Reasons to be cheerful
Written by Peter | Filed under General
In the absence of a proper post, which I don’t have time to put together right now, and in order to combat the post-Christmas sadness, and laugh in the face of the economic depression, let’s all hold hands and burn incense and list the things that we have in Camberwell that make us happy; I’ll start off with Ruskin Park, and the Cadeleigh Arms.
Check your cynicism at the door, please; let’s have genuine happy thoughts.
January 16th, 2009
Where to start?
Good things about Camberwell
Pubs: the Castle, S&D, Bear, George Canning, Cambria
Cafes: House, Bay, Seymour (or whatever its called now)
Shops: Rat Records, Crusson, Sophocles, 99p, Camberwell Daily, Edwardes, charity shop in Butterfly Walk, Duraty, the hardware shop in the basement of the newsagent
Other: South London Gallery, Ruskin Park, Myatts Fields, Minet Library, Burgess Park, other random galleries, proximity to lots of other places in London
Transport: large number of bus routes, short time to central London, Denmark Hill, short walk to Oval
Future: conversion of Somerfield to new shop, replacement for Woolworth
More good things:
Free films every Tuesday (Sun and Doves) and Sunday (The Castle). Also on Fridays and Saturdays if you count Camberwell borders (Whirled Cinema).
The Red Gate Gallery and its Friday private views, complete with lovely little bar.
The Blue Elephant Theatre
Jazz in the Crypt on Friday nights
More great shops: Cowling and Wilcox, Basic Wholefoods, Odie and Amanda, Paul’s Olive Shop, Pesh Flowers, Sophocles Bakery, and Sugarmomma.
Camberwell Arts Festival and Bonkersfest.
Cabaret club at Sun and Doves (Saturdays), cabaret night on the last Wednesday of the month at the Cambria, and comedy coming soon.
With you Peter on Ruskin Park, a Camberwell gem I use it every day throughout the year and I love the way it changes, Great views from the top in the winter. A cafe in it would be an extra bonus.
Great pubs the Cambria is my current favourite lovely warm welcome good food. Also Sun & Doves, Bear and The Castle.
I love living in Camberwell been here 3 years now and I know loads of my neighbours, it has a real friendly local vibe.
I feel safe at night.
Great transport links with buses and trains.
Lots of Art exhibitions and events on my doorstep.
So I am not glum about Camberwell and I was made redundant in November. I have discovered the hidden joy of the Job Centre Plus at Camberwell Green which I didn’t even know was there. The staff are friendly and not at all like I expected, since I last signed on when I was Seventeen.
Yes a big postive for living here.
After the slough of despond, the slope of enlightenment
1. camberwell green at night (im big on flickering trees)
2. camberwell people (as there are a lot of people who do not come home & close the door but are actively involved in what’s around them; we/they could be a bit louder though)
3. basic, crusson and sophocles for all our vegan needs
4. edwards
5. love walk (is this the only one in london?)
x
Great list – you could add Lucas Gardens, Warwick Gardens, Lettsom Gardens, and Brunswick Park.
Agree Gnomee — I am currently in a ‘job seeking’ position myself.
When I first went to the jobcentre there were plans to close it but these have now been stopped — I wouldnt have fancied going to the Brixton jobcentre to sign on.
Curried goat.
Leering at fit art students.
Can always buy a can of strong lager.
It’s better than Peckham or Lough Junct.
That mad badger woman with black stripes over her eyes. Watch out for her.
To add to those :
Caravaggios
Chumleigh Gardens
Being able to walk to the West End (Hubby and I did this every weekend before I got pregnant and it hurt too much).
Su Thai
Things I love about Camberwell
House Cafe and Jungle Cafe for different reasons.
The Hermit and The Sun and Doves.
Going to Bolu Kebab after a night in Jazz at the Crypt.
Free dental work in King’s.
Camberwell Arts Festival — I’m honour bound to say so cos I’m the chair, but I would anyway.
