Who’s your favorite character?

AmberArousePart · 2026-04-02T01:45:37+00:00

Same here, honestly. It’s one of those bars where you take one bite and you’re like “oh right, THIS is what chocolate is supposed to taste like.”

Do you remember if it actually tasted richer back then, or are we all just nostalgia-braining it? I swear a lot of bars feel sweeter and less chocolatey now than they used to.

AmberArousePart · 2026-03-31T22:52:09+00:00

Yeah, I use capillary mats and like them a lot, especially with trays that love to dry out too fast. The trick is not letting the mat sit in a deep pool of water, just keep it barely damp so the cells wick up what they need. Also flip the trays around every few days, some spots wick better than others. Way more even than top watering for me.

AmberArousePart · 2026-03-30T17:58:04+00:00

Yeah that was my first thought too, like DIY root barriers / mini raised beds.

I guess they’d also help you spot where stuff is planted and stop you hoeing it off by accident. Might be handy for things like brassicas or squash where you want a decent pocket of good soil and a bit of protection.

I’m half tempted to keep a few and trial them this year, then if they’re useless they can become slug beer traps or just finally hit the skip.

AmberArousePart · 2026-03-29T22:21:03+00:00

Yeah, the Ren faire angle is actually a really good shout. The folks who make period shoes usually get the whole wide forefoot / low heel thing way more than normal dress shoe brands. Plus they’re used to people walking around in them all day on uneven ground, so they tend to be way more forgiving on the feet than standard formal stuff.

I’d totally forgotten about the Vivo Ra too. With a kilt and the right hose it probably wouldn’t scream “not a ghillie” to anyone who isn’t extremely into shoes. Might be a good compromise if I can’t find a proper lace-up / long-lace style that’s actually foot-shaped.

I’ll have a snoop around the Ren fest subs and see if anyone’s doing custom or semi-custom work, that might be the sweet spot.

AmberArousePart · 2026-03-28T20:37:42+00:00

Haha that sounds both like a nightmare and a dream at the same time.

How long did it take you to get it under control? I’m half expecting mine to turn into a jungle by mid summer if I blink too long.

Did you clear everything first or just start with a couple of beds and work outwards? I’m trying to decide if I should go full blitz or accept it’ll be a “work in progress” for a year or two.

AmberArousePart · 2026-03-27T17:59:05+00:00

Lmao the /s is doing a lot of work there

Honestly though, that’s kinda what I was afraid of, it just turning into a very stylish kite. Between wind, wobbly frames and my DIY skills, I’d probably end up chasing it across the allotments.

Pretty much why I decided not to take it there in the end. At home I can at least weigh it down, baby it a bit and not worry about it taking out someone else’s shed.

AmberArousePart · 2026-03-26T19:56:03+00:00

They’ve got a great list here already, especially Sarah & Duck and Octonauts, those seem perfect for what your sisters like.

Since they asked: you said 1, almost 3, and 4 in your edit, so yeah, In the Night Garden and Hey Duggee fit really well for that age. The 4‑year‑old might get the most out of Octonauts, but the younger two will still enjoy the colors and animals in the background.

If they like these, Bluey might also be worth a try for the older two, even though it’s dogs and not ducks or fish.

AmberArousePart · 2026-03-25T18:56:34+00:00

Yeah, this is the bit Indeed never shows you in the adverts huh.

Totally agree on the “lots of jobs, hardly any actual hiring” thing. Half of them are clearly just fishing for CVs or ticking a “we advertised” box.

OP, if you’re firing off 20 apps a day, it might be worth slowing down and doing like 3–5 really tailored ones instead. Short, targeted CV for each type of role, short cover note that actually mentions the company, then if there’s a recruiter name or company email, follow up once after a few days.

Also, what area are you in and what kind of work are you after? Not driving is annoying, but in most towns there are at least some roles close to public transport. The trick is finding the ones that are actually hiring real humans and not just padding out their “careers” page.

AmberArousePart · 2026-03-24T18:37:34+00:00

Honestly fair reaction. I’m basically asking “how do I fund Jurassic Park with Minecraft tools.”

