Applespider

James Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Probably because people always have a tendency to > 'big up' the area where they live. And here was me thinking it was people who have a tendency to think themselves experts on a subject without actually knowing much about it. ;-) I'll be the first to admit that pubs/shops wise, Wood Vale isn't as good as living down one of the streets off LL but transport-wise in terms of getting to work each day, I don't think it's a poor relation.

So those of us who live in/near Wood Vale don't have any problems and find the transport options reasonably plentiful. Those who don't live there or have only wandered by to look at the pretty houses, think that it's isolated. ;-)

Transport from the LL end of Wood Vale, where I am, gives you more options that most places in the area. 10 minutes walk to Forest Hill station 15 minutes brisk walk to West Dulwich station P4 to Lewisham/Brixton 176/185/197/363 P13 just round the corner. Another benefit is that aside from the P4 (in term time), you'll pretty much always get a seat on a bus in the mornings (as opposed to just struggling to get on it further along LL)

Buses were bad this morning. I waited 10 minutes for a 185 which was already full when it reached Wood Vale and was only letting on as many folks as he'd let off. Took 30 minutes to get from there to Denmark Hill since took so long to get people off through the throng and then argue with the new people how many were going to get on. Re the hip hop. I once, while admittedly under the influence of a little Dutch courage, asked the 'yoof' playing music what it was since I 'liked' it and pretended to try to bop along to it. He was so mortified that someone so uncool liked it, he turned it off! Mwa ha ha! Mission successful!

I'll third (or fourth) that Harvester junction. It's horrible for pedestrians. While we're talking about that part of the South Circular, I'm amazed there aren't more accidents slightly further up the hill, where cars try to do a U-turn so they can go along Wood Vale. The number of times that the car behind has to slam on the brakes or pull over into the bus lane is scary. Not to mention when the idiot driver can't complete their U-turn and tries to reverse into the oncoming traffic coming up the hill.

Mwa ha ha! What about those which are GG - GiGantic! As an ex used to quote to me ;-) I don't mind the word 'boobs' but I do quite like using boobage instead of cleavage amongst my well-endowed friends. Words I don't like - flaccid although gusset is up there too.

It has been diverted off-route since it started at ED station. I generally like buses when they're running along bus-lane routes when they're faster. Better for people-watching than Tubes/trains, easier to get off if there is a problem or traffic delay and generally, since there are more stops than stations, they get you closer to your destination. And aside from the sadistic bus-drivers who pull off just after you run up a hill to reach em, I don't mind drivers either. They get a hell of a lot more stick than most other public transport workers from passengers while trying to drive through London traffic. There are friendly and unfriendly people in most jobs having good or bad days after all. And every so often a driver does wait for you, or slows down and picks you up away from the stop that you were running for and cheers you up immensely. The bumpiest route though has to be the 63 - it seems to dive all over the ship. I do find it a little unnerving though when the 176 goes down DKH like the driver wanted to be Lewis Hamilton. And no, even though I'm defending em, I don't work (or know anyone who does) for TFL or any kind of bus company! ;-)

Sue Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Emailing TfL (via their website) in my experience > results in a "this email address is not known" > message - presumably so they can claim they have > had no complaints (td) I've used the email form a few times and always had a written reply back from them in the post that was personalised to what I'd asked about - even if no action was really forthcoming. Although I did complain about first the lack of a bus shelter and then about the positioning of it, and it's moved so maybe it does do some good.

Happened to me on the 363 that 'stopped' until the next 63 had gone past before deciding he'd finish the route and make us all get off for the next one. Last time I take that option rather than going for the 'straight down LL' route! Buses are nuts. I'm lucky in that I get on far enough up the road that I usually get a seat but generally, by the time the bus hits the Plough (not literally), it's starting to creak at the seams. I tried writing to TFL a couple of times about the general busyness of the 176/185 routes but just got a 'Thanks. The routes are reviewed annually' message back. I'm convinced that both routes must be reviewed in July/August when it's less busy since it's ridiculous for most of the year. It's just as bad in the evenings too trying to get on at Denmark Hill - I've given up getting off the train there before 9pm since I know I won't get on a bus easily and even then it's not a guarantee.

