Five Great Reads: a stroke whereas swimming, Matthew McConaughey, and 10 endangered British puddings |

Happy Saturday readers. How does it really feel to return to benefit from the place the place your life was final in danger? This is a query that our first learn, and an expensive colleague of mine, grapples with. His reply hides within the worth of human connection. There are literally numerous good people on this week’s e-newsletter. Do take pleasure in. Oh – and thanks for being right here.

1. I had a stroke throughout an ocean swim. Most folks handed by unaware

When Graham Russell went for his normal Sunday swim in a robust wintry surf, he had no thought the seaside the place he had helped shield and save lives would develop into the place the place his personal was modified.

‘Are you all right, mate?’: after making it to shore, most individuals walked previous, unaware of his misery, and he himself didn’t realise he was having a stroke till one surfer stopped to assist.

Returning to the spot: in a robust and shifting account, Russell describes his “connection to that quietly tucked away place has become richer” for the reason that incident. He shares his story, really grateful for being alive to inform it – and a narrative that we’re all higher off for him deciding to share.

How lengthy will it take to learn: three and half minutes

Further studying: Marc Brew was the only survivor of a horrible crash that killed his mates and fellow dancers. Here is how he survived.

2. Matthew McConaughey on religion, fame and quitting romcoms

If you didn’t decide up a replica of Greenlights in the course of the pandemic, however stay intrigued by Hollywood’s former main romcom man, then Simon Hattenstone’s learn on Matthew McConaughey is for you. If that earlier sentence doesn’t resonate, one thing on this interview will.

Trauma and triumph: the actor waxes lyrical on God, lacking his party after getting stoned and listening to Janet Jackson “32 f-ing times in his car”, and eludes to the terrifying incident that outlined him.

Fun reality: McConaughey spent his hole yr in Australia as a Rotary Club change scholar.

Fun reality No 2: he almost turned a monk, however a good friend satisfied him he was higher at telling tales.

How lengthy will it take to learn: 10 minutes

3. A journey by means of among the heaviest desserts in historical past

Tim Dowling has a public service announcement: “Britain’s puddings are under threat.” And why ought to we care? For one, Dowling is American, and judging by a sneak peak of the primary recipe (a barely uncooked jam roly-poly), some puddings won’t be price saving.

But even after some stodgy tastings, and a damaged picket spoon, Dowling makes 10 quaint puddings and in consequence serves up a hilariously starchy learn.

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“The result, however, looks perfect, and tastes exactly as I guessed it would: dry and dull. It’s much better with custard, but not as good as custard on its own.” – Tim Dowling

Which puddings would you retain, and which might you bin? I’m personally desirous to attempt Queen of puddings, and I’ll at all times have a smooth spot for bread and butter pudding.

How lengthy will it take to learn: 5 minutes

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Further studying: Sticking with British tradition, you might also take pleasure in 70 unforgettable (and unforgivable) reveals from 70 years of ITV.

4. Seeing the world by means of stains

You’ll quickly perceive why it was vital to have this week’s lengthy learn after consuming the story above. For author Tom Lamont, such a luxurious wasn’t afforded when he interviewed Britain’s biggest human stain remover over breakfast. Thankfully, he stomached it as a result of Ben Giles’s life story is a Ghostbusters movie (however for stains).

Restoring order: as soon as a twentysomething freelance window cleaner, Giles is now, at 49, a number one extreme-cleaner professional and proprietor of a massively profitable firm.

From homicide scenes to whale blubber: he’s really seen and cleaned all of it, and says there are methods and truths behind each single stain.

How lengthy will it take to learn: 10 minutes

5. ‘I looked and felt like a million bucks’

I like those that comply with their hearts relating to conventional occasions like weddings. Six Guardian readers, forgoing the standard aesthetic, opted for distinctive apparel on their marriage ceremony day. They selected to put on one thing aside from white.

Hanneke from Essex, UK: knew she didn’t wish to put on white for her second marriage, so she opted for orange, “a clear reference to my Dutch heritage”.

Q from Oregon, US: selected an “amazing dark green that shimmered chartreuse and had silver embroidery”. She’s “worn it over a dozen times at various formal events.”

How lengthy will it take to learn: two and a half minutes

Further studying: right here’s a enjoyable thought-provoking query as we conclude … ought to visitors be charged to attend your large day? The $1,000 marriage ceremony ticket.

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