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From a family holiday in Spain to the moment your child spends their first night away from home, this episode is packed with the highs, lows, and unexpected chaos of modern dad life.

We share stories from a family trip to Mijas on the Costa del Sol, including a surprisingly dramatic journey back to Malaga Airport when our taxi seat suddenly catches fire. We also discuss the reality of returning to work after a holiday and why the holiday glow never lasts quite long enough.

Parenting takes centre stage as we talk about Mr Hodgkiss' son's first school residential trip, the challenge of letting children become more independent, and why resilience often comes from giving kids the freedom to learn through experience rather than wrapping them in cotton wool.

Elsewhere, we celebrate the return of gnomes to the Chelsea Flower Show, debate the best World Cup presenters and pundits on BBC and ITV, discuss eye-watering World Cup ticket prices, and share practical advice for dads considering adopting a rescue dog.

Plus, there's a tasting of Vault City Mini Choc Eggs stout, a look at feeding children's curiosity through learning resources, and the usual mix of dad jokes, questionable opinions, and everyday parenting adventures.

In this episode:
• Costa del Sol family holiday in Mijas and travelling with children
• The airport taxi fire nobody saw coming
• Child's first overnight school trip and building independence
• Chelsea Flower Show and the return of the garden gnome
• World Cup pundits, presenters and ticket prices
• Rescue dog adoption tips for families
• Vault City Mini Choc Eggs stout review
• The Boys finale and spin-off discussion
• Parenting, resilience and raising confident kids

Perfect for listeners who enjoy parenting podcasts, family travel stories, football discussions, dad-life humour, and honest conversations about modern family life

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In this episode, we take a first look at the new Harry Potter series trailer, discuss whether the wizarding world still has the same magic, and share our honest reactions to the upcoming reboot.

We also dive into the announcement of Saturday Night Live, what a British version of the legendary sketch show could look like, and whether UK comedy can match the chaos and iconic moments of the original.

Plus, we give our first impressions of Last One Laughing and why this style of comedy challenge makes for brilliant watching.

Alongside the entertainment talk, we also cover:

• A painful kidney stones update and the reality of getting older
• YouTube recommendations every dad should know about
• Trying Novaflow red light therapy and whether it actually works
• Thoughts on CBeebies “I Can Grow It” and kids TV that parents can survive too

If you enjoy comedy podcasts, TV discussions, dad life stories, parenting chaos, and honest first reactions to trending topics, this episode mixes humour, real life, and pop culture in classic First Look Gnomes style.

🎧 Follow now for new episodes every other week featuring first looks at TV, trends, parenting, food, drink, technology, and everyday life.

We catch up on feedback, surprising listener stats, and the small family moments that make us laugh and keep us grounded. Then we swap first looks on Harry Potter, comedy telly, weirdly satisfying YouTube channels, and one truly wild gadget that involves red lights up the nose.

• podcast feedback and chart sightings plus listeners across 71 countries
• kids’ gardening TV and why spring gardening feels like a reset
• Hogwarts Legacy as a Harry Potter video game recommendation
• new Harry Potter TV series trailer reactions and hopes for book accuracy
• SNL UK and what makes sketch comedy land
• why older TV formats like The X Factor and Big Brother now feel dated
• kidney stone update, prevention habits, and a medication side effect tease
• tips for dads on YouTube rabbit holes: HoofGP, Drain Cleaning Australia, Time Travel TV
• “adult superpowers” toddlers love, like simply reaching things
• NovaFlow nasal congestion device and the question of what actually works

Don’t forget to send in your feedback to our fishpond of feedback and share your thoughts, questions, and own first looks with us at firstlookgnomes@outlook.com

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In this episode, we visit Colwith Farm Distillery to try Aval Dor vodka and find out if it really deserves the title of one of the world’s best vodkas. From tasting notes to the full distillery tour, we explore how potatoes are turned into premium Cornish vodka — and what makes it stand out.

Alongside our Aval Dor vodka review, we also talk about:

• Life with a chaotic new puppy and the reality of dog ownership
• Dad life, bad backs, and trying to stay mobile (including kids yoga attempts)
• The challenge of ageing, flexibility, and whether we can still touch our toes
• Craft beer choices, including American IPA and vegan-friendly options
• Watching One Piece on Netflix and navigating more grown-up TV with kids
• Finding the right balance between protecting kids and giving them freedom

If you’re interested in vodka tasting, distillery tours, Cornish spirits, parenting life, or TV discussions, this episode mixes real-life experiences with honest reactions and humour.

Perfect for fans of vodka reviews, UK distilleries, parenting podcasts, and lifestyle conversations.

🎧 Follow for weekly episodes covering first looks at life, trends, food, drink, and everything in between.

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In this episode, we take a first look at The Traitors UK Season 4, breaking down why it’s one of the most talked-about shows right now.

We also explore the incredible experience of seeing the Northern Lights in Cornwall, how it happens, and what it’s really like witnessing something usually reserved for much further north.

Plus, activewear for dads .....

Along the way, we also share stories about door-to-door sales of block paving and the unexpected reality of dealing with a mouldy car.

If you’re into UK TV shows, trending events, parenting lifestyle, and real-life experiences, this episode delivers honest reactions, humour, and first-hand insights.

🎧 Follow for weekly episodes covering first looks at life, trends, and everything in between.

We come back for Series Five with new “dad firsts”, fresh nonsense, and a surprisingly useful run of lessons from door-knock deals to mouldy cars. Along the way we obsess over The Traitors, test how funny ChatGPT can be, and end up staring at the Northern Lights while asking serious questions about magnets.

