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I feel so guilty for passing on a hereditary disease I didn’t know I had to my daughter

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Kate with daughter Cleo (Picture: Kate Reilly James)

The three-hour wait to see a doctor at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital A&E didn’t seem necessary for what seemed like a chest infection, but my irritation was quickly forgotten when my six-year-old daughter began coughing up blood.

Eight days later Cleo was discharged from hospital with a diagnosis that has rocked our whole family.

Doctors quickly recognised that Cleo’s oxygen levels were unusually low and, after hours tethered to an oxygen mask, showed no signs of stabilising.

She endured a barrage of investigations including bronchoscopy, MRI, CT, ultra sound, continuous blood tests, intravenous antibiotics and medication, never once complaining or crying. Holding her hand throughout, I’ve never felt so helpless.

Four days after being admitted we met with a paediatric respiratory consultant and what he told us made a family health jigsaw puzzle slot scarily into place.

The small red dots on both mine and Cleo’s hands and tongues, coupled with a long history of persistent, almost daily nosebleeds in the family, brought a diagnosis of suspected hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT).

HHT is an inherited genetic disorder that affects the blood vessels and leads to abnormal vessel formation in the skin, mucous membrane and often in the liver, lungs and brain. Cleo’s scans showed a substantial bleed in her right lung caused by a mass of abnormal blood vessels.

I sat with my little girl on my knee and listened to medical terms, treatment options and specialist advice with tears in my eyes. I felt nothing but guilt.

‘It’s my fault, isn’t it?’ I asked repeatedly.

Cleo is one of those naturally skinny kids, all gangly legs and goofy smiles. She’d started having nosebleeds for about two years and complained of the odd headache and feeling dizzy but it was nothing Calpol couldn’t fix. She hasn’t been a poorly child.

Squeezing her on my lap I was reminded of just how little she is, frail and now facing major surgery. I felt completely responsible.

Cleo with her brother, Logan (Picture: Kate Reilly James)

I had to quickly get to grips with what the potential diagnosis meant for her long-term health, while digesting the fact she was going to lose half of her right lung.

Reeling from the news I also had to call my dad and brother, both of whom have suffered with the same symptoms all their adult lives.

Breaking the news to my 12-year-old daughter, Ellie, was the most difficult. Already worried about her sister, Ellie battles daily nosebleeds that leave her feeling dizzy and over tired, and now she too was to be referred to see the consultant in clinic. We were all scared.

Over the years we’ve all attended ear, nose and throat clinics, and undergone nose cauterisation more than once. None of these tests and investigations ever mentioned HHT or an underlying health issue.

According to CureHHT.org, 90% of people with the faulty gene go undiagnosed until there is a major health issue, just like Cleo. There is no cure for HHT but there are treatments that aid life expectancy.

I was advised not to Google, but instead speak with the respiratory team whenever I needed reassurance, advice or information. I’ve text and called a lot. There’s a lot of ongoing research into HHT and how it affects people at all stages of life.

As a family we’re now taking steps to ensure our GPs can monitor our individual cases. I worry for my four-year-old son, Logan, and what the future holds for him.

We’re now preparing for Cleo’s surgery in the summer holidays, when the specialists at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital will remove the lower right lobe of her lung so we can prepare for year two at school with her friends. Her prospects for a full recovery are good.

I just want her home and to no longer feel guilty for passing on a disease I didn’t even know I had.

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Canterbury and Bristol are the easiest places in the UK to buy a property

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(Picture: Getty)

Gone are the days when we could all look forward to owning a property in London…or many other cities, come to that.

If you do manage to gather together some capital, then the next hurdle is actually going through the whole buying/selling process.

But not all areas are equal, when it comes to nailing property purchases.

Compare the Market has come up with a list of the 10 easiest places in the UK to buy a property, based on the average number of days a property spends on the market, the number of estate agents in the area, the number of properties available per 100,000 people and the average length of time current owners have lived in their properties.

The historic Kent city of Canterbury comes out top, with properties spending just 28 days on average on the market – compared to 89 in London. It’s also got over five times the number of estate agents in relation to its population as London does.

Bristols finishes just behind at number two, thanks to the high numbers of home-owners who don’t settle down long-term; the average person has spent just 2.5 years living in their home, compared to 6.9 years in London.

Top 10 easiest UK cities to buy a home

1. Canterbury (average house price: £311,154)
2. Bristol (average house price: £311,103)
3. Southampton (average house price: £280,128)
4. Manchester (average house price: £185,583)
5. Nottingham (average house price: £194,099)
6. York (average house price: £274,153)
7. Glasgow (average house price: £170,811)
8. Newcastle (average house price: £200,907)
9. Bradford (average house price: £131,036)
10. Portsmouth (average house price: £223,910)

York – recently named the best place to live in the UK – ranks as number six, with Glasgow and Newcastle and Bradford following. And encouragingly, properties in those three cities come well below Compare the Market’s national average price tag of £292,893.

So there might be hope yet.

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Meet the couple teaching their kids to pole dance

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*** EXCLUSIVE - VIDEO AVAILABLE *** ST LOUIS, MISSOURI, MAY 24: Jake Night and Lindsey Teall with children Aiden, 10, Laura, 5 and Roslyn, 3 on May 24, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. A pole dancing couple are not only practicing with their kids, but performing as a five-piece. Jake Night and Lindsey Teall had both performed as exotic dancers when they met and fell in love, but they had no idea that they would pass on their talents to their three children, aged ten, five and three. With a pole set up in the living room, the close-knit family can practice their pole tricks anytime they like, as well as prepare for their performances as a quintet. While Jake and Lindsey have no concerns about their children pole dancing, classifying it as a ?sport?, and denying it is sexual, they?ve received a torrent of abuse online for their lifestyle choice. PHOTOGRAPH BY Brian Gaadt / Barcroft Images
(Picture: Brian Gaadt / Barcroft Images)

Pole dancing requires incredible core strength, a high pain threshold and a good dose of flair.

And it’s something that Lindsey Teall claims her children were ‘born with the bug’ to do, after pole dancing through her pregnancies.

‘I was pole dancing when I was pregnant with both of the girls and I think that when they were born they felt that they were already a part of that art,’ she says.

But Lindsey isn’t the only pole dancer in the family.

Her partner, Jake Night, also dances and together, they’re teaching their three children to twirl like the best of them.

They’ve got a pole set up in their living room; the couple’s 11-year-old son Aiden practices every day after school.

*** EXCLUSIVE - VIDEO AVAILABLE *** ST LOUIS, MISSOURI, MAY 24: Lindsey and Jake's youngest daughter Roslyn, 3, smiles for the camera at their home on May 24, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. A pole dancing couple are not only practicing with their kids, but performing as a five-piece. Jake Night and Lindsey Teall had both performed as exotic dancers when they met and fell in love, but they had no idea that they would pass on their talents to their three children, aged ten, five and three. With a pole set up in the living room, the close-knit family can practice their pole tricks anytime they like, as well as prepare for their performances as a quintet. While Jake and Lindsey have no concerns about their children pole dancing, classifying it as a ?sport?, and denying it is sexual, they?ve received a torrent of abuse online for their lifestyle choice. PHOTOGRAPH BY Brian Gaadt / Barcroft Images
(Picture: Brian Gaadt / Barcroft Images)
*** EXCLUSIVE - VIDEO AVAILABLE *** ST LOUIS, MISSOURI, MAY 24: Jake Night and Lindsey Teall keep a close eye on daughter Laura as she climbs the portable pole in their garden on May 24, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. A pole dancing couple are not only practicing with their kids, but performing as a five-piece. Jake Night and Lindsey Teall had both performed as exotic dancers when they met and fell in love, but they had no idea that they would pass on their talents to their three children, aged ten, five and three. With a pole set up in the living room, the close-knit family can practice their pole tricks anytime they like, as well as prepare for their performances as a quintet. While Jake and Lindsey have no concerns about their children pole dancing, classifying it as a ?sport?, and denying it is sexual, they?ve received a torrent of abuse online for their lifestyle choice. PHOTOGRAPH BY Brian Gaadt / Barcroft Images
(Picture: Brian Gaadt / Barcroft Images)

‘We pole dance every day if not more, I dance at work obviously, then the kids dance when I’m not here and they also dance when I’m here,’ Lindsey says.

‘We feel that pole dancing is a sport for kids as well as for adults because it’s very dance-heavy and it’s also very gymnastics-heavy. You have to be strong, you have to be graceful.’

The couple started to perform together after their daughter, Alaura, was born.

‘We’ve done performances where both of us are on the pole – we’ll do doubles. It was really refreshing – and being able to do it with a partner and adding our kids into that aspect was amazing.’

*** EXCLUSIVE - VIDEO AVAILABLE *** ST LOUIS, MISSOURI, MAY 24: Lindsey Teall, 36, at the family home on May 24, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. A pole dancing couple are not only practicing with their kids, but performing as a five-piece. Jake Night and Lindsey Teall had both performed as exotic dancers when they met and fell in love, but they had no idea that they would pass on their talents to their three children, aged ten, five and three. With a pole set up in the living room, the close-knit family can practice their pole tricks anytime they like, as well as prepare for their performances as a quintet. While Jake and Lindsey have no concerns about their children pole dancing, classifying it as a ?sport?, and denying it is sexual, they?ve received a torrent of abuse online for their lifestyle choice. PHOTOGRAPH BY Brian Gaadt / Barcroft Images
(Picture: Brian Gaadt / Barcroft Images)
*** EXCLUSIVE - VIDEO AVAILABLE *** ST LOUIS, MISSOURI, MAY 24: Lindsey and Jake's eldest daughter Laura, 5, hangs on the pole in the family living room on May 24, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. A pole dancing couple are not only practicing with their kids, but performing as a five-piece. Jake Night and Lindsey Teall had both performed as exotic dancers when they met and fell in love, but they had no idea that they would pass on their talents to their three children, aged ten, five and three. With a pole set up in the living room, the close-knit family can practice their pole tricks anytime they like, as well as prepare for their performances as a quintet. While Jake and Lindsey have no concerns about their children pole dancing, classifying it as a ?sport?, and denying it is sexual, they?ve received a torrent of abuse online for their lifestyle choice. PHOTOGRAPH BY Brian Gaadt / Barcroft Images
(Picture: Brian Gaadt / Barcroft Images)

Lindsey, a former exotic dancer, and Jake say that despite the fact that they haven’t forced their kids into the sport, they’ve received quite a lot of criticism over their involvement in it.

