The Minkey

You could always dollop a strip of tarmac to create a ramp effect, much like some of the traders do on Rye Lane. However, bearing in mind the experience of my OH who cracked his ankle hitting one such ramp while running for the bus, you could open yourself up to injury claims. So, not really a serious suggestion. Might just be worth biting the bullet on this one. Having said that, quite a few houses in my road, have turned part of their front gardens over to parking space and not one ramp between them.

eternity

Yeh, probably a vixen. Did it sound like a puppy being tortured?

"He recalled the incident but claimed I had instigated it!" That would be because you're a woman.. One can only wonder what is going through his mind! I'm glad to hear the police round here take this kind of thing seriously. About 4 years ago, I was walking home in Brixton. I was just passing New Look when I noticed a guy walking towards me was on a collision course so I stepped off a bit to the side and continued walking. When he was about 3 paces away, he stepped back into my path, raised his fist and threw a punch at my face. From the moment he stepped back into my path, I knew something was up and was fortunate to duck out of the way. When the blow didn't strike home, I straightened back up and shouted at him (shock), he just turned to look back as if I was the wierd one. I wasn't going to report it but I started to think, what if he does this to someone else, so I went down the police station the next morning, where they treated me as if I was a time-waster. They even ummed and aahed about how to categorise it so I suggested 'attempted assault'. I very much doubt they did bother to record it. Bizarrely, I was down at Kings A&E a couple of years back with my OH. He was off getting seen to and as there was a young woman on her won, very upset, with a face injury, so I started talking to her. It turned out she'd been punched in the face by some bloke, in very similar circumstances, while walking down Rye Lane... I'm really sorry this happened to you. Do report it, it sounds like the OB take things more seriously round here. Let's hope the guy gets caught and taken off the streets.

The parakeets are in my garden dining off the feeders. I think you are correct about the cull - I'd been thinking numbers were down over the winter, compared to last.

immoral

That's rough TG. You have my commiserations fwtw.

unavoidable ;-)

"David should i trim my hedge right back or leave a bit of bush ?" If it's privet, you can cut it right back. But I'll leave it to David to advise best.

accomplished

alien

I second that post - my first Saturday job was in a florists. I learned how to make everything from bouquets to arrangements, wreaths etc. Target a florists whose work you like, see if they'll take you on as work experience or similar.

I thought I saw a chiffchaff in my garden a couple of weeks or so ago, then looked it up to find it could have been a willow warbler. Next time I spot it, I'll keep my eyes peeled for the eye ring. I envy you your toad - I want one in my garden. Newts are supposed to be good at eating slugs too.

The various squatters who lived next to my old house in Brixton were all far better neighbours than the tenants who were eventually moved in once the HA has done the house up. Not to say all squatters are like this, but I couldn't fault my lot.

In this country someone who has committed a crime, can claim back for the damage caused by police officers in the course of a search. Are you telling me that someone who has had their property damaged by the police in pursuit of said criminal has less rights..? You're having a laugh, my friend - what planet do you live on? It was the policeman who said he was responsible for the damage and suggested the OP contact the station for reparations. I've no problem at all with my tax money being used to compensate someone in this kind of circumstance.

You'd be surprised what kind of veg you can grow in containers. At one point I had tomatoes, aubergine, cucumber, courgette and french beans, all in pots, as well as some salad veg and, of course, herbs. Whatever you do, if you put fencing/trellis up as a boundary, make sure it's strong. I'm thinking of someone leaning or stumbling against it.. For scent, night scented stock is lovely. I also have some nicotiana planted out in seed trays - superlative scent. I'll probably have too many so keep an eye on this space ;-)

Relinquish

Me too (seen it in Morrisons) - I reckon it's the old formula: Black, sticky - a little goes a long, long way. Marmite of recent years is a watered down version.

Hook

plot

"@The Minkey - M&S hasn't been in Peckham for a long time and I doubt they'll return for a while. Longer term there are lots of people looking to open up the square in front of the station and the arches, creating a better public space for cafes & restaurants, whilst the Copeland industrial area could be a thriving workshop / arts space, if the business model could stack up." Yes, sorry - I didn't mean to suggest Peckham is crying out for M&S, I rather meant it as an example of a diversity of choice which is no longer available in Peckham, imo. I think the idea to open up the square and arches is a good one as would be the creation of affordable workshop / arts spaces.

How small is small? Here's someone else's idea for a 2m x 3m roof terrace in Sydney. Don't see why something similar wouldn't work over here though. The accompanying article also mentions other factors worth considering, such as loadbearing: http://www.successfulgardendesign.com/big-ideas-for-tiny-roof-gardens-part-2/

binoculars

"A single bubble, floating freely in the air...." The colours :-)

Tom: Just read your proposals - top notch! Hope you manage to pull it off.