Many things I did like seemed to have a very short life — an african record shop staffed by two of the most beautiful women i have ever seen — the adriatic fish restaurant where su thai is now — the phase when both the pizzas and the beer were good in the grove.
Might come back to add to this
Drew
Silver Lake – best Chinese takeaway ever
Flying Fish – Very good (albeit not too cheap) chippy
Hermits Cave – ‘The real Queen Vic’ (except not in East London and frequented in no small part by art students, and is real)
Brunswick/Ruskin Park
Co-sign The Crypt and Rat Records – and the badger woman! ain’t seen Rat Man (or at least the rats on his shoulder) for a while now though. Troubling…
The Portugese cafe near the S&D
the S&D, natch
Caravaggios (if you don’t order the wine)
The usual suspects: Sophocles/Paul’s Olive Shoppe/Cruson
Nando’s
Butterfly Walk (not really)
Lucas Gardens is a gem, so echo that. I also really like some of the huge trees on the Green and the weeping willow on the roadside corner. Sceaux Gardens (behind the Town Hall) is also a nice green space, albeit populated.
On the man-made front, I also like the Town Hall itself and the sunset behind the St Giles spire.
First to JanetD, you have inspired me too on my first ever post. I agree, mental health issues are very important (my husband and I both work locally in the field).
It is also something I am proud of for our local area.
What else? It’s affordable. That’s why we chose it. We can have a lovely home and garden and safe on road parking with never a difficult endeavour finding a spot. You can’t live closer to the centre of London and afford any better.
We’re an easy, close drive to Sainsbury’s and other markets. Local pubs and restaurants are good.
And with more affordability we’ve been able to have a little Sussex cottage in the middle of nowhere, which is an easy drive from Camberwell’s well connected location.
Diversity! Plus an Interesting mix of architecture including Georgian gems and Grand designs. A friendly and conscientious community of creatives and hospital workers. Lots of Trees! Views from the top of Denmark Hill towards the city. Urban village.. Often described as London in a microcosm..
You can go to Sainbury’s on Dog Kennel Hill on a Saturday night and hear a noisy crowd cheer on Erith & Belvedere as they beat Dulwich Hamlet 0–1, right next door to the aisles of organic langoustines and extra virgin olive oil. The shoppers are slightly perturbed by the obvious clash of cultures.
By contrast, you can go to the Spar shop on the Peckham Road and be served by an Ivorean who lived for a while in Paris and is so handsome and charming he could be a star from AC Milan who is also a model and has launched his own fashion label.
could also add the Leisure Center to the list. Its not been refurbed in shiny plastic yet, yea!
Tadims is closed for what looks like a refresh… So i am in sophlocles for a coffee watching the sunday morning trade.
Saw the first magnolia blossoms today on two different trees. Kinda early I thought, but two more reasons to be cheerful
Went to Johansson’s yesterday after the positive words here; I had a good but unremarkable sausage sandwich, but the wife had a lovely plate of smoked salmon and scrambled egg on toast. Nice. On the way home we bought some amazing feta cheese and home-made guacamole from Paul’s Olive Shop. Ate the feta on crackers for breakfast, and the guacamole on fajitas with steak from the Oval farmers market for dinner.
We had a couple of drinks in the Dark Horse (on the way back from watching Slumdog Millionaire — recommended); we probably would have stayed there longer, except they close at 7pm on Sundays now. Closed Sunday nights & Mondays; it’s not a positive sign.
Happy thoughts from the weekend: Our new regular Pink Screen Sundays started yesterday and was fantastic: about 30 people, mostly locals, came to watch the first of our weekly free gay films at The Castle (next week is Shortbus). The atmosphere was great. Most people stayed around for a drink afterwards and were very positive about Camberwell. Also, the new Wotever cabaret night (also now weekly) at the Sun and Doves on Saturday was mobbed and was a lovely evening.
