin does, however, have another side; the capital city is oozing with culture, ranging from the Berlin Wall that commemorates the sufferings and hardships of the Iron Curtain, to the range of museums and art galleries.

Another interpretation of Berlin as a dream holiday destination for Geminis is naturally the physical and metaphorical divide still evident in the city; even post-reunification, one can still identify the remnants of the formerly divided city. Not only is the economy in the West still more booming and the East boasts Soviet-style tower blocks, but also the unique traffic lights make East Berlin easily distinguishable. Gemini - Grace Dean

Libra - Amanda Goh

Libra is an air sign and we focus on others and love doing things with them. For us, everything is better done as a pair. This would mean travelling with someone you love – whether it be your friends, family or partner. Not only that, we love balance, even on holiday!

As Libras are known to be friendly and social, why not travel to Portugal, known as one of the most welcom- ing places to visit? Not only will you be welcomed by the warm smiles of the Portuguese, you will also feel the warmth of the sun, which we rarely get here in England. As are many things to do in Portugal, from shopping to sightseeing to relaxing to eating, you will be able to get a full tourist and local experience! Take a day trip to Sintra and explore the mountains and palaces, then have a re- laxing evening by the beach! You will get the best of both worlds!

Pisces - Amy Harris Pisces are described as open-minded, curious, joyful, imaginative, artistic people and are said to be the intense dreamers of the zodiac. As a result, we require a holiday destination that allows us to reset, explore and let our creative juices flow. There are many destinations that would suit our personalities. There is Spain, the American Coasts, beaches of England and the tranquil islands of Greece. Hence, choosing a destination can be a challenge. For us Pisceans, we prefer to be near water – not only because we are a water element but also because we find water refreshing, are often mysterious like the ocean and are able to go with the flow. The glaciers, lagoons and mystic cliffs of Iceland are where we will feel most at home. Whether you enjoy it with some of your closets companions or even a solo trip to have some you-time. We do not need to have a lot of stimulation. We like to sit back and relax so a day in the hot springs can give us the peaceful tranquillity we enjoy and we can reset our minds. Sitting back and enjoy the dream-like state Iceland offers its visitors.

Cancer - Rebecca Johnson

If you’re struggling to decide where to visit this summer, why not base your decision on what the stars apparently say? A quick Google search informs me that people with the Cancer star sign are emotional, loyal and sensitive, they need somewhere relaxing and incredibly calm to go on holiday to. One of the best places to go to would be the Nordfjord in Norway.

The Nordfjord region is home to some of the most breath-taking views in the world. It boasts the sixth longest fjord in Norway as well as Europe’s biggest mainland glacier and Europe’s deepest lake. If these stunning sights aren’t enough for you, don’t fear. The region offers all sorts of action-packed activities including skiing, a skylift tour and places of historical interest, including the Nordfjord Folk Museum. There’s also the opportunity to go storm watching and to visit sites where local natural catastrophes happened. If this is a bit too much, there’s always the tours of the glaciers and surrounding areas, to bask in the natural beauty of this remarkable area of Norway.

Where better to send a water fan than a water park? There’ll be slides, wave machines and lots of children who are of a similar mental age to the people who believe in star signs. In a recent article from Cosmopolitan, Kerry Ward describes Scorpios as “the big, bad elder sister of the Water sign crew”. If Scorpios really are the big sister of the water signs, they’ll love a day out at the water park. My siblings and I spent an afternoon over the summer crashing into each other down waterslides as we went in all at once. Scorpios are famously intense, so shouldn’t be fussed about safety regulations.

Of course, failing my initial plan, I’d be more than hap- py to take them elsewhere. The Scorpio sign is associated with Mars and Pluto, and as such, I’d be more than happy to pay for an all-expenses paid trip to Mars. 277 million kilometres from Earth, they might finally stop being able to hear my self-righteous rants about star signs. Scorpio - Joe Molander

If your star sign is an Aries then you probably already know that your current planet is Mars and this means action! You are dynamic, independent and in many cases sporty. You are free in spirit and therefore very spontaneous. You are not one for planning holidays but rather likes to see where life takes you. You want somewhere where you can easily relax and enjoy the fresh air. For an Aries, their holiday destination tends to revolve around a tropical region that basks in the sunshine. That is why for all you Aries out there Brazil is the place for you!

