katanita

Another massive recommendation for No Flies! I've had a right saga of a sale process (through no fault of mine or the agents) and they have been absolute rocks throughout. Fast and efficient and responsive, and always happy to help and advise. Especially considering their commission, this is remarkable service. Wouldn't go with anyone else locally.

I used Animal Friends. I seem to remember that they did lifelong cover, but not for pre-existing conditions, and for senior cats there was a higher excess but it still saved me hundreds, if not thousands of pounds when my cats got sick. They always paid out without fuss.

Sometimes doorbells just go off due to signals on the same frequency from car key fobs etc.

Can you share your cycle route to those @melissavf? I couldn't find one that looked very nice but that would make a big difference!

Beckhenham Place Park lake did reopen after the initial closure last year. I didn't have a chance to try it before it was closed with lockdown but there were people swimming there, supervised by lifeguards, in March this year. It looked like any changing facilities etc were very rudimentary or non-existent but perhaps someone will know more. It appears to still be closed https://lewisham.gov.uk/lake. I actually loved swimming in the Royal Docks. It's a bit of a pig to get to from here but there is something quite amazing about the enormous space and being surrounded by the various buildings and industry and planes flying overhead. Yes it is a bit more expensive though and they are being very strictly managed currently to keep people safe. It is really for serious swimmers. You have to sign up for NOWCA membership but that gives you other opportunities. There are also swims in the Thames listed on the NOWCA site https://nowca.org/nowca-lake-directory/. Not tried these.

Still waiting for a couple items from late March. Given up hope. I assume they are at the bottom of the backlog pile.

loads of missing parcels for me. Two items that I've been waiting for since late March, others more recently. In the meantime, other things have arrived, especially tracked items. Seems very erratic.

A reminder that this is tomorrow, still space so feel free to share with anyone else you think might find it useful, whether within Southwark or not. Will also cover how to prevent Zoom bombing!

Thanks @Sue, glad you found it helpful! Running another next Tuesday 1pm. Sign up here https://forms.gle/JcQoy4ta8gNJgxfe7

Can confirm that the collections are happening zbags have been picked up :)

I booked a garden bag collection a month ago and it hasn't happened. Anyone know what the expected waiting time is? Or has anyone had a successful collection recently? Took me about 3 months and various complaints to actually get the bags delivered, would be nice not to have to go through the same to get them picked up :( Not going to push it right now though if it is just delayed due to all the disruption. But paper bags sitting outside in all weather is not ideal, I'm worried by the time they do get picked up they will just disintegrate!

Running this again on Tuesday, sign up here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeWEQ_6VdotPNBDW9VYhceV_rbKn-adiZ6hCSOQekJvw4ZUTw/viewform

Yes, I also turned away from SMBS yesterday as well, for the same reason. Organic Village was better as hardly anyone in there, and I think they were monitoring numbers but not very clear and no one way system at that point. Was very reassured by stricter rules limiting numbers at Lloyd's Pharmacy and Luca's, amongst others. BUT, especially surprised that Sogim pharmacy had apparently NO restrictions, esp given its very small size. Really needed to get in there but felt very uncomfortable with two others milling about waiting for a prescription (could they not have waited outside??). I did say that at the time but got no reaction.

Don't necessarily need to waste the discarded sourdough starter when you feed! I add salt and herbs and bake it just as it is as a flatbread, maybe with a bit of olive oil - good with dips! It's sticky though, so best to bake on a silicon sheet if you have one. If I still have too much after my next feed in a week or so I'll let you know.

Happening today, please sign up via the link above if interested. Feel free to share with others in the community or beyond!