‘We have dealt with a lot of negative comments, I can’t even count, thousands upon thousands upon thousands,’ Jake explains.

‘We’ve heard some pretty horrific things, they were going to hunt us down and kill us and take our children.

*** EXCLUSIVE - VIDEO AVAILABLE *** ST LOUIS, MISSOURI, MAY 24: Jake Night, 36, hangs out on the family pole at their home on May 24, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. A pole dancing couple are not only practicing with their kids, but performing as a five-piece. Jake Night and Lindsey Teall had both performed as exotic dancers when they met and fell in love, but they had no idea that they would pass on their talents to their three children, aged ten, five and three. With a pole set up in the living room, the close-knit family can practice their pole tricks anytime they like, as well as prepare for their performances as a quintet. While Jake and Lindsey have no concerns about their children pole dancing, classifying it as a ?sport?, and denying it is sexual, they?ve received a torrent of abuse online for their lifestyle choice. PHOTOGRAPH BY Brian Gaadt / Barcroft Images
(Picture: Brian Gaadt / Barcroft Images)

‘The naysayers, the haters and everybody like that just makes us, as parents, more protective of them.’

But Lindsey insists that it’s time people revised their attitudes towards pole dancing.

‘I actually don’t have any concern about my children participating in pole dance,’ she says.

‘Stripping is becoming somewhat obsolete, clubs are getting less busy, they’re dying down. Pole dance is taking a new route, it’s evolving into a sport, into an art.’

*** EXCLUSIVE - VIDEO AVAILABLE *** ST LOUIS, MISSOURI, MAY 24: Lindsey Teall's son from her first marriage, Aiden, climbs the pole in the family living room on May 24, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. A pole dancing couple are not only practicing with their kids, but performing as a five-piece. Jake Night and Lindsey Teall had both performed as exotic dancers when they met and fell in love, but they had no idea that they would pass on their talents to their three children, aged ten, five and three. With a pole set up in the living room, the close-knit family can practice their pole tricks anytime they like, as well as prepare for their performances as a quintet. While Jake and Lindsey have no concerns about their children pole dancing, classifying it as a ?sport?, and denying it is sexual, they?ve received a torrent of abuse online for their lifestyle choice. PHOTOGRAPH BY Brian Gaadt / Barcroft Images
(Picture: Brian Gaadt / Barcroft Images)
*** EXCLUSIVE - VIDEO AVAILABLE *** ST LOUIS, MISSOURI, MAY 24: Jake Night and Lindsey Teall with children Aiden, 10, Laura, 5 and Roslyn, 3 on May 24, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. A pole dancing couple are not only practicing with their kids, but performing as a five-piece. Jake Night and Lindsey Teall had both performed as exotic dancers when they met and fell in love, but they had no idea that they would pass on their talents to their three children, aged ten, five and three. With a pole set up in the living room, the close-knit family can practice their pole tricks anytime they like, as well as prepare for their performances as a quintet. While Jake and Lindsey have no concerns about their children pole dancing, classifying it as a ?sport?, and denying it is sexual, they?ve received a torrent of abuse online for their lifestyle choice. PHOTOGRAPH BY Brian Gaadt / Barcroft Images
(Picture: Brian Gaadt / Barcroft Images)

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Prince William favours a parenting tactic popular with Super Nanny and his late mother

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Free for news editorial use only. No commercial use (including any use in merchandising, advertising or any other non-editorial use including, for example, calendars, books and supplements). Mandatory Credit: Photo by Chris Jelf/PA Wire/REX/Shutterstock (5498456a) Prince George, Catherine Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, Prince William in a photograph taken late October at Kensington Palace, London Prince George to attend Westacre Montessori School Nursery, Britain - 18 Dec 2015 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have released a new photo of their family to coincide with Christmas and the announcement that Prince George will start nursery in January. The new photo shows William and Catherine with children Prince George and Princess Charlotte in the garden at Kensington Palace. It was taken in late October by photographer Chris Jelf. Kensington Palace also said that the royal couple were "very much looking forward to their first Christmas as a family of four" and "hugely appreciative of all the warm messages they have received about their family this year". Meanwhile, it's been revealed that Prince George will be attending the Westacre Montessori School Nursery in Norfolk, which is near to the family's home Anmer Hall.
(Picture: Rex Features)

Taking your children out is quite stressful even when you’re not a royal – even a tiny tantrum can incite judgement from passers by.

But when the entire world is watching and looking out for a tantrum, that’s some serious pressure.

Prince William’s tactic for dealing with this pressure (apart from having hot and cold running childcare) is a tactic which was popular with Super Nanny Jo Frost.

During public appearances, Prince William always kneels down to Prince George and Princess Charlotte’s levels so that he can talk to them face to face.

This is, apparently, a tactic that his late mother Princess Diana used. A source told People magazine: ‘William can do all the things that he thinks are important for family life and make sure that his children have that loving, caring, fun home that his mother was trying to create. The Royal Family used to say that everyone had to be deferential to them but Diana believed, “If you’re speaking to a very young child or a sick person, get yourself on their level.”‘

Parenting expert Jo Frost has always condoned this parenting tactic, saying that it is important to come down to a child’s level so that you don’t intimidate them while you’re asserting yourself. 

As well as taking away the intimidation of being taller than your child, being on an eye level demonstrates that you’re really listening. ‘Active listening is one of the most important ways you can send the message, ‘You’re important to me’ says Gill Connol, author of A Moving Child is a Learning Child.

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This man will eat anything the people of the internet ask him to

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(Picture: Ben Rosen)

There are quite a few ways to achieve virality. Eating anything the internet asks you to is just one simple way of doing it.

Ben Rosen, a user on online community Reddit, came across a dude who chows down whatever you request, and asked him if he could film it.

Posting in a thread, Ben started with a video of the man, named Eric, eating a string cheese. It then got weird, as you would expect on a Reddit forum.

As he was wearing the same blue shirt in all 126 videos, we presume that Eric ate all these things in just one day.

He was ordered to eat a pack, a piece, a slice, or a bowl full of stuff. Some of it seemed quite straightforward – Oreos, pizza, apples…

But because the internet gets enjoyment out of weird and wacky things, not all of the requests were for standard edibles (bin bags and paper towels). Other edibles were just things you wouldn’t eat on their own like salt, uncooked spaghetti, and even one poor (live) goldfish.

Eric didn’t flinch while chewing away jalapeno peppers or sriracha, and even made a valiant effort trying to bite down on a bin bag but to no avail.

The short videos were a hit with the online community, racking up over 72,000 views.

Of course, the internet being the internet, one person asked him to eat semen while another suggested Tide Pods.

We asked Ben for a comment but he is yet to get back to us. Perhaps he’s busy filming more eating content.

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Guinea pig appreciation day: Things you need to know before buying a pet guinea pig

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Lots of lovely guinea pigs
Hello friends (Picture: Getty)

Happy guinea pig appreciation day, folks.

Let’s be real though – every day should be guinea pig appreciation day, as those little cavies are such sweet angels.

They’re so sweet that lots of people think they makes great pets – and they often do – but statistics show that many people get overwhelmed once they’ve brought their little bundles of joy home.

Already this year, the RSPCA reports that (up to 3 July), 250 guinea pigs have been reported a abandoned to them, 1,402 reported to them over the last three years.

That’s a lot of lonely guinea pigs.

There are many misconceptions about keeping guinea pigs, and the RSPCA wants us all to know the facts before committing to a life with them this guinea pig appreciation day.

Here are a few pointers.

You can’t just buy/adopt one guinea pig

Streaky the guinea pig
Where are your friends, boo? (Picture: Lisa Bowman)

They’re social animals and need (at least) one other friendly guinea pig to kick about with.

Good combinations include – neutered male and one/more females, two females, or neutered brothers (if they’ve been reared together).

Like humans, guinea pigs sometimes need down time from their pals, so make sure there are separate areas that they can disappear off to for some ‘me time’.

When the time come that one of your guinea pigs passes over the rainbow bridge before the other, make sure you interact with it lots, to keep it company.

Contrary to popular opinion, rabbit and guinea pigs do not make good companions. They have different dietary needs, and rabbits can bully guinea pigs.

 

They live for five to six years

You must make sure that you can give them a loving home for that entire time.

 

Their living area must be large and secure

Guinea pigs outside in their run
(Picture: Getty)

First things first, your guinea pig’s new house needs to be secure, especially if you get foxes prowling your garden.

It also needs to be large enough for them to run around and hide from each other in, preferably with an attached run, as guinea pigs are active up to 20 hours a day, so need the space to do their thing.

They need to be able to stand up on their hind legs, and stretch out when lying down.

The hutch also needs to be free from draughts, as this will make them sick – and who wants a wind whipping through their bedroom?

If you don’t have the space or money to get a large hutch and run, then we’re sorry pal, but this is not the time to get a guinea pig.

It’s not fair to keep them cooped up. Just like Britney Spears in Overprotected – they need space.

 

You must have an indoor space to move them to in winter

If your guinea pigs live outside, the RSPCA recommends moving guinea pigs indoors once temperatures hit below 15°C.

