Minitoots

Thanks for that StraferJack. The Paper app looks great - wish I could get it on my old iphone 3:( Would it be ok for an ipad2??

Can anyone suggest the best simple,basic, easy to use drawing and painting apps for an android tablet? My 90 yr old Dad wants one, and I only know a bit about ipad/ apple apps, not the ones for android tablets... I'm still looking for a good value tablet but it's hard to compare between these and ipads... Or should I splash out on an ipad instead?? thanks!

We went in 2012 and second everything Yak and Libbyer said - Montenegro is a fantastic destination - no crowds (if you avoid certain coastal resorts), much cheaper than neighbouring Croatia, fabulous scenery, several world heritage sites, 2nd deepest canyon after the Grand canyon, the biggest lake in Europe complete with waterlillies and deserted islands and crystal clear waters, great local wines and beer, fab weather, etc etc. We stayed near Perast on the bay of Kotor. - send a PM if you want any more info on where to stay etc. Highly recommended!!

Well, after all the great suggestions from 2011, the next year we did go to Montenegro and it was absolutley brilliant! I have loads and loads of info if anyone wants any.cheap,stunning scenery, lots of world heritage sites, good weather, great wine and beer- we got last mintue flights at only ?90 return - perfect!!! thanks so much again to everyone who recommended it. We're now looking for something similar and will check out all the other suggestions above which all look just up our street, but if anyone has anything else to add, that would be good too. The main stipulation apart from everything in the original post is low price!!

Is 'sketchbook pro' fairly easy to use? He's familiar with very basic photoshop on his laptop already....

I want to get my Dad an ipad or android tablet for his 90th birthday - he's already got a laptop and is only interested in it for the drawing and painting apps. I use 'brushes' on my iphone which is great but wondered if anyone knows much about the drawing apps for android tablets such as 'Sketchbook pro' etc. I'd go for an ipad straight away if it wasn't for the higher price, so if another tablet would do a similar job, it'd be good to hear about it. He would need to use apps which are user friendly and not too complicated for an oldie.... Also if anyone is selling an old second hand one I'd be very interested to hear from you!

Just starting week 5 of the diet and have lost half a stone, despite eating more than normal on some other non- fast days.I don't find sticking to 500 cals a problem but do find it hard to go from breakfast all the way til the evening to eat so have been having some of those calories at lunchtime too so as not to keel over! 3 other friends have all lost over a stone after doing it for a bit longer than me. Maybe we should all meet up for a black coffee (!!!) or a power walk in the park to compare notes sometime...

Try Business link in London - I think the advice is free... Contact Details: www.businesslink.gov.uk/london info@bllondon.co.uk tel 0845 600 0787

ha ha, yes I know Worthing, and have to agree most of it is boring although there are some great bonkers boathouses at Shoreham on sea nearby... Thanks for all the other suggestions too. My parents have now started talking about Brighton (!!!) as they've never been and like the idea of The Lanes etc, so that could be where they end up instead, but I'll keep a note of all the other places in case they decide against Brighton...

thanks for the suggestions - they aren't so bothered about going onto the beach, it's more finding a town which is flat to walk around, which is near the sea, with nice shops, museums etc nearby etc. They will not have a car...

My parents both have bad arthritis and can only walk very slowly with sticks, and are looking a coastal resort for their summer holiday. Their first choice is Devon- ideally somewhere picturesque with lots of art galleries too! If not Devon, probably the south coast or Wales rather than the North of England. Any suggestions?

A bell tent sounds like a good idea- I think he's planning on more people though. He's thinking the logistics of camping might not work out now, especially with the unpredictable weather etc. I'm now wondering about hiring a hall or room for a party instead..... If anyone knows any teenage friendly rooms/halls/venues in the area which aren't too expensive, can you let me know? They could provide their own sound system....

?????

Ah thanks! That explains it. I hope someone will enlighten us on how to embed pictures using code next...

That's a good idea, RenF !!

Seems like all other recent posts have the word 'new' in red by their title, except mine. Am I missing something? Also, it used to be possible to 'drop' an image into the main text of an ad so it showed up in the body of the writing rather than as an attachment which had to be opened - can this still be done, and if so how? I tried emailing the forum but didn't get a reply...

chiselhurst caves replied to say they haven't rented the caves out since their dim distant past -shame. the fort would have been great but it's fully booked. Confetti would be out of his price range, although it looks a good location... keep ideas coming, thanks!

Ooh - Chiselhurst caves sounds a bit different! I've emailed them to see if it's possible, thanks. Rivoli would also be a good venue too but maybe more my taste than his... Any more ideas, bearing in mind the budget limits??

My son is keen to do something different for his 18th birthday party in early July, and is looking for suggestions. He had thought about hiring a field (yes!!) down in Kent as he has friends living there who do that, but they know any of the field owners well enough to ask. Then we wondered about a beach, but think that would be too public... It doesn't have to be outdoors, but he doesn't just want to hire a hall or room, or have it in a house. He's been to parties on disco boats already, so we're a bit stuck for ideas! It would have to be within reasonable distance of SE22 but they could travel and sleep or camp overnight somewhere if neccessary. The budget for it is fairly limited... There would probably be about 20 of them or more if the venue could take more. They are a nice group of teenagers - well behaved but would probably be fairly exuberant at the finish of school days... Any off the wall ideas welcome!

That's very helpful information, HazelNunhead, thanks so much.

Thanks for that info - I will certainly contact the school about it. I'm glad your son is now being supported at college.

My 17 year old has always had very poor concentration and finds it really hard to structure essays, take notes, revise for exams etc, despite working really hard and having a high IQ. He is very interested in his A level subjects and knows all the facts and is definitely not lazy, but has problems getting his thoughts into a coherent structured essay. I've finally realised that a lot of his symptoms could indicate mild dyslexia and plan to get him checked for this. His spelling and writing isn't perfect but is not too bad, which is why I had never really thought he could be dyslexic before.... I wondered if anyone has any other ideas of what could help/ online tests etc? Or are there other similar / related conditions with these symptoms? Thanks for any relevant feedback.

What brilliant information, thanks so much and best of luck in getting a place! Have you applied anywhere else too?

thanks, Suzisoo- look forward to hearing about it.

Has anyonehad an interview for Kingston Uni art foundation course in recent years? If so any info on what to expect would be great. It's a group interview of about 10 applicants and 3 tutors, with each applicant talking for 5-10 minutes about their work.