citizenED

It was a vituoso moment of vibrophone magic. well worth the ripple of appluase

I took my two boys (6 and 4)* for a day out in London with their male cousin on Monday and after spending ages at the Adventure Playground/Playground complex in Battersea Park we ended up at Holland Park. Jesus, the playground there is phenomenal! Has to be the best one I've come across in the Capital. * that's their ages not their names.

Myatts fields is the best water park - but not for a 20 month old. Brockwell is best for you: it has a sand pit as well and is more suitable for younger kids. It is also adjacent to the idyllic Walled Garden and a lake, and there a couple of cafes in Brockwell Park whereas the others don't have one - as far as I'm aware.

Yeah, OK I do the TV viewing/ironing thing. I'd watch whilst washing up too, only it take to long to rip out the sink and carry it through to the living room.

By UK drama, are we counting Holby City perchance. I caught 15 mins of one last week. Had me riveted for at least quarter of an hour. On another issue can some of you let me into the secret of obtaining those extra 2 hours you get every day. I've only been allotted the regulation 24 and after working, child rearing, washing up and worrying and flirting with Face/Forum I have no time for the GB.

*Bob*, are you growing a beard for the Autumn Tour?

Can vouch for Wind in the Willows in Brockwell Park. We saw it last weekend - enchanting. Ice cream and water park afterwards made it a special treat for the kids who were both (boys aged 6 and 3) entralled throughout the performance.

Hey Mick, we are talking about the Peckham Rye One o'clock club next to the Cafe on Peckham Rye Common.

I was there today and generally agree with most of the above comments - my two are a little older know but when I used to use the One-o-clock club I liked the scruffy feel of the place simply because it was a safe, fenced-off area with play-space for toddlers and seats/grass for adults. I like some of the new equipment and it looks nice with the grass but it needs to be fenced off and have some new benched put in.

The trumpet intro in this takes some beating: Tom Browne -

For one reason or another, I managed to miss last Saturday's Guardian, but there I was again down at Red Apple this morning picking up this week's Saturday edition. And there is Suzanne Moore, Polly Toynbee, Marina Hyde, and Simon Hoggart giving me their take on the week and I'm generally agreeing with their gist. And I've still got the wonderful Family section and the Magazine to go through. Go I love the Guardian.

I thought the Swedish Prime Minister had it right when he said "Today we are Norwegians". Obviously not the Sun hacks, though.

I want to put a slightly different angle on this. The little playground mentioned in the original post is very different to Goose Green playground or the one inside Dulwich Park. I go there frequently with my two. The thing that strikes me is how many kids are there without a parent. They are often there with older siblings, cousins and friends. I have seen quite young children seemingly there alone but then in essence it is basically the back garden for the flats on the Lordship Lane Estate. Lots of the flats overlook the playground. Sometimes I feel quite odd as I sit in there with my two as I am the only adult in the kids playground. Now I am not saying it is right that a four year old is let out alone. The idea naturally seems to make our middle-class sensibilities uneasy. But there is something reassuring about a children's playground full of kids and not adults.

Just had a look; particulalry good to see that in Sydney it'll be 17 Celsius tomorrow - in London, 21!

I see that Rupert and James Murdoch and Rebecca Brooks have all been asked to face the Parliamentary Committee on the 19th July. I imagine that the chairman of that committee will have relished the phonecall he made to Murdoch senior; no doubt he said "See you next Tuesday."

raid party bags on the way out of the party.. let the kids have it over the next few days.

Hi Radhabee. I think the teacher would be interested. Her name is Danni. Can't hurt to give her a call. The details are on the link in my last post.

The class is is on Tuesdays between 5.15 and 6.15 at All Saints Church, Rosendale Road, West Dulwich. The teacher is happy to offer free taster class for anyone interested. Next session is next Tuesday, 4th July. Link with more here

Our little boy, currently in year 1, has been going to a fantastic streetdance class on Tuesdays but, sadly, the class will close if it doesn't recruit some new members. Anyone out there with a little boy who would like to join?

barnaby, you can have a look at the Ofsted report here

Update on situ in CitEd mansions: Dripping tap fixed. Hooray! Stitching coming undone on seam in sofa! Boo!

And there is also Verona Hall who is a local midwife and Lactation Consultant

"The house is a shell and is being completely reconfigured. There are no floors, no ceilings, no bathrooms, no wiring, no nothing" Do you live in the Concrete House?

Some of you are close but the definitve list has to be: - Tom Browne Groove is in the Heart - Deee Lite Lost in Music - Sister Sledge

Vik, that is a real pity, but all I'd say is that it is early days so hang on in there for DKH. Having said that, I had a look round Bessemer two years ago when we were offered a place there for our little one and it was great. At that time it had a great Early Years provision. The teacher who showed me round was particularly impressive. If our son had ended up there he would certainly have been in good hands. Since then, of course Bessemer has had a very positive Ofsted, so pehaps that offer will turn out OK. PS we ended up with Goodrich, (our first choice)