However, once inside, make sure they’re not too warm, and away from direct heat sources like radiators.

Temperatures of 17°C – 20°C are ideal.

 

You have to commit to cleaning them out regularly

Curious guinea pig looking around the corner carefully
Peekaboo (Picture: Getty)

It’s no fun, but getting knee deep in your furry one’s faeces is all part of having a pet.

If you can’t stand the poop, then get out of the pet shop, I believe the saying goes?

Do a deep clean of the living areas at least once a week, with smaller cleans of the toilet areas and sleeping area every day.

No-one wants to sleep in their own urine, you know?

 

They love to play

Guinea pigs are intelligent little things, and need lots of toys to play with.

Wooden tunnels are great as they can run through them, hide in them, and give them a good chew.

 

Long-haired guinea pigs need grooming daily

If you don’t have time to brush a long-haired guinea pig daily, then you best be getting yourself a short-haired one – or none at all.

 

Guinea pigs need a very specific diet

Guinea pig eating cucumber
Cucumber should only be fed as a treat, as it can give them diarrhoea (Picture: Getty)

These little furry darlings can’t just be fed any old food – don’t even think of giving them the same food as your hamster – a, just like humans, they can’t make their own vitamin C.

Fresh, grass-based guinea pig pellets should be fed daily (and replaced daily, not just topped up, because the vitamin C gets destroyed in the ones exposed to air), as well as vitamin C rich kale, greens and broccoli.

While citrus fruits are a great source of vitamin C for us two-legged types, they shouldn’t be fed to guinea pigs.

Guinea pigs need grass to graze on daily, as it helps keep their teeth down. They also love a good old chomp on a dandelion leaf – or 10.

Things like carrot and apple can be given in small quantities as treats. Guinea pigs love cucumber, but feed in very small quantities as the high water content can give them diarrhoea.

Water needs changing daily.

 

Guinea pigs hide their sickness well

Malnourished guinea pig is fed via syringe in a veterinarian's office. A small carrot is on the examination table.
Get well soon, honey (Picture: Getty)

Guinea pigs feel pain but don’t often show it until things have gotten really bad.

Look out for changed in normal behaviour – are they eating less? Are they being quieter than usual? Hiding away?

Take them to the vets as soon as you suspect they’re poorly or injured.

If you don’t want to take them to the vet because you’re worried about cost, then you’re not in a financial position to have a pet right now.

Soiled bottoms can attract flystrike – a potentially fatal condition that occurs when green bottle flies lay eggs on your pet’s damp fur.

Check their bottoms daily in winter, and twice a day in summer.

Their claws need trimming on the regular

If you’re someone who loves a long talon, you’ll probably be jealous of your guinea pig – their claws grow long and fast.

Trim your pets’ claws regularly – this can be done yourself if your pet is tame enough. It’s easier if you start this routine when they’re young.

Just make sure you don’t trim past the quick (the blood vessel), which can be easily seen on white nails.

More info on trimming their nails here.

Guinea pigs’ teeth can also get overgrown quickly, but these must be trimmed by a vet.

Find out more about looking after guinea pigs over at the RSPCA, and see if any need rehoming in your area here.

Happy guinea pig appreciation day to all the guinea pigs around the globe – we love you lots, furry friends.

Sending lots of dandelion leaves your way.

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Consent will be taught in sex education classes to children as young as four

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(Picture: Getty)

Primary school children will be taught the meaning of consent and boundaries after the Department of Education decided to update its sex education for the first time in 18 years.

Children as young as four will learn about age-appropriate concepts in classes that will go onto secondary schools

Laws surrounding sexual exploitation, harassment, and domestic abuse will be in the new guidelines as the rest will be revealed in the new curriculum to be launched this week.

(Picture: Getty)

The sex education revamp will see youngsters learning about consent and peer pressure online and in real life.

Understanding how to give consent as well as ways to recognise it will also be part of the focus.

It comes in light of the BBC’s research which revealed nearly 30,000 reports of children sexually abusing other youngsters in a four-year-long period.

It’s hoped that children will end up with a clearer understanding of the rights they have over their own bodies as well as how to act if those rights are violated.

‘It’s vital that every child knows about their rights and that nothing should happen to them without their consent,’ said Education Secretary, Damian Hinds.

‘This guidance was last updated before the children who are at school today were born and, while many schools already choose to teach young people about the importance of healthy relationships, this updated guidance will support schools as we make relationship education compulsory.

‘This new guidance will ensure lessons teach children and young people how to recognise when someone else has not given consent and more importantly why they should not put pressure on someone else to do something they don’t want to.’

The classes will be rolled out to all academies, maintained schools and independent schools.

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Brave husky hailed a hero after rescuing seven newborn kittens

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A brave husky has been hailed a hero after rescuing seven newborn kittens
(Picture: Caters)

This is service dog and all-round hero, Banner.

Earlier this month, she helped to rescue seven newborn kittens who had been left to die in a cardboard box in the woods.

Whitney Braley says that she knew something was up when Banner suddenly became distressed and started to pull on her dress outside their home in Georgia, USA.

‘She had been acting really weird all morning,’ says Whitney.

‘I couldn’t understand what was wrong with her. She wasn’t listening to me when I told her to come, which isn’t like her as she is always very well behaved.

‘I knew something had to be wrong. She was getting really distressed.’

Whitney let Banner lead her to the nearby woods and says that her dog dived straight in after she opened a cardboard box, and pulled out a tiny white kitten.

She was astonished to find six more ‘barely alive’ kittens inside.

PIC FROM Banner the Super Dog / Caters News - (PICTURED: Service dog Banner, three, with the kittens that were rescued in Menlo, Georgia, USA on 03/07/18) - A brave husky has been hailed a hero after rescuing seven newborn kittens that had been LEFT TO DIE inside a cardboard box in the woods and is now acting like their mother.Proud pet owner Whitney Braley, 30,said she knew something was wrong after her service dog Banner, three, suddenly became extremely distressed and kept pulling on her dress in a state of panic last Tuesday (JULY 3) outside their home in Menlo, Georgia, USA. SEE CATERS COPY
(Picture: Caters)

And after bringing them back to her house, Whitney says that Banner refused to leave their side – cleaning, cuddling and napping with the cats as if she was their mother.

Whitney says: ‘Someone must have just put them into a cardboard box, closed the lid tight and left them there to die. They probably thought that no one would ever discover them.

‘I don’t even know how Banner knew they were in there. The kittens were freezing and weren’t meowing or anything.

PIC FROM Banner the Super Dog / Caters News - (PICTURED: Service dog Banner, three, with the kittens that were rescued in Menlo, Georgia, USA on 03/07/18) - A brave husky has been hailed a hero after rescuing seven newborn kittens that had been LEFT TO DIE inside a cardboard box in the woods and is now acting like their mother.Proud pet owner Whitney Braley, 30,said she knew something was wrong after her service dog Banner, three, suddenly became extremely distressed and kept pulling on her dress in a state of panic last Tuesday (JULY 3) outside their home in Menlo, Georgia, USA. SEE CATERS COPY
(Picture: Caters)

‘She just knew somehow. She is a true hero. If she didn’t find the kittens, they would have all died. I think they were pretty close to death. They only looked around a day old.

‘It makes me sick that anyone could do that to these tiny innocent animals. It’s so cruel and heartless.’

Whitney says that the dog now like ‘their adopted mum’, who won’t leave their side.

PIC FROM Banner the Super Dog / Caters News - (PICTURED: Service dog Banner, three, with the kittens that were rescued in Menlo, Georgia, USA on 03/07/18) - A brave husky has been hailed a hero after rescuing seven newborn kittens that had been LEFT TO DIE inside a cardboard box in the woods and is now acting like their mother.Proud pet owner Whitney Braley, 30,said she knew something was wrong after her service dog Banner, three, suddenly became extremely distressed and kept pulling on her dress in a state of panic last Tuesday (JULY 3) outside their home in Menlo, Georgia, USA. SEE CATERS COPY
(Picture: Caters)

‘She is a really maternal and loving dog. I’ve never met another dog like Banner. The kittens are really lucky. If she didn’t find them, there is no way they would have made it.

‘I’m so happy that now because of Banner, these kittens will go on to live their lives with loving families. It warms my heart.’

MORE: Guinea pig appreciation day: Things you need to know before buying a pet guinea pig

MORE: This man will eat anything the people of the internet ask him to


The best Amazon Prime Day beauty deals 2018: Bruan, Oral-B and ghd

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(Picture: Getty Images)

Amazon’s annual Prime Day sale is here.

From midday on Monday until midnight on 17 July, hundreds of products across Amazon.co.uk will be available at discounted prices exclusively for Prime members.

They’ve dropped prices across on their own-label products, such as the Fire 7 Kids, the Fire HD 8, Kindle Paperwhite as well as the insanely popular Echo.

But there are some great deals on beauty products, including savings on the best-selling WunderBrow eyebrow gel and up to 55% off popular Braun hair removal, grooming & skin care products.

Here are some of the best beauty deals for today.

