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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

Please Subscribe , leave a 5* Review, Follow, Like and Share this Podcast to show your support for more episodes.

Don't forget to email Firstlookgnomes@outlook.com with your feedback

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Send us Fan Mail

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

Please Subscribe , leave a 5* Review, Follow, Like and Share this Podcast to show your support for more episodes.

Don't forget to email Firstlookgnomes@outlook.com with your feedback

Help grow the show !

Send us Fan Mail

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.

Please Subscribe , leave a 5* Review, Follow, Like and Share this Podcast to show your support for more episodes.

Don't forget to email Firstlookgnomes@outlook.com with your feedback

Help grow the show !