But what about the things which devalue a property?
Well, it seems one room in particular can have a significant impact on the price of a house or flat – the bathroom.
A new survey, commissioned by Mira Showers, asked 1,000 UK homeowners and potential buyers what their bathroom preferences were (aka – what would make them more and less likely to buy).
The research found that poor bathroom design was a major turn-off for buyers – with some saying limited access to a bathroom would reduce their offers by as much as £20,000.
Out of those surveyed, almost half (49%) said they would offer, on average, £7,000 less than the asking price if the bathroom was only accessible by the kitchen (a layout which is often found in older properties or terraced houses).
Likewise, a fifth revealed they would offer even less – between £10,001 and £20,000 – if they found this was the case.
But participants stressed that they would be willing to pay more for certain bathroom features.
Over three quarters said they’d offer more money if the property featured an en suite bathroom – to save on the hassle of putting one in themselves.
Additionally, a third of people said they would prefer a house with more bathrooms than bedrooms, and 3 out of 4 said they would pay more for a house if the bathroom had been recently refurbished.
It seems people have been busy in lockdown tackling some much-needed home improvement projects.
Do you have a place in your heart and home for Bobbly, the wobbly cat?
Bobbly is looking for a home after being rescued by the RSPCA.
RSPCA staff were called when a member of the public spotted the one-year-old cat wandering the streets of Tameside, Manchester.
He seemed unable to put any weight on his back legs, so Bobbly was taken in for X-rays – which revealed no injuries or broken bones.
After a few weeks, when his walking had still not improved, vets concluded that Bobbly’s wobbly walk must be down to a neurological problem rather than an injury.
The kitty likely would have had this condition, which may be cerebellar hypoplasia, also known as wobbly cat syndrome, since birth. It doesn’t cause him any pain so Bobbly can go ahead and live a happy and healthy life – he just wobbles around when he walks.
Now he’s been checked over and confirmed to be in good health, Bobbly is looking for an indoor home with an experienced cat owner.
Susie Hughes, manager of the RSPCA Greater Manchester and Salford branch, where Bobbly is being cared for, said: ‘He is just an absolute character who won’t fail to liven up your home! He manages to get around really well despite his wobbliness.
‘He is currently living in the office at our animal centre and keeping us company. He wouldn’t cope well in a cattery so we are really keen to find a suitable home for him soon.
‘He loves to look out of the window and takes advantage of any strokes and cuddles on offer. He’s certainly not short on personality and he has made sure none of us are ever bored at work!’
Bobbly is perfectly happy and healthy – he just has a wobbly walk (Picture: RSPCA)
Bobbly will need to be rehomed as a single house cat as he would not be safe outdoors on his own.
He could benefit from a catio, though, if you were able to provide one. Despite being unsteady on his feet, Bobbly is pretty skilled at jumping, so this would need to be an enclosed outdoor space rather than a usual garden, which he could easily escape.
As he was living as a stray, he will need a large home with lots of enrichment and someone who can devote time each day to play with him and keep him entertained.
He could live with a family with older teenagers or an adult-only home.
If you think you could give Bobbly a loving home, email rspcamcr_salford@btconnect.com with some information about your suitability.
With restaurants and cafés still closed for dining-in due to lockdown, it’s time to get creative at home.
If your dear dad is missing his local, we have the the perfect treat for him – a chocolate cake, served in a pint glass, made to resemble a pint of ale.
It’s even topped with ‘beer froth’ (OK, it’s actually whipped cream, but use your imagination).
The recipe, which was shared on Instagram by The Big Bakes, requires a fair few ingredients, but most of these will likely already be in your cupboard – and it’s super easy to make.
To perfect your dish, wash it down with an actual pint.
Recipe
For the cake, you need:
220g self-raising flour
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
½ tsp baking powder
250g dark brown sugar
110g softened butter
60g cocoa
2 eggs
150ml stout or ale of your choice
For the chocolate sauce, you need:
60g cocoa
130g icing powder
190ml milk
¾ tbsp ale
2 tbsp butter
Whipped cream
Instructions
Set the oven to 180 degrees.
Then, whisk butter and brown sugar together. Once it’s light and creamy, crack in the eggs – one at a time – along with a spoonful of sugar. Stir as you go.
Once your mixture is nice and smooth, add the remaining flour, as well as the bicarbonate soda and baking powder. Stir some more.
In a separate bowl, blend the ale and cocoa, then pour into the cake batter and whisk until it’s evenly distributed.
Grease a cake tin and pour in your batter. Bake for 30-40 minutes.
While you wait on the cake, it’s time to make the chocolate sauce. Pour the icing sugar and cocoa powder in a saucepan, blend, and then add the milk and beer (optional).
Bring to a boil for a few minutes, while constantly stirring – don’t let it burn to the bottom.
Once it’s blended, turn down the heat and pop in the butter. Leave on the stove until it has melted and slightly thickened.
Take the cake out of the oven and let it cool, then grab a pint glass – it’s time to build your masterpiece.
Carefully drizzle on a final layer of the sauce and finish off with whipped cream (the ‘beer froth’).
Clothing company Uniqlo has been flooded with orders for their new AIRism face masks, with queues in their Japan stores snaking round streets and their website crashing due to the demand.
Uniqlo are famous for their well-made basic items in minimalist, functional styles, and the new AIRism masks are made from one of their iconic materials.
The breathable fabric is the same as used for their underwear. It’s quick-drying and cooling, which apparently makes the masks more comfortable to wear during everyday use.
Each mask has three layers; one to block pollen and bacteria, one to block ultraviolet light, and one on the inside to keep your face cool.
According to the retailer, they can be washed up to 20 times and still maintain their efficacy.
A pack of three costs 990 yen (roughly £7.50), and the mixture of value and design appears to have been a hit with customers.
Staff at Uniqlo’s physical stores across the country were forced to start a ticketing system whereby numbers were given to those queuing two hours before the store opened.
Tokyo’s Ginza store was filled with customers waiting to buy (Picture: EPA)
The idea was to avoid pile-ups and keep social distancing measures in place, but the queues were so big that – even this far ahead of opening – many stores didn’t have enough masks to satisfy all the customers waiting in the heavy rain.
