When I first saw the message, I froze with shock. I had just woken up and, as usual, was spending the first half hour of my day in bed, clearing notifications from social media apps. That day, hidden in my Instagram message requests, was a troll. Their message, which read, “Your actually disgusting and you … Read more
Last week in the comments one user suggested they were going to try to work the new Thursday quiz Minecraft movie-related catchphrase – “Chicken jockey your way out of that one, sunshine” – into a meeting at work, which is to be applauded, and hopefully will inspire more people to do so. But before going … Read more
Name: The Aristocrat Diet. Age: As old as the aristocracy. Appearance: Bland, rich, characterised by an absence of turnips. Why no turnips? Because they’re only fit for cattle. And no deep-fried food either. On health grounds? No, it’s just too lower class. But ice-cream is OK as long as it’s homemade, set in a mould … Read more
I am not sure what surprises me most when I get off the train at Luxembourg’s main station – the sheer friendliness of locals who seem to greet everyone as they pass by with a cheery Moien (hello), or the fact that from this point I will not be paying a penny to travel the … Read more
According to the Guinness World Record’s official website, 351.7cm was the length of the asparagus presented by Harry and Carson Willemse at the Port Elgin Pumpkinfest in Ontario, Canada, on 2 October 2004. Sadly, however, the Pumpkinfest’s own archives hold only the records of master growers and weigh-offs dating back to 2017, and are almost … Read more
A one-of-a-kind mortgage offering a major financial perk – no repayments for the first three months – has been launched in the UK. The deal, unveiled by Skipton Building Society, is the latest innovation aimed at cash-strapped first-time buyers and is designed to provide them with a bit of breathing space as they settle into … Read more
Today’s comforting pie is super-adaptable and brilliant for using up any leftover bits of cheese. The classic homity pie filling of potatoes, onions and cream works beautifully with a jumble of cheese ends – cheddar, stilton, taleggio or whatever pungent blocks and rinds are lurking in your fridge drawer; it’s also a fantastic base for … Read more
Boom boom is this year’s new vibe. It’s a vibe, not just a trend, meaning it takes tectonic rumblings in culture and gives them expression in what we wear and say and drink and watch on TV. The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. Boom boom … Read more
My sister passed away nearly two years ago but I am struggling to get British Gas to accept she is dead. Since her death in July 2023 I have emailed, called and even got the legal firm handling probate to contact it. They sent a certified copy of her death certificate but all that happened … Read more
Look beyond your salary Your employment contract should outline your overall benefits package but it is also worth logging into your company’s intranet or benefits portal. You should find more details there, or speak to your HR department for a breakdown of your entitlements. Some of them will be optional and could include “pension contributions, … Read more