Nigello

I saw the LL benches being used today, one by a middle-aged man and another by a young man and woman. I agree with Louisa that more of these and other such micro-pleasures should be thought of and implemented.

Idling is rampant. So many firms (BT, Thames Water, various delivery companies and so many more independents) have drivers who just don't switch off their engines. I sometimes ask them to turn off but it's less and less that I do as I have rudeness and scorn. Parents around schools seem to be particularly bad at not realising they're threatening their own kids' health. What to do?

I saw one today on LL. More to come? Hope not....

Good on those who are making a difference, including the youngsters. I think, though, it goes much more than recycling, putting your compostable stuff in the brown bin, reusing supermarket carrier bags and the like. Real change means not buying in the first place, not driving and not - dare I say it- having as many children as you would want (rather than need). I *agree totally* that doing one's bit day to day (turning off the internet overnight or turning down the thermostat, etc. etc.) is important and necessary but over consumption and falling back on the excuse of convenience or "having earnt it" (the car, the holiday, the new phone, etc. etc) really needs to be tackled.

I think four-five storey blocks, like tenement blocks in Glasgow and those you can see in part of London (like Battersea) and in many cities abroad (Rome, Barcelona, Paris) are a good use of space. I agree that such density is not good for all parts of Zone 2 but in small pockets it could help the housing situation (as long as the rooms are big enough and well insulated).

Bring back trolley buses!

Sabre

A Southwark parking officer told me they are all taxed so can stay, which is fair enough.

I agree that we are poorly served by public transport. The only thing to do is to lobby our local MP and GLA representatives with examples of what has got worse. In the meantime, to avoid frustration as much as possible, we just have to get up earlier/walk more/be more cooperative on the buses and trains we do have (yes, that means you, Mr Don't Want To Walk Up The Stairs/Down The Train and Mrs I Like To Hug The Exit and Ms My Bag Needs A Seat More Than Any Paying Passenger).

I think it is a mistle but cannot be sure because it was about 40' up and I only had an RSPB guide to look at later.

I understand what you mean about different people being bothered by different planes. The smaller, quieter ones that go to City (Embraers and some turboprops, etc.) do not disturb me at all, even if they are frequent. The horrible whines and "gear changes" from the large jets in the early morning really grate; there's something about the sound that is unpleasant. I don't think they will change in the short term, however.

The collared dove isn't that, but a mistle thrush (or maybe a song thrush).

Yeah, I see them - as a pedestrian (stated in my post), travelling slowly and able to stop without having to move forward several yards at speed before I do so! Sitting in a car or van could well be a different matter.

No, but fines should be levied on those who don't have working lights front and rear. Too many times I see cyclists with no lights and no reflective gear, posing a danger to themselves and others. (No car, no motorbike, no cycle, just legs)

Honey bees and bumble (or similar) bees plus a single small tortoiseshell butterfly in Dulwich library gardens on the apple and cherry blossoms

2 x community support officers on bikes (big Grifters) Goodrich/Dunstans yesterday afternoon - first time I've ever seen them. On cycles or on foot they are practically always in pairs - how so?

Good news both for the store itself and its shoppers and staff and for the fact that hopefully work will begin soon to drag PR station into the 21st century (whilst retaining its late 19th century details, of course!). It is like Quatermass there and could be so much more inviting and attractive for everyone - trees, anyone?

Some HD channels (and the odd SD) on Virgin, such as 4, 4-7, etc., are glitching every now and then. Broadband drops out often, despite having complained and received a reduction and an assurance it was fixed. It's near to Goodrich School. Anyone else having the same problem? Ta

Cutter

I have seen pigeion-like birds, perching about 50' up in the plane trees on Goose Green. They are leaner than pigeons and I can't see whether they have a ring around the neck, which would make them a collared dove. They fly at height to the church steeple sometimes. What could they be? (Not parakeets)

You won't get rid of state schools that are RC or C of E, etc. as long as they get better results for the kids (parents, I mean). I think they should be got rid of but plenty of them are better than average so the pretending and the hypocrisy will continue because (some) people like you (not me, because I am not a parent) want at least the promise of academic excellence.

Mayor Khan was on just now, saying that "middle class drug users" have to take some of the blame for such deaths (though why only that class is responsible is beyond me). It's all very sad for the family and anyone in similar situations.

A large sack of fuel was outside the pub on FH Road - Telegraph? - in the rain and damp for at least one night. If they burn it without drying it there will be more smoke than usual.

You could also try the by-the-minute hire cars, like Zipcar. There are a couple of others but I forgot their names. You can pick one up nearby and then drop it off elsewhere (but not all London boroughs allow this). I don't use them but am often a passenger in one (not having driven for about twenty years) and can vouch for their reliability. Also, you can collect at Heathrow, making a journey home as little as ?15 or thereabouts!

Would the landlord be liable to pay damages if he knew the leak was there and that icy weather was coming? A vendor on CPR has been informed that his/hew property is leaking water all over the pavement, I was told when I rang the stage agent. It is running so may not freeze unless it gets very cold indeed but there is always the chance. Be careful out there! (It's a property near the junction with Goodrich, oppo the newsagent.)