buddug

First Mate said: 'Getting a new dog will not help since the dog was bonded to the husband who has died.' I can understand that. But one of my closest friends died in February last year and two months ago his wife decided to get a puppy for herself and her cat, who was devoted to her husband - it's been a life-changer for her, dealing with all the puppy stuff, and her cat, who was also grieving, is delighted. And though not the same exactly but it's a similar separation issue, when one of my two cats who came to me together as kittens died, I decided to get a puppy as company for the remaining cat who was bereft and spent all her time sitting at the kitchen door looking out into the garden directly at the other cat's grave. Though she was initially baffled by the puppy, they soon bonded and now they're inseparable, and sleep in the same basket together. She's now a completely different cat - she's found a new lease of life and seems much younger. I think another puppy might be good for both this lady and the dog - in so many ways. It may be too early for this lady just yet, but it's just my thoughts. And my condolences.

I can't bear Oxford Street anymore so I always go to Bromley. So quick on the train or 20 minutes by car - never any logjams - and ridiculously cheap to park in the small multi-storey car park there. The Glades shopping centre is a treasure trove! It has everything. And it isn't dismal at all, Sue! Especially at Christmas. All the clothes stores you can imagine are there - for any budget. And then just outside one of the exits there's a Cafe Rouge for a nice glass of wine when you've done your shopping. But for food I try to keep it local. East Dulwich/Peckham borders is wonderful for eating out, Pretty's for veg, Spirited Wines for plonk, William Rose or the butcher opposite The Plough for meat and Moxtons for fish. Franklin's Farm Shop for amazing tea and coffee and artisan-made pasta. I have been known to buy the odd piece of retro furniture at Mrs Robinson's though. Then the Pound Store in Peckham for sundries - it is also great for things like kitchen and bathroom basics - all the mainstream brands. Sainsbury's for dog and cat food, their 'basics' loo paper etc. Don't go to Croydon, I say. Now that's dire!

http://savethekidsgroup.org/

Today I went to Dylways Garden to collect some hollyhock seeds. I came away with a lot more! But my goodness, what a garden! It's lovely. Even at this time of year when gardens, including mine, look terrible. The people in charge are putting in so much work to make this patch a little oasis of loveliness. And now they have a grant, thank goodness, and they are putting it to such good use. I can only urge people who have the time to go and give a little help. Maybe just an hour a week. And you'll be fed and watered as you work! It's amazing what has been achieved. Community action at work! And something that could be achieved throughout the borough.

Bullying who, James?

Jkartel wrote: 'no children allowed to play' policy now in place by the council.' And Councillor Hilton wrote: 'The point is that it's not true that children aren't allowed to play in the grounds of the estate.' So which is it? (looks like I may have jumped in too early back there...)

Councillor Hilton wrote: 'All the trees are named after children on the local housing estate and the opening of the Orchard was marked by a community day featuring a poetry contest where the prize for the best poem was awarded with an Apple iPod (geddit?).' That is one of the sickest things I have read on this forum, and it could only have come from a councillor - pure Stalin-speak. All the trees named after the children, but no children allowed to play in the grounds! Beyond belief. As for the Apple iPod... Talk about rubbing their faces in it.

Is it possible to find out who some of these landlords are who are pushing up rents on Lordship Lane and North Cross Road? We hear a lot about how greedy they are and how they couldn't care less about the character and make-up of East Dulwich. Is there a list, and is it in the public domain?

Rahrahrah wrote: 'So they?re looking for property in ED. What?s the betting that Kirsty and Phil have them looking at properties in Nunhead, Sydenham and Norwood, before finally finding out that they ended up in Beckenham one year later.' ...or Penge.

Admin!!!!

Admin!

I would love to believe the geese were contented, as you say. I adore Foie Gras! I had a wonderful dish of it at The Palmerston once and felt riddled with guilt for a week! Maybe the geese do only feel a bit full, rather than in pain. I suppose they wouldn't waddle up to the feeder if they were suffering. Oh God. Now I'm in a gandery (quandary - geddit?).

So, Hickory, as you said: 'When they finally came a few days later, they [the police] told me it was a public order offence.' This, after "some guy threatened to rape me, whilst I hid in a stranger's garden"!!! God, the local police need to get a grip on themselves. Hope you're over the shock. He was just a little shit on a bike, but I'd have been scared too, with no one around. But, even so, when all's said and done, he's just a little, sad shit.

Proves my point...

