IlonaM

He is a really dangerous and reckless man https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/01/climate/trump-paris-climate-agreement.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=span-ab-top-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news At least the American voters will have the final say next election ? before the US is definitely out.

Borky Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > It doesn't really speak you know. It is a dumb > animal. Animals are far from dumb, unlike some humans!

Yes, I'm coming round to the inevitability of raising it with the neighbours! I'd like to show I've taken steps to mitigate it as well though. Forking out ?90 on an air purifier is one such step! Thanks everyone for your advice. That's an interesting idea RH - sorry I missed it initially in the cross-posting.

That's an interesting article uncleglen. A lot of the private landlords I have had experience of in the past have had similar bans, but more on grounds of protecting fixtures and fittings rather than public health!

intexasatthe moment Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I wonder what is responsible for the change ( I'm presuming that before your neighbour went away the smell wasn't > in your flat ) I have been fortunate not to have had anyone in the flat above me since I moved in!!!! Unfortunately there are a number of issues that have arisen since they moved back! Ah, the joys of living in flats ...

Thanks for your advice Seabag. I was wondering about sealing the fireplace vents - the one in the bedroom looks as if it has been painted over, but the one in the sitting room is open. I am on the ground floor and the smoke has only become a problem since my upstairs neighbours moved back a couple of weeks ago. Previously there was the smell of smoke in common ways from the top flat, but not inside my flat.

I think it is partly coming through the vents in the closed off fireplaces/chimneys. I have had that problem in another conversion which had a shared chimney with next door house, but in a terrace. This time it is a problem within one converted detached house. When I googled the problem there seem to be lots of people affected and suggestions of smoke coming through gaps in floor boards, wiring/pipe channels etc. Mostly things that cannot be fixed easily. Any practical suggestions gratefully received!

Has anyone found a way of coping/dealing/ameliorating cigarette smoke seaping from neighbouring flat/s through a converted house into their flat? It is not just the smell, over the last few weeks I have developed a cough and noticed symptoms in my chest/breathing. I am the only non-smoker in a house of three flats and three smokers. There are boarded up fireplaces with vents, which presumably aid the movement of smoke, as well as other unknown routes between floors. I have had to buy an air purifier (with good reviews re neighbours' cigarette smoke), but I was wondering whether anyone had found any good solutions.

Some light relief ... http://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/liar-liar-song-about-theresa-may-soars-to-number-two-in-itunes-download-chart-a3551926.html

Good Housekeeping has some good advice on stain removal: http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/stain-buster/ and https://www.goodhousekeeping.co.uk/institute/household-advice?a=7902

Trump Appears to Push Aside the Leader of Montenegro at NATO family photocall: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/25/us/politics/trump-push-aside-leader-montenegro-nato-summit.html?module=WatchingPortal&region=c-column-middle-span-region&pgType=Homepage&action=click&mediaId=thumb_square&state=standard&contentPlacement=2&version=internal&contentCollection=www.nytimes.com&contentId=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2017%2F05%2F25%2Fus%2Fpolitics%2Ftrump-push-aside-leader-montenegro-nato-summit.html&eventName=Watching-article-click&_r=0 Says it all really.

Borky Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > oops, already posted Au contraire, Borky. I was clarifying my earlier response!

EE Home Broadband went down as well this morning but appears to be up and running again.

There are young children at Southwark Day Centre for Asylum Seekers (SDCAS) who I'm sure would love a teddy friend. It is based at the Copleston Centre SE15 on Tuesdays. The website is www.sdcas.org.uk Southwark Day Centre for Asylum Seekers, Copleston Centre, Copleston Road, London SE15 4AN Tel: 020 7732 0505 Email: [email protected] There have been a couple of articles about them in local papers over the last year: http://peckhampeculiar.tumblr.com/post/147282205041/a-place-to-call-home https://www.southwarknews.co.uk/news/asylum-seeker-day-centres-urgently-needs-funding-40000-cut-childrens-services/

Ha, very good!! No, I meant these - https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/about-sentencing/about-guidelines/

Mick Mac Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > IlonaM Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > No, he was given stitches at the scene. > > > > Doesn't change offence. > > > No - but it does add a bit more flavour to the > judgement. I did wonder about how much damage > would be done with a breadknife. That's what the sentencing guidelines are for.

No, he was given stitches at the scene. Doesn't change offence.

See: https://www.timeout.com/paris/en/things-to-do/Paris-for-kids for things to do with kids and https://www.timeout.com/paris/en/things-to-do/the-ten-best-parks-gardens for Jardin du Luxembourg: 'Jardin du Luxembourg Closest metro: Vavin/Od?on/Saint-Sulpice The 25-hectare park is a prized family attraction. Kids come from across the city for its pony rides, ice-cream stands, puppet shows, pedal karts, sandpits, metal swingboats and merry-go-round. Look out for the intense games of chess that take place on the wooded side of the park.' There is also a boating pond with lovely little sail boats for hire in the Jardin des Tuileries (closest metro: Tuileries) near the Louvre. If you google boating pond in Jardin des Tuileries you'll find some pictures.

