Louisa

LadyNorwood Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > In any other country it would be called > patriotism, in this country it's xenophobia.... The reality is with most people it is neither. Most people just want to have a job, home of their own and good health. All things which, in some mind's (rightly or wrongly) are under threat from uncontrolled immigration. Louisa.

rahrahrah Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Louisa Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > I think Jeremy makes a valid point. Here in > > London, certain people do not wish to confront > the > > issue of immigration because it goes against > their > > utopian left of field view of the world. The > > reality of course is, whether you agree it is a > > valid concern or not, when you're living in a > nice > > comfy London bubble away from regions with high > > unemployment, social and political > > disenfranchisement, and a lack of a future you > > will start blaming specific groups- that of > course > > is unfounded and disproportionate in the minds > of > > fairly well off London guardian readers - but > > that's how these people feel on the street. > Rather > > than mock them and suggest their opinion is > > ignorant and not relevant, I believe it is > better > > to address their concerns and speak openly > about > > them rather than brush them under the carpet. > > > > Louisa. > > No one is brushing the topic of immigration under > the carpet. We hear this all the time... "you > can't talk about immigration". It's nonsense, it's > discussed endlessly, to the point where it > receives a completely disproportionate amount of > attention. Disproportionate in who's eyes? The unemployed former steel worker who can't get a job or pay their mortgage? or the mortgage free banker who's just bought a new investment property in Clapham? Louisa.

I think Jeremy makes a valid point. Here in London, certain people do not wish to confront the issue of immigration because it goes against their utopian left of field view of the world. The reality of course is, whether you agree it is a valid concern or not, when you're living in a nice comfy London bubble away from regions with high unemployment, social and political disenfranchisement, and a lack of a future you will start blaming specific groups- that of course is unfounded and disproportionate in the minds of fairly well off London guardian readers - but that's how these people feel on the street. Rather than mock them and suggest their opinion is ignorant and not relevant, I believe it is better to address their concerns and speak openly about them rather than brush them under the carpet. Louisa.

Good on Bernie Sanders for not conceding yet. He is the authentic Democratic candidate this electoral season. A principled man. Louisa.

http://www.southwarknews.co.uk/news/foxtons-given-go-ahead-open-new-estate-agents-rye-lane/ Southwark Council have approved planning for a new Foxtons branch on Rye Lane. Louisa.

Vastly underrated part of SE London. Louisa.

I agree with Jez and Otta. The breakfast is all you can eat and I've been to Petts Wood Harvester a few times for it. I don't like the atmosphere, but it's good value and as Otta says, the sausages are large and chunky and contain more meat than the average sausage you might have at a cafe. We all love a nice sausage! Louisa.

Wouldn't it be hilarious if M&B decided we needed another Harvester locally, and that was the add on to the hotel. As much as I'm not a fan, it would be so funny. Louisa.

I'm no fan of mediocre middle of the road Crap, but I think the lack of that restaurant type locally does reflect a need for some sort of chain. Not everyone likes pincey indepedents selling weird concoctions of food. It will be nice to be able to go and have scampi and chips with a pint of lager without taking a second mortgage out for the privilege. Louisa.

Just seen the debate on Sarah Derbyshire. What a joke, emotive rubbish from both sides with no clear and concise argument for the undecided. The polls haven't shifted, more polarised than ever. Louisa.

Seabag Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Louisa Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > No explanation of the food offering once the > Dog > > reopens? I am assuming it will be a generic > chain > > taking on the pub/restaurant area, with > Innkeepers > > Lodge running the hotel business above? > Franchise > > they work with so far include Ember Inns, Crown > > Carveries and Harvester. > > > > Louisa. > > At least it's designed to turn foodies and > hipsters and most others away > > It's what the area needs isn't it, stuff appealing > to 'generic everyman' and nobody left out > > It's looking double vanilla (synthetic of course) > which is great, because they'll do food that > sounds nice & looks quite nice in the photos, and > fills a hole in the stomach and that what counts I reckon Vintage Inns may take on the pub/restaurant franchise at the dog. They tend to be semi-casual dining experiences with overpriced but marketed as 'better than average' food and drinks. They tend to go for historic pubs and give them sympathetic makeovers, which stay true to the history of the building. The food is very samey though and my fear is this will just be another middle of the road chain takeover siting next to a budget hotel. May be wrong of course. Louisa.

