Why not carpet? I've used it and it worked. Fell apart after a couple of seasons, but that's OK.
You can pick up cheap on ebay or free from freecycle or from skips behind carpet showrooms, often.

Oh No! It's up against David Attenborough's new series on 2 at the same time!
How on earth am I going to decide which to watch and which to record?

A while back I might have thought this a good idea. But having had a full season with our van now, I've realised half the joy of having it is to be able to just up and go when the weather is looking good for a few days. The spontaneity is priceless. Also I now understand why van owners are quite pro...

Lidl and rich do not go together even in a biscuit. Dom So you haven't tried Lidl cheapo choc digestives at around 65p for a big packet then? They are brill! Maybe not quite as much choc as McV, but enough for my taste, and possibly just a touch healthier too. And just for Richard, they always have...

Love it! I don't think it's blokey.... (but then I am I think an unusual lady) Their enjoyment is contagious, isn't it? I love his creativity and ability to make something beautiful out of complete junk - it speaks of real value in a throw-away world. And that he then has parties to share it all. Th...

We noticed on a walk this week in Richmond Park that the sweet chestnut trees are absolutely LOADED! I love chestnuts - I usually roast or grill them but as the foraged ones are quite small they are sometimes better boiled. They are great with sprouts or in a casserole with beef (got this idea from ...

I loved the Waltons too - thanks for posting this Richard, made me
I know it was very naive and simplistic, but Oh! for some simple heartwarming entertainment these days!

No idea about jam maker or freezing crumbles, but you definitely need to add sugar to cooked plums - there is a surprising amount of sharpness that comes from just under the skins.

I catch it when I can, and was also wowed by Ben Laws' house. Some of them are stunning, some I don't warm too but they are always interesting - so lovely to see something that is individual and not bog-standard. I expect (hope?) that the "victims" get something for agreeing to be in the p...

I agree with Richard that as you get older you notice the cold more, and I think it's important to be comfortable as you can't relax properly otherwise. My husband is of the "it isn't October yet" school, so we haven't got the central heating on yet, but we have a gas fire in the lounge I ...

Glad the honey helped, Richard
It works even better with a splash of lemon and a glug of whisky in hot water
Some honeys are definitely tastier - Greek is pricey, but lovely on yoghurt
And for allergies it's supposed to be better to use local honey, I believe

I recently bought a new (to me) cooker off ebay, and while it was pretty clean there were a few areas that needed some attention, as did the tiles and floor behind my old cooker Remembering stuff I'd read on here and elsewhere, I made a stiff paste of bicarb and applied with a damp rag. Worked like ...

Do you have any farmshops or equestrian ones near you? May find some to look at there. Or a chicken breeder?

Some really interesting recipes on there - thanks for sharing.

Aaaw! They are sooo pretty. Must be a real joy to see them arrive.