RoLo1

I got a definite smile last Saturday, so I have no complaints. I have been taking two enthusiastic kids in there for the last few months for a Saturday morning treat, then over the road to Lucas.

I always thought the security grille made it look so unwelcoming, but I presumed it was attacked sometime in the 1980s and the owner never dared remove them as a result. With a little TLC it could have been more welcoming to all.

I hope someone enterprising might look at the Polish Shops, in Forest Hill for example, and build on their models to cater for the younger generation of Irish people (and help avoid kids assimilating to the point they don't connect strongly with their Irishness).

Thanks Strawbs, that is really helpful (and sorry to hear you have this reaction, must have been terrifying, especially prior to diagnosis!). Thanks, R x

I am wondering if anyone has had a similar experience with their kids. My 3 year old son has severe eczema and before seeing a dermatologist we were sent for allergy testing last summer - the only thing they found was a dustmite allergy. We've since discovered he has a peanut allergy, which the clinic hadn't tested for. However today he had a major reaction while helping me in the kitchen, to either raw egg or wheat (both of which tested negative last Summer).

Given his extreme reaction this morning, with face swelling, redness and itching so bad he wanted 'to scratch off' his skin, we were lucky enough to be seen by the GP almost immediately.

Piriton had helped manage the symptoms within 10 minutes so the doctor: a) doesn't think he would be the right candidate for an EpiPen as his throat and airways didn't close up (despite the fact that he had trouble breathing when he reacted to peanut!); and b) when I pushed to get his allergies re-tested (as I really don't know what to avoid, though my inkling is raw egg) she refused to refer him, instead volunteering that she would consult "with another doctor" which I have interpreted as the brush-off... I guess we will get him tested privately so we can have some insight.

In terms of anaphylactic shock, his airways didn't swell up today, but his other reactions seem to fall in this category - or am I misinterpreting the allergy websites? If your throat doesn't swell one time, my understanding is that doesn't mean that will always be the case. My worry is the hidden dangers/ allergy we may not know of yet, and that next time we won't be able to help him.

Anyone have any insider knowledge on this area?

I would pay a little more for taps rather than the absolute cheapest... but I wouldn't discount IKEA taps for example, they must sell millions so have to be a fairly good standard. Toilets - I really don't see how they can vary hugely in quality, but someone may correct me on that, we've put in 3 and they weren't 'big' brands and no issues.

(In case it helps - my personal real learning is to opt for 'standard' size everything where possible, regardless of price - for example a square or circular toilet can look fab and premium but it means you have the tiles/ floor laid out to follow its shape. All you need is the toilet seat to get damaged, you may then find it impossible to find the EXACT same shape seat... we had this and found we had to get a whole new toilet (and cistern), plus re-lay the floor. We are having work done at the moment and I applying this principle to the downstairs toilet and even the kitchen sink)

Hi Seniors - is it true that it's had a bit of a refurb?

We are on Day One of our extension build and still haven't decided which kitchen to put in - for those interested in Ikea they are relaunching their entire kitchen range in March, so worth waiting to see if it's got something you may like. Someone on here had recommended British Standard Kitchens and they are the front-runner for me, they have a showroom in Hoxton, worth a look (the costs are transparent, no extras for plints, sides etc - those 'extras' drive me crazy!).

And how much is it? Thanks!

Such clear CCTV, very impressive - and your caller rolled-up as though he owned the place. Does the SD card continuously record, as it doesn't appear to be sensor operated? I think we all want to know how it connects and works!

Does anyone know if you can order a bin for a neighbouring house?

A few doors from my in-laws the tenants are overfilling their bin (to the point they can't close it), and on Sunday as I passed a man opened the front door and chucked his takeaway on the ground to join loads of other rubbish. It's a typical crowded ED terraced street, obviously rubbish and open bins are going to attract vermin - and surprise, surprise we've seen one and had to put traps down yesterday (obviously mice are going to be an ongoing problem if there are idiots who can't clean up after themselves).

I've looked on the Southwark website, and wondering if I can order as though it's for my own property (cloak and dagger approach)? Just don't want to explain the situation to Southwark and find they will only provide the bin to the property if the tenant/ owner requests it, in which case no-one can really do anything to fix it quickly... That's presuming there isn't the 8 week wait on bins there was at one point!

