dumpertruck

Prefer to read www.royalfamily.co.uk

"From weekly to fortnightly and now four weekly street sweeping" Apologies for moaning again, but that is totally unacceptable. And, I'm afraid, innaccurate. Pellatt Road, which I walk down every day, has not been swept for at least five weeks - unless the cleaners are picking up the litter and leaving all the leaves, that is.

Fair enough, though I did have to scythe my way through the leaves on CPR and Pellatt Rd this morning on the way to Lordship Lane. Maybe I should take a leaf out of fuzzyboot's book and stop moaning! I'll get the broom out later...

How deep do the piles of leaves have to get before someone sweeps them up? I can say with 100% honesty that I have never seen anyone sweeping any street in East Dulwich since I moved here just under a year ago. Granted, I work during the day.

Live a bit too far away to comment on direct noise issues but I've noticed that a lot of the van drivers keep their engines running to (presumably) warm up the cabs while they stick postbags, parcels etc in the back. I guess that might be a bit irritating. The British Gas vans that pick up their parts etc from the PO there do it too.

I pay about ?450/year. I had cheaper quotes, but sat down and read the small print for once and decided to pay extra for more robust cover. I used to always go for the cheapest option on price comparison sites until a friend's house suffered fire damage a year ago ago, and I witnessed (and am still witnessing) the agony he is going through trying to get them to cough up for stuff. It's been a real eye-opener.

A pal of mine went through a rather odd period a few years ago. Grew an enormous 2-ft beard, became extremely argumentative, started railing against the west, considered becoming a muslim etc. Having nothing to do over the new year, he went to Beiruit by himself, checked into a hostel and was immediately taken for a jew by the owner, thanks to his whopping facial bush. This guy basically refused to believe he wasn't jewish, every time he saw him he'd cackle and make semi-comedic, threatening gestures at him. My mate was too scared to go out and get a razor so he basically moped around this dingy hostel for three days. Then flew home early. Sorry, I've got no idea why I'm writing this...

On behalf of my fellow residents on Crystal Palace Rd, thanks so much for not clearing up your pooch's steaming mound of turd this morning at around 7am. Particularly enjoyed your lingering over the pile and furtive glances (by the tree stump about 30m down from the caff and up from The Castle) as if you intended to pick it up. If you'd care to let me have your address, I'll be sure to come round and dump a steaming jobbie of my own right on your doorstep. Sorry for the negative first post - but this has really got my goat.