AnneMarriott

Russell Maliphant, a choreographer who has his own small company, is a favourite of mine. His choreography is inspired by capoeira and is very fluent and (to me) memerising. He collaborates closely with lighting designers and composers to create short works that are a marvel of integrated artistry (again to me). Worth seeking him out especially now it would seem that the Arts' Council no longer offers funding.

Me too.

I don't think Jane wants to know that!

I believe they are supposed to be unaggressive and certainly found them so. At the time we had a cat and two dogs who came to no harm at all. Good luck with yours.

We had a literal hornets' nest in a bird box a couple of years ago. It was rather intimidating at first but they were very considerate and other than the occasional close inspection of sunbathing humans or dogs kept themselves to themselves. I wish wasps would copy.

Further update: To my surprise I have been given a full refund, including return postage. My one-star review has not appeared on the website, though.

Update: I returned the filter using the Royal Mail tracking label supplied. Now, a week later I discover that the seller has "opened a case which is on hold until August 14th". Not only that but "the tracking information supplied shows that it's on its way and should be with you soon". Words fail me ...

5 star reviews on online shopping websites. I recently purchased a "genuine" filter for my Dyson vacuum cleaner. It turned out to be fake and didn't fit so I asked to return it. First I got an offer of a very small refund but could keep the filter. I refused. Then I was offered a full refund, including postage, if I posted a 5-star review - oh, and I could keep the item. I refused - despite the inconvenience of going to the post office and paying return postage. So not only are "genuine" articles fake, but the 5 star reviews others have left are decidedly suspect too.

Crumbs - there's no accounting for folks!

Dare we ask why?

Agree absolutely that this is a must-see. Incidentally I sat in the stalls side gallery (highly recommended) and had no difficulty in seeing who was who and what was what. I thought the set design and lighting were atmospheric and added to, rather than detracted from, the overall impression.

Pitchy? A wild understatement. It had me squirming.

I recorded Britain's Got Talent on Saturday and have just watched it. No ballet to be seen. Have I misunderstood?

My thoughts exactly!

I found it difficult to distinguish what some of the completing disciplines actually are, apart from tap dancing, Bharatanatyam and classical ballet - and even in the latter case the contestant that was put through performed her own choreography with a distinctly "contemporary" flavour. The other styles all merged into one for me and I couldn't imagine wanting to spend an evening watching a whole programme of any of them. Since I only actually liked one of the successful dancers in this first round I don't think I'll be following the rest of the programmes.

How did it go?

That sounds more plausible but did duck hunters really take their poodles out looking like that?

I've always thought that explanation was questionable. If it's to protect joints, why leave a topknot on the head and a thick vest around the top half of the body? And what use are two powderpuff-shaped scallops of wool over the hips and a ball on the end of the tail in protecting the lower half?

A generous gesture. Other countries please take note.

Ditto.

My money's on the treats!

Your blue tits and great tits are all in my garden! I've never seen so many at one time, all jockeying for position on the feeders which are swinging wildly, like yours.

Ditto.

Watching a nuthatch on the birdfeeder - it's been there for several minutes. A rare sighting for me which has made me smile.

Britannia Road Primary School, Ipswich, 6 February 1952, about lunchtime. The Headmaster dashed into the classroom, white as a sheet, and said, "the King is dead". Mrs. Murray, our teacher, burst into tears. Most of us burst into tears too, so startled were we by the shock of seeing such emotion from two austere and respected adults. It also happened to be my brother's 2nd birthday so my excitement about a little party later that day was somewhat quashed.