spark67

I am i suppose relatively new here having lived in the area nearly 20 yrs, I moved to London for work in the 90s, Brixton first, it's all i could afford, that WAS rough (The police asking me if they could take the bumper off my car for forensics as a bullet from a drive by shooting near my flat was lodged in it is one of a few jolly memories) I later moved here because it was quieter, yes the transport links were not brilliant... but found it less stressful than trying to get on a tube at Brixton in the morning or Stockwell) I found it easier to cycle which I did a lot, even when I worked in north London... now I work in Camberwell its the best option all together. But I really don't find it hard to get into town now, and have more options Transport wise with the event of the "ginger line" Getting to my friends in wapping used to be a right trek, now it's door to door. Sadly having better links living near a tube station doesn't make live easier tbh, I have travelled from friends in the rush hour from Clapham and found it hellish, with those platforms with track either side and the crush of people pushing you to the edge, had to let two trains go before I could get on. I have friends who live right by the Northern line in east Finchley... they said its not always great, as its pretty much shut most weekends for works (we've had to drive a few times as it was quicker when visiting them. My partner was born & raised here (his family have been here for 4 generations) as are most of our now mutual friends.. he says it was never rough, just bit dull and quiet.

Vets definitely closing on the Rye, Spoke to one of the founders and they have to move as the building is being demolished... we have already started using the Crofton park one, easy to park by, and better for us travel wise from where we live then going to Lordship lane. I think it will be a great addition to the lane though, especially if it stills sells pet food and products like the PR one.

I have an old friend who's family were JW, he was born into it. He he decided it wasn't for him when he was older, and the church forbade any of his family or friends to talk to him, they'd cross the road if they saw him in the street...He was helped by a foundation called the "witness rehabilitation program" ( or something like that ) Its been a long road for him but he has made a new life and is happy, but what s sh*tty way for an organisation to treat people, they pretty much get short shrift when they knock on my door, I told one I wasn't interested and mentioned & about my friend, and he backed away down my path like i had a grenade in my hand With regards to "knocking a minority" , they are pretty good at that themselves. I was at Brighton pride a few years ago, and they were harassing people on the march, they also chose to have seminar there on the same day denouncing all LGBT people Just a quick edit to say the above happened not that long ago, so when some say the church has changed I'm pretty scepticl

It Featured in this years Time out local "Love London" Shortlist, bit weird seeing how long it's been shut

Tries to get into meat liquor last night to celebrate getting a new job, it was packed, but asked if there was a table for two, there were some empty seats by the window, someone said they were reserved, & got the girl in charge of the seating to see us, we asked again & mentioned its good you can reserve, to which we said (with a bit of attitude) they don't... all very strange, so we popped to try Xoco which was a bit empty, strange decor but lovely food and staff at a very reasonable price... it soon started filling after we arrived, give it a go before you write it off :)

I've bought a couple of things from here, always found the staff pleasant, and happy with the price i've paid, i've also taken a few of my unwanted things in too, and received a statement telling me how much they sold them for (?80 in my case) Personally i've not felt there being anything dodgy going :)

I don't mind the coop on LL Though i do find its prices on the high side, so only pop in if I need something and can't be bothered to pop to Sainsbury's... tho I loathe the one on forest hills rd, only stop in there if i need to get something on the way home from work as its convenient, the queues and narrow aisles ! I doubt very much if I'll pop into M&S as I don't really like their stuff tbh & will still use the coop on the lane if i need anything whilst there.

Our neighbours used to leave their trainers outside their front door after a run... I sort of warned them of what the local foxes would do do to them after the previous neighbours experience after doing the same. Sure as anything there was a lovely brown steaming gift in one of them in the morning ... not sure what they have against joggers

Great they are not moving out of the area, I am sure they will make use of being on the high street by extending their range of pet products that have in stock in their store area, something to replace the loss of the pet shop on Northcross rd... be interesting to see how they use the space. As for the carpark, I think they will have more space as there is parking around the back of the bank, They have terrible problems with people using the rye parking in the present space, and on more than one occasion someone has parked right across the entrance blocking people in or from going in (happened to me with a van driver, had to leave the cat in the vets until he eventually turned up, then was really rude when questioned about his parking choice)

A work colleague was advised by solicitor to pull out of completing on a property in Bermondsey just after Brexit as Mortgage company got cold feet and wasn't going to guarantee original mortgage offer, so they have and are going to rent until situation stabalises and they can forage into the market again. A neighbour in ED had house for sale before Brexit, but after, viewings disappeared, so they are now going to rent their property out until they know where things are heading ... it seems its going to be a stalemate until people know what the outcome of our exit is going to be and the full economic effects are going to be on the housing market.

