GrumpyGranny

Moved here a couple of months ago from North & East London - an interesting place here & people are certainly friendlier. What has REALLY helped is the EDF!! The responses to my initial email asking for suggestions of what to do were fantastic. James Barber also seems like a hardworking guy - he gets my vote (I am a born 'n bred Labour though). I quite like reading what seems to be negative stuff as I don't see it that way (eg the discussion about burglaries) as I have taken steps since reading people's comments. Also interesting to see just ow many people read these messages. (loved the Waitrose discussion - am a Waitrose fan but that's another story)

Calm down everyone - I suggest people go shopping on their own and leave their children with family / friends / neighbours - I went shopping in Lordship Lane today and so wanted to comfort the babies & children in prams/buggies who were shrieking their heads off. Listen - they are telling you THEY WANT TO GO HOME!!!!!

Power failure resolved and alarms going off. Am googling Carbon Diaries now! Thanks to engineers for resolving power issues. Goodnight all!

Looks like rye lane to lyndhurst road down to Camberwell grove.

Big power failure in Bellenden area. Anyone know what's happening? Thank goodness for my emergency box of candles and torches. It's now 11.30 pm.

Sorry to disagree with Horsebox - I think it's the Council not the residents : My experience - the bin men just empty the blue bin ignoring the paper sacks and other stuff which is obviously for recycling (next to or on top of the blue bin) - am not sure it's the residents who are making things difficult. I have lived in Hackney (lively if chaotic) / Islington (lazy) / Camden (run like the Armed Forces)and we always sorted our own recycling (not mixed recycling which does not make sense to me) AND took it to the local bin place. Not this awful 3 ugly bin system Southwark has.

Hi & thanks to everyone for the second batch of suggestions. Wonderful. Was interested in the comment by Pugwash re U3A (University of the Third Age) - I had already had a look a month ago and was disappointed that the nearest one was in Croydon. Ah - the perennial question about 'demand' - sometimes the only way is to put something on & stand back & see! I like the suggestion of library classes/clubs too. Have logged on to Paradiso Cinema plus Supper Clubs sound good. Agree with Zebedee about Freedom Pass - a truly wonderful thing....I can certainly feel an idea for a blog coming on......

Hi All - great & helpful responses - keep 'em coming as am sure there are other people in my position... Much appreciated.

Jenny & Peckhampam - thanks for suggestions - one or two cafes/venues not yet explored. Andrew 1011- fair question & made me think, of course I was still working (running an organisation) but we lived in a young people's area (will leave you to guess where) too. Like NorthLondoner says 'gang activity' haha - certainly in North London where I lived years ago that was true esp amongst the rich. Cassius - agree about voluntary work - will look up Southward Volunteer Bureau but don't want to have the same life as before. Sue- love the Goose Gigs idea - will deffo go along & the Singaround too. Agree don't want to hang around with my age only but I do need my peer group too! I have looked at 'What's on' but difficult as an outsider to read between the lines. Just turn up I guess. Thanks to everyone & am sure others have appreciated all your suggestions too.

Hi All - moved to East Dulwich a couple of months ago - where are all the middle-oldies? Where do the 55-65 (&75) year olds all hang out? I'm a 60 year old used to running organisations so I don't want to spend all day walking the dog & sitting in cafes (I love sitting in cafes but not morning & afternoon every day). I am emphatically not looking for a partner (I have one at home thanks) but looking for places to hang out. Come on, help me out here!