Applespider

Sadly not much... just as it's well nigh impossible to get much action taken on cars who jump red lights or sit in the ASL even though they have registrations. It is frustrating from my (a cyclist) viewpoint too; you almost start to feel like a freak when you sit and wait at a red light and others waltz merrily through. Consideration is the key word; if you do venture onto a pavement as a cyclist (and it should be a rare occurrence), you should be going slower than any pedestrian already on it and that doesn't mean being an inch from their legs and freaking them out while you try to get past. Just as none of us want a bus an inch from our rear wheel while we're climbing a hill, nor should a pedestrian have to put up with it. Equally though, on pavements where there is a cycle path marked (not the mixed use but non-marked paths), it would be good if pedestrians could be a little more aware of the green markings and try to avoid them. And the glancing round before stepping into the gutter to overtake another pedestrian would be appreciated too. It wasn't until I started cycling more that I become more aware of just how easy that is to do as a pedestrian - and how hard it can be to avoid as a cyclist.

Just had a phone call from a company doing research for Transport for London. I don't generally take part in telephone surveys but since I do use TFL a lot, I figured it might be worthwhile doing it. As it turns out, it was mainly about cycle usage in London; both of your own cycle, the CS and the Boris Bikes. Mostly questions about cycle routes, ASLs, parking and general confidence/feeling of safety. The guy asking the questions sounded a little like I was the first person who'd actually said yes to the majority of the questions about using a bike. Was very generic though; I do feel fairly safe on busy roads except for some very specific locations. I did credit Southwark's cycle training as being the primary reason for my cycling more in the hopes of saving it from any cuts!

If he's got a bike, has he thought about cycling it? It should take less than 30 minutes even if he doesn't push it. Many companies do have showers/bike storage these days and then it would be free. The other benefit is a more or less fixed time for the commute which isn't always the case with other public transport. If not, then a bus pass so he can take any route is probably cheapest.

A group of 14 of us went to Manchester a couple of years ago for a hen weekend. There were people travelling from Scotland, London and the West Country so we arranged trains to meet up together well in advance, got a hotel booked and asked them to put us all on the same corridor. We didn't go for the L plates and veils routine since it really wasn't the bride's thing but we did all have to have a boa which was kinda fun when it came to dancing later. We'd arranged a few bars and went out for a lovely meal and then did some girlie shopping the following day along with a trip to Lucky Voice before heading our respective ways. It wasn't horrendously pricey to get to or stay there so meant we could spend a little more on good food and wine. One big thing can be how many of the guests have kids as to how far you can realistically travel and for how long.

It's in any Apple store but you need to make an appointment at most of the London branches. You can do that online at Apple's website. Tell them the problem, they'll try to fix it and what the cost would be if any If you've got a recent backup before Friday (it backs up each time you synch), you could try a restore from iTunes first too.

It's the fact that the supermarkets have taken over many of our smaller 'convenience' shops and still take the opportunity to charge you more than in their regular stores that annoys me. I understand that small traders don't have the economies of scale that Ocado/Tesco have but why should I pay more for something from Simply Food than I do in a regular M&S? Or more in Sainsburys Local than in Sainsburys DKH?

Cook, little pot, cook. I loved that story too! And I love porridge... with dried apples and sultanas through it - and coarse so that it has some texture still. Pret's porridge isn't bad when you miss breakfast at home and need to have it on the go.

Where in East Dulwich? I cycle from South Kensington to near the Harvester avoiding big hills and you could definitely use that route in reverse from Battersea Park. In reverse, it would be via Brixton (via Dulwich Park, Burbage Road, Herne Hill, Railton Road but obviously that will change depending on where you are), along Stockwell Road, down South Lambeth Road and turn down Lansdowne Way, along Wandsworth Road and down Thessaly Road, then a busy stretch along Nine Elms to the roundabout near Battersea Park. Hope that helps...

Is it because you have a problem on the line and they are telling you that if it's not their problem, you'll have to fork out ?150? This happened to me a year or so ago and to my grandmother last week. In both cases, we followed their test process through the master socket (the details are online on how to do it) and still had the problem so called them out regardless. Since I knew that all my extension cabling had been put it by them, I figured it was still there problem. In both cases, it was a problem outside where the wires had corroded. In my case, I had data and no voice, in my grandmother's, she had constant interference. We didn't get charged at all. The engineer told me that the reason for introducing the charge was because they'd had lots of callouts for people with dodgy DIY cabling (inferior cable quality, bad routing, too long, too many extensions etc) who'd try to cut corners for cost - and were having to fix them free. The charge is supposed to stop that happening. If you're pretty confident in your wiring (other than whatever fault you have!), then I'd do the master socket test and call them out.

The good news is that the bus drivers were using common sense and ignoring the 'Out of Use' sign on the bus stop at Tesco Express tonight since most of the roadworks right there seem to have been cleared.

Mr Twirly - it's not all that bad. Cycle sensibly - being assertive but defensive - and it should help. The Southwark cycle lessons are fabulous for just giving you some confidence in your roadsense. They make you feel that taking primary position is normal rather than you feeling all drivers will hate you. The most important things to remember is not to hug the gutter and not to filter down the side of buses or lorries...

