Pandora

There are indeed some very clever systems out there for storing bikes inside, but the way our house is built there just isn't anywhere for the bikes to go! Current plan is to invest in some massive motorcycle locks and a waterproof cover...

I think what will be happening is the changes to make the station more accessible. Last thing I heard there were going to be lifts put in at the far end (other end to where the stairs are) to open up the station to people who can't use stairs.

I was wondering if anyone had any ideas about where to store bikes at home. We have a fairly large back yard, but it's completely accessible from the street with no way of locking it. We've left a bike out there locked to some railings for a couple of weeks and it stayed there, but I still get nervous, not to mention the rust potential. Currently we have four bikes dotted around the house (two under the stairs, two others in bedrooms) which isn't ideal but works ok. We don't have anywhere that we could put those wall hanging jobbies up which is a shame. I've been looking at big metal sheds to go outside, which seem to cost round about ?500, or I've found you can hire lockers from Bikeaway (like the ones outside ED station) for ?130 a year, which as it's a rented house is an option. Just wondering if anyone had any other ideas! Cheers.

Oh the foal is gorgeous! There were two skewbalds this morning (maybe one's a grown up foal?) and a brown one who's quite little. The one in the photo further up has gone I think. I stopped for a chat about their collective mood this morning and they seemed pretty content. Not in a great mood for posing though.

I lived in the are for the last 2.5 years. I really like the it - good transport links, great pubs, lots of convenient local shops and in my experience, not had any problems as a young woman walking round the area - I often walk/cycle home at night or go out running in the evening. And having the Gowlett as your local really is a winning feature in my book! It's about a 10 minute walk to both PR and ED stations from there. I mainly used ED when I was travelling south for work, but used PR for going into town as there are more trains (I work north now and cycle). PR also goes to other London terminals and different places around the South East, and is staffed for longer hours than ED. Plus walking home from PR compared to ED you go through a much more residential area, rather than along Grove Vale which can be a bit lonely and dark at night. I get off buses on Rye Lane and walk home from there, never any issues there either. Might be worth asking why the house has been on the market for a while - if it's a private landlord maybe they're being fussy about who they rent to, or maybe the price has just been dropped? Or maybe ask for a reference from the previous tenants? Good luck, I know how stressful moving house is!

I've voted! I've read about the Ebony Horse Club before, great organisation. Fingers crossed!

This press release popped into my inbox this morning: More frequent rail services for London and the South East. Govia, who run Southern, have retained their franchise so will keep running the services through East Dulwich and Peckham Rye.

Try iStock photo (iStock), the images are only a few pounds each to buy and there are lots on there!

Thanks everyone - good suggestions! Think I'll stick up a wanted post on the forum and then maybe ask some of the newsagents around here. RD Franks looks a good bet as well.

Hello, Does anyone know where you can buy foreign language magazines in the area? I'm specifically looking for French and German magazines, something like Marie Claire just to practice reading the languages. Thanks!

Article about it in the Guardian today: Guardian I think it's a great idea, I'll check it out on my next run!

Well done for sorting this out - I've been walking past it since it closed getting annoyed at all the food going to waste! Only just seen this though so no bargains for me. Any chance you'll be open tomorrow?!

Look on lastminute or Expedia and see if you can get a cheap hotel - I had a 6.40am flight, but a hotel was only ?35 for the night, much cheaper than a taxi and I got some sleep! There's free buses during the day to most of the Heathrow hotels, and the bus in the morning costs about ?4 from the hotels to the airport.

Here's the story from the London Fire Brigade website: Fire in Peckham

Just seen this on Google news.. Fire in Peckham There's a pub around the end of Lyndhurst/Talfourd Roads that has burnt down a few times before, maybe it's the same one again. Hope no one's badly hurt.

I asked at the market and apparently a pub has burnt down - I presume on Peckham High Street as a lot of that is closed.

Came across this in my work travels the other day - GLA overcrowding survey Email [email protected] to let the GLA Transport Committee know about overcrowded train services.

The WI (not the ED branch, but the organisation in general) is doing a project where WI members teach people to cook, there's information here: Cooking project

Ok... maybe I'll start saying thank you to drivers when they stop for me at pedestrian crossings, if it encourages them to stop it can only be a good thing. But not if they rev their engines at me while I'm crossing! That's another annoyance!

Interesting one.. I'm never sure about that one. I'm don't drive and feel like cars don't need acknowledging because they're supposed to stop - it's not optional! However, I was hit by a car that didn't stop on a pedestrian crossing a while back. So I'm very nervous going across them now, and there's a particularly bad one outside my office where it takes about three cars going through before one stops. So I do tend to wave and make very grateful faces at the cars that stop for me there, and if I'm feeling brave I shake my fist at the fast escaping car that went through before it. Cars going through pedestrian crossings without stopping for pedestrians - now that annoys me!

As it happens, I'm off to Benin in a couple of days, where some of the cards on this thread have been used. I'm not planning to use my card while away (from past experience there's not going to be many places to actually use the card!) but I thought I should inform my banks. One bank said that they can't make any note on my account but I should just go ahead and use it. Which doesn't fill me with confidence, because I would hope a transaction in Benin would be flagged up as unusual activity.. either I would be unable to use my card, or someone doing it illegally would be able to! However HSBC have put a note on my account and have given me international helpline numbers - they said it still may be flagged as unusual activity, but they would try to call me if they were concerned. Not sure what to make of their responses!

Malcomio, how long does that take you? I work on Long Lane and you cycle right past my office - I've been considering cycling to work for a while and that was pretty much the route I'd worked out. I get the train at the moment and as I live next to Peckham Rye station door to door is just over 20 minutes, so I don't think I'd save too much time but the exercise would be good! I'm just very very nervous on roads after an accident (as a pedestrian) so it's taking me a long time to convince myself to cycle!

I recommended them on the other thread - Cruson's the grocer on Camberwell Church Street has lots of bargainous plants for sale and everything I've bought from there is doing very well! As reported on the other thread, one very healthy chilli plant bearing fruits, and the tomato plants are growing well but not fruit yet.. the mint is going mad too! It's in all in pots as we only have a yard. No slug damage yet, which is odd as every night I find herds (collective noun for slugs anyone? A slime of slugs maybe?) of the little blighters in the kitchen each night. Last night we found a family, a big one, a medium one and two little ones. Almost felt mean getting rid of them...

I just went out to check on the chilli plant (haven't had to water the plants for a few days!) and there are FOUR chillis on it!!!! I'm so proud.

Niamey airport... Niger not Nigeria - it's ok, everyone gets confused! Well some sources say I can land without a visa and buy (not even bribe!) at the airport, others say I have to have to get on the plane. There's a consulate in the Netherlands who are very helpful so I think I will go there to get a visa - there's an overnight boat from Harwich which is nice and cheap! Thanks for the interest in my plight :) getting visas is so very stressful!