tarafitness

Any other local ladies due during winter? x

It's definitely more of a defensive martial art, but aggressive and true to real-life situations than say Aikido. There have tended to be far more women/girls in the class than guys... possibly one of the reasons my son's so fond of the class? ;-)

Please let me know if someone starts up a petition. I generally walk home from Herne Hill as it's a longer and nicer walk... however I do miss the direct Denmark Hill trains after 8pm since the London Bridge service was changed! The 185 bus runs fairly frequently from Vauxhall Bridge Road though and takes less than 40 minutes at times depending on how much later in the evening it is.

Sorry to hear about your son's mugging :-( My son was mugged twice in the two years we lived in Herne Hill. The first was by an opportunist school boy who asked him for the time. As my son was too lazy to wear a watch at that point he relied on his mobile, got it out to check, and the boy asked to see his phone. Son was naive at that point so handed it over and the boy scarpered... no harm done, phone cost about ?20 anyway! He's worn a watch ever since. The second time was more traumatic. Again he was coming home from school (clearly in his school uniform) when he was approached by a man who put a knife up to his throat and demanded his phone. My son handed it over but protested about how battered it was anyway but the guy told him to shut up or he'd stab him (nice). The phone in question cost even less than the first and was completely wrecked... obviously the (very little) money that it would have fetched from resale was worth it to him?! We've been in ED for over 3 years without incident but that's not to say that I think it might not happen... still, my son (now 17) still owns a 'crappy' phone (much to his displeasure!), I think it cost ?30, I've refused to buy him a more expensive one, it's just not worth it! One other thing I'd like to say is that there is a very good self-defence/martial arts class that is run locally. They've broken up for early summer but should be starting back in August. My son has been attending for a few months and is a lot stronger and fitter than ever before. Obviously the rule "just hand it over" still applies for any mugging, but I feel a lot happier and more confident that he'd be able to handle himself a lot better should any situation turn physical. If you want to find out more about the classes, here's their website: http://www.urbanfitandfearless.com/ first session is free and you can bulk buy sessions to make it even cheaper.

Very interesting, and thanks for sharing. I also like the discussion regarding bed-sharing and how it might *reduce* SIDS

I haven't used a buggy since my son was very small (he's 17 now), but am pregnant again - due in December... and massively confused by the plethora of buggies/pushchairs/travel systems around!! I was going to go for a maclaren, and use the carrycot feature that you can attach to the XLR, but the reviews all state that it's only suitable for a couple of months. I must admit, I've really fallen for the Baby Jogger City Mini... from what I've read and seen. It's super lightweight and can be folded down with one hand. Plus the carrycot attachment is a good 10cm or so longer than the maclaren's. You can get the Baby Jogger City Mini in 3 or 4 wheel versions, they look nice too... passed a woman in the street wheeling a red one, very snazzy :-)

Hi BKK, have you had your appointment yet for 16 week scan? When I was seen at Midwives' House a few weeks ago I was told that I should see the midwife at the Garden Surgery, but when I rang them to arrange they said that it's actually just a GP appointment, and I don't see the midwife (who's actually just retired, so it'll be a different one!) until after my 20 week scan. All the other pregnancy forums talk of 16 week appointments being with a midwife, not GP... I'm confused now! x

no probs :-) Yeah, me too, have suddenly started showing this week, it's a good job my work already know! exactly 6 months to go today (if baby comes bang on due date of course!) x

Hi BKK, congratulations! I did a bit of research and there are two evening classes that are very local (to me anyway!) http://www.nct.org.uk/course/17843013 http://www.nct.org.uk/course/17843048

Apologies if one of these has already been started but I couldn't find it if it has. I'm due 21st December with my second child. My first 'child' is 17 years old so I'm very much approaching this as a new pregnancy! Times have changed so much since I was last pregnant, I didn't have a mobile phone, never mind these fabulous pregnancy apps you get now! Anyway, would love to hear from other expectant Mums. Particularly those with experience of local NCT classes as I've yet to sign up for one and I'd welcome hearing about your experiences. x

My son's bedtime was between 7.30 and 8pm when he was that age so definitely no! He's 17 now and I still fret when he's out and about. I grew up in London and had quite a bit of freedom, used to use the underground from a young age and walk along canals, main roads etc by myself. I remember it being a fun time, but also remember a few times feeling unsafe and being in situations that I don't know how I'd have coped with had they turned bad - I lacked the maturity and decision making ability... and was a child still! I agree that 7pm is a good time to be home, 7.40 is just too late to start going out to play/hang out.

we're having to consider the same thing. We already have a downstairs loo, a family bathroom (that my teenage son uses) and an en suite in our room. The loft conversion will become an office for my partner as he works from home in our small study (which will become a nursery). However, the loft will also double as a guest room so I think having a small shower and toilet suite will be quite a nice addition. It's definitely better to get it put in at this stage rather when all the work is being carried out, than have to sort out the plumbing later down the line should you opt for it later.

Don't forget the wonderful and talented Olivia Coleman who lives locally, definitely someone worthy of note :-)

no, I saw that on the way to work, tried to take a pic but my phone was playing up and I had to dash off a similar thing happened to one of the trees on the pedestrianised area near Herne Hill... though I suspect that might have been from a truck reversing when delivering goods to the local shops. That or they removed it because it was in an awkward place for cyclists... although it didn't look like a very 'clean' job! I did wonder about the tree on Worlingham... surely it wasn't *that* windy last night?!

wonderful :-) loving the one apropos my orange bottles thread ;-)

Also, have you seen this post? Sounds like it might be fun if they can get enough teenagers to take part

Please see my recommendation for our really excellent top-notch cleaner :-)

I took my son and his friends paintballing last year at Delta Force for his 16th birthday. It was very easy to get to and they all had a really fun day. Can work out incredibly expensive though with having to buy additional paintballs (as they insist you purchase their ones... although you can buy them for a fraction of the price online)

Done

Apparently I'm 'Elite', despite not going to private school... or university for that matter! what's the 'long test', does anyone have a link? This one seems somewhat flawed!

Hi MFP, do you still have your campervan? If so would you consider renting it out to us for Glastonbury this year? (27th June to 1st July) Yours hopefully

I think it's a fantastic idea, if I have any more children I'll be only too happy to send them to this new school, I love the idea of them learning a new language from such a young age, it's so much easier when you're young! Plus, it would give me a good excuse to take up German again :-)

Hi there Is this school still going ahead?

mattyd - I'm near Crawthew and could smell that in my back garden! wondered where it was coming from, such a strong smell of petrol!

my boyfriend's vespa keeps getting targetted, apparently it's a design flaw where the pipe can be accessed easily from underneath the last time it happened he refilled the tank only to have the whole lot dump out on the road as he scooted along... safe, not! really frustrating, he's considering getting a new scooter that's better designed as this happens ALL the time now! scumbags >:-(