Hi Claire, My white stick has a sharpened end and is used mainly for stabbing morons who get in my way. Agree that white stick means diddly to most sighted folk - they assume you are only partially sighted as if you were really blind you would have a guide dog. The kids are fun and as you say, you can give them back at the end of the day with only minor damage around the house. Also when they say it costs over 150 thousand to raise a kid that's scary. Wife's sister has 4 little brats so they will forever be in debt. Whereas we can spend all that dosh on chocolates instead. love Dazzling darren. xxx -----Original Message----- From: clare moulds - Email Address: clare@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent On: 02/06/2012 06:16 Sent To: Guide Chat - Email Address: guide.chat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [guide.chat] Hi Darren Hi Darren, oh thank you. OH I bet they soon get the message to get out of the way when they hear your old fashioned car horn I love your style there. Much better than the old white cane eh? That never does the trick even though it's meant to show others that we can't see. I don't carry mine anymore when being guided by someone as it doesn't help. People still get in the way and push and shove. It really gets on my nerves. You certainly have your work cut out with 10 nieces and nephews. A big hole in the pocket too lol. Yeah, Christmas is always lovely with the little ones they are the ones who make it aren't they? I can imagine it's bedlam at your family gatherings even more than at ours and that's saying something. Love Clare