 

Curling Iron Ceramic Curling Wand With LCD 80-210℃ Temperature Control Black Elehot

Now £22.39 reduced from £30.99 (28% off)

Curling Iron Ceramic Curling Wand (Picture: Amazon)

 

Braun Series 7 Electric Shaver for Men

Now £99.99 reduced from £279.99 (64% off)

Braun Series 7 Electric Shaver for Men
Braun Series 7 Electric Shaver for Men (Picture: Amazon)

 

Oral-B Genius 9000 CrossAction Electric Toothbrush Rechargeable Powered By Braun

Now £134.90 reduced from £299.99 (55% off)

Oral-B Genius 9000 CrossAction Electric Toothbrush Rechargeable Powered By Braun
Oral-B Genius 9000 CrossAction Electric Toothbrush Rechargeable Powered By Braun (Picture: Amazon)

 

Jimmy Choo Eau de Parfum Spray for Women

Now £42.50 reduced from £75.00 (43% off)

Jimmy Choo Eau de Parfum Spray for Women
Jimmy Choo Eau de Parfum Spray for Women (Picture: Amazon)

 

WUNDER2 WUNDERBROW Long Lasting Eyebrow Gel for Waterproof Eyebrow Makeup

Now £11.86 reduced from £19.95 (41% off)

WUNDER2 WUNDERBROW Long Lasting Eyebrow Gel for Waterproof Eyebrow Makeup
WUNDER2 WUNDERBROW Long Lasting Eyebrow Gel for Waterproof Eyebrow Makeup (Picture: Amazon)

 

ghd Air Hair Dryer

Now £79.50 reduced from £99.00 (20% off)

ghd Air® Hair Dryer
ghd Air® Hair Dryer (Picture: Amazon)

 

Ardell Professional Demi Wispies Natural Multipack (4 Pairs of Lashes)

Now £8.37 reduced from £11.95 (36% off)

Ardell Professional Demi Wispies Natural Multipack
Ardell Professional Demi Wispies Natural Multipack (Picture: Amazon)

ghd IV Styler The Original Styler

Now £109.00 reduced from £67.99 (38% off)

ghd IV Styler The Original styler
ghd IV Styler The Original styler (Picture: Amazon)

 

Philips Lumea Prestige IPL Hair Removal Device for Body, Face & Precision Areas

Now £289.00 reduced from £550.00 (47% off)

Philips Lumea Prestige IPL Hair Removal Device
Philips Lumea Prestige IPL Hair Removal Device (Picture: Amazon)

 

Braun Series 9 Electric Shaver for Men 9296cc, Wet and Dry

Now £389.99 reduced from £348.95 (11% off)

Braun Series 9 Electric Shaver for Men 9296cc, Wet and Dry
Braun Series 9 Electric Shaver for Men 9296cc, Wet and Dry (Picture: Amazon)

 

You can shop all Amazon’s Prime Day deals online here.

Photos of horses swimming in the sea off Cornwall are majestic

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Mazz Rasoolzadeh rides out into the sea on Chasca, who they affectionately refer to as their 'sports model' because he always swims with his head right out of the water. See SWNS story SWHORSES; Stunning underwater pictures of horses swimming off the Mount?s Bay, Cornwall. Cornwall Swimming Horses offer unique horse riding experiences in which you can swim with horses.
Mazz Rasoolzadeh rides out into the sea on Chasca (Picture: Cornwalllive / SWNS.com)

If you ever wondered what horses swimming in the ocean looks like, then look no further.

These photos show horses having a good old paddle off the Cornish coast.

The images were taken during an expedition organised by The Peep Out Stables, run by Shelley Claxton, 56, and Chris Cooke, 60, near Penzance, Cornwall.

Chris says he launched the trips due to his experience swimming with horses growing up in the West Indies.

The trips take place in Mounts Bay, overlooking the iconic St Michael’s Mount near Marazion, Cornwall.

Riders take to the horses in shallow waters and are then lead out into deeper waters by experienced handlers.

Chasca is referred to as ‘sports model’ because he swims with his head out of the water

Mazz Rasoolzadeh rides out into the sea on Chasca, who they affectionately refer to as their 'sports model' because he always swims with his head right out of the water. See SWNS story SWHORSES; Stunning underwater pictures of horses swimming off the Mount?s Bay, Cornwall. Cornwall Swimming Horses offer unique horse riding experiences in which you can swim with horses.
(Picture: Cornwalllive / SWNS.com)

 

Cruising along

Mazz Rasoolzadeh rides out into the sea on Chasca, who they affectionately refer to as their 'sports model' because he always swims with his head right out of the water. See SWNS story SWHORSES; Stunning underwater pictures of horses swimming off the Mount?s Bay, Cornwall. Cornwall Swimming Horses offer unique horse riding experiences in which you can swim with horses.
(Picture: Cornwalllive / SWNS.com)

 

Shelley on Tayo with St Michael’s Mount in the background

Shelley Claxton on Tayo with St Michael's Mount in the background. See SWNS story SWHORSES; Stunning underwater pictures of horses swimming off the Mount?s Bay, Cornwall. Cornwall Swimming Horses offer unique horse riding experiences in which you can swim with horses.
(Picture: Cornwalllive / SWNS.com)

 

Chris Cooke doing a balancing act

The horse swimming experiences were started by Chris Cooke (Pictured) who grew up swimming with horses in the West Indies. See SWNS story SWHORSES; Stunning underwater pictures of horses swimming off the Mount?s Bay, Cornwall. Cornwall Swimming Horses offer unique horse riding experiences in which you can swim with horses.
(Picture: Cornwalllive / SWNS.com)

 

Having a chat

Shelley Claxton on Tayo and Mazz Rasoolzadeh on Chasca with St Michael's Mount in the background. See SWNS story SWHORSES; Stunning underwater pictures of horses swimming off the Mount?s Bay, Cornwall. Cornwall Swimming Horses offer unique horse riding experiences in which you can swim with horses.
(Picture: Cornwalllive / SWNS.com)

‘Mount’s Bay is an extremely safe place for us to take horses into the water,’ says Chris.

‘There are not the rips or undertows that you get at beaches more exposed to the ocean.

‘It’s gently shelving, so there are no sudden drop offs, and it’s very sheltered.’

Splish splash

Mazz Rasoolzadeh rides out into the sea on Chasca, who they affectionately refer to as their 'sports model' because he always swims with his head right out of the water. See SWNS story SWHORSES; Stunning underwater pictures of horses swimming off the Mount?s Bay, Cornwall. Cornwall Swimming Horses offer unique horse riding experiences in which you can swim with horses.
(Picture: Cornwalllive / SWNS.com)

 

Grinning from ear to ear

Chasca smiles for the camera. See SWNS story SWHORSES; Stunning underwater pictures of horses swimming off the Mount?s Bay, Cornwall. Cornwall Swimming Horses offer unique horse riding experiences in which you can swim with horses.
(Picture: Cornwalllive / SWNS.com)

 

Love is in the air

Shelley Claxton on Tayo with St Michael's Mount in the background. See SWNS story SWHORSES; Stunning underwater pictures of horses swimming off the Mount?s Bay, Cornwall. Cornwall Swimming Horses offer unique horse riding experiences in which you can swim with horses.
(Picture: Cornwalllive / SWNS.com)

‘You see people go through quite a big emotional journey when we take them swimming with horses,’ says Shelley, trainer and manager at the business.

‘It’s enormous and tiny all at the same time.

‘You’re very close and intimate with a being that isn’t a human, but you’re also in this massive wide ocean and it’s very liberating – quite spiritual.’

Having a laugh

Mazz Rasoolzadeh rides out into the sea on Chasca, who they affectionately refer to as their 'sports model' because he always swims with his head right out of the water. See SWNS story SWHORSES; Stunning underwater pictures of horses swimming off the Mount?s Bay, Cornwall. Cornwall Swimming Horses offer unique horse riding experiences in which you can swim with horses.
(Picture: Cornwalllive / SWNS.com)

 

Underwater view

Shelley Claxton on Tayo with St Michael's Mount in the background. See SWNS story SWHORSES; Stunning underwater pictures of horses swimming off the Mount?s Bay, Cornwall. Cornwall Swimming Horses offer unique horse riding experiences in which you can swim with horses.
(Picture: Cornwalllive / SWNS.com)

 

Never seen a horse give such side-eye

Shelley Claxton on Tayo with St Michael's Mount in the background. See SWNS story SWHORSES; Stunning underwater pictures of horses swimming off the Mount?s Bay, Cornwall. Cornwall Swimming Horses offer unique horse riding experiences in which you can swim with horses.
(Picture: Cornwalllive / SWNS.com)

Off he goes

Shelley Claxton on Tayo with St Michael's Mount in the background. See SWNS story SWHORSES; Stunning underwater pictures of horses swimming off the Mount?s Bay, Cornwall. Cornwall Swimming Horses offer unique horse riding experiences in which you can swim with horses.
(Picture: Cornwalllive / SWNS.com)

 

What a view

The horse swimming experiences were started by Chris Cooke (Pictured) who grew up swimming with horses in the West Indies. See SWNS story SWHORSES; Stunning underwater pictures of horses swimming off the Mount?s Bay, Cornwall. Cornwall Swimming Horses offer unique horse riding experiences in which you can swim with horses.
(Picture: Cornwalllive / SWNS.com)

 

Underwater scenes

Chris Cooke who grew up swimming with horses in the West Indies. See SWNS story SWHORSES; Stunning underwater pictures of horses swimming off the Mount?s Bay, Cornwall. Cornwall Swimming Horses offer unique horse riding experiences in which you can swim with horses.
(Picture: Cornwalllive / SWNS.com)

 

Bobbing along

Mazz Rasoolzadeh rides out into the sea on Chasca, who they affectionately refer to as their 'sports model' because he always swims with his head right out of the water. See SWNS story SWHORSES; Stunning underwater pictures of horses swimming off the Mount?s Bay, Cornwall. Cornwall Swimming Horses offer unique horse riding experiences in which you can swim with horses.
(Picture: Cornwalllive / SWNS.com)

‘The sea is just an amazing thing anyway with its own spiritual appeal to all sorts of people on all sorts of levels, and we live right next to it,’ Shelley continues.

‘Horses also pull people in and are lovely sentient beings.

‘So to be able to put the two together and to take away all the tack and the rules that normally go alongside horse-riding in this country, you’re kind of just giving a freedom.”

‘If you ever tried to take a horse into the sea that didn’t want to go in, you’d know about it.’

