boyohboy

Was really nervous when I went to the clinic at Camberwell but boy, were they lovely. Yes, had to wait but staff lovely and treatment painless.

The guys at Herne Hill Velodrome might welcome the chance to speak on your podcast...

London Spin Doctor would be able to help you with that - they don't just do washing machines.

My Miele has been tried and tested over the last eight years and is still going strong with never any problems. I have a house full of sporty boys and it is not unusual for me to do four washes daily (sports gear, bedding). Worth every single penny of it's initial outlay.

I've never done it but my feeling is that teachers really hate it because while you have been off having a lovely holiday, they then have to work hard to catch your child up upon their return. Not sure how this would affect such a young age group though. Personally I would have a quiet word with the school.

Im sorry, is it just me but I'm dying to know about what went on in the back of the jeans shop! Tell us more!

Isn't there a cat charity nearby which would use things like this for their bedding?

East Dulwich boy plays one of the "Declan" roles...

When you could go and visit the horses in the stables behind the police station (which is now the new primary school on the corner of lordship lane and whately road). The police would almost always let you in to pet them if you asked nicely - this would've been around 1981/2.

The delightful Spin Doctor arrived today and fixed my dishwasher (after the Neff man didn't). He came when he said he would, did the job quickly and it was less than half the price of Neff's call out engineer. Going to replace seal on the washing machine for me next .... Would recommend very much.

I requested a collection well before Christmas, and stumped up the ?16, but no sign of my items being removed. Lousy service...

Hahaha Sillywoman? you are so right! Enjoy should listen to you - I forgot how fickle kids can be and she'll want what everyone else has by Christmas as you say:)

I would definitely NOT get messenger bag - they carry large amounts of books which are extremely heavy and will hurt when carried on one shoulder. Go for a rucksack type? Plus, they have to carry sports kit, musical instruments etc and two spare hands is great.

This dog could well be on Wood Vale = my house backs onto this area and when working in the back of the house it drives me to distraction. It's near Melford Road I think. The dog barks every day for a good hour or so and it's extremely annoying as it's hard to describe how penetrating this sound can be. It also means doors and windows can't be opened to enjoy this fine weather...

There is an alternative to the Clarisonics machine and it is called treSonics - it is fab-u-lous and at ?40ish considerably cheaper than the Clarisonics. It's a bit like a giant sonic toothbrush but for your face and it comes with several different 'heads' for sensitive skin etc. It works wonders with my sons' skin but they need to use it! When mine don't' bother, the spots return. It's the sort of thing that can be whooshed around the face whilst in the shower so it's not difficult or intrusive to use. Try it, you won't be sorry!

I tried to get the knitted one for you but have had no reply to my enquiries so far - sorry :(

I bought the most beautiful hand knitted set last year for appox ?25 (a steal, considering the work involved) and I could see if she is still doing them this year?

I second playdoh. Also swords and shields go down well - mine had wonderful fabric/cardboard ones which weren't too damaging and lasted for ages; they came from a mailorder catalogue that I can't the remember the name of but everyone seems to receive. The absolute best remote control car for under 8's is the Disney 'Car' Film one which moves its mouth. Easy to move and control and took an absolute bashing. A road map rug and a large selection of matchbox type cars was always a winner. Finally, the fantastic Nerf guns are always a winner and the range is huge (please don't moan at me about 'violent' guns etc. blah, blah - kids have a blast with these).

James, do you have any idea when the road works at the bottom of Wood Vale and Forest Hill Road are going to close? I believe it should have ended appx two weeks ago. The traffic jams backing right up to Crofton Park are becoming very tedious and it makes the junction with Brenchley Gardens even harder to negotiate... HELP

Try Paraphernalia in Brockley.

I have sons and I believe that they experience a hormone surge at around the age of 9 which really aggravates aggressive behaviour. In my experience, they would lose the plot for around 6 months or so and then they calmed down and became my lovely boys again. I also think that boys are much more Mum-centred than alot of people realise and they do need your time. They are expected to grow up so quickly but are still very little at this age and need all their hugs and kisses.

My son had similar symptoms to this and it turned out he just had a touch of conjunctivitis which was easily treated - the eye rolling was the equivalent of scratching the bits he couldn't reach! Good luck!

My brother is an optician and he recommends for babies and toddlers that you put the drop in the corner of their eye, even if their eye is closed because the liquid will seep in gently and not cause stress to the child. It works, one of mine had rotten conjunctivitis and it worked a treat. Hope this helps