I found 'GET OFF "Cat and Dog Repellent" Crystals - Green' worked quite well. They disappear if it rains, but markedly reduced cats visiting the garden. There is also a spray which I used to spray on the top of fences. Have a look at Ebay/Amazon.

Thanks John, if the gels don't work I may well have to go old school. And thanks Sue for your advice too.

That sounds interesting Sue. I will have to google that. Question is whether I can get in to the back of the airing cupboard to apply it!

Hi Sue, Not too early if you're at my end of Underhill it seems!!!! Last year they arrived in June - not so many. This year they arrived in force over the Bank Holiday weekend - must have been the mildish winter. Have got bait traps, but they are not biting (so to speak). This morning I found possible entrances to a nest in the back of the airing cupboard behind the hot water tank.

I have been invaded again by flying ants. Last year it was June, this year May in kitchen and bathroom. Have tried the gel baits, but they appear to be too street smart to do anymore than walk over the top. Tried some homemade spray (water, washing up liquid and peppermint oil) yesterday and cleared up those on the windows, but they're back today. Just found possible entrance to nest site in airing cupboard. Has anyone had any success in both deterring an invasion and dealing with a nest? All advice gratefully received.

Hi, Maternity Action is a charity which offers a lot of advice and information on their website (www.maternityaction.org.uk) and through their free advice line: https://www.maternityaction.org.uk/advice-2/advice-line/ 'Maternity Rights Advice Line Have you just found out that you are pregnant and want to know what your rights are at work? Do you think that you are being discriminated against at work because of your pregnancy or because you have been on maternity leave? Wondering which benefits you could claim whilst you are pregnant and once the baby?s born? The Maternity Rights Advice Line offers free, confidential telephone support and advice. Our team of specialist advisers can offer advice and information to help you understand and take up your rights and entitlements throughout your pregnancy, maternity leave and return to work. If you have questions about your maternity rights, call us on 0808 802 0029 to talk to our advisers. Calls to this helpline are free from landlines and mobile phones within the UK and do not appear on itemised bills. Our advice line is open: Wednesday 10am ? 2pm Thursday 3pm ? 7pm Friday 10am ? 2pm We are currently experiencing very high call volumes and we know that this can make it very difficult to get through to an adviser, but we do our best to answer as many calls as we can so please keep trying. You may also find the answer to your question in the frequently asked questions below or in advice section of our website. Unfortunately, we are not currently able to offer any advice on maternity rights and benefits by email. Frequently asked questions Our information sheets cover a wide range of questions and answers about pregnancy, maternity, father?s rights to leave and pay and benefits for families. For example, did you know that? You do not have to repay your Statutory Maternity Pay/Maternity Allowance if you do not return to work (but check your contract if your employer pays you any occupational maternity pay). See the information sheet: Maternity Pay Questions You can resign during maternity leave; the notice period in your contract (or statutory notice if you don?t have a contract) applies. See the information sheet: Resigning during pregnancy and maternity leave All your normal terms and conditions apply during maternity leave including accruing holiday. See the information sheet: Discrimination during maternity leave You have the right to ask for changes to the hours, days or place of your current job. Your employer must consider it reasonably and can only refuse for good business reasons. See the information sheet: Child-friendly working hours If you have more than one job you may be able to get SMP from each employer as long as you meet the conditions in each job (you cannot add up your earnings from different employers for SMP but you can for Maternity Allowance). See the information sheet: Rights for parents with more than one job If you fall pregnant whilst you are on maternity leave you have the same rights from work to maternity leave and pay. You are entitled to another period of maternity leave of up to 52 weeks and may qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay as long as you are paid more than ?112/week around weeks 18-26 of your pregnancy. See the information sheet: Pregnant during maternity leave You may also find these resources from other organisations useful: Gov.uk Parental leave checker Turn2us online benefits calculator Citizens Advice template grievance letter If you work with pregnant women and new families, we also offer training workshops. More about the Maternity Rights Advice Line Service standards The Maternity Rights Advice Line is run by a team of advisers. We offer a free, independent and confidential advice service to anyone contacting us. For more information please see our Service Standards. Privacy and data protection If you contact us by telephone, email or by completing an online form we will collect and store your personal information in line with our Privacy Policy. We will not pass your information to other organisations without your consent and we will never use your name without your consent. Complaints If you are unhappy about any aspect of our services at Maternity Action please tell us so that we can try to put things right and prevent it from happening again. The Maternity Action complaints policy outlines how we will handle complaints and how to contact us.' Maybe worth a look and a chat. With best wishes, Ilona

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