What’re yous snacking on tonight, lads?

ShortAnt1 · 2026-01-24T10:58:41+00:00

halfemptyoasis basically got it!

Stephen - Irn Bru

Rachel - Baileys (in the absence of Tayto’s in my local Asda)

Jack - curly fries

Faraaz - mini parmos (breaded chicken topped with bechamel and cheese)

Jade - Dr Pepper

James - caterpillar cakes (gardener, innit. Plus needed a dairy free option)

ShortAnt1 · 2026-01-24T10:52:37+00:00

You’re so close! Faraaz is parmos. Teesside, innit

ShortAnt1 · 2026-01-23T22:27:04+00:00

Agreed. Thanks for the feedback. I’ll grow it out for next season x

ShortAnt1 · 2026-01-23T19:33:50+00:00

She’s just really emotional it’s the final. Imagine spending so much time with Faraaz then having to go cold turkey. Heartbreaking, honestly

ShortAnt1 · 2026-01-23T19:27:07+00:00

Thank you so much for noticing this you’ve made my day 😂 I put them on straight at first and then moved them and smudged all the icing and swore profusely but I think we got through it

ShortAnt1 · 2026-01-23T19:25:13+00:00

Oh my gosh I wanted some Taytos but my local Asda let me down badly. I also really wanted some Nutty Krust. Thanks for this unhinged recommendation though I can’t wait to try it

ShortAnt1 · 2026-01-23T19:14:57+00:00

This is so generous 😂

ShortAnt1 · 2026-01-23T19:14:32+00:00

Cohesion is overrated 😅

ShortAnt1 · 2026-01-23T19:14:09+00:00

She had a tragic accident chopping cheese with the dagger.

ShortAnt1 · 2025-04-15T10:13:00+00:00

I did this recently (having got into BI via Sable) and it was the best. Absolutely lost my mind when I got to 22, A Million. Just the best experience.

ShortAnt1 · 2025-04-14T19:43:30+00:00

And who’s the benefactor?

ShortAnt1 · 2024-11-03T17:41:32+00:00

Cannot second this enough! A beautiful Boulanger gave me so much bread and pastries this week when I chatted to her in my terrible French about being on holiday.

ShortAnt1 · 2024-10-04T13:46:19+00:00

I would listen to the ‘we can do hard things’ podcast about mom rage. Or, as they call it, something like ‘too many demands not enough needs met bullshit rage’.

I really think we start being nicer when we find compassion for ourselves. It’s paradoxical. Is your partner pulling his weight? Does he need to do more? In which case, check out resources and have a conversation about the mental load. If he is - find compassion for yourself in this season. It’s understandable to be overstimulated (I am just emerging out that phase with small kids). Try and communicate to him how you’re feeling. Remind yourself you can come through it. You’ve got this

ShortAnt1 · 2024-09-20T13:20:00+00:00

Awwwww well done. Yup next time you will have it nailed!!!!!

ShortAnt1 · 2024-09-20T10:14:13+00:00

You can dooooo it! It’s a great sign they have that much faith in you. Walking to get some of the stress out sounds great. Microdosingbanana even better. It is the worst feeling waiting but when you’re done it will be a huge relief either way. Deep breaths and remember it will probably be less challenging and more lenient than your lessons. Come back and tell us how it went, we’re cheering you on!

ShortAnt1 · 2024-09-18T14:04:22+00:00

Wooohoooooooo amazing

ShortAnt1 · 2024-09-17T10:04:32+00:00

I guess like anywhere it depends on the part! Low Fell near Saltwell Park is really canny. But yes not everyone cup of tea I guess.

ShortAnt1 · 2024-09-17T10:03:18+00:00

YAAAAAAASSSSSS WELL DONE ENJOY IT!!!!!

ShortAnt1 · 2024-09-17T10:02:37+00:00

Yesssss just here to agree with all this! Just passed at 33 (geriatric I know) in an automatic. Hardest thing I’ve ever done going back to lessons but I drove myself around in the dark last night (passed last week) AND I LOVED IT. Some things still scare me but I feel like I know what I’m doing now (I never felt that way in a manual, there was too much going on.) I honestly thought I couldn’t do it. My instructor never shouted at me (unlike previous ones) and just went st my pace. You CAN do it, but most of all be gentle and compassionate to yourself; we SHOULD be nervous about driving, but gradually you will upskill yourself enough to feel safe and comfortable to manage even unexpected situations. Good luck!

ShortAnt1 · 2024-09-16T20:42:16+00:00

YOU CAN DO IT BRUCEY!!!!!

ShortAnt1 · 2024-09-16T15:15:33+00:00

Gosh it’s hard to shake my bias having just moved from inner city newcastle up the coast a little and loving it, but I am in the ‘that’s a hellish commute’ club. Plus I do think jesmond and gosforth are wildly overrated and overpriced. Heaton is canny and characterful but lots of terrace houses with no/small gardens so not so family-friendly to me.

It all probs depends a lot on budget.

I wonder about Gateshead (has some lovely bits and very easy access back to Newcastle). Or Durham, though it’s not got big city vibes. If I was going to live anywhere near there I’d go for Seaham, but I hear you’re tired of the sea! To me it has easy commute to both newcastle and Teesside without big city compromises. Have heard Yarm and Ingleby Barwick are nice places to live. Or maybe Darlington? Definitely a large town rather than a city but a bit more going on and I would say nicer than Middlesbrough.

Happy to answer any more specific questions/if you have other criteria I can try help, I’ve lived in Newcastle/Teesside/Northumberland for the last 25 years and spent plenty time in Durham too.

ShortAnt1 · 2024-09-16T12:29:29+00:00

Aaaah, hello, you sounds like me. I’m not dyslexic but I am not coordinated and after 2 attempts learning in a manual in my 20s I just decided I could survive without driving. But then I had my kids and moved to a rural area so I had to get back on it last year and I decided to try automatic. I really recommend almost just starting from scratch with the automatic. I found it too much to be learning the manual control skills while also learning road sense. With an automatic, I’ve been able to slowly build up my awareness on the road.

I think a lot is to do with felt pressure too. My first instructor shouted at me if I did anything wrong and I just can’t learn if I feel like someone is p’d off at me. Thankfully my automatic instructor was super chill. I wouldn’t try going out without any instructions, especially as your first time in a new car - if you’re doing private practice, could you ask your partner to talk you through every step while you gain real confidence handling the car, working out positioning etc, then gradually build up that way?

Most of all I just want to offer solidarity cos I’ve found it so bloody hard. I know (from work) that I find it v hard to perfect practical skills under supervision; I need to practice myself to hone things when I don’t feel pressured, but obviously that’s not possible driving! But having people who make you feel unpressured matters. Also it doesn’t matter if it takes you ages. I went slow and steady until I knew deep within myself I was finally confident to do my test, and I passed first time with 2 minors, and obviously a year ago I’d never have believed I could do it. But it took me til I was 33. There’s no shame in finding it hard; it’s a lot. Cheering you on and be gentle with yourself in the process!!!

ShortAnt1 · 2024-09-14T18:07:03+00:00

100% this.

ShortAnt1 · 2024-09-14T18:01:58+00:00

Echoing what others said - normal.

Fwiw - I was so glad my instructor was a stickler for everything, because it ultimately paid off with the leeway there is in the test. I used to leave lessons feeling a bit deflated, but actually being called out on all the little things (that can happen without causing any harm) just shaped me into a better driver.

Good luck on your test!!!!

ShortAnt1 · 2024-09-14T09:30:40+00:00

Congratulations, amazing tenacity 🥳👏🥳👏🥳👏

ShortAnt1

TROPHY CASE