HennyPenny

If this is accurate, what is the ?5 million going to be spent on?

We have similar problems with lines dropping out, we are on Fellbrigg Road, and had the techie person in from Virgin and it seems the 'box' at the end of the road is experiencing power surges and it'll take a week or so to sort out. HP

Are you sure it was a stray cat - it must have been very distrssing for you to have to deal with, and as a cat person, am so pleased that you gave it some kindness in its last moments. HP

I know that some overhanging hedges can be a hazard and I have been subject to a Southwark letter after a neighbour complained about our really pretty flowering Choisya with its soft growth, nothing hard that could hurt/scratch anyone and overhung the wall by about 3 inches. However, I do have 2 friends, 1 is registered disabled and the other registered blind, and they find wheelie bins that are left on the pavement by the council to be far more hazardous. Perhaps its time these were disposed of. As well as being a street hazard they are particularly unsightly.HP

I raised the same thing in a 'thread' a few weeks ago with speeding traffic far in excess of the 20 limit, let alone 30 mph on Fellbrigg road and perhaps now we should really get a serious campaign going with the police and local authority/councillors before any further serious accidents happen. I am so sorry for woody549 losing his dog, I know how i'd be feeling today if it were my 2 cats. James Barber over to you on this - where do we go from here and how do we start to get these lunatic drivers stopped. HP

Why have all this grief? Have your holiday in the fabulous Loire Valley,lots of sun, wonderful wine and local produce, brilliant markets and of cousr, a few chateau to visit. From Calais you are looking at (without stopping) 4.5 hours of driving,(depending on how fast you drive), and there are lots of good loo stops en route. My sister and I have 3 holiday cottages available, most peak weeks are now booked, but you are assured of a home from home, with wifi (in the 2 larger properties) comfy beds ready to put children to bed in, travel cots and high chairs if needed, and a bottle of fizz in the fridge for you to really start your holiday. We have been running these for several years, and half our guests this year are repeat bookings, so we clearly have the right formula for really happy holidays. Have a look at our web site Lovetheloire.com and email us if you have any queries. Hennypenny

No I wasn't surprised at the language at all, but given that one of the drivers was a woman with 3 small children in the back I might have expected a more courteous response, but then she was driving a very large black 4 wheel drive. Since starting this post I have been listening out even more to the speeding traffic (good excuse for a lie in!) and the 'busiest' times are 7.30 too about 8.15 although it happens all day. Perhaps we could persuade a traffic policeman with a speed camera to come a few times and zap them - that might stop it.... HP

I have recently slowed a couple of speeding cars on Fellbrigg Road by waving at them and asking the drivers if they were aware of the 20 miles per hour speed restrictions - (on both occassions I was told to F off!)and last night I drove at 18 miles an hour and had someone driving so close to me they couldn't see my brakes lights and almost drove into me when I parked and the other driver was beeping like crazy - clearly I was inconveiencing him!. I regularly hear cars and vans driving down the road very fast - much faster than they would/should/can on Lordship lane. I have noticed the '20' road signs at the Whately Road end of Fellbrigg Road are partly obscured by street lamps and are very close to the junction. Is there anything we can do about these inconsiderate drivers and also improve awareness of the speed restrictions? I think this is over to JB. Hennypenny.

am i missing something? if no broadband how were these messages posted?

No experince of London care homes but my father until he died in December had been in 2 care homes depending on his needs for 5 years, so we know what to look for!. We looked at every home there was possible in N Devon, and the first bit of advice is go unannounced. That way you really see exactly what is going on. Also, as you go in, have a good smell. In the majority of homes we saw, all we could smell was wee, not pleasant for anyone. Look at the residents clothes - have they got the remnants of their weetabix down their fronts? If your relative does go into a home, make sure all their clothes are very clearly labelled, and can be boiled - we lost count of the clothes that were boiled to death, or actually went 'missing', especially good quality clothes. Small items of personal belongings went 'missing' as well, including his watch, that he'd had for 50 years, all very upsetting. And this was in the best home we could find that was accessible. For health care, dependant on his needs, there is the 'Nursing care allowance' that comes from the NHS not DSS, and is means tested - as Daddy had dementia, had had 4 strokes and 5 heart attacks he was eligable, but you do have to fight for it! None of this is easy, and is very upsetting for all the family, as you know its the best thing, but you will feel dreadfully guilty, especially when all they ask is to be allowed to go home. HP

