Annoying cube toy, or "crack for babies"

The "roll and rhyme" melody block, available from all Woolworths for about a tenner. If you hate someone with a baby, get them this. Briefly, it's a cube bigger than a 5 month olds' head, with animals on each side from different continents and cultures. So far, so PC. A fish from the Pacific, a Lion from Africa, polar bear, fox etc, and oddly, a moon for South America. Each side plays a tune or a rhyme from that culture. They are of an astonishing inanity. "Red fox, running about, are you in or are you out?". Apparently a reference to the cloth fox on the cube that can be pushed in and out of a little pocket, but secretly, I think, given the hideous American accent the woman sings it in, a reference to the "Red Fear" of the McCarthyite era and Communist threat. Or how about this little gem: ""Blue fish, with scales that shine, if i pet you will you be mine". WHAT? A reference to animal love? That bloke who fiddled with a dolphin on a kids toy? Or just weird lazy rhyming? The "lion" (which actually looks like a cat crossed with a seal, only yellow) has a crinkly mane and apparently loves being tickled. Again, a secret justification for invading Syria maybe? There have to be secret messages hidden in these rhymes surely, or they serve no purpose, certainly not to the English language. Plus it would explain why you find yourself walking round singing about how polar bars are slipping and sliding away: It's subliminal crap eating into your brain. In an American accent. Witha frog dressed in a jumpsuit on each side. It frightens me a bit. Thankyou friend who purchased him this.

However, Seth is obsessed with it. The small blocks designed to encourage co-ordination, the educational yoghurt knitted toys are abandoned in favour of this. If he can see it, he wants it. He uses it all the time and has, hideously, figured out how to turn it on, so now the noise never stops. As the rhymes change depending on which face is uppermost, and he rocks it to balance himself whilst sitting, I have listened to "red fox / green leaves / red fox / green leaves" for about ten minutes straight now. Soon, the batteries will be "lost".

Mamas and Papas Pliko Pramette

Well, I've been using it for 5 odd months now, so now is as good a time as any to see how it's stood up to it's use. Firstly, what sort of buggy is it? Well, it's not a three wheeler off roader, it's a 4 wheeled typical buggy/pram converter, designed,according to the lady from the shop, as a city / town type buggy, with some robustness. Here's a link to one. http://www.mamasandpapas.co.uk/range/117/

Frankly, I think all buggies are overpriced and was quite willing to freecycle it, but my family surprised me my offering to buy. My main concern was that it should last, be able to be a pram and then a buggy for at least two years, and be hardy enough to recycle afterwards to someone else. I chose the black coloured one so that DP would push it as well (you can get all colors, but it's a buggy, not a fashion statement, though you wouldn't know that round here, the amount of babies with buggies matching their pierced ears and outfits. I'm not joking). He is unreconstructed like that. Also, I liked the extendable arms, as DP is tall, I am a midget.

The pram element lasted for 3 months, and would have lasted longer if Seth wasn't such a Lurch. It was easy to make into a pram, and sturdy. As a pushchair, it seems to be fine so far, with a range of back positions (suitable from about 4 months, almost flat, to upright) and is, as far as i can tell, comfy. The hood shades well, and is reversible so you can clack it on forward and back facing, negating, in the main the need for one of those overpriced sunshades. The storage is plenty for me to do a hefty-ish shop, and it doesn't overbalance with a weeks worth of recycling round the handlebars. The raincover is easy to fit and strong. The footmuff that came with it was perfectly adequate.

As for "one handed" fold down, well, LIES, but it does fold down easily, with justa two handed handlebar lift and pull on a back handle. and goes up again easily. It's not the smallest folded down, but nor is it too hefty. I can lift it, and whilst I am no fairy treadlight, I am no behemoh either.

Steering is easy and I like the swivel / non-swivel option on the wheels. It's sturdy for kerb ramming and I've taken it "off road" on canal paths and tracks through woods easily enough without bone shaking. It's easy to clean and wash down. No breakages thus far, and it's use is daily.

It also fits buses easily, crucially, the narrow corridor bits some buses still have.

Quibbles? Seth doesn't like the straps that hold him in, but he wouldn't. Sometimes they twist so a blanket covering them behind the baby is more comfy.

