I hate olives. I pick them off of my pizza. I don’t order dishes with olives in them. If I ordered a martini I would order it with a twist. The other day I had a pasta dish with olives on it, and it was nice. Will they find their way into my Sainsbury’s shopping? No. I maintain my benign dislike of them. To oversimplify, … Continue reading I’m In Love, But I Still Hate Men
My first solo trip by plane fell short of the travel ads. I blame the false sense of security that my airport experience fabricated. I had no issues with trains (for once!), crossed the security border without being drug-tested and arrived at my seat with maximum time to spare and scheduled departure on time. So, I relaxed and allowed my thoughts to finally drift to … Continue reading Travel Trips & Troubles
Cliché Cuteness? Cute sounding and in a cute spot in the Morgan Arcade. The Maple and Bean is a neat little cafe that’s tucked away in the tunnels of Cardiff. But cute might just be about all I can say about the place. Don’t get me wrong the place was absolutely lovely. There’s a definite aesthetics and two stories of little tables that allow you … Continue reading The Maple and Bean, a Cardiff Cafe Review
Journey from Uni to Present Career What initially inspired you to pursue a journalism career and were there any prominent figures that influenced your decision to want to go into media? I’ve always enjoyed being a part of the media in some way. When I was a kid, I appeared on S4C, the Welsh-language TV channel, quite a lot, and it excited me so much. … Continue reading Mared Parry – Interview with Quench Beyond
From joint ‘rope’ socials with the Cave Society to navigating online trolls, Aber KinkSoc President Alex talks to Quench Deputy Julia Bottoms about Aberystwyth’s very own kink society. Ah, University – that cherished baptism into adulthood, an epoch of self-discovery and exploration, and perhaps regrettably for many, the most sexual freedom you will ever have. But in the charming seafront university town of Aberystwyth, students … Continue reading Bonding in all its forms
In Conversation with Delphi Campbell. As International Women’s Day approaches, we reflect on the voices and stories that shape the discourse on gender, health and identity. One such powerful voice is Delphi Campbell, the artist behind Unwanted Flesh, a deeply personal body of work that explores chronic illness, medical misogyny and the lived experience of a female body in pain. Through an intimate conversation, we … Continue reading Unwanted Flesh: Art, Illness, and the Female Body
As the jeep drove off and Junha Park’s The Town started playing, I knew I’d never look at snow the same way again. Mr. Plankton is the third K-Drama I’ve watched this year, and it had me bawling from start to finish. Without spoiling anything, it encapsulates a messier side of love while still embracing familiar tropes—the slow-burn romance, the infamous love triangle, and the … Continue reading Love Is Just A Word
The media we consume massively influences the kind of love we view as acceptable or desirable. Whether it’s the latest couples trend on TikTok, a Shakespeare play or a Picasso painting, we are guaranteed to internalise these depictions of love, and begin to form preferences for the love we wish to receive – be that romantic, familial or platonic. Of course, we can also develop … Continue reading Love Is Just A Word
Speaking as the girl who’s worn both hats, the singleton and the practically married-ton; Valentine’s Day for me is a day where every relationship is worth celebrating, romantic or platonic. Whether it’s buying your housemates a funny card, having a cocktail night with your girls or sharing a romantic meal for two; Cupid’s holiday should never be exclusive to couples. Continue reading Gal or Val?
Never forget where you’re coming from! The Welsh certainly don’t. Take That returned to Swansea once again in 2024, where they had one of their first Welsh concerts all those years ago. Take That’s return to Swansea wasn’t just another stop on their tour- it was a powerful nod to the places that shaped their rise to stardom. Back in the ’90s, cities like Swansea … Continue reading Looking back: Our Favourite Concerts of 2024 in Wales
With a global climate crisis and climate anxiety on the rise, many travel lovers must take a step back to review their approach to travel. With new climate obstacles emerging, a new form of tourism has also been gaining popularity: ecotourism. Traditional tourism is characterised by being beneficial to the traveller and the traveller alone, and having detrimental effects on the environment and communities exposed … Continue reading Ecotourism
Journey to Bali, Indonesia I found myself in Bali. A phrase I’ve repeated over and over, and only sometimes in jest. Since this life-changing experience my friends and boyfriend often tell me to shut up when I bring it up. It’s also a question I get asked all the time. Did you find yourself in Bali? Truth: Yes. Initially Bali hadn’t been my first-choice travel destination. I … Continue reading I Found Myself in Bali
Before coming back to uni for my final year, I was practically itching to get back. I love my family very dearly, but after living without them for most of the year, it’s easy to miss the lifestyle you’ve built away from them when you move back over the summer. However, once I moved into my new house, and my mum had left me to … Continue reading Homesickness in Third Year
‘Cupid, draw back your bow. And let your arrow go. Straight to my lover’s heart for me.’ From artwork to literature to modern media, Cupid has been a symbol of love, and known for uniting lovers throughout history. Cupid, or the original Latin Cupido, is the god of love, desire, attraction and affection. Whether you know him as the winged child, the semi-sexless babe, or … Continue reading Calling Cupid
Brat by Charli XCX There are pop culture moments that shape each year, and it would be hard to sum up 2024’s legacy without one word: Brat. Charli XCX’s monumentally successful sixth studio album defined some of the most iconic social media trends, club nights, and memories of the past year. Von Dutch and 360 are an instant confidence boost and were the first singles … Continue reading 2024 Wrapped: The Best Albums of 2024
Who doesn’t know someone with a fridge full of magnets from places they’ve visited? Many of us have a special something we like to bring home—postcards, trinkets, bracelets, or even photos. But travel traditions aren’t always material. They can also be experiences like trying local food, exploring markets, or taking the same photo pose at every destination. These rituals connect one journey to the next, … Continue reading Threads of Tradition: Connecting Journeys and Memories
Every travel destination and experience is incredibly memorable and important to me regardless of when, where or who I went with. My family holidays to Cornwall or Greece mean just as much to me as city breaks to Dublin or London and girls’ holidays to Spain, though I find the trips where I go solo end up being the most challenging and therefore, the most rewarding. After spending the summer of 2023 working at … Continue reading Teaching, Tasting and Touring Europe
This year, on the second of September, I joined my partner and her parents on their holiday to Tunisia. I’ll let you in on two of my favourite memories. One isn’t of the holiday itself, but actually from the journey in travelling there. I have a fond memory of the time spent during the delay of the flight that I often revisit with affection. It was no more than a few hours but those of you who have flown before will understand the pain and boredom of prolonged sitting on airport seats all too well.My partner and … Continue reading Memories made in Tunisia
When I get asked what my most memorable travel experience was, there is no doubt that I tell the same story every time. So, grab your popcorn and find a comfy seat as I tell you all about the time I got stranded on an island. It all started when my dad had planned a birthday trip to Lombok, Indonesia for my mom’s 40th birthday. … Continue reading Stranded in the Ashes
‘This is a story that belongs to Butetown.’ – Nadifa Mohamed, Acknowledgement to The Fortune Men. I get a rare moment of pride when I read a novel set in Cardiff. Normally, I prefer to use fiction as an escape into countries I’ve never been to and cultures I’ve never experienced; stories set in harsh Siberian winters, or the drab Midwestern suburban counties of America. But … Continue reading Under All the Pretty Lights: A Trip to Cardiff Bay to Trace the History of Nadifa Mohamed’s The Fortune Men
