mlteenie

Ker-smirk. Sadly no predictions. The letter just said 'write to me', although the address was that very house.... The panelling was of the 1950s 'cover up those unsightly Victorian mouldings and get the modern smooth hardboard look' variety. Same went for the bannisters. Impressive. I stuck a glossy property mag in the wall of my bathroom when I redid it so that someone may enjoy the styles and prices of the early 21stC. I like the boatly whisky (cheap) idea much better, tho.

This is great. A friend of mine recently moved to the top of Crystal Palace Road (but shockingly not yet on the EDF) removed the 1950s panelling to the rear of his front door and discovered a letter saying 'Secret - open me'. Inside he deiscovered a letter written in 1955 by a 7-year old girl called Miriam Horwood, who had lived at the same address. The letter had aaprently remained undiscovered all this time. The big question is, does anyone know anything about her? She'll be in her early 60s by now, but could still be in the area. It would be great to put them in touch.

I sympathise with those unfortunate enough to have bike bits nicked - it is a very unpleasant experience having anything swiped. I wasn't aware there was a spate of thefts going on. :-( For any urban cyclist it is essential to buy some kind of security for wheels/seatpost and even headset. These vary in price from about ?10 for allen bolt items (they may not bother, going elsewhere for easier prey) to ?35ish stainless steel options which are impossible to remove without the correct tool. Try Balfe's Bikes or look online for makes like Pinhead and Pitlock. ?35 may seem a lot, but it isn't when you consider the cost of replacement, stress and hassle involved when you do have to push your bike home, wondering what would have happened if you'd caught the scumbag at it. Perhaps we should set a trap... lure bike and telephoto lens?

Tsk, tsk.... don't know where to start..... what was OK for Jimi and Jeff is OK for me. Nuff said. Getting bored now. May slip into my leathers, tho'. Should liven me up.

THink Cesar's death grip is called for.

> Still you are a vain tight ar5e so who cares? WTF?

Keef - fair play. I was referring to a Strat in the sexiness stakes. Adding to the 'unexpected' factor, the solo on 'Another Brick On The Wall' was a Les Paul, despite sounding like a Strat. And the lead on 'House Burning Down' was a Les Paul too, despite being Jimi. But what about 'Cause We Ended As Lovers'? Jeff Beck played a Tele with humbuckers on that. Don't think Fenders are right with 'buckers. I basically like to play Fenders because they look nice, you can drop them and they still work and you can take them to bits. Plus my greatest heroes played them (mostly).

Amusing and informative BBW. That really is cheap, but Hungary ain't quite that bad. I am still hoping to hear from someone who has actually had an implant, so I can hear about the process.

Jeremy, what i am referring to is players who develop an identity on the guitar. The identity comes through regardless of gear combination. Layering up different setups for working rhythm tracks or something would sound different admittedly, but for an activity level above that the player would shine through. Fenders are harder to play, but due to the nature of the single coils I find them springier and more dynamic than humbuckers. Those who like them are prepared to put up with the hassle of effort and intonation to achieve the tone. I have both and use them for different jobs. I think most of the interpretation of the sound is by the player rather than the listener. I think I started with Fender because of the shape which is obviously FAR sexier and modern than a LP.

Not that exciting. Culmination of a long-term problem.

Ho-hum. Fender. Any guitarist who has striven for years to make their own sound realises eventually that no matter what they play, it still sounds like them. e.g. SRV played Strats and Gibbos and sounded like SRV. As did Jimi. As does Keef (Richard). As does Townshend, etc, etc. The sound is in the fingers, not the amp or guitar.

I await a dental appointment following up the loss of a tooth (I will spare the details). The price of an implant is set by the dentist and I gather the going fee is around ?2k. I started reading about dental tourism on Martin's Money Saving Expert website, and it seems that Budapest is a well-known destination for those who can't or won't pay for the UK prices. There an implant is around a third of the UK price and the quality is supposedly the same. If you want to check it out Google 'Hungary dentist' or similar. One site I have been looking at is 'Kreativ Dental', who even have a UK office organising packages to Hungary, it is so popular. Has anyone here had an implant? Has anyone been abroad for one, or similar treatment? Your views are of great interest to me!