Call me a carnivorous bigot, but I've always wondered whether vegans are attention-seeking food faddists. Vegetarians I can understand. I had a vegan friend many years ago who came to stay, and it meant lots of preparation, stocking up on tofu and soya milk, which, by the way, is disgusting. She isn't vegan these days, and admits she was rather demanding. For me, like the French, Spanish and of course Italians, food is a celebration of life. To forbid oneself one of life's greatest pleasures seems a shame, and an insult to those in the world who cannot pick and choose and go to bed hungry every night.

But I do agree. However, some establishments round these parts do try it on, you know.

Straferjack wrote: 'Twelve quid for a bottle of beer is the norm?? And that's the voice of reason?! Christ on a bike' Down, Tiger!

Midivydale: There's an incredibly professional man who comes out to assess repairs and deal with them called Justin Hall. I think he's deputy to Gary Glover at Southwark, another spot-on chap. I don't think you could go wrong with them. Their boss is Christian O'Mahoney, another good egg. They are not pushovers, but they take their jobs seriously, are good at them, and respect leaseholders. Years ago I had 'pointing' done by Botes, contractors used by Southwark at the time. Turned out, despite the scaffolding, no pointing of any kind was done! They were up there reading comics. A great chap from Southwark called Mike Balfour came out and got another team in to do some real pointing. It wasn't brilliant, it turns out, but at least the job was done. Botes, unsurprisingly, went into administration not long after. But what I'm finding lately, is that some of the perpetrators of the major works horrors we've all experienced are currently being weeded out. This is due to the fact that many people in top jobs at Southwark council are now very different to those that have gone before. Whether this is due to coincidence, a change in policy or the dawning of the Age of Aquarius I don't know, but I've dealt with some remarkable people, I can't tell you. And the new chief executive herself is quite interesting - she recently featured in the TV series 'Undercover Boss'. I found it very moving. I think these people have incredibly difficult jobs - trying to ensure that the council operates efficiently and profitably, whether it's in the realm of keeping control of huge building contracts or traffic flow via sensible parking restrictions, while balancing that against real cases of injustice or hardship suffered by the residents of Southwark that they serve. They also have to deal with chancers who are just trying to take the council for a ride. I couldn't do it. However, there are still far too many of the old-school bullies in middle positions at southwark, some of whom are downright sadists. These you need to avoid at all costs. They are vile and quite evil. Some are borderline sociopaths or worse. Not only are they incompetent, they have zero empathy and no compassion. You would not want to have even one telephone conversation with them - you'd feel dirty for weeks after. Believe me, I've been there. Go right to the top, where the air gets cleaner. I wish you luck.

Councillor James Barber wrote: 'I would ascertain whether 3/4 flats are leasehold and if they are consider buying the freehold. You'd then all be master of your own destiny and not reliant on Southwark COuncil.' Ah yes, that's the only bit of advice he was able to give me when I was in a similar situation. Sure, James, we in East Dulwich are all made of money, aren't we? We could buy our freeholds tomorrow (in my case ?5,000). Simples. Just as we all want 'aspirational' supermarkets such as Waitrose here too. James darling, we all know our politicians are completely out of touch with normal people's lives, but could you as a local councillor please get real for once? Or is it too much to ask?

Sounds like more 'cruel-sport' television to me. No thanks. And anyway, isn't this sort of the thing on the way out now?

PeckhamRose: Contact Leasehold Advisory Service on 020 7383 9800, 9am-5pm. They'll tell you exactly where you stand.

Do you mean the Gardens cafe? If so, it was because they took an hour before you saw any food after ordering (if you were lucky) even when the cafe was empty. And even then, what you ordered was not exactly what appeared. In our case, they did reimburse us half the bill, but still. It's a shame, as the food was lovely. No business acumen I suppose, and beyond hopeless management.

Oh Jeremy! If only. As Strafer Jack said, buying the freehold is not always feasible. My upstairs neighbour and I have been quoted about ?5,000 each if we want to buy it - simply not affordable, for either of us.

Do not touch a flat with a Southwark Council freehold! I live in one of two flats in a victorian terrace and it's been a nightmare for the past 17 years. In a block it would be even worse, especially financially. Too many housing officials at the council are of the mindset that freehold flats are the council's property and treat you as though you're a tenant (i.e. with contempt) despite the fact you own it via your mortgage. This is now slowly changing, thank God, with the appointment of some excellent people at the council, but there are still those who believe they have enormous power over you, and the bureaucratic machine at the council - which is probably a nationwide thing - supports their behaviour and you end up spending half your life fighting against it.

I hate the devil's advocates! So stop it. But you're right about us wage slaves. But sadly, interns can't just walk out the door and say 'screw you'. If mummy and daddy have put you in that position through their contacts, it's the only way you have a cat's chance in hell to get a job in the future. Why do you think they stay? I've never heard of an intern leaving - they're just too thankful to have the chance, if that's what it is.