Latest news with #MacKenzie
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘I retired to Portugal – it's like living in a five-star hotel'
Ken MacKenzie has always loved spending time at his holiday home in Praia d'El Rey, in Portugal. So after retiring in 2021, he set about trying to convince his wife Diane to move there permanently. The couple had bought a plot of land north of Lisbon in 2007. There were setbacks in getting their project off the ground due to the financial crisis, but by 2011 they had a five-bedroom villa – with a pool and sea views. During school holidays the couple, along with their four children, would visit for weeks at a time. MacKenzie would often commute back on Monday mornings to London, where he worked as a partner at an accountancy firm, and then rejoin the family on a Thursday evening. 'It was always in my mind that we could live here in the future, but you do have to recognise that things are going to be different,' says MacKenzie, 64. 'You give up your routine and your day-to-day contact with friends and family.' Finally, in March 2024, the family made the decision to make the holiday villa their full-time home. How to move to Portugal Portugal has long been a popular destination for British expats. Not only is the weather better and the cost of living lower, but it has been relatively easy to get a residence permit and – until recently – there were significant tax breaks for expats. It is estimated that almost 50,000 British expats live in the country. Those moving to Portugal will first need to apply for a residency visa, and then once they are in the country, apply for a residency permit. This is usually valid for two years and can be extended for a further three years, according to Gilda Pereira, of the Portuguese migration agency Ei. After living in the country for five years on this permit, you can apply for a permanent residency permit or citizenship. For all of these, you will need to prove you have sufficient income to live on and accommodation. Since Brexit, a golden visa programme has opened up to UK residents moving to Portugal. This is a visa available to those investing or buying a property in the country, but does not require you to live there permanently. But Pereira says the most common option for UK retirees is a D7 visa, which is available to non-EU nationals who can prove they have the funds to support themselves – with €870 (£753) a month for a single person or €1,305 (£1,130) a month for couples. This does not require an investment. Previously, some expats were eligible for the Non-Habitual Residents (NHR) tax scheme, which offered generous tax breaks to foreign residents – including a reduced tax rate of 10pc on UK pension income. This ended in 2024, although those who had already qualified are able to benefit for 10 years. The MacKenzies moved before the scheme ended, so are able to enjoy this tax break. 'It is attractive that there is a tax benefit, but we would have moved here anyway,' says MacKenzie. The NHR has been replaced by a new scheme, the IFICI, which does not offer any tax breaks on pension income, says Pereira. However, there is no inheritance tax charged in Portugal. The tax was abolished in 2004, and instead residents pay a flat rate of 10pc stamp duty on inherited assets – although close relatives including a spouse, child or parent who inherit are exempt from this. A double-taxation agreement between the UK and Portugal means you will not pay tax twice on the same income. However, those planning to draw on their pension should consider taking their tax-free lump sum before they become Portuguese tax residents, because there is no equivalent tax break in the country. Everyone registered as living in Portugal is entitled to use its national health service. Unlike the NHS, this is not free but the fees are relatively low – at €5 for a GP appointment and €15 to go to A&E. Pereira says: 'Many people choose Portugal for the weather, the friendly people and the healthy lifestyle. However, they can find the bureaucracy a problem. Applying for visas and permits can be difficult so it is worth finding a professional who can help with the process.' MacKenzie adds: 'Moving country is like moving house but more extreme. And then, if you are dealing with retiring at the same time, it means you have to flip your mindset from saving to spending. It can be a massive challenge.' 'I love to sit on the terrace and watch the waves' For MacKenzie, retirement in Portugal is everything he had hoped for. He swims every day and uses his sauna. He plays golf, goes walking with his dog Gizmo, enjoys cycling and going to the gym. The nearest beach is just 250 metres away. 'The weather is so much better than the UK and it's a very outdoors lifestyle. I love to sit on the terrace and watch the waves, it's such a spectacular setting. It feels like living in a five-star hotel,' he says. 'Having the holiday home has made it all easier. I think it would be daunting to move if we hadn't spent time here before.' Portugal is one of the more affordable European countries to live. According to consultancy Immigrant Invest, you can expect to spend about €300 a month on groceries, while a monthly travel pass is €40 and a litre of petrol €1.87. It estimates that a single person needs about €1,780 a month to live comfortably, including rent. Property prices vary significantly across the country, from about €1,500 per square metre in the Alentejo region in the centre and south of the country to €3,644 per square metre in central Lisbon. According to Portugal's national statistics office, house prices across the country increased by a massive 16.3pc in the year to the first quarter of 2025. MacKenzie and his wife downsized their house in the UK to a smaller property in Tunbridge Wells before moving, and now rent it out to get a steady income stream. He also receives an income from investments and draws down on his private pension. The couple will get the full state pension in a few years, and Portugal is one of the countries where retired expats can still benefit from annual increases in the payment – thanks to the UK's valuable triple lock. However, it depends which country you retire in as to whether you will enjoy this protection. For anyone considering a move overseas, MacKenzie recommends attending events to learn more about how to do it. 