Many Brits are now looking for a comfortable staycation to take this autumn. The main challenge that many dog owners face when arranging a holiday is considering who will care for their pe. But they needn’t fret any longer if they’re reserving one luxurious collection of cabins
Samantha Bartlett Assistant Editor, Social News
12:59, 29 Oct 2025Updated 14:43, 01 Nov 2025
The Nest at The Roost Luxury Cabins(Image: theroostglamping.co.uk)
Plenty of people are currently searching for the ideal spot to enjoy an autumn getaway. The bright summer holidays are behind us and numerous
Brits are now choosing to book a comfortable staycation within the UK instead. The main challenge that many dog owners face when arranging a holiday is considering who will care for their pet. But they needn’t fret any longer if they’re reserving one luxurious collection of cabins situated in The Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, which is completely dog-friendly. The Roost Luxury Cabins all feature a private sauna, outdoor bathtub, log burner and fire pit. There’s also all the kitchen kit you’ll require – a kettle, toaster, induction hob, microwave, mini-oven, fridge (with small freezer) and a dishwasher.
Plus pots, pans, crockery, cutlery, cooking utensils, washing up liquid, dishcloths, tea towels, cooking condiments, fresh ground coffee plus various teas and fresh milk.
All your bed linen and extra fluffy Egyptian towels are provided too, and there will even be some homemade brownies awaiting you.
Those bringing pets are permitted two small dogs or one medium sized dog.
The venue explains: “We leave a blanket, towel, poo bags, water and food bowel and a treat for each dog.
“If you pooch has got a bit muddy on all those lovely walks, we provide doggy towels and have a dog wash area behind the site office.”
They also provide details on canine-friendly pubs and eateries nearby.
There’s a fee of £30 for one dog (£40 for two dogs) per stay. This must be paid by card to the proprietor before arrival.
Discussing their dog-welcoming approach on their website, The Roost Luxury Cabins state: “Don’t leave your best friend behind! Here at The Roost we love dogs. The cabins are dog friendly with secure garden areas and all your doggy needs are catered for.
“Your pooch will be spoilt with their own handmade truckle bed.”
The establishment shared a video on its TikTok account showcasing the cabins, which rapidly became popular, gathering over 93,000 likes.
A dog was visible outside the lodge as the footage started, before revealing the outdoor bathing facility. The snug sleeping quarters were then displayed, accompanied by glimpses of the charming garden and external sauna.
Text overlay stated: “Call me crazy, but I would choose this with the dog over a fancy hotel.”
One viewer declared: “Oh my God, this looks INSANE!”
Whilst another commented: “Omg love this! Will have to take a look.”
A third remarked: “Looks like my sort of heaven.”
Visitors planning to book should be aware the location requires a minimum 2-night booking and check-in is restricted to Monday, Wednesday or Friday.
Rates are generally £499 per two nights but may fluctuate based on the date.
Whilst the establishment welcomes dogs brilliantly, families with children might prefer alternative accommodation as the cabins are exclusively for adults. Guests can select between two distinct cabins – The Nook and The Nest, with further information available on The Roost Luxury Cabins website.
Content cannot be displayed without consent
The accommodation currently boasts a 5-star rating on Tripadvisor, drawing from 112 reviews.
One guest commented: “We have had a really relaxing and enjoyable week in this amazing cabin! Loved the sauna and hot tub and sitting on the swing seat enjoying the peace! A beautiful place in a wonderful location.”
Meanwhile, another visitor remarked: “A perfect place to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary. Everything is beautiful and the soak tub and sauna made it super relaxing. We loved explore the local area and will definitely be back.”
What attractions can be found close to the cabins?
Outdoor and nature
Beechenhurst and the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail: Explore art installations in a woodland setting.
Go Ape: Enjoy high ropes courses and zip-lines in the trees.
Forest of Dean Cycle Centre: Rent bikes for various woodland trails.
Dean Forest Railway: Ride a steam train through the forest.
Perrygrove Railway: A family attraction with a miniature railway and treehouses.
May Hill: A prominent hill with a distinctive cluster of trees on top, offering great views.
Wye Valley: Explore canoeing, kayaking, and walking opportunities along the river.
History and heritage
Hopewell Colliery: Take an underground tour of this working free mine.
Clearwell Caves: Explore this ancient and unique underground attraction.
Dean Heritage Centre: Learn about the local history of the Forest of Dean.
Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum: Discover the history of the regiment in Gloucester.
Museum of Gloucester: Explore thousands of exhibits on the city’s past.
Jet Age Museum: See aircraft and aviation equipment in Gloucester.
National Waterways Museum: Learn about waterways in Gloucester.
Coleford Great Western Railway Museum: A museum dedicated to the railway.
Other attractions
Gloucester Cathedral: A magnificent cathedral in Gloucester with famous cloisters.
Nature in Art: Explore art exhibitions and a sculpture garden.
Sudeley Castle and Gardens: Visit this historic castle and its extensive gardens.
KATIE Price has shocked fans after appearing to KICK her new puppy in newly surfaced footage.
The reality star, 47, recently added new pup Arlo to her family, posting loving snaps of her new dog with son Harvey on her social media accounts.
Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter
Thank you!
Katie Price only debuted her new pup Arlo to fans on Snapchat earlier this monthCredit: GettyBut she sparked concerns around the pup’s welfare after appearing to boot him in a videoCredit: Katie Price/Facebook/Backgrid
But on Tuesday, Katie shared a sponsored post on her Facebook account where fans insisted she appeared to boot Arlo in video promoting a clothing brand.
“Taking my new baby Arlo for walkies [dog emoji]”, she wrote, before adding the link to a grey trench coat she’s wearing in the video.
But eagle-eyed fans were too distracted by a moment in the video, where the reality star appeared to have booted her pup.
One joked: “She just kicked the poor thing [laughing emoji]”.
Kylie Jenner revealed a family loss on Wednesday over social mediaCredit: HuluKylie shared an emotional tribute for her late dog NormanCredit: Instagram/kyliejennerNorman died at age 12Credit: kyliejenner/Instagram
She captioned a series of sweet photos, “In Loving Memory of My Sweet Norman.
“I still remember the day I brought you home. I had never loved anything so much. I always wanted an Italian Greyhound growing up, but my mommy never let me have one. Then, right after I turned 17, I got you for Christmas, and it was the best gift I could have ever received.”
Kylie added that her pooch has “filled” her live with “pure joy.”
She continued to pen, “Almost 13 years old, and yet I know I’ll remember you far longer than the time we got to share. I wish I wasn’t writing this post. I knew you were getting older, and I tried to prepare myself, but it’s hard losing you norm. It makes me happy knowing my kids got to meet you and love you.”
The pooch went missing during a journey from Buenos Aires to Barcelona, prompting a claim for losses from the owner. Now the European Court of Justice has handed down its ruling
The ruling is a blow for pet owners (stock photo)(Image: Getty Images)
Pets on flights can be classified as baggage, the European Court of Justice has ruled.
In a blow for pet owners, the ruling means that airlines are not required to pay higher compensation if the animal is lost.
The ruling was handed down by Europe’s highest court, the ECJ, after it was asked to intervene in the case of a lost dog. The pooch went missing during a journey from Buenos Aires to Barcelona, prompting a claim for losses from the owner.
Mona, the dog, had been put in a special pet crate, only to escape on the way to the plane. Mona was never found, prompting a claim of €5,000 (£4,340) for “non-material damage” by the passenger, and a six-year court case.
The airline involved, Iberia, accepted liability for the loss of the pet but not the size of the claim.
The Spanish court that heard the case then referred it to the ECJ, asking whether the concept of “baggage” in the Montreal Convention governing air travel incorporated or excluded pets traveling with passengers.
