NEW YORK (AP) — Members of the 1986 World Series champion New York Mets celebrated the 40th anniversary of the franchise’s last title on Saturday.

That Mets team won 108 regular-season games and beat the Boston Red Sox in a seven-game Fall Classic.

Members of that squad marveled at the miraculous turn of events against Boston on the way to the championship and lamented the plight of the current team, which has the second-worst record in the National League at 47-64 heading into Saturday’s game against Miami.

“When we started the year, our ultimate goal was to win the world championship,” former reliever Roger McDowell said before an on-field ceremony before the start of Saturday’s game. “And when you’re the last one standing, that’s the best feeling in the world.”

The Mets felt far differently when they were one out away from elimination and trailing by two runs in the 10th inning of Game 6 of that World Series.

“To be honest, my exact words — I didn’t tell anyone this, but I will say this (now) — ‘We’re about to blow this,’” Mookie Wilson said. “‘We’re about to blow this thing.’”

Gary Carter hit a single that began a stunning comeback for the Mets, who forced a Game 7 when Wilson’s grounder slipped under Bill Buckner’s glove and between his legs as Ray Knight, clasping his hands atop his head, raced home with the winning run.

Following a rainout, the Mets overcame a three-run deficit and won Game 7 by the score of 8-5.

“I don’t think any of us could have ever predicted or imagined that one instance in time and baseball history would bring that much joy to people and just create a lasting memory that they just tell their kids and grandkids about,” Wilson said. “I know I do. I talk about it all the time. My grandkids, they watch videos and they want to know about it.”

Twenty-two members of the 1986 team gathered behind second base for the ceremony, along with Carter’s widow and children. Family members representing late manager Davey Johnson, late general manager Frank Cashen and late coaches Bud Harrelson and Bill Robinson were also on the field.

The Mets have reached the World Series just twice since 1986, losing in five games to the crosstown Yankees in 2000, and to the Kansas City Royals in 2015. New York reached Game 6 of the NL Championship Series in 2024.

This season’s Mets are in last place in the NL East.

“Every ballplayer you have out there wants to win — every one, not one player goes out there wanting to lose,” Wilson said, “The problem is how to win. Sometimes, you have to be uncomfortable. And that’s I think where we are.”

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

There’s something almost comic about the modern British summer ritual: as soon as the mercury climbs, we head to the nearest park, sit cross-legged on scorched grass, and hunch over a flimsy foil tray to sear sausages over an open flame.

But these disposable BBQs are now active wildfire risks. This summer, the UK has been experiencing what some fire scientists are calling a “firewave” – when heatwaves create the perfect conditions for wildfires, especially within cities. As a result, some councils have banned the use of disposable BBQs on council-owned parks, beaches and other public spaces.

It comes as London is on high alert for wildfires following four successive heatwaves so far this summer and minimal rainfall. The current fire danger forecast for the UK is set at “very extreme”.

This coincides with record fires in France, Spain and Greece, forcing evacuations of major cities including Bordeaux. While wildfires are a common occurrence, their frequency and intensity is increasing with climate change. At any given moment, thousands are being recorded across the globe by satellites and can be viewed in real time.

The devastating news of the fires in mainland Europe may make it seem like the problem is across the channel, but the UK statistics back up the unease. Over the weekend, the London Fire Brigade responded to over 1,300 incidents.

With temperatures expected to remain high and the skies clear of rain, the risk is only increasing. Most of England currently classifies as very high risk under the Fire Safety Index.

Meanwhile, South Wales Fire and Rescue has been battling flames in the Blaenavon area since July 20. This has been affecting air quality in the Cardiff area, despite the Welsh capital being 30km away from the blaze.

Almost all UK wildfires are being started by people. So given the hot summer we’re in, wouldn’t a crisp salad and a piece of fresh fruit make more sense than crouching over hot coals?

The BBQ risk

Disposable BBQs are a major preventable ignition source. The coals inside them are separated from the surface by only a thin aluminium tray that becomes extremely hot. This directly heats the surface below, rather than dispersing into open air the way it might around a fixed barbecue stand. Charcoal embers can also easily blow from the BBQ onto the ground and ignite dry grass, leaf litter, heathland or peat in sustained dry conditions.

On exposed coastlines, particularly where cliffs are capped with dry peat or gorse, wind can carry embers further and faster than on a still inland afternoon. Peat is exceptionally carbon rich. Found in bogs, fens and marshy uplands, it is formed very much the same way as coal and contains the partially decomposed remains of ancient plants and animals. This organic matter can smoulder underground for days and even weeks after it looks like a fire has been put out, presenting additional challenges for the fire services.

