peggoula

Hi we are just back and stayed at hotel Tree Charme, just off the pantheon, it was very central, modern and amazingly friendly. Have a little look here http://www.treecharme.com it was ?120 including breakfast. We've also stayed at Casa Howard before (behind the spanish steps) and it's lovely but a bit more expensive. Hope you have a great time, it is my favourite City to visit!

Totally agree - daughter started Reception this year and we couldn't be more impressed and pleased. Well deserved!

Sorry can't do either of the days (we are actually in greece for easter) and the 18th is my birthday but hopefully the next one. Thanks for organising anyway.

Καλημέρα!I'd be interested too, my kids are 5 and 2 and live in ED. I am thinking at this stage i would just be bringing the 5 year old as the 2 yo would not exactly sit and read books for hours...

There are places to avoid in Crete (Heraklion is not the prettiest and stay away from Hersonisos and Mallia) but there are other beautiful spots like Chania and Crete has delicious food. Southern Peloponnese has lovely spots too and obviously, as the ad says, more than 2500 Islands to choose from :-)

I am greek and have been there both in may and in October. Obviously can never be 100% but weather will be fine on both times. Are you going in the mainland or an island? Sea will be warmer in October as it's had the whole summer to warm up but nothing will be closed (well depends if you are going anywhere remote!) Have a lovely time!

I was seen by obstetrician mr Dennes after a horrendous first experience and he recommended an elective as there was no guarantee it wouldn't happen again. Himself and a midwife (based at kings) looked after me and made sure I was signed off to do that as I was not going through the trauma again. I had my little boy at 12:45, was up to the toilet by 4pm and out home the next morning. I cannot recommend it enough, as far as births go it was as good as it gets. If you need more info please PM me.

Anyone knows if there are apare buggies in Heathrow and particularly in terminal 2 the way there are around Gatwick? Flying to Greece on the 29th and only need the buggy if there are miles to walk as 2 year old boy is good with walking but not at the direction you need to be going. Thank you in advance.

My daughter is in reception at bessemer, they get fruit every day and vanilla ice cream on Fridays as a treat. They have a brilliant salad bar that reception kids go nowhere near to but the meals are perfectly balanced. Wonder what is that school you are referring to is? I want to go there (as currently in a pre-Christmas 5:2 hell ;-) )

My 2 year old regularly swings the decorations on it (and goes "swiiiiing") and took the tinsel off too but we keep saying no and he is being a bit better. I have a 5 year old too who loves it and for me it's unthinkable not to have a Christmas tree in December (I am a Christmas freak) so you just have to say no and they eventually learn... One tip, no breakable baubles at the bottom of it and you should be fine! Happy Christmas x

Party is not till the 8th of February, was trying to be organised and book it before Christmas. Have booked entertainer for it and paid deposit there but no deposit at the Patch... Wonder if it was because deep down he knew it was closing down? Either way it is all annoying I have tried several places like the Ivy and the community centre but they either don't book Sunday or they are booked already. All extremely annoying.

I have a party booked there too... I have emailed the owner but have got nothing back so far... If you do please let me know... In the meantime trying to find other venues as my house way too small for 25 rowdy 5 year olds!

Hello My daughter is at Bessemer reception. We live about 300m from Heber but didn't get in... Anyway just wanted to reassure you that the school is excellent. Communication with parents is amazing, level of education quite incredible (the amount of progress even in the first term absolutely unbelievable) and in general I cannot praise the school enough. The Head teacher turned the school around from what I understand, and she has a child in year 1 so I think she is going to stick around. If you need specific info, please send me a DM - I am a newbie there obviously but if I can help out I am more than happy to give you details.

Could someone please confirm if they are closing down? I have a party booked upstairs for February and this will be very annoying...

Hello I was wondering if anyone knows who to contact to alert then to a cafe's hygiene standards. We live next door to the cafe in question and I notice them having opened cans of half eaten food by the side entrance (which is joining with my house) which obviously attracts all sorts plus there is an empty terrace space behind them where they put rubbish through the day (even if it's collected before they close it is attracting insects). I am fed up with telling them to be more tidy and need to report them to someone but I cannot find a section on the council website where you could do so? I am reluctant to name them here but I would urge people to think twice before eating in any caf on lordship lane... Thanks in advance

Thank you, very much appreciate the suggestion, do you have a number for them? I have googled them and can only find a number for the actual church but not the office.

I was wondering if someone can suggest a hall to hire for my daughter'a 5th birthday... It is later this year so outdoors is not really an option and it's on a Sunday so it seems that a church hall is not an option either. We have someone doing a messy play session for the kids, but need to find somewhere inexpensive for about 25 5 year olds (dear god!) I know east dulwich centre is an option but though it's ok would like to have an alternative as well... Thanks in advance.

Bessemer Grange is great at communicating (and from what I heard they didn't used to be) but definitely are now. We get weekly newsletters with what the children have been doing, twice a week updates on their homeschool diaries and letters with upcoming projects as well as communication from the PTA (@fab) My daughter has started in Reception in September and despite it not being our first choice (we are much closer to Heber but didn't get in) I couldn't be happier.

Thanks James, have emailed you and would be very interested to know how they respond to it. Best wishes, Peggy

Can highly recommend GMs. It is ?14 (or it was last time I checked) and the people there are very accomodating and lovely to kids. Don't go to little clippers. Appaling customer service and mostly they do half job to get rid of you as quickly as poss.

Hello James I am not sure if you can help but I thought I'd bring something to your attention. My family as well as other families in ED have been dealing with a lot of issues in our communication with the school admissions staff. In short they give contradictory and inaccurate information, say that they would call and never do and we also know for a fact that lists are not updated as quickly as it should making the whole process even more painful and frustrating than it needs to be. Renata Hamvas is very helpful, I just thought that if they get some pressure from multiple sources they may actually sort things out quicker. (I am happy to supply specific examples but perhaps over PM and not on the forum). Thanks for listening, Peggy

Emily's fish shop on north cross road is our favourite. We have moved away and still drive there to pick it up and bring them home. Delicious.

And we've used Dulwich Barbers for a rowdy 19 month old. Only place that actually managed to do it, very patient and with a smile on her face. All for ?8. This experience was way better than little clippers that only did half his head, moaned constantly about it and still still charged me ?10.

The shop is moving to where the other Convenience shop was, in the corner of Landells next to the Funeral Home. Quite a bit smaller space for them but I am glad they are sticking around they are nice people. Not sure what's happening with the post office though.

Hello, we live on crystal palace road (the LL end) and though 280 metres away from Heber our daughter is 8th on he waiting list (with thankfully a place at Harris). Unless you live very close to the school (this year I know 8 people that live on Heber road!) Heber is very unlikely. Look at the people on the street, though the people next to us go to Goodrich and across the way to Heber... So mostly depends on whether there are tons of siblings and pure luck. Hopefully by next year Harris will be a good option for you (I really hope so cos my daughter will be there!) so may see you at the school gates!