The website in Japan also crashed, and later had to put up a notice on the homepage saying it was inundated with orders for the moment.
The masks were apparently limited to one pack per customer (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)
‘We are continuously beefing up production and will sell them as soon as they arrive,’ said Uniqlo on its website.
We haven’t seen queues like this since H&M collaborated with Moschino, so it marks a change in what people are looking for from their labels.
Unfortunately right now it doesn’t appear coronavirus is going away any time soon, so buying the right tools to keep safe will be top priority for many consumers.
Grace and James Meachim planned to have just the three children – then baby Sienna arrived (Picture: Kennedy News and Media)
A mum-of-four was absolutely shocked when she gave birth to a baby girl on the loo, having had no clue she was pregnant as she was on the pill, continued to have periods, and had four negative pregnancy tests.
Grace Meachim, 32, and James Meachim, 34, were adamant they would only have three children – then their fourth, Sienna Meachim, arrived as a total surprise.
Grace had women in the early ours of 5 December, 2019, as she was feeling a bit rundown.
Planning to take a painkiller and have a cup of tea, she suddenly felt like the desperately needed to go to the toilet. But as she sat down, she felt her waters break and let out a scream.
Her husband and their eldest son Tyler, 13, came running to help as they thought Grace was ‘being attacked’. She told them to call an ambulance immediately as there was ‘something coming’.
Moments after getting through to a 999 operator, James had to run to the loo and catch his baby daughter as Grace quickly gave birth.
When paramedics arrived, they took Grace and 7lbs 5.5oz newborn Sienna to hospital, where they were both given a perfect bill of health and sent home.
As you might expect, this was quite the shock for Grace, who had no idea she was carrying a child.
Grace says she was taking the contraceptive pill ‘religiously’, still had her monthly bleed, and had no discernible bump.
Grace, of Littlehampton, West Sussex, said: ‘Within seconds of getting to the toilet, my waters went. It frightened me so much I screamed.
Sienna arrived at 4am 5 December (Picture: Kennedy News and Media)
‘It was so surreal. I hadn’t had any build-up to it at all, no pain, nothing. When I’d gone to the loo, I didn’t feel like I was going into labour at all. After three previous pregnancies, I know what that feels like.
‘There was a big gush then there was pressure and a mass down there.
‘I knew then what was happening and I went into shock. All I can remember thinking is “oh my god, is this really happening?”.
‘My husband and our eldest came running down. James called the ambulance and I was shouting “there’s something coming”.
‘He told the operator “I think it’s a baby but she’s not pregnant”.
‘As soon as he said that he had to throw the phone to Tyler because I screamed “quick, catch it”.
‘Within seconds James had his hands down the toilet catching the baby, it all happened so quickly.
‘It was very strange, it was like something out of a movie.
Grace was stunned when her waters broke as she sat on the toilet, but calls Sienna ‘a nice surprise’ (Picture: Kennedy News and Media)
‘I just kept saying “I’m sorry” to my husband because we’d been dead set against any more children.
‘James was waiting to be booked in for a vasectomy and I’d planned to up my hours at work so we could start saving for a mortgage.’
Throughout her pregnancy Grace had continued to drink alcohol, even boozing more than usual as it was the lead up to Christmas. She had also been on strong painkillers for a bad shoulder – so it was incredibly lucky that Sienna arrived in good health.
Grace said she didn’t notice a large baby bump but had developed a ‘slight lump’ in her tummy, so took three at-home pregnancy tests just in case – but they all gave negative results.
When she was (unknowingly) five months pregnant, Grace went to her GP, who conducted another pregnancy test – again, these came back negative.
After a feel of the lump on her stomach, Grace says she was diagnosed with a recurring cyst, as she had suffered oone the previous year that had disappeared on its own.
The mum was due to have an ultrasound of the ‘cyst’ in January 2020 but Sienna was born a month earlier.
Grace said: ‘With all my pregnancies before Sienna I knew straight away. With my first and third, I had huge bumps.
‘I didn’t show as quickly with my second but in the last eight weeks, my bump really popped.
‘But with Sienna, I had no signs, no symptoms, nothing. All my pregnancy tests were negative, everything was regular throughout.
The couple’s three other children have welcomed Sienna to the family (Picture: Kennedy News and Media)
‘The only reason I took the tests was because I had a slight lump in my tummy but it wasn’t a massive or noticeable bump.
‘The year before I had had a cyst that eventually dispersed so when I went to the doctor again last year about the lump, she checked it out and said it felt the same as last time.
‘Because I was healthy otherwise, they didn’t want to do surgery to remove it but said I’d probably have a scan in the new year.
‘I was happy with that. I didn’t want to take the time off work for surgery and I wasn’t in any pain so I was happy to wait. That was all just a few months before Sienna arrived.’
While Sienna’s arrival was a massive shock and not what they had planned, Grace and James see the whole story as a ‘nice surprise’.
They definitely don’t plan to have a fifth child, though.
‘She was perfect and a really good size, I have no idea how I hid that,’ said Grace.
‘She was such a nice surprise, she is that little bit extra special to us. And we definitely know she’s here now, she is really coming out of her shell.
‘We wouldn’t change it but it’s definitely no more kids now. I’ve told James he needs to chase up his snip as soon as lockdown is over.’
Hand jobs are one of the more controversial activities in the bedroom, mostly because many people wonder if they’re a total waste of time.
Do men even like hand jobs given to them by others or would they rather just do it themselves?
And how do they want it? Hard and fast? Gentle and slow? Should you cup the balls?
There are enough questions to scare off even the most sexually experienced of us.
Not to fret, we are here to help.
We asked nine men – gay, straight and bi – to tell us what makes a great hand job, and if there’s a special technique. Here’s what they told us.
Ollie, 34, straight
Seriously… loads of spit. Your hands are essentially the vagina, so it’s got be a wet one.
And please don’t rub it crazy hard like you’re planning to rip my dick off. It’s not a race.
I don’t mind a hand job, but I could take or leave it. Blowjobs are much better.
James, 31, gay
Sure, dexterity and technique are important for a good hand job, but – in my opinion – the most important part is feeling the intimacy and closeness of the person giving it.
