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.

I would like to recommend a new estate agent ? No Flies. They have recently set up in the area and I have just sold my flat with them. They are internet based so have no ?shop? to visit however this made no difference at all to the service they provided. The brochure was very professional and contained more information than the standard estate agent?s leaflet and the photos were great too. Communication was excellent throughout the whole process. Viewings were arranged at convenient times and plenty of notice was given (ideal with 3 small children). We had offers within a week and they went thought them all in details giving balanced advice. If you are thinking of selling I would highly recommend contacting them ? good value for money as well. Check out the website www.no-flies.co.uk If you have any questions feel free to PM me.

Thank you all of this information (from both the posts here and the lovely PMs I have received). We seem to be the in same situation as a few of you ? we are priced out of East Dulwich and have found and amazing house (that we can afford) in Sydenham. We?re off for another look around tomorrow and all going well we?ll hopefully put an offer in?. And if we do move there then it would be lovely to meet in the park/ for coffee at some stage.

I know this isn?t East Dulwich related but I have noticed that some forumites have moved to Sydenham so hoping you can help. We are looking to move and have found a lovely house near the high street but I?m unsure of the area ? only because I don?t really know it, as it was never on our radar. We?ve wandered around and although the high street isn?t up to much it has enough and I love the parks and the transport makes it a good option. But what is it really like? Schools seem good, given the information I have got off the internet but are there any to avoid? Or any blackspots where there are no school options? Any advice, recommendations would be gratefully received.

Another recommendation for Andy. He came round at short notice and did a professional job. Also very reasonable rates. Will definitely use him again.

We have three boys as well - 5,3 and 1. And yes it is hard work but I love it. After 2 I never really felt that our family was complete but it definitely is now. I really enjoyed baby number 3 - treasured those early days much more than with the first two. Probably because I knew it was last and partly because I felt more confident and more relaxed. It is possible to do lots of outings with 3 - we're out and about most weekends. And I haven't had to give my career up. I work 5 short days which allows me to leave to do the school pick up - so yes it is busy trying to juggle work and children but completely possible. I reckon if you're thinking about it then go for it - you won't regret it.

my sister has just come back from the sandbanks hotel - it is more than an hour away but she raved about it. Pool, children's entertainers, family rooms, just by the beach

sounds good - see you there

I'd also love to come - 7th is best for me.

I will be watching this thread with interest as I am in the same position currently on maternity leave and will have a 4 year old, 2 year old and 9 month old to entertain over the summer. I struggle to find things that will suit all three of them - we tend to spend a lot of time in the park or a soft play but would love some other ideas.

Vixster I had exactly the same predicament as you when I was looking for childcare for my first. Even though I had a place at a nursery for him I decided to use a childminder instead as I wanted to know exactly who was looking after my little one and I preferred him to be in a home environment with fewer children. There are disadvantages in that you are completely reliant on one person for childcare so if they are sick or on holiday then you have to take time off or find other childcare but I have been lucky in that my childminder has never been sick and lets me know her holiday dates at the beginning of the year so that I can plan appropriately. And if you find a childminder that you really get on with then it can work brilliantly - mine will change days, do extra days for me and cover school holidays (now he is at school)if she has the space. And she'll be looking after son number 3 once I go back in November. Also this is just an observation of mine babies seem to get sick more often in the first few months at a nursery than those at a childminder - maybe more children and more germs for them to pick up. I found her by asking round people at playgroups and other baby groups and she was recommended.