Jennie8

I think you're lucky to get a lesson at the moment cos the kids are still off school and there aren't many 'spots' available, but I'm sure once you've been and they assess your riding, a suitable regular spot will be found for you in an appropriate lesson. It might mean you waiting till the kids go back to school early September to get a regular lesson - but it's like that everywhere at the moment, so hang on in there. Insurance would cover you for working in stables (grooming etc.) and leading horses (in and out of fields) and tacking, cos it's so easy to get a kick from a broody mare when fastening a girth strap! I know most stables are usually quite strict about this nowadays and are very safety conscious cos it's so easy for people to put in insurance claims now, even for minor injuries... but I'm sure if you ask, they will let you help out. Your riding hat needs to be of a certain standard too so check with them first if you have your own. There are some you can hire there (for £1 I think) if your own doesn't meet the specific BS standard. They do hacking through the woods, (slow hacks as well as advanced gallops), jumping, schooling and even lunge work and the girls are generally happy to pass on their knowledge of horses to you if you ask questions. Best thing to do is have a look around on Friday, enjoy your lesson, ask a few questions and tell them you'd like to help out. Make your decision based on the horses and the environment as a whole - but I know you won't be disappointed! Nice girls, great tuition, lovely horses, quality stables... what more could you want?!

I can really recommend Barnes Green - which is now under a different name as my friend has just taken over there. Still the same phone number though. Ask for Zoe (new owner and my friend), Julia or Lisa and they'll give you some great advice as to what classes to come to on what days. Lovely horses, nothing loopy so they are very safe, and you're never made to do anything you don't want to do so they're not pushy. If you have insurance or are a BHS member (which insures you) they will let you get involved with tacking, grooming and other activities too. Give em a call... you won't regret it!

She may need help if it's a large litter cos sometimes cats get too tired to push the last one or two out and they can suffocate. You can help by gently easing them out - but don't pull on them and if she gets stressed you have to stop. (I've watched my auntie do this - she used to breed pedigree cats). Another useful tip is... try to handle the kittens as little as possible in the first few days - if at all. If they lose their mothers scent from their fur and smell like you instead, she'll reject them and can even kill them cos she won't recognise them. Good luck and let us know how the little darlings are when they arrive. ahhhhhh.

Ann-X, I don't... my brother does (although the thought of it does appeal to me). I believe they should be kept wild but I've heard of places where you can adopt a cub that has been orphaned and in those cases I'm afraid I have to disagree... if it means they will survive - give 'em a bit of human TLC !!! Halenvan... I'm afraid, as you are only a name on an e-list I can't give you a cuddle, but thanks for offering anyhow.

Thanks Dawny, I've e-mailed Longleat so I'm waiting on a reply from them. Gonna try Knowlsley Safari Park too but after that I dunno where to go. Anyone else got any ideas or specific contact points or has anyone done this, or something similar before? If so - where?

Does anyone know any contacts I can use to find out how to organise cuddling a real live baby tiger or lion cub?

My friend Sarah is the Yard Manager at Parklands and she runs a tight ship there. The place is pretty high class and still pricey for livery etc. but really good. Sarah's own horses are called Poppy and Lindsey and she also has a little highland as a pet but I've forgotten her name. I've ridden poppy and jumped her cross country - lovely horse. Sarah won some competitions on her recently. If you ever go, say hello to Sarah - she's really nice.

Yes - what a wonderful fashion trend/faux pas that was! Posers eh?! Ya gotta hate em... Why don't people dress smart any more... and why do women insist on dressing like blokes 'cos it's comfy'? Perhaps this should be a new thread !!!

My dad grew up in East Dene/Eastwood area and all we've ever known it as is 'rough' and/or 'dirty' but not quite as bad as 'Dalton' or 'Thrybergh'. There are plenty of nice places in Rotherham though, so don't judge it all the same way. Everywhere has it's rough areas - Sheffield included. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be Alert - The world needs all the Lerts it can get!

I have 2 chinchilla's called 'Bonnie and Clyde' and a cat called 'Shmoo' My previous cat was 'Pabrian Pygmalion' - don't ask! He was a Persian show cat. Nuff said.

I used to love Tab-Clear... and does anyone remeber 'Cabanna' bars? Going back about 16 years now (god I feel old). Cabanna's had coconut and cherries in them - yum

Then again neither is Gareth really...

good for you f_g. Wouldn't it be nice to meet a male virgin? Are there any? I'm beginning to think they are like Santa and the Tooth Fairy - i.e. don't exist. Apart from Gareth Gates that is... who was subsequently 'ruined' by Jordan... speaking of Jordan... nah! she's not worth even mentionning !

Emilychee, my best lamb roast method (for a sizeable leg - cost about £5) 1) Put the leg in a lightly greased/oiled roasting tin and coat the skin with a little oil. 2) Slice a clove of garlic and rub this onto the skin. 3) Grate the zest of a lemon and buy some fresh thyme (can get this anywhere - I get it from morrisons - about 60p) and rub these into the oiled skin. 4) Squeeze a little lemon juice over the top and pop into the oven on 160 C for an hour and 20 mins. 5) Take out and drizzle with 2 tablespoons of clear honey (this gives a lovely crispy coating and makes it taste delicious. 6) Pop back into the oven for 20 mins more Carve up and serve with some mash and steamed veg. Delicious. p.s. if you stir some wholegrain mustard and butter into the mash - even better!!!

Well said Xafier, I'm married now (3 years in June!) and have a loving relationship but had a few long termers before my hubby came along and 'swept me off my feet' - so to speak. My first love was with me for 18 months and HE gave me an STD so I guess none of us are safe - even in long termers. I trusted him completely - needless to say we broke up when I found out (I may have been daft enough to trust him, but certainly wasn't dumb enough to stay with him) - but I felt so betrayed and it took a long, long time for me to trust a fella enough to further a relationship again. p.s. STD was nothing serious - thankfully ----------------------------------------------------------------- My hubby is wonderful.