Can I ask why are the councillors only speaking to occupiers of houses immediatley adjacent to NCR? I am at the other end of Fellbrigg Road, and plagued by the influx of (and usually bad and inconsiderate) parking by visitors to not only the market but the traders (and their vans) of the shops at the Bawdale end of Lordship Lane, - bring on residents parking! Oh lord, what will I have started? :)-D HP

It's not the main roads like Lordship Lane where you take your life in your hands when you cross the road - We are on Fellbrigg Road which is MAX 20 mile an hour - it is signed, though these are slightly obscured by 'street clutter' ie trees and lamp posts - and cars go down clearly 30/40 miles an hour. There are roads where the speed restrictions are white painted onto the tarmac - are these proven to be 'obeyed' more? Certainly the end of '20' luminous sign from Fellbrigg onto Whately isn't very clear during the day and there isn't anything from Northcross Road into Fellbrigg, or is it only signed where the speed restrictions come into effect? Perhaps JB could get some nice policeman to come with a speed camera and catch a few speeding drivers, invariably a mobile phone is being used as well...HP

I also think that the food stalls need a little more 'customer protection' - i was walking past the hog roast stand a couple of weeks ago and the hot fat was sizzling and spattered over my jacket - whilst annoying, it washed out, but could have seriously burnt a childs face - there was very little concern from the stall holder... HP

Is John K really expecting a prefessional estate agent to advise a buyer not to buy a property? Agents act for a vendor, and if that were the case very few houses in the area would be sold, and your property values (re other postings) would fall dramatically. One has to look at every situation. Not all movement is subsidence - a lot of this is over zealousnous (real word?) by panel mortgage surveyors (who don't always know the area) looking to cover themselves against any litigation and hype by buyers looking to get a price reduction. One very wise surveyor told me years ago that houses are like old grannies; they sit themselves in a chair, wriggle about for a bit and then get comfy. The same with houses - the soil/clay is seriously distubed, a heavy weight put on the site, and this then finds its own comfy position - a lot of 'movement' is historic. I am not saying there aren't cases of subsidence, but one needs to instruct a reputable local surveyor who understands the geological structure and look at the positioning of trees etc. We love Dulwich because it is a green and lovely area - and trees (which drink huge amounts of water every day)do cause problems -if you do have this problem, talk to Southwark. An established agent with years of experience will understand issues with certain roads and advise accordingly - for example, one road in the area has 2 issues - the length of the party wall is so long that the houses 'pull apart' in the middle and the front bay windows had a green oak lintle installed - over the years this has dried out and bowed a little causing the bricks to sag - these houses are not falling down. If you are having issues with buildings insurance, which you need to have on the day of exchange, agree with the current owners insurance company to continue to insure the building they can't say no. This is something that your solicitor will advise on. HP

Thank you to everyone who read yesterdays post and those of you who also looked on our web site. I left the posting of the message to the other half yesterday as work was busy - and typically, he co..ed it up - leaving out entirely the extra goodies that Santa will be leaving, and getting the price per night completely wrong! So it should read as above, but with a 'Welcome basket' of delicious things to eat and drink, including the most wonderful Loire pink fizz, foie gras, fig jam, nibbles, local preserves and cheeses, chocolates and a home made Christmas cake. The price per night is ?100 for a minimum of 4 nights. I have just checked the price of a car with 4 passengers for LD lines out of Dover to Boulogne, and a 5 day return is about ?75. We usually use this route as its only 4.5 hour journey from Boulogne (including a good loo stop). If you would like any more info, please do send me a PM. Hennypenny

