Alijones

I fully agree with all the posts about Rick. Turned up on the bus, with bright white shoes on, asked me to borrow my tools and his mate even offered to look around my house for tools! I felt very uncomfortable with him in my house and he didn't fix the problem. I used a trusted builder site instead and found a superb honest experienced plumber. I vowed never to use any recommendations off edf again, as I has used an electrician off here, I think his name was Mike, who did a shoddy job, disappeared claiming his van had broken down etc. The moral is to ask friends on your street or at work and never trust edf!

Hi I would recommend getting straight out of Reykjavik (possibly look around for a few hours) and stay in a different hotel around the SW/S of Iceland stopping off to see the sights on route, this way you will get to see more of the spectacular features there. most travel companies recommend this. Every local village has a geothermal pool so you will have plenty of opportunities for hot tubs etc wherever you go. I would try to get as far East as Jokulsarlon , a beautiful lake with icebergs floating in it (check the boat tours run though with it still being winter). I've been four times so am biased , but it's the physical geography of Iceland you should try and see! Have a brilliant time!

Hi I wanted to ask on the family room as thought I'd get a representative response from some other mums! When an electrician or plumber comes to do a small job (a few hours work/1 day) is is normal for them to ask for cash to go and get the parts then take ages to go to the merchants, when there are clearly loads between ED and Crofton Park. This has happened with two recommended trades from the forum and it makes me feel uncomfortable. A recommended electrician spun me several lines about his van breaking down, lost credit card etc. Would value any advice, thank you Ali

Hi We have a leaking lead pipe in upstairs bathroom and I need an emergency plumber to look at it and do some major problem solving as well as do a fix. It leaked about a month ago and the plumber put a join in it, but we were not sure about the job he did and it has literally just burst so we have the mains turned off outside the house. I am wondering if an experienced plumber who knows how the 1930s ED/HOP semis were originally plumbed would know how we can solve the problem for good. Any honest recommendations greatfully received as I am very stressed! Thanks Ali

I'd also like to know about Therapia etc, as we are currently in the Fairlawn catchment area but would prefer to move down the road, but are holding off as we don't want to risk not getting a place at one of our favourite schools this time next year!

I recommend fitness for Mummies in the honor oak / brockley area, if that is not too far for you. Vicky, the trainer, does loads of different sorts of activities. I really miss her classes now I am back at work, but think it was one of the best things I did when I was on maternity leave. http://www.fitnessformummies.co.uk

My little man is two and my hair has been falling out consistently since he was born. My hairdresser suggested I might be anaemic over a year ago, but it was only after being shattered a couple of months ago I finally went to the Dr. A blood test confirmed I was badly anaemic so am on 3 x 200mg iron tablets a day and feel so much better already. Definitely go to the Dr so you can check things tested :-).

Hi does anyone have any other recommendations as back to wood, plus the floor and sander hire place that has also been recommended, are booked up for many months and I'd like to try and get them done in the next month. Thank you!

Thanks for the trustworthy recommendations on the site. I've just had nunhead aerials round. Quick to quote yesterday and came round today to put in two new aerials into our dining room and bedroom. Arrived on time and did a very neat job, all the cables have been attached to the outside wall tidily and he borrowed the Hoover to Hoover up the dust. would definitely recommend.

I'd also like to give a positive view of Oak Tree. In my view the children get very well looked after, lots of cuddles etc. My son is in the baby room so that's the only experience I have and his key worker is such a thoughtful kind girl.

My tip for a nursery would be to register with 5 or 6, then nearer the time bombard them with reminders. I was told none had space and long waiting lists but then 3 were chasing me once my baby had already started at my favourite one. Keep emailing or calling them from 6 months before you want the place and you will probably be offered a place 3 months before you go back to work. Good luck!

My baby has been at Oak Tree on Boveney Rd for month and loves it. I had looked around 6 nurseries in Honor Oak/ Forest Hill and Oak Tree gave the most friendly and genuine tour so i am so glad he is there. The key workers are always smiling and seem to love being around children and the owner is around a lot to keep an eye on how things are going. I had a nice chat with her last week and I really like her hands on approach. A couple of other nurseries seemed nice, eg Rubadubs near FH station, but I didn't get a good feeling from Pitta Patta as the carers seemed disinterested in the children and it didn't seem very homely. It was also a lot more expensive than the others. Good luck!

Hi Try the Forest Hill NCT website. You don't have to be a member and its only ?10 to share cost of the room. The trainer is from the London Ambulance service and is great. Highly recommended!