I would say the accepted hierarchy is US then Japanese then Mexican. However, even in the '50s they occasionally made less high-quality individual axes. Yours is probably better qual than a Mex one, but maybe not as good as a US model. But then again it depends what you are comparing. A US vintage reissue is very different from one of the many lesser US models now made. Also, your guitar be be particularly good. Jimmie Vaughan uses a Mex Strat in preference to his vintage ones at times. Many people prefer to buy a Jap Strat and upgrade the p/ups, frets and hardware, resulting in a guitar that is still cheaper and as good as or better than a US vintage reissue. Probably confused you now! It does depend on spec and condition... you could get between ?300-400 for it on eBay. Unless you want to lose loads of wad, avoid trading in or flogging to shops.

Depends where in ED you live. I often get the train to Herne Hill and walk from there or jump on the 37.

Has anyone heard a rumour that Alleyn's is quietly lobbying the council to turn Hillsboro Rd into a one-way street? Presumably for their convenience rather than the residents'. This would be inconvenient for those who live there, and highly convenient for the school whose often shambolic driving population is only around for half an hour, twice a day, half a year, (Although the students and teachers clog the street up with their parked cars all day as has been mentioned). Whilst it may be a good idea in principle, to ease the congestion that occurs at pick-up and drop-off time, a little consultation with the residents would be fair. Perhaps the letter's in the post eh!

Bummer, HL - I sympathise. So what do you do, diet-wise?

Thanks to all. I perhaps ought to have explained more. I don't smoke, now minimal drinking, have been veggie for decades (I don't eat TOO much of the nice saturated fat things I described earlier), am 43, skinny, active and have a high metabolism! The only reason I went for my blood test was because my brothers both have high cholesterol. Mine was: LDL 3.9 HDL 1.6, making 5.7 (I know it doesn't tally - apparently it never does). I also know that about 90% of these fats are made by the body, rather than diet. This seems to make it far worse for someone with this problem, since you need to go further than just cutting down to be in a good area. The Doc (whom I like and trust) said to come back in a year and we'll see where we are.

What about the type 3 wedge style? Surely they bare less hassle? I dream of having one one day.:(

Just found out I've got a genetic tendency to high cholesterol. What a bummer. I love cheese, cakes, black choccie, alco, salt, etc. I am a veggie and I ride my bike a lot but I don't think that's enough..... Anyone else had to deal with lowering your cholesterol and what have you done?

Set a trap for the barstewards! Thanks Mike, and Lenk, that is a good tip for the pub bike. You can also stick two-part filler in there, but I prefer your suggestion. Eyes peeled. Unfortunately.

Very sorry to hear about this - I have always been concerned that this might happen over there I have Pitlocks but I prefer the look of yours, Mike. Where did you buy them?

I have to say in all seriousness that riding home by bike from a night in town (or anywhere) is safe, extremely pleasurable AND free. That is the reason I got back into riding again twenty years ago - I would hate to travel any other way nowadays.

Barry, you're an angel! I'll buy you a pint, and I hardly use the stations. Well done, mate!

Horrible news and I hope she recovers and they catch the scumbag. As my neighbour told me t'other day, as an ex-policeman and MP in 'Nam (I do not jest), when he pops down the Rye with his dog at night, he always carries a bright torch and a walking stick 'just in case'. You aim the torch in the eyes and hit the neck or knees, apparently.... unlikely to be fatal and they ain't going anywhere. Obviously, few of us would relish being in that situation, but somehow I find the guidance er, ...interesting.

I came home at 12:30 last night and there were police and tape across the road (the ED station side). I believe it was a stabbing. Violent crime seems to be occurring more often and closer to (our)home these days.