VictorBroom

My pleasure. Be sure to let us all know how you got on.

Be careful with some herbs as I've had a tricky time with some 'round at my parent's house. Mint - Very evasive! Make sure you plant in a pot. Or, in a pot buried in the garden. It will just go berserk and take over otherwise. Chives - As above but not as bad. Rosemary - Keep it trimmed otherwise you'll quickly get woody stems. If you prune back into them it won't regrow. Sage - As above really. I'm sure Sage plants only last a few years before they need to be replaced. Maybe it's just us? My parents don't really have enough time, energy or inclination to keep on top of the garden as it should be. I try as much as I can to look after it for them. With more care and attention the herbs would probably do better. We tried drying some herbs in the shed once, to use for cooking in the winter for example. Wasn't much of a success but it would would be worth a punt I reckon. Good luck.

Also posted on the Hyperinflation thread... Why Hyperinflation Isn't Coming to the U.S. by Mike Stathis August 2010 He talks more about gold than hyperinflation really:

I think mortgage rates will continue to go up at a slow pace. Like you say, there isn't a correlation any more. When the CB rate goes up it may be too late for 'homeowners' to obtain a decent mortage, if at all. The governments 'special liquidity scheme' ends in January I think. Don't know much about it but it may affect banks funding abilities. Anyone know more about this?

Why did I always skip by this thread I wonder...? Just picking up on the last few posts... I agree to a certain extent about music changing in the mid-late 80's/early 90's. My thoughts drifted towards a number of artists who play 'traditional' (best I could do) instruments, yet you would still class as electronic (again, best I could do). Faithless: From: BT (Brian Transeau): From: IIRC, Brian Transeau is classically trained. His albums really are a good journey. Also, doesn't Moby play loads of instruments? Can't find anything at the moment but Drum n Bass with 'real' drums and 'real' bass is a good listen. Actually, hang on... From: I wouldn't call myself an old git... but... what is all that Dub Step sh1t all about?

I had thought about setting a corner of a field aside for growing veg. - sell it to the local greengrocers and such like. An idea for the farming thread I think... Maybe selling surplus to neighbours and/or friends and family could earn a few extra bob. Might pay for next years seeds, canes, cloches etc.

I guess the thing is though... would you have courgettes every day if you had to buy them from the supermarket? My old man grows them and even freezing them by the tub load, he still has some left over come the next spring. They have a far too high percentage of leeks in their diet through the winter as well. In fact, I think I've still got some runner beans in the freezer from a couple of years back.(!) This is all beside the point. I think you'll easily win should someone take up the challenge.

I guess it would have to be based on 'average' land values, such as these from Knight Frank. Perhaps Knight Frank could e-mail you their Farmland Index on a spreadsheet. They would have some good historic data I am sure. Ag. land can vary by a large margin dependant upon type, quality and location. Have a look here as well. I am going to subscribe to 'Farmland Market'. Will let you know if it is any good. Also see this thread: http://www.greenenergyinvestors.com/index....st&p=170858

Not a chart... but just found this data which looks useful: http://www.selftrade.co.uk/market-data/mon...erest-rates.php You can alter the time frame in which to see a percentage change.

Some information here regarding the Gold Vault at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. http://cryptome.org/eyeball/gold-vault/gold-vault-frbny.htm General design, plans etc.

5% down all over in the US http://stockcharts.com/def/servlet/Favorit...p;cmd=show,iday[Y]&disp=SXA Gold just went up to GBP 817 GBP/YEN low 129, high 142. Currently down 3% What's occuring?

Nice gain in GBP this afternoon then! £805 £806 currently.

On a separate note - someone wants to sell some 1kg Metalor bars on HPC. Not sure of price... http://www.housepricecrash.co.uk/forum/ind...p;#entry2422089

Is it this? http://www.lbma.org.uk/stats/goldfixg VB

In other news... http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/bargains-and-...e_id=5&ct=5 Telegraph link as well. No doubt nothing will become of the OFT's findings. Looks like a few firms have been making some pennies though...

How did you get it to do that?!

I would suggest agricultural supplies as apposed to diy/pet stores. http://www.mcveighparker.com/mcvp_store/in...p;productId=243 - for example. Good luck.

Have you thought about getting one of their wings 'clipped'. http://www.addisonousebank.co.uk/Keeping_Hens.html I have no experience of this but it might be worth looking into. VB

I had some chickens in my Mum and Dad's back garden when I was young. Rural location, I grew up on our farm. How has everybody here got their chicken wire for them to go outside? I used to pin the bottom of the wire into the ground. Perhaps have the wire too long at the bottom and pin six inches or so horizontal with the ground, if you see what I mean. Foxes did get in on one occasion, so I then buried the bottom of the wire in the ground. Seemed to work ok. You do have to keep checking the wire though. Foxes may come back every night/day to have a go. As soon as they can make a small gap it won't be long until it's game over. VB

Yes. Just sneaked my order in before...

I ordered mine on the 30th. I had to e-mail them and ask for a different delivery address as I was back at work the 4th. They mentioned that they would be despatched on Monday 4th, which they did. It was still Thursday before they arrived though. Like you say, it does play on your mind slightly until they arrive. I am sure all will be fine.

Gold Bullion Doorstop Hmmm, might have have to get one... VB

Weighton Coin have an offer on 20 x Britannias 2010 at the moment. £360 inc. VAT. http://www.weightoncoin.co.uk/coins/index....roducts_id=1757 VB

Gold's Surge Unlikely To Slow As China Could Emerge As Massive Gold Reserve Buyer December 1, 2009 11:10 AM EST With government's around the world devaluing their currencies, pumping their economies with liquidity created out of thin air, and with central banks around the world choosing to diversify into gold, do you really need another reason to own the precious metal? Well, comments from senior Chinese official yesterday on gold are adding fuel to the fire and puts another feather in the cap of goldbugs. On Monday, Ji Xiaonan, chairman of the supervisory board for large firms at State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, said the Dubai crisis could give China a buying opportunity to put some forex reserves into gold or oil reserves. A Chinese paper, the China Youth Daily, quoted Ji as saying a task force was set up last year to look at the issue of gold reserves. "We suggested that China's gold reserves should reach 6,000 tons in the next 3-5 years and perhaps 10,000 tons in 8-10 years," the paper quoted Ji as saying. It was last reported that China's gold reserves had risen to 1,054 tons from 600 tons since 2003. So this could mean an increase of up to 10-fold! After taking a breather Friday on dollar strength, due to the Dubai debt concerns, gold is back to all-time highs. Spot gold last traded at $1196.10, up from yesterday's close of $1178.90. Link