His hairy chest pushed up against me, his leg writhing over mine and his lips locked passionately.
Some light touch around the balls, perineum and abs to begin with is always a good idea, as well as a slow and steady build-up, focusing on the head.
Mark, 30, straight
A good hand job is like getting ketchup from a bottle.
Start slowly and gently, and then gradually speed it up. And also, tease to begin with – running your fingers up and down my dick.
As for the balls, some guys like them to be involved, but I’m not a fan.
A lot women think men don’t want hand jobs because we do it better ourselves, but that’s not true – it makes a nice change from me rubbing myself.
And I like a bit of nail polish on the woman’s nails too.
James*, 30, bisexual
So hand jobs are a very good “starter course” to help build up things, normally before moving to oral.
It’s important not to grip too hard and not be too gentle. Much like clit play, the art is paying attention to the key strokes and spots that really work.
Gauge their reactions, they will act like a human speedometer for when you need to go faster or slower.
Good tip, just before ejaculation, slow down to long, hard strokes near the top, he will have a much longer orgasm.
Most guys won’t admit it as well, but ball play at the same time feels amazing.
Lube can be a big help if he’s getting sore, and paying close attention to the frenulum, the elastic band of tissue that connects the foreskin.
Eric*, 25, straight
Hand jobs are basically shit and we can probably do it better ourselves, so this is essentially an exercise in damage limitation.
If blowjobs or sex are an option, do that instead.
If you’re insisting on an hand job, then for God’s sake avoid the death grip, being overly vigorous and general dryness.
Be gentle and seductive – it’s a build-up thing rather than us blokes getting any real pleasure from it, so bear that in mind.
Eye contact is good, rings, long nails and the like are not, but it’s mainly about having a good grip and rhythm.
Jamie, 29, straight
There are four steps.
Twist it, make it wet (just because it’s a hand job, doesn’t mean spit can’t be used), cup the balls and aim the jizz at an interesting target.
Alex, 36, straight
A great hand job for me is something that is slow and sensual as a guiding rule.
I also think that the friction can be fun and exciting if you suddenly go from slow to fast, but then back to slow again.
Moving your hand all around too, while pushing the foreskin fully up to fully down.
The absolute must however is to use lubricant. If you’ve never experienced this, you haven’t lived.
It’s beyond bliss the dimension it brings when someone else gives you a hand job when using it.
Chris, 38, bisexual
As with anything sex-related, the key to a great hand job is communication.
No two penises are the same, so talk to your partner about how they like to be touched – or better still, ask to watch them masturbate and pay close attention!
In general, you can probably grip and squeeze their penis more firmly than you think you can, and don’t forget to focus on the head, especially if you’re trying to make them come quickly.
Finally, make it clear that you enjoy having their c*ck in your hand!
Enthusiasm goes a long way, and it’s a big turn-on to see someone so obviously thrilled by getting to handle your penis
Greg*, 25, gay
For gay men especially, a good hand job is all about taking the other person into consideration.
Yes, I get it, men masturbate – a lot.
But what some men (read: tops) fail to think of is that their partner most likely has a different rhythm and routine when it comes to masturbation – hey, look, some of us take quicker or longer to cum than others, that’s just how it is.
So instead of getting down and dirty for your standard two minutes and then stop immediately after you yourself would have came, try and take the other person into consideration.
Like Atticus Finch once said – sometimes you have to imagine life in someone else’s shoes.
*Some names have been changed because people are shy.
In the past few weeks, I’ve really struggled to identify which emotions belong to lockdown, to my mental illness, or simply my personality (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
‘Emotional rollercoaster’ has become a key phrase to describe 2020.
May I also offer up ‘psychological waltzer’, ‘mental merry-go-round’ and ‘crisis carousel’ as apt alternatives. Except unlike fairground metaphors, which succeed in depicting the highs, lows, twists and turns of recent months, in real life there’s no telling how long the ride will last.
My emotional state in lockdown has been as strong and stable as Theresa May’s time in No.10. (Is anyone else starting to miss her?) At times, it has felt like my neurons have formed a coup against me. Sometimes I fight back, but more often than not, I succumb.
As a naturally anxious and sensitive person, I’m no stranger to emotional extremes in everyday life, never mind the midst of a global pandemic. However, in the past few weeks, I’ve really struggled to identify which emotions belong to lockdown, to my mental illness, or simply my personality.
Humans are made of physical stuff, yet the chemicals and hormones that race around our bodies have emotional consequences. As someone who has suffered with mental illness since childhood, it’s really difficult to know what is the disorder, and what is me.
Am I depressed because of the depression? Am I depressed because of a series of unhealthy choices I have made? Or am I depressed because I’ve been isolated for 12 weeks?
Our usual reference points have been taken away from us in recent times. The standard way of telling that my depression has got the better of me is when I don’t leave the house for days and wake up in tears. Right now, I don’t have a choice on the former, and as for the latter… well there’s a lot to be upset about.
As someone who is open about their mental illness, my distress is often dismissed as emotional instability
Humans are also made of experiences. The vast difference of our lived experience has been highlighted by recent protests and policy changes. Our opinions, our systems and our politics are being challenged and changed for the better.
How one reacts to these issues will depend on our personal experience and emotional involvement with them. Certain conversations will be relatively new to white people who have thus far been blind, or wilfully ignorant, to the oppression they have been party to. Wealthy folk may never have lost sleep over how to feed their children during school holidays.
Staying calm in 2020 is less about emotional mastery, but more a thing of privilege. If you’re not angry, then you haven’t been listening.
When I express emotion, I worry about being judged. I often gaslight myself into thinking that something really wasn’t that bad, that I overreacted, that I didn’t handle a situation as well as I could have done. I worry that by expressing my emotion I may lose the people around me. It’s a common symptom of Borderline Personality Disorder, a condition which I have formerly been diagnosed with, but I believe is also a symptom of the human condition.
As a woman, I know all too well the feeling of having my passion labelled as hysteria. As someone who is open about their mental illness, my distress is often dismissed as emotional instability. People have questioned the cause of my emotions and in turn, I’ve questioned them myself.
