Royal Oak

My copy of The Brothers Karamazov is still bookmarked from the time I gave up on it in 1997.

Recently been on holiday, where I read: Kurt Vonnegut - Bluebeard (my favourite Vonnegut) James Ellroy - White Jazz Donald Goines - Dopefiend Donald Goines - Inner City Hoodlum (very disappointing)

But which performance is best?

Banks announced plans to phase out the cheque here about 18 months ago. A people's revolt got the decision overturned.

I agree. It's surely an affectation, in the US / Europe at least (MG's post about sales being huge in Africa is duly noted).

My 2006 Transit van has a cassette player in it, which I find odd, as cassettes seem to have been hopelessly outdated for decades. I don't use cassettes at all now, but I've certainly had plenty of them in my car over the years, recorded from (other people's) records or CDs.

All my stereo gear is old (turntable is 40, amp is 30, CD player nearly 25). I have a King Cleveland alto saxophone which I think dates from the mid-50s, and my dad's old Fender Jazzmaster guitar. I think that's over 50, though the neck is younger - replaced in 1977.

I wasn't having a pop. While I'd like to think I could distinguish between say New York and Mississippi, I couldn't tell differences in other US accents, as you suggest.

My wife is from Leigh, Lancashire. Years before I met her, she worked as an au pair in Florida. She became friends with another English woman, from Brighton. My wife said that every local they met couldn't tell the difference in their accents.

Just my thoughts. I agree.

# Maybe aggressive is a bit strong - indignant maybe?

Centaurea montana AKA Knapweed AKA perennial cornflower.

Enos versus Morrisseys mooted for future "All Star Family Fortunes" this Autumn

Mr and Mrs John Lydon on next week's show.

The loss of most of one's dignity, marriage and a 9 month stint in a psychiatric ward, all to play somebody else's 200 year old music? Hope it was worth it. Actually, add to the rewards a new-found legion of Guardian-reading fans.

"Look everyone, I'm hanging with Riccardo"

The Uranium joke made me laugh out loud.

Does this count? I get the feeling they are in some kind of telescope tower observing alien visitors....

I agree - it's so terribly upper middle class (or whatever the new classification is - elite?)

I find all celebrity / TV gardeners to be insufferable. The exception, bizarrely, is Titchmarsh, given that he's essentially a parody of himself.

Didn't know that. If you didn't have a job you could watch it every morning on Channel 4.

"Now listen kid, vinyl doesn't sound better than CD....."

Been watching Alan Bleasdale's "GBH". I remember enjoying this when it was first broadcast in 1991, but I've been surprised at how much I didn't get first time round, mainly that Michael Murray's character was at least as much sinned-against than sinning. I seem to recall viewing him as a cartoon villain to Michael Palin's hero. Now I feel much more for him, while Palin irritates me somewhat. I was also surprised at the general fecklessness of the husband / father figures in the show (Murray, Murray's brother, Jim Nelson and the Michael Angelis character) Amazing what 22 years and fatherhood will do to you.

Relax girls, they're married....

I had a look in my "Keeper of the Flame - Modern Jazz in Manchester 1946-1972" book - there is a photo of Sonny at Club 43 on April 29th 1967 but no other info available. I imagine if anyone knows the answer it would be the author Bill Birch, especially with the info you already have. I can't find an email address on the net, but I recall his son registered on the board when the book came out - think his username is Julian Birch. Edit to add - it's JulianBirch, but he only ever made the one post. May be of some help?