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Finally Tatler has released an updated guide to being upper-class in 2019

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Eating bread – yay or nay? (Picture: Metro.co.uk)

No need to panic, pals. Tatler has finally swooped back in with an updated guide to being upper class.

And for that we are eternally grateful. The last bit of advice we got from them was about the contents of our fridge way back in 2017.

We put a small scrap of parmesan on our shelves last year and have been eagerly waiting for further wisdom ever since.

So on to what’s upper class and what is decidedly not upper class.

You’ll notice we’re saying ‘upper class’ and not ‘posh’.

Tatler says that using the word ‘posh’ is not upper class, sorry.

Also not upper class: saying ‘I’m alright, thanks’ when offered a drink, owning an iPad, eating dips, and going to Windsor (sorry, Meghan Markle).

You’ll also need to avoid having any dietary requirements (shh about your nut allergy, Sarah, it’s terribly unbecoming) and using wet wipes or mouthwash.

So those are things you must not do. What should you do instead to be an upper-class dream?

Things that are NOT upper-class:

  • Dietary requirements
  • The word ‘posh’
  • Mouthwash
  • White wine
  • Being friends with your parents
  • Tissues
  • France (except Paris)
  • Wearing makeup outside London
  • Dips
  • Windsor
  • Tinder
  • iPads
  • Cortados
  • Air freshener
  • Wet wipes
  • Athleisure
  • Saying, ‘I’m all right thanks’ when offered a drink

It’s actually rather simple.

A member of the new upper-class of 2019 eats bread, has a job, drinks champagne, and flies with EasyJet.

We’re ticking most of those off so far.

There are some trickier things on the list of what’s upper-class, however. Gout is extremely upper class, as is Xanax and visiting Sweden.

Things that ARE upper-class:

  • Eating bread
  • Having a job
  • Pepto Bismol
  • Champagne
  • Xanax
  • EasyJet
  • The North
  • Eating sweets
  • Being faithful
  • Having a much older best friend
  • Gout
  • Astrology
  • SodaStreams
  • Fried eggs
  • Sweden

We do question the inclusion of Pepto Bismol, Xanax, and Gout on the list. Xanax dependency may be upper-class, but it’s not a healthy choice. We’re not entirely sure if we should be drinking Pepto Bismol for fun or handing it out to kids.

While you may now carefully curate your existence according to these new rules, it’s important that you maintain an air of not caring. Caring about things isn’t very upper-class.

‘Perhaps the single greatest indicator of being U is the degree to which you care at all – the truly U would never think themselves to be anything other than entirely correct,’ writes Matthew Bell.

Okay, so to recap: Eat fried eggs, go to Sweden, eat bread, and never, ever say ‘I’m alright, thanks’. Then make sure you have all the confidence in the world and cannot be told that anything you do is wrong.

Should be easy enough.

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Is only hiring male Santa impersonators discrimination against women?

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(Picture: Fred Levy / EyeEm)

It might be the most wonderful time of the year but alas Christmas might also be problematic (consumerism, anyone?).

We don’t want to be a grinch but the festive period is also a bit of a burden on women – more so than men.

And women don’t even get to enjoy the good bits, such as playing Santa and watching little kids’ eyes light up when they spot good ol’ Kris Kringle.

After a councillor in County Durham told a woman she couldn’t play Father Christmas in the annual Santa tour, a row kicked off about whether it’s time we changed the rules.

After all, being turned down for a paying job on the basis of gender could be considered discrimination. Maybe it’s time we started seeing female Santas.

slender woman legs in striped Christmas stockings on a red background
Pictures of female Santa Clauses are highly sexual, for some reason (Picture: iStockphoto)

During the council meeting, residents of Newton Aycliffe asked Great Aycliffe Town Council if the role could be taken on by a female volunteer, with one man requesting that his wife play the part.

A spokesperson for the council told Metro.co.uk what happened in the meeting: ‘A recommendation from the Events Sub Committee to allow a female volunteer to undertake the role of Santa Claus (Father Christmas) as part of the Town’s Santa Tours was considered.

‘The Recreation Committee did not agree with the recommendation and confirmed by resolution that the role of Santa Claus should continue to be a male role.’

Meanwhile in New Zealand, a man playing Santa in the Farmers Auckland Christmas parade was fired (and then reinstated) after he commented that women couldn’t fit the role.

Is the role of Santa – or the current glamourised fictional version that we now know – an inherently male role? Or should we stop humouring old stereotypes?

After all, the man in the red suit we now know isn’t exactly a mirror image of his inspiration – Saint Nicholas, a fourth-century Greek bishop and gift-giver of Demre (that’s in Turkey, by the way).

The character was born out of a few different traditions spanning the world and modern day Santa is an amalgamation of these so it’s safe to say he has become fictionalised.

So shouldn’t women or non-binary people be able to play the role if the character is just that – a fictional character? If the character is made up, can’t we change the rules?

What does the law say?

The Equality Act 2010 outlaws less favourable treatment on the grounds of characteristics such as disability, religion, sexual orientation and sex.

This means that an employer can’t make their decision of whether to make an offer of employment based on the applicant’s gender.

Kate Palmer, an associate director of advisory at employment law firm Peninsula told Metro.co.uk that the decision to hire a person or not needs to be made on objective factors such as whether the candidate has enough previous experience or the required qualifications to carry out the role.

If a woman who has enough experience in children’s entertainment wants to apply, she should be able to.

‘There is nothing preventing entertainment employers from hiring a female to carry out this role and if a female applicant shows they have better experience and skills to perform the job then they may consider bucking the traditional norm,’ she said.

‘However, employers looking to fill particular roles concerning acting and performance skills, such as Santa, can rely on the legitimate aim of authenticity or realism to specify that they require a particular gender to carry out a role which is associated with being a particular sex.’

She explained that there are some exceptions to the general rules of gender discrimination – if it’s an occupational requirement to carry it out properly. In the interest of privacy and appropriateness for example, a female employee is required to work as a women’s domestic abuse counsellor.

So ultimately, it depends on the arbitrariness of the employer, they can use the concept of historic authenticity to argue that Santa should be male. Or they might choose to put a twenty-first century spin on an old tradition.

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Boohoo is being called out for selling ‘obsessive Christmas disorder’ pyjamas

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(Picture: Triangle News)

Around three quarters of a million people are thought to be living with debilitating obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

OCD is not a quirk or just liking being clean. It’s a life-impacting disorder that can cause intense mental distress.

It’s also not an abbreviation to describe really, really liking Christmas.

And yet that hasn’t stopped multiple retailers selling products printed with ‘obsessive Christmas disorder’.

Search ‘obsessive Christmas disorder’ and you’ll find products emblazoned with the phrase on Zazzle, Redbubble, and countless Etsy sellers.

Last month TK Maxx pulled an ‘obsessive Christmas disorder’ range of kitchenware following complaints.

This time around it’s Boohoo facing backlash, after campaigners drew attention to their festive set of ‘OCD’ pyjamas.

The pyjama set, on sale for £17, have OCD written on the top with ‘obsessive Christmas disorder’ underneath. The ‘o’ in obsessive is Rudolph’s red nose, complete with a pair of antlers.

At the time of writing, the pyjamas remain available on the Boohoo site.

- Picture of the OCD Christmas T-shirt on sale at boohoo.com TRIANGLE NEWS 0203 176 5587 // contact@trianglenews.co.uk By Niamh Cavanagh A mental health charity has slammed the online fashion retailer Boohoo for selling festive pyjamas with the slogan Obsessive Christmas Disorder. OCD Action says the logo is an insult to those suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. The disorder affects up 750,000 Brits and sees sufferers carrying out repetitive behaviours and battling intrusive thoughts. *Full copy available via Triangle News* *TRIANGLE NEWS DOES NOT CLAIM ANY COPYRIGHT OR LICENSE IN THE ATTACHED MATERIAL. ANY DOWNLOADING FEES CHARGED BY TRIANGLE NEWS ARE FOR TRIANGLE NEWS SERVICES ONLY, AND DO NOT, NOR ARE THEY INTENDED TO, CONVEY TO THE USER ANY COPYRIGHT OR LICENSE IN THE MATERIAL. BY PUBLISHING THIS MATERIAL , THE USER EXPRESSLY AGREES TO INDEMNIFY AND TO HOLD TRIANGLE NEWS HARMLESS FROM ANY CLAIMS, DEMANDS, OR CAUSES OF ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR CONNECTED IN ANY WAY WITH USER'S PUBLICATION OF THE MATERIAL*
(Picture: Boohoo.com)

Olivia Bamber, the Youth Service and Communications Manager of OCD Action, said: ‘Products which mock or trivialise OCD add to these misconceptions and can stop people who are genuinely affected by the condition seeking help, often due to a fear that they will not be taken seriously.

‘It’s important that we challenge these trivialising products, even though their intention is not to cause any distress or offense.

‘OCD Action welcomes conversations with organisations and is happy to help educate them about how they can contribute positively to people’s understanding of this debilitating mental health condition.’

OCD-UK contacted Boohoo about the product and say they were advised the retailer would review whether or not to remove it from sale.

Meanwhile on Twitter, people are criticising the ‘obsessive Christmas disorder’ joke that keeps popping up.

Ashley Fulwood, chief executive of OCD-UK, said this isn’t the first time they’ve had to battle offensive products.

Ashley said: ‘There are two issues – one is that it trivialises it and the second is that it fuels these misconceptions of OCD being something quirky. It fails to recognize that the ‘D’ in OCD stands for disorder.

‘It’s not just a case of us being easily offended. People fail to realise how severe it can be. It destroys lives, relationships, careers and sadly we have tragic consequences of people taking their own lives.’

Boohoo has said they are investigating the issue. We reached out to them for further comment, but haven’t heard back yet.

What are the symptoms of OCD?

Obsessive compulsive disorder usually follows a particular pattern: obsession, anxiety, and compulsion.

An obsession is when an unwanted, intrusive, and often distressing thought, image or urge repeatedly enters your mind. This causes intense anxiety, which someone with OCD will try to deal with by performing a compulsion; a repetitive behaviour or mental act that temporarily relieves the anxiety.

Most people will have intrusive thoughts, but if they are persistent to the point that they dominate your thinking, that’s an obsession.

Common types of obsession are fear of harming yourself or others, fear of contamination, or a need for orderliness.

Common compulsions include cleaning, checking, counting, ordering, hoarding, repeating words in your head, avoiding places or things that could trigger obsessive thoughts, and asking for reassurance.

