Care costs affecting inheritance – brother livid: help! Gambling addiction – advice needed. Cat flap for Supercat needed!

Dear NappyValleyNetter,

“Now THIS is the perfect birthday card.”

My eldest was celebrating his birthday and Mr NVN was holding up one of our son’s cards from which a twenty pound note had just fluttered out onto the kitchen table.

“A short message,” he droned, “and cash you can spend right now.”

“Lucrative. Concise. Perfect”

“I’m not sure those are the right values to teach our son,” I hissed, whilst pondering on the wisdom of serving both children birthday cake for breakfast.

On a school day.

And I was right. At least about the values.

My son was three thank-you notes in before I checked his output.

“Dear Grandma, thank you for your consise and lukerative card. It was perfect.”

Here’s what you’ve been talking about on NappyValleyNet…

G has fallen out with her brother over her elderly mother care costs which may impact their inheritance. Who can she turn to for advice? (read more)

And continuing the theme of people asking for advice: LF has a gambling addict in her family, who can point in the direction of treatment for this addiction? (read more)

The proposed development at Jaggard Way is proving a little controversial. *Fifty one* comments and counting! (read more). On the same theme, there is a new tower block planned for Wandsworth Town (read more)

AC2 wonders if you have any ideas of where to get maternity fancy dress?  The temptation to suggest Humpty Dumpty is too much…! (read more)

R. would love suggestions for an installer to fit a cat flap, ideally through a wall. Eh? Is it for Supercat!? (read more)

We had a fab meet-Up at La Petite Bretagne last week. Thank you for having us and the mini crepes and waffles were sublime! (read more)

Amelies Follies have an update on the break-in last weekend: it seems it was opportunists on motorbikes. It goes without saying we hope you’ve recovered by now! (read more).

Earlsfielders are discussing the merits of the new chocolate and coffee shop on Garratt Lane. OMG they had me at “chocolate”! (read more)

CC has posted details of his new, independent, centrist position for Battersea -oooh are we having an election? I hadn’t noticed! (read more)

You know that wonky vegetables taste the same as non-wonky ones? Well OddBox have a special offer for bendy beetroot, flexible fennel and ductile, errrr, did you know there are NO vegetables that begin with D. But if there were, Oddbox would sell them! (read more)

TM says the café on Tooting Common has reopened after a refurb. Yay! (read more)

LP is looking for a women’s beginners rowing club (read more). I once had to be rescued from a pedalo in Scarborough but I’m not sure that was rowing.

Landmark Lofts look like they can do a loft conversion in fifteen days. Yup. You read that right. Fifteen sleeps! (read more).

B would love to take her little girl for a spot of pampering before her birthday – any top tips? (read more). Stay away from the pedalos, that’s a top tip!

M is on the hunt for a local laser quest for her son’s birthday. Can we help her hit the spot? (read more)

LP would love to find an affordable weight loss expert, either dietitian, doctor or endocrinologist (read more)

We have more travel posts than BA have IT nightmares!

TPS wants to know if anyone’s been to Cape Verde and, if so, is it really trashy!?(read more)  G has posted about last minute availability in a Cornish holiday home (read more)  DW asked for help with planning a big family trip to Thailand and we’ve got some real-time advice from someone who’s there right now – lucky them! (read more)  MTC is thinking about a south coast road trip this summer and would love any top tips for where to go, where to stay, what to do! (read more)  NP is planning an Italian adventure for late summer. Any pointers? (read more)  GuyD is offering his 2-bed flat for a week in July if you have any relies in town (read more)

Looking for a new role? We have more job vacancies than Arsenal have happy fans!

Blackbird London (on Webbs Road) are looking for a full time boutique manager (read more)  The Scotts want to find a PA/Sales Administrator for a role in Battersea (read more)  F needs a live out nanny for 2 to 4 days in Fulham starting in August (read more)  M82 would like to find a childminder for a minimum of three days a week in Southfields in June/July (read more) TPG is looking for an au pair with good English for a minimum of 12 months (read more). S is looking for a nanny share linked to Barnes Primary Nursery from September. (read more)

We have more schools questions than NappyValley had BBQs over the weekend!

The discussion on the stress of waiting for Primary Waiting List places continues apace (read more)  M asks about the wrap around care at Ravenstone Primary – she’d rather they weren’t taken off campus. (read more)  UH would like your thoughts on John Burns Primary School after a year of bad exam results (read more)  N asks whether she should choose Marmalade Cat or École du Parc as deposit day is due! (read more)  EK posts about a little nursery school on Broomwood Road (read more)  CL82 is looking for a local nursery for just one morning a week. Any suggestions? (read more)  And A is after recommendations of nurseries near East Putney (read more)  SJ has posted details of the Wandsworth Test Club, with September in mind. (read more)

We have more activities than Jaws had metal teeth (the one who starred with Roger Moore!)

Brilliant idea for half term!  Head to WWT London Wetland Centre in Barnes and spot the life-sized camels, hippos, giraffes and more, all made out of green, green grass at the Grass Animal Zoo! (read more)  The Balham Literary Festival – Happy, Healthy, Home? – is fast approaching with a packed schedule of readings, talks and workshops for adults and children in the heart of SW12. We’ve got three pairs of tickets to giveaway right here! (read more)  Puddle Ducks are offering eight classes for the price of 6, so if you’d like to make a splash in Southfields or Balham, go jump in! (read more)  ESA runs second baby preparation classes so if you have another one on the way and wonder how (on earth!) you’re going to manage, help is at hand. (read more)  Sparks are launching a new workshop centre with a Summer Film Shoot at Belleville Primary.  Lights, camera, action! (read more)  C has posted about new restorative gong bath sessions for parents and babies (read more)  Teddy’s Tune Time at the Alma has space for just one more mum (or dad!) and babe. (read more)  G has posted about his flute lessons for 5 to 99 year olds. G…could it be James Galway in the neighbourhood!? (read more)  RA asks whether anyone else is interested in mum and baby bouldering?! (read more)  S is looking to improve her Spanish during her maternity leave. Anyone out there “qui habla Espagnol?” (read more)

We have more House & Garden queries than Q gave Roger Moore gadgets in James Bond!

SJH asks which estate agent you’d recommend using? (read more)  EmmaB is on the hunt for new carpets. Recommend a shag pile? (read more)  A. needs someone who’s good with guttering (read more)  S is looking for wardrobe revamp recommendations – we’re talking of the glorious walk-in SJP variety rather than a colour consultation/outfit overhaul. (read more)  T. would like your suggestions for “right to light” consultants (read more). AN wants to have her sofas dry cleaned.  Where to go? (read more)  MM is looking for any spare moving boxes (read more). And MM would love your recommendations for moving and storage firms. So MM’s off then…!? (read more)  WL is on the look out for a good B&B or Airbnb around the Clapham Common or Wandsworth Common area (read more). SL needs carpet cleaners (read more). Lastly, A needs a builder (read more).

It’s totally free to post your for sale, wanted and recycling adverts!

Star is on the look out for a bike for her 4-year-old (read more)  G&G has six Arts & Crafts style dining chairs for sale (but you have to sit sideways). (read more)  A is selling her once-used portable Mountain Buggy high chair (you also have to sit sideways – is this a new thing..!?). (read more)

Phew, that’s it, have a fabby week!

Love,

Annabel and the NappyValleyNet team