London MeFites...HI!
posted May 16, 2011 3:34 PM RSS | iCal | +googleCal
Sat May 21 at 11:00 AM, Natural History Museum; 5:30 Windsor Castle, near Notting Hill in Kensington
114 Campden Hill Rd, Kensington, Greater London W8 7, UK (Map & Directions)
Hey, let's do a meetup! I'll be in London all day (and night) this Saturday the 21st. Would love to get out and see/do something interesting.
11 am, let's meet at the lobby/front-desk of the Natural History Museum, take a free visit through the butterfly exhibit and more, and end up at the Windsor Castle in Notting Hill at 5.30pm for food and drinks?
Just throwing out some random ideas in case they grab anyone.
There's the South Bank Urban Beach, but I haven't been there yet, it might be jammed with tourists.
If you're interested in combining it with nerdy tourist stuff, the Royal Observatory and Maritime museum are in Greenwich Park, which is quite nice and has good views. Not much shelter if it rains though.
A pub's probably the safest bet though, what sort of area are you in?
posted by TheophileEscargot at 1:16 AM on May 17, 2011
There's the South Bank Urban Beach, but I haven't been there yet, it might be jammed with tourists.
If you're interested in combining it with nerdy tourist stuff, the Royal Observatory and Maritime museum are in Greenwich Park, which is quite nice and has good views. Not much shelter if it rains though.
A pub's probably the safest bet though, what sort of area are you in?
posted by TheophileEscargot at 1:16 AM on May 17, 2011
Heh. We are moving OUT of London on that day. Movers show up in the morning. Have fun!
posted by vacapinta at 6:20 AM on May 17, 2011
posted by vacapinta at 6:20 AM on May 17, 2011
No kidding. Where to?
Pub would be just great. A mellow, fun afternoon of drinking and chatting is really all I can handle these days, now that I think about it.
posted by iamkimiam at 6:26 AM on May 17, 2011
Pub would be just great. A mellow, fun afternoon of drinking and chatting is really all I can handle these days, now that I think about it.
posted by iamkimiam at 6:26 AM on May 17, 2011
A mellow afternoon spent lolling around in a pub with some Mefites sounds marvellous. I'm in!
Which area of London are you staying in, iamkimiam?
posted by HandfulOfDust at 10:49 AM on May 17, 2011
Which area of London are you staying in, iamkimiam?
posted by HandfulOfDust at 10:49 AM on May 17, 2011
I don't have a place to stay yet on Saturday night, so...everywhere?
posted by iamkimiam at 12:16 PM on May 17, 2011
posted by iamkimiam at 12:16 PM on May 17, 2011
We have a spare room if you're stuck. I'll try and make it but not until fiveish.
posted by tigrefacile at 1:11 PM on May 17, 2011
posted by tigrefacile at 1:11 PM on May 17, 2011
I'd be up for this! It's my housemate's birthday though so I'm only around in the morning/afternoon on the 21st, which might work if you're starting early?
posted by citands at 1:26 PM on May 17, 2011
posted by citands at 1:26 PM on May 17, 2011
I'd be happy to start early...and carry on after fivish too. What's a good pub in a decent, accessible area for everybody (the choices here are overwhelming, help!)?
posted by iamkimiam at 3:39 AM on May 18, 2011
posted by iamkimiam at 3:39 AM on May 18, 2011
The Windsor Castle in Notting Hill worked quite well the last time we did a meetup there.
posted by permafrost at 4:07 AM on May 18, 2011
posted by permafrost at 4:07 AM on May 18, 2011
Pity, I'll be probably juggling too many things that day. Have fun though!
posted by ersatz at 4:32 AM on May 18, 2011
posted by ersatz at 4:32 AM on May 18, 2011
Which station are you coming into London at, iamkimiam? This could help narrow down our location-options!
I live in Islington which by all accounts has tons of nice bars/restaurants, though I've only just moved here so I've yet to really experience any of them. Really easy to get to from Kings Cross/St Pancras, not so much if all other attendees live in the west.
I will consult my Time Out guide for nice central pubs when I get home!
posted by citands at 5:07 AM on May 18, 2011
I live in Islington which by all accounts has tons of nice bars/restaurants, though I've only just moved here so I've yet to really experience any of them. Really easy to get to from Kings Cross/St Pancras, not so much if all other attendees live in the west.