So I haven't turned into a pram obsessive, but this does seem to work well and do the job. It's expensive at £300+ , but then, these things are, and if it lasts well, it will have done it's work and been worth it. It's not the trendiest of buggies, but it is practical, and if you don't want a fashion statement, but a buggy that works well, it's a good bet.

Mum's food against Hipp Organic

Woad here.
The orange stuff is good because it is orange and a bit lumpy, which means i can squoosh it. You see me here modelling some of it. Mum made it from carrot and courgette. The spoon is ok but not very tasty. The stuff in the jar is nice but a bit runnier and i raspberry it out more, but i like it all the same. I do not like bananas much. I hate my bib. I hate it round my neck.

Mum replies:
He seems to like all food the same. Lumpy, non lumpy, BLW, weaning jars, you name it. Except banana, which he really isn't keen on. In terms of baby food, the Hipp Organic range seem to me to be ok and reasonably priced, although i have noticed gluten and cow's milk in some of them so you have to read the labels if, like me,you are avoiding those until 6 months plus. They are quite runny, and I am tending towards texture and baby-led weaning where possible, so I am only using jars when out if i think my veg might not stand up to the heat of the day. I'd like to say he prefers mine, but he doesn't care.

I am wary of the fact that everything seems to be organic now, as it's the latest buzz word and everyone wants to be green. I really would like to see where the food comes from on labels, and also a few dairy based things made from goats rather than cows milk, as it's more digestible (I drink it, as cows milk aggravates excema). I also think you need to be wary of thinking that just because it's organic, it's ethical. I don't know who Hipp are, but i am trying to find out, as i am pretty sure they probably are not a lovely ethical company working out of a shed , but probably an arm of unilever or something. I will edit the post when i find out, as i wouldn't want to eat anything to do with Nestle or anything. I try to stick to my own food making, but some days, I just want to slump and let me sit rather than be bloody supermum and mashing and steaming. Especially when the inconsiderate gits of Hackney have spent the whole weekend making noise above my flat which DP sleeps through, but i don't.

Edited to add that: Hipp actually seem ok! Here's a link to their company info.

http://www.hipp.co.uk/about_HiPP/company.htm

Either way they might send you some freebies and the website is interestng.

However, that may not be the full story obviously. Many German companies didn't come out of the war period exactly ethically (use of slave labour, helping develop gas etc ) so I would like to dig more. I also found that they produce food under the non-organic label Bebevita, so they are not 100%ethical, just that Hipp is an organic "arm" of a larger company, so to be truly ethical I suppose I should find a wholly organic company.

Here's a good link to a greenpeace page about how GM babyfood really is. http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/media/press-releases/is-the-baby-food-you-buy-really-non-gm-greenpeace-offers-online-advice

Edited to add: Thanks to Dubs for the link added in her comment. I find it really disheartening that so many baby food companies discourage breastfeeding (anywhere, but especially so in new world and emerging) markets. I also found out that Hipp give money to the Republican party, so there goes another company........

It does seem sometimes that the only way to feed your baby ethically and organically is to grow everything yourself, unfortunately not possible in Hackney. Maybe next year, when we are moved and in sunny Hertfordshire with an allottment.....

Essensuals hair, Docklands, East London

I had good pregnancy hair. I didn't realise it at the time, I thought it was just hair. It wasn't until I saw how dreadful my post-baby hair was that I think back to how great it was in pregnancy. Last week, I was weeping at the hanks of hair my beloved child was able to pull from my scalp with no effort, and the wisps of fine passes-for-hair that clung flatly to my scalp. The sad looking fronds were my hair. Gone were the shiny locks of pregnancy. Here were grey hairs and grease, and bits where my head shone through. A panicky referral to websites confirmed the normality of this, but also made it clear that it could be a year or so before my hair returned to normality. As I am BF, and unlikely to return to normal shape (such as it was) until I stop, I resembled a female non-green Shrek, only crying, and with bigger breasts.

My DP booked a haircut for me.

