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I used to cycle from ED to CW. Friend introduced me to the off-road (mostly) route from Tower Bridge to the Wharf and it was absolutely lovely. Made it much safer and more pleasant. Used to do it in about 40 minutes, but I was v slow and unfit. I've attached a screenshot of the route (actually a return journey, but it's pretty much the same outbound), because it's quite difficult to try and explain. Usefulness might depend on where in ED you are?

We have a tripp trap and also a Cosatto Noodle (so he can sit upstairs while I do chores, or we can take it to his grandparents because it's easier to pack) and it's great - softer than the tripp trap and more adjustable for a smaller baby.

I got a BabaSling from Jojo Maman Bebe when my wee one was 5 months and I wish I'd got it earlier because it's great, and I was able to breastfeed him in it hands free (for a couple of weeks before he outgrew it). I still use it a lot as it's really easy to get him in and out of it if I need to carry him (he's getting quite heavy now). After getting a Beco Gemini (which I also love), it seemed a very bargainous ?40. http://www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/sp+babasling-baby-carriers-in+B7665

Blimey. I thought the banging music I could hear as I fed my wee boy in the early hours was a neighbour. Must have been horrific for those closer?

According to the police officer who knocked at my door to ask if I'd seen anything? Between midnight and 6am. Residents upstairs sleeping. In through unlocked back gate/patio doors. Silent. Pros, most probably. When I asked about abbotswood rd she said there'd been break ins but didn't give me details. Rather worried now. Between break-ins and two muggings (one at shaw rd junction and one in the wee park) its not feeling nearly as safe down here as it once did. :(

Feeling your pain on the nappy rash front? :-/ Teething is just shite. I just bought Metanium and it seems really good. Was previously using sudocrem or waitrose bottom butter but other than providing a bit of a barrier, they didn't seem to help. Have to say I haven't been spreading it very thin, I've been lathering it on, mostly because it's easier and faster and there's less touching/rubbing because every contact makes my wee one cry in pain right now. With any luck, it'll have done its job and he'll be less raw in the morning.

Well, there's currently a riot van parked in one of the streets off Abbotswood Road, and the van has been in there since about 4pm today when I came home. Bit of a worry?

Well, that might explain the copper wandering along Abbotswood Road earlier this afternoon. This is pretty scary though. I really hope your housemate is okay and that they catch the scumbag.

I gave birth via emergency Caesarian at Kings last Thursday morning and was transferred to WG a few hours later. Despite the fact that I was pretty much immobile and in serious pain as well as exhausted from 48 hours of failed induction, my hubby went home at 10 because we thought the trial of dads staying was over. Apparently the family in the next cubicle didn't get the memo. They were incredibly loud all night, waking me and my baby up several times. By lunchtime the next day I was hysterical from pain, lack of sleep and the noise from this family (including a toddler that kept running into my cubicle - with me half naked and with catheter bag and all) and it was affecting my ability to feed my wee one, so eventually I was moved to a side room because despite several midwives asking them to keep the noise down they didn't. Hubby stayed overnight with me from then on, and I couldn't have managed without him. Despite the inconsiderate people next to me at first, I think that it's really important for the option to remain for partners to stay overnight - so long as they're considerate and follow the rules. I'd probably have been in a lot longer than the three days if my hubby hadn't been around to help and encourage me. Oh, and ::o to the couple trying for the next one on the ward!

Hiya, I'm currently pregnant with my first, so can't offer any specific advice, but I can say that I know a few people who have at least had a go at having a VBAC (Vaginal Birth after C-Section) and I'm told that it's something you can talk over with your midwife/consultant and should be available to you, unless you have specific medical issues which would make it inadvisable. Something else you might want to look into is hiring a doula to support you, as there's quite a bit of evidence that having an experienced and knowledgeable birth partner (in addition to your partner) can reduce the likelihood of intervention and c-section by calming you down and acting as an advocate for you, allowing your partner to concentrate on you and you to concentrate on your labour. I've got a couple of names that I'd be happy to give you if you want. I can understand you wanting to have a sense of control - I'm having some of the same issues in the run up to my labour and finding it quite stressful sometimes. Hope you manage to get some reassurance.

Can anyone help? @JacksSE22 Di & Alex Glen CAN ANYBODY HELP???! I need to board Jacks up on Pellatt Road, Alex is in Croydon putting fires out. I have no boards :O( https://twitter.com/#!/jacksse22/status/100958267110457344 Edited to add: Just posting in response to a message I saw a few minutes ago on twitter. Possibly best to contact them directly. Phone no from website is 0207 1839135

Yes. Thanks for all your efforts to keep this place as a source of information, especially when the server gets hammered.

Mrs TP - that's what I was hearing too...

I wasn't exaggerating. I walked past three or four people at the tills whose kids were screaming as people pushed past them to get out. The majority of the shutters were already down while I was in there, other than the front door ones.

I was in Sainsbury's on Dog Kennel Hill about 50 minutes ago. One of the main door panels had been smashed and was being boarded up and the whole of Starbucks and the far exit had shutters down. Had been there maybe 10 minutes when a store announcement came over tannoy asking customers to leave all shopping and evacuate immediately. Cue mild panic. Staff rushing to empty and secure tills. Parents looking worried. Kids screaming. Second announcement to reassure people that there wasn't a situation out front, but that they were closing early (at 1.50ish pm) as a precaution. Cue tutting and eye-rolling and few people trying to go back in to finish their shopping. As I left, I heard three (separate, unrelated) people say it was in response to reports of a large mob headed to the store. No idea if that bit's true, but the staff and security at the door looked very twitchy and clearly wanted to get everyone out sharpish.