'The Portuguese Chamber of Commerce does a six-monthly roadshow in the UK, which is very useful. Social media can also be helpful but there is a lot of wrong information out there,' he says. Seeking professional advice can also be worth it for some of the more complex aspects, and the couple have continued using the property agent who looked after their villa when they were in the UK, to help with any issues. 'Portuguese isn't an easy language, and we don't read it or speak it fluently, so having that help was beneficial. It can also be a problem if you don't get the sequence of doing things right, for example, getting into the tax system in Portugal while extracting yourself from the UK can be tricky because the tax year runs differently,' adds MacKenzie. The tax year in Portugal runs with the calendar year from Jan 1 to Dec 31, unlike in the UK where it runs from April 6 to April 5, so you may have a year where you must file a tax return in both countries. 'You need to be realistic about what you want to take on yourself and where you need help.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. 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Elle
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Elle
‘Outlander: Blood of My Blood' Solves a Major Mystery in Its Premiere Episodes
Spoilers below. How sweet it is to be back in bonny Scotland. For all its faults (of which there are a number) Starz's beloved Outlander saga—adapted from Diana Gabaldon's novels of the same name—has almost always done its best work whilst immersing viewers in the wonder of the Highlands. So it's a delight to experience that immersion in the new prequel series, Outlander: Blood of My Blood, which plants its four lead characters within the heart of 18th-century Scotland. If you're new to this time-travel franchise, don't panic. There's no homework required. You needn't devote any extra hours scrolling through the Outlander wiki or studying up on Gabaldon's lastest tome (unless, of course, you want to!). Blood of My Blood is designed for both newbies and super-fans alike: The series does an excellent job tracing connections between itself and its predecessor while presenting an accessible narrative for the casual viewer. The two-episode premiere introduces our two star-crossed couples, and it depicts how they ended up together in the having been born in separate centuries. First, there's Brian Fraser (Jamie Roy) and Ellen MacKenzie (Harriet Slater), eventual parents to Outlander's lead male protagonist, Jamie Fraser. They are both 18th-century Scots, born and bred in tartan. Then there's Julia Beauchamp née Moriston (Hermione Corfield) and Henry Beauchamp (Jeremy Irvine)—already parents to young Claire Beauchamp, the same Claire who eventually travels through time in Outlander to fall in love with Jamie. (You don't actually need to know any of this to appreciate Blood of My Blood, but recognizing Jamie and Claire's ancestors does add further resonance to the story.) When we first encounter them, Julia and Henry are 20th-century Brits, having met during World War I. Episode 1, 'Providence,' spends most of its time with Ellen and Jamie, while episode 2, 'S.W.A.K. (Sealed With A Kiss)' hones in on Julia and Henry. We begin within the walls of Clan MacKenzie's Castle Leoch, where Ellen and her younger siblings, including Colum (Séamus McLean Ross) and Dougal (Sam Retford), are mourning the unexpected death of their father, Red Jacob MacKenzie (Peter Mullan). Because Red Jacob did not name a successor ahead of his passing—like countless men before him, he had 'no intention' of dying so soon—the clan is in limbo. At the upcoming MacKenzie Gathering, the Highlanders will vote for a new laird to lead them, and though they should elect Jacob's eldest child, Ellen, she will never secure the position on account of her sex. But neither will Colum or Dougal, unless they can learn to cease their constant bickering. Of the MacKenzie boys, Colum is the brains, Dougal the brawn. Colum has a physical disability; Dougal is impulsive, wrestled into toxic confidence thanks to their father's abuse. The former lacks the battle experience soldiers will respect; the latter lacks the skills for diplomacy. But if they can't find a way to support each other, they'll split their people's votes, and an outsider could earn the MacKenzie lairdship instead. Ellen initially supports Colum's bid. But that's liable to change when she discovers his plans for her. In flashback scenes, we witness the bond once shared between Red Jacob and Ellen, and we learn that Jacob promised his daughter she'd always be a MacKenzie—and that she would never have to marry against her will. (We also discover she'd have been named 'James,' had she been born male. One of many Easter eggs to come, I'm sure.) As Jacob's funeral procession trudges through the fog-coated hills, Ellen's sisters, Jocasta (Sadhbh Malin) and Janet (Ailsa Davidson), reinforce how much Ellen adored their father: 'I doubt she'll ever love any other man half as much. And with him gone, she's lost her power.' No matter how much they might love their sister, both Colum and Dougal are all too comfortable taking advantage of her weakened position. But before there's any talk of marriage, Dougal has to create some more problems first. Early in episode 1, he and his men chase off a group of would-be cattle thieves, whom Dougal believes (with no real evidence) were sent on behalf of rival clans, either Clan Fraser or Clan Grant. It seems unlikely Clan Fraser is behind the raid. As MacKenzie advisor Ned Gowan (Conor MacNeill) puts it, 'Simon Fraser of Lovat is not much of a threat, considering his lack of status.' No matter—Dougal is perfectly content to pin the blame on the Grants instead. Colum admonishes his brother for being so quick to jump to conclusions, and Ned agrees. Red Jacob had plenty of enemies outside Dougal's immediate suspects. Oh, and speaking of those pesky Frasers... When we finally meet Brian, he's perched on a crumbling stone wall outside Castle Leathers, the current home of his disgraced family. Brian is the bastard son of the aforementioned Simon (Tony Curran), and he tells his cousin Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser (Rory Alexander)—another familiar name from the Outlander-verse—he is most assuredly not going to the upcoming MacKenzie Gathering. Brian's not welcome in the MacKenzie orbit, no matter how much Murtagh wants his help wooing the woman of his dreams: a certain 'lassie' by the name of Ellen MacKenzie. Murtagh reminds Brian that the MacKenzies have never even seen his face before. How