The shocking price of stamps

STAMP DUTY – back in 2000 a 2^nd class stamp cost 19p, now it's 36p, and it's been deemed acceptable to charge up to 55p, which MPs are worried may come in by the end of the year, so get your Christmas stamps now!

LIFE ON MARS – volunteers are needed for an experiment on Hawaii's Big Island, to live 4 months with volcanic rubble and dried food as they would on the planet. The closing date for applicants, who need to have a science degree is the end of the month. Topical tune (will it be David Bowie?)  It was suggested, but I played Margaret from Stamford's suggestion of Come Fly With Me by Frank Sinatra

STOP YOUR CHILD BEING A FUSSY EATER – vary your diet in pregnancy. The smells and tastes a baby is exposed to during its first few weeks of birth, and even in the womb are those that are most influential on its life

PANCAKES – did you get some yesterday? I enjoyed one with bananas, nuts and toffee sauce at Barnsdale Lodge Hotel. There were pancake races across the country, from the Houses of Parliament, the choristers at Ely Cathedral, one in Leeds where children were having to wear hi-viz jackets, and of course the 29^th in Caldecott, Rutland. Also research for QVC says 40% of adults don't know the basic ingredients of batter/pancake mix, 59% have dropped a pancake on the floor, and 1 in 8 has accidentally hit someone! Well done to the Melbourne chef who smashed his own record for a tower of pancakes, from 61cm up to 76cm, that's 60 stacked pancakes!

SCARECROWS – saw a very individual one between Cottesmore and Exton yesterday at a farm near the kennels. It seemed like a mannequin standing on a car. Does it work?!

BRITS – we heard from Ed from Deeping who took his girlfriend to the show courtesy of Rutland Radio & Mastercard, shame Adele will be forever known for being cut off on her speech and being annoyed about it!

MILD – today highs of 12, tomorrow highs of 17 degrees!

Rob