NickP

Well said ErnieY, JMb's attitude sumes up the  mentality of a lot of todays younger British people, I am now retired, and having worked for 52 years I did my share, and may I say earned my money with hard physical work . As you say, lack of "dosh" is not my problem, like you the problem is the frustration of the Gangsters/amatures, (make up your own descriptions), we trusted and were lead to believe were acting in our best interests, people still getting their Bonus payments.

Baypond, You are probably correct in your assessment. But my comments are a result of frustration at a system that would not give me a mortgage unless I took out an endowment, then proceeded to pay me 30% less than they promised, and when I applied for compensation I was told I took out my policy two years too early. My pension was with the same company( who I no longer count as one of my FRIENDS). When I went to cash it in they didn't want to know, and offered such a derisory annuity I was forced to go elsewhere, lucky that I could. Now as a pensioner I live on my pension and my interest from my assets. I have never had hire purchase and paid on the nose for everything. Along comes a system that lends not 100% but 120% mortgages, and when they get into trouble they drop the interest rates so the poor little darlings can cope. Excuse me if I am feeling a little bitter.                                                           As to your defence of the banks, although I understand what you say, they couldn't get their noses in the trough quick enough. Now I am not only getting small returns on my savings, I am subsidising the money grabbers. I would be better of spending what I have and going on the social, unfortunately my generation were brought up differently and taught to look after ourselves. I shudder to think of the state of the country in about thirty years time. As nobody will bother to save and live responsibly who will pay the bills?   Rant over,                                I still think the Euro will fall back against the Pound.

You can bet your life the Euro will come under pressure eventually. Because when the financial gangsters of the stock exchange etc. have finished with the Pound and the Dollar they will start on the Euro. I find it amazing, that the regulating bodies for the financial services  allow them to do things to the economy that if you or I did we would be locked up for. Remember these bandits profit wether the rates go up or down, in fact they manipulate them for their own benifit. NickP

To Boxmaker, We have noticed a farm near us selling "Sarment" Which  I believe are  faggots made  from vines. Would these work in regards to your poplar odour theory. We are having a free standing wood burner fitted next week, and as we are new to wood fires ,we are looking for all the advice we can get. Many thanks NickP