Rob.L

First modems I had anything to do with ran at 300bit/sec, all the way up to a massive 2400bit/sec, which came in a box bigger than a suitcase. This was in the 1970s, though, and customers were exclusively businesses. Even the fledgling ATM networks run by banks like Nat West only used 600bit/sec modems - but on dedicated circuits rather than dial-up. My first personal use, though, wasn't until the early 90s, when the company gave me a laptop with built-in modem and I subscribed to Compuserve. Still got that laptop in the loft - a 486DX running Windows 3.1, with 64k RAM and 6.4 meg hard disk

My dad had an RRA. Given to him by Raleigh for some promo photos he took back in the 50s. When I was 14, he and I took it to North Wales where I rode it over the Bwlch y Groes pass. He was in his car following me and couldn't keep up on the descents. As far as I know, my brother still has it, as well as another Nottingham cycle dad owned, a 1930s Paragon.

Well, my first name is Rob and my surname begins with L, so not that difficult. As for LizzieM's first name, it must be worth something to buy my silence.

Blimey, that takes me back to Westdale junior school, when we spent a relative fortune on those Civil War cards to try to get the ones with the most blood and guts on show.

Well said, Mick. Trouble is that they're sometimes damned if they do take action, and damned if they don't. The poor bloody infantry can't win either way. And I'd guess that for every case like this, or Peter Connolly, there are dozens more where they have managed to remove at-risk children to safety. But those don't get reported.

Our daughter's just been to Iceland, too. 4 days for £1200 including a trip to see Eyjafjallajökull.

Or sitting on the kerb writing down car registrations as they went past. And sniggering, like kids do, when BRA 36B went past (it was an E-Type, if memory serves me right).

Carnival, That jogs my memories of being sent by my mum to the bakers (Windales) on Westdale Lane to buy a still warm Hovis loaf, a pat of butter, and a quarter-pound of freshly carved ham off the bone for tea. Why is it that food always tasted better then than it does now?

But now open again. Rumour has it that the previous landlord did a runner with the takings, which is why it was shut. In other news, Weatherspoons have just opened their 888th drinking establishment.

Is there a link to that article, Michael?

If you're ever visiting Boyes, have a look on top of the raised plinth next to the entrance. It's made up of Victorian gravestones, laid flat, as that's where the cemetery used to be.

How are you with giant Labradors, Mick? And two cats?

And when GEC changed the name to GPT, it became a source of great hilarity to the French as it was pronounced the same as J'ai pété (I've farted).

Behind every great man......

Don't ask to see his little stick of rock, though.

Last night's lightning over Arnold was indeed spectacular. Not so welcome was the return visit at 5am this morning. Had to get up to make sure the dog was OK. Still, at least the lawn is recovering and our water butt is full - as are a couple of watering cans and a couple of large buckets. The joys of being on a water meter, eh?

Never mind, Trevor. Rumour has it that Casey Stoner is testing next year's Honda. Perhaps the V8's aren't that much fun, after all.

Great, it's been born. Can we put Nicholas Witchell back in his box now?

Last time I heard that expression was when Mike Harding performed his stand-up at the Royal Concert Hall (or it might have been the Theatre Royal, I forget).

With my job, I get to visit lots of towns and cites around the UK. Believe me, Nottingham is a damn sight better than a lot of other places, such as Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Glasgow, Plymouth, Newcastle, Coventry, and especially Liverpool and Manchester.

You spend too much time shopping! Here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Jessop

I think you might mean east? When my dad worked at Mapperley Hospital, he reckoned the next highest place going east was the Ural Mountains. But on a clear day, he could easily see Lincoln Cathedral and Belvoir Castle for his office window.

I don't mind some rum, but I'll leave the debauchery, sodomy and lash to those who enjoy that sort of thing - mostly politicians, pop stars and the like.

Had to look to see if I was in any of those pictures. In 1973/4, I was working for a plant hire firm on Lowater Street on Carlton Hill, and we were involved in demolishing Kirkewhite Street. Made a nice bit of beer money from the copper and lead we recovered.

Although you can't access Station Street from London Road, you can go via Canal Street then Trent Street onto Station Street - at least until the council block that off, too.