Much of Canada's forestry production goes towards making pulp and paper. According to the Canadian Pulp and Paper Association, Canada supplies 34% of the world's wood pulp and 49% of its newsprint paper. If these paper products could be produced in some other way, Canadian forests could be preserved. Recently, a possible alternative way of producing paper has been suggested by agriculturalists and environmentalists: a plant called hemp.

Hemp has been cultivated by many cultures for thousands of years. It produces fibre which can be made into paper, fuel, oils, textiles, food, and rope. For centuries, it was essential to the economies of many countries because it was used to make the ropes and cables used on sailing ships; colonial expansion and the establishment of a world-wide trading network would not have been feasible without hemp. Nowadays, ships' cables are usually made from wire or synthetic fibres, but scientists are now suggesting that the cultivation of hemp should be revived for the production of paper and pulp. According to its proponents, four times as much paper can be produced from land using hemp rather than trees, and many environmentalists believe that the large-scale cultivation of hemp could reduce the pressure on Canada's forests.

However, there is a problem: hemp is illegal in many countries of the world. This plant, so useful for fibre, rope, oil, fuel and textiles, is a species of cannabis, related to the plant from which marijuana is produced. In the late 1930s, a movement to ban the drug marijuana began to gather force, resulting in the eventual banning of the cultivation not only of the plant used to produce the drug, but also of the commercial fibre-producing hemp plant. Although both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew hemp in large quantities on their own land, any American growing the plant today would soon find himself in prison -- despite the fact that marijuana cannot be produced from the hemp plant, since it contains almost no THC (the active ingredient in the drug).

In recent years, two major movements for legalization have been gathering strength. One group of activists believes that ALL cannabis should be legal — both the hemp plant and the marijuana plant -— nd that the use of the drug marijuana should not be an offense. They argue that marijuana is not dangerous or addictive, and that it is used by large numbers of people who are not criminals but productive members of society. They also point out that marijuana is less toxic than alcohol or tobacco. The other legalization movement is concerned only with the hemp plant used to produce fibre; this group wants to make it legal to cultivate the plant and sell the fibre for paper and pulp production. This second group has had a major triumph recently: in 1997, Canada legalized the farming of hemp for fibre. For the first time since 1938, hundreds of farmers are planting this crop, and soon we can expect to see pulp and paper produced from this new source.

Another magnet for tourists is St. Paul's Cathedral. It is Sir Christopher Wren's masterpiece. Like many other churches it was built after the great fire had destroyed big parts of London in 1666. It is 110 metres high and 627 steps lead up to the Whispering Gallery in the dome. In 1981 the royal wedding between Prince Charles and Lady Diana was celebrated there.

The London home of the Queen is Buckingham Palace where you can see the "Changing of the Guards". The coronation of the Kings and Queens takes place in Westminster Abbey. Near this enormous church there are the Houses of Parliament, the seat of the British government. They consist of a group of buildings, among them St. Stephen's Tower, the famous clock tower housing Big Ben, one of the world's biggest bells.

Not far from the Houses of Parliament there is Trafalgar Square with Lord Nelson's Column, erected in the memory of Admiral Nelson, who won against the Spanish in the Battle of Trafalgar.

London is also famous for its parks. There is Hyde Park, there is St. James's Park, which is the oldest and there is Regent's Park, which houses the London Zoo. In former times all the parks were royal gardens.

Apart from sightseeing tourists also love shopping in London. You will find the big stores in Oxford Street and the smaller shops in the little side streets.

At night the West End offers all kinds of entertainment like music, theatre or cinema.

IT was so glorious out in the country; it was summer; the cornfields were yellow, the oats were green, the hay had been put up in stacks in the green meadows, and the stork went about on his long red legs, and chattered Egyptian, for this was the language he had learned from his good mother. All around the fields and meadows were great forests, and in the midst of these forests lay deep lakes. Yes, it was right glorious out in the country. In the midst of the sunshine there lay an old farm, with deep canals about it, and from the wall down to the water grew great burdocks, so high that little children could stand upright under the loftiest of them. It was just as wild there as in the deepest wood, and here sat a duck upon her nest; she had to hatch her ducklings; but she was almost tired out before the little ones came; and then she so seldom had visitors. The other ducks liked better to swim about in the canals than to run up to sit down under a burdock, and cackle with her.
At last one egg-shell after another burst open. “Piep! Piep!” it cried, and in all the eggs there were little creatures that stuck out their heads.

“Quack! quack!” they said; and they all came quacking out as fast as they could, looking all around them under the green leaves; and the mother let them look as much as they chose, for green is good for the eye.

