mockney piers

Totally with you regards Delia D_C. As for the latter point, I am by and large with you there too, though the closer to poverty you are, the less morality applies. Extend it logically and if it's starve or steal, then how moral would people really be? It's dog eat dog out there....ooh, dog, now there's an idea, a cheap plentiful supply and help goose green remain pooh free at the same time.

Actually thinking about it, my first 4 years in London I was earning very little, not on benefits, and had less to spare than described above, though at least I had no dependants. I do somehow wonder how I coped, but yes, ate a lot of pasta, onions, tinned tomato, tuna, cheap bacon etc (all with garlic and chilli obviously) and eating out was a great rarity. Strangely I remember them as fun and happy times, barring the constant drip drip of money worries, no real stresses as compared to today, just an overall sense of a life getting nowhere. Funny how quickly one forgets.

In some outfits there is something of the *made* about you Sean. I'm thinking Paulie Walnuts

Inclined to agree with you that there haven't been enough good barnies of late. Homeopathy, magic water or pointlessly expensive water, discuss......... ;-)

Agreed that those that have done forum drinks (or curry, comedy, open mic etc) will know each other, bump into each other etc, and this can be inferred as being a gang, though it really shouldn't. But as Cassius points out there are many, many contributors who don't, or even won't come to anything at all, but are still hugely valued by forumkind. Very briefly, and far, far from an exhaustive list, but the likes of Snorky, *Bob*, Alan Dale, Ratty, Cassius him (I think) self and loooooads more. As long as people are willing to engage here, they are always welcome. I even love Louisa's contributions even if they are guaranteed to wind me up!! But just because it's a very inclusive forum, doesn't mean everything written by everyone will be accepted unquestioningly; it is after all a discussion forum and the lounge has very few rules. It's friendly in these 'ere parts, but it ain't fawning.

he he. Weirdly, now that I know BB, I can't think of anyone less stroppy. I've done some throwing toys out of the pram myself, always on a dreadful hangover, but I've not done an Home&Away* "I thought you were different, but you're just like all the rest, I'm running away!!!!" *See also Neighbours, Hollyoaks, Eastenders etc

I'll do my best as I obviously have no idea about anything lesbian or gay ;-P

I reckon it's what has kept this from being just another dull, run-o'-the-mill forum. There are any number of "where can I find a carpenter" type local forums and they're all dull dull dull. This one managed to gain a significant network effect because of its tendency to drift into oblique, heated, surreal and almost always funny conversations, not in spite of it. There's always the West Dulwich Forum or the SE5 forum or Freecycle or a million other resource sites if people want.

Shall I compare people to Nazis just so I can Godwin this thread? This thread continues to have legs because of continued outrageous accusations. Seriously, to post like that months after this thread finally died down smacks of a shoulderous chip to rival that of Louisa. Let go the anger, for anger leads to hate...etc...

Using the by the smiley face

All in all it rather backs up the likes of Delia having a pop at Jamie & Co with their free-range ivory towers. With such small budgets you can't really expect many to realistically avoid budget items in the supermarkets or shopping in Primark. Perhaps morals are for those who can afford them. Let us know how you get on MM, whether poverty tourism or not it's admirable to see someone at least try to understand the genuine day to day issues of the many millions in this country for whom life has more on its plate than the quality of service in Mon Ciel Franklinsdelier.

That's most of them. 11. Women only swim nights at the leisure centre is a crime against humanity 12. What happened to the good old days when we couls sing around the piano down the pub before beating each other senseless?

Ate there saturday. I'm already a big fan, but food was nothing short of terrific. Gull's Egg and pickled pigeon for starter, and lamb for main. Lamb is often my litmus test for a restaurant as I love it, but most place just can't do anything intersting or inspiring with it. Franklins excelled itself, flavoursome, rare, moist, tender...wonderful. And was also keeping an eye out for this fabled terrible service people seem to be receiving and honestly can't work out what planet people are on. The waiting staff bent over backwards to make it a pleasant experience, it was prompt and polite and friendly, with some great banter with the delightful French waitress. Glad to see it's high standards are being maintained and continues to get a big thumbs up from me.

This one made me chuckle

whenever I see pejorative bandying of this term, I see two things. One is a shoulder...you can guess the rest.

Apfelkorn....jeez, haven't had that since my Amsterdam days at the Kroon. I've moved my alliegance, gin-wise, back to the English style of gin, but it still sounds like a delightful drop there Nero...enjoy!!

pfeth eth eth eth eth .. ... Chreees Waddle

My Italian not so hot, I just about got by last year by speaking Spanish in a sing song accent, adding o at the end of all the words.

Oh god yes, sound, sound advice. English Estate Agents are one of the things I hope to escape from ;-) I'm nothing if not a walking, talking chattering class clich? Jah!! Pity Tillie gave me good advice else Louisa could have enjoyed another middle class type realise he's been ripped off!

Cheers for the advice Cassius, I had a feeling that would be the case with Tuscany. And yes, booze, looking forward to nursing my own small glass of wine of an Etruscan evening and avoiding all of that nasty abstinence!!

I don't know Italy that well, but loved Tuscany/Umbria last year, so that'll probably be a starting point when looking. I've also pottered about the north-east and the Dolomites which I loved, very different (and I think I'll stick with the warmer centre), but imagine having that scenery on your doorstep, not to mention Dalmatia but a stones-throw away!!

A tad harsh perhaps :-$ and that's the centre of Verona I'm describing; preenlechville central!! Having said all that I'm seriously considering buying a place in Italy, with a decent eye on a long-term plan of settling there permanently. Italian wine is one of the big draws too :)-D

Cassius, the Italian government could set the limit to a 1,000,000g frankly, as Italians, in my experience, are far too concerned with strutting around all night preening and leching, whilst nursing a single campari or small glass of wine, to ever overindulge in alcohol.

I have been 4, but am pottering on 2, hopefully on the cusp of 1.