east-of-the-Rye

Wow! the new owners could make some money by offering swims to all the people who can't get a booking at Dulwich Baths!

Can anyone help me understand the booking system? I used to swim a lot at Dulwich Baths by just turning up but more-or-less stopped during/after Covid. I want to start again but am not sure I'm understanding the booking options: I've selected "Lane - Med" and the only options on the days I can do for the next week or more are 20:00 or later. It is just really popular and booked up? Or is the pool busy with classes etc until that point so there is no point hoping I'll ever be able to book for earlier? (I did spot an early evening slot on Sunday 1/2 - but it's not bookable till 26/1...)

We've used Aria a couple of times - this time a tap that was causing water hammer elsewhere in the house, he replaced it and checked all was well. He was prompt, quick in his work, and charged what he said he would. Will use him again.

Our room fan was making a horrible, loud noise - I called Paul, we agreed a day, he turned up at 8am as agreed and he removed the dying fan and replaced it with a new silent one. He'd given me an approximate cost, and in fact charged exactly that. So, I'll definately keep his phone number handy for any other electrical work that we need.

Yes we've had the same letter - we left a copy of our wills (which GD drew up for us) with GD, although we have copies at home too. We were not told that GD had become Abington Law. The letter suggests that "Basic Membership" i.e. them holding a copy of our wills, is free but there are (unpriced!) options of Gold and Platinum membership too.

Have you tried these websites on any similar, to find a contractor for a project? what was good/bad about them? Thanks.

Social services install keysafes sometimes when they are going to provide care/support to someone, and as someone said above, their contractor may have got the address wrong. - you could try contacting them though it might be difficult to find the right department. Social landlords also fit them when a property is empty to allow various contractors to carry out work without having to pass around keys. But again trying to track down the right landlord could be hard unless you can see and obviously empty flat/house near you.

I saw couple of people in hi-vis jackets, hard hats putting a ladder up against the sign on my way out early evening 9th October. On my way back I looked at the sign and (it took me a few seconds!) spotted the change.

You might be interested to know that a community organisation called ACORN (not the estate agent) has uncovered that one the areas biggest lettings agents, Kinleigh, Folkard & Hayward, are engaging in bidding wars. Kinleigh, Folkard & Hayward encourage tenants to offer above the listed asking price of their properties, which pits tenants against each other and pushes up prices making rents even more unaffordable. I'm sure that you want/need to get a decent income from your property, but you might want to consider checking with any letting/management agents in the area, and avoiding those that hold bidding wars - and tell them why you aren't using them.

Please DM me or text / WhatsApp 07960 988318

The trees in the cemetery are kept maintained (trimmed) by the Council to preserve the view of St Pauls, they were there 2 - 3 months ago. Same Southwark Council team also trimmed the trees in One Tree Hill.

Thanks for the ideas - all being well, they are going this weekend to a book sale in April in aid of Feed the Hill (Telegraph Hill) - the left overs from this sale apparently go to Michael Peacock,