Sue

I don't like the design either. I wonder what alternatives were submitted, if any.

I think it's great they don't allow smoking in the garden. My enjoyment of sitting outside in pubs etc is greatly marred by smoke blowing in my face and into my lungs. I'm an ex smoker (gave up decades ago). We are the worst moaners, apparently 🤣 But seriously, it's a big health issue. I think smoking should be banned in all public places, not just inside.

I have a freedom pass and I also find it complicated on a ticket machine if I want to use the freedom pass to the end of zone six but buy a return ticket for the rest of the journey, particularly if I don't know what the relevant end of zone six station is for that line. I recently missed a train because the ticket office was closed and a helpful member of staff at Farringdon Street wasn't able to work out how to do it on the ticket machine either 🙄

The only phone number I have is 0208 1243125 (9-5 Monday to Friday). The letter I got says 9-6 but the automated message says 9-5. I doubt anyone will answer,you will have to leave a message. Good luck!

Sorry I just went to look and found my WiFi extender is Netgear, not TP Link. I think the TP Link plugs I have are to link Alexa to lights etc plugged into sockets, but so far I've only got round to using one of them.

We have a monthly singaround at The Ivy House, which is London's first community owned pub (just over the other side of Peckham Rye park, so not East Dulwich but within easy walking distance). People don't have to officially join a group as such, but many people come every or most months. Not sure if that counts for your purposes, but if it does, there is more info at https://www.thegooseisout.com/faq The Ivy House also has a number of community groups of all kinds and for all ages which meet there regularly.

It is a national NHS initiative for people in a certain age group who according to their medical records have smoked at some time in their lives. You have an initial phone assessment and depending on the outcome of that may go on to have something similar to an MRI, which can detect very early signs of lung cancer, when it is more treatable. I have not been able to change the appointment because nobody has phoned back 🙄

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jul/20/uk-horticulturalists-moth-friendly-gardens-tatton-park-flower-show?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other Interesting article about the importance of moths as pollinators, and how to plant more night scented flowers to attract moths (also to make the garden even more lovely to sit in at night!) Also about how some plants often considered as "weeds" are important for caterpillars etc.

I'm also very happy with The Gardens. I was with DMC and then Elm Lodge (in Herne Hill) but find The Gardens better than either of those.

I have the same. It has greatly improved things.

Whereabouts are you? I live in a road off North Cross Road and I get a flock of up to thirty sparrows (the most I have ever counted at once) coming to feed (but not much else 🤣) Also some nest in a rambling rose at the back of my (very small) garden and I get a lot of young sparrows. I don't use nest boxes. I have two hanging feeders and a window feeder, and they come to all of them. I usually use a mixed seed mix (no grow) but sometimes just sunflower seeds/hearts. I do have a lot of cover for the birds - mostly various roses and honeysuckle, with some ivy, clematis and jasmine at the back. Maybe sparrows will find your garden eventually. I rarely get tits or goldfinches, so you are lucky to be attracting those!

Just to say, I was phoned three times this morning in response to my messages, by three different people 🤣 Unfortunately I was walking down the road, didn't consult my calendar, and made a replacement appointment for the only date, and exact time, in August that I have a hospital appointment. So now I've got to go through it all again to change the appointment 🤣😭 They were very apologetic about the lack of a phone call yesterday, but nobody seemed to know why it didn't happen, nor why other people have apparently experienced the same thing.

Not sure if this is strictly an ED issue, so please move if not. After booking a free lung health check appointment, I had a letter saying a specialist nurse would phone me yesterday at 4pm. Nobody did, and the contact number just always goes to a recorded message, even bang on 9am when they supposedly open. Is anyone else having similar problems? ETA: Just phoned my GP. They have had loads of patients with similar problems, but as it's nothing to do with them (obviously) they can't help or give me another contact number. What a nonsense. I'm going to write to Helen Hayes.

Wondering if anything came of this? Did the injured duck get any help?

I had a load of post delivered today. It included an important and time critical financial communication dated 29 June 😡

Don't want to sound mean, but are you connected to the nursery in some way other than that your children went there? It's rare for people's first post to be so glowing, and you only joined the forum shortly before posting it. Profuse apologies, obviously, if I'm wrong.

🤮🤮🤮

Silly question I know, but WTF is an eyelash lift? Don't you use those eyelash curler things that look like medieval instruments of torture? And then shove on some mascara?

The first time I went, early eighties I think, you could camp in front of the pyramid stage, and at night it was amazing, like a medieval village. The second time there were rows of tables openly selling drugs. Fine if you are happy to run a gauntlet of drug sellers on your way to somewhere else. Not if you aren't. The third time there was a lot of mud and my then partner had his boots nicked and refused to come out of the tent 🤣 Haven't been since and don't think I'd like it, but then it's not really there for people in their seventies, is it? AAARRRGGH

My road has one. A resident started it during lockdown. You can always knock on doors or put notes through doors on your own road and ask if people would be interested in having a road WhatsApp group. Then if there isn't one, you could start one yourself!

Yes, I agree!

Do you have a menu you can share on here? It will be great to have something a bit different which is nearer than Ganapati!

Why on earth is it taking five months???