Cassius

Re chains vs independents - to me some of it is knowing that the money I hand over is going to the person in that shop/bar/restaurant, or to their immediate boss and not to faceless stockholders anywhere in the world.

There have been many rough sleepers in the woods over the years - some have mental problems, some don't want to be sucked into the system and some just don't know what else to do and the woods are preferable to a doorway in the Strand. It is a real shame that this person was threatening, and as they may well have mental problems it was probably a good idea to call in the authorities, if nothing else they may well be able to help him.

henryb Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Gidget Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > Chillaxed Wrote: > > If kids were allowed in in those days then why > did > > so many children have to sit outside in the car > > while the parents were inside? > > Inspired parenting? Come on - sitting in the car (or the beer garden) the landlord couldn't see it was YOU drinking the bacardi & coke whilst your driving parent drank the straight cola.

Wagamama 10/12 years ago fitted the bill - the seating arrangements, the ordering and the food all seemed different and FUN - great for a meal before or after a film or whatever - even then it wasn't a destination restaurant. Now so many restaurants have similar arrangements that it is no longer original or fun and therefore needs to rely on the quality of food to get repeat custom................

Aladam888 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > We stayed at the Four Season's Hotel when we > visited Istambul last year. I was completely > satified with the hotel service and rooms. Do > check out! Mmmm - a lovely looking hotel and a fantastic location, but hardly in the small and authentic style - AND expensive.

Just be careful about putting berries straight into your mouth or the mouths of babes which are at the right height for dogs to have piddled over. Wash those first and keep the ones at a greater height for the snacking!

stiffleruk22 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > some of you took days off work just from a mosquot > bite??? yes thay swell up and itch...its a mosquot > bite! went to the doctors as well!..no wonder my > GP looks on edge when he has to deal with grown > adults pi**ing about because thay got a itchy > bite!... http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7915695/Blandford-fly-surge-in-infected-insect-bites-blamed-on-new-superfly.html Better safe than sorry

Deffo school disco with real acts. Cringe worthy in every aspect but loved Eric Idle. Shame U2 are Irish - Bono would have loved it. And what the f*** were Muse on?

Hannah Whelan and Beth Tweddle and as I am a gymnastics freak I am really pleased.

OMG - we've just got Silver in mens team gymnastics final - according to the BBC the first medal since a Bronze in 1912! Huzzah for the Olympics (wipes away tear) ETD Shit - the japanese have protested about something and we've got Bronze - still a great achievement though.

> Loz Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > > Really, the NHS bit was only part of it. I > > thought the logos weren't entirely necessary, > but > > the rest of the segment was very good, but > didn't > > look as good on telly as it could of. Is that en aitch es or en haitch es?

Macca was vile but it could have been worse - it could have been Cliff........ Also not impressed by the very bling team GB outfit.

Sue Wrote: ----------------------------------------------------- > > I had a blitz on my weight in the new year, but > sadly found when I lost the weight my face just > looked more wrinkly :( > > Another hideous downside of getting old. Somerset Maugham said that after 40 a woman had to choose between her face or her body. Today I think we can probably change that to at least 50 but the concept is sadly the same.........

Parkdrive Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Sicily, Taormina absoluely gorgeous spent 3 weeks > on the beaches, touring the villages in and around > Etna, wonderful historic sites, exquisite food and > lovely people. But bloody expensive!! Very similar except only went for 10 days - one of the most beautiful places I have ever been and would highly recommend.

I don't live in the area any more but have added this site to my bookmarks. I've spent over 20 years looking at this building and wishing I could win the lottery and restore it until it got beyond saving or so I thought - so glad I was wrong and it was not beyond saving........... good luck Colin - I look forward to watching how the project proceeds in the future.

Pickle Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > The one and only time I've swum there half the > pool was used for the aerobics, leaving those of > us there to swim with the ability to do widths > only, completely pointless. It does say clearly on the pool timetable when the aqua aerobics classes are - easy enough to avoid.

I need to draw up a simple and straightforward Will. Has anyone done a 'd.i.y' Will or would anyone recommend doing officially through a solicitor. ?200 or ?250 plus VAT seems quite steep from a solicitor.

I just think it is a shame that this didn't last - thought the pizzas and the staff were great - hey ho.

peckman Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > regarding gyms... never understood why someone > would pay to run on a treadmill... esp when you > have lovely peckham rye park to run around. Rain, snow, dog poo - or dry, warm and BBC news.

I don't think that the gates are locked at all - I've been to various evening and early morning events (dawn chorus etc) and got in OK.

Does anyone have one of these - can you recommend or not, and has anyone successfully done Yorkshire Puddings/Popovers in them - as thinking of getting one for holiday home?

Another one agreeing with ???? that it is the drinking culture that is the problem not the price of alcohol. Wine and beer is much much cheaper in most Western European countries - in Germany you can get a good bottle of Riesling for ?4.00 and a crate of 24 beers for about ?16.00 and although drinking is going on in these ccunties I've not seen the excesses that I see here. It is considered 'uncool' to be legless and no-one wants to ruin their carefully thought out outfits by vomiting over them or collapsing in a dirty gutter. I also remember a post on here a couple of years ago where someone pointed out that most countries have much higher levels of alcohol that can be drunk before going beyond recommended levels. Even recently the units recommended went up for 14 and 21 to 21 and 28 and back down again. However the smokers have been more or less good and clobbered - time for another section of society to be under attack.

Maybe the reception staff can be occasionally abrupt because many customers treat them rudely. How many customers smile, say hallo or goodbye or thank you............... Janet who is a swimming teacher is wonderful - she can inspire confidence in the most nervous swimmer regardless of age. And a place that provides a creche and a family changing room - how child friendly do you want them to be?

Went to Mildreds last night and tbh wouldn't recommend it for a 60th - mainly because you cannot book a table, so have to take pot luck, and although there is no pressure to eat up and go you cannot help but be aware of the bar that is full of people waiting for a table. Finally the acoustics are not great so once it gets full up it can be quite hard to hear the other people in your party. The food itself is fine but I don't think the restaurant itself is up to a 'special' meal.

Another vote for The Gate - lovely imaginative vegetarian food without feeling at all 'lentils & sandals', also a good wine list.