“According to the Montreal Convention, other than carriage of cargo, aircraft perform international carriage of persons and baggage,” the ECJ wrote, summarising its judgment.
“The concept of ‘persons’ corresponds to that of ‘passengers,’ with the result that a pet cannot be considered to be a ‘passenger,'” it said. “Consequently, for the purposes of air travel, a pet falls within the concept of ‘baggage’ and the compensation for the damage resulting from the loss of a pet is subject to the liability rules for baggage.”
A key point was that the passenger had not submitted a special declaration of interest in delivery. That is a formal step that involves paying an additional fee, which would have allowed them to increase the liability limit for the precious cargo.
The Spanish airline argued it exceeded the liability for lost luggage without any special declarations as to the crate’s contents.
“The dog got out of the carrier, started running near the plane and could not be recovered,” the ECJ papers say.
It was heard at the earlier court hearing in Spain that despite an intense campaign on social media launched by Mona’s owner, the dog has never been recovered.
The dog owner’s lawyer in Madrid, Carlos Villa Corta, said he disagreed with the arguments made in the Luxembourg court. “I believe that a great opportunity has been missed to continue raising awareness of the rights of animals and the people who care for them. Ultimately, the ECJ considers that pets do not deserve special or enhanced legal protection compared to a simple suitcase,” he said, the Guardian reported.
According to Spanish reports on the first court case, it was ruled that because a special declaration about the animal was not made before the flight, the pet owner was entitled to only €1,578.82.
In a statement, the ECJ said: “The fact that the protection of animal welfare is an objective of general interest recognised by the European Union does not prevent animals from being transported as ‘baggage’ and from being regarded as such for the purposes of the liability resulting from the loss of an animal.”
THERE’S nothing like a lovely relaxing autumnal dog walk, but there are plenty of hidden dangers pet owners need to look out for, it turns out.
This comes as new research from dog walking insurance providers, Protectivity, reveals that the majority of pet insurance claims are linked to dog walking.
2
Hidden dangers could lead to hefty vet billsCredit: Getty
2
It’s importatn to keep your eyes on your dog during autumn walks, the pros saidCredit: Getty
Since these hazards can end up not only being dangerous for your pet, but costly when the vet bill arrives, it’s good to know what to avoid.
Luckily, Protectivity has partnered with three certified canine experts to share practical tips and advice to safeguard dogs on their autumn walk.
Ingesting slugs or snails
The damp weather that autumn brings can lead to an increase in slugs and snails that can carry lungworm larvae, a potentially fatal issue if left untreated.
Sadie Geoghegan-Dann, Canine Welfare Expert & Dog Trainer at Nervous Rex warned: “Having personally lost one of my own dogs to lungworm, I can’t emphasise enough how dangerous it is to let your dog play around with slugs and risk eating one.”
The expert added that lungworm can take hold very fast and can be fatal in no time if not spotted.
Terry Cuyler, Certified Dog Trainer and owner of Pawsitive Results Dog Training added: “My default solution to this problem is to train a good “drop it” command.
“Occasionally, despite our best intentions, a dog will grab something while we’re not able to intercept them. An effective ‘drop it’ guarantees that they’ll drop the object at once, and this can be a life-saver.”
Fallen fruits from apples, pears and plum trees
As autumn rolls around, fruit trees start to shed their sweet-smelling fruit and while it may seem enticing to dogs, fallen fruit can cause severe stomach upsets and present a choking hazard.
Dog owner, Shakira Sacks, from Leeds, explained how her four year old cocker spaniel, Autumn, had to receive medical treatment after ingesting a fallen plum on a walk.
Urgent warning for pet owners as contaminated dog food recalled after salmonella found with ‘do not use’ warning issued
Shakira said: “Being a cocker spaniel, Autumn is forever eating things she shouldn’t. Over the years, we’ve implemented lots of training commands but on a recent walk in our local park, she ate a fallen plum, including the stone.
“After speaking to our vet, they asked us to bring her in immediately and two hours of induced vomiting and a £350 bill later, Autumn was her happy self again.
“It was, however, a very scary experience and has made me even more hyper-vigilant of hazards that I wasn’t aware of previously. I had no idea that although plums are usually safe for dogs to eat, the stones can be toxic, as can the flesh when it’s mouldy.”
Acorns on the ground
The phrase ‘are acorns poisonous to dogs’ has been searched 7,000 times on Google in the UK in the last month alone, revealing the very real concern owners have.
Terry warned: “In my experience, one of autumn’s most underappreciated perils is the abundance of acorns. I have worked with dogs who have come to significant injury from eating them.”
Acorns contain tannins, the dog pro explained, which can cause stomach issues and even kidney damage in dogs. For smaller breeds they also pose as a chocking risk.
Fallen conkers
Conkers are another highly toxic risk for dogs on autumnal walks, with severe cases costing up to £2,000 in veterinary treatment.
Terry said: “I see this process repeat itself time and time again during autumnal walks. Dogs have an instinct to be attracted to conkers, acorns, and fallen fruits, as these trigger their hidden foraging instinct and carry scents of wild animals to them.”
He recommended looking out for key warning signs, like over-sniffing at ground level, sudden stops during walks, and that familiar head-down posture showing keen interest in something to eat.
But mostly, pet owners should be aware of the “freeze and stare” posture just before their strike and correct immediately with a high-reward treat and a ‘leave it’ command.”
Vet Dr. Rachel Siu reveals the 5 dogs she’d never own
By Marsha O’Mahony
HUSKY
Beautiful, intelligent, and super-active, like a Border Collie, a Husky is a working dog and likes to keep busy.
If you lead a sedentary life, then this guy is not for you, and you are not for him.
It should be no surprise that Huskies love the cold – look at that coat of fur. So, living in 110 degrees in Texas is pretty grim for these dogs.
DACHSHUND
Adorable, cute, funny, and they can be very expensive.
The basic physiology of these sausage dogs does them no favours. “Because of their long backs, they’re really prone to intervertebral disc disease,” said Dr. Rachel.
You would be wise to keep a pot of money aside just in case because back surgery is likely to be expensive.
GREAT DANE
These lolloping, loving, and gregarious dogs are “goofballs.”
But they have short lifespans, developing health issues early on in life. Prepare yourself for heartbreak.
DOODLE
These are the current “it” dog, they are everywhere. They can be mixed with pretty much any other breed.
Their popularity has soared in recent years, with pet owners attracted to their low maintenance and hypoallergenic qualities.
But this couldn’t be further from the truth, said our vet.
“These dogs are often mixed with shedding dogs so they do shed and they also need grooming very frequently,” she wrote.
Their temperament is unpredictable and she has seen some that are wonderful to work with and others who have serious behavioral problems.
BULLDOGS
These guys are adorable but they have serious respiratory problems. Genetics are not on the side of any brachycephalic dog.
“I just would not own them,” she said. “They’re just not a healthy breed. They struggle to breathe with their smooshed faces.”
Like the Dachshund, they also suffer from intervertebral disc disease.
VETS have revealed the eight dog breeds they’d never own – warning they may look cute, but each one can lead to “total heartbreak.”
The animal experts, who have treated thousands of pets over the years, said some popular breeds are plagued with painful health problems, short lifespans and sky-high vet bills.
9
Vets reveal the eight breeds they’d never own themselvesCredit: Getty
Dr. Catis a vet based in the UK with over 35k followers on Instagram.
They urged potential owners to think twice before buying certain dogs – no matter how adorable they look – saying love alone isn’t enough to keep them healthy.
The vets have revealed the eight breeds they’d never own themselves – and say fellow vets agree on at least two of them.
