Hopes and dreams
 

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Hopes and dreams

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We were sat in the pub beer garden last night, in the sun, with a pint and a selection of snacks when my mate, Dobbs, said that he dreams of one day opening a packet of pork scratchings and it just containing one giant, enormous pork scratching 

We all agreed that this would indeed be brilliant! 

Have you got any similarly lofty life goals? 


 
Posted : 12/07/2025 5:19 pm
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I just want to do a full lap of Bolehills.


 
Posted : 12/07/2025 5:46 pm
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My life is complete.  Last year I had a KitKat that was all chocolate, no wafer.


 
Posted : 12/07/2025 5:51 pm
fasthaggis, fazzini, edd and 3 people reacted
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Posted by: binners

We were sat in the pub beer garden last night, in the sun, with a pint and a selection of snacks when my mate, Dobbs, said that he dreams of one day opening a packet of pork scratchings and it just containing one giant, enormous pork scratching 

We all agreed that this would indeed be brilliant! 

Have you got any similarly lofty life goals? 

How do you go on with the crispy skin to soft fat ratio? I like a bit of the soft stuff but if it's too much of a slab it spoils my enjoyment of the snack. I fear a huge one would actually not be as good as expected?

 


 
Posted : 12/07/2025 5:53 pm
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I hope and dream for global peace, an end to conflict, greater understanding and compassion, and people throughout the world working in unity and cooperation.

I don't eat pork scratchings as they are apparently made out of dead pigs.


 
Posted : 12/07/2025 5:56 pm
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My life is complete.  Last year I had a KitKat that was all chocolate, no wafer

You, my friend, are winning at life.

I think it was Frankie Boyle who stated that those who say their wedding day or the birth of their children was the best day of their lives clearly haven’t had 2 Kit Kat Chunky’s fall out of the vending machine.

A colleague at work had that happen with 2 Kinda Bueno’s and from her reaction you’d have thought she’d just won the lottery 😃


 
Posted : 12/07/2025 5:57 pm
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My experiences have shown me that it’s best not to have any hopes or dreams…


 
Posted : 12/07/2025 5:59 pm
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I don't eat pork scratchings as they are apparently made out of dead pigs

… as are so many of the best things in life.

To deprive yourself of them is sheer masochism, bordering on self-flagellation, in my humble opinion and is all the proof I need of the totally misguided nature of both organised religion and vegetarianism 

How do you go on with the crispy skin to soft fat ratio? I like a bit of the soft stuff but if it's too much of a slab it spoils my enjoyment of the snack

Theres definitely a sweet spot. A kind of golden ratio with just the right amount of soft fat before you get to the crunch 


 
Posted : 12/07/2025 6:03 pm
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Kinda related in terms of pub: me and a couple of mates were invited to join a wedding reception and free bar even though we explained, in a very quiet way, that we were randoms with no connection to the wedding.


 
Posted : 12/07/2025 6:06 pm
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Nobody looks a free bar in the mouth Caher 


 
Posted : 12/07/2025 6:11 pm
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Posted by: chestrockwell

Posted by: binners

We were sat in the pub beer garden last night, in the sun, with a pint and a selection of snacks when my mate, Dobbs, said that he dreams of one day opening a packet of pork scratchings and it just containing one giant, enormous pork scratching 

We all agreed that this would indeed be brilliant! 

Have you got any similarly lofty life goals? 

How do you go on with the crispy skin to soft fat ratio? I like a bit of the soft stuff but if it's too much of a slab it spoils my enjoyment of the snack. I fear a huge one would actually not be as good as expected?

 

 

Ahh yes, the 'tripple cheese burger' paradox - more meat is betterer right? Wrong.

The key to a good burger is the delicate balance of ratios between the bun, the burger, the salad (if you insist) the sauce and the cheese.

If you laugh in the face of the golden ratio, you're not going to get a very satisfying burger.

