CommunityBuzz! - 10th Annual Presidents Weekend (US) London Do: Feb 17-20, 2012

10th Annual London Presidents (US) Weekend Do: February 17-20, 2012

History

Feb '03 was the first-ever FT event I attended. I was going to London for my Annual Birthday/Presidents Weekend (Prez Weekend ia 3-day bank holiday in America) get-away, and noticed that there was a London Do that weekend organized by wingnut. Having really only discovered/started reading FT threads the month before, I was quite excited about meeting some other people who travelled.

I remember arriving at Wagamama's a bit nervous about meeting other FTers, and the hostess saying - 'oh you're with the group that doesn't know each other'. LOL... Not quite so nervous after that.

I had the pleasure that night of meeting wingnut, sweetwillie & mrssweetwillie (aka judi), letiole, techgirl, lala, amongst others, and a tradition was born.

It's also a nice weekend to start racking up re-qualification of status on airlines/hotels & take advantage of cheaper winter airfares.

Date: Feb 17-20, 2012

Location: London England

Happenings:

FRIDAY, FEB 17th

Day free for shopping, museums, sleeping, etc, for those who are in town. Those flying to the UK that night will eat, drink & be merry on the planes.

Location for Friday drinkies: The Groucho Club, 45 Dean Street, Soho, +44 (0) 207 439 4685, www.thegrouchoclub.com. It's on Dean St near the corner of Old Compton & Dean St. Leicester Square & Tottenham Court Road are the 2 nearest tube stops.

Time for Friday drinkies: 5:00pm-8:00pm

The Groucho Club is the private club I belong to & they are giving us a private room (The Club Room) to meet for drinkies off the upstairs bar. This means we'll have room to ourselves to gab miles & points.

When you arrive, tell them you're part of my party & they'll direct you to the club room.

NOTE; THIS IS IMPORTANT POINTS 1-7:

1. I need to have your 'real' name (not handle) for the guest list @ reception, so please PM me your real name so you can get in.

2. Because it is a private club I am responsible for you all & you need to behave (ie, no getting into fisticuffs over who has the highest status ). I'm joking about the fisticuffs, but serious about the behaving part.

3. No matter how much fun we're all having, 8pm is the witching hour for our group & non-members can't stay behind after I've left the building.

4. Cell phones are not allowed to be used in the club; if you want to use a cell you'll need to trot back down to reception to use it there.

5. Photographs, whether from your cell phone or from a regular camera, are not allowed.

6. If by chance there are any celebs there when you're there, asking for photos, telephone #s, email addresses, dates, autographs, passing along scripts or resumes, is not allowed.

7. They'll only allow one bar bill, so bring GBP with you. We can do a coin toss to see if one person wants to put it on their credit card, but for the rest of you you'll need GBP.

Options for those who want to grab a bite to eat/dinner post-drinkies:

Some 'FT-recommended' options for Friday that are in Soho. Marsala Zone; Pizza Express (no they don't just serve pizza & they actually have decent wine); Wagamama's (noodles). Busabi eathai (Thai; similar to Waga's) & Y Ming (Chinese). The hummus place that FTers like (Pea/Pod; something like that is one block away).

If folk want to continue drinking/gabbing post-drinkies or restaurants, there are plenty of pubs in the area. The only part I am organizing is the drinkies location at 5:00pm.

SATURDAY, Feb 18th (my birthday!),

BTW - feel free to give me birthday gifts of SWUs, CR1s, bottles of wine, champagne, etc :D :D

Day open to sleep in, go to museums, shopping, restaurants, matinee theatre, London walks, etc.*

* If someone decides to organize something for during the day such as walking tours, museum visiting, please post in the thread and I'll update this section to reflect it.

4:00pm-6:15pm, Ye Grapes Pub, Shepherd's Market. It's a 5-minute walk from the Green Park tube stop on the Picadilly line. I'll try to get the area we always sit in reserved for us if I can.

6:45pm Dinner Pierre Victoire, 5 Dean Street, Soho, + 44 (0) 20 7287 4582, http://www.pierrevictoire.com/london...revictoire.asp

We have a private dining room at the restaurant; reservations are under the name of "Sharon".

The restaurant has an ala carte menu, but it also has a 2-course 'set menu' pricing of 12.90GBP with options to choose from on the 2 courses. Example here: http://www.pierrevictoire.com/london...e_set_menu.pdf

They're quite busy because it's a Sat night, so we'll probably be out the door by 9pm so they can get the later group in. I debated doing dinner later, but the set price menu wasn't available then & I was thinking of the exchange rate etc.

After dinner on Saturday - pubs, clubs, casinos, or back to hotels to drink and/or sleep; to each their own. In the 9 years previous, people did their own thing. Some as a group or individuals went to a pub, some went for coffee, some went back to their hotels, some went clubbing.