Yes I went to the S&D on Saturday and was amazed at the number of people. We went along unaware that it was anything but a normal evening and had a great time
Mozzarella E Pomodoro is changing to become an all you can eat Chinese noodle Bar… i’m going to miss the 1/2 price pizza pasta Tuesdays!
test, test
Apologies for the cryptic message above; I’ve not been able to post anything for a month or so due to unknown technical reasons. As far as I know I wasn’t banned.
I’d like to add:
– The fact that as soon as you get off the main roads, Camberwell improves markedly. I reckon one of the main reasons property prices are relatively low is because most non-SE5ers don’t see the good bits.
- The friendly (in the main) dogs of Brunswick Park.
- The range of architecture.
- The general level of arty-ness brought by the college.
- The fact Somerfield is about to disappear.
- The ever-wonderful JJ Caterers
It’s like a jungle sometimes. It makes me wonder how I keep from goin’ under.
Yes, cosmopolitan Camberwell. Only here will you find — parked on Camberwell Grove — a Daihatsu Cuore that someone has driven all the way from New Zealand. It is from a dealership in West Auckland. Someone has had a lot of heart to drive that little flivver all the way from the other side of the world. “Cuore” means “heart”, of course. The car is from a dealership called S.G. Petch, a multi-franchise selling Daihatsu, Isuzu, Mitsubishi, Mazda and Hyundai. Amazing. Crazy. Zany.
the thing I miss the most, The Vineyard. I was basically brought up with pitta bread and retsina.
Leisure Centre– symbol of my childhood, I helped save it when it came under fire from the local council… still makes me smile!
…And, lest we forget, the Salvation Army Citadel near Denmark Hill and Alberto, the gents barber and his ladies counterpart, Anna.
I love…
Great pubs — the Bear, S&D, Cambria, Canning
3 Libraries within walking distance
The great graff near Jono’s pool hall, which gets better each time I walk by
The parks — especially the Latin American carnival each year
The Rastafarian garage on Camberwell New Rd — it makes me smile
Olli on Walworth Rd, the 24 hr Turkish shop with the best fruit and veg selection for miles — great ingredients
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Bear with me Tony. I’m just reaching for the ‘phone.
“100% risky free”. Love it.
Another reason to love Camberwell is Camberwellonline, of course!
Dagmar,
‘fraid your radar is a little wonky today. S.G. Petch of West Auckland are actually on this side of the world. West Auckland is in Co Durham — 25 miles from Sunderland. They were the first “World Cup Winners” as immortalised by Dennis Waterman in a TV drama some years ago. In 1909 (beat Swiss team Winterthur) and 1911 (tanked Italian giants Juve 6–1) they won the Thomas Lipton trophy. They pawned the cup at one stage, and then it was nicked in the 90s.
It was also the birthplace of Anthony Eden. And my mam.
We used to get letters delivered a month after they’d been posted… as sometimes the Post Office made a similar mistake and sent them to New Zealand’s Auckland first.
Peckham dweller here needing support and advice.
I’ve rented cheaply (thus Peckham) for a while expecting a crash so I can buy my first home. Now seems the time and banks actually want me given my hard saved deposit. But I’m a bit scared. Anyone else out there in similar shoes with advice?
If I do buy, I may consider Camberwell. I only know it for the daily 436 bus ride down to Oval, which is horrible. A lot of that has to do with the passengers and the rush hour. I’m sure there are nice pockets behind the madness. Any advice? Needs to be a short-ish walk to Oval tube.
Off-topic, but topical: a quick reminder that Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe (member for Bradford South) will be visiting the Baths tomorrow at 8am, as described on SE5 Forum.
The Government has a big pot of money to give away to pools, and doubtless the impressions formed by this visit will influence the decision-making process. Turn up if you can to make constructive comments and demonstrate the Baths’ popularity.
