Sue

https://www.theguardian.com/global/2023/sep/07/pet-owners-share-your-experience-of-using-veterinary-services-in-the-uk?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other Hope this link works. I still haven't got the hang of inserting links on here when on my mobile. The text: "Britain’s veterinary sector is being scrutinised by the competition watchdog amid concerns about soaring costs and that pet owners are not getting value for money. We’re interested to hear from pet owners in the UK what their experience of using veterinary services is like. We’d like to hear what kind of vet’s surgery you’re visiting, how you feel about the costs and value for money, and whether you have any concerns."

The Bosh! cookery books are excellent for vegans. Lots of ideas including for ringing the changes on basic recipes, and you can always add eggs, cheese etc to many of them if it's for a vegetarian (vegan cheese is vile imo). There are a few River Cottage (Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall) cookbooks focusing on veg and fruit. Also lots of veggie recipes online if you Google. Stir fries are quick, easy and healthy and you can add seeds etc. So are soups (in cooler weather 🤣), you can add beans or lentils for protein and you can make in large quantities and freeze in appropriate portion sizes for later use. Similarly with things like chickpea stews. Also it is really easy to make hummus if you have a stick blender. Much nicer than most of the shop bought stuff.

Yes but in some of those cases, eg Amazon, prices are often cheaper than elsewhere, not more expensive. Also, you can buy items from smaller companies via Amazon. I'm not saying that's ideal for the smaller companies, but they must get more trade that way, which possibly balances out any costs to them. Tesco and M&S have been around for years. There is also the convenience factor in some cases of home delivery and a much wider choice. I'm not sure you can compare the vet industry. I don't currently have any pets, but judging from posts about vets on here, the issues don't seem to be the same?

It sounds fantastic, but how can she make a profit at those prices, with rent (I presume but may be wrong) and energy and ingredients and goodness knows what else to cover? And (again I presume but may be wrong) she doesn't do both the cooking and front of house herself, so does she have at least one other person to pay?

I use BirdNet, and if it's not 100% sure it's got it right, it tells you! Also, you can feed back to the app if it definitely got it wrong! It does sound unlikely that those birds would be seen round here, but as you say, not entirely impossible.

Thanks.

Sorry to be really dim, but where is the high pollution coming from if we are now in a ULEZ? Is it something to do with weather conditions?

Dulwich Folk Choir meets at The Castle in Crystal Palace Road. I think on a Tuesday but I'm not sure.

Thanks Otto2. I have several boxes of LFTs I got from the library when they were giving them away. I'm still testing negative, but last time I had it I didn't test positive for days after the symptoms started. I'm hoping it's just a very bad cold, but time will tell .... Commiserations to everyone in a similar boat!

I know, but it's only a year ago. Do you have any more recent information? I couldn't find any. I would have thought the general principles were the same?

I've now got symptoms of what could be Covid (presently testing negative) and I just found this: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/239212/covid-19-long-infectious-when-safely-leave/

It wasn't last time I had a tyre replaced! It was the same as KwikFit or more! So it may depend on the tyre. Check both then, obviously!

I have always found the local Kwik Fit on the way to the station ok for tyres.

What is happening to the P13? Is it still running up Whateley Road or if not where is it being diverted? What about the 197, is that affected in the direction towards Croydon?

Queen Mary? When was that? Surely the prefabs must have been built after the war, so after 1945? And surely it would have taken some time for the garden to mature? And the person who lives there now and is such a keen gardener would hardly have been born then?

Later on the garden is full of dahlias!

I had the scan yesterday. I went on the bus and found the location of the mobile units in the car park a bit hard to find. I'm sure last time I went to an NHS thing in the Asda car park it was much easier. Maybe I got a different bus which stopped nearer the units, or maybe they were in a different place in the car park (I got a 63, but the 78 also goes there, via a different route). Arrived to find a note flapping about on the locked door "back at 2pm" (I was early for a 2.15 appointment) so I went shopping in Asda (found some things I'd been unable to get locally, and impressed with their prices, so rather chuffed! I will investigate Asda deliveries!) The steps up to the reception unit were alarmingly rickety. Given the age group involved I would have thought they could have provided something better than large notices telling you to be careful! I presently have a leg problem and found getting up there a bit worrying. I dont know how people with worse mobility issues manage, particularly as the metal door remains closed and there is no way to attract anybody's attention. Once in I was seen immediately. You are taken to a separate unit for the scan itself, which at least had a ramp up to it. The scan was quick and easy, though I'd have appreciated some prior warning about a disembodied voice telling me when to hold my breath and when to breathe. I should have read the booklet again before I went! I had to ask when and how I would get the results. I said hopefully not by post, or I might never get them! They said someone would phone, which seems a bit odd, and in 2 or 3 weeks (I think). I stopped smoking around twenty years ago, so fingers crossed! Glad to be getting checked out though. I think it's an excellent initiative.

I thought that section was just people moaning about cyclists and LTNs 😂 Wouldn't occur to me to look there about things like bus diversions (but I will now!)

The horrible smell thing sounds like Covid. I think there are a large number of different symptoms which different people get, including all those you describe. As someone said above, regardless of whether it's Covid or not, it's not wise or kind to mix with other people when you have symptoms of any kind which could be catching, unless you are sure they are due to hay fever. Apart from the discomfort and inconvenience to them, in older people or people with a compromised immune system, catching what you have got could be extremely serious or even fatal. I hope you feel better soon.

I was nearly hit from behind a few days back by a young man on a Lime bike speeding along the pavement in Lordship Lane (if I had moved slightly to the left he would have hit me). After continuing along the pavement for a bit, without looking to see what was coming he veered into the road right in front of a car, which luckily didn't hit him. I have no idea what the answer is, but I'm genuinely surprised more people aren't injured or killed in incidents involving poor cycling behaviour.