Ann

That's a good point OliviaDee. You would have thought the chrity shops here would be awash with quality chidren's items. I've just had a clear out and have bags of excellent chidren's books that have been clogging my shelves which I plan to donate to the shop. I will post back if they're never seen again. I believe that some charity shops have a policy that items from well supported shops can be redistributed to areas that are not which would answer your query.

I've never skied in Andorra but I think Helen's post has some excellent guidance for those of you with very young families. I felt her pain when she described the five of them struggling to get to ski school with five sets of skis three of which belonged to three small girls! As others have said 3 to 4 seems to be the age that most continentals start; they have the luxury of no flights, no car hire so can generally afford it more easily than most of us in the UK as they can drive to the resort. We first went when our children were 9 and 11, comparitively late but both took to it like ducks to water. I'm still completely useless in comparison. We've managed a week each year since except one and will be going again this half term ( children now 17 and 15). No need for ski school these days , get up when you want. ski when you want. My children LOVE skiing and I'm so glad we've given them that opportunity that neither me or my husband had. The real reason why I'm posting is because it's not always as expensive as you think. We like the resort of Livigno in the Italian Alps close to the Swiss border. We usually fly with Ryan Air to Bergamo, Milan, hire a car and a self contained apartment none of which are expensive. I thinks our two bed apartment this year is about 800 euros for seven night February half term, absolute peak season! Food and drink are very reasonable; amazing Pizza's for 8 or 9 euros. Bar prices on a par with East Dulwich. In other words you can afford a family meal out without dreading the bill! Livigno is a short drive to the hugely popular hugely expensive Swiss resorts Davos and Klosters , same skiing at a quarter of the price(Livigno that is.) The Italian ski instructors are lovely and very child friendly. Not suggesting our holiday choice is in any way better that Helenvanp's . She has made a huge effort to share her experience and I thought her post was excellent. I just wanted to include an alternative. Well done you. You made a huge effort for your girls and in my experience, they'll be forever grateful. If your going this year have a great trip. Added for Claireclaire, the skateboarding in Livigno is excellent and they've got some impressive snowparks as well. Added agai to say I'm fairly sure there are creche facilities but not sure from what age.

Agree BellendenBear. To me pregnancy and childbirth is a unique experience for each woman in each pregancy. All the literature, ante-natal classes in the world can never predict those outcomes, you can merely prepare yourself as best you can.

From my observations it was still in quite early labour when the midwife said she couldn't have the epidural. The labour then cracked on I got the impression she reached full dilatation quite quickly when it did, which wouldn't be unusual for third baby. It's difficult to tell when it is carefully edited. I also got the impression that the midwife was surprised when the baby came face up, but I could be wrong. I would have thought there was a good chance she could have ended up with forceps with the baby in that position, if she had had an epidural. I wouldn't from my personal experience describe contractions like 'period pains' in any way shape or form and envy those women who can. I do like the way the couple are interviewed at home afterwards. It put the whole thing into perspective, a day in your life for a whole new life! Congratulations Sally81. Looks like you've survived to tell the tale, hope it's going well for you.

To be honest RosieH I think mollieo has a point. The stores you mention are convenient if you live very close to them but there's not a lot on Lordship Lane and it's environs at the time mollieo suggests. I'm not a city worker and never have been but I am a full time working mother and pop into Co-OP frequently ( in my case about 5.30pm),to be disappointed as many others have suggested, with the range of fresh good available. Or indeed the not fresh range, dried spaghetti. Sorry half my post got cut off! Iceland however can almost always come up with the goods for a basic family meal. I can understand that many City workers don't probably plan many meals in advance; they may not know at the beginning of the week how many nights they'll be in etc. That's where I think Waitrose and M&S do well. If any of you have been to the Sainsbury's by Brixton tube or Clapham Junction at around 6pm could verify; They are jammed. Actually so full in such a confined space it's not a pleasant shopping experience but pleasant indeed for the company at the receiving end of the tills! The Co-Op does let us down but tey got there before the other 'aspirational' chains were interested, so it' a bit ' finders-keepers'

Minatour

Cry Baby Cry - The Beatles

Yes Dulwich Cricket club. Goggle them and the web site will say when new registrations will take place, usually in April before the season begins.

