Nigello

Mick Mac - It wasn't a go at you at all. It was just a general thought. My point was that sometimes it's OK to bring in a buggy/bulging rucksack/kitchen sink, but not always (which is not what plenty of people think). Proprietors are put in a very difficult position so I would prefer it if people just thought a bit before thinking it's always OK to do what they want. I can't say I hold out much hope.....

It is common sense that not everyone can accommodate a pushchair so I think it is fair for cafes to (sometimes) say no, politely - in the same way they would to someone who was carrying large amounts of luggage, for example. Nobody is going to run off with a buggy, especially if it is being eyed from the inside by the owner so it's not too much of an ordeal to be asked to not bring it in. People shouldn't take it as a slight or an assault on their (or their baby's) sense of self (but I have seen reactions that fit that description, alas).

Keep washing your hands and do it more often than you think you need to. I know it is not going to stop everyone from catching bugs, but it does help. (Anti-bacterial gels kill some bugs; washing your hands gives them - including viruses - nowhere to stick.) Rub your eyes with the back of your hand; push the bell on the bus with your knuckle; do same with cashpoints or in the lift; get a flu jab; sleep as much as you can. All of these can help but we all fall ill eventually.

Seconded.

I cannot believe it is so ??. Mine is under the stairs and I think that that is where it will stay! Thanks all.

I assume the gas company has to move it. If so, does anyone know how much it costs? Has anyone moved his/her meter from one location to another recently?

I agree re "pretty things", into which those god-awful yellow A4 pieces of plasticky paper tied to lamp posts by Southwark do not fall. (Just pull them off after the three/whatever weeks have expired because Southwark don't have anything to do with them once they've put them up, which I find contradictory from a body that has its own environmental department that fines other forms of littering.)

I have an old Amex card No as my standing order with my online bank. I still pay into it and my new card (a completely different kind of Amex) still gets paid. Must be all automatically linked. Oh, and I have had my lost wallet found and returned three times, always intact! People are often honest, it seems.

Barry Road is a long, long road with only three crossings, two of those close together (nearer the Rye end). I have seen motorists speed along there at more than 40mph, often not slowing down for the zebra at Goodrich Road. Take care!

I have been to both and prefer the Delaunay. The prices are broadly similar and the acoustics in the Delanunay - though not perfect - are better and there's natural light. I found BZ to be way too loud and busy and I don't like the fact there's nary a window in sight (if I remember correctly). Another place to consider is the German Gymnasium but I think it may be a little bit more ?? and not best suited to such large groups.

Potager (on the corner of FHR and Dunstan's) is coming along: there are workmen in there often and what looks like a counter is in place. The old laundry (sounds like a posh restaurant) is meant to be something foodie, according to one of the workmen I asked several months ago.

I would recommend The Delaunay at Aldwych. It has good food, great service and big tables. You can have a good brunch and feel like you are treating yourself without breaking the bank. The seats/booths are big and comfortable, there is a cloakroom as well as coat hangers in the dining area (so no need for that dreadful coats-on-chair-backs busines)and there is a good mix of locals and tourists.

How much?

I never went in, even though I love tea and cake. I think it just seemed very out of place when it opened (but this says more about my attitudes that its enterprising values) at that end of "the strip" and the shabby chic feel just felt a bit too "Miss Haversham" for me. Perhaps I missed out and I am sorry that it is having to close though.

That sucks! (A phrase that, unfortunately, is already standard usage over here.)

The artist who painted the electricity substation near the Herne Tavern and the bollards further up FHR also painted the bins that belong to some properties near to the Herne. Morganico is the name, I think. If the number/size of bins was not enough then those householders who leave them on the (already narrow) pavements instead of housing them in the garden should be pulled up over it: I've seen some people (with dogs/children/shopping trolleys) struggle to get around them.

I just looked at two threads within a minute of each other and saw two US spellings - "enrollment" and "neighbor" and just wondered whether this is because US English is given as a default on all/most/some devices.

I just wrote to Southern to ask that they clean the platform approaches and keep them clean, as well as cutting back the hedges etc. (Others can help by not littering in the first place.)

Are coffee filters a good substitute?

Great idea and one that I would support but I agree that the first port of call would be reminding the operating company and/or Railtrack that they must remove litter and keep the station clean and tidy and attractive as well as safe. Let us know how you get on with that.

Just because someone didn't complain on a particular day doesn't mean it's all right. Burning material that produces smoke - in the garden or in the fireplace - is not allowed, with good reason. (There are plenty of EDites who burn wood/coal and it really does cause breathing difficulties for some people, so if you are doing it, or planning bonfire, please don't!)

This morning was bad. I'm still trying to get through on the phone but get an engaged tone. I used to be put on hold. Has their system changed? Once I do get through I'll be asking how to complain properly because 50+ redials over an hour is very poor.

8 hours a day is plenty. If you can't organise workload to allow your staff at least a semblance of home/leisure life, you are the one who is failing, perhaps. Presenteeism is rife and wasteful: just sticking around so the boss can see you after your shift finishes is far from being efficient. How do you define "weakest"? Could it have anything to do with "not willing to do everything/anything the boss says"? (I agree with you about the pernicious aspect of "sleb culture" and hope for an end to it soon.)

don't feint at the prospect of longer hours or extra commitment / support required at times, - Wanting summat for nowt, KK? If you're the only one defining "decent" then nobody - from here, there or anywhere - will ever be able to really know what you mean. (Faint) I agree with uncleglen - Labour has barely and rarely shown itself friend of the working class these past thirty years.