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I bought a Merrell Urbaine raincoat: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Merrell-Womens-Urbaine-Jacket-Black/dp/B004QBYM1C/ref=sr_1_1?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1412943494&sr=1-1&keywords=merrell+urbaine I had searched the internet for advice (mumsnet etc.) after getting soaked from my Boden 'rain'coat. Sleeves especially suffering when pushing a pram. Merrell was one that was recommended as being genuinely waterproof but quite stylish at the same time. I've definitely been kept dry by it.

Hi, thought they were moving to Forest Hill? Good news for me! And really, not that far from East Dulwich.

Hello we've just flown on Ryanair, and yes their policy has changed - you can now take a pram and another child's item, like a booster seat for free, for each child. We checked in our booster seat at the bag drop off desk. The out flight, I wrapped it in a plastic bag and sealed it with sellotape, and that was fine. The return, I didn't even bother wrapping it and that was fine too. We didn't use a bag for the pram and that was no problem. By the way, they also allow two cabin items now - for example a trolley cabin bag and a handbag. But they also only guarantee that the first 90 boarders will get their cabin bag on board. After that, the larger cabin bag may have to go in the hold. We actually volunteered our larger bag to go in the hold as we would have had to wait for the booster seat etc. to come out on the luggage carousal anyhow. To be frank, I found Ryanair to be much better - less rude, less anal about stuff and less of the 'buy our lottery tickets now!' Stansted on the other hand was dreadful.

What a horrible experience for OP and others. I once went to a rather empty playground with my two. There were some teens hanging around and sitting on the climbing frame. Where do my two make a beeline for? The climbing frame. They shouted and clambered around that frame over and over again, and effectively drove the teens out of the playground! Guess those teens were a bit sweeter than the goose green ones...

On the plus side, I took my son to their artplay & story sessions which they hold on certain Sundays. The art session was well organised and interesting. The story session was very well done too and there was no problem with the kids hogging the corner of one of the gallery rooms & being very interactive with the storyteller :)

Possibly this is where the notarised document comes into play. However, one thing you can do is contact by email the embassy of the country that is being visited and ask what the situation is. This is what we did for Greece and were advised about the notarised letter of consent.

I think even with the same surname, it may be advisable to be prepared if one parent is travelling with the kids. My husband sometimes takes the kids travelling without me and I give a notarised letter of consent. He's never been questioned though.

Hi I'm just wondering for those who hire cleaners directly, do you ask for references, copies of passport, if they are insured? Or is that going a bit too far? Is it just a verbal agreement? I would love to hire a cleaner but am clueless on the admin front.

My husband took our two boys to a cafe on a busy Sunday morning once, and as soon as they walked in this man started muttering about noisy kids etc. I grant you, my boys are not the quietest but they would have settled down after a few minutes. Anyhow, my husband made sure they were seated far from the man then went to get some water. Man was still muttering as my husband passed close by. Summary of ensuing conversation: Husband: "Is there a problem?" Man: "I didn't come to a cafe to hear loads of kids shouting and screaming" [they weren't] Husband: "Well you better f*** off then hadn't you." I'd never have dared done that! I would have just been really hypersensitive and tried to shush my kids to whisper-level. And silently fumed with myself wishing I'd told the man to f*** off. Should add that kids were out of earshot of conversation. My husband hardly ever swears!

Yes, I bought my overlocker from the shop in Deptford and they have a range of machines and are happy for you to have a go. Also they sell ex-display models at slightly cheaper price.

Hi, just to update those who are unaware: received a letter from Ms Ryans saying that the hours will remain unchanged for children continuing / starting September 2014. I.e. 2.5 hours 4 days a week, 1 full day. For September 2015, discussions will be opened with those parents affected regarding any changes to the times. Very relieved, as my son loves the nursery!