Moos Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I know it's shameful, but I'd honestly rather wash > up. Whereas I love cooking and loathe washing up. When are you coming round? :p

I'd go for never-ending Simply Red over Billy Joel although that might just be another circle. I'll go for a busy long-distance flight in economy with a child in the seat behind you who cries constantly and kicks against your seatback while every time his parent stands up, she does so by yanking herself up by the back of the seat and then letting go so your head rebounds. And yes, I appreciate it's no easier on said parent, but it's still hell.

Well done to both of you. I did my last 10k in gruesome weather so I know how dismal it can be. Forecast for next weekend is better so keeping fingers crossed and will try not to go out too fast. I'm not a speedster so will aim to go out at my usual pace which I know I can do 13 miles at (just about!) rather than getting carried away. Not entirely sure I'd manage a sprint finish although given my final few hundred metres are usually uphill, you never know.

I got up this morning, saw the weather and went back to bed. Hope you made it without getting too soggy, mightyroar. And that your half marathon went well, jollybaby. This time next week, I should be running around Hyde Park in final third of mine. Any tips would be gratefully received!

You could join the new runners planning on running around Peckham Rye on a Tuesday evening - it seems like a mixed group of abilities so sure there would be someone to start off with. I'm rubbish at tennis but wouldn't mind a knockabout every so often - hmm, do I still own a tennis racquet?!? Frisbee I can cope with or, if we could get a bigger group together, rounders. I'm an NFL fan so I also quite like tossing an American football around in a park. Weeknights aren't great for me either - particularly since the daylight hours are shrinking. But could do weekends - although not the next two - I'm running a half marathon next weekend and going up to Scotland the following one. EDIT: Just realised that makes me sound a little like a fitness freak. I'm not... honestly! This time 18 months ago, I couldn't run a mile.

Well said, Paul. We're exceptionally lucky round here to have lots of green spaces to wander around and in. I tend to use Dulwich Park more since it's easier to run around if you're trying to track distance/speed since the carriage way is a mile and it's flatter. I run around Peckham Rye on 'easy' runs when I'm only out for furn. If I'm picnicking I use the Horniman Gardens since the slopes/hills there mean that it rarely seems crowded. I'd say that they've all got more good points than bad.

Thinking about it but depends on the weather on Sunday morning. I'm hoping there will be places left to turn up on the day. I'm doing the Royal Parks half marathon (in aid of the Horniman) the following Sunday (my first - and only - half marathon) so would be a good 'gentle' run to do.

Just thought I'd let you know that all the hard work is being noticed. I've heard a few people on the 185/176 in the morning comment on the 'new' memorial that's appeared when the bus has been stopped at the lights.

Fuschia Wrote: > Sainsburys replaced 4 small packets of a > particular type of crisp with... 4 multipacks each > containing 6 packets of the same crisp... oh I can beat that. Tesco order one summer where I'd ordered a crusty loaf and some houmous to munch in the sunshine. Delivery showed up - I had a white sliced loaf and a packet of four-cheese tortellini?! Not a picnic to remember! I use Ocado too. If they're late, they'll give you money off your order; same if they forget something. Guy the other week called me and asked if I was in since he was in the area and wondered if I'd like the order 2 hours early. I use them for big orders every 6 weeks or so to top up the store cupboard and then shop for small bagloads the rest of the time. Works well - usually by the time I'm ready to do an order, they'll send me a coupon for ?5 or ?10 off my next order. And they're quite good with personalised offers so they'll give you money off something you buy regularly. They're pricematching Tesco on most of the brands now too so, add in the lack of tempting distractions in store, and it works out about the same price.

Nero Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > That sounds horrid. And that's why I wait for the > green man and try to cross at a zebra. I see mums > with prams and kids in tow scurrying across LL and > I think 'why not just go to the crossing?'. Although if the accident was near the Harvester, as opposed to the Plough, that junction has no pedestrian crossings. To get from the Harvester to Cox's Walk on other side of the road safely, you'd have to walk a couple of hundred metres to the crossing beyond Melford Road and then walk another few hundred metres back the way to the crossing near Underhill Road and then back down the road again. And you'd still have had to cross two roads without the benefit of a green man. I can see why someone just crossed here. Further down LL where there are numerous crossings, it's harder to excuse - especially where kids are around. I'm guessing traffic flow on the South Circular is why the junction doesn't have any pedestrian features that allow pedestrians to fully cross a road. If you know the sequencing, you can just about time it to cross to the traffic light 'island' and wait but it's definitely not a pedestrian friendly area.