The Minkey

"I wonder if part of the problem is "tolerance levels". If you don't have kids, your tolerance levels are probably fairly minimal. If you're used to your little darlings running around the house all day making as much noise as they like, then you're probably much more tolerant of what others might consider "bad behaviour". Just a thought." I'm sure there are plenty of parents whose kids run around the house making as much noise as they like who encourage their children to behave appropriately when out and about in public. Teaching kids how to behave in public is all part of good parenting. It's a shame for those who don't get this kind of guidance because they end up being perceived as being obnoxious and brattish. Last Sunday I was in the Coop on Forest Hill Rd, with kids riding their scooters up and down the aisles. The aisles are narrow so it was just a little annoying to have to keep stepping out of their way to avoid being rammed.

I too agree with Nanny et al. I don't get annoyed by parents with well-behaved kids, or parents making the effort to manage their kids when they kick off but I do get irritated with those parents who seem oblivious to their children's bad behaviour. I lived for several years in Spain where it was normal to see whole families out together, the difference being kids weren't allowed to run riot ruining everyone else's enjoyment. I think it's great that parents have so much freedom these days as to where to go with the kids but consideration cuts both ways. I want to be able to enjoy my time out too.

"No, because that's none of our business. As long as they have the appropriate I.D. then that should be enough." Totally agree.

Then again there are those like me with mobility issues unable to walk long distances, totally dependent on public transport :-(

I tried to find a number for the digital switchover people, I don't think they are still in operation are they?

Last time I went ice-skating, they cleared the ice to look for someone's finger.

First thing you need to do is register all your numbers with the Telephone Preference Service: http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/whatistps.html

Here we go again, lol. There's a cold wind blowing through the hole in the door.

I had this for a week with my older cat who'd been an indoor cat before coming to me at 20 months. It took a lot of intensive two-person encouragement - one to hold a stinky treat, one to push the flap open from the other side. A lot of letting her see and smell the treat through the opened flap, letting it close again as she drew near then pushing it open a bit, and repeat.. For days she'd only come through for the treat if the flap was opened for her. It was really quite frustrating and I really began to doubt she was ever going to go through without one of us on each side but eventually, she just did it when I was playing with the kitten on the other side and she wanted in on the action. Is your catflap a microchip reader that makes a beep and how old are your cats now?

"Unless its more about the selfish idiots who think that animals are disposable creatures that they can palm off to someone else on a whim, as said above." Pretty much the point I thought I was making - thanks Katie :-) Plus, once a young animal has outgrown its baby cuteness, it becomes so much harder to rehome and the animal shelters are heaving with unwanted animals already.

Sabrina from Putney seems exactly the sort of selfish cow who helps populate animal shelters with unwanted pets. Full marks for honesty though, most people trying to offload an animal because they've tired of it are embarrassed enough to be a little creative with the excuse they give for wanting rid. Anyway, I hear cat in question is going to a good home tomorrow. Sad about the dog who'll be taking her place though. Woodrot: Do you spend your life finding things to make snide comments about? Does it make you feel better about yourself?

Sabrina from Putney is getting rid of this 2yr old cat because "MY DAUGHTER WANTS A DOG FOR XMAS!". FFS! How long before the puppy becomes boring too? Animals aren't accessories to be disposed of on a whim. http://www.gumtree.com/p/pets/female-cat-absoulte-free/112800619

And you can also change the settings so if someone tries to tag you in a photo you will be notified for your permission first.

My last driving instructor once said "You're supposed to be a young lady not a tank driver! Now, imagine you've got half a pint of lager on the bonnet of the car and you don't want to spill a drop..". That I did object to, on several levels - not least because I was 35 at the time and so was he - but it really is all about context, imo.

Whenever someone refers to me as being a lady, I just say I've never been one of those.

Not something I'd stress about personally. Been called worse ;-)

And guess where it happened, lol.. I've been here a few years now, can't say I've ever seen anything as nutty as what happened yesterday for myself.

I think they were waiting for them to show up. Meanwhile, the show must go on..

The good old NHS site states it's not found over here, playing catch up as usual: http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/bites-and-stings/Pages/Plant-dangers-garden-countryside.aspx

Full marks to Katie ;-) Someone had left a bottle of fire lighting fluid outside their house alongside some charcoal with the intention that someone else might want it, I guess. Whilst well-intended, it seemed completely misguided - gave me the shivers given recent news - so I tucked it back behind their front wall. If you look up Ivydale Rd, ladida, you will see it's not far from ED - which is why I posted in the Lounge.

No, not me, lol. It was my other half who observed the drama unfold. He was waiting for a bus at the Surrey Rd stop and went down to investigate when it was clear nothing was moving fast. Once passengers had started baying for the driver's blood - you can imagine how heated it was getting - I think it was either one of the bus drivers or the inspector who took matters into their own hands, seeing as the keys had been left in the ignition. Apparantly, the van had rounded the corner from Ivydale onto Cheltenham that fast it was on two wheels and when he was unable to continue, his two passengers got out and ran off. So there's some kind of story there - I believe the inspector kept hold of the keys to wait for the police. Once the van had been moved, it was rather unfortunate that the very next vehicle to round the corner was another white van! He was sufficiently panicked by his reception that he couldn't get into reverse and when he did, his route was blocked by all the cars which had backed up down the side streets. What are the chances, hey, lol..

Not enough detail, Gidget, but a highly toxic one that likes to grow around the base of trees is the Deadly Nightcap. Never known magic mushrooms to cause a headache, lol.

Cheltenham Road this evening: White van man and 343 in a standoff. White van man declares no way is he getting out the way and goes for a lie down in the back of his van. 20 mins later with 4 343s & 2 484s going nowhere fast, someone had to get in the van and move it - the original driver was still in the back - you couldn't make it up.

Brilliant :-)

Bottles of fire lighting fluid, not a good thing to leave on the pavement outside your house. Yes, someone might find it useful but for all the wrong reasons.