ladywotlunches

Any more info anyone? A friend who is on Landells road told me about 10 minutes ago (so almost 12 hours later!) that they are still without power, and can't get through to the Electric people other than a recorded message.

Another solution the police offered was to install our own CCTV. I know you can get cameras for a reasonable price, but there's the hassle of fitting them etc. And would the police actually be able to use any film as evidence, or realistically be bothered, for such 'petty' crime? (Though after several incidents in the last couple of months, it all adds up).

I agree with others, some of the books are just far too strict. I did find The Baby Book by Rachel Waddilove helpful though. It gives you a guide for routine, but all the way through emphasises that if it all goes pear-shaped, it doesn't matter. Quite a reasonable approach I found - am now due with my second and have been reading up again. First time round, we kind of just let ours do what he wanted for 5-6 weeks, then started trying a routine. Mainly to try and get some evening time back! I think he slept 'through' (I think 10-11pm to 6 ish) from about 4 months. He's a good sleeper now at 4 years, and to date we've not had massive problems (I hope it doesn't change will arrival of no 2!!)

Yep = petrol stolen from our scooter again last night too. A whole ?2 worth, my husband thinks. What IS the point??? I actually noticed that it had happened in the middle of the night (but didn't actually catch the culprits) so we reported it to the non-emergency number then and there. They said they would forward it to the right police station telephone investigation team. I did see a police 4X4 drive slowly past this morning, so perhaps they are looking into it. But snowman, like you, we don't have a garage, and aren't going to get one in the near future. So pretty much stymied. Next plan is to just put enough fuel in it each day to get to work and back, so that (we hope) they will just give up if after a few tries they don't get anything.

Hope to see you all there!

HeidiHi I'd say go and try out the food yourself - see what you think. If nothing else, its an excuse to get out for a lunch/evening :) Then if you like it you can speak to the manager and arrange things while you are there.

The food at the Wood House is good pub fare - they have a list of menus for both functions and just generally on their website: dulwichwoodhouse.com. Its not as 'gastro' as the Herne, but kids tend not to like such high-falutin tastes anyway!! I know that it has been slated on here - which is probably why it took me so long to go there. But whether it took them time to settle in as new owners or something, or people just don't like change, I've found it really good on the occasions I have been. Perhaps pop in one day/evening. With an under 1, if they sleep in the buggy of an evening, you could even take them with you and have a night out - have seen other couples doing the same which has caused no problem to the pub (which perhaps is why people who don't have kids have gone off it :) ) Oh - and I have no affiliation with it either. Just new to me, so quite keen to share the good news!

My new favourite place is the Dulwich Wood House - they have a conservatory/covered deck area that works well for this - and last time we were there on a Sunday, there was a Christening party happening. They are very family friendly too. (and parking is much easier round there if you will be needing that) Personally I think The Herne is overrated, especially as the kids get older and actually want to eat there - a very limited menu for the little ones. Once we went in and the kids option was linguine with parmesan. Which was exactly that - some boiled pasta with grated cheese on top. Hardly balanced! It was a while ago though. Although saying that, whenever I go there the kitchen seems to be shut so we end up somewhere else.

See you there. If its dry we can sit outside, and there are a few sit-on toys for the little ones, plus a few toys inside, kind of like Dulwich park. Also there is a big field for playing football next door! See you at 11.30

I've got a Zapp, which does fold very small and is great for the car. But it doesn't recline at all, which for my 1st always resulted in my wheeling around for 20 minutes on the back wheels only! I'm looking at the OBaby Atlas (I think) for number 2 - its a bit like a maclaren, reclines fully, but about ?60 instead of ?150. Nice patterns too ;). Kiddicare have a good range of colours - or Mothercare/JL if you want to check one out in the flesh.

randombloke Wrote: Your user name implies that you > would simply dip into spouse's bank account to > have such trivialities resolved. Sadly I was not > in the position to do that and had to continue > working in my management job and marshall my > resources to save losing a lot of money if I had > sold the car in that condition. We aren't all as > fortunate as you ladywotlunches, some of us have > to earn a living. I don't often get enraged by the > pomposity of people on the internet but in your > case I shall make an exception. So being female and being able work in a job that allows me to afford my own lunch are mutually exclusive are they? Now who's is being pompous? Just stating a fact that a SORN, as the name suggests, is a declaration that the car is kept off the road. I'm not getting further involved here. Do as you please.