It’s difficult to stay rational when we are living in irrational circumstances
I then wonder if it’s my internalised misogyny making me monitor myself. After decades of believing I won’t be taken seriously if I have tears streaming down my face, I started focussing more on staying calm than expressing myself. For men, who have been conditioned to believe that displays of emotion equate to weakness, expressing feelings can be all the more difficult.
During lockdown, getting perspective on certain issues is hard. With our main source of connection to the outside world being our social media bubbles, when someone outside our echo chamber shares an opposing view, it’s harder to respond in a calm, reasoned fashion; especially when it feels like the world is on fire.
It’s difficult to stay rational when we are living in irrational circumstances. Arguments will be quick to develop, especially when we have only seen the same four walls or the same four family members for a quarter of the year.
Questioning why you feel a certain way, analysing the source of your emotions is a good thing, but denying them altogether is not.
Challenging your principals and beliefs can feel exhausting, but it’s the only way to develop personal growth and understanding. Whether our emotions are influenced by global events, lockdown restrictions, mental health or simply our personalities, we can’t choose how we feel, so don’t be too hard on yourself.
Having your opinion challenged is different to having your feelings invalidated, so next time you find yourself in an intense disagreement, be vigilant as to which is happening.
Speaking up for what you believe in leaves you open to judgement, and it can feel like a very lonely place up above the parapet. I know. But if you find yourself being criticised for the way in which you express yourself (your emotion, your passion) rather than the content of your argument, it’s their problem, not yours.
Bold, simple, patterned – you decide (Pictures: Etsy/Metro.co.uk)
New advice from the World Health Organisation says non-medical face coverings should be worn in public where social distancing is not possible.
In England, face coverings on public transport – and for hospital staff, outpatients and visitors – are now compulsory.
As the threat level from coronavirus moves down to level three and we see a gradual easing of restrictions, face masks are likely going to become a staple part of our new normal. But which one should you go for?
The face coverings don’t have to be surgical, and using standard materials like cotton and old T shirts and socks are fine.
But if you’re not up for making your own, we trawled through Etsy to find the best washable, reusable options for you to invest in.
My date and I had been talking online for two months before we met in real life (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
I’m sat in my bedroom wearing my favourite dress, full face of make up.
I’m positioned so that the sunlight shining in gives me that Instagram-filter glow. I look like I’m heading on a night out, except it’s 4pm on a Thursday afternoon, the UK is two weeks into lockdown and this is the first time I’ve changed out of my pyjamas in almost as long.
I’m about to have my first ever virtual date. This is what dating looks like during a global pandemic.
When the UK went into lockdown at the end of March, I resigned myself to the fact that my love life would be put on hold for a while. I’d already had enough of the constant Zoom calls. The idea of chatting to a man I’d never met through the screen of my phone filled me with dread.
But, ever the people-pleaser and annoyingly determined to seize every opportunity that comes my way, I’d agreed to a virtual date with a man I’d been chatting to on a dating app.
My phone rang and I arranged my face in a way I thought might look pleasant to the complete stranger I was about to greet. A blurred and frozen figure filled the screen. I’d been let down by my unreliable WiFi at the first hurdle. After a few minutes, joking about technical issues and growing ever more flustered, I finally connected and saw him properly for the first time. He was cute.
Much to my surprise, I found the next three hours easy and, dare I say it, fun. We immediately clicked and the conversation flowed. We made plans to chat again later in the week, a second date secured as simply as that. I had done a complete 180 on my earlier attitude towards virtual dating.
I started to look forward to our weekly calls. We’d share silly stories from our past and eventually about more serious topics, we even developed our own in-jokes. Without the distraction of sex, I got to know him better in just a few dates than some of the men I’d been seeing for months.
In my most lonely lockdown moments, I’d look forward to the day we could lie in bed together enjoying one of the box sets we’d planned to watch. It seemed like the perfect fairytale, and I was fully ready to be swept off my feet when I met him in real life.
Almost two months later, we were still enjoying our weekly calls, but it was getting more difficult to find things to talk about. We needed to meet in real life to see if this thing between us could go anywhere.
The moment arrived and as I saw him walking towards me, it felt as though a balloon in my chest had deflated.
As soon as the rules allowed, we arranged a socially distanced walk. Our first ‘real’ date. I felt more nervous than I’d ever felt for one before, but excited too. I’d managed to convince myself that our first real-life meeting would be some rom-com style moment. We’d see each other for the first time and everything would just feel right.
Then the moment arrived.
As I saw him walking towards me, it felt as though a balloon in my chest had deflated. I was glad to see him, but it felt like being reunited with an old friend. I felt confused. Did I actually fancy him?
As we walked, we admitted how strange it felt to finally meet, chatting about the same topics we’d already discussed, more to fill moments of silence than anything. I was acutely aware that after all this time, surely we should have more to say?
It struck me why I was feeling so strange. As well as the literal two metre space between us, there was a figurative gap where the physical intimacy should have been. A silence is much more palatable if you’re holding hands or kissing and usually, after dating for two months, that’s what you’d be doing. We obviously got on, but what I couldn’t figure out was whether there was any chemistry between us. A quick snog might have fixed that.
He was also the first person I’d properly interacted with in real life for any length of time since lockdown began. It felt as though I was trying to remember how to socialise. Perhaps, in hindsight, meeting for the first time in these circumstances was too much pressure for us.
We gave it a good go. We found a patch of grass in the sun for a picnic and watched the world go by, making small talk. I think both of us were glad of the change of scenery after so long indoors and somehow our date ended up stretching out for five hours. I came away feeling nothing but confusion and pretty severe sunburn. Had I been on a date, or catching up with a friend?
We vaguely agreed that we’d meet again but haven’t yet, nor have we had any more virtual dates. I feel it fizzling out, but can’t bring myself to address it, and I think he feels the same. What was once regular and enthusiastic messaging has turned into polite, sporadic updates.
Who knows, maybe once this is all over, we’ll pick up where we left off. Maybe, when we’re finally allowed to get closer, I might find that chemistry I was missing. If not, we’ll always have the story of our lockdown romance. Dating during a global pandemic is definitely a bonding experience, if nothing else.
For now, though, I’m listening to my original instincts.
The apps have been deleted and I’m taking a break from dating until I can actually meet my date in real life instead of through a screen. When I can (hopefully) give them a hug and stand neaerthan two metres to them.
