Jacqui5254

Well said Alice.

Thanks for that Sidhue.

I recently had some renovations done to my flat and, as I have had several conversations with people looking for recommendations for good tradesmen, thought I would post it here.. Atanas Deschev and his company, Big Small Building Solutions. They do kitchen, bathroom and whole property renovations with a skilled team which covers plasterers, tilers, carpenters, builders, painters, electrical work, etc which he coordinates to ensure your project keeps to your agreed schedule Their customer service, time keeping, flexibility and decent costs are what made him stand out for me. I have had several builders in recent years and they don't come close to Atanas and his team. To give an idea, they completed the following... Knocked out the internal hall wall of my first floor flat, extended into the new space by creating and installing a new kitchen, removed and repositioned a [new] boiler. Also a complete bathroom renovation. Then they moved two loft hatches and installed new loft stairs, built and painted two enormous storage cupboards, replaced my flat door, decorated the hallway, upgraded some electrics and tiled the kitchen and bathroom floors. All this was done in a very tight space with no garden to spill into. They cleaned and only left when everything was in its place,no outstanding jobs, nothing left behind. All monies spent were accounted for with receipts down to the last penny. I benefitted from 100% of his discounts at trade stores where they know him and describe him as their best customer as he is never annoyed if something isn't ready. The men clean after themselves, don't seem to take breaks, and are very helpful and have high standards. Atanas is very approachable and easy to get hold of and is always willing to sit down to discuss any concerns or details. I am thrilled with the outcome. Oh yes, and the whole job took exactly 4 weeks. http://kitchenandbathroombuilderdslondon.co.uk/contact.html If you are looking for someone who is totally reliable, who answers his phone and arrives when he said he would,who has an eye for detail and takes full responsibility for the quality of the job, not you nagging about how straight the tiles are, then Atanas is your man.

HopOne Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > However, I think it is not > fair to suggest that this practice is in meltdown. > I needed to see a doctor urgently yesterday and > was accommodated, very professionally, within the > hour. Can't fault that. I agree with HopOne, the practise is working well for me. It's not a case of Drs good/Admin bad. The pharmacist is excellent, friendly and helpful. The two nurses I saw were professional and warm. And I have never had a rude or unhelpful receptionist. Maybe a little stressed by the frontline onslaught but try putting the GPs in their posts and the shoe will be on the other foot....

I hate to see the Drs good/Receptionists bad divide. Sue, one of the reception staff showed me nothing but courtesy and kindness over several calls I made. Her suggestion of seeing a Senior Nurse Practitioner turned out to be just as good an option as my 'I need to see a dr' request and I was seen within hours. Also, the Practise Pharmacist has an important role to play. I don't know why the doctors are being rated so highly when at the same time don't seem to be able to manage their surgery, despite being on the top end of the payroll. Frankly, I feel sorry for anyone [ie receptionists] who have an administrative job and who are managed by senior colleagues [gps] who have don't have the skills, time or training to manage. Can't be a happy environment to work in every day.

How awful. Thanks for taking the time to let us all know, ianmyoplex. Hope you get your money back without too much hassle.

Oh, please..

Oh, I love the Venice images. Gorgeous.

Wow! Excellent photos!

Whilst I have loads of the 40p fortified bags from Sainsbury's, I still prefer some of the free bags as well as they are good to reuse for tons of other things. Does it matter that, as the use of free plastic carrier bags decline, the purchase of plastic bin liners increases?

I hope the 5p carrier bags are of a better quality than the current free ones. Better for re-use.

Thanks for the cracked pavement support, James! and YES to kford's suggestion for the LED lights!! Jacqui.

How about repairing the cracked and uneven pavements on Northcross Road [Palmeston end] so that people don't trip up on their way to safely crossing at the new super-expensive junction with LL [when it's finished]?

This might be a good opportunity to remind us all to donate some of our unwanted [and decent!] things. Or donate as an option to helping with the refugee crisis. http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/about-us/emergencies/child-refugee-crisis-appeal?utm_campaign=refugee&utm_medium=ppc&utm_source=refugeecrisisappealppc&sissr=1

Blah Blah Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Someone parks a vehicle necessary for the job they > do outside their home and that's an issue? Blah Blah, I think that sometimes people just need to put their thoughts out there for a bit of reassurance, support or clarification. Not really necessary to knock them on the head about it. And there are 3 large vehicles not one. Personally I would feel quite irritated, especially with the early wake-up noise. But I would feel better with a bit of sympathy if nothing could be done!

Thanks for the recommendations! Decided on ToastED. Delicious breakfast...granola,coffee, eggs, bacon, avocado on toast [partic. delicious altho' the toasted bread was so hard I couldn't cut through it, even with a steak knife]. Plenty of friendly and helpful staff around but we happen to have a slightly dozy member..[obvious that the staff on late Saturday night were trying to function on Sunday morning!]. Still, the place continues to have a good reputation in my book. Must go more often.

Would appreciate any recommendations for a long-ish Sunday brunch this weekend. I realise that, come 12md, brunch becomes a big roast Sunday lunch so anwhere that allows brunch past 12 would be appreciated. Near Lordship Lane would be ideal.... thanks! Jacqui.

I imagine it is a reflection of the donations received. How many people actually have donated 'high end designer clothes and shoes' since the shop opened?

As they should do, ticketing the selfish parkers who leave their cars in the bus lane whilst they nip into Sainsbury's. Plenty of spaces in the side roads, people. One person in a car, many people on the bus, trying to get home. No excuse.

Sorry to hear that, BeeGee. No matter how much it happens to everyone else, it's still a miserable thing for you to wake up to.

Zebedee Tring Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > The ants are my friends, they're blowing in the > wind. > > There's a bathroom on the right (There's a bad > moon on the rise) ...just choked on my cuppa. thank you, ZT!

DALeast would be a great choice, Ingrid. I would prefer him to be given free rein tho',rather than commission a piece related to the area. Thanks again for all your hard work!

Am with you on that one.

Yawn. 0/10000