citizenED

LadyG, the journey i described was at about 9.30am so post morning rush, although the return was at about 5pm - I figure that qualifies as rush hour in most people's books. citizen

strolling past Sleepy Tea today - was that a film crew outside beginning work on the much awaited "the Poncification of East Dulwich"? citizen

Whilst looking for retro ED facts I searched through the Chener book racks But fell over the the famous bucket knew I would muck up it so I headed to Nero for snacks The buses were causing a stink...

*Pities Sean for his recent fall* * - no, on reflection pities him for his recent spate of typos* *Thanks Sean for much unintended humour* *passes him a lovingly constructed Zombie*

Sean, totally agree with your previous post re. getting off before The Strand and walking through Covent Garden. Do that pretty much whenever I go to the West End. And Redrouge, you are a Redrouge after my own heart, that southbank walk is something special. IMHO the whole of the Thames Path is fantastic now. On the subject of favourite bus routes, I was told once that the 227 which runs in Bromley was often voted the best bus route in London. Have to admit that when I've taken it the drivers do seem friendlier. Trouble is that it was used by so many OAPs they kept the heating turned to max. Always thought they should rename it the 2-2-HOT. citizen

Alan, that's only for the "grown-ups" on the Forum, - most of us are like those South Park rascals, you snigger b******d son of Littlejohn and Clarkson snigger

In Dulwich Park they could install a couple of Agas.

The great thing about Lordship Lane is the diversity. The Sea Cow is next door to a Fried Chicken outlet. Near le Chardin is a joint called Speedo Pizza, near Mon P'tit Chou is a the Tulip Cafe. Opposite William Rose is a Tyre Fitters for gods sake. LL is not St. John's Wood High street. A posh place this is not. Next time you are out and about don't look for Crocs and Yummies - look at the, how shall i put this, women of the older generation. Notice what you see. citizen

Ah, a subject very close to my heart - local cafes. I am so glad there is going to be one on Peckham Rye. It has always needed one. Look forward to it, whoever runs it. citizen

Took the 176 today from LL to Waterloo Bridge. When I got on, a guy moved aside so that I could put my folded pushchair on the luggage rack. As I made my way down the bus a young woman got out her seat and offered it to me because I was carrying my little boy. She didn't need to as the bus wasn't full. I declined and moved to the back of the bus where there was more space. The two women we sat opposite grinned at us from time to time (well probably grinned at my little boy, but forgive me if I take some reflected glory) As they left and others took their place, more grins. I got a lovely smile from a woman - in fact two lovely smiles. The temperature on the bus was reasonable. The driving was not so jerky as to be noticable. The atmosphere on the bus was pleasant. On the return, sat in the same seats at the back. Got huge grins from the woman and guy sitting opposite (they were not a couple). Started talking to the two of them. By end of journey my little one was playing tickle with the the woman. Laughter all round. Temp on bus - fine, driving, smooth. At end of journey collected pushchair from rack and the driver even let me off the front door so as to save me going back. The reason I post is that I could have reported a negative story about the buses - we all have one - but then I am pretty damn sure that everyone here (save for Mark, perhaps) has lots of positive stories. if everyone posted their postive stories, ie those times they didn't notice the heating, didn't notice the driving, weren't interupted by a nutter, read their book in peace, my guess is that the thread would be longer than this one. citizen

Tend to think that the comments so far are looking at this from the position of a man and woman of roughly equal education, career, prospects, social standing etc. Thats all well and good and in fact I suspect that many people in this postion would agree. You know,"shame, it never worked out but these things happen - lets be adult about this and do a fair split" The situation gets way more complicated when kids are involoved, as people have already mentioned, and when people have complex lives - ie on the social, abusive childhoods, delicate psychological states etc. These people, I would maintain, don't choose relationships, they fall into them. So much of this is to do with protecting vulnerable people's basic rights. I suspect it is also to strengthen the protection of women, and crucially, children. Government cannot simply legislate for sections of the society it has to do it for the whole of society. Obviously laws like this are not to assist people who are well-off, and will continue to be well-off, to stay well-off - they are for vulnerable people who, when a relationship breaks down are currently left completely f**ked. citizen