German Shepherd
9
They may be loyal, but German Shepherds are super reactiveCredit: Getty
First up is the German Shepherd.
Loyal and clever, yes — but the vets warned they can also be reactive, suspicious and anxious, making them “really challenging” to handle.
Pugs, bulldogs and boxers
9
Breathing problems are very common in pugs, bulldogs and boxersCredit: Getty
Flat-faced breeds might look adorable, but these brachycephalic dogs often struggle with breathing problems and other anatomical issues.
They are healthier than others, but they’re prone to a whole host of problems – from spinal issues and skin conditions to eye troubles.
Ben said: “There are specimens of these dogs that are healthier than others, but they are so prone to so many issues.
“Spinal issues, skin problems, eye problems. The fact that over half of them have to have a caesarean to give birth is enough of an ethical issue for me to never want to have one. If you’re OK with that, that’s fine but for me personally it’s not very fair.”
Border Collie
9
Border Collies need more mental and physical enrichmentCredit: Getty
Super-smart and bursting with energy, working-line Border Collies need nonstop stimulation.
Without it, they can develop serious behavioural and mental health problems.
Cat said: “I just do not have enough time in my life to put into them to make sure they’re living their best lives with me.”
Urgent warning for pet owners as contaminated dog food recalled after salmonella found with ‘do not use’ warning issued
Shar Pei
9
Shar Peis are prone to all sorts of problems, and are not happy because of themCredit: Getty
Shar Peis come with a long list of health and behavioural problems.
Their wrinkles can cause skin and eye issues, and being in constant discomfort often makes them grumpy.
Ben said they are also prone to constant “skin problems and have tiny, narrow ear canals.
“Some can get so stressed that they even bite the staff.”
St Bernard
9
The huge breed comes with challengesCredit: Getty
Saint Bernards might look lovable – but their size comes with messy challenges.
Constant slobber and hygiene issues can make life pretty tricky for owners.
Cat revealed: “Quite honestly, I cannot cope with the slobber. I had a client once tell me that she had slobber on her ceilings.”
Dachshund
9
The little dogs get huge back problemsCredit: Getty
Steer clear of Dachshunds because of the breed’s health issues.
They’re lovely dogs, but one in four develops back problems in their lifetime.
It can range from mild pain to complete paralysis, often requiring spinal surgery.
The recovery is long and Ben added, “there’s too much potential for heartbreak.”
King Charles Spaniel
9
Cavalier King Charles spaniels can suffer from heart diseaseCredit: Getty
The super popular breed of family dog is known for their affection.
AN experienced vet has revealed the 10 signs that indicate your beloved pooch could have gut problems.
A quiz has been created for pet owners who might not feel confident when it comes to their dog or cat’s gut health – something which can have a huge impact on their overall wellbeing.
2
Your pet licking their lips is one of the signs owners need to be aware ofCredit: Getty
Questions about their appetite and even stools will help to determine whether their diet needs a review, if a check-up with the vet is required or if their gut health means they’re full of life.
It comes after veterinary adviser at Protexin, Ronan Fitzgerald revealed your pet licking their lips, arching their back or being reluctant to move or jump up on furniture could be signs of tummy troubles.
Holding their bum in the air for long periods of time, drooling and pushing their food bowl away with their nose are also indications they could be experiencing issues.
A tender or gurgling tum and them not enjoying a belly rub can be another key indicator of problems with the gut as it can mean they’re experiencing abdominal discomfort.
While excessive flatulence and even blood in their stools could be signs they need a check-up at the vets.
This comes after a study of 2,000 pet owners found only 19 per cent feel confident in identifying if their pet is suffering with gut health problems.
A spokesperson for Protexin, which commissioned the research, said: “Many people believe they know their pets inside out – including how they feel.
“But while we may recognise several behaviours or symptoms as being linked to the gut, some aren’t as clear, such as excess lip-licking which can be linked to intestinal issues.
“Understanding and recognising the signs of good and poor gut health in pets is really important as this can have an impact on whole body health, helping our pets to feel full of life when the gut is working as it should.”
Ronan explained if your dog or cat adopts an abnormal stance like the ‘prayer position’ – front legs extended, chest on the ground and backside in the air – it could be worth a visit to the vets.
INCREDIBLE moment hero vet staff save dog from choking on favourite toy
The research also found just 24 per cent of owners actively monitor their pet’s digestive health on a daily basis.
But a third (34 per cent) of dogs and cats display some signs of potential digestive issues a few times a year.
As a result, six in 10 (59 per cent) have changed their pet’s diet after noticing a digestive issue, while 53 per cent have gone to a vet specifically for this issue.
The typical owner spends as much as £426 each year, purely on keeping their pet healthy, according to the OnePoll.com figures.
Ronan said: “If your pet is showing signs of digestive discomfort there are a few things you can do.
10 SIGNS YOUR DOG COULD BE EXPERIENCING GUT PROBLEMS
1. Lip licking 2. Adopting a prayer-like stance (front legs extended and chest on the ground while their bum is in the air) 3. Drooling 4. Reluctancy to jump up on furniture 5. Vomiting or nausea 6. Not enjoying belly rubs 7. Gulping 8. Excessive flatulence 9. Diarrhoea 10. Blood in their stools
“Try to think about when the symptoms started and how severe they seem.
“Sometimes it helps to keep notes to see if there is a pattern, for example, are they feeling unwell or acting strangely at mealtimes?
“If your pet has a stomach upset for a day or two it may be that they’ve eaten something when out on a walk or hunting that’s not agreed with them and this will settle.
“But if you find your pet is experiencing ongoing, regular issues with their gut, or its health seems to worsen quickly and markedly, it’s worth visiting a vet for a full check-up.
“They will be able to recommend possible changes to your pet’s diet or even the introduction of a gut-health supplement.”
2
A study of 2,000 pet owners found only 19 per cent feel confident in identifying if their pet is suffering with gut health problemsCredit: Getty
The nasty outbreak has been linked to tomatoes and the UK Heath Security Agency has issued a new warning.
Experts revealed new, rare, strains of salmonella called as Salmonella Strathcona sparked the particularly severe bouts of sickness.
According to the ECDC and the EFSA, nine European countries have reported 29 cases of Salmonella Strathcona since January 2025.
Your product recall rights
Chief consumer reporter James Flanders reveals all you need to know.
Product recalls are an important means of protecting consumers from dangerous goods.
As a general rule, if a recall involves a branded product, the manufacturer would usually have lead responsibility for the recall action.
But it’s often left up to supermarkets to notify customers when products could put them at risk.
If you are concerned about the safety of a product you own, always check the manufacturer’s website to see if a safety notice has been issued.
When it comes to appliances, rather than just food items, the onus is usually on you – the customer – to register the appliance with the manufacturer as if you don’t there is no way of contacting you to tell you about a fault.
If you become aware that an item you own has been recalled or has any safety noticed issued against it, make sure you follow the instructions given to you by the manufacturer.
They should usually provide you with more information and a contact number on its safety notice.
In some cases, the manufacturer might ask you to return the item for a full refund or arrange for the faulty product to be collected.
You should not be charged for any recall work – such as a repair, replacement or collection of the recalled item
2
Salmonella is a food bug that can cause illness in both humans and animals
RORY MCILROY said he wished the police “let the dogs off the leash” during the “unacceptable” fan behaviour at the Battle of Bethpage.
But he admitted it was “very f***ing satisfying” to stick it back to the abusers by walking away with 3.5 points and, more importantly, the Ryder Cup trophy in Europe’s grasp.
