Naiada

I finally got to see a real life GP (after calling 111 & being referred to the Tessa Jowell centre as my own practice didn’t respond) When I told the GP who my current practice is and all the problems I’ve had, they didn’t seem surprised & suggested I swap to Tessa Jowell but before I do, I wanted to see if anyone would a) recommend Tessa Jowell b) recommend another practice? I realise all practices are under great pressure so are all going to be less than perfect but they can’t be worse than my current one which shall remain nameless! Thanks for any positive / negative reviews on any local surgeries.

Hi Jellybeanz Thanks for your reply. I'll pass on the details to him. Good idea about anti inflammatory foods etc. At the moment he is in too much pain to do any exercises - it's a bit of a vicious circle....

My son has a very bad back at the moment. He's waiting to see a consultant but his appointment is not for another 6 weeks. He's in terrible pain and can hardly walk and has to keep taking time off work when it flares up. He's seeing a good osteopath (and feels a bit better immediately after the session, then it's bad again) . He has also seen a physio but is in such pain he can't do the exercises at the moment. He's not sure what causes it but is very tall so the osteo thought that may have some bearing on his problems. I just wondered if anyone can recommend any different type of specialist he could try? thanks for any advice and please send a PM if so.

I tripped & fell back in April & suffered a mild anterior wedge fracture of vertebra T6 (ie the vertebra in the centre of my spine between my shoulders. Has anyone else had a somilar injury, & if so did you use a back brace? I’m still waiting for an outpatient appt at Kings after several GP cock-ups (referring me to wrong departments etc) & am worries that a) it’s not getting any bettee & b) that I don’t know what I ahould / should not be doing to help it. It feels like I’ve been punched in the back whenever I bend down a bit & then the muscles in my shoulder go into spasm - ouch! Any advice greatly appreciated thanks.

Every night from 8pm - 8.30 we see several big flocks of parakeets flying right over our flat on Archdale road SE22 - we think they come from Peckham rye park but wonder where they head to each evening - maybe Dulwich Park? It’s always at exactly the same time so would love to know where they end up ! Does anyone living near Peckham rye park or Dulwich park see them too?

Thanks - have tried them but will keep checking back.

thanks Pugwash I'll check out prices. I've also been told about a good value place in Belvedere near Woolwich called Thames Self Storeage and saw one yesterday near Swanley called 'Green Box' which looks good, if anyone else is also looking.

I'm looking for an affordable studio space to paint and store my paintings and materials - happy to it by public transport if it works out cheaper than something in East Dulwich.... Any suggestions welcome!

Can anyone recommend a relatively cheap storeage unit company (doesn't have to be that close to SE22)? We want to clear our attic etc and put all the stuff in storeage for a few months. thanks (I wasn't sure which section to post this under???)

I highly recommend Adam Brown - who has worked wonders for my old mac many times. He's very fairly priced, too. He usually sorts my computer and website issues out remotely but is based locally if you prefer an in person visit. Tel 07808 740328 [email protected]

Some highlights -

thanks for the replies, everyone. I'll give them a go!

I need to make a PDF portfolio for a job application but only have a very old & basic free version of Acrobat, Is there a way of making a professional looking pdf portfolio for free? I don’t want to have to pay for a pro version of Acrobat or to sign up for a ‘free ‘ trial. thanks for any suggestions.

Thanks for the replies so far. He has now had very positive interest from a screenwriter but would still be interested in having more feedback from local authors / editors as well.

thanks for taking time to make the suggestions, IamTJ - the main problem is that the slideshows need to be in square format for my instagram posts and these all appear to be in standard landscape format but I'll check them out a bit more anyway. Ideally I'm looking for an app rather than something for a desktop computer as I'll be making them 'on the go'

I?m trying to find a free app to make a simple slideshow of photos of some of my designs to post on Instagram. I?ve got several free ones but as soon as I open them it says ?7 days free trial then you have to subscribe? ie they are NOT free! The only one that I found that was completely free had a big watermark on it. Does anyone know of one that really is free? I have a mac so thought if not, I could try doing it on the computer?

thanks for the replies. All results were normal except my vit D levels were on the low side - Angelina - you suggested that may be a cause, & the GP also mentioned that so I?m now aware of what to do to help raise levels safely.

I?ve got to have a blood test as I?ve been suffering from bouts of fatigue recently but have been taking an over-the-counter iron supplement & multivits. I asked the receptionist but she was very vague & it?s v hard to contact the GPs at my surgery- does anyone have any idea? thanks!

thanks for all the helpful feedback, everyone!

Update - the collection team at Begging Bowl have now posted to say they?ve been overwhelmed with items so are no longer taking donations. Sazzle30 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > There is a local collection at the begging bowl on > Bellenden road. Organised by the Begging Bowel > cleaners who are Polish and Ukrainian. They have > asked for the following: > > Womens Coats > Woman?s Warm clothes > Food > sanitary items > Kids clothes > Sheets > Towels > Nappies > Blankets > Water bottles > Sleeping bags > > They are collecting items until 9th March and > then driving the items to Wlodawa > > Saw this in the uva London Instagram account this > morning They?ve now updated it on Instagram too.

Thanks sjsl - we have now appealed so fingers crossed.

We drove into a car park (Euro Car Parks) in Rye & I (the driver) waited in the car for about 10 minutes while my partner went to check if there was a market on that day. As there wasn?t, we left the car park. I didn?t buy a ticket and have now got a ?100 fine - can I appeal as I did not leave my car?

My partner has written a novel (a political thriller). He printed some copies at work which he sent to friends, and deliberately chose people who he knew would be totally honest/blunt in their critique but they?ve all been very complimentary and said they couldn?t put it down, with several of them encouraging him to try and take it further. Also (although I may be biased) I think it?s a really good, pacy story and it really drew me in. He has done several self-edits and feels he?s gone as far as he can go by himself and would like to get professional input now. He?s read a book called ?Getting Published by Harry Bingham,? but he doesn?t really know how the business works and has no contacts in the industry. He's now trying to find the right editor to work with before trying to see if an agent would be interested in taking it on. If anyone has suggestions, or has been in a similar position it would be great to hear from you. He's under no illusions and he is aware of how crowded the market is, and how difficult it will be for a first time author to get anywhere, by the way!

thanks for the replies so far - much appreciated.

My friend is a graphic & product designer & has been in full time employment since graduating 3 years ago. She?s been offered some regular freelance work & wants to know how much to charge at a daily rate. It would be doing graphics & digital design work (rendering, using rhino etc) for successful & busy firm in London E1. She?s been employed mainly as a junior designer but is about to become a ?middleweight? ( if that?s the right term?? If any other freelancers can help that would be great, thanks.