MrsMcC

Firstly I agree with all Otta said pre show. My last time at BP was the year before last, after many years of attending, when I didn't enjoy it at all as too crowded; trees were in the way and the music too loud/not suiting the fireworks. Last night was an all together different experience and myself, my husband and two friends had a fantastic evening. Straight in with pre bought tickets, where I'd also printed off the time slots of the entertainment, and then the map from the link I posted so we knew what was where. Yes I queued for food but not too long, only to be expected as such with lots of people not having time to eat before all turning up en masse. The Lords of Lighting were thrilling , the Human Catherine Wheel good but on late and so were the fireworks but well worth it, they were absolutely amazing with an excellent sound track. We were near the front and had plenty of space, it may have been different further back as I think people might have thought it was already packed at the front. My only issue was when they were telling people to get out of the 'exclusion zone' or they would delay the show which was unfair. For the people who got to see it for free from there good luck to you, I lived on Cressingham Gdns Estate for 7 years and you'd know where the park bars are bent to gain access! A thought is maybe Lambeth could have a ticketed free entry part over that side for people who can?t/don?t want to pay for the other entertainment but I?m so glad we did. I felt like I was at a festival for 3 hours  The only disappointment we had was we went to see the bonfire afterwards but it had already burnt down. We saw the mechanical bird going around and had a dance in front of the Disco Turtle which was great fun, we left under the full moon when it closed and went home very happy indeed.

http://www.brixtonbuzz.com/2014/11/the-brixton-buzz-guide-to-catching-a-freebie-view-of-the-lambeth-council-fireworks/

I could say I live in between Crystal Palace and Beckenham, place called Kent House but I'm in Penge. What's in a name anyway, it's where you're happy to live that counts not what it's called.

Ha Ha not quite Parkdrive but getting there, slowly.....:)

Check out 'Friends of Flavours' on Green Lane for good Italian food, they've also got a children's menu at ?4 a dish. I was in there on Saturday for lunch with my Mum and husband, very nice it was too. After I was given a voucher card where if you visit on a Sunday or Monday in Oct/Nov and buy two mains you get a free bottle of wine.

Hope not Otta but that can happen anywhere including ED and Beckenham!

As I said Parkdrive, different strokes. Others on here, as myself, are seeing/having the vision to look beyond what's not quite right at the moment and welcoming the changes that are happening for the positive. Sometimes when you're bought up in a place you can't see the benefits of how things are progressing as you've had enough of the place already! Good luck H-M-B, hope you find something of interest when you're checking out the neighbourhood.

Don't see what's wrong with either Parkdrive, the High Street might not be 'pretty' but it's practical with most things you need and I've never had a problem on it in the 8 years I've lived there. Maple Road is a nice street with two very good caf?s, The Blue Belle http://www.bluebellecafe.co.uk and a Blue Mountain also the second hand shop further down is always worth a look. Different strokes.....

Certainly hope not, it's coming along nicely as it is with it's own personality.

Fentimans soft drinks are nice, Sainsburys stock some of them http://www.fentimans.com/welcome

Thanks Loz but I don't have my email open all the time to see them there and thanks El Pipe I'll look out for that.....

Hello Admin, is it possible to have the 'Private Messages' link to flag up red or bold to show you have one rather than having to click into it all the time to see if any received? Thanks.

Laura Weightman's silver win in the 1500m run and the men's swimming relay gold, beating Australia for the first time in 64yrs, were thrilling to watch last night. England is second on the medals table, only 7 away from the Aussies.....

I didn't see the opening ceremony, doesn't sound like I missed much anyway, but the events that I have tuned into have all been exciting. Can't believe no one on here is talking about them, is no one watching the games? I even found the Lawn Bowls a buzz! Well done to Glasgow and to all those competing.

DullVacuousLoser

People who don't brush their seats off after eating leaving crumbs and morsels of food.

A babies laughter, x 4 here

Fair enough on all accounts Otta, if that's the case, but some people/mates included just don't bother with cash and it drives me nuts waiting to get served. Even more so when the machine takes forever....

People who pay by card for drinks in a pub, whatever happened to knowing you're going out for the night and having cash with you!

I love Penge, bit rough around the edges but then so am I! Forget Blue Mountain Cafe go to the Blue Belle Cafe opposite Friends of Flavours - Italian restaurant Alexandra Nurseries - Plants etc and great cafe Ollie's Fish & Chips - take away Maple Rd The Bridge House pub - good beer garden and even has a theatre The Moon & Stars - one of the better Wetherspoons Practical, if not pretty, high street

Orchard Toys have an excellent educational and fun range, here's a link to Amazon, you can also buy them in most good toy shops http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=sr_in_-2_p_89_29?rh=n%3A468292%2Cn%3A%21595312%2Cn%3A%21595314%2Cn%3A364143031%2Cn%3A364150031%2Cp_89%3AOrchard+Toys&bbn=364150031&ie=UTF8&qid=1403865529&rnid=1632651031

Check out Mosquito Milk, very good http://www.chemistdirect.co.uk/brands/mosquito-milk/bnd-2n2

If you haven't already come across Toad Hall Cottages online check them out, they cover Cornwall and Devon http://www.toadhallcottages.co.uk

Speedex are very efficient to deal with, excellent customer service. Was going to have some tools shipped for my husband but have a friend coming over from Melbourne so he's been able to collect and will bring them with him. There are no stockists in the UK.

They're not screening the match, and it's not in ED, but this looks like it'll be a fun day in Trafalgar Square http://culturalbrazil.org/2014/05/28/brazil-day-in-trafalgar-square-thursday-12-june-2014-noon-7pm-trafalgar-square