A gentle reminder: I am organizing the drinkies on Friday, the drinkies on Sat, the main dinner on Saturday - that's all. Events/activities during the day before drinkies on Fri & Sat or in the evening post-drinkies pn Fri & main dinner on Sat are up to individual FTers.

SUNDAY, FEB 19th

Day open to sleep in, go to museums, shopping, restaurants, matinee theatre if any are open, London walks.

* If someone would like to organize something for those still in town, please post on the thread & I'll update this section. Could be a meal (lunch or dinner), drinks, museum, London walk, etc. I know in the past folk have gone to a wine bar that KathyWdrf organized.

Attending:

* SkiAdcock; Grosvenor House; (birthday girl!); arr Feb 10th; dep Feb 20th
* qbrain; arrives on Fri on AA50; departs Sun on AA51
* Top of climb
* HPN-HPL; Hilton Metropole; arr 17th mid-morn-dep 19th early
* 1P
* ironmanjt
* servus
* capritz78; arrive 17th LH3414 6:40pm; dep Sun 7:20pm; Holiday Inn Mayfair
* thegrailer+1
* KMA (enjoying new retirement!)
* JohnnyColombia; quick drink on the 17th or 18th
* mechteach; drinks or dinner on Sat; possible drinks on Fri
* lsk5013; arr LHR 2/17 KL1017

Maybe:

* Skye1
* tuxtraveler
* bostonoski on 17th
* spotwelder strong def maybe on 18th

Will update the thread as people respond & as the weekend gets closer.

Cheers.

Put me down as interested. The weekend is open for me so far, but things rapidly change....

You already have me as a maybe so that's great!

I'm still planning that weekend with a few of my hometown girlfriends - it's my 40th birthday, so spending time with my friends is my MAIN focus, but if London is our final destination, we WILL join for drinks on Friday night for sure as we have for MOST of the past 10 years. (We are narrowed to London, Paris, Brussels, Madrid, or Barcelona... and it's going to be tough to pick!)

You already have me as a maybe so that's great!

I'm still planning that weekend with a few of my hometown girlfriends - it's my 40th birthday, so spending time with my friends is my MAIN focus, but if London is our final destination, we WILL join for drinks on Friday night for sure as we have for MOST of the past 10 years. (We are narrowed to London, Paris, Brussels, Madrid, or Barcelona... and it's going to be tough to pick!)

Well if you do make it, then sharing a bottle of champagne (oh let's be serious - it's US I'm talking about, so make that 2-3 bottles :D) to celebrate our mutual birthdays will be in order, and especially a big one!

Cheers.

Mark me as interested. We'll see how the W fares are looking.

Please add me to the confirmed/definite list. Flying in on AA50 Friday and out AA51 Sunday.

I'll probably be able to make it to at least some of the happenings on the weekend... so mark it as a yes from me.

Please put me down as maybe. Not yet sure if I will be in town.

Am barely thinking beyond Christmas at this point, but if in town, will pop down for drinks & dinner. Mileage run on the Jubilee line.

Count me in! I had a great time last year, and look forward to this year's festivities. Flights are already booked - flying home via the FCT in FRA!

Flights are already booked - flying home via the FCT in FRA!

Braggert! (kidding) Jealous ;) :p :D :D

Cheers.

The Redbeards are headed to the UK later in the year for the Olympics. :D

conflict with Mardi Gras... again. :(

Please put me down as a maybe. Currently arrive into LHR at 1:50pm on 2/17 (KL1017) but leave out of Amsterdam on 2/20 at 1:30pm (KL691). Supposedly meeting a friend, but always open for making new friends along the way as i sit in MSP right now with a fellow FT'er!! :)

The Redbeards are headed to the UK later in the year for the Olympics. :D

Guess that means no updated tour of Olympic Park - bummer.

Cheers.

Will be in London that weekend and will definitely come to something! — probably drinks and a meal one evening.

1P
(now 1K again, but still sporting the 1P handle in honor of former FT-er PremEx)

I will probably be in London in February so will do my best to attend at least one event. Add me to "maybe"

I'll also likely pop into one of the drinkies of the weekend, since I'm likely to be in town as well!

I'll also likely pop into one of the drinkies of the weekend, since I'm likely to be in town as well!

Will add you to the list!

Cheers.

Seriously considering this.

But, I'd better wait 'til I sober up a bit. FT + a bottle of wine is a dangerous combination!

Seriously considering this.

But, I'd better wait 'til I sober up a bit. FT + a bottle of wine is a dangerous combination!

:D :D

I'll add you to the maybe list.

Cheers.

Hi Sharon,

Would love to see you again! Please put me on the strooooong maybe list!

Have a wonderful Christmas!

Hi Sharon,

Would love to see you again! Please put me on the strooooong maybe list!

