tiddles

thank you all - stocked up at health matters, + vitamin C and zinc. Keeping it at bay (we hope) The vinegar gargle is being wheeled out tomorrow depending on how she is feeling (she's not keen!!) fingers crossed and many thanks for all your suggestions. I am seriously considering having them whipped out now!

So eldest child is starting GCSE's next week, and can feel the onset of our old friend Tonsillitus. This is something that strikes her down badly two to three times a year, and of course, this spells disaster. Diet already has loads of fresh fruit and veg, so any ideas about anything that might keep this at bay for the next couple of weeks? All advice very gratefully received.

Reading this with interest. I don't live anywhere near this or have heard the poor dog. What I think someone should do is pop an anonymous note through the letterbox of the house where you think the dog lives. This may seem cowardly, but I approached a neighbour many years ago about their dog doing a similar thing. I was threatened with violence - very bizarre as she had appeared to be a rather nice lady. The owners could possibly be unaware of their dog making the noise and might appreciate a heads up and the situation (and dog's distress) resolved. But it could also avoid a nasty situation if they are not so nice - and get on to southwark noise if RSPCA are not interested. best of luck

Hi I second the slight repositioning of the recycling bins - I noticed these a few days ago, and at driver height, they certainly hinder one's view of traffic on LL

yes that would help - also in dulwich park.

After the parks/dogs consultation and a meeting with a representatives from the council, all the various proposals etc were discussed. The above bye law is the first I have seen (and that is after lots of too-ing and fro-ing by various interested parties - no one was able to produce anything which seems odd if the above was knocking about all the time). Other than the pond, children's play areas (adventure, small playground and picnic area) plus the japanese and wildlife garden plus strictly no dogs on the oval, no other areas were mentioned at all. That is why I found signs in the new areas bizarre. I had often had my dog off the lead near the wardens' office as we were leaving and the warden had never said a word - and he is not the sort of chap to let that go. That is the confusion - I had always thought I was doing the right thing (and from the meetings held it seemed I was) but then I find I'm not. What/when did it change?

yes, not against the existing dogs on lead areas at all - the ducks should be free to feel safe in their environments, ditto the kids play area and the japanese garden.

I noticed some new dogs on leads signs today in the park. There was a new one near the pond (just to make sure people are aware of the on lead area) also a new one for the sexby garden, but also one on the gate near the loos/park keepers office. Its a shame about the sexby garden as we always walk thro there, but it's no great hardship to be honest as you can unclip when thru, but the one by the loos almost suggests that once thro that gate, the whole park is on lead. Did I miss something - the last I heard was the assurances from the chap at the council was that nothing was going to be changed? I hope this does't descend into the whole love/hate dogs discussion, but I am intrigued as to what else is planned?

yes ours stays up all year. We have a ten footer with net and ladder. We have had it several years, and have easily managed to replace the pad, net and the odd springs which went walkies.

yes saw something forty five minutes later. Really hoping the person involved is ok.

I really despair at the moment with the ever moving goalposts and stresses on teachers. My children seem to have secondary school teachers who work most saturdays, most days of the half term, and seem to be working most of the oncoming easter holidays. I get personal emails and phone calls up to nine o'clock at night. Great for me, Cannot help thinking this is not a good thing for teachers. Burn out anyone???? ps - I'm sorry, but I don;t care if children in china and south korea are a couple of years ahead of my children in maths. We are a creative culture, and if you examine the teaching regimes, I would prefer my children to have a life.

Damn - we are just out of the area for the Gardens. Ok who else is worth changing to from DMC?

the dry cleaners on the forest hill road (near the post office and si mangia) did my kingsize duvet for ?9. they did have a mid week offer on so might be worth checking out if that is still the case? I'm pretty sure it was washed and dried rather than dry cleaned

007 handy man were good for us. Perhaps you could get them to remove the plug on the electricals that he is obsessed with and give him a kick up the you know what http://www.007handyman.co.uk sorry, perhaps a little harsh?.

given that these camper vans are often a target for thieves, I can sympathise with the owner wanting to keep them within sight.

that sounds awful! can't the GP take the blood? best of luck

excellent advice born-again!

yes me too!

ikea?

second pete bennison - absolutely brilliant and has saved two of my friends an awful lot of money when someone else told them they needed a new boiler. (they didn't and he fixed it)

Have you contacted the london aquarium management? also get on to london evening standard/metro. This really should not be let go. i feel very angry about this = complete balls up by those paid to keep these attractions a safe place to visit.

I cannot believe the police let a group go simply due to language difficulties? with a child not theirs? A simple chat with the two year old would have ascertained why he was with them and not his parents. This is bonkers

Yes that sign is confusing as it is right by the area we are told to exercise our dogs off lead. I have been told by the cafe people (who liase with the grounds people) that dogs should be on leads within the tarmac'd path, but are free to be off lead on the tarmac path and outside of that. I might be misreading your opening post (so apologies if so) but were you actually attacked or did the dog just run near you? No it is not at all unreasonable to be able to walk about without being savaged by a dog - in which case you should contact the park authorities straight away (and police if necessary)

get the non emergency police round.

hopefully an larger nina christie!! I love her stuff