@Peckhamcrasher. I’ve lived in Camberwell for five years (having moved from north London). And I would absolutely recommend it. The loveliest streets are probably Camberwell Grove and Grove Lane. There are also some nice roads leading off Camberwell Church St (though I’m v bad at remembering street names). That said, I don’t live in any of these, and I’m still very happy…
Also check out http://www.gaycamberwell.com which is a guide to Camberwell for gay people (and their friends, so don’t be put off!) with reviews of shops, bars and restaurants. The photo gallery here http://www.gaycamberwell.com/photo-gallery.html is also quite encouraging for anyone who wants a different view of Camberwell (albeit I got over excited and took too many pictures of parks).
Transport is much better than it is from Peckham, too, which is another bonus.
Louise, I really did think it was NZ. But then when I was researching that particularly labyrinthine chimera, Louie, trying to add to the pot of what was remarkable about Camberwell, I came across Durham Dragonville, but can nowhere find what the name means. Any clues?
Louie, I mean, not Louise, here’s another thing, you’ll know. How come the Peckham Lidl is selling New Zealand Pinot Noir at £12.99? I know it’s brilliant that the grape of Burgundy is grown within spitting distance of the colossal squids of Antarctica, but which post-crunch Liddler can afford £12.99, hey?
That’s my real name, spooky a?
Hi Peckhamcrasher
I live the north side of Denmark Hill near a lovely small park called Myatt’s Fields, from here it is a <15min walk to Oval (I walk there and back) and there are some nice roads too, particularly those bordering the park. I bought my place at the top of the bubble unfortunately but I’ve been very happy here for the last 18 months.
One question — does Peckham have a dog poo problem? I would say it’s my top peeve regarding the area, beyond that fairly superficial factor, it’s pretty alright.
Dragonville is part of the city of Durham. Where there’s another S G Petch showroom I think. But I’m not sure why it’s called that.
It’s the other side of Durham from Neville’s Cross. Which is a road junction, but still has me and my brother asking “Why, what have you said to him?”
Sorry folks. I realise I’ve gone a bit off topic and this is meant to be Camberwellonline, rather than FarflungProvincialNorthernTownonline…
Although thinking about it, it may be something to do with the local legend of the Lambton Worm (which was a dragon).
That’s a good story about the Lambton Worm, have just been reading it. Yes, there are 6 Petch showrooms. Chuntering on again! We all really ought to get down to the baths to barack the sports minister tomorrow, Reg is right.
Just noticed that “Figaro Barber” is opening in the place of Cascade Florist on Walworth Road along from the aforementioned most wonderful shop — Oli Turkish Food Emporium…
I wonder if you get a full musical rendition whilst having a trim or a cut-throat shave…
“Figaro,Figaro,Figaro,Figaro,Fig…”
The mighty SG Petch http://www.sgpetch.co.uk/
Hi Peckhamcrasher,
I think you’ll enjoy Camberwell and we’ll be happy to have you. But unless you’re able to buy at auction I’d hold off until later this year at least. Prices are on the way down because banks are insolvent… we’ve had subprime defaulting but we prob ain’t seen nothing yet. Banks don’t really wanna lend in a falling market in case they have to repossess and sell, which translates to you getting a poor deal. Or owing more than your flat is worth for a long time.
The smart money in ‘Iceland on Thames’ think prices have some way to move still. I’m certain estate agents and some others in property will say otherwise, mind. Allen Dale might share his view on this.
@Regeneguru
Anything come of the minister’s visit to the leisure center? We are there often, but never at 8:00am
I’m more convinced than ever that none of it should be turned into flats. From what I can see it’s heavily used by the community everyday. Not sure how much of that gets captured by the usage stats.
Not sure dman — the Baths is not really my bag, as I prefer swimming in rivers and oceans, hence I conserved my time/energy for other local causes closer to my heart and did not attend.
In general, the more shared community space, the healthier a community, the richer it is (in many ways) and the lower the levels of crime. This goes for retail shops and leisure both, so I hope the Baths get what its campaigners hope for (maximum quality shared community space).
