HeadNun

I wish I'd been clever enough to think of this brilliant analogy myself last night.

Thanks Jenijen. His argument is that, because he's paying me monthly, and often doesn't stay all the nights he's paid for, he expects some flexibility to stay on a Sunday. It's v complicated.

Brighton, don't throw the baby out with the bathwater - good GPs are like hen's teeth and if you have a lot of needs, which it sounds as if you do, then you should stay with the practice and with a GP you trust and who knows your history. Instead, follow others' advice and complain about the receptionist. I'm sure there must have been complaints about her before, judging by this thread. It sounds exhausting, but you don't want to change GP only to discover your new practice is worse. I'm with DMC on Crystal Palace Road and don't rate them hugely, but they're all locums, so it's hard to tell.

I'm hoping for some guidance from anyone who might have experience of having a lodger on a part-time basis. I recently took in my third lodger, who responded to an ad in the 'Monday to Friday' section of Spareroom. So far he's been great, we get on well, he seems like a gent etc. I had asked him what nights during the week he'd like to stay and he said Monday, Tues and Weds. I drew up a contract, which stipulates he will stay on 'the weekdays of Mon - Weds, with some flexibility around those weekdays'. He pays me a monthly DD, whether he's there 3 nights a week or not. One weekend he was in a bit of a fix and I offered him the room on a Friday and a Sunday as a gesture of goodwill. I didn't charge him extra those nights, because I knew he'd only stay two nights the following week. He had told me last week he'd be arriving Monday, as per usual. However on the Sunday afternoon he texted to say he'd be arriving later that night. I explained that I had my parents staying with me and so he couldn't come, the room was occupied. He became quite annoyed and said he'd bought an off-peak ticket and had no choice but to come. I became alarmed, imagining him turning up on my doorstep and making a scene, expecting me to turf my folks out! He sent another text saying he was paying me a lot of money and didn't expect the room to be available only at my convenience. I spent last night feeling really anxious about this all. He arrived tonight, we discussed this (both a little rattled) and he explained that he expects to be given priority of my spare room. He says that in his experience, when a lodger takes a room, that room is exclusively reserved for them, whether they are there or not. He was reasonable and admitted he hadn't been clear that he expected flexibility. I explained that for me, a weekday-only let means just that. He said he considers a Sunday night to be part of the working week and reminded me that he's paying me a flat fee, even though he won't always be here. It's a long winded story - sorry, but I wanted to give all the detail. Have I got this massively wrong? Even though he's my third lodger, this situation has never arisen before, so I'd love your advice.

yes, this could well be a fox. I have a spiteful one who loves poo-ing on my front doorstep.

Juicing is a silly fad anyway. You're basically just mainlining sugar. If you want to be healthy and save money, make yourself a salad and chew. Otherwise, you're just paying £7 for a massive glucose spike.

This is so sad. It's a fantastic shop and they not only had reasonably priced plants and pots, but they sold their soil at cost price. They've always had wonderfully helpful staff and have personally helped me revive some of my dying plants by re-potting them free of charge. They have a great ethos and it's a real shame that businesses like that can't thrive in the current climate.

Yet another recommendation for Andy. He puts some shelves and storage stuff up for me and hung some pictures. Great work and very reasonable indeed.

I hope you find someone, Forbes.

The Great Exhibition on Crystal Palace road has air con and is delightfully cool.

It was slaw, with pomegranate. And it was drenched in vinegar, hence inedible. (And I like vinegar).

I had brunch in Megan's on Saturday and it was genuinely one of the worst meals out I've ever had. Terrible service -was waiting for 30 mins before they told me what I'd ordered wasn't available. Then what eventually did come, nearly an hour later was bad. One salad was literally inedible.

Iain Glen in Dulwich village a few months ago, who beamed me a charming smile as he exited the wine shop

I've had a few sessions with Rory Lemon, who's been helping with general back pain and stress. He takes a great, holistic approach to his work and really looks at the bigger picture.

I didn't pay mine a fee either. I spoke to so many brokers - some who said I couldn't borrow a penny, and all of whom charged a fee. Then I found my lady and knew I could trust her immediately. She answered all my emails promptly, even ones which weren't about mortgages, but asking for general house-buying advice. I'm happy to pass on her details to anyone who's looking.

I think that, unless you can give Peckham Plex (?5 a pop) a run for its money, you'd be hard pushed to make it work. PP is great and I'm happy to patronise it and keep it alive, even though it's not exactly boutique.

I have just had my second cut with Victoria and she is great. I have spent ?000s on fancy, London salons and am very fussy, but Victoria knows hair. She really does. Thoroughly recommend her. Went out tonight and someone commented on how good my hair looked straight after a visit from Victoria.

To all those advocating peace and tolerance of the foxes, perhaps you don't appreciate what a pest they are. They are strategically crapping all over mine and my neighbour's gardens - they have left their mark all over her back door, in her dog's bowl, on her vegetables, and she has small children. They come into my garden and don't budge when I try to shoo them away and they left a nice gift of a decapitated squirrel on my lawn and a hind leg in my neighbour's vegetable patch the other day. They're a dirty, spiteful nuisance and really shouldn't be encouraged, they are not benign at all! If it were just their mating noises I had to endure, I'd be happy with that. If anyone has any tips for deterring them, please do share. I am going to try the male urine as soon as I can find a volunteer (and this is not unhygienic - urine is sterile and I'd rather have that on my garden then the shit of a mangey scavenger).

Hi are you still looking for members. I would love to join - [email protected]

Hi All, Thanks for the excellent advice. The windows are double glazed but they are concertina doors so the heat gets out / cold gets in that way. I think heavy, lined curtains will make the world of difference. After much pleading the landlord has agreed to pay for and put up a curtain rail, so good result all round! HN p..s it really is a lovely flat, wonderful features and decent rent, so not planning on going anywhere soon.

I was wondering if anyone had any wise words to offer. I live in a lovely flat in Nunhead and one of it's design features is massive, 13 foot wide windows at the back of the house and two huge skylights. While this looks lovely it means that, come the winter, the house is baltic (the sitting room is an extension, so all external walls). My flatmate and I can see our icy breath, even when the heating is on full blast, and all heating just evapourates through the windows anyway, costing us a small fortune. It's so bad we literally sit in the main living part of the house in gloves and hats. My question is this: are landlords legally required to provide curtains or blinds? I am having to have curtains made and, combined with the cost of a rail, the whole things it going to cost me nigh on ?400 and the landlord is refusing to cover the cost of any of this.

Hi All, I'm relatively new here (brand new to the forum, 9 months new to Peckham / ED) and I looked into joining the leisure centre today. Reading your comments about the temporary rubbish gym is disheartening and I may now not join, but you might be interested to know that, as of today, they are offering a deal of ?15 a month for three months. I thought this was a too-good-to-be-true offer and now I know why. Having said that, it's still not a bad deal, especially if you're interested in doing their classes. HN