Not if the car was actually OFF ROAD, no. For a couple of weeks, I think in most cases the DVLA will give leniency. But when tax discs are displayed months out of date, that's a different story. But then again, its not as if re-taxing the car should come as much of a surprise to anyone that they are 'caught short' - it comes round pretty regularly...

randombloke Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > At the time I simply > could not afford to have it repaired and made road > worthy. Therefore it shouldn't have been on a road!! Surely the fact that it was on a SORN means that you signed something to the effect of 'I declare that this vehicle is not on a public highway' etc etc. But you continued to keep on a public road..... A few years back, I had an abandoned car parked for MONTHS outside my house - it had the grass growing under it, moss on roof etc etc, but I was told that as the vehicle was taxed there was nothing anyone could do. After waiting for the tax to expire, I was then told by the DVLA that although the tax was invalid, the owner had been in contact with them and they had made an exception! So it appears there are ways, if in dire circumstances, that you can get leniency. So there is no excuse for simply not bothering to renew your tax disc. As someone else said, if you can't afford the tax, sell the car.

Smiler Wrote: --- > > Surprisingly it does happen - I personally know > three other people (not in Dulwich) who had a > similar experience! I suppose babies can move right up until labour starts - it just gets less likely once they are really huge (wish my bump would calm down a bit!!)

not planning a trip (shudder at the thought) but I have got the instore delivery service to deliver after buying stuff. They charge ?20 I think to round here from Purley, and deliver the same afternoon.

If SJP likens nappies to 'baked goods' (which I'm taking to mean croissants etc??) - then no wonder she's so skinny. That's a seriously warped sense of smell/taste!!!

We've just got a few of the Muji 'wardrobe drawer' storage boxes for our 'downstairs toys'. 4yo loves them as he can go and get his stuff, kind of can see where it is, and remarkably has even taken to putting stuff back when finished (ok, with a little prompting!)

Even more annoying is the comment from DVO that she couldn't continue to BF past 3 weeks because of photographers who might take photos of her in Starbucks while she was feeding. So the latte is more important then Denise?? I don't have any objection to bottle feeding if that's a choice/necessity for the mum, but this reason is just pathetic... These 'celebs' need to get a life.

Oh yes - forgot about sitting outside. That's a good idea. See you on Saturday!

I will be closer to 11.30 as my little boy has football until then. I'd thought we were going to do something more in the open air (weather permitting) though rather than in the cafe - perhaps taking a picnic lunch with us, so we can spread out. Thinking about how much space we took at Nero's last time, then doubling (or trebling with other halves) I don't think the cafe will take it! We could meet in the picnic area (close to the lake/swings which is gated off to avoid dogs and their 'accessories'!)?

I can do either 7th or 8th. And either 11.30 with a picnic or 2pm. Keep me posted and we'll be there!! :)

P Rye gets my vote too - are other halves invited? Might be useful to share the load of the little ones running around!

See you all Sunday. I too am so BORED of being pregnant again! Seems strange to say but when you've done it all before, the idea of getting things ready seems like more of a chore than an exciting outing now! And bending down to pick up toys etc isn't helping matters!

My son goes to Colourbox and loves it. He's now 4 and will be leaving at the end of the year. Spaces for the little ones (ie the age you are looking at) are limited, and I know the waiting list has been closed temporarily, but depending on what days you need, sometimes there is a space - give them a call.

Michael, is there a central place to find out this information? I'm on the Lewisham side of the border and would like to find out about schools here.