GTG London August 7 or 8: Flight booked
Jun 15th, 2009, 10:53 AM
#21
Patrick: Brilliant! Would you really like to check it out for us? I'd be quite grateful.
The pub got high marks on fancyapint and beerintheevening, as well as timeout. I guess that all means something.
Ncounty: Thanks for the nice reply. I've always thought CW would be very nice, before and after beer, and would be quite tickled to meet the man in person.
The pub got high marks on fancyapint and beerintheevening, as well as timeout. I guess that all means something.
Ncounty: Thanks for the nice reply. I've always thought CW would be very nice, before and after beer, and would be quite tickled to meet the man in person.
Jun 15th, 2009, 11:11 AM
#22
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Sounds good.
Because I have to come up to London from the country, the Sunday would suit me best as then I won't have to find a hotel for the night (or sleep on the platform waiting for the milk train!), but I'll try to fit in around what everyone else wants so if Saturday evening is better for you all then it's OK.
I think CW must be away at the moment as he has been very quiet recently, but I have an (old?) email address for him somewhere, so will try to find it... Or else keep topping this and eventually he will see it! It's the 4th test at Headingly that weekend, but he can keep tabs on the score in the pub!
Because I have to come up to London from the country, the Sunday would suit me best as then I won't have to find a hotel for the night (or sleep on the platform waiting for the milk train!), but I'll try to fit in around what everyone else wants so if Saturday evening is better for you all then it's OK.
I think CW must be away at the moment as he has been very quiet recently, but I have an (old?) email address for him somewhere, so will try to find it... Or else keep topping this and eventually he will see it! It's the 4th test at Headingly that weekend, but he can keep tabs on the score in the pub!
Jun 15th, 2009, 11:15 AM
#23
Julia_t: We could make this a Sunday late afternoon too but I don't know how it would work out for others.
By the way, we are staying at the Bankside House Accommodation. I know it's basic but I love the location.
By the way, we are staying at the Bankside House Accommodation. I know it's basic but I love the location.
Jun 17th, 2009, 09:58 AM
#24
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I've looked at the Royal Oak. I don't think it's one I've been in before, but it's a small neighbourhood real ale pub (Harvey's of Lewes), lots of plain wood and no musak (hooray!), one slightly larger bar on the Tabard St side, one smaller snug on the Nebraska St side. I dropped in to avoid the rain on my way home, and it wasn't busy early on a weekday evening (but you wouldn't expect it to be). They do food, lunchtimes and early evenings (but on Sunday from 12 to 6 or 6.30, I can't remember which) - things like lamb and apricot pie, salmon fishcakes, steak. Main dishes about £10, puddings around £5. But of course there are also plenty of places nearer to Borough Market, including a Tas (one of a small chain of Turkish restaurants that I quite like).
Jun 17th, 2009, 10:11 AM
#25
PatrickLondon: You are a Schatz! Thanks so much for the pub report. It sounds as if you weren't overwhelmed. If you have any other suggestions, I am certainly open. I'd like to have the GTG somewhere near Borough.
Jun 17th, 2009, 10:35 AM
#26
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I've done a little research for myself, I can get a train for 16 GBP return, whether it is Saturday or Sunday. That's way better than driving up and then parking. And not forgetting the congestion charge which I think I'd have to pay on Monday morning.
A cheap Travelodge will cost almost 100 GBP for the Saturday night, but just 29 GBP for the Sunday night.
So for me to be there it would really have to be on Sunday if it fits with everyone else. I'll wait to hear what is decided.
A cheap Travelodge will cost almost 100 GBP for the Saturday night, but just 29 GBP for the Sunday night.
So for me to be there it would really have to be on Sunday if it fits with everyone else. I'll wait to hear what is decided.
Jun 17th, 2009, 01:18 PM
#27
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Oops, that's my style showing: I liked the Royal Oak and I think it would be fine for a small group of people to have a drink and a chat. I have no idea what the food would be like if people wanted to eat, but there are plenty of other options in the area.
Jun 18th, 2009, 04:08 AM
#29
Hi JuliaT: Wow. I'm majorly impressed that you'd be willing to come to London for a GTG. Majorly.
Patrick: Thanks for the update. I looked up the TAS restaurant in Borough and it does look nice and the food looks delicious. Alternative: We could eat there on Saturday or Sunday night and then continue to a pub.
Kay: Sorry to hear you will be in Brugge. Actually, there are worse places to be.
Confession time: My daughter, 14, is part of my 5-party group. She's used to being around alcohol without being tempted herself (though she might try a sip of my Pimm's) but I've got to keep her in mind during the GTG planning.
Royal Oak opening times: Opening Hours: 11am-11pm Mon-Fri; 6pm-11pm Sat; noon-6pm Sun according to one website
Some websites show only weekday opening times so I'm hoping that the pub really is on weekends open.
Patrick: Thanks for the update. I looked up the TAS restaurant in Borough and it does look nice and the food looks delicious. Alternative: We could eat there on Saturday or Sunday night and then continue to a pub.