MORE: Brave husky hailed a hero for rescuing seven newborn kittens

MORE: Guinea pig appreciation day: Things you need to know before buying a pet guinea pig

MORE: Without sharks, the world's oceans would be ruined

70% of women experience hair loss – how do you prevent it?

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metro illustrations
(Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)

For a lot of women, hair isn’t just there to keep your head warm. 

It’s a comfort blanket, a sign of your personal style and something which you pour time and money in to maintaining. So for the 70% of women who experience hair loss over their life time, losing it is a distressing experience.

Is there anything that you can do to prevent your hair from falling out, or to slow down the loss when it starts happening?

Thin hair is often thought of as a men’s hair concern, but recent stats show it’s as much of a concern for women

Female hair loss can be temporary. It’s common in women who have recently had babies, due to hormonal changes following birth. But it can also be permenat.

Unlike male baldness, which tends to start either with a receeding hairline or a pate, female hair loss generally starts around the hairline and parting.

Dr Shahmalak is a leading hair transplant specialist and he explains. He provided Metro.co.uk with an insight into female hair loss. ‘I think that concerns around female hair loss are rising as more and more women choose to talk about their experience’ he said. ‘There is still a stigma attached to female hair loss, but instead of being something shameful or embarrassing, it’s important to remember that hair loss is a natural process and a result of aging.’

He goes on to explain: ‘Up to 80% of hair loss is due to genetic factors, which are inherited from your parents. Your likelihood of experiencing hair loss can increase however, due to a number of other factors, such as: Illness (eg. alopecia, anaemia, thyroid issues), smoking, using harsh chemicals on hair, such as when bleaching or perming, regularly tying hair back into tight styles, stres or poor diet

If you are losing your hair – for whatever reason – what should you do?

Hair
(Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)

‘Supplements may help to boost hair health’ says Dr Shahmalak , ‘but generally only if hair loss is due to a deficiency. For example, hair loss caused by anaemia may be reduced by taking iron supplements. I recommend Watermans GrowPRO hair vitamins which would be great to boost hair health and produce, thick healthy hair.’

What about products? Could your dry shampoo habit be what’s causing your hair loss? Dr Shahmalak thinks not, saying: ‘As hair loss is primarily due to hormonal and health changes, there are no particular products I would recommend avoiding. However, there are steps you can take to reduce the chance of hair loss such as keeping yourself active and healthy.

‘Exercise not only helps to improve your overall health and cardiovascular strength, but increased blood flow to the scalp delivers oxygen and nutrients to hair follicles, which can help to keep your scalp and hair healthy. Stopping smoking, avoiding harsh bleaching and perming of hair and not wearing hair pulled back into tight styles can also help to reduce the chance of hair loss.

In terms of products, Dr Shahmalak recommends GROWMe shampoo and conditioner from Watermans. There are a number of medications that can be taken to prevent further hair loss and encourage hair growth, such as Finasterade and Minoxidil. These medications stimulate hair follicles to create new hair and protect the follicles from the effects of growth-reducing hormones. These medications have to be prescribed by a doctor though.

And if none of that works? That’s when people consider surgery. Dr Shahmalak says: ‘FUT (Follicular Unit Transplant) hair transplants are a great permanent option for female hair loss. This involves individual hair follicles being removed from less visible areas of the scalp  and transplanted into thinning or balding areas. The transplanted hair can be placed in specific areas of the scalp where hair loss is particularly noticeable, or can be placed across the scalp to help hair look thicker in general.’

If you’re considering a hair transplant, ensure your surgeon has the relevant experience and qualifications, and is registered with a body such as the British Association of Hair Restoration Surgery.

MORE: Photos of horses swimming in the sea off Cornwall are majestic

MORE: Meet the couple teaching their kids to pole dance

The best Amazon Prime Day 2018 deals on alcohol from Kraken to Jack Daniel’s

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Amazon Prime Day is a fine excuse to get the drinks in (Picture: Getty Images)

It might be Monday and you might be nursing a hangover after the World Cup final, but it is Amazon Prime Day, so it’s a great time to buy some booze.

The 36 hours of deals and offers is more associated with tech products, but there are also plenty of drinks to be bought on the cheap through Amazon Prime today.

To get hold of the deals you will have to sign up to Amazon Prime (which you can do here) but given the amount of savings available you can make your money back pretty quickly.

There are dozens of food and drinks deals available here but we’ve picked out seven of the very best.

 

Kraken Black Spiced Run 1l

Now £22.50 reduced from £28.57

Kraken Black Spiced Run 1l (Picture: Amazon)

 

Jack Daniel’s Gentleman Jack Tennessee Whiskey 70cl

Now £20.50 reduced from £25.00

Jack Daniel’s Gentleman Jack Tennessee Whiskey 70cl (Picture: Amazon)

 

Rose d’Argent Strawberry Gin 70cl

£13.99 reduced from £19.99

Rose d’Argent Strawberry Gin 70cl (Picture: Amazon)

 

Crystal Head Vodka Aurora 70 cl

£49.99 reduced from £76.92

Crystal Head Vodka Aurora 70 cl (Picture: Amazon)

 

Patron XO Cafe Tequila Coffee Liqueur 70 cl

£23.99 reduced from £31.47

Patron XO Cafe Tequila Coffee Liqueur 70 cl (Picture: Amazon)

 

Heineken cans, 24 x 330 ml

£16.00 reduced from £25.00

24 Heineken cans (Picture: Amazon)

 

Snow Leopard Vodka 70 cl

£22.90 reduced from £38.91

Snow Leopard Vodka 70 cl (Picture: Amazon)

MORE: Photos of horses swimming in the sea off Cornwall are majestic

MORE: 70% of women experience hair loss – how do you prevent it?

You can shop all Amazon’s Prime Day deals online here.

Dogs can pass illnesses to humans

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(Picture: Getty)

Pet owners are being warned about a virus that can spread from dogs to humans.

A new study published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases also urged pet professionals to be careful when handling dogs with an infection called Brucella canis.

The previously uncharted risk comes from a strain of bacterium which affects dogs but can also spread to humans.

Though it’s usually spread by livestock, new research in the U.S shows that unneutered dogs can carry it onto people.

Woman getting a kiss off her pet puppy dog
(Picture: Getty)

Even if your dog has been infected with it, you might not be aware as the infection often goes unnoticed.

According to the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, the infection is passed from dog to dog via mucosal contact.

Vaginal discharges, semen, and fluids and tissues associated with birth and abortion contain the highest concentrations of the bacteria, but urine, blood, milk, saliva, and faeces also contain traces of it.

Symptoms can include infertility, spontaneous miscarriages, and stillborn births. For male adult dogs, they may develop atrophy in the testicles.

In some cases, it can affect the kidneys, brain, or spine.

The symptoms in humans are thankfully not so severe. Once the bacteria passes from a dog to person, they may experience fever, fatigue, headaches, and muscle pains.

But it can affect human pregnancy, young children, senior citizens, or those with compromised immune systems should they come into contact with large quantities of the bacteria.

While more research is carried out, be aware of the risks, be observant to possible symptoms, and neuter your dogs if you’re not in the market for pups.

MORE: Very good, loyal corgi sticks by human when she’s giving birth

MORE: A sausage dog cafe is coming to London

American Eagle’s lingerie brand Aerie now has models with visible disabilities

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Aerie has models with visible disabilities
(Picture: Aerie)

After a very long time, brands are finally starting to realise why it’s so important to include people with disabilities and that representation matters.

Aerie, a lingerie sub-brand of retailer American Eagle, is taking heed of the important message.

As part of its new campaign, the brand released images of its latest line using female models with a stoma bag, arm crutches, type 1 diabetes, vitiligo, and other visible disabilities.

The models and fans are now giving the campaign a lot of love on social media.

The diverse range of models advertised the brand’s signature bralettes, bandeaus, and matching workout apparel.

Model Abby Sams was delighted to be part of the shoot, tweeting the images that the brand quietly released on their website.

She wrote in disbelief: ‘A cancer survivor, down syndrome Paralympian, me, and fibromyalgia (plus body hair). Their (Aerie’s) work in chronic illness and disability representation in this campaign was real and amazing’.

Members of the public chimed in with their support saying how refreshing it was to see visible disabilities in a fashion campaign.

Aerie
(Picture: Aerie)

‘The arm crutches make me really emotional, seeing someone like me wow, this is so so cool,’ wrote one fan.

Another appreciated both the models and the clothing, saying: ‘So this is amazing because a) representation of diversity in body types is awesome, but also b) those bralettes and bandeaus are super cute!’

‘You have no idea how nice it is to see type 1 diabetes not be the centre of a stupid joke, cruel insult, or really cheesy video game. Feels like I’ve been waiting since the 90s for that.’

One user wrote: ‘I’ve had an ostomy for 20 years and it’s amazing to see someone proudly showing it off. Now if we can just get the ostomy companies to start making better “skin tone” colours for people of colour!’

Aerie
(Picture: Aerie)

Aerie has also made efforts in the past to use models with different body types and racial backgrounds, using the hashtag #AerieREAL.

They also teamed up with the All Woman Project last year using untouched photos of their models to promote natural beauty and female empowerment.

We definitely need more of this.

MORE: One in four children say that how they look is one of their main worries in life

MORE: Feminist in name only: How ‘feminist’ clothing companies are failing their workers

Amazon Prime Day deals: The cool stuff you didn’t know you needed

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(Picture: Amazon)

Amazon Prime Day is here.

This year Amazon Prime Day will last 36 hours (17 July) and during that time Amazon Prime Members will be given access to hundreds of exclusive deals.

There already is an abundance of deals – twice as many on offer this year compared to last. Including major discounts Amazon own-brand items, such as their best-selling Echo Dot and Fire TV Stick.

But seeing as we strive to help our readers find the very best deals on quality products, we thought we’d roundup a few inexpensive ‘game-changing’ gadgets and gizmos (and a garden gnome) you didn’t know you needed.