Even after charcoal appears extinguished, BBQ trays can stay hot for hours after the last sausage comes off the grill. And binning a warm BBQ creates a second danger, since barbecues discarded before cooling have started bin fires.

For these reasons, disposable BBQs are one of the first items that fire services request people avoid. For those at the throng, discarded cigarettes and vapes with faulty batteries add another source of ignition to the same dry conditions.

Then there’s the rubbish. A disposable BBQ picnic doesn’t just leave behind food packaging. There is the packaging for the BBQ itself, as well as the spent grill and ash, plus disposable plates and cutlery: three waste streams where a carefully packed lunch can produce far less.

Half-cooked meat and leftovers often end up in general rubbish bins rather than food waste bins, if they reach a bin at all. Often picnickers’ rubbish bags are too large to put in general park bins, and are often left beside an overflowing bin. Unfortunately it doesn’t necessarily stay there. Bagged waste is often scattered by foxes and gulls before collection crews arrive, turning good intentions into more litter on the ground.

Here’s the reframe worth sitting with: if you think of yourself as a climate aware, nature-loving type, cooking over open flame on parched grassland isn’t actually a wholesome outdoorsy choice. It risks the landscape you’re claiming to enjoy, triples the rubbish of an ordinary picnic and burns fossil-fuel-derived charcoal to heat food you could just as happily eat cold.

The simplest, healthiest and most environmental option is also the easiest one: pack a fresh, plant-based meal in a container that seals, and use that same container for anything you don’t finish. No flame, no ash, no coals, no fire risk and no extra rubbish.

Skipping the disposable BBQ used to mean giving something up. But given the risk, the mess and the heat we’re now living with, packing a salad is simply the better option.

The Pisces Moon faces of with Venus in Virgo, creating an emotionally charged cosmic field. Give yourself grace today.

Sagittarius, Scorpio and Libra, it won’t harm to reflect on your sense of self. Take some time to mull over your identity, but don’t place too much weight on others’ perceptions.

Give yourself permission to slow down. You don’t need to be a hundred miles an hour at all times to max out productivity.

Ahead, you’ll find all star signs’ horoscopes for today: Sunday August 2, 2026.

Like checking your horoscope every morning? You can now sign up to our free daily newsletter to get a personalised reading for your star sign delivered straight to your inbox.

To order your unique personal horoscope based on your time, date and place of birth, visit patrickarundell.com.

Aries

March 21 to April 20

Is it time for a gentle pause between being and doing? The Pisces Moon faces off with Venus in Virgo, so a part of you may want to get on with your to-do list, while another part might be ready to disappear into a daydream. It’s a good idea to balance both, as this will give you the inspiration needed to bring a wonderful creation to life while remaining very efficient.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aries

Taurus

April 21 to May 21

Your personal hobbies call out to you, so if you’re in the mood to fashion something beautiful, this is the time to go ahead. Don’t let your talents go to waste. Whatever allows you to shine, be sure to share and express it today. Don’t forget your friends, though, as they’ll want a slice of you too. An invitation or get-together could introduce you to people you’ll feel at home with.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Taurus

Gemini

May 22 to June 21

Your attention may be drawn to your public image and to your many accomplishments. You’ll also be very tuned into how other people feel about you, which could be very revealing. You might want to get some quiet time to think things through. Venus in your home zone encourages you to make this the highlight of the day, so enjoy some pampering.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Gemini

Cancer

June 22 to July 23

Have a yearning to get away from it all and bask in a place of peace and renewal? Even so, Venus in your sector of talk and thought encourages you to attend to your tasks and responsibilities first. It’s best not to leave anything hanging in the air. Thinking of a quick getaway? Then prioritise those important jobs, so you can really relax when you get there.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Cancer

Leo

July 24 to August 23

The Moon in an intense zone can stir up feelings that you may have been trying to ignore. It’s better to acknowledge them and even embrace them, as it will be so much easier to let them go. You’ll feel much better too. As it faces Venus in your personal money zone, you may be tempted to buy something special for yourself. A treat could leave you feeling especially upbeat.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Leo

Virgo

August 24 to September 23

You may be torn between attending to your own needs and helping someone else. While it’s natural for you to do what you can to make others’ lives easier, you’re encouraged to put yourself first today. Do what’s necessary to make yourself comfortable and happy. Yet this is also an opportunity for a heartfelt conversation that can heal and resolve any issues.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Virgo

