Maria

Might trading standards still want to proceed with a case even if you settle? To be honest Paula, if it were me, I would be happier to meet him at a solicitors office (hope I haven't worried you now).

Should you be going alone?

to Jules and Amber I have just emailed a copy of the portrait to Kaye and am so scared she will hate it I also appear to be being organised this week - normally we don't book cottages until a few weeks before we go, but I have found places to stay in May, July, Sept and Nov already! Marion, we'll probably be up your way in July - a place called Nichol End - opposite side of the lake to the theatre. Do you know if it's nice there?

I now live at Thug Loon

Me

I seem to be having a 'circular' conversation with a holiday lettings agency. I have asked if a property's garden is dog safe (ie fully enclosed). They have replied that it looks like it might be from the pictures they have, but they would definitely check at booking stage. They don't seem to understand that I don't want to get to the booking stage if it isn't enclosed

Trudi, sending postive thoughts for your brother Snow, what's the bad taste bear's name ( we have a couple and they make me laugh)? Claire what lovely Valentines pressies. I have started work on my portrait Sam did you get my email (avec CV's)? RMF I could not get to sleep last night. I was tired, but my legs seemed to be bored. They weren't happy to be in the same place, so I had to keep moving them. Most odd- took me ages to get to sleep.

Oh Paula A bit like Kylie, I just can't get this out of my head now........ High on a hill was a lonely goatherd Lay ee odl lay ee odl lay hee hoo Loud was the voice of the lonely goatherd Lay ee odl lay ee odl-oo Folks in a town that was quite remote heard Lay ee odl lay ee odl lay hee hoo Lusty and clear from the goatherd's throat heard Lay ee odl lay ee odl-oo O ho lay dee odl lee o, o ho lay dee odl ay O ho lay dee odl lee o, lay dee odl lee o lay A prince on the bridge of a castle moat heard Lay ee odl lay ee odl lay hee hoo Men on a road with a load to tote heard Lay ee odl lay ee odl-oo Men in the midst of a table d'hote heard Lay ee odl lay ee odl lay hee hoo Men drinking beer with the foam afloat heard Lay ee odl lay ee odl-oo One little girl in a pale pink coat heard Lay ee odl lay ee odl lay hee hoo She yodeled back to the lonely goatherd Lay ee odl lay ee odl-oo Soon her Mama with a gleaming gloat heard Lay ee odl lay ee odl lay hee hoo What a duet for a girl and goatherd Lay ee odl lay ee odl-oo Ummm (ummm) . . . Odl lay ee (odl lay ee) Odl lay hee hee (odl lay hee hee) Odl lay ee . . . . . . yodeling . . . One little girl in a pale pink coat heard Lay ee odl lay ee odl lay hoo hoo She yodeled back to the lonely goatherd Lay ee odl lay ee odl-oo Soon her Mama with a gleaming gloat heard Lay ee odl lay ee odl lay hmm hmm What a duet for a girl and goatherd Lay ee odl lay ee odl-oo Happy are they lay dee olay dee lee o . . . . . . yodeling . . . Soon the duet will become a trio Lay ee odl lay ee odl-oo Odl lay ee, old lay ee Odl lay hee hee, odl lay ee Odl lay odl lay, odl lay odl lee, odl lay odl lee Odl lay odl lay odl lay HOO! I used to love that song as a kid

Good morning, am trying to overcome the urge to sing 'high on a hill sat a lonely goatherd, weyheyho weyheyho wey-hey-hee' Good luck for today Paula

Have to say I can understand where you're coming from Claire. My dad was born in Ireland before the republic was born (he was a lot, lot older than my mum, ). He witnessed neighbours being tortured by the black and tans, and local areas being 'cleared' of poor people so that cattle and sheep could be grazed, while those disposessed of homes were forced to live in ditches. However, he chose to come in live in England, as a way of earning a living, and always sent money home to his folks. He did face some terrible racism in the early days (for example many 'digs' would say no irish). But his attitude was that the past was the past, (awful though it was), he took people as he found them, and he was grateful for the opportunties he had in England to improve his lifestyle (believe me if you saw where his entire family were raised - it reduced me to tears when I first saw it). He was very into sport , and although he would always support a team from Eire or Northern Ireland first, after that he would support any UK team against 'foreign' opposition. If it came to England versus another UK country, he would support the land he made his home in. I don't give a fig about sport, but if I had to, would support any UK country over a foreign one. Don't forget England was invaded many times, and some of our most famous kings came from Welsh and Scottish stock (the Tudors and the Stuarts). Doesn't make me dislike the Welsh or Scottish though.

We have been out for meals with well behaved nephews, and even when they got a bit bored and fidgety, they weren't being nuisances. We have also been in restaurants where some parents have practically encouraged their children to run around (particularly away from their table) , and generally create havoc. They were being a nuisance to us and to other people there with their well behaved children , and we all to exchanged those 'why don't they do something' looks.I've also been in restaurants where adults at other tables have been annoying. With typical British reserve we don't complain at the time. Except the time we took my mum to a pub for dinner (whilst on holiday). A couple came in with what I can only describe as 2 'wild' children, who ran about screaming at the tops of their voices, and kept bumping into people, and rolling about on the floor. They nearly tripped the serving staff and the parents were on the receiving end of many glares, but seemed oblivious. After one particularly spine chilling shreek, Boysie, who up to then had been sitting under the table, ran out and barked. Immediate silence descended, and then my mum piped up with 'he only said what we were all thinking'. The parents finished their drinks and left. So, maybe we should all complain more when other diners behaviour (adults and children alike) becomes annoying?For me, it's more about the parenting style and a general lack of manners (from both unruly adults as well as children). But, how can children be taught how to behave while out unless they go out?

When I took redundancy part of the package was to spend time with some consultant or other whose job it was to help us with our CV's etc. I have a copy of the one that was done for me - 2 pages, which I can mail you if you like (as long as you don't laugh at it).

I think Boysie may have been spoiled a little too much treat wise today. He has munched many 'gotcha day' goodies, which has resulted in a few botty burps this evening which have required us to evacuate the room. Hopefully we won't get the 'back doors' as well tomorrow. Oh joy, someone has started to let off fireworks as well, so we have a barky, farty dog right now

Did you recognise the welsh beaches Ange? (His head is going to be so big with this praise)

Sorry , just got to do this AAARRGGGHHH! That's better.

So sorry Sweet dreams Kelly