Nigello

Why not just have a word with the staff and the public who are doing the annoying things? Just do it politely and reasonably and you will probably get a good result, even if its's accompanied with a bit of huffing and/or flouncing. (Someone was playing a song loudly on their phone this morning, very early, on the bus. I asked them to stop or to use headphones, was asked "why?" to which I replied "because it's loud, it's early and it's not your living room" and I got a good result and an apology.)

I agree that it is nice to have the odd nice driver, but people really ought to be responsible and cross at the best places to cross - zebra/pelican/puffin crossings. We don't live in Canada or the Netherlands and it is appropriate to use common sense and understand that walking in the road is more likely to result in injury or death than walking on the footpath. When throw a child into the mix, let alone a baby in a buggy, that advice should really apply all the more strongly, whether or not one would prefer us to live in a world where striding out into the busy thoroughfare would always and automatically mean the cars would stop for us - happily and with good grace, naturally.

Caffe Nero vendet bibendum caldus et carus.

I wish some people weren't trying to make political capital. You mean like those who are actually doing it - in the name of (political/fundamentalist/anti-democractic) Islam?

Thanks Is it easy to hire a pressure washer, or even hire someone who will do it? (I'd prefer to here real-life examples on the EDF than go and search it on Google, etc.)

I travel to work very early and therefore often in the dark and am startled and upset to see so many pedestrians dressed in dark clothing and with no reflective strip or anything else to make it easier for drivers to see them. When you add in speeding motorists and jaywalking it's an accident waiting to happen. On LL I have seen men with yound children on their shoulders dashing across the road, even though a crossing is close by. I suppose people think "it won't happen to me".

Thanks - I did think about bleach but am worried about causing discolouration. Other thoughts?

http://tikkostonecare.co.uk/img/img2.png Would hot, soapy water and a bit of elbow grease with a stiff brush be a good way of getting rid of mould/lichen on paving stones, or is there a better way? (Mine is not as bad as the image.)

I agree that the transport issue in and around SE22 is bad and will not get better soon. I wrote to our MP telling her about our woes (reduced number of trains into London Bridge etc; packed buses; spotty policing of cars parked in bus lanes etc) and she passed it onto the GLA, which replied to say that there will be no Tube, no Camberwell Green rail link and no special provisions for buses (such as more services or express versions of existing services). With that in mind I walk more and more, sometimes up to 2 miles from Herne Hill or Denmark Hill just to avoid the overcrowded and slow buses at peak times and to get more exercise and stay calm!

I'm all for clamping (!) down on bad driving and illegal parking but this looks like a form of bullying with the desire to pave the way for a CPZ. I'm sure that some junctions would need a certain length of DYL extension it not all. Much better to employ PSOs or traffic wardens consistently at problem junctions and ask local schools/churches to do more to ask parents/congregation etc to act more responsibly.

I e had good results with Sensodyne - the one that somehow repairs the damage and reduces the severity of the pain. It was on a tooth right at the back where it's hard to get to with the toothbrush.

I would prefer it if prices were raised by 7-10% and tips were then given voluntarily. Very hard to know definitively where tips go. I'm usually concerned whether the chefs, plongeurs etc are getting a cut. Adding a tip automatically is bad practice because it's a form of social bullying as proprietors know most people won't want to embarrass themselves and their guests by asking for it to be removed (even if a cash tip is then left).

I saw a gaggle (five) PCs and PCSOs all chatting away near to a van near to the Ritzy which had a huge TV screen on it, asking "have you seen these men" and showing some images. I have no idea why any more than one officer needed to be there and it erodes my confidence in the service when I see lots of examples of over-deployment.

I asked the fitters about three months ago and a man (very limited English) said it was going to be a restaurant. Whatever it is, I hope it does well.

And sometimes parents drive because they are selfish and are poor at time management.

Agreed, Singalto - let them walk/run/cycle.

Low water pressure - the first time in a very, very long time - near Goodrich School.

Yup - near Goodrich School the problem also exists.

Rendel - Please show us your source.

It is reusable, at least potentially. Stick it in the freezer, wrapped in paper and a plastic bag, and it should last at least a year.

I see both sides of the argument: commuter trains and those who use them should not have to be in thrall of a mayor/assembly that they cannot vote for. Also, TfL is hardly a shining example of staff/boss best relations. FWIW, a state-wide ownership (whether that be the state or a single firm) would be better. How great would it be to be able to use a UK-wide Oyster/contactless system for any rail or bus or tram (or ferry) journey. That is my dream!

I hope the Coal (black) Line and the Peckham Lido (blue) on the Rye (green) will be great successes and open and useful to all (rainbow).

Hang it, take it down, wrap in plastic, put in freezer till approximately eleven montsh later, repeat.

I said SOME fools on bikes, and I pointed out how valid cycling is for mid-distances. I fear you simply like to see persecution on all fronts, even those which are favourable but which also want more investment (better signage; improved crossings; flat, non-trippy pavements; better maintained trees to prevent overhangs, etc). Use some of that energy to go walking, and to think about how provision for this very effective and cheap form of transport could be easily improved! The very fact that a person like you - willing to engage and take part in debate - knows no one who thinks there is not enough investment in walking underlines just how underfunded and under appreciated the pedestrian is.

I think that too much attention and money is given to cycling and not enough to walking - it is as simple as that. Cycling requires a bike, gear, knowledge, skill (not that you'd know it, seeing some fools who take to the road on bikes) whereas walking is much, much less requiring of a specific infrastructure and special equipment, etc. Cycling is great for mid-distance journeys, I agree totally, but so is walking for shorter distances, and not enough attention is paid to making it more attractive. Most short journeys - up to 2 miles - could/should be done on foot, including going to school. Walking to the rail station rather than taking a short bus journey surely has to help reduce congestion and improve health.