 

The same applies to pork scratchings... its a fine line to walk between too much hard crunchy stuff, and too much soft fatty bits.


Fiction Jules GIF

 


 
Posted : 12/07/2025 6:13 pm
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We’re faced with a similar dilemma tomorrow mattyfez. As it’s Sunday, I’ll be cooking my weekly full English. In preparation for this, Mrs Binners went to the Bowland farm shop yesterday for supplies. She bought pork and black pudding sausages and they really are very black puddingy

Shes now saying we won’t need additional black pudding to accompany the black pudding sausages

I’m skeptical. Can there be too much black pudding? 


 
Posted : 12/07/2025 6:39 pm
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oh, the black pudding paradox.

 

Now, as an essential part of a magnificent cooked brekky the black pudding(brown sauce) should not be overlooked.

a sausage with black pudding in is also a thing of joy, however clearly designed for convenience when black pudding is isn’t available.

 

to be safe I would make sure you do it all. And more bacon, and possibly a fried egg as well as scrambled….


 
Posted : 12/07/2025 7:13 pm
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Posted by: binners

Can there be too much black pudding? 

If you want more black pudding, have more black pudding. Don’t sully an otherwise perfect sausage with unnecessary additions.


 
Posted : 12/07/2025 7:19 pm
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I’m definitely having black pudding as well as the sausages. It’s not a full English without black pudding. Particularly as it’s M&S Scottish black pudding which IMHO is the best by miles, though as a Bury resident I may be expelled for stating that


 
Posted : 12/07/2025 7:38 pm
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We brought bacon eggs mushrooms and black pudding out with us for our breakfast butties every morning on our 5 week tour. 

Still got enough bacon left to get us through the trip. Had to buy eggs and mushrooms but not managed to find any black pudding in Italy or France 😪

Screenshot_20250712_215208_Gallery.jpg

 


 
Posted : 12/07/2025 7:59 pm
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For TJ to wipe windows and install Linux.


 
Posted : 12/07/2025 8:03 pm
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Posted by: Tracey

not managed to find any black pudding in Italy or France 😪

 

Blimey, boudin noir is massively popular in France. Were you just asking for "black pudding" very slowly and loudly?


 
Posted : 12/07/2025 8:12 pm
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I once put leftover haggis on a pizza and it was incredible.  Subsequent attempts haven't reached the same heights.  It's not just the item, it's the timing as well.  (I'm now wondering where I can get black pudding before breakfast tomorrow)


 
Posted : 12/07/2025 8:15 pm
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Posted by: Tracey

not managed to find any black pudding in Italy or France 😪

 

 

 

It's also very popular in Spain but goes by a different name... "Morcilla"

Here's a fancy artisan, acorn fed,  Iberico version:

https://brindisa.com/collections/black-pudding

 

 

 


 
Posted : 12/07/2025 8:27 pm
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Posted by: Tracey

We brought bacon eggs mushrooms and black pudding out with us for our breakfast butties every morning on our 5 week tour. 

 

I'm sorry @Tracey, but you've ruined a perfectly good bacon butty opportunity with that healthy bread nonsense 😂

 

Soz and all that 😉

 


 
Posted : 12/07/2025 10:26 pm
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I know but when your up in the hills you have to take what you can get. 🤣

Only other option available was pan au chocolat


 
Posted : 13/07/2025 7:16 am
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Can there be too much black pudding?

Fried scabs, lurvely 🤣 


 
Posted : 13/07/2025 7:26 am
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Aged 10 we had a multipack of orange Clubs that were all solid orange chocolate. I achieved my dream so early in life, since then it's all been downhill...


 
Posted : 13/07/2025 7:42 am
theomen, MoreCashThanDash, Tom83 and 2 people reacted
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We all agreed that this would indeed be brilliant! 

You (we) all should move to Bavaria. You'd have to dream bigger to match their scratching game.

🤤


 
Posted : 13/07/2025 9:44 am
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Ernie's first paragraph has it.

