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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2017 21:49:15 GMT
I was informed today that my flight schedule has changed -- but only by 10 minutes. It is still an ungodly hour and will put me at Heathrow before 8 a.m. So, no, I don't think I will arrive late at the Serpentine.
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Post by cheerypeabrain on May 20, 2017 19:03:47 GMT
A few of us will be around...we can always meet a bit earlier
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2017 23:18:40 GMT
Ha, now I am glad you're not coming, Mark. You would be sooooooooo disappointed! No you wouldn't Mark. Bixa is being modest. All heads would turn and eyes on her whenever she entered a room. I think that she likely would have snatched up my husband had she not been involved with someone else at the time. My husband always found her very attractive in many aspects, (ahem, attesting to his good taste in women ).
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Post by onlyMark on May 21, 2017 8:32:03 GMT
I stand by my post then.
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Post by lagatta on May 21, 2017 13:24:23 GMT
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Post by bixaorellana on May 21, 2017 14:26:13 GMT
LaGatta, if you will promise never ever ever to inflict White gospel (<-- oxymoron) on me again, I faithfully promise not to bop you repeatedly with an inflated pig bladder when I see you.
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Post by lagatta on May 21, 2017 14:28:54 GMT
There was one with a Black choir, but the White one was so much more over the top... It is rather excruciating. This is nasty, but when the old guy in the front with no rhythm started singing about looking forward to meeting his Maker, something in me was hoping he'd keel over.
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Post by kerouac2 on May 22, 2017 18:33:31 GMT
I should tell all of you, in case you have not seen the post about it elsewhere, that if you are ever feeling inadequate about posting or other things on the forum, I accidentally deleted my account yesterday (while trying to delete a spammer for the 3rd time) and so everything I ever posted is still there but with no avatar and with a deleted account display. And there is no way to fix that, so it will stay that way forever.
That is about the stupidest thing that anybody could ever do involuntarily, so if you are not finding any subjects of conversation for the meet-up, this one is free.
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Post by questa on May 22, 2017 23:23:49 GMT
Alas, K2. I share your pain. I really have no idea about using a computer and am always deleting stuff I did not mean to.I swear a bit, take a deep breath, remind myself that 'all things are passing' and (a) try to re-write the content or (b) sigh and go and do something else. I really should learn to use this horrid thing properly.
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Post by mickthecactus on May 23, 2017 7:38:17 GMT
The computer is the best and worst invention ever.
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Post by breeze on May 23, 2017 21:34:31 GMT
I just learned that in Lambeth there's a Garden Museum in an abandoned church. I hope one or some of you will be able to visit.
I'm not sure it's a must-see, though the tomb of Captain Bligh is in the grounds, which might be a draw for some.
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Post by mickthecactus on May 30, 2017 8:45:50 GMT
Getting that wig to stay on was soooo difficult.......
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Post by mossie on May 30, 2017 14:38:34 GMT
It was stopping the dye running down my face when it rained was the serious bit
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Post by kerouac2 on May 30, 2017 14:44:16 GMT
I'm sure that Bixa has brought appropriate Oaxacan outfits for all of us.
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2017 16:07:34 GMT
I was kind of hoping for a group picture of y'all dressed in your regional garb, Iain in his kilt, Kerouac in his beret (or at least an effort to get one to don for the occasion), Mossie in his RAF uniform, etc...
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Post by mickthecactus on May 30, 2017 16:52:00 GMT
I was kind of hoping for a group picture of y'all dressed in your regional garb, Iain in his kilt, Kerouac in his beret (or at least an effort to get one to don for the occasion), Mossie in his RAF uniform, etc... I shall be holding my cactus (easy Mark).
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Post by bixaorellana on May 30, 2017 17:09:40 GMT
And Kerouac his baguette and Iain his haggis, I presume.
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Post by cheerypeabrain on May 30, 2017 18:21:39 GMT
I'll bring my lab coat, microscope and pipette....maybe not....
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Post by lagatta on May 30, 2017 21:34:30 GMT
Kerouac might bring a Quiche lorraine? I'm sure the folk from his maternal region would find it very odd that "real men don't eat quiche" when it was a hardworking region of miners, steelworkers and of course farmers.
