Peckhamgatecrasher

I bought the wee ?6 ones - there are larger ones available. They are good for seeing clearly about 12 yards away which is all I need them for in the park. 10 x 25 GA is the description if that means anything. Ok detectives - what did I see this morning? By Goose Green swing park, a pair of birds that looked like tits but had a bright yellow streak on their wings. I've gone through one website and the nearest is a finch, but they were definitely tit shape. Any ideas?

Have to disagree. I was a first aider and I had to deal with a heart attack and a brain haemorrhage and a choking. I do think everyone should know how to administer CPR but beyond that the responsibility can be a bit overwhelming.

Hear, hear. I rarely use stations but I think it's marvellous that you have displayed such community spirit.

Just back from another jaunt. I took Steve's advice and bought a pair of binos from Lidl. It was brilliant, I was able to see into the coots nests dotted around the lake. Lots more chicks and it was wonderful to watch daddy bring back food for them. I hope the next tranche survive. There are lots of ducks eggs on the island. Does anyone know if these are abandoned and why? Never seen a duck sitting on them.

There are stables at the canal bridge, maybe he's from there. Also a lot of traveller families in the area - there used to be quite a few horses hobbled near there. Was he loose or hobbled? Spring grass is not good for laminitis, so hope he's not out too long.

Damn - no more bowls in the afternoon then. Well done, old fruit.

Oh James, you obviously don't know the joy of withdrawing to gossip about the lads. It's very civilised and great fun.

Just seen distressing situation on lake: two coot chicks bobbing along quite sweetly - their mum aggressively moved them on by picking them up and dragging them (rather like a cat with a kitten) and then left them to it. One was swiped by a crow which dropped it onto the grass. Despite running for the chick I couldn't get to it on time and the crow bore it off. The other chick had been injured by its mother and was swimming half upside down and getting weaker by the minute. Another crow tried to get it but a coot successfully defended it. A moorhen tried to upright the chick but gave up. My dilemmas is that I could have scooped the chick out with my dog throwing tool but I am loathe to interfere with nature and left it - I doubt it will survive. Yet, I'm not being consistent - I tried to rescue the other chick. I now have a guilt complex the size of Q's hump - what would you have done?

As the actress said to the bishop?

'Phone Thanet Council just for the hell of it. TLS reckons you get straight through to a human. Then pour several v. large gins and tonic, stick on a record and relax.

Love the proposed tiger.

Apparently both sexes twitter, to wit Dulwich Mum and Stephen Fry.

As only HM can wear white shoes with aplomb, so only Captain Kirk can get away with 3/4 trousers.

I want to be on The Book Quiz.

I had one, it was torn off after about a week.

And they bloomin' well sting! Saw another type of butterfly today. According to the Butterfly Trust it is a female Common Blue (but in fact brown). identify a butterfly Re the owl, probably a Tawny Owl. They like urban areas and give the familiar "twit twoo" sound.

Ruby Murray = curry. Keep up Tingawee.

It's v. bad form to use a doctorate unless one is in medicine or academia.

Well I'm only going by my last visit: there was one purely seating area (ie, sofas) - the rest were all tables and all filled with diners and the music was too loud to talk comfortably.

Can the Can - Suzi Quattro

I'm with Sue. Much as I like, eg, the Mag, one feels a bit out of place going there just for a drink. It really is a restaurant now. If I want a drink and chat then something like the CPT appeals much more.

Ah, capiche.

I confess to being confused by what owning a flat has anything to do with anything?

You could try following some of the Pilgrims' Way. Catch a train to Bearstead and cycle uphill to Thurnham (v. good pub). Turn right and keep going until you've had enough and come across another station.

Just back from Peckham Rye. Saw quite a few butterflies that I think were Peacocks, but am not sure. The cow parsley is out v. early and seems to attract them. Also a pair of mistle thrushes who are very bold and don't mind people or dogs.