would they know any better, were he to traipse upon their lands? What finally convinces Brian is, of course, his own father. Simon is exultant at the news of Red Jacob's passing, and he wants an insider at the Gathering—someone to bring home word of who might lead Clan MacKenzie next. If Simon can get on good terms with this new leader, he might have the chance to restore his reputation and thus his power. He orders Brian to accompany Murtagh to the Gathering, as they'll be less conspicuous traveling as a pair. But before this scene cuts away, an unexpected character makes her first appearance. A maid arrives to serve Simon his supper, and, lo, whom should that maid be but Julia Beauchamp! What's a Sassenach like her doing at Castle Leathers? We'll find out soon enough. For now, Davina Porter (Sara Vickers)—the lead housekeeper at Leathers, as well as Brian's mother—urges Julia to avoid Simon except when absolutely necessary. He is, to put it lightly, a total creep. The Gathering soon arrives, and there, Ellen is desperate to avoid a swarm of would-be suitors. Brian, too, can't help but hide when a group of revelers notice his unfamiliar countenance. Forced inside a stable to avoid a brawl, he inadvertently encounters Ellen amongst the horses. It takes no time for the two to realize the attraction between them. If you know anything at all about Outlander, it's that Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe—who play Jamie and Claire in the flagship series—have capital-C Chemistry. In almost every scene they share, it's as if an invisible string tugs them closer together. Slater and Roy have enormous shoes to fill when it comes to romance, but their first interaction on-camera nails that 'struck by lightning' vibe so essential to Outlander's soulmate ethos. They can't tear their eyes away from each other. Despite their instant connection, neither Ellen nor Jamie know the other's identity. That will prove complicated soon enough, but for the moment Jamie asks Ellen to meet 'in a more suitable place': a bridge on the way to Inverness. Without so much as a thought to what trouble they might be stirring up together, she agrees. In the meantime, the Grants—Isaac (Brian McCardie) and his son, Malcolm (Jhon Lumsden)—arrive at the Gathering with yet another surprising face in tow: Henry Beauchamp!.(Somehow, the Beauchamps are all up in the MacKenzie-Fraser business, despite having no obvious connections to either family.) We learn Henry is now Isaac's bladier, his spokesperson and assistant. Ned is a tad suspicious of this British newcomer, but he nevertheless seeks Henry's counsel in forging a partnership between the Grants and the MacKenzies. Furthermore, he believes the Grants had nothing to do with the attempted raid earlier in the episode. Not that Dougal cares much for Ned's opinion. En route to meet Brian, Ellen runs into another love-struck Highlander: Malcolm, who yearns for Ellen's hand in marriage. He asks to escort Ellen back to her chambers; as his feelings are plainly unrequited, she takes the earliest opportunity to evade him as she heads back toward Castle Leoch. When Malcolm spots her moments later, on the forested roads outside Leoch, he knows she's up to something. He realizes she's not interested in matrimony, and chooses to let her be—for now. Ellen gallops to the bridge, where she meets Brian beside a babbling brook, their profiles bathed in watery sunlight. There, they finally learn each other's identities, and they realize they're in quite the Romeo-and-Juliet situation. ('That is unfortunate,' Ellen says of Brian's surname.) But the taboo nature of their encounter doesn't stop either of them from forging forward. They start on opposite ends of the bridge but draw closer together throughout the scene—there's that invisible string again—until at last their hands touch. (For some fun behind-the-scenes details on this moment, you can read ELLE's exclusive interview with the Blood of My Blood cast. Apparently, Slater and Roy could barely hear each other over the roar of the river beneath them. So much for babbling!) Back at Leoch, Ellen's brothers realize she's missing from the castle. Mrs. Fitz (Sally Messham), head housekeeper for the MacKenzies, tells Colum and Dougal that Ellen was last seen walking with Malcolm Grant. As is his tendency, Dougal assumes the worst and chases the Grants down, nearly beating Malcolm to a pulp before Henry intervenes, promising that no Grant has laid a hand on Ellen. Sure enough, the eldest MacKenzie shows up in her chambers unharmed, and learns her brother's brash actions have put her family in imminent danger. What she doesn't yet know is that Colum is already scheming up a solution—and it involves giving Malcolm Grant what he wants. But enough about the MacKenzies. What about the Beauchamps? Episode 1 ends with a flashback (or, I guess, a flash forward?) to the early 1920s, in which Julia and Henry enjoy some sex on a picnic blanket. Already parents to Claire, whom they've left at home in London with her uncle, they're traveling through Scotland on holiday. As they criss-cross the Highlands in their motorcar, they discuss their life back in England—particularly their fears and excitement around Julia's second pregnancy. But when an elk crosses their path, Henry swerves dramatically, sending them (and the car) plunging into the river. Some fans might expect the Beauchamps to perish here, as, in Outlander, Claire believed her parents died in a car accident. But Julia and Henry both survive, walking for hours through the hills, only to stumble upon—what else?