But who knows, the world of post-lockdown dating might be a whole different minefield to navigate.
Yoshi gets to dine with a view of the Pyramids of Giza every day (Picture: Steven J Whitfield / SWNS)
If you’re getting bored of dinner at the dining table or in front of the TV, Yoshi might make you a bit envious.
He’s a Bengal cat who lives in Ciaro, Egypt, and eats every meal on a balcony with a view of the iconic Pyramids of Giza.
What a lucky cat.
Yoshi’s daily dinner view has been shared online by his owner, Steven J Whitfield, who’s been snapping photos of the kitty eating his meals.
The experience is still fairly novel for Yoshi, who moved with Steven from Hamburg to Cairo in February this year.
Steve, 35, who’s originally from Texas, says: ‘I always thought Yoshi was a stunning cat and always took photos of him doing cool things with me.
‘As soon as I moved in here, I knew a photo of Yoshi with the pyramids in the background was a must.
‘I have photos of Yoshi traveling in Germany and Egypt but these particular photos show not only the pyramids but the surrounding city of Giza.
‘The flat has a unique view of the pyramids even to Egyptians.
‘I thought that maybe I would normalize living here but I still have most dinners with Yoshi out there. Every day feels very special.’
Lucky cat (Picture: Steven J Whitfield / SWNS)
What a view (Picture: Steven J Whitfield / SWNS)
Steven’s snaps of Yoshi have proved popular online. That’s not surprising, considering people love photos of both pretty views and cats – put them together and you’re guaranteed some likes.
‘Most people can’t decide if they enjoy the view or Yoshi, though most settle with Yoshi being the center of attention and the pyramids coming second,’ says Steven.
‘I’ve had several people tell me how much they enjoy the photos of YoshI hanging out up there.
The wine is not Yoshi’s… we think (Picture: Steven J Whitfield / SWNS)
‘Yoshi and I are very close. He’s clingy and has to be in the same room as me at all times.
‘He’s honestly the best cat I’ve ever had and he fits right into my lifestyle far better than I expected.
Living the dream (Picture: Steven J Whitfield / SWNS)
‘He’s really been special for me being locked up in my flat and we’ve been able to keep each other occupied.
‘He’s started to wait at the front door or sleep at the door when I leave so I’m a little concerned about his anxiety when I begin leaving for work again but otherwise, he’s very self-sufficient.’
Do you have a story to share, cat-related or otherwise?
If you’ve been starved of sex for the duration of the pandemic, the first time back in the sheets will probably be hot and heavy… but, what if it isn’t?
What is the sex is awkward or just plain boring?
Look, bad sex happens – it’s not the end of the world, but it’s important to address it because you deserve to have mind-blowing sex, regardless of if it’s with a partner or a temporary sex bubble.
Communicate with the person you’re sleeping with. If you don’t, you’re only depriving yourself of a good time, and if you’re in a serious relationship, it could have a damaging effect on your connection in the long-run.
It can be an uncomfortable conversation to have, especially if you’re afraid of hurting your sexual partner’s feelings.
With that in mind, here are top tips from sex experts on how to best broach the subject.
Beware of criticism
Even if the sex was awful, remember that the other person deserves your respect and kindness when you discuss how to improve matters.
Tread carefully and choose your words wisely.
‘Sexual connection is a domain in which we are more vulnerable to criticism, whether it’s body image, or knowing how to please our partners, or exploring the edges of our kinkier side,’ Megwyn White, director of education at tech sexual wellness brand Satisfyer, tells us.
‘Knowing when and how to communicate with our partners becomes incredibly important in avoiding feelings being hurt.
‘The first thing I tell couples is that it’s important to think of love-making as a creative act between two people.
‘The goal is to create pleasure that is mutually experienced, so it’s always important to share when something feels off or uncomfortable.
‘As a couple you are always creating pleasure that is a “joy” in progress, and there is always room to grow and learn. If you hold this intention in mind, the sharing can be something that is fun, and exploratory as opposed to feeling like you are being criticised or not a good lover.’
Focus on what turns you on, not what turns you off
Unless you truly loathe something very specific that your partner does (nibbles on your nipples after you orgasm, rubs your penis too hard, whatever it is), try to avoid phrases like ‘I hate when you do X, Y, Z’.
Swap this for ‘Instead of rubbing my penis this way, I would really love it if you did X, Y, Z’.
See the difference?
‘When it comes to owning your sexual desires, open communication and mutual respect are vital,’ Asa Baav, sex expert and founder of Tailor Matched, tells us.
‘If you’re nervous, start slow and ease into it. Simply share with each other some things that really get you off.
‘Focus on what is going well, what is working and what we like – this will lead to your partner (s) doing more of that.’
Choose your moment wisely
Once you’ve worked up the courage to have a chat with your other half, choose the right environment in which to do so.
‘Make sure you have the full attention of your partner, that he/she is not in the middle of being busy with something else,’ Sofia Sundari, tantra teacher and founder of the Serpent Mystery School and the Priestess School, tells us.
‘Say something like: “I’d like to share with you something important for me, it will take about 15 minutes, is it a good time?”
‘If the answer is no, don’t be offended, ask when would be the right time.
‘The fear of the unknown often prevents us to take steps towards change and trying something new. On top of that, with many couples there exists an issue with opening up to deep levels of intimacy.
‘Avoid blaming and pointing fingers. Stay with owning your needs and desires.’
And please, don’t just blurt out: ‘I hate our sex life’ in the supermarket aisle or while you’re naked in bed together.
‘When we are in a sexual or intimate space we can feel quite vulnerable or exposed, so often the best time to have these conversations is outside the bedroom where there is time and space to process and discuss, and no pressure to act on the discussion immediately,’ says Kate Moyle, sex and relationship expert at Lelo.
Use your hands
If talking feels too difficult, another option is to guide your lover where you want him/her/them to go.
For instance, if your clitoris is very sensitive and they always rub it too hard, gently grab their hand and show them how you like to be touched.
Or enjoy mutual masturbation – this way, you’ll both get to see exactly how the other person makes themselves orgasm, and can replicate it later.
