Autumn

I thought the exact same. Well done her for meeting all the requirements of the challenge (different flavourings, an extra layer than everyone else etc.) but I really didn't think much of the overall look of it. It was a complete mess. I completely agree with you. It just won't be the same without them.

I haven't seen it so far this year (not sure if I'm going to play catch up or not yet) but I can't believe someone has already been given an 8, and by Craig as well. I really hate it when the judging/scoring is all over the place, not to mention the favouritism which has been an issue in previous years. By the sounds of it this year is going the same way. Not good, not good at all.

I've found in the past that whenever I've gone online during one of my 'unplug' days even if it's just briefly to check emails it's just too easy to get distracted by something else. I'm better just staying away completely; it works best for me. Since I joined BCF I've had to add this forum to my list of distractions.

Forgive me for not knowing the full facts of what your current situation is (and I'm obviously not a doctor), but surely it is your decision as to whether you want to try HRT even just on a trial basis. Yes, he should be giving you advice and informing you of the risks and side effects but surely at the end of the day it should be your decision... it's your body and your situation and everyone is different. Starting HRT is a very personal thing if you ask me. I'm not a doctor or nurse, but I work in a GP surgery and although I'm a fair few years away from going through the menopause myself a lot of my colleagues have either gone through it or are currently going through it at the moment and one of them got offered HRT a few months back to try to combat hot sweats which were keeping her up at night and she thought about it, did her own research and discussed it with a couple of the GPs we work with and one of them (a female) said she would totally go for it because she felt the benefits far outweighed the risks. Plus there's no guarantee that HRT will help as it doesn't suit everyone. In the end my colleague did start HRT but only stayed on them for a short while due to the fact that her symptoms got worse and she declined to try an alternative. At the end of the day although I'm sure male GPs are well informed on the drug side of it, they can't possibly understand what a woman actually goes through during the menopause. Yes, they can hear about it from their patients and read about it in medical journals etc. but they don't actually go through it themselves so they can't really have any true insight into it. That's my opinion anyway. Men have it easy!!!

I personally love Mel and Sue, but I do think they are the kind of presenters who you either love or hate. I can't really think of anyone who would be suitable as replacements, either as a presenter or a judge, but regardless of who they get not everyone will be happy and it will be a risk. Look at what happened with Top Gear after they replaced Jeremy, Richard and James; they kept to the same format and it was a bit of a disaster. Maybe it would be better if they did change the format slightly so that they can keep comparisons to how it used to be to how it is now to a minimum. Whoever takes over will be in for a lot of criticism and has a hard job to fill. Loved last night's show by the way. Some of those showstopper cakes were amazing.

Tell me about it. I have over 700 books on my Kindle and I've probably not even read a hundred of them. The majority were either free or super cheap. My problem is I will always pick a physical book to read over electronic ones so it's taking me a long time to get through them all.

Never heard of First Defence before but I'm totally going to pick one up. I take it it's available over the counter from pharmacies? Just realised that you live near Milton Keynes. I used to live in Bletchley; moved away when I was about 8 though, so quite a few years ago now.

Captain James.

The internet can be a really big distraction for me too so every now and again I 'unplug' for the day - no computer and no tablet at all for the entire day. I don't use my mobile/cellphone for anything other than calls and texts so I'm maybe not as addicted as some people are but it's amazing how much more you get done when you are not distracted by the internet. I also don't do social media either which probably helps too. I do have to make the effort though (which can be difficult) but it's actually rather enjoyable to have a non internet day. Yesterday was actually one for me (I didn't go back to work until today due to a local public holiday here yesterday) and I managed to get through a whole book and made a good start on another one which, due to my recent reading slump, was pretty darn good. I think I'm going to have to 'unplug' when I participate in BCFs monthly read-a-thon's too because otherwise I'll not get any reading done at all.

Hi Maria. Welcome to the board. I have just gotten into the world of adult colouring myself and I love it. I was on annual leave last week and had treated myself to the four Joanna Basford books, along with some rather expensive colouring pencils but it was totally worth it. I spent the week alternating between colouring and reading and I had one of the most relaxing weeks ever.

What do you think of this new series? Wasn't too sure myself after the first episode as it just didn't seem to have the same feel about it as the first series did, but it has grown on me. It's totally worth watching for Ben Aldridge though!!

My mum hit a cat years ago and she was completely devastated for a long time afterwards. My brother on the other hand works nights and a year or so ago he was on his way into work and it was just beginning to get dark when he hit a deer. He said he clipped it and that he saw it run off into the bushes, but to be honest with you I think he was more worried about his car. I personally don't drive but if I did and something like that happened to me I think it would break my heart. Sorry to hear a few of you haven't been feeling too well recently, I seemed to do nothing but sneeze last week but so far (touch wood) nothing has come of it. Going to get my flu jag tomorrow at work though just to be on the safe side.

No, not yet as I didn't find the time. I will do at some point but probably not until later in the year. I'm too engrossed in the new series now so don't really see the point.