—the standing stones of Craigh na Dun. Here's where a little prior Outlander knowledge is helpful: The stone circle of Craigh na Dun provides a magical gateway through time for those blessed (or cursed, depending on your point of view) with the gift of time travel. Claire Beauchamp was one such traveler, and it seems as though her parents were the same. Julia and Henry inadvertently go through the stones separately, transporting back to the same time period but at different junctures. Thus why they wind up apart, in the respective homes of Clan MacKenzie and Clan Grant. Episode 2, then, depicts how they wound up in those homes. First, we get some important backstory: Julia and Henry's romance began in 1917, while Henry was a lieutenant on the Western Front of World War I. There, he writes an open letter expressing his existential despair from the trenches. Julia Moriston, an employee at the Postal and Telegraph Censorship war office in London, ends up replying. They strike up a correspondence that soon grows passionate, with each feeding the other's mind and soul from miles away. (Henry takes to calling Julia 'my hope.') When his letters suddenly stop arriving, Julia fears he might have died before taking his leave. But then the two cross paths in the middle of London, and it's all they can do to keep from tearing each other's clothes off in broad daylight. (Thankfully, they manage to make it back to Julia's flat in time.) Soon enough, they're married, and in spite of Henry's PTSD-riddled nightmares, they seem happy. But then the episode lurches forward, and we watch as Julia awakens, confused, in 1714 Scotland. Henry is nowhere to be found. To alert him of her whereabouts, she carves the initials 'S.W.A.K.' (short for 'Sealed With A Kiss,' the sign-off from their letters) onto a stone, along with an arrow pointing in the direction she runs to find help. Instead of help, she discovers a group of Scottish farmers who speak nothing but Gaelic, and they end up kidnapping and dumping her at Castle Leathers as a debt repayment to Lord Simon Fraser, for whom she's forced into servitude. At Leathers, not even Brian's kindness—and willingness to take a whipping on Julia's behalf—might be enough to keep her from Simon's leering eye. Meanwhile, Henry (also in 1714 Scotland, though a bit behind his wife) finds Julia's 'S.W.A.K.' message and follows her arrow toward Inverness. There, he has an inadvertent run-in with Malcolm Grant at a local pub. Henry was a solicitor back in London, and so he can't help but recognize the Grants are about to make a piteous business deal. Malcolm, intrigued by Henry's legal acumen, drags him back to his father like a prize pony. To Isaac, Henry reluctantly presents his case for property deeds, plus a bonus 'observation' that the Grants' current bladier is 'misrepresenting' the clan. Isaac punishes this bladier accordingly—mounting his head on a spike—and hires the 'canny' Henry to replace him. Like Julia, Henry is temporarily bound in servitude. But at least in Henry's case, working for the Grants gives him the protection, opportunities, and connections to search the Highlands for Julia. The series then takes a time jump one month later, 'back' to the events of the first episode. Ned and Henry meet in Clan Grant's stagecoach to secure an arrangement: The MacKenzies will offer a betrothal between Ellen and Malcolm in exchange for the Grants' forgiveness for Dougal's attack. An ongoing alliance will blossom between the families. And in exchange for Henry's help making this deal, Ned will help Henry find Julia—or, in Ned's estimation, a woman like her. By their own admission, the Beauchamps are lost without each other. But Henry swears, 'I will not rest until we are reunited.' Julia, from the drafty cellar of Leathers, makes the same promise: 'I'll find a way back to you.' If Outlander has proven anything over the years, it's that these vows are indeed eternal.
Winnipeg Free Press
07-08-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
St. Charles golf club turns back clock to restore legendary architects' original visions for Winnipeg course
Tucked into a deep bend of the Assiniboine River in a western corner of Winnipeg is hallowed ground. It's where legendary golf-course architects Alistair MacKenzie, Donald Ross and later, Stanley Thompson protégé Norman Woods carved out their vision for golf excellence on the Canadian Prairies — three distinct nine-hole layouts, two of which date back to roughly a century ago, that make up St. Charles Country Club. But St. Charles, a private enclave established in 1904 that was then situated well beyond a bustling city's boundaries, had in recent years reached the point where a refresh was needed. SUPPLIED Historical shot of St. Charles clubhouse. SUPPLIED Historical shot of St. Charles clubhouse. At the most basic level, it needed to replace a failing irrigation system. More importantly, it needed to maintain its reputation as the pre-eminent golf club in Manitoba. That meant preserving its rich history — St. Charles is the only club in the world blessed to have the fingerprints of both Ross and MacKenzie on its fairways — while preparing for the future. The club's ambitious plan was approved in 2019 and work started in 2022, with renowned restoration expert Jim Urbina tasked with drawing up the blueprint. A number of different ideas and proposals were considered, but ultimately St. Charles opted to go with restoring the MacKenzie and Ross nines and doing a total revamp of the Woods nine that is being implemented with a heavy influence of Thompson, a Canadian golf architectural legend. MIKE PETERS PHOTO St. Charles Country Club was established in 1904. At the time, it was situated miles away from the city of Winnipeg's edge. MIKE PETERS PHOTO St. Charles Country Club was established in 1904. At the time, it was situated miles away from the city of Winnipeg's edge. 'We were fortunate to be gifted two nines from two of the greatest architects to ever design golf courses in golf history, so it made sense to go with an homage to Thompson,' said Cory Kartusch, who is the director of golf and COO at St. Charles Country Club. 'At the club, we feel that because we were gifted this, it's our duty to preserve it and celebrate it, as opposed to changing it.' Closing nine holes at a time brought a few challenges, but it was for the betterment of the project — more than $13.5 million has been invested since 2022 — and the rewards are now being enjoyed, with the ultimate payoff right around the corner. Urbina admits he was skeptical initially. When the American restoration expert was first approached about getting involved with a multimillion-dollar project at St. Charles, Urbina wasn't convinced MacKenzie had embarked on any projects in Canada. But after doing his due diligence and confirming Winnipeg was in fact home to the only nine holes MacKenzie — whose most famous credits include Augusta National in Georgia, the annual home of the Masters, and Cypress Point and Pasatiempo in California — had designed in Canada, Urbina got excited about the prospect. SUPPLIED MacKenzie's sketch of the nine-hole plan. St. Charles is the only Canadian course designed by the legendary architect. SUPPLIED MacKenzie's sketch of the nine-hole plan. St. Charles is the only Canadian course designed by the legendary architect. 