Cos it's a roundabout with 32 entrances and exits and no road markings. It is fun; everyone has right of way, the most determined has the most right

Louise, I find that a bit hard to understand - there surely cannot be a gas appliance that will allow gas to flow when not lit? And certainly not in use at a school. Plus, any button that needs to be held down for more than a few seconds after the flame is lit is - faulty!

Anyways, Russ - you are right to a large extent. And, yes, it's even more absurd when it comes to DIY electrical work, Louise. However, there have been some amazing howlers of gas installs carried out by DIYers, although most of the explosions you hear about are as a result of 'professional' work - obviously just down to the larger numbers involved.

I would be uncomfortable about living next door to someone carrying out DIY gaswork. My neighb was telling me about how he helped a friend lay a new gas supply through his house because the quote he was given by a pro was so high - his attitude was "it ain't rocket science". As he described what they'd done, I pointed out all the errors - they hadn't sized the pipe, it was laid directly into a concrete floor channel and cemented over, the joints under the floor done using compression fittings, etc. etc.

He thought there was nothing to it - he thought he was competent.

He had the decency to look slightly worried as I pointed these things out. But I know they ain't going to change any of it

Oh yeah don't get me wrong I'm not saying do DIY gas work... I'm just saying the media were quick to run with the

"work has been carried out recently nudge nudge wink wink *cough*badworkmanship*cough*"

and I'm all for blaming poor installation if/when it's proved rather than just assuming thats what it is.

As for the ovens... certainly the ones I worked with needed the button holding in. The rest I'm just going on what mom's told me maybe I've got the wrong end of the stick.

As for the electrics I was just narked because I was considered competent 9-5 but not so in the evenings unless I payed the council.

Ah yes, Flashman. Mrs Smiffy says they're great. Maybe I should give 'em a go.
Couple of books I enjoyed recently: Suite Francaise (an unfinished novel written in France during ww2 about the occupation of France. It was never finished because the author was Jewish... and she was deported to a place in southern Poland and was never seen again). The other was The Diary of a Nobody which is a hilarious micky take of Victorian middle-class respectability. Very gentle, but unforgettably funny. It's never been out of print since it was first released in the 19th century.

Paulo Coelho The Alchemist

Stand on it, A novel by Stroker Ace

Riddle of the Sands, Erskine Childers

Alf Francis Racing Mechanic, Peter Lewis

I stopped off on my way home today in Hastings to see a man about a 2cv, when I left his place, I walked out of his shop onto the pavement and almost walked into a towering great bloke with a bright pink mohawk and lots of piercings. Initially, he struck me as the kind of bloke I probably wouldn't like to meet down a dark alley, until I saw his dog, which was trotting along wearing a pink tutu.

it takes all sorts, which sometimes, is quite nice.

Sounds even more like the sort of guy I wouldn't like to meet down a dark alley...

Do those kind of guys put the willies up you DA?

Just been listening to Roger Daltrey. I've always liked the power of his voice - superb!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DOApf05kic&feature=fvsr

And then something completely different but equally engaging.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90u1IV4dw8o&feature=related

Coincidence! I've been listening to this today: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKUBTX9kKEo Fantastic!