Flats would compromise that, and they should just negotiate to add an extra couple of floors on a high-rise elsewhere in my view. If anything, the Baths should be looking for ways to expand its existing square metreage and footprint. (Whereas our Council should always attempt to negotiate increased public pedestrian space whenever existing leisure/retail uses are taken into private residential).
Should be a brief update on the Forum site soon:
http://www.se5forum.org
ah, wild swimming, nice one. I know a few people into that. Me for instance, in theory, if infrequently in reality.
I don’t personally fancy the pool, but I let my kids in. How’s that for parental responsibility?
Other point is there are a lot of non-swimming activties that take place there, which would be lost if half of it got turned into flats.
Timmy’s Toddler Gyms are legendary at the Baths. In fact many people come over from East Dulwich for them. Talking of which, there are proportionally far more Nissan Figaros in Camberwell than in East Dulwich. The witty, ironic, retro, imported-from-Japan Figaro, based on the Micra and fitted with auto gearbox only, is yet another tooth in the cutting edge of Camberwell.
A loco pulled a whole Brett aggregates train through the parish today, so there is still some need for sand and gravel in the capital. The engine had only a number, no name, but from an angle the EWS letters on the side (English Welsh & Scottish railway company) looked like ELVIS.
Dagmar
Lest we forget the ledgendary Mitsubishi “Pajero” which means “Wanker” in Spanish…
Imagine the mirth when that was released over there…
I see what Mitsubishi did they took “Pajaro” which means Bird and “Pasajero” which means Passenger and created a hybrid word which they thought was unique…tut tut
Incidently, I remember East Dulwich having a higher than average number of Pajeros a few years back…I wonder if anything has changed
Wild swimming — Roger Deakin. His obit in the Guardian is easily found on Goggle. He was a geezer. He would have swum through Camberwell on the Surrey Canal had it not been filled in.
Peckhamcrasher
Sounds like you’ve got a savings pot that is now being eroded thanks to our bankrupt economy.
In all seriousness, have you considered emigrating? I know a few people who have moved to Oz and they love it. Likewise when I was in India last year I met a professional Brit or two who was moving. Canada’s doors are still open too.
Think about it. Yes you could buy some terraced dive or poky flat in SE5, or you could change your life for the better. The UK is going to be stuffed for many years. Take a look at the £, or our balance of payments, or our national debt.
If you insist on staying SE5 then you’re right to be near the Tube. Not many places round there though. My ex lived near Oval but also near a grim load of hi-rises. Depends what your budget is I guess.
But stay near the tube. I live on SE5 / SE15 borders and I thought no problem, there are lots of buses here. Which is true, but god are they slow.
Do yourself a favour. Move to Melbourne.
Before the inevitable — why don’t you go there then Phil G. Well I would if I had the cash, skills and youth…
Sigh, so many regrets.
What is feasible is to visit the artwork in St Giles churchyard, near the Churchyard Passage entrance. There you’ll find an erection, or what’s left of it, of briquettes made from old newspaper, each one numbered. They’re a bit soggy by now from the big rain, but they once formed a square cubicle. Each of the numbered briquettes may be removed, dried out, exhibited in your “space” (place or pad) and once dried, burned on an open fire like the K Foundation’s million quid. It may be that the deconstruction, decomposition or interventions made upon the erection is being photographed at regular intervals for some kind of project. Who knows? Que sera, sera. Whatever will be, will be. The future’s not ours to see. Que sera sera.
I think you have to be under 31 to move to Australia, or have specific skills of which there are shortages. I’m also not sure what Australia’s exposure is to the international banking crisis (aka the transfer of debt from us plebs to the super rich). Things might get a little rocky there too, although they probably still manufacture things as well as mine stuff.