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From Vegan Santa to a vegan parliament – a week in vegan news

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Are you tired of Christmas already? No? Well ,good – because we’re now in peak festive fodder season.

Everyone seems to have a vegan Christmas offering at the moment (yay) which means it’s now impossible not to each out every other day (nay for you know, money and health).

But there’s more going on in the plant-based world aside from novelty pizzas and butter-free mince pie drops.

This week in vegan news:

Veganuary calls on MPs to give veganism a go

(Picture: Veganuary)

With just under a month to go, Veganuary predicts that around 300,000 people are going to pledge to go animal product free in Jan.

But it’s just us mere plebs they want to give plant life a go – they want the powers that be to ditch the dairy.

The charity says that the government has done little to heed the warnings from the scientific community about reducing co2 emissions by cutting meat and dairy consumption. As such, activists descended on Westminster earlier this week to try to persuade MPs to sign up.

‘Trying vegan for January by switching to tasty plant-based alternatives in the cafeterias of Parliament would be a simple step to take for our leaders to lead by example, and show they’re serious about tackling climate change,’ said Rich Hardy, Head of Campaigns at Veganuary.

Boots will drop a New Year vegan BLT sarnie

Instagram Photo

Boots is the unexpected vegan hero of the British high street.

You might not have dreamt of a cheeky Boots meal deal when you were an omni but the pharmacy chain has absolutely nailed their vegan options (they even have Livia’s Kitchen and Hippeas as pudding options!).

And they’ve just announced that they’re introducing two more sarnie options to their menu: vegan BTL and all day breakfast.

Yep, no more falafel or roasted carrots between two slices of dried up bread. We’re talking meat alternatives. Vegan eggs. Possibly even slices of meat-free bangers.

So that’s breakfast and lunch sorted for the foreseeable.

Vegan rugby player opens new plant-based cafe by his stadium

Instagram Photo

Yep you read that right – vegan rugby player.

Leeds Rhinos player Anthony Mullally has just opened up a vegan cafe close to the Headingley Stadium.

The Vital Cafe is a West Indian inspired gaff (as the name might suggest) which is open seven days a week and offers an all-you-can-eat buffet on Mondays after 6pm.

Anthony’s business partners are both qualified nutritionists, so you know that those plant macros will be on point.

He turned vegan last year, saying that he felt like a hypocrite eating a vegetarian diet.

‘People expect rugby players to be eating steak every day, but a lot of our squad are now vegetarian because we have started the conversation about everyone’s personal taste,’ he’s said.

And to convince the punters, Vital Cafe is offering a 10% discount to Leeds Rhino club members.

So next time you hear anything about veganism not offering enough muscle-building protein…

Greggs is launching a vegan sausage roll

A sausage roll sits on a customer's table in a Greggs Plc sandwich chain outlet in Caterham, U.K., on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015. Same-store sales at Greggs have grown 5.6 percent so far in 2015, up from 3.9 percent across the same period last year, and the company said on Oct. 6 that full-year growth will exceed its previous forecast slightly. Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images
(Picture: Bloomberg)

A leaked email (classic) got us all hot and flusters this week after it revealed that Greggs was launching a vegan sausage roll in the new year.

The missive apparently said: ‘we’re really excited about the launch of the vegan sausage roll and we know you and our customers will be too.

If true, the news comes as PETA’s petition to get the pasty giant to release a cruelty-free version of the snack collected over 20,000 signatures.

No one actually knows if it’s true or not yet. It could just be one big PR move by Greggs..but it does seem likely that they are planning to release something like this. After all, everyone’s doing it aren’t they?

C’mon Greggs – give the people what they want.

Uber Eats forecasts 2019 to be the year of the meat substitute

Instagram Photo

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, meat substitutes aren’t going anywhere – in fact, they’re going to grow in popularity, according to Uber Eats.

Seitan – the solid gluten that forms the basis of most vegan junk food, is going to be massive still but so are hemp-based foods and drinks.

Heme is also set to be huge. That’s the stuff that allows plant-based food to ‘bleed’ – so expect more terrifyingly juicy burgers and ‘steaks’.

But enough of the future.

The top food searches of 2018 for Uber Eats in the UK, based on 105.5million searches, included coconut, vegan, tofu, tahini, and acai.

Vegan Santa has made his debut

‘Vegan Santa,’ – an ode to the original Father Christmas – has made his debut, draped green in Zizzi’s first ever Christmas ad.

He can be seen enjoying a vegan tagliatelle at the Italian chain, which has an entire vegan festive menu at the moment.

The campaign was inspired by research commissioned by Zizzi which uncovered that a massive two-thirds of Brits are forced into changing their dietary requirements when eating out, with veganism viewed as the diet most difficult to cater for.

Dominika Piasecka from The Vegan Society says: ‘2018 has been the year that veganism has truly gone mainstream, reflected by the fact that a major high street brand has chosen to put a vegan Father Christmas front and centre in its advertising campaign.

‘It also celebrates the fact that there is now so much more choice for vegans when it comes to dining out and that diners are no longer left with a tasteless or bland plate of food.’

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Story of man who was robbed by woman at a bar is being used to make an important point about victim blaming

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Matchmaking. Cropped shot of a happy couple having drinks at the bar smiling joyfully; Shutterstock ID 473780596; Purchase Order: -
(Picture: Shutterstock)

A man has spiralled to internet fame after he kept calling a bar to complain about a woman who supposedly scammed him out of $2,000.

After calling the bar to ask whether he could check their cameras, one barmaid decided to share the story.

She wrote: ‘This dude has been calling my bar to check the cameras because he asked a girl to put her number into his phone and she Venmo’d herself $2,000, drunk b*tches are genius.’

Pretty straightforward story right? Well, commentators on Facebook page Bitch Code, where the story was shared, decided to look at it from another perspective – through the lens of rape culture.

‘How do we even know she did it? Maybe it’s just another jealous man who has it out for her. We have to be careful with accusing women because an allegation like this could ruin her career and future. This could follow her around for life. She has a family to take care of.’

The message, reminiscent of rape apology defenses in which people make excuses for rapists and attackers, quickly inspired other people to follow suit.

METRO GRAB VIA TWITTER Story about a drunk girl taking a guy's money sparks important conversation about consent https://twitter.com/SydneyShyanneS/status/1051203434056052736
(Picture: Sydney ShyanneS /Twitter)

‘It’s not safe for men to go drinking in public by themselves, he really only has himself to blame for this. Maybe next time he will think ahead before making such irresponsible choices,’ wrote another person.

Some people used the story to demonstrate victim blaming and using the victim’s past to tarnish what happened to them.

‘Well if he opened up his wallet once to spend money in the past, why is he upset that he spent money here too? It’s not like his bank account is pristine,’ asked another.

The man in question, who managed to get all his money back, didn’t seem to mind all the attention and apparently thanked the barmaid for making him famous.

The post received over 47,000 likes on Facebook and many pointed out how easily women are blamed even when they’re the victim.

One person argued: ‘By the comments, it seems like men don’t like being blamed for getting robbed any more than a woman likes being blamed for rape. Imagine that.’

It’s certainly a very important message to share.

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Morrisons will sell wonky Brussels sprouts for 75p next week

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(Picture: Morrisons)

Morrisons is going to sell wonky Brussels sprouts for 75p in the fortnight before Christmas.

The move aims to help shoppers with the rising cost of Christmas, and to help British farmers whose crops have been affected by the unseasonably hot and dry weather earlier this year.

At 30 centimetres long, the new Wonky sprout stalks have grown stumpy – compared to a normal sprout stalk at up to 75 cm in length.

There are over 50 sprout buttons on each Wonky stalk which vary in size.

The ones at the top of the stalk are small and perfect for children, while those in the middle and at the bottom are larger at nearly four centimetres across.

(Picture: Morrisons)

As the buttons are differing sizes, the larger sprouts should be added to a pan first, then the smaller a couple of minutes later – to ensure that both are cooked through.

Morrisons’ new Wonky Sprout Stalks will help farmers, after a particularly difficult year for the British sprout harvest.

Sprout fields have been dealt only 75% of their required annual rainfall and have been subjected to temperatures of up to nine degrees hotter than normal.

Normally, if sprouts don’t have long stalks, they are not harvested – because farmers are unable to sell them.

So thousands of imperfect British sprouts could have gone to waste this year. By selling the Wonky Sprout Stalks, Morrisons will be supporting British sprout farmers in Yorkshire and The Cotswolds.

(Picture: Morrisons)

Michael Weightman, Sprout Buyer at Morrisons says: ‘Apart from being a little short, our wonky sprouts have exactly the same taste and nutritional benefits as normal sprouts.

‘Whether you love them or hate them, we know sprouts are an important part of Christmas dinners up and down the country. We hope that by selling whole crops of sprouts – not just the ‘perfect’ ones – we can do our bit to support British farmers and reduce food waste this Christmas.’

The Wonky Sprout Stalks will be sold in Morrisons supermarkets across the UK and will cost just 75p, compared to the usual price of £1.50 for a standard sprout stalk.

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Getting together at the Christmas party gave this couple a marriage, a baby and a business

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Kamil and Maria with Nico on his first birthday (Picture: Kamil Shah)

We’ve all had an office crush but usually it amounts to nothing more than a few nervous conversations as you make a coffee and maybe some flirty emails.

If you want to take it further though, the Christmas party though is the one big chance of the year – with mulled wine flowing and a much more relaxed atmosphere, you might just be able to reveal your true feelings.

But office relationships are complicated – what if you break up but still have to see each other and act professional?

It can be difficult to really take the plunge and make it last.

For this couple though, getting together at their work Christmas party led to marriage, a baby and a creating a business together.

‘We have a lot to thank that Christmas party for,’ Kamil Shah, 38, from Ruislip, West London, laughs.

Back in 2007, he and his now wife Maria Koinaki, 46, both started working for electronics firm Sanyo, based in Watford.

Kamil started his role in April and Maria joined the company in June and they quickly became friends within the office.

‘We became acquainted in the coffee break out areas and we were part of the same lunch group. We didn’t socialise or anything outside of work but got on well,’ Kamil tells Metro.co.uk.

‘We worked on the same floor but never worked together directly.’

Maria and Kamil (Picture: Kamil Shah)

As the work Christmas party approached – both Kamil and Maria’s first with the company – they were looking forward to enjoying speaking outside work but didn’t realise they were attracted to each other.

‘At that Christmas party, we found ourselves talking, which turned into flirting, we turned into dancing for quite a long time.