I would be interested to hear if you find any new routes helpful. My daughter is totally resistant to using the toilet to poo either, I feel I've tried everything, like your son I know she is well capable, it's really down to habit.

I wonder if at his age you could appeal to him by using a route such as saying 'mummy can't afford to buy any more pull-ups, they're very expensive, etc etc' and that he has a week to get used to the idea and then the final one is gone. You may have tried this, but just thinking that rather than it being about him, that it's more about you and the 'burden' of keeping him in nappies. Just suggesting this as I would imagine he has a sense of money and spending, and that sort of thing would have worked on me when I was a kid (I was pretty much raised to think that we didn't have money to throw around, it was actually not the reality).

Maybe to coincide with this final countdown, providing new books in the bathroom, giving him 10 minute slot after dinner and again before bed to poop? Showing him he could lay a few pieces of loo roll on the water so there's no splashing etc?

I do wonder what my grandmother's generation would have done - her 5 kids were out of nappies by the time they were 1 year old, I can imagine parents didn't have all this patience. It has made me think I might have to make my daughter feel a bit more uncomfortable - ie rather than pull-ups, put her in trainer pants/ plastic pants to sleep in. I have heard nappies are so good these days that's partly the reason kids just don't care when they pee and poop, so this could be another route with your son too?

Anyway, fingers crossed. There was a previous thread on here about medical issues leading to this type of thing, might be worth a search - especially if he is constipated (my daughter was constipated but have managed to get her to up her fluids).

Maybe if it carries on it's worth booking a GP trip?

In answer to the question on what checks were carried out - I was asked if we had egg allergies and also whether we are in contact with anyone who was seriously ill, including specifically cancer - so I assume all the nurses have to check on a tick-box basis.

We had ours today, nasal spray so took 2 seconds, painfree and not scary for a toddler. I do have friends who feel it's unnecessary (these are mothers who are anti all jabs/ medical interference). My concern was that my 2 year old boy has allergies and is at risk of becoming asthmatic, so I feel this is a simple way to at least help him get through this winter without getting flu and run-down etc, and his chest being affected. His sister has a great immune system but she had it too, hopefully we have a good winter!

I take it there's no website? Would be interested if times etc suited our schedule!

Thanks!

Worth speaking with Council. Would also suggest you knock on neighbours door and say you have thought about it and would like a surveyor appointed, in accordance with party wall act. The letter their architect/ whoever acts on their behalf sends you, allows you two weeks to decide whether you want to have a surveyor appointed to draw up a joint agreement, and gives timings as to when the work could start at the earliest (if you agree to the work the earliest they could start is a month after they issue the letter, if you contest by requesting a party wall award/ agreement it's two months).

During that time you can still go through it all with the council. Mind you the council should have sent you the plans (as a neighbour), which begs the question as to whether planning permission has genuinely been provided. Planning permission however is entirely separate from party wall act, which is where many people build things without going through due process and can find themselves in legal hot water - this could be the case with them, in which case direct them to the party wall act. A surveyor to carry this out should cost them approx. ?400 (they will have to shop around though, we had a quote for ?2,0000 to do this), so they won't be happy but at least it ensures that the build is done right.

Read through the party wall document (previously posted), you will see that you have right to appeal/ bring to court if they don't honour your rights (and building on the actual boundary is not legit without your say-so, it is joint, building on their side of the boundary could be fine it it's a distance of 5m from your side/ or the foundations don't go a certain percentage height above yours, so the right to light may prove to be the bigger issue for them in this case (and you)!

With the age gap I would go for the select. It is long, but only when two seats are on - whereas you will often just need it for the newborn. Other option is a buggy board for your older child on your current buggy, she will probably scoot too, so one seat may be vacant very soon.

I had a Select and found it fine, folds up into small boot, super-narrow so gets through every door, but once you have got used to it the kerbs are easy. With your age gap I don't think a side by side would be that useful for long.