Dont do it — Camberwell and wider London is a far better place than the Melbourne/ Sydney or wherever else suburb you would end up living in with its water restrictions, petty government controls and dullness. Plus we in the UK are within a few hours of any place in Europe and believe me in London we benefit from European influences greatly.
As for Camberwell come and look at places and see what your money will get you. If you can afford the mortgage repayments and are happy living in the area go for it — its got a lot to offer. More than likely your mortgage repayment now would be a similar amount to the rent you pay and you will be in your own home which you are able to do what you want to. And even if house prices do go down further –by no means guaranteed in inner London– they will increase again within two-three years. We have not been building enough housing in London and the South for the past 20 years so demand will always be greater than supply.
As for the Camberwell baths see the blog — http://camberwell-baths.blogspot.com/
Would you believe it! There’s a Camberwell in Oz, near Melbourne.
Wonder if it’s like the UK one. Hmmmm.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&q=camberwell+australia&um=1&ie=UTF-8&split=0&gl=uk&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&resnum=1&ct=title
Oi Phil G.
This thread is supposed to be a positive one. Stop whinging about the bad things or move somewhere else…anywhere but Camberwell.
Name somewhere else with similar house prices that is only 20–25 minutes from the centre (or 10–15 by bike) and has such a great sense of community.
That’s what I think is also so great about Camberwell. Only lived here full time for 18 months and have been made to feel very welcome by everybody I meet.
There are a few positive things about CWell. I’ve mentioned them many times in the past two years, and in this thread.
And my post to Pcrasher was also about ensuring he stays at the Oval end, for transport’s sakes. My suggestion about emigrating was mainly about the UK, not just SE5.
It was the same thinking on price and distance you mention that brought me to Camberwell in the 1st place. Ah well. There’s Bermondsey, parts of New Cross, but don’t get me wrong, they’re not hot either so let’s not start some debate about which SE London dive is best.
Glad you like it here.
Camberwell in Melbourne has a skateboard park and Kylie went to Camberwell High School. I don’t know if there’s a public toilet of the standard we have on the green, although admittedly this is recent progress.
There’s also the ‘burbs of Sydenham, Forest Hill, Richmond and Eltham to name just a few London place names as well as a Croydon.
My favourite ‘burb name of Melbourne though is Balaclava.
More good news: Camberwell now has a regular comedy night! Starting on Thursday 5th Feb at 8:30 (doors at 8), the Joiners Arms on Denmark Hill hosts the temporarily named ‘Japes at the Joiners’ (if you can come up with a better name, let us know!) on the first Thursday of the month. Hosted by local comedienne Rosie Wilby, each month will showcase a variety of comedians and comediennes. Gay Camberwell are responsible for getting the night up and running, but in fact it’s not a gay night (though gay friendly, obviously): we’re doing our best to bring as many great events as we can for the enjoyment of all of Camberwell. Hope to see you all there! Thursday 5th Feb @ 8:30.
I will support the comedy night. Well done. The one at The Hob in almost nearby Forest Hill is good.
Are the time stamps for posts still set to Summer Time or is the Camberwell blog based in a space-time vortex, one hour into the future? If so, anyone tell me who won the 4.30 at Kempton?
space-time vortex — cool
Is there an event on Camberwell Green this weekend to push for the renewal grant?
There was one last weekend — I was excited when they gave me free chocolate for voting! Not sure if there’s one this weekend…
We need your support in Loughborough Junction!
Capital Connect plan to close the Loughborough Junction Station ticket office from 12.45 noon weekdays and all day Saturday and Sunday.
We think this is insane and dangerous and invite you to sign this petition against the reduced hours and early closure of the ticket office.
Please sign it, leave a comment and forward it on.
http://petition.co.uk/staffing_at_loughborough_junction_train_station_sw9
Thanks
Nick
The Melbourne Camberwell is very nice, reached easily from the centre of Melbourne on one of those lovely trams; nice journey takes you past the Botanical Gardens (worth a visit to see so many elm trees). There used to be a very good bookshop in Camberwell, Melbourne. So that’s two things they have we’re missing …
@ Mark — 43 million quid? You could probably buy all of Camberwell for that.