Have a wonderful Christmas!

Will add you to the 'strong maybe' list.

Cheers.

Will add you to the 'strong maybe' list.

Cheers.

Well, please take me off the stroooong maybe list.
I'm confirmed :D

Add me to the maybe for Feb 17-18. I'm continuing on to Dublin the 19-21 but haven't decided if I wanted to stop over in London or try some place new (GLA or EDI) the first two days.

Please mark me down as very likely. Should be able to finalize flights soon. Looking forward to this weekend again this year.

Can't confirm yet. I hope I know by next week.

Good news. I can make it. Flight and hotel are booked.

Will arrive on Feb. 17th at 6:40pm on LH3414 from CGN and leave sunday at 7:20pm. I will stay at the Holiday Inn Mayfair. Looking forward to see you all.

Good news. I can make it. Flight and hotel are booked.

Will arrive on Feb. 17th at 6:40pm on LH3414 from CGN and leave sunday at 7:20pm. I will stay at the Holiday Inn Mayfair. Looking forward to see you all.

Great. Will add you to the confirmed list.

I know in years past Holiday Inn had BOGOs going during this timeframe/that weekend. Do they this year? That might help some who are looking for a place to stay at reasonable cost.

Cheers.

Great. Will add you to the confirmed list.

I know in years past Holiday Inn had BOGOs going during this timeframe/that weekend. Do they this year? That might help some who are looking for a place to stay at reasonable cost.

Cheers.

I received an e-mail today for just that, think it applies for all dates up to the end of March (can't remember if it was weekends only or not).

I'm afraid I have to go from a maybe to a no. Family event got scheduled for the long weekend.

Maybe next year. It's been way too long solve I've been to London.

Sorry you'll miss, but family comes first.

Cheers.

I'll stop by some of the events. I want to hear how ironmanjt's trip to Somaliland was!

Please move me to the "Attending" list; will be arriving on the 16th and departing on the 20th. I should be finalizing hotel(s) very soon.

I know in years past Holiday Inn had BOGOs going during this timeframe/that weekend. Do they this year? That might help some who are looking for a place to stay at reasonable cost.

Yes they do have the offer. I got the email now, too. Just two weeks I have made my reservation. :mad: . Try to get them to change my rate. The rates also apply for weekends. The Holiday Inn London Mayfair is available for 74.50 Uk Pound per night for a Double bed Room. Kingsize is 107 Uk Pound.

Received email this morning that I cleared it the BAFTA lotto waitlist, so will be attending the BAFTA Awards on Dec 12th. Luckily I hadn't booked my air yet. So looks like I'll be in London starting on the 10th & continuing through the Prez Weekend Do. Looking forward to seeing everyone!

Cheers.

I'm a definite non-starter now, my work trip has been confirmed so I'll be out of town :td:

Enjoy!

Bummer you can't make it, but understand work. Just got a PM from another FTer they'll be able to attend.

Cheers.

Bummer you can't make it, but understand work. Just got a PM from another FTer they'll be able to attend.

Cheers.

If anyone is around CKY then feel free to say hello ; but highly unlikely ;)

I am going to try to come for a beer on the 17th but have a car booked and have to head out of London by about 7 ish.

Have you got a bar decided yet for the Soho beers? At the moment thinking of picking the rental car up and dumping it on a meter in East London somewhere, that or drive it up to Hatfield early afternoon and leave it there then come back on a train to Kings X.

If anyone has any smarter ideas for concealing a rental car somewhere in London for a couple of hours then please share, is there a short term car park at Kings X?

Just booked my flights. Arriving on the 10th; departing on the 20th.

Will sort out the Friday drinkies & Sat dinner location this week & update the first post.

Cheers.

Have you got a bar decided yet for the Soho beers? At the moment thinking of picking the rental car up and dumping it on a meter in East London somewhere, that or drive it up to Hatfield early afternoon and leave it there then come back on a train to Kings X.

If anyone has any smarter ideas for concealing a rental car somewhere in London for a couple of hours then please share, is there a short term car park at Kings X?

Hi Johnny - called over from UK & Ireland to see if I can figure anything out ;)

There is a short stay car park at St Pancras (entrance on Pancras Road) just opposite the back entrance to King's Cross, but it isn't cheap at £6/12/18 for 1/3/6 hours.

If it's going to be Soho, though, I'd personally go for on-street parking around Fitzrovia, north of Oxford Street - it's still mostly free after 6.30pm (there was much fuss about this recently!) and I've always been able to find a space within about 5-10 minutes on the rare occasion I've driven down. I tend to look around Manchester Square or further east towards the Bloomsbury university sites or Inns of Court.

If you're then headed up the A1, you can drive along to Seymour Place, then up along Lisson Grove through West Hampstead to the A41, then the A1 through Hendon. Wave as you pass Biggleswade ;)

Feel free to PM me.