Essensual is in Cabot Square shopping centre, near Docklands tubes, and posh in that it costs more than 40 quid to get your hair cut, a shocking amount I know, but one, frankly, I was willing to say we could afford to stop my crying. DP went first (he is quite vain about his hair, and he may as well be, he has MORE THAN ME and he is balding). I wandered off for a coffee. On returning, I chatted with a young stylist while they made ready and fussed over baby, politely handing me tissues as he drooled. Then DP took him and he sat and watched the shiny shelves and mirrors like a good baby. A young lady about the weight of the average oven chip chatted as she washed my hair confiding that she couldn't get pregnant as she would be worried about staying fat, "no offence". Ta love, just give me an effing head massage and don't talk to me, I am enjoying NOT HAVING A BABY FOR FIVE MINUTES.

Then the stylist Jessie was honest about it, and suggetsed a shorter haircyt and a short fringe to cover the loss, and explained how the regrowth would happen, also suggesting taking calcium. This is a good idea, but as i forget my vitamins on a daily basis i would forget that too. She chatted, but in a friendly congenial way and as she was making me look human again, i answered her. In the end, she has done a good job. Of course i would prefer to have hair, but the remaining wisps now look styled and I don't have such a tefal forehead. In a year, I may look normal. So, it was worth it, I think.

Mum and baby room, Cabot Square shopping centre, Docklands, East London

The proposed legislation to make BF in public a legal right is, IMO, a great idea, as then I won't feel so exposed (ha!) when people shoot me evil glances and look disgusted at me. I can sit in a shopping centre and feel vindicated feeding my baby in public. At the moment, I feel, often,like I have to seek out a mum and baby room, and tbh, the need for a nappy change often means a feed and a poo happens together anyway. BUT i do fear that making it legal to feed in public will ofer just anoher get out clause for planners to "forget" their mums and babies, and the little space they do allocate could well get even less. As it is, the mums and babies rooms are often just cupboards or glorified loos.

As is the case with this one. This shopping centre is posh. It is so posh it has a Waitrose and a M&S food. It sells a lifestyle, and Ted Baker shirts. It sits there like a big glossy carbuncle built on commerce and 2p a day wages to some poor sod in the Phillipines paid to sew Gaps tops. The people out on a Saturday shopping there spend a LOT of money. It's near my DP's work, so we had our haircuts booked there. I wandered around it. It was like an alien culture compared to Hackney. A loaf of bread in the bakery cost £3.00. The shopping centre is clean and glossy and shiny and everyone was flicky haired and gorgeous, holding hands ina couply way and smiling "aren't we so lucky to be in Docklands roght now in our lovely outfits".

Unless you are a mum, in which case, you are still shoved in a loo to feed your baby. And the locks won't work properly either. So, I can spend a fortune, but I have to sit in a room with a loo in it, a lock that doesn't work so I have to shout "occupied" twice as someone tries to use the room (not for changing, for peeing, and men, not women). The chair is obviously an afterthought squished into the gap between the loo and the sink and an outcast from some back room with fag butt burns on the seat. The changing unit is clean and functional though, and the room is clean. There's a machine sellingnappies, although there's a Boots nearby. It's just a room to sit in. It's obvious this shopping centre thinks "Mums: they don't spend much do they? At least, not in this bit of London. They don't have city jobs. Screw them then, shove them in the disabled loo space".

And yet, if they put in a nice room, nice chairs etc, bit of nice lighting and some water, we'd linger. We might think about saving up for a treat there and use the posh centre a bit.But we're not worth it.

Asda, Leyton Mills, East London

Asda are meant to be the Mother and Baby awrd winners, for whatever that is worth. A kickback and a sponsorship, I should think. Anyway, I usually avoid supermarket shopping because I hate them, all of them, without exception. I hate the feeling of being herded round aisles and sold things at, and the fact that they rip you off left right and centre whilst paying the farmer about half a penny. I hate uniform looking fruit and weird pesticide tomatos that never go off. However, since i also hate the yoghurt knitting spend a fiver on a dirty carrot brigade, i usually tread the line of the local shop and grocer. Smetimes though, you've just got to, and since my maternity pay has gone, I walked the walked to Asda/ Walmart and looked for a lightweight sleeping bag for Mr Woad, my baby, whose bulk has increased to such an amount that he is bursting out of the old ones. They didn't have any. Nobody knew if they would have any. Or ever had them. Or if any other shop might do, or if the friend who told me about them was having a post-partum hallucination or not. Not a good start then.