Make a list of what you like and tick it off
If you don’t feel ready to have this kind of conversation, there’s something else you could try: a wish list.
Asa adds: ‘Another helpful way to start a conversation about your turn-ons, fantasies, and boundaries, is to try making a “yes/no/maybe” list.
‘Write down any sexual acts that come to mind, and then both you and your partner take turns marking each as a yes, no, or maybe.
‘This can be a sexy and fun way to get to know each other better and explore things you may not have considered before.
‘Remember to play with it and not take it too seriously. If something doesn’t land, laugh it off and move on.’
There are lots of sex quizzes online that you can take together, too.
Play a sex game
If the sex is already decent but starting to lose some of its lustre or getting repetitive, a great way to explore sexual boundaries is to play a game.
From fantasy fulfilment, strip poker and truth or dare, there’s lots to try – here is our nifty guide.
You could also reference a sexy move that you’ve seen in a movie or read about in a book, and use that as a stepping stone to heating things up in the bedroom.
Kate adds: ‘If you feel nervous about starting the conversation, then use a prompt like an article or podcast episode and share that with your partner or start by talking about it with them.
‘Try and also tell them about the specifics of what you would like to try, it’s much harder for you to both understand if what you are saying is vague. E.g.”I think playing with the senses sounds like fun, how about we try a blindfold”, rather than “I want to mix things up”.
‘If you both understand each other clearly then it will create less hesitation or anxiety around trying to interpret each other’s thoughts and reactions.’
The National Hair and Beauty Federation (NHBF) has issued guidelines stating hairdressers and barbers should ‘avoid face-to-face discussions with clients.’
The only conversations permitted are ones concerning cut, colour and treatments and these ‘should be made via the mirror while standing behind the client and kept to a minimum.’
But how do hairdressers feel about these changes?
Jonathan Andrew, hair stylist at Fudge Professional
‘Personally, I’m a little bit sad about this as having a discussion is often a feature of the service, but it’s also much more than that.
‘I’ve bonded with my clients and I haven’t seen them in a while so it would be so nice to have a catch up.
‘However, if this is what it takes to get us back to work and saving our health and our clients, it’s a small sacrifice to pay.’
Ricky Walters, founder of SALON64
‘There is nothing a hairdresser likes more than a good old chat with their clients – whether it’s small talk or big talk.
‘Some of the team at SALON64 have been cutting clients’ hair twice a month for the last 20 years and consider the relationship between client and hairdresser a very close one after all that time.
‘Having not seen clients in months – some of which we have become extremely close – makes it nearly impossible to ban small talk.
‘We consider our loyal long-term clients as friends and I’m sure the public would struggle to ask two friends to finally meet up after lockdown and not speak to one another in depth.’
Elena Lavagni, owner of Neville Hair & Beauty
‘It will be a great shame if small talk is banned for the foreseeable future. Our colourists and stylists have built friendships and maintained great relationships over the years with our loyal clients at Neville Hair & Beauty.
‘Clients often look forward to visiting the salon to catch up with the team here and the experience is so much more than just a cut or colour.
‘If small talk is to be banned at salons, then of course we will have to respect the rules, as we will have no choice but to adhere to the government guidelines.’
Adele Clarke, owner of Spectrum Hair Company
‘With hairdressers being naturally creative, caring people, our initial instincts to hug and chat away will have to be fought back – this will come hard to a lot of us.
‘For some clients, the salon is the place they go to offload.
‘One thing that I will be implementing when we reopen is video call consultations. That way I can find out all the necessary information before the client reaches the salon keeping the conversation to a minimum when they are in the chair.’
Michael Van Clarke, owner Michael Van Clarke
‘Anything that restricts our freedom of expression is a concern. It could mean “austerity hairdressing” for a while, without the simple social niceties that make salons a refuge for so many people. And for others, one of the few links to the outside world.
‘Hairdressing is a social, technical and creative process. During the complicated technical stages, there is little conversation and much concentration – but it will be sad if our natural warmth and friendship for our clients is stunted throughout their visit.’
Louise Galvin, celebrity colourist at Daniel Galvin salons
‘A good hairdresser should be practised In the “art of listening” and the conversation is usually client-led. Many clients enjoy having a silent moment so they can decompress.’
The cherry flavour keeps things fruity (Picture: Kopparberg )
Kopparberg is normally known for their tasty fruit ciders, but they’ve been adding a few more strings to their bow of late.
First came a new gin, followed by a hard seltzer launch last month, and now it’s time for them to reveal their new rum.
The spiced cherry flavour is characteristically fruity for Kopparberg, but obviously this drink is in 37.5% spirit form rather than a lower-alcohol cider.
You can add it to your cocktails for a sweet kick – we think this would be lovely in a bowl of rum punch – or sip it neat with ice if you’re that way inclined.
If you can’t be bothered with that faff, though, the release also includes a pre-mixed can of the rum with cola, coming in at 5% ABV.
The cans are perfect for boozy picnics in the park (Picture: Kopparberg)
The products will be available in Asda at the launch, which is this Monday 22 June.
Initially a 70cl of the rum will cost £18, on offer from its normal price of £20.
The 250ml pre-mixed cans come in a pack of four, and will start at £5 a pack but will eventually cost £6 once the promotion ends.
One 25ml shot of the rum will come in at 52 calories, which is pretty decent when compared to a 500ml bottle of Kopparberg strawberry and kiwi cider at 330 calories.
Of course, summer picnics and enjoying the sun rarely warrant calorie counting – after all, it’s about having fun and being outside. But, if you want a tasty, fruity drink with slightly fewer cals, this could be a great switch.
Feel just like this teeny tiny person sitting by the fire (Picture: Yankee)
Although some hotel chains and countries have started allowing people to travel to them recently, our chances of getting summer holidays are still fairly slim right now.
Instead, we’ll have to make do with our picnics in the park and wearing our bikinis on our balconies.
There’s also another way we can bring the outdoors in, and that’s by tricking our sense of smell into thinking it’s at one with nature.
Yankee Candle’s new Campfire Nights collection sets the scene of you sitting by a gently flickering fire on the beach. You might be looking up at your ceiling rather than the starry sky, but it’s a start.
There are 23 products as part of the Campfire Nights range, and prices start from £1.99 for a votive.
