Nigello

What did they say when you pointed your overall disappointment out (not just the feta)? Sometimes places like to hear criticism, especially at the beginning.

Just been reading in the PP that two lots of new housing, one in Peckham (smaller development, built on a car park) and one further afield (at least three towers of ascending height, one 40 storeys) have been criticised by locals, one of whom (in the case of the former) waxed very lyrical about not wanting to miss seeing vapour trails and puddles. I like whimsy, but much prefer people to be housed in places that aren't miles away from the centre of London in already established areas. Fact is, if you accept that London is an attractive place to live then you have to accept that more needs to be done to house all the people who come here - from the rest of the UK and beyond. Puddle gazing comes a very solid second to housing.

?40 fine - why not get the traffic vultures to apply the law?

Engine idling is very common - in both senses! Once again, it's the individual that is making a negative impact, the same individual who could make a positive contribution by switching his/her engine off. What can be done? A call to the bus firm to report it, a letter to Khan etc., or a friendly request to the idler to switch it off.

Would it not be cheaper and at least as effective to plant trees/bushes/plants in the normal way, rather than this screen? (I speak as someone with no car who walks and takes public transport everywhere so not as an anti-green crank: I just don't see how the expense can be justified in this case.)

vibrant, diverse choice London offers <<< Hackneyed claptrap that serves to disguise (some) unpleasant and antisocial behaviour. Throwing gunpowdered rockets around isn't a good idea.

Good on you. It's not weird to pick up litter that you didn't drop (I do it as well) but it's sad some think it is. The council has a responsibility to keep the area clean and tidy, free from rubbish and overgrown foliage, so do let the local councillor know what the problems are.

I got a message from the tree team, answering my question about why some tree pits had yellow marks around them. It is because they will be being enlarged, so there are no fears about trees being removed.

While it is important to be charitable it is also important to not be fooled or cheated - if only to prevent others from being so. Assuming everyone is mentally ill is dangerous and patronising and stands in the way of getting at the truth and ultimately helping that person. (I have seen the man and he seems, on the whole, lucid and reasonably fit and the kind of person who could avail himself of usual routes to help - the embassy, charities, etc. I tried to talk to him but he carried on shouting about his plight so I couldn't talk to him further.)

I agree with intexas - even if a limited amount of traffic were allowed to return it would make it better for the other, smaller, less protected roads. Agreed - fewer motor vehicle movements would be better for all, but only individuals can make that choice. Over to you, drivers and motorcyclist and vespa riders....!

[email protected] - You could try emailing people here and CCing Cllr Barber.

Pared

Rears

I see parents with children (being carried, in a pram/buggy, or dragged) crossing roads all over the shop. The worst is when they get off a bus and then peer around the back of it to try to assess whether it is safe to cross, when the crossing is just a few yards away. What gives?

Is this at all to do with the bridge at Denmark Hill station? Would not the reopening of that bridge help traffic move more smoothly and efficiently? (I do not have a car, scooter, bike or cycle.)

Battery

Does pushing the button always mean the lights will change faster? In central London plenty of people don't do so, which I find a bit annoying but then I wonder whether - at most times of the day and evening - the crossing is automatically regulated. In quieter places like ED, it would be annoying if people just stand there without activating the crossing, I agree. (I really think some people don't know how to use them.)

Reopen it! It is fairer for all.

Slade (a real word!)

Channel

On the Boots website I found this: http://www.boots.com/boots-for-business/corporate-flu-jab-service I do not know whether it is only corporate clients that get the four-strain version. My chemist said that this year's included the Australian strain but I am not clear whether it meant it was in addition to the other three.

I like it but I cannot place it. What is the address?

I have seen a bit of movement in there - literally, some men moving stuff about, but that was more than two months ago. I hope it does open and does well, eventually.

FYI, a gas engineer told me that it is best to keep all rads (if they have thermostats) to about 3-4 rather than whacked right up to 6. I find that my thermostat on the wall of the coolish hall, set at 19C, makes all rooms pleasantly warm. If it is really cold I leave the heating on at about 15C all day and it stays warm. (PS I switched to Bulb. If you want to join and get ?50 of credit (which, if you ask them, they will put into your debit card account) drop me a line with an email address.)

Yeah, and whilst we're at it, just piss up against a wall as we're tagging our sub-literate scrawl on the art there, cos, like, it's cool to do so!