Zo?

I'd like to add my recommendation for Michelle and her team. She looks after our cats, is very flexible, a great communicator and obviously loves her work. She even sent them a Christmas card!

Brsdley came at short notice just before Christmas and did a great job, rescuing our carpet from an unmentionable stain... It absolutely looks as good as new now. Knowledgeable, punctual & considerate & obviously takes pride in his work. Will definitely use his services again. Thank you, Bradley.

Would just like to add a recommendation for Steve. We've used him for our dishwasher before & just now for our washing machine. A very nice chap - super prompt, reliable, no nonsense and very reasonably priced.

Another hearty recommendation for Steve who has recently fixed our dishwasher. Punctual, efficient, friendly &, I think, extremely reasonable. Will be our first port of call for any other kitchen gremlins. Thanks, Steve.

Seconding Beth from Bee Healthy. She is wonderful - totally non-intimidating, full of energy & enthusiasm &, well, just lovely. I started seeing her when pregnant with my 2nd child & up until he was about 8 months old as I had crippling PND after my 1st & thought some structured exercise might help mentally & physically. My sessions on Peckham Rye with her were more beneficial to me than I can explain. She had a baby recently - not sure when she's back to work - but she is definitely worth contacting. http://bee-healthy.co.uk/ Zoe

My experience same as Cora's. After much deliberation & confusion, we placed our top choice 1st, next choice 2nd etc. We were offered our nearest school, which we had placed 3rd, and then got offered a place at our 1st choice school in July. We also have friends at our daughter's school who placed it low on their list as they presumed they wouldn't get in as they lived too far away. They ended up at a school they were unhappy with & requested to be put on the waiting list for our school and were offered a place (based on proximity) after the first week of term. Good luck. It's all very stressful, isn't it?

Eye mask. Blistering heat of PN ward is matched only by blazing sun-esque lighting. Water bottle with sports cap thingy - less likely to spill over self when lying in bed like immobile whale. Spare carrier bag for yucky grubby clothes. x

Hello Our daughter, Briony, will also be starting in September & we'd love to make some new friends before September! Zoe x

Hello all We've just been offered a reception place for our daughter starting in September. We live quite a way away and I think only got in because they are having a bulge class this year. It's very important to us that we are near potential school chums for after school playing etc, and so I was wondering whether anyone near us will be starting in Sept? We are on Rosenthorpe Road, just off Ivydale Rd. Thanks all. Zoe x

I had an elective c-section at Kings 2 weeks ago and would like to add to the praise for everyone we came across. I had been extremely apprehensive following a dreadful experience at a north London hospital with our daughter, but this time round was so different. The levels of professionalism, care and compassion were incredible - nothing was too much trouble for them and everyone we met was so cheerful, and the breastfeeding help was wonderful. I really hope all you ladies due to give birth at Kings in the near future are cheered by the positive words on here and wish you all the lovely experience we had. x

Thank you, everyone, for your wise words & kindness. Feeling much more bouyed up now! Zoe x

Might be worth giving Herne Hill velodrome a try: http://www.hernehillvelodrome.com/sessions-and-events/holiday-clubs They seem to be running quite a bit over the summer holidays but I believe they also run stuff at the weekends.

Morrisons in Peckham usually has loads of sparkly bits and pieces.

I've just been booked in for an elective at Kings in a couple of weeks and was wondering whether anyone had any practical advice for making it as smooth an experience as possible? With my daughter I had to have an emergency section under pretty horrid circumstances and the whole thing is a bit of a blur. Any useful post-op products or advice on how to explain this to my 4 year old? I don't want to be constantly yelling "Mind mummy's tummy!", that kind of thing. Thanks everyone. x

And my friend teaches a little boy named Dwayne, surname Pipe. Congratulations rahrahrah - and a really lovely name.