What I love about Camberwell:
- commuting distance to anywhere in central London, less than 20 minutes by scooter, especially now that bikes can use bus lanes
- Hermits Cave, the Castle, Sun and Doves
- the friendly neighbours and residents
- and the quirkiness of them, its great that we are all different in our own special ways
- proximity to supermarkets and East Dulwich restaurants and pubs
- the range of parks, from Burgess to Brunswick to Ruskin
- the different places to eat — Caravaggio for lunch, the Vietnamese for dinner, the fish place for brilliant hot chips
Its my home and I wouldn’t live anywhere else
News News — the Camberwell Woolworths is to become a 99p shop, opening next week… See http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/articles.aspx?page=articles&ID=196819
I wonder what will fill the 99p space in the Butterfly? (I assume they will vacate those premises)
A 99p store. Great. Just great.
Camberwell up or down anyone? Chin up eh.
ps please support Hoa Viet. They’ve been very empty recently. I know they’ve slipped a bit, but we need them!
We need a good Vietnamese, or Chinese, or Thai restaurant. Not a bad one.
@mumu — not necessarily. Denmark Hill is so intimidating and oppressive, and puts so many people off from crossing the road to their ‘other’ side, that it must essentially be considered as two separate retail zones. Somerfield realised this.
Phil G — why hold your chin up? You will only receive another lecture on aspirations from those who reprimand us for seeking an improved public transport infrastructure, diversity of choice in retail and leisure and improved quality of public space.
Norman — New Loong Kee is pretty decent, although there’s a certain type of blogger who’ll tell you that’s not part of real Camberwell…
A foodie blog is talking up Silk Road on Church St — a bit past Caravaggio. It’s regional Han Chinese, family run, and supposedly pretty much the real thing. Not tried it yet, but the dumplings and “big plate chicken” are apparently the thing.
New Loong Kee certainly needs support… Is the dad still cooking there? Not seen much sign of him recently, worryingly.
Hoa Viet is OK. I know what you mean but it’s certainly not bad. Cheap too. It is slipping though…
PCrasher. Have you thought about Crystal Palace? Get more for your buck and transport not too bad.
If that girl in a wheelchair has one of her crazed little tantrum protests in front of a bus again and the traffic backs up for miles and scores of people have to get off and walk, or are delayed by 30 minutes, I swear I will ignore the coppers trying to reason with her and give the selfish mad little cow some bile. It was the 68 last night. Anyone know who I mean?
@ Spikeyd
So is Silk Road is (allegedly) good then? That’s welcome news indeed, especially considering the last 3 or so annually changed Thai ventures on those premises have veered between average to sub-par.
Must try it out.
The one at the top of Walworth road’s not bad either, though I’m convinced I had an MSG hangover after I ate there last.
Apparently it is — I’ve yet to try it myself; flu’s rather got in the way sadly. But I’m aiming to get there very soon.
You’re probably thinking of the Dragons Castle at the top of Walworth Road. One of the very best Chinese eateries in town when it first opened, but I think it’s got a little tired recently — the original chef has apparently left. But how can you argue with a place that celebrates customer birthdays by playing, very loudly, and with just the right amount of distortion, a Chinese hip hop version of Happy Birthday, to the delight of the whole restaurant…
Would be interested in a link to the food blog about Silk Road.
I have not eaten there but was excited about it because it claims (in Chinese) to offer Xinjiang (Uighur, Muslim minority) food. Anyway, I checked the menu and there’s only a dish or two, and I spoke to the waiter about it all just to check. It’s a very limited offering and hardly a claim to Xinjiang cuisine. The rest is your average Chinese fare. Also the place was gloomy and uninviting.
