Nigello

Landy10, James - Yes, the area outside the parade of shops opposite ESPH/ED Picture House (to be) was particularly bad. I know we don't have such downpours regularly but it's not acceptable. There's a big dent opposite Goodrich School on Goodrich Road too (near where the council earlier did fix a broken flagstone, to be fair).

The persistent rain yesterday really showed up the pavements on and around LL as really sub-par. Lots of dents, dimples and cracks were apparent, with water pooling inches deep. Is it the clay soil that doesn't provide solid enough support for the paving stones, or is it crappy workmanship or a mixture of the two? Anyone...anyone...?

Confirms what I'd heard from a trader on NXR. Gambatte kudasai, tsunami!

Saute garlic and leek (slowly), add a tin of lentils and a tin of butter beans, simmer slowly and mix in a glug of olive oil or butter before serving, either on its own or as a bed for smoked haddock or sausages.

What about seagrass and its ilk? It's durable, easy to lay and affordable (but some say don't lay it on stairs lest it gets slippery with use).

Banning placcy bags is a great way of conning yourself into thinking that you're "doing your bit". Better by far to buy less of the crap (including food that is eventually wasted) to fill bags - jute, paper or polythene - in the first place. If you can get energised about reusing carrier bags (it really doesn't take that much effort) then try doing the same regarding car use, buying too much stuff (where "stuff" = practically anything) and overheating one's house and overchilling one's food.

A project a few years ago tackled this. Search "Monica" and "SNUB" on this forum for more. It was reasonably successfull but until there is a national (or London) ban I doubt most people will voluntarily go along. SE22/15/23/21 etc are not typical of the UK trend.

House on Adys Road, near the school, went for a million and got a million (according to a source).

Pickle - I hope you tell them to get on the road. Don't stand for it!

There are plastic bags over the 20mph limit signs at the junction of Goodrich and Barry Roads. Is this meant to be the case?

What's It All About, Alfie - Cilla Black t

No, I walk on pavements, which is the correct place for a pedestrian, unless that person is crossing the road carefully and attentively. Just because another person has a different experience it doesn't make it the universal experience. My experience is that selfish cyclists are out there and they do cycle on pavements. They are very much the minority, but they stick out because they are intent on doing what they want at the expense of other peoples' safety. I don't make stuff up.

RRR - Today, Herne Hill at around 1600; last Wednesday, Old Vic; week last Saturday, N X Road (with baby in papoose around neck; fortnight ago, The Cut.... It happens a lot, and I always challenge them (and often get dull, predictable invective back: when people know they're wrong they tend to turn nasty).

It happens at least twice a week to me in and around SE22/SE15 and at least once a week when I am in W1, WC1 etc. Perhaps I walk about too much and should stay in, leaving the pavements for the cyclists?

LD: you might not recognise yourself as such, but you are part of that elite you disparage. You're well educated, in professional employment, articulate and computer literate. Even if you don't take part in the so called enrolment of "chavs" and certain other groups as whipping boys by the layer of society you pillory, you're still part of that group, at the tippety-tip-top of the pyramid. Anyone acting like a tit-end+++ - riding aggressively and provocatively on pavements - deserves any right-minded person's deprecation, whatever socio-economic group, racial profile or cultural community they find themselves in, either by their own definition or that of others. +++ nipples can also be a good thing

The Chinese takeaway next to The Plough is due to reopen soon, according to the workman I spoke to there about two weeks ago.

Last Train to Trancentral - KLF

Juat walking around today I've noticed a fair few grids full of leaves, twigs and general rubbish (thanks, litter bugs for the latter). It's all been pushed down the gutters towards the grids by the heavy rain but it's now just sitting there, ready to cause problems when even normal amounts of water fall. If you're reading this, James Barber, please can you get involved?

Artusi had a sign outside yesterday afternoon (Thursday) at about 1600 explaining that it was closed till further notice because of flooding.

Moonlight and Muzak - M

I'm sure that barking dogs making it impossible to sleep is a universal, timeless problem. Having one's sleep disturbed is unpleasant and harmful to one's health: don't belittle it.

The World's Green Laughter - The B-52's

I second letting them know, explaining why you want it cut back and then doing it yourself if they refuse/decline. If you ring 7525 2000 and speak to an operator there (at Southwark's enviro line) they will come along and do it: if you have neighbours with unruly bushes, give them a ring. It's still an annoyance (to me but potentially a big problem to the blind, disabled, some elderly) here in SE22 where plenty of privet-lovers can't be bothered to cut wayward branches back.

I wasn't referring to the real ones, which I have seen on foot and on horse on several occasions.

The "plastic coppers" used to be out in force, nearly always walking in threes, but I've not seen any for at least four months on the streets of SE22/15. Also, the Southwark-branded "community whatsits" are no longer to be seen (not that I had much faith in them anyway to do much more than hog the pavement). If anyone who is one, or is responsible for one, is reading this, do try to solve the problem.