Faculty of Pogonology at the University of Milton North

[DumSpiroSpero]

Time for a new specialism, methinks!

Miss Spiro is fine thanks, probably just a bit excited that it's holiday time and we've got our girly day today. Pancakes for brekkie, story writing (hers), library, cooking, Lego & mani-pedis for me today!

Also had an idea for a John Porter thread, how about the Hermann Rorschach Institute at the UMM?

I am no doubt going to be off comms for much of the day, but for those of you who haven't ahem, had the pleasure of John Porter yet...

Don't watch the bit inbetween if you're squeamish or thinking of getting the DVD!

Otherwise, enjoy!

PS - Massive - I cannot be held responsible for severe relapses of SMFV as a result of watching the above!

Spiro, YT seems determined to save me from myself as it is loading with the speed of a flowing glacier. It gets like that at peak times. So I am forced to wait for the Pleasure of Porter, but as the family were out I did indulge myself a little bit in the Gorgeousness of Guy. Only two episodes left now and then I will have seen the whole lot.

MissTwiglets is certainly following in mum's footsteps.

It is a long clip - by the looks of it you can actually watch the whole thing in 15 minute chunks of YouTube if you've got the patience.

Anyway, must be off now as DD is calling (again) - wish me luck!

Hopefully might manage to pop in at lunchtime, otherwise will be back this evening with Polish Cordial in hand no doubt!

Thats a great idea for the next home Spiro , I may have to get SB back from my friend (swapped it in return for N&S back!) for a refresher course. Once I've finished my work of course.

I was thinking of it the other day and completely forget when I started the thread last night, still pogonology is at least topical.

Right off to print out a list of my library books then off we go...

I have just had a devious idea - would it be really bad to keep nudging the clocks forward when DD is not looking so I can get her in bed by 8 instead of 9 ?

How old is she? My boys go up at 7pm and are definately on their own before 8pm.

Have promised her a girly evening, but get so little time to myself at the mo and we're spending whole day together 1-2-1, so have said 9pm cut off. She's normally up between 7 and half past, and I will get an hour off as she has Rainbows between 6-7pm.

Think I will go for half 8 so she's settled/asleep by 9 instead of going up then.

I love her to bits and we will have fun but she is not a child who occupies herself very well, or stops talking, or has a very long attention span...!

Right, really must get off PC and get bum into gear!

TwigBoy goes up at about 6.30-7pm and MissTwiglets goes up anywhere between 7 and 8.30 but she's rarely asleep before 9 these days. I hope your girly day is fun - and goes quickly for you :)

I haven't forgotten my yummy screencaps for you - just hope they are actually there as I haven't checked! Was a bit that made me go all , despite poor understand DrTwiglets being there.

Twigs, any info on Disney for me??

I will be looking forward to the yummy screencaps later Twigs!

BTW am just about to leave for Post Office with LOTN and thought I'd better check them before sticking them in the envelope and they haven't bloody recorded, so will have to try again.

Will get there eventually.

Twiggy - Yes, that was the one. Do we know where it's from?

Small - My best Disneyland tip is to take lots of small cartons of juice, bottles of water and little snacks with you, as such things are (a) ruinously expensive (b) not always available (esp any snack that isn't a crisp) and (c) involve yet more standing in queues, of which you'll be doing enough.

That coming soon too, Small. Am just trying to put up some more pics then will do a catch-up post.

Spiro, please don't worry about LOTN! I really don't want to put you to any trouble - I'm sure I could get DrTwiglets to, ahem, find me a copy.

So, a few things I've been meaning to catch up on. Firstly, the screencaps. We were watching Spooks 8.6 a few nights ago and I was dumbstruck by how beautiful Lucas was in one particular scene. Sadly, the screencaps don't seem to do it justice though, so I hope I haven't got you excited for nothing :) The light was brighter on the DVD than in the gallery and it made the eyes even bluer than usual. But just look at all the pretty... (there are about 10 images from this scene but these are some highlights)

Puppy dog face plus twiglets!

Have you ever seen anything bluer?

wobbly lip that I want to bite

We also had Lucas pretending to be a Russian oligarch in this episode and gosh, that was interesting :o His accent seemed a bit dodgy but, oh my gosh, the whole image worked a treat :) Struggled to watch that one with DrTwiglets!

