Thank you everyone for replies. I am going to try it out. Sorry about the frost on your plants Mallard, I think Julian should be in charge of the poly tunnel for you, hope he is well!

Thanks Annie. Yes, I could do but then won't know whether or not to buy some more if you see what I mean! Hoping Mallard will pop along soon as he is always growing stuff from seed .

Oops! Sorry to post this in veg..didn't know where to put it.
If I plants seeds from a bought Galia melon will they come true does anyone know? It will be in the greenhouse.

My Dad grew tobacco in this country.

I'm a fellow sufferer as well Scooby, it's really horrible having it looming over you, probably why it is also referred to as the black dog. I find myself feeling very blank about things, a classic sign of depression. Lillia, I often wonder about thyroid problems, but like you say, last time I visit...

I love it too, have watched every episode of every series, such clever writing. It is about the only programme these days where an hour flies past. A little strange that they have decided to show the last series in a "graveyard" slot and no announcements that series 8 was going to start.

Excellent! Glad I could get them for you, enjoy your yummy cake.

Hilly x

I have dabbled in the past. Not as easy as it seems as you get very subtle results and usually require a mordant to make the dye fast. I suppose we are used to bright colours these days. The colour of beetroot is just fantastic though isn't it?

Aww! That's sweet of you Richard, I was only semi joking! I do get through a lot each winter, have thought sometimes about collecting bits but I suppose if you don't have permission like yourself it is classified as stealing! I usually use someone up at Waltham but it goes up by £10 each year. I'll ...

Any going spare??

I think it looks like a loquat as well. They do grow in this country but don't often fruit unless it is very sheltered. I have seen one growing in London.

Homemade Battenburg, I'm drooling. Nothing worse that seeing red battenburg as made by a cafe in Rye, really off putting, besides e numbers are not good for you. You could have tried putting beetroot in!

Yes, that's fine. I'll ask her, but they are away for 2 weeks (going in a weeks time) so you won't get it until August. I'll pm you when they come back.

Yes, sorry didn't look at postage, way too much. Would you like my sister in law to bring some back from Germany for you? It would cost about £2.00 quid to post it to you. She is going in 10 days time.

Try https://www.germandeli.co.uk. Hagelzucker, £1.30 for 250g. Have connfirmed with my german siater in law!