4
Rory McIlroy hit back at the Ryder Cup abuseCredit: Getty
4
Police had dogs at Bethpage Black to restore orderCredit: PA
4
McIlroy also paid tribute to his wife EricaCredit: PA
But while some idiots were ejected for their conduct, McIlroy would have liked to see them have to deal with the K9s.
Speaking in a jubilant winning press conference after a nervy 15-13 European win, he said: “I wish they had let the dogs off the leashes.
“The police out there and the amount of security presence was insane.
“Look, nothing was going to happen. There wasn’t going to be physical altercation [but] there was a lot of language that was unacceptable and abusive behaviour.
“We should ever accept that in golf.
Sky Sports forced to apologise after Rory McIlroy’s foul mouthed outburst towards American hecklers at Ryder Cup
“It was a rough week for all of us. But at the same time, we shut them up by our performance and how we played.
“I chirped back a few times because it got to me a few times, but we tried to handle everything that came our way with class and poise, and for the most part, I felt like we did that.”
McIlroy had to deal with shocking heckles about his personal life throughout the weekend – all within earshot of wife Erica.
And he heaped praise on her for showing “class, poise and dignity” after she was verbally and physically assaulted by the horrific New York crowds, including having a beer thrown at her on Saturday.
An emotionally drained McIlroy, who lost his “pillow fight” of a singles match to world No1 Scottie Scheffler, continued: “It should be off-limits, but obviously it wasn’t this week.
“I love her and we’re going to have a good time celebrating tonight.”
As applause broke out among the European players, close pal Lowry then added: “I was out there for two days with Erica McIlroy, and the amount of abuse that she received was astonishing.
“The way she was out there supporting her husband and supporting her team was unbelievable, and kudos to her for that.”
4
RYDER CUP 2025 LIVE: FOLLOW ALL THE LATEST FROM BETHPAGE BLACK
Spanish cops have now released an image of James, in their desperate attempt to locate him.
He is pictured ordering food at the kebab joint wearing a blue T-shirt with his Jack Russell on his lap.
In one photograph, three diners appear to be enjoying a meal behind him as he stands at the checkout.
It comes as official records show James reported his passport as lost or stolen at the Irish Embassy on August 19 – a day after he was last seen or heard from.
At the time, his half-sister Nikita said: “We know he’d had a drink but as a family we don’t believe he would recklessly set sail in the dark at night,” she said.
“It doesn’t make sense for it to be ‘oh he fell overboard’ because he was drunk, there are a lot of holes in the story.”
Paddy’s Anchor previously shared appeals by James’ worried family on social media saying: “Many of you have been asking, so we want to share this post from Jemsie’s family.
“His sister is still searching for him after he was last seen here in Las Palmas.
CCTV Footage of last recorded sighting of missing British woman Sarm Heslop revealed in BBC documentary
“His boat has since been found off the coast of Gran Canaria, but there has been no contact from him since.”
A call was made between August 24 and 25 in relation to James’ boat as police found it a day later 50 miles offshore.
At first they said James’ Jack Russell, known as Thumbelina, wasn’t on board but later said she was found with the boat.
Timeline of James Nunan’s disappearance
August 18:
18:16: James films himself on Facebook Live walking at Playa del Confital beach
22:00: He is last seen leaving Paddy’s Anchor bar in Las Palmas
22:39: Bank records show he purchased food from Rico Doner Kebab
August 19: His passport is reported “lost or stolen” to an Irish consulate in Gran Canaria
August 22: James’ mum reports him missing to Essex Police
Between August 24/25: A call was made in relation to James’ boat
August 25: Police find his boat 50 miles off the south coast of Gran Canaria
August 27: Police say they have also found his dog Thumbelina
There remains no information on where James could be.
A witness came forward to claim he spoke to James as he said the Brit was drunk but not acting in any unusual manner.
He had reportedly told him about his sailing adventures and that he planned to head to Lanzarote.
Some pub staff also claimed they were told not to speak to anyone about his mysterious disappearance.
A man reportedly answered phone calls at the pub saying: “It’s an open investigation and we’ve been told not to speak to anyone and I’ve just got to go with that I’m afraid.”
8
James was sailing around the world when he vanished
8
James’ Jack Russell, known as Thumbelina, was found
Asked if it was local police or Mr Nunan’s family who had asked him not to speak, he said: “I can’t talk about it, sorry.”
After his boat was found with the dog on board, it was towed back to Argineguin in the south of Gran Canaria.
A spokesperson for the Civil Guard said: “We are looking into this case. Several lines of investigation are being pursued.”
Jemsie had been about five-and-a-half months into his solo sailing trip when he vanished – and had been planning to travel to Brazil.
Nikita added that a distress signal was sent out in relation to his boat between August 24 and 25.
The dog found on board has since been taken to an animal shelter.
Jemsie’s father has travelled to the island searching for any signs of the missing 34-year-old.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has confirmed it is “supporting the family of a British man who has been reported missing in Spain“.
The National Police in Las Palmas and court officials on the island have been approached for comment.
8
He was headed for Brazil on his world tour
8
Police confirmed he last used his card to buy food at Rico Doner Kebab
A MAN has been rushed to hospital with serious injuries after he was crushed under a large tree.
The tree is believed to have been damaged in the recent stormy weather.
2
The dog walker was rushed to hospital after being found with serious injuriesCredit: WlStoke_Lodge / X
The horror incident unfolded on Shirehampton Road, Bristol, just before 5pm.
Emergency services rushed to assist the man who was out walking his dog when the terrifying incident occurred.
Police and fire crews were scrambled to the scene where the man was found with “serious injuries.”
He was rushed to hospital to be treated by medics.
A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: “We were called by the ambulance service shortly before 5pm to reports a man had been injured after a tree fell in Shirehampton Road in the Stoke Bishop area of Bristol.
“Emergency services attended and the man was taken to hospital for treatment of injuries described as serious.”
2
The tree is believed to have been damaged in the recent stormy weatherCredit: WlStoke_Lodge / X
A MARRIED couple who were tragically mauled by four viscous dogs at a barbecue have been left traumatised and the husband “permanently disfigured.”
The male was viciously attacked, losing his lower ear, while his wife suffered scratches and was left “distraught”.
2
The attack involved four American Bull MastiffsCredit: Getty
2
Owner of two of the dogs, Daniel Hutchinson, 33, has been sentenced to 18 months in prisonCredit: NNP
On Thursday, the dog owners appeared at Newcastle Crown Court to be sentenced for the event which took place on December 27, 2021, ChronicleLive reports.
The court heard that when the attack occurred, friends Daniel Hutchinson, 33, and Michelle King, 44, were at a barbecue in North Tyneside.
Dog-breeder Hutchinson was hosting the event at his then-address on Blackhill Avenue in Wallsend.
His two American Bull Mastiffs called Flake and Major were there, along with King’s two dogs of the same breed, Ghost and Bonny.
King had purchased the dogs from Hutchinson.
During the barbecue, the four hounds ran off and attacked an unsuspecting couple.
Prosecutor, Rachel Kelly told the court that the four dogs were playing unsupervised when the four dogs ran off and mauled the victims at around 8.30pm.
She said: “Both were taken to the ground. [The man] was bitten a number of times, causing the loss of his lower ear.
“He sustained puncture wounds and injuries to his hands and fingers. [The woman] sustained scratches.”
Hutchinson – who said he’d been away buying cannabis at the time – and King, then ran to the dogs and rounded them up before returning to the house, where an ambulance was then called.
Scots dog walker ‘dumps dead pet’ at owner’s home after walk in 27C heatwave
The dog owners appeared in court via video links on Thursday to be sentenced for offences of being an owner/person in charge of a dangerously out of control dog.
Both defendants pleaded guilty.
