The Nappy Lady

Totally agree re the little kids playground at Peckham Rye, it's been as is for a long time and really just doesn't have enough equipment in it to keep children entertained for long. Would love to see some extra (and innovative?) equipment. Re the area by the 1 o'clock club. It depresses every time I see it. I was one of the drivers to get a 'water play' feature into our park (ha!!), and applied and got Cleaner Greener Safer money to get either refurbish the old paddling pool, or fill it in so we could have some kind of new water play feature. What we ended up with, after so many years of discussion and wrangling that I gave up being involved, is NOT what I had in mind at all. It really, really upsets me so much. So, generally I try not to think about it too much. So sorry I failed you all in getting a better, and truly fun water play feature for the summer like they have at so many other parks. :-(

Our plans are in with Southwark now - eeek! Hopefully kitchen side return will start this Autumn so cross your fingers for me guys! I've only been dreaming about it for 15 long years!

And then there is Lorenzo Ali of course...... http://www.lorenzophotography.co.uk I know many of us know and love him on here, but for those who haven't come across him yet, he is fabulous.

Ivydale says it will be open on their website - fingers crossed!

Thank you for asking Renata. I can understand the problem, as frustrating as it is. Re what others are saying about the bus stop on the left as you come from East Dulwich to go straight over towards Nunhead. I agree this is a real problem. It used to be further back and I remember when they moved it forwards towards the lights. It always causes problems as you either get stuck behind the bus when it stops, or if turning right you get stuck behind all the cars that are going straight on, but are forced out into the RH land to go around the bus. PLEASE can you do anything to get the bus stop put back to where it used to be - sort of opposite the Tesco Metro for instance. Thanks,

the-e-dealer, What I suggested was using the corner of the common that is right next to the junction - the concreted bit where the recycling bins used to be - to expand the junction and make it a roundabout with maybe lights too (a bit like they have where you come off motorways for instance. As far as I can see that bit of the common isn't of any benefit to anyone, and would make a huge difference. I would never, ever, suggest traffic being allowed to run through the park. Anyway - it's a bit of a pointless discussion as it isn't going to happen. Wish there was a right turn filter so that as you come down Forest Hill Road you could turn right towards Nunhead. Instead you are forced to go straight over, then get snarled up in the Peckham Traffic to come back on yourself. It is not feasible to do that, so instead when driving I go up Forest Hill Rd and around Colyton Road. Hey ho, if I stay on my bike (as I should anyway) it isn't an issue and I can just whizz through the park (that doesn't count as traffic right?!).

8 Weeks, and all this disruption, and the sensible answer (to put a roundabout in, with lights if need be) is still not happening. This could so easily be done if a tiny bit of the corner of the park was stolen. Also re the junction being so busy that they can't do the work faster - why don't they do the work at night / during the early hours of the morning as they do on Motorways, in order to get it done faster. I live in Nunhead and work on Barry Road, so (on the days I drive rather than cycle or walk) I am now forced to go around the back, through Colyton Road, then around the back through East Dulwich residential roads in order to get to work. How crazy is that? I truly despair of this country. A few workman could pull their finger out and do this fast, but rather than put themselves out they are happy to inconvenience hundreds (if not thousands) of us for 8 weeks or more. Causing untold stress, additional pollution whilst cars are sitting there in a traffic jam etc. etc. It really depresses me.

KingsburyED You are my saviour! I will PM you. Molly

If you are a tweeter you can follow "MSP in the sky" the met police copter - they do often say what they are doing (they were tracking Santa yesterday. ;-)

Hope everyone has had a lovely day & not too early a start!

My 4 year old is bouncing off the walls, 8 year old fairly calm, DH recovering from man flu & I'm frankly exhausted (but only wrapping left to do so will recover). Wondering how the rest of you are faring?

I chickened out - tonight's the night!!

Hmmm yes I see your point, but then it would be impossible for parents to get their children to school in the morning - you can't be in 2 places at once. I would like to think the majority don't play the system in this way, but of course a few always will.

Waaaah no...that's the Barbie sized one. Thank you so much for trying though. Going to perform 'surgery' this morning!!

Isn't Sudafed 6 plus now? Most of the 'decent' meds have been reclassified.