‘That all led to a Christmas kiss and that is when we realised there was something between us,’ Kamil says.

After the party, the office shut down for the Christmas period, giving them time to go on a few dates and get to know each other outside the office environment.

Realising they wanted to continue the relationship, they decided they wanted to keep it secret from their colleagues as they didn’t want it to become entwined in office politics.

‘Our company was a big global company but where we were working was quite a small office,’ Kamil explains.

‘We would look up from our desks and we could see each other but when she looked up in my direction, my boss was sitting behind me and she would make eye contact with him.

‘Being in a small environment, we felt that office politics would interfere very quickly.

‘We were protecting our relationship but we were protecting our careers as well.

‘We didn’t want people to use our relationship to take advantage to us. We didn’t want people to be asking me to ask Maria to do things to get it done quickly.’

The couple on their wedding day (Picture: Kamil Shah)

Maria returned to work in January, while Kamil headed off on a business trip and despite a few weeks off, their colleagues hadn’t forgotten the chemistry between them at the party.

Kamil says: ‘Maria had a few teasing questions from colleagues about how we’d been dancing together for a long time. She did a good job of deflecting it.

‘I was on a business trip when everyone else got back and she texted me and told me what happened so when I got back, they asked me the same questions but I managed to deflect them too and soon everyone moved onto other things.’

For the next three years, Kamil and Maria managed to keep their relationship quiet from everyone at work, even after they moved in together.

They travelled to work in separate cars and hid their shared days out together from their workmates.

‘There were occasions were my car would go in for a service and she would give me a lift but drop me off at the train station so it looked like I had taken the train,’ Kamil laughed.

‘We were only spotted once by someone from the office when we were having lunch on a Saturday afternoon and Maria had to have a word with the lady who saw us to ask if she would keep the secret.’

When Kamil decided to leave the company for another job in February 2011, over three years after they met, they finally revealed the truth.

Maria, Nico and Kamil (Picture: Kamil Shah)

He says: ‘We had my leaving party and we decided to tell all our colleagues. All our colleagues were so happy for us but the look on their faces was priceless.

‘Most of them had never suspected anything but they admitted there were a few things that were odd when they thought about it.

‘Before we moved in together, I was living in Harrow and Maria had a flat in Hemel Hempstead.

‘I decided to move into her place as it was bigger than mine.

‘During that time, I pretended I was still living in Harrow. There was one colleague who lived in St Albans and when we revealed we were together he said “What about that event we went to together a few months ago? We would have been on the same train together.”

‘I said: “now you know why I left half an hour before you.”

Maria and Kamil with their son Nico (Picture: Kamil Shah)

‘Another colleague said she wondered why our lunches were so similar.’

Now able to be completely open about their relationship, Kamil proposed to Maria a few weeks later while they were in Paris.

But when they launched their business six months later in July, they soon became too busy to plan a wedding.

The couple met in 2007 (Picture: Kamil Shah)

So it wasn’t until Maria fell pregnant with their son in 2015 that they decided to finally tie the knot.

They married in October 2015 and their son Nico was born a month later in November.

Now they both run their business together full-time and say they are so glad they met as it has been a great success.

Kamil adds: ‘Maria comes from Crete and her family have their own olive groves. Her mother sent a parcel with food from Crete, including their own olive oil and when I tasted it, I was just amazed.

‘At that stage they were only really making it for their family and lots of trees went unused. We both realised we wanted to do something with the unused trees.

‘We launched Olive Branch and we love working together, selling to shops, restaurants and at farmers markets.

‘We’re so proud of our story and love talking about how we met now. It gave us each other, our son and our business.’

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MORE: One in 10 people fired or disciplined for Christmas party mayhem

Getting Freaky: Can you get a penis parasite from swimming in lakes and rivers?

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Can you get a penis parasite from swimming in lakes and rivers? picture: Ella Byworth
(Picture: Ella Byworth for metro.co.uk)

What’s nicer than a leisurely swim in some natural water, letting the cool H2O caress your body as your cares drift away with the current?

Perhaps not having a vampiric fish swim up your urethra, but not sure if I’m just being picky.

Have you heard that rumour? That there’s a parasitic water beast that inhabits certain lakes and rivers, laying in wait to feed on your genitalia? Now you have.

Here at Getting Freaky we freaking love rumours. The weirder, the better. The more toe-curling and spine-chilling, the better still.

The things that haunt your dreams are what we love, and unfortunately we can’t always give you the comforting answers and sing you a lullaby back to sleep.

This is the case with the candiru fish; the little blighter who just adores dicks, swimming, and being fierce as hell (omg, she’s just like me).

For some reason we keep ending up back at Chuck Palahnuick, like some 4Chan-dwelling teen who’s read Fight Club for the first time and thinks it’s an allegory for the meaning of life – but the candiru features in the ‘seminal’ work.

It also appears in Season 3 of Grey’s Anatomy, and in William S. Burroughs’ Naked Lunch, where the author calls it:

‘A small eel-like fish or worm about one-quarter inch through and two inches long patronizing certain rivers of ill repute in the Greater Amazon Basin, will dart up your prick or asshole or a woman’s cunt faute de mieux, and hold himself there by sharp spines with precisely what motives is not known since no one has stepped forward to observe the candiru’s life-cycle in situ.’

Naked Lunch came out in 1959, though, so now they have studied the life-cycle at least somewhat. Here’s what we know.

The candiru is from the catfish family, and is considered a parasitic being. It lives primarily in freshwater, and can be found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.

A diagram of the infamous candiru (Picture: Wiki Commons)

Some are small (but some have been recorded as long as 16 inches), they’re transparent (so not easily detectable in the water), and they have backward-facing spines on the sides of their body.

These spines are what most people cringe about when thinking of the dangers of the candiru. If it got into a particular orifice, they would act like those on a bee sting and make it extremely difficult to remove – at least without a whole load of pain.

One of the most enduring myths about the candiru is that it waits until you urinate, then swims up the pee stream into the urethra.

Because it normally lives in the gills on fish, feeding off of blood, powers of deduction would have you believe that there might be every reason for it to choose a human host instead. We’re full of that red fish nectar. But ‘common sense’ is often the amalgamation of urban legends.

This tale was first published by botanist Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius in 1829. Despite having never seen this process, he said that locals had spoken to him about it, and told him they wore ligatures on their penises to protect themselves.

It was further perpetuated in 1855 by Francis de Laporte de Castelnau who said a similar thing. Although he called it ‘preposterous’ it still cemented the idea in popular thought.

Martius had stated that he believed the fish were attracted to the odour of the urine, but since they are guided by sight rather than smell, it has been proven that this isn’t the case.

Swimming up the column of the pee coming out also defies the laws of fluid dynamics so, y’know, myth very easily busted.

There were later a couple of reports of Western explorers heading to the Amazon and finding out that swathes of men had had their penises amputated after candiru attacks, although it was later deduced that these were more likely to be due to piranha bites and a lack of adequate translation.

We also shouldn’t forget vaginal urethras either, as there were various reports throughout the 1800s and early 1900s of the candiru eschewing preferences and going for both.

Anyway, the problem with all of these reports was that none of them were seen first-hand. Until 1997.

Dr. Anoar Samad, a urological surgeon in northern Brazil allegedly had a patient come in with one of the fish lodged inside him; apparently after it had ‘jumped’ out of the water while he was relieving himself.

Samad claimed that he removed the fish by opening the urethra, cutting the blades, and pulling the fish out. It’s unclear in his account what the after-effects were for this patient, and since it’s the only story we have it’s almost impossible to know if it would cause an infection or disfigurement long-term.

He provided pictures, a video, and a specimen as evidence that it happened, although there have been biologists to debunk him.

Steven Spotte, in particular, has various criticisms of Samad and his account of events, although did not make a final conclusion on whether it was true or false. He did say, however, that if it was real, your chances of a candiru going up your urethra are around ‘the same as being struck by lightning while simultaneously being eaten by a shark.’

Assess your good fortune, work out how snug your trunks are, then ask yourself: Do ya feel lucky punk? Huh? Do ya?

There are all sorts of creepy crawlies in water – as you’ll know if you’ve been watching I’m a Celeb – and given that the candiru inhabits remote regions where wildlife goes largely unexplored, it’s impossible to know what could happen.

We can ascertain, though, that:

  1. Unless you’re doing a gap yah and trying to find yourself among the tribes of the Amazon Basin, it’s unlikely you’re going to be swimming in the fish’s habitat.
  2. If you are, and something hurts your genitals in the water, it’s far more likely to be a piranha. Seek medical attention regardless.
  3. If you are one of the chosen two to be attacked by a candiru, it’s that rare that they’ll probably make some sort of 127 Hours style movie about your life. Okay, there’s spiky beast in your pee-hole, but we all must suffer for our art.

Go forth and swim with gay abandon. Perhaps stop peeing in the water with such gay abandon, though.

Until next week, freaks.

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Why do we eat turkey at Christmas and how many are eaten each year?

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Why is turkey a Christmas bird? (Picture: Getty)

One of the many slightly unusual things we do at Christmas time and rarely question is eating an enormous amount of turkey, but why?

While the bird is eaten all year round by some, it is not a staple like chicken, pork or beef, and yet on Christmas Day we all faithfully dig into a giant turkey.

No Merchandising. Editorial Use Only. No Book Cover Usage. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Marvel Studios/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock (5886221p) Chadwick Boseman Captain America - Civil War - 2016 Director: Anthony Russo / Joe Russo Marvel Studios USA Scene Still Action/AdventureBlack Panther is up for Best Picture at the Golden Globes and it's so well deserved

Not everyone toes the line, with some chomping away on goose or a big ham (and of course the various veggie and vegan options) but turkey is still comfortably the most popular.

So where did the tradition come from?

(Picture: Getty)

The credit can go to the good people of Yorkshire, more specifically William Strickland.

Yorkshireman Strickland acquired six birds from American Indian traders on his travels way back in 1526 and introduced the species to Britain.

Before turkeys were brought to these shores, people used to consume geese, boars’ head, chicken, cow and even peacocks during the festive period.

In the 16th century King Henry VIII became the first English king to feast on turkey and King Edward VII further popularised turkey consumption in the 19th century.

A 16th century poem described Christmas dinner in England as: ‘Beefe, mutton, and porke, shred pies of the best, pig, veal, goose and capon, and turkey well drest”, along with cheese, apples, nuts and “good drink.’

King Henry VIII became the first king to eat turkey (Picture: Getty)

The reason that turkey became more common was that farmers thought it would be much more cost-effective to keep chickens and cows alive, so that they could produce eggs and milk.

Turkeys don’t have quite as many uses as the other birds and beasts so became a favourable option for the dinner table.

How many turkeys are eaten at Christmas in the UK?

According to the spectacular BritishTurkey.co.uk, around 10 million turkeys are eaten in the UK every year at Christmas time.

25% of Brits buy our Christmas turkeys months in advance to prepare for the big day, while 76% of us do indeed choose turkey over other meats.

Back in the 1930s the average person had to work for a week to be able to buy a turkey and it only really became a common tradition rather than a luxury from the 50s onwards.

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Widower dresses up as Santa and writes to children to honour his wife’s dying wish

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(Picture: Katielee Arrowsmith/SWNS)

David Brown, 63, was widowed in August this year when his wife Ann died days before her 69th birthday.

But before her death, Ann asked David to pull out all the stops for a Christmas tradition which began 11 years earlier, when she first became ill.

The house was to be decked out in thousands of glittering lights while David dressed as Santa Claus and personally wrote to children that had written to the festive figure.

It’s a tradition David has stuck to since then and has carried on after her death.

David Brown, 63 from Bonnyrigg, Midlothian who for the eleventh year has dressed as Santa and decked his house with thousands of Christmas lights and decorations. Dec 5 2018 See SWNS story SWSClights; A real-life Santa decked out his home in 3,000 glittering Christmas lights to fulfil his wife?s dying wish - and sends letters to all the children who write to him. David Brown, 63, was widowed in August when his wife Anne died days before her 69th birthday. But before her death, Anne asked David to pull out all the stops for a tradition which began 11 years earlier, when she first became ill. To please his wife when she first became bedridden with COPD, a progressive lung disease, David decorated their home in Bonnyrigg, Edinburgh, with Christmas lights.
(Picture: Katielee Arrowsmith/SWNS)

To please his wife when she was first diagnosed with COPD, a progressive lung disease, David decorated their home in Bonnyrigg, Edinburgh, with Christmas lights.

And the grandfather-of-eight left the windows open so Anne could hear the children laughing while he dressed as Father Christmas – every day for the month of December.

In tribute to her, David has made this year’s display – which will be the last at the family home – even more spectacular.

He has built a Cinderella-style carriage from scratch, complete with six rocking horses, which will be named by children living nearby.

He’s added another 1,400 lights to the 1,600 he used last year, taking the total up to 3,000.

David Brown, 63 from Bonnyrigg, Midlothian who for the eleventh year has dressed as Santa and decked his house with thousands of Christmas lights and decorations. Dec 5 2018 See SWNS story SWSClights; A real-life Santa decked out his home in 3,000 glittering Christmas lights to fulfil his wife???s dying wish - and sends letters to all the children who write to him. David Brown, 63, was widowed in August when his wife Anne died days before her 69th birthday. But before her death, Anne asked David to pull out all the stops for a tradition which began 11 years earlier, when she first became ill. To please his wife when she first became bedridden with COPD, a progressive lung disease, David decorated their home in Bonnyrigg, Edinburgh, with Christmas lights.
(Picture: Katielee Arrowsmith/SWNS)
David Brown, 63 from Bonnyrigg, Midlothian who for the eleventh year has dressed as Santa and decked his house with thousands of Christmas lights and decorations. Dec 5 2018 See SWNS story SWSClights; A real-life Santa decked out his home in 3,000 glittering Christmas lights to fulfil his wife???s dying wish - and sends letters to all the children who write to him. David Brown, 63, was widowed in August when his wife Anne died days before her 69th birthday. But before her death, Anne asked David to pull out all the stops for a tradition which began 11 years earlier, when she first became ill. To please his wife when she first became bedridden with COPD, a progressive lung disease, David decorated their home in Bonnyrigg, Edinburgh, with Christmas lights.
(Picture: Katielee Arrowsmith/SWNS)

‘I started 11 years ago when my wife was not well,’ he said.

‘It was to keep her amused when she was looking out the window, and it got bigger and bigger.

‘I promised her I would do them again this year. It’s a tribute to my wife. I would like to think my wife would be really proud.’

David has set up a post box for schoolchildren living nearby to write their Christmas wishes ahead of 25 December.

Up until then, David will dress up from 3.30pm until 9pm every day, and hand out bags of sweets, which cost him £1,500 in total.

And it’s not just to honour his wife as David is raising funds for Marie Curie, the charity who helped Ann during her illness.

Children in the area have started sending in their requests – which includes one three-year-old boy requesting a puppy, robots and toy cars.

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Can you spot the five turkeys hidden in this Christmas brain teaser?

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Picture: Christmas Brainteaser Can you find the 5 hidden turkeys in this festive party scene?
(Picture: Stay in Cornwall)

Can you spot the five turkeys hiding in this Christmas party scene?

Yesterday we shared a super difficult brain teaser of holiday luggage covered in stickers, and the aim was to find the North Pole sticker.

Today, we have a new festive brain teaser.

Take a look at the picture below – there are five turkeys hidden in the house.

According to holiday cottage company Stay in Cornwall, it has been taken people three minutes on average to locate all five of the turkeys.

Can you do it quicker than that?

Picture: Christmas Brainteaser Can you find the 5 hidden turkeys in this festive party scene?
(Picture: Stay in Cornwall)

If you’re ready to have all the turkeys pointed out to you (or you’re just bored of looking yourself), take a look below:

(Picture: Stay in Cornwall)

James Starkey, marketing director of Stay in Cornwall said: ‘The brain teaser has had all of us scratching our heads right from the start, mainly because it’s deceptively tricky.’

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McDonald’s is selling chicken nugget Christmas decorations

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(Picture: McDonald’s)

It’s December, and so finally it’s time for McDonald’s to release its Christmas decorations.

The fast food chain has launched a number of chicken nugget themed decorations, and we can’t wait to hang them on our trees.

The chicken nugget bauble comes with glitter and a Santa hat, and was designed by BombKi1, the designer who makes baubles for Fortnum & Mason.

McDonald's Is Selling Chicken Nugget Christmas Decorations
(Picture: McDonald’s)

There are also chicken nugget fairy lights, made up of a string of McNuggets with golden arches to ensure your tree looks like it was made at McDonald’s.

Ben Fox, marketing director at McDonald’s, said: ‘Our new Reindeer Ready campaign aims to remind customers that we are there when they need us at this time of year – from a Christmas shopping coffee break to a pre-party burger or even a mid-present delivery carrot stop.’

If you haven’t already put your Christmas tree up, and you love a McDonald’s, you know what to do.

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The weather outside is frightful, but these dog leggings are delightful

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The weather outside is frightful, but these dog leggings are delightful METRO GRAB taken from: http://www.walkeepaws.com Credit: Walkee Paws
(Picture: Walkee Paws)

Apart from the odd boot or coat, dogs have very little protection from the elements.

That means, when you’re walking little Patch or Poppy or Peach, they could walk on broken glass or into dangerous chemicals.

It also means that if you forget to wash Bella or Buttercup or Buttons before they get indoors, they can track all manner of foul things through the house.

OR, you could get them some of these stylish and practical dog leggings from Walkee Paws, and there is no more danger to Fido or the upholstery.

They were designed by New Yorker Lisa Baronoff for her Cocker Spaniel Toffee.

The weather outside is frightful, but these dog leggings are delightful METRO GRAB taken from: http://www.walkeepaws.com Credit: Walkee Paws
Tartan for a discerning dog (Picture: Walkee Paws)

She was worried about Toffee tracking all sorts of city junk through the house, or what he might be ingesting when he licked his paws after a walk.

Boots weren’t a great option for Toffee, since he hated putting them on, and even when she could get them on he’d kick them off after a short time.

So, using her experience in hosiery and toy development, she started experimenting with her own tights.

Baronoff saw how much more receptive she was to a legging style, and began working on a 4-way stretch fabric and tightening tool, as well as putting thin rubber feet on the bottoms.

This allows the dog to feel like they’re walking on the ground (which is a step up from standard boots which may confuse pups) but also protects the paws.

You slide them on like tights, adjust the tightener and watch your dog strut around like it’s on Britain’s Next Top Model.

They come in three sizes and four different patterns; camo, tartan, polka dots, and plain. Walkee Paws are also machine washable.

Unfortunately, they’re only available in the US at present, but you can keep an eye on the website to see any updates.

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Should veganism be considered a philosophical belief?

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Jordi Casamitjana - Ethical Vegan who was dismissed by an Animal Welfare charity
Jordi Casamitjana claims he was sacked for his vegan beliefs (Kickstarter)

Earlier this week, a vegan launched an unfair dismissal case against his employer, claiming to have been fired for his beliefs.

Jordon Casamitjana says he was dismissed by animal welfare charity the League Against Cruel Sports after he raised concerns about its pension fund being invested in companies that tested on animals.

The case – due to be settled in the spring – has thrown up one big question: should veganism have the same protections as a religion?

To formally do someone for discrimination, you’ve got be able to prove that they’re marking you out for a natural born trait or characteristic beyond your control (race, gender, sexual preference, disability) or philosophical belief.

This case hangs on the latter.

According to the 2010 Equality Act, religion or belief is one of nine protected characteristics.

To be classed as such, you have to show that:

  • A belief is genuinely held
  • It has a weighty and substantial aspect of human life and behaviour
  • Attain a certain level of cogency, seriousness, cohesion and importance
  • Be worthy of respect in a democratic society, not be incompatible with human dignity and not conflict with the fundamental rights of other
  • Be a belief, not an opinion or viewpoint based on the present state of information available

But should veganism be recognised as a philosophical belief? Is it a kind of quasi-religion?

Religion may need the presence of a higher being to be in place, but a belief doesn’t. Look at humanism or atheism. Neither rely on a supernatural power. You can have an atheist or humanist wedding. Both are beliefs that can dominate someone’s life and influence their daily activities. Hell, Richard Dawkins has made atheism his life’s work.

Would we be outraged if an atheist for example, got fired for questioning an office’s Christmas celebrations on the grounds that it was all founded on nonsense? Probably – a Scrooge they may be, but that doesn’t mean they should be sacked. Atheists and humanists face ‘systematic discrimination’ in the UK, according to a 2014 report from the International Humanist and Ethical Union.

‘Schools are typically allowed to discriminate against students in their admission policies, favouring those of the faith over those of other faiths and of no faith, or even favouring those of other faiths over those of no faith,’ it said.

