mrsbee

Just resurrecting this old thread as my 7 year old is keen on a science party. And was just wondering if Pickle and Gubodge did use Science Boffins and if so would you recommend them.

Another recommendation for Greg. He has just fitted some built-in alcove cupboards in our front room and are perfect - just what I was after. He spent a good bit of time working out exactly what I was after and what he could do and also was fine with some last minute changes from me. He was very reliable, turning up exactly when he said, tidied up after himself every day, trustworthy and all in all a nice bloke to have around. Vary happy with the price as well. I'm sure we will be using him again.

I just used a booster from Halfords that was ?10. It easily fitted in our hand luggage (with Ryanair) so I'm sure you would have no problem getting it in a case.

I highly recommend No Flies - they were great and even though they don't have an office and it is all internet based our flat sold in a week at asking price. When I was selling I didn't even consider that who I sold with would impact upon what we bought - in this market you need to register with all agents in the areas you are looking at and keep in touch with them regularly so they think of you when a property comes in.

I work 5 days a week so don't really know the local baby/ toddler activites. But think a meet up would be great as I haven't had chance to meet many other mums in the area. Once it has warmed up and the parks are less muddy....

I had forgotten that I started this post. It is lovely to see all of the great advice that I was given. As an update we moved here in October and are also near the Alexandra Rec so not far from where you are looking. Like you we found an amazing house with a big garden that we could afford but wasn't sure about the area. However I am so glad that we made the move as I do really like it here. There are a some good parks that can easily be walked to (a necessity with 3 young boys), the high street is good (I agree it's not the prettiest row of shops but there is a bakers, butchers/ fishmongers, stationers, book shop, Boots, Penge Food Centre and a couple of nice cafes) and up the road there is a big Sainsburys and a Toysrus. There is also the Dolphin and Golden Lion pubs. One thing Sydenham is missing are a couple of nice restuarants but Crystal Palace up the road you don't have far to go to find some. Transport is good with both Penge East to Victoria and Sydenham to London Bridge and Overground. Beckenham is also really close for cinema and more shops and Waitrose (and Gambados if you can bear it). Do ask if you want to know anything specifically.

This is a long shot but I was wondering if there is anyone whose child does Beginners swimming lessons at JAGS on Thursday at 4.45 would consider swapping to the same time on a Tuesday? I think they are the same teachers. I couldn't get both of mine in on the same day and am finding going twice a week logistically tricky. If you can help please do get in touch.

I highly recommend No Flies - we used them earlier this year and they were great. Even though they don't have a shop it didn't have any impact on selling as we sold ours within a week at asking price. And they were really good through the whole sales process. If you want any more information do PM me.

We have just moved into a new house and we have a large heavy sideboard that we would like to move to a different room. It needs to go down about 7 steps which is why we haven't managed it. Can anyone recommend someone (or probably two people) who could do this for us. Thanks Grainne

I had the same thing with my third pregnancy - started about 16 weeks. I used firm support tights from M&S or boots and just bought bigger sizes to go over the growing bump. I'm normally a medium and was fine with extra large by the end and I had a big bump!

Just wanted to give an update on No Flies. We have finally exchanged and although it has taken a while I have to say that the service from Brendan and Tony has been fantastic (something I never thought I would ever say that about an estate agent). The flat was sold in a week and since then Brendan has made the process easy. He dealt with the buyers, solicitors and theother estate agents at all stages. Always using his own initiative and coming up with solutions to any issues that arose. I wish I could say the same for the other estate agents we had to deal with. If you're thinking of selling I would highly recommend No Flies - don't let the fact that they are only internet based put you off, they are definitely more than a website. The service they provide is better than other agents I've dealt with and cheaper. Do PM me if you want to know anything else.

Try the Rodendale in West Dulwich. They have a lovely private room you can hire. There is also a garden for the children if they need to get out. We used it for a Sunday lunch to celebrate a Christening and it was perfect for a group with both adults and children. Also we brought some toys and colouring stuff and they set up a separate table to children to sit at.

I've used both a wrap sling (hugabub) and a manduca and love them both. The wrap for when they babies are really little and then the manduca once they get to six months and I've used it up until they are more than 2.

I did see the article in the Times - all very positive. We do like the area but (like you oimissus) we also lost out on the house we liked as well. So back to the drawing board for us as not much else on the market at the moment. Fingers crossed something comes up soon.

Oimissus - I have done some research into schools. What Townleygreen is saying about Alexandra schools is correct bascially you need to be living very close to the infant school in Kent House to get in. For the junior school all the infant school children get an automatic place and then if there are any free spaces it goes on distance to the junior school. I haven't looked at Adamsrill as the house we are looking at is a bit far awy from there but I did look at Hasletine which used to have a terrible reputation but is now in a federation with Fairlawn and Kilmorie and seems to be doing really well - just recently received an Outstanding Ofsted.