“How wide the world is!” said all the young ones, for they certainly had much more room now than when they were in the eggs.
“D’ye think this is all the world?” said the mother. “That stretches far across the other side of the garden, quite into the parson’s field; but I have never been there yet. I hope you are all together,” and she stood up. “No, I have not all. The largest egg still lies there. How long is that to last? I am really tired of it.” And she sat down again.
“Well, how goes it?” asked an old duck who had come to pay her a visit.

“It lasts a long time with that one egg,” said the duck who sat there. “It will not burst. Now, only look at the others; are they not the prettiest little ducks one could possibly see? They are all like their father: the rogue, he never comes to see me.”

“Let me see the egg which will not burst,” said the old visitor. “You may be sure it is a turkey’s egg. I was once cheated in that way, and had much anxiety and trouble with the young ones, for they are afraid of the water. Must I say it to you, I could not get them to venture in. I quacked and I clacked, but it was no use. Let me see the egg. Yes, that’s a turkey’s egg. Let it lie there, and teach the other children to swim.”

“I think I will sit on it a little longer,” said the duck. “I’ve sat so long now that I can sit a few days more.”

“Just as you please,” said the old duck; and she went away.
At last the great egg burst. “Piep! piep!” said the little one, and crept forth. It was very large and very ugly. The duck looked at it.
“It’s a very large duckling,” said she; “none of the others look like that: can it really be a turkey chick? Well, we shall soon find out. It must go into the water, even if I have to thrust it in myself.”
The next day, it was bright, beautiful weather; the sun shone on all the green trees. The mother-duck went down to the canal with all her family. Splash! she jumped into the water. “Quack! quack!” she said, and one duckling after another plunged in. The water closed over their heads, but they came up in an instant, and swam capitally; their legs went of themselves, and they were all in the water. The ugly gray duckling swam with them.

“No, it’s not a turkey,” said she; “look how well it can use its legs, and how straight it holds itself. It is my own child! On the whole it’s quite pretty, if one looks at it right. Quack! quack! come with me, and I’ll lead you out into the great world, and present you in the duck-yard; but keep close to me, so that no one will tread on you, and watch out for the cats!”

You can read the rest of the story here:-

The 32-year-old cyclist sealed Britain's first Tour victory on Sunday and now councillors want to honour him.

He grew up in Maida Vale and used places such as Hyde Park and Paddington Recreation Ground to train in.

A Westminster City Council spokesman said giving Wiggins the award "is something we are keenly looking at".

'Great role model'

Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, leader of Westminster Council's Labour group, said: "Bradley Wiggins is the most fantastic sportsman and it all started in Maida Vale.

"Westminster City Council should honour this most dedicated sportsman for his achievement as the first Briton to win the Tour de France, as well as his magnificent Olympic medals.

"Bradley Wiggins is a great role model for young people and the council should award this honour in Olympic year 2012."

One of the Maida Vale councillors, Alastair Moss, Conservative, said: "Bradley Wiggins has scored a historic sporting victory and inspired huge pride across the country - no more so than in his home turf of Westminster and Maida Vale.

"Recognising Bradley's outstanding achievement through the Freedom of Westminster award is something we are keenly looking at."

Wiggins now lives in Lancashire.

Previous holders of the Freedom of Westminster include Sir Winston Churchill and Baroness Thatcher.

Source BBC News - 23/07/12

Joan: I'd like to open a bank account, please.

Cashier: Certainly. Do you have some form of identification?

Joan: Yes, I bought my passport. Is that OK.

Cashier: Yes. We also need proof of your current address. Do you have a utility bill or your driver's licence with you?

Joan: I've got my driver's licence.

Cashier What kind of account did you want?

Joan: Well I want a deposit account and a savings account.

Cashier: That's fine, we do both. Do you have any proof of income?

Joan: Yes, I bought my pay slips for the last three months.

Cashier: Good. You could also apply for a credit card at the same time, if you like.

Joan: Yes, that would be great.

Cashier: OK. If you would just like to fill out these forms...

Mrs S: John, is Mark coming for tea tomorrow?

John: Yes mum, I told you yesterday!

Mrs S: Oh did you? Sorry, I must have forgotten.

John: What are we having?

Mrs S: I don't know yet, I was just writing out the shopping list. What sort of things does he like?

John: Anything, just about. I know he hates pasta though, he never eats school dinner if it's pasta.

Mrs S: OK, what about pizza.

John: Yeah, pizza would be great, not too much salad though please mum.

Mrs S: How about a fruit salad for pudding instead?

John: With ice cream?

Mrs S: Yes, ok.

John: Great, I can't wait!

Entertaining at Home - It's Saturday and John's friend Mark has just arrived.

John: Hi Mark!

Mark Hi John, how's it going?

John: Fine, and you?

Mark Oh you know.

John: Yeah, tell me about it.

Mrs S: Hello Mark, how are you.

Mark: Very well thank you Mrs Smith.

John Mum, can we go and play in my room?