'I came here with the intent of finding out if you really had a MacKenzie golf course,' Urbina said during a recent fireside chat at St. Charles. 'I'm always skeptical.' Several discussions with people from the MacKenzie Society, a non-profit organization devoted to locating, identifying and protecting material related to the legendary architect, got Urbina's juices flowing — though that came with a caveat. 'They said it looked nothing like a MacKenzie golf course,' he said. Harsh as that sounded, Urbina travelled to Winnipeg to see the property for himself, viewed historical aerial and ground-level photos and began to envision the restoration possibilities. SUPPLIED The fourth hole of the original MacKenzie layout in 1931. SUPPLIED The fourth hole of the original MacKenzie layout in 1931. 'It was the only Alistair MacKenzie course in Canada, so why would you want to wipe it off the map?' Urbina asked rhetorically. 'My favourite part (of the project) is showing what you always had.' Work began in 2022 and focused on several key areas: the restoration of the bunkering as it was originally intended, plus the addition of bent grass for fairways, greens and tee boxes, along with an improved irrigation system. Fairways were widened to help improve shot variety and five bunkers were restored between the second and fifth holes, enhancing the visuals and providing some additional hazards — and challenges. The greens were restored to their original size, preserving the contours from the 1928 design. 'My problem is that I'm in love with golden-age designs,' said Urbina. 'I'm not going to modernize it.' On the MacKenzie nine, Urbina also restored the third hole to its original form, making it a short par-4 that offers ample temptation, when considering the risk and reward elements that accompany it. Given the technological advancements in clubs and golf balls, there's often debate over whether other changes should be incorporated into a restoration. Complicating matters is the fact club membership is comprised of a wide range of golfers when it comes to ability and distance, so keeping everyone happy is nearly impossible — even with multiple sets of tee boxes. MIKE PETERS PHOTO The restoration of the Alistair MacKenzie nine included returning the bunkering to what was originally envisioned. MIKE PETERS PHOTO The restoration of the Alistair MacKenzie nine included returning the bunkering to what was originally envisioned. That's why Urbina kept the bunkers in their original spots, rather than try to adjust for modern yardages. 'Who am I to decide what you should be able to do? My job is to restore the golf course to the best of my ability. To a fault, almost,' he said. 'That's the tough part in restoring a golf course. It's not my job to start changing the paint-by-numbers. I don't start changing numbers or changing colours. I give you what you had. ' The MacKenzie nine reopened in 2023 and has matured nicely since. The second wave of the project stuck with the theme of restoration on the nine holes designed by Donald Ross, who is known for his work on Pinehurst No. 2, Seminole and Oak Hill in the U.S. and has 18-hole designs in Manitoba at Pine Ridge Golf Club and Elmhurst Golf and Country Club. SUPPLIED Ross's original drawing of the fifth hole. SUPPLIED Ross's original drawing of the fifth hole. This restoration leg also included significant bunker work to go with the installation of bent grass and an improved irrigation system. Some re-routing of the fifth, sixth and seventh holes also brought back the original vision laid out by Ross. The fifth hole is now a par-4, rather than a sharp left-to-right dogleg par-5, while the seventh hole has reverted back to a right-to-left dogleg par-5. Sandwiched in between is a challenging par-3. 'Recreating the ground green on No. 5 of the Ross; taking out the silly dogleg left seventh hole and returning it back to how Ross initially had drawn it. That wasn't my idea. That was Ross's idea,' said Urbina. 'I just simply put it back, so now members are playing the fifth, sixth and seventh holes as Ross had intended. That was the fun part.' The Ross nine reopened for play in late spring of 2024. St. Charles is nestled in a bend of the Assiniboine River in west Winnipeg. (Google Earth) The final leg of the project is the renovation of the Woods nine, named after Norman Woods, who worked closely with Thompson. Overseeing this project is Riley Johns, who worked with Urbina as a shaper for the MacKenzie and Ross restorations. Johns oozes enthusiasm and has closely studied Thompson's work, which includes 144 courses in Canada beginning in the 1910s. The Thompson influence was evident during a tour of the final nine holes that are under construction. Transforming the Woods nine with a distinct Canadian character is something in which Johns takes great pride. 'I kind of leaned towards doing something different — let's not make this gimmicky and let's just let this thing be its own character in this trio here,' said Johns, who is from Canmore, Alta., and grew up playing the classic Thompson courses at Banff Springs and Jasper. 'Being a huge Stanley Thompson fan, having played many of his golf courses and studied his best, I thought we should do something that was more paying homage to (Thompson). Let's cherry-pick his bunker style from the late 1920s.' For the majority of St. Charles members and guests, the Woods nine was the least favourite of the trio, which is why it's undergoing a more extreme makeover. KEN WIEBE / FREE PRESS The Woods nine, currently under construction, will feature elements favoured by architect Stanley Thompson. KEN WIEBE / FREE PRESS The Woods nine, currently under construction, will feature elements favoured by architect Stanley Thompson. The revamped nine will make excellent use of the 55 acres and will play as a par-35, with five sets of tees that can play 3,301 yards from the farthest tees. Since this layout is being overhauled rather than restored, it will give the club three distinct layouts that offer consistency in terms of quality, but the variety of having the influence of three genius designers on the same property. The aim is for St. Charles to eventually be considered among the premier golf and country clubs in the country. 'Having an Alistair MacKenzie golf course and a Donald Ross golf course right next to you certainly ups the ante,' said Johns of his redesign. 'We knew the course had to at least be in the conversation and stand on its own two feet with these two (other) amazing courses the club has. That was the starting point. 