You can get black pud almost everywhere in France - boudin noir.

On similar theme: grapes with seeds to crunch in the UK 


 
Posted : 13/07/2025 9:56 am
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One evening, I was making my way through a bag of Crawfords salt and vinegar savoury snacks when I can across a solid ball of the salt and vinegar flavouring. It was so powerful, it stripped my taste buds, nearly took my face off. I don't think I'll attain such a high ever again. I've peaked already. My wife loves it when I reminisce.... "Remember that day when I found the sold ball of flavour?" 


 
Posted : 13/07/2025 10:04 am
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Couple of weeks ago the coffee van came round. I was the last customer and we were his last stop. The chap gave me all the spare bacon butties he had for free as they were going to waste otherwise. I have never been, and never will be again, so popular in the team when I went back to my desk


 
Posted : 13/07/2025 10:51 am
theomen, MoreCashThanDash, binners and 2 people reacted
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I’m done with big lofty goals

 

 I once said my life ambition was to gybe a windsurfer on a wave and lead an E5 in the same year. Technically i have done this. But it was so fake. I’ve only led one E5 with some one yelling lowers of beta. I only really gybed once at any speed and it was on a wave. The rest of the time i wobbled round or fell off.

 

So i say keep it simple. The 2 descents I’ve just ridden, on a ride from home, on my drop bar mtb, were fantastic


 
Posted : 13/07/2025 11:11 am
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Make the perfect cheese on toast. Bubbling browning cheese, and not cremate the outside crust.


 
Posted : 13/07/2025 11:16 am
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richardkennerley

😀


 
Posted : 13/07/2025 11:33 am
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Posted by: binners

Particularly as it’s M&S Scottish black pudding which IMHO is the best by miles

Stornoway black pudding is the best, in a most tasty way.

I ,well not wholly dislike the traditional BP(English recipe), which has large chunks of fat in it. The fat keeps it all moist, and who doesnt appreciate a bit of pig fat.

In my time I've made thousands of pounds of BP, both in the totally traditional way using raw blood, to the pre-prepared packet mix(from butchery suppliers) and where I kind of have more control over fat and suet content, spices etc, but for all that I much prefer Stornoway's recipe.

 

If you havent tried it, try it. Like or nay, but its still worth trying.   

 

My wee heaven(no jokes now) is a perfectly cooked roll of rib, boneless and heavily trimmed and proper medium pink in the middle. 


 
Posted : 13/07/2025 12:48 pm
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The other day, I was eating some mint mentos and got an orange one! You don't get days like that very often, I look forward to the next one.


 
Posted : 17/07/2025 9:26 am
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For years I've been baking brownies. Finally I found the perfect recipe from Jamie Oliver. The secret as always is to buy the very best ingredients you can afford. Anyway, these Oliver ones have always turned out really well (especially with the addition of sour cherries and walnuts). 

A few weeks ago I had a new oven installed and since then most things I've cooked have been so much nicer. However the latest batch of brownies were absolutely amazing. A dream come true. 

Just wish you could all share a slice. 

 


 
Posted : 17/07/2025 9:44 am
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Can't believe I missed this thread, some truly impressive dreams have been achieved.

I once had an all chocolate Kitkat, but an all chocolate Club biscuit is next level!


 
Posted : 17/07/2025 9:53 am
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Posted by: mattyfez
Ahh yes, the 'tripple cheese burger' paradox - more meat is betterer right? Wrong

I once found a triple custard cream in a packet - biscuit, cream, biscuit, cream, biscuit. My search for another has been futile but rewarding in equal measure.


 
Posted : 17/07/2025 9:55 am
 nbt
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Posted by: binners

It’s not a full English without black pudding.

You know how to make a Full English even better? Make it a Full Scottish. Go on, add Haggis. Trust me, it's next level.

Posted by: Bunnyhop

Just wish you could all share a slice. 

