Hallowe'en is celebrated far more in the United States and the whole idea of Trick or Treat is theirs, whereas Guy Fawkes is quintessentially English. However, in my view the more celebrations the better. Let's all be happy. Some people view the Trick or Treat idea as nothing more than begging and some of the teenagers are doing just that. However, it is lovely seeing all the little children dressed up in their spooky costumes going up and down the street. I usually buy some sweets or biscuits for them. Unfortunately, when one is busy and certainly when I am having to rush off to teach a class, the last thing I want is to have my doorbell being rung every few minutes.
The correct way to "Trick or Treat" is to put a pumpkin outside one's door if one doesn't mind the bell being rung. Then children would supposedly only ring the doorbells of the houses with pumpkins outside. Apparently, this is what happens in small villages.My husband and I were going out that evening, so we only saw one group of small children and I gave them something. On our return we found an empty egg box outside our house, but no eggs had been thrown at our property. This is the bad side of Hallowe'en - the gangs who pelt people's houses with eggs and flour - one year every window plus our front door had been done. It takes ages to clean it off, so we were not too happy.
Our wonderful Selsdon Safer Neighbourhoor Team were on duty that night and certainly patrolled the streets. One delightful PCSO was standing guard for over an hour just up the alleyway from our home. He had just realised that this was a shortcut which the gangs used to go from Selsdon to Forestdale and he had taken down a few names of teenagers he had recognised. Well done police! What would we do without them?They certainly keep us all safe!
Monday, 9 November 2009
Wednesday, 28 October 2009
AN EXTREMELY BUSY HALF TERM
I thought this was supposed to be a restful week. On Sunday we had lunch at the Cafe Rouge in Bromley with my youngest nephew and six month old baby Lottie. I wish they would open one up in Croydon! Great place, particularly with their two for one vouchers. Tuesday night we were enjoying Mexican food at the Hurtwood Park Polo Coub in Ewhurst, Surrey. Why can't we have polo in Croydon? Thursday we shall be eating out in Croydon, though. My students have organised a "tapas" evening at "La Tasca". Although I don't rate them as highly as the other Spanish restaurant "Galicia" in the High Street, yet "La Tasca" is convenient, and very central. The portions are smaller, but then one simply orders more. The atmosphere is pleasant, and there are several convenient car parks nearby - the Surrey Street car park (very well lit) or the Fairfield one, only a short walk away. We often eat at "La Tasca" when we go to the Vue Cinema, which is also a great place to see films - modern, with very comfortable seating.
That's enough eating out for one week, I think. On Friday I shall be meeting a friend at Cafe Nero in Croydon for an "espresso" and to catch up with all our news. I may later venture into Croydon's Surrey Street market for a bit of shopping and lunch at their Korean food stall, followed by more shopping in our wonderful Whitgift Centre.
I have also had two hospital appointments this week - my usual blood test at Mayday Hospital, where I enjoyed an "espresso" in their main reception area, and later indulged in a wonderful lunch in their new restaurant - a very tasty curry. This restaurant is for staff and patients, though many patients simply opt for the junk food in the reception area. Not quite my style!
I had a long appointment at St. George's Hospital in Tooting on Monday, organised by Croydon's NHS. Having had breast cancer in 1994, they are extremely careful, for which I am very grateful. They had a suspicion that it had returned, but after a couple of hours having mammogram and ultrasound, I was reassured. I am certainly very well looked after. Panic over and to celebrate - wait for it - another meal out. We have booked the Buenos Aires Restaurant in Purley for Saturday night. Argentine steak and Argentine wine. Sheer bliss!!
That's enough eating out for one week, I think. On Friday I shall be meeting a friend at Cafe Nero in Croydon for an "espresso" and to catch up with all our news. I may later venture into Croydon's Surrey Street market for a bit of shopping and lunch at their Korean food stall, followed by more shopping in our wonderful Whitgift Centre.
I have also had two hospital appointments this week - my usual blood test at Mayday Hospital, where I enjoyed an "espresso" in their main reception area, and later indulged in a wonderful lunch in their new restaurant - a very tasty curry. This restaurant is for staff and patients, though many patients simply opt for the junk food in the reception area. Not quite my style!
I had a long appointment at St. George's Hospital in Tooting on Monday, organised by Croydon's NHS. Having had breast cancer in 1994, they are extremely careful, for which I am very grateful. They had a suspicion that it had returned, but after a couple of hours having mammogram and ultrasound, I was reassured. I am certainly very well looked after. Panic over and to celebrate - wait for it - another meal out. We have booked the Buenos Aires Restaurant in Purley for Saturday night. Argentine steak and Argentine wine. Sheer bliss!!
