Rach

I've heard that Dr Bhatia is leaving Melbourne Grove Surgery. Such a shame. She is a breath of fresh air and has really tried her best to improve the service. She is a great GP: thorough, dedicated and caring. This is a huge loss for us patients, and I guess it is back to try your luck with Locum GPs again!

Go out for a walk...cabin fever always sparks the biggest rows. Also make sure everyone has something to do and take loads of games. Also maybe all agree some boundaries/rules....dinner is served at a specific time and set up a rota of cooking/cleaning. Good luck.....my family drive me potty and my reserve is to hide somewhere with a bottle of wine!

Hello We has exactly the same dilemma. We got so used to living in the centre of East Dulwich with everything on our door-step. However, no 2 and visiting relatives meant we had to move out. We are now in Peckham Rye and we love it. We are near Warwick Gardens which is packed with children and very friendly parents. The transport links are much better and we're only an additional 10/15 mins walk from East Dulwich so I still pop in a lot. We now how the Bellenden shops which are looking fabulous with the Victoria in, Cafe Mon Petit Chou (sp) and apparently a new pizza restaurant. Maybe you were thinking further field but if not do have a look. The more space we have is fabulous too - a garden is fabulous - no need to constantly go to the park every day trying to tire them out! All the best, Rach

Thanks, have spent the afternoon looking at post-codes as we've just moved - I'm thinking of my old address so have twigged that I'm not going to get into any of the ones in East Dulwich. Now live on Lyndhurst Grove - behind Warwick Gardens and the ones I know of are Lyndhurst Grove and Bessemer Grange - however, there are loads in Peckham that we probably fall into the catchment for but are pretty lousy.

Hello How do you know what schools are best for you to apply for? I live in SE15 (although feels like East Dulwich - only one street away from that postcode). Is it all down to postcodes or actual 'as the crow fly's location'? A tad confused. Thanks, Rachel.

Hi Don't go Christ the King.....I went there (when it first opened) and it was dreadful. They treated pupils as if still very much school children and I just thought the level of teaching was incredibly poor. I eventually changed and went to Orpington 6th form and it was such a huge difference - you just went to three hour lectures - no assembly, registration classes etc. You turned up were registered at your class and that was it. This led to a greater focus on the actual lecture and you really felt the focus was purely about getting great A level results as well as actually understanding what you were learning. Good luck.

Hi Do you do any other time or day. I'm still working and the earliest I could get somewhere is by 7.30/8pm? Thanks, Rach.

Thanks, all. Have calmed down a bit. Trying to find half decent childcare that fits around work that doesn't mean selling a kidney has been more challenging than I realised. Thanks for all the suggestions. Rach.

I need about 3-4 days a week all day for when I go back to work. Fuschia Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > You need all year round, long day? or would > mornings/time term only be OK for you?

Any advice. Am a tad stressed. I put my boys name for down when he was 7 months old for a nursery I really liked (after having to wait three months to even get on the waiting list). I checked in a few months ago and they said not this September, poss Jan but otherwise the Sept after that. I've now checked in again and after 18 months waiting have been told that definately not this Jan and unlikely next Sept - unless someone moves house /drops out. So now I face the prospect of starting all over again, putting his name down on another waiting list. I would like him to start this Jan and definately be somewhere by next Sept. However, if we can't get into somewhere decent after waiting for so long what are the chances. Anyone got any advice? Where is worth trying - I've searched through the previous links and Montessori, Dulwich Woods, Nellys, Oak Tree and Gumboots are all recommended. Thanks, Rach.

Hi We haven't had a holiday outside of the UK since our boy has been born - 2 years ago - the whole passport thing got the better of us. However, we have finally got our act together and are looking at going away mid-October. I'm thinking of Sicily or Sardinia (love Italy) but I'm wondering at that time of year whether it will still be warm enough. I'm happy to look at other places. Am after somewhere nice and relaxed, swimming pool, lovely sandy beach and somewhere interesting for us to visit. Any suggestions greatly welcomed. Thanks, Rach.

I'm a mum and for the record I wouldn't let my kid use it - someone should enforce that - we would be very cross if adults where using the kids equipment - although a few might get stuck!

Can I say a big f*** off to the idiots who continue to be unable to let a post go on here without blaming parents/children - for every pathetic moan they have - change the record.

Hi Chantelle We had exactly the same deliberations - we were living in East Dulwich and we couldn't afford to buy there and at first we totally ruled Peckham Rye out. However, an estate agent persuaded us to have a look (without describing it as a village) and we now love it. I have to get the train to Blackfriars and in the morning door-door journey is 20 minutes - bliss (7 minute walk & 13 minutes on the train). Holly Grove - which is a great street to walk down to get to the station is lovely and take note of all the wonderful bars and shops mentioned above. The best thing though is that it doesn't feel as crowded as East Dulwich felt just before we moved out. It's not as 'community' feel as East Dulwich but people are super friendly and I have always felt safe walking around. Good luck, Rach.

Did anyone see GMTV this morning - our doctor from Dulwich Medical Center was on it talking about hayfever! Thought she looked fab and much better than Dr Hilary!