We could also go back to some of the "old" ways...keep your eyes/ears open when outside for anything unusual. If you get "sales people", don't allow them into your house & notify you local law enforcement that they are in the area. Talk to your neighbors, let them know if you will be away for an extended period. Put up signs "Beware of Dog" whether or not you have one. Put up another sign "Trespassers Will Be Shot, Survivors Will Be Shot Again"...your neighbors will get a laugh & would-be theives may pass you by! We live rural & have a deep/high ditch in front of our property. We also have fences along both sides so no entry from a neighbor's property. We have a cable that we padlock across our driveway if we are going to be gone & have a niece who will come out each day at different times to "look things over"....so nothing on a regular schedule. Be alert! Call law enforcement if something doesn't seem right! Call & ask them if they have any info you might use or if they are conducting any classes on deterents...our's do!

Hi scottspond, some how didn't think she would, Florida vs Manchester, no contest really ;-) The area I live in is New Mills, in High Peak in Derbyhsire. If it doesn't ring a bell, it's just past Lyme park, Buxton is about 2 miles away, Stockport 9 miles and Manchester 20 miles (all via road) Handily the railway station is about 5 mins away from my home, so trips to Manchester are pleasent through the countyside and don't require I use the car ;-) And in summer I get to hop on the odd steam trian, every boys dream. My Mancunian mates reckon I've gone "all posh" living here, as I was born and grew up in Fallowfield and went to school in Rusholme. Regards ChrisC.

I visited Sissinghurst yesterday, only the second day it has opened. The weather was magnificent and the orchard was awash with daffodils. I had my new digital camera, so have taken lots of photos. If anyone would like to see some, please drop me an email ( david.joe@virgin.net)

Rosewitch, England was definitely one of my favorite places I have ever visited. My folks took me there when I was 14, and I remember bits and pieces the Crown jewels, walking amongst the Stonehenge stones (roped off now, vandalism), Stratford upon Avon. Time for me to take my own 14YO. Im trying to think how I can get over there for a whole summer, LOL. Dlynn, I could have worked so much more. I didnt really look at night time stuff and there was loads to do. Greece: cant help you, but shoot Yasou a line, she went a few years ago. LOL Annie! Teresa, well go together. I wanted to explore more cooking and food shops/stores but didnt get to. Terri, here is more a link to Pictures of England, a website pointed out to me by Denise. I started it on Bourton on the Water, where we stayed for a few days. Thanks Sharon, I was actually thinking how can I even come close to posting her quality of travel guides, I dont do the pictures she does LOL. We might have sat at the same table in the Cheshire Cheeses dining room! Sawdust still there, but we didnt make it to the cellar. I missed a lot of the British Museum. It has changed.check out the new atrium. I couldnt keep up with DH and DS16. Afternoons, when I planned museums, I crashed. Next time! Pam, lots of people did more than we did per day! Theater every night, more attractions, I cant imagine. Gina heh heh yeah I need another vacation like a hole in my head. Speaking of whichDH has another week off in August. Nooooooooo! Kathleen, DH says he took an average of 200 pictures a day. Yup. Me, I just buy the post cards or Google the images, same thing (DARFC from the photo bugs here) Cathy, thanks for giving me the War and Peace moniker heh heh. Next time I go with CF friends! LindaC, I know. Im still exhausted. Speaking of the V&A, did you know there was a Dale Chihuly chandelier in the entrance room?