Bellenden Belle

One of the things I found quite interesting about this was that actually the picture on the front of the Metro of Olivia Chessel was of a beautifully presented woman - a tweed skirt, very conservative blouse and a string of pearls around her neck. Quite frankly she looked as if she had stepped out of a Noel Coward play. When I saw the picture inside - which are the ones Mark has linked to she looked typically grungy - the absolute stereotype of a protester. I have no idea which image is Olivia's preference - maybe she does both looks(!) but dressing for middle England while standing on the roof of the House of Commons was a stroke of marketing genius - far more difficult to dismiss as simply another crusty.

Jah, I've got a cyst in me eye (better than a poke in the eye). We can compare ointments! (now theres an offer you don't hear often). But if you really can't then we shall have to wait til March. Actually - you're not in hiding all day tomorrow are you? It being the 29th Feb and all...

What time does the Upland stay open til? Anyone know?

Thanks for the clarification Seanmlow (you little litterbug.... just to keep on thread)

gerry Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Trinity, you didn't have to say it.....you wrote > it. Trinity was expressing her opinion. You were interpreting it. Some might suggest that you were being quite judgemental - calling someone saintly on the basis of what they wrote. They would make that conclusion based not on what you said, but on what you wrote. Quite ironic, huh? Correct me if I'm wrong here - but aren't you a counsellor? A counsellor who has offered her services on these boards? I'm not saying anything here... I'll let you draw your own conclusions.

Lived in London nearly all my life. Only attempted mugging took place in the quiet old suburb of Southgate. Have a wide circle of friends in East Dulwich and Camberwell - no reported muggings.

I shall be there, hopefully with Mr. BB at about 9.30pm. Looking forward to it!

What was so irritating is a bunch of > blokes were accross the road chain smoking and > slinging their butts - I guess the little weazle > was too scared of them! The old English student came out in me when I read that. "A bunch of blokes"... "chain smoking" ... not just placing their butt-ends on the ground but "slinging" them! Bloody hell - they were horrible louts littering our streets, weren't they? Not like you - you were smoking a cigar, waiting for your sister - terribly respectable, very reasonable. Fact is you broke the rules and you paid the price literally. I don't like littering. Full stop. It's the behaviour we are talking about here. Not you, not the blokes across the street. And it was the behaviour that warranted the fine. You know, I used to smoke, and I used to drop cigarette butts everywhere. And then once in Richmond this incredibly posh woman said in a really really loud voice "You dirty girl" as my cigarette butt hit the floor. I was embarrassed, angry and slightly ashamed. But I learnt my lesson. ps. I wouldn't actually advise people to use the phrase "you dirty girl" to strangers in public - there are perhaps more appropriate ways to address the problem. Perhaps like a ?75 fine.

Okay - hands up - who gave me a cold? I am cross. I don't do cross so that makes me crosser. I just don't have time for a cold; I've got things to do, people to see, books to read, forum gatherings to attend. Ooooooh, just wait til I find the culprit.

An excellent response Macroban but surely one must first determine the writer's intention? A cafeteria conjures up very different images and emotional reponses in a reader than a caf?. Cafeteria - slop waiting to be doled out on some poor sod's plate, followed by chocolate custard (congealed)and sponge puddings. Caf? - a place to relax, indulge, converse, peruse papers, eat fine food, served by charming staff.... And to keep on thread, Petitou can only ever be a caf?. But I don't want a chain of them thank you - its individual character is what counts.

I always wanted to live in the Bellenden area - but hubby wasn't keen. I suspected that despite being "a working class hero", hubby had bourgeois tendencies. We gave up househunting in Peckham Rye. One day I took him to Petitou. We sat under a tree surrounded by beautiful children wearing Boden gear. The sun shone down on the lovely townhouses that line Choumert Grove. The food was delicious; the coffee great. Hubby's shoulders relaxed; a happy sigh. And there he was. Sold. We found our house three months later. It must be said we now go; get irritated waiting for a seat; flinch at the screaming children; wait forever for our rather expensive food; and moan about how pretentious it all is ....but the irony is not lost on me and I will always have a fondness for the place.

