2013 IHD "Let's get together in The UK!"

[Sugarlump]

Sorry folks.. would love to but it's too soon and since I have Vegas booked for a few weeks later, and another trip in November mostly planned I just can't fit the UK in.. but if you hold another one next year with more notice, like in April or Sep or whatever I will really make it a priority to organise to come.

You trying to get out of the punting!!!! 

[Sugarlump]

So who is still up for a UK meet?
And what dates?
I am still thinking Cambridge better place than London to hold it.
(Much easier to drive to AND access public transport)

I am thinking we might have to delay this to next year perhaps April?
What are your thoughts peoples?

      

[RichardMEL]

April sounds much better for me in terms of planning!

[cassandra]

Okay April next year sounds good in April. Lets. Pick a date? So Richard can book.

[Sugarlump]

Over a long weekend???
Two suggestions
either Friday 4th April - Monday 7th OR
         Friday 25th April - Monday 28th

Let me know your preferences. 

[cassandra]

My vote is for the 25' April weekend, cos maybe nicer weather, and touristy things open.

Please let's do this, we can't just keep making vague plans

Love you all, Cas

[RichardMEL]

Well not that this is all about me in any way or shape or form (cuz it isn't!) but if it was up to me I would vote APril 25h. 25/4 here is ANZAC day and a public holiday though I obviously would be leaving before then being so far away but anyhoo....

[cassandra]

Okay dear people of IHD UK, and Richard, April 25' next year is TTL  not a bank holiday here, so it might actually be poss to get down South as well.

I'm really looking forward to it, and really hope we will be a life, and well by then.

   

[Sugarlump]

Just bumping this up to remind peeps that we ARE having
a get together in ENGLAND on April 25th/26th/27th in Cambridge UK
Make sure you pencil it in your diary!

Can't promise you brilliant weather but we will have some fun, a good meal or two, Cambridge is a wonderful city to amble around or shop,
and a good hotel to hang around in.

    

[RichardMEL]

tis definitely in my schedule to get over there for this!!!!

[Sugarlump]

tis definitely in my schedule to get over there for this!!!!

We have got to convince Poppy that she is brave enough to come to the organised dinner. I for one would love to meet her too, as i always enjoy reading her comments on here. 

[Poppylicious]

We have got to convince Poppy that she is brave enough to come to the organised dinner. I for one would love to meet her too, as i always enjoy reading her comments on here. 

Good luck with that, Sugar!

Besides, Cambridge is far too inconvenient for me. The bus journey would be a nightmare.

 

[Sugarlump]

<giggles> We'll send Richard round to collect ya 

[RichardMEL]

So I'm prepared to fly over 10,000 miles to get there and a little bus trip is an issue? :p

tsk tsk tsk

[Sugarlump]

Giggles  and the food in Bills Restaurant is lovely...

[Poppylicious]

So I'm prepared to fly over 10,000 miles to get there and a little bus trip is an issue? :p

tsk tsk tsk

Oh, I'm sure I can think of a better excuse ... just give me time!

Bill's is lovely.

Cambridge is lovely, BUT ...

I see a bit of Cambridge every blasted day.  There's too many bluddy cyclists and they think they own the roads AND the pavements. I swear, if one more cyclist rings their bell at me I will probably get myself arrested for aggressive behaviour.  And the tourists?  Don't get me started ... Grrr ...

Moan moan grumble moan.

 

[RichardMEL]

yeah I know Camb is known as a cycling city (in April let me recount for you the story of a few too many at a pub/bar and riding "home" at 2am one cold winters eve.... ) but I thought they were better than the selfish idiots we have here on their bikes that think (SOME, NOT ALL anyway) that common courtesy and the road rules apply to them.

Well Pops if you can't stand Camb, then what would YOU suggest? We want you (& Blokey) involved if possible!!! You don't want Sugar & I getting tipsy and making up stories do you?! :p

[Poppylicious]

yeah I know Camb is known as a cycling city (in April let me recount for you the story of a few too many at a pub/bar and riding "home" at 2am one cold winters eve.... ) but I thought they were better than the selfish idiots we have here on their bikes that think (SOME, NOT ALL anyway) that common courtesy and the road rules apply to them.

Well Pops if you can't stand Camb, then what would YOU suggest? We want you (& Blokey) involved if possible!!! You don't want Sugar & I getting tipsy and making up stories do you?! :p

I think the cyclists here are getting worse; every day (nearly) there seems to be a 'grrr at motorists' article, which is balanced out by a 'grrr at cyclists' article the next day.  They go through red lights, cycle really fast and close past pedestrians, and think they're more important than other road users.  Not all, obviously.  Some are ok. I'm quite biased though because I was knocked over by a cyclist riding on the pavement a few years ago.  I was getting off the bus and then suddenly I was in front of the bus having been catapaulted into the air by an old granny cycling too fast (who must have seen that the bus was stopping, the doors were opening and someone was stepping off.) I rarely used to look left when alighting buses, but now do so as a matter of habit. 

 

Nah, I'm ok with Cambridge.  I'll either have my weekly bus pass which gets me to work and back, or a Blokey to drive me.  Nice and cheap! 

