RobMiller

We've had the City Mini Double since our twin boys (now approaching 3) arrived. We've been really happy with it - narrow for a double, easy to manoeuvre, and fitted in our saloon car's rather compact boot. My brother and his wife have one now for their two (3 years and 9 months) and are liking it too. Only issue we've had has been that the rear tyres wore thin and a front wheel died after 2 and a bit years (our boys are quite big!), but it wasn't too pricey to get replacements and the overall package is still much cheaper than some of the doubles you can buy. So yes, we'd definitely recommend!

Huw at classic lofts seems to have a pretty firm grip on the planning stuff. We are very happy with the work they did for us. Happy to recommend them. Rob

Snowboarder, this recent appeal looks promising: http://planningonline.southwarksites.com/planningonline2/AcolNetCGI.exe? ACTION=UNWRAP&RIPNAME=Root.PgeDocs&TheSystemkey=9536966 it suggests that Southwark aren't getting support for their interpretation of the permitted development rules. Jeremy, I'd read that flats are treated differently. Probably wise to take specialist advice. Rob

One or the other of our twins was in with us fairly consistently from 9ish months to quite recently (nearly 2.5 now). They both seem quite attached to their own beds now, and as others have said co-sleeping seemed to be the most straightforward way for all of us get some kip when it was proving tricky to get them to settle after waking in the night.

We love the parks, the libraries are a great place to take the kids, and the building inspectors have been good when we've needed them too. Generally I'd say we're fairly content with the services we need from them...

Or maybe not unlawful. Strange indeed. Atticus, have you asked James Barber for some help? I saw in another post that he had his loft converted relatively recently. He may be able to shed some light...? http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?30,422825,613130#msg-613130

We found that some double buggies didn't fit in any car, others fitted in quite modest boots. We went for a BabyJogger double as it folds in the middle and worked a treat for us. I think that the Out & About Nipper does the same. The Mountain Buggy hinged at the front and had no chance in our car. We used to have an old BMW saloon, now a VW Touran. Wish your friend all the best - having twins is fab (albeit a tad tiring at times). Rob

Another vote for Elaine Gregory - I've seen her for years, and she's seen both of our boys.

We're very happy with our BabyJogger, which has served our twins well. Like the Nipper it folds up quite neatly, but is fractionally narrower.

Thanks James, Rob

Hi James, a minor whinge, but is there any influence you can bring to bear on the contractors who collect the recycling so that they put the empty boxes, lids and bags back after emptying them? I know that Southwark replace them for free, but I'm getting bored of calling for replacements, and it would seem an easy way to save a few quid. Thanks, Rob

Dorothy: turn right at Winchester, rather than left :) Or, just join the M25 when the A3 meets it.

I'd definitely use Kes' route. A3 to Guildford, then the A31 to Winchester where you reach the M3. It's always worked out best for us. You can get to the A3 from Wimbledon and avoid the worst bits of the South Circular.

Yep, Ocado get our vote too (although I'm not that impressed by their change to the discount vouchers - GCSE maths is sufficient to tell that one full price order and 25% off the next is 12.5% overall, and you pay for two deliveries...). We tried Tesco recently and they were beyond useless, I can't even bring myself to spend the voucher they sent to apologise for their total failure to turn up.

We've got one of these: http://www.petporte.com/ It works using the cat's chip so there's no problem of the collar getting lost. Works well for us - and seems to stop inquisitive interlopers... Rob

The Swanage railway was fun with our two year olds (http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/) - although they haven't let go of their Brio trains since! We enjoyed the Abbotsbury swannery too.

We're v pleased with our BabyJogger City Mini Double (bit of a mouthful that!). Slightly narrower than the Nipper, easier to turn than the single buggies we use for holiday and also seems to be coping well with a pair of strapping two year olds (although we have had to replace the back wheels which wore out a few months ago).

We're convinced rear facing is the way to go. Have a look at www.rearfacing.co.uk, and there was a thread on here a while ago which might be useful. There's a shop at Petts Wood (details at both of the above links) who give excellent advice and can help you find the most suitable seat for you. Rob

One of our 22 month (identical) twin boys has been a fairly consistent good eater. For the last few months, however, his brother has been much more picky - with good and bad days. He just looks at the plate, shakes his head, says "no" and calmly hands it back. They're both strapping lads too though, so I'm beginning to wonder whether there's any link to how much food they eat!

MM, James seems to have stated his view - not ducked the issue. I recall him taking a lot of flak in the past for commenting on issues in other wards so I don't think it's fair to criticise him for not taking this further, especially as it's raised strong feelings from both points of view.

We've been really happy with our Baby Jogger double buggy for our twin boys. They've been in it since newborn and they're 18 months now and it's still doing them fine. It's slightly narrower than the Nipper, and folds in the middle so fits easily in the car. The separate hoods are good too for when one's dozing and his brother's wide awake!

I'm amazed that blocking the pedestrian crossing points is thought to improve safety. As has been pointed out, people are going to either ignore them or, worse, even more people will cross at other parts of the road where drivers aren't expecting them. I'd have thought it would be worth considering charging the company doing the work for the cost of lollipop style crossing management while the work takes place. I would expect that at busy crossings like this one the cost would be low compared to the benefit. Obviously when the space age technology of adding a pedestrian phase is ready that won't be necessary, but in the meantime the current arrangement seems rubbish.

Can't claim any credit. Think this got fixed without needing our heater. Glad it did, bit chilly for babies and no heating... Hope the boiler gets fixed soon.

I've PM'd you my number. Have one to lend if your neighbour still needs it. Rob

Hi Molly, I'll pass that on to my friends. They'll be pleased to see that you've found the site useful as they're really passionate about this issue. We saw Les at Petts Wood too, and I agree his approach is very helpful and I was impressed at the lengths he'd gone to to get training in the rear facing seats. I think that yours is the Britax multi-tech though which wouldn't work in our car because of the leg having to sit on the (fairly useless) floor lockers. It was testament to Les's attitude that he sent us in the right direction even though he didn't get the sale. He also offered to help us fit them if we'd got them by mail order. Top chap!