Jars start at £8.88, going up to £23.99 for the large ones.
The setting may not look like this, but it can smell like it (Picture: Yankee)
Four scents made the cut, with something for everyone (whether you prefer fruity or woody).
The scents are Crisp Campfire Apples, Pecan Pie Bites, Warm & Cosy, and A Night Under the Stars.
You can probably guess the general gist of Crisp Campfire Apple and Pecan Pie Bites, and they stay true to the Yankee signature sweetness that’s in their Christmas ranges.
Warm & Cosy is designed to smell like a comforting woodland, with notes of cedar, balsam, and cashmere to add depth.
A Night Under the Stars is spicier, evoking sunset with patchouli, rose, leather, and driftwood scents.
Cue exasperated sighs at yet another dad joke from the sarcastic fathers of the world (although we love them really).
It’s unclear whether dads are given a microchip when they have a child, enabling them to make everything into a pun or silly joke. Either way, it’s a universal language for them.
To celebrate Father’s Day this Sunday, greetings card company thortful.com revealed the top ten cringiest (which undoubtedly means best) dad jokes – as voted for by the nation.
The company tasked people to submit their cheesiest dad one-liners and vote for the joke they believe to be the most cringeworthy.
Time to turn the tables and give them some punny jokes for Father’s Day (Credits: Getty Images/Westend61)
Having analysed the entries and votes, it appears that one comes out on top, closely followed by even more terrible/amazing puns and witticisms.
Has your dad pulled out any of these around the dinner table lately?
1. My wife says I never listen. Funny way to start a conversation if you ask me.
2. My son asked me to stop singing Oasis songs in public. I said maybe.
3. My wife is furious that our next-door neighbour has started sunbathing nude in her garden. Personally, I’m on the fence.
4. When the wife finds out I have replaced our bed with a trampoline… She’s going to hit the roof.
5. My wife said i never buy her flowers. I didn’t even know she sold flowers.
6. I went for an interview. They said, ‘Can you perform under pressure?’ I said ‘I’m not sure about that but I can have a good crack at Bohemian Rhapsody’.
7. My wife told me to take the spider out instead of killing him. Went out. Had a few drinks. Nice guy. He’s a web designer.
8. I told my wife she should embrace her mistakes… She gave me a hug.
9. Today, my son asked, ‘Can I have a bookmark?’ and I burst into tears. 11 years old and he still doesn’t know my name is John.
10. Been out washing the car with my son. He said ‘Dad why don’t you use a sponge like the other dads?’
Why not turn the tables this Father’s Day and cringe them out with these cheesy jokes? Time for a taste of their own medicine we think.
When you love someone, it’s horrible to realise that your feelings don’t match the way they feel for you.
Jordan and I had been together for just over six months when I knew. The candle-lit dinners, night-long hugs and constant banter were incredible, but when I returned to my native Italy for the summer, saying goodbye wasn’t the heart-wrenching agony I had anticipated.
Being apart didn’t feel the way I had expected either. I didn’t miss him, not how you should miss your boyfriend anyway, and by the end of the holiday, I had accepted that I couldn’t imagine a romantic future with him.
Even so, I got stuck in a mentally exhausting loop, torn between the guilt of breaking up, and the pain it would cause, and the anxiety of continuing our relationship.
It took me days to process, to come up with the right words and pick up the phone. I remember our call so vividly, explaining what I was feeling and why, despite there being nothing wrong with our relationship, we could not be together anymore.
More than that, however, I remember his reaction. ‘I understand,’ he said. ‘No more chatting and calling every day. That’s okay.’ No tears, no tremble in his voice, just the same calm and patient Jordan I had always known.
You’d think that would make me feel better, relieved. But instead I remember feeling even more heartbroken. For the first time, he was keeping his feelings from me. In ending our relationship, I was also losing something I hadn’t previously considered: his trust.
Jordan and I met on Tinder, matching days before the Christmas holidays in 2017. We didn’t have a chance to meet then but proceeded to spend our time at home on video calls playing 20 questions and chatting every night until 2am.
We were having a laugh, being friendly in a way that was much more chilled than it ever had been (Picture: Andrea Gaini)
We’d have moments when he’d make me laugh out loud, and then silence would descend. I could see him scrambling to think of something to say but I secretly enjoyed that silence. It gave me a chance to look at his big eyes, his pink cheeks – he was so cute in his awkward panic.
We started dating properly the following January and it was such an incredible time in both our lives. We enjoyed every moment together; singing at the top of our voices during musical theatre sing-alongs, going on trips to the cinema to watch the latest Marvel films (during which I would inevitably fall asleep) and trying out new restaurants around my adopted hometown of Cardiff.
But I would always have this feeling, at the back of my mind, that something wasn’t quite right. That I wasn’t as good of a boyfriend as he was to me. That I wasn’t trying hard enough but couldn’t make myself do more.
We both needed some space after coming to an abrupt end but, quite quickly, I was surprised to find it felt very unnatural. I missed him a lot but wasn’t quite sure why.
A couple of months after our break up, we started checking in on each other, just to make sure we were both OK. Seeing his name pop up on my phone again made me feel lighter, happier.
Then we had a phone call at midnight, on his birthday – and that felt right too. We were having a laugh, being friendly in a way that was much more chilled than it ever had been.
It proved to be the start of something much bigger than I thought we would ever have: a friendship.
Two years on, Jordan has told me he was initially anxious about being friends. He didn’t want to resume our relationship but wasn’t sure if I felt the same – it’s awkward to have a discussion about not wanting to get back together. But time passed, and we both became increasingly positive about this new phase.
Conventional thinking tells us that when two people break up, their relationship as people is over, not just their time together as lovers. I learnt with Jordan that it doesn’t always have to end that way.
Sometimes things end simply because they are not working from a romantic perspective but you can still love someone in many other ways.
It takes time, and Jordan and I have had challenges in our friendship, perhaps even more than we ever had when we were together.
Seeing him being hit on by another guy, for instance, wasn’t my favourite experience. It made me jealous and question whether I was fully over him.
The only way I could deal with it was by talking to him, which only created more tension – neither of us had been in this situation before and we were both unsure how to navigate it. However, we have faced every test as any good friends would: we express our feelings, sometimes we argue, but we always come to reconciliation.