Tuesday, 20 October 2009
LIVING IN SELSDON VALE
We have lived here since 1989. Prior to this, I lived in Forestdale for a few years. I always had very friendly neighbours there and we all helped one another. We had a friendly Home Beat Officer, who would sort out any problems with unruly youths. The only real crime was a short period of car break-ins, which was sorted out.
We are in a little cul-de-sac and most of our neighbours are extremely friendly and helpful. On one occasion, when an elderly woman lost her dog, everyone was out there, trying to find it. It was actually hiding under her bed! When my husband was in Accident & Emergency a week ago, one of my neighbours took my wheelie bin and recycling boxes out for me, as I have a disability. When I had knee surgery in 1995, two sets of neighbours came over with a cooked meal for us - one Chinese, one Indian. Delicious! There is always someone to help if one of us is accidentally locked out, and if we go on holiday a neighbour will always look after our home for us. When we are out walking our dog, everyone stops and chats and makes a fuss of him. The children who live here are very well behaved and play nicely. It is wonderful watching them all grow up and become successful.
There is one exception, however, sadly. A group of police officers, dog handlers and admin. staff from Surrey Constabulary moved into a rented house at the end of our road. We thought they might prove to be helpful, as in the past any officers living here have been extremely community minded. Not so here. We had one young lad speeding up and down our street with no regard for others. Since being reported to our Safer Neighbourhood Team, both he and his vehicle have conveniently disappeared. There is still another one who backs out of their driveway rather dangerously. A teenage boy living there got involved with a nasty youth who was trying to damage another resident's fence. They were both reported to our team. On one occasion, weeks ago, when I had locked myself out, I rang their doorbell and a woman came out, spoke to me very abruptly and refused to help. A few nights ago, they had a very loud and noisy party and, in order to disturb us all as much as possible, they held it in a gazebo in their back garden, despite the cold. They are so keen to not communicate with any of us, that they rarely use their front room in order not to be seen and don't even walk their dogs. It is a case of "out of their front door and into their cars". Well - that is Surrey Police for you. Our Croydon police are far nicer.
We also have a great parade of shops in Selsdon, a good hotel and golf course, excellent doctors, several restaurants, and the wonderful Cafe Milano, where I usually go for an "espresso".
Crime here is low and we have a good Safer Neighbourhood Team. I think we shall stay here for ever.
We are in a little cul-de-sac and most of our neighbours are extremely friendly and helpful. On one occasion, when an elderly woman lost her dog, everyone was out there, trying to find it. It was actually hiding under her bed! When my husband was in Accident & Emergency a week ago, one of my neighbours took my wheelie bin and recycling boxes out for me, as I have a disability. When I had knee surgery in 1995, two sets of neighbours came over with a cooked meal for us - one Chinese, one Indian. Delicious! There is always someone to help if one of us is accidentally locked out, and if we go on holiday a neighbour will always look after our home for us. When we are out walking our dog, everyone stops and chats and makes a fuss of him. The children who live here are very well behaved and play nicely. It is wonderful watching them all grow up and become successful.
There is one exception, however, sadly. A group of police officers, dog handlers and admin. staff from Surrey Constabulary moved into a rented house at the end of our road. We thought they might prove to be helpful, as in the past any officers living here have been extremely community minded. Not so here. We had one young lad speeding up and down our street with no regard for others. Since being reported to our Safer Neighbourhood Team, both he and his vehicle have conveniently disappeared. There is still another one who backs out of their driveway rather dangerously. A teenage boy living there got involved with a nasty youth who was trying to damage another resident's fence. They were both reported to our team. On one occasion, weeks ago, when I had locked myself out, I rang their doorbell and a woman came out, spoke to me very abruptly and refused to help. A few nights ago, they had a very loud and noisy party and, in order to disturb us all as much as possible, they held it in a gazebo in their back garden, despite the cold. They are so keen to not communicate with any of us, that they rarely use their front room in order not to be seen and don't even walk their dogs. It is a case of "out of their front door and into their cars". Well - that is Surrey Police for you. Our Croydon police are far nicer.
We also have a great parade of shops in Selsdon, a good hotel and golf course, excellent doctors, several restaurants, and the wonderful Cafe Milano, where I usually go for an "espresso".
Crime here is low and we have a good Safer Neighbourhood Team. I think we shall stay here for ever.
Saturday, 17 October 2009
CROYDON'S MAYDAY HOSPITAL
We had a bit of a scare a week ago, when my husband Steve rang me to say he was short of breath and had chest pains. I rang our doctor, who informed me that he must attend Mayday Hospital Accident & Emergency Department. He was seen straight away, had a blood test, chest X-ray, ECG and then had to wait for the results and to see the doctor. After that, he had to wait another six hours for the next blood test - the Troponin test - which tests for heart attacks - and then there was another three hour wait for the results and to see the doctor again. He was then referred to the Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic, and will probably attend in a week or so. His heart was all right, but his father had had angina and Steve had suffered a TIA (Transient Ischaemic Attack) a few years' ago.
