Guest Lya of the Nox Report post Posted July 14, 2007 we had a nice day i bet u all still there tho Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mumble Report post Posted July 14, 2007 I'm back. I had a nice day too, thank you. Sorry I wasn't very talkative - nothing against any of you - I never am. And sorry we lost the rest of you on the way to the Observatory - I chose the uphill path that avoided the dogs, but it turned out to be the wrong hill! One very tired Mumble Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bard Report post Posted July 14, 2007 I really enjoyed today, and it didn't rain! Managed to id and meet people without being done for vagrancy or soliciting. DMB is as organised as everyone says, and brought a list of those turning up, and times. Lya's daughter is a beautiful and lovely girl, and Lya was the shiniest and sparkliest of all! I got to walk UNDER the river!!! Very exciting! The park was huge and green with fantastic trees, and I enjoyed our picnic, even though some of my food was a little strange, no one made cat hairball noises like at home. Then Mumble was kind and tolerant to a plump old lady staggering up the hill, and she carefully didn't mention my need for a breather. Sometimes not talking much is a good thing! Wonderful views and great company. I do need to be fitter though. Maybe I'll try Baddad's carbohydrate-free diet...he looks well on it. The only thing I'm worried about is that I didn't check Mumble or Lya's Little One for squirrels... Did you put them back, ladies? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baddad Report post Posted July 14, 2007 The only thing I'm worried about is that I didn't check Mumble or Lya's Little One for squirrels... Did you put them back, ladies? No, I ate them - No carbs in a squirrel! I plan to be the Bernard Matthews of squirrel... peeople will taste my squirrels and say, 'they're baddad, they're really baddad!' Just got back myself, from a lovely day... what do they say about the sun always shining on the righteous? Mumble - no worries about not saying very much. You probably noticed I'm very shy and retiring myself! Lovely day, lovely people... Thank you. <'> Hope Baggy's brood enjoyed their dirty pub evening meal, and that the rats are a little less noisy for them this evening L&P BD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bid Report post Posted July 14, 2007 Had a really fabby day...got back about 15 mins ago and absolutely k-nacked (all that pedalo-ing) It was lovely to see everyone, the weather was wonderful (red shoulders ) and the location was fantastic Even if I was out-sparkled by Lya! Boho Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smiley Report post Posted July 14, 2007 Even my lips are sunburnt.......... I had a wonderful time - i cannot tell you all how much i needed a day like today - thank you <'> Sorry i was a bit quiet............. Not very chatty at the moment. Anyone up for Lego land on the 26th (forgot to mention it today ) <'> Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David Matthew Baker Report post Posted July 14, 2007 Copy and Paste from Southern Meet. Missed the fact there was a new thread: I'm back home. Rather hot and with a red tinge around my face though. As you can probably tell we had nice weather in Greenwich. It was a good day actually. Just a pity I had to leave when I did to catch a train home as I'd have loved to stay longer. It was nice to meet some more members and catch up with a few I'd met before. I also enjoyed meeting some of the children I'd heard talked about on here. From todays experience they all seemed lovely. Nice, freindly and adventurous. It was a bit fun at time coordinating where everyone was due to the numbers but overall it went very smoothly. Everyone seemed to cope well and from the comments I've heard when leaving and via text since also enjoyed themselves.When I was leaving they were off up the observatory (would have loved to have gone myself too) which I hope was enjoyed by those who were left. Didn't get to say proper good byes to everyone so I'll do it here. 'Bye and hope to see you all again in person soon.' I particularly enjoyed having a chat with Mumble and Bard who were both very informative and good at suggesting things to try and talking about their own experiences of teaching. Thanks you two. <'> <'> Now where's our next meet going to be. The only comment I'll make is I'd rather it is after the summer as I don't want to miss out. All the meets I have been to have been great fun so far. The audio recording had to be done a few times. Baddad was blaming his tools and son. I think we got there in the end via the use of a camera to record the audio. Everyone also seemed well equiped and prepared. Only thing for future reference (though hopefully it might have changed by then) is that there is no boat to be found at the moment. There is just a large tent instead. Also locals apparently don't take kindly to people asking for directions to it. I'd like to thank everyone who came for making it such a great day and to encourage you all to try and make the next meet. It is good fun and everyone is very supportive and will let you do your own thing if you need to. Looking forward to reading other peoples reports on the day. Had a little fun directing some people to find us but everyone made it in the end. Think I could have done with scouting the area as people kept trying to use shops, etc... as landmarks to help me find them. I had an OS map and a map of the park. Was the first time I can remember