TheNeil Report post Posted November 8, 2006 I could have done Leeds easily coz i can get a bus or a traine from Huddersfield there and be there in 45 minutes. Cant drive so theres no way i could do Newcastle. Leeds traine station i can do. Paula if you want to arrange a Yorkshire-centric meetup (as an alternative to the Newcastle one), then I'd drag my sorry self along. So far majority seems to be more North East/Tyneside than us 'reet propa Yorkshire folk' ( ) so gotta go with the majority I'd offer to organise it myself but these geordies are no doubt going to cause problems left, right and centre Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brooke Report post Posted November 8, 2006 Dropped myself right in that one didnt i!!! Well monument square is a good place to meet its just when and what shall we do. The only thing i will say is if its before christmas then no matter what we do its gonna be packed. I dont know many pubs that are nice in Newcastle (weatherspoons) but i know a few restaurants? Or there is the metrocentre which has restaurants and shops. If anyone has any suggestions cos to be honest im really **** at this kind of stuff Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bagpuss Report post Posted November 8, 2006 (edited) I'm happy with either Leeds or Newcastle .......but if we are seriously looking at November can we sort a date sharpish as DH may struggle to get a day off work if he's on shift and its short notice, and if its a weekend day I'll also have to sort childcare. Maybe we should pick somewhere unmissable to meet, ie train station (as TN suggested for Leeds) mind you, Newcastle train station is hectic....do we pick a platform? or Centre for Life in Newcastle..........or even a well known shop or theatre in the city centre. Unless any members from Newcastle know of any great pubs, so we can all be warm and have a leetle drinkie while waiting for everyone . Hope its on a date we can make it ....looking forward to it .........oh, Emily, I'll need a few to calm my nerves too. I find meeting people I don't know very daunting, so your not alone <'> Sorry Brooke, just read your post after posting mine....didn't mean to repeat what you said Edited November 8, 2006 by Bagpuss Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Suze Report post Posted November 8, 2006 I could do newcastle I think , never been there before .............think I,ll get the train............... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheNeil Report post Posted November 8, 2006 Dropped myself right in that one didnt i!!! Well monument square is a good place to meet its just when and what shall we do. The only thing i will say is if its before christmas then no matter what we do its gonna be packed. I dont know many pubs that are nice in Newcastle (weatherspoons) but i know a few restaurants? Or there is the metrocentre which has restaurants and shops. If anyone has any suggestions cos to be honest im really **** at this kind of stuff Well it serves you right for living in Newcastle then doesn't it? Isn't there a food court just up from the Virgin Megastore? Might not even be there anymore and I have no idea whether it's gone downhill or anything. That said, it's not exactly the place for a cozy group chat type thing. Ignore me, I'm rambling. Weatherspoons would be fine by me Metrocentre might have more options but I'm thinking about anyone who was planning to come by train (like I probably would have done if it was city centre) and driving in and getting parked might be a bit of a nightmare at this time of year If everyone thinks that timescales are too tight then we can always put it on hold until the New Year (but if we got it arranged now then we can all make sure we have days off booked, child care arranged etc.) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheNeil Report post Posted November 8, 2006 I could do newcastle I think , never been there before .............think I,ll get the train............... I wondered how you'd be about Newcastle Suze. I also wondered about whether it'd be easier for you to get on a train to Leeds (from Manchester - they go pretty often and only take about an hour I seem to remember) and then the two of us could get the train to Newcastle if you wanted to Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Suze Report post Posted November 8, 2006 hey your brave Neil, ................do you have any idea how weird I am in real life?? ............and another point...........do you look menacing yourself?.........are you scary?..........have a loud boooooming voice........................I,m a cross between hhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmm let me think..... Steffi Graff ...........it,s the nose........and Sarah Jayne off ceebeebies ..........someone elses description not mine ..............do you have facial tattoo,s for instance ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheNeil Report post Posted November 8, 2006 hey your brave Neil, ................do you have any idea how weird I am in real life?? ............and another point...........do you look menacing yourself?.........are you scary?..........have a loud boooooming voice........................I,m a cross between hhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmm let me think..... Steffi Graff ...........it,s the nose........and Sarah Jayne off ceebeebies ..........someone elses description not mine ..............do you have facial tattoo,s for instance ? I thought that I had facial tattoos until someone pointed out that it was in fact my nose . I do have precision engineered spiky hair though And no matter how wierd you are, you're dealing with someone who's only two steps away from the mental asylum - how else