Topic: British gardeners urged to urinate on their plants

[Simon]

'Slow' matches? 

[Rik]

A piece of cord impregnated with saltpetre. It burnt slowly but steadily and was used to fire cannons. It's good for lighting fireworks too.

[Simon]

See, it's a generation thing.  I expect fireworks are lighted at the push of a button now.

[Rik]

I used to make them out of sash cord -  much more fun.

[Simon]

 

[Clive]

I used to put all sorts of chemicals in my fireworks to make them more interesting but they did little more than change colour when they burned.  I was trying to make Roman Candles. 

[Rik]

Technically, you needed some slaves to execute...

[Clive]

Just like in Helen Mirren's version of Caligula.   

[Simon]

I take it you know it well?   

[Clive]

Perhaps.   

[Rik]

I can bet why Clive remembers Helen Mirren, but not the actor playing Caligula.

[Simon]

 

[Clive]

John Geilgud and Peter O'Toole played good parts.   

[Rik]

And the lead was... ?

[Clive]

Malcolm McDowell.  He soo fitted the part!