Wish our hoovers would last this long!

It must be nice to have a hoover that lasts as long as this one has done. It is good going to last so long. I remember the old metal build ones, we had one when I was a kid, though it is a nuisance to have to keep emptying the bags and buying new belts for them.

We have had no such luck with our vacuum cleaners. We bought an upright, bagged push along a few years ago. It worked brilliantly until one day it started glowing orange after it was switched on. It was still under guarantee at the time, so it went back to the shop and we were given a replacement.

The replacement worked fine until both wheels dropped off, rendering it impossible to push along. This was still under guarantee, so it too went back to the shop. This time we got our money back and decided to try a different brand of vacuum cleaner from another shop.

Our replacement was our first bagless one, and it was brilliant not having to keep changing bags, it saved a bit of money. It was too good to be true of course, and after a few months (while still under guarantee) it stopped working altogether and was taken back to the shop.

Since that happened in 2008 we have had two more cleaners. Why don't they make things to last more than just a few months?

Bring Richard III home!

Yesterday it was confirmed that a skeleton found under a car park in Leicester was that of the English king Richard III.

Richard III had lived in North Yorkshire, at Middleham Castle, and was said to have wanted to be buried at York Minster.

However, it is likely that he will be buried in Leicester Cathedral, much to the disappointment of those who wanted him buried in Yorkshire.

A petition has been set up on the government website calling for him to be buried in York Minster.

I believe that Richard III should be buried in the county he was said to have loved, in the church he was said to want to be buried in.

For those interested in Richard III, there is a Richard III Society.