SimonM

Wow that is offensive on just so many levels! :))

oops yes...I remembered taking my mother there on one of her *very* rare visits to see me...had though it wa sher 80's visit but now see it must have been the '94 one.. And yes I remember with affection the state of the place when it first opened,,,great cakes...coffee in cafetieres...the whole place down out in bare-bricked, bomb-blast Chic...

I think Springers had its "golden age" when the hospital was full size and had (almost) all the wards in use. It was a handy drinking/eating hole for medical and other staff.

I am pretty sure it was there in 1984....but am ready to be corrected.

I too think the winners will come from the Iberian peninsular. I'd love the Netherlands to win though - I still have a soft spot for that great Cruff/Van Neeskens side...

Admit it...you're hiding one of the infamous LL traffic wardens in there... B)

....and why is it full of bloody actors?!

Yes there is or was - also a fairly small one in Bromley, outside the centre. But I think the tendency for years now has been for Waitrose to open large new branches or increase the size of the older ones (as they did in Beckenham)

But I am pretty sure Waitrose do not *do* "small" supermarkets like the LL Somerfield do they? A proper Waitrose usually offers a fantastic choice - more so than the Ocado online shop does - and there's just not the room in the Somerfield.

Charlie! I was so worried about you - thought you'd drowned heroically and all...:))

I am puzzled by the reference to a "stuck-up" woman serving in there. The woman who seems to be running the place is always the very opposite of "stuck-up" when I go in. A huge smile and a willingness to be helpful.

My (genuine) commiserations to the Leeds supporters on here. I confess I wanted Doncaster to win (I lived near there for 12 years when young) - and on the day they were certainly the better footballing side. Of course the ex-Leeds keeper in the Doncaster side was always going to play a blinder wasn't he? His handling was superb - an old fashioned goalie who catches the ball and has no truck with this modern punching nonsense.. But the 15 point penalty was always going to take its toll. I hope Leeds walk League 1 next season....their fans deserve it after all the recent shocking financial mismanagement. Is Beckford likely to go or stay?

>>Actually it is not considered the Emperor's New Clothes in France -- there it is considered the king of breads, far >>superior to the modern baguette. But stick with your industrial Kingsmill if you like. << Oh right. I don't rate Poilane so it follows I must buy wrapped and sliced supermarket bread?? The only bread we buy is baguettes from either Mootown or Romeo Jones. and occasionally croissants from Blackbird. Everything else is home-made (in a breadmaker admittedly) using damn good flour. Sorry to be so defensive but you did insist on personalising things.. And who are all these people in France who consider Poilane the "king of breads"? I suspect a small cultural elite, as here, given that millions of baguettes are still sold and every town now has its McDonalds....presumably they use Poilane burger buns? :)))

It is much fun pressing these buttons at every Pelican crossing one passes, even if not intending to cross the road...>:D

>>Best bread in the world though! << Have to disagree - to me it is classic "Emperor's New Clothes. You used to be able to buy it at a couple of LL outlets (you may still be able to for all I know) and, having read a Grauniad eulogy about the stuff I thought I would give it a try...hmmm...not repeated the experience and would not buy it again at even a sensible price... Anyway for ?10.50 I'd not expect merely a half-decent loaf but also a winsome maiden clad in white silk hotpants to serve it up on a polished teak tray, sultrily ask me if I fancied "a portion" and then offer to deflea the cat as well....:))

There is no doubt that that "pretend mosaic" flooring outside the BMC which they installed a few years back is potentially extremely dangerous in wet conditions - especially to someone not too steady on their feet. It is a negligence action waiting to happen I think. (Only *my* personal opinion obviously)

You are right - the junction is plastered with signs making it clear cars are not allowed to cross just there. You do wonder whether the eyesight and/or the attention of the drivers who miss them all are so bad they ought not to be driving cars!

?3 for bread eh? Ocado are currenly offering Pain Poilane at ?10.50 a loaf! :))

>>Now... do you sugar or wax dear.... <<< Ummm...neither as it goes...I am definitely "Brother Esau" in that respect....:))

Oh Bromley, compact and with "The Glades", is so much nicer than Croydon - a great sprawling concrete mass as well as the dreaded Whitgift centre. I concede the gap is closer since Croydon got its trams and Bromley lost its Alders though.....

>>and on the gentleman caller's front - just my fiance cheers!<< The rest just applaud politely? :))

If the bone is still in it's worth a shot...as long as you like Scotch Broth! :)) Lamb stock is pretty insipid...stick lots of onions in.

I thoought Ronaldo's penalty tonight was actually "illegal" as on this occasion he came to a full stop in his run-up, as distinct form his usual run--up which almost stops but remains legal as he never quite stops moving? And although I appreciate the venue for the final has to be moved around each year accoring to the grand old principle of Buggins' Turn, tonight's conditions were just so atrocious...really for such a showpiece game in mid-May somewhere a bit further south might havve been better!

It's against Ebay's rules to sell anything "live" anyway....

Dear God...has Hadley Freeman of the Grauniad moved to ED then???