[RichardMEL]

Oh Poppy dear, we must have a pint together and share war stories. If you saw my occasional rants on facebook you'd think we were soul mates (when it comes to cyclists anyway!! LOL). I agree with you. I will temper this though with the comment that things I see every day on busy streets here just blow my mind (and with my poor eyesight, the stuff *I* see is blantly bad.. all the stuff I miss I'm both glad for and shudder about!!).. I mean I see pedestrians walk whichever crazy way they like, across bike lanes, without looking or caring, or worse just standing in the middle of them (and I don't blame the cyclists for throwing a fit there), the cyclists then running red lights, forming mini peletons on roads and footpaths(sidewalks), and motorists being selfish too. It's almost always a small minority of any group that causes angst like this and gives everyone a bad name.

For myself, even more so with my eyesight, I try to be super considerate and aware of what is going on around me (some don't) but even then I will be walking on the footpath some place and some smartass will zip past me so close the hairs on the back on my neck blow up when there's a whole etre or two they could take up, it's almost a game with some I reckon, how close can you come (without ringing a bell or any other indication from behind you are there, mind you) to someone walking without taking them out. Yeah good one, until I decide to step to one side to avoid a puddle or something and WHAM and I fear for the day I too get knocked and hurt myself, and maybe my kidney.....

so yeah... soulies....

but I digress.

We will avoid all that and have a nice time. Please we want you there... and I want to rant with you now!!
 

[Poppylicious]

Well, I suppose I can manage a fairly smallish number of miles (but shan't say how many because the Delectable Dr. Neph, Phwoar! might read this board and work out who I am) if you're coming all the way over from Australia ...

 

For myself, even more so with my eyesight, I try to be super considerate and aware of what is going on around me (some don't) but even then I will be walking on the footpath some place and some smartass will zip past me so close the hairs on the back on my neck blow up when there's a whole etre or two they could take up, it's almost a game with some I reckon, how close can you come (without ringing a bell or any other indication from behind you are there, mind you) to someone walking without taking them out. Yeah good one, until I decide to step to one side to avoid a puddle or something and WHAM

Ha ha, I never thought that it might be a game to them.  I think you're probably right ... I always walk to the edge of this pedestrian-cycle track (which is wider than a bus) near work (because I'm being nice and giving them plenty of room) and we still might practically touch hands as they whizz by from behind, or even from in front. Um, hello!  I am here! Or when three of them are cycling together and I have to stop and stand in the 'gutter'.  Sheesh! If I'm on the pavement and I know it's NOT a cycle pavement so they shouldn't be on it, I sometimes stand in the middle and refuse to move sideways when they're blasting away with their bells.  But only when I know I'm in the right. And especially when there's a cycle lane next to the pavement ... wtf?! Yes, it has happened. 

As you can see I do feel strongly about this ... *grin* ... and I do notice your Fb updates about cyclists!

[Sugarlump]

RIGHT Folks ... we need to collect up definites for the UK Get together 2014 so I can do some organising.

So who is coming along for our get together the weekend of 25th, 26th,27th of April to Cambridge, UK
I need names and numbers, plus an indication of those that want hotel accommodation (I am planning to stay over 25th and 26th in hotel) and who wants to
join in the activities planned on a daily basis. At the moment hoping to include lunch or dinner at Bills, an afternoons guided punt and if anyone is interested a trip to The
National Stud at Newmarket to see the mum's and babies (possibly Frankel's offspring!!!!) We could do some informal get togethers / shopping or tour of Cambridge colleges
as wished. Nothing is compulsory!!!
But I do need names (indication of plus one's etc) and which bits you want to be included in. Anyone needs help to arrange dialysis? (Addenbrookes Hospital usually has a few spaces)
Either post your answers on here or pm me.

Here's hoping to see some of you 

[Poppylicious]

Anyone needs help to arrange dialysis? (Addenbrookes Hospital usually has a few spaces)

There doesn't appear to be a *laughing till my head falls off* emoticon ...

I don't need dialysis. Or a hotel. I know where Bill resides. I haven't spoken to Blokey yet. I can basically wait and see what the itninery is and then sort myself out from there.

 

[Sugarlump]

Anyone needs help to arrange dialysis? (Addenbrookes Hospital usually has a few spaces)

There doesn't appear to be a *laughing till my head falls off* emoticon ...

I don't need dialysis. Or a hotel. I know where Bill resides. I haven't spoken to Blokey yet. I can basically wait and see what the itninery is and then sort myself out from there.

 

How about an informal talk by the delectable transplant doctor we both know??!!!

[cariad]

I would love to attend but cannot confirm anything until I see how this meningitis plays out.

I do need to ask a delicate question, please be honest. Would it be OK to bring my kids? The dates coincide with their Easter break and we rarely get time to do anything together beyond collapsing in front of the telly. The boys wouldn't have to come along to everything as Gwyn is more than willing to take them and go do something off by themselves. They don't swear but you don't need to really watch your language around them, either. Trust me, they've heard it.

I was one of the least child-friendly people you could have met before I had Aidan, so if the answer is 'please don't'  I completely understand.  

Gwyn and I have never been to Cambridge, together or separately. It's an ideal location choice for us.

[Poppylicious]

How about an informal talk by the delectable transplant doctor we both know??!!!

Ooooh ... *swoons* ...

Would it be OK to bring my kids? The dates coincide with their Easter break and we rarely get time to do anything together beyond collapsing in front of the telly.

The more the merrier I would have thought!  Your Easter break is late?! (In our neck of the woods we finish on the 4th and go back on the 22nd.)