The court heard that the man had been left “permanently disfigured” after the viscous attack.
In a victim statement the woman said she felt “distraught that this could happen.”
While Hutchinson, from Fife, Scotland, had 24 previous convictions for 44 offences, including criminal damage.
He was sentenced to 18 months in prison, but due to time spent on remand, he will likely be released immediately.
Recorder Nathan Moxon said that attack was an “isolated, one-off incident” and did not ban either of the defendants from keeping animals.
King, from Thornton, Scotland, had a previous conviction for wasting police time, bur was of good character, the court heard.
The court was told that she was remorseful, saying the attack was a tragic accident.
Mark Harrison, defending, asked for King’s prison sentence to be suspended, explaining that professionals had previously been around her dogs and “felt safe.”
The court also heard that King has a history of poor mental health and is at a “low risk of repetition.”
She was sentenced to 10 months in prison, suspended for 18 months.
Mr Moxon added that the incident must have been “a truly terrifying experience” for the victims.
No destruction orders were made and the two no longer own the Bull Mastiffs.
Which dog breeds are banned in the UK?
THERE are specific regulations in place that prohibit certain dog breeds from being owned or bred in the UK.
A MUM who swindled more than £75,000 in benefits to pay for a boob job and luxury holidays then turned to running an illegal puppy farm to make more cash.
Tammy Hart, 48, made at least £35,000 from her criminal farm after being released from jail for wrongly claiming tax credits to fund her plush lifestyle.
6
Tammy Hart, 48, swindled more than £75,000 in benefits to pay for a boob jobCredit: WNS
6
After being released from jail, she then started an illegal puppy farm to make even more cashCredit: WNS
6
She was found holding 29 dogs which were cooped up in pens covered in faeces and urineCredit: WNS
Hart had also lied that she was single – when she was secretly married to the father of her two children.
A court heard she and her husband Neil Hart, 53, lived a “lavish” lifestyle after wrongly pocketing taxpayers’ money.
After being jailed for two years, she then turned back to crime, becoming an unlicensed dog breeder following her release.
Hart’s illegal puppy farm was busted, and the benefit swindler was ordered to pay more than £40,000 as a result.
The mum-of-two – then going by the name of Tammy Gunter – had already been ordered to pay back £23,358 from her benefits fiddle.
At the earlier hearing seven years ago, prosecutor Nuhu Gobir said Hart was granted tax credits by saying she was a single mother – and also made false claims for student finance and a £2,000 NHS bursary to train as a nurse.
Overall, Hart was handed £76,008.63 in tax credits between 2007 and 2016, the court heard.
She also took out a loan of £22,000 at one point for a holiday home in the US.
Mr Gobir said: “They were already in a relationship and had been living together as a family since 5 December, 1997.”
Forced to sleep next to rotting pig carcasses & left starving in faeces-smeared caravan… the puppy farm from hell that reveals true horrors of vile trade
He said Hart claimed tax credits for nine years when she was working part-time in a shop and a garage.
Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court heard Hart even forged a letter purporting to be from HMRC.
Mr Gobir said: “Tammy Gunter made a claim that she was a single person working at least 16 hours per week.
“She stated that she had two children and no other income. The defendant dishonestly maintained she was single. She enjoyed a lavish lifestyle.”
Describing her false claim, Mr Gobir said: “She stated that she was separated and was a single parent with two dependent children.
“Neil Hart lied about his address to assist Tammy Gunter with the application. The total loss to the public purse in effect is £87,450.”
The DWP, HMRC and the HS Counter Fraud Service Wales began a joint investigation in January 2015 and the couple were arrested.
Hart admitted being knowingly concerned in fraudulent activity undertaken with a view to obtaining tax credits, one count of forgery and four counts of fraud.
Byron Broadstock, defending Hart, of Blackwood, South Wales, said the couple had a “tumultuous” relationship.
6
Hart and her husband Neil Hart, 53, lived a ‘lavish’ lifestyle after wrongly pocketing taxpayers’ moneyCredit: WNS
6
She was ordered to pay more than £40,000 after being found illegally selling the puppiesCredit: WNS
6
Hart was given a suspended prison sentenced for unlicensed dog breeding and now ordered to pay back the money in a Proceeds of Crime hearingCredit: WNS
He said: “Many of the purchases that have been described as extravagant, they are out of the ordinary. They were often gestures in reconciliation.”
He said the plastic surgery “wasn’t simply for purely cosmetic reasons. It was psychological reasons.”
Hart was jailed for two years, while her husband was jailed for six months.
But when she was released she set up her dog breeding business.
Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court heard between September 2021 and May 2022 Hart had advertised 17 litters for sale, with puppies sold at upwards of £1,500 each.
She was found with 29 dogs cooped up in pens which were covered in faeces and urine. The animals were found to have serious health conditions with one puppy suffering from deformities.
Hart was given a suspended prison sentenced for unlicensed dog breeding and has been ordered to pay back the money in a Proceeds of Crime hearing.
She was sentenced to a 16-week custodial sentence suspended for 52 weeks for charges including causing unnecessary suffering to one of the 29 dogs.
She also admitted three counts of a banned practiced under The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 for not declaring selling puppies in course of business, two counts of unlicensed dog breeding and three counts of failing to look after the needs of animals.
Hart was also disqualified from dealing in all animals for a period of seven years under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Hart was ordered to pay a Confiscation Order of £35,639.43, to be paid within three months or face a custodial sentence of 12 months at Cardiff Crown Court.
She was also ordered to pay costs of £8,000, to be paid within three months after the confiscation order is paid.
Cllr Philippa Leonard, Caerphilly council’s Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said: “Unlicensed dog breeding is a serious matter, and it is hoped that the outcome of this case will serve as a strong deterrent to those who operate illegally.
“This case serves as a reminder of the importance of adherence with dog-breeding regulations and the necessity to obtain the required licences so that we as a council can monitor and safeguard animal welfare at dog breeding establishments.”
“Whenever possible Caerphilly County Borough Council will use the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Act to deprive convicted unlicensed dog breeders of their ill-gotten gains.
“If anyone is concerned or suspicious of illegal dog breeding, please contact our Trading Standards or Licensing teams. Your information will help us tackle illegal puppy breeding in Caerphilly and will help stop animals being exploited by unscrupulous breeders.”
THERE are fears for a Thai princess after the royal palace shared a concerning health update following her three-year-long coma battle.
Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, the eldest daughter of King Vajiralongkorn, is said to have developed a severe infection.
5
Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol waves to supporters from inside a car as they arrive at the Grand Palace for a Buddhist ceremonyCredit: EPA
5
Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn stands with his familyCredit: AFP
5
She is a known fitness enthusiastCredit: Reuters
The 46-year-old, affectionately known as Princess Bha, collapsed in December, 2022, while training her dogs in Nakhon Ratchasima, northeast of Bangkok.
She has been in a coma ever since.
The Bureau of the Royal Household gave the first update on her condition in more than two years on Friday, saying she had suffered a “severe” blood infection.
The palace said in a following update that a team of doctors were closely monitoring her situation.
It read: “The medical team said that she remains in a state of low blood pressure, requiring continuous treatment.
“Doctors are administering medication to stabilise her blood pressure, along with medical equipment and antibiotics to support kidney function and breathing.”
Over the years, some reports have suggested her health condition is far more serious than the palace is letting on.
Princess Bajrakitiyabha was training her dogs at a working dog championship organised by the Thaiarmy when she collapsed.
Paramedics rushed her to a nearby hospital before a helicopter took her to Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn health facility.
Bajrakitiyabha is the daughter of the king’s first wife, Princess Soamsawali.
