Tori - I can't come to this now as I have a family funeral to attend

I fancy this but won't be able to confirm until a week or so before - will that be too late to buy tickets do you think?

Fab time - as ever. Thank you very very much Stu for all the work and time you put into organising this over the year every year.

I am with some things and not with others (I am terminally untidy - pretty damn perfect at that now I come to think about it) However, the bit about the builder made me smile - I have ended up doing almost all my building work myself as, if I am paying for it, I would like it done at least as well as I would and actually better (please) seeing as you are holding yourself out as expert in the field. Seems most builders don't see it that way. My bathroom is a case in point...

I have a tempur mattress. Love it. The family call it 'the cloud'
I got my daughter one of these http://www.ergoflex.co.uk/  it is firmer than my tempur and possibly even more comfortable. 
This page gives a good guide to `the difference to buying a memory foam mattress http://www.ergoflex.co.uk/guide-to-memory-foam 

sadly the boiler scrappage scheme has finished - but the energy saving trust have a grants & discounts search engine - might be worth having a look...?  http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/In-your-home/Heating-and-hot-water/Boiler-Scrappage-Scheme

thanks Jacko

Thanks very much  for all the input. Absolutely take the points re driving in my/ their own car, but as we live in central London and there are 3 of them (4 when my son turns 17 in March) the insurance costs are prohibitive... in fact they are prohibitive for even one of them!
 
Any recommendations for driving instructors near to Hackney/ Islington; Greenwich; Sheffield and Norwich (three are at uni and in halls) will be gratefully received.

what tests do they have to take?  in what order?  how many lessons starting from scratch? would you recommend an intensive course?
ta very much 

I did make it and had a fab time - although rather a fleeting visit. What an amazing place. Flew in on Thursday morning and flew out early Sunday morning. Went to the Waterfront on Thursday and saw this youth band performing http://www.smyle.co.za/ in the ampthitheatre. Visited Boulders Beach and saw the penguins. Climbed up to the lighthouse at the Cape of Good Hope. Saw a baby ostrich and a baby zebra (and big ones too) Lots of sunshine, incredible views, great food and wine and got to see my favourite man before Christmas. All good      Really looking forward to going back when I have more time and exploring further afield.
Although it is startling how much mess 2 teenagers can make in a house over only 5 days. The only plus point was that the dishwasher had been stacked and put on (I know this because it was still warm  )

Worked out most of what you were writing BM - but what is a sloptist 
(ps - eeurgh - this thread reminds me of O Level physics lessons)

Definitely not going to make it this year - will be on a plane flying back from SA when you are sitting down to munch. Have a great time. Maybe next year...