The other day, a visiting friend and I planned a trip to the seaside. I was taking her on the scenic route to the station, ambling happily along, when she pointed out: we might miss our train. We made it with seconds to spare. My friend was very understanding, but it was a wake-up call. … Read more
There are two types of people on any UK hiking trail: those wearing walking boots, and those who have yet to experience the unmistakable sensation of cowpat seeping through their trainers. I belong in the first camp and firmly believe that the great outdoors is best enjoyed in appropriate footwear. The Guardian’s journalism is independent. … Read more
If you want to make a single person angry, ask them about dating apps. Chances are they’ve tried using them at least once – just under 5 million adults in the UK visited an online dating service in May 2024, according to Ofcom’s Online Nation report – and will have a diatribe ready to go. … Read more
Name: The 52-hour work week. Age: Relatively new – our hunter-gatherer ancestors probably only worked for 15 hours a week. Appearance: Frazzled. How much is a 52-hour week, exactly? It works out to 10.4 hours a day, five days a week. Mad. And stupid. You’d have to be, right? A new study suggests those working … Read more
A games console is more than just a dumb box that sits at home these days. With portable versions, sophisticated technology and built-in shops, these entertainment centres are valuable items, costing hundreds. If the worst happens and your Xbox, PlayStation or Nintendo gets stolen, here’s what to do. What to do if your console is … Read more
Today’s punchy and bright-green garlic and coriander soup is an intriguing Portuguese way to use up stale bread. The recipe is adapted from the traditional açorda of Alentejo, where it’s thought of as the region’s signature dish. Açorda is said to have been born from necessity, a waste-saving and resourceful soup that’s transformed by olive … Read more
There’s nothing like a beautiful, bouncy blow-dry from your favourite hair salon to put a spring in your step. However, if you don’t want to spend your days – or your cash – at the salon, then a hot brush could be just the styling tool you need. The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will … Read more
Family mahjong nights are a tradition and a regular occurrence for Katie Guan, 25, and Seshni McKowen, 26. But they are a little different from the ones their grandparents’ generation played with their elders. A soft electronic whirring fills the room instead of clacking sounds of tiles hitting the table, and hands are suspiciously still … Read more
My wife has decided she is done with sex. She hasn’t given a particular reason. I asked if there may be a deeper resentment about me – but she said not. I asked if she perhaps had feelings for other men – but she said not. She is in the later stages of menopause – … Read more
When Laura, a teacher from Manchester, first moved in with her now husband, money was, she said, “almost a non-topic”. They earned similar amounts, split the bills, were often both skint and “felt like equals navigating a fun but slightly precarious time together, with separate bank accounts”. Over time, however, this changed. When the couple … Read more