The bloody Blackwall Tunnel

How shit is it. I mean a fire in a lorry and the entire of South East London comes to a stand still. If that wasn't enough it was raining and we all know that no-one in London knows how to drive as soon as it rains. It took me what felt like an hour this morning to get to Plumstead station. Buses couldn't pass each other, clever dick heads were blocking the streets and in the end I gave up and worked from home. I thought about doing a little shop but couldn't face the trek to Sainsbury in the traffic so am having a freezer food supper tonight.
Seriously though how can Bo-Jo not think it is a good idea to have another form of crossing the river in this area of London. On the news they were saying that people were using Tower Bridge as an alternative route. Oh really helpful, send more traffic into Central London a zillion miles away when all we want to do is cross the river.

digging up the roads

When will it ever stop! Half of Greenwich seems to be under traffic cones and temporary traffic lights. It's like a free for all, especially when half the borough's driver sans licence whizz through them on RED...It made me laugh the other day when I had stopped and the car behind me tried to overtake me on the steep hill and go through the light only to find a bus in the way, at that point he was stuck on the other side of the road as the car behind had moved up and he had nowhere to go..how i laughed and mocked as he was beeped and sworn at..

garages

I noticed the other day that the M and S is no longer at the BP garage in Charlton. I only noticed this when I had already picked up a basket and was half way around and couldn't find anything to buy! What a shame as at least it was open later which meant if I missed the one at the Standard I could pop down there..
Now why doesn't Shell team up with someone (Waitrose)!?? and then we could have our own mini haven on the common. Or better still Shell turn into BP and then we have a mini M and S et voila, Plumstead Village is born!

Londis

I spotted this on my walk today. No idea how long it has been here perhaps I just now get to Tesco and don't go any further. However, there it was, next door looking all shiny and new and sunny in its colours and I thought "how lovely"..It really makes such a difference to shops when they spruce themselves up (owners of Plumstead High Street and the dip take note)! I am very excited to see that this little street has had a mini facelift but just think that the dip and Slade should be prime for a bit of TLC (the other area I just can't believe hasn't sorted itself out is the road called The Village in Charlton)!
I can't believe anyone ever buys carpets from Mr Carpet Man next to the Co-Op. I once got quoted by him after he spent 15 minutes ignoring me when I was the only customer in his shop and he was outrageously expensive! He could become Mr Costa Coffee!

The North Wind doth blow...

blimey and didn't it just! The path leading to our house was soaked - for one minute I thought we had had a pool installed that I didn't know about! No place for lilo's here tho..Am just pleased I don't live at the bottom of a hill.

Shopping

I had to do some weekly shopping today. I couldn't even get into the first supermarket I tried as the car park was full so I got fed up and went to a different one! I think the entirety of SE London must have been doing their food shopping this morning, it was heaving! Or perhaps it was the weather that meant everyone was in a car..
I like food shopping, I like having a wander about and I find that I always get new things that I wouldn't see if I was shopping online (although I do love Mr Ocado and his van).
I am also fascinated by what other people buy and often want to ask them what they plan on making with their purchases as you do see some of the oddest combinations! I only cook about 10 dishes in rotation so could really do with some inspiration!
I also feel v shameful when I see the local chavtastic population with more fruit and veg in their baskets than I have.

Litter

Today I am moaning about litter. Put it in the bin people. It's a right tip out there.
Seriously when we all have 300 bins each that are kept outside next to the path how can you fail to find one to put your rubbish in? (I actually am a bin down as someone has pinched one of mine).
Pikeys.

Parking

What is it with people parking right at the end of a road, on a corner? Does your car have a death wish?
I find myself nearly in the middle of the road before I can see any traffic approaching.
Particularly bad spots seem to be the vans parked outside of Tony's cafe which means I play car roulette everytime I try and cross Plumstead Common!

Fireworks

Yippee for fireworks! I am off to see some tomorrow at Blackheath and join the masses as we get stuck in traffic and make our way over there. I've only ever been to the ones in Blackheath (I mean in this area not ever) and they are pretty impressive. In fact the first time I came I was living on the other side of London and I remember going to a fabulous Greek restaurant in what is now the Indian opposite Neal's Yard. Shame it closed.
I have never been to the ones at Danson Park and you have to pay for those so I probably won't ever go either.
There were a tonne of fireworks going off last night, some of them were pretty big too. Not sure I would set something that size off in the garden but it made for a lovely free display.
I also love New Year's Eve in these parts as you can see for miles from our house and there are always fireworks being set off.
Not as keen on the manky kids that have them though....

Plumstead Safer Neighbourhood

There is a new Safer Neighbourhood office that I have seen is opening on Lakedale Road, just near to Tesco and the Daily 5 Cafe..This little parade of shops is really beginning to smarten itself up and how nice to see some more Police presence. (Am hoping this isn't going to be the only thing that takes over from Plumstead Police Station when it closes)!
I think it is a real shame that the lovely flower shop closed on this road just as things were looking up. They sold beautiful flowers and now it is a "fashion" shop, although it recently changed hands. I have no idea how these shops think they are going to survive when they are only offering things to a small number of people. I always think they are money laundering fronts..!

Thames Bridge

I read an article in The Mercury today about the Thames Gateway Bridge and how plans have been shelved by Boris. Now I'm a big fan of Bo but really what was he thinking? Has he ever been to Greenwich?? Trying to cross the river is utter madness.
The Woolwich ferry is currently down to one boat as 2 are in for servicing, but even with both up and running the queues, particularly at peak times, are crucifying.
Not a day passes without the Blackwall tunnel being backed up in one of the directions. You only have to listen to the BBC news in the morning and it is always on there. Then the only other option is the Dartford crossing (bridge already paid for, yet the fee has risen to £1.5o)...
Look at West London and even Central London and you will see an abundance of bridges to get across. Yet if you live in the borough of Greenwich you are severely hampered.
It the one thing I absolutely hate about living in this borough. Whilst I don't luckily have to drive to work I do drive North of the river at least once over the weekend and believe that the bridge could have been the perfect answer.

Plumstead Manor School

I like the look of Plumstead Manor School. It has a lovely oldy worldy feel to it and I also like the fact that it is a single sex school. There are certainly not many of these left, at least in the state sector. I do wish they would wear a uniform though. I can't quite get to grips with people going to school in hideous round necked sweatshirts.
There is a lot of expansion happening around the school, details of which can be found on the PMS website and it looks pretty impressive.
Now if they could only do something about the people who just stop in the middle of the road to drop their children off that would be good. (Especially those who blatantly ignore the yellow zig zags). To those parents I say how about I ignore your child when she steps out in front of my car on the way to work....