SueOrr0103

Hello, We are first time parents and are looking for options during the summer holidays. Are there any holiday clubs for 2 year olds in or near East Dulwich? Many thanks, Sue

Just to add to Snooks, my husband and I had a fantastic meal yesterday. Loved the ambience and the meal. I had the duck which was divine and my husband had the chicken which was delcious too. The wine list is very good and not as expensive as we expected. All in all a great evening and we are very pleased about this new addition to ED. Sue

Thanks for that Yeknomyeknom. Any areas at a walking distance to East Dulwich?

Hello, I have a very active 16 month old boy. Can you please recommend any foot soft play areas in East Dulwich for days like today when it was pouring down? Regards, Sue

Haha I obviously meant cola trap, stupid auto correct. Well the latest is the bugger ignored the beer altogether. Pellets then..

Thanks so much for all your suggestions. I'm going to try the beer and cola trap tonight and get the bugger!! Sue

Hello, I wonder if someone can help me with a very annoying issue I'm currently having. Every morning I see slimy slug trails in my living room carpet. The living room otherwise has wooden floors(and carpet in the Center) so I'm not able to trace where they come from. Tried putting out some beer, got one but then they got clever and wind take the bait. Any suggestions at all? Is this an issue with Victirian conversions? Many thanks, Sue

Hello, My husband and I are about to become new parents and are looking to join a paediatric first aid training course. Can you please recommend one locally? Many thanks, Sue

Appreciate that first mate and thanks for putting it well. As I mentioned in my very first post, I do know that not all dog owners are unreasonable/ rude. But I get very annoyed when I'm told to be off parks, or that I'm insane or that I have some kind of a strange phobia/ disorder because I don't like dogs jumping on me. I can understand that dog owners find their dogs leaping/ jumping/ charging on to others very cute. But they should understand that some people in this world are actually scared of that kind of behaviour. And we have as much right over access to parks and public spaces as those. So while I don't go running after and jumping on people's dogs in parks I expect the same treatment.

Well it looks like every word I have written has been dissected and analysed. Just to clarify - The dog came charging at me and leapt at me and there was physical contact hence I felt I was being attacked. Now, from what I have known all my life, the first natural reaction when a human being or animal attacks you is to scream. That's usually first way to defend yourself as well. Well, that's my understanding. Is that really called hysteria or sensationalism now? I'm surprised! With regards the signs, I have always seen the signs right at the entrance of the park, hence my understanding has been that dogs should always be kept on a short lead. However, I have seen dogs off lead in the off road exercise area, which I have no problem with simply because I do not walk there. Others might have an issue with that. I cannot clarify any further I think. I will post what the council thinks when they reply.

Thanks everyone who have offered sensible suggestions. I have written to the council to clarify and will post their reply here. I was of the understanding that dogs cld be taken off the lead only in the off the main road exercise area and that they shd be kept on a lead on the main circular road that walkers/ cyclists usually use. If I'm wrong I stand corrected. Since no one is quite sure, I have asked the council to clarify. I don't think I'm insane as someone here has suggested nor do I have a phobia for dogs. But yes if a big dog (def a lot bigger than the one the kindly "lane lover" has suggested) jumps at me I get scared. Surely parks are meant for people like me as well. But I might be wrong. I will leave the analysis for the psychoanalysts here.

The dog came charging at me at high speed and I screamed. Yes I did not wait for it to attack me and then post this. But I have been approached, touched, licked, attacked by dogs in the past in parks, but did not want to do anything abt it. Why is it that live and let live rule never applies to law abiding ppl who actually respect public places? And I mentioned abt taxes only because I was told to not walk in the park if I'm scared of dogs charging at me. Park being busy is one thing not being safe is entirely a different matter.

Jeremy: don't like dogs charging at you or dog poo? Stay away from parks and footpaths.. Whatever next! And they will not even pay taxes!

Nigella, thanks for the suggestion, will do that. First Mate, I was not attacked by the dog in those off the road areas where I have seen people exercise their dogs. I was attacked on the main road in the park very close to where the ice cream van usually stands. I do not know if council's signs are wrong or not, but all I want to say is that surely parks are meant for people as much as dogs. Especially given we pay council tax and dogs don't! I mean seriously, is expecting to be not attacked by a dog in a public space unreasonable????

Ottawa, these couple of pics I took are right at the entrance of the park.

Thanx very much for all your responses. It's very encouraging. Can you please give me the contact details of anyone whose adopted so that I can have a chat with them? Many thanx, Sue

Hello, My husband and I are thinking of adopting a baby. I was wondering if anyone here has adopted. Can you please reply or PM me. I would love to have a chat with you about it. Many thanks, Sue

Thanks guys, very helpful. Sue x

Hello, We are planning to switch our broadband to Virgin Media Fibre Optic. Can you please let me know your experiences? Is the Virgin broadband any good in ED? We are currently on BT but its not fibre optic and switching to BT infinity is quite pricey as compared to Virgin. Many thanks Sue

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Womanofdulwich, I'm the owner of my flat and have a buildings insurance. The owner of the property above me also has the buildings insurance from the same provider. However, when talking to the buildings insurance provider, they said that they only provide cover for communal building related issues not for individual flats. I do not have an insurance for my individual flat. Dont think it was required when I got my mortgage, about 6 yreas back. Sue

Yep ?600 is just to fix my ceiling that has been damaged by the leak. There has been a number of mails/ letters between me and the council. They have sent me 1 third one y'day saying they will not pay for the damages. I dont mind paying it this time, but what if it happens again! I cant keep paying for someone else's fault. Hence who do I escalate t his to if the council refuse to pay?

Hi Womanofdulwich, I spoke to the building insurers who manage both our flats and they said they deal with only communal issues. i.e. communal pipes, etc. Because this is an issue of leak from 1 property to another, the owner of the property has to be contacted. And in my case the owner of the property has leased the management of it to the council :-( Sue

Hello, I need your help with my rental property as I'm kind of stuck and do not know what to do next. I have property that I have rented out successfuly. A few months back we noticed a leak from the kitchen ceiling coming apparently from the flat above. The leak initially was small so I did not bother. In a month's time the leak became a lot more heavy. So I went to the flat above mine and was told that it was managed by the council and the tenants were also let by the council. As the leak was significant and was damaging the plaster work in the kitchen, I got a builder in who said it would cost ?600 to fix it. I have explained all this to the council, which involved filling out forms, sending them pics of the damage, etc. They agree that there is a leak from the property being managed by them, but they have refused to pay for the damage done and for me to fix my ceiling. The council have explained that they send their plumber in to their property and he has confirmed that the plumbing is sound. But they can see the leak into mine. What should I do next of course apart from shell out the money and fix it myself? The problem is the same thing happened 6 years back. At that time as well I had to fix my ceiling. Its like being stuck witha n unruly neighbour!!! Please advice. Thanks Sue

Thanks very much for all yout suggestions. Sue xx