I won’t dwell on it too much, but 2016 has thus far been a right bastard of a year. It has been an annus horribilis for everyone. From the multitude of unthinkable terrorism, plethora of celebrity deaths and now the fall out post-EU referendum, 2016 can well and truly suck my dick. If I had one. I find myself firing up the BBC News website with one eye closed in fear of what horrific news I will come upon. It seems to be a free fall of bad news after even more bad news. So, in some kind of pathetic attempt to try and vaguely cheer us all up, I welcome you to a news page of a different kind. One that will only deliver good news. News that doesn’t make you want to give up on humanity. News that may even bring a smile to your face. Now make yourself a cup of tea, take a deep breath and be assured that it’s not all bad shit going down right now.
Love is in the Air!
Oh yes it is indeed. Not one, but two policemen got down on one knee and proposed to their boyfriends at last weekend’s Pride celebrations in London. Luckily they both said yes. Here’s a heartwarming clip of one of the proposals. All together now. aaaaahhhhhhh.
Christmas is Finally Here!
Well it is for the folk of Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire anyway. Do you remember the devastating floods that happened over Christmas 2015? And do you remember that in particular, the town Hebden Bridge was affected by these floods in ways that were unimaginable? This meant that nobody in Hebden Bridge got to celebrate Christmas last year as their homes and businesses were completely flooded and inhabitable. Well, I’m pleased to tell you that the folk of Hebden Bridge have finally had their Christmas. On the 25th June, they had an “alternative Christmas” where residents had a sit down Christmas meal, drank mulled wine and partied to Christmas tunes on the street that had been turned into a river 6 months previously. Many businesses that have been shut since Christmas, officially reopened too letting everyone know that Hebden Bridge is indeed back up and running. Hooray!
English Sport CAN be Celebrated.
Ok, so we didn’t exactly ‘dominate’ the UEFA European Championship (to put it mildly) this year, BUT did you know that whilst we shook our heads at missed goals, actual passion etc our England rugby team were OWNING it during the Australian test series, by winning it 3-0. If anything, it should give the optimist in us, some hope for English football (bear with me). As you may recall the English rugby team gave a shameful performance at last year’s World Cup, not even making it past the group stages, but this year and with the help of new coach Eddie Jones they have completely turned it around and won both the 6 Nations and now the test series in Australia. Congratulations to the England rugby team.
This Otter Eating Food
This adorable, squealing otter eating cat food with his little paws makes me desperately want to have a one as a pet. He’ll be fine hanging out in my bath, won’t he? Everything that’s right with the world is in this clip. I LOVE HIM.
Coldplay Perform Moving Tribute to Viola Beach
So, musically I’m not your biggest Coldplay fan, but I was moved by their tribute to British band Viola Beach during their headlining performance at Glastonbury festival last Sunday. Viola Beach were the British band who, along with their manager all tragically lost their lives when their car plunged 80ft off of a bridge into a canal in Sweden. Coldplay allowed Viola Beach to headline Glastonbury for one song, playing their music video on the big screens and playing along with the track. It was nothing short of beautiful and must have been an emotional, but wonderful moment for Viola Beach’s families.
Beautiful Children Being Beautiful
Many kids dread their sports days, especially if like me, you always came last in the races (look I’m more of long distance runner than a sprinter, OKAY!). One boy in particular dreaded his sports day this year. Daniel has cerebral palsy and told his Mum he didn’t want to join in sports day this year as he was worried that people would laugh at him for coming last again. Unbeknown to him and his Mum, all the boys in his race slowed down at Daniel’s pace and ran along side him and allowed him to cross the line first. According to his Mum, he was so happy he’d won, he burst into tears and ran for a hug with her and has been full of joy ever since. If that doesn’t go some way in restoring your faith in humanity, I’m not sure what will. Children are our future and all that. You can watch the beautiful video here.
And Lastly, Idiotic Goats
Oh we love a good goat video, don’t we? Watch these goats talking back and having a proper go at someone. This should get you smiling again.
Just Another Blog From a Woman 
Just goes to show that every cloud really does have a silver lining… The bad always comes with good in some form!
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Indeed x
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LOL, loved all your choices for happy news! It’s funny, I was feeling the same way last week and wrote a similar post.
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Excellent! I’ll check it out! I think it’s time I wrote another one!
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Love this! In these days where every where you turn, news sucks, this was fun to read! Thanks! Diane
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Excellent Diane. We do need a reminder that not everything is terrible.
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My eyes are wet from the little boy winning the race. Yes to stepping back and thinking of good/positive things happening. We need it if we are ever to move forward. thank you.
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I know! My eyes welled up too. Just beautiful x
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You need to set up and alternative news channel which ONLY shows positive stuff and silliness. People are generally good and kind when allowed to be; that alternative Christmas for example and the assorted post tragic events of recent weeks when people pitch in and help each other. I wish more of that happened outside of tragedy in everyday life. Maybe it does, but we never hear of it unless DIY SOS is on…I digress, alternative new channel; get on it lol
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Haha you’re quite right. I was going to make it a weekly thing, then laziness kicked in. I’ll get on it. Thanks for “doing” me 😉
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Anytime haha 😉 Oh dear, I have that problem too. I’ve loads of things I should be doing and am really trying hard to schedule a day in advance now to catch up. Alas, the catch up pile is somewhat humungous!!!
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Mine is too. I really just need an extra day in the week.
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I think that, but also know if there was an additional day then it would simply get used up with other chores and thus require an additional, additional day!! Must schedule better here! Although this heat is very non-compliant for doing!!!
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I have REALLY struggled to motivate myself today. Hot days are not conducive to productivity.
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Same here! There’s hot and then ridiculous. Comes out of nowhere too. Really had to fight myself just to get a few jobs done!!
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Love is in the air!! Really it was amazing.
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It was so lovely.
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Ah…thank you for this! Love positive posts that make me smile! I told my husband I was going to play something really loud for a minute and clicked on the baby goats. You can NEVER have enough baby goat! I am going to show that video to my sons. Why do they (the goats, not my sons) sound like humans when they squeal, bark….whatever it is? Great post!
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It’s so weird, isn’t it? That video is one of my favourites ever. Never fails to make me smile. Cheers x
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I can’t get enough! I like the hippo fart on youtube!
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Oh I NEED to check that one out.
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I like Gary’s idea where you have an alternate news channel and share only positive things. Great post. Thanks for all the positive news! Keep it coming!
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How have I just seen this comment! Thanks Lisa & sorry for the delay in responding.
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Baby goats!!!! I swear, those adorable bastards could bring world peace, if humankind didn’t suck so much. I love seeing positivity mixed with a good dose of humor!
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Honestly, those goats are everything x
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Always try to look at the bright side! I know that can be hard.
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It certainly can, but there’s always a silver lining.
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This is such a good happy post! I wish I had been blogging back in 2016 so I could have seen it earlier! 🙂
P. S. I always more of a long distance runner rather than a sprinter. I never did well at sports day either.
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Again, so sorry I’ve just seen your comment on this post. Thank you! So glad you’re a fellow long-distancer. It must come in handy for all your hiking x
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I enjoyed reading this, and it seemed even more cheery a year later! 🙂
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Oh that’s good! I never promote it as it feels outdated, but if it still brings some cheer hen that’s great.
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Yes, I enjoyed reading it. 🙂
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