MelbyG

They've now moved into the empty Charter/Dulwich Hospital site behind our house. The police are on the scene but I've no idea if they can evict them immediately or not.

Owner found.

Male shihtzu (?) dog was hit by a car near ED station tonight at 9.15. No collar and no obvious sign of chip. Limping quite badly. He is currently being looked after by the owner of Therapy on Melbourne Grove whilst they wait for the RSPCA to come out.

Hi Looking to find someone in addition to our very reliable dog sitter for when he's not available and wondered if anyone had any recommendations for experienced local dog sitters/walkers for a sociable but energetic lab. Thanks

Another big thumbs up for Lou and Captured on the Rye. Our seven year old and her friends thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon. Silence descended (how unusual!) as they got totally wrapped up in designing their T-shirt and then they really were astonished at the results as they each had a go at printing their own shirt. Each one looked truly fantastic. You don't have to be an artistic whizz to do it - there are plenty of stencils to choose from and Lou was able to print out some specific requests. Those with their own ideas were helped to put them into practice. The children all wear their T-shirts with pride and it's a lovely momento of a great afternoon.

As a new dog owner with a boisterous lab, I wanted to second first mate's earlier points here (does that make me second mate?)about what the dog is trying to do when jumping up. Labs, in particular, do seem to want to smother everyone in love whether they like it or not! I know my dog is trying to be friendly but I am painfully aware that this is unacceptable and I wouldn't appreciate it either. It's happened to me a few times, fortunately with sympathetic dog owners or dog lovers but once with a not-so sympathetic person (not in Dulwich Park). I was completely mortified, immediately put my dog on the lead and, since then, only exercise her off lead in Dulwich Woods on a weekday! Dulwich Park is too busy, particularly on a weekend and, even with training classes, I can't expect a puppy (who looks like a fully grown dog btw)to not be distracted by bikes, joggers, other dogs, balls etc. Just wanted to reassure that those of us with dogs are really trying to do the right thing but it is also important to ensure that our dogs are socialised and can deal with these situations. My dog responds much better to training when she's had time to expel energy off lead, but even if I take her to the most remote part of the park or woods, I can't guarantee that she won't try and greet a passing friendly face. I'll report back in a few years to let you know if it's any better?!

Anyone happen to have any Gryffindor items hanging around? Looking in particular for a tie and/or scarf to borrow for a school dressing up day TOMORROW for Hermione mad girl! Otherwise it will be my feeble attempt at crafting a house tie - hmmm.

We are much further down the line and six years ago were offered a place at Dulwich Village after agreeing to a place at Dog Kennel Hill. As our place was a waiting list place and we were right on the fringes of the catchment, we went for DKH. We also had a younger child to consider who wouldn't coincide with our first. We thought the benefits of consistency and not having to face two separate entries in the Hamlet outweighed anything the DVI place would offer.

Hi Dulwichdame Thought I'd answer your question as a photographer, in the hope it might be helpful. Please don't think I'm getting on my high horse - far from it. I do think it's confusing for clients sometimes as photographers charge different prices and all offer different services. So, here are some thoughts to help you out on costings and to show how we all go about pricing things to help you make your decision. It may also help others who are considering the same thing. I wholeheartedly support all local photographers - fortunately there are plenty of great ones - all offering something slightly different and in different price ranges. In the days of film, photographers would have printing costs to factor in. The expectancy was that you would have a session, then order prints that would cost more on top. Some photographers still do it this way - they may charge less for the sessions and then charge for each individual print. In the digital age, however, there is an growing expectancy that photographers will give the images to the client on CD. Photographers, therefore, have to compensate for the loss of this side to the business and so, many of us charge more up front in the knowledge that you will then be able to make endless prints from your CD of images without having to come back to us. There is a feeling that this has simplified the process for the photographer and therefore should not cost very much. However, our running costs haven't changed that much. If anything, they are higher, as we constantly have to update our equipment to ensure we are head and shoulders above other digital camera users. Our editing time and time spent on arranging sessions remains the same. The editing process is one which often gets overlooked but, it isn't just a case of dumping all the shots on a CD. Photographers use their editing software like an old fashioned darkroom; we sift through the shots, choose the best images and then make sure they are perfect in every way - altering contrast/shadow/hues, removing milk spots on babies, a scratch on a toddler's face, the spot that has just erupted on a teenager that morning. Your session may only be an hour or a few hours but, for the photographer, the job is much longer than that. By the time we've emailed back and forth about the session, prepared our equipment, travelled to the session, taken and edited the shots, prepared a DVD or presentation gallery, the work for one session can turn into much more time in preparation. Then there is the slightly more ethereal concept of the photographer's 'eye'. It is this vision that lifts our shots above the regular 'snaps'. It's really this that also separates one photographer from another and gives each person their own style and vision which is why you're drawn to them/their website in the first place. Add experience into that - the fact that a professional photographer will be able to repeat this standard every single time she or he picks up a camera, and you have something which clearly puts professional photography on a different level. If you choose a piece of work of art for your house, you could spend ?80 on it or ?8000. What matters is that you liked it,and you valued it enough to want to buy it. If you have some professional pictures taken of your children, they may be in your home, on the wall or in frames for years and years to come. If you break down your fee as cost per shot for something that you may treasure forever and have the option of making endless reprints done from it, it doesn't seem a lot. Yes, you can probably get someone to do your shots for ?50 but will you love them as much as the person who charges ?500? Photographers tend to raise their prices according to their experience or they are safe in the knowledge that they can command that level of fee. However, higher prices aren't always a sign of quality and this is where gut instinct must come into play. Take a look at plenty of different photographers and work out what you are paying for. Is it a one-off fee? Are there hidden costs? Do you love the work they display on their site? How many photos will you get? Do them seem approachable and fun to work with? I really hope this helps you makes your decision and shows you an insight into how we work. Above all, it's to dispel the myth that we're 'raking it in' on sessions like these. Above all, it's about accepting really good photography as an investment but it probably also does pay to shop around and make sure you're entirely happy with what you'll get for that price. Best wishes and hope you get the perfect family shots! Sally family.sallymaisphotography.com

Yes please!

We have had difficulties over the last few weeks settling our girl into nursery school after being in a different nursery environment. We had what seemed to be a very over the top reaction compared to other children but she is always pretty resistant to change - we knew we'd be in for a bumpy ride. She was extremely quiet, teary and unsociable for the first few days. However, when she got home, she was really chatty about what she'd done there. She has since talked positively about the teachers and her new friends. 3 weeks in she still cries every morning but is always cheerful when we pick her up and is able to talk at length about what she's been up to. Now we know that it's about the initial separation and not the overall experience. What does your son say about nursery afterwards? Does he seem at all positive about any of the activities or friendships? Has he brought home anything he's made there? Is he smiling when you pick him up? Are the staff trying to help solve some of these issues? If the answer is 'no' to the above then it may well be time to rethink. At the very least, the staff should be sympathetic and trying different techniques to help him engage with nursery. Agree with dulwichmum - instinct is a powerful thing.

Mmm. Clearly I'm the minority voice here (see gold/pink) but try heaving two small children and shopping out of a car you've had to park several streets away....