Pickle

Interesting thread. I'm about to have my second child, so I guess this will soon become an issue (although our age gap is small - 17 months, so not sure if that will make a difference). Personally, I was 4 when my younger brother came along, and it's safe to say it wasn't love at first sight. In fact I spent much of the next 2 years trying my best to knock him off :-$ Unfortunately our dislike for each other was quite mutual once he got older, to the extent that our parents had to put us in different schools to avoid us killing each other while out of their sight. Thankfully as adults we now get on fine, helped by the fact that we live on opposite sides of the world! I have another sibling 9.5 years younger, and rivalry was never an issue.

I'd hate to see a McDonalds on LL! However... I have to agree with Louisa (never thought I'd hear myself say that) in terms of McCafe - they have them in NZ and they're fab. Nice coffee, brilliant cakes. But still wouldn't want it on LL!

That ad happened to come on the other day and my little boy was completely transfixed (didn't pay much attention at the time to see what was being advertised) - he's 16 months old - so I can only imagine that if you have a girl the right age you'd never hear the end of it. But hey, look on the bright side, there's now somewhere local you can go to buy the shoes and put an end to the pleading!

I'm with Vodafone, have been for 7 years now - went into a store a couple of weekends ago just to have a look at phones - left with a ?40 credit off my next bill and a brand new whizzy phone that does all sorts of things I don't need (but it's fun). Didn't change my contract as I'm happy with it (?17 a month for 125 any time any network calls, which is plenty for me, and unlimited texts). It's definitely worth calling them or popping into a branch!

Hookers and their kids... based on my brief look in the window as I walked past earlier today. Quite bizarre. Will try to keep an open mind and go for a proper look this weekend.

Underhill Road - depends how far up the property is, as it's a really long road. The lower end is really close to LL and all it has to offer, but the further up you go the longer the walk. Grove Vale is where ED station is, so very close to the action, but could potentially be quite noisy as there's a lot of traffic along that stretch. Not sure on the other roads. Have fun looking!

Ah Bon3yard, don't worry. They'll get what's coming to them when you conquer the world selling your homemade pies (which I'm very much looking forward to trying next week!) ;-) Edited to add that I'm very much looking forward to trying out the new cafe, it'll be the closest to where I live - good luck to them!

I'm quite addicted to the show this year... didn't really see it last year at all. Am I the only one that thinks the "Cheeky Monkeys" are the most annoying thing to have been on TV in a long time?! Can't understand the judges making comments about how refreshingly "un-stage-school" they were? I would have like to see the urban dance troupe go through. Loved Strike, something different - and Amanda's quite funny with her unashamed drooling. Have people coming for dinner tonight, am going to have to convince them that watching BGT while eating is a good idea!

I love the fact that ED has a sense of community. I know my neighbours, have met a great network of friends, and think the area has a very welcoming feeling to it. The shops, while not to everyone's taste, are handy. I can buy pretty much everything I need locally, enjoy a meal at a nice restaurant when babysitters permit and enjoy being so close to two great parks.

I went to a vege restaurant years ago with friends... it was around Shepherd's Bush area somewhere, and I think it was called Blah Blah Blah - fantastic food. I'm not vege, but we eat vegetarian food a couple of times a week just because we enjoy it.

I'd love to have Bruce Parry (the guy from "Tribe") living next door - his stories over a drink or dinner would be amazing to hear! Years ago when I lived in Clapham I had "celebrities" living next door (at least they thought they were) - the "pop group" 3SL - you're forgiven if you've never heard of them! They were the 3 Scott-Lee brothers, Lisa from Steps' brothers, one of them is now married to the orange one from Liberty X. Provided us with hours of entertainment listening to them having singing lessons, and watching them strut round the shared courtyard topless in the hope someone was watching (of course we were... but we were a flat of 20 something single girls!). Bizarrely their Dad lived with them too!

;-) No worries! Get some caffeine down you (about to do the same myself!)

