NorthcrossJo

Hussein and his team completed the interior painting of our entire house after an extensive refurbishment. Really happy with the results and would recommend him to anyone looking for a local painter and decorator. We will definitely use https://www.hanoushka.com/ again.

Most cakes freeze well as long as they're very well wrapped and not iced or filled with cream, etc. plain (American) vanilla cake freezes beautifully, as does the Leith's chocolate fudge cake, and Nigella's coffee cake. Scones and American muffins freeze and unfreeze well too. Things like meringues store well for ages (with the same proviso of not being filled) in an airtight container. Good luck for tomorrow!

I got my ears pierced for my 11th birthday, which was about ten (*cough* twenty *cough*) years ago. Unless you know of specific interests, I'd go for nail varnish, books, cinema tokens, jewellery... My youngest brother (now 17) always likes Starbucks cards, as they allow him to go out with his friends. I think a kindle is a wonderful idea, though expensive. You could load it with some books too - there are so many great books for that age group. Does she have an iPod (or other mp3 player)?

I think I might have seen you, Susyp! There was one black cat that would have got my 'best outfit' vote, with quite a big group of littlies. My house had bats at the window, but not much else... I might try harder next year!

I haven't seen many decorations on North Cross (apart from the wonderful shops, of course - some INCREDIBLE pumpkins in the window of ED), but I'll be looking out for dressed up visitors! Hope everyone that is out receives a warm welcome, and those of us indoors enjoy sharing our treats!

Gosh, BecsBex, how awful. I'm so sorry to hear that Tilly was attacked and hurt, and that the owners seemed so careless about the whole incident. I hope Tilly's ok now, and that you're not feeling too shaken. I agree that Staffs can be lovely, gentle and loyal, but any dog in the wrong hands can be aggressive. I hope that something can be done, without spoiling the park for all the responsible dog owners.

Gosh, Simonethebeaver, I can't imagine trying to get anywhere with a wheelchair AND a pushchair - you must be superwoman! Lochie, I've seen similar reactions from people (shock, anger, disapproval), and have been quite stunned by the kindness of strangers at times. Last week, when I'd been refused by one bus driver, a lovely man came over and shared his umbrella with me until the next bus came. I couldn't count the number of times people have checked that I'm ok, have relayed messages to bus drivers when I need the ramp to be lowered, and have generally been personable and kind. I agree that there's still work to do, in order to make London more friendly to wheelchairs, people with mobility difficulties, and pushchairs, but it's improved a great deal in the 13 years that I've lived in the city. The Jubilee line is pretty good for lifts, all bus routes have been accessible since 2004, and there are visible improvements every year. It's an old city, with an old transport network, but I do believe that the will is there - people do want to make it a friendlier and more accessible city. My main reason for starting this thread wasn't to complain about the use of the pushchair/pram/luggage/wheelchair space on the buses, but to get some alternative views on the subject. I use a wheelchair, so of course I'm going to want to have priority access on the buses, but I rarely travel with luggage, and have never travelled alone with small children or a pushchair/pram. Should there be discretion over the use of the space? If someone is prepared to fold a pushchair or move, that's great, but if they have a poorly or sleeping child, I wouldn't want them to feel that they were forced to move. Does that sound fair?

On quite a few occasions recently I've been told by bus drivers that I can't get on the bus (in wheelchair) because there are people with pushchairs/prams who won't move out of the space. I was under the impression that wheelchairs took priority, but can appreciate that it's also difficult for people with young children, especially if said children are very little, or if they also have shopping. What's your view on this?

Places that aren't friendly to buggies are also unlikely (in my experience) to be friendly to wheelchairs, so I'm sorry to hear that there are places locally that have made mothers with buggies/prams feel unwelcome. There have been times when I've struggled to get around the many prams in various local shops/cafes, but generally the pram-owners have been more than happy to move them to help me get past... I'll stick to the Actress, the Palmerston and Pretty's!

Thanks Chillaxed! I hope that you enjoy the Trick or Treaters and the family/community atmosphere, despite your initial reluctance. You never know - you might just make someone's night!

It sounds as though I may be in the minority, but I've been delighted with my GP at DMC. I have a rare and complex medical condition, and my GP has worked extremely hard to liaise with my hospital specialists, learn more about the condition, and provide continuity through a very difficult couple of years. I agree that it can be difficult to get appointments by calling the surgery at 8 am (it takes, on average, 20 minutes to get through) but I've always managed to get at least a same-day telephone appointment. When I was discharged from King's after a month-long admission, with a large number of unusual prescription requirements (at least 15 new items), it did take several weeks to sort out a system for getting all those medications reliably (required quite a lot of cooperation between the surgery, pharmacy and district nurses), but the doctors and receptionists at DMC were always kind, accommodating and helpful. This was the same when I needed a form filled urgently. Not every GP at the surgery seems to give good medical advice (my consultant advised me never to consult one in particular, after he gave me wrong - and dangerous - advice when I consulted him in an emergency) but I believe that they are generally good.

I'm new to the forum, so apologies for jumping into this conversation. I don't have children, but I'm really looking forward to Halloween, mainly because of the Trick or Treaters. We had several last year, all wonderfully dressed up, and have a great stash of candy to give out this year (and a pumpkin in the window, of course). My husband works long hours and I have a serious illness and don't get out of the house much, so we haven't managed to meet many people locally in the two years that we've been in ED. Having children and their parents knock on the door makes me feel that I am a part of this community, however small! Jo