Django Reinhardt and the many gypsy jazz guitarists that emulated and improved on his style. Oh, and don't forget to check out Jimmy Rosenberg.

i really like my shimano am40 shoes. the looks aren't to everyone's taste but they're comfy, stiff enough and stick to pedals well; pay £50-60 for a pair or go for cheaper skate or 'approach' shoes.

Posh curry?[/url]

That's quite a challenge you've set there, most curry venues in Manc aren't great.

I'd be tempted with 1 of these :

Rajdoot on Albert Square- I've never been but hear it's nice and they have an Egon Ronay plaque outside IIRC

Sangam in Rusholme. It's an unlicensed restaurant and they have a sweet centre / takeaway next door. The interior's nice and it has a very asian feel to it, if you know what I mean …asian families & couples and no drunken crowds!

The Punjab in Rusholme (further up from Sangam but on the same side, LHS going away from town) – they have south Indian food, really nice dosas. The interior isn't as nice as Sangaam but the menu is pretty good – the Papri Chat or Bel Puri starters are lovely!

I also seem to remember somewhere called Shimla Pink's down off Deansgate, Salford side. They were deffo trying fine-dining curry style but I thought it was overrated.

Hope that helps.

@julians

if you follow the fire road from the dog and partridge for 10 mins you'll notice them, on yr left

I think when I said umbrella companies are suspect, I meant they don't allow the freedom of opportunity that a Ltd company does; I think you would have declare all your income via PAYE and suck up the higher NI costs.

Agrre with vinnyeh, it sounds exactly like temping, especially the 25 days holidays bit.

I guess if there's potential for long term employment this way you could consider forming your own Ltd company, of which you'd be a director with (ideally) your partner as co secretary, you drawing as small a PAYE as poss to avoid paying too much NI, rest of your income is via the dividend (profit share) route, if necessary paying the co secretary enough to fill up their income right to just below the 40% cut-off point to reduce or nullify your 40% liability, claiming reasonable expenses for travel and office equipment, paying an accountant to sort all the guff out for you (approx £100/month + VAT), register for flat rate VAT if you deem that to be worhwhile et voila!

This only really works if you're earning good money and can see it lasting long enough to justify the set-up and accountancy costs.

Umbrella companies are suspect. Beware.

As others have already said, seek professional advice.

@coffeeking "What? That makes absolutely no sense to me. Care to explain? When I manual off drops I rarely nosedive"

I know, I did say it sounded counter intuitive, but note I said "after you've left the lip of the drop". Next time you come across a drop-off try staying in an off-the-back position see wh'appens.

Or rather please don't, you might hurt yourself and blame me for suggesting it 😐

Sounds like you had your weight too far back after you left the lip of the drop, causing the front wheel to dive; that sounds counter intuitive but is true.

So the technique is –
1. Set your line and speed
2. Unweight the bike and execute and a small, popped manual as your front meets the lip, with your weight central or JUST behind central
3. As you jump you should be stood tall on the pedals with your weight remaining central, your legs straight ready to land
4. As you land your knees and elbows flex to help soak up the compression
4. Ride off. Grinning.

Alternatively, do a skills day.

I'd recommend Monitor Audio BR1 for a small space or BR2 for a bigger space if you're looking for bookshelf sized units with a good sound/pound ratio. I have the BR1s in my kitchen on some cheap wall mounts hooked up to a Denon DAB M37 unit and they fairly sing.

Your Wharfedale Diamond and B+W options are good too.

Thing is, hi-fi choice is totally subjective and it really does benefit you to demo if you can; the difference in sound between 2 pairs of near identically specced speakers can be massive. Most hi-fi dealers will be happy to demo either in their demo room or on the shop floor if the demo room's taken.

Try before you buy!

The number of 30-minutes-from-Manc, summer evening playtime, feature laden trail centres just doubled …winner!

Sounds like fun, count me in.

Iain