 

Exploding Kittens A Card Game About Kittens and Explosions and Sometimes Goats

Now £13.99 was £28.99 (52% off)

Exploding Kittens A Card Game About Kittens and Explosions and Sometimes Goats
Exploding Kittens A Card Game About Kittens and Explosions and Sometimes Goats (Picture: Amazon)

 

AncestryDNA: Genetic Testing

Now £89.00 was £53.40 (40% off)

AncestryDNA: Genetic Testing
AncestryDNA: Genetic Testing (Picture: Amazon)

 

Foxshot World Lightest 32g water-resistant Action Camera

Now £47.99 was £59.99 (20% off)

Foxshot World Lightest 32g water-resistant Action Camera
Foxshot World Lightest 32g water-resistant Action Camera (Picture: Amazon)

 

The Greatest Showman DVD – Movie Plus Sing-along

Now £6.99 was £10.00 (30% off)

The Greatest Showman DVD
The Greatest Showman DVD (Picture: Amazon)

 

Cards Against Humanity: UK edition

Now £16.99 was £25.00 (32% off)

Cards Against Humanity: UK edition
Cards Against Humanity: UK edition (Picture: Amazon)

 

Design Toscano Loonie Moonie Bare Buttocks Garden Gnome Statue

Now £6.99 was £14.95 (53% off)

Design Toscano Loonie Moonie Bare Buttocks Garden Gnome Statue
Design Toscano Loonie Moonie Bare Buttocks Garden Gnome Statue (Picture: Amazon)

 

SUNBEAUTY Tropical Hawaiian Party Decoration Kit

Now £9.99 was £14.99 (33% off)

SUNBEAUTY Tropical Hawaiian Party Decoration Kit 
SUNBEAUTY Tropical Hawaiian Party Decoration Kit (Picture: Amazon)

 

Robot Ice Cube Tray Silicone Mold

Now £6.39 was £9.99 (36% off)

Robot Ice Cube Tray Silicone Mold
Robot Ice Cube Tray Silicone Mold (Picture: Amazon)

 

Home Brewing Started Kit | Pilsen Ale Ecological

Now £43.12 was £53.90 (20% off)

Home Brewing Started Kit | Pilsen Ale Ecological
Home Brewing Started Kit | Pilsen Ale Ecological (Picture: Amazon)

 

Camera Tripod

Now £9.99 was £15.99 (38% off)

Camera Tripod
Camera Tripod (Amazon)

 

Mightymast Leisure 34-IN-1 Multiplay Games Table

Now £121.58 was £199.00 (39% off)

Mightymast Leisure 34-IN-1 Multiplay Games Table
Mightymast Leisure 34-IN-1 Multiplay Games Table (Picture: Amazon)

 

Makeup Organiser

Now £17.59 was £21.99 (20% off)

Makeup Organiser
Makeup Organiser (Picture: Amazon)

 

Amazon Prime Day: Amazon device deals

If you don’t yet own any Amazon devices, or want to grab another Echo Dot to ‘dot’ around your house, now is the time to buy, as Amazon are offering up to 60% off their own devices.

Save £20 on Echo Dot

£15 off Fire TV Stick

Save £30 (up to 33%) on Amazon Echo

Save up to 38% on Ring Video Doorbells

Save £60 on Echo Plus

£30 off Fire TV with 4K Ultra HD and Alexa

Save £50 on Fire HD 10 Tablet

Save £20 on Fire 7 Tablet

Save £35 on Kindle Paperwhite

Save £5 on Echo Buttons

You can shop all Amazon's Prime Day device deals online here.

Not a Amazon Prime customer? Head over to Amazon to sign up - you can get a 30-day free trial.

MORE: The best Amazon Prime Day 2018 deals on alcohol from Kraken to Jack Daniel’s


What it’s like to run an ultra-marathon

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The saying goes: ‘If you want to run, run a mile. If you want to experience a different life, run a marathon. If you want to talk to God, run an ultra’.

Well, I was talking to God by about mile 20 this weekend – a third of the way through the 62.1 mile Dixons Carphone Race to the Stones ultramarathon.

An ultra, for anyone not yet in the know, is any race over 26.2 miles/40km. And this weekend, Ella – our incredible illustrator – and I completed the equivalent of 2.5 marathons in one go.

Sounds bonkers right?

The pain! The chafe! The fatigue! But you know what, if you really want to connect with your body, nature and your fellow runners, there really is nothing like an ultra event.

An ultramarathon is nothing like a marathon

Road running is for realists; run a marathon, a half or a 10k and you’re competing against a clock. You’re trying to get your body to run as efficiently as possible for the shortest amount of time as possible. Trail running, and especially ultramarathon train running, is something entirely different.

Sure, time is a consideration but what’re a few hours when you know that you’re going to be out there for at least 10 hours?

(Picture: Miranda Larbi)

By 20km, it became increasingly apparent that if we concentrated on time, we’d end up losing our heads; the only measure worth bearing in mind is the mileage and how your body feels at each pitstop (of which there were nine – one at each 10km mark).

So many people we came across on the route had never run a marathon before (including Ella) and seemed to have no real desire to give one a go.

Although moving your body over such a mammoth distance is stressful (both physically and emotionally), I’d say that running a marathon almost more so. We all know someone who’s done a marathon and so the pressure to get a good time can be immense. It’s not so much about you as it is completing a right of passage.

But if 1% of the population has done a marathon, then the percentage who have done 100k must be truly minuscule. And surviving the course is the only validation you need.

Age, gender and size couldn’t be less relevant

The guy who won the full 100k did it in 8:36:10. He was in his 40s. The fastest woman did it in 9:35 and was under 30.

And in our age group (21-29), we came 36th – which isn’t too shabby.

In Born to Run, Christopher McDougall explains that people reach their marathon peak at 27…and they stay there until they’re 67. On the trail, there were far, far more people aged over 30 than under. In fact, at 60km, I overheard a medic giving some young, hench looking blokes a piece of advice – ‘I had a 75-year-old at this tent three hours ago doing a spot of yoga. If you want to still be moving at that age, you’ve got to start stretching now’. Yep, a 75-year-old was three hours ahead of us.

(Picture: Miranda Larbi)

Weight too seemed to play no part, with runners and walkers of every size moving at their own pace. Sure, everyone’s pretty fit but it’s so much more of a mental game.

You have to make friends with the pain

OK so by 50km, it’s getting hard. By 70km, it’s like circling the seventh circle of hell. Your feet are on fire, your hip flexors are aching, your glutes are burning. And there’s nothing you can do about. I took various painkillers throughout the race to kill the acute pain in my right leg from a six-week-long calf strain but even the biggest dose of paracetamol-codeine-ibuprofen can’t kill the constant pain that comes with jogging for ten hours.

You have two choices: acknowledge and eat the pain, or lay down and die (read: get picked up and shuffled back to base camp). The Race to the Stones’ motto is ‘more is in you’ – and you can’t start to comprehend just how much is in you until you’re suffering on a never-ending road.

In fact, by the time I hit my foot on a rock at 80km which made my toe explode, the agony was almost like an out of body experience.

the importance of good shoes for fitness training
(Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)

Ultras are an exercise in compassion

Before we set off, the race organiser had two simple bits of advice: drink as much as possible and look after each other on the trail.

Marathons are pretty lonely experiences; it’s just you on the road, bunking down and working hard, plugged into your music. I can’t remember seeing a single person at Race to the Stones listening to headphones; people are too busy tuning into their bodies, into their surroundings – listening to the breeze through the leaves and the crickets in the long grasses. And people actually talk to each other for miles.

When the whole rock-toe incident happened and I yelled profanities into the sunset over fields of wheat, every single person around us asked if I was ok or needed help. Imagine having the energy to give a crap about anyone else at that late stage. And when I fell over a tree route early on, people scrambled around to help me up.

But perhaps the best example of just how open-hearted the kinds of people who do these events is the fact that they congratulate you on overtaking them. Every time we passed someone, they yelled out ‘well done!’ – and when they later overtook us (we overtook and were overtaken by the same people for about 50km), we returned the favour.

Now, find me a road race which actively encourages that sort of inter-runner support.

You can’t replenish the number of calories you burn so nutrition is important

how to fuel your body for an ultra marathon
(Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)

One of the most important things about ultra preparation is getting your nutrition right.

We had a two-week subscription to Fresh Fitness Food before the event to take the aggro out of prepping and cooking because honestly, by the end of our training, we were both exhausted.

By the end, we’d burned around 7,000 calories so there was just no way we were ever going to be able to replace all the energy being burned. You have to eat on the go and what you choose to eat is important. As a vegan runner, I chose to fuel up with Mindful Bites nut butters and bars (super easy to digest, delicious and conveniently packaged for sucking on the run), as well as Mighty Bee Bananito bananas (smaller and than fresh ones but with all the carb-punch of a regular banana).

‘Nuts and nut butters are definitely the perfect long and ultra run fuelling companions, both in the preparation phase and the actual race,’ Stephanie from Mindful Bites told Metro.co.uk.

‘Most nuts are rich in magnesium plays a role in turning food into energy so it can help you run for longer; they are also packed with potassium with great antioxidant properties, fighting away the damage done by intense exercise. And they’re a natural source of protein to help those fatigued muscles recover.’

When we asked Tom Evans, GB Ultrarunner, Captain in the British Army and Fresh Fitness Food athlete, he told us that he tended to eat ‘real’ foods for as long as possible during the course of his events, before switching to gels.

(Picture: Miranda Larbi)

‘The longer the race, the more “real food” I try and eat. I tend to break down a race into thirds. The 1st third I have real food, the 2nd I switch to gels, and for the final 3rd I use caffeinated gels and sports drinks.’

So that’s what we tried to do – chowing down on slices of fruit and nut butters until we felt really depleted and in need of some quick-fix glucose.

