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Chasing Cherry Blossoms: The UK’s Love Affair with Nature’s Most Fleeting Beauty
There’s something undeniably captivating about cherry blossoms. One minute you’re braving the British drizzle, wrapped in your thickest coat and clutching your trusty umbrella, and the next you’re strolling under fluffy clouds of pink and white petals as they burst into life across parks and gardens. Cherry blossoms (or sakura, as our friends in Japan…
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The Insurance Trap: 7 Months, 2 Kids, and a Kitchen in My Living Room
If someone had told me seven months ago that my home would still be unliveable, I’d have laughed (then probably cried). Yet here I am, almost seven months after a flood wrecked our home, still waiting for my insurance provider to come through. And let me tell you—there’s nothing funny about it. When ‘Temporary’ Becomes…
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Excel, VBA, and AI: The Dream Team for Spreadsheet Superheroes
If you’re anything like most Excel users, your first experience with formulas and VBA probably involved a cocktail of excitement, terror, and bafflement. Excel is the Swiss army knife of business software—capable of managing budgets, performing intricate financial analyses, and even organising your holiday shopping list. VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) turns Excel into a…
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Why Do We Still Do Daylight Savings Time?
Every March, just when you think you’ve got your morning routine nailed, daylight saving time (DST) hits the UK and steals an hour of our precious sleep. Yes, it’s time to “spring forward” again, leaving you yawning over your breakfast tea and toast, and frantically searching for clocks you forgot existed. But have you ever…
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Is Trustpilot a Trustworthy Friend or Fake News Frenzy?
When was the last time you bought something online without reading a single review? If you’re anything like me, reviews aren’t just helpful—they’re essential. But here’s the kicker—are these reviews always reliable? Let’s shine a spotlight on Trustpilot, a platform that has built its name by letting real customers spill the tea. Is Trustpilot really…
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The History of Bridgend: A Town Built on Bridges and Battles
Bridgend, or Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr in Welsh, has always been a place of connection—linking communities across rivers, trade routes, and centuries. Its history is defined by its strategic location between Cardiff and Swansea and its position on the banks of the River Ogmore. Ancient Beginnings: A Prehistoric Past Evidence of human activity around Bridgend dates…
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Will Reeves at Least Try to Deliver Something Resembling Competence
Ah, springtime. Flowers blooming, birds singing, and Labour’s Chancellor Rachel Reeves preparing to unveil her latest fiscal policies with all the enthusiasm of someone about to announce root canal surgery. This Wednesday promises to deliver a double-whammy—combining February’s inflation figures with the much-dreaded Spring Statement. If you’re expecting good news, perhaps sit down first. GDP…
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Treating ADHD: from Meds to Marmite Methods
So, you’ve realised your brain is more chaotic genius than organised planner, and you’re wondering what to do about it. ADHD treatment isn’t just about popping a pill and suddenly becoming a productivity machine (though wouldn’t that be nice?). Nope—treating ADHD is like making the perfect cup of tea. Everyone has their own method, and…
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Finally Labour get Called out on their Unrealistic Approach
With the UK’s net zero commitments increasingly under scrutiny, it seems our current Labour government is discovering that promising the Earth (quite literally) is easier from the opposition benches than from the driver’s seat at Number 10. But fear not, dear reader, as Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch recently stepped in to call Labour’s bluff, pointing…
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Another Headache Labour Didn’t See Coming? What a Shocker!
Oh dear. Just when Labour thought the only thing it had to worry about was perfecting its latest TikTok dance, President Trump goes and slaps a hefty 25% tariff on steel and aluminium imports to the US. That sound you’re hearing? It’s the collective sigh of Labour ministers realising they might actually need a credible…
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When One Brain Gremlin Isn’t Enough
If ADHD were a solo act, that would be chaotic enough. But for most people with ADHD, it doesn’t come alone—it brings mates. Anxiety, depression, sleep issues, and more often tag along like unwanted +1s at a party. In fact, according to the NHS, around 78% of people with ADHD have at least one other…
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ADHD in Adults: Wait… Adults Can Have ADHD?
Picture this: you’re on hold with the GP, listening to Greensleeves for the 87th time. You open Twitter “just for a second,” then get distracted by an article about why pigeons bob their heads when they walk. Suddenly, you’ve lost an hour, forgotten why you rang the GP, and the sospan is boiling over in…
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The Contradicting Mind of an ADHD Brain
Have you ever put the kettle on, only to forget about it and find yourself 20 minutes later, in the living room, wondering why you’re holding a spoon? Maybe you’ve started a DIY project with all the enthusiasm of a contestant on The Great British Bake Off, only to abandon it halfway through like a…
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The History of Swansea: From Viking Port to Industrial Powerhouse
Swansea (Abertawe in Welsh), nestled along the shores of Swansea Bay in South Wales, is a city with a rich and varied history. From its humble beginnings as a Viking trading post to its rise as an industrial giant and its modern transformation, Swansea tells a story of resilience and reinvention. Viking Roots: A Coastal…
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Ain’t It Great to Be Gloomy? (Yes, Actually, It Is)
If you’ve spent any amount of time around young children, you’ve probably had the joy (or horror) of listening to a truly ridiculous number of kids’ songs. Most of them are relentlessly cheerful, filled with sunshine, rainbows, and questionable levels of optimism. But then there’s Ain’t It Great to Be Gloomy? A song that—shockingly—is all…
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The Low Down On Tantric Sex And Intimacy
Let’s get one thing out of the way—when you hear the word “tantric,” do you immediately picture incense-filled rooms, slow-motion breathing exercises, and couples staring deeply into each other’s eyes for what seems like eternity? Well, you’re not alone. But let’s be real—most of us don’t have time for an eight-hour lovemaking marathon, nor the…
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Stitch, Please! My Embroidery Obsession and How You Can Get Hooked Too
Like many great obsessions in my life, embroidery started as a casual interest and quickly became an all-consuming hobby. What was meant to be “a little something fun to try” has now turned into me hoarding embroidery floss like a dragon collecting treasure and spending entire evenings stabbing fabric with unwavering determination. And honestly? I…
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The History of Cardiff: Roman Outpost to Modern Capital
Cardiff, the beating heart of Wales and its dynamic capital city, has a storied past stretching back over 2,000 years. From ancient Roman beginnings and Norman fortresses to becoming the coal-exporting powerhouse of the world, Cardiff’s history is as layered as its cityscape. Roman Beginnings: The Foundations of Caer Dyf Cardiff’s story begins in the…
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The History of Neath: Roman Fort to Industrial Giant
Neath, or Castell-nedd in Welsh, is a town that bridges ancient and modern Wales. Located on the River Neath, it has been shaped by Roman soldiers, medieval warriors, and industrial pioneers. This vibrant history is woven into the very fabric of the town, with its blend of Roman ruins, medieval structures, and industrial landmarks. The…
Eclectic Chronicles
Unscripted Thoughts, Uncharted Stories
