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The Knowledge: Soar with the stars
It's Friday – and our experts are here to tell you how to get the most out of your weekend. Jayne Dawson talks to them
Visit it
Soaring arias will fill the air in the glorious surroundings of Temple Newsam Park on Saturday when Opera In The Park will take place.
This year's event will feature special performances from renowned soloists Alfie Boe and Natasha Marsh together with the Halle Symphony Orchestra and the Leeds Festival chorus.
Tickets are available from local libraries, Leeds Visitor Centre and the Carriageworks Box Office.
Read it
Inherent Vice
Thomas Pynchon
Jonathan Cape 18.99
Private eye Doc Sportello comes, occasionally, out of a marijuana haze to watch the end of an era as free love slips away and paranoia creeps in with the LA fog.
It's been a while since Doc Sportello has seen his ex-girlfriend. Suddenly out of nowhere she shows up with a story about a plot to kidnap a billionaire land developer whom she just happens to be in love with.
It is easy for her to say. It's the tail end of the psychedelic sixties in California., and Doc knows that 'love' is another of those words going around at the moment, like 'trip' or 'groovy',
except that this one usually leads to trouble. In this lively yarn, Thomas Pynchon, provides a classic illustration of the principle that if you can remember the sixties, you weren't there.
Recommended by Waterstone's
Listen to it
A-ha
Foot Of The Mountain
(UMRL)
Morten Harket (right) et al have been going for long enough now to know what sells records, and this release should keep their fans happy enough.
It is dated in the 1980s with songs led by synths and, of course, Morton's trademark vocals.
However, given the current popularity for artists such as La Roux, Frankmusik and Ladyhawke, this style is perfectly acceptable in today's pop climate.
The album opens with Bandstand, a blisteringly typical A-ha single, while title track Foot Of The Mountain is a strong tune.
There are some faults with the album, though: Shadowside is positively boring, as is the terribly named Mother Nature Goes To Heaven.
Get fit
Top trainer Richard Hill gives his exercise tips of the week. For more information, visit www.richardhill .org.uk or www.funclasses .co.uk
When exercising during the hot weather, ensure you take on plenty of water to keep hydrated
Ensure you cover up if you are outdoors. Suncream is still important if you exercise outdoors.
Eat plenty of fresh fruit salads, fruit smoothies and juices to keep your immune system healthy.
Keep planning your exercise sessions and make them priority. Sun and the pub is fine now and again, but keep your discipline.
Enjoy the sunshine. Just 20 minutes exposure a day can help increase vitamin D which is essential for health.
Nest building
People invest lots of money on the right dining table but then often let themselves down with the stuff they put on top of it.
Making sure you have all the right tableware doesn't have to cost much at all. Whether your centrepiece is a pretty vase of flowers, candelabra or a simple salt and pepper set make sure they are right for the room.
These little pieces can add instant glamour and, for an elegant addition, try the Champagne Cork Cruet set. Available from Barker and Stonehouse, visit www.barkerandstonehouse.co.uk for more information.
Eat it
Smoked Salmon Quiche
A very easy recipe when you haven't much time and want to impress. Use bought pastry cases for ease, or if you have plenty of time, make your own all butter pastry. Cook the mixture in four individual tartlets for a smart starter.
Serves 2-4 depending on hunger. Makes one 15-18cm (6-7 inch) tart or 4 small individual tarts
Ingredients
One 15-18 cm (6-7 inch) home-made or bought pastry case
125g (4oz) sliced cold-smoked salmon or trout
2 spring onions, finely sliced
3 eggs
3 tablespoons milk
150g (5oz) full-fat cream cheese
4 tablespoons double cream
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Chopped chives and chillies, to garnish
Method
Preheat the oven to 180C / 350F / Gas Mark 4
Cut the smoked salmon or trout into strips and scatter over the base of the cooked pastry case. Sprinkle the sliced spring onions over the trout.
Beat the three eggs with the milk, season and pour over the trout. Dot with knobs of full fat cream cheese and finally swirl a whoosh of double cream over the lot, season with black pepper. Bake in oven for 20-30 minutes until cooked – it should be just firm.
Serve with salad.
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Weather for Leeds
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