Cheers Stut,

Is Charlotte Street still OK for on street parking? plus I would have the congestion charge too to get there for 5pm wouldn't I? I remember when you could park on Rathbone Place, go to Soho for beers then sleep in the car and go straight back to work the next day.

All in all I am thinking that leaving the car outside London then coming back is the soundest answer. Then I get the car outside of London before rush hour and I can have a beer without risking crashing through someone's pampas grass in Brookman's Park.

Alternatively if you can think of a station between Brookman's Park and Kings X where I could park up then get the train from/to that is also an option

Will you be showing your face Stut?

Edit: Actually thinking of not bothering with Friday but going back in on the Saturday then postponing my northern trip for a day. It's grim up North so why not?

Edit: Actually thinking of not bothering with Friday but going back in on the Saturday then postponing my northern trip for a day. It's grim up North so why not?

Makes sense to me :D (but then I don't have to drive)

Cheers.

Cheers Stut,

Is Charlotte Street still OK for on street parking? plus I would have the congestion charge too to get there for 5pm wouldn't I? I remember when you could park on Rathbone Place, go to Soho for beers then sleep in the car and go straight back to work the next day.

All in all I am thinking that leaving the car outside London then coming back is the soundest answer. Then I get the car outside of London before rush hour and I can have a beer without risking crashing through someone's pampas grass in Brookman's Park.

Alternatively if you can think of a station between Brookman's Park and Kings X where I could park up then get the train from/to that is also an option

Will you be showing your face Stut?

Edit: Actually thinking of not bothering with Friday but going back in on the Saturday then postponing my northern trip for a day. It's grim up North so why not?

Ah, good point, I forgot about the C-Charge (I only ever usually cycle in London these days!)

Well, between Brookman's Park and London, either go for Potters Bar, which has a massive station car park and has the fast trains to Finsbury Park and King's Cross, or head to the end of one of the Tube lines. Cockfosters is quite decent for parking, and easily accessed from the M25 - if you don't mind the slow progress on the Piccadilly Line through north London. On the plus side, that's then direct down to Leicester Square.

Downside of Potters Bar is that the fast trains are only every half-hour. St Albans (again, big multi-storey at the station, £3/day after 10am) is rather better served, at least 4 an hour taking under 20 minutes to St Pancras.

I've done Tottenham Hale before, to get back from late night stuff in Brixton, but it's a miserable drive, and only really useful if you're heading rather further east.

I'm not going to make it IN to London this year, it seems. With LHR taxes/surcharges as high as they are, it costs about the same to fly to LHR or to fly onward on BA to another destination.

We decided that Istanbul would be something new and exotic for my 40th. :-: Not that I don't love London, but I was just there a couple of weekends ago and need to do something different!

BUT... if any OW folks are around T3 on Monday February 20th, we'll be lounge hopping for about 5 hours that day (starting around noon) while we wait for our flight back to ORD so look for us... most likely, we'll be holding court near the champagne in the Galleries First Lounge, but expect appearances at CX, JL, and who knows where as we try to celebrate in good fashion.

Sorry you won't make it IN to London, but IST sounds fun for your birthday! A few FTers have had birthday celebrations there. Have a great time celebrating both in IST & T3.

Sorry I won't be able to make T3, but I fly out of T1 @ noon on Mon 20th. But if any FTers are around T1 between 10am-noon, we can have some drinkies in the *Alliance Lounge.

Cheers.

I'm not going to make it IN to London this year, it seems. With LHR taxes/surcharges as high as they are, it costs about the same to fly to LHR or to fly onward on BA to another destination.



Well there you go George Osborne, real people choosing not to spend their hard earned money in London because of the high taxes

https://www.facebook.com/afairtaxonflying

I normally fly into London and out of MAD, but this time around the difference was way less than a one way to MAD

Wherever you are techgirl have a cool birthday.

Ah, good point, I forgot about the C-Charge (I only ever usually cycle in London these days!)

Well, between Brookman's Park and London, either go for Potters Bar, which has a massive station car park and has the fast trains to Finsbury Park and King's Cross, or head to the end of one of the Tube lines. Cockfosters is quite decent for parking, and easily accessed from the M25 - if you don't mind the slow progress on the Piccadilly Line through north London. On the plus side, that's then direct down to Leicester Square.

Downside of Potters Bar is that the fast trains are only every half-hour. St Albans (again, big multi-storey at the station, £3/day after 10am) is rather better served, at least 4 an hour taking under 20 minutes to St Pancras.

I've done Tottenham Hale before, to get back from late night stuff in Brixton, but it's a miserable drive, and only really useful if you're heading rather further east.

Thanks again Stut, I think plan A was the dandiest. I will say a quick hi on the 17th then meet a friend, head back to Herts. Then come back on the train for the beers on the 18th. So SkiAdcock, you can put me down for beers on both days.

