Polly D

I love the Peep show and am sort of in love in a non-sexual way with David Mitchell ...

Yes Ant - I am inclined to agree. 'Men Behaving Badly' type programmes and annoying ads like that one where the bloke is cooking and the woman is on the phone saying she'll probably die thanks to his cuisine don't help with stereotypes. *Bob* - ring is on the finger and Mr is very neat and tidy - I don't want to know what Dutch ovens are ...

Seriously, I go along with the later part of Huguenot's entry from Wikipedia. I'd always understood a metrosexual to be a nice bloke who listened to women and maybe even thought like them - not necessarily feminine themselves but could put themselves in gals' shoes. Not cross-dressers you understand. Before I get beaten down with roars from the men for suggesting that they don't normally listen, I don't agree with the thought that blokes are dirty. I know lots of clean ones.

Whoops! Even more envious now Ben. Let us know about the tartlet tomorrow. See what you did there with 'slice of ED life' MP - did you buy it from the deli? Is it home time? Goes into nearly home-time mode. can I be quiet-roomed?

ktm - that's horrible. And that's really all the police said?! Poor guy.

I'm envious of your afternoon Ben; the view from my office window is very wet and dull - I bet the sun is shining in ED eh?! What did you have for lunch? Have you tried the organic scotch eggs from G&B? Yum

To avoid the Old Kent Road, go through Burgess Park. I think it's route no. 22. Coming from ED - go through Peckham Rye and at the library you can't miss it. There's a point where you have to cross a main road (it's where the 63 goes) and then you can continue on into Burgess Park up to Elephant & Castle. From there it obviously depends on where you want to go but when I used to do that route it made the world seem so much safer!

Bob!

Is Val's the one on the parade opposite the library? Next ish to the florist and Costcutter?

Sean and *Bob* - me too! How about Mitte in Berlin. Actually, Forest Hill is twinned with Charlottenberg in Berlin, coincidentally v near to where my bro lives. He got a bit sniffy 'bout that though and claims that Charlottenberg is much more central than FH. But if we're going for culture and social types then it's not far off I'd say.

Oh this happened all the time in PE (hee hee). Blimey, what a gruesome story. Puts a whole new perspective on extra toppings. Do you think he regretted his actions in the morning? Maybe? Glad you missed that Kittenheels.

Special bouncy floor bounces Keef back into hammock with sherry intact. Gets out mobile (oops, in the quiet room). Sends a text instead.

Hands round sherry and slices of chorizo. Erects (no giggling) new hammocks all round the room. Tries them all out 'Goldilocks' style before settling on the 'just right' one in the corner. Weeps silently at boss's behaviour.

OH ... MY ... WORD ...

Okay Mockney, here's a challenge for your sleepy post-lunch state: about 20 years ago (gulp) I saved up tokens from KP Hula-Hoops and sent off for a big plastic hula hoop (in pieces). It came in the post with a red plastic very thin record (are they called 'micros' maybe?). For one happy summer I hula-hooped in my bedroom to the sounds of this record until it got lost/damaged/thrown away by annoyed parents. All I can remember about it was that the lyrics went something like " ... and you loop to the loop and hoop to the hoop" or something, in a kind of 'rap' styley by a man and then it went into a melody when he went "... and swing ...". If you can find this and put it on in the Music Room I will bring you back some chorizo from Spain - leaving for the airport in one hour ... and if anyone else has happy memories of this song, let's get hula hooping!

Sorry, have to agree on the hit-and-miss service in Le Chardon. We took Mr and Mrs Dorner there last year and went for the 9pm seating - don't know if they still do only 7pm or 9pm seatings still? Anyway, we arrived on the dot and then waited for nearly an hour for our table! We weren't the only ones. We wouldn't have minded if the staff had said sorry, suggested a drink out the back or something but all we got was a stressed grumpy lady saying "yes, yes, I know you booked but what can I do?" ... hurrumph, haven't been back since 'cos it completely put us off. The food was good but by 10pm we should have given up and got a kebab from next door ...

You're telling me Batdog! Don't get me started on a dough rant ... (Thank you kind Keef; you're a true gent)

Then I'd look like this (6) or maybe this ;-) More like presents from two different people and never quite got round to returning the second. If Mrs Keef lets you have some room, it's all yours.

Keef - I have two copies, you can have one.

One of my favourite topics! 185 all the way on rainy lazy days, bike on sunny days

Me too Chartwell. It sounds like her house is one that's on the London Open House thingy list in September.

First time we tried them we were delighted and scoffed half a metre each I think. Sadly, subsequent deliveries have been a bit sad, for example, missing ingredients, cold (to be fair, they're based in Herne Hill), warm beer and, well, just have never been quite as delicious as the first time. Will have more tries though cos reckon they're the best delivery pizzas on offer locally. Great choice of toppings. Pizza Express ... hmmmmm ... worked for them for 10 years or so, it went downhill when the menu changed (IMHO). True they usually pick great locations and the atmosphere is good. For all you parents: they're now introducing a kid's menu so no more "Can I have a margarita, pepperoni on one half and olives on the other, cut into 16 and 20 napkins?"

Batdog - would you wear a bonnet? Hairy Smelly Love would so enjoy it.

Glad you got yer dosh back James

Cup of tea and chit chat.