Tragedy Strikes: German Prince Harald von Hohenzollern Dies in Africa
She has been part of her father’s inner circle since he came to the throne in 2016 and is a senior officer in the king’s personal guard.
The fitness enthusiast is widely viewed as the most suitable successor for her father, who turned 70 this year.
She has post-graduate law degrees from two US universities and has long called for prison reforms in Thailand.
She was also the Thai ambassador to Austria between 2012 and 2014.
The 73-year-old king, who has seven children from four marriages, has not announced his chosen heir.
Though succession rules in Thailand favour men.
5
Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol wave to supporters on arrival at the Grand Palace in BangkokCredit: AFP
5
Well-wishers bow in front of an image of Thailand’s Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol at Chulalongkorn Hospital in BangkokCredit: AFP
The feel of an Italian festa in Altadena, the South Bay’s “time capsule” Japanese food scene, delivery drones, a tasting menu hidden in a parking lot, more downtown L.A. closures, a Basque restaurant’s last days. Plus, recycle or reuse? And a bar that celebrates burlesque and red Solo cups. I’m Laurie Ochoa, general manager of L.A. Times Food, with this week’s Tasting Notes.
Good food, good wine, good neighbors
The happy, chaotic scene outside Good Neighbor Bar and West Altadena Wine + Spirits with families enjoying Triple Beam Pizza, one of the rotating vendors appearing during the shop and bar’s summer pop-up series.
(Laurie Ochoa / Los Angeles Times)
When I first started going to Italy for summer vacations with my late husband, Jonathan Gold, and the extended friends and family of chef Nancy Silverton, we’d get to know different areas of Umbria and Tuscany through festas or sagras, local gatherings centered around a specific regional dish or ingredient — maybe cinghiale (wild boar), porcini mushrooms, summer truffles or various pastas such as strozzapreti (which is being celebrated this week in the Umbrian town of Paciano). These are kid-friendly, come-as-you-are parties, typically on a soccer field or town square with long tables, local wine poured into plastic cups and food often served by volunteer cooks pitching in to help raise money for a good cause.
Until recently, the closest I’d come to experiencing that sagra spirit in Los Angeles was the run of summer movie nights that Leo Bulgarini used to host outside his Altadena gelateria and restaurant Bulgarini Gelato Vino Cucina. He and his crew piled plates with pasta and salad before sunset signaled the start of the movie, often an Italian comedy or melodrama, projected onto an outdoor wall or a large, jerry-rigged screen. People would bring their kids and dogs, meet up with neighbors and settle into camping chairs or benches with their wine or cups of gelato once the movie began.
Bulgarini’s restaurant, which escaped the flames of the Eaton fire in January, has yet to reopen because of smoke damage and the loss of so much of the neighborhood around his shop — not to mention the fact that he, his wife and their son lost their home in the blaze.
But two other Altadena business owners have joined forces with local restaurants to create one of the most welcoming neighborhood gatherings with the soul of an Italian sagra.
As senior food editor Danielle Dorsey wrote in the guide she and Stephanie Breijo put together on the 21 best new bars in Los Angeles, a summer pop-up series has emerged outside Good Neighbor, “the first cocktail bar to open in Altadena in 40 years,” and West Altadena Wine + Spirits, both opened last year by Randy Clement and April Langford, the couple behind Everson Royce Bar in the Arts District, Silverlake Wine and the former Pasadena wine shop Everson Royce.
On Tuesday nights, Brisa Lopez Salazar’s Casa pop-up serves tacos with a different handmade tortilla each week — maybe white heirloom corn with beet juice or masa infused with turmeric or activated charcoal. On Thursdays, Triple Beam Pizza shows up; Fridays there are oysters, poke bowls and lobster rolls from Shucks Oyster Co.; Saturdays you can get smash burgers from For the Win and, new to the line-up, Altadena’s recently reopened Miya Thai restaurant is serving on Sundays.
Triple Beam’s heirloom tomato pizza served at the summer outdoor pop-up series hosted by Good Neighbor Bar and West Altadena Wine + Spirits.
(Laurie Ochoa / Los Angeles Times)
Two weeks ago, an Instagram post from Triple Beam about its newest heirloom tomato pizza drew me to the outdoor space just outside the Altadena burn zone. I found the patio packed, sagra-style, with groups of families and friends from the neighborhood and beyond. Kids chased each other in and around a wood-chip-bedded play area fitted with reclaimed tree stumps; more freshly sawed stumps were repurposed as stools and tables around the outdoor space. Dogs sat on laps or at customers’ feet. A roving Good Neighbor barkeep took cocktail orders at the picnic tables. And on the side of the building, at a takeout-style window, a West Altadena Wine merchant was selling glasses and flights of wine.
Almost as soon as I arrived, I reconnected with a friend I hadn’t seen in years as well as a family from my daughter’s old high school. The San Gabriel mountains in the near distance turned pink and purple during sunset, framed by a U-Haul sign as we ate our pizza, which arrived with all colors and shapes of tomato. With it, we sipped Sébastien Bobinet and Émeline Calvez’s Piak blanc de noir from clear plastic cups. It was a perfect summer evening, made poignant with a stop on the way out at the wall-sized map created by Highland Park production designer Noel McCarthy marking the more than 9,000 homes and businesses destroyed or damaged in the fire, and the places where people died. The map, as writer Marah Eakin reported in April, has helped people visualize the shocking extent of the fire’s devastation, even as Good Neighbor’s summer gatherings have brought people together, a reminder of why so many want to rebuild this community.
The map Noel McCarthy made displaying the extent of damage in Altadena from the Eaton fire. It is installed outside the parking lot and patio area of the Good Neighbor Bar and West Altadena Wine + Spirits.
(Marcus Ubungen / For The Times)
Japanese food ‘made the Japanese way’
The D-Combo at Fukagawa in Gardena.
(Rob Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Food’s summer intern Lauren Ng is headed back to school soon, but before she left to resume her studies at New York University, the Torrance native finished a project examining the “time capsule” nature of Japanese food in the South Bay. The area is “home to the biggest suburban Japanese community in the United States,” thanks in no small part to three of Japan’s biggest automakers — Toyota, Honda and Nissan — establishing their U.S. headquarters in the region during the 1960s. The car companies are now gone, but many of the restaurants remain, with a new generation of South Bay places opened in recent years. Ng visited many of them and wrote a guide to 18 of the best Japanese restaurants and food producers in the South Bay.
A loss for Chinatown
Yue Wa Market owner Amy Tran holds up dragon fruit and cherimoya at her Chinatown market in 2019.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
In 2019, when former Times columnist Frank Shyong reported on the changes in Chinatown that contributed to the closure of Ai Hoa Market and G and G Market, he wrote that one of the few places left to buy affordable fruits and vegetables in the neighborhood was Amy Tran’s Yue Wa Market. Now, as columnist Jenn Harris wrote this week, Tran and her family will close Yue Wa next month after 18 years serving Chinatown. A spate of robberies, slow pandemic recovery, ICE raids and the forces of gentrification contributed to the family’s decision.
“I don’t feel ready to let go of the store, but there’s not much I can do to bring more people in,” Tran told Harris. “Business was booming and a lot of people used to come around, but now there is no foot traffic and a lot of people have moved away from Chinatown.”
More downtown losses: It was only a couple of weeks ago that I was at downtown L.A.’s Tokyo Fried Chicken, where, I must admit, the dining room was sparsely populated but four-wheeled robot carts were kept busy with takeout deliveries. Yet as Karla Marie Sanford reported this week, after owners Elaine and Kouji Yamanashi announced they were closing the restaurant Aug. 10, customers suddenly showed up and waited in an hours-long line for one last chance to eat the chicken known for its super-crisp skin and soy sauce-ginger marinade. It was a brief return to the restaurant’s days in its original Monterey Park location where lines for a table were constant.