The interesting thing is that you don’t really need to carb-fuel beforehand as much as you do with 26-mile marathons.

Robin Swinkels, nutritionist at Fresh Fitness Food, told Metro.co.uk: ‘Our bodies’ capacity to store carbohydrate is very limited. We store carbohydrate in the form of glycogen in our muscles and liver, but these stores only last roughly 60 to 90 minutes for most people.

‘If an event is between 6 and 8 hours, even with carbohydrate loading there is no way you can store enough for the entire duration of the run, so he’ll need to eat on the go. The aim is to keep blood sugar levels elevated as much as possible to ensure fuel is consistently readily available to postpone fatigue as much as possible.’

Oh, and you have to keep drinking. By the 80km mark, I saw a guy breakdown completely – sobbing uncontrollably from pain and sunstroke. Once you see that, you start to realise just how good water is.

By 70km, your mind has to take over from your body

As night time fell and the head torches came on, everyone on the trail fell silent. The banter seemed to quieten down and a peaceful hush came over the hills towards Avesbury. Everyone was digging deep, connecting mind, body and ground. When you don’t think your body can take you onwards, that’s when your mind has to take over – you don’t even feel your legs moving by that point.

(Picture: Miranda Larbi)

There’s nothing as good as that finish feels

As we came around to the last kilometre, Marcin – a Polish runner we’d made friends with earlier – came trotting up next to us. It was his third ultramarathon in a month, having never run over 30km before. The three of us joined hands and made one last run for it towards the finish. If I had had any moisture or salt left in my system, I would have cried.

It took us 16 hours. 16 hours in the blistering heat and the cool night. 16 hours of extreme highs and crushing lows. 16 hours of meeting strangers from around the world, all ploughing on with no intention of stopping. 16 hours of being connected to our bodies, each other and the elements – not our phones, jobs, boyfriends. Ultramarathons are an exercise in meditation, patience, resilience, trust. Run an ultra with a pal and expect your relationship to reach unknown heights; there are so few people who can relate to what you’ve seen and felt.

Kate Moss might think that nothing tastes as good as skinny feels, but she’s yet to eat a bowl of hot sweet potato fries after running for 16 hours.

Because trust me, God himself couldn’t have made anything taste so damn delicious.

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The winners of dog photographer of year have been announced

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2nd place rescue

You know what’s better than a photo of a really great dog? 

Lots of pictures of really great dogs.

I won’t waste your time with words, you’re here to see pictures of some of the best dogs. So whether you like puppies, old man doggies, dogs having fun or dogs being serious, we’ve (or rather, the Kenel Club’s Dog Photographer of the Year competition) have got something that you’ll love.

1st Place Assistance Dogs (Picture: Dean Mortimer, UK)

 

2nd Place assitance dogs (Picture: Craig Turner-Bullock )

 

1st place dogs at play (Picture: Elinor Roizman)

 

1st Place Dogs at Work (Picture: Tracy Kidd)

 

1st place I Love Dogs (Picture: Tamara Kedves)

 

1st place in the Man’s Best Friend category (Picture: Joana Matos, Portugal)

 

1st place Oldies (Picture: Monica van der Maden)

 

1st place portrait *** Local Caption *** show dogs and working dogs
1st place puppies (Picture: Klaus Dyba)

 

1st place rescue (Picture: Sonya Kolb)
1st Place Young Pup (Picture: Mariah Mobley)

 

2nd place assistance dogs (Picture: Maria Cristina Nadalin)

 

2nd place dogs at play (Picture: Steffi Cousins)

 

2nd place dogs at work (Picture: Richard Lane)

 

2nd place Man’s Best Friend (Picture: Sherilyn Vineyard)

 

2nd place Oldies (Picture: Rachele Z. Cecchini)

2nd Place Portrait (Picture: Katarzyna Siminiak)
2nd Place Puppies (Charlie Nunn)

 

2nd place rescue (Picture: Leslie Plesser)

 

2nd Place Young Pup (Picture: Sienna Millward)

 

3rd place dogs at play (Picture: Steffi Cousins)

 

3rd place dogs at work (Picture: Ian Squire)

 

3rd Place I Love dogs (Picture: Kirsten van Ravenhorst)

 

3rd place MBF (Picture: Cheryl Murphy)

 

3rd place Puppies (Picture: Robyn Pope)

 

3rd place rescue dog (Picture: Christina Roemmelt)

 

3rd Place Young Pup (Picture: Maisie Mitford)

MORE: What it’s like to run an ultra-marathon

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The vegan, cruelty-free guide to skincare: Moisturisers

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Take your pick, huns (Picture: Utopia, Neal’s Yard, Nip+Fab, The Ordinary, Sukin)

Dry face? You’ve come to the right place.

If you’re in need of a new moisturiser but you’re vegan and not sure which ones you’re allowed to buy, then we’ve done you a solid by testing some out for you.

We’ve only included brands that are 100% cruelty-free, and who don’t sell their products in countries which require animal testing (like China), as we believe allowing other people to test for you means you’re putting profit over animals.

We have, however, included brands which are cruelty-free, but that do sell other products containing animal derivatives, as every vegan is different and some would rather shop at a solely vegan brand, while others don’t mind so long as their particular product is vegan.

We’ve indicated which companies are fully vegan clearly.

There’s also a list at the end of the article of pesky animal ingredients to look out for when buying new skincare.

So, without further ado, here are some moisturisers you might want to add to your bathroom cabinet.

1. Ultra moisture day cream, REN, £33 for 50ml

REN Ultra moisture day mosituriser
(Picture: REN)

‘I love REN products and this was no different – it’s moisturising without being too heavy, so is great for the day.

‘You do need to wear SPF on top though, so it’s best to find a really light SPF so as not to overload your skin.’

Is REN 100% vegan? Not all of them, find out which ones here.

 

2. Hydrating day cream SPF 30  and nourishing night cream, Utopia, £34 for 50ml each

Utopia skincare day and night creaM
(Picture: Utopia)

‘These moisturisers were of a nice consistency, and they smelt nice.

‘They definitely made my skin feel soft and hydrated, but I’m not sure I’d buy them again at that price.

‘I think there are just as good cheaper alternatives.’

Is Utopia 100% vegan? Yes.

 

3. Jasmine enriching cream, Neal’s Yard,  £24 for 50g

(Picture: Neal’s Yard)

‘This is great for my super dry skin, and smells delicious. It absorbs really well and keeps my skin moisturised all day.

‘The jar looks lovely on my dressing table.’

Is Neal’s Yard 100% vegan? No, beeswax is in some products. Find out more here.

 

4. Daily essential moisturiser SPF 50+, Alpha-H, £29 for 50ml

(Picture: Alpha-H)

‘I started using Alpha-H when a dermatologist recommended it as an SPF moisturiser for my acne, as it’s non-comedogenic so doesn’t clog pores.

‘It’s high SPF but doesn’t leave a ghostly white layer, like some SPFs do, and it also sinks in nicely, not leaving a greasy sheen.

‘Big fan.’

Is Alpha-H 100% vegan? No. Some of their products contain things like silk, keratin and beeswax. Find out which ones here.

 

5. B. Radiant night cream, Superdrug, £11.99 for 50ml

Superdrug B Radiant night cream
(Picture: Superdrug)

‘This cream is pretty rich without feeling like it’s clogging your pores, which is surprising.

‘It feels really luxurious and is a lovely one to massage into your skin before bed.

‘It’s aimed at people in their 30s and 40s, and it does feel like it’s softening early wrinkles a bit.’

Is B 100% vegan? Yes.

 

6. Super greens nutrient rich facial moisturiser, Boots, £9.95 for 125ml

‘LOVE this. Feels a little watery going on and takes a little while to absorb completely but it’s not greasy or slimy once it does, and I feel like it has made a genuine and notable difference to the texture, softness and…yes, I’m going to say it: the plumpness of my skin.

‘A little goes a long way, and my skin felt noticeably softer for hours after application.  The packaging is ‘meh’ and while I didn’t mind the scent, it’s doesn’t make you ooh (or indeed ahh).

‘All that said, I am a convert and for the price, it’s amazing.’

Is Sukin 100% vegan? Yes.

 

7. Celestial moisturiser, Lush, £14.95 for 45g

Lush Celestial moisturiser
(Picture: Lush)

‘Lush is obviously #beautybae so I’m a big fan of everything.

‘I don’t usually use moisturisers because I’m a cave woman but if I did it would probably be something like this from Lush; light, good fragrance, and leaves your face moisturised rather than dry after initial wear, which is what I’ve found with other creams I’ve tried.’

Is Lush 100% vegan? No, around 80% of Lush products are but some still contain things like milk and honey.

 

8. Original moisturiser, Bulldog, £6 for 100ml

Bulldog original moisturiser
(Picture: Bulldog)

‘This moisturiser is amazing. I have combination skin and I have used it for a week now and it hasn’t left my face oily or over dry.’

Is Bulldog 100% vegan? Yes.

 

9. Post-glycolic fix moisturiser SPF 30, Nip + Fab, £18.95 for 40ml

Nip+Fab post-glycolic fix SPF 30 moisturiser
(Picture: Nip+Fab)

‘This is such a lovely moisturiser to put on in the morning as it has a really zingy, grapefruit scent that wakes you up a bit.

‘It feels quite thick, but not in a bad way, as it goes on matte, but still feels like it’s delivering enough moisture, unlike most matte moisturisers I’ve tried.

‘Love that it’s got SPF 30, which is due this being a partner product for Nip+Fab’s glycolic fix radiance shot (£19.95 for 30ml) where you need to make sure you’re protecting your baby fresh skin from the sun.’

Is Nip+Fab 100% vegan? No, some of their products contain animal derivatives, and a list can be found here.