Look forward to meeting some of you. So Stut are you going to venture out or not?

Well there you go George Osborne, real people choosing not to spend their hard earned money in London because of the high taxes

https://www.facebook.com/afairtaxonflying

I normally fly into London and out of MAD, but this time around the difference was way less than a one way to MAD

Wherever you are techgirl have a cool birthday.

When I was booking my air on award, I looked at a mixed award (F/C) & first checked them out as 1-way awards. Taxes on F award TO LHR were $30US. Taxes on C award FROM LHR were $232US. $200 dif would pay for a few drinkies! I even considered flying via Germany primarily because I wanted to fly LH F but the 2nd bennie was taxes were less. But by the time I booked saver award on LH F was gone.

Cheers.

Definitely interested, maybe around

No interest.

No interest.

But interested enough to post no interest ;) :p :D

Cheers.

I'm definitely interested in drinks or dinner on Saturday. I'd love to come to drinks on Friday too/instead, but I'm not sure I'll be back in time (I get in to LHR from NCE at 14:05).

Incidentally, I live just north of Soho (by Tottenham Court Road station), so if anyone would like any pub or restaurant recommendations, just let me know.

Will add you to the list for Sat & maybe on Fri. Drinks on Fri usually run 'til about 20:00ish, so if you want to join us you'd probably be ok.

I'm working on the drinks location for Fri & Sat night, and will post soon. I'm thinking since we have a smaller group this time that we might not do Wagamamas like we have in the past when we had a large group.

mechteach, if I have any questions I'll PM you.

Cheers.

I'm in the boonies of Oxfordshire and am traveling to SOmerset on Sat or Sun I think, but I could perhaps manage Fri eve... so put me in as a maybe. :)

Quite possibly a potentially definite maybe for attending on the Saturday night. Inbound from SCL/BOG/UIO/MIA/MAN and JER on the Saturday afternoon with a Sunday morning departure for MIA/BOG/ADZ

Happy landings
Spottie.

I'm checking into locations (in Soho) for the Saturday dinner, and need to get an approximate head count of who plans on attending the dinner on Saturday, the 18th (my birthday!).

In the past we've done 'real' restaurants vs. Wagamamas & were able to relax over dinner/not be done by 8:00pm. Depending on group size we might be able to do that again. I can't give you exacts right now because I need to know how many so I can check with restaurants if they can accomodate, but I am looking at places that have reasonable prices.

Also, while some restaurants in the past have done separate credit cards for large groups, not all do so plan accordingly on cash. There are plenty of ATMs in Soho.

So please let me know via this thread or via PM if you think you'll make dinner on Saturday.

For Friday drinkies & Saturday pub we don't need formal rsvp's, but if you think you'll make either let me know so I can try to get an area for us.

Cheers.

So please let me know via this thread or via PM if you think you'll make dinner on Saturday.

For Friday drinkies & Saturday pub we don't need formal rsvp's, but if you think you'll make either let me know so I can try to get an area for us.

Yes for dinner Saturday. Probably not drinks on Friday (though I'll try!)

Yes for dinner.

The place that replaced last year's Friday drinkies place has gone more upscale, so am checking into two other places - both in Soho. One looks like it will be fine. The other actually opens next Tues, and a friend is going to opening event & will report back on the place, drink prices & if we can get a separate area for our group.

I'm looking at either of two French places (that have reasonable fixed price menus, in addition to ala carte), Italian and an Indian place, for Saturday. I think all would be similar in pricing. I know the 2 French places we could have our own room; not sure about the others.

Again, it will help me if those who think they'll make dinner on the Saturday would post on the thread or send me a PM. And again, not required on drinkies or pub on Sat but would help there as well so I can try to arrange a spot for us.

Cheers.

Yes for drinks and dinner on saturday.

Yes, for both drinks and dinner on Saturday.

I'm sorry, but I won't be able to make Saturday dinner, so I'll have to retract my earlier confirmation. Hope you all have a lovely time.

I plan to be at Friday drinkies & Saturday pub; almost certain (90+%) to be at Saturday dinner as well.

If a private room is available for us for Saturday dinner, that would be a definite plus from my perspective.

PS - I'll be slumming it at the Hilton Metropole; flights are on LH via FRA (arr LHR mid-morning 17 Feb; leave early on the 19th.

Hi everyone...since plans with friends fell through, I will now be able to attend both drinks and dinner on Friday and Saturday night. I'm a single male traveler, with no real plans made except that at my young age I'll be staying in a hostel near the Kensington Gardens on the Queens Gate side. So if anyone want to do anything fun during the day, feel free to send me a PM.

I then leave Sunday evening at 7:30pm from LHR so probably won't be able to attend the Sunday night festivities.

