The Minkey

"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics." - Benjamin Disraeli Sod the stats, James Barber - look at what's taking place under your nose.

Or hedgehog perhaps, Steve - though, yeh, fox more likely. Anything L leave out which doesn't get polished off by the feathered ones, gets polished off by the furred. A hedgehog was spotted in the garden a couple of years ago by a friend, but I never saw it and haven't since. Be lovely to think they were around. Mine is the red pyracantha. I chose it because it was supposed to be a good wildlife plant, it's just failed to attract any attention so far. Then again, this is the first year it's produced. Interesting point about it being popular later on. It's quite possible a bit of frost changes the texture and flavour somewhat too, making them more tasty.

Me too, Molly.

Sheep

I've heard of a Siskin and know what it looks like but I've never seen one. Here's a pic: http://garden-birds.co.uk/birds/images/siskin1.jpg Sue: It's the one with orangey red berries. Down the road, someone has a pyrancantha hedge out front with the yellowy orange berries. It doesn't seem to get raided so I figured that might be a less popular colour, having said that, the birds seem to spurn them both.

Just checked the Sky site, Broadband only is ?15 p.m. - no calls, no TV: http://www.sky.com/shop/broadband-talk/broadband-options/

Narnia, can't answer your question about broadband only but this is what I pay for broadband and phone, I have unlimited download and anytime free calls lasting less than an hour (excl. 0845 and mobiles). ?10 broadband ?11 line rental ?5 call package So ?26 p.m. plus usually about a fiver on top for other calls.

Although I've seen many examples of people failing to offer up seats to others who were quite clearly in need, I'm still grieved each and every time it happens, particularly when it's the disabled seats which are being occupied by adult plus shopping bags. Astonishing. Having said that, when I ripped a calf muscle several years ago and was on crutches, I was really pleasantly surprised by the variety of people who did offer up their seat for me.

Oh, that's good to know, Nero. I have a small pyracantha in a pot which is laden with berries but so far attracting no interest from the birds. As I'm trying to plant with the wildlife in mind, I'd wondered if I'd mistaken its desirability. Still not much birdlife round here but this maybe something to do with the flock of cats which have taken up residence down by the feeders. One is particularly dopey and hasn't got the hang of hunting at all, it's all long runs and flailing paws. The pounce is a move which it hasn't quite worked out, thankfully. Now where can I buy one of those super sloosher water guns?

I popped outside on Sunday to find my brown kitchen caddy had been delivered. It's perfect for the job.

India

"I think this is a terrible idea, not at all convenient." You're not my mum, are you?

Baa

"Just smoke your puff now and settle down. Im leaving this thread now." Oooh - I do love a good flounce!

The regeneration plans sound promising: http://www.elephantandcastle.org.uk/regenerationprogramme/ "Key features of the Elephant and Castle framework for development include: ?demolition of the shopping centre and Heygate Estate ?rehousing of Heygate Estate residents into high quality social housing in the Elephant and Castle area ?removal of the congested road system and rerouting of traffic out of the core area ?creation of a new pedestrian-friendly town centre ?development of 6, 600 new homes ?creation of 75,000m2 of modern retail and leisure facilities ?design of an improved transport interchange ?creation of two new parks ?addition of two extra schools, including a city academy ?creation of over 4,000 new jobs as a result of these changes ?adoption of a range of innovative measures to minimise energy consumption ?quality design at the heart of the plans" The rerouting of traffic alone should make an enormous difference.

I've always enjoyed a little weed. Bill & Ben made me do it.

My idea of a perfect coffee is a carajillo - oh yes!

Eew - that Justin has something of the Vulcan about him.

What was fair about giving people money just because they've got children when they aren't actually in need?

ED itself has transformed from what it was when I first came across it in the early eighties. I'll be fascinated to see how Elephant scrubs up, and it will, it's so close to London Bridge and look how that area's transformed over the last few years.

My thoughts, fwtw.. I go down to Peckham once a week or so, mostly weekends, usually getting off the bus by the shopping centre down the bottom. Even though I'm aware the cycle path is there, iI just don't notice it when I'm crossing the road if I'm between two buses, and I'm always shocked to realise I crossed without looking to see whether anything was coming. It simply doesn't stand out - the different colour cobbles just look like part of the pavement. I don't want to find fault but I'm sure I'm not the only person who's done the same. Added to which, as the cycle track is located above the kerb stone, how is someone who can't see supposed to realise the danger?

Nice one. And if it had broken the glass, you'd have had the ball back and out of sight before anyone acted. Result!

I've always found E&C to be a bit grim and only ever pass through on foot when I happen to be changing transport, however, I do find some of the predjudice expressed on here very distasteful. Seeing as I'm such an irregular visitor, I didn't know there was a Sunday Market selling potentially interesting food stuffs. I might just browse it when I next pass through on a Sunday. So, thanks for posting, Cate.

The way I've always understood it is that a vegetarian is someone who eats foods which aren't derived from the death of an animal, therefore most cheese is off-menu as well as various sweets which contain gelatin. A vegan, on the other hand, extends this to avoidance of animal by-products e.g. eggs and honey. Someone who doesn't eat meat, but who eats fish isn't a vegetarian.

I find it hard to believe that those who don't put any food waste out will get a knock on the door when people who don't currently recycle anything at all aren't prompted.