Looks like we are going to get a new leader who'll represent us around the world, who'll form a government with a new manifesto that hasn't been that has been put to the electorate..... THAT doesn't sound like democracy to me :/

I was cycling through burgess park the other day and saw two people of asian origin eating crisps on a bench !! I was Horrified ! & immediately phoned Nigel Farage ... as soon as we regain control of our crisps and benches and leave the Eu the sooner the better as far as I'm concerned *froths at mouth and quietly hums the dam busters theme while eating a whole joint of roast beef*

We have three cats, (the older (now 19) one used to sunbathe in the garden next to a large fox when we first moved to our flat 10yrs ago... we also watched one of our younger cats kick the sh*t out of one fox and then get chase out of the garden by the other one.... foxes tend to scavenge and avoid confrontation, only hunt smaller mammals, but I could see a very young cat or a weak or older cat being at risk if a fox was bold enough or starving, hence we keep the older one in at night now (also the other two since recent other event came to light)

Forest Hill Practice in our house on Underhill ! Myself and my partner moved to them from the Lordship lane surgery, after a horrible incident with the Dr I was under during a serious illness, which ended up with my consultant from kings writing him a stinking letter. Anyhow ... since we moved to the forest hill group practice, we've had great care from the Drs there so far.

If I see John SNAAARRR by the veg aisle I'll need the vapours !

New restaurant opening in ED called "Spinach" it appears according this ad for a job I noticed while looking for one myself.... not sure where. and can't seem to find a mention during a google search. http://www.caterer.com/JobSeeking/HEAD-CHEF_job65455294?entryUrl=%2Fjobs-at%2Fspinach%2Fjobs%2365455294

The whole Tory mantra lately is to put into peoples minds that certain people are doing things that are driven by their religion or ethnic origins, playing to the right. the Khan insinuations by Cameron and the Embarrassing Boris incident about Obama has really put me off their party...Politics has become more about playing to peoples fears more and general scaremongering than actual policy detail. The EU debate is such an example, from both sides.

I Noticed something similar appear, attached to traffic lights at a rd junction in Peckham yesterday morning.

I have to say I am always suspicious of councils when it comes to parking, t's pretty well known that they make a lot of revenue from various speed cameras/parking fines... though I have to say in SOME cases the yellow lines make sense near junctions. Coming out of Ashbourne road onto Melbourne can be a nightmare, with cars parked close to the junction, especially from the left with the slight bend on Melbourne which cars tend to bomb round, I end up inching out everso slowly craning my neck to see whats coming, and still nearly get my front clipped by car which I can't see until the last minute.

Rang this morning and got an appointment for 10.30 am no problem, which took me by surprise, and saw a lovely Dr who really helped with my problem, happy patient here.

I regulary use the pool, and their swim only membership helps, as I don't really use the gym, but swim a lot, which saves wasting money on a more expensive membership After using the 50 metre pool, it makes any visits to the Dulwich one seem like a mere paddle. I always nearly end up watching stuff going on in the inside courts or the athletics track when I visit.

Was sad to see this yesterday... utter mindless vandals & scum, glad to see they were still open and getting on, not being beaten... I've been popping in there for ten years, lovely guys. When I was Ill and it was the only place I could stagger to in-between Chemo treatments a few years ago, a guy used to follow me around with a basket and help me get stuff, offered to walk me home with my bags. Hope they catch the gits who did it soon, they really trashed the place.

The dead dolls place looked well and truly open saturday night, lights on people inside drinking, & a waitress outside writing up the menu on a board

Peckahm is far cooler now, you would probably hear people say they live there rather than ED ;) I remember listening to a comedy show on radio 4 whiles driving, about 10 yrs ago where there was a sketch about an estate agent using agent speak to big up properties in less desirable areas. He mentioned East Dulwich, to which a client replied, " don't you mean Peckham ?" How things change :)

I think the trouble with off street parking with no dropped kerb is the confusion it causes. We have a neighbour near us with a patch of car sized concrete in front of their house and a wide entrance but no dropped kerb... It has weeds growing through cracks, and wheelie bins on,& hadn't seen a car parked there at all, then one day a note was left on a friends car who parked by the kerb there saying "do not park in front of my house, stopping usage of our drive" really strange as still after 10 years I haven't seen a car parked there, it's still overgrown, with bins where a car could park.