Kay: Sorry to hear you will be in Brugge. Actually, there are worse places to be.
Confession time: My daughter, 14, is part of my 5-party group. She's used to being around alcohol without being tempted herself (though she might try a sip of my Pimm's) but I've got to keep her in mind during the GTG planning.
Royal Oak opening times: Opening Hours: 11am-11pm Mon-Fri; 6pm-11pm Sat; noon-6pm Sun according to one website
Some websites show only weekday opening times so I'm hoping that the pub really is on weekends open.
Jun 18th, 2009, 04:17 AM
#30
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There's a bazillion pubs near the market (including a few of my favourites, but I'm not sure I'd take strangers to my favourites. I'm rather fond of the Masons, but quite what yanks would make of it I have no idea). I'm not sure how many will let a 14 year old in (not many I'd guess) but you can standoutside most of 'em and the ones in the market are covered.
That's certainly true of The George in the High St (yes I know it's a tourist trap - but it's a trap for a good reason - it's bloody good for a booze) and it's near millions of restaurants.
That's certainly true of The George in the High St (yes I know it's a tourist trap - but it's a trap for a good reason - it's bloody good for a booze) and it's near millions of restaurants.
Jun 18th, 2009, 06:37 AM
#31
OK, I've been listening to you all very carefully, and with my daughter and warm summer evenings, nice views, outdoor seating and food in mind, I'd like to make another suggestion.
Founder's Arms, Bankside
http://www.foundersarms.co.uk/bookings/
Founder's Arms, Bankside
http://www.foundersarms.co.uk/bookings/
Jun 18th, 2009, 06:43 AM
#32
Love this review of the above pub:
"Essentially a really tiny pub with a dozen seats inside and outside seating for about eight hundred people. Which all means that you'll have to wait a week to get served by the incomprehensible East European bar staff and then walk half a mile along the river with your overpriced beer and eight mile an hour winds in order to find a seat. Its location is its best asset and hey it's always fun to throw your friend's possessions in the Thames."
"Essentially a really tiny pub with a dozen seats inside and outside seating for about eight hundred people. Which all means that you'll have to wait a week to get served by the incomprehensible East European bar staff and then walk half a mile along the river with your overpriced beer and eight mile an hour winds in order to find a seat. Its location is its best asset and hey it's always fun to throw your friend's possessions in the Thames."
Aug 4th, 2009, 05:28 AM
#33
Looking at the weather forecast, most websites say that Sunday should be dry.
So I'd like to call out to any interested Fodorites and ask if you'd like to join us in a beer, coffee, glass of wine, Pimm's, cider, etc... at the Founder's Arms on/in Bankside.
When: Sunday, August 9
Where: Founder's Arms, Bankside (along the river, near Tate Modern) http://www.foundersarms.co.uk/location/
Time: From 7 pm on
How to recognise me: Look for the Swiss flag
If the weather's nice, we'll be outside.
Looking forward to meeting you in person! Everyone in my group can speak English so you can keep your German lessons for another time.
Cheers and Tschüss!
So I'd like to call out to any interested Fodorites and ask if you'd like to join us in a beer, coffee, glass of wine, Pimm's, cider, etc... at the Founder's Arms on/in Bankside.
When: Sunday, August 9
Where: Founder's Arms, Bankside (along the river, near Tate Modern) http://www.foundersarms.co.uk/location/
Time: From 7 pm on
How to recognise me: Look for the Swiss flag
If the weather's nice, we'll be outside.
Looking forward to meeting you in person! Everyone in my group can speak English so you can keep your German lessons for another time.
Cheers and Tschüss!
Aug 4th, 2009, 09:02 AM
#34
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I'd forgotten all about the proposed GTG!
I'm sorry to say I won't be able to make it after all, as eldest DD is home for the weekend and grandparents are coming over to see her.
However, did I read somewhere you are planning on visiting the Cotswolds sometime? If so let me know!
I'm sorry to say I won't be able to make it after all, as eldest DD is home for the weekend and grandparents are coming over to see her.
However, did I read somewhere you are planning on visiting the Cotswolds sometime? If so let me know!
Aug 4th, 2009, 09:59 AM
#37
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Aug 4th, 2009, 10:05 AM
#38
Egads, not only do I have the swine flu to deal with but picklefacia too! Is it contagious?
No worries. I've got my hand disinfectant, my gloves and my mask with me.
CW: I pictured you differently. Something along the lines of a black T-shirt from a 1978 Iron Maiden concert, a cap featuring the Grateful Dead and a beautiful perfect smile.
No worries. I've got my hand disinfectant, my gloves and my mask with me.
CW: I pictured you differently. Something along the lines of a black T-shirt from a 1978 Iron Maiden concert, a cap featuring the Grateful Dead and a beautiful perfect smile.
Aug 5th, 2009, 01:29 AM
#40
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I might be able to make it, too, although maybe only around 8 pm if you'd let me join (Saturday would be beter for me, to complicate things a bit). And I'd happily listen to some war-film German from CW.