Libra

September 24 to October 23

A dream may need some deciphering, and there’s a sense that it could be very important in helping you know what to do about a situation or relationship. Don’t let your work take over; push it to one side. Your inner wisdom is trying to give you a message, so take time today to consider what it’s trying to tell you. The insights will be revealing and inspire change too.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Libra

Scorpio

October 24 to November 22

Sometimes it’s nice to potter around doing your own thing in a relaxed way, but friends may have other ideas and could be quite determined that you’ll join them for a social occasion. In this case, it could be good for you to make the effort, as an encounter or conversation could clear up a matter that’s been bothering you. A friend’s expert advice might open the way.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Scorpio

Sagittarius

November 23 to December 21

Venus in your sector of public image means her presence can help you present a polished appearance that can’t fail to impress. As the Moon faces off with this sociable planet today, a desire to totally relax may conflict with a need to give your best performance. Make allowances for both situations, as a chance to refuel can help you make the best impression.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Sagittarius

Capricorn

December 22 to January 21

The wisest people are often those who keep learning, and you’ll have a reminder of this today, as a local encounter could be the reason you decide to expand your outlook. An idea or suggestion might lead you to look abroad for new travel experiences or to study as a way to increase your knowledge. Zeroing in on local developments can also fire you up.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Capricorn

Aquarius

January 22 to February 19

It’s time to pay attention to what nourishes you, and the current Moon-Venus aspect can give you a clue. Yet it might not be what you think. Yearning for something that can help you to feel better? Tempted to rush out to buy something? Pause, as it might be something deeper, such as connecting with someone you haven’t heard from for a while or healing a lingering rift.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aquarius

Pisces

February 20 to March 20

The Moon in your sign makes you aware of your needs, while its tie with Venus in Virgo can find others drawn to you because you leave them feeling better. You’ll want to accommodate them too, but don’t leave yourself overwhelmed by others’ demands. Carve out some time to do your own thing and give yourself the respite you deserve. You won’t regret it, Pisces.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Pisces

Your daily Metro.co.uk horoscope is here every morning, seven days a week (yes, including weekends!). To check your forecast, head to our dedicated horoscopes page.

Head here for this week’s tarot horoscope reading, and see what the cards have in store for you!

Check out the tarot horoscope reading for the month of August here.

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Chancellor John Healey has vowed not to let supermarkets ‘take the public for a ride’ as the Iran war continues to cripple drivers at the petrol pumps.

The former defence minister insisted he would be closely watching in a bid to protect the public from price gouging at the pumps.

However, he also conceded that he could not ‘completely stop the squeeze’ on families and businesses amid the Iranian conflict.

It comes as the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham promised to give families and businesses ‘breathing room’ following a cost-of-living crisis that has lasted years.

Fuel costs skyrocketed earlier this year after Iran cut off access to the Strait of Hormuz, which carries around 20 per cent of the world’s oil and gas supplies.

Petrol prices are now at their most expensive since 2022, with unleaded having reached 160p per litre, according to the RAC.

Meanwhile, Mr Healey signalled he would be ready to intervene to protect consumers from unfair price rises at home.

‘We’ll be watching closely for any suggestions that customers are being taken for a ride at the pump or the till,’ he said.

He described the willingness of firms to work with him amid the ongoing crisis as positive, and said there was no ‘significant evidence’ of supposed ‘price gouging’.

But he reassured the public that regulators will have the powers to ‘clamp down on it if it happens’.

John Healey (pictured on July 21) vowed not to let supermarkets ‘take the public for a ride’ as the Iran war continues to cripple drivers at the petrol pumps

It comes as Mr Healey said he had spoken to international counterparts in his first days as chancellor about their joint economic response to the ongoing war in Iran.

‘Being frank, we can’t completely stop the squeeze that families and businesses will feel with a global shock of this scale,’ he added.

He said the government would be ‘active’ and ‘hands on’, adding that they would put ‘British interests firsts’ and allow breathing space to those feeling the financial crunch.

He added that they would make the country ‘more resilient so we can better weather these shocks in the future’.

Mr Burnham has announced a succession of measures aimed at alleviating cost-of-living pressures, such as a cut in VAT on energy bills and capping bus fares at £2 throughout 2027 since taking office.

The Prime Minister reiterated on Sunday that he would like to take further action to bring down utility bills and rail fares.

