Father's Day Breakfast at Nursery

This Father's Day, I got to kick things off in a truly special way: a breakfast visit to the nursery. While I've dropped him off and picked him up countless times, I've only actually been inside the nursery a handful of times, so this was a lovely chance to see his world from a new perspective.

When I first arrived, Thom was actually a little shy, but it didn't take long for him to warm up. Once he spotted his favorite member of staff and got a little food in him, he started to warm up. He then became absolutely buzzing with excitement, so keen to show me around and pulling me by the hand from one area to another. It was clear he was really proud of his space, and it was heartwarming to see him so comfortable and happy there. He led me through the different play zones, pointing out his favourite toys and activities.

We settled down for breakfast, and I enjoyed a proper bacon sandwich, a nice start to the day! Ever the sophisticated little man, opted for a croissant, which he happily munched on. It was just a simple meal, but sharing it with him in his environment was a nice experience.

After breakfast, we had about half an hour to play together. We explored the outside, and I got to see him interact in a way I don't usually witness. He was so engaged and full of joy, and watching him enjoy himself so thoroughly was the best Father's Day gift.

Leaving him after our play felt a little bittersweet, we had a big cuddle before I left. It was a wonderful reminder of how much he's growing and how much he loves his nursery. Moments like these are truly precious, and I'm so glad I got to share this Father's Day breakfast with my enthusiastic little guide.

Reclaiming Your Web Experience: Safari's "Hide Distracting Items"

If you're anything like me, you've probably clicked on a news article only to find it unreadable thanks to the annoying advertising jammed in. Open a news article, and you're immediately bombarded with pop-ups, autoplay videos, and, worst of all, a relentless stream of adverts that obscure the very content you came to read. For me, sites like the Manchester Evening News had become almost unusable.

I've had a revelation! I recently stumbled upon a feature in Safari that has absolutely transformed my news-reading experience, and I'm kicking myself for not discovering it sooner. It's called "Hide Distracting Items," and it's nothing short of a miracle.

What is "Hide Distracting Items" and How Does It Work?

Essentially, this feature allows Safari to intelligently identify and conceal non-essential elements on a webpage. Think of it as a built-in ad-blocker and content declutterer all rolled into one. It doesn't just block ads; it hides banners, social media widgets, newsletter sign-up prompts, and all the other visual noise that clutters up so many websites.

The best part? It's incredibly simple to use. While viewing a webpage in Safari on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, here's how you access it:

• On iPhone/iPad: Tap the "aA" icon in the address bar (usually on the left). In the dropdown menu, you'll see "Hide Distracting Items." Tap it, and watch the magic happen!
• On Mac: Click "View" in the Safari menu bar at the top of your screen. You'll find "Hide Distracting Items" in the dropdown.

My Experience with the Manchester Evening News (and Beyond!)

Before this discovery, trying to read an article on the Manchester Evening News was an exercise in frustration. Every scroll was interrupted by a new advert or a demand to sign up for something. Now, with "Hide Distracting Items" enabled, the site transforms into a clean, readable page. The articles are front and centre, as they should be.

This isn't just limited to news sites either. I've found it incredibly effective on a wide range of content-heavy websites that rely heavily on advertising. It makes reading articles, recipes, blog posts – essentially anything with a significant body of text – a far more enjoyable and less distracting experience.

Why You Should Try It

If you're tired of the web feeling like an obstacle course of promotions and pop-ups, I urge you to give Safari's "Hide Distracting Items" a try. It's a built-in solution that requires no third-party extensions and works seamlessly across your Apple devices.

It won't block every single ad, especially those embedded directly into the content, but it significantly reduces the visual clutter and dramatically improves readability. For a cleaner, calmer, and more focused Browse experience, this feature is an absolute must-use.

Have you tried "Hide Distracting Items" before? What are your thoughts? Share your experiences in the comments below!

The Downward Trend I Love: My 16kg Weight Loss Journey

For most things in life, I’m a big fan of seeing the graph go up. My step count? Definitely climbing! My wealth? Absolutely skyward! But there are a select few things that bring me pure joy when the numbers head in the opposite direction. And right now, the biggest one on that list is my weight.

