London GTG late October?
 

Hi guys. I'm coming back to London for a 49er game at Wembley (<i>Amuricun</i> football). Flying in on the 23rd - will be having lunch w/ an old friend then taking the Eurostar to Paris early that evening. Coming back to London on Sat the 26th and staying til the 31st.

I don't know what all is planned for Sat - I think there is a pre game party. I'll know more about Saturday's schedule in a couple of weeks. Then Sunday is pretty much taken up w/ pre game festivities and the Game.

But after I move from the game package hotel to the Waldorf Hilton on Monday morning my time is pretty much free or -'free-able' - Monday thru Wed/28-30 Oct.

(flying out thurs)

Ideas?

We are free 28 - 30 Oct as well! Sounds like a great idea!

Darn it! I'm in the UK earlier in October. Can't afford another trip so soon. :(

Have a good time Janis, enjoy the game, and I hope you get to meet a lot of Fodorites.

Keep me posted - I can take the train down!

Terrific -- We can wait to see if any others can join us before setting on specifics . . .

hetismij2: Maybe next time. We had a really nice GTG in May -- Jamikins/bikerscott, flanner, Patrick, Oneil and julia_t. You'll have to try to make one - at least put faces to names :)

OK -- I got my Sat. schedule and the day is chock-a-block (or will be if I decide to go to everything)

So my free time is Mon, Tues. Wed. I can manage just about anything/any time those three days.

Or -- Sunday morning since the game isn't until 5PM and the pre-game party isn't until 2:30.

I'm around at the end of October, so far.

Can't make the gtg, but recall the time I saw an exhibition game at Wembly -- 49ers vs Miami, with the great quarterbacks Dan Marino and Joe Montana (for the first quarter, anyway). Dating myself!

Everytime a London gtg is organized I promise to come then something happens; my son gets sick, my husband goes out of town etc. So, this time I will say I can't possibly make it (and then sneakily watch this thread and make plans to be there) in the hopes of appeasing the gtg Gods who apparently have it out for me.

--BKP, who cannot make it (but the end of Oct is also good for me and I'd love to come!)

heh heh . . . hope your ploy works . . .

Well, I'm back from Lisbon from my GTG with Barb the week before, so all being well I should be able to sneak in another day or two off work!

Let me know as soon as you decide a date so I can make travel and accommodation arrangements - though if it's the Sunday I can drive up to London just for the day. Other days I have to take the train and stay overnight (silly train timetables!)

But it will be lovely to see you again Janis, and something to look forward to, even though the clocks go back that weekend and the days get darker earlier. Just make it somewhere I can find in the dark lol!

Terrific!

If it is Sunday it will have to be in the morning or very early afternoon (and I'll have to show up in my 49er kit - embarrassing I know :) ). On Mon/Tues/Wed it can be any time. Monday night would probably be very best for me but doesn't make too much difference.

Jamikins and Patrick . . You guys have a great handle on what's what and where's where. If you'd like to pick a place(s) (easily located in the dark ;) ) I'm sure it will fill the bill.

topping to see if anyone else can join us and decide on a place time . . .

Monday evening would be fine for me.

I'll let Patrick and jamikins pick a location, somewhere with nearby access to a tube station would be good as I'll have to get to Paddington for my 22.05 train.

Sounds good - so Monday 28 Oct?

We are currently in Italy but are happy for Patrick to put some places forward! :)

Looking forward to it!

Patrick - no pressure . . .:-"

We arrive back into London from Cardiff 'on' the 28th, but I'll keep watching this thread just in case I may be able to 'gate crash'?!

You have to gatecrash - would love to meet up!

Rats, I was waiting for our resident pub-crawlers to come up with some ideas; how shall I put this - I thought they might have more varied and up-to-date experience of assorted hostelries than me......

Are we thinking of a pub that may or may not do food (the Old Bank of England wasn't the best of ideas, perhaps)? Easier than a restaurant as such. Central or west-ish of central, preferably on a tube line with easy access to Paddington, preferably not too overwhelmed with the after-work crowd. Hmm. I'll have to give it some thought. I'm just off abroad for a week, but I can do some in-depth research when I'm back.

No pressure . . . Have a nice trip and think on it when you get back.

I can make it to anywhere that evening.

Hmmm - ok we will give it some thought as well.

Maybe something in the West End - will talk to Scott about it.

The Coal Hole has a downstairs that could possibly work and is by Charing Cross for the Bakerloo line to Paddington...or they have the upstairs bit as well that is kind of separated. They also serve quite good food and the drinks are well priced.

We are in Italy until Sunday but Scott works right beside the Coal Hole so next Monday he can run in and see if they can reserve us a space...?

http://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/thec...estrandlondon/

:( no GTG for me. That's my birthday and DH just 'fessed up to out-of-town plans for us. And no, they do not involve much-hoped-for NFL tickets at Wembley. Y'all have a great time and hopefully I can join you next time!

Hi Janisj,

Lucky you returning to London. I recall that you commented on my TR of London/Wales last summer that you would be interested in attending a public lecture such as the one I described at the British Library.

Recently I came across this website which suggests many universities/institutions which offer a variety of free public lectures – just in case you have time.

http://www.whatsfreeinlondon.co.uk/l...in_london.html

Enjoy London again. :)

Thanks ldt - what a neat website. All those various venues/orgs in one place.

Hi all.....any updates? I like the look of the Coal Hole, hope we are back in time!

We are back home and unfortunately back at work tomorrow haha, will have Scott see if we can make a reservation for the upstairs area...will report back tomorrow...

Welcome home!

Ok was able to book a table at the Coal Hole for 6 at 17:30 on 28 Oct. I should be there for that time so hope to see everyone there. I am sure we can pull up more chairs if more people join as it is a Monday night!

Terrific - thanks jamikins.

(Patrick - you are off the hook :) )

Train is booked (a bargain £22 return, but the home leg includes a change at Swindon onto a bus - I won't get back to Stroud until 12.45am and then still have to drive home and put myself to bed! Have to work the next day too :( )

My train doesn't get into Paddington till 5.30, so I'll be a bit late - save me a seat please!

Oh Julia thank you for making such an effort!!! Will definitely save you a seat!!!!

You are traveling farther/more effort than I am fer cry in out loud :)

I hope to make it :-)

Ooh - hope you can work it out!

I've just mapped directions to the pub, we'll just catch a bus.

We should be back into London in plenty of time, fingers crossed.

Fabulous!

I've snuck a peak at the thread, just to see where you will all be and when because I'm absolutely not going to even try and make it. (Still trying to appease the gtg gods). . . .

;)

OK - maybe a weird request.

I'm bringing a perfectly servicible hooded raincoat w/ a zip out liner which I am retiring and not taking home with me. (Function of too many coats, not enough closet space and I have better)

I won't just toss it and plan on donating it to someone/something. Do any of you London members have suggestions where I can leave it - or do any of you have a favorite charity/cause?

There's an Oxfam shop at 23 Drury Lane where you could donate your coat - not far from the Hilton on Aldwych

You may already be aware of this, but just in case, you are not:
Saturday, Oct 26:
12 noon – 4:00 p.m. NFL Fan Rally, Trafalgar Square

Fan festival (attended by 40,000-plus in previous years). Features on-stage appearances by San Francisco 49ers and Jacksonville Jaguars players and coaches; NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell; NFL Hall of Famers, including Joe Montana; music and dance acts; food, drink, merchandise etc.
.