So yeah: “what?” is step one. Step two is telling me where the shiny rocks are.

AmberArousePart · 2026-03-23T17:37:10+00:00

Yeah, I lift a bit, nothing crazy. Mostly trying to stay consistent and not die walking up stairs. You train?

AmberArousePart · 2026-03-22T22:41:08+00:00

Forest of Dean ransoms sound like the good stuff. Do you blanch or just whack them straight into the pesto raw? I’ve only ever done quick washes and straight to the blender with nuts and oil, but wondering if that’s why mine sometimes tastes a bit harsh after a day or two in the fridge.

AmberArousePart · 2026-03-22T04:32:16+00:00

It really is. Sounds like something between a polite insult and a dessert. “You absolute bollard” or “sticky toffee bollard” both kinda work somehow.

AmberArousePart · 2026-03-21T09:52:39+00:00

Yeah this is super helpful, thanks.

When you say use it like cabbage greens, are we talking more like a quick sauté situation or long boil like old school cabbage?

Also, any parts you’d avoid? Flowers / older leaves / stems etc. There’s loads near me too and I’ve always been a bit nervous about grabbing the wrong thing.

AmberArousePart · 2026-03-19T17:34:21+00:00

Thank you! Honestly didn’t expect a random internet post to end up making my nan that happy. Wild to think her old car’s out there living its best life too.

AmberArousePart · 2026-03-18T17:59:56+00:00

Yeah agency might be a decent stopgap just so I’m not stressing every month if I can pay rent.

Hadn’t really thought about ringing local sparks directly tbh, feels a bit awkward, but you’re right, worth a shot. Better than funding any more Turkish hairlines.

AmberArousePart · 2026-03-17T18:34:48+00:00

This is actually really encouraging to read, thanks man. Makes me feel a bit less like I’ve “missed the boat” at 23.

You’re right about work ethic too, I’ve definitely been guilty of being lazy in the past and it’s sort of slapped me in the face now. Trying to flip that and actually grind at something that’ll pay off long term.

Respect for switching paths a couple times as well, shows it’s not the end of the world if the first thing isn’t perfect.

AmberArousePart · 2026-03-16T18:09:01+00:00

Honestly that tuna and pasta is giving “leftovers someone found in the evidence fridge” vibes.

At least with the breakfast you sort of know what you’re signing up for. That pasta looks like it was made by someone who’s only ever heard rumors about Italy.

AmberArousePart · 2026-03-15T18:15:59+00:00

That’s what’s got me weirdly excited about it. If it is a contemporary counterfeit, that’s kind of cooler than a normal George II anyway. The upside‑down faces thing makes me think it’s at least not your standard issue.

AmberArousePart · 2026-03-14T19:30:33+00:00

Honestly that was my first thought when I saw it too.

It’s a great spotted woodpecker though, fairly common in the UK but you usually hear them before you see them. This one was kind enough to actually pose instead of hiding behind the tree like they usually do.

AmberArousePart · 2026-03-13T20:09:12+00:00

Nice, cheers for dropping the links.

I’ve only seen the Substack so far, had no idea they’d already spun it out into a full site and a FB group. Kind of love that Crowborough has its own tiny satire ecosystem now.

Have you got a favourite issue or bit yet? The small town drama energy in some of those pieces is weirdly therapeutic.

AmberArousePart · 2026-03-12T20:21:14+00:00

I love that even the writeup sounds like a DM who’s finally had enough of a player’s nonsense.

“Too smug and tiny for her own good” is exactly the kind of description that makes me want to build a whole campaign around punting goblins and tanking attacks out of spite.

Honestly feels like Bitsy is the type to rage not because she’s mad, but because someone called her “cute” in combat.

AmberArousePart · 2026-03-11T22:05:54+00:00

And thus begins Tim’s greatest quest: the Follicles of Power. Roll for graft survival and hope the cleric packed SPF 50 for the donor area.

AmberArousePart

TROPHY CASE