redjam

I'm a massive library fan and particularly love their online book-ordering service. For 60p/book I get to read all the latest hardback fiction that would cost £20+ to buy - you sometimes have to wait a few weeks but it always comes through in the end. Great service. I also love that elegant, light-filled Victorian building which reminds me of the library of my childhood.

I dropped off at the end of the day yesterday and they were taking them again then

Baffled by this. We've adopted our last three cats from Celia Hammond and all three have been outdoor cats (which we were upfront about). And when we got our first cat we were out working every day. And of course we live on a road, with through traffic - who doesn't, in London? Maybe we were just lucky but none of those things were deemed an issue when we applied for adoption - in fact we found Battersea much stricter when we tried to register with them first time round. Not saying this wasn't your experience, hellosailor, but it certainly wasn't ours - so I wouldn't want this post to put other people off contacting Celia Hammond to ask about adoption. They are a brilliant little charity and I will be supporting this appeal as I have done other appeals of theirs in the past.

I don't mind what they reopen it as, I just hope to god they get rid of that 'Megan's on the Lordship' sign. Used to annoy me every time I saw it

This is so helpful, everyone, thank you. @green bean Yes we have just (as of yesterday) installed the same external blinds you mention! We already had blackout blinds and we now have the external awnings too. Of course that will guarantee the end of the summer sunshine but I can see that they're going to be helpful as they let the light through but not the glare of the sun - I'm fed up of working in darkness with both the blackout blinds closed on sunny days. We'll see how we go with those for a bit but I reckon we'll get a couple of quotes from the other recommendations in case we end up going the whole hog. @penfold Love the idea of getting solar+batteries to offset the electricity usage so will look into that. Thanks, all.

Thanks, Soizic. Was yours in a loft? How did they vent out the pipe for the hot air? And would you mind sharing (via PM if you prefer) how much it cost? I want to get a vague idea before deciding whether it's worth calling in a quote. Tbh at the moment I would consider selling my own children to pay for it.

OK so we are having our annual conversation about getting aircon fitted, as our west-facing loft turns into an ACTUAL FURNACE whenever the temperature goes over 25 degrees. (It's 33 degrees in here now and that's with the blackout blinds closed all day.) We have Velux windows that are hinged in the middle so I think a portable unit is out of the question as it would be a nightmare with the vent. So maybe we just need to bite the bullet and get a proper unit installed. Has anyone had experience of doing this, particularly in a loft? Any things to watch out for/recommendations for installers, and would you be willing to say how much it cost (I'm seeing wildly varying prices quoted online)? I know it's a lot of money for only a few days a year but as the summers are getting hotter it's becoming more of an issue every year. Any advice appreciated!

Thanks - too hot to risk another wasted journey so I'll try phoning them tomorrow!

Just differentiating it from the one on Grove Vale

Had a very hot walk over there yesterday only to find a notice saying it was closed, so keen to avoid that happening again! (I'm talking about the one up the hill, by Eynella Road.)

I used that QuickPrint place on Oglander Road once - they were good, and I'm sure they'd be able to do a colour A3 print.

I've also just had some refresher lessons with Nick as I don't drive much and I was feeling out of practice and nervous in our new car. After three sessions I feel much more confident and went on my first motorway drive in about 20 years yesterday! Very glad I faced my fears - thank you, Nick.

My friend uses a white noise machine at night, which she swears by - she says it even blocks out the noise of foxes screaming outside her window. Failing that, if it's any consolation, you do get used to noise - I used to live near a fire station and even managed to get used to the sound of sirens going off at all hours. Best of luck, though - it sounds tough.

Brilliant, thanks all - much appreciated. Will look into all of these.

Thank you both, that's really helpful. Will investigate.