Things you didn't expect to like, but do

[BiggyJ]

I really, really did not expect to like the Stacey & Joe TV show.
But I do 🤷‍♀️
Their whole set up is just lovely - extended and step family are just one big family
It's just an easy watch, very wholesome.

Going with this. I still can't stand Tim what-is-name but the pub formula's a winner!

Also going with Dickens - you see so much else in it when you're older and more cynical - and olives; somehow you grow into the weirdly bitter and salty flavour.

Kimchi can get in the bin, and running is torture.

Star Trek! Thought it was for kids and sad men, got hooked and now wish they'd make more series.

Me too! I wouldn't go on any other holiday now. Excellent value for money, great food, great entertainment and see so many different places. Totally hooked.

The TV show Ghosts (the UK version).

Watched it as a family earlier in the year. It's totally DS14's sense of humour and we bonded over the caveman 😂

Lesbianism

Line dancing

My daughter’s eyebrow piercing. I kind of want one myself now…

Another very latecomer to Game of Thrones
Opera in my 40s despite great opportunities to see the best productions beforehand
Jazz
Tomatos
Blue cheese
Cabaret the stage show

Sex. Just hadn't met the right one yet

Starting a YouTube channel. I enjoy the filming, editing, planning, selecting music and even talking to a camera despite being an introvert and hating public speaking at work.

Ooh which one is this? We have Clover now nearly £3 a tub

I loved Torremolinos too! I was told it going to be awful, but I found it really pretty, lots of cute cobbled streets and tapas bars. Im definately going back!

Irn Bru. Had it on my one and only visit to Glasgow for a laugh - now it is something I would choose over Coke or Fanta if I'm having a rare fizzy drink.

Zumba! Never enjoyed any other form of exercise, ever.

Gogglebox. Put it on years ago while ironing to just watch some rubbish. Loved it ever since.

A cycling holiday. Only did it to stop my then husband from going on about it and loved every second. Seeing the countryside in a way you never usually would, visiting lots of lovely little villages and vineyards and a new place to stay every night.

Also Wetherspoons, so cheep is makes me cheerful!

Game of Thrones

Sushi - the thought of raw fish 🤢 but when I was brave enough to try it I loved it

Brussels Sprouts - I'd had them boiled before and didn't much care for them, then when I started doing them with Christmas dinner I started shredding them and pan frying with pancetta - yum!

Skiing - I had always been a sun worshipper and thought it sounded boring and far too energetic. Tried it and loved it (in my younger days, too old and achy now) even though my first experience was arriving in resort to no snow and having to be coached miles to another place and getting dumped at the top of a mountain where the slopes were quite icy. It was terrifying and exhilarating in equal measures.

Cold water swimming

grilled chicken hearts

This

Life after graduation.

Yoga. It was prescribed by the hospital…now I’m a yoga teacher and it’s transformed my life.

Peppa Pig the television programme and also the world.

Harry Potter books. At first, I refused to read them on principle because they were so hyped; when the first film came out, I was annoyed by the life-sized cardboard figures of Harry and Hagrid everywhere; and when I did try the first book, I couldn't get beyond the slapstick with the Dursleys in the first few chapters. However, in general I love school stories, so when I heard that's what they were mostly about, I followed someone's advice to persevere with them, and I did read them all.

(I'm not that mad on HP; I don't fill my house with the merchandise, I'm not that fond of the films, and I haven't seen the stage play; but I was glad I'd read the books. I didn't get anywhere with the Casual Vacancy, though: I found that as boring as hell.)

Anal

Being retired - thought I’d be bored and I’m not. It’s great - travel, museums, concerts, cinema, swimming, walking. It’s fantastic.

I can’t help but read the word “freekeh” in a 70s pornstar voice complete with with a Barry White soundtrack (all in my head thankfully). Is it just me?