Look forward to meeting everyone!:D

Look forward to meeting you. BTW - there aren't any Sunday activities that I'm aware of, so you're ok on missing those :)

I leave for London tomorrow, so will check out some of the venues for drinkies on Friday & dinner on Saturday, and post here.

Cheers.

I'm going 'up west' tomorrow afternoon. By all means send me a PM if you want me to stick my nose in any establishments and have a word.

I'm not gonna be able to make it. I decided to do one night in London and three nights in Dublin, instead of two each. Since I'm only there for less than 24 hours, as much as I'd love to meet new FTs, I need to actually see a few friends during the limited time I'm there. Perhaps another time! Happy birthday and hope you have fun!

Sorry you can't make it; understand why.

I leave for London tomorrow (arrive the 10th) so I'm also available to meet for drinkies before the acutal Do.

Cheers.

Plans finally set. I get back to London from HNL in the afternoon on Sunday. Would be pleased to join for any events on Sunday evening or Monday.

Not sure what's going on Sunday eve since I think most are flying out, but if any FTers are still in town please post. I am, but might have another engagement. If that doesn't happen I could meet.

PS - I'm checking out tomorrow aft the new club that opened up that might have space for us for drinkies on the Friday.

Cheers.

In LON until Tuesday morning. Was hoping to travel out to Salisbury/Old Sarum/Stonehenge on Monday - touristy but I've never been out there and I like looking at rocks :eek:

Cheers -

Plans finally set. I get back to London from HNL in the afternoon on Sunday. Would be pleased to join for any events on Sunday evening or Monday.

Not sure what's going on Sunday eve since I think most are flying out, but if any FTers are still in town please post. I am, but might have another engagement. If that doesn't happen I could meet.

PS - I'm checking out tomorrow aft the new club that opened up that might have space for us for drinkies on the Friday.

Cheers.

I'm sorry, but I won't be able to make Saturday dinner, so I'll have to retract my earlier confirmation. Hope you all have a lovely time.

I am a numpty. For some reason I'd got it into my head that the DO was this weekend, not next. And while I am not available this Saturday I should be able to make it next Saturday. :o

So if I may retract my retraction and reconfirm for the dinner on Saturday 18 February. See you all then.

So if I may retract my retraction and reconfirm for the dinner on Saturday 18 February. See you all then.

LOL - you're back on the list.

May have a spot for us where we have it all to ourselves for Friday drinkies - will confirm on Monday. Same with the restaurant for Saturday tonight.

Cheers.

Sorry I haven't reconfirmed - I was stuck in the trip from hell. I'm back now, though, and I would like to confirm for the Saturday night dinner.

Will have drinkies Fri, pub Sat & dinner Sat confirmed tomorrow (Tues) aft London time, and will post once everything's sorted. I'll update post one, as well as post later in the thread in case not everyone is reading the first post.

Cheers.

Will have drinkies Fri, pub Sat & dinner Sat confirmed tomorrow (Tues) aft London time, and will post once everything's sorted. I'll update post one, as well as post later in the thread in case not everyone is reading the first post.

Cheers.

Will definitely be there for Friday drinks, and maybe a meal after too. Look forward to hearing about the drinks venue.

Ok, here we go!

FRIDAY, FEB 17th, 5:00pm-8:00pm

The Groucho Club, 45 Dean Street, Soho, +44 (0) 207 439 4685, www.thegrouchoclub.com. It's on Dean St near the corner of Old Compton & Dean St. Leicester Square & Tottenham Court Road are the 2 nearest tube stops.

This is the private club I belong to & they are giving us a private room (The Club Room) to meet for drinkies off the upstairs bar. This means we'll have room to ourselves to gab miles & points.

When you arrive, tell them you're part of my party & they'll direct you to the club room.

NOTE!! IMPORTANT!! POINTS 1-7

1. I need to have your 'real' name(s) (not handle) for the guest list @ reception to allow you entry, so please PM me your real name.

2. Because it is a private club I am responsible for you all & you need to behave (ie, no getting into fisticuffs over who has the highest status :p :D). I'm joking about the fisticuffs, but serious about the behaving part.

3. No matter how much fun we're all having, 8pm is the witching hour for our group & non-members can't stay behind after I've left the building.

4. Cell phones are not allowed to be used in the club; if you want to use a cell you'll need to trot back down to reception to use it there.

5. Photographs, whether from your cell phone or from a regular camera, are not allowed.

6. If by chance there are any celebs there when you're there, asking for photos, telephone #s, email addresses, dates, autographs, passing along scripts or resumes, is not allowed.

7. They'll only allow one bar bill, so bring GBP with you. We can do a coin toss to see if one person wants to put it on their credit card, but for the rest of you you'll need GBP.

