LouiseC

Jan, I feel much the same about Liverpool...sigh :-(

Theresa May and Boris are both way more right wing than Cameron and Boris a lot sharper than he portrays which to me = more calculating in his approach. Sadly Milliband jr doesn't present an appealing alternative. Why oh why couldn't it have been David? If it had, I don't think it would be much of a competition.

Most weeks last year I got an unexpected surprise with how well Liverpool performed, sadly the opposite this season. We need to recreate the Spurs game, the only one where everything seemed to gel. Bring back Sturridge...

Yes Otta, it was a sad day. We have voiced our protests but alas I think it is gone, never to return...

The Gowlett seems to have sadly replaced theirs with a bar billiards table. While not technically East Dulwich, the closest ones I'm aware of are at Prince Albert on Bellenden Rd and the Joiners in Camberwell. If you find ny closer, let me know!

He's beautiful! Is he a Siberian by any chance? I only ask as they are less allergenic and we're thinking of getting one (boyfriend allergic) so may be up for a 6 month trial? Both cat lovers who have had cats growing up.

Pink Floyd- Comfortably numb..

Agreed, two wrongs don't make a right.

Yes, precisely why do they persist in bringing up Hillsborough, completely uncalled for isn't it....?

I'm sorry Mick Mac, we have to agree to disagree on this one. The number of times Gerrard has pulled the team through with performance and leadership in my opinion has contributed to Liverpool finishing well above where we expected this season and many others. No player has a great game every match, look at Suarez who has been exemplary all season but the last three matches hasn't really done a lot. What SG does is inspire team performances and I genuinely think he is the heart of the club. Millhaven, if you look at my comment, I did give credit to Chelsea for being fantastic tactically as always but in my opinion it just feels soulless. By my upset today of Liverpool losing and the awful behaviour of the Chelsea supporters at the game persisting with Hillsborough chants (when no other club does) I've broken my rule of not commenting on this thread...so signing off now!

Otta, you are echoing my (also) die hard Liverpool supporter boyfriend, I sincerely hope you are both right!

To slate Gerrard is just insulting, he's been the backbone of Liverpool for such a long time, completely out of order to criticise due to one human error , slipping over...that will probably haunt him forever if they don't win the league (which admittedly is looking unlikely now). Chelsea tactically as always played an amazing game but anyone who would prefer to see 6 defenders and time wasting win the league instead of great to watch attacking football that Man City and Liverpool play, doesn't really love the game.

I've worked in the Retail and hospitality industries since the age of 15. Until you get to a more senior management level the pay is poor and the majority of Retailers currently operating in London don't pay the LLW, is this right? No, however the flip side is that businesses in London also pay much higher overheads (in particular rent) than out of London so to increase wages by on average 20-30% would potentially see the closure of many small businesses and equate to jobs being lost. To slowly implement the increase over 18months as the Picturehouse was intending to do seems he most sensible strategy to ensure they could achieve this for their staff but plan their budget so it wouldn't be at the sacrifice of jobs. I completely appreciate how the team feel, I've been there but we need to look at the bigger picture.

Hi James, could you possibly speak to the train company re: Denmark Hill having an extra ticket machine, it's even busier than ED, so having only one really isn't viable. If people could update Oyster cards at the ticket office this would also help, are you aware of any plans for this to happen?

Another one for people who want to talk at the top of their lungs in a quiet carriage. Got train from Manchester on a Sunday, half empty train, two blokes choose to sit in quiet carriage talking so loudly whole carriage old hear them. Despite us all looking at each other rolling our eyes due I was the only one who had a very polite word...then they looked at me like I was being unreasonable!! The clue is in the name 'quiet'...

Another spot for Shirley from Eastenders but also saw Olivia Coleman in the same week (admittedly not at Sainsburys)!

Thanks for all the words of wisdom everyone, gave me a lot of food for thought. It seems it really is location, location, location- offered 20k over asking price it went north of 50k over (!) we just weren't prepared to stretch ourselves that much for it so clearly it wasn't meant to be....back to the drawing board.

I wouldn't worry Jeremy, hopefully you won't have to resort to arson, Jack Wills isn't doing too well at the minute so if they were to open a shop it would be somewhere there were more teenage children of rich parents, I think the number of prams on LL reflect we aren't quite at that stage yet.

I just bought it, will keep you posted...

This flat is big, over 1300 sq ft and while the negative side to buying over commercial premises is that it's trickier to get a mortgage and not freehold, a positive is that for the majority of the time you are actually at home and not at work you don't have neighbours above or below (if the shop is open regular business hours), so no potential of having loud music from neighbours blaring in at 3am....and vice versa, not having to worry if its you playing music at 3am! Just worried about re-sale.

It actually also has a massive roof terrace, equivalent to or larger than many of the gardens I've looked at.

Hi Jeremy, very good point and definitely one to check. I'm hoping it won't be an issue as it is entirely self contained with a separate entrance and its above a shop with 9-5 hours and doesn't serve food..

Would love people's thoughts on this...currently struggling, as many are with the London property market. Had resigned ourselves to being unable to afford a house in ED as many others have done despite renting in the area for a long time. Today viewed a house in The Catford side of Forest Hill, nice street but not alot around- pubs, shops etc. Then viewed a very large 3 bed flat above commercial premises in ED which offers everything a house would but with an affordable price tag...But it's a flat. Would you a)hold on to the dream of having an actual house in a potentially up and coming area or go for the flat with everything on your doorstep?

Oh...and Urban Angel for brunch/lunch.

Tom Kitchins restaurant is great (Kitchins) if you want something more affordable he has also opened a gastro pub called the Scran and Scallie. Locanda de Gusti is good Italian and I've not been but the Gardiners Cottage has been highly recommended so is definitely on my list!