cath_r

Just to note (as someone who has regularly travelled across France by train from London) that SNCF and Eurostar are very good at sorting out situations when trains have been delayed. If an SNCF train is delayed, the conductor will invite people to get their tickets stamped if they have an onward Eurostar. I've been late to Eurostar on numerous occasions and they've just put me on the next service. Mostly they've already been aware of SNCF delays. Ditto when I told the TGV staff that my Eurostar was late, they just told me to board and they would help me find a seat. Delays are common and they have procedures in place to handle them in both directions. I've always been pleasantly surprised by how simple it's been. Also, definitely agree with QueenMab re first class seats on the French TGV trains. They are spacious and relaxing and when my son was under 5, he could have his own ticket/seat for just 9 euros.

Based on the reviews that I'd read here, I got in touch with Leon to install a new porch light outside our front door. Great communication about arrival time and what he'd need to do. Very happy with Leon's work and he's very friendly and pleasant to welcome to your home. I've since asked him to come back and fix some internal lights that were flickering annoyingly. Big thumbs up from me.

Hi - I’m looking for someone who can come and help at home each morning to get my son ready for nursery and do some light chores to keep things ticking along nicely. Some days you would need to drop him at nursery - a 12/15 min walk from home (near Great Exhibition pub). Light chore examples: hanging out/folding laundry, making beds, loading/unloading the dishwasher, keeping the kitchen clean & tidy. I can be flexible but approx 2 hours each day from 6.30am (ideally Mon-Friday but could also do Mon-Thursday). We live on Goodrich Road, close to the primary school. My son is almost 3. We’re a bilingual household - English & French. Please DM me if interested with your relevant experience, schedule and rates. Thanks! Cath

Alas the reg number turned out to be fake plates. My alarm didn't go off - I think they're very skilled at not shaking the cars when they do it. Apparently they target particular models at a time and perfect the art.

This happened to my 2012 Toyota Auris this week - middle of the day on Wednesday, bold as brass. Neighbour saw them but didn't realise what she saw at the time. Her partner did run down and they jumped into their van and sped off. Sadly, they got the catalytic converter anyway and the repair bill is ?1020. With insurance excess and loss of no claims, I'm still stuck with a large bill. From what I can tell from online articles, a 2012 Toyota Auris Hybrid fits exactly into the most at risk vehicle list but I wasn't aware of it as a problem. Car was parked on Goodrich Road near the primary school. Neighbour did get a reg number which I have passed onto the police in the crime report. Am waiting for local community team to call me back as I'd like more info on the patterns they are seeing locally. Will it just get taken again once repaired? It's been parked in Goodrich Road since I moved here 3 years ago.

Hi Anna, Would love to be part of this group. I'm due in mid-May. I've sent you my number. Thanks for organising. Cath