Whilst there, i thought i might have a look around at the baby stuff. It's cheap, it's cotton, it all looks ok, but I really couldn't be doing with the queues and Woad was starting to fret and grab at my boobs in that delightful way I hope he grows out of. So I looked for the mum's room. Eventually, I was pointed in the direction of it, on the main concourse, and ok-ish. Of course, i'd rather sit in the coffee shop, but whenever there is a mum's room it's almost as if you HAVE to use it, and when there are burka-ed up ladies in the coffee shop etc I expect i'd have little choice, so in i went, although it always feels like a loo.

In fact, it WAS a loo, except it had a changing table with empty wipe dispenser, acceptably clean but not pleasant, being all strip lighting and glaring mirror. One of the obviusly-loo-at-one-point cubicles now contained an uncomfy plastic chair. So i sat in and did it, and really felt like I was in a loo, and the whole experience was functional not comfy. Woad took exception to the strip light overhead whilst changing, and midway through a staff member came in and started fussing with her hair, leaving bits of it behind (she was African and wearing a hairpiece, they seem to shed a lot, rather like me at the moment). It wasn't a nice time and although the facility was there, the heart wasn't. It was obviously dumped in the building at the last minute and with little thought. Next time, if there ever is one, shall sit in the cafe and brave the glares of the burka'ed workforce.

In contrast, when I got caught short as it were in the local grocers, they practically wrenched him out of my hands, showed me through to the back of the shop, gave me some mint tea, and left me alone. Then fussed him, gave me free bananas, and sent me on my way. That is why Asda are arses and local shops rock.

(I would like to point out that the ref to burkas isn't meant to be offensive, just that I always feel awkward exposing a bit of myself next to a woman whose entire body is obviously totally covered up because she or her husband disapproves of exposing of flesh. Although I know it's a democracy and I've got a right to do it if I want to, soon, i hope)

Church gardens and play area, Hackney, East London

The Church gardens, Hackney. Accessible via all buses to Hackney Central, Hackney Central Rail station.

The bit behind the church tower in Hackney, off of Mare Street used to be the sole haunt of tramps shadow boxing and drinking, and yout waiting to nick something. Now Hackney Council in their wisdom have done something vaguely useful for a change and redone the gardens. The old churchyard and surrounding area have been tastefully revamped, with good and sensitive referencing to the past and a good play area installed. Of course, the tramps are still there, only shoved over to the corner near the (shocking!)20p loos, which is a pain in the arse. It's like they are on tramp leylines and can't deviate too far from them, although I guess they just need an offy and the post office for their giros. Anyway, they are the worst bit, as the loos are clean (as they should be to get in for 20p), but you have to run a tramp gauntlet to get there, which no kid is going to want to do alone. Plus, they really should have just employed someone to look after the loos, and shoo the tramps off. But that's Hackney Council for you.

So i'll approach this review with two hats.

First, history teacher.
Hackney used to be a beautiful village famous for its' baths. None of that remains, obviously, but the churchyard gardens are a way of reaching back to that past and making it accessible. The new signposts (already unfortunately defaced by idiot vandals tagging them, numbskulls) are informative on the role of this particular area, and point out areas of interest. Who knew that the Beaufort scale of measuring wind was actually invented by someone, and that someone a Lord buried here? The clocktower is also pointed out, although not open. The history of the churchyard is illustrated with photos and text. Its' not worth, as a teacher, planning a whole days' outing for, but if I were primary rather than secondary, and nearby, i'd use this site as a good example of teaching KS2 continuity and change. What has changed? What is different? etc. A Year 6 child could easily grasp these concepts and a simple worksheet could be knocked up using the signposts easily enough, and a few old photos. Or you could do a "Who is?" worksheet using the gravestones and memorials. A nice exercise would be to combine a bit of KS2 Geog and use a simplified map of the area to locate parts from different centuries, as the area ranges from 13th to 19th century. You'd be surprised how many children reach KS3 without knowing how centuries and chronology work. I think it's definately worth an afternoon for primary teachers round here . Go after lunch and after they've all already been to the loo.

Now, as a mum.