The downtown location had the bad luck to open just before the pandemic and never had a chance to reach its full potential. Elaine Yamanashi told Sanford that she and her chef husband hope at some point to find a new location for Tokyo Fried Chicken. “We’re taking this time, not off,” she said, “but to reflect.”
Angel City Brewery.
(Sam Samders)
Meanwhile, Angel City Brewery, founded in 1997 by Michael Bowe then acquired in 2012 by Boston Beer — a year after the company established its downtown brewpub location notable for its distinctive neon signage that acted as a welcome to the Arts District — announced that it will close next April when the building’s lease is up.
“The brand no longer lines up with our long-term growth strategy,” said a Boston Beer spokesperson, adding that the company plans to focus on its “core national brands,” which include Samuel Adams.
And LA Cha Cha Chá in the Arts District, with its lush, tropical rooftop, is also set to close sometime this fall according to co-owner Alejandro Marín.
End of the Basque road
In addition to prime rib at the Glendora Continental, which is being put up for sale, French Basque dishes like slow-braised lamb in a Burgundy demi-glace, pickled tongue and escargots à la bourguignonne are on the menu, along with crab cakes and salads.
(Catherine Dzilenski / For The Times)
There wasn’t an empty seat at Glendora Continental when contributor Jean Trinh stopped into the 45-year-old restaurant on Route 66, “a reminder,” she writes, “of fading connections to the Basque diaspora in California.” Now that the owners have put the restaurant up for sale, its days are numbered so regular customers have been showing up for live music and the Continental’s “mix of Basque, French and American food,” including lamb shank, prime rib, pickled tongue and escargots à la bourguignonne. “I would say it’s Basque with a sprinkle of American,” co-owner Antoinette Sabarots told Trinh, “or vice versa.”
Yes, restaurants are still opening
Oy Bar chef-owner Jeff Strauss, left, with sous chef Esteban Palacios at Vey, the tandem outdoor bar.
(Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times)
Despite all the closure news, as Stephanie Breijo reports, good restaurants keep opening in Los Angeles, including Baby Bistro from chef Miles Thompson and his sommelier business partner, Andy Schwartz. They call it an “Angeleno bistro,” with inspiration from Japanese, Korean, Italian, Mexican, French and more cuisines. “I think the food is really defined by the cultures of Los Angeles,” Thompson told Breijo. “If you already eat at any of the regional or international restaurants in this city, you’ll find inspiring foods that go into this menu.”
And chef Jeff Strauss, of the Highland Park deli Jeff’s Table and OyBar in Studio City, has set up a weekend-only six-course tasting menu spot called Vey in the back parking lot of OyBar. As Strauss described it to Breijo, he thinks of it as “a casual, rolling omakase.”
Another hidden spot is Evan Funke’s new Bar Avoja (slang for “hell yeah”), a Hollywood cocktail lounge accessed through the dining room of the chef’s Mother Wolf restaurant. In addition to drinks, Roman street food is on the menu. Meanwhile, the chef’s namesake Beverly Hills restaurant, Funke, is temporarily closed due to a fire in the kitchen’s exhaust system on Tuesday. As Breijo reported, no one was hurt and there was minimal damage.
Also, Hong Kong’s Hi Bake chain has opened a pet-friendly branch in Beverly Hills serving “banana rolls, thousand-layer cakes, meat floss rolls and egg tarts. And San Francisco’s Boichik Bagels, which opened in Los Feliz earlier this year, is now serving at downtown L.A.’s landmark Bradbury Building.
Newsletter
You’re reading Tasting Notes
Our L.A. Times restaurant experts share insights and off-the-cuff takes on where they’re eating right now.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
Burlesque and red Solo cups
Uncle Ollie’s Penthouse owner Brian Houck in the “backvan” at his downtown Los Angeles bar.
(Roger Kisby / For The Times)
Former L.A. Weekly nightlife columnist and Los Angeles magazine editor Lena Lecaro writes about Uncle Ollie’s Penthouse, a new downtown L.A. bar with “wild, color-saturated decor, potent cocktails served in red Solo cups and a soundtrack that inspires stomping the floor with pals or singing along with strangers.”
”I can’t remember the last time I felt so connected to my hometown as an L.A. native,” musician Taleen Kali told Lecaro. “I also love that you get to keep your own party cup all night — it’s a total vibe, plus it’s less wasteful and more sustainable.”
Noodles easier to make than you think
Mei Lin, chef and proprietor of 88 Club chef in Beverly Hills, right, makes mung bean noodles in the Times Test Kitchen. Left, the finished spicy mung bean noodles.
(Mark Potts / Los Angeles Times)
When Mei Lin, chef and proprietor of 88 Club in Beverly Hills and former “Top Chef” and “Tournament of Champions” winner, demonstrated her spicy mung bean noodle recipe in the Times Test Kitchen for our “Chef That!” video series, we all wanted to try making the noodles. It’s a lot easier and fun to do than most of us thought. You start with a startchy base that thickens into jelly in a bowl. After you unmold the gelatinous blob, you scrape a grater over the mound, forming the noodles. Then it’s just a matter of seasoning the noodles with chile, peanuts and herbs.
Mark the dates
The Times’ Food Bowl Night Market, this year presented by Square, is taking place Oct. 10 and 11 at City Market Social House downtown. Among the participating restaurants announced so far are Holbox, Baroo, the Brothers Sushi, OyBar,Heritage Barbecue, Crudo e Nudo, Hummingbird Ceviche House, Rossoblu, Perilla LA, Evil Cooks and Holy Basil. VIP tickets that allow early entry always go fast. Check lafoodbowl.com for tickets and info.
And at this year’s LA Chef Conference on Oct. 6, an all-day event taking place at Redbird and Vibiana in downtown L.A., I’ll be on a panel with Roy Choi, Nancy Silverton, Ludo Lefebvre and Evan Kleiman talking about the legacy of Jonathan Gold. Find information on tickets and other events at the conference here.
Also …
(Los Angeles Times photo illustration; Photo by Nick Agro/For The Times)
Newsletter
Eat your way across L.A.
Like what you’re reading? Sign up to get it in your inbox every week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
A couple were left baffled by how some Spanish locals behave when it comes to taking their dogs for a walk and the cleaning up process – and they were very vocal about their displeasure
It’s important to not ignore the locals (Stock Image)(Image: Daniel Llao Calvet via Getty Images)
The last thing on your mind when taking the dog out for a walk is probably where your pet will urinate. It’s generally accepted that dogs just do their business, and there’s no need to clean up after them, regardless of where they choose to relieve themselves when it comes to a number one. However, one couple had a completely different experience when visiting Spain, receiving a culture shock as locals “yelled” at them for not being more considerate.
TikTok users Lance and Dua, who post under the handle @theldworld, revealed it was “only in Spain” they’d encountered this, not in America or Iceland, where they’re originally from.
Dua explained they were told they needed to “wash Rudi’s [their dog’s] pee with a water bottle”.
Lance then showed what they’d been instructed to do by a local, demonstrating the urine had to be entirely covered and washed away using bottled water.
Content cannot be displayed without consent
Dua said they “have been yelled at by locals” multiple times for not cleaning up after their dog.
She recounted how one man even “made a scene” when there were many people around. She tried to explain to him that she didn’t “have water” to wash away the pee, asking him: “What am I supposed to do?”
Lance admitted he’d been “yelled at every time” by disgruntled locals. He was even caught out by a woman on a balcony who decided to give her two cents about what he was doing.
During the footage, Lance also raged that someone had their pooch off the lead without carrying a water bottle.