can explain someone who repeatedly tries to have socio-political debates with a pair of guinea pigs, gets up before 6:00am (even on weekends) and thinks that fun begins and ends with jamming a screwdriver into a box of electricity? And of course I'm scary - I'm from Middlesbrough so it's a genetic thing (and I figured that my surrogate big sis wouldn't try to beat me up...that and the fact that a train station or a train have plenty of witnesses) I'm a cross between Michael Owen (supposedly) and the liquid metal terminator from Terminator 2 (when he's being a bloke that is, not when he's shaped like a big knife or something). I wish I could remember what my voice sounded like...it seems to be have been days since I said a word to anyone (anyone who's more than 4 inches tall and covered in fur that is) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bagpuss Report post Posted November 8, 2006 (edited) Suze, I've always pictured you as a young Felicity Kendal................must be the animals/Good life feeling I get when I read your posts........? Sarah Jane from Cbeebies isn't far out TN, never imagined you with spikey hair.......always had a feeling of you being very tall, slim, smart, short dark hair and covered in guinea pig hair..... Hey, don't diss the Boro Edited November 8, 2006 by Bagpuss Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flora Report post Posted November 8, 2006 Suze and TN We could meet and travel to Newcastle together. I'll take care of you both Flo' Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smiley Report post Posted November 8, 2006 baddad was even more good looking than i thought he would be and i imagined bid as older obviously cos of her name then a trendy young thing walked in the cafe smiley was well smiley,good username there love,suits ya kathryn was lovely,very understanding of my erratic nature,annie reminded me of me(sorry annie!!)loved big bro and you should see the pictures she had of famous people on her digital camera,she mixes in very posh circles!!florrie and her daughter were Guess who's after an extra big crimbo pressie............. Aw - thanks hun You are lovely too <'> Have a great time guys Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheNeil Report post Posted November 8, 2006 Suze and TN We could meet and travel to Newcastle together. I'll take care of you both Flo' Why are alarm bells ringing in my head now? I don't mind travelling in a 'pack' - might be a good idea if we knew where and when we're going first though Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karen A Report post Posted November 8, 2006 I decided to pass comment on all you Northeners.Although I now live in London I am shocked that none of you wish to get to get together in the place that is the centre of all things rocking in the Northeast ............Hartlepool. Sorry to anyone who has a real love of the place.Karen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheNeil Report post Posted November 8, 2006 Suze, I've always pictured you as a young Felicity Kendal................must be the animals/Good life feeling I get when I read your posts........? Sarah Jane from Cbeebies isn't far out TN, never imagined you with spikey hair.......always had a feeling of you being very tall, slim, smart, short dark hair and covered in guinea pig hair..... Hey, don't diss the Boro I always imagined that Suze looked like Suze from Gimme, Gimme, Gimme (and that's Suze, not Linda (aka Kathy Burke)) And don't tell me not to diss the Boro Mrs No-hair - I was there a couple of weeks back and it's changed sooooo much since when I used to live in Redcar that it's virtually unrecognisable. What have they done to Cleveland Centre? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheNeil Report post Posted November 8, 2006 I decided to pass comment on all you Northeners.Although I now live in London I am shocked that none of you wish to get to get together in the place that is the centre of all things rocking in the Northeast ............Hartlepool. Sorry to anyone who has a real love of the place.Karen Oh God NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! My family all come H'pool and for that reason alone it should be flattened. It's like the land that time forgot Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bagpuss Report post Posted November 8, 2006 I always imagined that Suze looked like Suze from Gimme, Gimme, Gimme (and that's Suze, not Linda (aka Kathy Burke)) And don't tell me not to diss the Boro Mrs No-hair - I was there a couple of weeks back and it's changed sooooo much since when I used to live in Redcar that it's virtually unrecognisable. What have they done to Cleveland Centre? Shame on you TN We are going up in the world now you know.....even Stockton is looking rather posh, and its safe to go down by the river now Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karen A Report post Posted November 8, 2006 TN so did you once live in Hartlepool too? I know-there is nothing there at all.My family who live in Hartlepool got fed up of references to all the things I do in London-followed by comments at the lack of them in Hartlepool. Karen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheNeil Report post Posted November 8, 2006 Shame on you TN We are going up in the world now you know.....even Stockton is looking rather posh, and its safe to go down by the river now Trust me, I've always rated Stockton lower than Boro. As for going down by the river...have they lifted the restrictions on bio-suits yet? (only joking, please don't hit me ) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karen A Report post Posted November 8, 2006 Shame on you TN We are going up in the world now you know.....even Stockton is looking rather posh, and its safe to go down by the river now Sorry I am dreaming.Please pinch me -Stockton and posh in the same sentence-I am out of touch.I just thought I should shut up-having read that my London Borough was voted the worst place to live in the country in a survey last week. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheNeil Report post Posted November 8, 2006 TN so did you once live in Hartlepool too? I know-there is nothing there at all.My family who live in Hartlepool got fed up of references to all the things I do in London-followed by comments at the lack of them in Hartlepool. Karen Thankfully not (my parents were cruel but not that cruel). The trips to see grandparents as a child were traumatic enough and I still get the shakes if the 'H' place is even mentioned. What is there to do in H'pool? A part of me assumes that there's a giant underground city that Hartlepool actually sits on top of and it's in this underground city that there lies a throbbing metropolis filled with 24hr party people, a city that never sleeps and car park where you'd dare leave your car Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheNeil Report post Posted November 8, 2006 Sorry I am dreaming.Please pinch me -Stockton and posh in the same sentence-I am out of touch.I just thought I should shut up-having read that my London Borough was voted the worst place to live in the country in a survey last week. I believe that things are looking up now that they've got the electricity and running water hooked up You should organise a weekend touring the beauty spots of the north just to see how things have picked up Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flora Report post Posted November 8, 2006 Stockton???? I have traumatic memories of Stockton. A friend of mine from way back was head of Physics at a secondary school there (this is how bad the school was... he was only 23 when he got the job ).... We went to one of his local pubs and there were about 5 of us walking home through the park when two local oiks appeared out of no where and beat my boyfriend to a pulp for absolutely no reason what so ever! We had to take him to hospital for stitches to his eye and I wanted to report it to the police but nobody would listen because they thought WE were the oiks In a taxi on the way home we saw several fights and scuffles aswell as half naked women vomiting in the street! It was the worst night of my life and I still have night mares about it... and that was 17 years ago So.... if it's in Stockton I'm not coming.... Flora... X Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bagpuss Report post Posted November 8, 2006 aswell as half naked women vomiting in the street! It was the worst night of my life Flora... X Erm, that was probably me Flo' Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Suze Report post Posted November 8, 2006 .................lordy.......if we all meet up what on earth is it gonna be like your all BONKERS...............I,m cool travelling in a group with floz and little Neil .............you don,t sound at all scary...........but don,t give me that starey eyed look that the baddie does in Terminator........... or I,ll freak out.Now on the subject of dungarees............had me denim ones on the other day.........wellies and a rather large anorak and that cheeky postman who the dog gave my lacey knickers too laughed at me and said "oi your going more like Felicity Kendal every day........."..........o.k............anyone got a suggestion for a date? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheNeil Report post Posted November 9, 2006 So.... if it's in Stockton I'm not coming.... Count me out too in that case. Tough guy stare I can do...but Stockton? <sound of Neil rapidly running away> Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheNeil Report post Posted November 9, 2006 Ok peeps we need to get this sorted out so I'm going to put my management hat on (come on guys - we need to powerball this decision rather than get into a blue sky scenario which will undermine our powerbase ) and make a suggestion: Where: Newcastle When: Saturday 25th November That's only a couple of weeks away though so, given that it's rather short notice, we could always postpone until Saturday 20th January (i.e. give Christmas/New Year time to settle down). I know that you lot with kids will no doubt be busy, have things to arrange etc. so the November date might be pushing it a bit (there's also the 'bonus' that if we postpone it then you can all have a 'day away' after the (supposed) Christmas 'holiday') I'm not saying that these are hard and fast dates but I figured that if we all had some where/when to work around then it might help us to sort things out. I'm totally flexible about dates, weekends/weekdays etc. (again, I don't know if it's easier for those with kids to do this at the weekend or not - so speak up) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Suze Report post Posted November 9, 2006 o.k..............can,t do the 25th.............sorry guys it,s maddog,s (my daughters)..........birthday party do that afternoon.........sorry.........so Jan 20th would be better for me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KarenT Report post Posted November 9, 2006 Personally I'd prefer to leave it till after Christmas and New Year. I'm inundated with stuff at the moment, J's birthday next week, Christmas itself etc... you know the sort of thing. Would really struggle to make it during November (and 25th is out for me anyway), so if we could delay it till sometime in Jan that would be lots easier for me. As for Newcastle itself... I don't have a life so don't know any of the good pubs. I'm also a decrepit old crone and have no idea