'The next thing is, how do we make this course function? We started to dissect the constraints. Drainage, safety, corridor width and pond size. It was all an issue. The course was broken. There was no patching it together. It was a full remodel, a complete blow-up, shake the Etch-a-Sketch and start over. There were a lot of concerns.' MIKE PETERS PHOTO The fifth, sixth (above) and seventh holes have been returned to the original Ross layout. MIKE PETERS PHOTO The fifth, sixth (above) and seventh holes have been returned to the original Ross layout. Those concerns will be alleviated, thanks to the creativity of Johns and his partner Keith Rhebb. Reshaping the elevation on a number of holes will be visually pleasing and provide better drainage. Bentgrass fairways, tees and greens will be consistent to the MacKenzie and Ross nines, while reconstructed ponds with soft edges will retain more water and present a more natural look. As part of the design, the third and fourth holes will be shorter risk/reward par-4s that feature ample landing area but also potential for bigger numbers with a wayward tee shot or approach. 'No. 3 is probably the one I'm most excited to see come to fruition and play,' Johns said. 'There's a bunker right in front, kind of obscuring the green below. It conceals the land between the bunker and the green and it compresses the land form. There's a deception to it. We started carving bunkers into the old green complex and it really started to come to life. We added a bunker in the back. 'It's a driveable par-4 for the long hitters, it depends on the wind. You're going to have to shape your shot in there.' Johns figures the degree of difficulty for the hole could be raised further in match-play situations, depending on what happens with the first tee shots that are hit in the group. 'If someone goes for it and they get it on the green, everyone else has to kind of follow suit,' he said. 'Those are my favourite holes, the one that forces everyone else to do what the player in front of him just did. I really love the concept of not knowing where your ball has come to rest, but knowing that you hit a good shot. 'As members play this hole more and more and more, they get that feeling 'that's a good one.' So there's an excitement factor of coming around the edge and seeing your ball a foot away from the pin, there's going to be a lot of those scenarios. The reveal.' The yet-to-be named nine — which is almost ready for seeding — is tentatively scheduled to open in late spring of 2026. Another addition to the St. Charles restoration project is the Sitwell Short Game Area, an awe-inspiring space that features a putting course with sweeping undulation sprawled over 35,000 square feet to go along with two other greens that can be used for chipping, wedge play and bunker shots. MIKE PETERS PHOTO The Sitwell Short Game Area is a new addition at St. Charles Country Club which features a putting course that sprawls over 35,000 square feet. MIKE PETERS PHOTO The Sitwell Short Game Area is a new addition at St. Charles Country Club which features a putting course that sprawls over 35,000 square feet. Inspired by the 12th green at Sitwell Park Golf Club in Sheffield, England (a course also designed by MacKenzie), Johns came up with the concept that utilized an untapped area of the property that was used for the collection and storage of grass clippings and trimmed branches. With a scenic view of the Assiniboine River in the background, it's now the equivalent of an amusement park for golfers. It opened for members on July 1. 'It's safe to say that most people who have visited the place are quite blown away,' Kartusch said. 'We were fortunate to have that piece of land available and fortunate to have Riley and his vision for the area. It's far beyond what many would have envisioned for that area. We're very lucky.' MIKE PETERS PHOTO With putting greens and chipping areas, the Sitwell Short Game Area is the equivalent of a golfer's amusement park. MIKE PETERS PHOTO With putting greens and chipping areas, the Sitwell Short Game Area is the equivalent of a golfer's amusement park. Being able to showcase the golf course and its amenities on a national and global stage is something St. Charles has done since its inception. In 2028, the course is committed to hosting the Canadian women 's amateur golf championship. Don't be surprised to see St. Charles welcome back the top women's professionals from the LPGA Tour in one of the years that follow. Should it occur in 2030, that would mark the 20-year anniversary of Michelle Wie winning the CN Women's Open at St. Charles. SUPPLIED St. Charles hosted the 1957 Canadian Amateur championship. With its restoration project nearing completion, it hopes to attract more national and international events. SUPPLIED St. Charles hosted the 1957 Canadian Amateur championship. With its restoration project nearing completion, it hopes to attract more national and international events. The Golden Bear, Jack Nicklaus, participated in the Champions Tour event at St. Charles in 2000 and that's just one of many events that's been hosted there. 'The club is always looking to host national championships and we're always on the lookout for the possibility of events happening at the club,' Kartusch said. Seeing the project in the home stretch — and knowing what is on the horizon — is exhilarating for Kartusch. 'It's super satisfying because it's been a long process for our membership,' he said. 'Their commitment and dedication to this process is finally showing itself. 'For it to be coming to an end and getting back to a 27-hole golf course and being fully functional from a service and experience perspective will be a nice treat for everybody.' X and Bluesky: @WiebesWorld Ken WiebeReporter Ken Wiebe is a sports reporter for the Free Press, with an emphasis on the Winnipeg Jets. He has covered hockey and provided analysis in this market since 2000 for the Winnipeg Sun, The Athletic, and TSN. Ken was a summer intern at the Free Press in 1999 and returned to the Free Press in a full-time capacity in September of 2023. Read more about Ken. Every piece of reporting Ken produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Hamilton Spectator
21-07-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Karen MacKenzie shares her understandings of ‘Wise Practices'