‘I think rail fares are too high, outrageously so in some instances. So that’s something that’s in my sights.

‘I mentioned VAT and electricity bills. It’s a short-term measure at this moment, but let’s see where we can go with that,’ he told the Sunday Mirror.

The raft of measures Mr Burnham has unveiled, including cutting business rates for pubs and an expansion of technical training in schools, are likely to require additional spending.

Mr Healey promised that his first budget would be ‘built on fiscal discipline’ as he revealed this week that it would take place on October 28.

Officials have said Mr Burnham and Mr Healey agreed the Budget must have a built-in £23.6billion buffer against the Government’s self-imposed borrowing rules, the Financial Times reported.

He and the Prime Minister have written to the Cabinet to make clear there is no new money coming for the fresh pledges, he told The Times.

Departments need to be ready to ‘shift funding away from unproductive or legacy programmes that no longer reflect this administration’s priorities,’ he wrote in the letter.

Earlier this year, the previous Chancellor Rachel Reeves tried to put pressure on retailers to cap food prices in a bid to limit inflation as the Iran war raged on.

She received backlash for the proposals from supermarket bosses, which saw Ms Reeves abandon the idea.

M&S chief executive Stuart Machin branded the proposals ‘preposterous’, meanwhile, Andrew Bailey, the Governor of the Bank of England, described the idea as ‘unsustainable’.

The explosion occurred close to a restaurant terrace on Kudrinskaya Square in Moscow on Saturday evening at approximately 8:10pm (6:10pm BST), killing three and injuring 21, the Interior Ministry confirmed

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Three individuals have lost their lives and 21 others have been wounded after an explosion near a Moscow restaurant, police have confirmed.

The blast took place adjacent to a restaurant terrace on Kudrinskaya Square in Moscow on Saturday evening at around 8:10pm (6:10pm BST), with the Interior Ministry releasing a statement on Russian social media platform Max.

Officials told state news agency Ria Novosti that the incident led to “three deaths and 15 injured, of varying degrees of seriousness”. The committee later revised the injury figure upwards from 15 to 21 people, taking the overall casualty toll to at least 24.

The injured were undergoing medical care.

Among the dead were “a security guard who prevented an unknown woman suspected of trying to carry the explosive device into the restaurant, the unknown woman and one of the visitors,” a committee statement cited by the Tass news agency revealed.

Video footage published by the agency showed heavily armed police officers at the scene, which had been sealed off from members of the public, the BBC reports.

While the cause remains uncertain, the Baza Telegram channel suggested it happened within the restaurant’s kitchen area.

An eyewitness told the channel that a wedding reception with approximately 50 attendees was taking place at the premises, stating they saw bloodied individuals being carried out in the aftermath of the explosion. Dozens of cyclists who had gathered in the vicinity for an evening ride through the city saw their plans abandoned.

Officers and emergency crews rushed to the location, with officials confirming an investigation into what triggered the blast.

According to Russian media outlets, traffic in the area surrounding the square has been suspended temporarily, while access points to Barrikadnaya metro station have been closed.

The road was proposed to link the Horwich Loco Works estate and Fettlers Way, Middlebrook – a way of offsetting the up to a thousand new houses planned in the area.

But work on the road has stalled in recent years, delayed by ‘ongoing legal issues‘.

The crucial link road has still not been opened to the public (Image: Newsquest)

The link road from Crown Lane through to Aspinall Way behind Middlebrook at the Rivington Chase housing scheme has been much debated, delayed and discussed in recent times.

Bolton Council stated: “Rivington Chase remains one of Bolton Council’s highest priority regeneration projects and represents one of the borough’s most significant long-term investments.

“The wider masterplan will deliver approximately 1,700 new homes together with supporting mixed-use development, transforming the former Horwich Loco Works into a sustainable community with new homes, employment opportunities, community facilities and extensive public open space.

“Significant progress has already been made across the site through the successful delivery of new homes and key infrastructure. The completion of the Spine Road alongside the development will provide an important road link from Horwich to Middlebrook with a new bus route and pedestrian and cycle-friendly paths. This will address existing and future highways issues and congestion in the area.

The road will be crucial to helping to reduce traffic (Image: Office of Phil Brickell MP)

“The council remains committed to securing the completion and opening of the Rivington Chase Spine Road as soon as practicably possible.

“Over recent months, efforts have been made to reach agreement with the owners of the remaining land interests required to complete the final section of the road. Those discussions have not resulted in terms that could be progressed.

