Nigello

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.

Nature abhors a vacuum so if cheap labour (for that is what a lot of newly-arrived immigrants constitute, to the benefit of big business which can keep wages low because it knows there is always another Pole/Lithuanian/Colombian to do unattractive jobs) in the shape of immigrants goes or is reduced, why wouldn't they be quickly replaced with those that are already here - whatever place they or their forbears may have come from? London is stratified and segmented in unhealthy ways and I don't see it getting more integrated anytime soon. This can't be healthy and best practice for either the established or the newly arrived. Being able to have a cheap cleaner (I've never had one and doubt I ever will, cheap or otherwise), hop into an Uber (ditto) or get a takeaway delivered (double ditto) isn't a sound argument for unfettered immigration: why should one's middle-class keenness for cheap indulgences maintain a precarious and badly paid and worse-cushioned serving class who, because of the ubiquity of cheap labour, may never be ever to better themselves? Is it healthy that certain jobs and roles will mostly be taken by people from certain countries or backgrounds? It creates precedents that stick in the national psyche and which may well dictate one's perception and one's action.

nevermind her taking pictures of other peoples cars with no authorisation. - Why do you need permission to take a picture, on a private road or not? It makes even less sense if that private road belongs to the person who is taking the photos. Other aspects of her behaviour may well be unreasonable but I cannot see that one falling into that category. If private road rules extend to photography, I'd be happy to be corrected.

Cillit Bang activity?

I would say that the "waves" were generated by different causes (pogroms, persecution, invitation) and were also much weaker in strength than at the current time. Free movement is a great idea but if the hosts can't/won't keep up in terms of providing infrastructure (both physical and social/cultural) its attractiveness fades.

As well as the economic issues - both good and bad - there are cultural and social issues that do not get as much prominence. It is because that would mean talking about people as people and not people as money-producing units.

Not SE22, not SE15 but further afield: a new convenience shop is opening on Camberwell New Rd near the Green (224, I think). I mention it because there is loads of housing going up along that stretch of road and this is the first bit of additional, useful infrastructure I have seen to go with it. I do fear the worst for bus routes and traffic in general for those of us who travel from SE22 into town down this route when hundreds more people are wanting to do the same.

Out

Do it digitally and in person; posters about pyschotic cat torturers around primary schools is not a great idea.