Loads of vegetarians and vegans are accidentally eating meat
(Picture: Metro.co.uk)

While there don’t seem to have been any cases of people actually being fired over their non-religious beliefs here, Citizens Advice says: ‘You are protected by law from discrimination because of your religion or belief if you have a profound belief which affects your way of life or view of the world. This includes religious and philosophical beliefs, or a lack of belief, such as Atheism’.

If you compare veganism to humanism, for example, they’re not vastly different entities. Both offer alternative weddings. Both preach compassion. Both are sort of fringe movements which are growing as people turn against traditional belief systems and lifestyles.

According to Hayley Trovato, a senior associate at law firm OGR Stock Denton, Jordon may well have a case.

According to the Law Gazette, she’s been looking back to the 2010 case of Grainger plc v Nicholson, ‘in which philosophical belief was defined as having to be a genuinely held belief and not just an opinion.

‘Although the above criteria do have the potential to be very widely construed…a person who rejects the consumption of animals in all forms out of an ethical commitment through veganism could, realistically, be considered to hold a belief covered by the act.’

While I’m probably not at the stage of nailing myself to a cross in the name of plant-based living, it’s fair to say that some people’s veganism really is guiding life of their lives.

It influences their dietary choices, their skincare, laundry and cleaning product choices. It decides where they travel on holiday, who they date and procreate with. In some cases, it’ll decide what medications they’re willing to take.

That certainly sounds like a philosophical belief system, doesn’t it?

In this ever cynical, miserable world, it’s no wonder that more and more of us are fueling our energies towards something which preaches love and kindness to all.

Some of us would argue that treating animals as equals is, in its own way, both anti-capitalist and intersectionally feminist. Vegans object to female cows, goats and sheep being inseminated and milked against their will. For many vegans, a female farm animal should have the same respect as a woman.

Not everyone can afford meat but the vast majority can afford vegetables and bread; the ultra-high-end veganism of Whole Foods and yoga retreats have little-if-nothing to do with the cause at all.

Who knows if Jordon really was the victim of discrimination or not, but his case does throw up an interesting development in the acceptance of veganism as a very serious and passionate part of many of our lives.

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Sex, urine, and demon porn: People share their Christmas party horror stories

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Christmas party horror stories
(Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)

What is it about Christmas parties that makes everyone lose their inhibitions?

Ah yes, probably the free booze.

From hooking up with a colleague and facing the dreaded walk of shame the next day to telling everyone exactly what you think of them, to weeing and defecating where one should not, there’s just a host of wild Christmas party horror stories out there.

We asked a bunch of people about some of their worst office party stories. Here are some of the haunting answers we received.

Lia, 27

A lot of our clients were at the Christmas party, my boss bought us all tickets – it was in the city, with three-course meals and a comedy show, we all got pretty smashed.

I was so drunk, I had flirted with the CFO (my boss didn’t really give a shit about this) but I had literally left a trail of kisses on all the CEOs of our client company’s cheeks in red lipstick and said Merry Christmas to everybody – this was all at the pre-party.

We had an afterparty and I ended up making out with the owner of a very well known bar franchise, in front of my boss. But luckily, they laughed it off.

The owner of the bar then took me to another one of his bars, and his mate came with us. We were sat in the back of the cab and – I’m not proud of this – I gave him a blow job while his colleague was there. We were that drunk.

The following summer I bumped into the mate who remembered I was the girl who’d sucked off his colleague in the back of a cab.

How to hook up responsibly at your office Christmas party
(Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)

Annie, 24

My friend came to a Christmas house party and because she’s from Brighton she had to stay over.

In the middle of the night she was still so drunk from the party but needed to pee so she got up and ended up peeing on the radiator because she thought it was the loo.

She couldn’t stop herself midstream once she realised so she kept going, cleaned up with towels after and threw them in the bathroom.

Nobody ever knew it was her.

Joseph, 30

One of my friends ended up sleeping with a guy she’d met at the Christmas party. She said he had a big donger. When she went for seconds in the morning, she realised that he’d pissed the bed.

He’d peed in the bed when they were both knocked out and it seeped into the bed. She realised when they were about to get jiggy again in the morning and she felt dampness on the bed, thinking it was sweat at first.

Horror ensued. No sex was had that morning. She was mortified that he had pissed in her bed and even more so that he was so casual about it.

The guy made it seem like it had happened before.

Scott, 31

I got so drunk I fell over, knocked down the Christmas tree and broke one of the girls’ gifts by landing on it. It was a champagne set.

Those are just a few stories that people told Metro.co.uk. Here are some absolutely wild ones we found on the Reddit community:

Quidagebo:

‘There was a coworker who arrived in a giant baby diaper with nothing else on except sneakers. And someone smeared chocolate frosting on his diaper at some point. Not super wild, but this was a dry party.’

We imagine he looked something like this (Picture: Dave Anderson for Metro.co.uk)

Deadlysyntax:

‘I worked at McDonald’s and we had a work party. Some of the crew volunteered to run the night shift while the rest of us went out. I was a manager so I got to see the camera footage the next day. It was of me, walking around the restaurant and kitchen with my pants down, shaping my balls to look like a brain and making people look at my taut scrote.

‘There were also brown-eyes and squashed-rats, which is where you press your dick and balls up against the glass. That was me in the drive-through window. I woke up horrified and knew I was in trouble.

‘There was a small fallout. I miraculously didn’t get fired, no one formally complained. My punishment was to wash car windows as they went through drive-thru on my day off and donate the tips to the Ronald McDonald House charity.’

AndrogynousHobo:

‘My supervisor and I somehow ended up on the couch in the basement of another coworker’s Christmas party, watching demon porn.’

MrPopo72:

‘We had a “Mardi Gras” themed holiday party. One guy decided to bring his saxophone and be a ‘jazz man’. Normal enough, right? Well, he also thought that to be a jazz man, he needed to show up in blackface. Luckily, this is rural Wisconsin and no one at the company was black so we all just got really really drunk and told him he’s an idiot.’

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Emoji charades is the ideal game if you can’t be together IRL to play

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(Picture: Getty)

Playing games at Christmas is amazing (especially if you love arguing over fake money in Monopoly).

Given that train tickets around the UK are now more expensive than flights across the Atlantic, however, it’s not always possible to be around the table together.

That’s where emoji charades comes in, since you can be across the world and still play a game that makes you laugh and look stupid in the process.

  • The rules are very simple:
  • Take a picture of yourself doing some sort of face/action/way to act out an emoji
  • Send the picture to whoever you wish (can be done in a group chat as well as one to one)
  • See if they can guess the emoji you’re acting out.

The more outrageous, the better, in this case.

Go big with costumes or try super niche emojis – really make it hard for people.

There are plenty of emoji impersonation tutorials online for you to look at, but we have a few ideas:

Pretend you’re a waiter with an invisible plate = Sassy Girl Emoji

Take two blue straws and place them under your eyes vertically = Loudly Crying Emoji

Cover yourself in face paint = Rainbow Emoji

Toilet brush on your head = Unicorn Emoji

The possibilities really are endless, and if you’re working over the festive season it can be a good way to still feel included with your family and friends.

No one should be lonely at Christmas, and if technology is the best way to join in the fun, then so be it.

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Lego Playgrounds brings toys to life in new AR app for iOS

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Lego Playgrounds brings the bricks to life
Lego Playgrounds brings the bricks to life

Accidentally standing on an errant brick will never be a problem with the ‘mixed reality’ of the latest Lego creation.

Lego may be the biggest toy brand on the planet but a problem the company is obviously worried about is that kids today are often more interested in the virtual world than the tactical joys of the real one.

They’ve done well to bridge the gap with things like the Lego video games but now they’re trying to tie things in more closely to the actual toys, with a new smartphone concept called Lego Playgrounds.

The first app is going live this week and the idea is that it brings certain sets to life by pointing your iPhone or iPad camera at them and seeing the figures and bricks interact as if they were alive.

The first sets to use the tech will be based around Lego Ninjago and work via special ‘Dragon Hunters’ toys that the camera can detect and create unique animations for.

But it goes a step further by using Apple’s ARKit technology, which allows two people to connect together and interact in the same augmented reality scene.

The two players can share power-ups and 3D items, and battles waves of enemies in a simple video game element – and then compare their high scores with friends.

The Lego Ninjago AR playground is aimed at ages 9+ and works with the sets Lego Ninjago Dieselnaut (70654) and Lego Ninjago Dragon’s Pit (70655).

You can play the first five levels without owning any set though, to get an idea of how it works.

You’ll need an iPhone 6s or above to get it to work but the app itself is free and does not have any in-app purchases.

Woman who had severe reaction to hair dye can never colour her hair again

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(Picture: MDWfeatures / Georgina Carter)

A mum was left scarred after having her hair dyed at a salon.

She suffered a severe allergic reaction, which left her with swollen eyes and burns covering her face. It took doctors six months to find out why.

26-year-old Georgina Carter, from Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom, had enjoyed getting her hair dyed or eyebrows tinted ever since she was at school.

She loved changing up her hair colour and had gone black, brunette, blonde, pink, purple and red over the years. She had never experienced a reaction to dye.

But things changed for Georgina in March this year when she went to get her hair dyed and eyebrows tinted at a salon.

MARCH, CAMBRIDGESHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM: Georgina's reaction. THIS BRITISH mum-of-one was left scarred after dying her hair at a salon and suffering a severe allergic reaction which left her with swollen eyes and burns COVERING HER FACE - but it took doctors SIX-MONTHS to find out why. Administration assistant, Georgina Carter (26) from March, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom, had always enjoyed getting her hair dyed or eyebrows tinted ever since she was at school. She loved changing up her hair colour and had been black, brunette, blonde, pink, purple and red over the years and never experienced a reaction to dye. But things changed for Georgina, who is mum to 17-month-old Blake, in March this year when she went to get her hair dyed and eyebrows tinted at a salon. Trained as a beauty therapist, she knew the importance of having patch test done beforehand and didn???t suffer any reaction so thought she would be safe to go ahead with her new look. A week after her treatments, Georgina noticed a small chemical burn appear on her ear, thinking it was eczema or psoriasis at first, she didn???t stress too much but within another week the burn had spread across her face and body, her eyes had swollen, and her skin dried out and cracked. This left her with painful itchy skin which forced her to sleep with ice packs to soothe her skin at night. During this time, Georgina had no idea she was having an allergic reaction to a chemical found in most hair dyes called paraphenylenediamine (PPD) and it took six months of several trips to A&E, three different doctors, a private dermatologist, 19 different tests that included blood tests and tests to rule out lupus and an allergy patch test over six days to find out the cause of her reaction. Now Georgina will no longer be able to have her full head dyed but will be able to have highlights that use bleach instead of PPD, although she is devastated about this she is sharing her story to stress the importance of dye safety. MDWfeatures /
(Picture: MDWfeatures / Georgina Carter)

Trained as a beauty therapist, she knew the importance of having a patch test done beforehand and didn’t suffer any reaction, so thought she would be safe to go ahead with her new look.

