We are ex-pat Northern folk living in London. It was by sheer chance that we watched the second episode as we are Sunderland folk and Hebburn is just a bit too near Newcastle for our liking. Anyway, there we were, sitting around the TV with our daughter (northern lass) and our son-in-law (Londoner) and on came Hebburn. We sat in stoney faced silence while our son-in -law from London dissolved into stiches, crying with laughter. When we asked him what he was laughing at, through his tears he said "Its like watching you lot on TV. Granny is unaccanily accurate!" he said pointing to my wife's evil mother. "The mum is just like you" he said pointing at my wife sitting with a bun and an apple corer! "And they talk just like you do too!" After we beat the life out of him (we are not Geordies...we are from Sunderland)we sat and watched more of it and yes, it is hilarious unless you actually come from the North East and then it is a very interesting docu-soap which is a true reflection of life in teh North. Nothing funny about that is there...?

Sharon Miller has to be one of the best authors about the art of true Shetland knitting. I was taught to knit 'true Shetland Lace' by my great grandmother when I was about 5 years old. She knitted me a beautiful shetland shawl when I was born back in 1960 which my mother then washed on a boil wash and it was gone forever! Grandma started me off on thicker yarn and I was able to do some of the very basic lace such as Old Shell (now written as Old Shale- which is the phoenetic dialect version of 'shell') Sadly when my grandmother died, her patterns which she carried around in her head, died with her and were gone forever until I discovered Sharon's patterns. I have read and knitted patterns from all of her other books which are just fabulous and this one about Hap shawls is not a disappointment either. Not only is it a great read which gives you the proper history of Shetland hap shawls but it gives you the 'know how' to knit one of these shawls yourself. It doesn't matter if you are a beginner or an expert, Sharon's instructions are so easy to follow. For those of you new to knitting, try thicker yarns such as double knitting, 4 ply or even aran/chunky for some great effects. Once you get used to knitting these shawls in thicker yarn, you can go for the 2ply or for those who are very adventurous, try the 1ply cobweb weight (not for the faint hearted!)I am absolutely delighted that Sharon is keeping the art of knitting these amazing shawls alive.

This is a beautiful book for the experienced lace knitter or for those who just want tolook at some beautiful pictures. All of these patterns take dedication and patience but worth it for those who enjoy a challenge. If you want to know where to get the 'cobweb' yarn for these amazing shawls, look no further than Jamieson and Smith of Shetland. They have a website and ship all over the world. Their yarn is made from the sheep of Shetland and is amazing to work with.

Bought this tent for a long weekend break with the grandkids. Thought it would be roomy enough for 2 older adults and 2 kids (8yr and 10yr)and it was. The plus feature was the canopy which, if you add a wind break, gives you a brilliant cooking and eating area. Bedrooms are compact but adequate. The big downside of this tent which I think is a design fault and bloomin dangerous is the fact that you have to step in and out of the tent and reminding yourself that you have to do this. Both kids fell and ended up with scuffed knees trying to get in and out of the tent to fetch various things they wanted - colouring books, board games etc. How my wife and I managed without a fractured hip beats me but we must be steadier on our feet than we thought. Not one I could recommend unless they change the design.

Bought these as something a little different. The 'magic tricks' are small and plasticky but they worked and were great fun. Even the jokes were quite good. Definitely would buy again. Entertainment value 10/10

Bought this for Christmas Day table. Left it in the package to keep it clean. opened it Christmas Day and my spirits dropped. As soon as I saw the label MADE IN CHINA. It is a very, very poor quality tablecloth. It is synthetic material which is extremely thin which means it doesn't drape properly. It may or may not stand being washed but all i all, if you are looking for a special tablecloth, then this is not it.,

Bought this for my mother (aged 74) who wanted something to keep her out of mischief. It did. She enjoyed doing it. It is quite a complicated piece so very much aaimed at older kids and adults.

I bought this just by chance as a stocking filler for my husband. Didn't think anything more about it until he actually wore it. The smell is absolutely amazing! It is so hard to describe. First of all it is citrussy without being overpoweringly so, then you get a waft of a similarity to the old fashioned but wonderful 4711 cologne, then you get something which hints at spice. It is utterly capitvating and absolutely gorgeous smell. Every time he wears it, my husband gets lots of women (and some guys) asking him what 'aftershave' he is wearing. You have just got to have this! 10/10 for fragrance, 10/10 packaging, 10/10 for price. Best product on the market.

Bought this over 25 years ago for my son and daughter then age 2 and 5. They ripped open all their presents on Christmas day and then opened this. Daddy had to put it together. It kept them entertained all day Christmas Day, Boxing Day.......New Year....Birthdays.....next Christmas....until eventually the poor thing wore out. It is the best Christmas Present we ever bought for the kids and here we are 25 years later and THEY ARE STILL talking about it! What more can I say?

I lived in Germany in the 1960s and these ornaments were so cheap! Brought many of them back to the UK and they have become treasured heirlooms. The technique hasn't changed since Victorian times and if you want a truly traditional and very beautiful look for your tree this year, look no further than these. Handle with care because they are fragile but they do become collector's items. Worth the money and if you can get over to Germany you will save £££££s