To Infinity......and beyond! (Well SE23)

I have been watching the cable laying on Brockley Rise with interest and it looks like it is now coming my way. The 3 white vans in this shot are all BT OpenReach bringing fibre optic cable to SE23. (There was in fact a 4th van just out of shot!).

Our internet service is pretty abysmal. Poor on most days and utterly useless on weekends or the school holidays. This is made especially difficult as I have to work from home one day a week and to be honest, its a struggle to stay connected.

I like to think that BT Infinity will help me out - though as my real issue is connectivity rather than speed, I'm not so sure. Recent checks on a speedtest show I have about a 3mbps upload and a pathetic 0.78ish upload - but that is when I can get on.. The speeds are actually better than I expected (nowhere near that nirvana 8 I keep on getting told about), though nowhere near the 100mbps I used to get when I lived in the US 7 years ago.

So we definitely will switch when it comes - July per the BT website, but I need to be realistic about what it will bring - and a slight word of caution came from one jgdoherty on the SE23 forum (who seems to know an awful lot on the subject).

I think I need everyone in SE23 to express interest, but no one sign up but me!

Still excited though - so much so, I felt obliged to photograph my new local hero:

Hop and a skip to Hopscotch for a burger

Hopscotch on Honor Oak Park has really grown on me.

The first weekend they opened, I got as far as the door, then ran at the sight of buggies and screaming kids through the steamed up windows.

Since then, it seems to have settled into a more adult affair. Not that kids aren't welcome, but adults are welcome - so many places round here seem to have to chase the buggy crowd for midweek revenue - but lets face it, if I want a quiet cup of coffee with a read of the paper, I wouldn't go to a creche.

It has more recently opened up on Thu, Fri & Sat evenings. I have passed a few times when it has been crowded, but last Friday it was just me & hubby. We both had a drink and a burger, and they were superb. The burger with stilton and bacon hit the spot for me. (The lager hit the spot for hubby!). Despite the fact that the place was empty on this visit, the music and ambiance honestly meant I didn't notice.

I hope this becomes a winner for the area, cos it sure is for me.

Looks like they are on twitter @hopscotchbar - I'll be following.

Forest Hill Society

It's funny, when I moved to SE23, I rather thought the Forest Hill Society (FHS) was a bunch of old fuddy duddies - which may actually be down to the logo and the odd things I picked up from the SE23 forum (which it turns out has nothing to do with FHS).

Last year, I decided to go along to their AGM to find out a bit more. Having spoken out (on what topic I can't even remember - ah yes, may have been internet communications and blogs...), Richard Hibbert, the Chair, suggested I get involved. I was adamant I was too busy, but he has a way of getting you involved, just a bit.

The aims of the society are set out in their constitution, which roughly translates to an interest in:

- promoting public interest and civic pride

- planning

- amenities

Whilst it may sound dry, depending on your area of interest, it is quite easy to get involved and actually do something. I have limited interest in planning or transport from FH (I use HOP or Catford Bridge), but I am keen on more amenities in the area and lets face it, I love bars, restaurants and shops!! For all of these, I think SE23 has plenty of room for improvement.

So far, I have helped organise the Burns Night at the All Inn One and the Royal Wedding Party by the Old Post Office. I've really enjoyed both. If anyone else is interested, I seriously suggest getting in touch. The FHS is a broad church and really is only limited by its resource pool - ie active members.

Ironically, the bit I think I still need to work on is there internet presence (lets see if I can sort my own first eh).

Stag and Bow Officially opened this weekend

I've popped into Stag & Bow a couple of times since its doors opened quite some time back. They have a cookie but on trend make up of craft and haberdashery goods as well as some small housey antiques. Over the last few months, the shop has 'filled out' so to speak, and now looks and feels like a proper store.

I am keen to sample their craft workshops. They do all sorts from crochet to leather work. This seems like it is quite a trend too. I recently went to a Homemade London open evening, who do similar things at their store in town - though fairly well advertised in SE London as the business is run by Mrs 'Brockley Nick' (creator of Brockley Central). Hopefully the concept will also work in Forest Hill, though I imagine there is some risk involved to get enough footfall.

Immediately noticeable at Stag & Bow, is the lovely shop front. This is a great addition to this stretch and hopefully becomes one to set a trend on Dartmouth Road. I do hope that with the onset of the Pools and the opening of Sylvan Post, footfall will be forthcoming. I'll certainly make it to one of their workshops.

Be serious woman.....!

OK, I really haven't been trying have I?

Commitment then for the next 2 months to get 2/week posts up.

I've written and posted that now.

No promises that they will be 2 per actual week - but lets say 16 posts in 8 weeks.

The challenge is set.