Finding a chimney sweep

A trawl of the internet found BG Wright, Master Sweep Services, based in Orpington and sweep to SE London & Kent. Turns out there is quite a lot of business, so it took us a little while to sort a good date. Ideal for us though, they work Saturdays.

The Saturday arrived and at the end of the allotted time slot, Martin and his partner arrived (Martin is a chatter - I have no idea how he makes it through all of his calls in a day - but good fun - I just wouldn't be surprised if he is running late). Very smartly dressed in freshly laundered black overalls, they set to work taking out a gas fire and getting us ready for a proper fire.

Martin cleaned the chimney, tested the flue with orange pellets and advised that we needed a different cap on the chimney. As luck would have it, Mick & Paul his friendly roofers were nearby and able to do the job. Quite handy, and to be fair, the sweep effectively suggested them for a quick job, but suggested you look around for a bigger job. So in a matter of just over an hour we were ready and set with good instructions. Set a small fire and check that the smoke goes up the chimney but also doesn't seep back into any of the other rooms - there should be separate flues, but over the years, they may have leaks.

Sunday saw us buy all the accoutrements and start our proper fire. Slightly more proper than we bargained for. Black smoke poured into the living room and went nowhere near the chimney, the down draft from the chimney pushing the smoke into the room.

So a disappointing start, but we not to be deterred, we will be going back to Martin for the next stage of advice. In the meantime I should buy shares in Fabreze...

Dewanian - Great Indian in SE23

After a potter around Lordship Lane on Saturday, both the bf and I fancied a curry (ever the Valentine's romantic). Having tried one of the underwhelming curry houses on LL a while back, we decided we'd rather head somewhere closer to home to try somewhere new.

Two options nearer to home, both unvisited by us till now were Elachi and Dewanian on what I shall refer to as Topp Tiles Corner. Within easy walking distance, we walked past both and chose the Dewaniam based on the greater number of seated patrons at the time.

Quite an old fashioned curry house in terms of decor, with an astonishing arch fish tank to keep the kids amused, the really pleasant surprise was the food - and actually the menu.

We shared a chicken jalfrezi, a sag aloo and a wonderful venison curry. The menu includes game, trout as well as the venison. The cooking is assured and really flavoursome. The venison may not have been as pretty as something at Babur's but blimey it tasted good.

Having driven past so many times in the last 2 years, I'm really glad we tried it. We will try Elachi soon, but we will definitely return to Dewanian. (Though possibly not for the Elvis impersonator night next month...)

Who buys flats in Lewisham?

Letter from overseas...

Having lived in 3 quite diverse parts of London, I have always felt that the market for properties in Lewisham, with the proximity to Central London and Canary Wharf, added to the quality of properties and green open spaces, should appeal to a wide audience.

Well, on opening the South China Morning Post last week, the advertising seems to certainly be targeting customers in Hong Kong. 

For nearly two weeks, advertising for a sales event (held at the Mandarin Oriental, HK) for the Silkworks apartments in SE13 has featured within the paper (being promoted by the developer, St James and the estate agent, King Sturge). 

With the weakened pound, the UK is proving attractive to a number of investors. There may be some expats looking to stay in the UK market, but a large number of Asian investors are being targeted. Also in the last week, I have watched a half hour documentary on this very subject on local HK tv, showing a number of Hong Kong residents who invest in London property.

Whether this advertising and tv interest leads to a knock on effect for Forest Hill may remain to be seen, but I think it is worth noting that the market for properties like Forest Hill Central is much wider than the traditional local SE23 market.

Forest Hill Pools Post No. 2

I really didn't mean to post about this, but it is such a big thing for the local area, that I can't help myself. I thought I'd add numbers to my posts on this going forwards so that I can track how often I end up posting about the same thing over the next few years....

So the latest, is 3 options for the Forest Hill Pools from the council. It took me quite some time, and a number of read throughs to get this right in my head.

So option 3 is - build a pool in Sydenham - I mean really...

Option 1 & 2 in theory are get rid of the Victorian frontage (Option 1) or keep it (Option 2). But then to make it a little more complicated the same assumptions don't appear to work for both, so you don't end up with a like for like comparison. Apparently to be able to Finance the one where you get rid of the frontage, you need additional housing to offset costs but for the conservation option you don't need this (logic I can't quite grasp).

I previously have been in favour of getting rid of the frontage (which I see as something of a Gothic monstrosity), though I have to say the new pictures with the frontage look rather cute. Truthfully, I don't care if it is Option 1 or 2, just get on and start it already.

What I really do care about though is that a facility should be built on the current site. Not because I particularly like swimming, but because I think the Council have a duty to provide investment to Forest Hill Town Centre. The 'town centre' is currently drab and run down, with a few notable exceptions trying to buck the trend. For Lewisham Council to even think of building the facility elsewhere is shameful. Lets hope that common opinion and common sense prevail.

Sunday brunch at Tapastry

This is the current favourite of the bf & I. Lazy Sunday, read the papers & a late breakfast at Tapastry in Honor Oak. Splendid.

Usually, they play cool music and you can lose the day in here. More recently, a tv seems to have appeared, and I have to imagine that the owner likes his footie. Having said that, it isn't too loud and surely it isn't on every day...

The food though is spot on - a healthy grill sources top quality ingredients and sets us up for the day. The service is friendly if a little scatter brained. But you do get the feeling that the owner really does like his little joint, and honestly - so do I. Possibly with more competition, I might shop around, but for now, this will do nicely.

Milkman delivers in the snow

No buses, National Rail Enquiries website crashed, schools closed - a nation thrown into turmoil?

I was so impressed at this sight in my porch this morning. I really didn't expect it, but I so appreciated it.

I love the fact that we have a milkman at all. I love the fact that you can now order online up to 9pm the night before. I love the fact they deliver cat food (as does the cat). I love that they never screw up when I go on holiday. But the fact that they can deliver when all else has failed !!

There's a fighting spirit. Go, milkman!

Forest Hill has a Snow Day!

It didn't take me too long this morning to realise it would be easier to work from home. Between the excel spreadsheets and the numerous phone calls, I managed to go out to the shops (with camera in tow)! Seeing Forest Hill in the snow was great - really uplifting.

The neighbourhood was full of kids (some well into their 30s) having snowball fights, snowmen being made and people taking photographs. This is one if the finest displays of community spirit I have seen in ages. This should happen every year!