It feels hard to believe, but since last December, I've been on a real mission. A mission to eat a bit less, move a whole lot more, and generally take better care of myself. Today, I’m genuinely chuffed to announce that all this conscious effort has paid off in a massive way: I’ve shed a whopping 16 kilograms

I had a health review and they were at pains to point out that I was dangerously obese. That was a wake-up call, a clear sign that something had to change for my long-term health and just, well, feeling better. Fast forward to today, and while I’m not quite at my "ideal" weight yet, I’ve managed to shift myself into the "merely overweight" category. Honestly, for me, that’s a victory.

giving up alcohol for several months. That decision alone had such a surprising impact, not just on the calories I was consuming, but on my energy levels and just feeling clearer in the head. It also totally broke a really ingrained bad habit: having drinks and then, of course, the snacks, while watching TV in the evenings. Instead, Kath and I swapped those out for herbal tea – a simple switch that’s made a huge difference in cutting out mindless evening calories. Coupled with being more mindful about what I was eating, the kilograms just steadily started to melt away.

m"Move more" for me wasn't just about pottering around; it was about getting back to something I already loved. I was already a runner, having completed the London Marathon in 2024. So, while I can't really say I discovered the running bug, this journey has certainly reignited it in a big way! During this time, I've trained for and proudly completed the Wilmslow Half Marathon and the Great Run Manchester 10K. Each time I crossed one of those finish lines, it felt like a real physical sign of my progress, solid proof that my body was getting stronger and way more capable. Next up on the horizon is the incredible, and slightly terrifying, challenge of the Chicago Marathon.

It's been a fascinating transformation, not just when I step on the scales, but in everyday life too. My clothes are practically swimming on me these days – I’ve actually had to go down one to two full sizes! In fact, my old trousers were so big, I literally had to go out and buy new ones just so they’d stay up. It’s such a strange, but honestly wonderful, feeling to pull on a pair of jeans that used to be snug and now they just hang comfortably

This whole thing isn't just about the number on the scale; it's genuinely about reclaiming my health and feeling more vibrant, more energetic, and a whole lot more confident. It's a brilliant reminder that sometimes, the most satisfying progress you make is when you're charting a downward course – especially when that frees you up to achieve even bigger, upward-trending goals like marathon training!

I'm really excited to keep going on this path and see where it takes me next. If you're on a similar journey, or even just thinking about starting one, just know that small, consistent changes really do add up to big results.

From Exchange to Hardware: The Peace of Mind a Ledger Brings to My Bitcoin Holdings

For a while now, I've been part of the growing number of people who own Bitcoin. Like many newcomers, my journey started with leaving my coins on an exchange – specifically, Coinbase. It was convenient, easy to buy, and seemed secure enough at the time. However, as I delved deeper into the world of cryptocurrency, a persistent, nagging worry began to creep in: the age-old crypto adage, "not your keys, not your crypto."

That phrase isn't just a catchy slogan; it's a fundamental principle of self-custody in the decentralized world. While exchanges like Coinbase are reputable and have strong security measures, they still represent a centralized point of failure. If the exchange were ever hacked, or if my account were compromised, my Bitcoin could be at risk, entirely out of my control. The idea of waking up one day to find my digital assets gone because of something entirely external to my actions was a constant source of low-level anxiety.

The history of crypto is unfortunately riddled with examples of this exact nightmare scenario playing out. Perhaps the most infamous is Mt. Gox, once the largest Bitcoin exchange in the world. In 2014, Mt. Gox suffered a massive hack, leading to the loss of hundreds of thousands of Bitcoins. I even had an acquaintance who lost 10 Bitcoin in that hack – a devastating loss that underscored the very real dangers of relying solely on a third-party custodian.

Beyond the exchange risk, another significant concern always loomed: the security of hot wallets. While software wallets offer more control than an exchange, they are still connected to the internet. The threat of sophisticated phishing attacks, designed to trick users into revealing their seed phrases or signing malicious transactions, is a very real and present danger. The idea of "wallet draining" phishing code – malicious scripts that can sweep your funds if you accidentally interact with them – was a constant deterrent from moving my significant holdings to a software wallet on my computer or phone. I simply didn't feel comfortable with that level of exposure.

And then, I finally made the leap. I invested in a hardware wallet – a Ledger, to be exact.

The difference in peace of mind has been transformative.

A hardware wallet like the Ledger is a physical device that stores your private keys offline. This means your private keys are never exposed to the internet, even when you're making a transaction. When you want to send Bitcoin, you connect the Ledger to your computer, initiate the transaction on your software interface (like Ledger Live), and then physically confirm it on the device itself. This air-gapped security model is a game-changer.

