Peckhamgatecrasher

Well if we're talking on the lachrymose scale, Beth in Little Women (1949).

Now you are becoming narcissistic.

Don't worry Brendan, I don't think anything's going to top Minotaur Man today.

I'm sure he'll be all ears.

If you are fearful, don't answer the door if you are not expecting anyone. Or put a spyhole/chain arrangement on the door.

Brill - that will make for a merry Christmas. Dana won the 1970 Eurovision Song Contest.

No, she's turned into Dana. ps: where are the sloes? I want to make s.gin this year.

The Sting

No silly - the cats must have something to play with. They must be fed up with baby mice which was their offering the other day.

Frogs play possum.* Walked into sitting room first thing this morning, dear froggy would no more go a wooing - he was stretched out on his back sparko, definitely deceased. I covered him with a cardboard box thinking I couldn't deal with it until at least one cup of coffee later. Quietly reading book, sipping coffee when the box jumped. Coffee and I jumped too. Little bastard must have feigned death to stop the cats teasing it. *Not a lot of people know that.

This extract is from Andy McNab's autobiography, "Immediate Action": At the age of fourteen I was starting to get all hormonal and trying to impress the girls that I was clean and hygienic ... I also started to have a shower every night down at Goose Green swimming baths. It cost 5p for the shower and a towel, 2p for soap and 2p for a little sachet of shampoo. (c. 1973)

Sadly, my experience of 15 year old girls is that they are not into culture at all. Shopping. Or some shopping. Or you could even take her shopping. Though it is beyond me, Westfield seems to be the major attraction. And Camden, as said above. Just a further thought: you could take her shopping.

Pair of keys found - look like a padlock type. Have handed them in to the Cafe.

I have found this for you woof to take your mind off the stresses of the technological age. So much kinder than a fez: cap

La plume de ma tante est dans le aeroglisseur avec les anguilas.

D_J - horrid photos! Apparently the mites have some sort of symbiotic relationship with the beetle and see off some bigger nasties. Have a Google - equally nasty photos to be seen.

Don't wear hair grips if you are going to use a helmet. I contentiously allow my teenager to ride without one; research suggests that using a helmet and a high vis. vest give a false sense of security and engender stupid behaviour on a bike. I did insist however, on her having free lessons from Southwark which teach good road placement.

I remember seeing this in the cinema when it came out. Afterwards, everyone was shocked into silence - it was ages before anyone got up out of their seats and left. Very powerful film.

Don't assume that because you would never dream of drinking a bottle of blue aftershave ...

Buy a pot of lavender - that will attract them.

Oh gosh - he's a real life hero too!

Strawbs were great this year. Toms are coming on slowly but nicely. Peas not much better than last year - so far six. Broad beans - two. Saw a wonderful miniscule front garden planted up with raised beds full of delicious salads at Austin Court. Well done whoever you are - had to stop myself from plucking.

Hope you haven't left early - sounds quite exciting.

I remember "Embarrassing Bodies" covered this rather well. Here's their website: gynaecomastia

Ooh Michael - you could have a good day's play now. Enjoy.