Done - thanks for the link. I've heard about a few nasty ones this month. A friend was passing near the Brixton Road junction near the Oval and saw the aftermath of an accident involving a cyclist, a tanker and a bus. Hope the guy was OK but didn't hear about a death so fingers crossed. I'm holding off the commute (even though it's warmed up a little) until it gets a little lighter and drivers start being more 'aware'. I swear I had more close shaves in a week in October than I had all summer.

Or whether you hate it on the SS so you would need the new bike to avoid having to buy the more expensive train ticket

When I'm cycling through traffic, I don't like having any distractions - a phone or headphones. It just feels like I'd lose one of my senses by doing so. And the argument that a distracted driver using a phone would cause more damage seems irrelevant to me - if it's likely to distract you from the road, then you shouldn't be using it regardless of what you're cycling/riding/driving. I'll add pedestrians who text as they walk without glancing up to that list. I suspect if you were cycling along a deserted cycle path in the countryside, you may feel slightly differently. felt-tip, my ex used to have an 18 mile cycle each way to work. He only worked 4 days a week but it was do-able. He did have the option of using a train should he feel particularly knackered any evening; and used to gradually build it up each spring. Would there be any option of getting a train part of the way in with the bike (to start with) and then build it up that way? So you get a train from home to the 20k point and cycle from there? The parks do sound like a lovely start/end to the day.

Sorry to hear about your accident jam_log and glad that you're not too badly injured although I'll be those bruises are colouring up nicely. Bike crash bruises always seem to be real doozies. It will undoubtably be nervewracking to get back on the bike again in traffic but try not to leave it too long until it becomes a big mental barrier. Remember those early days as a kid when you first learned, fell off and your parents told you to get straight back on; it's still good advice. Good luck...

Yes - I quite often think about the people who must have lived in my house - particularly since I live in a conversion so there's the added curiosity about what the rooms were used for. I've never left a time capsule but when decorating and stripping wallpaper, I do like to leave a message scribbled on the plaster to be covered over by the new paper - I like to think that one day when someone finally strips it off, they'll get a surprise.

'bout now, I thought it might be just me who likes their beans cold from the tin. I like them occasionally warm with eggs... but then I need HP sauce to mix into them along with the egg yolk and some sourdough toast... Will have to try the Branston ones...

Went via Victoria tonight at 5.30 to District Line - it was emptier than usual. I suspect the advice is being heeded by those who are only just on the 'closer to Victoria than St James Park or Pimlico' and those of us who work right next door are ignoring it. We'll see what happens on a really wet miserable night... Second Polly D's comment re Denmark Hill though. Many people just going to the station are now getting off at the stop at the top of the hill and walking/jogging/sprinting down to the station since the temporary lights cause such jams.

Three of my colleagues did. One at 4.45 who said that it did take longer getting down to Victoria line but platforms packed since apparently problems on the line. As a sidenote, the platform indicators have been wrong often recently. Second person went through at 6.30 with no problems. Third was going District Line at 5.45 and said it was a bit crowded behind the barriers at District/Circle but didn't delay her. As far as I know, the problems are more related to getting into Victoria at peak times. Of the three escalators, one is being refurbished and the other two both go up at evening rush. It probably takes longer to get out in the morning when there is one in each direction

Nope... I am hoping their one-way system includes the access into the District/Circle line hall being split so that those wanting to use that line don't get entirely swamped in the 'Victoria line' travellers but I foresee many evenings of being stuck outside. Fortunately, I only have to brave it a couple of times a week until I get back on my bike in March. Long-term what they want to do with access to Victoria will be excellent but it is a pity that they couldn't have waited to refurbish the escalators until the new bank of them were built. Although I'm guessing since that's 3-4 years away, it may not have been safe to do so...

And another agreeing on the cycling... you don't have to take it fast and you're unlikely to get that sweaty. Keep some baby wipe things in the office if you don't have a shower available just in case. The great thing about cycling is that it does let you plan your time much better especially with such a manageable distance. And no, you don't have to do it every day although it's surprising how quickly the intention to only cycle on sunny mornings turns into a desire to just go even when it's a light drizzle. And you can give up in the winter months which will give you a whole new appreciation for your bike when you get back on it!

Ladymuck - I'm with you. Sydenham Hill is quite enough...

Oh yes - and the haggis is definitely the most important part of it. I really should get in the habit of eating it more regularly.

Wow! You've actually inspired me to go and join the library - I'd assumed (wrongly) that it would only be open during daytime hours and certainly didn't expect Sunday opening. So... anyone who can tell me (since I can't spot it on the Southwark website) what I'd need to take along in order to join? (i.e. how many bits of ID that are photographic and/or have proof of address?) Edit - After more of a wander around the site, I've found it here. One bit of ID with your current address - and fill in a form. You can even do it online and get it posted out to you. And, another thing I didn't realise, is that it allows you to borrow from any library in England/Wales/Northern Ireland.

No microwave here either... I was given one of those 'microwave' hot waterbottles for Christmas by someone who couldn't believe people existed without them... But in the last few days, I've found several other 'standouts' against them.