The process of setting up my Ledger was straightforward, and the initial learning curve was minimal. The feeling of going through the steps, generating my seed phrase (and meticulously backing it up offline, in multiple secure locations!), and then finally transferring my Bitcoin from Coinbase to my own self-custodied wallet was incredibly empowering.

What's even more reassuring is the process of sending Bitcoin out of my Ledger. The device itself requires you to physically verify the recipient address on its screen before the transaction can be signed and broadcast. This simple yet critical step prevents sophisticated malware from secretly altering the address on your computer. To be absolutely double sure, I also employed a smart strategy: for my very first withdrawal, I sent a tiny test amount first. Once that small transaction confirmed successfully, I knew the address was correct and everything was working as it should, giving me the confidence to send the larger amount.

Now, when I think about my Bitcoin, that nagging worry is gone. My keys are my own, secured by a dedicated, purpose-built device. The threat of online phishing attacks or exchange hacks affecting my holdings directly has been virtually eliminated. It's a level of security and control that simply isn't possible when your funds are on an exchange or in a hot wallet.

If you're currently keeping your significant Bitcoin holdings on an exchange or are constantly worried about the security of hot wallets, I can't recommend a hardware wallet enough. It's an investment in your financial sovereignty and, more importantly, in your peace of mind. Taking control of your private keys is a crucial step in truly understanding and participating in the decentralized future that cryptocurrency promises.

 

The Joy of the Log: Why I Love Recording Everything

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Perhaps there's something hardwired in my brain, but I genuinely enjoy recording things. It's more than just a habit; there's a satisfying click when a piece of data is logged, a feeling of order emerging from the everyday.

Whether it's writing down ideas, meticulously logging my runs on Strava (you might remember I ran the London Marathon last year and I'm gearing up for Chicago this year), or cataloging my ever-growing record collection on Discogs, there's a certain pleasure in capturing these details.

My current small obsession? Catching up on my Letterboxd account with previously watched films. It's been a fun dive into the past, sifting through old theatre receipt emails and even trawling through the archives of this very blog, blog.johncooke.info, for movies I've previously written about. It’s a bit like creating a personal archive of my experiences, one entry at a time.

Week 1, Run 1: The Journey to Chicago Begins!

After taking a week off following Manchester 10km, today marked the first official training run on my road to the Chicago Marathon 2025. After successfully completing the London Marathon last year, I'm excited (and maybe a little nervous!) to tackle the Windy City. My goal is to cross that finish line in 4:45, a time I'm determined to achieve with consistent training and the right mental attitude..

My training plan officially kicked off today, and you can see the details of my first run on Strava. 

It was a short interval session, with 6 x 1 minute intervals at a hard pace. It felt like a good way to get started, the weather was overcast but not bad for running.

I'm following a Coopah training plan, which I'm confident will help me stay on track. The plan has a mixture of long runs, easy runs, tempo and intervals sessions. The journey to a marathon is never easy, but I'm ready to embrace the challenge and share my progress along the way. Stay tuned for more updates!

If you want to try out Coopah please us the following link for a free trial 

Great Manchester Run 10k

What a Sunday it was! The Great Manchester Run 10k always delivers an incredible atmosphere, and this year, on May 18th, it certainly lived up to expectations. There's nothing quite like pounding the streets of Manchester alongside thousands of fellow runners, cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd. They even played The Stone Roses just as we took our place on the starting line – it felt electric! This year was particularly special for me as I got to share the experience with my wonderful wife, Katarzyna.

The race itself proved to be a bit more challenging than anticipated due to the unseasonably warm weather. It definitely added an extra layer of difficulty to the 10k distance, but we powered through, navigating through the city centre and out towards Old Trafford before looping back to finish on Deansgate. There was an excellent crowd; every high-five from a spectator, every shout of encouragement, makes a real difference.

As for my own performance, I crossed the finish line in 57 minutes and 24 seconds. While not a personal best, I'm happy with that time, especially considering the conditions. It was a solid effort given the sun, and I'm pleased with how the run went. It's a testament to consistent training (I use Coopah training – feel free to check them out with my code!) and, of course, the fantastic support from Katarzyna both on and off the course.

