Brian up the hill

I’d like to echo the positive comments about Trelco. I discovered that the stopcock on the rising main was leaking and was damaging the flooring in the utility room. Not having seen this thread, or any reviews for that matter, I picked Trelco as it was the nearest to me. It was a gamble but goodness it paid off. James was responsive and clear in what he offered. His colleague Andy replaced the offending stopcock and put in a lever valve to allow me to shut off the water easily when I go away. He did a great job, neat and tidy, he was cheerful, friendly and professional. All this within a day of contacting them. Although not an emergency it needed resolution quickly. The price charged was very reasonable indeed, especially considering the quality of the service. I am so pleased to have found such an excellent plumber.

It wasn’t that long ago that Southwark planted a strip of seed bearing plants specifically for birds. It was parallel to Peckham Rye by the Harris Boys’ school. Naturally, it has disappeared courtesy of Gala.

The Dutch are addicted to New Year fireworks and spent €130million this year on them. However, sales to individuals will be banned as from this year and celebrations will be organised by local and city councils. I have Dutch friends and for them, this can’t come soon enough. However, at least there it’s concentrated on one night. Here, it’s never ending, any excuse to make a noise is seized upon with gusto. In addition to the annual celebrations, add birthdays, weddings, engagements, divorces, christenings, BBQs, etc etc. I dare say you can funerals to that list as well. Yesterday it started mid-afternoon and just carried on until the early hours. In the past, I’ve been woken up at 4am. Anyyone who doesn’t like it can go hang and you can ignore completely the effects on people’s animals and wildlife. Don’t hold your breath about anything being done here, however.

Nasty piece of work. Targets locations with a healthy independent presence and farmers’ markets; typical vampire capitalism. Great supporter of a Brexit too. All good reasons to go elsewhere, preferably small independent.,

I have had them every year since 2020. Unfortunately they tend to visit only once or twice during a summer. I had one visit in June but I’ve not seen one since. They like the phlox, flitting around and hovering whilst feeding on nectar. They are amazing and you would swear you have seen a humming bird. Apologies for the photo not being great as I took it during the first sighting in 2020. The wings are beating so fast, they couldn’t be picked up by the iPhone SE I had back then

Am I right in thinking the cheese shop in the Village has gone?

You can record your discovery here……https://ptes.org/campaigns/stag-beetles-2/

If it is, it’s highly poisonous according to the Wildlife Trusts. https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/wildflowers/black-bryony

Chains moving in is a sure sign that LL is heading for a fall. They are parasites, waiting for the independents to be successful and then, in partnership with rapacious landlords, they move in and force out those very businesses who have created the market they then seek to exploit. They replace a lively diversity with a bland and predictable offering. Then, when a downturn arrives, they move out, leaving boarded up premises and charity shops. Independent businesses who have worked hard to make a success of their efforts will try to see out hard times as they’ve invested so much. Chains look only at the bottom line and think nothing of closing branches. Chains are liable also to expand too fast, be managed badly and then collapse. Think of Brick House being forced out by Gail’s, the closure of White Stuff (although that chain was replaced by another) and JoJo Maman Bebe. . Sadly, I fear that will be the future of LL.

Not local, I know but I swear by the Algerian Coffee Stores in Old Compton St. Fantastic old shop, great staff and huge selection of great coffees.

Ash tree branch. Before speculating as to cause and whether it was deliberate or not, it’s worth remembering that there is ash dieback around. Also tree branches fall off without warning, especially if there’s internal rot or disease which is not outwardly apparent. And yes, there are regular checks done on the health of the trees in the Wood.

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/kent/kent-and-south-east-london-railway-upgrade-plan/peckham-rye-station-redevelopment/

I have always found the Secret Garden in Crystal Palace to have a good selection of plants and probably the largest in the area. Nunhead Gardener is good but I find it’s led by what’s fashionable this season. It is also quite limited by size, same goes for Alleyn Park.

Don’t forget that Forest Hill Rd is closed completely by Piermont Green thanks to yet another leak, so no 63 bus south of Rye Lane and 363 on diversion up Barry Rd. Also there’s a large hole at the top of Forest Hill Rd at the junction with Honor Oak Rd and traffic control, again courtesy of TW. At this rate, the area will be cutoff from the rest of London, as it will be surrounded by a moat. I wonder if anyone has costed how much T.W. costs London as a result of their frequent and endless failures. Still, shareholder dividends and management bonuses all courtesy of a captive market. As Private Eye would say, trebles all round!

And they serve bougatsa!