Mrs S: Yes, after tea. We're having pizza tonight Mark, is that alright?

Mark: Yes Mrs Smith that should be fine, but I am a vegetarian.

Mrs S: Oh John, you didn't tell me!

John Sorry mum, I didn't know.

Mrs S: Well it's just as well I bought mushroom pizza as well then, isn't it?

Mark: I'm sorry if it's any trouble Mrs Smith.

Mrs S: Don't worry Mark, it's not your fault, we can eat the salami pizza and you can have the mushroom one. Why don't you both go and play upstairs, tea will be a little bit longer than expected!

John: This way Mark.

John: Yes, I have.

Interviewer: Can you tell me what made you reply to our advertisement?

John: Well, I was looking for a part-time job to help me through college. And I think that I'd be really good at this kind of work.

Interviewer: Do you know exactly what you would be doing as a shop assistant?

John: Well I imagine I would be helping customers, keeping a check on the supplies in the store, and preparing the shop for business.

Interviewer: That about covers it, you would also be responsible for keeping the front of the store tidy. What sort of student do you regard yourself as . . . did you enjoy studying while you were at school?

John: I suppose I'm a reasonable student. I passed all my exams and I enjoy studying subjects that interest me.

Interviewer: Have you any previous work experience?

John: Yes. I worked part-time at a take-away in the summer holidays.

Interviewer: Now, do you have any questions you'd like to ask me about the position?

John: Yes. Could you tell me what hours I'd have to work?

Interviewer: We open at 9.00, but you would be expected to arrive at 8.30 and we close at 6.00 pm. You would be able to leave then.
I think I have asked you everything I wanted to. Thank you for coming along to the interview.

John: Thank you. When will I know if I have been successful?

Interviewer: We'll be making our decision next Monday, we'll give you a call.

Joan: Steve, what's all that noise outside?

Steve: Just a minute, I'll have a look. ....... Oh! It looks as if the new next door neighbours are moving in.

Joan: Oh, it's a bit early, isn't it? Ah well I guess we'd better get up.

Steve: It's amazing how quickly the houses are selling round here, the Browns only put it on the market a month ago.

Joan: Where did they move to?

Steve: I think he told me they were buying a detached house in Surbiton.

Joan: Sounds nice. I hope the new neighbours are nice.

Steve: Well, I was speaking with Mr Brown last week. He told me they were a young couple with two daughters. They liked the house because it was near a good school.

Joan: Two daughters! That will please John.

Steve: Ha! Maybe we'd better pop next door and say hello.

Joan: Yes, and maybe we'd better start thinking of selling too. I'd like a detached house in Surbiton as well!

Steve: Hmm.

Mr Smith: Well here we are. What do you think?

Mrs Smith: It's lovely Jack. Are you sure we can afford it?

Mr Smith: Well I may have to do some washing up, but you're worth it.

The waiter arrives.

Waiter: Good evening sir, madame.

Mr Smith: Good evening. We have a reservation for a table for two in the name of Smith.

Waiter: Yes sir. May I take your coats?

The waiter takes their coats and hangs them up.

Mr & Mrs Smith: Thank you.

Waiter: Your welcome. Would you like to come to the table or would you prefer to order in the bar?

Mr Smith: I wouldn't mind an aperitif. We'll order in the bar.

Waiter: Please follow me, I'll bring you the menu in a moment.

Mr & Mrs Smith order their drinks at the bar and sit down to look at the menu.

Mrs Smith: Oh dear Jack, it's all in French!

Mr Smith: Well that's what we're paying for. Don't worry I've got an idea.

Waiter: Are you ready to order sir?

Mr Smith: Not really. Could you recommend something.

Waiter: Certainly sir. The fresh lobster is particularly good this evening, and for starters may I recommend a light consomme?

Mr Smith: Sounds lovely, what do you think dear?

Mrs Smith: Oh yes, I love lobster.

Waiter: So, that's two consomme and two lobsters. Would you like to look at the wine menu?

Mr Smith: Why don't you bring us what you think will go best. Nothing too expensive though.

Waiter: No problem sir. I'll call you as soon as your table is ready.

The waiter walks away.

Mrs Smith: You are clever Jack, but what about dessert.

Mr Smith: Don't worry, they bring round a sweet trolley, so we just point at what we fancy!

A while later Mr & Mrs Smith have finished eating and are drinking their coffee.

Waiter: Was everything to your satisfaction?

Mr & Mrs Smith: Yes, lovely thank you.

Mr Smith:

The whole meal was delicious, our compliments to the chef. Unfortunately we have to be back for the baby-sitter so could we pay now?

Waiter: Certainly sir, I'll bring you the bill. Would you like me to order you a taxi.

Mr Smith: Yes that would be great, thank you.

Mrs Smith: What a nice man, we must leave him a good tip.

Mr Smith: Yes of course.