Remember when @pook used to organise pootles, and we'd have a lovely social ride then all eat each other's cakes? Ahh, those were the days...

 

 

 


 
Posted : 17/07/2025 10:03 am
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To get the boy to WCDH, just once, just 1 race, whether he can or can't actually qualify... just say "got there". 


 
Posted : 17/07/2025 10:12 am
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Posted by: nbt

Remember when @pook used to organise pootles,

pookles?

 


 
Posted : 17/07/2025 10:24 am
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Opening the bacon packet with the user tab would make my life complete.

Now THAT is winning!


 
Posted : 17/07/2025 10:31 am
 JAG
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Posted by: binners

Can there be too much black pudding?

If there is ANY Black Pudding then it is too much 🤢 🤮 


 
Posted : 17/07/2025 10:56 am
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Posted by: binners

To deprive yourself of them is sheer masochism, bordering on self-flagellation, in my humble opinion and is all the proof I need of the totally misguided nature of both organised religion and vegetarianism 

Or it could just be because you like animals more.


 
Posted : 17/07/2025 11:10 am
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The other week i decided to replace my very old sram chainset and BB. I bought SLX. It went on straight away with zero faff. The old shimano bb spanner AND the plastic crank wind on wheel that ive had for eons both still fit. No silly new standards to screw me over.

I was so happy. 


 
Posted : 17/07/2025 11:16 am
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Posted by: TiRed

Opening the bacon packet with the user tab would make my life complete.

Now THAT is winning!

Hopes and dreams, not wildly impossible fantasies!

 


 
Posted : 17/07/2025 11:28 am
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Posted by: TiRed

 

Opening the bacon packet with the user tab would make my life complete.

Now THAT is winning!

 

 

Hopes and dreams, not wildly impossible fantasies!

I feel a level of vindication that is at one with the Hopes And Dreams of the thread title.

In a previous life, I worked in food packaging development, and was working on these easy open packets. I pointed out to Ken, my boss, that even with my young and dextrous fingers I couldn't get the packs open, so how would an older person? That must be 30 years ago and I still can't open these bloody tabs, so it's nice that I finally get some back-up on this. Now, Ken, where are you? I need to prove a point. Finally!


 
Posted : 17/07/2025 11:45 am
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Or it could just be because you like animals more.

I do like some animals. And some I like eating. I’m all about equality. 


 
Posted : 17/07/2025 12:08 pm
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Posted by: Tracey

Only other option available was pan au chocolat

Sorry, why would this be an issue to creating a bacon, egg, mushroom and black pudding breakfast sandwich??

Asking for a friend...😳


 
Posted : 17/07/2025 12:29 pm
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Posted by: Tracey

Only other option available was pan au chocolat

Or "the starter" as it's referred to when I'm at the breakfast buffet in a hotel.

Though your typo pans me

 


 
Posted : 17/07/2025 12:34 pm
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Surely you have pain au chocolat last ??

Yoghurt, granola and fruit to start.

Followed by .... Full Anglais

Then Patisserie washed down by a last cup of coffee.

 

 


 
Posted : 17/07/2025 1:19 pm
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Posted by: Ro5ey

Surely you have pain au chocolat last ??

Yoghurt, granola and fruit to start.

Followed by .... Full Anglais

Then Patisserie washed down by a last cup of coffee.

 

 

What do you eat while queuing for your yoghurt, granola and fruit Crunchy Nut cornflakes?

 


 
Posted : 17/07/2025 2:08 pm
 Pook
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I know what you're up to @nbt


 
Posted : 17/07/2025 6:10 pm
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One day someone is going to let me have a go at one of those big forestry forwarders and chop a tree down.

Meanwhile, I'll settle for today's Lochinver pie - chicken, haggis and pepper washed down by a nice local beer...burp.


 
Posted : 17/07/2025 6:20 pm
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One evening, I was making my way through a bag of Crawfords salt and vinegar savoury snacks when I can across a solid ball of the salt and vinegar flavouring. It was so powerful, it stripped my taste buds, nearly took my face off.

