On 02/11/2010 14:28, Ed wrote:
OK, I got the tiles (25mm x 40mm) with 5mm gap up on the kitchen wall
above the work surface.

Next stage is to do the grouting.

Do I need special tool for that or can I just make up grout mix and poke
it into gaps with my finger and smooth off with, say, a pencil? With
such large tiles , it doesn't seem to be need for a grout float?

You'll have sore fingers if you do. That stuff is very abrasive. Use a
paint scraper or a credit card to apply it and a finger shaped implement
of your choice to smooth it.

Do I fill the horizontals first or the verticals? Or does it not make no
difference?

No difference

I am minded to fill internal corner joints with silicone instead of
grout. Is that the recommended way?

Also, fill the joint between work surface and bottom row of tiles with
silicone bead? Is that good/bad?

Silicone if it's going to get wet, but not otherwise IMO. I don't like
it because, unless it's perfectly done, it tends to picks up grime in
every little imperfection (of which there are a few when I do it :-)).