They were bewildered the regulation wasn’t enforced across the board, yet they’d faced criticism over it.
Lance claimed he was being “dead serious” when he insisted he was the “only one getting yelled at” for the conduct.
Nevertheless, it appears the duo escaped relatively unscathed, as certain regions in Spain demand dog owners don’t simply rinse away their pet’s wee with water, but use a disinfectant solution.
The Local Police in Seville were even granted powers to penalise pet owners who weren’t carrying disinfectant solution and fine those who fail to wash away their dog’s waste, according to Paws Patas.
This comes as Spain attempts to maintain the streets as spotless as possible, and clear of canine messes, including urine, as during sweltering weather, it can become intolerably pungent.
In the TikTok clip, someone moaned the pair appeared to be “complaining about cleaning up” after their hound.
Someone fumed: “It is the law now in many parts of Spain & you can be fined €€€ for not doing it. Locals are yelling at you because you are clearly foreigners. The fact that this has happened to you multiple times & you still forget the water bottle is disrespectful. As a fellow immigrant, please do better.”
Another person chimed in: “Starting spring 2026, Barcelona will enforce a new regulation requiring dog owners to clean their pet’s urine from streets using water or a disinfectant solution (like soap or vinegar). This is part of the upcoming reform of the city’s Civility Ordinance.
“Although the measure was approved by the city’s government commission in mid-2025, it is not yet in effect. Final approval is expected in November 2025, followed by official enforcement a few months later. Dog owners who fail to comply may face fines of up to €300.”
However, others rallied behind the couple, stating that “kindness is free,” and they shouldn’t have been “yelled” at when being informed about the rules.
IT’S been hailed a ‘game-changer’ when it comes to getting to sleep on hot nights.
But would you sleep on a gel pillow designed to keep your dog or cat cool in a heatwave?
2
Lynsey Hope tested sleeping on a cooling mat during hot weatherCredit: Gary Stone
2
Can the gadget guarantee a good night’s sleepCredit: Gary Stone
Pet cooling mats can be found at many high street stores in the UK, and whilst they are designed for animals, some people have been buying the gadgets for themselves – or nicking them from their four-legged friends.
Commenting on a TikTok video calling for people to share their ‘unhinged tips on how to stay cool’ during hot spells, one social media user wrote: “Borrowed by cat’s gel cooling mat as she’s uninterested in it and it’s a lifesaver.”
With temperatures set to hit the mid-30s in parts of the UK this week, I’m happy to give anything a go in a bid to stave off the extreme heat and get some kip.
There are lots available to buy including a Sunny Daze Cooling Dog Mat for just £5 at petsathome.com, or a slightly larger and more plush Weashume Dog Cool Gel Pad for £10.99 on amazon.
I opt for one from Chillmax costing just under £6 on Amazon, which has dozens of five-star reviews online.
When it arrives it doesn’t look much. It’s a simple blue mat filled with cooling gel.
But manufacturers claim it absorbs excess heat and dissipates it away for up to three hours, giving your skin a lovely cool feeling.
There’s no water so no refilling is necessary.
You simply pop it in the fridge and get it out when your pet needs a rest so they can lay on it and cool down.
I popped it in the fridge during the day, then laid it over my sheet when it was time for bed.
It was pretty hard to lay my entire body weight down on it as it felt icy cold. I really had to grit my teeth.
I laid on it feeling pretty uncomfortable, but after around five minutes, the initial discomfort eased, my body adjusted to the cold and I drifted off to sleep pretty quickly.
This was quite an achievement as I’ve been really tossing and turning of late due to the frequent spells of hot weather.
In fact, I think I fell asleep at least 45 minutes faster than I had on previous hot nights. It was actually quite calming too and refreshing.
The coolness wears off after a few hours and though it was soft enough to lay on, I woke up feeling a little uncomfortable.
But I just pulled it out from under me and tossed it on the floor.
The next night I tried putting it on top of my pillow case but I found the cold felt too extreme against my face.
It was a little better inside the pillow case, but still I preferred it near my body.
This funny little pet pillow has become a must-have in my bedroom now for hot nights.
Even better as it’s so small, you can easily take it away with you if you need to. No need to lug a big fan around instead.
You can also wipe it clean, making it a good gel option as most are built into the pillow and can’t be washed.
You can sit on it whilst working if you want to, though I did not find this comfortable.
But I didn’t mind using it as a foot rest on hot working days and it can also be used as a laptop cooling pad.
My kids kept stealing it saying it kept them cool so I guess I might be buying more to keep us all as cool as cucumbers.
Others have said similar pet mats are not only helpful in the heatwave but hot flushes, too.
One Amazon reviewer said it was brilliant for menopausal women, especially for the price.
You can spend £20 to £30 on a pet cooling pillow, but most of us won’t want to pay that much when the heatwave doesn’t last long in the UK.
Similar products designed for humans also tend to be more pricey.
This is wallet-friendly and effective. For less than £6 this is a real bargain. If it’s good enough for Fido, it’s good enough me.
No more sweaty nights here.
Five ways to keep your kids cool in the heat
IT can be really difficult – and costly – to keep kids cool when it’s hot outside. But Fabulous Digital Senior Reporter and mum-of-two Sarah Bull shares five ways to help, and they won’t break the budget either.
Strip them off
It might sound simple, but stripping kids off at home can really help them regulate their temperature when it’s warm outside. Just remember to regularly apply suncream, as more of their skin will be exposed to the sun.
Cool down bedrooms before nighttime
When it’s hot outside, it can be difficult for kids to go to sleep – especially if their bedroom feels like an oven. If you have a room that’s not in direct sunshine, keep the windows open to let in a breeze. It’s also a good idea to keep the curtains closed, to prevent the room from heating up.
Wear a hat
Another simple technique, but one that really works. Make sure that if your kids are playing outside, they’ve got a hat on. It keeps their face and head shielded from the sun, and also helps if you’ve got a little one who struggles with bright sunlight. If your tot struggles to keep a hat on, try one with a strap that goes under the chin to help.
Avoid the car
The car can be one of the hottest places during a heatwave, and often takes a long time to cool down. If you have the option, it’s better to stay at home rather than taking kids out anywhere in a hot car.
Stay hydrated
This is always important, but even more so in a heatwave. Make sure you’re regularly reminding your kids to have a drink, and top them up with cool liquids whenever you can. Use ice too to ensure it’s as cold as it can possibly be.
ANT McPartlin’s ex-wife posted a thinly veiled swipe at I’m A Celebrity host – amid a fallout over their beloved pet dog Hurley.
Strictly make-up artist Lisa Armstrong, 48, shares custody of the 12-year-old chocolate labrador with the ITV star.
5
Ant McPartlin seen here with the dog he shares with ex-wife Lisa ArmstrongCredit: Alamy
5
Lisa and Ant share custody of Hurley ever since their divorceCredit: Instagram
5
Lisa often posts pictures of her beloved dog when he is staying with herCredit: Instagram
5
The former couple were married for 11 yearsCredit: Getty
But sources say the ageing pooch is currently in Portugal with Ant as he holidays with wife, Anne-Marie, and their family.
Fuming Lisa posted a video of “My Boy” Hurley on Instagram – before following it up with a photograph of him lying down in the middle of a golf course.
In an dig apparently aimed at Ant she wrote: “And now he’s taken from his mama. Poor old boy…”
Ant jetted off to Portugal last month and has been spotted playing golf with pals and frolicking on the beach.
Read more on Lisa Armstrong
A source said: “Lisa is worried about Hurley in that kind of heat because of his age.
“They both adore him and have shared custody of him ever since they split up.
“Lisa is concerned about the temperatures in Portugal.”