being in Greenwich too. That said once you found the sign posts it was fairly easy to get people to us. All the best, David. PS I don't think Baddad can keep his name. He's not a bad dad. So what about Gooddad. No doesn't sound right. Ummm perhaps I'll go for Raddad from now on. (As in radical.) I'm just worried his son might have a similar sense of humour and start posting on here. Not sure we could all cope with two of them. LOL ROFL Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MichelleW Report post Posted July 14, 2007 (edited) I've only just got through the door and put kids to bed - very tired and very happy. It was a great day and we must do it again! I'm just going to grab a glass of wine to celebrate! Silly moo here so tired I just tried to open a screw cap with a cork screw!!! Edited July 14, 2007 by MichelleW Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pearl Report post Posted July 14, 2007 Oooh its been quiet on here without you lot today, so glad you had a good time, did anyone take piccies they could post, I'd love to put some faces to names. I would LOVE a north west meet.... *wheedling tone* Daaaaviiiiid?...... It sounds like you are one of life's organisers, do you fancy a meet in the autumn? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MichelleW Report post Posted July 14, 2007 Also like to say a very big thankyou to everyone, especially Baddad for helping with the kids - especially my little monkey! maybe I should have gone to Charing Cross too, as I ended up having to change at dartford, Rochester only to be told I needed to change again at Faversham, after half an hour waiting at rochester was then told I could wait another 20 mins to get a direct train and therefore didn't need to change at faversham. kids handled the travelling really well - and littleone has a very red face now We also made the mistake of going op the wrong hill! Maybe we should suggest to the park keeper that they put signposts on the paths going up!!! Or maybe it is their sick sense of humour!!! DGetting back at everyone for asking directions to Cutty Sark!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David Matthew Baker Report post Posted July 14, 2007 Oooh its been quiet on here without you lot today, so glad you had a good time, did anyone take piccies they could post, I'd love to put some faces to names. I would LOVE a north west meet.... *wheedling tone* Daaaaviiiiid?...... It sounds like you are one of life's organisers, do you fancy a meet in the autumn? Yes I do. Will try and organise something when I get back from Kenya if no one else does. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David Matthew Baker Report post Posted July 14, 2007 Also like to say a very big thankyou to everyone, especially Baddad for helping with the kids - especially my little monkey! maybe I should have gone to Charing Cross too, as I ended up having to change at dartford, Rochester only to be told I needed to change again at Faversham, after half an hour waiting at rochester was then told I could wait another 20 mins to get a direct train and therefore didn't need to change at faversham. kids handled the travelling really well - and littleone has a very red face now We also made the mistake of going op the wrong hill! Maybe we should suggest to the park keeper that they put signposts on the paths going up!!! Or maybe it is their sick sense of humour!!! DGetting back at everyone for asking directions to Cutty Sark!! Was that to get to the observatory? If it was that path I thought curled around and upto the observatory. It also avoided the steps found on the other path I thought. Had sort of walked down it earlier when I went to find Mumble and co. We did cut a couple of corners though. Glad you had a good time and hope the kids sleep well tonight. Your little one isn't the only person with a very red face. Just looked in the mirror. I knew mum said it was bad but I didn't realise how bad. Still feels hot now which probably means it is still burning. Opps. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pearl Report post Posted July 14, 2007 Oooh you're a star! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baddad Report post Posted July 14, 2007 did anyone take piccies they could post, I'd love to put some faces to names. All photographic evidence has been confiskated confasca conff impounded ... 'official' memorabelia will be available shortly after careful editing to remove wrinkles, bulges, grey hairs and blemishes, in accordance with the pre-meet conditions laid down by Hev's legal team Michelle - it was a pleasure helping with your little monkey and your big monkey alike. Both lovely kids (as for that wine bottle - just one step away from the 3 litre 'saves time' winebox ) In fact - BIG all round to all the younger players today - amazingly patient with us old codgers, amazingly polite, well behaved, considerate and ALL that! Scariest thing was seeing Hev's littlie again - Little more than a babe in arms last August and a proper little 'person' in her own right this year (and a lovely one too!). A bittersweet reminder of how quickly these changes happen, and to cherish every moment along the way (I'll probably regret that tomorrow, but under the alfluence of incohol I'll allow myself that mawksish extravagence tonight )... Lovely kids all, from the teenagers down to the teenies, and the mums and dads were OK too L&P BD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David Matthew Baker Report post Posted July 14, 2007 did anyone take piccies they could post, I'd love to put some faces to names. Didn't take any of the people there but took a few scenic shots. Including a tall ship going down the river. I only know of one person taking any type of photos. In this case video but mainly for audio reasons. You can ask if others don't mind clips of the circulated though. I don't if they don't mind doing some editing and posting some little clips. Or perhaps just grab some screen shots from it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pearl Report post Posted July 14, 2007 Did you all get to talk to Fran? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David Matthew Baker Report post Posted July 14, 2007 Thats why the video ended up been taken. BD can't get technology to work. He was desperatelly trying to push blame onto the equipment or his son but I'm not having it. Doubt the video of me is great though. The recording BD lost was so much better. I got told I sounded like Michael Fish whilst doing that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pearl Report post Posted July 14, 2007 Michael Fish Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kathryn Report post Posted July 14, 2007 It was a fantastic day, great to meet some more people. The weather was great and I'm as burnt as the Cutty Sark. Hope everyone got home OK. Loved the socks, Mumble! Hope your children are fast asleep now, Michelle - sounds like a bit of an eventful journey home. Sorry for leading you all up the wrong hill, but at least it gave us a chance to walk off all the biscuits we had eaten. Those who texted me on the way home - I would have replied but I discovered I'd run out of credit. Hope we can do something similar again soon. K x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baddad Report post Posted July 14, 2007 Thats why the video ended up been taken. BD can't get technology to work. He was desperatelly trying to push blame onto the equipment or his son but I'm not having it. Doubt the video of me is great though. The recording BD lost was so much better. I got told I sounded like Michael Fish whilst doing that. I DO NOT BELEEEEEEEVE IT! I won't bore you with the details, but the MP3 Recorder i bought specially has a recognised problem with 'updating' recordings - i can point anyone to a web blog on this subject As for the minidisc recorder - #1 son fiddled about with it and got the disc mechanism stuck so the 'TOC edit' couldn't work - in tecnical terms the equiv of not being able to 'save' a file to HD... i managed to free the disc (using a swizzle stick from an espresso coffee), but at the expense of the unsaved data... I arsk ya - casting nursturtiums on my professhunal qualifikashuns! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frangipani Report post Posted July 14, 2007 (edited) Thats why the video ended up been taken. BD can't get technology to work. He was desperatelly trying to push blame onto the equipment or his son but I'm not having it. Doubt the video of me is great though. The recording BD lost was so much better. I got told I sounded like Michael Fish whilst doing that. Thanks for trying Baddad, whatever comes my way I will be really happy with. Hope I can still hear your voices on the video. Any piccies, whats this about the editing police, grey hairs bulges, that wont be necessary, I would like to see you 'all' the way you are. Will send you something lovely from Aussie just to say thank you for all your troubles in putting this together for me. <'> <'> <'> So many things from Aussie I could send you, do you have any suggestions let me know, the list is endless. So glad the sun shined all day, glad you put your order in. I was thinking of you all, I woke up at about 2am thinking oh its got to be midday over there now, imaging you all socialising. Sounds like an awesome day, thanks again for all the troubles in recording something for me, I am soooo excited. :bounce: Love Fxx Edited July 14, 2007 by Frangipani Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smiley Report post Posted July 14, 2007 Could PM Frag a couple of photos - if no-one minds.................... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David Matthew Baker Report post Posted July 14, 2007 (edited) Thanks for trying Baddad, whatever comes my way I will be really happy with. Hope I can still hear your voices on the video. Any piccies, whats this about the editing police, grey hairs bulges, that wont be necessary, I would like to see you 'all' the way you are. Will send you something lovely from Aussie just to say thank you for all your troubles in putting this together for me. <'> <'> <'> So many things from Aussie I could send you, do you have any suggestions let me know, the list is endless. So glad the sun shined all day, glad you put your order in. I was thinking of you all, I woke up at about 2am thinking oh its got to be midday over there now, imaging you all socialising. Sounds like an awesome day, thanks again for all the troubles in recording something for me, I am soooo excited. :bounce: Love Fxx It wasn't much trouble. I'm just winding Baddad up. He deserves it. I'm just helping his poor suffering son. (He has obviously been brainwashed or something. He likes his dad and seemed to like his humour.) Actually as BD said all the kids were great. Just wish I could have explored the observatory. Next time I'll try and make sure I'm free for the entire weekend. EDIT: If anyone has photos of me I don't mind them been shown. After all have already put photos up myself so nothing to hide now. Edited July 14, 2007 by David Matthew Baker Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frangipani Report post Posted July 14, 2007 Could PM Frag a couple of photos - if no-one minds.................... Oh yes please can I!!! can I !!! Fxx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bard Report post Posted July 14, 2007 NO PICTURES OF ME PLEASE! I REALLY VALUE MY PRIVACY, AND IF I WANTED EVERYONE TO KNOW WHO I AM, I WOULDN'T BOTHER HAVING A FORUM NAME. I BET MUMBLE FEELS THE SAME. NO NO NO! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smiley Report post Posted July 14, 2007 No probs Bard <'> That's why i asked first Frag - I'll wait for an ok from peeps first <'> Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frangipani Report post Posted July 14, 2007 (edited) It wasn't much trouble. I'm just winding Baddad up. He deserves it. I'm just helping his poor suffering son. (He has obviously been brainwashed or something. He likes his dad and seemed to like his humour.) Actually as BD said all the kids were great. Just wish I could have explored the observatory. Next time I'll try and make sure I'm free for the entire weekend. EDIT: If anyone has photos of me I don't mind them been shown. After all have already put photos up myself so nothing to hide now. From what I hear he is a big kid himself so they would have got along fine. Its good someone is winding Baddad up, finally a payback. I could just imagine Father & son very similar, is it like mini me!!! It would be scarey having two Baddad's on here. Thanks again for all your trouble, getting this. Love Frangipani xx Edited July 14, 2007 by Frangipani Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David Matthew Baker Report post Posted July 14, 2007 From what I hear he is a big kid himself so they would have got along fine. Its good someone is winding Baddad up, finally a payback. I could just imagine Father & son very similar, is it like mini me!!! It would be scarey having two Baddad's on here. Thanks again for all your trouble, getting this. Love Frangipani xx He's really nice actually. Though if he thinks he fooled anyone into thinking his is shy he has another thing coming. He seemed really friendly and happy to help in anyway possible. They all are actually. Hence very much like what they're like on here. I anything he seemed a little restrained. For one I understood everything I heard him say. I should really get to bed though. Have a walk tomorrow. Still feel very hot at the moment though. Not overly tired either at the moment. Bet that changes by the morning. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bard Report post Posted July 14, 2007 (edited) No probs Bard <'> That's why i asked first Frag - I'll wait for an ok from peeps first <'> Thank you so much Smiley, I've just pm'd lots of people in shouty, panic-stricken block capitals. If my photo gets published, I'd have to leave. Not joking, deadly serious. I really enjoyed the day, and now I am really terrified and very sorry that I came if it means total loss of privacy. I'm sorry if that annoys you Frangipani, but the last thing I need is people in my real life being able to identify me and link me to the things I have shared about me and my family on the forum. And that is , I feel, more important that other people's curiosity. Edited July 14, 2007 by Bard Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David Matthew Baker Report post Posted July 14, 2007 I don't have any photos of people. Any I post will just be of scenery. I tend to try and avoid getting people in my shots if possible. Have some with general tourists in but don't think I have a single photo of our group. Most were just photos of the view from by the observatory. Then there are a couple of shots of a squirrel and of the ships on the river. I haven't taken any of the groups on any of the meets I've been to so far. I think the Oxford photos were only shared between the people who went. Even then everyone had said it was okay to take photos first. Hope you aren't put off future meet ups because it was really good to meet you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frangipani Report post Posted July 14, 2007 Thank you so much Smiley, I've just pm'd lots of people in shouty, panic-stricken block capitals. If my photo gets published, I'd have to leave. Not joking, deadly serious. I really enjoyed the day, and now I am really terrified and very sorry that I came if it means total loss of privacy. I'm sorry if that annoys you Frangipani, but the last thing I need is people in my real life being able to identify me and link me to the things I have shared about me and my family on the forum. And that is , I feel, more important that other people's curiosity. Hi Bard, I appreciate that. Anyway, I live in Australia, a long long way from this forum and have been communicating with people for the last two years, the Moderators know me pretty well, and I believe they trust that I am a trustworthy person. None of these photo's were intended to be posted around the forum for risk of privacy. They were simply going to post me a few just so I could feel like I had attended the meet up, which I cant, being in Australia. More than that I just wanted to hear your voices so I could hear your accents. I assure you anything sent my way will be treated with confidentiality and you can trust me on that. Hope that I have cleared that up. <'> <'> Love Frangipani Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bard Report post Posted July 15, 2007 None of these photo's were intended to be posted around the forum for risk of privacy. Oh, Thank God for that! It's just that on other Forums, people merrily post pictures of themselves and family without a second thought, and so I panicked at the thought of logging on and ..... " But we didn't know that you felt like that, it's only a picture " I understand that you are curious, but I'm delighted that you recognise how very upset I am by the idea of having my anonymity taken from me. I'm sure that Mumble feels the same. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frangipani Report post Posted July 15, 2007 Just adding, Kathryn is the one with my address, and I imagine she will be posting it to me with the help of Baddad whom you have met and trust just as I do, with giving them my address as well. Thats all. <'> Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kathryn Report post Posted July 15, 2007 Hi Frangipani, It was a great day, thanks for sending the sunshine! Stuff will be on its way to you when the technical experts - and BD - have done what needs doing. Everyone's got a right to remain as private as they want to be. I've pm'd Bard, but just to reassure others generally- no photos of people are ever posted on the public forum after meet ups, and I'm sure we're all agreed that any photos taken, would only be shared privately with specific others after the subjects have given permission. (David, did you ask that squirrel by the way?? ) Off to bed now - had a long day. K x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David Matthew Baker Report post Posted July 15, 2007 (David, did you ask that squirrel by the way?? ) I think the agreement was a group centred one. Where it got food and we got photos. They were rather tame and were happy to be hand fed. I didn't personally give them any food but I did watch the others do so. They were kinda cute. Only way it could have been better would have been if they were reds. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mumble Report post Posted July 15, 2007 Bard's right, no piccies of me please. Both for the reason Bard gives and because I just don't like piccies of me. How on earth did you all manage to stay up so late to post last night?? I had earplugs in and was asleep by 9pm - best night's sleep I've had in a long time! Kathryn - I'm glad it wasn't just me leading people up the wrong hill!!! So many things from Aussie I could send you, do you have any suggestions let me know, the list is endless. A koala please - they wouldn't let me keep the squirrel So next meetup . . . Deep Down Underground In a dak, dark Cave!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MichelleW Report post Posted July 15, 2007 When J said he was catching squirrels yesterday, I didn't think he meant real squirrels! But then i should have realised he doesn't say anything that isn't true. I had a hard time on the train home - because silly me at some time in the past had said to him " mummy will be home before midnight or I'll turn in to a pumpkin" So I had at least an hour on the train journey with a very worried J asking if he will turn into a pumpkin. After a hundred times of telling him " no we will be home by 10, and it won't be midnight and even if it was midnight you won't turn into a pumpkin! (much to the amusement of other passengers) I then make the silly mistake of saying " But pumpkins make nice pumpkin soup" so he said back " I don't want to eat myself!!! Will teach me not to make jokes with him in the future. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bard Report post Posted July 15, 2007 Well, I seem to have upset and offended some people by insulting their intelligence. Can my panic attack be classed as an NT Meltdown please? I didn't mean to insult anyone, It's just that some of you are happy to be famous, and I'm not. Sorry to all I've annoyed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bid Report post Posted July 15, 2007 Hi Fran, Happy for any piccies of me to come your way Boho Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mrs.ddh Report post Posted July 15, 2007 Good morning forum, I was exhausted last night and came onto the forum but only managed to say hello to a few newbies before crashing into bed. I would like to say a great big thank you to you all for allowing this newbie to come along to your Southern Meet and for being so welcoming and friendly. My kids had a great time - okay, they spent most of their time away from our group and were off perusing Greenwich - but they had so much fun in London and came home in the happiest of moods, so did Mom! And um, it was you Kathryn! Who led us up the wrong hill! Legs still hurt.... Michelle, I adore your pumpkin story...so precious! And I can understand Bard's reticence about having photos posted and surely she's allowed a meltdown...I had one on the train coming home because I couldn't smoke. My kids thought it was pretty funny, though. I so need to give up... And so jealous of the people who fed the squirrels yesterday! I have been feeding two in my garden for the past two years...well, I put out the food and they come and get it the minute I come in. (So ungrateful!) I would have loved to have hand fed a sguirrel. And David, you squirrel racist! Grey ones are just as cute as red! Count me in on Legoland, Smiley! Finally, to all who I did not get a chance to speak to yesterday, I am sorry I didn't get the chance and look forward to bending your ears at the next meet! Again, had a great time yesterday and thanks! ta for now ddh Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
