LordshipLovely

I actually think that despite the injuries on SCD this week, the right people were in the bottom two, as much as I love both of them. I also think that Len was right to go with Phil as I think Ricky danced better in the dance-off. I think that it's a bit harsh to say that Lloyd can't sing. I think sometimes he can sing very well, othertimes very off key. I think he's been given some awful songs by Chezza though.

Just googled - it's Lake Matheson (sorry if someone already said this!). http://www.newzealand.com/travel/sights-activities/scenic-highlights/national-parks-marine-reserves/scenic-highlight-details.cfm/businessid/63689.html Over by Franz/Fox Glaciers.

Tying in with what giggirl said, i've been a few times over the last 15 years and although there were always 'pretty' bits, it was never the most attractive place. For quite a while (and i haven't been for a copule of years now) it was simply a building site. However I have always liked it's youthfulness and slight edginess, and the people are just a bit cooler than the rest of the country. I'm sure it's changed even more over the last couple of years, I just hope they dont over do it with the redevelopment. Edited to say I would therefore love to go over there soonish to see what's going on.

Sky Dive over Fox Glacier (apparently the best place!!). Mount Cook on one side and golden sands on the other. I'd never do it again but was glad of the amazing scenery to help me through it. Milford Sound I've heard is fantastic but when I went the weather was so awful you couldn't make out the sides of the fjords and it was drizzling all day. I think the best thing to do is hire a car and go with the flow. Like was said above, the scenic points are really well signposted off the roads and you can find some really good places. Half of the pleasure of NZ are the views from the road. Be prepared to pull over a lot. I think as you're going in summer then def head to the Bay of Islands and also 90 mile beach and Cape Reinga (touristy but I love all that 'you are x miles from the UK' kind of rubbish). I went in August and it was still pretty warm and it's all so quaint. Also love the place where the mountainscape is mirrored in the lake but have no idea where that was now.

I second the Checkpoint Charlie Museum it's small and sometimes busy but one of my faves. You can go to the part of the wall that still remains and have a walk down there(East Side Gallery), do the Reichstag, Alexanderplatz and the TV Tower, the Brandenburg Gate, Zoological Gardens and Charlottenburg Schloss, but I think one of the best things to do is to just explore the local boroughs as they all have different identities. If you like going out you're in luck as i think Berlin is the epitome of 24 hour cities. Another great film is Goodbye Lenin. Oh, and wrap up warm it's bloody freezing. LLx

At least her make up was a bit better this week, didn't make her look like a drag queen.

I felt a bit sorry for Linda, don't think she should have gone. Should have been Jo, Joe or Craig. Not warming to Craig. Acting like a bit of a p*llock.

Thanks for the recommendation - thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait for next week!

They 'got rid' of Martina, not becuase she couldn't dance (she was far better than some of the others), but becuase the other guy Rav will have a far more positive influence on the ratings. Especially since (I hazard a guess) there are far more female viewers than male, and he is rather easy on the eye. Plus she was as dull as ditchwater. So, usually I would be very much in favour of people getting through on merit, but in this case I had to agree with the judges.

Has anyone seen Sin Nombre yet? I saw it yesterday and I really enjoyed it although it was pretty grim. Few things bugged me though. 1. The overuse of the word 'homey' amongst the gang members 2. When they are sat on the roof of the train, I thought I saw Willy throw the digital camera onto the tracks. 10 mins later he's looking at it?? 3. If it was just as quick to go by road (which it was as the old gang members kept catching up with the train), why didn't they just try and hitch or hide in a lorry or something, rather than sit on that roof for weeks?! Maybe I've missed something. Overall a very good film. Glad I had the subtitles though. I speak pretty good Spanish and found the girl easy enough to understand, but he was impossible.

The terms 'Life cover & term assurance' are used interchangeably. I think what Clare C means is 'Whole of Life' cover which is more expensive as is guaranteed to pay out on death and is often used for things like IHT mitigation. I'm assuming you are after straight life cover (or term assurance), which is usually written to retirement age. LL.

Try a comparison site like Go Compare. It should throw up the top insurers such as L&G, NU, Scottish Provident, AXA and Scottish Equitable (among others). From experience, all these providers have good administration backgrounds (apart from the odd blip)and decent claims histories. Remember the premium quoted is the minimum you will pay. The final premium will depend upon underwriting. LLx

MP - love Love Actually APART FROM the awful kid storyline. I have to FF through that. The rest is nice, especially at Christmas.

Juno Once Love Actually/Bridget/Dirty Dancing/Harry & Sally/Sleepless in Seattle/Notting Hill Shawshank Jack & Sarah Enchanted (if you haven't seen it, do, it's lovely) The Wedding Singer Cool Runnings! My Big Fat Greek Wedding 50 First Dates (it's the sea lion) The Goonies!

Re Multiplex versus Picturehouse I think the Picturehouses do cater for a wide audience. Of the big blockbusters, Brixton's currently showing Bruno, Harry Potter and Ice Age. I don't think they would be alienating anyone if they were to open one in CP. LLx

My dad too, but i've just realised he only says the last 5 (?) numbers (provincial number). How weird.

I do that. It all began when I started learning French at school. Been doing it for 20 years now.

4-3-2-2 or 4-3-4 for London landlines! Never for mobiles...tut!

I know, I didn't realise it would give rise to such debate. I just hoped at least one person would back me up!

It's all about the 5. As long as that's there then it's forgivable! God, need to get a life.

Looking back at what I wrote, I didn't mean 5-6 at all. I agree MP, definitely 5-3-3 all the way.

Slightly off topic, but it really bugs me when people say 020...7, not 0207. I know which way's correct an' everyfink, but it's still annoying. Also, with mobile phone numbers, people who say their number in a really weird way, because they think it's more memorable. Unless it's relayed to me in the form of 5 digits then 6 digits, or at least 5 digits then 3 and 3, I'm left completely bemused.

I don't know if anyone has ever been or knows Finsbury Park, but I used to live up there and there was a fantastic place called Pappagone on Stroud Green Road. Real Italians running the place, Italian families dining, loud and bustly, informal, reasonably priced, not just generic pizza/pasta but great meat and fish dishes too, plus fabulous ice cream. Also were always open, for example for coffee in the mornings. It is always absolutely packed and has a real buzz about it. Can't think of anywhere similar around here. I don't mind Locale, but think it is really overpriced, especially the wine! LLx

there's a few in the big Smiths at Victoria.

my dad's a plastic vacuum former and he made the shoulder plates for Sly Stallone in Judge Dred (sic). He also made Jason Donovan's gold breast plate when he was in Joseph. Unfotunately he never met them, was just given measurements. I know who i'd have rather met!! (i was about 10, do the maths).