Zo?

Singing the praises of Crystal Palace. My 4yo has swimming with the lovely Sandy at 12.30 on Thursdays - there are only 3 children in her group, changing room & showers have plenty of room, lots of parking etc. Also has the advantage of diving training in the diving pool afterwards - this keeps her entertained for ages (watching, not doing!)

bjm - both me & hubby really, really liked Horniman. All the children have a philosophy lesson once a week, which really appeals to the old hippy in me, and it's apparently had quite an impact on how the children think about problems in other subjects. There seems to be a lot of classroom space (although lots of children were out on a school trip) and they have lovely outdoor areas, an allotment and some very chilly bunnies. Sadly, though, going by furthest distance published by Lewisham from last year, we stand not a snowball's chance of getting in.

I went to Horniman today - they have offered to take a bulge class but will not know if it's going ahead until February, I think - at any rate, after the application deadline. Talking of which & going a bit off topic, I'm a bit frustrated at the mo as I seem to have missed most of the dates for looking around schools and am being told that I can't go and have a look around until the 2nd week of Jan, minutes before the application deadline. Another thing to add to the ever-growing list of proof of my inadequate parenting...

Our normally 20 minute sprightly jaunt across the Rye to nursery was more like a 2 hour Shackletonesque trek across the frozen tundra this morning. Briony was absolutely delighted, though, and was literally rolling around in the snow like a puppy. A man walking his dog gave me a big smile and said, "Fantastic, isn't it?" which made my day.

I used to sing (in heavily inverted commas) 'Precious' by Annie Lennox to Briony when she was teeny. Even when she's being beastly, this song always turns me to absolute mush & I can't even think about the lyrics without blubbing - just typing this is setting me off... Precious little angel Take a look at what you've done Well I thought my time was over But it's only just begun Precious little angel You're my own sweet turtle dove Won't you stay with us for ever In a bundle full of love I was lost until you came Precious little angel Won't you spread your light on me I was locked up in the darkness Now you've come to set me free I was covered up with sadness I was drowned in my own tears I've been cynical and twisted I've been bitter all these years I was lost until you came I was lost until you came And wouldn't I run a thousand miles To be with you And wouldn't I run a thousand miles To be with you Precious little angel Tell me how can it be true That such a gift from heaven Has been sent for me and you Precious little angel Don't you worry don't you cry When this bad old world has crumbled I'll be standing at your side I was lost until you came

I find this very interesting and very sad in equal measures. I wasn't massively confident before mummyhood, but I was extremely good at pretending to be when I needed to (ex-actress!). Since I've had my daughter, however, that particular skill has deserted me, taking with it my ability to do small talk and any sense of achievement. I'm also now beyond useless in a large group of people, whereas previously I was a happily horrendous showy-offy, centre of attention type. Now, my heart rate goes up, my mouth goes dry & I find myself desperately searching for the exit. On a long weekend away with my oldest, bestest friends a few weeks ago I was actually relieved to not be able to drink (pregnant) as it gave me the perfect excuse to be the boring one who left early. I must admit, I just put all this down to having had PND, but it's interesting to see that this seems to happen to lots of new mums. I wonder if it affects new dads, too? However, it's interesting that there's often a massive difference between what we see in ourselves and what others do. For instance, I've met Pebbles a few times, and every time I've thought, "Wow, I wish I could be that fun, that confident, that engaging." (And then, last week, I had to add, "God, why can't I have legs like hers?!" Honestly, they go on for miles!)

Seconding Dr Sathiya. She's lovely - warm, understanding & gives you as much time as you need.

Thank you both very much. I now have no excuse not to start shifting my rapidly expanding butt. x

Can anyone suggest a gentle personal trainer with experience of helping pregnant women? Thanks Zoe

Seconding Blossoms on Dunstan's Grove.

I admire you all for your perseverence! Afraid I walked through the door, clocked the extent of the queue, promptly performed a neat 360 and went home! I hope you all managed to get booked on though. If not, have a look at Crystal Palace Pool swimming lessons - there are only 3 children in my daughter's class, big changing rooms, free parking & dinosaurs.

A recent conversation with my nearly 4 yo(I'm aware that my answers are not exactly model ones, but she blindsided me rather..!): She: "Mummy, why do people die?" Me: "Well, sometimes they are very old and their bodies stop working." She: "Hmmmmmm" (expecting more) Me: "OK, well, erm, sometimes get very poorly and doctors can't fix them." She: "Yeeeeees..." (still not good enough) Me: "Right, OK, well sometimes people have nasty accidents and.." She: "Yes, that's very interesting, mummy, but mostly they die because they get trampled by wildebeests." Took me a while to remember that she'd been reading The Lion King a lot lately.

Really sorry to hear about this. Someone tried to steal our beloved van from Athenlay Road in Nunhead a few months ago so I (kind of) know how you feel. Have you thought about keeping an eye on Gumtree? I know that a few stolen campers have turned up there. Really hope you are reunited! Zoe & Pete

Hi MrsP We have a campervan & undertook our first family trip to Europe last summer with a nearly-3 year old. We all loved it! Our daughter was beyond excited & loved making friends with other children at campsites & going off for showers with her little spongebag. Take plenty of activities you can do in a confined space - we also took a teeny portable DVD player which was v handy. You can get reductions at UK campsites if you join the Camping & Caravanning Club, as well as access to 'members only' sites, which really are not as saucy as they sound! They are basically smaller sites with fewer amenities - we like them as they tend to be quieter but won't have all the kid-targeted stuff like playgounds/pools etc. Our van is quite small (a VW) but, with an awning, was plently big enough for the 3 of us, bikes, boats etc. Campervantastic is based in Forest Hill & hires out campers - not sure about Motorhomes. You're not being mad at all. Camping with littlees can be fantastic fun & we can't wait for the weather to perk up and go off adventuring again. Good luck! Zo?

Brockley Primary school (just opposite Brockley & Ladywell cemetary) & Manor House library in Lewisham both have lovely children's centres with drop-in sessions & super staff. Manor House backs on to a great park & cafe - I teach Sing & Sign at the children's centre & it's always bustling with activity. I'd definitely take our daughter to their stay & play sessions if I didn't dislike driving quite as much as I do!

Hi Steph Friends of ours were in the same position a few years ago and moved to Beckenham from Honor Oak Park. They live on Queens Road, very close to Clock House station (into London Bridge) and to Beckenham Spa and speak in glowing terms of Balgowan Primary. Best of luck with your plans. Zo?

It's because Southwark crossings are dopey - they have put the delay in the wrong place!! If the crossing hasn't been used in 10 minutes, it should change almost as soon as the pedestrian presses the button, and then have a delay before it can be used again - this is what they do everywhere else! But at most Southwark crossings, even if it hasn't been used for an hour you still have to wait for ages for the lights to change... (The one at the bottom of Friern Road is an exception - it works like they should, but most of the others have it all wrong!)

Thank goodness - I thought it was just me. I have only ever tried to turn right here once & found the whole experience so traumatic I now go up to the next junction & do it there instead, where there seems to be more room to wait. Ugh, shuddering at the memory.

We lived just off Highbury Fields for 7 years & moved here (Nunhead) in Feb. Friends who used to live in ED basically sold us on the area - so much greener & calmer than N1. Maybe it's because we now have a bubba, but I really get a warmer sense of community here - people talk to me on the bus and say hello in the shops. Crazy loopy Islington house prices also chased us out of the area, for which I am actually rather grateful. Also we have family in South East/ South West - it's much easier to visit them now that we no longer have to slog along in our ancient van for an hour just to cross the river.