Brian up the hill

Ice melting at the North Pole would make no difference to the sea-level as it is floating on water, which it displaces. Land ice, such as that found in Greenland and Scandinavia, would, of course cause a rise in sea-level. Same applies to the continental ice on Antarctica but not the ice flows offshore. It’s also worth remembering that as the sea warms, it will expand so creating another cause of sea-levels rising. This can increase the salinity of ground water near the cost so rendering it unsuitable for drinking unless processed in desalination plants, which use enormous amounts of energy. So, given the complex web of cause and effect with the climate emergency, there is never a simple answer.

It looks like the entrance to the Wood from the eastern side of Cox’s Walk/Lapsewood Walk is still open. Not sure is it will close in the future but still ok for access today.

For those the many who use Dulwich and Sydenham Hill Woods, be aware that from today, access via Cox’s Walk will be closed from the Grove Tavern entrance. This is to allow heavy machinery to move along Cox’s Walk to the bridge which is being rebuilt. It looks from the attached map that this applies also to the Lapsewood Walk entrance, where it seems that the steps down will be closed from the seat on the corner to the kissing gate on the eastern side of the bridge. This means that entry to the Wood can be made only from Crescent Wood Road, Grange Lane and Low Cross Wood Lane. The bridge reconstruction is scheduled to be completed in March. Project Notification Cox's Walk Footbridge Refurbishment.pdf

And another! My water bill is about 35-40% of what it would have been had I still been paying water rates. As to activation, although a few years ago now, I seem to remember that I was under the impression that activation would happen automatically. After a few months of nothing, I contacted Thames Water who said I had to request activation. Don’t ask me why they didn’t make that clear from the outset! However, the money paid in water rates was used against my account so the first year’s charges were negligible.

As I understand it business rates are set by central government. Half of the money raised goes to the council, the other half to the Treasury to be redistributed as local government grants, allegedly.

It was a mess long before Southwark took back the contract.

Mulumbu must be in a very privileged area of Lewisham! I’m in LBL, just over the border from Southwark and we’ve lost many street trees over the years and they have never been replaced. In think Lewisham have a stake in the tarmac industry. Out comes the tree, in plops the tarmac! I am impressed with the care and comprehensive planting of street trees in Southwark, well the southern end at least, as that is my own experience. I do agree with Malumbu’s complaint about Lewisham pavements.

When using the Find a Walk-in COVID vaccination point, don’t use the Age Range filter as it seems to send you far away. The Medicos Pharmacy next to the Jenner Health Centre on Stanstead Rd. and the chemist in Croxley Rd., West Dulwich are both offering boosters. Otherwise, yes, there seem to be plenty in New Cross/Lewisham area and Brixton/Tulse Hill/ Norwood but a bit sparse around Dulwich. And yes, I had my COVID booster on Monday morning by walking into the Medicos Pharmacy. No queue and fast, friendly and efficient.

This might be interesting for those who enjoy the local nature reserves and those who haven’t discovered them yet…..

Just to let those who maybe interested know that this Sunday is the Sydenham Wood Open Day, 11:00-15:00. Activities include: Pond dipping (11:00-12:30 and 13:30-14:30) Bug hunting (as above) Childrens’ crafts (11:00-15:00) Face painting unfortunately cancelled as the face painter can no longer make it. Tree trail (all day) Caterpillar carving Cake stall.

Second video 5;01, doesn’t he jump the lights, having just criticised another cyclist for stopping on the crossing? Physician heal thyself!

Yesterday, traffic lights were in place and contraflow operating on Forest Hill Rd.

Get ready for Forest Hill Road to be closed off. A serious leak has developed just north of the Watson General Telegraph pub. Numerous potholes in road surface between the leak and Ryedale. Thames Water might get round to doing something by the summer….perhaps…..maybe.

Thanks New Wave, Yes, silly me, I might have known the root cause was Wrexit.

Given the number of stations in the gym which have been taped off for repair, and the fact they don’t seem to get repaired, it looks like Everyone Active have given up on DLC already.