Nero

The thread title needs to change. I just rang the bloke in charge and he tells me he won't be opening at all in Bellenden, unfortunately. It was taking too much time to sort out and he was starting to lose money. He said he is still looking around South East London to open up. I told him there had been interest on the forum. Big shame! Nero

I call it my personal poltergeist. Or being a bit 'keys in fridge'. Nero

Where I work, the air con/heated air is never right. It's about 24C minimum and then there's a few parts of the room where a cold wind blows. I'm forever getting them to come and measure the temps. 26C is way too warm to work in, don't you agree? So, yes, aircon and its opposite are a pain if they work incorrectly. Nero

Dead locks are the biz. I've got two of them, and I feel very secure. I keep a light on in the porch all night, too. I've been stupid in the past and had my keys stolen from the door (unless I've actually put them down in a really odd place where they'll turn up in about ten years' time!) whih required a lock change. Nero

Which looked very uncouth (*change pron*) Nero

I'd push for higher prices of alcohol, both in pubs and in offies, and supermarkets. I'd tax the really strong brews heavily and leave the lighter brews, such as the newer 2% lagers, with normal tax. Alcopops and the like would also be subject to higher taxes. Why? Because while we don't think we do, a lot of use abuse alcohol. A G and T and 2/3 of a bottle of wine of a night is not unheard of amongst the middle classes, and non wine lovers can often sink 4 pints a night, three or four nights a week. Over a long period of time it harms the body. I concede, though, that a little bit of alcohol on a regular basis has been shown to have positive health effects. Nero

More thumbs up for Martin. I had oysters for the first time at his stall the other week. I've subsequently had them twice in Morocco, from where I've just returned. His, especially the Falmouth ones, were better than the ones in Morocco. Nero

Evenin' all. Well, wouldn't you just know it. Get back from winter sun jaunt to a central heating system that is working but not that well. The rads upstairs are warm, the thermostat is set at 21C, the boiler temperature to 60C yet the rads downstairs are still cool, even after 3 hours being on. It's been like this on and off for ages. Any idea waht could be the matter? FYI, the water tank is upstairs and once the rads get warm, they get really warm. Help! Nero

I was impressed with what was achieved by so few in a relatively short space of time. I learned a lot about local issues, espesh from Eileen, my new hero(ine) who is behind a lot of the Peckham initiatives. I agree that the tent was too small, but the things in it were good. Next time it'll be better and Monica and co might want to illicit more information from us and others nearer the time. 7.5/10, I reckon. PS Anyone else like to see a pond on Goose Green? Nero

Agree with above poster about the slot machine place and the fried-chicken places. Also agree with other poster who says too many chains make for a soulless place. I think the Lane could stand one more large chain shop and that would be it. Any more and I think it gets too out of hand. Nero

...is the ?1.50 pear. It's on sale, together with plenty of others, at the new grocer's shop opposite The Dog. Don't all rush at once. Nero

Mines in about 6 weeks' time. Thought it was longer (but we all say that, don't we?) Nero

Maximay, I am sure Chav thinks of what you say. If she were remorseless, that would be a problem. She isn't and has demonstrated that she wants to be of active use to society (and not, like the most of us, be a passive member who pays taxes, stays out of trouble, works hardish and is generally a good sort), which should be applauded. However, I agree that her tales of woe and subsequent redemption shouldn't necessarily push her to the front of any popularity queue. I don't like ranks of misery. Where do you stop? Nero

I like the cold chart! Who needs faded snaps of birthday parties and sandcastles? Nero BTW, it's def a cold (a bit better) and not a flu, which I've not had for ages. Had a flu jab. Nero

You might be right re heating. At work it;s been 25C and climbing! (I get them to turn it down, but some nesh souls kvetch on about their being cold even when it is this hot!) 21C is a good workign temperture, I think. Nero

I will have to go and buy a copy, or leaf thru it at the lib. It is not online. Neo

I thought I was being really savvy with my alcohol-based hand cleaning gel as well. Nero

Ask Morrissey. Nero

I think it is from the onions. Is it alacin? (I take garlic tabs and eat a lot of spring onions.) Nero

I read last week that Radio Scotland is playing no music today, St A's day, as part of no music week/day/season. Not sure what the intended effect is, but there you go. There's one other radio station, a London one, taking part in this effort today as well. Even the station idents and jingles are being de-musiced at R Sctoland. (I love those neologisms.) Nero.

This is my second in about eight weeks. Not usually a coldy person. This is not as bad as the last, but really peed off that it's number 2 in as many months. Any thoughts? I clean my hands about eight times a day, eat lots of fruit, drink a little and stay hydrated. Nero

There is a great young lad at Blue Mountain. He has curly Hair-Bear bunch hair and is funny and polite. Rather him than the somehow rather grim ladies at Mon Petit Chou. Best of the lot are at Jacks* . Nero * (sic)

Ah, the post doesn;t make that clear. Good for you. Nero

our government and Royal Family were browning nosing King Fahd of Saudi Arabia In fact, the Queen et al were just doing as they were told. I am sure they are not that enamoured with the Saudi regime, nor with that of the Chinese etc. It's very unlikely the Queen would say 'I'm not going to shake that man's hand/break bread with him/put him up in the palace'. Nero

And what did you do, Louisa? Nero