MGolden - REALLY? I only found the Barbie size ones the one I need is Polly pocket sized. Please post link!!

I'm relieved for the many parents I know who were worried they wouldn't get a place this September, but wondering how they are going to fit everyone in - we shall soon see I guess! It is Bizarre - my youngest is in nursery with so many children she has known from birth via siblings & the children's centre. Lovely for her mind you! One lovely thing about intake based on distance is the really strong sense of community it builds, and friendships amongst both children & parents. We are lucky.

Hi Minder, Actually, unbeknown to me my 4 year old got taken there by her Godmother this afternoon. She said they almost had the place to themselves, it was well organised & ran to time & my daughter Really enjoyed it. The gingerbread man is cute & they got lovely photos of her with Santa (who was Very good apparently). The toy she got was pretty rubbish, a small & very plasticky doll. I'd have preferred a book - especially Given the entrance fee, but other than that it sounds pretty good. However, I still think they are charging too much for it - sorry! For a typical family of 4 it is just Too expensive. As a special treat by a fairy godmother it was wonderful. :-(( Molly

I think you get stung for import duty though fufton. When I bought something before I certainly was so I don't want to risk it again. Thanks anyway.

RIP(off) Dulwich Santa Experience. What a shame - It could have been so good & affordable @ still made them money. Instead it's a Lose lose situation. :-(((

Hi Michele, We've tried gluing the leg on but it falls off. I may try the arm as less strain on it I think, but suspect it will still be a problem. Great minds think alike though!

Ha - best title for a thread in the family room ever???? OK - so my 4 year old has this Beauty and the Beast Playset - sort of Polly Pocket sized, with a prince who 'transforms into a beast' by putting a different head & body over the top of him. The problem is that 1 of the princes legs has broken off and the other day she said "I don't want to have a 1 legged prince Mummy" which made my heart ache. So I thought, here is a good thing for Santa to put in her stocking & went on Ebay and thought I was so clever to manage to buy a second hand set of the same toy, with a new prince in it. Except in my rush I didn't read the description properly...and the new prince only has 1 arm. ARRGGGHHHH. I am a Mummy failure. It's official. It seems you can only buy these playsets new in America, and P&P is insane from there. I don't suppose anyone, magically has one of these Princes hanging around that they no longer want? Ideally one with all his limbs intact? It's a long shot...but hey, I'm a desperate woman. Don't we all want a Prince? She did tell me the other day that one day she was going to marry a beast. I do hope not! Yours, desperately.

Ha!! These days we get together with a load of neighbours/other parents at one of the houses, put the kids to bed like puppies all piled up in a room, and then party on dudes. Eat, drink, see in the new year, congratulate ourselves on how we are still young and funky and can stay up really late (4am last year, I was soooo proud of myself)!! Then on New Years Day ensure all friends and neighbours return ASAP to collect their off spring, or if all else fails take them round to their house themselves. Then allow own children the rare joy of an entire day of CBBC or films etc. whilst you quietly die on the settee!!! Actually, our 2 are now 4 and 8 so the sleepover tends to work out really well, with children playing together fine the next morning (and sticking to the strict instructions NOT to wake us up unless someone is actually in grave danger). Then friends and parents tend to take ours back with theirs for a play date in the afternoon (or vice versa), so each of us gets half a day with kids and half a day without to recover. It gets easier guys...just make sure you have lots of local parent pals!! When they were under 2 we just went to bed at 10am, the got up early on New Years Day for a walk and felt very smug about being part of that very rare breed of people who felt fab and didn't have a hangover! Molly xx

Hi Straws, You poor thing, I really hope you manage to find a solution that works for all of you. Just a thought - have you considered using a childminder rather than nursery full stop? You may find a childminder who is happy with a 7.30am start, and I know a few who are a little bit more flexible about drop off and pick up times - even if not every day, maybe 3 early mornings out of 5 or something? I know it is hard to think of moving baby Straws when nursery is working well, but I've always used a childminder and been 110% happy with it. Best wishes, Molly

Thanks - I thought this might be the case, it's just the thought of the endless "please hold and listen to crap music" that I will need to endure. Worth it though in these tough times!