Goodliz

Giving this post a bump as we did another one of these lovely walks today. Took train from Peckham Rye to Otford to do the circular walk - we ended up doing a bit shorter than the full route and finishing at Shoreham. Must have been about 4 miles in total I reckon. Perfect for kids too - our lot ranged from 5 years to 14 years and they all managed the steep slopes and the full distance - picnic in the middle to recharge the batteries! Finished off with a drink at the pub in Shoreham. It was so nice and we actually did not pass any other walkers which was surprising given that it is half term and such good weather. Thanks again amac for putting this site together which such easy to follow routes.

Hi Lockers My eldest son went to Gumboots until he started Reception at Goodrich - no problem settling in at all. Very smooth transition. My youngest son went to Gumboots Nursery, then Goodrich Nursery followed by Goodrich Reception. He did not settle any easier than the eldest. All the advice I can give is to go with what makes life easier for you. Multiple drop offs can be a pain if you really do not need to do them. The food at Gumboots is fab from what I can remember and the staff very caring. They are very caring at Goodrich nursery too of course but if you really do not need to make the move just yet it may not be worth it. I honestly don't think your son will be missing out on any valuable learning. He will have no problem making friends either. At that age children are very keen to play with each other whether they have know each other for 5 mins or 5 months! Hope this helps.

Thanks Cactus. They are sorted now - decided to stay more centrally so they can do a bit of sightseeing too.

Thanks for these details Mrs D and Ludoscotts.

Hello, we are having a large family get together in June and a couple of my sisters are looking for accommodation for themselves and children. I think there are 2 groups of 3 or 4. As far as I can tell there is the newly reopened Half Moon in Herne Hill but I wandered if anyone knew of anywhere else which also has parking. Half Moon looks quite expensive too for very small rooms. Also wandered if anyone on here does Air B&B. They can stay in separate places. Anyone have any experience of the Best Western in Peckham? many thanks

Hi amac, Just wanted to let you know that I did your new route today with a couple of friends. We actually ran it though as it is so nice to get out and do a rural run instead of pounding the pavements round here. Although I say we ran it, we also did quite a bit of stopping to check your directions. We also walked up the big hills and of course those steps! After arriving back in Shoreham we added on a few more miles by continuing on to Eynsford, going past Lullingstone Castle and Roman Villa. There is a really nice tea shop in Eynsford, just by the bridge so we stocked up on tea, coffee and cake there before getting the train back to Peckham Rye. Lovely views along this route and it is so quiet. We saw hardly anyone but that could be because it had been such a wet morning perhaps. Thanks for taking the time to put up such a well planned out route. Looking forward to doing it again.

I'd just say that if you are thinking of Charter, which is meant to be a fantastic school, you need to live VERY VERY close to it. Less than a mile away - I'd probably say half to three quarters of a mile away. It takes lots of children from Dulwich Village and North Dulwich. East Dulwich is possibly too far away. This catchment is reflected in the nearby house prices which are very high as so many people relocate near the school to get their kids a place there. However if you are moving from Shepherds Bush that may not be a problem :-) Kingsdale isn't on your list but again that is meant to be fantastic too but it is not catchment based. Its a lottery system and seems to be a mysterious one at that (someone will probably put me right on that!). It is in West Dulwich toward Gypsy Hill and is mixed. I don't know much about Brockley or blackheath so can't comment much on those areas apart from them having a reputation for being nice places to live. but I certainly wouldn't describe Herne Hill as Hippy (I know that's not your description - it is off the net). I think it is quite posh and very well to do! It has nice shops and Brockwell Park is great for kids and walks/ runs etc. There's also the Lido. Good luck with your move and school search. All the areas you mention are lovely and the schools you mention are great from what I have heard from others.

It is great. Highly recommended.

We used UK Bifold http://www.ukbifold.co.uk/contact-us/ back in 2012. Doors still look good.

Hi Hendrix, is it to do with the East Dulwich Hotel which is the subject of this thread? http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?5,1666500 Hope things settle down for you soon.

There is also Old College Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club which is next door to the Picture Gallery. We use this club and it is very nice.

Thank you Cora - I've just ordered a copy from Amazon.

