Twirly

Thank you motorbird83, that is really helpful. Maybe I'll start off with Winkworths and go from there.

I went for a swim this morning, and am pleased to report that the showers in the ladies all have doors on now! The clock in the pool has indeed been replaced, but I thought it was smaller than the previous version - it's certainly smaller than the timer one on the right, and I thought the original was the same size as it. Still, it's good to have one there. I was a bit annoyed that I'd not heard back from Fusion, but received an email this afternoon from the general manager, apologising that no-one had got back to me, and saying that some works have been done, but they had more to do overnight. Apparently they are having lots of problems with the hairdryers. He also asked me to let him know if there were any further issues. A late reply, but a good one when I received it, and changes are being made. I am very concerned to hear about the treatment of the staff though. You can only make people redundant if their job no longer exists. Clearly, there are still reception staff, so the jobs do exist, therefore if the staff have been unfairly treated, I do hope that they are taking legal action.

So sorry to hear this. Have you set anything up on Twitter or Facebook? Happy to share if you have and can post links or twitter IDs

There are so many in the area, does anyone have any recommendations please? Experience? Advice? Particularly for the selling of flats.

Am in a similar position to the OP. Have lived in ED for almost 15 years, but the flat needs upgrading to a house now I've acquired a husband and we need more space. Would love to stay in ED, but it's just not affordable unfortunately. Not sure that any of the areas around it are either, for what we want (a house with at least 3 bedrooms, as I work from home some of the time now). Out of curiousity, where do the suburbs actually begin?

I've just sent a query about the ladies changing rooms via their website. This morning, another shower door was missing, and in one of the showers the controller has come off, so that's 3 out of 5 showers not fully functional - and I used one of the ones that does still work on Monday, but the shower turns itself off after 8 seconds (I was getting so annoyed with it, I timed it by counting!).

Fab!

Not sure what was going on with your lane swimming today, but I've been asked to wait in the past as the pool was full, hung around for 10 minutes or so and was then allowed in just after I saw someone exit. Which is what I assume is meant by dynamic pool management? Although if the numbers are too high in the first place, and the lanes too crowded, this isn't going to help much. I've never had a problem with the reception staff. They may not be the most dynamic team, but they've always been polite to me, and I've seen them deal with difficult customers quite politely in the past. Do wish the clock in the pool would be fixed though - am blind as a bat without my glasses/lenses! Agree with the comments about the showers too.

That's great news - restores faith in human nature.

Sorry to hear that - hope you're OK.

I understood perfectly... but my grammar wasn't very good - meant to say that I thought JohnL was right (but decided to check). He wasn't correct. You can only enter a box junction if your exit is clear... so if it's not, you shouldn't, unless the blockage is caused by other vehicles turning right, or oncoming traffic. If it's blocked by traffic waiting to move on, you shouldn't enter.

JohnL, I think you're partially correct, but just googled it to check. You can only enter the box if your exit is clear (so if there was a traffic jam at the exit, the driver should not have entered the box). https://www.gov.uk/using-the-road-159-to-203/road-junctions-170-to-183 I was curious, as there is a box junction I go through regularly on a commute near Mitcham, and due to the weight of traffic, you could not turn right at all (and it is permitted to do so) unless you did enter the box junction, and wait behind the traffic queuing at the lights a few metres ahead. However, as it's a t-junction, you're not going to get permanently stuck as the driver you describe did (you move as soon as the lights change at the roundabout). However, I have noticed a mobile traffic camera at that junction a couple of times recently, which is why I decided to check, your post was a good reminder to do so.

Or want to visit Brixton Wholefoods for your herbs and spices... The only trouble with trying to find cheap food is the amount of travel involved! You could end up spending more on bus fares than you save if not careful. I wonder how much you would really save if you went to Brixton or Lewisham for your fruit and veg, rather than Peckham or Northcross Road? And how much it would cost you in time too (I know students have more time, but even so). I can do most of my weekly shop in about an hour in various shops on Lordship Lane (Pretty Traditional, SMBS, Iceland, Co-op, fishmonger stall). Am assuming that the OP is just shopping for themself, and not a large family anyway.

Thanks reetpetite - that's good news :)

That's a shame - anyone know what's replacing it?

I think there used to be a furniture shop there. I bought my blanket box from a long-gone shop somewhere around there anyway, when I first moved to the area nearly 15 years ago.

Buy things that are in season, and you'll find they are cheaper. I buy most of my fruit and veg in Pretty Traditional, and find them reasonable. If you're over that way, Brixton market is pretty good for fruit and veg. And if you want herbs and spices, go to Brixton Wholefoods - they sell things like dried basil, oregano, etc. for 10p or 20p and ounce. You can get a year's worth of herbs and spices for about ?5. They are also good for pulses, which are great for a good source of cheap protein. Iceland are good for milk (?1 for 4 pints) and eggs (?2 for 12 free range eggs, about 90p cheaper than Sainsbury's or Co-op). If you are OK with caged hens, then the eggs are even cheaper. Don't bother with the one in Peckham for veg, as they don't have much (the Brixton one is better, as is East Dulwich). Pick your stall in Peckham - the one at the entrance to the station is quite good, and you get to pick your own too. Hope that helps :)

Same here - even magazines which I have delivered, with inserts with my name and address on, go in the confidential waste bag. Anything at all!

Well done! So many would have walked away.

Does it sound like the chap mentioned in this thread? http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?5,1033897

If you fancy trying partner dancing, Ceroc is a good way in: http://www.ceroclondon.com/ there are classes all over London. I tend to go to Greenwich, Clapham or Pimlico. Jive Party hold monthly events at the Rivoli: http://www.jiveparty.com/ I've never been, though I keep meaning to. There are loads of other dances, West Coast Swing, tango (http://www.tangosouthlondon.co.uk/ is at the Constitutional Club in ED, so very handy - another one I go to sometimes), etc. Just google and you'll find something that suits you. If you fancy trying a smorgasbord of dance styles and raising some money for a good cause (anti-trafficking) you could try this: http://movingthrutransitions.com/#/one-billion-rising/4571160756

Fab picture - thank you. I always thought the area was very green, this proves it!

I should probably point out that I've not actually read 50 shades so have no idea of the quality (or otherwise) of the writing, and simply meant the written word as a medium for the pornographic.

Agree with Lowlander. It's more about ambience I suspect. Not having done a taste test, or price comparison, I can't comment on those aspects. But a couple of years ago I was visiting my Dad and we went to Cirencester to pick up some groceries. We started off in Waitrose. This was serene and peaceful, with wide aisles, large window (lots of natural light), the decor and displays were harmonious and easy to navigate around. But they didn't have something we wanted, so we also went to Tesco's. This was huge, loud, colourful/garish, busy and the shelves were much higher (giving an oppressive feeling), with very bright lighting. It was a bit like going from a lovely spa to a 1970's disco, and was rather a shock to the system.

Of course it also depends on how you define porn (and I'm not talking porn vs. erotica). From research I've done in the distant past, visual pornography is more of a male stimulus (and this is partially due to the paucity of what is available for straight women). However if you include literature, then it's obviously very common - as 50 Shades of Grey demonstrates!