Options for those who want to grab a bite to eat/dinner post-drinkies:

Some 'FT-recommended' options for Friday that are in Soho. Marsala Zone; Pizza Express (no they don't just serve pizza & they actually have decent wine); Wagamama's (noodles). Busabi eathai (Thai; similar to Waga's) & Y Ming (Chinese). The hummus place that FTers like (Pea/Pod; something like that is one block away).

If folk want to continue drinking/gabbing post-drinkies or restaurants, there are plenty of pubs in the area. The only part I am organizing is the drinkies location at 5:00pm.

SATURDAY, FEB 18th (my birthday!),

BTW - feel free to give me birthday gifts of SWUs, CR1s, bottles of wine, champagne, etc :D :D

Day open to sleep in, go to museums, shopping, restaurants, matinee theatre, London walks, etc.

* If someone decides to organize something for during the day such as walking tours, museum visiting, please post in the thread and I'll update this section to reflect it.

4:00pm-6:15pm, Ye Grapes Pub, Shepherd's Market. It's a 5-minute walk from the Green Park tube stop on the Picadilly line. I'll try to get the area we always sit in reserved for us if I can.

6:45pm Dinner Pierre Victoire, 5 Dean Street, Soho, + 44 (0) 20 7287 4582, http://www.pierrevictoire.com/london/restaurant/pierrevictoire.asp

We have a private dining room at the restaurant; reservations are under the name of "Sharon".

The restaurant has an ala carte menu, but it also has a 2-course 'set menu' pricing of 12.90GBP with options to choose from on the 2 courses. Example here: http://www.pierrevictoire.com/london/pdfs/pierrevictoire_set_menu.pdf

They're quite busy because it's a Sat night, so we'll probably be out the door by 9pm so they can get the later group in. I debated doing dinner later, but the set price menu wasn't available then & I was thinking of the exchange rate etc.

After dinner on Saturday - pubs, clubs, casinos, or back to hotels to drink and/or sleep; to each their own. In the 9 years previous, people did their own thing. Some as a group or individuals went to a pub, some went for coffee, some went back to their hotels, some went clubbing.

A gentle reminder: I am organizing the drinkies on Friday, the drinkies on Sat, the main dinner on Saturday - that's all. Events/activities during the day before drinkies on Fri & Sat or in the evening post-drinkies pn Fri & main dinner on Sat are up to individual FTers.

Sunday is open for those who are still in town & want to organize something.

If you have a mobile that works in the UK, PM it to me & I'll PM you mine.

Cheers.

Arrive Sat morning and will be there for dinner [+1] - will do my best to have some drinkies at Ye Grapes Pub beforehand too



Cheers -

Weather is going to be warm this weekend (51 in day-44 in eve in F/11 in day; 5-7 in eve C). But expected to rain 70% chance on Sat, so bring an umbrella.

Cheers.

BTW - for those that will be joining us at the Groucho Club on Friday, they have a coatcheck so if you have backpacks, luggage, coats, etc, you can just check them.

And yes I need 'real' names for the guest list because GC is confused by FT 'handles' :D

Cheers.

BTW - for those that will be joining us at the Groucho Club on Friday, they have a coatcheck so if you have backpacks, luggage, coats, etc, you can just check them.

And yes I need 'real' names for the guest list because GC is confused by FT 'handles' :D

Cheers.

No doubt confused by handles such as mine. ;)

Thanks for the info and for the weather forecast.

Cheers.

For those who have provided 'real' names, thanks. For those who haven't yet, please PM me. Thx.

Cheers.

Greetings from sunny London! (too bad it won't be that way on Sat, although it will be 51 degrees F).

For those who have asked about a 'dress code' at the Groucho. It's not like the private clubs in the financial district where suit/tie is mandatory. Attire ranges from jeans to trendy to suits. I probably wouldn't show up in t-shirt/jeans, but a tux isn't required.

Cheers.

In LON until Tuesday morning. Was hoping to travel out to Salisbury/Old Sarum/Stonehenge on Monday - touristy but I've never been out there and I like looking at rocks :eek:

Cheers -

Keep me posted (for Sunday night / Monday). Not sure if I can get away for that long on Monday but there is a chance!

Due to a strike in FRA my flight may get canceled. So far almost ALL flights out of FRA from 7:30 am - 12 a.m. for tomorrow are canceled. My flight is one of very very FEW ! still operating. If anyone is planning flying via FRA keep an eye on that. And keep your fingers crossed that I will be able to make it!

As a 'Londoner' , I really would have loved to take part, but I shall be heading West tomoorow, Friday, to Northern Minnesota for a spot of Snowmobiling...maybe next time ?

Due to a strike in FRA my flight may get canceled. So far almost ALL flights out of FRA from 7:30 am - 12 a.m. for tomorrow are canceled. My flight is one of very very FEW ! still operating. If anyone is planning flying via FRA keep an eye on that. And keep your fingers crossed that I will be able to make it!