Thanks Beaky. I've found some nice jackets on the H&M website. Fingers crossed they will be OK. Liz

Hello My sons are 9 and 12 and will be attending a family funeral. I need to get them a suit each and would have previously just gone straight to BHS. Now I'm wandering where to go. M&S and River Island have them but are too expensive. I'll try Matalan and Asda but wandered if anyone could recommend anywhere please. Many thanks Liz

Which school is your child starting as some may be stricter than others. Goodrich, where my son goes, is pretty laid back about those things. PE bags, can you have any bag? At Goodrich, yes. My son puts his PE kit in a plastic bag inside his main school bag. Pencil case etc, do we need them? School provides the pencils etc but some children do bring them in even though they are not needed. Can they be anything (read super heros)? Some pencil cases can be very distracting (I also work in a school) so I would keep it as simple as possible - but yes, superheroes are allowed as far as I know. Are you allowed charms on the rucksack/book bag? Yes, lots of kids attach them to the zip. But don't put anything on that would be sorely missed if it was broken or fell off and lost. Hope that helps. I imagine most state primaries will have a similar approach but the private schools may be stricter.

Thanks Carbonara and Nunheadmum I need to sort it out and get it booked.

Thank you Sanitygirl - yes I did mean Harry Potter Studio Tour and I've change the title of the thread now. I'm going to thry and fnd the earliest time slot.

Hello, Has anyone been to Harry Potter World? My sons really want to go and if I do book the tickets for the soonest availability they will be aged 12 and 9. I've got a few questions: I cannot tell from the website what actaully happens. Do you just go on a guided tour? It has Tour times listed on half hour slots. I'm assuming that for the cost of the tickets it is more than a half hour experience. The times available within the next few weeks tend to be late afternoon. Can you turn up earier and have a look round before you go on a tour? What time would you recommend going? When you booked your tickets did you also book all the extras too? Is this necessary? It is probably just me but I don't find the website very pleasant to browse around. Any insight you can share will be much appreciated by me and my boys if we get round to going! Thanks!

Bumping this thread up in light of the beautiful weather we are currently having.

I think it is the underlay. We had some samples too and I remember the man saying that was what it was.

Amac, we did another of your routes today. This afternoon we went out and did Walk 2: Shoreham (Kent) Circular. We all enjoyed outselves and the walk was very easy to follow. Finished off with a soft drink outside the pub in Shoreham before driving home. There wasn't very much mud at all and there is just 1 steep part so I think young children would be able to complete it. There are a few perfect picnic spots next to the river so we will be back in the summer to do that and have a paddle too. The route would also suit a trail run really nicely and I am hoping to go back and do that sometime soon. Thanks amac for plotting the route.

Sorry I promise this will be my last message - running is my favourite subject and I am on a roll now. I think this looks very good and the customer reviews are helpful: https://www.achillesheel.co.uk/y-fumble-arm-pocket Ronhill do a similar one too.

There are a few good arm bands on this website too: https://www.achillesheel.co.uk/running-accessories/bags?p=1

Hi Convex. Over the years I've tried various different belts and carriers but have never liked them as I find they tend to bob up and down and basically do my head in all through my run. I've settled on doing the following: Keys - take off the ones I need and either thread through my shoe lace (if it is just the yale one) or use the key ring bit to attach them to the shoulder strap of my sports bra. I then tuck the keys under the shoulder strap to stop them jangling about. Phone - stuff it down the side of my sports bra. Usually stays put although it can move around a bit but I just shove it back into place. I also put a pound coin in the pocket of my running bottoms just incase. Been doing this for many years now and it has served me well :-) I don't have an inhaler but if I did I'd probably stuff that down my bra too. I know lots of people like the arm strap holders- have a look at this page to get an idea: http://www.ronhill.com/accessories/packs-and-carriers You may well find something in Sports Direct on their running accessory stand or in Decathlon. And of course lots of people get on very well with the belt packs and holders - I am just miserable and intolerant!

Thanks amac. I did the Downe walk this afternoon with my 2 sons who are 11 and 9 and we had a lovely time. We left ED about midday and got to Downe within an hour. The walk was the perfect length for an afternoon followed by a visit to the tea shop. Home by 5pm! We accidently went a bit off the route in places but easily found our way back again. Thanks also Pamela78 for recommending it. We will also be working our way through the list. Thanks again.