A week after her treatments, Georgina noticed a small chemical burn appear on her ear.

Thinking it was eczema or psoriasis at first, she didn’t stress too much but within another week the burn had spread across her face and body, her eyes had swollen, and her skin dried out and cracked.

This left her with painful itchy skin which forced her to sleep with ice packs to soothe her skin at night.

During this time, Georgina had no idea she was having an allergic reaction to a chemical found in most hair dyes called paraphenylenediamine (PPD) and it took six months of several trips to A&E, three different doctors, a private dermatologist, 19 different tests that included blood tests and tests to rule out lupus and an allergy patch test over six days to find out the cause of her reaction.

MARCH, CAMBRIDGESHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM: Georgina's reaction. THIS BRITISH mum-of-one was left scarred after dying her hair at a salon and suffering a severe allergic reaction which left her with swollen eyes and burns COVERING HER FACE - but it took doctors SIX-MONTHS to find out why. Administration assistant, Georgina Carter (26) from March, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom, had always enjoyed getting her hair dyed or eyebrows tinted ever since she was at school. She loved changing up her hair colour and had been black, brunette, blonde, pink, purple and red over the years and never experienced a reaction to dye. But things changed for Georgina, who is mum to 17-month-old Blake, in March this year when she went to get her hair dyed and eyebrows tinted at a salon. Trained as a beauty therapist, she knew the importance of having patch test done beforehand and didn???t suffer any reaction so thought she would be safe to go ahead with her new look. A week after her treatments, Georgina noticed a small chemical burn appear on her ear, thinking it was eczema or psoriasis at first, she didn???t stress too much but within another week the burn had spread across her face and body, her eyes had swollen, and her skin dried out and cracked. This left her with painful itchy skin which forced her to sleep with ice packs to soothe her skin at night. During this time, Georgina had no idea she was having an allergic reaction to a chemical found in most hair dyes called paraphenylenediamine (PPD) and it took six months of several trips to A&E, three different doctors, a private dermatologist, 19 different tests that included blood tests and tests to rule out lupus and an allergy patch test over six days to find out the cause of her reaction. Now Georgina will no longer be able to have her full head dyed but will be able to have highlights that use bleach instead of PPD, although she is devastated about this she is sharing her story to stress the importance of dye safety. MDWfeatures /
(Picture: MDWfeatures / Georgina Carter)

Now Georgina will no longer be able to have her full head dyed but will be able to have highlights that use bleach instead of PPD.

She is sharing her story to stress the importance of dye safety.

She said: ‘I’ve always dyed my hair, I trained as a hairdresser and beauty therapist through college and loved changing my hair.

‘One week after I dyed my hair, I had a chemical burn appear on my ear and within a week this had turned into a burn on my face and within days it had spread to a full body rash.

‘My eyes had also swollen, my skin had cracked and dried and my whole body was itchy to the point where I was sleeping with ice packs on my body.

MARCH, CAMBRIDGESHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM: The allergy patch test that Georgina went through. THIS BRITISH mum-of-one was left scarred after dying her hair at a salon and suffering a severe allergic reaction which left her with swollen eyes and burns COVERING HER FACE - but it took doctors SIX-MONTHS to find out why. Administration assistant, Georgina Carter (26) from March, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom, had always enjoyed getting her hair dyed or eyebrows tinted ever since she was at school. She loved changing up her hair colour and had been black, brunette, blonde, pink, purple and red over the years and never experienced a reaction to dye. But things changed for Georgina, who is mum to 17-month-old Blake, in March this year when she went to get her hair dyed and eyebrows tinted at a salon. Trained as a beauty therapist, she knew the importance of having patch test done beforehand and didn???t suffer any reaction so thought she would be safe to go ahead with her new look. A week after her treatments, Georgina noticed a small chemical burn appear on her ear, thinking it was eczema or psoriasis at first, she didn???t stress too much but within another week the burn had spread across her face and body, her eyes had swollen, and her skin dried out and cracked. This left her with painful itchy skin which forced her to sleep with ice packs to soothe her skin at night. During this time, Georgina had no idea she was having an allergic reaction to a chemical found in most hair dyes called paraphenylenediamine (PPD) and it took six months of several trips to A&E, three different doctors, a private dermatologist, 19 different tests that included blood tests and tests to rule out lupus and an allergy patch test over six days to find out the cause of her reaction. Now Georgina will no longer be able to have her full head dyed but will be able to have highlights that use bleach instead of PPD, although she is devastated about this she is sharing her story to stress the importance
(Picture: MDWfeatures / Georgina Carter)

‘I had no idea it was an allergic reaction, even A&E, three different doctors and a private dermatologist didn’t know what it was.

‘I tried a range of prescription steroid creams and different moisturisers that had been prescribed and some that I bought from the shop.

‘I’m not sure why I reacted, maybe it was because my hormones after having my baby had changed but we are still unsure.

‘It took six months to finally get a diagnosis, I had 19 different tests done, standard blood tests and tests for lupus and an allergy patch test over six days.’

Many permanent and some semi-permanent hair dyes contain chemical PPD, which is an irritant and allergen. Dyes containing PPD are usually perfectly safe to use.

MARCH, CAMBRIDGESHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM: Georgina's reaction. THIS BRITISH mum-of-one was left scarred after dying her hair at a salon and suffering a severe allergic reaction which left her with swollen eyes and burns COVERING HER FACE - but it took doctors SIX-MONTHS to find out why. Administration assistant, Georgina Carter (26) from March, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom, had always enjoyed getting her hair dyed or eyebrows tinted ever since she was at school. She loved changing up her hair colour and had been black, brunette, blonde, pink, purple and red over the years and never experienced a reaction to dye. But things changed for Georgina, who is mum to 17-month-old Blake, in March this year when she went to get her hair dyed and eyebrows tinted at a salon. Trained as a beauty therapist, she knew the importance of having patch test done beforehand and didn???t suffer any reaction so thought she would be safe to go ahead with her new look. A week after her treatments, Georgina noticed a small chemical burn appear on her ear, thinking it was eczema or psoriasis at first, she didn???t stress too much but within another week the burn had spread across her face and body, her eyes had swollen, and her skin dried out and cracked. This left her with painful itchy skin which forced her to sleep with ice packs to soothe her skin at night. During this time, Georgina had no idea she was having an allergic reaction to a chemical found in most hair dyes called paraphenylenediamine (PPD) and it took six months of several trips to A&E, three different doctors, a private dermatologist, 19 different tests that included blood tests and tests to rule out lupus and an allergy patch test over six days to find out the cause of her reaction. Now Georgina will no longer be able to have her full head dyed but will be able to have highlights that use bleach instead of PPD, although she is devastated about this she is sharing her story to stress the importance of dye safety. MDWfeatures /
(Picture: MDWfeatures / Georgina Carter)

Georgina has been left with scars from the reaction on her face and chest area which means she is now more conscious about what she wears when she is out and about.

She upset to not be able to dye her hair again, but wants others to know how important patch tests are.

‘I’m upset that I can’t dye my hair again but I am able to have highlights using bleach as this contains no PPD but I still panic each time just in case,’ she said.

‘I’m devastated that I don’t have the freedom anymore to do what I want with my hair.

‘I am more cautious of what I wear, although I try not to let it bother me, people who I’m around daily like my friends, family and workmates, all know what I’ve been through so don’t draw attention to it anymore, but it was a big shock for everyone when the reaction came out.

‘Make sure as a hairdresser or beautician, you are not completing a treatment without a patch test and as a client, never risk having a treatment without one by thinking, “it won’t happen to me”.

‘To anyone in a similar situation, don’t panic, eventually doctors and dermatologists will find an answer. It’s a long journey but it will get better.’

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A fairy tale castle on the coast has just gone on the market for £4 million

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BNPS.co.uk (01202) 558833 Pic: Savills/BNPS Fancy living in your very own fantasy castle... An incredible fairytale-style castle that looks like it comes straight from the pages of a children's book has gone on the market for ??4m. The castle, called An Culu, looks historic but was only built 20 years ago by Englishman Kevin Reardon. The self-made millionaire had spotted an isolated ruined folly on the banks of Kenmare Bay in Co. Kerry, Ireland, from a fishing boat and decided to buy it. He spent hundreds of thousands of pounds creating the Gothic Revival castle which has a moat and drawbridge and an incredible underground cave-like swimming pool.
(Picture: Savills/BNPS)

A gorgeous fairy tale style castle on the coast has just gone on the market for £4 million.

The An Culu castle looks like it’s just come out of a children’s fantasy story, and despite looking historic it’s actually only 20 years old, and was founded by English entrepreneur Kevin Reardon, who spotted it from his fishing boat.

Kevin spent a fortune creating and furnishing the neo-Gothic castle which has castellations, turrets, a moat and a drawbridge.

