Moos

Thanks very much for this - won't have to go up to Elephant & Castle any more!

The thread regarding the other mural on Goose Green has prompted me to ask what's the story behind the Blake mural? It's so lovely, and what a shame someone decided to improve it by tagging. Would it be possible to arrange to have it cleaned up and repaired? I'd chip in!

RSPB website didn't help, but this is what the BBC website has to say "Males and females are nearly indistinguishable, the female can, however, be distinguished by the orange coloration on the lower part of her bill." Good luck spotting that as she whips by!

Hi Rachel4 - I think the "Bellenden Triangle" (hee hee - but it's true, that's what an estate agent told me the area between Grove Vale and Adys Road is now called) is great, close to all the good stuff on LL and Bellenden Road, close to the park, friendly neighbours.. nothing bad to say about it. Welcome to the area, I hope

Nero, how can one tell a male from a female kingfisher (DM, please provide appropriate quip)? I'm in the park all the time, when I see it again, I'll report back as to its manly features or feminine curves. Or whatever I need to be looking for.

And with the parrot feathers too you should look super fabulous. Or are you of the 'blue and green should never be seen' school?

I've seen it quite a few times, the first time being back in November - as far as I know it tends to hang out at the Japanese pond and can be seen whizzing under the bridge in a glorious flash of electric blue. I love the bird life in the park - herons, wrens and those funky parrots...

JBarber, thanks for this. Can you tell us when the garden centre is likely to close, and when the library is likely to open?

Is this idea still alive? Would be fantastic fun (soprano, married to a (much better) bass)

I agree with Peckhamboy, I'm a Peckhamite living within a pebble-chuck of Goose Green - don't deny you live in SE15 but direct cabbies and visiting friends via East Dulwich station. Slightly wonder whether this is all a little bit of South London navel-gazing. Most people who don't live in the area wouldn't perceive any difference whatsoever between East Dulwich and Peckham Rye. Within my house, those of us who live on the 1st floor wouldn't give those scumbags on the 2nd floor the time of day.

Well, isn't there room for the ED resident who doesn't mind the rising prosperity of the area bringing new shops (oh shucks, surely not another ancient chippy / betting shops closed down) but does object to an estate agent the size of a supermarket whose frontage dominates and crushes the look of LL, and which is notorious for its overpricing and bad mannered employees? There's chains and then there's Foxtons. And I will never, never, never, never give them a penny of my money, nor buy anything from them. If other people don't feel the same way, I guess they will vote with their feet.

Having previously lived in North London, I think it's fantastic that there are so many independent chemists' in this part of London. Go, Macey's. And yes, put your money where your mouth is - Chains - Foxton's no, Caff? Nero yes, Independents - Chandelier no, Neverending Story Bookshop yes.

I love the caf?, was in it the day it opened and go regularly. Imaginative and reasonably priced menu, thoughtful staff and nice relaxed atmosphere. And the fridge cake is yummy. I do think it's a bit silly to complain about the number of children in there, although I sympathise with the child-free finding lots of kids too noisy. The caf? has lots of kids' stuff on the menu, high chairs, great changing facilities and well-chosen toys for a range of childrens' ages. Since they are therefore clearly gunning for the Parent Pound, it's a bit like complaining that there are too many kids in Disneyland. However, I like the idea of there being a kid-free bit outside in the summer where dog-owners can hang out. Parents and dog owners often have a bit of an uneasy relationship, and there should be consideration for both.

Hello. New poster here, please be kind. I agree with the poster that argued that those who don't like Caffe Nero/chains are those that are fulminating most loudly against the law being broken, and those that do like Caffe Nero are those shrugging their shoulders a bit over the regulation-flouting. I'll state my bias in advance: I love Caffe Nero, they do the best hot chocolate in the universe, there's room for my buggy and the lovely staff smile at my son. Is there an argument that the rules should take local opinion into consideration? If a very large number of people feel that an establishment is worth having, then it should be allowed to stay, and (as someone suggested) get fined instead of shut?