The Minkey

I've also seen that happen, Rosie, but it was a big one child buggy. As for grumpy drivers, the Saturday of the bus crash down on Denmark Hill I took a 484 as I needed to go to ED. The first inkling we got of a diversion was when instead of turning right onto Dulwich Road, the bus continued straight on. Once we got to the Nigel Rd stop, where practically the entire bus decanted, I asked the driver why he hadn't told us he was on diversion when he stopped at the last stop on the Rye to allow us all to get off there. Not his job, apparantly.

Oh, well done :-)

I had a very ginger-hued grey squirrel coming into the garden for a while - it's tail positively flamed with the light behind it. It soon became an ex-squirrel. The recent sunshine and Echinacea blooms have brought flocks of Gatekeeper butterflies into the garden. Although it's not an uncommon species, I haven't seen so many butterflies together in years. Yay!

Many of the guys I work with who go to lapdancing clubs with clients etc are family men.

Biscuit with your tea, Vicar?

Stresses and strains of her celebrity status aside, just the fact that she was so instantly recognisable would have made getting clean extremely difficult, whether or not she was truly committed to the process in the first place. Even had she disengaged from her social circle and moved away in order to physically remove herself from the temptation, she would have had every local dealer come to offer gear wherever she was. Not only was Amy a prospective customer but so were a lot of people she knew. Throw the disinhibiting effects of alcohol into the mix and it became far less likely she'd be able to calm down and get clean.

It would be a good start if the Vatican were to overturn their ban on contraception. One down..

Poor woman, whatever drove her to her grave. Perhaps being a celeb in the spotlight was too much to bear. Thoughts are with her family and others who loved her.

Til the food runs out, usually @ 4pm. Though as the OH is still faffing, plans have changed - ho hum ;-)

2pm used to be the standard pretty much everywhere. I'd like them to be open til 4 as the OH is caught up in the Grand Prix. Sod it, I'll have to put me shoes on and get walking ;-)

I used to use this vet when I was based in Brixton. Wonderful guy ran it back then, perhaps he's still there? He used to kiss my cat on the top of his head in greeting and Thomas seemed to respond to his handling in an uber-chilled way, sprawling out all over the examination table as soon as he was let out of the carrier.

Thanks Katie, the Ivy House is on Stuart Road, at the top of the Rye, opp. side to ED. They are specifically advertising Sunday lunches as part of their offering. And I'm pretty sure they are open as there was a posting about something on there last night. I'll stop being lazy and go walk over there in a bit if no one knows.

Anyone know what time the Ivy House serves Sunday lunch til? Was thinking to pop along but their website doesn't state times nor does the telephone number work.

Thanks Renata, really appreciated. Let us know their response, won't you? PR: Well done for trying to get the route extended. It doesn't seem like such a long walk to the current stop until you find yourself laden down with heavy bags, particularly if you have mobility issues. I don't tend to use Sainsburys myself anymore primarily because it's too big to get around comfortably, plus the very good chance of an overlong wait for the 484.

It does seem strange, then again maybe she moved? Good on you for trying to find her. Let's hope someone with access to 192 can look it up.

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I did a quick google and there's a Caroline Roche based in SE23 who shares the address with a Joseph Shield which makes it very likely this is the person you are trying to find. I'm not registered with 192 so can't see the full address, but if you are or know someone who is, you could find the address that way. Good luck :-) You're not in or near Canonbie Road, are you? I googled the other names associated with the Caroline Roche 192 entry and came up with SE23 3AP as a company address. I've clearly got too little to do this morning - lol..

Really useful route. Erratic service.

I know there are those who disagree and will defend their right to eat foie gras, however, there is a good reason its production has been banned in many countries including Israel which was the third largest producer after France and Hungary. "To produce foie gras, birds are restrained and a metal pipe is shoved down their throats and into their stomachs. A massive quantity of corn is pressure-driven down the pipe, often causing a rupture of the bird's stomach or esophagus, leading to a very slow and agonizing death. The force-feeding takes place as many as 4?5 times a day for a month, causing the liver to become diseased and swell from 2?3 ounces to 1?2 pounds. At that point, the goose or duck is slaughtered and the fatty, cholesterol-laden liver is removed and sold as a delicacy." http://www.chai-online.org/en/compassion/foiegras/food_foiegras.htm I don't eat foie gras because it's a product that requires the systematic torture of animals to make it, but whatever floats your boat..

Ah yes, that is the Lister Centre I was referring to. Yes annoying to have had to pay, but it would have been a lot less expensive than a Medicentre had they been able to do the jab (thanks Damian H). Come to think of it though, although A&E was free for both the tetanus and two sets of antibiotics, GP's surgeries seem to charge for immunisations these days, at least mine does, I think..

I've had those guys at the door 3 times over the past couple of years or so. Never had a problem with rudeness but maybe I was just lucky with the guys who came round to me, or maybe it was a bit earlier in the evening and they were better humoured. Sorry to hear all your experiences of the opposite.

Unfortunately, this goes back far further than the temporary issue with Denmark Hill, James. From the outset of the new company's involvement, the punctuality of the service appeared to deteriorate further. It's makes me wonder whether they are attempting to keep to the same timetable, and if so, whether they have an adequate system in place to account for drivers not turning up to work their shifts.

I love good food but I've never had the urge to try foie gras precisely because it involves force feeding. With the advent of factory farms, it's become an even more distasteful practise. http://www.mspca.org/programs/animal-protection-legislation/animal-welfare/farm-animal-welfare/factory-farming/ducks-geese/ducks-geese-on-a-factory.html "PHYSICAL/BEHAVIORAL EFFECTS The practice of force feeding causes suffering to geese and ducks. Evidence gathered from scientific research, veterinary analysis, observations at foie gras farms and necropsies document the physical, social and behavioral impacts of force feeding on birds. The force feeding often results in physical injuries such as a lacerated trachea and esophagus. Force feeding causes liver steatosis, meaning the liver is no longer able to work as a circulatory filter. This malfunctioning of the liver often results in damage to the central nervous system. The enlargement of the liver also impairs breathing as the liver squeezes the air sacs of the lungs. This is evidenced by the constant panting of ducks raised for foie gras. The enlarged liver also causes an extreme weight gain, making it extremely difficult for the ducks to walk. All this adds up to a mortality rate that is 20 times higher on foie gras farms than on conventional duck farms. PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS Birds kept for foie gras production are confined in cages and live in constant darkness. They are unable to express any of their natural behaviors and instincts. Both ducks and geese are extremely social animals; their individual confinement does not provide any of the natural stimulation they receive from social interaction. Their confinement also makes them unable to fly. Birds are also unable to swim, as they are only given enough water to, at best, stick their bill in. Birds are also debilled, a process where their upper bills are cut off. The debilling process is extremely painful for birds as bill tissue is rich in nerve endings. Birds raised for foie gras are unable perform any of their natural behaviors."

Is it my imagination or has this route got even less reliable since it was taken over by a new company earlier this year? I waited over 20 minutes for one @ 6pm yesterday evening down in Camberwell at the start of its route. With so many people waiting, by the time we all got on the bus was full to capacity with people standing. It's surely not unreasonable to expect the new company to deliver better results on its timekeeping. I'd rather have had a more reliable service than shiny new buses.