Dead Bees

There are a lot of dead bees around this year. Mainly on the pavement and I'm not sure why. Last year I don't seem to remember seeing many bees, just wasps, mainly flying into my food. This year there are loads of bees and not many wasps...ok so mainly the bees are dead and on the pavement but still I've seen more of them!

Football and flags

A couple of people have pointed out some of the ways that people decorate their houses. From hanging bits of polyester out of the window to sprucing up their gardens. Personally I prefer a few flowers to flags but watching the football they were showing clips of England playing in the world cup 8 years ago and the majority of the supporters had the Union Jack.
Now i know that technically the St George's flag is correct because we haven't fielded a UK team but when did we start to pick up on the SGF rather than the UJ? Also I can't help but think that the UJ looks so much more patriotic and English than the SGF which I think has just suffered at the hands of Sun readers and the BNP over the years. the UJ makes me think of bunting and home made lemonade and waving the flag at the Queen! If she ever does a tour of Plumstead I shall get a UJ hanging out of my window...
Also I wonder how people can get flags twice the size of their windows but they don't seem to be able to manage to get net curtains or bits of sheet to fit and have to resort to stretching them across the window...

Charlton Lido

Opens again for the summer season from July 24th, according to the 853 blog. I have done some searching on this, not a lot of information around as the greenwich.gov website still has it showing as closed for refurbishment but if we get some hot hot weather I shall be taking a dip. Beats trying to get into the children's paddling pool I reckon.

Plumstead Leisure Centre

I know it still exists as Toddlers World takes place here every Monday and Friday, but whenever I pop down to it I always forget to read the notices or enquire about what else takes place here.
From what I can see on the Greenwich Leisure website, Plumstead Leisure Centre isn't part of the boroughs leisure centres anymore. At least there is no information about it anywhere. Perhaps I am not looking in the right place.
Does anyone know what other activities take place here?

Outdoor Gyms

I am really interested in checking this out. http://www.tgogc.com/find-a-gym/charlton-park/ I have read about them recently as I think the plan is to install on in Eaglesfield Park, but I didn't realise there was one in Charlton Park. Far more enjoyable that sweating in the gym, especially with summer around the corner.
I really like Charlton Park as well, the setting is stunning and the cafe is also nice, what a shame it isn't open on a weekend though (would have thought this would have been a huge coffers booster). Charlton House is always looking for ways to increase their cash flow so opening the cafe on a weekend when families always seem to be walking in the park would be a good bet. Plus after all that exercise in the outdoor gym, what you really need is a big fat slice of cake!

Beauty...

Plummy Mummy and her followers (I imagine her to be robed and scattering petals now)!! have been blogging about all things beauty. I have tried Connexions which is on Lakedale Road. It's OK it didn't inspire me to return.
I also saw at the Best of Plumstead stand at the Plumstead Make Merry that "Hair by Nikki" now has a beauty salon. I think this is the salon that used to be next to the kebab shop opposite the Shell garage and they had some lovely glossy little cards printed at the MM which explained that as welll as hair they now do beauty. Might be worth investigating, except I can't remember where I put the card. No doubt the Best of PLumstead website will have directions.
I have also mentioned before the Shooter's Hill campus which has a student salon, very reasonable prices and they offer the full works. I reckon you could get preened and glossed from top to bottom for about £30!
I also seem to remember reading about mobile beauty places that will come round to your house and do a bunch of friends for quite reasonable prices. Could be fun for a night in.

Pistachio's Cafe

These are the people who have the Cafe in Lee and also in East Greenwich Pleasaunce. They have their own website http://pistachiosinthepark.org.uk/ and they are looking for people to open a franchise. Am saying a silent prayer for someone in Plumstead to open one.
Someone, somewhere, must know someone who can make cake and coffee (I am very good at eating and drinking it).

The Big Screen

The centre of Woolwich has a rather large TV screen that is going to be showing I assume games from the World Cup. I wonder if it will also show any of Wimbledon?
They also have other screenings, films etc as I received an email about a ballet screening taking place this week (I think). It is great that they have it up, but it is right in the middle of Woolwich in a not very clean and not very attractive square. Sure when the regeneration has taken place then it will be good but in the meantime I think it would be better placed by Woolwich Arsenal or on the Common.

Making Merriment

Pleased to see that the MM was busy this Saturday. We pottered up in the heat and had a wander around the various stalls and then watched some of the bands and entertainment on the stage.
It was heaving for most of the day as we drove past later on and I think it really it a great community event.
I was also pleased to see on Sunday how clean the common looked, someone did a very good job at tidying it up and returning it to its previous state so well done.
I see that the Plumsteadshire blog has already commented on the Best of Plumstead website. I have had a look and it looks like it could be a great resource for all local amenities.

Plumstead Manor School

I had a walk around yesterday in the heat and it looked like some work was being started on the school. The plans still look pretty impressive to me and the Prince Albert has been boarded up now for a while so I am guessing that the work is going to start during the long summer holiday. Makes sense I guess to do it whilst no-one is there. Maybe they'll think to include a cafe for daytime use!!

sunny plummy

what a glorious day in the shire today! i have been gardening and pottering, how lovely. I see the weather is going to last for the Make Merry which we shall all be attending on Saturday. For those of you not in the know it takes places on a yearly basis and is on the common by the Old Mill Pub. I'm not sure if it has a website but it is just a family friendly day of local folk!

The Woodman

I was talking to someone recently who was discussing why this place hadn't been snapped up by any developers wanting to create the gastropub/foodie pub/restaurant/cafe that Plumstead common so desperately needs and desires.
Apparently a few people have looked at it, but whilst the previous owners did a lot to improve the look of the place with wooden floors, comfy squishy settees and wallpaper what they didn't do was build a blinking kitchen! How short sighted of them!
Now I'm not sure why the people looking around it can't just cobble one together but am sure there must be a reason. It is such a shame as it has a good location by the common, a garden area and is big enough inside to accommodate drinkers and eaters..