The churchyard gardens themselves are beautiful, but avoid the plain grass area as people let their dogs poop there. As ever. Don't get me started on people and dogs. Frankly, i'd DNA register all dogs and their owners and MAKE them clean up after themselves. Round here, if you registered all the people with idiot big mastiffs etc, you'd get half the criminal community to boot and halve the amount of dog crap everywhere because these men are all too "big" to pick up dog poo. Anyway.......

The childrens play area is a joy for mums of toddlers and babies. It's safe, enclosed, away from traffic, and beautifully kept and planted (thus far, but this IS Hackney, so who can say for how long?) The play area is soft to land on, made of that weirdo rubber stuff, and the range of equipment good and geared at toddlers only, so big kids don't come here, a good thing. It's all prams and toddlers. The slides are small, the swings are small and so on. Mini roundabouts were fiercely competed for when I was there. There's shade provided by trees, benches and a lovely lawn. I felt perfectly ok BF here, even though there were dads and some Orthodox ladies about. And there's an M&S over the Narroway to get some sarnies if you want.

All new, shiny and nice. And security in the form of rangers is apparently in evidence to keep it that way. Or at least not let the White Lightning Warriors into this bit.

Marks and Spencers, Harrogate

This was a great shop for BF mums. I was visiting the in-laws when Jeff Woad (nickname for baby, see Withnail and I) demanded food. In the 4 min window i am allowed before he goes purple I made it to M&S. Now, I realise I am alone in hating their ad campaign of a range of "beauties" all meant to appeal to various women (I'm sorry, but If i'd have been pregnant and they targeted me with Myleene I'd have cried. If my puffed up head would have allowed it. But no, i'd have retained the water.), and I don't like their clothes either, I think they are too expensive and not made for midgets like me, even the petite range. I just feel like I go in there and have to shop at a bit labelled "short and fat". But anyway, their provision for me and my boobs, in Harrogate at least was heavenly. A large, buggy negotiable room, nicely, lowly lit, quiet, away from the hububb and with comfy, yes comfy, chairs, water on tap, magazines, and clean toilets and changing units with wipes etc. In fact, I lingered rather than attempt the hell that was TK Maxx.

It made me want to say thankyou to them.

But i still hate the adverts.

Victoria Park, East London

Open all day, Free!
If the weather is nice, and you live in East London, get to this green lung with your baby or toddler. Accessible from al Hackney Buses and walkable to from Cambridge Heath, London Fields BR, or Bethnal Green tube.

This is a lovely park. I love it. It is BIG and beautiful. For mums with small babies, it's relatively baby friendly, with small hidden areas to BF if you are confident enought to do it in public. I use the small garden area with box hedging, it's shady and secret and mainly peopled with pensioners just sitting and feeding squirrels. I've never been told to stop feeding in there. No changing area obviously, but use the grass!

The key to it is that it's great for toddlers. Not only is it lovely, well planted and well kept, with ornamental areas, a lovely range of trees and shrubs, and wild areas, but it has some great play areas, that toddlers i know would love to review if only they could write or stop playing there. Several playgrounds to choose from, some for little'uns and some for bigger un's with more dangerous lookignslides, a clean 50's style paddling lido (sit and gawp at the sheer size some of these toddlers reach, as they displace the water for others and sit there eating fried chicken in the pool. Yes, really. Had to restrain myself from shouting "for God's sake make your child exercise!" at the mother) . There's a park area with some not-too-depressed looking deer in that you can shove carrots at (although they seem to be fed on everything, probably chicken), and a one o'clock club for mums that i haven't been to. The toddlers pay area is in good nick and has a good range of toys and slides etc. It's well kept and safe.

Sure, there's some "yout" hanging round, but this park is big enough to escape them, and crucially their crap music or football playing for you to find a space with your baby. I like the secret garden area, but everyone i know has a favourite bit. Only downside is the loos, they aren't the cleanest in the world, and why would they be, but it'd help if someone looked after them and was paid to do it. There is a cafe by the boating lake, but bring your own food I say. Beware of the water: there are several lakes and ponds, but all peopled with ducks, swans and moorhens to feed, although TBH, they don't need it, they are fat anyway and the lake doesn't need more mighty white in it to attract rats.

Broadway Market, Saturdays, East London, Hackney

Organic market, and other goods, Saturdays 9-2, Broadway, off London Fields.

One road lined with shops.

