dulwichmum

Really, lets get some perspective here. Don't you remember what was there before Somerfield? This is a vast improvement. You should try living near the dreadful new Tesco Metro on Croxted Road. The stock is dreadfully limited, and it is lit (is that how to spell it?) like a dayglo Christmas tree, with that navy blue and white dreadful forumula - completely out of sinc with all of the other local shops. It sticks out like an eye sore. Somerfield looks positively upmarket in comparison. At least they have tried to blend in.

I love Tandoori nights, I think it is the best on Lordship Lane. Do they still do that lovely coconut with the pickles that you can put on your papadoms? I think that is the best thing about going there. I know that this is not Lordship Lane, but I am not impressed at all by Three Monkeys in Herne Hill, and Indigo on Rosendale Road is outstanding - if you love curries - which I do.

It is all good news! Dulwich - don't you just love it?

You said it Mr Mikewbate. Remember poor Damilola Taylor, there were more police in Peckham than Peckhamites! Where are they now? We should never let these dreadul happenings allow us to stop living our lives as normal though. We are blessed here in Dulwich, in general a good place to live.

Borat is out on dvd this week I believe - I am off to Woolworths - off the point I know but worth a mention!

Dear SimonM, I agree, there is nothing like having it brewed for you with a nice slice of cake and a good view!

Dear Shambles, Your attitude to this is entirely as it should be. The sun is rising and the world still turns. Dulwich is indeed a good place to live, lets not panic.

Dear CRAZYNURSE, I really do feel it is time we had a ducking stool constructed in Dulwich Park, wasn't there once a set of stocks in situ next to the book shop on Calton Avenue? My organic vegetables wilt at a terrifying rate (despite the purchase of a state of the art American refrigerator), and I would certainly be able to provide a ready supply of rotten tomatoes.

Dear Ms Janenap, I must admit that I know nothing of the new head at the Hamlet - but this school is spectacular by all the accounts I have heard. Even if you live within the catchment for this school (as with Dulwich Village Infants - for the little ones) at the end of the day it is completely over-subscribed, so only the children who live the closest will get in. I do not know which road you live on, but first consider which schools you are closest to, which ones you are most likely to get offered a place at, and then assess the attributes of the individual schools. Sadly, when it comes down to it, it is most difficult to choose a school based on the individual attributes and qualities of your children, as at the end of the day we are grateful for the offers we get in London - and that includes the independent schools. Even with the funds to pay for the independent schools on the doorstep, their selection procedures are notoriously difficult, and you end up choosing between the offers you get - and few offers are made. Alleyns assessed over 250 3 year old children this year for approx twenty places! JAPS was similar, as was DCPS. You could not get better advice than that of Townleygreen, - an absolute oracle re local schools.

Drat! It's a fair copy gov. I'm turning myself in.......

My word you are sharp tonight! Lol.

Yes, no one from the forum will sleep in their beds tonight...., we are all terrified we will be sued. Do you really think people are signing on the forum using their own names? :)) Try and go and find people called 'Spadetownboy' or 'Huguenot', (they are in Dulwich Park right now constructing a ducking stool). Oh the joy of annonymity!;-)

Does anyone else on here think Ray Winstone is just the most attracative man or is it just me?............... Perhaps it is just me and Nunheadmumofone?....

Dear Clare, I am so sorry Clare, I just got back from The Bellenden experiment, I could not get parking anywhere near Blue Mountain early this morning. I wish I had known you were going, but I had already logged off. I went and bought some amazing cake from the lovely cake shop as per Beths previous recommendation. Perhaps we should arange a coffee morning out for those of us with little ones - I never get to go out at night alone. James is terrified I will elope with Mr Batdog!

Dear Townley Green, Here, here!

