elloriac

They sound like hazelnuts - the woman (whose name I've forgotten) who did the grow your own veg talk for the Dulwich Veg meeting brought a seedhead/bunch/thingy along, and it sounds like it might be your 'creature'. She said there were lots of hazelnut trees round East Dulwich. They are ripe when they fall off the tree. Does this page help? http://www.arborday.org/programs/hazelnuts/consortium/types.cfm

we tend to go by look & feel rather than wait for the frost - and round here, if you wait for frost, there won't be anything left on the tree! they are very early this year - huge & juicy already

I think that he means the flower beds inside The Oval? They've got a very low black fence around it, with signs that says No Dogs. The area outside is fine for dogs, but not in by the flower beds. The only other area where dogs aren't allowed, according to the Southwark website, is the Arboretum: http://www.southwark.gov.uk/info/461/a_to_z_of_parks/662/peckham_rye_park_and_common/1

Thanks :-)

Hi LadyDeliah, where did you get your cobnut bushes that are in the photos? All I can seem to find are trees - we don't have space for that, but a bush or two would be great. Your garden looks fab - you've packed a lot in :-)

Riotcleanup http://www.riotcleanup.co.uk/donate.php has a list of things that they need in Tottenham, but the only mention of Croydon is the campaign to raise money to help rebuild the Reeves furniture store You could try asking on the Support Croydon Cleanup Facebook page? http://www.facebook.com/supportcroydon

Sad to say that I've been mostly inside today and missing the glorious sunshine, but I popped out after reading your message, and totally agree. How weird! Can't find anything online about it.

We had a couple of boxes stolen over the years we were in Clapham, but it hasn't happened here yet - knock on wood! But the company should have some suggestions as to how to avoid it in the future - unless the delivery van is being followed, in which case, there's not much you can do. I'll send you a PM of some of the things we had suggested to us. Alternatively, don't know what company you are with, but Organic Delivery company offers evening deliveries (http://www.organicdeliverycompany.co.uk/shopfront/shopfront.php)

that does sound wonderful, but it was supposed to launch this morning, but didn't due to wind - we saw the balloons on Wed morning (and their twitter feed says that they drove into London yesterday) http://twitter.com/#!/skyorchestra

I could read that they said Happy Birthday on them, but don't know anything other than that

No, we moved here about 18 months ago, and it's been vacant the whole time. No remainders of signs on the building, so no clues...

Anyone know what's happening in the vacant shop on corner of Forest Hill Road & Dunston's Road? (the one next to William Hill) I've noticed what looks like builders in there the past few days. I've had a look on the planning register and can't find anything.

We collect our snails in the compost bin & when there's a sufficient quantity, 'release' them in the wild section in the cemetery. Someone told me that they will find their way back to us, but I can't imagine that they'd make it across the road safely and besides there's plenty for them to eat there... :-)

We saw the accident happen. Two cars & an unlucky man on a moped caught in the middle. Think he has some broken bones, but was conscious and talking. Hopefully he'll be OK! (yes, we gave statement to police & they have our contact details)

We use Paper Round at work. No idea what they would charge, but their website says that they do collect one-off confidential shredding... http://www.paper-round.co.uk/start-now/start-now/one-off-collection.asp

Hey languageloundger, obviously not implying that you live in the cemetery! Just saying that there are blackbirds in Nunhead. Perhaps they just don't like your garden...

I'm sure I've heard them singing in Nunhead cemetery? And Peckham Rye Park?

I used to buy takeaway, but now a friend & I have a cafetiere at work and we use that every morning. Much cheaper & no queue!

Thanks! Had never noticed that tab before :-)

Sorry if this is something I should know already, but what/where is the useful info page?

http://xkcd.com/

Looking for a diversion from work, I googled these. According to their website, the other colours are limited edition so you may struggle: http://www.micro-scooters.co.uk/category/ages-2-5/ John Lewis lists the red one but it's sold out, according to their website. You may have to just ring round, with your fingers crossed.

how does one define 'overused' in relation to a road junction?

When I moved here last year, I was horrified by trying to turn right at that junction. I emailed my local councillors who were sitting on the relevant committees, only to receive absolutely no reply from any of them. Which was nice. So now I just cut through the residential roads instead. It may be slower & there may be humps, but at least I'm not going to be hit by on-coming traffic running the lights. I will try again with the Highways Dept.

It's hardly difficult for vandals, robbers or any nimble person to get into the park, the fence is not very high! Anyone who wants to get in can do, quite easily - without even using the bent areas in the fencing. I've seen even the shortest Harris Girls School students clamber over relatively easily. The difficulty comes for those of us with dogs who can't manage it... I agree that it would be nice if the council just left it open, there are plenty of local parks that are open all night and day, including Brenchley Gardens and One Tree Hill. I'm not aware of them being local crime hotspots. People can chose whether they want to walk through in the dark, you would soon realise that there are no lights on the paths.