That's Jacks cafe that you've been given directions to. The cafe on the rye is just up from the main entrance to Peckham Rye Park - walk up the path opposite the end of Barry Road (where the Clockhouse Pub is) and you can't miss it.

I've got a friend who lives in Penge and pronounces it "Pon-jay"... just to add a bit of poshness!

It was the first place we ate out when we moved to the area too... I wonder what it is about the place that enticed us all as "newbies" to the area?! Have eaten there a couple of times, always quite good fun, food OK, alcohol brilliant ;-) I liked that it had a real tongue in cheek feel to it, fantastic naff Mexican music, great tacky decor... nice to find a place that doesn't take itself too seriously. Hope it's just having a facelift and will be back!

In desperation resorted to looking in the bottom of the freezer. Have so far eaten 4 fish fingers (intended for baby Pickle) and 4 radishes that I found lurking at the back of the vege bin, as well as the bits of baby Pickles lunch that got spat back at me. Mmmmmmm, lovely. Didn't even have any ketchup for the fish fingers :'(

I've got no idea what to have for lunch. Stuck in the house waiting for a plumber to arrive, and by the time he's been my little boy will be asleep - and I think there's probably a rule about nipping out to buy food and leaving a 16 month old alone at home? So if anyone's got inspiration as to what I can do with: 1 egg (past best by date by 1 week) 3 slices mouldy bread 2 jars baby food I'd be very appreciative! Alternatively if anyone would like to deliver me something delicious and nutritious.... It's grocery night tonight, thank goodness

I went last night with Mr Pickle. We thought the staff were great, really friendly and attentive throughout the meal. Food was tasty, bill came to about ?60 for two people (three courses, only two alcoholic drinks included), so not too bad, but I guess a bit more than you'd pay for that sort of food at somewhere like Si Mangia. The pizzas are huge, and really nice - not too much cheese which is great. I thought the restaurant itself was nice, the windows at the back make a difference. Atmosphere was good for a Wednesday night. Still seemed to be a problem with their card machine, so it was cash only - but it was well signposted from the moment you walked in so not a hassle - handy that there's a cash machine nearby!

I must walk around with my eyes closed... walk past the CPT every day and hadn't even noticed it had changed colour! Will take note this afternoon!

Spangles - I think I made it sound too much like I have a social life... actually I think I've been out about 3 times in 16 months! :(

I agree with BlueOne in terms of pubs in the evenings - on the rare occasion that I do manage to go for a drink in the evening, I certainly don't take baby Pickle with me. Even parents enjoy time without kids occasionally ;-) Although I thought most pubs round here had a "no kids after x o'clock" rule anyway? Apart from maybe the Herne which seems to cater towards families more than others?

So those of us with kids are supposed to stay locked inside the house, and not even venture out to our local shops in case we annoy someone without children by pushing a baby in a buggy? Hmmmmm. Perhaps you should move to somewhere like Canary Wharf, you won't see many kids there.

I can't answer your question, but interestingly we've got exactly the same thing happening. Only noticed it yesterday when we finally decided the time had come to switch off the heating - despite the heating being switched to "off" the radiators are still hot when the water's being heated. Hopefully someone has a simple answer!

Our windows are cleaned monthly by a girl called Kelly and her brother (I think it's her brother!). They do our windows and most of our neighbours - we're on Upland Road. I'm generally in when they come, so I know they're actually doing the job... and if we're not in they leave a note and come to collect the money the following weekend. Unfortunately I can't find her number, but will ask next time I see her. They charge ?5 a time, which is for the front windows of our house.

I thought it was one of the funniest episodes so far. That buyer bloke from Tesco was hilarious, he really seemed to be struggling to keep a straight face during the presentations. Agree with RosieH - we spent the whole episode questioning the use of paper cards as an environmental awareness idea. Not the brightest cookies are they?! Seems these days the people applying are just those desperate to be on TV, rather than people who take the actual job aspect of it seriously.