On a positive note....

[retropants]

I have picked 10 cucumbers so far this week!

[Redfox]

my cucumgers aren't ready yet but they're looking good

[oldherbaceous]

I've picked eleven......

I haven't really, Retropants, so well done.

[Geoff]

Reminds me of "I'm sorry I'll read that again".

The crew breakfasted on radish and cucumber and set sail with a fair wind

[retropants]

!

I have given a few away, and I have juiced some for my cucumber handmade soap. I freeze it, so that when I need to make a new batch, it is ready to go

[Motherwoman]

Thought for a minute that was handmade soup... cucumber soap?

MW

[retropants]

Soap? Yes indeed! Us soap makers will add anything to a batch for a giggle.

It actually makes one heck of a nice bar too. Really good, mild lather.

[Monika]

I have bought commercial cucumber soap in the past - it smells deliciously fresh!

[Ricard with an H]

I once worked at a factory that made soap, considering the end product that can be so lovely the process of making it included disgusting things and dangerous processes so I've always wondered about craft-soap-making.

Also, whilst you're at-it, you might like to tell me why I shouldn't buy 'Dove'. Erm..... any reasons other that the destruction of forest for palm plantations.

I think I'll go and buy me some handmade soap but it's so expensive I'll save it for special days. It's an odd habit I have from when we were very poor, I only ever wear old clothes, clean but tatty. My wardrobe of many nice pieces includes a linen suit and a moleskin suit just in case any of my daughters get married or other special days that never arrive and the suits probably won't fit me.

Soap then ?

[retropants]

Richard, I wouldn't touch dove if my life depended on it!

My soap is made from 100% vegetable products (cocoa butter, olive oil, shea butter etc etc), NO palm oil and most of my products are vegan. I support the Orangutan Appeal UK (I have adopted Beryl)

I obviously have to use caustic soda to make my soap, it is impossible to create soap without it, as soap is the sodium salt of sodium hydroxide and whatever oils/butters you use. But, as I was a chemist for a long time, I have no problem using the casutic, as long as you use the proper safety equipment, and keeps pets and husbands out of the way it is fine

[retropants]

Soap then ?

would you like me to send you some samples to try?

[Ricard with an H]

I'm such a tart.

I was hoping you would ask but only if I can pay my way. We recently had our second visit to a contemporary craft fair in Devon and whilst it was easy to gasp at the price of some things anyone with any practical knowledge would appreciate the time and effort involved in producing items more for the love than the money.

[retropants]

I'm such a tart.

I was hoping you would ask but only if I can pay my way.

honestly, samples are free! I can send you some 'soap ends' I make soap in a loaf mould, then slice using a multi wire cheese cutter type instrument (made specially for me!) there is always a thin slice left at the end. I can pop a couple of these in a jiffy bag, no problem please pm me your details

if you are at all interested, my website is www.spiralsoaps.com - now who's the tart?

[Ricard with an H]

Thank you, I love the tasty photos of soap on your website.

I was salivating to the point I needed to eat some cake.

[retropants]

I do some regular craft fairs, and some people think it is cake, or fudge or cheese! one small child actually had a bar in his mouth before his mother could stop him!