SPECIAL GUEST:

Royal biographer Penny Junor

New book: The Duchess: The Untold Story, HarperCollins $35

FRANCESCA RUDKIN: Movies

Spider-Man: Homecoming starring Robert Downey Jr., Tom Holland, Angourie Rice - Francesca’s verdict:

And a French film … Polina (Danser sa vie) - Francesca’s verdict: 3 out of 5

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11885496

NICI WICKES: Food

Something for the school holidays ... Butterscotch Slice. Slices are a great way to get kids baking as the process is generally simple, the cooking time is short and there’s not a lot of dishes or mess.  You can find audio and tips on our page and for more inspiration visit  http://www.niciwickes.com/  or her Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/#!/niciwickes

RUUD KLEINPASTE: Gardening

It's time to plant fruit trees!

Why? Because you can be assured of decent rain for establishment

Caveat: if it is too wet and the (CLAY!!) hole runs full of water: delay till early spring. Or plant the tree somewhat above the ground level – by 10 to 15 centimeters (maybe create a slightly-raised “border” with punga logs/bricks/old timber)

Go out and select fruit trees from your local garden centre/nursery. Look on label how big they get – wide – high

Some fruit trees (Plums, Pears, feijoa) require the correct pollinators, so you might be looking at planting at least two specimens;  Plan ahead!

For plum pollinators go to:  https://www.waimeanurseries.co.nz/how-to-guide/grow-plums/

Pears: https://www.wairere.co.nz/Fruit-and-Nuts/Pear

Growing feijoas: https://feijoafeijoa.wordpress.com/growing-feijoas/

If you have a small garden and two trees won’t fit, you can either get a double-grafted tree (with compatible pollinators on the one specimen tree, or you can plant two separate trees in the one planting hole.  Prune them in future, as if it is a two-stemmed tree, so you get one variety on one side of the tree, and the second variety on the other side of the tree.

Be creative !

BOB CAMPBELL: Wine

Visit Bob's website with over  22,000 wine reviews!  http://bobcampbell.nz/

MIKE YARDLEY: Travel

Bites & Sights in Kyoto: For more insights on exploring Kyoto, Mike's article is on our website www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle 

CATHERINE RAYNES: Books

The Party by Robyn Harding, Simon and Schuster $35

The Late Show by Michael Connelly, Allen and Unwin $37

ANDREW DICKENS: Music

Theia 'Self titled EP- Andrew's verdict: 7/10

Captivating, shimmering electropop, reminiscent of a more chilled out Broods.  It’s a classy listen and you can see why the big guys are circling.  Another NZ female singer songwriter to watch.