Secondly, Sylvester. Now that DrTwiglets bought me a legit CD, I have a spare set of CDs if anybody would like them? Annoyingly, each CD is one track though, so if you don't listen to it one go then you have to fast forward through an hour or so to get to where you were, which is irritating. Spiro, I'll offer them to you first as you kindly offered to do LOTN for me (though, again, please don't worry about doing them all again, too much of a nuisance for you), but you may have heard Sylvester anyway?

Lastly, have put some more pics up on profile, as have worked out how to do it properly now :)

Disney stuff following next, Small!

Sorry this has taken me so long, Small. Please accept a token of my apologies :) Anyway, deals. Basically there are only the official deals that Disney offer - you can't get it cheaper elsewhere. Details of current offers are on their website. Never pay full price because if you wait a few weeks, there is always one offer or another which comes out. Either free child places, 30% off, early booking discounts or free nights - I think the latter is the best deal and his is what we did for our forthcoming trip (4 nights for price of 3). I'd say you need at least 2 nights but 3 is better.

I would personally always stay onsite (ie. a Disney hotel as opposed to the nearby hotels) because of the ease of getting to the park. All Disney hotels are easy walking distance to the park, apart from Davy Crockett ranch. Hotel Cheyenne is generally thought to be the best choice if on a budget - it's a lovely-themed hotel (great for the SmallBoys if they're into cowboy stuff!) and is their 2nd cheapest hotel (the cheapest hotel, Santa Fe isn't that great and it's often only £40 cheaper than the Cheyenne). There's no getting over it, is IS all very expensive - we are paying £700 for 4 nights/5 days with the 1 free night and free kids places - this includes park tickets & Eurostar. The food is what really bumps up the cost though - a burger & chips can cost £15! And you don't want to know the price of

Next thing I'd say is don't go in the school holidays (also check out French school holidays) or in height of summer or at weekends, if you can help it - it can mean the difference between queuing for 5 minutes or an hour on rides. The prices are also considerably cheaper then as well. May is a lovely time to go and I'd probably choose that time over all. Late September is nice too.

Are you in travelling distance of London or Kent? If so, then the Eurostar is by far the quickest and easiest option - the station is literally outside the park gates. Driving or flying may be a little cheaper at certain times but it's not nearly as convenient or as quick, if you live near the tunnel or London (we're about 1.5 hours drive away from Ashford).

Depending on how long you stay, or if you're planning to go back again, you would be wise to consider becoming a Shareholder for the discounts you get. It costs about £100 but you get money off at the (stupidly expensive) restaurants. I bought some shares and I think DrTwiglets worked out that we would certainly break even on this trip and may save a few pounds but we will save loads on any future trips. I can give you info about this later if need be.

That's all I can think of for now but ask me anything you want as I am bit of a Disneyland Paris expert, if I say so myself :)

I just a look at their current offer and it's about £750 for hotels & park ticketsonly, in May :( And you have to add transport to that. The current offer is 20% off everything and kids go free. Offer details here

Oh, if you do go via Eurostar then it's better to book the whole package direct with Disney, rather than to book hotel with Disney and then Eurostar with Eurostar.

I'll have to look at those screencaps later, Twigs.

If you are interested Lords of the North is no 4 in the Audiogo CD Chart this week, apparently last week it was no 10.

No idea why it has surfaced at this time though...

Just a quick post to thank Twiggy for the lovely screencaps which were well worth wating for. Besotted with Guy though I may be, I could be equally enamoured of Lucas if I dare let myself be, because he is so utterly yummy and scrummy. My pore weak heart just couldn't take the strain of thudding so much at two of them, that's all.
(and yes, Mr Thorton is equally thudworthy, trouble there as well)

How great that you have your proper copy of Sylvester That is another one for my list.

I am feeling a bit yeuch today, everyone, so please forgive me if I disappear without warning sometime.

Sorry you are feeling poorly, Massive - feel better soon.

Sending medical help to the island...

Oh and I'd be happy to send the Sylvester discs to you in a plain envelope if Spiro doesn't want them - but that would mean you having to divulge your location, of course!

Have just PM'd you Twigs! Thanks for the offer - I have got Sylvester so he's still up for grabs!

Thanks for the doctor, Twigs. I think he could cure a broken leg! He made me feel better just looking at his lovely face.

Thanks too for the offer of Sylvester but I think I shall go for the Amazon one anyway. I don't want to cause you the trouble. Plus I really need the tracked version for ease of operation.

Very kind of you (and Spiro) anyway