Watching Katarzyna cross the finish line too, knowing we'd both pushed ourselves and achieved something great together, was a fantastic feeling. These shared experiences are what make events like the Great Manchester Run so memorable.

A huge thank you to everyone who organised the event, the volunteers, and of course, the incredible Manchester crowd for making it such an unforgettable day. The medals are proudly displayed, and the memories will last a lifetime.

Now, time to recover, reflect, and perhaps start thinking about the next challenge: Chicago in October!

RIP Skype

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The end of an era Microsoft officially shuts down Skype in favour of teams. Back in the naughtiest after the likes of ICQ AOL Messenger and MSN closed down Skype came along to fill the void. For a while it was the go to for video and voice calling. I even owned a Skype wifi phone which allowed me to call from any WiFi network. This was before FaceTime (in fact pre iPhone). 

Unfortunately like many technologies which were ahead of their time they were bought out by Microsoft and became a bit stagnant while others came along and overtook them. It’s sad to see it go especially as I am not the biggest fan of teams. 

My New Best Friend in the Garden: The Parkside Robotic Lawnmower from Lidl!

For years, keeping my lawn looking its best involved the familiar hum and the trailing cord of my Bosch electric corded mower. While it was a reliable tool, the limitations of the cable and the physical effort still made lawn care feel like a significant chore. That is, until now! I recently took the plunge and invested in a robotic lawnmower from Lidl, and honestly, it's been a game-changer for my garden. I chose the Parkside Robotic Lawnmower (Lidl Product Page), and it's been fantastic.

I'll admit, I was a little skeptical at first. Could a relatively affordable robotic mower really deliver the same results as a traditional one? Would it be complicated to set up ? Well, after a few weeks of blissful, hands-off lawn care, I can confidently say that my Parkside robotic lawnmower has exceeded all expectations.

Unboxing and Setup: Surprisingly Simple!

One of my initial concerns was the setup process. I envisioned complicated wiring and frustrating app configurations. However, I was pleasantly surprised. The instructions were clear, and laying the boundary wire was straightforward. It took a little time to carefully peg it down around my trees and my son's play swing and slide. Thankfully the included guide made it manageable. Connecting the charging station was a breeze. Within a couple of hours, my new little helper was ready to roll!

Effortless Lawn Care in Action

Watching the robotic lawnmower navigate my garden for the first time was almost mesmerizing. It moves in a seemingly random pattern, but somehow, it manages to cover every inch of the lawn, leaving behind a beautifully even cut. The best part? I can now sit back, relax with a cup of tea (or something stronger), or get on with other tasks while it does all the work. No more wrestling with that pesky cord!

Key Features I'm Loving:

• Quiet Operation: Compared to the noticeable whir of my old Bosch electric corded mower and the constant need to manage the cable, this robotic marvel is incredibly quiet and completely cordless! I can easily have a conversation or enjoy the peace of my garden while it's working.
• Consistent Cutting: The regular, small trims leaving the grass to mulch result in a consistently neat and healthy lawn. I've noticed it even seems lusher than before.
• Automatic Charging: When the battery gets low, it automatically returns to its charging station. It's completely self-sufficient!
• Safety Features: I feel secure knowing it has sensors that stop the blades if it's lifted or encounters an obstacle.

Any Downsides? (So Far, Not Many!)

Honestly, I'm struggling to find significant drawbacks so far. Of course, it might not be suitable for very large or complex gardens with steep slopes. And you do need to take the time to lay the boundary wire carefully around your garden. I also have to trim the edges and areas the mower cannot reach, I had to do so with the mower too so it's a lot less effort overall. Overall for my  garden, it's been perfect.

The Cost

The mower cost £249, but I got it for £199 with my Lidl Plus discount. I also purchased the garage for £29.99 (£24.99 with Lidl Plus) to protect the mower and charger from the rain. For not much more than the cost of a new cordless manual mower, this entire setup feels like a real bargain.

The Verdict: A Fantastic Investment!

If you're looking for a way to reclaim your time and enjoy a perfectly manicured lawn without the hassle of cords and pushing, I wholeheartedly recommend considering a robotic lawnmower, and especially the Parkside model from Lidl. It's efficient, easy to use, and has made a noticeable difference to my garden and my free time here. I'm excited to see how it performs over the long term, but for now, I'm one very happy customer!