• pitching activewear for dads and the temptation of free gear
• podcast rankings updates
• why The Traitors UK is great television and a psychology lesson
• confirmation bias, performing guilt, and noticing “tells” everywhere
• buying block paving from a doorstep pitch and the handshake panic
• discovering a mould-infested car and getting it professionally cleaned
• asking ChatGPT if Charles and Eddie would lie
• what your ChatGPT history reveals about getting older
• seeing the Northern Lights in Cornwall and the science behind aurora
• photos versus the naked eye
• magnetic north moving, magnets feeling like magic, and how to make one

Write in, write in if you still want it

If there's any listeners out there who actually know this stuff and can explain to us why, please write in

firstlookgnomes@outlook.com

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In this episode, we take a first look at rescue dog adoption, what to expect when bringing a rescue dog home, and the reality of adjusting to life with a new pet.

We also dive into the Kill Bill 4K remaster, revisiting the iconic film.

Alongside that, we share relatable and funny dad firsts — those unexpected parenting moments that no one properly prepares you for.

And finally, we try to make sense of what was the “6’7 craze”, breaking down what it is, why it’s everywhere, and whether it actually deserved the hype.

If you’re interested in adopting a rescue dog, parenting stories, film discussions, or trending topics explained, this episode brings humour, honest reactions, and real-life experiences.

Perfect for fans of comedy podcasts, parenting podcasts, film reviews, and lifestyle discussions.

🎧 Follow now for new episodes every week.

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This is the official trailer for Season 5 of First Look Gnomes, launching April 9.

If you’re new here, First Look Gnomes is a comedy-led podcast where we dive headfirst into life’s firsts — from parenting chaos and family adventures to TV, food, travel, and whatever else we decide to try with absolutely no preparation.

Season 5 brings even more of what you love:

• Honest (and often questionable) parenting moments
• First looks at trending TV shows, games, and experiences
• Family travel, days out, and real-life adventures
• “Pints & First Bites” taste tests
• Tips for dads and relatable life chaos

Expect laughs, opinions, and the kind of conversations that feel like a chat with your mates — just with slightly more gnomes.

Whether you’re a long-time listener or discovering us for the first time, now’s the perfect time to jump in.

🎧 New episodes start April 9 — make sure you follow so you don’t miss the first drop.

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From the archives of First Look Gnomes…

In this classic episode, we recreate the format of The Moon Under Water podcast and design our ultimate dream pub from scratch.

From the perfect pub name and location to the drink selection, atmosphere, pub rules, and questionable entertainment choices, we build our fantasy local — and inevitably argue about the details.

Along the way, we explore:

• British pub culture
• What makes the perfect pub
• Nostalgic pub memories
• Signature drinks and draft picks
• The social rituals that make pubs iconic

If you enjoy pub chat, comedy podcasts, creative formats, and discussions inspired by The Moon Under Water, this archive episode is for you.

Whether you're into British pub traditions, building your own dream pub, or relaxed conversational podcasts, this episode delivers laughs, nostalgia, and friendly debate.

Pull up a stool and join us.

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From the archives of First Look Gnomes…

What starts with a tongue-in-cheek chat about pink flamingos and rumour culture quickly turns into a deeper look at identity, heritage, and how stories shape what we believe.

In this episode, we unpack surprising DNA test results, explore Celtic ancestry, and discover unexpected links to Southern Ontario settlers that reshape family narratives. It’s an honest, funny discussion about what ancestry percentages really mean — and why they’re clues, not labels.

We also explore:

• Cornwall, national pride, and cultural context
• The debate around classic children’s books and whether context matters more than edits
• A first look at The Blue-Footed Booby by Rob Biddulph
• Using ChatGPT for creativity, writing, and overcoming creative blocks
• Social media platforms imagined as pubs
• And a very serious Easter egg debate (Cadbury fans, assemble)

If you’re interested in DNA ancestry results, family history discoveries, children’s literature discussions, AI tools like ChatGPT, or cultural commentary with humour, this archive episode delivers thoughtful laughs and practical insight.

Perfect for curious minds who enjoy culture, books, identity, and tech — with friendly chaos included.

Ever notice how a pink flamingo can start a rumour? We open with the folklore of swinging symbols and the way small, silly signals become “truth” once enough people repeat them. That playful start sets us up for a surprisingly heartfelt turn: one of us shares fresh DNA test results that map a Celtic-heavy mix with a twist—genetic ties to Southern Ontario settlers—and a newly discovered family connection that reframes old stories. It’s identity with a wink, proof that percentages are clues, not labels.

From there we wander (with purpose) into the places we come from and the histories we inherit. Cornwall’s past stirs a chat about national pride, rugby songs, and why context matters more than erasure when we hand classic children’s books to the next generation. We make the case for notes and guidance instead of edits that sand off the edges. Along the way, a first look at The Blue-Footed Booby by Rob Biddulph reminds us that picture books can be clever, warm, and wildly re-readable.

AI gets its moment too. We talk about using ChatGPT to break creative blocks, sharpen lines, and ship better work faster—without surrendering judgement or voice. It’s honest, hands-on, and grounded: prompts, iterations, and why the human still decides what’s good. Then we lighten the load with a tour of social platforms imagined as pubs, and we crown the winner of a very serious LinkedIn poll on the best Easter eggs—spoiler: Cadbury by a mile.

Come for the laughs, stay for the curiosity. If you enjoy a mix of culture, ancestry, books for kids, and practical takes on AI—served with friendly chaos—you’re in the right place. Tap follow, share this with a friend who needs a smile, and leave us a quick review to help others find the show. What surprised you most this week?

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