Ultimately our relationship has grown stronger.
We are currently both single (the pandemic definitely did not help our love lives) but we’re looking forward to what’s coming for us in the future.
And I guess we did find true love in the end, maybe not in a passionate, Hollywood–style romance, but as caring, supportive, loving friends.
Love, Or Something Like It is a regular series for Metro.co.uk, covering everything from mating and dating to lust and loss, to find out what love is and how to find it in the present day. If you have a love story to share, email rosy.edwards@metro.co.uk
Not only has lockdown given us an opportunity to clear out our wardrobes, but it’s also prompted a shift in the way we think about our clothes, in general.
Yes, lockdown has physically changed the way we dress – with joggers, PJs, gym wear and dressing gowns forming the four pillars of the 2020 wardrobe – but it’s also made us think, psychologically, about our attitudes to fashion.
From the amount of clothes that are gathering dust in our wardrobes to our online shopping habits – the pandemic has made us question a lot of things.
Kate Oldfield, a designer from London, tells Metro.co.uk she’s dramatically changed her views towards clothes and online shopping over the past few months.
She says: ‘At the beginning I was really against online shopping, because when the UK was at its peak I felt like I was unnecessary putting people at risk getting things that weren’t essential.’
Kate now wants to spend a bit more on clothes that last longer, rather than fast fashion.
She adds: ‘I did a clear out and I have loads of clothes that I’ve only worn once or never worn. I found ones with tags that I bought for holidays last year that I’d packed, taken with me, didn’t wear and brought back.
‘I’m not going to just buy loads of cheap stuff online anymore. I’m going to spend more on things that I can wear with loads of different outfits – so more of a capsule wardrobe, rather than buying loads.’
One enormous change is the way lockdown has altered the way people dress day-to-day.
While lots of people have opted for slouchy clothes, Rebecca Lockwood says she’s turned to more glamorous pieces to boost her mood.
She says: ‘I used to tone down my clothing when at home wearing sweats and comfy clothing. However, during my lockdown, my wardrobe has literally been transformed. I now wear comfy but sexy and colourful dresses when at home – especially when working from home.
‘I realised that although it was comfortable being in these clothes it wasn’t making me feel very good. For me to be my best self – in work, as a mum and as a wife – I also have to feel my best. Frankly, being in my sweats didn’t leave me feeling productive or very sexy.’
This is something Rebecca hopes to continue post-lockdown.
She adds: ‘I think I will definitely keep getting more dressed up each day. I noticed it makes such a difference to the way I feel which makes me get so much more done.’
Similar to Rebecca, Claudia Hardy says she’s also found a new appreciation for her nicer clothes.
She tells Metro.co.uk: ‘I’m living in my gym kit and I’m enjoying dressing up once a month way more than dressing up a few times a week.’
The pandemic has also prompted Claudia to scale back her wardrobe entirely.
‘I am not buying going out clothes at all and I have culled my wardrobe – I’ve found loads of clothes I’ve never worn with tags on which I’ve just donated.
‘I’d be keen to spend more on less clothes and just have a staple wardrobe,’ she says.
For months, clothes shops have been closed (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
The pandemic also saw the high street grind to a halt.
Up until this week, shops stood still for months – many with Easter stock still in their windows.
Bethan Roberts, a doctor from Leeds, says this standstill made her question the importance of trend pieces in her wardrobe.
She says: ‘I’ve found it quite refreshing, looking in shop windows and there being the exact same clothes that there were four months ago. I find there’s a lot of pressure to keep on top of trends.
‘You look in a shop window and you think “I’ll buy that” and then two weeks later it’s gone because something more fashionable has come in.
‘So I’ve really enjoyed walking past the same dress in Urban Outfitters for the past three months and thinking “I still think that’s a really lovely dress” and then still wanting to buy it.’
Bethan adds that the past few months have made her think more carefully about her online orders.
She says: ‘I’ve found myself on a website and filling up a bag and then reviewing the bag more, rather than just clicking to order.’
However, people who don’t shop very often have found the pandemic has had little impact on their consumer habits.
Kezia Sullivan, from north London, tells Metro.co.uk: ‘My approach to shopping has not changed.
‘I didn’t shop before and I don’t shop now unless the jeans have worn out and even then I try and buy the exact same pair – because I’m quite hard to fit because I’m tall.
‘I probably won’t be shopping after lockdown until I can go and try things on – as stuff is a bit difficult to fit.’
So you’ve put together the perfect cover letter, nailed the fancy header on your CV, and managed to get your job application in long before the deadline.
Don’t let a common misspelling let you down.
There are certain words jobseekers often get wrong on their CVs – and that managers will often use to rule people out of the running.
That mangling of describing yourself as a ‘perfectionist’ could be the difference between you getting skipped over and landing a job, so it’s worth knowing the places people most often slip up.
Handy, then, that Resume.io, a platform that helps job applicants polish up their CVs, examined 2,000 CVs and polled more than 1,200 people to find out the words that are most commonly misspelled in resumés.
So, what are they? Read on, then check your own CV to make sure you’ve got these words right.
Most commonly misspelled words on CVs:
Initiative
Detail-orientated
Perfectionist
Management
Professional
Implemented
Corresponding
Achieved
Accurate
Succeeded
Getting those words right is important, as the research found that 73% of managers are put off when they see spelling mistakes on a CV.
Menno Olsthoorn, a spokesman for Resume.io, said: ‘Quite a few people even misspelled the name of their employer (for example, MacDonald’s instead of McDonald’s).
‘Curriculum vitae was also misspelled regularly, while “professional” and “accurate” are two words that you really want to spell correctly.’
![JAMES MEACHIM, 34, AND GRACE MEACHIM, 32, OF LITTLEHAMPTON, WEST SUSSEX, WERE ADAMANT THAT THEIR THREE CHILDREN [LEFT] TYLER MEACHIM, 13, [CENTRE] JESSICA MEACHIM, NINE, AND [RIGHT] BLAKE MEACHIM, THREE, WERE ENOUGH FOR THEM](http://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/PRI_154909605-e1592565889917.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=1024)