Hi trevnsarah Yes, my situation is very similar to yours: the morning times would make it impossible to get my older son to his school, the afternoon times make it impossible to fetch my younger son on time. Besides the lack of actual consultation, the notice has come very late in the school year. I had been on another nursery waiting list (just laziness, forgot to take my son's name off), and was recently offered a place, but refused it because he'd settled so well at Fairlawn. katgod, the current offering at the nursery is 4 half days (2.5 hours a day, am or pm), and 1 full day). The proposal is to switch to half days only (3 hours). As trevnsarah noted, a full day is a great preparation for reception. And the morning and afternoon kids get to mix with each other in a slightly less familiar environment. Plus I assume that parents have organised their work hours with the full day in mind. I would say that the reasons given in their letter for the change are not clear.

Apologies if not directly related to East Dulwich, but I think that a lot of parents whose children go to Fairlawn Nursery may use this forum. If your child is continuing at Fairlawn Nursery or starting in September 2014, you should have received a letter regarding a proposed change in their schedule offering. It may be that these changes are fine with you, BUT, if you disagree with or are adversely affected by the proposals, please do write to the Head of School (Hania Ryans) to voice your objections. The letter says it is a consultation with parents, but there is no option to disagree with the change! thank you Cross posted to SE23 forum.

I have been receiving Dermol Bath Emollient & Aveeno Cream on a regular prescription. The combination has really helped with my elder son's terribly dry skin and eczema. Just received a letter from GP saying that "emollient bath additives are no longer considered to be a standard part of emollient/moisturising regimes..." and so won't be prescribed for us anymore! I can however buy over the counter apparently...

Hi I found the memorial playground very hard to find, and eventually almost walked the whole length of Hyde Park to get there... it's very near Queensway tube if that helps

Hi just wanted to say a big thanks for posting info on this event. I took my 6 yr old son there yesterday and he LOVED it! Very interesting festival, lots of fun, and loads of stuff for kids to have a go at. Also, I had never visited Imperial College before, and it was a great way to publicise the university & its work.

scareyt - interesting blog! Reminded me that Battersea Zoo was a lot of fun for my two - though it was more the climbing frames and sandpit rather than the animals that they liked.

Just a little note about the Diana playground in Kensington Gardens. It's a really fun place with a huge pirate ship for the kids to clamber around. Please note that the nearest station is Queensway! Don't do what I idiotically did and trek across the whole of Hyde park to get to it, unless of course you want to...

Fernando came round again to sort the hedges out. He worked hard for nearly 5 hours getting our front garden neat and tidy. Great guy, very easy to have around, extremely polite, came on time, quick to respond to requests, and very reasonable rates. He did a grand job!

done. v. interesting video and may try this out at home!

I used Dulwich Ironing service. I don't have a car nor a tumble dryer, so it was nice to have the pick up and delivery. At the time it was GBP10 for a double duvet (wash & tumble dry). http://www.dulwichironing.co.uk/

Lazzari do similar storage to gltc http://www.colours.ltd.uk/lazzari/ gltc stuff is nice, but i do remember ordering a play table once from them and it took forever to get here. I love the ikea expedit system. There are some lovely boxes you can get for them for about GBP15 per box. The DRONA canvas boxes are only GBP2.50 but probably not strong enough to hold lots of toy cars.

If he likes cooking, what about a cookery course of some kind? Red Letter Days do half / full day ones...

Hi last INSET day, we went to the Transport Museum in Covent Garden. It's GBP15 per adult, and the pass lasts a year. Kids go free. A really nice museum where it's OK for kids to zoom around and lots to interest adults too. You can bring your own lunch as there's a small eating area (together with mini-vehicles where you can pretend to drive a bus/train/boat), or otherwise loads of places to eat around. Easy to get to on the 176 bus (get off at Strand). Of course, around there's Covent Garden itself, or a walk to Trafalgar Square, or a walk across Waterloo Bridge to the South Bank where there could be stuff happening - last time my kids just wanted to climb and play around some sculptures outside the theatres. Reckon that should last a day!

Hi I used those tummy bands whilst breastfeeding. Really useful as don't need to pull a vest down, just lifted my top up. Also kept my belly warm during winter!