what 'young' people do these days. However, I do know of a fab Italian cafe which serves amazing food all day (and of course vino) so we could meet anytime from lunch onwards. Hell, we could even set up camp and people could come and go to fit in with their own personal timescales. I wouldn't mind booking if I know how many are coming, but please be kind to me and don't assume I'll do all sorts of arranging, I'm stressed to bits just now and haven't got the space in my head for it If anyone else from these parts has any good ideas chuck 'em in. I'll do my best to turn up whatever date you settle on. Karen x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flora Report post Posted November 9, 2006 (edited) Can't do the 25th either... It's Bill's birthday that week and I'm going to an all day seminar on the 26th. I can certainly aim to keep the weekend of the 20th Jan free though.... in my busy social callender Flo' Edited November 9, 2006 by Flora Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheNeil Report post Posted November 9, 2006 I'm not getting a lot of positive vibes for the November date. It was a bit short notice so hardly unexpected (I know that Christmas makes things really tough and it looks like everyone already has busy socialising to do )(except me of course ) As that's the case, scrub that and let's all aim for January 20th - gives everyone a chance to clear dates etc. As before though if it's going to be a problem, speak up Karen's idea of the Italian cafe sounds fine to me (I hope it's easy to find) - any comments on that or is Weatherspoons a prefered option (like I know where that is anyway)? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheNeil Report post Posted November 9, 2006 I'm also a decrepit old crone and have no idea what 'young' people do these days. However, I do know of a fab Italian cafe which serves amazing food all day (and of course vino) so we could meet anytime from lunch onwards. Hell, we could even set up camp and people could come and go to fit in with their own personal timescales. I wouldn't mind booking if I know how many are coming, but please be kind to me and don't assume I'll do all sorts of arranging, I'm stressed to bits just now and haven't got the space in my head for it Calm yourself Karen (pet)(see that, I remembered some of my colloquial speak) - this is not the end of the world (and if we all end up sat in Monument Square with sandwiches then that's what we'll end up doing)(we'll also be freezing to death and I'll no doubt get beaten to a ###### pulp for ever mentioning the meetup idea but... ). If it turns out that everyone's happy with what you're suggesting then we can get it booked (or whatever) and then no more stressing or organising to do - we all just turn up and try to calm each other down (possibly via the use of large volumes of alcohol) <'> I knew things would get complicated as soon as the geordies got involved BTW I'm not a decrepid old crone...and I still have no idea what 'young' people do Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bagpuss Report post Posted November 9, 2006 January sounds good to me...I'd of struggled with the November date, its our wedding anniversary that weekend. Will make sure we keep the 20th free.....looking forward to meeting everyone Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
badonkadonk Report post Posted November 9, 2006 20th of January sounds good for me too Emily xxx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flora Report post Posted November 10, 2006 If we are definately doing Newcastle... best place is the Quay Side.... there's a fab Tappas bar and it's really easy to get to. Just my opinion and of course the Italian place or any other is probably just as good an option. Flo'.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KarenT Report post Posted November 10, 2006 20th Jan is groovy for me too. If we're meeting at Monument Square (which is very central and easy to find, for those who don't know the area) it might be best if we do the Italian place, as it's just a couple of minutes walk from there. Sorry if I come across as being a bit 'me, me, me' but it's more like ME ME ME (as in chronic fatigue). I struggle to walk too far and getting to the Quayside might be a bit much on the day. Keep me posted! Karen x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheNeil Report post Posted November 10, 2006 If we're meeting at Monument Square (which is very central and easy to find, for those who don't know the area)... That's why I thought of it - giant Nelson's Column type thing that's difficult to miss for those who have no idea what we're blathering on about I'm going to let you geordies fight over where we're actually going but I'm going to stick my neck out make a unilateral executive decision: Where: Newcastle When: 20th January If anyone has a problem or it's not convenient then speak up now please. If we don't have any problems then start writing it in diaries people (or, if you're unorganised (like me), go and buy a diary and write it in that) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KarenT Report post Posted November 10, 2006 Diaried. And in ink, too! Karen x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Suze Report post Posted November 10, 2006 OKEY, DOKEY...........jan 20th it is .Shall go and check out the train time tables. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bagpuss Report post Posted November 10, 2006 Glad the date and destination are sorted Really looking forward to meeting everyone Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bagpuss Report post Posted November 10, 2006 Oh, and well done TN for taking us all in hand Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites