BB100

Your such a fundamental atheist Huguenot :)) Edited for: apologies for the bad spelling

Threads which go on for 46+ pages so I can't possibly catch up. (But causing others irrational rage is an irrational pleasure - methinks! )

You ned to get some very strong wire netting and put it under the compost bin. It will also keep the rodents out as well.

sorry Prickle!

Feed the cat for a couple weeks then catch it and take it to Ceila Hammond for the snip.

I have a child at the Crystal Palace school but he has friends at Harris Boys so I get to hear all about it from both the boys and the parents. I know children who have moved from Harris Boys to Kingsdale, from Kingsdale to Harris Boys, from Forest Hill to Kingsdale and from Kingsdale to Forest Hill (but not Harris Boys to Forest Hill or back again, just yet) so really parents do need to go with an open mind and decide what will suit your child rather than whether you think it's a good school or not because they all seem to be good in their own way - and each have some negative points too. One tip when you visit is to ask the children if you can see their planners (or ask staff for a copy). That way you can see what subjects are offered and how many lessons are allocated for each subject. Propectuses can be misleading.

I'm with Pickle. I've seen a few negative comments removed that were not libellous.

All those 6's are a bad sign!

Beths Grammar in Bexley also have a unit for Autism or Aspergers I hear

Thanks for the update DenmotherSmith about Harris Boys- they have made a few adjustments in the past few weeks I haven't caught up with yet. Some boys did use to complain about the amount of sport probably because the enrichment was compulsory. It's still 2 hours more than most schools which is a bonus I think. Glad your child is enjoying it. I'm sure when their first set of GCSE's are published parents will be banging on the doors to get in.

Firstly, as regards Harris Boys I wouldn't worry too much about the lack of GCSE results as many of the teachers have come from the Crystal Palace site so their results sort of speak for them and the Head is aiming to beat Crystal Palace's record and they seem to be on target for that. The range of activities and breadth of curriculum is really remarkable but if your child doesn't like sport then there is a lot of it. After-school activities are compulsory and take the form of Enrichment. The discipline is also on the heavy side and the boys can get dentention for very very minor offences and so some boys and parents have not liked this. The school day is long. It has a very slick and regimented organisation which is not a bad thing since things get done and are done well. It is better to go and see for yourself and talk to the boys and then you will understand what I mean. They have classes of 25 children in sets of ability. Forest Hill boys I have heard mixed things but mostly parents are happy with it. The GCSE results seem to coast along around the same percentage for years so they don't seem to be making any improvement but they don't go down either. However, saying that the previous Head felt strongly that boys need GCSEs and refused to introduce alternative qualifications ie. BTECH as he said they were a waste of paper. Consequently their results are pure GCSE. That may well change with the new Head in post though. The extra-curricular activities is their specialism. They have classes of 30 children of mixed ability, except for some subjects which have to have smaller classes. Kingsdale have been working hard to change their school and many Kingsdale parents have been very happy with their children there. Their exam results have not yet been published this year but that issue cannot be discussed on here yet. Drama/music is a specialism and they offer scholarships for music. It is unclear how many as their prospectus this year says minimum of 15%. It is unclear also whether the maths scholarship will run this year either, as details will not be avialable until their Open Day. Classes are around 20-25 children and sometimes much smaller, usually in form classes of ability.

It is much better to ask the children that go there already. I thought the side-road walk to Harris Crystal Palace was too long but when my child started there we discovered there is a back entrance that the children use and is much quicker. It's those little bits of knowledge that make all the difference to asessing the journey.

On the Voice post some are saying the children have received their results and results will be published on Open Day which is highly irregular. All I can say is my previous post last year about some unprofessional teachers seems to have proved itself.

mockney piers Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > "I haven't been bitten now for a few years with > this regime" > > Or you've been bitten enough times now for you to > no longer react much to the anticoagulant in their > bite ;) No you are quite wrong Mockney, because when I have lapses of complacency and don't follow the regime I get bitten and I react to it. Home and abroad.

I was sent this by mumsnet which might be useful: Setting off for the airport So, first things first... Find out in advance if the airport has a children's play area. EauRouge Leave home earlier than you think you need to - there's nothing worse than being in a traffic jam and worrying that you'll miss your flight. As dull as airports are, it's better to be there early and be the first to check in than screeching up to parking like a bat out of hell and trying to drag small children at Usain-Bolt-speed through the terminal. Sidge Bags and baggage Travelling light? Not bloomin' likely with children in tow. But you can still travel smart... Make your child take responsibility for their own toys and tat by carrying it in a rucksack. TastyMuffins Get a backpack to use as your carry-on instead of a little wheely case, it's one less thing to carry. EauRouge A Trunki is a must. When DD was smaller it was a godsend when she was tired or we needed to move fast. She sat on it and got pulled along. CoffeeIsMyFriend You will end up carrying said Trunki and small child, instead of small child looking cute excitedly pulling Trunki. If they do pull it, they will take out plenty of other travellers' kneecaps/toes. cherub59 Little backpack each, much better. strandednomore I don't trust car-hire child seats and like to bring my own, but if you haven't got a spare one just turn up at the airport with a strong binbag and a roll of parcel tape, and package up the car seat your child arrived in when you get to check in. CointreauVersial Take only what you can carry yourselves in case you have to walk to the airport, take a train or bus, or something unexpected happens. LeMousquetaireAnonyme Clothing and clobber Mumsnetters won't leave home without... Small blankets to sit on or wrap around. wigglesrock Take twice as many nappies as you think you'll need. kittensliveupstairs Keep spare clothes for the DC in a ziplock bag, that way the soiled/vomited on clothes can go in there after changing. mousymouse Dress your children in a similar colour - easy to spot in the crowd (bright peach is unusual and very 'spotable'.) LeMousquetaireAnonyme Calpol sachets are a mega-must. MissBetsyTrotwood Dress small kids in pyjamas before overnight long-haul flights. TastyMuffins Try to make sure the kids aren't wearing anything with metal, unless you like the idea of a two-year-old sparking off a security alert. ilovemydogandMrObama Pack a favourite teddy - airports can be a bit scary for toddlers, so a little bit of home can help. EauRouge Always shove a tutu, princess shoes and a fairy wand in the outside pocket of your suitcase. Invaluable when you're stuck for eight hours at an airport because of a hurricane and they've lost your other bags. Might not work if you have teenage boys. strandednomore Pushchairs and slings The distances inside airport terminals can seem interminable, so Mumsnetters say... Airlines will now either let you take your pram to the gate and then unload it again at the arrival gate or have airport prams. Do check and take advantage of this, as babies get heavy being carried with so much walking around. ComradeJing Take a baby in a baby carrier rather than a buggy. This can allow the baby to sleep as well as allowing you to negotiate steps and around other people if required. You can take it on the plane and won't have to worry about whether the buggy will be at the gate at the other end. Spoo Get a sling or carrier for kids under two, as at some airports the pushchair is only returned with the luggage after you had to queue at immigration for an hour. mousymouse Food and drink Hungry, thirsty (or bored) little travellers? Mumsnetters recommend... Take a picnic, and then more snacks for the plane. Remember you can't take much in the way of drinks through security, but take bottles to drink prior to security, then empty them and buy fluids airside if you need refills. Sidge Get small, fiddly snacks to keep 'em occupied. mousymouse Another vote for fiddly snacks - raisins kept DS amused for ages! Slugsandsnails High-status snacks. Crisps less likely to send mine hyper. MissBetsyTrotwood Reserve cartons of formula for the flight beforehand at the airside Boots, if there is one, pack sterile bottles, collect once past security. fraktious Distraction and letting off steam The waiting-for-your-gate part of the airport experience can drag on (and on, if your flight's delayed) so be prepared... A portable DVD player is a godsend. MrsChemist I take a netbook and headphones instead of portable DVD, as they can also play games, draw, feed Moshi Monsters when in range at the airport/hotel etc. befuzzled Have a stack of pound coins for the 'machines' in the airport, eg the ones that sell the bouncy balls and Barbie tat. wigglesrock I always take Crayola Colour Wonder pens and pads, they don't go on clothes just the paper - it is a brilliant invention. CoffeeIsMyFriend Wrap any bribery-type stuff in wrapping paper with loads of sellotape to make it more exciting - and the whole fix last longer. MissBetsyTrotwood Spend more on sticker books than you did on your entire holiday, it will make your journey easier! Eaurouge Beach ball. Invaluable for tiring out kids at airport departure lounges so they'll sleep on long-haul flights. If everyone waiting to board your flight sees you exercising your kids they'll appreciate your efforts even if they don't sleep. But obviously not for use at the crowded departure gate or in the quiet corners where people are sleeping. TastyMuffins Let the children run and unload their steam in the airport, not on the plane. LeMousquetaireAnonyme Being willing to walk around for as long as their little legs will let them works well - hopefully, they will be tired out when they get on the plane and sleep! Sirzy At last! Your gate is called Cue mad scramble, but seasoned travellers say... Don't head for your departure gate too early - there's naff-all to do and they can be quite a distance from toilets. But, conversely, don't leave it until they are calling for you by name to board as you won't be overly popular with the flight crew. Sidge Board the plane last! There are no prizes for getting on first, all that happens is you are stuck in a confined space for an extra 30 minutes, when you could be at the gate letting them have that final run round. Georgieminx Make a loo stop the last thing you do before boarding. StarlightMcKenzie Remember some airports are massive, and you may need to get a bus to the plane. We stayed in the main departure area until the final call, only to find we were miles from the gate and ended up being driven out to the plane. Cue planeload of not-very-impressed passengers. northernruth And finally... Pack the children into the suitcases and just wear eight changes of clothes. It's a bit uncomfortable, but you don't notice so much after your fifth G&T. The rest of your stuff can fit into your hand luggage. babyheave For more travelling-with-children tips, head to Mumsnet Travel. And please share your travel tips on Mumsnet Talk and holiday recommendations in Mumsnet Reviews.

There is no fool-proof way of stopping mozzies - I should know I've been fighting them for years. You have to use a combination of methods to reduce bites. This is what I have found out over the years and works very well for me. First of all you need to stop making yourself a mozzie magnet. So stop using all the nice smelly stuffs and replace them with non-fragranced ie. neutral soap and deodrant. Then you need to cover up from dusk so wear long trousers not shorts and covered shoes not sandels and long sleeves. Remember if you wash clothes in fabric softner that will be fragranced too. Apply a mozzie repellent that has a high DEET content, however note all insect repellents actually do is confuse mozzies navigation system but it doesn't stop them from finding you! I've also tried tea tree oil and eating garlic but they don't work in isolation. Then you have to stop them getting in the home by keeping the windows closed from dusk onwards. Air-conditioning helps as they don't like the cold so much. You can also mess up their navigation system by buying electrical plug-ins with tablets. Then, you have to try and kill the ones that do get in. Do this by spraying insect killer behind the curtains and around lights every day. Try to spray before you go out otherwise you are left breathing in the fumes. Then when you go to sleep leave a light on in the bathroom and all the internal doors open. The mozzies will be attracted to the light rather than you. In the morning, spray insect killer around the light to kill the ones that have collected there. Then, if you do get bitten 'the click-it' thing can reduce swelling but not the pain. You can buy antiseptic sprays which are cooling and numb for a little while but they don't stop the itching for long. The only truly effective relief is to buy a cream that has hydrocortasone (steriod) in it and use it sparingly and not on open cuts where you have scratched as it will sting. I haven't been bitten now for a few years with this regime. The most effective bit I think is the spraying insect killer around the lights and windows and and keeping the bathroom light on whilst I sleep. Please let us know how you get on if you do that.

This I-turned-out-all-right so I don't need XYZ sounds like the 100 year old smokers proclaiming 'it never hurt me'. Well, maybe it didn't but there are plenty that fall along the way, so this truimphant feeling some have over making-it without faith and family does not provide any evidence at all that society in general doesn't need it. I can hear some of you sharpening your claws and teeth but that's atheists for you :)

Annette Curtain Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- >> > > I know, he'd be in for the chop. Not Lamb chops though....

The best places to eat is often where the locals go. Don't ask the Spanish who work in the hotel because they will send you to the popular English places which won't necessarily offer the best food. Ask Spanish people who work in the local supermarket, etc where the best places they eat at. This system has never let me down. We always end up in some back street with the most delicious food at the cheapest prices.

If you must know the customers were elderly, and the wheelchair user proclaimed himself a rioter, not me. Yes I did think it was funny and ridiculous, especially the over-reaction by the police - probably overstaffed at the mo me thinks.

A man in a wheelchair yesterday entered a busy butchers in Catford and started to openly put packs of meat under his coat. When the customers told on him, he turned and barricaded the door with his chair and presenting an iron bar threatened to kill anyone who went near him. After 20 minutes of customers trapped in the shop the police arrived enmass in four vans. Has someone put something in the water?

Yes buy sun cream at home as it is more expensive in spain. However, mozzie stuff is cheaper in spain. I usually buy a large spray of insect killer and a plug-in with tablets as soon as I get there. The European Health insurance card is ok if you really have to go to the hospital but if you use your health insurance the doctor will usually come to your apartment which saves a lot of time and aggrevation.

Double buggies are very impractacle in streets in Spain as many are very bumpy and narrow. We bought two cheap holiday buggies and we pushed one each. You might be ok in a complex with a double but you won't get very far outside with one. It would also be helpful to take a spanish dictionary just in case you have to get medication. A doctor prescribed eye and ear dops for my children and I couldn't read the instructions. I nearly put ear drops in my sons eyes and he would now be blind if it wasn't for hubby stopping me in time. Most doctors in Majorca tend to speak perfect English though so that's not a worry. The medication in Spain tends to be more effective in Spain because they don't undergo the same regulations as here. So things like mozzie relief cream will have some steriod in it and so will give quicker relief than the rather weak stuff we get at home. You can also buy antibiotics over the counter without a prescription. Most of the Spanish use their pharmacies as their local GP so pharmacists ae very knowledgeable and helpful. The shops are also filled with English branded products so you won't have a problem getting baby food, nappies, etc although they will be more expensive than Spanish brands. I don't remember the restaurants not having highchairs. The only other thing I would definately recommend is to pay for excess waiver on the travel insurance. It can be agonising if the little ones get ill and you have to decide whether to pay ?50 for each child every time you call the doctor. If you have to visit the hospital try to avoid going during seista because that's when the locals tend to go and means a long wait. Sorry for dwelling on the negative but those tips have proved invaluable to us when we go abroad with our little ones. Taking a few precautions ensures you'll have a great holiday.

we taught all our cats to use the cat flap by pushing them through it but Frankito's advice sounds much kinder (and slower)

Loz Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Whilst I sort of agree with this... > > > Make no mistake it was the actions of the Duggan > family turning up with protesters that set-up the > > dynamics for riots. > > ... I disagree with this. The Met were very poor > in contacting the family - they've admitted as > such. The family deserved some answers to some > quite reasonable questions. They are not to blame > for the riots. You don't turn up at a police station with a large group of people to get answers unless you want to cause a scene. Whilst the police may regret being slow it doesn't justify this family demanding information in the way that they did, which was then a catalyst for disturbance. Slow police do not cause riots, large groups of angry people do.