Although the long wait was annoying, he said he was very impressed with how thorough they were and how quickly he was seen initially. The only drawback was that the cafeteria closed and the nurse who had promised him a sandwich eventually informed him that they had run out. In the meantime, I cooked him a meal at home, which he was finally able to eat at 1.30 a.m.!
I attend Mayday Hospital regularly - usually every three weeks - for a blood test, as I have Primary Myelofibrosis and Thrombocythaemia. My Consultant Haematologist will ring me with the results and then, on my next visit to the Phlebotomy Department, she will see me in Outpatients. Whenever I attend Phlebotomy, I take a number and then, in order not to have to sit waiting for my number to come up, I go down to the main reception area, where there is a nice coffee shop and have an "espresso". By the time I go back up, it is time for my blood test. On the days when I see my Haematologist, I always go to the fabulous new restaurant on the first floor, where there are baguettes with nice fillings, a salad bar and some excellent hot dishes as well. It is fairly spacious and very clean.The Outpatients Department is also very good. The staff at the reception desk are always helpful and the nurses as well. I never have to wait too long. On my last visit, my Consultant was unwell and I saw a Professor, who wanted my e-mail address so that he could send me some papers with information all about Vitamin D. Excellent!
We are very lucky here in Croydon.
Although the long wait was annoying, he said he was very impressed with how thorough they were and how quickly he was seen initially. The only drawback was that the cafeteria closed and the nurse who had promised him a sandwich eventually informed him that they had run out. In the meantime, I cooked him a meal at home, which he was finally able to eat at 1.30 a.m.!
I attend Mayday Hospital regularly - usually every three weeks - for a blood test, as I have Primary Myelofibrosis and Thrombocythaemia. My Consultant Haematologist will ring me with the results and then, on my next visit to the Phlebotomy Department, she will see me in Outpatients. Whenever I attend Phlebotomy, I take a number and then, in order not to have to sit waiting for my number to come up, I go down to the main reception area, where there is a nice coffee shop and have an "espresso". By the time I go back up, it is time for my blood test. On the days when I see my Haematologist, I always go to the fabulous new restaurant on the first floor, where there are baguettes with nice fillings, a salad bar and some excellent hot dishes as well. It is fairly spacious and very clean.The Outpatients Department is also very good. The staff at the reception desk are always helpful and the nurses as well. I never have to wait too long. On my last visit, my Consultant was unwell and I saw a Professor, who wanted my e-mail address so that he could send me some papers with information all about Vitamin D. Excellent!
We are very lucky here in Croydon.
Monday, 12 October 2009
CROYDON FOOD FESTIVAL 2009
This had been running for around 3 weeks, but our week-ends had been so busy, there was no time to go into Croydon Town Centre. I did go in the week before last, however, and noticed the wonderful food stalls all along North End. I also walked along Surrey Street, where the market is, and there were more food stalls along there. I finally settled on a stall serving Korean food. It was delicious. I sat and ate my lunch. It was a fine, sunny afternoon, and people were milling around happily, shopping, eating and generally enjoying themselves. I was so impressed with the food that I suggested to Steve, my husband, that we go back at the week-end.
The week-end was dedicated to Caribbean food. There were loads of stalls in North End serving jerk chicken and also one serving Indian curries. We did, however, notice that the portions were costing just over £6, whereas the ones in Surrey Street were charging just over £3, so we decided to go back to the Korean stall and once again ate a rather delicious lunch. Unfortunately, we were too late to watch the Korean dancers, who had been there a little while before and who had attracted quite a large crowd.Despite being a Saturday afternoon, supposedly a busy time, there were plenty of parking spaces in the Whitgift car park. We wandered around the Whitgift centre as well, had an "espresso" and a chocolate at Thornton's and did some shopping too. Everyone seemed incredibly relaxed and happy. There was also a cooking demonstration going on and many people watching that. We wandered into Curry's and ordered a battery charger for my digital camera. Staff there were incredibly helpful. A young group were playing steel drums outside.
Later on I saw some of our wonderful Town Centre Safer Neighbourhood Team patrolling the area - helping to make us all feel safe. I always feel safe in Croydon Town Centre, though. It's a great place.I look forward to Croydon Food Festival 2010.
The week-end was dedicated to Caribbean food. There were loads of stalls in North End serving jerk chicken and also one serving Indian curries. We did, however, notice that the portions were costing just over £6, whereas the ones in Surrey Street were charging just over £3, so we decided to go back to the Korean stall and once again ate a rather delicious lunch. Unfortunately, we were too late to watch the Korean dancers, who had been there a little while before and who had attracted quite a large crowd.Despite being a Saturday afternoon, supposedly a busy time, there were plenty of parking spaces in the Whitgift car park. We wandered around the Whitgift centre as well, had an "espresso" and a chocolate at Thornton's and did some shopping too. Everyone seemed incredibly relaxed and happy. There was also a cooking demonstration going on and many people watching that. We wandered into Curry's and ordered a battery charger for my digital camera. Staff there were incredibly helpful. A young group were playing steel drums outside.
