Babbelina

I'd like to leave a recommendation for Victor Mullen of 007 Handyman (http://www.007handyman.co.uk/3.html) who has just built us an amazing shed in the front yard for bike and bin storage. (Happy to share pics if required but Victor also has some). Victor is a really nice guy, very responsive on the phone and really listened to what we wanted and made the shed to the exact spec we required. He also went above and beyond the call of duty on multiple occasions: delivering our keys to us one evening when we were locked out of the house (!), sending me lists and recommendations for bike anchors, plants to grow on the shed and so on. I would recommend Victor and his family team without hesitation if you have any jobs that need doing - I will definitely be a repeat customer.

I would like to recommend Gary Vu, who came out at very short notice on Sunday morning to fix a broken plug socket for us. Gary replied to me text and was at our house within an hour of me texting him - also very reasonable price for the job. Thanks Gary! 07872 178044

Hi I'm looking for recommendations for someone who could replace our old and slightly broken bin shed at the front of the house - but also bespoke it slightly so that we could also fit a few bikes in there. Can anyone give any recommendations for someone who can advise / build this sort of thing please? Thanks!

Just leaving a very strong recommendation here for Kenny, who just painted our kitchen while we were away and also resealed our bathroom. The house was immaculate when I came back (which is a first, in my experience of painters and decorators), he did a fantastic job and he is also a very nice person. He also sent me afterpics by text as I was away on holiday. On top of all this he charged an unbelievably reasonable price for the work he did. His number: 07857022926

Hi I'm looking for honest views on nurseries close (ish) to Peckham Rye. My 2 y.o. currently attends day nursery at my work in town but we are both finding the commute a bit much. I am thinking of moving him somewhere local but would like to hear thoughts on Le Nid (they have availability), Destiny or Camberwell Grove nursery, if anyone has their little ones there. Quite reluctant to move him as his nursery is ofsted outstanding but, more importantly, the staff are so well looked after, the turn over is really low - and they do genuinely seem to adore the kids. So I am not as concerned with the Ofsted per se but more would like to get a feel for whether the staff seem to be happy and enjoy being with the children, and whether the children are happy. I don't want to move him more than once if I can help it. Any recommndations or thoughts for any nurseries gratefully received! I've asked the Villa and Little Jungle - don't think there is much hope getting into either of those two. Thank you!

Thank you for clarifying your position. Would have been helpful to know it when we booked the taxi but hey ho.

I accept they have a fair limit on waiting policy. What I am suggesting is that (1) they advise the customer of this at the time of booking and (2) check if you want them to arrive on the dot of when the flight lands. It is worth pointing out i have not had this issue with them before as normally the driver arrives ~30-40 mins after you land. In fact we have often had to wait for the driver. Having spoken to the driver on this occasion, it appears he was dispatched and told to "drive slowly" (as they presumably knew we wouldn't be out) but he arrived in 50 mins (light Easter traffic I guess) and so he arrived as we landed. Then we got charged for excessive waiting time.

1. It was prepaid in advance. 2. You do pay for some waiting time as part of the pick up. (That's why pick up costs more than drop off). my point is that the customer should be made aware at the time of booking that the 45 min wait starts at the second the plane lands (no one can possibly get out of LHR in under 15 minutes, even without luggage). Had I known that the driver would arrive on the dot of the landing, I would have asked him to arrive 30-45 mins later.

I don't agree. You give them the expected arrival time of the flight rather than a desired pick up so they can track it, see if it is on time or delayed. I appreciate that they can't wait around indefinitely without compensation but if they are going to start the clock ticking at the exact minute the flight lands then I think a warning to the customer at the time of booking to that effect would be helpful. I'm not sure if I have *ever* got through LHR in 45 minutes.

I have used this company for airport transfers for many years. Generally I think they are very reliable etc. However today I feel we have been treated really unfairly. I booked a taxi to pick us up from a flight (from NZ) that was landing at 1540 at Heathrow. The minute we landed I got a call from the driver saying he had arrived already. by the time we got through the usual debacle of passport control, bag collection etc it was about 1630. We then got a call from Dulwich Cars telling us that because we exceeded a 45 minute wait time, we have to pay an extra ?10 for the extra half hour. I disputed the fairness of the policy with the lady I spoke to - she said that if you don't want them to arrive exactly when your flight lands (when the clock starts ticking) you have to specify that in your booking. I would have thought it is bloody obvious that most people are going to take at least 45 minutes to get off the plane when travelling with bags and children (which they knew). Anyway , ?10 isn't a lot of money but it is more the principle than anything. I won't use them again - customer loyalty doesn't mean anything to them and there are plenty of other companies out there.

Wow thanks for that. That's really helpful! I had no idea there was a bike train - that definitely sounds bike a good place to start once I'm up and running with the bike and seat. I'll pm you Sally if that's ok nearer the time. Rendelharris thank you very much for the offer of a guide; I might take you up on it as well. Thanks guys :)

Hi all I was hoping anyone who cycles from Peckham or ED could recommend a good (quiet) route from SE15 to Bloomsbury (Bedford Way) that avoids horrendous roads. I'm going to be commuting with my 18 month old in tow. My husband thinks Blackfriars Bridge will be less stressful than Waterloo Bridge. Anyone have any experience or routes they could share? I would be very grateful! Thanks

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Regarding the comments about Chanel and Primark - I would expect to receive good customer service at either. The amount you are spending should be irrelevant. I suppose you could make the argument that since Chanel stand to net a bigger was of cash from you they should be even more solicitous - but Lordship Lane Carpets certainly doesn't adhere to that maxim.

The service I received today in Lordship Lanes carpets was absolutely awful. It is possibly the most pretentious place in all of East Dulwich. The shop worker could not be bothered to leave his office to come and help me with their stock (even after I asked for help). Couldn't see prices anywhere (usually a bad sign). Told the man our budget and he said to me 'this is dulwich. You're not our target market'. Had FAR better service from EJ carpets and also from CarpetRight. Even if I had seen carpet I liked there the service would put me off buying from this place. To quote another thread - how does this place stay in business?