I will consult my Time Out guide for nice central pubs when I get home!
posted by citands at 5:07 AM on May 18, 2011
I may be able to make it, though I'll be stuck at work till 5pm so won't be able to join you till later. I'll be coming from King's Cross, if that helps you select a venue.
posted by verstegan at 5:58 AM on May 18, 2011
posted by verstegan at 5:58 AM on May 18, 2011
I live in Islington too, which as citands says is really easy to get to from Kings Cross, and does indeed have stacks of great pubs and restaurants. The Island Queen is good fun and close to the Angel tube, but lacks a garden; The Albion is about a ten minute walk from Angel, but has a lovely garden; and there's always the Drapers Arms...
posted by HandfulOfDust at 12:24 PM on May 18, 2011
posted by HandfulOfDust at 12:24 PM on May 18, 2011
Hiya! In the morning I'll be coming from Baker Street station. Has anybody been to the Sherlock Holmes museum? Is it cool?
Anyways, for the early afternoon/evening, I'm happy to do The Windsor Castle – there's one right near where I'm staying on Friday night (Baker Street), but I'd be cool with Notting Hill, too. Also, the Island Queen and Drapers Arms looked fun.
I'm horrible at making decisions when I don't know what I'm getting into. Somebody sway me...
posted by iamkimiam at 12:53 PM on May 18, 2011
Anyways, for the early afternoon/evening, I'm happy to do The Windsor Castle – there's one right near where I'm staying on Friday night (Baker Street), but I'd be cool with Notting Hill, too. Also, the Island Queen and Drapers Arms looked fun.
I'm horrible at making decisions when I don't know what I'm getting into. Somebody sway me...
posted by iamkimiam at 12:53 PM on May 18, 2011
Or there's this place. If you like Patrick O' Brian. Or Haydn. It's top.
posted by tigrefacile at 3:30 PM on May 18, 2011
posted by tigrefacile at 3:30 PM on May 18, 2011
From a purely selfish point of view, the Windsor Castle works well for me as it's just a hop down the Central Line.
posted by TheophileEscargot at 1:21 AM on May 19, 2011
posted by TheophileEscargot at 1:21 AM on May 19, 2011
Which Windsor Castle? I'm happy with either/any one!
So, so far I have all day open, with a definite plan for a pub get together in the evening, starting at 5:30 pm perhaps, exact pub/location still to be determined (but leaning towards a Windsor Castle).
posted by iamkimiam at 4:08 AM on May 19, 2011
So, so far I have all day open, with a definite plan for a pub get together in the evening, starting at 5:30 pm perhaps, exact pub/location still to be determined (but leaning towards a Windsor Castle).
posted by iamkimiam at 4:08 AM on May 19, 2011
I think TheophileE must mean the Notting Hill Windsor Castle. I'd be happy with that too!
posted by HandfulOfDust at 5:02 AM on May 19, 2011
posted by HandfulOfDust at 5:02 AM on May 19, 2011
I'm assuming The Windsor Castle isn't a chain? So the one near iamkimiam and the one in Notting Hill probably aren't that similar, hence recommendation for one is not a recommendation for all.
5.30 drinks are a little late for me, but if you guys are going to be in Notting Hill for drinkies later, maybe we could do a jaunt around the Science Museum or Natural History Museum (there's a butterfly exhibition on which looks good) beforehand? Bonus: it's free!
posted by citands at 6:06 AM on May 19, 2011
5.30 drinks are a little late for me, but if you guys are going to be in Notting Hill for drinkies later, maybe we could do a jaunt around the Science Museum or Natural History Museum (there's a butterfly exhibition on which looks good) beforehand? Bonus: it's free!
posted by citands at 6:06 AM on May 19, 2011
Oh yes, my point being that Notting Hill Gate and South Kensington (where the museums are) are minutes apart on the tube.
posted by citands at 6:07 AM on May 19, 2011
posted by citands at 6:07 AM on May 19, 2011
I love museums, and butterflies too! Also, FREE seals the deal. What time should we meet at the Natural History Museum then? And then lets confirm 5.30 drinks at the Notting Hill Windsor Castle? I'll update this thread soon...gotta run to a meeting, drag.
posted by iamkimiam at 6:23 AM on May 19, 2011
posted by iamkimiam at 6:23 AM on May 19, 2011
Awesome! Shall we say Meetup Part A: Natural History Museum at 11am? It doesn't open til 10 and there is TONS to do.
If we get tired we can move to Meetup Part B: Refined Drinks earlier than planned.
I am a bit worried about spotting people in the melee that will be NHM on a Saturday... signage might actually be required!
posted by citands at 6:58 AM on May 19, 2011
If we get tired we can move to Meetup Part B: Refined Drinks earlier than planned.