What country is more exotic than this? Adorned with extravagant beaches this is the perfect place to both relax and unwind as well as trying your hand at something new and exciting. Catch your ride on the waves with surfboarding, or take to the beaches and try beach volleyball? Brazil is home to so many natural wonders offering both relaxing and thrilling activities that it is a paradise for any Aries. Aries - Madeleine Raine

Leo - Nimra Rafique

As a fire sign and being ruled by the Sun, it comes to no surprise that the perfect destination for a Leo has to be somewhere hot, passionate and full of big adventures. The first place that comes to mind is Italy, full of culture, history, idyllic scenery and romance. The opportunities are endless in Italy, from Rome, Venice, Verona, Milan etc. However, the perfect spot for a hopeless romantic Leo has to be the beautiful and picturesque cliff-side village, Positano, located in southern Italy’s Amalfi Coast. This destination just oozes romance, passion and beauty, from breathtaking boat rides, to hand-in-hand walks around the colourful town, and ending each day watching a sub- lime sunset. It’s every Leo’s picture-perfect dream, like something straight out of a movie. The flamboyant Leo will fit perfectly into the excitement and enchantment of Positano.

Sagittarius - Isabel Ellis

It’s always lucky to be a Sagittarius when it comes to travel. Us Sags live and breathe to travel and will allow nothing to get in our way of experiencing the four corners of the globe. Being Adventurous, Independent and lovers of the great outdoors; backpacking Peru is the perfect holiday destination for a Sagittarii! Whether that be hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu to witness one of the seven wonders of the world or trekking to the depths of the Amazon rainforest.

Intuition leads our every movement and we desire to feel and explore the world freely (even if this means straying off-the-beaten-path). No dirt nor late night bush wees puts us off anything, as our gritty determination to explore the depths of the world takes centre stage. We are always the perfect travel companion and other zodiacs are queuing up to bag a fun-filled trip with us. So, don your walking boots, set your 4:30am alarms and apply your factor 50 sunscreen and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime!

Image: Zodiac signs from Wikicommons Zodiac traveller: your 2020 picks Image: World from pxfuel.com Image: background frompxhere.com

Eating healthy on a budget F ood is an essential part of a student’s lifestyle. We go through Boots and Tesco meal deals daily, have a Greggs in our library breaks and put everything we have in the freezer together to make a somewhat substantial meal. Eating healthy at university seems like an impossible task when you combine a student-friendly budget and having the time. Spending hours cooking a healthy meal never appeals and the healthy choices in the supermarket are always expensive. With this in mind, I have created a Student Survival Guide to Healthy Eating with a few tips and tricks. Eating healthy isn’t as difficult as it seems. With a small budget, you can still buy a lot of nutritious food that will last and can make a lot of scrummy meals. The idea of eating healthy isn’t usually at the top of the list for priorities, it seems more of an expense and inconvenience. However, by finding a good recipe book or some recipes online that appeal and include ingredients you enjoy it’s a game-changer. A recipe book I recommend is Nosh for Students – A Fun Student Cookbook by Joy May. There are some great healthy meal suggestions, it’s easy, you don’t need any fancy cooking utensils and they are simple recipes to follow. Perfect for students such as ourselves. aren’t expensive either. I always recommend frozen broccoli as it cooks within 4-5 minutes and can bulk up a lot of different meals. Aldi also does some great fruit mix bags, which they recommend adding to smoothies. They are inexpensive, tasty and last for ages. By cooking large portions and freezing them you can save money and also time. When you come home from a long day of lectures all you need to do is defrost a portion in the microwave or heat it up from out the fridge without having to spend ages cooking every night. By bulk cooking two nights a week you’ll be saving lots of time and you will have the time to prepare and cook healthier meals full of vegetables and protein. Maybe dedicate a Sunday evening when you aren’t doing uni work to make a weeks’ worth of meals. Eating healthy can become much easier on a student budget when you know which ingredients last the longest and you have fun recipes to cook. Amy Harris discusses how to eat healthily without breaking the bank Look up fun recipes Bulk cooking

Freeze fruit

Fruit always goes off so quickly in the fridge. Then it seems such a waste to have bought it for it to go off a few days later. So, instead why not freeze them. Get some freezer bags and cut up fruit to then freeze and enjoy later. Grapes are the best straight from the freezer.

Buy frozen

Buy bags of spinach, broccoli, peppers and mixed veg from the supermarket. This can save space in the fridge; reduce waste and they

Who doesn’t love a hearty homemade lasagna? Layers upon layers of pasta, sat in a rich and deli- cious tomato sauce packed with succulent vegetables, perfectly accompanied by cheese running through the white sauce and bubbling beautifully on top. It is perfect for the student diet, budget and lifestyle as it can provide up to three days worth of meals for one person or can serve up to a whole house (depending on the size of your baking dish). Especially in this stormy, cold weather, nothing beats a lush lasagna to warm the cockles and remind us of a good ol’ home cooked treat. Why not pair the serving of lasagna with a fresh salad or some slices of cucumber and tomato? Or if you are feeling adventurous, add a dash of red wine to the tomato sauce for maximum richness! Method: 1. Preheat oven to 200º/400F 2. Chop up vegetables into even sizes pieces 3. Chop up onion and garlic finely 4. Pour some oil into the pan and heat up to a medium heat 5. Add spices, onion and garlic. Simmer until softened. 6. Add the vegetables and simmer on a high heat. 7. Add the mince shortly after and cook through until browned. 8. Pour in the tomato sauce bit by bit, stirring regularly. 9. Sprinkle over some sugar, hot pepper sauce/crushed chillies (to taste) 10. Leave to simmer for approx. 10 minutes, occasionally stirring. 11. Boil some water and in a pan or dish place the lasagna sheets in the water to soften them. 12. Get your dish and start layering up…Tomato sauce -> pasta sheets -> white sauce -> tomato sauce -> pasta sheets…and so on until you reach the top of the dish. 13. Grate some cheese over the top, be as generous as you like. 14. Cook for 25-30 minutes (until you can poke a knife through and feel little resistance from the pasta sheets) 15. Leave to sit for 5 minutes then serve. Ingredients: - 2 peppers - 4 mushrooms - 1 onion - 500g mince (Quorn mince works perfectly too) - 2-3 garlic cloves - All purpose seasoning - Salt and pepper - Hot pepper sauce or crushed chilies - Sugar - Pasta sheets - White sauce - Tomato/pasta sauce or make your own with tomatoes and spice - Cheese and lots of it - Oil Image: @garfield on Instagram I'm dreaming of lasagne Rashida Campbell-Allen gives us her dish of the week Image: Anna Pelzer Unsplash

It’s safe to say that it’s been a difficult few months. Day after day, I walked past her but she just wouldn’t open up to me. She said she’d be back in time for Valentine’s Day, but getting my hopes up just wasn’t worth it. But there was a glimmer of hope – a meal tog ether, someday, maybe, and perhaps a drink too. The date was set, Tuesday 11 February, and my goodness was it a day to remember!

Of course, what else could I be talking about here other than The Five Swans, the popular watering hole perfectly situated between campus and the town centre?

I couldn’t keep my cool and turned up early. A whole twenty minutes before the set time of 8am, in fact. It’s safe to say I was eager: it’s the most reliable my timekeeping has been for some time, but this was important. As the final group of people to leave The Five Swans before its refit (either shameful or a point of pride depending on how you look at it), we’d arranged a group breakfast to mark the inaugural visit appropriately.

My good friend and a Comment Editor for the Courier, Joe Molander, was part of the breakfast party, and speculated that perhaps our memories of the old pub decor could just be “a drunk fever dream.” But, as we walked through the doors for the first time in months, it was clear that was anything but the case.