*you can sling a Zombie my way, Jah* *I shall have a large one purely in sympathy with Keef* *send that joint over here too - I'll zone out in the same spirit of empathy* *starts staring at lava lamps and immediately senses melancholic waves*

Sean - but if someone called you Little Richard John - you might be more forgiving. Politeness, good manners, general jollies all round, shouldn't that be the order of the day for the grown ups on the forum? Basically I'd say if you are tempted to call a specific person a c**t, go and have a cup of tea, or a G & T and don't bother posting. citizen

Off the top of my head, I'd go for Dido's "Life for Rent" - bit populist, I guess but haunting tune and spot on lyrics. Citizen

Mockney, was it you who mentioned Pink Martini?, (the band that is, not the drink, but then...) If you are interested, noticed that they are playing at the Hammersmith Apollo Sat 10th Nov www.comono.co.uk citizen

Walks in sporting Mao suit. Looks around at all other punters in identikit garb. Raises litre of Commune beer. Checks little red book for approriate ettiquette. Nods to all.

Karter, notice for the picnic was given about two weeks ago. Three forumites turned up. Hmmmmm. I hearby resign as ad hoc social secretary for this place and hand the reigns to more suitable people like Georgia. citizen

Sean and CWALD - was great to see you both on Sunday, had a perfect time - good weather, nice food, drink and good company. What more is there to say citizen

Emirates Cup... was it Arsenal verus Arsenal reserves? Oh no, forgot - this season Arsenal ARE Arsenal reserves.... citizen

Sean, we will be there, myself, Mrs C and our 2 year old, at 3pm on the grass area in front of Pavilion Cafe - an orange scarf on a stick - a fruit salad, a bottle of champagne. Mrs C looking forward to your chicken Mr Mac G. Sunshine courtesy of an omnipotant being (none less than the Administrator) citizen

You great bunch of nostalgics! Yes, alright the RMs were a fantastic, iconic design but were simply not practical for all passengers. The world moves on. More importantly the focus of this (and the No 12) thread is just how much the bus has become a second-class mode of transport and I, for one, think this is a great shame. For all the improvements made in the last few years, the bus lanes, the newer stock, the cheaper fares, Oyster, the increased no. of buses, etc a lot of people have negative experience of riding on the bus. Whatever this is down to - poor driving, rude passengers, overcrowding, litter, cost - it feels a shame because, in itself, a bus is not a negative thing. Ideally a journey on a bus should simply be seen as one option out of several ways to use the road - car, taxi, bike, bus. Each should seen as equal. For any journey down a bus route, the bus should be seen as the best option, ie quicker than a car, cheaper than a taxi and more comfortable than a bike. The fact that this isn't the case is a pity. The fact that some people never ride on a bus is a poor reflection on the service. Solutions: make bus fares cheaper. Increase number of Bus lanes. Reintroduce conductors/passenger assistants. Clean the passenger areas twice a day. Optionally, make it illegal to overtake buses at bus stops. citizen

Bump! ...and the forecast is poss rain am followed by a dry/sunny afternoon. citizen

(ahem) the Forum picnic is at 3 on Sunday afternoon in Dulwich Park! get yourselves in them there nets early afternnon and then saunter accross for some well earned refreshment and lashings of ginger beer. We'll be on the area in front of the Pavilion Cafe. I guess drinks might be on the cards for later in the Plough. citizen

knew I would muck up it

Sean, agree about the raincheck - lets make that collective decision about park or Plough around noon on Sun. If picnic, i've already said I'll bring a fruit salad and champagne. Might bring some sarnies too - other people could post up what they will bring so not too much duplication. As for Georgia's post about recognising us by the bottles and cans, well, naughty Georgia! As others will testify, in truth the Forum is virtually teetotal so she was obviously joking. I guess there was the hope that a few folks might come with their kids so it was more a family event than is the case with the Forum drinks. Basically all are welcome. For Dungdag and others - I posted earlier that, "this little beano is set for Sunday 29th July in Dulwich Park from 3pm. We'll be somewhere on the grass area in front of the Pavilion Cafe, hopefully near the line of trees and shrubs. There will be me, Mrs C and our little two-year old. all welcome, see you there...". We'll have an orange scarf on a stick. Buggie's gang are aiming to set up in that same area too. citizen Fingers crossed on the weather