No explanation of the food offering once the Dog reopens? I am assuming it will be a generic chain taking on the pub/restaurant area, with Innkeepers Lodge running the hotel business above? Franchise they work with so far include Ember Inns, Crown Carveries and Harvester. Louisa.

I go through stages, mostly when I'm bored. Or heading home from a holiday! All the real entertaining posters have departed our shores though sadly, a few good old school contributors still around, but mostly lame goaders nowadays. Louisa.

They better not get their hands on The Man of Kent. Louisa.

The pub does appeal to lots of people, it's always fairly busy. That's not the issue, the issue no doubt is a pub co seeing an opportunity to turn it up market and attract the yuppies for overpriced food no doubt. I would argue, as would many regulars, that it's nice to keep at least one traditional boozer locally that's not crowded with prams and posh loud people eating food that most of us can't even pronounce! Keep it alcohol and adult friendly, that's what I say. Louisa.

Just read the thread about the Castle. Not been in a long while but nonetheless it's very upsetting for everyone involved. It's getting to the point where many people in the area will feel as though they aren't welcome anywhere, anymore. Would it really hurt the pub co to leave one last proper London boozer for the large chunk of locals who don't want foody/gastro crap? Very disappointed in this decision. She was part of the furniture in that pub too. Shocked. Louisa.

Foxy, once again it is clear and sunny here. Unbelievable that it is so cold back at home. I hear the tables will be turning come the weekend according the BBC weather service. My advice is pull a sweater out the cupboard and battle it, don't put the heating on. Waste of money! Louisa.

Don't mean to rub it in, but it's been another lovely day here and only recently went cloudy. I've even got myself a little tan, and it's currently sat at 18 degrees. Louisa.

Ah "the gateway to the moor". Been there a few times before, sandwiched between Newton Abbott and Exeter. Pretty little place, very close to Dartmoor too. Walking distance in fact. Lovely place to retire to. I can see why so many people come down here to live, it most certainly is very beautiful. It's a shame in a way that some of the proper locals are a bit weird, especially in these far flung locations. Louisa.

Exactly. Got it wrong again Dog duck. Yawn. And even if that phrase is correct, what does that make a deluded ED blow in such as yourself? A grockoff? Louisa.

Otta where did she move to? As much as love the north of the county for a visit, I think I would need more life. Torquay or Paignton would suit me just fine. I've met some peculiar people here on previous holidays and I would assume they are "local". But for the most part, more brummies scouser and cockneys than anyone else. Nice to be home from home. Louisa.

Get stuffed! You'll miss when I'm gone, oh yes you bloomin will! You're only jealous cos I'm somewhere nice and you're stuck there waiting for poncy Marks and Sparks to open so you can show off to your neighbours with a bottle of prosecco. Ha ha ha. Louisa 1 - 0 Dog duck (wannabe) Louisa.

maxxi Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Louisa Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > I may be joining the rest of you locals in > exile > > soon... sipping > > wine overlooking Woolacombe Bay... I could > > happily leave behind ED and get more for my > money > > out in the sticks and live a stress free life. > > Could be tough - Devonians hate big-city blow~ins > gentrifying their farmland. I don't care! Bloody inbreds should be grateful Londoners wanna spend their money down here! Most of the people I've met here are from somewhere else anyway. I don't intend to gentrify anywhere. Shame there's no pie and mash shop like in Southend but the views are better and the weather has been lovely. Louisa.

I may be joining the rest of you locals in exile soon. I've had the nicest day today, got off the train at Exeter, went for dinner at Michael Caines restaurant opposite the cathedral. Now sipping wine overlooking Woolacombe Bay with hubby enjoying a nice chilled lager! Oh and the sun is shining still! It's times like this that I could happily leave behind ED and get more for my money out in the sticks and live a stress free life. The only things about ED I would miss are the few shops I use and the convenience of having 'stuff' to do nearby. I think the exodus of working class people will continue apace over the coming decades. Louisa.

It appears the builders had arrived at the former Seacow to start work on the new MEATLiqour branch this morning. When is it due to open? Louisa.