(ANNews) – Since hearing her mother's advice, 'be a good mixer,' Karen MacKenzie, Co-Founder and President of MacKintosh Consulting, an Indigenous owned, international company, has walked with these words of wisdom of how to be in the world. 'I was taught the importance of walking into any space and being able to connect with someone or something is part of being [in good relations],' said MacKenzie. For Karen, her strength comes from knowing how to be self-sufficient and a good mixer – that eventually led her to finding magic in the field of science when studying chemistry. These teachings have shaped how she walks in her current role as a leader, consultant, mentor, and neighbour. MacKenzie's approach to engaging with others is through lateral kindness. Whether she is working with organizations, teams, families, communities, or individuals, she helps them 'move from where they currently are to where they want to be.' 'It is really all about relationships,' said MacKenzie, 'I help connect people in a good way. I am only there as a guide, auntie and kohkom.' 'There are many ways to [get to] where we want to be, through wise practices. There is not only one way of doing things. Everyone comes from a genius—our role is to bring that out,' shared MacKenzie on how she engages with others. She believes that everyone has their own talents and gifts – their own genius. Having a sacred circle is also an important part in engaging in good relations, by building and connecting in harmonious ways, and by lifting each other up. 'In knowing our circles are sacred, it is about ceremony and learning where the magic will happen. In a circle we are looking for diversity—diversity of being and thinking. The role is to try and pull this genius out from inside of us. As Indigenous people, we always had to think outside the box that helped us get to a solution that is unique and simple. Change is our reality—the seasons change, we don't get to decide, we get to respond!' For MacKenzie, it is about looking at community being bigger and wider, and basing it on the ways she was raised from a Cree-Metis perspective of inclusion and abundance. These wise practices come with understanding that, 'Creator made us smart enough to figure it out. If I can't figure it out, then I will find someone that will and [go about it] in a good way.' That understanding gives MacKenzie the confidence to speak up about how Indigenous ways of knowing are very strong and positive and continue to teach her the philosophy of living a good life. 'This can be a wake-up call to do something different, and the core of it is that everything has meaning—it is just up to us [to discover] what that meaning is. And the understanding that we have a relationship. Every morning as the sun rises, 20 little brown birds are waiting for me to come outside and fill the feeder—I honour them, it is a reciprocal relationship. There is so much going on if we open our hearts and our spirits.' Advice MacKenzie would gift to her younger self, 'Find joy wherever you go and know that you are part of a bigger community. Share a language of love and kindness, because when we lift each other up, we start changing the world and ourselves.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Elle
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Elle
An Exclusive Sneak Peek at the First Episodes of ‘Outlander: Blood of My Blood'
In a meadow splayed like a blanket between the peaks of the Scottish Highlands, Jamie Roy and Harriet Slater appear to be alone. The actors' voices are barely audible from within the crumbling cemetery where they've reunited—though the boom mics looming above their heads will solve that problem later. On the horizon, a torrent of machine-generated fog dissolves into the grass, dotted with clover and yellow violets that the surrounding crew members crush underfoot as they huddle beneath a cluster of tents. Together, they help take Scotland back in time: to 1714, the setting of the Starz Outlander prequel series Blood of My Blood , set to premiere on August 8. It's late June 2024 when I step onto this set with a group of other journalists, but the air is crisp enough to warrant a cardigan. Both Roy and Slater are well-outfitted for the climate: In the signature garb of Clans Fraser and MacKenzie, respectively, they look as traditionally Scottish as the hilltops surrounding them. As Roy later tells me, he teared up the first time he put on the costume of Brian Fraser (father of Outlander 's Jamie), one of the series' four lead protagonists. 'It was actually really emotional, seeing those Fraser colors on the tartan, wearing those for the first time,' he says. 'I was like, 'Wow. This is really happening.'' The scene I'm watching is one of several in which Roy and Slater's characters must meet in secret, as the romance between their characters—Brian Fraser and Ellen MacKenzie—is strictly forbidden. (As Slater puts it, they've 'kind of got a Romeo and Juliet vibe' going on.) Eventually, they'll overcome their clans' rivalry to become parents to Jamie, as played by Sam Heughan in the now-iconic flagship series. But, for now, they're still young, in love, and in danger. Sanne Gault Jamie Roy as Brian Fraser and Harriet Slater as Ellen MacKenzie. Hundreds of years later and hundreds of miles away—though, in reality, the two sets are within driving distance of each other—Hermione Corfield sits in a cramped attic flat. As the 20th-century Londoner Julia Moriston, she must navigate a romantic dilemma of her own. She's in love with a soldier on the frontlines of World War I, and she's never once seen his face. But, as Outlander fans will already know, the passionate letters she sends to Henry Beauchamp (Jeremy Irvine) don't go unrequited. Eventually, Julia and Henry, too, will come together, later becoming the parents of Caitriona Balfe's Claire Beauchamp, Outlander 's beloved Sassenach. As these exclusive first-look images from the first two episodes of Outlander: Blood of my Blood reveal, the earliest meetings between the show's lead couples—Brian and Ellen, and Julia and Henry—are pivotal moments. And they're as loaded with magic as the time travel that soon intertwines their stories. While Julia begins the series yearning for her soldier, we're first introduced to Ellen as a grieving daughter. Her father, Red Jacob MacKenzie (Peter Mullan), once promised his eldest child she'd never have to marry. But Jacob's sudden death makes Ellen a political pawn in the hands of her younger brothers, Colum (Séamus McLean Ross) and Dougal (Sam Retford), who each seek the