Now, obviously this is a rant, somewhat.
I HATE this market. I refer to it as "Fraudway Market", namely because nobody should pay a tenner for a carrot with a bit of mud on it purely because it is organic, and also because it is entirely peopled with frauds who say things like "Oh yes, we live in Hackney don't you know" as if they are being dangerous and edgy. They don't live in Hackney. They live in a set for a film about Hackney called Broadway Market.

Now, i'm not knocking regeneration per se. I can well remember when you had to run the gauntlet in that area and dodge drug dealers etc to get to the pub. And the days when the Cat and Mutton wasn't peopled with young trendies, but people drinking their benefits and pissing themselves. BUT this is not the real Hackney. It's like a Richard Curtis version, with about three ethnic people and only picaresque elderly who are prepared to pay the equivalent of a weeks child benefit for a burger.

But to the point of this. This is no place for a pram. These people are here to be seen, and lounge, and pay a small fortune for a coffee at one of the dinky coffee shops that BLOCK THEENTIRE RUDDY PAVEMENT. These people do not move for prams. To be fair, they don't tut at you either, they just don't see you, as you aren't one of them. Unless, that is, you are a "Trendy Hackney mum" with a three wheeled drive pram and a fractious baby who'd really rather be somewhere else but simply must be seen dressed in the latest off white organic baby gear, and be paraded up and down all morning. Never mind the baby, let me seen pushing it, think these dads, as they wander the stalls with their already thin again partners (surely they birthed at the pool surrounded by private doulas? Or maybe they had their babies pulled out early a la Posh to avoid stretchmarks? Either way, no earthly mums these, these are mums who are out shopping organically three days aftre the birth, presumably because they can then chuck the produce at the underpaid au pair and tell her to steam it.)

It's busy, overpriced, overated. You will be bumped into, ignored, and if you do want a coffee, there's no-where to sit or get your pram, leastways, on a Saturday (different in the weeks, i'll review a coupla places later). Only go if you wish to observe in person the type of person who's pushing up house prices in the area and "regenerating" it with shops only 1% of us can afford. It's not a pretty sight. Your baby will hate you if you go. As will I.

"The Pembury" pub review, Pembury road, East London

Pembury road, near Hackney Central train, or Hackney Downs train station. All buses to Hackney Central.

Now, this is a lovely pub for babies and mums. Already non-smoking, quiet in the day, and near to transport links. None of the usual Hackney oddballs and a chilled out atmosphere .Every time i've been in there i've had a great lunch and a good conversation with the bar staff about politics, whatever. Not once have they been weird about my having a baby. They open the doors for me. The other customers tend to be there because it's quiet or for the beers, which I understand to be excellent (damn this lactating). They certainly have a fine range of bitters and are supported by CAMRA.

It's spacious (easy to navigate with prams), some of the chairs are comfy and suitable to slump and BF in, and there's a range of games, books and newspapers. No changing room, but hey, it's a pub, and they were fine about me doing it on the floor round a corner. The lunchtime menu is great, they do a deal for a fiver or you can go crazy mental and have really posh main for 7 quid. All food is lush, I can particularly recommend the treacle pudding for extra 500 cals BF allowance. I had liver there the other day and it was perfectly done. And if you just want a coffee they'll give you a veritable bowl of it, proper stuff, for half the price of Starbucks and nicer too. The landlord is keen to keep his eco and green CAMRA cred, and the food is locally sourced where possible and in season.

In fact, my local mum's group has become a fixture and even though we can be by our very nature quite a rowdy bunch the pub has never been less than welcoming and friendly. In fact, don't go there, stay away, and let us keep it. I don't feel like I go there just because it lets me in as a mum. I feel like I want to go there, and that is GREAT.

Islington, "Giraffe" London, Cafe review

Giraffe cafe, Essex Road, Islington, London. Take a bus (the dreaded 38 or others) or tube it to Angel.