Once accidentally ate a solid ball of flavouring from the bottom of a packet of salt and vinegar discos - practically turned my face inside out


 
Posted : 17/07/2025 9:06 pm
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Maybe not reaching the dizzy heights of some others on here, but it was a momentous day for me when I discovered M&S sold milk chocolate coated custard creams! (chocolate coated Bourbons are also available).


 
Posted : 17/07/2025 9:27 pm
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Posted by: burntembers

Maybe not reaching the dizzy heights of some others on here, but it was a momentous day for me when I discovered M&S sold milk chocolate coated custard creams! (chocolate coated Bourbons are also available).

I now have a new hope and dream....

 


 
Posted : 17/07/2025 9:45 pm
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Not asking for much, just to get all six arrows in the gold, half-a-dozen times in succession! 


 
Posted : 17/07/2025 10:38 pm
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Posted by: TiRed

Opening the bacon packet with the user tab would make my life complete.

Now THAT is winning!

I get this… but also, bacon in a pack is losing 😂

Last week we went to Cadence Cafe near Sutton on the SDW. I ordered toasted sandwiches and drinks for four noisy kids and three adults. We were halfway through it when the lovely woman that served us came over with a plate of four splendid cakes and some bags of crisps and gave them to us for "being so lovely".

...Which was nice.

 


 
Posted : 17/07/2025 11:13 pm
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That'd be harvester for chopping and a forwarder for grabbing and stacking. 

I used to drive a mercedes 800 with timber trailer. Not as slick as a 2 lever machine but challenging and uses a surprising amount of brain power until you become proficient. 


 
Posted : 18/07/2025 6:27 am
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There’s a sad absence of the excellent fruit pudding here. Rarely seen outside of a Scottish mixed breakfast pack in my experience - which is a problem because they are a) in Scotland and b) contain lorne sausage.

Hopes and dreams… I’d really like to be able to run.


 
Posted : 18/07/2025 7:05 am
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What do you eat while queuing for youryoghurt, granola and fruitCrunchy Nut cornflakes?

"Qu'est-ce que c'est? .... Queuing ??

In my dream.... Breakfast starts by drinking bubbles, sat outside on veranda, under beautiful bougainvilleas, being asked by Marion Cotillard whether this afternoon I'd like go paddle boarding or "have a picnic in a lavender field".... that's her little phase for a bit of how's your father and she says it with a knowing smile.

Failing that .... my hope.... is it that Fatima is working on the counter at Greggs this morning... she sometimes puts in an extra ration of bacon. 

 


 
Posted : 18/07/2025 7:25 am
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Posted by: Ro5ey

Failing that .... my hope.... is it that Fatima is working on the counter at Greggs this morning... she sometimes puts in an extra ration of bacon. 

First name terms with the staff at Greggs - Binners has taught you well


 
Posted : 18/07/2025 8:31 am
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Posted by: burntembers

chocolate coated Bourbons are also available)

they are called Penguins. The biscuit and filling in a Penguin is a bourbon, same recipe same production line, it just gets covered in chocolate is all. 


 
Posted : 18/07/2025 8:45 am
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I hope and dream for global peace,

This - and a Ferrari 12 Cilindri.


 
Posted : 18/07/2025 9:06 am
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Posted by: nickc

Posted by: burntembers

chocolate coated Bourbons are also available)

they are called Penguins. The biscuit and filling in a Penguin is a bourbon, same recipe same production line, it just gets covered in chocolate is all. 

 😀 A penguin bar may be a chocolate covered bourbon, but the M&S ones are like a penguin bar on steroids due to the chocolate to biscuit ratio!

Anyway it's a moot point as bourbons I can take or leave, it was the chocolate covered custard creams that were the discovery!

 


 
Posted : 18/07/2025 9:50 am

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