Later on I saw some of our wonderful Town Centre Safer Neighbourhood Team patrolling the area - helping to make us all feel safe. I always feel safe in Croydon Town Centre, though. It's a great place.I look forward to Croydon Food Festival 2010.
Thursday, 24 September 2009
ADULT EDUCATION IN CROYDON
September - and the adult education year has started. I teach Spanish and it is generally thoroughly enjoyable. I started teaching a new beginners' class at the New Addington Centre. This is a new Centre close to the shops and car parks and it is a really wonderful building. The classrooms are excellent, as are all the facilities and the staff are very, very helpful. The sad thing was that there were not enough enrolments, only four learners and therefore the class, sadly, had to be closed down. They were a nice bunch, who worked well together. The good news was that two of them enrolled in my other new beginners' class at Ashburton, in Shirley.
Ashburton is a school during the daytime - now called the Oasis Academy Shirley Park. It is a fairly new building, with very nice classrooms and good facilities. The staff are helpful. I had around 13 students and they all seemed to get on extremely well. It was quite a fun class.On Thursday I shall be teaching my third year class at Croydon High Street. This is also a very nice centre in Croydon Town Centre. Although at present there are only 7 learners, they have known one another for a very long time and have all become friends - even meeting at one anothers' homes throughout the summer and coming with me to Galicia, the Spanish restaurant close by, where they can practice their Spanish in an authentic setting. A very interesting mix of students in terms of ages and different nationalities.
Adult education in Croydon is an exciting experience - it is not just about learning - it is also about making friends. I hope more people will enrol.
Adios.
Ashburton is a school during the daytime - now called the Oasis Academy Shirley Park. It is a fairly new building, with very nice classrooms and good facilities. The staff are helpful. I had around 13 students and they all seemed to get on extremely well. It was quite a fun class.On Thursday I shall be teaching my third year class at Croydon High Street. This is also a very nice centre in Croydon Town Centre. Although at present there are only 7 learners, they have known one another for a very long time and have all become friends - even meeting at one anothers' homes throughout the summer and coming with me to Galicia, the Spanish restaurant close by, where they can practice their Spanish in an authentic setting. A very interesting mix of students in terms of ages and different nationalities.
Adult education in Croydon is an exciting experience - it is not just about learning - it is also about making friends. I hope more people will enrol.
Adios.
Wednesday, 16 September 2009
UK BORDER AGENCY
I attended a very interesting talk yesterday. The UK Border Agency had very kindly agreed to hold another lunchtime briefing at Lunar house for Croydon Ambassadors. Tony Smith, Regional Director, London & South East Region talked about the work of the UK Border Agency and discussed how the Agency can work with Ambassadors and local businesses to raise the profile of Croydon. It was held at Lunar House. We were served coffee when we arrived and had a delightful lunch, followed by a very interesting tour of the building. We saw asylum seekers being interviewed, with their interpreters, and also visited the children's section, and later watched someone being fingerprinted. The whole thing was quite an eye opener.
Having recently visited countries in Europe where people do not have to show their passports as they go through, I realised just how much safer we are here. There was more crime in Paris and in Geneva, where I had spotted a couple of Northern Africans who had just robbed a tourist of 1,000 Euros - police later told us that illegal immigrants are just slipping through all the time.
Here in the U.K. we welcome skilled and professional people, who usually work extremely well and help to boost our economy. Not so the unskilled workers at the moment People from many countries have to apply for visas and it is a very strict system. Lunar House employs immigration officers, who are very skilled at interviewing people and getting to know who are the genuine ones. There are those who will invent any story in order to get in, but they are caught out in the end. The Agency take great care over the children as well, in case they are being trafficked and the adults with them are not who they say they are.
All very revealing and extremely interesting. I am glad to be living in such a safe place.
Having recently visited countries in Europe where people do not have to show their passports as they go through, I realised just how much safer we are here. There was more crime in Paris and in Geneva, where I had spotted a couple of Northern Africans who had just robbed a tourist of 1,000 Euros - police later told us that illegal immigrants are just slipping through all the time.
Here in the U.K. we welcome skilled and professional people, who usually work extremely well and help to boost our economy. Not so the unskilled workers at the moment People from many countries have to apply for visas and it is a very strict system. Lunar House employs immigration officers, who are very skilled at interviewing people and getting to know who are the genuine ones. There are those who will invent any story in order to get in, but they are caught out in the end. The Agency take great care over the children as well, in case they are being trafficked and the adults with them are not who they say they are.
All very revealing and extremely interesting. I am glad to be living in such a safe place.
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