BNPS.co.uk (01202) 558833 Pic: Savills/BNPS Stunning James Bond style swimming pool cave complex. Fancy living in your very own fantasy castle... An incredible fairytale-style castle that looks like it comes straight from the pages of a children's book has gone on the market for ??4m. The castle, called An Culu, looks historic but was only built 20 years ago by Englishman Kevin Reardon. The self-made millionaire had spotted an isolated ruined folly on the banks of Kenmare Bay in Co. Kerry, Ireland, from a fishing boat and decided to buy it. He spent hundreds of thousands of pounds creating the Gothic Revival castle which has a moat and drawbridge and an incredible underground cave-like swimming pool.
(Picture: Savills/BNPS)
BNPS.co.uk (01202) 558833 Pic: Savills/BNPS Spectacular location on the shores of Kenmare Bay in county Kerry. Fancy living in your very own fantasy castle... An incredible fairytale-style castle that looks like it comes straight from the pages of a children's book has gone on the market for ??4m. The castle, called An Culu, looks historic but was only built 20 years ago by Englishman Kevin Reardon. The self-made millionaire had spotted an isolated ruined folly on the banks of Kenmare Bay in Co. Kerry, Ireland, from a fishing boat and decided to buy it. He spent hundreds of thousands of pounds creating the Gothic Revival castle which has a moat and drawbridge and an incredible underground cave-like swimming pool.
(Picture: Savills/BNPS)
BNPS.co.uk (01202) 558833 Pic: Savills/BNPS Despite the medieval feel the incredible castle was actually built in the 1990's. Fancy living in your very own fantasy castle... An incredible fairytale-style castle that looks like it comes straight from the pages of a children's book has gone on the market for ??4m. The castle, called An Culu, looks historic but was only built 20 years ago by Englishman Kevin Reardon. The self-made millionaire had spotted an isolated ruined folly on the banks of Kenmare Bay in Co. Kerry, Ireland, from a fishing boat and decided to buy it. He spent hundreds of thousands of pounds creating the Gothic Revival castle which has a moat and drawbridge and an incredible underground cave-like swimming pool.
(Picture: Savills/BNPS)
BNPS.co.uk (01202) 558833 Pic: Savills/BNPS Despite the medieval feel the incredible castle was actually built in the 1990's. Fancy living in your very own fantasy castle... An incredible fairytale-style castle that looks like it comes straight from the pages of a children's book has gone on the market for ??4m. The castle, called An Culu, looks historic but was only built 20 years ago by Englishman Kevin Reardon. The self-made millionaire had spotted an isolated ruined folly on the banks of Kenmare Bay in Co. Kerry, Ireland, from a fishing boat and decided to buy it. He spent hundreds of thousands of pounds creating the Gothic Revival castle which has a moat and drawbridge and an incredible underground cave-like swimming pool.
(Picture: Savills/BNPS)

Though the castle looks like something out of Sleeping Beauty, it’s very modern on the inside.

It features five en-suite bedrooms, a cave-like swimming pool complex and a sauna.

It’s located on the shore of Kenmare Bay, in Co.Kerry, Ireland, and has stunning panoramic views over the bay to the Caha Mountains.

BNPS.co.uk (01202) 558833 Pic: Savills/BNPS Despite the medieval feel the incredible castle was actually built in the 1990's. Fancy living in your very own fantasy castle... An incredible fairytale-style castle that looks like it comes straight from the pages of a children's book has gone on the market for ??4m. The castle, called An Culu, looks historic but was only built 20 years ago by Englishman Kevin Reardon. The self-made millionaire had spotted an isolated ruined folly on the banks of Kenmare Bay in Co. Kerry, Ireland, from a fishing boat and decided to buy it. He spent hundreds of thousands of pounds creating the Gothic Revival castle which has a moat and drawbridge and an incredible underground cave-like swimming pool.
(Picture: Savills/BNPS)
BNPS.co.uk (01202) 558833 Pic: Savills/BNPS Despite the medieval feel the incredible castle was actually built in the 1990's. Fancy living in your very own fantasy castle... An incredible fairytale-style castle that looks like it comes straight from the pages of a children's book has gone on the market for ??4m. The castle, called An Culu, looks historic but was only built 20 years ago by Englishman Kevin Reardon. The self-made millionaire had spotted an isolated ruined folly on the banks of Kenmare Bay in Co. Kerry, Ireland, from a fishing boat and decided to buy it. He spent hundreds of thousands of pounds creating the Gothic Revival castle which has a moat and drawbridge and an incredible underground cave-like swimming pool.
(Picture: Savills/BNPS)
BNPS.co.uk (01202) 558833 Pic: Savills/BNPS Stunning location on the shore of Kenmare Bay in county Kerry. Fancy living in your very own fantasy castle... An incredible fairytale-style castle that looks like it comes straight from the pages of a children's book has gone on the market for ??4m. The castle, called An Culu, looks historic but was only built 20 years ago by Englishman Kevin Reardon. The self-made millionaire had spotted an isolated ruined folly on the banks of Kenmare Bay in Co. Kerry, Ireland, from a fishing boat and decided to buy it. He spent hundreds of thousands of pounds creating the Gothic Revival castle which has a moat and drawbridge and an incredible underground cave-like swimming pool.
(Picture: Savills/BNPS)
BNPS.co.uk (01202) 558833 Pic: Savills/BNPS Stunning location on the shore of Kenmare Bay in county Kerry. Fancy living in your very own fantasy castle... An incredible fairytale-style castle that looks like it comes straight from the pages of a children's book has gone on the market for ??4m. The castle, called An Culu, looks historic but was only built 20 years ago by Englishman Kevin Reardon. The self-made millionaire had spotted an isolated ruined folly on the banks of Kenmare Bay in Co. Kerry, Ireland, from a fishing boat and decided to buy it. He spent hundreds of thousands of pounds creating the Gothic Revival castle which has a moat and drawbridge and an incredible underground cave-like swimming pool.
(Picture: Savills/BNPS)

Kevin, from London, initially thought the ruin he had spotted was a small medieval castle, but it turned out to be a tea room folly built for a neighbouring estate.

He spent two years convincing the local forestry board to sell him the land and said he never intended to build a castle but the planners said it needed to be.

Kevin had the property built to an exceptionally high standard with lots of grand features that give it the feel of an older building, such as intricate plasterwork, cornicing and impressive fireplaces.

BNPS.co.uk (01202) 558833 Pic: Savills/BNPS Despite the medieval feel the incredible castle was actually built in the 1990's. Fancy living in your very own fantasy castle... An incredible fairytale-style castle that looks like it comes straight from the pages of a children's book has gone on the market for ??4m. The castle, called An Culu, looks historic but was only built 20 years ago by Englishman Kevin Reardon. The self-made millionaire had spotted an isolated ruined folly on the banks of Kenmare Bay in Co. Kerry, Ireland, from a fishing boat and decided to buy it. He spent hundreds of thousands of pounds creating the Gothic Revival castle which has a moat and drawbridge and an incredible underground cave-like swimming pool.
(Picture: Savills/BNPS)
BNPS.co.uk (01202) 558833 Pic: Savills/BNPS Purpose built dock and jetty. Fancy living in your very own fantasy castle... An incredible fairytale-style castle that looks like it comes straight from the pages of a children's book has gone on the market for ??4m. The castle, called An Culu, looks historic but was only built 20 years ago by Englishman Kevin Reardon. The self-made millionaire had spotted an isolated ruined folly on the banks of Kenmare Bay in Co. Kerry, Ireland, from a fishing boat and decided to buy it. He spent hundreds of thousands of pounds creating the Gothic Revival castle which has a moat and drawbridge and an incredible underground cave-like swimming pool.
(Picture: Savills/BNPS)
BNPS.co.uk (01202) 558833 Pic: Savills/BNPS Despite the medieval feel the incredible castle was actually built in the 1990's. Fancy living in your very own fantasy castle... An incredible fairytale-style castle that looks like it comes straight from the pages of a children's book has gone on the market for ??4m. The castle, called An Culu, looks historic but was only built 20 years ago by Englishman Kevin Reardon. The self-made millionaire had spotted an isolated ruined folly on the banks of Kenmare Bay in Co. Kerry, Ireland, from a fishing boat and decided to buy it. He spent hundreds of thousands of pounds creating the Gothic Revival castle which has a moat and drawbridge and an incredible underground cave-like swimming pool.
(Picture: Savills/BNPS)
BNPS.co.uk (01202) 558833 Pic: Savills/BNPS Spectacular location on the shores of Kenmare Bay in county Kerry. Fancy living in your very own fantasy castle... An incredible fairytale-style castle that looks like it comes straight from the pages of a children's book has gone on the market for ??4m. The castle, called An Culu, looks historic but was only built 20 years ago by Englishman Kevin Reardon. The self-made millionaire had spotted an isolated ruined folly on the banks of Kenmare Bay in Co. Kerry, Ireland, from a fishing boat and decided to buy it. He spent hundreds of thousands of pounds creating the Gothic Revival castle which has a moat and drawbridge and an incredible underground cave-like swimming pool.
(Picture: Savills/BNPS)
BNPS.co.uk (01202) 558833 Pic: Savills/BNPS Despite the medieval feel the incredible castle was actually built in the 1990's. Fancy living in your very own fantasy castle... An incredible fairytale-style castle that looks like it comes straight from the pages of a children's book has gone on the market for ??4m. The castle, called An Culu, looks historic but was only built 20 years ago by Englishman Kevin Reardon. The self-made millionaire had spotted an isolated ruined folly on the banks of Kenmare Bay in Co. Kerry, Ireland, from a fishing boat and decided to buy it. He spent hundreds of thousands of pounds creating the Gothic Revival castle which has a moat and drawbridge and an incredible underground cave-like swimming pool.
(Picture: Savills/BNPS)

Unlike most historical castles, which are dark and draughty, An Culu has been designed to be a warm and comfortable family home.

The castle is surrounded by a moat and approached from the drive over a drawbridge beneath a castellated archway to a courtyard with lanterns.

In the grounds there is a rock face with cascading waterfall, while the property is surrounded by woodland and a road down to its own harbour with a floating jetty and harbour wall.

There is also fly fishing and top-ranked golf courses nearby.

James Butler, from estate agents Savills, said: ‘An Culu is a magnificent contemporary castle in one of the finest situations I have come across in the whole country.

‘You’ve got direct water access but it’s also very private because it has a backdrop of forest and there are no near neighbours.