However, it did seem to be run by mainland Chinese folk and the larger, more expensive chicken dish which Spikeyd mentions is definitely worth exploring. I’ve seen groups of mainland Chinese students in there too, probs for the noodles and dumplings, which is a good sign.
I’ll give it a go soon.
Noise about Silk Road. Seems they also offer kebabs etc, which I don’t remember from my visit. I’ll try it soon. Phil G food review coming your way.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/584399
The pub that was the Walmer Castle, more recently Pharoah’s (corner of Peckham Rd/Grummant Rd) went up in flames for the second time in 7 years in the early hours last night. Renovation work had started on the building about a year ago after 5–6 years of dereliction. Very suspicious!
I live near Pharoah‘s. Remember the first time it went up in a huge blaze. All the streets were filled with smoke. Didn’t notice anything last night.
I see that Woolworths is to become “99p Store”
I quite like the 99p store in Butterfly Walk but it is very cramped and claustrophic at the best of times…you can get some excellently priced cleaning products in there much cheaper than the supermarket…although they have a fair amount of tat in there too
Are they going to operate 2 stores in Camberwell? Or are they just relocating across the road?
If so, then perhaps this will speak volumes about the unrealistic leases that the amateurs/owners of Butterfly Walk demand…
Woolworths started as a 99p store (1 old penny at the time) so perhaps they will evolve and eventually stock some better quality products and will take the place of Woolies without anyone seeing the join…
Matbe Walmer Castle/Pharoahs is haunted by the ghost of an ol’ cockney arsonist who died on the job…
Hmmmmmmm…
Much of Peckham Road has been a pedestrian precinct all day whilst men hose the foam away and incident specialists examine the ruins — a good third of the Walmer Castle has collapsed. There are dozens and dozens of people walking down the road — there are no buses, incredible. It looks like wartime or a scene from the film “When the Oil Runs Out”.
We had a Christmas card from Labour through the door today — it’s good that they see the winterval as being an all year round people’s festival. The Labour councillors are keen that the baths are properly refurbished. It has to be said that Lib Dems these days are no longer the localists they were. Up the Labour! Let’s Go with Labour and We’ll Get Things Done!
The Orient Express was towed through the parish by a steam engine last night — an incredible sound, then an incredible sight.
Lovely Camberwell, been all over London and keep coming back. I’ve lived on the Sansom St now for 7 years, it’s got to be the best-kept secret in Camberwell! Quiet, friendly neighbours, lovely houses, close to ‘the village’ (as my mother calls it when she comes to visit).
Anyway — in praise of Camberwell:
Tiny Tots baby gym — brilliant
Sally Army playgroup
Camberwell Choir school
Cruson — let’s hope he goes on for ever
Sophocles crusty bloomer
Caravaggio’s lunch
Diverse lovely crazy inhabitants
Buses
It’s not East Dulwich (a good thing!!)
Definitely home…
Another good thing about Camberwell is being able to see parts of it appear on the telly. Film and TV directors seem to love it round here. The latest filming in our locale has been the filming of Ashes to Ashes at the half knocked-down flats on the Elmington Estate over the last couple of evenings. Quite a sight it has been too with 92000 watts of lightbulbs (according to the technician I spoke to) blazing down on the neglected ruins of the estate throwing up all sorts of new shadows and angles. The last night of filming is tonight if you fancy taking a look for yourselves.
Snowball fight at the green — 7pm!!
Not forgetting the new series of Minder filmed on Sansom St!
Sansom Street, that’s it, a secret haven of totally preserved original Camberwell terraced brick heaven, a world in a grain of clay. I remember it, Mrs Swann, I was in wonder at its etherealness. Do you know there is a Madeleine Terrace in Camberwell?
Norman — what about Su Thai? I was very impressed with the Thai food I had there!
I’ll hold my hands up — I’ve never been to Su Thai, as that location has changed hands so often over the years I lost confidence in it. I’ll give it a go, though, and report back.