Polmoche

great thank you!!!

Hi-- does anyone know where to buy face paint locally? Not sure my internet order will come in time! thanks!

All I can say is you get what you pay for! We bought taps at Bathstore.com - they were what we thought at the time a good price, but they began deteriorating within months of us buying them. They were I believe supposed to be chrome or even stainless steel, but it was basically just steel / chrome coating over what was essentially plastic. Never again! That said, the ceramics (sink) seemed to hold up okay. If I were to do it again I'd go down the CP Hart outlet route! I don't think we were the only ones with the problem- you can do a search for Bathstore quality and you will get quite an eyeful.

thanks Pickle--another thing on my kitchen wish list! We tried food scrapping but because it is a faff so much doesn't make it-so this sounds ideal. I also just read they have a model now where you have to physically put the cover and twist it on to operate it - making it impossible for you (adult or child) to get their hand caught. Much better than the model I remember using -- where it just whizzed away like a giant set of jaws in the sink...(the flappy things covering it having worn away).

Hi Pickle--I am very intrigued by your Insinkerator! Was it hard to fit? I assume your plumber fit it? and I think you need it hooked up to electricity? I had one when I lived in the US years and years ago, but have never seen one here. Is there some sort of safety switch for kids?

Thanks everyone for your comments -- I am going to have a proper look at them now.

GOsh they sound great - so no downsides at all? BeccaL can I ask what brand you got? I may just take you up on your very kind offer! Bluesuperted - I guess the oven is still electric right? I think I can get over the humming noise if I can just wipe it down quickly. :)

Hi there-- about to replace our old hob. Would be great to get some opinions on whether induction hobs are any good. They look nice - but wondering if they can compare to a gas hob/ and the control you get with gas? thx!

Don't know if it matters to you, but Nantucket and Cape Cod are very expensive. Cape Cod less so, but still pricey. I remember Nantucket being very expensive (this was in 2003!). Some bits can be lovely and remote, but the main part of Nantucket is really full of high end restaurants, cafes, boutiques...There's definitely more stuff to do on Cape Cod, but remember both are summer "destinations" so hard to escape the crowds.

Thanks for all the replies! Very useful to know about fox-proofing. Stupidly, had not even considered that...

Hi there-- just wondering what it's like to have a pet rabbit. Are they horribly smelly? Do you let it hop about the house? If you don't have a garden to let them have a "free" hop -- is that being a bit cruel? Any tips on rabbit maintenance gratefully received!

Another recommendation for Richard. He just did a great job painting our living room. He was friendly, reasonable and very professional. Highly reccomended.

Have you tried the Usborne series based on classic novels? Of course, they've been abridged and retold for kids. My children love them--especially the Dickens ones...David Copperfield, Oliver Twist, Great Expectations...you can get them on Amazon...http://www.amazon.co.uk/David-Copperfield-Young-Reading-Series/dp/074608563X/ref=pd_sim_b_2 I think they've done a great job at distilling it down to a plot that grabs children -- and kids seem to immediately identify with the characters.

Does anyone know where I can donate new and gently used winter coats for children? thx!

We changed GPs and can't believe what we used to put up with at the DMC!

Cycle to Denmark Hill then train?

Hi Molly not to hijack your thread but how was Haberdasher's? What did you like about it? Have you been to Harris Girl's?

There used to be one on Thursday after school at Ivydale School in Nunhead...not sure if it's still going on.

Avoid KFH is all I can say. They were terrible. And imo you're better off finding a local handyman who you trust to go in and sort things out. The plumber that we needed through KFH cost a fortune and didn't even do the job right. We had to call in someone on our own anyway. Inventory is usually part of the agreement when they find a tenant, separate from monthly maintenance.

Sue--the shop owners saw the whole thing. These men were not to be messed with--well I certainly wasn't going to mess with them. They were loud, obnoxious, and looked quite ready to thump anyone who got in their way.

I actually saw a couple of men pulling out a sizable rosemary bush outside a local food store. This was in broad day light--they did not care who saw them and didn't try to hide the plant. Just walked off as we all watched gob smacked.

I've tried sea bands and they did work for us. My daughters and I all get car sick--my little one to the point of vomiting. It doesn't work for everyone though! http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sea-Band-For-Children-Various-Colours/dp/B001CD6EMC/ref=sr_1_2?s=drugstore&ie=UTF8&qid=1344286053&sr=1-2

Puddleducks in Nunhead--if that's not too far for you. It's in a great space--a big airy, light modern church hall, with good toilet facilities and good outdoor space. They also serve hot lunches. The staff is friendly and Carol, the woman who runs it, is very approachable, and struck me as very concerned with always looking for ways to improve the nursery.

Both nurseries my kids went to (Puddleducks and Chelwood) had cooked lunches...

DJKillaqueen: " And if no UK studies exist exploring the impact of needle exchanges on local communities, then that suggests to me thet there isn't any problem with such facilities within the UK." Not sure about that! Look at the Libor fixing scandal--perfect example of a problem that existed that no one cared to unearth and it looks like now the regulators knew about but didn't want to tackle. Not that I am saying there is a problem with needle exchanges--i have no idea-- only that just because no studies exist for a certain issue doesn't mean there is no problem. It was also my understanding that in order to be one of the new breed 100 hour pharmacies that you HAVE to offer services outside of what typical pharmacies offer (ie. needle exchange). Community pharmacies are nervous at the idea of a 100 hour pharmacy being opened up in a GP's office--it's obvious that should this happen with the DMC most community pharmacies in the vicinity (lloyd;s for example) will lose business. I think from the last time the DMC applied for permission, the needle exchange "threat" was used as an argument to block the DMC's license, but it could be seen as a cynical, fear-exploiting method by community pharmacies to protect their own interests. I found it difficult to know what was better/worse! The real debate is as James Barber pointed out whether a for profit pharmacy in a setting that could easily have a monopoly should be allowed (being muddied by the whole emotional debate around a needle exchange).