porthesia

Echo what Fiz is saying. We stayed way past the time dd had outgrown her first school - also in light of what happened I would take out private health insurance!

Can only echo Celb with regards to Judy Breen I'm afraid I don't think Legat have an associate scheme. They stopped it in DD's last year and I can't see from their web page that they've reinstated it. There is also the Brighton Ballet School at Hove - again can recommend this institute. Welcome to East Sussex

The plethora of scumbag companies who keep phoning me up about my accident that I had in January. Yes I had an accident and no I can't claim off the other party as it was actually my fault, been with the same insurance company for 20+ years and they are dealing with the claim. I keep blocking the numbers but then they switched to using a local dialling code so I have to answer - just in case. DD said I was rather rude to the last one and that he was only doing his job. My retort - well he should work for a proper company!

You may remember two years ago when DD broke her foot and was left on the train at Euston when the service I had booked failed. Virgin sent a cheque - still waiting for Euston to acknowledge my email!! As far as I am concerned Euston were at fault and any recompense should have come from them. The stations all receive money from Virgin and the other rail companies to offer this service, it was Euston's staff at fault, not Virgin's. I do think that Virgin are one of the best companies around and I would vote for Branson as PM anytime. I keep hoping Virgin will get the contract for Southern Rail.

Oh Quintos, that is the best thing I have heard in ages!!

Such terribly sad news.

Happy New Year and thanks for all your hard work

DD auditioned and was accepted into the 6th form in 2010. Head of both academic and ballet changed and I'm not sure what the processes are now, Can only say that Elaine Holland is an amazing teacher and Head of Dancet She was there in DD's final year

Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year xx

Good luck to your son after such a torrid time

I lived not far from Bicester Village for 25 years - went three times -it is horrible to try and park, really busy and as others have pointed out terribly expensive. Aylesbury is much closer and is just your typical shopping centre, wouldn't waste the fuel driving to Bicester

Probably not going to work for this trip but if the Universities have broken up then you can rent out some of the student accommodation Non DD stayed in an AirBnb in Malta. Couldn't fault it. The owner offered to pick them up from the airport and get some shopping in for them Hope you find something soon.

Finally new nurse at the vets decided that Tia doesn't need to loose more weight. Discussion at last weigh in 4 weeks ago was to get her down to 3,7kg, but today's visit has got agreement that at 4.2kg her ribs can be felt, she's very active (nurse couldn't believe she was 12 brought out bag of food for 1-6 age cat). We have to start mixing her special really expensive Metabolic diet food with some other diet food and seeing if her weight stays constant. We can then reduce visits to the vet as Tia gets really stressed - looking hopeful

Tamsyn thanks you all for your kind wishes She's back to work tomorrow, but not allowed to lift. Not all of the delay was due to the NHS, but most of it was!! Still it's done now and she's on the mend.

Some of you may remember non-dd needed surgery to have her gallbladder removed - well it's finally gone - a week ago yesterday. I can't work out how long it's taken, must be getting on for 18 months!! Still keeping fingers crossed but hopefully avoided pancreatitus. Phew

Thanks hfbrew, thats kind of you, sorry you're not able to be there now

Tickets booked for the Saturday 2 January. Getting excited - any clues on casting?

Tring Museum, Akeman Street, or shops in Aylesbury. Down the side street be Costas there used to be Coasters coffee shop, not sure if still there, there is also an Auction house.

As long as a piece of veg is peelable (SP new word!) then I'm game, don't care what it looks like!!

I was thinking Sat eve as well, especially if OH has to go back to Scotland. I'm going to try and pin them all down tonight!! I'll let you know too!

Which performance are you going to LinMM? Not booked yet, trying to co-ordinate family!! Hope to see you again.

The little man in Sainsbury's car park who stalked me from the moment I drove in. No I don't want you to wash my car, I'm not going to be that long. 15 minutes he said hoping to persuade me- no I'm not going to be even that long (and I wasn't). Does it every time I go in there. If I want you to wash my car I will ask you, leave me alone waaah. Rant over

Saw an article this week on line regarding perfectly edible parsnips being thrown away because they're not the right shape and we the shopper won't buy them!! The phrase about lunatics running the asylum springs to mind

We dressed the house up and had two sets of quite young children knock on the door. Their parents kept thanking us so much and making sure the children thanked us, it was rather nice. The downside is we have sweets left over - oh dear!!

My dd attended 6th form and left the year after Elaine Holland started - so 1 year with her. She didn't board so I can't comment on the boarding facilities but everything else was top notch. None of her boarding friends complained. Elaine Holland is superb and I can't speak highly enough, the teaching is of a very high standard. There is a lovely atmosphere around the school and a very caring environment.