Jamma Wrote: > It breaks my heart to see firms like them move to > Dulwich, they must know there's a market for their > evil. In the beginning I thought I was in control - a birthday present here( coasters... oh yes coasters no less) a small item of clothing there (a skirt with decorative buttoms - yes I should have seen the danger). But I thought I could handle it. Oh they were clever, yes ... I'd walk past and see lights in the window and things I liked and before I knew it I'd be inside, my heart beating, my temperature slightly raised as I picked up a silk photo album. OH yes I said it was a present for a friend - I made my excuses - but we all know what's going on here don't we....It's the way they get the young that really gets to me - I'm not sure if I'm ready to reveal this but I'm going to try - I've seen booties, books and a tambourine, I mean the horror, the horror! We must do something about this while we still can...

Ooooh I had a wonderful day! Woke up and tidied house. Made porridge with strawberries and mixed seeds - lots of brownie points as my breakfast for the last three weeks has been a pain au chocolat in Victoria Station Had a fantastic chat with someone which really sorted some big issues out in my head Finally stopped procrastinating and did half of my course homework (god I feel like I'm at school again). Giving myself a big gold star today!

> The Maudsley; their patients aren't a 'danger' are > they? .....sorry to sound Victorian! No Madworld - people with mental health issues are not normally a "danger". In fact statistics show people with mental ill health are far more likely to be the victims of crime than the perpetuators. And those at the Maudsley are the ones actually being treated - it's the ones who sit at home, frightened of the tag of being "mad", becoming more and more socially isolated that are cause for concern. The mental health charity I work with sometimes does gigs south of the river - I'll post when the next one is on - and please don't take this post as anything other than an answer to your question -I'm glad you asked, as I bet loads of people wonder the same.

Hi Eileen, Do you have any further info on this? Did notices go up - I must have missed them. Do you know what's proposed? Many thanks BB

Sunday post collections Definitely not I'm afraid - all Sunday collections ceased October last year.

What a load of bollards! This is a continuous hobby horse of yours Macroban. It has been debated before - subsidy went to se15 because it was an area in need; personally I think there are far greater areas in need than SE22.

I too can find nothing to back this up - and hope to God that it is an early April Fool's day. It is so much more pleasant in pubs nowadays. And let's not forget that the smoking ban is also there to protect employees who might not have the luxury of choosing where they work, and should have the right to earn money without damaging their health.

Buying a book entitled Drive and Stroll in Berkshire ...and feeling ridiculously exicted about actually doing just that!

Hi Rachel4 - I've been living in Maxted for just over a year now - and I absolutely love it. It really feels like a neighbourhood - just spend a Saturday morning on Bellenden Road and I think you will get a feel for the place - people say hello - shop owners make a real effort - including the lovely "working all hours that God sends" owners of the newsagents on Maxted Road itself. It is a hop skip and a jump to Lordship Lane. But it has a really nice relaxed atmosphere, in comparison (IMHO) But I absolutely agree with Ted Max - there is a very scary "developed" house nearer the top end of the road - an estate agent once gave me the lowdown on the results of a structural survey ....beware!

Saw The Savages last night - really recommend it - very dark; very funny; but also very truthful. It did leave me feeling a little emotionally fraught - but I kinda like my drama like that.

I think they are absolutely fabulous but strictly indoors only - it could look like something Naomi Campbell would wear while doing community service.

Darn - wish I'd made it - looks like everyone had a fabulous time, as always. Love the pictures Andrew - hee hee AnnaJ - I love the picture of you where it looks as if you are midst nursery rhyme - Here's the church, and here's the steeple, Open the door and see all the people. (tu)

Theresa May? She of the leopard kitten heels fame.... never quite saw the furore myself though. curiously if you google her (I was fact checking before posting) you find that there is a glamour model/ porn star of the name Teresa May.

Don't you forget about me - Simple Minds