THANKYOU for all your great advice - I'm afraid I havent had the time to
return here till now, but theres much food for thought.
Especially the stuff about Mums!
I now feel I have the confidence to take the first bold leap into the world
of gardening and get a big pot with some nice colourful ivy to put up my
scrubby old wall.

Will keep you posted of any significant ivy-related developments!,
Thanks again,
Dan.