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Post by mossie on Jun 1, 2017 11:22:42 GMT
Having some time spare in London yesterday, I thought I would explore unknown territory and find the Serpentine cafe, it is after all in the 'out of bounds territory' to my credit card. I knew the closest Tube station was Knightsbridge, so here goes. That is on the Piccadilly line and I would advise you to head for the rear of the train, there are two exits from the platform, we need the one signed Knightsbridge Sloane St, aim for the exit marked for Knightsbridge North, and you should exit here. Across the road is Harvey Nicks, but you are at the entrance to Serpentine walk. That dives between tall blocks to enter Hyde Park by crossing South Carriage Drive, which is quite a busy dual carriageway. Continue straight ahead into a rather confusing area of paths under trees, where I spotted this group feeding the pigeons and squirrels keep going and with luck you will see the water of the Serpentine ahead, keep that to your right, the cafe sits right at the end, and you should soon find it You first come to a large area of open air seating with a couple of stations selling food and drinks. The food is not wonderful, I don't go for pizza, but that is perhaps the best bet. Don't have food from the stations as that comes in a cardboard container with plastic irons, cutlery to you. Get food from the main cafe further on, which comes on proper plates with proper irons. I'm getting ahead of myself, as usual, because there is a slightly easier, although slightly longer way to get to the cafe. When leaving the Tube, turn left up Knightsbridge towards Hyde Park Corner. A few yards up one reaches the Albert Gate into the Park, where a short road takes one between the French and Kuwaiti, embassies. From there a straightish path leads past a pleasant well maintained area called The Dell to the Serpentine cafe Whichever route you take has to cross Rotten Row, which is horsey country, so watch out for emissions May I suggest we meet beside the Serpentine close to the cafe, just grab one of the table/ bench things, a waiter will bring stuff too it after you order in the cafe with a table number. There is some wildlife to see and I was amazed to see these swans teaching their young how to behave in company There is plenty to see, this is another pair of swans who have set up home right there, I suppose they don't want for food. If you have flown in via Heathrow it is possible you have been close by While I was in Knightsbridge I have been thinking of changing my car, so checked out the local showroom Disappointed there was nothing in my price range I looked up at the name over the door and realised why
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Post by lagatta on Jun 1, 2017 12:10:31 GMT
I was afraid of going bankrupt just reading the names in your first post in that set. Do we also get a shot of Sloane Square?
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Post by bixaorellana on Jun 1, 2017 12:19:08 GMT
On the one hand ~ Mossie, you are a prince among men for providing this useful service! On the other hand ~ Mossie, you miserable cur, why didn't you let me know you'd be here & we could have met?! At any rate lovely pictures. Surprising, too, as even after studying the Serpentine's website, I hadn't realized it had that much seating. That is very reassuring for our purposes. And really, we are meeting well before lunch time. If we are enjoying coffee and each others company at the Serpentine but aren't tempted by their food, we could always adjourn to another place to eat if we wish, or even just take a walk. www.londontown.com/NearByRestaurants/Restaurant/23166/Directory/Restaurant/Restaurant-near-Rotten%20Row
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Post by mossie on Jun 1, 2017 13:05:32 GMT
I must apologise Bixa, my tiny mind had totally forgotten that you had graced our scruffy capital with your magnificent presence. I blame old age and lack of mobility. As for Sloane Square, I didn't go near it. The least I did was glanced down Brompton Road, which peels off Knightsbridge at the Sloane St junction, to see Horrids. The firewall on my credit card stops me entering such a place I did just manage a quick look as Harvey Nicks windows as I hurried past, just to remind you that there are shops close by
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Post by kerouac2 on Jun 1, 2017 13:12:25 GMT
I was planning to take the tube to Hyde Park Corner. Would that be a mistake?
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Post by mickthecactus on Jun 1, 2017 13:31:36 GMT
I was planning to take the tube to Hyde Park Corner. Would that be a mistake? Me too. Looks more direct?
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Post by bixaorellana on Jun 1, 2017 13:34:56 GMT
Okay, Mossie. I'll give you one more chance I guess. You DO take fabulous pictures. I had the same question as Kerouac, but looking now it seems that going one more stop to Knightsbridge Station does make more sense, although the walk from Hyde Park Corner Station might be more scenic. Incidentally, I want to recommend this site, which seems to have been designed for people like me, who really need reassurance and to have things spelled out: www.londondrum.com/transport/Use its search engine on the right hand side called "Plan a journey between two stations" and you will see what I mean.
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Post by patricklondon on Jun 1, 2017 14:48:29 GMT
It's a while since I was around Knightsbridge, but it looks as if new developments have put a path, handily called Serpentine Walk, through the buildings lying between Knightsbridge station and the park, which would make it the easiest and closest way. From Hyde Park Corner you have the option of walking past the rose garden, but it is about 10-15 minutes' walk (and that's the exits from the station and crossing the roads don't confuse you). My blog | My photos | My video clips"too literate to be spam"
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Post by lagatta on Jun 1, 2017 15:25:21 GMT
Does Brompton road lead to Brompton, where Bromptons are manufactured?
...
Harrod's has just shown up as my little ad...
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Post by mossie on Jun 1, 2017 20:16:53 GMT
As I put, going in via the Albert Gate at the French Embassy is the most direct route which I would advise anyone unsure of the layout to take, Serpentine Walk is a bit like its name. I am ruled by maps and cannot go anywhere without studying them first, (wonder where that comes from).
This reminds me of the crew room banter between pilots and navs. "You can teach a monkey to fly, but he needs a navigator to tell him where he is, and where to go" Of course practically all navs, including me, wanted to be pilots, the RAF decided which one would become.
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Post by mickthecactus on Jun 6, 2017 7:41:39 GMT
Friday's forecast for London not great.
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