khedley

Katanita - whether the original effusive post was authentic or not, we had a great time and will definitely be back. Think we should be giving new independents the benefit of the doubt and local support - lest we be inundated with anymore chain burger restaurants - and that's coming from someone who was quite excited about the arrival of Meat Liquor....

We've just had a lovely brunch at Spinach. Welcoming, friendly staff (unlike the previous establishment) and a mixed crowd. Much lighter and feels like there's more space than Le Chandeier which I always found quite oppressive. Interesting menu with some more and less usual offerings in the veg and egg space. The opportunity to add meat sides is a bonus (for a family of meathead boys). Given its only day two of brunch service the timing and quality of the output was impressive. Would encourage people to get behind them and give it a whirl.

Having flown into LHR on Saturday, I'm not sure the "steeper entry when windy" is a bluff...it was pretty hairy!

I wanted to take the opportunity to recommend and publicly thank Tony and Brendan, owners and Directors of No Flies estate agents for the amazing service we received.Not only were they both thoroughly professional and refreshingly honest, they consistently went above and beyond our expectations providing support and often pastoral care and counselling. Their initial valuation of the property was well informed and evidenced by extensive market research rather than the traditional wander round the house and add ?50k onto anything someone would sensibly pay in order to secure business. The quality of photography and pitching of the property was excellent (even by the ridiculously high standards of my husband - a semi-professional photographer and magazine editor) When we took the property off the market as didn't think we'd find anything to move into they were supportive of the decision. When we put it back on we were inundated with viewings and ended up turning people away having accepted an offer. Their internet presence on RightMove and Zoopla more than withstanding challenge from a "high street frontage" When my mother and young son were locked in the house and my husband and I at work, they sprung into action (being local) with a spare set of keys When things got tricky with ineffectual solicitors slowing the sale process down they tirelessly chased down the buyer's estate agent, solicitor and financial advisor to get a result. They were always contactable, flexible in their approach and responsive to calls and emails even late into the evening - a real blessing for a couple in the midst of hectic modern day life and parenthood. And all of this for a very sensible and fair fee (ours came in at just a over 0.5% of the property price) Honestly I couldn't recommend them enough. Not only are they thoroughly decent human beings (possibly not the most well known trait of estate agents) their offering enhanced further by Tony's legal and Brendan's property background. If you're after an honest and fair valuation of your property and want more than the average estate agent to help you through what is no doubt one of the most stressful things you'll ever do, you should give them a call. www.no-flies.co.uk tel: 020 7737 8047

Thanks Spanglysteve for posting this. Nice to be ahead of the commuting curve for once!

It's completely bonkers but I believe it's been converted (to a reasonably high standard) into a 4 bed - still wouldn't pay that money & I live on the same street!?!

Quick question to those who are having buggies stolen. Do you have Baby on Board stickers in your cars? Just wondered if that was making particular cars a target if thieves are particularly stealing buggies.

Four years ago when we moved to ED, I was quite taken with our lovely modern local surgery , where you could phone on the day for an appointment or book one for later that week . It is so horribly sad and disappointing how much this has changed. Personally I find that the disinterest of the deputy practice manager and his use of the receptionists as shields from rightly dissatisfied patients deplorable. After numerous poor experiences in the last six months I am now looking to move practices. How sick or elderly people can be expected to queue for 20 minutes in order to secure an appointment can be acceptable I have no idea. This morning I arrived at 7.40 and was 15th in the queue, one of two mothers standing in the cold to get an appointment for sick children who we'd had to bring with us and were sat in the same cold in their buggies. Having managed to get an appointment for 3 and a half hours later, on returning to the surgery we checked in. Finally 50 minutes late we were seen by a lovely and helpful doctor. The problem with the surgery in my opinion is not the medical staff who are always exceptionally helpful and professional but the shocking management. And a final thought - the advertisement that new NHS patients are welcome has to be a joke surely?

Jeez - do they ever stop giving out contradictory information! I've been really surprised about the inconsistency of advice from HVs since the birth of my son earlier this year. He's just turned 16weeks and is rapidly heading towards 17lb and is 98 percentile length, 91 percentile weight. Whilst I'm conscious he may need to wean earlier than 6 months, I'm not contemplating it until he shows signs of really needing it - would expect him to be unsettled, not sleep well, cry after full feeds etc. As everyone says, go with your instincts. On the bottle front, we use the closer to nature variflow with our little man. Agree that bottle feeding with him hasn't been the calmest experience, but it has certainly improved with perseverance. One of the main issues we had was that he was drinking so quickly he got terrible wind - gulping loads of air. In the last week or so this has improved significantly, especially with us having a more set routine and getting to him with feeds before he is really hungry / overtired. Don't know if that's any use - but good luck!

Hubby has just been and asked the Thames Water guys (who are now on site) what's happening. They're switching the water supply off and hoping to have it fixed by 9.30pm for the water to be back on shortly after if everything goes to plan - alternatively, worst case midnight. Fingers crossed they don't come across the sort of problems I do when embarking on DIY or it could be days! ;)

Just got the recorded message at Thames Water, burst pipe on Goodrich and they saying that they're working on it... Fingers crossed they get it fixed overnight (although that may be a little optimistic!)

Thanks merylou!

Anyone have a recent updte on Lordship Lane & bus routes (40, 185, 176)?