Dear SimonM, I really appreciated that you took on board what Beth and I were saying. Sometimes it can be quite scarey to express an opposing point of view on here - you are a gentleman indeed. Beth, I had no idea that cakes from Konditor and Cook were sold in Blue Mountain! I shall be going there this morning to have a slice of the curley wurley cake. I was working at London Bridge for a while, and that was my favourite cake from my favourite shop! I shall also check out if they still sell the terrific chocolate eclairs that a local lady used to make for them on a thursday only. Also - Simon M, point taken about hot espresso, although I find Espresso (particularly italian) is nicest from a pot off the stove. Have you ever had coffee from a Nespresso machine? I hate the idea of using those special pods, and much prefer the idea of fresh coffee, and I despise Nestle and Nescafe, but - the Nespresso machine makes spectacular Nespresso with superb crema...... I was horrified.

I completely agree with Beth. With or without kids, to do some work, read the paper or escape. Cafe Nero or Starbucks are spacious and friendly. Actually, a decent big coffee shop on Lordship Lane will keep people out of Sainsbury's and support small shops on LL!

Dear Mr Mikewbate, I will be brave sweetie, thanks. The new Majestic Wines is opening up within 2 minutes of my home, so West Dulwich has its compensations. I will fight my way through the drug pushers and drugies to get my tipple (when Lent is over)!

Dear Mr SimonM, Surely there is no 'good way' to eat a horse? Far too much talk of this subject now, it is I hope time to change the subject?

Dear Debi, We all defend vigorously the choices that we make with regard to the schools we choose to send our children to. I would love to agree with you with regard to Kingsdale, as it is on my doorstep. I know very well that it is easy to brand a school and the children who attend it. Within the last twelve months however, I have had glass bottles galore thrown into my garden where my small children are playing, rocks thrown at my living room window on various occasions, and numerous conversations with the staff of Kingsdale and their beat officer about the childrens behaviour. These are certainly Kingsdale pupils. I have also been made aware of Dulwich College boys buying drugs from pushers (and I don't mean cannibis)on my doorstep, and I am aware of the trouble they cause at local shops. None of these kids are saints. I don't want a perfect saint for a son/daughter (how boring), but I really would be happy if they grew up with respect for eachother along with a decent level of self respect. I want my children to do no harm to others and steer well clear of drugs/alcohol. I think any school is only ever as good as the parents who support it. It is not the quiet well behaved children who attract attention to any school.

We have occasional photos on here from CrystalClear et al, and it is grand the way it is surely?

Dear Mr SimonM, 'well Starbucks - which as a lover of proper coffee and real crockery I of course loathe', Starbucks use crockery, unless you are having a take away, and you can't really blame them for giving out paper cups when you order a take out, unless you wish to buy a mug when you are there. I am not in any way trying to be confrontational by taking you up on this point, and I know they generate a huge amount of trash with their take-aways. I love Starbucks, and I love coffee, and I don't really understand why these shops are so universally villified. I have been to Kenya to a coffee farm, and also to a coffee farm in the West Indies. I like to think I know a little about it (very little I would admit), I have a super coffee machine in the house, along with various cafetierres, pots and filters, and I love Starbucks coffee. I am delighted that there has been one in Sainsburys instead of some dreadful coffee shop with white plastic seats and oven chips. When my babies were small, I loved their big soft arm chairs, and weighty mugs. Blue Mountain is not the most comfortable place to sit and chat with your friends, the chairs are hard and the staff unfriendly. Cafe Nero looks good, and is comfortable and the staff are friendly. I think the coffee is very good there. I love Starbucks, and I love coffee. I am not having a go at anyone, I just do.

I really like coffee, and shame of shames - Starbucks especially. I would prefer a starbucks than an independent pound shop any day of the week. But, I do completely get the arguement against large companies forcing food producers into poverty with unfair pay and conditions. You should take note of the dreadful front on Tesco on Croxted Road, lite up from morning till night, it really takes the look off that small group of shops. Somerfield on Lordship Lane at least looks less offensive than all that illuminous white and blue. Fair play to Keef for putting forward his point of view, sometimes it can be frightening to express any opinion against the tide here. Chener Books really should clean up its act. I have lived around here for nearly twenty years, and I have never noticed them decorate their shop front.

Now that I know what lol means............... I'm lol........

No please, not the football..........