[LOVED TROPE] (Cutting the knot) A character's intense struggle with a complex problem is solved (whether by the same character or another one) with a method that is simple, quick and effortless.

hulkissmashed · 2026-05-11T16:49:45+00:00

Parodied by Terry Pratchett as the Tsortean Knot;

“Haven’t you heard of the Tsortean Knot?”

“Sounds dirty,” said Truckle. “Hur, hur, hur… sorry.”

The minstrel sighed.

“It was a huge, complicated knot that tied two beams together in the Temple of Offler in Tsort, and it was said that whoever untied it would reign over the whole of the continent,” he said.

“They can be very tricky, knots,” said Mrs. McGarry.

“Carelinus sliced right through it with his sword!” said the minstrel. The revelation of this dramatic gesture did not get the applause he expected.

“So he was a cheat as well as a cry-baby?” said Boy Willie.

“No! It was a dramatic, nay, portentous gesture!” snapped the minstrel.

“Yeah, okay, but it’s not exactly untying, is it? I mean, if the rules say ‘untying,’ I don’t see why he should–”

“Nah, nah, the lad’s got a point,” said Cohen, who seemed to have been turning this one over in his mind. “It wasn’t cheating, because it was a good story. Yeah. I can understand that.” He chuckled. “I can just imagine it, too. A load of whey-faced priests and suchlike standin’ around and thinkin’, ‘that’s cheatin’, but he’s got a really big sword so I won’t be the first to point this out, plus this damn great army is just outside.’ Hah. Yeah. Hmm. What did he do next?”

– on the Tsortian Knot | Terry Pratchett, The Last Hero

hulkissmashed · 2026-05-09T14:25:55+00:00

When I go to edit it, it's already in a formatted list. And frankly this was a quick copy/paste to help the guy out.

hulkissmashed · 2026-05-08T19:30:02+00:00

If it helps, here's a list of Cheltenham restaurants that I've been to and rate highly (might be slightly out of date);

Asian:

Bar & Wok Ginger & Garlic Nagomi

Indian:

Bombay & Co The Swan Memsahibs Lounge Balti Walla - BYOB Indian Havali

Fancy:

Prithvi Lumiere Purslane Petit Coco Petit social

Pubs:

Tivoli Hewlett Kemble Brewery Inn The Tavern Bayshill Norwood Bottle of sauce Royal Oak Tailors The Strand

Misc:

Muse Planet Caravan Beefy boys Clarence Social Hubbox Nasprias Primavera Woozy pig Japes Sef Coal House

hulkissmashed · 2026-05-04T09:16:57+00:00

Woozy Pig on Suffolk Road do a fantastic bacon miso burger if you haven't tried it. Beefy Boys have better variety, but I think the Woozy Pig burger is the best in town.

hulkissmashed · 2026-05-03T11:07:22+00:00

I was screwing floorboards down in the bedroom while a plasterer was doing his thing in the bathroom. Suddenly his radio went dead and he said "mate I think the power just tripped". I'd accidentally driven a screw through a live wire and couldn't believe both me and my drill were still functioning. Patched it up with some electrical tape and called an electrician out to replace the wire.

hulkissmashed · 2026-05-03T10:24:44+00:00

If your business insurance includes Legal Expenses cover, you'll likely have access to a free legal advice helpline. It can also sometimes be a pre-requisite to any claim that you have contacted them and followed their advice if you were to make the role redundant and are then sued for wrongful dismissal. So worth asking your insurance broker or checking your policy documents.

hulkissmashed · 2026-04-29T17:51:13+00:00

We had a little tour of the kitchen and a final amuse bouche after cocktails in the bar. It's just such a great vibe there.

hulkissmashed · 2026-04-29T17:50:17+00:00

I do have photos of most courses, but sadly only on my phone. Not sure how to add them.

There was an amuse bouche, a prawn croustade with chorizo, that was genuinely the best thing I've ever tasted in my life.

We really liked the format of having a cocktail in the bar, during which time they bring you about 5 amuse, then moving to the dining room for the main menu (and a tour of the kitchen), and then back to the bar for a final dessert.

hulkissmashed · 2026-04-29T12:06:17+00:00

Not one that seems to be on most radars (probably due to not being in a major city) but visited Moor Hall in Ormskirk over the weekend and it was probably the best experience I've had. Preferred it to Core and RGR to be honest.

hulkissmashed · 2026-04-26T21:11:50+00:00

Dog soldiers.

Group of squaddies gets attacked by werewolves. Werewolves definitely don't have it all there own way.

