SebsC

62-68 Half Moon Lane SE24 9JE

Hi Verds. That would be great - each time I went I just turned up. Afternoon seems to be a good time to go as nancy is in clinic then. Best wishes.

I brought some more things in today and spoke with Nancy. She said she has been amazed by the response from the community. She said today her phone has been ringing non stop with people wanting to donate things. In particular, she mentioned someone had donated a double buggy with room for older children to stand at the back (presumably buggy boards?) and they gave it to a mother of two young children who is pregnant with her third - apparently she burst into tears and was so overwhelmed with the generosity of people she couldn't stop crying. All the donated goods are massively appreciated and desperately needed so well done everyone. Nancy also mentioned women's clothing was much needed so anyone thinking of having a sort out of their old clothes please bring them to this hostel. Many thanks.

Just checked traffic news and it is closed in both directions between Sydenham hill and Dartmouth road due to a severe accident. Buses being diverted and police directing traffic. Will be chaos at school time.

Just to warn people that the South Circular, opposite the Horniman Museum, heading towards Forest Hill, has been closed. Something seems to have happened on Sydenham Rise - there were police cars, ambulances etc and the road has been closed. Currently, traffic is backed up all the way to the junction with Barry Road. Suggest people find alternative routes to avoid the area. Not sure if its closed in both directions.

Cora Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Took some stuff today and haven't ever had a > donation so gratefully received.....some of my > stuff included excess soap, creams, shampoos etc > which were wasting away in the bathroom, so don't > forget to have a clear out there too! > > Nancy gave me an updated number as the other one > isn't getting a great reception inside the > building: > > 07920 807521 > > So this is the one to use from now on....... Thanks for that Cora! Nancy is really so appreciative of donations which is why I wanted to highlight the issue as I felt my few bags of donations were just scratching the surface of what is needed there! Hopefully, all the generous members of our community will continue to delight Nancy and the residents of the hostel.

Otta Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > We havean old buggy we could give. It's old, but > in good condition and very sturdy. I'll get it out > the cupboard and give it a clean over the > weekend. > > We probably have some girls clothes and toys too, > but unfortunately took a big bag of stuff to the > charity shop last week. That would be great Otta. I went again today to donate some old baby toys and saw the cupboard where they keep the toys and it was very bare so I think anything would be appreciated, especially the pushchair. The lady who I spoke with, Nancy, I think leads a nurse clinic there for children but as she's in clinic a lot of the time she's not always able to answer her phone so on both occasions I just turned up in the afternoon and asked for her and she was able to come and get the donations from me. Thanks!

Thank you to all the people who have replied and/or PM'd me looking to donate things, I'm sure the hostel will be most grateful. As for the comment about ?120 shoes - everyone is entitled to their opinion but I can certainly verify after my time spent in the hostel yesterday bringing through my donated baby clothes, the people I saw, predominantly women and children, were certainly not wearing anything that looked expensive or designer - unless you class flip flops as expensive! There were whole families cramped into very small, very bare looking rooms so I for one have no qualms about donating my unwanted possessions to them. Furthermore, I do not feel it is my place to pass judgement on a whole hostel based on one or two individuals. But, like I said, we are all entitled to have differing opinions.

Hi all. Whenever I have clothing, toys etc that my little one has grown out of, I usually bring them to local charity shops, but with my latest bundle of baby clothes I wanted to bring them somewhere where it might be more desperately needed. I saw somewhere on the forum about the hostel/refuge in the church at the top of Barry Road, so i called in this afternoon to see if they wanted/needed baby things. The lady I spoke to (Nancy) couldn't have been any more appreciative! They are desperate for baby/children's things. The people in the hostel I think are mainly refugees who have suffered horrendous abuse. Recently two sets of twins have been born there so they are desperate for donations. In particular, the lady said they urgently needed buggies/prams/pushchairs - they recently had some given to them but the time they got to the bottom of the road, wheels had fallen off, seats had ripped etc so they need ones that are in a decent condition. I appreciate that this is difficult to acquire as most people tend to sell their unwanted pushchairs but if anyone has ones they no longer need this hostel would massively appreciate it. I have Nancy's number should anyone want to speak to her which I can give you if you PM me.

Thanks for all the recommendations and PM's. I took a drive this morning to the bakeries mentioned but with such little notice there was not a huge selection available, so I bit the bullet and made my own following a 'fool proof' recipe. It did go slightly wrong on several occasions but it seems that a thick icing can cover up a multitude of cooking mishaps! Oh well - it's the thought that counts isn't it?!

The M&S cakes do look lovely, however, being a bad mummy, I have left it too late as I need it for Thursday!

Hi there. Just wondering if anyone knew of somewhere vaguely local that I could buy a birthday cake for a toddler. I don't want the likes of a supermarket cake but not something as fancy as bespoke so somewhere in between? Would make one myself but can't face the look on my son's face as he stares in disappointment at the burnt, splodge on a plate that's meant to be his cake! Thanks!