This is a good place to come with babies. Thing is, even though it is great and the service happy and baby friendly, I always sit here feeling like i've been herded there because I have a kid. And in essence it's true, because this is pretty much the only place in Islington that you can sit with a baby that might cry without stick thin media girls shooting you evil glances or richer shopping mums with perfectly trained children lunching on samphire or whatever glaring at you. Apart from Pizza Express and that's just not good. So, I do come here, and it is good, it's just that I know i'm here because I have to be. And to be fair to Giraffe, they know it, I know it, and at least they are up front about it. The customers are nearly all either too poor to go to the swankier places or mums with kids. Young trendy types earning a pittance as a tv runner, or mums with their boobs out. A combination that works ok, actually.

Food is of the breakfast/ brunch type during the day, and not the most expensive, (expect around a fiver / seven to eight quid for a main, 3 quid a smoothie etc) and the coffee good if a bit spenny. I had a decent sausage sandwich and a large altte for about 7 quid, which isn't cheap, by any means, but when your social life is all before 12 noon, you grab wat you can. Good quality food, all sourced, and supposedly "healthy".

They let me and lactating friends sit there for 2 hours with a coffee each when it wasn't too busy in the morning. We all had 'em out at one point and no-one batted an eyelid, even taking our orders as we fed. Staff are great with babies and don't mind them being babies at all (demolishing bowls of sugar sachets etc). There's a changing room (doubling up as a bike room the day i went, not ideal), and it's clean. Enough room for prams to get in and out. Chairs are of the bucket type so not ideal to BF in but ok, although avoid the benches.

Bloody annoying music though.

So, a good place to stop off at and feel free to BF there. It's a chain so I imagine they all have the same attitude. Good on 'em. I just wish I could go there without feeling It was my only choice in an area.

East London, pub, breakfast, review, "The Eclipse"

"The Eclipse" pub, Elderfield Road, Hackney, London. (Please note, due to a larger chain of shittier pubs bullying the Eclipse as I know it, my Eclipse is shortly having to undergo a name change. Please keep an eye out for it under it's new, yet to be chosen, name. And don't go to the new chain of Eclipses, one of which is in Islington).

I love this pub. It is tucked away in the residential area off of Chatsworth road and contains the nicest landlords, Steve and Joyce, I have had the opportunity to meet. Joyce loves babies. As a consequence, it's cool to go there early doors with babies (they open at 4pm weekdays) and weekends, when they open at 10.30 am for breakfast. It will be even nicer after July, as i won't have to sit outside when someone sparks up. Joyce does a good fry-up on a weekend, and the bitters are well kept and varied (good Harvey's). I've breastfed tucked away in a corner and it was fine. The locals are all lovely. A real range of customers and ages, great bar staff, good not-too-loud music and a friendly atmosphere. Good nights out (although those days are behind me now, at least for a while...) and merry days spent in this pub. This is a broad minded pub that welcomes all genders and ages and types, and Joyce won't stand for any nonsense or misbehaviour either. And she'll take your baby for a hold if you are lucky while you experience the bliss of sitting in a pub, baby-less, like you used to.

They also serve paninis etc in the day/ evenings, and have a range of coffees, teas, and so on. Fancy beers and lagers for those that like them. And Theo the comedy barman, who lends me books.

East London, Public transport, buses, review

Ahhhh, the London bus. Red, big, helpful, lovely chirpy conductors. No? Bendy buses, easy access? No.

The buses round here are DREADFUL. It's partly design (older style double deckers d NOT have enough room for prams or buggies AND people, and don't even get me started on the bendy demons), and partly other people. Sample from yesterday. I was intending to go to the Dalston Rio cinema, they do a great Mum's and Babies showing. 2 buses stopped (the 242, older style double decker). Now, I was waiting for ages. Did the people at the queue allow me on, having seen my wait and seen my pram? No, they barged past me both times. Did the driver say anything? Did he heck. Once you're on, should you be lucky enough, be prepared for some "yout" to be in the buggy area listening to his phone loudly and pretending he can't see you. Or some group of schoolkids eating fried chicken to take up the room. And everyone to tut if your baby cries (and who could blame them, you've probably paid 2 quid for this joy). And the bus to partly drive off when you want to get off and thne trap you in the doors. And the bendy buses are no better. They stop where they want, which is never where you can get a buggy on or off , unless maybe some mums do say things to the driver like "can you stop by a large puddle in a dip in the road so i have to lift the buggy 5 ft to get down please? And then please trap it in the doors while everyone barges past me and tuts".

Oooh, yes, public transport in London is great.