Oh, well - back in Croydon again. Having had a week of hot sunshine in Spain, and having heard about the rain and floods in the U.K., we felt we were lucky when the sun shone in Croydon over the week-end.

Having had my mobile 'phone stolen and the old number transferred on to a spare one which I had, I then discovered that the spare one had a fault, so decided on a more expensive Nokia with Blue Tooth for the car. We set off into Croydon on Saturday late afternoon, went to the Whitgift Centre and into the Vodafone shop. The staff there were incredibly helpful. I explained that we did not have much time, as we were going to the cinema. Ten minutes later, I had my new 'phone. There were quite a few families out shopping, all thoroughly enjoying themselves.

We felt very safe in Croydon. It was reassuring to have police vans and officers on foot patrolling the area, and we witnessed a couple of stop and searches. There are those who imagine that police simply pick on people because of the way they look, but these searches are intelligence based. Officers know exactly who to look for.

We then went to "La Tasca" for some "tapas" and were served quickly. The food was good and we were out in half an hour. Then on to the Virgin Vue cinema to see "The Duchess" - a wonderful film. The seats in this complex are incredibly comfortable. Then back to Surrey Street car park, one of the safest in Croydon, well lit, with CCTV cameras.

I was due to join the London Sacred Harp Group for a "sing" on the Sunday, but had a health problem which meant that the long journey and several hours' standing were not going to be a good idea, so I reluctantly cancelled it. They are a very friendly bunch of people, so I have invited them all here in November, when we shall be entertaining our little cul-de-sac in Selsdon with our harmonies.

We did instead have a quick trip to the Vodafone shop in the Whitgift Centre, as my spare 'phone needed replacing, which they did straight away. I now have two working 'phones. We had an "espresso" at Thornton's, and it always comes with a nice chocolate.

I had a strange experience this week, when a "text message stalker" began sending messages constantly from the time I arose till the time I went to bed. The messages were not nasty, but I had no peace whatsoever and, when requests to be left alone did not work, I had to e-mail our Safer Neighbourhood Team, who came to visit me straight away with a promise to act on this. I am not a celebrity, so why the attention?? I will never understand why.

I find police in this borough are always so helpful and it is very reassuring when I read about all the very quick arrests. Knife crime is the main problem now - an increase of 8.6%, but robberies are down by 20%. It is good that this paper is reporting the arrests, but it will also be good to know the end result - which takes time. Knife crime affects not only the victim's family, but also the perpetrator's - how can they ever recover from something so awful? If only we could stop these young people from feeling so angry.

On that sad note - I am off soon to meet a blogger from another paper for lunch in the Whitgift Centre. I shall see what Croydon Town Centre is like today.

ANNE