now-vacant MacKenzie lairdship. Ellen has no interest in the marriage matches they lay out for her. Unbeknownst to them, she's already found her soulmate. Brian and Ellen initially collide by accident, but their first planned rendezvous takes place on a bridge revealed in the Blood of My Blood trailer—in a meadow not unlike the one I visited last summer. They begin the scene on opposite ends of the stone structure, uncertain how to proceed, given the scandalous nature of their meeting. (Without a chaperone, Ellen is endangering her reputation as a maiden.) But 'there is this magnetic connection between the two of them,' Roy says, and neither can resist creeping slowly toward each other until, at last, their hands touch. They're meant to be sworn enemies, but the fairies seem to have other plans. Sanne Gault Jamie Roy as Brian Fraser and Harriet Slater as Ellen MacKenzie. A sentiment repeated frequently throughout my visit is that Scotland 'is its own character' in both Outlander and Outlander: Blood of my Blood . But the country's infamous weather doesn't pay much heed to call times. Roy says he and Slater had been looking forward to shooting the bridge scene 'for ages, because it's been with us since day one': They rehearsed it throughout their auditions and chemistry reads. But on the actual day of filming, 'we had four different seasons,' he says. 'It was blowing a gale, then it downpoured, then it started to sleet.' The river running beneath the bridge—all but a murmur in the finalized episode—was loud enough that both Roy and Slater had to use earpieces to understand each other. 'Half the time mine wouldn't work,' he continues. 'So I would see Harriet start to say something, her mouth would move, and then it would stop, and I'd be like, 'Oh, okay! My turn!' So that was quite funny.' 'Luckily we both knew each other's lines,' Slater adds. By the time they'd survived multiple rain delays and filmed several angles, the actors were both so cold that Roy wasn't sure he could speak. 'I couldn't feel my face at the end of each take,' he says. 'I wasn't even sure if words were coming out.' During their lunch break, he had to massage his mouth for 'half an hour, because I couldn't actually chew my food.' Of course, the weather cooperated just in time to give the scene the air of enchantment it needed to convince audiences Jamie and Ellen are indeed headed for a life-changing love affair. The wind whips up as Brian steps forward; the gloom parts to wash them both in sunlight. '[Jamie] has this line where he introduces himself for the first time, and he says, 'I'm Brian Fraser,' and [at one point] the sun just came out from behind the cloud behind him,' Slater tells me, laughing. 'It was almost like he was the Messiah.' Sanne Gault Jeremy Irvine as Henry Beauchamp and Hermione Corfield as Julia Moriston. Julia and Henry's first meeting is no less fateful, though it was perhaps easier to film. Shot on a set of steps in Glasgow's Park District, the scene depicts the couple passing each other by chance in 1917 London. But the 'magnetic draw between them,' Corfield says, is as potent as the one between Brian and Ellen. When Henry speaks aloud a line from their letters, Julia turns around, recognizing her soon-to-be husband in the flesh. 'We were both wondering how that was going to play,' Corfield admits. 'Because, on the page, it's quite interesting just seeing two people not saying anything, walking past each other on a step, and then one person says something and they both go, 'It's you.' It worked because of the romance between them.' Adds Irvine, '[Henry] tries his luck and says something, and it is her. We were joking, myself and Hermione, saying, 'How many other women has he been saying that to that day?'' But Outlander has always existed in a world where anything can happen. When Irvine asked showrunner Matthew B. Roberts about the logic of the scene, Roberts told him, 'Look, this is a romance that's got to have some magic about it.' Irvine continues, 'I didn't really understand that until I saw the episode cut together. I went, 'Yeah, this is something slightly out of this world.' If you believe in fate, and destiny, and soulmates, then this is how it happens.' That magic only intensifies when Julia and Henry's saga intersects with Brian and Henry's. On holiday in Scotland in the 20th century, Julia and Henry inadvertently tumble through time after encountering Outlander 's infamous stones of Craigh na Dun. They separately land in Scotland circa 1714, and they soon meet both the MacKenzies and the Frasers as they fight their way back to each other. Sanne Gault Jeremy Irvine as Henry Beauchamp and Hermione Corfield as Julia Moriston. Corfield was thrilled when she learned that, like Outlander , Blood of My Blood would feature a time-travel plot. 'It's a challenge to play someone that's time-traveled,' she says, 'I don't know any other job where you can possibly say that you are both in the [20th century] and also 1700 Scotland. So it was a challenge, but when I first started reading all the scenes taking place [in the 18th century], I was really excited.' It helps that the lead quartet have become close friends. 'We became actual mates before we had to become colleagues,' Irvine says. 'We spent a few months up here getting ready for the role and doing what production called 'boot camp,' learning all the things that we need to learn for the roles. In that time, we all became very close.' They often spend their evenings and weekends off set together, either singing karaoke in Glasgow or picnicking along one of the country's many lochs. 'We started this project in the depths of winter in Scotland,' Irvine continues. 'When you're doing that, you've got to go and have fun sometimes.' Sanne Gault Hermione Corfield as Julia Moriston. Sanne Gault Jeremy Irvine as Henry Beauchamp. This summer, Roy, Slater, Corfield, and Irvine are all back in the meadows of Scotland, already filming the next chapter. 'I feel very privileged to be shooting a season 2 before season 1's even come out,' Slater says. 'I'm very aware of how rare that is.' Roy shares in that sentiment. 'When we finished the last season, there was no guarantee,' he says. 'It's a spinoff. We don't know [if it will work]. So to get that call that says, 'Hey, we're going to do this again, and you get to revisit these characters and this story?' It is really just a privilege. I hope we get to do it for as long as possible.' Breaking Down the Outlander Family Tree
