Nigello

Angelina, More trees are better than fewer* but when they are creating an obstacle for pedestrians/wheelchair users (who, remember, will be taking part in the least impactful form of transport by a long way) then the problem needs to be addressed. I think that within the next ten years, the fetishisation of cycling by come-day-go-day politicians will lessen as they realise that they have not concentrated enough on the very simple and very effective form of transport called walking (or wheelchair use). *I have chased up empty tree pits and have had requests for new trees to be planted by the council accepted and hope you - as a fellow tree lover - have done similarly. (I hope the person who took the effort to create, print and post the note took the time to alert a councillor and/or inform the trees department.)

What rot! Had it been growing free, perhaps - just about, but this was placed their by a human being (probably part of a committee). I love trees (hullo birds! hullo sky!) but when one is making it hard - and dangerous - for people to pass, especially those who need more space than average because of the way they have to get around, then a way around it (figuratively) must be found.

Whilst trees are majestic and generally very good things, if they are blocking pedestrian/wheelchair access, they may well have to go. FWIW, the council has pared back all the lower growth on the Barry Road trees making it easier for people to pass - but some householders are not doing their bit. More often that not, though, poor pedestrian/wheelchair access is due to human ignorance or lack of forethought (like the Xmas tree sellers on Bellenden this morning who only realised they were taking over way too much pavement when an elderly gentleman in a wheelchair tried to pass).

I'm too English and so I just moan about it! That's why service is poor, in general and when compared to certain other countries. (Think it is much more of a class thing rather than a national identity thing, BTW, anyway.)

Cancel, book somewhere else, never return.

I think the revenue inspector took it seriously: he said noted down a number. At least I said what I wanted to say to the driver and want others to do so in similar situations. (And yes- I spoke to the driver once the bus was stopped so as not to risk any accident, etc.)

A driver of a 12 I was on yesterday went through a red as it turned from W'worth Rd into Elephant. It was not a case of his having to do so because of danger, or because the lights were out of sync. I told him that I had witnessed this when I got off, asking him to please be careful. I also let the revenue inspector who was on board know. It happens often, so if you are on a bus that burns a red, please let the driver know you saw what happened. (I did not have enough information to let the bus company know.)

There is a problem with the fetishisation of minorities in large parts of the (mainstream) media. Reading Twitter and Huffington Post etc, it is hard to avoid the breathlessness with which writers gush over anyone who is not a male Caucasian. It's boring and ineffective and it drives home divisions, ultimately, because it pushes identity/individualism over community (despite what they think they are trying to achieve). The "strong, gay woman" or "fierce, disabled Muslim" or "glad-to-be-mad Cornishman" thing is tiresome, hackneyed and (self) indulgent. I tick a few boxes but am fed up with hearing the cringe-making lionising praise of a certain "varietal" of human being every time I open a newspaper/social media. As Maya Angelou wrote, we're more or less the same.

Bridal

Booze

I went in the other day, on a whim, having seen that the "monologue" barber wasn't there. But he was, and stepped out from behind the internal door just as I was being shown where to sit by another. His chat was not sweary, not offensive or even that dull, but on the loud side and with plenty of asides to the others. A mum and child were dealt with kindly and warmly and the cut was 7/10 but when I paid and didn't tip the chat was dispensed with immediately and I didn't even get a goodbye or thank you. It's a good looking shop that has helped revive that parade so I hope it won't go but I can see why it may need a, ahem, "more customer-focused attitude".

Go for an early breakfast (with cocktails) at Russ and Daughter's, a great, Jewish deli/diner. It gets busy, so book or turn up twenty minutes or so before opening. (The fizzy seltzer water is free, BTW.) http://www.russanddaughterscafe.com/ Definitely walk over Brooklyn Bridge and treat yourself to a Shake Shack burger on the Brooklyn side. The High Line has been written about a lot but it is worth a visit. Start at the midtown end and walk back to end up at the Meatpacking District where you can find the Whitney museum of US art (and lots of boutiques and restaurants). Posh and good is Rive Cafe, again near to the Brooklyn end of the bridge and right next to a water taxi pier (and to a Metro station - York St). http://therivercafe.com/ Walk a lot, get a Metro card with added value so you can hop onto the Subway trains and/or buses and generally soak it all up. A pre-booked ferry ride to Liberty adn Ellis Island is worth doing, especially the latter.

TfL Bus Alerts TfL Bus Alerts‏ @TfLBusAlerts We've increased the frequency of route 363. On Sundays and weekday/weekend evenings buses will run every 12minute https://twitter.com/TfLBusAlerts/status/797861593791037444 - 363 increased frequency at the weekend

sitting opposite a woman on the bus and she proceeded to take a very large corn on the cob out of her bag and gnash her way through it from end to end, without a care in the world, dropping bits all over herself and the bus floor. I watched in amazement longing for my supper. People who see such behaviour and do 0 about it.

Speaking of footpaths - how about an update on the cracked and ponding pavements along LL? There are plenty of them, especially on stretch opposite the cinema, and not al of it is due to the reticence of business owners to fix the bits that belong to them: most of the ponding is in the public areas, where the flagstones have broken and/or been poorly installed.

It is good but I can see why it can be off-putting, even a tad intimidating, especially when it is dark. It is great on Bonfire Night/NYE and during the dog days of summer, and when you just want to get away from it all, but there is room for improvement so long as it is not sanitised.

People are very good at discounting what they don't want to acknowledge or accept, so it is possible, even likely, that voters were willing to suspend their disbelief at his more egregious beliefs and policies, thereby allowing themselves to vote for him. Just heard an articulate, sane, 30-something mum in Virginia who works as an estage agent, saying she is perfectly capable of making up her mind and saying she voted for him because the US needs to be better run, like a business, by a non-career politician. Then again, I also just that the KKK is holding some kind of vitory rally......

People could always walk more. It's cheap, easy and you are always in control. I applaud the move towards leccy vehicles, but congestion - even "clean" congestion - is a pain. Really, just walk more - and encourage your kids to do it as well!

A radio on in the background is OK, but a big screen (as are appearing in some curry houses and barbers) are naff. The lovely restaurant near to W Dulwich station was spoiled by its big screen. I asked for it to be turned off (there were a handful of other diners, all equally irritate if the encouraging looks I got means anything) and then never went back. You can tune out the wireless, more or less, but it is very hard to unwire your lizard brain so as it doesn't react to bright, moving things just above your eye level.

A similar sized wall on Goodrich wall came crashing down with considerable force a few months ago. Had someone been next to it they would have likely been injured.

Tears

Does anyone know if the station building will be renovated as part of this development? Yes, let's hope it is done with as much style, safety and commuter-friendliness in mind as Denmark Hill.

Psycho Killer - Talking Heads Sunglasses After Dark - The Cramps (and lots of other stuff by them) Thriller - M Jackson Planet Claire - The B-52's (not particularly ghost/monster related, but taps into that early '60s "Twilight Zone" sound and mood)

Rummage in the drawers to see if there is any address there then report them! It works.

Remember that with the new "hopper" facility, you can get off one bus and get on another within an hour of first boarding so you won't be out of pocket. (I am hoping this hopper thing will mean less cramped buses at rush hour as it gives people more options.)