I am a bit worried about spotting people in the melee that will be NHM on a Saturday... signage might actually be required!
posted by citands at 6:58 AM on May 19, 2011
Cool, 5.30 at the Notting Hill Windsor Castle is fine for me.
posted by TheophileEscargot at 12:16 PM on May 19, 2011
posted by TheophileEscargot at 12:16 PM on May 19, 2011
I'm there like Fred Astaire. Might bring a friend / potential convert, if that's cool.
posted by tigrefacile at 1:01 PM on May 19, 2011
posted by tigrefacile at 1:01 PM on May 19, 2011
Not literally like Fred Astaire, surely? Although being able to dance across the ceiling will be useful for getting drinks in.
I'll see you at the Windsor Castle if that's all right?
If we get tired we can move to Meetup Part B: Refined Drinks earlier than planned.
Or if it looks like the world is beginning to end.
posted by Grangousier at 2:30 PM on May 19, 2011
I'll see you at the Windsor Castle if that's all right?
If we get tired we can move to Meetup Part B: Refined Drinks earlier than planned.
Or if it looks like the world is beginning to end.
posted by Grangousier at 2:30 PM on May 19, 2011
Yes! Unless the pilot is raptured, I will be arriving in London Saturday afternoon. So I am a yes for Meetup Part B.
posted by grapesaresour at 2:53 PM on May 19, 2011
posted by grapesaresour at 2:53 PM on May 19, 2011
Sorry, I already have theatre/dinner plans for Saturday. Sorry to miss you, my dear!
posted by essexjan at 3:03 PM on May 19, 2011
posted by essexjan at 3:03 PM on May 19, 2011
aww, essexjan! Sorry to miss you too.
So it looks like we're on for 11am at the Natural History Museum...I'll be in the lobby, near the front desk (assuming they have one there, no?) probably wearing a blue MeFi shirt of sorts, looking remarkably like the short woman in my profile picture (or Flickr pics). Then let's end up at the Windsor Castle in Notting Hill around 5.30 for more unwind.
posted by iamkimiam at 4:29 PM on May 19, 2011
So it looks like we're on for 11am at the Natural History Museum...I'll be in the lobby, near the front desk (assuming they have one there, no?) probably wearing a blue MeFi shirt of sorts, looking remarkably like the short woman in my profile picture (or Flickr pics). Then let's end up at the Windsor Castle in Notting Hill around 5.30 for more unwind.
posted by iamkimiam at 4:29 PM on May 19, 2011
I should make the Windsor Castle for 5.30. Less worried about the Rapture than the fact I'll be missing Doctor Who.
posted by permafrost at 8:56 AM on May 20, 2011
posted by permafrost at 8:56 AM on May 20, 2011
So wish I could be there. Big hello and hugs to Put the Kettle On!
posted by terrapin at 1:37 PM on May 20, 2011
posted by terrapin at 1:37 PM on May 20, 2011
This'll be my first ever meetup. How will we recognise each other?
posted by dougrayrankin at 3:42 AM on May 21, 2011
posted by dougrayrankin at 3:42 AM on May 21, 2011
Gigantic hats and the special MeFi holler.
If I see someone hollering while wearing a gigantic hat I'll know it's you.
posted by Grangousier at 4:01 AM on May 21, 2011
If I see someone hollering while wearing a gigantic hat I'll know it's you.
posted by Grangousier at 4:01 AM on May 21, 2011
In the pub, on the table with the blue favourite cards.
posted by TheophileEscargot at 10:20 AM on May 21, 2011
posted by TheophileEscargot at 10:20 AM on May 21, 2011
An impressive achievement: I've been there before, I have sn iPhone and I'm lost!
posted by Grangousier at 11:17 AM on May 21, 2011
posted by Grangousier at 11:17 AM on May 21, 2011
Got there, drank beer, had fun, walked home. Watching Dr Who on the iPlayer. Hurrah! Thanks everyone, had a great time! There's a photo, isn't there...? it will be dug out!
posted by Grangousier at 5:44 PM on May 21, 2011
posted by Grangousier at 5:44 PM on May 21, 2011
OK - added photos straight from my me.com gallery: as blurry as I said they would be, a bit dark and I'm very sorry TheophileEscargot about not quite getting you in! Still - evidence!
