Thanks Tanith - I can't remember her name, and the pms that we exchanged have gone now. I think it was Alima ? I also thought they would have shot up by now if they'd been runners. Anyway I've started off some more of our Tarbes beans which I know are runners. They ripen on the vine and are a bit like 'butter beans', but with softer skins. If anyone would like to try them I could send you some. They're very expensive to buy, even here.
Last year I exchanged some beans (by post) with a Gran from this forum, and they're now out in the garden and doing well. Purple flowers.We haven't been in contact since then. For some reason I assumed they were climbing beans and need a tepee type support, but now not sure. How can you tell if they need support?