Beginning downstairs, a fresh carpet was immediately noticeable, with other improvements remaining subtle, though appreciated nevertheless. The wood panelling and paint of the walls must have had some deep cleaning, as years of chip grease and burger sauce remnants made way for a much more hygienic appearance. Clearly, this bastion of booze had needed the TLC. Five swan-themed lights greet you to the new quarters of a completely fresh upstairs, which is clearly the biggest improvement of the refurbishment.

And then we noticed the new staircase, which led to a mysterious new land: upstairs, otherwise known as heaven. As we ascended, it was even clearer how old and tatty the old flight really was and remains – it’s now relegated to an alternative, undesirable route despite the spruce-up. Five swan-themed lights greet you to the new quarters of a completely fresh upstairs, which is clearly the biggest improvement of the refurbishment. Joe was similarly enamoured with the renewed Five Swans, describing it as “nothing less than incredible. The all-new top floor brought things to Five Swans that the establishment has never seen, such as lights, service and enough seats.”

There’s no denying that a trip to The Five Swans is made great by the company you go with, but nevertheless, this pub will always be my Valentine. It only seems right to end this with a haiku, so without further ado… Beautiful Five Swans Hallou – it’s – mi, here for fries For they will save me The Five Swans: a love letter Swan-themed lights greet you to the new quarters George Boatfield praises the recently revamped student pub

Image: George Boatfield Review: Bar + Block Cayla Viner shares her experience of the stylish modern steakhouse S ubtly situated outside The Gate in the town centre is Bar + Block – a light and modern steak restaurant. The first thing you notice is the light wooden décor surrounding the walls and leading you up the stairs into the slightly higgledy-piggledy yet quirky layout. The bar area is the first thing you see and is bright and airy, completely juxtaposing with the restaurant area which is far more moody and atmospheric for evening dining.

We were seated in a little booth and the waiter was quick to recommend the Chilli non Carne to my friend who was immediately put at ease for being a vegetarian at a steakhouse.

From the drinks menu, I ordered a glass of the Vistamar Matinal Merlot to go with my meal; the smooth, fruity red with a hint of oak, paired perfectly with the rich and heavier meat dishes. I would recommend this as a very enjoyable and affordable wine which adapted effortlessly across each course.

As we poured over the menu, our waiter presented us with a small pot of popcorn which had been cooked in beef dripping. They were extremely moreish and admittedly had to hold myself back on countless occa- sions otherwise I would have devoured the whole lot. The beefy flavour was not at all overpowering, and instead made for a very interesting amuse-bouche.

For our starters we had olives and the house breads. Initially that sounds like a very standard choice, however what arrived was far from what I expected. The generous selection of white breads were stacked around a rather peculiar looking butter. After reaching for the first piece of bread which was lovely and warm, I dived into the spread. What I experienced was a rich, creamy and slightly smoky beef-infused butter, and I have to say, it ended up being my favourite dish of the night. I was secretly very pleased that my dinner guest was vegetarian and therefore couldn’t share my meaty bread.

Following some more very sound suggestions from our friendly waiter, I settled on the 8oz sirloin cooked medium rare, and the chilli was selected across the table. I have to be honest, I was more excited when I saw the vegetarian dish arrive, as the chilli – placed in a round pot in the centre – was surrounded by salsas, hand-cut chips, pittas and vegetables. It was an extremely im- pressive colourful display for a heavily meat-orientated restaurant. In no way did my friend feel overlooked for having the meatless option.

My main came with a steak, elegantly decorated with samphire on top and sided with chunky chips and peppercorn sauce. Possibly because I was directly comparing my plate to the rainbow array opposite, I thought the display could have included a salad. That said, the steak was cooked exactly how I like it and had a nice peppery finish. The chips had a crispy outside and if I hadn’t filled up so much on bread beforehand I would have eaten them all gladly.

Lastly, I finished with the apple and blackberry crumble where I had a choice of vanilla ice cream or custard. I chose custard due to the rather cold, wintery weather outside and instantly felt a satisfying warmth as I enjoyed the fruity pudding. Overall, I had a lovely experience at Bar and Block and would not only recommend to meat lovers but to anyone who loves good quality food and excellent service. Image: Steven Joyce at Bar + Block