A sit-on toy (if you don't already have some)! A Thomas is still played with daily here a year and a half later, present from grandparents. Also got Little Tikes sit in cars, just used indoors so far and still much loved. Agree though I wouldn't go crazy, maybe a small token for now!

Busy Bees in Honor Oak is mornings only, for ages 2+. Only one I know I am afraid!

I could have written the original post myself. Had a woman below me hellbent on making her presence felt - would leave radio blasting all night, slam doors at night too, and for whatever reason couldn't engage in a conversation, would leave aggressive notes. In the first few months after i moved in, when I responded by note (she refused to open her door to me) she tore up my letter and put it through my letterbox, and returned every letter since unopened. We unfortunately owned our place so couldn't move, this went on for years. We did contact the local police and logged stuff, and eventually it was solved as she sold up, so we were no longer in a position where we would need to declare a 'dispute' when selling.

As much as you may love your flat, it's no longer the haven you wanted, you can move in a few months with relative ease. I get the sense that you want to 'win', and while I can understand that as it's galling to feel you have no rights to your home, really what will you 'win'? - she is unbalanced and it's a rented home so you will likely move sooner than her...

We initially found ourselves whispering and tiptoeing but we just gave up and would even occasionally put a late night wash on ourselves. It did make us cautious when moving into the next property, so I have no doubt you will be the same - and you will cherish the freedom of no longer having a little gremlin on your shoulder and being able to truly relax! If I was you I wouldn't bother fighting it, have a look at what's on the market locally, you won't look back!

We have a washer-dryer that I rate - AEG Lavamat Turbo. Was selling ?800 or so, but at the time currys had it at ?500 or so, so worth shopping around.

I really rate AEG, we inherited a 30 or so year old washer in this house that was of the same model (though obv prehistoric) and upgraded when kids came.

Bit retro, but I am trying to convince my husband on retro sharp edge worktop. Comes up if you Google 1950s worktop, I am tempted by a soft colour... WWW.worktops.UK.com They also do soft contoured edgek. Worth getting a sample. I am also unconvinced by Corian, sorry lightweight.

We are doing work soon, and I couldn't see the point of a sink in there, I don't steep clothes, could use a bucket or something should it ever become necessary. My priority is having washer dryer in the utility room, the hoover and steam cleaner, and in the ceiling hanging a clothes airer (contraption from Lakeland, means my bedroom will no longer look like a laundromat). Your priorities may be different, some people like two sinks in their kitchens after all. I will just have one high shelf with detergents etc out of reach from little hands. I guess it depends on whether you need extra shelving, but presumably you could opt for sink and store lots underneath. As well as this room we will have a walk in pantry (using an otherwise dark corner in the kitchen), and this will be a brilliant dumping ground I hope, also means we don't need much storage in the kitchen itself. Hope that helps.

In terms of the question of cost, I calculated our costs of owning a car as around ?1200 per year (cost of buying it 8 years ago, MOT, insurance, tax, annually but not petrol which is around ?30 every 3/4 weeks). Interesting to see the other calculations taking into account car clubs and occasional taxis, as I was wondering how much we could justify spending on our next car (husband has a hankering for something fancier in the future, I am anti-flashy).

Obv we don't own a Lamborghini, but it's seen us through house moves, trips to Ireland, and having kids, so it seems like we probably would have spent around the same per annum on alternatives.

Always preferred King's myself. Controversial I know. But why are they only available at home, I am sure there must be an underground movement just waiting to burst out. Rise up ppl!

Still can't believe Walkers launched in Ireland in last 10 years. Pah!

I thought the twins club had it on a Monday morning, moved there about 6 weeks ago...I guess it's changed again!

I had this, used to be 5am shenanigans which considering I am not a light sleeper must have been v loud. I wrote a letter that appeared polite and considerate, but can't remember how I worded it but it would have been embarrassing to receive, esp for the male flat owner I would imagine (I think I made a reference to the noise, although loud, not lasting that long, something along those lines). It did the job! You could always 'blame' it entirely on your son - ie 'never noticed the noise before but now that my son calls me day and night when he hears it, I am afraid I am also feeling like I am privy to your personal life, and uncomfortable for his sake and mine...' Etc?