njc97

As an alternative to nutcracker, they also have Sleeping Beauty in January http://www.eno.org/see-whats-on/productions/production-page.php?&itemid=2005 Last year they did "my first sleeping beauty" which looks to be the same production (it's the same cast in the photos) but was cut down to 90 minutes and with a narrator. Plus because it's sleeping beauty my son knew the plot. This time looks to be full "adult" version but I notice they've got an family show when Under 5s are welcome.

Where are our elected representatives? About half a dozen posts up? Why wasn't the tube extended to east dulwich? That's a very long question but it's not like they stopped just short to spite you.

My wife had hers in a room here: http://www.imperial-china.co.uk/ Compared to prices of proper karaoke bars, I believe it was reasonably cheap. Food is ok rather than spectacular as well.

DF - not sure it opened during the day anyway. The big wall was part of a recent refurbishment - not sure why they put it in rather than having it open like it was before.

When I came to London in 1997 there were few places other than students unions that charged less than ?2 for the cheapest pint. Churchs havent really changed in price (and they do last years) Starbucks havent really changed in price - were ?2ish for a latte in 2000. But dont forget 1990 was a looong time ago. Even at 3% inflation a year, you'd expect things to cost about twice as much.

TAD - because maybe the drivers do 30 mph in the 20 zones rather than 40 if they were 30 limits? Eddie - the stats there are rubbish. Even if the number of roads that had 30 mph and 20 mph limits had stayed the same, you might expect 20 mph roads to have more accidents than 30 mph roads (as dangerous roads are more likely to be re-classified by councils).

We had a similar period to lochies (maybe week and a half) but had to pay. You're using up a place. Plus this isnt excess profit the nursery are taking - if they didnt charge, they'd have to put up other fees to make up the difference and overall you wouldnt be impacted.

dbboy - perfect explanation. Except Di never met James Hewitt until after Harry was born. And Harry looks just like his mum and you can also see Charles in him.

Looks like the council already know about their hygiene levels: http://www.scoresonthedoors.org.uk/business/na-pura-nunhead-green-177709.html Shame, because their food is really good.

DJW - if you're close to Nunhead green then you get all the food shops you need (butchers, bakers, greengrocers, delis etc). Old Nuns Head pub was taken over a few years back and is now good, does good food, does a mummies' morning etc. Similarly there's a mums and babies session at Nunhead library once a week. Ivydale road is also walking distance to Crofton Park and the bars there. There are various toddler activities at Honor Oak Community Centre (eg baby gym). And you walking distance from Telegraph hill park, with chidlrens centre. And Skehans pub in the evenings....

Just repeating what people have already said: Lots of good food shops: Sopers fishmongers, Ayers bakers, Bambuni deli, greengrocers and Smiths butchers all by Nunhead green, plus Frog on the Green (John there is a really good cook) and Dish and Spoon delis. Pubs: Nuns Head is good, as is Skehans (especially the Thai food) and the Telegraph (last couple on Telegraph hill rather than Nunhead). Dry Cleaners/shoe repairers etc - the place by Nunhead station is excellent Tops are ok but I prefer Smokey Jerkey over in New Cross. Chinese - havent found anywhere near that great but Hong Kong diner up on Old Kent Road is fantastic. Indian - 2 sisters. Mmm.

KK - you're fine for now. When the major rebuilding works begin at LB, the Charing X trains will cease stopping there are go straight through instead.

Hmm, I thought soft play was scheduled to open again in September. I thought it was stupid to do it over the summer but I guess (maybe) that maybe demand drops off as people are away and toddlers with older siblings have to go off and do something else?

As per Applespider, Eton Manor gate is the nearest but not sure how close that is to tube/train. We went via West Ham, which is a good 15 minutes from tube to olympic park and then about 25 minutes from there to riverside (depending on how quick you walk). Stratford is much shorter from tube/train to park, but then has longer security queues. I'd reckon it's nearer 15 minutes from gate to arena if you walk quickly, 30 minutes if you take a leisurly stroll, stop to pick up a drink etc.

Bic basher - minor point, but on the other forum you say the ELL stock will be 4 car trains. I think they'll be 3 car, in line with rest of ELL (since some of the old stations are too small for 4). While I think the ELL will be a net improvement for people at Denmark Hill/Peckham Rye, it's also a bit disengenious to suggest that the change to district line at Whitechapel is a good replacement for changing at Victoria - if you're heading west that's a much longer journey.

David A - the ELL will also be convenient for getting to the East City (via Shoreditch HS), central London (changing at Canada Water). South London line goes nowhere near the West End - you have to change. And the timetable has been designed so that getting to Victoria doesnt take much longer (albeit with a change).

Dulwich fox - pubs coped with restricted opening hours because property prices were much lower, people could smoke in pubs etc etc. And they also did shit food, banned women from the bar, had leaking toilets and if a non-local turned up, the music stopped, everyone stared and it was made clear they weren't welcome. Wasn't that all great?

We did this at weekend. We parked our pram in the doorway. I reckon we'd have taken up most of the luggage rack if we'd tried to fold it. Only other "advice" is that the overhead luggage space is really cramped - none of our bags fitted in, so we had to put them in the luggage rack. Not a problem on a relatively sparsely populated train, might be a pain on a busy one.

My son has the best with polystyrene inserts. Less restricting than arm bands and "safer" in that when he's got it on you don't need to worry about him going underwater, while with armbands he still needed to swim to stay afloat (and so when he stopped, he sank....)

Our 3.5 year old used a spoon almost immediately. However he still insists on eating rice (and other things) with his fingers. Bit messy in a restaurant last weekend...

TE44 - sorry to got back to a point you made earlier, but this isn't an issue of giving people a right to choose. The problem is that an immunised child in a population with low levels of immunisation is more at risk that an un-immunised child in a mainly immunised population. Neilly - the trouble with your examples is (and sorry for the cliche) that the plural of anecdote is not data, and by relying on people who have made decisions based on anecdotal evidence, you risk making a damaging decision.

Renata - apologies for a threadjack, do you know if the Haberdashers Askes free primary has been confirmed?

Sorry one more bit of advice - Kasabian are rubbish. Definitely go and see ATDI on the NME stage instead.

In terms of parental advice - are they going with sensible friends? Are they mature enough to survive a weekend away (will they manage to feed themselves; can they cope with the crowds)? Have they got transport sorted? (it sounds like they have a coach included, that's a v good thing). In terms of teenager advice - there's likely good "1st timer guides" at efestivals and the like. My top tips are: 1) someone WILL break into your tent and steal everything. Dont take valuables if you can avoid it. 2) Don't camp too near or far from the toilets. 3) Festivals are a really bad place to experiment with drugs/alcohol. Overall, I wouldnt worry too much though. My first festival was at 17, supervising my 14 year old sister and friends who had won tickets. They loved it and didnt have any problems at all. I'm sure your son will be fine.

Sod itunes, install mediamonkey instead. Worked better than itunes when my wife's ipod had issues.