Nigello

On the other hand, there?s an interesting discussion to be had about the spontaneity of graffiti occurring on a managed piece of street art. ......

I would your local councillor. There is a type of clear varnish that will protect paint. I heard the council may think it hazardous, but it is widely available and will have been put through all the right tests, so I don't buy it. (If you search it online you will find it is about ?25. I think a few cans of this paid for by Cleaner, Greener Southwark would be useful.) Glad that you informed the police because they may be able to build up a profile. FYI, the council will remove tagging from property that is private if you sign a waiver: 020 7525 2000 for the environment department, I think.

Drive

Trade

maybe the kids need regular reminders about road safety as part of the school curriculum. Good idea - give the school a ring?

Spade

Likewise, Singalto - what did you do about it there and then? (Perhaps you did and just chose not to tell us the outcome.)

Jennys, I hope you said something. All it takes is a polite "please can you turn off the engine?"

I agree with BB. Unless you are totally vital to your work, I think a few days off when you feel ill and are potentially infectious is the right idea. Likewise, making sure you eat and sleep well has to be of benefit to you, those close to you and the wider commumnity. As for those barbarians out there who do not wash their hands before eating/prepping food and/or having been to the toilet - clean up your act!

Sleep is a good illness preventer (to an extent, of course - I am not saying "kip cures all ailments"). Longer and darker nights make it easier! I am not convinced by the use of vitamins and zinc etc, though.

I think "vibrant" and "diversity" are - by dint of overuse/misuse - becoming empty words, ones that people parrot without being able to really understand them. Culture is everywhere, it just may not be your cup of tea, or you may not be able to/fussed to find it. How do you know that those who are "coming in" are not providing new avenues for fresh cultural pursuits? Lots happens but we are not aware of most of it because we simply have no interest in or knowledge of it.

The ice cream van in Dulwich Park is electric, and he told me that they were all being told to be electric if they wante to park on council property. Seems reasonable, especially since there was a power outlet for it.

You could argue that the "culture" of Brixton has disappeared several times over the past century, so there is no reason why it shouldn't change again, like SE15/22/23 and all the other 'burbs that are not already "up there" like SE21. Things change, money talks, people move around more....C'est la vie.

You ask your chemist or nurse about the contents of the vaccine. They should let you know in the same way they ask you about allergies and tell you about reactions, but they don't always do so, so do ask them.

Just having it does not mean you won't get the flu. Basic hygiene - washing of hands and the use of gels (though, apparently, washing is better) - counts for a lot (and would stop the spread of lots of other bugs as well). http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/health-41432555/how-long-should-we-wash-our-hands

I hope they will be maintained. It is inevitable that they will get tagged, unfortunately. Is it possible to get Southwark to work with POSos or others to report any vandalism? Could they be painted with a varnish that makes it easier for grime and paint to be removed easily?

The only thing you can do is tackle it head-on, with a smile and an overabundance of politeness (and caution). If it is a firm, ring the head office if the driver doesn't do as you ask.

Non-qualifiers can use Boots points to get a jab. I think Asda is cheaper than most but Superdrug is probably more convenient, like Boots.

Saw one at the bus stop at the CoOp chemist on LL and another on Underhill at the P13 stop opposite the old people's home. Is that part of a Cleaner, Greener, Safer campaign? Glad they're useful.

How many people are going to have the flu jab this year? Will you be paying for it or getting it on the NHS (if you have an existing condition, etc)? The outbreak in Australia this year was reported as bad.

You are pushing against a very closed door. Those who let their dogs foul the streets without cleaning up are very unlikely to stop doing so unless caught red-handed and fined. I agree it is a real pain and very anti-social!

Dry

I have had one since 2002 and have really made use of it. I disagree that retailers don't accept it, though that used to be more of the case about five years ago. (Even on and around LL, small shops like La Scala and Karavan accept it.) I used it for contactless travel instead of an Oyster card and just put everything I can on it. BA Amex comes in two versions: the one you pay for accelerates your points by giving you 50% more on most purchases. (Buying a BA flight or holiday gives you double points.) Once you spend ?10K on the paid-for card, you get a voucher that means that when you cash in your Avios for a flight - even a first class, 13-hour one - you get exactly the same free. (All taxes and charges have to be paid for, of course, but it means you can get a flight worth up to ?5K for about ?500 or so!) Paying it off on in full every months really means you get up to six-weeks credit and free flights. You can boost Avios buy registering with various retailers, which often have promotions to earn double points. https://shopping.avios.com/en/?from=collectNav (NB Avios can be put into your BA account easily, by phone or online.)

EDPH has put up branding in the front windows and door of the old Irish shop. Will it be a proper extension or a separate shop? I am assuming the former.

Not theft, but an unpleasant man using a computer today was chuntering away somewhat threateningly to a woman (who may or may not have given him reason to be annoyed). When he swore I asked him to stop and he got all huffy and stood up and asked me to keep my nose out, which said it was my business if me and other people were being disturbed by unsuitable language. I told a librarian about thirty feet away and he twigged and then started off all over again, swaggering and the like, so I told him I had said my peace and was leaving. The library staff have a lot to put up with...