Have you considered a robotic lawnmower? What are your thoughts? Share your experiences in the comments!

Father John Misty

Last night Kath and I headed to Manchester to see Father John Misty at the Apollo.

First stop was Bundobust for some dinner. We caught the last day of their info Chinese menu. The salt and pepper okra fries were amazing, as was the sesame gobi toast. Kath washed hers down with a sesame and ginger old fashioned. While I had a Python premium lager. Great way to get set up for a gig.

We walked to the Apollo, we had seats in the circle which gave a pretty impressive view. I normally stand but this was pretty nice got to see a bit more of the grandeur of the venue.

Opening was a county singer Butch Bastard I had never heard of him but it was an enjoyable opening.

Father John Misty's set was amazing, a dreamy mix of his old and new material. It is the third time we have seen him and he never disappoints.

Digital Voicing

Today as part of my work for Neighbourhood watch, I spent the morning volunteering at Wilmslow Library. I was helping to explain the BT digital voice switchover. It was quite a change from my usual, chatting with everyday non technical folks who were a bit jittery about the change.

Fortunately for the majority of users the switch means a very small change and for those with great needs there will be support to help them with this.

Hopefully people left feeling happier about it than when they arrived.

TaskRabbiting

I needed a small piece of cabling done which required drilling through a quite thick outside wall. I didn't have the right drill bit and rather than buy one I decided to give taskrabbit a go. This is an internet service which you can post a job and choose a "tasker" to come and do it for you.

I choose somebody call Laurence who charged about the average rate per hour. He came did the job and I got a bill for 2 hours work (it took 1.5). The total was  £68.76 including the £10.86 TaskRabbit fee and £8.11 trust and support fee. The job was done well and was slightly less than if I had used a traditional electrician. 

Overall happy with the service. 

Millenium walking

It hard to believe how much hype there was about the millennium, from people selling champagne futures to the many people who seemed to want to build civic things to mark the occasion. From the millennium dome to the Millennium walkway in New Mills which we decided to visit on our way home from center parks.

The millennium walkway in New Mills is a partly cantilevered bridge over the river Goyt adding a joining section in the E2 router which runs from Scotland to Nice in France!

It is quite a wonderful piece of engineering and still looks great all these years later. You get to have a lovely country side walk with some industrial heritage to boot, well worth a visit if you are in the area.

Centre parcs

Until this weekend I had never visited Centre Parks. To me, it was the sort of place more affluent or aspiring people visited. However Kath managed to get a deal for a long weekend there. This also included some day passes so our friends Tom, Fiona and their daughter Daisy could spend the day with us.

We choose the Sherwood Forest site, its about 2 hours drive from Wilmslow. On arrival there is a security check in and we were told we could bring the car to unload our stuff but then we had to park in the main car park.

It was pretty crazy coming in lots of people leaving and arriving.

Our cabin was a short walk from the "Village centre" where the shops, swimming area and restaurants are located. To me the town felt more like a theme park than a real place with chains like Bella Italia and Las Iguanas.  Top tip: we couldn't get anywhere for lunch on Sunday so book early to avoid disappointment.  There is a lake in the centre where you can hire a boat. There was also a go ape style forest walkway with a zip wire across the water. I would have liked to have a go on that but Thom is far too young.

There was a nice sandy "beach" next to the lake which the kids enjoyed running around and digging in. There were also parks and outdoor play areas.

We spent the most of our time in the subtropical swimming world. With a variety of water slides for all ages, a wave machine and a pirate themed area for younger children to enjoy it was a great way to spend a day. It is mostly covered by a large dome but there was a heated outdoor section with jacuzzi spa and a river rapid. Thom had a great time with the water play. The only annoying thing was trying to find somewhere to leave your towel. People are quite territorial with the chairs marking their territory. 

The lodges are all set in the woodland ours had a nice view of the trees with plenty of nature outside. Thom enjoyed watching squirrels, ducks, moorhens and geese. 

The bed was comfortable though the couches were a bit too soft for my liking.

There is a food delivery service so you can order takeaway to the lodge. The kitchen was actually better than I expected so I think I would take more food to make next time.

Overall had a great time, yes its expensive but there was plenty to do and I enjoyed the setting. It would be great to have a BBQ outside when the weather was a bit warmer. Id probably use the restaurants less, they were really expansive I even got charged 75p for a small sauce to go with my chips!