Alec1

Honestly, the squirrels are not a problem now. They only eat what has dropped. The feeders I have are squirrel proof anyway from pre-cage times. I have never seen rats in the garden, and even when I didn't have the cage. I most certainly would have noticed them. I do have a little family of mice which I have zero problem about. If they stay outside, that's fine with me. Plus, local cats keep that population down. There are rats everywhere in London, there is plenty of food rubbish out in the street to keep them happy. So, I guess you could fit extra bars to the cage if you wanted to, but then you run the risk of the birds not getting in. They like to be able to fly in and out easily, which they do.

I struggled with the parakeets literally decimating the bird feeders within an hour. I tried squirrel proof ones to see if they helped, but they jammed their claws in the mechanism to stop it closing. Then the pigeons managed to do the same. I spent a long time researching the best ideas and came across something on Pinterest. Someone had used a metal dog cage and attached it to a wooden platform. So that's what I did! Once set up, you just hang the feeders inside. Large birds like pigeons and parakeets cannot get inside. I get all the small birds, plus starlings. Not many thrushes or blackbirds around, so have no idea if they could get in. The squirrels do! It's amazing watching them slide through narrow gaps. I also covered the roof of the cage with a piece of plastic to keep the rain off, plus I am just about to replace the cage plastic base with something more mesh like. It can get a bit gooey after a while, so with mesh, all the dropped seed from the messy goldfinches, will go on to the ground where the pigeons can clear up. I even added a birdcam.

I think it's unfair to say anyone local enquiring, is the same rubbernecking. The link you posted is for drivers, and those there, not involved, at an incident, and in particular people who photograph and video accidents. This is not the same. We all want to know what is happening in our area, particularly if it's about safety. Isn't that what this forum is for? I hope the girl and the biker are okay.

each time I have looked to book a week in advance at the 10pm time, there is nothing. I will persevere! I would like a more relaxed swim as no knee replacement yet, but not able to use my legs so much due to knees!

Bit off-topic, but I am curious as to how you can book the silver swim at ED. Every time I look on the booking system, it's full booked. It seems to be booked further ahead than other swim sessions. It would be really nice to be able to attend a non lane swim.

I imagine they also legally have a limited number of people they can have in the pool at any one time, so if it was just a case of turn up and swim, there would likely be people turned away after they might have cleared part of their day to swim.

Because some people want senior sessions to swim gently and perhaps socialise. One lane for lengths wouldn't work. Some swimmers are incredibly fast and some are very slow, it is just unworkable.

On Saturdays, there's a 7am one, plus one at 4pm and 5pm On Sundays, there's a 7am one, plus 6pm, 7pm, 8pm and 9pm Or did you mean that there isn't a midday one, as I am sure there was before. It does seem like there is this empty, 'nothing on', space from 7am one finishing at 8am, until the family swim starts at 2pm. Maybe it's for lessons or something.

They allow 10 people per lane, so if someone books a fast lane, but they are a slow swimmer, and they go in slow lane, that means there are likely more than 10 in that lane. They are quite clear on the booking part about swim speeds.

I just used EE House for the first time in years. Can't remember why I stopped, but I imagine the quality went down. It was honestly excellent. Good portions and tasted great. Great if you just want basic hearty Chinese food and nothing too fancy.

If you live on the same road as leisure centre, might be worth dropping in and finding out what the problem is? I think, you have to have an account.