James

Hopefully they will improve the cooking & service too. It belongs in the 70s, like that awful tex mex up the road.

OK realistically, something slightly bigger in Nunhead or Forest Hill. Oh joy ;-)

Hey Jah, think you read my mind. Apart from the pad in Jamaica, where i would probably be lynched for being a batty man

The ha ha ha ha's were inspired! That witch thingy (Fenella?) who lived in a teapot gave me nightmares... but I sort of liked her as well. A bit like Evil Edna in Will O' The Wisp. I feel conflicted!:-S

God, I had no idea about the crime and the shootings - I'm guessing Chorlton's so similar to ED that they have their own scally-style North Peckham estate nearby? Btw forgot to mention kids' animation "Chorlton and the Wheelies"... classic. I would live there just for that. Dulwichmum, I think you are thinking of Glasgow. Doubtless there are shabby bits of Edinburgh but on my visits there I've only seen the salubrious side. And fortunately Edinburgh people are a bit like posh Australians - desperately trying to be English.

Hi Ratty If you're looking for a place like East Dulwich but up North, try Chorlton (suburb of Manchester). Visited relatives there last year and was amazed at how similar it seemed (their Lordship lane is called something like Beech Road and has a festival every year). They also have a cool independent supermarket - something we could do with here. Thinking of kids - a nice suburb of Edinburgh might be nice (Scottish education system is better + low crime). PS Can't believe nobody has answered this thread with the word "Clapham"

LL Somerfield is okay but shockingly overpriced at times (the Market Fresh thing seemed like some sort of excuse for this) and occasional stock problems. Sometimes the fruit and veg is totally barren. A Waitrose would be fantastic. Admittedly not cheap but the quality is so much better. Sadly I think we're dreaming...

I read something about them getting rid of the "Market Fresh" thing nationwide, just to simplify things.

Plus lucrative sponsorship deal for a desirable brand of 3-wheeled pushchairs?

I know, that sounded awful & stuck-up didn't it? Oops The posh pub vs. pikey pub debate rages on...

Are you serious? If you like the Castle why not move somewhere like Bermondsey where you will find lots of pubs like that?

Why not just steal someone's dog from one of our lovely parks and eat that? Easier than chasing pheasants.

I would eat a chocolate owl

I love owls. That would be great!

A few years ago they always seemed to have at least one veggie option, now it seems they have lurched Gordon-Ramsay style into everything being offal. I think this is a mistake, they will surely be losing trade. It's not hard to adapt trad British fare - if Manze's Pie Shop in Peckham can offer a veggie option I don't see why it is beyond Franklin's. Interesting article on vegetarianism in this week's Time Out, proving that it goes back a lot further than you'd think in this country. It wasn't just a fad that landed in the 60s.

When I used to go to the gym in East Dulwich, Maneater by Nelly Furtado always made me pedal a bit faster. Glad to get that one off my chest!

A vegetarian restaurant. Yes, I know, have said it before. But I find it weird that in such a Stoke Newington-y, Crouch End-y place as East Dulwich there isn't even one. And the restaurants we have aren't exactly veggie-friendly (I checked out Franklin's menu the other day and there wasn't a SINGLE veggie option. That's pretty poor in the 21st Century). Someone could make a lot of money with this one I'm sure - us veggies make up around 11% of the population - probably more around here. Was in Crystal Palace last weekend & they have a brilliant Thai place with two whole pages of veggie dishes on the menu. Plus CP has Domali... why is there nowhere veggie here I wonder?

A hotel only for men? Sounds great! "Young man, there's no need to feel down, I said, young man..." etc.

True. Pleased to (virtually) meet you Matt! Maybe see you at the next forum do type thing.

I'd like to come on Friday too but can't make it, will try the next one. Bizarrely I know quite a few lesbians locally but no other gay blokes (apart from my partner obviously!)

Actually I met my partner in a nightclub and we've been together for 3 years so it is possible to get more than just sex from a tacky night out! Maybe this forum should start some kind of lonely hearts/meeting friends & like-minded people section. What do you think Mr Administrator?

Not necessarily - it's a bit unpredictable. I was in there one night and it seemed to be 60% gay men, 40% lesbians, some couples... other times it can be mostly straight. If you're on the pull but are sick of Soho and Vauxhall I recommend getting the 185 to the bottom of Lewisham high street and going to Stonewalls. It's like a tacky provincial gay bar, very unpretentious, good for a laugh. Hopefully we'll get a decent laid-back gay pub in East D soon...

Hello Matt Where all the gay lads in East D hang out is indeed a bit of a mystery. There must be plenty of them...(?) Me and my boyfriend like the Rye Bar & Grill next to Peckham Rye, which is gay-owned and seems to get quite a mixed crowd. James

I have a strange feeling of deja vu...

I saw her in the Fusion gym ages ago, having a personal trainer sesh. Have also seen Helen Lederer there (comedienne with crazy eyes - remember her?)