This is exactly the reason I have never read this book. I was given a copy of this, along with a few other classics, when I was a teenager and although I pick it up every now and again I have never gotten round to actually reading it. In many ways I really do want to, after all Wuthering Heights seems to be a lot of peoples favourite novel (and I've heard people say they re-read it on a regular basis), but I think a part of me is worried that it won't live up to expectations and that I'll hate it. But then again I also have the feeling that if I don't read it I'm missing out on what could potentially be a really great and absorbing read. I do also tend to avoid classics because I think I'd struggle with the different style of writing that they used back then. I have to admit though reading the reviews in this thread (for the most part) have really inspired me to dig out my copy and maybe give it a go.

I just visited Pottermore for the first time in forever and it has all changed. It looks like I have to reregister which is fine, but can someone tell me if the site is still the same - i.e. can you still go through all the books, chapter by chapter, finding items etc?

I really enjoyed last nights episode. I do love a bakewell tart! I see that Paul has now released a statement saying he has signed a 3 year deal to stay with the show. Interesting that he's decided to stay, whilst the other three have left. I'm assuming he's been offered a hell of a lot of money to remain with it, but good for the other three for leaving. Although I'm assuming the actual format of the show won't change much, seeing as the production company etc. will be the same I just cannot see it being that much of a success without Mary, Mel and Sue and I don't think I will be watching. I only watch it on a semi-regular basis at the moment anyway so it won't affect me that much but I do think it's a shame all the same.

I didn't watch it last week because I wasn't really interested in the theme of batter... although I do love me a Yorkshire pudding! Not sure what the theme is this week, but I have no plans for this evening so will probably take a look.

The film version of Matilda is very good also. Mara Wilson is great as Matilda. Haven't read any Roald Dahl for a while, although I did buy a boxset of his books a while back, to replace my original copies which I can't find. Might need to dig them out and have a re-read.

Congratulations on finishing your challenge. I love Roald Dahl's books but I have to agree with you about Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator which I found to be pretty pointless to be honest. It had no bearing whatsoever on the first Charlie book. My favourite will always be Matilda, followed by the BFG who I have a bit of soft spot for (mainly because the original animated film with David Jason as the BFG is fabulous and whenever I read the book I picture the film).

We get a sparrowhawk in our garden on a fairly regular basis. It's a beautiful bird, but I hate it eating the other birds. I know it's nature but I really don't want to see it happening in my own backyard.

I don't watch it religiously myself but catch the odd episode here and there if I'm flicking through the channels etc. but what I have seen I've really enjoyed. I'm really not sure what it's going to be like now it's moving to Channel 4; seems a bit of a weird channel for it to be going to, to be honest. Not sure that it 'fits in' but there we go. I'm assuming Channel 4 are hoping to get the following/viewing figures it gets on the BBC although I very much doubt that that's going to happen. Seems like the makers of the show are just after more money if you ask me! I see the latest news is that Mel and Sue will not be going with it, so that doesn't bode well.

I've been searching on Instagram for inspiration and there are some seriously talented colouring artists on there who seem to work wonders with shading and what not. I somehow doubt mine are going to be anywhere near as good as them, but I'm looking forward to trying. I don't think I'm going to try markers though, I'd be worried they would leak through to the other side.

Breaking news just now is that the BBC has lost the right to broadcast the Great British Bake Off meaning this current series will be the last one on the BBC.

I'm so glad I found this thread. Are any of you still using your colouring books? I've had my eye on the colouring books from Johanna Basford for absolute ages but have always resisted buying them, but after my reading slump (which I'm thankfully coming out of now) and the fact that work drives me crazy sometimes I've decided to give the whole 'colouring as a way to relax' thing a go. I've ordered all four of the ones she has out from Amazon (and pre-ordered the Christmas one) - what can I say they all look amazing and I couldn't pick just one so figured I'd get them all. I'm planning on using my week off next week to completely relax, alternating between reading, colouring and binge watching all my old favourite shows. Sounds like bliss to me. Anyone feel like sharing some pictures of their artwork?

Is it just me or do weekends just fly by? Luckily I finish up on Friday for a weeks annual leave and all I can is, roll on Friday. It cannot come quick enough for me. The last couple of weeks have been really hectic work wise with a member of staff resigning (or more like walking out as she didn't work her notice, although if I'm honest it's no great loss) and with other members of staff being on annual leave we've been down to the bare minimum meaning my workload has piled up. This week I'm going to have to try and play catch up so that I'm relatively up-to-date so that I'm not coming back to too much on my return (my work doesn't get done if I'm not there). On the plus side the mood is a lot more relaxed now and people seem happier (even if they are a little overworked) so it's not all bad. Sometimes you don't realise how much one person can affect the mood of others until they're gone. The whole atmosphere has changed, for the better, and it's actually a really nice and happy place to work now. Still, I'm really looking forward to my week off and I am planning on spending the majority of it curled up with a good book or hopefully multiple books. I'm going to have myself a week long read-a-thon! Hope everyone has had a good weekend.