Thanks everyone for the ideas. I like the sound of Godstone Farm and still keen on cable car and museum but just so weather dependent! Fingers crossed for dry weather. If it is pouring with rain I will be really stuck for ideas!

Hi there, hoping someone could come up with some good ideas. Hoping to go for a day out on Saturday for my sons 2nd birthday with various family members, including a ten and twelve year old. Any ideas for something that would entertain all ages, including the adults? Had thought about a trip on the Thames cable car, then the London Docklands Museum followed by lunch somewhere. Anyone done this and can recommend or any alternative ideas welcomed. Thanks.

It looks like the game '4 Pics 1 Word'. It's a good time waster!

Hi, I have the Weeride front seat for my little one which I started using when he was just over a year old. I love it because having him right in front of me definitely feels safer as you can always see them and don't have to worry about what they are up to behind you! It's also easier to chat and interact with them without having to turn round to speak to them. It also seems more fun for them as they get an unobstructed view as opposed to having to stare at your back and bum! I get a lot of comments when out and about from people who think its a great concept. Negative points: I had trouble fitting it onto my bike as it requires a space at the top of the frame to fit it to and not all bike seem to have this. In the end I took it to Evans bike shop in Camberwell and they fitted it for me. You have to cycle in a bow legged fashion as you are slightly obstructed by your little one so it definitely works muscles you didn't know existed. I would imagine this would become more so the bigger they get. The foot rests on occasion have blocked the wheel from doing really tight turns so make sure it is fitted so as not to obstruct the wheel. Hills are HARD but then maybe that's just me! Some people with them say they were worried about the balance being a problem but I have to say that has not been an issue for me at all. Ultimately, what made up my mins was the security if being able to see my LO at all times and the feeling that they are slightly more protected with you in such close proximity. Hope this helps!

Oh no. I hope it doesn't do any unnecessary harm to other animals. However, we have two dogs and it certainly hasn't stopped them from tearing round the garden. Our cat still happily sits out every day on the seat in the garden and the birds still visit the bird feeder each day so I certainly haven't noticed any adverse affect on other animals.

We have a battery operated device called FoxWatch(I think) that we bought on the Internet for about ?80. Since installing it a couple of weeks ago, there has been a significant difference. Whilst we can still hear the occasional fox in the distance, the device seems to have stopped them from coming into our garden which massively reduces the number of times we get woken up by them!

http://www.dulwichridingschool.co.uk/index.html Here is a link to their website.

I had the same thing with my son when he was about 14 months. He had previously been a good sleeper but following an illness he began repeatedly waking up at 4 am. Not particularly wanting anything other than calling for Mummy. I tried the 'wake to sleep' method and have to say that it worked wonderfully for my LO. I think it's the method recommended by the Baby Whisperer. Basically, you set your alarm for about an hour before the time they usually wake, so in my case it was a 3am alarm and then you go into their room and gently 'wake' them. I just used to gently rub his back and talk softly to him - enough to rouse him but not fully wake him up. Then you settle them back down and they go back to sleep. The idea is that their waking at 3/4 am has become a habit so you need to interrupt it. So you break the cycle by half waking them before their natural body clock does. Anyway, for whatever reason it worked really well for my son and after three days of doing this he went back to his previous sleep pattern. I'm sure If you google it you can find more info. Hope this helps - I do still remember how exhausting it was.

Alan Medic Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > SebsC Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > Advice from my dad (font-ue of all knowledge), > no, > > unless he wants a bonfire to dip his bread in! > > Dad was wrong I'm afraid.Break it to him gently. The white spirit worked?! I'll have to sit Dad down to break the news!

Advice from my dad (font-ue of all knowledge), no, unless he wants a bonfire to dip his bread in!

Last night, both my mum and I were unable to sleep. At about 1am we both heard a bird in the garden with the most beautiful singing. It went on for hours - I even opened my window to listen to it. My mum mentioned it might be a nightingale - I was a bit skeptical. Any ideas what it might have been?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vicks-Paediatric-Mini-Ultrasonic-Humidifier/dp/B003XQNDH0 I bought one of these. Definitely on my top ten of must have baby products. Whenever LO has a cold I put this in his room when he sleeps and definitely seems to help his breathing.

Hi Frankie77. I had the same thing with my son when he was about 14 months. He had previously been a good sleeper but following an illness he began repeatedly waking up at 4 am. Not particularly wanting anything other than calling for Mummy. I tried the 'wake to sleep' method and have to say that it worked wonderfully for my LO. I think it's the method recommended by the Baby Whisperer. Basically, you set your alarm for about an hour before the time they usually wake, so in my case it was a 3am alarm and then you go into their room and gently 'wake' them. I just used to gently rub his back and talk softly to him - enough to rouse him but not fully wake him up. Then you settle them back down and they go back to sleep. The idea is that their waking at 3/4 am has become a habit so you need to interrupt it. So you break the cycle by half waking them before their natural body clock does. Anyway, for whatever reason it worked really well for my son and after three days of doing this he went back to his previous sleep pattern. I'm sure If you google it you can find more info. Hope this helps - I do still remember how exhausting it was.