We have just had a cancellation for our house in the Loire Valley, for the Christmas and New Year break. To view the house on our web site, please go to www.lovetheloire.com and the property is in Boce. The house, sleeping 7 in proper beds (no sofa beds or put you ups), is in a rural location with fabulous views, it is comfortably furnished and cosy with a wood burning stove in the dining room, and electric heating in all the other rooms.There is a separate sitting room with free to view TV,DVD and I-Pod as well as a phone - free calls to Europe, so you can keep in touch with friends and family - and Wi-Fi. It is 2 miles from the nearest town of Bauge, where there are good local shops, including the best patisserie, - cakes and croissants to die for(!) and a good supermarket. The house will be 'decorated for the holiday' and there will be a lovely tree, holly and a lot of mistletoe! If needed, we can provide full directions for Father Christmas, who will have the choice of 2 chimneys to climb down, with plenty of parking for his sleigh in the garden. The house will be available from Saturday the 19th December until Saturday the 2nd January, and the cost is ?140 per night, for a minimum of 4 nights (with full occupancy, this is only ?20 a night per person). If anyone is interestedor you have any queries, please do email me. Best wishes for a Happy Christmas, Hennypenny.

I don't post very often but do read most of them. The majority of daffodils planted in large swathes in the area, were planted as part of the Marie Curie Cancer 'plant a daffodil' Field of Hope, as a lasting tribute to loved ones. Picking these lovely flowers that are only out for such a short time is a huge insult to those that planted them and the memory of those who died.

This is where you really want to bring in the clampers!!>:D

Gosh, that got the converstion going this sunny afternoon,or perhaps it's too near going home time! I'm also not the butch type to wear a tie, give me a pretty frock any day.

I rather remember that my degree took a similar number of years - whereas after many years of selling property I also deal with happy, sad and bitter times with birth marriage divorce and death, diplomacy and professionalism is certianly a qualification high on the list of requirements. Spellin helps as well!

Sorry Jeremy,as an estate agent and having lived in ED for almost 20 years, probably far longer than you, and immensley loyal to the area, I have been an avid follower of the forum for some time, have made a few comments, and even replied in my very helpful way of recommending a window cleaner and removal firm, and I am here to stay! I know my profession is hated, but then so are lawyers, politicians, and traffic wardens and I'm sure there is a sprinkling of them reading this column - are they going to end up in the stocks as well? I don't work in East Dulwich/Lordship Lane, so am not responsible for being a little beetle. For me as a resident, the parking on my road is horrendous at all times of the day and night - and I am far enough away from the Lane to not have the decorated minis and beetles, most cars are (or rather the drivers are) frequenting the various bars etc. The popularity of the area is bringing the consequences - remember Clapham 15 years ago - it started getting trendy and look at it now, everyones coming here - where will we all go to next I wonder. As far as saturation goes, there is, judging by the numbers of properties F....... have available, enough to go round, but if you do look for example at their web site, they are picking up a lot of business in Brockley, Peckham and west Dulwich - they certainly will sort out the less than able/reputable agents on the block. No doubt you will hear from me again......

I can confirm that buyers from Clapham and Islington etc have been making their own way to Dulwich for some years without the aid of agents saying how wonderful it is to live here. Buyers register with agents where they want to live, not where the agent tells them to, and how do the vendors of Balham feel if all their buyers are being told to move to another area!!

Dear All New to this forum, but an avid reader for a few months. As an estate agent.... (please do get the garlic and cross out here) we can justify our fees.. only recently I negotiated on an opening offer on a property, and in just one phone call, due to my fantastic powers of persuasion, knowledge of area (I have lived in E.D. for 15 years and worked as an agent for 10 years so know area etc) successfully increased the offer by over ?25K which covered my fee of 1.5% Three times over.That is an an awful lot of extra money for the vendor. The majority of us professionals can tell when someone is serious about a property, and we do also do a huge amount of sales chasing, making sure everything goes through to exchange and taking a huge amount of pressure of you, when there is plenty of other things for you to worry about. I do admit that there are a few bad pennies out there, and have had my own experiences of them when I moved locally 3 years ago. I'm not naming any names nor an I touting you all for business! Happy Bank Holiday to you all - let the sun shine please. Hennypenny.