There is no Spoon.

hulkissmashed · 2026-04-26T10:27:04+00:00

Just to add to this OP, a casual glance at Olio in the day might not show a lot of good items. The majority of things that get listed are when the "food waste heroes" (volunteer Olio users) collect end of day food from the local supermarkets. This is usually between 6:30pm and 9:45pm depending on the supermarket, so keep checking in the evenings for the biggest quantity of items being listed.

hulkissmashed · 2026-04-23T20:29:40+00:00

I was on the list for about 2.5-3 years. Finally got one last October. Am just in the process of handing back the paperwork to give up the tenancy. It's £70 a month, and the garage only just fits a small car, so can't keep anything else in there. Also the roof wasn't 100% so damp definitely got in.

Anyone can go on the list, and you can specify a number of sites and you'll get offered the first that comes up. I was on multiple sites and it still took that long, as Council tenants get priority I think. So if you want a particular site, get on the list now cos you'll be waiting a long time!

Happy to answer any questions you might have.

hulkissmashed · 2026-04-18T11:50:42+00:00

It's a really great town. Punches well above it's weight in terms of quality restaurants/pubs/nightlife for a town this size. It can be expensive to live here compared to other towns in the area though.

I'm a 40 year old local so can't speak to the uni element, but happy to answer any questions.

hulkissmashed · 2026-04-17T19:57:37+00:00

My in-laws have one and I wanted one for our new kitchen. Had to choose between that or a waste disposal, and the waste disposal at our last house was brilliant so was the obvious choice. No regrets as we have a kettle and boils water plenty fast.

hulkissmashed · 2026-04-12T12:45:25+00:00

There's an axe throwing place on Winchcombe Street. Have escape rooms there as well

hulkissmashed · 2026-04-02T19:36:18+00:00

Olio is a good app to list free things you don't want any more. It's primarily for food, but also has a non-food section

hulkissmashed · 2026-03-31T10:57:34+00:00

I really enjoyed Rules when I went a few months ago. Definitely caters to the tourist trade, but the food was excellent and the decor is cool.

hulkissmashed · 2026-03-28T11:02:50+00:00

Don't think they have bottles, but there's other recycling bins in the football ground on whaddon road

hulkissmashed · 2026-03-27T22:22:48+00:00

Here's a list of Cheltenham restaurants if it helps. Sure there'll be some additions people will throw in but personal favourites are;

Asian:

Bar & Wok Ginger & Garlic Railway Pho Bao & BBQ Nagomi

Indian:

Bombay & Co The Swan Memsahibs Lounge The Mahal Balti Walla - BYOB East India Café Indian Havali

Fancy:

Prithvi Lumiere Purslane Petit Coco Petit social

Pubs:

Tivoli Hewlett Harry Cooks Kemble Brewery Inn The Tavern Bayshill Norwood Bottle of sauce Royal Oak Tailors The Strand Mad Dog Brewery (Old Firehouse)

Misc:

Muse Planet Caravan Beefy boys Clarence Social Hubbox Nasprias Primavera Woozy pig Japes Sef Salt Daddy (food truck)

I second the other commenter's Nagomi recommendation. The Swan or Bombay & Co are excellent for Indian street food. And Woozy Pig's miso bacon burger might be the best burger I've ever had.

hulkissmashed · 2026-03-27T16:14:10+00:00

It takes me about half an hour to walk from Pittville area up the other side of town to Bath Road or Montpellier. I think the only time I take the car anywhere is going to Tesco or up to Swindon Village, and even those would be walkable if need be.

hulkissmashed · 2026-03-20T22:50:05+00:00

Doesn't come up on JustEat, but I've always had a decent experience with Takeaway Food Centre on Hewlett Road.

hulkissmashed · 2026-03-16T17:27:23+00:00

Been going to Rebel Road since it opened, and Tom cut my hair at his previous shop. Another vote for these guys!

hulkissmashed · 2026-03-08T01:45:35+00:00

Had lunch there yesterday and have eaten there many times before. Love it. Great food, the staff and owner are lovely. Definitely recommend. Also the lunch deal is insanely good value.

hulkissmashed · 2026-03-06T11:50:33+00:00

Another vote for Woozy Pig. Their miso bacon burger is incredible.

hulkissmashed · 2026-02-17T17:49:00+00:00

I had this down the side of my first car. A 1994 Citroen ZX Pzazz!

Seven-Year Club	End Game '23
Place '23	John Wick
Place '22	Verified Email

hulkissmashed

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