Ditz

Wow! I lived in East Dulwich from 1990 to 1992 and have never strayed too far since. I always oggle at how much it's changed and contnues to change, the most notable things being: The proliferation of French in shop names The proliferation of shops selling nothing but fipperies (we call North Cross Road Trinket Alley) The proliferation of bruised ankles due to increased buggy population The cycle of independent butchers and greengrocers existing then disapperaing and now returning (albeit at a premium) The DHSS now being Foxtons - says it all really And this is all said affectionately, I do love the place... :o)

I live in 'the wrong side' of Peckham (ie not the bit that insists on calling itself Bellenden Village) and all parks and open spaces around here have notices saying that all dogs must be kept on a lead. This includes ALL of the huge Burgess Park. I assume this is mainly down to the the most popular type of dog here - Staffies - and the unfortunate reputation they have gained thanks to their owners. However, they are on the whole perfectly well behaved, good natured dogs and their owners likewise. As a responsible dog owner I completely ignore the signs not least because I have a cross-bred Border collie who definitely needs more than just walking, and who is obdient and well-trained. Peckham Rye doesn't have such restrictions and I wonder why that is. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad it doesn't and I'm often seen down there with my mutt running free (and no, not through the gardens/picnic area/pond side), but am more than slightly miffed that Southwark Council restricts some - the 'riff raff' shall we say since someone used the term before - but not others...

bloonoo Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > We have just moved to east dulwich, anyone got any > advice about where to go out?! we're in our 20s > and single and want some eye candy to look at! > last night went out in Lordship Lane and it was > dead!!! Bishop was good but we ended up in The > Vale Bar as we wanted a bit of a boogey but it > was empty :-( Is it more lively on a Saturday? For some more funky nightlife and a younger, artier crowd try Bar Story under Peckham Rye station or The Gowlett on Gowlett Road (Peckham/ED borders) or head to Camberwell - The Grand Union on Camberwell Grove, The Sun and Doves on Coldharbour Lane, and the Funky Munky on Peckham Road :o)

Ahhh those early posts have really made me laugh - thank you :)) To add my ten pennies worth: I'm a female who turned 40 two years ago. It did make me stop and think and to seriously assess my life. I didn't notice 30 at all and partied my way through my 30s, but 40 was different. It wasn't about my age or how I looked - I've always believed that was fairly irrelevant, it's the way you think that keeps you young - it was my 'achievements' I was assessing: was my life the way I thought it would be, especially with regards income, status, respect, influence, prospects and so on; had my life been full of adventure; had it been well-lived so far; had I taken opportunities, missed others... I did a LOT of thinking and a lot of looking back (never a good thing). So yeah, I would say, it is a wake up call - but don't wallow or dwell on what's done, rather use it to direct the next 10 years; do all the things you really want to do and get on with them NOW, dont wait. Life's not over, but remember how quickly 40 years can go... :o) As an aside: my 91-year-old aunty died recently, and at her funeral it took about 5 minutes to sum up her entire life. I don't want that to be me, I'm with Kipling, I want to "...fill the unforgiving minute/With sixty seconds' worth of distance run" :) You might also be interested in this (I'm going): http://www.theschooloflife.com/Sermons/Charles-Leadbeater-on-Perspective