“The council’s preference remains to reach agreement with the landowners, and will seek to continue discussions to this end, but will need to consider all available options to facilitate the completion of the link road.”

Chris Green MP on site at the new road (Image: Office of Chris Green MP)

It was reported in May 2024 that the spine road was ‘nearing completion‘, though since then, little progress has been made.

“It should be completed in August,” said then-MP Chris Green, “but it may take a little longer than that to open to the public.”

The £262M Rivington Chase masterplan aims to regenerate the Horwich Loco Works site with around 1,700 new homes built across four phases.

The site wide masterplan was agreed by Bolton Council’s planning committee back in 2017, after a supplementary planning document was put forward in 2012.

By WILL HALLOWELL, NEWS REPORTER

Published: 02:07 BST, 2 August 2026 | Updated: 02:11 BST, 2 August 2026

Multiple people have been injured and carried out on stretchers after a ‘stampede’ at a family-friendly festival in north London as too many people turned up.  

The organisers of Ghana Party in the Park were forced to end the event ‘abruptly’ at Copthall Playing Fields in Barnet on Saturday after it became ‘overcrowded’, police and organisers said. 

Several festivalgoers have suffered ‘non-life threatening injuries’ following the crush and footage from the event shows dozens of emergency vehicles, including air ambulances, present. 

Witnesses saw injured people being carried away on stretchers as medics attended the scene.

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One 18-year-old described the incident as ‘very chaotic’, adding that the festival was ‘very poorly organised’. 

Another said: ‘Ghana Party in the Park, aka ShattaFest, has had a stampede, with people seriously injured.  

‘Two air ambulances (helicopters) have flown in to take some of the injured away.

‘People have been unable to get into the event since 2pm. There are probably 1,000 people outside right now.’ 

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Multiple people were left with non-life threatening injuries after a ‘stampede’ due to overcrowding

Witnesses saw injured people being carried away on stretchers as medics attended the scene

It has also been reported that ‘several fans passed out due to overcrowding’ on the playing fields.  

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Pictures from the festival, also billed as ShattaFest UK, show rows of ambulances and fire engines at the scene on Saturday afternoon. 

And footage from elsewhere at the event shows police officers reassuring huge crowds of people standing next to a large barrier, which could possibly be the entrance to the festival. 

Ghana Party in the Park is an annual outdoor festival for the Ghanaian diaspora in London which has been running since 2005. 

It attracts more than 8,000 people, according to the London Assembly website, making it the largest Ghanaian event outside of Ghana. 

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The event’s website describes it as a ‘cultural festival celebrating the very best of Ghanaian music, culture, food, fashion and community’.

In a statement on Saturday night, organisers said: ‘Following the unfortunate incident at today’s event, we wish to provide an update regarding the abrupt closure of Ghana in the Park. 

‘The decision to close the festival was made solely on the grounds of health and safety. 

‘Officers from the London Ambulance Service and the London Fire Brigade responded to a major incident on site.

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‘Following discussions with the emergency services and our health and safety team, it was agreed that closing the festival was the safest option in order to protect all attendees.’ 

The statement came amid claims that there had been stabbings at the festival, however the organisers said nobody was attacked. 

They added: ‘We would like to clarify that there were no incidents of stabbing and deaths as being speculated.’ 

Earlier the organisers had said the event was ‘temporarily paused’ due to a ‘major incident’ and asked festivalgoers to ‘stay away from the area’. 

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The Met Police also said in a statement that reports of a ‘stabbing’ are inaccurate,  and that the festival was closed due to overcrowding.

A spokesman said: ‘Officers are at Copthall Playing Fields where Ghana Party in the Park has been cancelled after an overcrowding issue at the entrance saw several people sustain non-life threatening injuries. 

‘Speculation about a stabbing is inaccurate. Please help us by avoiding the area.’

A spokesman for Barnet Council said: ‘The Ghana Party in the Park event at Copthall Playing Fields has ended early this evening after an overcrowding issue at the entrance saw several people sustain non-life threatening injuries.

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‘The police and council officers are on site, please help us by avoiding the area.’ 

The Daily Mail has approached the organisers as well as the Metropolitan Police and London Ambulance Service for further comment. 

A plane carrying tourists crashed into a field in Peru on Saturday outside the city of Nazca killing 13 people, local authorities said.