 

10. Vitamin E intense moisture cream, The Body Shop, £14 for 50ml

The Body Shop vitamin E moisture cream
(Picture: The Body Shop)

‘One of the things I noticed first about this cream is how lightweight it is. It kind of just glides on the skin so effortlessly; you won’t be rubbing it in for ages.

‘It’s ideal for dry skin and locks in moisture for a while (I wash my face frequently so wasn’t able to benefit from the 48-hour moisture infusion it promises).

‘I also cheekily used it on my arms and was happy again. I would recommend it.’

Is The Body Shop 100% vegan? No, some of their products contain animal by-products like beeswax.

 

11. Radiance day cream, Urban Veda, £18.99 for 50ml

Urban Veda radiance day cream
(Picture: Urban Veda)

‘This was really rich but not over whelming on my dry skin. It smells great, and my make up sits well on top of it.

‘I’m not sure that it made me quite as luminous as it claimed it would, but when do they ever?

‘I would cheerfully keep using it. Plus it worked a treat on my sunburned shoulders when I was stuck without any aftersun.’

Is Urban Veda 100% vegan? Yes.

12. Marine hyaluronics, The Ordinary, £5.90 for 30ml

The Ordinary marine hyaluronics
(Picture: The Ordinary)

‘This smells kind of weird but goes on well, and is really thin so you don’t need to use much.

‘I have quite oily skin so this is just enough moisture for me, but might not be enough if you have dry skin.

‘Absorbs super quick.’

Is The Ordinary 100% vegan? Yes.

 

13. Sukin facial moisturiser, Holland and Barrett, £8.49 for 125ml

Sukin moisturiser
(Picture: Sukin)

‘This smells lovely and left my skin feeling really soft, but took quite a while to sink in so had to wait a while to put make up on.

‘I like the packaging – it’s a pump bottle so it’s easy to use and not get it all over everything trying to screw a cap back on.’

Is Sukin 100% vegan? Yes.

 

14. Pure hydration day cream with SPF 15, Waitrose, £6 for 50ml

Waitrose day cream with SPF 15
(Picture: Waitrose)

‘When applied, the cream felt thick and not so easy to spread.

‘Due to the density, I only needed to apply a tiny amount but it did not absorb easily into the skin.

‘It felt more like a sunscreen lotion and the resulting look on the skin was also similar to sunscreen in that, it appeared white/greyish especially after sweating.’

Is Waitrose 100% vegan? No, other products contain animal derivatives.

Animal-derived ingredients to look out for

Beeswax – used as an emollient in skincare products.

 

Honey – from bees, obviously. Often used for its naturally antibacterial properties.

 

Chitin – a polysaccharide that was first discovered in the cell walls of mushrooms, but now more commonly comes from the exoskeletons of crustaceans, insects and arachnids. Basically, it’s ground-up crab shells.

 

Collagen – a major structural protein found in animal connective tissue. It usually comes from cows, pigs or fish.

 

Elastin – a protein found in animal artery walls, intestines, lungs and skin.

 

Lanolin – animal fat extracted from sheep’s wool.

 

Stearin/stearic acid – derived from the fat of cows, sheep or pigs. Often a by-product of animal agriculture.

Information from The Vegan Society

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Relaxation, thrills, and experiences of a lifetime: Why you need to holiday in Florida this year

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So many hidden treasures to be discovered at Discovery Cove (Picture: SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment)

Ever dreamed of a holiday destination with everything at your fingertips; clean sandy beaches, waterfalls, lagoons where you can get close to nature and even swim with a dolphin, not to mention unlimited drinks and nibbles? Well, it’s waiting for you at Discovery Cove in Orlando.

This gem is conveniently situated at the heart of the action, in Orlando, but offers an escape like no other with the all-inclusive resort making your life easier by providing entertainment for all of the family against a backdrop of pure relaxation.

You don’t have to drive hours on end to get to feel the sand beneath your toes, instead you can rock up to Discovery Cove, hop in a hammock and make like a starfish on Serenity Bay.

Let’s breakdown the dream day, so you don’t have to:

Swim with a dolphin

Make friends with a dolphin and hitch a ride of your life (Picture: SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment)

Discovery Cove is the only place in Orlando where you and your family can swim with a dolphin.

Making memories you will never forget, this experience will be something you’ll probably talk about forever. Guests are taught about dolphins and their behaviour and how they communicate with each other before you’re allowed to venture into the lagoon, where the bottlenose beauty is waiting to have some fun.

There’ll be plenty of rubdowns, hugs and kisses as a trainer guides you through the experience before your new friend will let you hold on to its dorsal fin and give you a tow ride back to the shore.

Take a load off

Fun for all of the family at Serenity Bay – make like a star fish (Picture: SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment)

Kick back and relax in the hammocks or loungers around the park, with Serenity Bay and North Beach offering a sandy beach getaway, with no need to rush or even get up unless you fancy dipping your toes. Catch some rays while protecting yourself with animal safe sun lotion thoughtfully provided by the park too.

Whether it’s after the long haul flight or tense after a whirlwind few days zipping around the theme parks trying to keep up with little tornadoes who want to see and do everything, Discovery Cove also offers massages to knead all the stresses away.*

*Additional fees apply.

Snack away

Enjoy stress free all-inclusive with food, drinks and snacks for all guests

One thing you don’t have to worry about for the day is your food and drink. Don’t worry about bringing the dollars, and remembering where your purse is. You’ve done enough, and it’s your time to be rewarded for your savvy preparation as it’s an all-inclusive resort, meaning you can have unlimited food and drinks onsite. No one can blame you for wanting to keep your energy up with a soft pretzel. It’s holiday after all.

Breakfast is served at the Laguna Grill, where you can dive into hot delights, yoghurts, fresh fruit and more before tucking into a delicious lunch. With everything from chicken tenders, to a tropical summer Cobb salad, you don’t have to worry about fussy eaters as everyone is catered for, there’s even a special kids menu. Adults don’t just have to wait until mealtimes to make the most of the unlimited cocktails either, as frozen daiquiris and a variety of other cocktails can be found at different spots around the resort and are basically calling your name in addition to a selection of wines and beers. Talk about grown up fun.

Discovery Cove takes the stress away from planning the dream holiday, covering elements that don’t need to take up your time, with everything from lockers, to parking and showers included in the day’s experience. So you don’t have to concern yourself with the boring bits, instead just concentrating on the exciting parts.

Dive in

SeaWorld SeaVenture
Go for a dive and discover a world beneath the water (Picture: SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment)

Imagine going back to school and saying you’ve walked the ocean floor in SeaVenture.

It’s been described as like walking on the moon. Fully interactive, guests wear a dive helmet before descending down onto the reef floor. Once there, you come face to face with the park’s sharks through an epic panoramic window. Under the water, you’ll be among the rays, schools of tropical fish and lots of unique sea life, perfect for water babies in the family (*Additional fees apply.)

Swim among the fishes at The Grand Reef

Explore 2.5 acres of underwater magic at The Grand Reef. Snorkeling through a vast world in between colourful coral reefs in the company of thousands of tropical fish is an experience you will never forget.

If you want to delve even further into this underwater treasure trove, you can dive deeper to discover the incredible underwater grotto, or stay on land and simply paddling on the sand in the waves surrounded by majestic rays.

Whatever your mood or swimming ability, The Grand Reef offers a chance to get up close and personal with marine life like never before.

Back to nature 

And if that’s not enough, the Explorer’s Aviary and Freshwater Oasis give another dimension to the treasure trove of Discovery Cove.

Explorer’s Aviary is home to hundreds of different types of exotic birds, guests can watch the birds glide through the air or listen to them sing before being allowed to feed one from your own hand. Freshwater Oasis is yet another rare experience right at your fingertips in Orlando, allowing everyone to get close to charming marmosets and cheeky otters on wading adventures. Something for everyone.

Enjoy FOUR Florida Parks with ONE great-value ticket

If that’s not enough, booking the Discovery Cove Ultimate Package also gives you 14 days of unlimited access to SeaWorld, Aquatica and Busch Gardens.

 

Visit seaworldparks.co.uk and experience FOUR Florida Parks with the Discovery Cove Ultimate Package from just £190pp including FREE parking.

An unhappy marriage might be as bad for your health as smoking

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How to talk to a woman you don't know
(Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)

Let’s say you’re the healthy type. 

You work out, you eat right. You don’t drink much and you never even stand near a smoker. You’d consider yourself a healthy person, right?

But according to research from the universities of Michigan and Nevada, even if you’re doing everything right, an unhappy relationship can take a toll on your health.

The researchers  monitored 373 hetrosexual couples in order to find out whether disagreeing about lots of things (like children, money, in-laws and leisure activities) was bad for their health.

Rosie Shrout, a spokesperson for the project, said: ‘We followed married couples over the first 16 years of marriage and compared the subjective health of wives and husbands who reported a greater number of conflict topics to those who reported fewer.’

On the flip side, people in happy relationships tend to live longer. Studies show that married people tend to live longer, healthier lives than those who are divorced, widowed or never married.  Rosie Shrout explained: ‘They [married people] have better psychological wellbeing, they are less likely to develop illnesses, and they heal faster when they are sick.’

(Picture: Ella Byworth)

So when they work, relationships can be very good for our health. Why are bad relationships bad for our health? It might have to do with the stress hormones that they release.

Veronica Lamarche, a professor of social psychology at the University of Essex who was not involved in the study, warned that these bodily responses to relationship conflict can cause long-term damage. ‘There’s quite a bit of research linking relationship conflict to different types of physiological responses, such as increased release of stress hormones, inflammation, changes in appetite regulation, and immune functioning,’ she said.

So if you’re hoping to live a long life, it might be time to start picking your battles. Is a row about who left the washing in the machine and let it go damp really worth knocking years off your life?

Probably not.

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