muffins78

I'm the same, everyone I know who lived around here, has now moved on. I'm the last one standing so to speak, and it is hard, and where I ponder about selling up and leaving London, its not feasible either. How things were 5 years ago, for instance, are hugely different for me now. Its not a "woe me" post, but the truth as I know it at the moment.

Thanks for all your help today, and I'll write it all down and bring it up to paint shop at the Plough during the week! Was glad to the kitchen finished earlier, busy week or so ahead, trying to get all the rest done! Thanks again :)

I?m not sure I can post this on here, so if not, please let me know and I will remove, if necessary (it may not be the right thread either). If any of you are heading up towards Durham, I know of a lovely little B&B right on the edge of the Castle Eden Nature Reserve (part of English Heritage). It?s called ?The Little Sanctuary?, and its a peaceful little spot, I was fascinated watching all the little animals coming into the garden (its huge). This is the website address http://www.thelittlesanctuary.com/index.php, Helen the host is lovely, if you've any questions.

Thanks Saffron, I'll give that a go - not worried about the paint work, I can touch that up :) Thank you!

Hello, thanks for these posts too... When the original yellowing occurred, we did look at the heating/smoking etc., but it wasn't any of that. And the yellowing has been consistent throughout the flat - so it has to be the paint. On googling it about a month ago, it was to do with some EU regulation and what was put in the gloss paint - brands like Dulux were giving refunds for it (I think from memory)... The paint work itself on the doors now, is perfect - so if it is a case of sugar soap and an undercoat, that would be vastly easier... I need to try and see how it goes... Thank you for all your help :)

I hear one now

I have a deep window in the kitchen, and the water in the oil/candle burner splattered on the paintwork and the window frame (those aluminium double-glazed type). I tried wiping it off, but its left a stain on the window, and just tried white spirits, with no luck. Has anyone had any experience of trying to get something off the frames or perhaps a paint that wouldn't look stupid on the window? I couldn't wipe it off the wall either, so am trying to paint over it currently, one coat on, waiting for the second, which should do the trick, hopefully. Thanks for any help :)

Oh this is great oilworker, thank you, I'll just skim it so, like a good clean - I appreciate all of this. Next weekend, will be busy :) Thanks again :)

Thank you all, I appreciate this. So the sanding down is a must, without wishing to sound thick, you said that you can paint gloss over gloss, but sanding it down first - does this mean to the woodwork itself? If so, this could be fun/hilarious, I tried woodwork at school and well, lets say, I was slow at the sanding down part :) (thank you for giving me the name of the paper and the brand of paint).. :)

Hi I hope you can help, does anyone know what the story is with white gloss work going yellow? I know there is something put into the gloss now (or not put in), but is there anything else I can use instead? I bought my flat in 2010 (with everything lovely shiny white), which went yellowish. I redecorated the gloss work last year and its gone yellow again (within months). Can anyone recommend a gloss paint or any paint (that I can put over the gloss) that will stay white? At about the same time, I painted my wooden bed with white satinwood (I think) and that is still bright and white. Can I put that on the doors? (I'll be doing this myself, so if there is any alternative that doesn't include sanding, that would be best)!! Thanks for any help :)

I switched from BT to Sky, and my bill with a couple of added extra's is about 45 a month. It includes international calls, anytime calls and unlimited broadband...

Great idea, I'd happily donate! The newsagent next to Lordship Lane vets are lovely.... If I drove, I'd volunteer for some journeys. Looking to apply to volunteer in Kings...

I live near that junction!! There are cats where I live, I really don't want to check are they home :( Demery, did you see the color of the cat? This is dreadfully sad!!

There is little we can do without compromising ourselves and besides being a wimp, how is lowering our own standards going to fix anything - no it won't! Its really rubbish, the whole thing. As a community, we have to do something together - could we all get a particular personal alarm, with a recognisable noise - so if it does go off, people know that something has happened! They can make theirs go off or ring the police on hearing it, or something? Totally push them out of the area, knowing that they won't get away with much, because too many are on board to get rid of them...

Im going to carry my security alarm thingy around here now. I'd let it off, if we all did that, or recognised the noise that someone was been a pig, then may start getting worried that their actions will be more visible. Louisa - fair play to you, but yes probably not wise too. I get it though, its not right that anyone should take what we've worked so hard for. I'm one of those who just goes "silent" when something wrong is happening, I freeze, so technically a good catch for any thiefs out there. Twice, I've had thugs sexually assault me in public in broad daylight on the way to work and both times I stood there in shock as they ran off. It was not like I was dressed distastefully (not that that should matter), I am reserved in my dress sense and work in the city, there was nothing to provoke them. (and yes all matters were left with the police). I just hate that people make "our homes"/"area" a place where sometimes we don't feel safe to do as we please.

I'm really sorry to hear that and glad they didn't hurt you. It still is not right and really glad that police helped as much as they could. Is there anything we can do to deter them? Take a community stance to stop their dispicible behaviour. It makes me so mad that people think they can invade each others space in any way they want.

Thank you for the replies! Its good to hear that something works. With the water softeners, where are they connected? I am in a flat, and don't know if that will affect it? EPB you mention salt tablets and Silversurfer, you mention electricity/mains. Did you both of the tablets and electricity/mains too? I am well impressed about the heating element and god, to have normal tea or drinking water, would be great! At home (in Ireland), there was never any issues with limescale as far as I remember, and I still drink from the tap when I am there! I need to look into costs, I've little idea about them! But if they prevent damage to white goods etc., I am sure it will pay for itself eventually. Thanks again for your help!

Hi, has anyone ever done anything with their water supply in terms of looking to treat hardwater? I am looking for a solution or something to alleviate the problem, its all very well descaling what is visible, not so much the pipework in the washing machine/dishwasher etc.. Thanks for any help/advice :)

Oh gosh, I hope your neighbour is okay, he must have had an awful fright. Its terrible to think that to be trusting in a reasonable situation to be trusting in, that someone could totally invade your space. Its unfair to burden that fear on anyones shoulders. I hope he will be okay from hereonin and that the police catch the horrible people.

I am just watching 24A&E. Does anyone know what the pink lights are in the windows of Kings - I only see them in the mornings when it is dark on the way into work. I've always wondered what they are for.

Slightly off topic, but may help. I remember my old neighbour putting Tiger Balm on his windows. I asked him why, and he said it deterred mossie's getting in - I don't know if it would help with flies though.

I think you should tell the police too, no-one should invade your space, either physically or mentally, and those boys were not up to any good. Its not right that we don't feel safe walking around where we live. I feel the same, in that, walking around I am on high alert and I'd just like to relax and not be worried about where I am going in an area which is meant to be home. Also reporting your story to the police, helps them build a picture, include the call in statistics etc., to demonstrate that the public do need them - and hopefully help them against the cuts they face. Im glad you got home okay

I've just seen the message on FB too, its very sad. My thoughts are with them xx

I just had a thought. I know the hospitals were contacted and I am sure GP's were - however if an "non 9-5" doctor was used, I think they are Seldoc, not sure if there are other companies, have they being contacted?

Hello both, thats great! Cyclists is an excellent idea, so are dog walkers, anybody who wants to get out and about and do something :) I am working tomorrow and Friday, so if anyone wants to plan something for those days - just suggest a time/place to meet, and then others will come along if they can..