Hope you get home safely iamkimiam, and come back soon!
posted by Grangousier at 8:45 AM on May 22, 2011
Hope you get home safely iamkimiam, and come back soon!
posted by Grangousier at 8:45 AM on May 22, 2011
That's not even the most attractive third of Theophile's head. Nice to meet you all, sorry if I was a bit shouty. I'm a bit shouty.
posted by tigrefacile at 9:07 AM on May 22, 2011
posted by tigrefacile at 9:07 AM on May 22, 2011
We should do more crossword-centric meetups.
posted by permafrost at 9:49 AM on May 22, 2011
posted by permafrost at 9:49 AM on May 22, 2011
Ok, so on the train home I bought a paper and it had a cryptic crossword in it. I've been working at it for SIX hours now and I'm no further than where I started. I. just. don't. understand. the. logic...YET.
posted by iamkimiam at 3:02 PM on May 22, 2011
posted by iamkimiam at 3:02 PM on May 22, 2011
You have to stick at it for three days, though. Three days.
posted by tigrefacile at 3:26 PM on May 22, 2011
posted by tigrefacile at 3:26 PM on May 22, 2011
I learned how to do crosswords sitting around for hours drinking coffee with people who already knew what they were doing, usually while we were hung over. That way clues would be explained and I began to get the hang of it. Also, while I was smoking the smoking room where I worked was full of people doing that day's Telegraph crossword.* In fact when I quit smoking I still went into the smoking room so that I could do the crossword.
Cryptic crosswords aren't so much puzzles as an obscure literary form - somewhere between haiku and joke.
*The Telegraph one is quite good - not hugely witty, like Araucaria in The Guardian, but fairly reliable in technique and do-ability.
posted by Grangousier at 4:15 PM on May 22, 2011
Cryptic crosswords aren't so much puzzles as an obscure literary form - somewhere between haiku and joke.
*The Telegraph one is quite good - not hugely witty, like Araucaria in The Guardian, but fairly reliable in technique and do-ability.
posted by Grangousier at 4:15 PM on May 22, 2011
Yeah, I have the Telegraph one. I think it'll go easier when I figure out at least one clue reliably. Right now I'm totally unsure how abstract I'm supposed to go with these (and I can't even remember if the answers need to be actual words or not). But I'm not giving up. Sigh.
posted by iamkimiam at 2:03 AM on May 23, 2011
posted by iamkimiam at 2:03 AM on May 23, 2011
I successfully retain my Man of Mystery status once again!
posted by TheophileEscargot at 2:05 AM on May 23, 2011
posted by TheophileEscargot at 2:05 AM on May 23, 2011
Actual words, yes. One of the words is a synonym, just like a regular crossword, usually hidden at the beginning or end of the clue. The rest is window dressing. Unusual compound phrases often indicate an anagram. Never give up. The rewards outweigh the initial effort.
posted by tigrefacile at 6:46 AM on May 23, 2011
posted by tigrefacile at 6:46 AM on May 23, 2011
I had previously thought that the Guardian crosswords were behind a paywall, but they aren't anymore. You can check answers as you go, and cheat if necessary.
posted by permafrost at 11:14 AM on May 24, 2011
posted by permafrost at 11:14 AM on May 24, 2011
Waaaait I've been waiting for a London Mefi meetup to happen since I got here, and now I missed it! Stupid exams. Anyone up for planning another, sometime before June 19th? I don't feel like I know the city well enough to go for it on my own.
posted by MadamM at 10:53 AM on May 25, 2011
posted by MadamM at 10:53 AM on May 25, 2011
That' sounds like fun. When would be a good time for you? I'm sure we can work out the place.
Do you like crosswords?
posted by Grangousier at 12:22 PM on May 26, 2011
Do you like crosswords?
posted by Grangousier at 12:22 PM on May 26, 2011
Or cheese?
posted by tigrefacile at 2:54 PM on May 26, 2011
posted by tigrefacile at 2:54 PM on May 26, 2011
Sometime around this weekend would be best, since I'll likely be out of town the weekend of the 11/12th.
posted by MadamM at 6:30 AM on May 30, 2011
posted by MadamM at 6:30 AM on May 30, 2011
Are you sure you'll be out of town, because The Whelk is going to be here on the 12/13th, and hoping for a meetup.
I guess we could always have *two* meetups...you should totally start one for a date that suits you, and get people to suggest venues...
posted by Infinite Jest at 12:44 PM on May 30, 2011
I guess we could always have *two* meetups...you should totally start one for a date that suits you, and get people to suggest venues...
posted by Infinite Jest at 12:44 PM on May 30, 2011
Ooh, that's so too bad! My out-of-town plans are not set in stone yet, though, so I'll see what I can do to be here at least on the 12th. If not, maybe I'll take the plunge and propose a date that fits my schedule once I know it.
posted by MadamM at 6:38 PM on May 30, 2011
posted by MadamM at 6:38 PM on May 30, 2011
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by Infinite Jest at 12:31 AM on May 17, 2011