LadyTaTa

I'm fairly new to The Archers and love it. However, I do find Helen nauseating (also Linda and Susan). My only consolation is she has the 'wake-up call' of motherhood facing her (I don't have children but one can imagine). For a while I thought it was being set up that Tony would have an accident and she'd never get over the fact that they hadn't reconciled. Poor Nige. At least he got the brooch cleaned up.

The crows have figured out how to use the bird feeder... they must be starving. One stands watch while the other perches on it and feeds - they are bigger than the feeder itself.

Lovely post untamed stylist, Merry Christmas to you :)-D

Thanks Mockney - I was looking for some musical inspiration.

I have very happy memories of a boozy Christmas in 1998 at a friend's house in Twickenham. The food was excellent, and somehow we worked our way through 3 bottle of champagne, 6 bottles of red, a bottle of port plus a few 'liveners'. The thought makes me wince now, but at the time it was probably one of the most marvellous days I've spent on this planet. The host had excellent cooking skills and very eccentric music tastes. I remember hearing Captain Beefheart for the first time through a fug of alcohol, and thinking how amazing he truly was (I was only 23 at the time). Cheers Captain Beefheart - you helped make it a great day :)-D

Post countdown is tricky... the euphoria has passed, the fear / hope of a New Year has begun (sniff). I think it has to be in the anthem/epic category. I suggest the following - they're not cool, just my ideas: Live and Let Die Sympathy for the Devil With All These Things That I've Done (The Killers) I Love NYE (Badly Drawn Boy) - not epic, but warming The Staunton Lick or His Majesty King Raam (Lemon Jelly) We Have All the Time in the World (Louis Armstrong) You Only Live Twice (Nancy Sinatra) - or the Bond Theme Year of the Cat - Al Stewart (might be a bit too melancholy) Mr Blue Sky The Long & Winding Road - bit too slow though Via Con Me - Paolo Conti

I've made this before, it was fun to make and very tasty.

Rainbow. Saying it gives you a lovely expression, apparently. I once read a book where the protagonist was encouraged to say it upon entering a room. Superficial, but I always remembered it (see also 'Prune' when posing for photos).

I tend to watch TV & surf the internet at the same time - neither on their own are sufficient to engage my full interest. Apparently it's called 'media-stacking' - which I read in Schott's Almanac (which was completey engrossing).

Yes, it was an unusual choice - but both their hen/stag and wedding were fantastic, so I kept my opinions to myself.

I went to a mixed hen/stag for the weekend at one of these places. It was amazing. http://www.thecountrycastlecompany.co.uk/

Looks like I should give Mongrels a go. On a completely separate note, I do think HP Saucey has the best forum name. Maybe it's time I top up my paracetemol.

Ah, the papers have been stuffed with 2010 Top Ten lists for the last few days. I would like to take the highbrow approach and castigate such shameless subjective, lazy journalism - but actually I secretly adore it (along with my other guilty pleasure of reading reviews of really bad restaurants). Today The Guardian is weighing in with its TV Top 10 http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2010/dec/12/tv-2010-review-phil-hogan Here's mine (I'm the only person I know who didn't like the new Sherlock Holmes): 1) Mad Men 2) Ashes to Ashes - the finale in particular 3) Misfits 4) True Blood 5) Masterchef (I know... I'm so ashamed) 6) Downtown Abbey 7) Lost (I still can't forgive the ending, otherwise it would be higher) 8) The Trip 9) The Inbetweeners 10) Any Human Heart - slow start but then pretty good So if you're bored... please join me. Edited because I screwed up by leaving an errant Misfit. I'm not well so put it down to that :))

Hurrah! So glad you found her x

I haven't been to Galvin at Windows, I'd love to hear what that's like. When I went to Maze I had something like a deconstructed BLT which was awful in so many ways, perhaps that's what stuck in my mind - and because it was close to when I went to Joel Robuchon where they did this little layered soup thing which was much nicer, perhaps I remember it even more. Hmm going to quickly check the menu to remind myself... ... oh it's changed quite a bit, it was a bit more 'out there' when I went there. Personally I prefer my 'cheese on toast three ways' to Maze. Weird vibe as well, maybe because it was a Sunday lunchtime before the financial world crashed.

I don't think I know Eagle - iTunes here I come!

Gimme, Gimme, Gimme (a man after midnight) It was good enough for Madonna as well...

I loved Galvin La Chapelle also, pricey but worth it - feels like you've been out for a special treat vs. an over-priced meal. Having a french other half, I do find a rather large proportion of our budget goes on eating out, and hence have been lucky enough to eat at some top restaurants. My opinions (others may disagree): Didn't like Gordon Ramsey's flagship restaurant - service too intrusive, food far too rich, felt like someone's living room (that was years ago though). Also went to Petrus but after Marcus Wareing took over (can't remember the new name) food was far too salty and service a bit meh. Le Gavroche - love it. Totally old school and kitch, but guaranteed a fabulous time. The Waterside Inn at Bray - my eyes still water at the bill, but everything was fantastic. Would highly recommend for a special treat (although not London, I know) Joel Robuchon - fun, very tasty food. Not particularly relaxing or formal, if that's what you're going for Maze - too frantic, food weird instead of fun. Like a bad Joel Robuchon. I love a restuarant called Min Jiang in Kensington (pre-order the duck), fantastic views over London so best to go in the day. Not much atmosphere though. The Square - impeccable service, food a little salty for my taste Actually, we're looking for somewhere new to try for a lunch between Christmas and NY (we do that instead of presents - see what I mean about the food budget) so if anyone has any suggestions I'd be grateful too.

I too live on the east side of the rye, and haven't had any post since last Tuesday - and there were 3 items sent last Wednesday that I'm expecting. I really hoped there might be some today... but no. Whenever I try the highshore number, it just rings and rings, and occasionally doesn't work at all.

Last week the front wheel of my bike was stolen, mine was also D-locked to a 'secure' cage in my block of flats. Still, makes a change... normally they just smash my car windows (yes, I have reported all of the incidents).

My guess is he was HOT!

With my DSLR, I started off with the kit lens and then went on to buy a zoom lens. I haven't used the zoom lens as much as I'd like, because of the generally bad light conditions in the UK. I learnt a general rule of thumb that seems to be true, in that your slowest shutter speed should be guided by your focal length i.e. if your lens is 100mm don't shoot slower than 1/100 second. If you want to whack up the ISO or take a tripod it doesn't limit you, but otherwise in the UK I find it does - images are too dark or not sharp enough for my liking. Given that I'd tend to use the zoom to shoot wildlife I try to incorporate that on a walk rather than sit there all day with a tripod - whatever floats your boat really. Last year I was very fortunate in that I was given a 50mm macro prime and I love it. The image is so sharp, and it keeps me happily entertained in the winter. Still life, icicles, etc. However, with hindsight I think a 100mm would have been even better. I've bought 2nd hand kit from Amazon on various occasions and have no complaints at all.

There I was, watching it every Sunday thinking it was pleasantly tedious, but after last night's episode still haven't recovered from seeing the most fiendishly attractive man on TV (the Turkish whatever he was). Simply dee-licious.

Seeing as he called his son 'Zowie Bowie', my money's on bow-ee (as in bow-wow-wow)

I suppose it depends on how remote you go... I grew up in a little village just outside winchester, but there was a grocery shop in walking distance (there's also a couple of takeaways and a co-op now), the M3 was only a 5 minute drive and winchester 15 mins (or 30 mins by bus), so I never felt isolated. I would love to live somewhere like that again. If I don't get out of the city once a week, I feel hemmed in.