BNPS.co.uk (01202) 558833 Pic: Savills/BNPS Fancy living in your very own fantasy castle... An incredible fairytale-style castle that looks like it comes straight from the pages of a children's book has gone on the market for ??4m. The castle, called An Culu, looks historic but was only built 20 years ago by Englishman Kevin Reardon. The self-made millionaire had spotted an isolated ruined folly on the banks of Kenmare Bay in Co. Kerry, Ireland, from a fishing boat and decided to buy it. He spent hundreds of thousands of pounds creating the Gothic Revival castle which has a moat and drawbridge and an incredible underground cave-like swimming pool.
(Picture: Savills/BNPS)
BNPS.co.uk (01202) 558833 Pic: Savills/BNPS Cannons on the Terrace. Fancy living in your very own fantasy castle... An incredible fairytale-style castle that looks like it comes straight from the pages of a children's book has gone on the market for ??4m. The castle, called An Culu, looks historic but was only built 20 years ago by Englishman Kevin Reardon. The self-made millionaire had spotted an isolated ruined folly on the banks of Kenmare Bay in Co. Kerry, Ireland, from a fishing boat and decided to buy it. He spent hundreds of thousands of pounds creating the Gothic Revival castle which has a moat and drawbridge and an incredible underground cave-like swimming pool.
(Picture: Savills/BNPS)
BNPS.co.uk (01202) 558833 Pic: Savills/BNPS Bridge over the man-made moat. Fancy living in your very own fantasy castle... An incredible fairytale-style castle that looks like it comes straight from the pages of a children's book has gone on the market for ??4m. The castle, called An Culu, looks historic but was only built 20 years ago by Englishman Kevin Reardon. The self-made millionaire had spotted an isolated ruined folly on the banks of Kenmare Bay in Co. Kerry, Ireland, from a fishing boat and decided to buy it. He spent hundreds of thousands of pounds creating the Gothic Revival castle which has a moat and drawbridge and an incredible underground cave-like swimming pool.
(Picture: Savills/BNPS)
BNPS.co.uk (01202) 558833 Pic: Savills/BNPS Spectacular location on the shores of Kenmare Bay in county Kerry. Fancy living in your very own fantasy castle... An incredible fairytale-style castle that looks like it comes straight from the pages of a children's book has gone on the market for ??4m. The castle, called An Culu, looks historic but was only built 20 years ago by Englishman Kevin Reardon. The self-made millionaire had spotted an isolated ruined folly on the banks of Kenmare Bay in Co. Kerry, Ireland, from a fishing boat and decided to buy it. He spent hundreds of thousands of pounds creating the Gothic Revival castle which has a moat and drawbridge and an incredible underground cave-like swimming pool.
(Picture: Savills/BNPS)

‘It’s just spectacular and has excellent views.

‘The castle itself looks like it’s been there for hundreds of years but it’s actually only 20 years old. It’s traditional looking but it’s been designed for modern living, you don’t have the uneven floors or draughtiness of an old castle.

‘No expense has been spared, it’s got the best fittings and furnishings and the underground swimming pool grotto is surprising but it works very well.

‘It’s a great house for entertaining, because of the bedroom suites and the grandeur of the reception rooms.

BNPS.co.uk (01202) 558833 Pic: Savills/BNPS Spectacular views... Fancy living in your very own fantasy castle... An incredible fairytale-style castle that looks like it comes straight from the pages of a children's book has gone on the market for ??4m. The castle, called An Culu, looks historic but was only built 20 years ago by Englishman Kevin Reardon. The self-made millionaire had spotted an isolated ruined folly on the banks of Kenmare Bay in Co. Kerry, Ireland, from a fishing boat and decided to buy it. He spent hundreds of thousands of pounds creating the Gothic Revival castle which has a moat and drawbridge and an incredible underground cave-like swimming pool.
(Picture: Savills/BNPS)
BNPS.co.uk (01202) 558833 Pic: Savills/BNPS Bridge over the man-made moat. Fancy living in your very own fantasy castle... An incredible fairytale-style castle that looks like it comes straight from the pages of a children's book has gone on the market for ??4m. The castle, called An Culu, looks historic but was only built 20 years ago by Englishman Kevin Reardon. The self-made millionaire had spotted an isolated ruined folly on the banks of Kenmare Bay in Co. Kerry, Ireland, from a fishing boat and decided to buy it. He spent hundreds of thousands of pounds creating the Gothic Revival castle which has a moat and drawbridge and an incredible underground cave-like swimming pool.
(Picture: Savills/BNPS)

‘I think it would appeal to someone looking for a base in Ireland where they can have complete privacy and enjoy the fantastic outlook.

‘It would appeal to a sailing enthusiast, the harbour is one of the finest private harbours I’ve seen. From there you could sail to America if you wanted.

‘You don’t get many properties like this, where it doesn’t need any money spent on it. It’s the finished article.

‘It’s a once in a generation opportunity.’

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Woman who became paralysed after horrific car crash dreams of walking down the aisle

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(Picture: Ally Poole / MDWfeatures)

Ally Poole from Georgia, USA, was involved in a horrifying hit-and-run in 2015 which left her with a spinal cord injury, paralysing her from the waist down.

The 22-year-old was thrown 70 feet from her car when she was hit by a lorry while driving with her dog Lily.

The next thing she remembers is waking up in hospital unable to move her legs.

Three years on and Ally is now planning her dream wedding.

And that involves walking down the aisle, something she’s determined to do.

Ally in hospital following the crash. / GEORGIA, USA: THIS WOMAN was thrown over SEVENTY feet from her car in a horrifying collision, leaving her completely paralysed from the waist down and fighting for her life by an unknown hit and run lorry driver but she has vowed to one day walk down the aisle with the man of her dreams. A terrifying car crash left Ally Poole (22) from Georgia, USA, with multiple internal injuries and a spinal cord injury which paralysed her from the waist down. In January 2015, Ally was driving in her car with her dog, Lilly, when she saw a lorry coming towards her, causing Ally to swerve to avoid a head on collision. Ally was ejected from her car and thrown 75-feet into nearby fields. Although she can???t remember much after the crash, Ally recalls landing flat on her back when she landed on the ground, and not being able to move her body. After this, she remembers waking up in the hospital several days later, connected to a ventilator in the ICU. Before long, doctors were forced to tell her that she would never walk again and she would be confined to a wheelchair permanently. At the time, Ally made it her goal to learn to walk, but now three years on she sees walking as a much smaller goal to reach compared to striving to live her life and inspiring others not to give up. Ally Poole / MDWfeatures
(Picture: Ally Poole / MDWfeatures)

‘I remember my first thought when I landed was Lilly and I tried to get up, but I couldn’t,’ said Ally.

‘My body wouldn’t move, I didn’t know why at the time but now I know that as soon as I hit the ground it had paralysed me instantly.

‘The next thing I remember is waking up in the ICU several days later, on a ventilator and I couldn’t talk, I couldn’t move – I couldn’t do anything.

Ally during a physiotherapy session. / GEORGIA, USA: THIS WOMAN was thrown over SEVENTY feet from her car in a horrifying collision, leaving her completely paralysed from the waist down and fighting for her life by an unknown hit and run lorry driver but she has vowed to one day walk down the aisle with the man of her dreams. A terrifying car crash left Ally Poole (22) from Georgia, USA, with multiple internal injuries and a spinal cord injury which paralysed her from the waist down. In January 2015, Ally was driving in her car with her dog, Lilly, when she saw a lorry coming towards her, causing Ally to swerve to avoid a head on collision. Ally was ejected from her car and thrown 75-feet into nearby fields. Although she can???t remember much after the crash, Ally recalls landing flat on her back when she landed on the ground, and not being able to move her body. After this, she remembers waking up in the hospital several days later, connected to a ventilator in the ICU. Before long, doctors were forced to tell her that she would never walk again and she would be confined to a wheelchair permanently. At the time, Ally made it her goal to learn to walk, but now three years on she sees walking as a much smaller goal to reach compared to striving to live her life and inspiring others not to give up. Ally Poole / MDWfeatures
(Picture: Ally Poole / MDWfeatures)

‘It’s like I knew I was paralysed, like I had this sense of peace over me and I just knew I would find a way for everything to be okay.’

Her family and boyfriend were alerted about the accident and shortly after, found the dog hiding in a nearby chicken house.

Ally now attends physiotherapy once a week as she hopes to walk down the aisle on her wedding day. Her car has been modified with hand controls to enable Ally to live as independently as possible.

‘My fiancé’s support means the world to me and it helped me in recovery in so many ways mentally, emotionally and physically.

‘It is my target to walk down the aisle because I’ve dreamed about walking down the aisle since I was a little girl.

‘I think every girl always dreams about her wedding day and dreams about walking down the aisle, so it’s something that I’m determined to accomplish and to prove to other girls that their dreams can still come true even in my situation.

Ally and Amos. / GEORGIA, USA: THIS WOMAN was thrown over SEVENTY feet from her car in a horrifying collision, leaving her completely paralysed from the waist down and fighting for her life by an unknown hit and run lorry driver but she has vowed to one day walk down the aisle with the man of her dreams. A terrifying car crash left Ally Poole (22) from Georgia, USA, with multiple internal injuries and a spinal cord injury which paralysed her from the waist down. In January 2015, Ally was driving in her car with her dog, Lilly, when she saw a lorry coming towards her, causing Ally to swerve to avoid a head on collision. Ally was ejected from her car and thrown 75-feet into nearby fields. Although she can???t remember much after the crash, Ally recalls landing flat on her back when she landed on the ground, and not being able to move her body. After this, she remembers waking up in the hospital several days later, connected to a ventilator in the ICU. Before long, doctors were forced to tell her that she would never walk again and she would be confined to a wheelchair permanently. At the time, Ally made it her goal to learn to walk, but now three years on she sees walking as a much smaller goal to reach compared to striving to live her life and inspiring others not to give up. Ally Poole / MDWfeatures
(Picture: Ally Poole / MDWfeatures)
Ally in the gym, working on her recovery and fitness. / GEORGIA, USA: THIS WOMAN was thrown over SEVENTY feet from her car in a horrifying collision, leaving her completely paralysed from the waist down and fighting for her life by an unknown hit and run lorry driver but she has vowed to one day walk down the aisle with the man of her dreams. A terrifying car crash left Ally Poole (22) from Georgia, USA, with multiple internal injuries and a spinal cord injury which paralysed her from the waist down. In January 2015, Ally was driving in her car with her dog, Lilly, when she saw a lorry coming towards her, causing Ally to swerve to avoid a head on collision. Ally was ejected from her car and thrown 75-feet into nearby fields. Although she can???t remember much after the crash, Ally recalls landing flat on her back when she landed on the ground, and not being able to move her body. After this, she remembers waking up in the hospital several days later, connected to a ventilator in the ICU. Before long, doctors were forced to tell her that she would never walk again and she would be confined to a wheelchair permanently. At the time, Ally made it her goal to learn to walk, but now three years on she sees walking as a much smaller goal to reach compared to striving to live her life and inspiring others not to give up. Ally Poole / MDWfeatures
(Picture: Ally Poole / MDWfeatures)

‘I’ve had to learn to stay positive when everything around me is negative and learn to push through the hard days the same way I push through the good days,’ added Ally.

‘Another huge challenge I’ve had to face is everything that comes with the spinal cord injury. Most people think it’s just not being able to move or feel your legs, but it’s so much more than that.

‘Your spinal cord controls every little thing your body does, so when it’s severed, and the nerves can’t work and communicate with your brain, your body still works but it’s involuntarily.

‘You don’t realise how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have. You have to keep going. You have to wake up every day and fight and never give up, because there’s always someone else who has it harder than you do.

‘It’s up to you to make the best of it and keep living life to the fullest. My goal is to help and inspire other people from my recovery.’

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