HLSvictory

Love it! I actually live in the countryside - but Manchester is my nearest city and can often be found in Matt and Phreds!! Something I only learned recently - I love the fact that America gave the people of Manchester, a statue of President Lincoln to say thank you in our part in helping the abolition of slavery (by boycotting the cotton picked by slaves in our millls and by doing this plunged some families into poverty as they went without wages etc) which had a significant part (so I believe) in ending it!! Thus, the statue of Lincoln is housed in Lincoln Square. Lovely. edit - apologies if this was in the article - couldn't open it properly!

People are horrified when 'our' soldiers are killed (either home or abroad), but isn't that what this whole sorry business is about (i.e, we started this 'war' on terror, so we have to put up with the consequences)? Some people tend to forget about the thousands of people (many innocents) getting killed by our hands. Truly ridiculous attitude. My brother wants to join the army next year - I will do my very best to persuade him not to. (EDIT) - Just to add that Lee Rigby's killing was horrendous (any normal-thinking human would think that), but we mustn't forget what we are inflicting on others either.

I had £5000 for my first, and about £100 for my second WHV. I believe they randomly check - I took a chance

Sorry - just found a couple more!! This dropped from the sky in Queensland! Couldn't believe it! I think it's a rhinoceros beetle. Came across this little dude at a hostel. We fed it peaches.

What a nice thread Stacey! That's me and Jack!! Volunteered in Adelaide at AHWL- was a rescue - lived wild, but didn't think he could fly. Used to laugh at me. But, I used to share my banana with him every morning! Not sure what this fella was (I'll know it if I hear it!). We called him ET! This was in Brisbane - scared me to death! Was just looking in the water- and saw him suddenly!! haha Don't like spiders - but I liked the orb-weavers (didn't find them running about) - give you a fright if you went walking about though - had to watch you didn't walk into one - which I nearly did with this one!!

No worries Pablo! It will always keep drawing me back - there's just something about it! And there is only one other place which ties with the feeling I get in Liverpool - and that is Dublin - just really friendly folk - not bothered about where you're from - will give their time talking to anybody. Crikey, I should work for Liverpool tourism!

I think the 'bad' reputation Liverpool has is decreasing. It's an amazing city! I go sometimes - lots of museums and galleries - lots of nice pubs - and the people are friendly! And last year, they put on an amazing show which was televised (well, in the NW at least) to mark the 100th anniversary of the Titanic - have a look at this link http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-17777090. Looked amazing - wish I was there for that. But, yes, an interesting city, with its links to music (Beatles) and maritime history, I'd recommend a visit.