In a statement on Facebook, Nazca’s municipal government said the plane was taking tourists on a sightseeing flight of the Nazca Lines, a group of extensive geoglyphs scraped into the desert around Nazca hundreds of years ago by Peru’s Indigenous inhabitants. The lines form images of animals that can only be fully appreciated from planes or viewing towers.

Nazca’s government said the plane departed from the nearby city of Ica and was operated by Peruvian company Aerodiana. On its website the airline says that it has offered scenic flights over the Nazca lines for the past 14 years, using Cessna Grand Caravan planes.

In a statement, Peru’s Ministry for Trade and Tourism said that 11 “foreign tourists” and two crew members were on the plane that crashed Saturday. State news agency Agencia Andina reported that two German, two Spanish and seven Italian tourists were on the plane.

Peruvian authorities said the accident is under investigation. Aerodiana was not immediately available for comment.

‘I already know,’ my husband said with a smile.

My nerves melted away instantly in the warm glow of his acceptance after I told him I was bisexual five years into our marriage.

A big coming out was never in my plans, yet the moment I understood that I was bisexual, at 28, I told the person I trusted the most, not knowing he was already fully aware.

But that realisation didn’t happen overnight – the pieces started to come together on my first visit to Europe. Three years before that fateful conversation.

Growing up, I thought there were two options: straight or lesbian. I didn’t really have any queer role models in my life, so I mirrored what I saw around me. 

So, because I was attracted to men, I assumed that meant I was straight. 

It wasn’t until meeting other bisexual women in my university years that I realised sexuality isn’t a simple tick box; there’s an entire spectrum. 

That understanding began to take shape during a German work trip. 

I was at a new job, surrounded by new colleagues, traveling to Europe for the first time. The workdays were long, hot, and confined to an overcrowded indoor space. 

It was a perfect July day; green, warm and alive, when, on an outing to escape the office, I wandered into one of the biggest Pride events in Europe.

That was Berlin Pride, which was the scene of an appalling attack last week, and seeing that just brought home how important the event was.

Because this moment launched my journey towards embracing my sexual identity. 

From then, I followed queer creators on social media, attended community events, and had open discussions with people close to me. It all gave me the confidence to explore a deeper understanding of who I have always been. 

And so, I finally found who I was.

But now, when I share with people that I’m bisexual, and that I came out after I was married, it’s often followed with: ‘but you’re married to a man?’

I chose my husband as my partner in this life 13 years ago because of who he is as a human, regardless of gender. Thankfully, he chose me too. 

Even before I was out, I never felt something was missing between us – only that there was something missing within me.

After hearing ‘I already know’ from my husband, we chatted about how I came to this realisation and how he could support me in this journey.

The answer was immediate: Pride. 

I wanted to experience it rather than accidentally observing. 

But in the USA, attending Pride didn’t feel safe. 

Pride events in the US are often targets for harassment or worse, and the fact that LGBTQ+ people are five times more likely to be victims of violent crime in the US made the idea of attending more overwhelming than exciting.

I was also worried about being judged professionally or how it might change people’s perception of me.

At my job, my superiors had previously joked about pansexuality and bisexuality being trends and that they’re ‘just a phase’ – so, I stayed under the radar and was out to my closest friends and family, living my not-so-secret-but-plausibly-deniable bisexual life. 

But everything changed when my husband and I moved to Portugal, three years after I came out, to start our own business. 

From the moment we arrived, something felt different – there was less pressure, less expectation. People lived more openly. I saw couples of all genders holding hands and showing each other affection in the streets.

And for the first time, I was meeting people as my full self – a bisexual woman.

Within weeks, I got involved with local Pride events: supporting my new friends’ performances at queer open mic nights and working with local queer tour guides to promote gay-friendly bars and clubs. 

This year at my first official Pride – Lagos Pride, in Portugal – I showed up fully. 

With rainbow freckles painted across my cheeks, vibrant purple hair, a bisexual flag proudly trailing behind me, I walked with my pride, and even had my husband and best friend cheering me on. 

I remember feeling something I’d never felt before: uninhibited authenticity. 

We danced along the Algarve coast on a Pride boat cruise and even saw dolphins. It was a truly magical experience. 

But what stood out the most was that there was no anxiety about being judged, and no pressure to explain myself.

One thing I’ve learned throughout my journey is when living as only part of myself, it was far more exhausting than I realised. Stepping into my full identity brought me a kind of joy that changed everything.

And sometimes, a new start in a new place can give you the space to finally become the person you’ve always been.

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing Ross.Mccafferty@metro.co.uk. 

Share your views in the comments below.

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