kittysailing

Have just finished wrapping all kids FC present and piled them on two sledges ( family tradition) and have suddenly been struck by how bonkers it is to give a kid over twenty presents all in one go! We've spent around ?100 on each kid which husband reckons is fairly modest. I think it seems a lot. Just wondered what the average spend was?

Have done this lots of times with my kids (2&5) and always had a great time. With smaller children we always book a family room ( usually a bunk with a double bit at bottom) but when I've been with older kids we've shared a dorm with up to ten others which is much more cost effective. The YHA have a comprehensive website which gives details of all the hostels. The hostels have shared 'members' kitchens for self catering but most hostels provide decent meals ( and wine too!) They are usually in lovely, unique buildings and kids really enjoy the freedom of the games rooms and often extensive grounds. We've mainly stayed in the lakes, Scotland and Cornwall but have also stayed in several in Wales( tintagel particularly magical) Closer to London I'd recommend Lulworth Cove in Dorset, Telcombe which is right on a South Downs Way and we had a great weekend at Epping Forest - we took the bikes and had a bonfire at night. We stayed in one in Holbury St Mary, Surrey, a few Christamasses ago - you can hire the whole hostels if there is a big gang of you. They all vary in character depending on location and who runs them. Favourite one is Black Sail Pass in the lakes which is an old bothy up a mountain and can only be reached on foot! PM me for specifics!

Heating bills not hearing bills - no problem with hearing bills fortunately

I can highly recommend Dean Wigmore - gas safety number 214867 - he serviced my boiler today - helpful, reliable and gave me useful advice on how to bring my heating bills down. 07968143661.

I've been advertising a wills and attorneys service on the EDF and so far have had clients in ED, Herne Hill, Brockley, Nunhead, Brixton, Telegraph Hill, Sydenham, Dulwich Village, West Dulwich, Tulse Hill, West Norwood, Streatham, Catford, Camberwell, Oval, Lewisham and Leigh - on - Sea ( granted that was someone's gran!) a surprisingly wide reach.

Backhander.com

Nick's next local dates are Sunday 26th October and Sunday 16th November - he will visit you at home and charges ?175 per joint will pm me for a factsheet.

Hello My father in law has ben doing a once a month 'will clinic' in ED for the last year and would be happy to advise [email protected]

07535015022

Does anyone know of a particular place on Rye Lane or Bellenden rd where I can get a photocopy done this morning? Thanks

Email production company and beg!

Soft play/ swimming at Peckham pulse?

This was a fantastic day - we loved it! Thanks to al who organised.

FYI Nick offers a power of attorney's service also.

Hi there - thanks for the recommendations - drop Nick a line with your query - I'm sure he'll be able to advise. [email protected]

we're coming!

Half an hour from going up the golden ladder to me coming back down the golden ladder!

There's always dads at the stay and play at Ivydale children's centre - and a specific dad's group on a Saturday morning. One O'clock club is a good place too.

A little mouse with clogs on?

Open top bus round London works for all ages and easy with little ones. Tick off all the sights! I took an eleven year old girl to Topshop Flagship Oxford Street and then for a burger at Ed's Diner and she said it as the best day of her life!

You know the cheap picnic blankets with the black waterproof underside - ?3.99 from sainsburys - work a treat as blackout blinds - used on holiday on several occasions- tucked into the sash or gaffer taped

It appears there is room for a primary school as well as secondary school on the site. Harris are already in on the deal. Seems weird not to wait until secondary school provider appointed for a bit of joined up thinking - ie Habs Hatcham now offer primary school provision for all through education. As do Harris.. maybe that's the plan...

According to Gove's letter to Tessa Jowell it's a done deal with Harris..

I think like many things Gove is involved in - he's got this wrong. I think he's talking about the Nunhead Harris primary that's going to take over the police station in September 2015. The dates mentioned, the name, the trajectory all are weirdly the same as the planned Harris primary which was approved in Feb 2014 to be housed in Harris girls then moved to old police station, LL in September 2015. Let's hope so before Harris takes over the world.

Try Camberwell choir school on Benhill rd - they do lovely class on Saturday morning - mini music group. My favourite of all the music classes!

Oh - the milk of human kindness. 'He rambled on about his private life' to me as well. I think he's going through a tough time. I listened with a sympathetic ear. He fixed the shower. All good.