Cactus from above.

Its a Very Nice Green & Shows the Spikes well :)

This one is a horrible shape from the side - but a child at school gave it to me a long time ago, so I am keeping it!

great photo Spritz

I an afraid that we can't grow these outside, they have to stay as indoor plants.

Sorry about your Aloe. Would changes in temp. have anything to do with it? Possibly as you say - too much water.

I would say this is possibly a type of Cereus.