I've always used the shop near Acorn. I think it about ?5 for four photos. Presumably you've got the passport application form? As others have said the 'regulations' defy belief! The information on the form is useful but doesn't really reveal the true pedantry of the passport office photo scrutineers! Whatever you do, please use the 'Check and Send ' service at the Post Office. They've been invaluble for us in the past.

He certainly was and yes the Polish girl was amazing. How many of us would have gone through that, (admittedly with a lovely mum) whilst boyfriend is unobtainable and still manage to smile throughout?

Also it's a little baffling that rival gangs would have been at the same party. To host a party inviting rival gangs is pretty inconceivable and I'm guessing there was an appropriate level of security at least at entry level. There's an awful lot here that is worrying on so many levels. Fourteen year old shot. Perpetrator potentially 13? An 18 year old dead having been to an organised event? Not a typically random street killing I would have thought.

The lad from Hamlets had been signed for West Ham. Surname McCullum I believe, not sure of first name. Info from my son's Facebook. Good luck to him.

Next season and this time it's for real. One of my brothers has his season ticket seat confirmed. At long, long last.

You mean Brighton kpc? I hope so. Most of you will have no idea the misery Brighton have had to endure now without a proper stadium for over a decade.

I'm delighted for Crawley Town, but was kind of hoping for a Brighton Crawley local derby!. Anyone else out there interested in Brighton? Stoke's a tough draw but heck that team are on form!

That's such a good point Samstopit. There has been very much in recent years a trend to very early discharge from hospital. Granted you can get more rest at home but it used to be that post natal wards actually let mothers have a rest. In older days it used to be called 'The lying-in period'. You rested , fed your baby but did little else! That simply doesn't happen now. I would add that not that many years ago ( the dim distant 1990's ), paternity leave was pretty much unheard of, I suppose you can't have it all ways! But heck we survive to tell the tale. To new mothers it's worth it , and then some.

DJKillaQueen Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > It may well have just been a teenage argument that > got out of hand, but sadly it seems these days, > that's all it takes for some to commit murder. As CJJ also suggests. Fighting has probably never not been part of our culture. I'm thinking of Mods and Rockers '50's early '60's as an example of divisions amongst groups in society. A punch-up is hardly desirable on our streets but could be broken up quickly ( probably ) and almost certainly without loss of life. A life had been lost and most probably another ( young ) life will have seen his/her life changed irrevocably at a very young age for the crime that was committed. How very, very ironic and sad beyond belief that this should have ( possibly ) happened at an 18th birthday party. A party to celebrate 'Coming of Age'. An entry to adulthood from childhood.

Slightly off topic perhaps but I have to say we, ( our society) owe an awful lot to the Suffrage movement. It perpetuated for many decades, not just the Edwardian events commonly referred to. ie force feeding in prison, tied to railings etc. Suffrage was I think gained long after the First World War, said war being the catalyst that eventually gave British women the vote. I have no doubt many forummers will have vastly better knowledge than me on this subject. It came to mind following Ladydeliah's remarks about women's earning capacity ability to pay for housing etc. Key areas where women can be oppressed through economic dynamics. In the 19th Century divorced women had no claim over the land/money they had brought to the marriage nor even the children! It seems unspeakable now hence my original comment. I have no issue with the gypsy community at all. I'm just grateful to women who lived many years ago who raised the issue of equality.

Are rabbit fur coats so different (in essence) from the very popular, hugely expensive, extemely practical, seen all over London UGG Boots? I own a pair but don't own a rabbit fur coat. I've never really liked fur coats but sheepskin boots are very practical in the winter. Is this a fair comparison?

Tiger Feet - Mud

stream

Thanks for those, you've done an excellent combination there.(tu)

rapid

Moon

Smash