Can't they give you a ticket from Cologne and pay the train ticket, too?

Can't they give you a ticket from Cologne and pay the train ticket, too?

I have an option out of DUS + rail&fly for 25€, if my flight gets canceled. That's not bad at all. However, I prefer to fly FRA-LHR ^

Hope the German folk get out ok - ie, you can work around the strike.

We may have 2 'surprise guests' tomorrow. Don't know yet if they can make it, but it will be fun if they can. They're not FTers but are industry folk.

Cheers.

Hi,
This is completely new for me, but I'm always up for an adventure. Arriving UA934 on 9/20 at 1:25pm and staying at the Rubens. I've never been to London outside of LHR, so interested in joining up to explore. Let me know what the itinerary is on 9/20 and I'll try to join up.

....but I shall be heading West tomoorow, Friday, to Northern Minnesota for a spot of Snowmobiling...maybe next time ?

lucky you !!^ I have a snowmobile that has sat mostly idle in N Wisconsin (St Germain/Sayner area) for most the past 5 winters because the winters have been so mild there hasn't been acceptable trail conditions when I was able to get out riding.:(

Trying to get to LHR to celebrate with y'all.

Hi,
This is completely new for me, but I'm always up for an adventure. Arriving UA934 on 9/20 at 1:25pm and staying at the Rubens. I've never been to London outside of LHR, so interested in joining up to explore. Let me know what the itinerary is on 9/20 and I'll try to join up.

Are you referring to Sept 20th or Feb 20th? This Do is happening this weekend in Feb. If you're referring to Feb you might want to PM ExpatPat re: mtg, as he'll be in town on Feb 20th. Most of us are headed back on the 20th this year.

Am headed into London in a few minutes. Meeting BristolTraveller for a quick lunch at Paddington, as he's on a train out of London this aft & won't be able to meet us tonight.

PS - For those who asked re: getting cash, there is an ATM on Dean St 1/2-way between Oxford Street & Shaftsbury Ave.

See the folk arriving today tonight & those tomorrow, tomorrow aft.

Cheers.

Spent a lovely morning hiking around Hampstead. Looking forward to seeing everyone a little later today!

I didn't hear the entire announcement, but I heard them mention some of the tube lines will have closures or delays this weekend so check the tube line website or ask your hotels.

Waiting to get into my hotel room to unpack & will then head over to Groucho.

Cheers.

Finally got settled here after a delay this morning in which our plane had a flat tire in AMS. I'll be jumping on the Picadilly line in about 15min so will let you know if i see/hear any delays.

I am also on my way :p

I didn't hear the entire announcement, but I heard them mention some of the tube lines will have closures or delays this weekend so check the tube line website or ask your hotels.

Waiting to get into my hotel room to unpack & will then head over to Groucho.

Cheers.

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/livetravelnews/planned-works/calendar/default.aspx

I made it, too. But I need some sleep due to a busy week.

I will join the Notting Hill & Portobello Market tour from London walks.
London Walks Tours (http://www.walks.com/London_Walks_Home/Saturdays_Walks/default.aspx#12903)
Meeting Point: Holland Park Tube Stop at 10:45am

I've just had news that SWMBO has been admitted to hospital (for quite a serious condition), so I'm flying back to London on the first available flight tomorrow from CKY. Will be arriving @ LHR from CDG on Sunday morning, so if anyone is around will try say a quick hello, otherwise straight to the hospital!

I've just had news that SWMBO has been admitted to hospital (for quite a serious condition), so I'm flying back to London on the first available flight tomorrow from CKY. Will be arriving @ LHR from CDG on Sunday morning, so if anyone is around will try say a quick hello, otherwise straight to the hospital!

Sorry to hear that. Healing wishes.

Cheers.

We have our usual 'area' (small alcove around the end of the bar) at Ye Grapes reserved for us at 4pm today. See everyone there.

If anyone's around & gets this before then, I'm going to have a drink in the Bourbon Bar or the Park Room around 3:15pm-3:30pm at Grosvenor House on Park Lane before heading to Ye Grapes (if you're headed to Ye Grapes & heading down Park Lane from Marble Arch etc, you'll pass it on the way), so if anyone gets this/wants to join me, see you then.

It was fun seeing everyone at Groucho last night; I liked the room to ourselves part! Sorry I came at the tailend of the Indian dinner, but was catching up w/ a local friend. And then afterwards caught up w/ ajamieson back at Groucho, who got there as we were leaving Marsala Zone.

Cheers.

Best wishes! Sorry to miss this year's festivities.

Last night was good. The club room at Groucho's was a peaceful haven from the zoo outside, and Masala Zone was a welcome new experience. Friday-night London...... the tubes were a mess. More hassle using them than actually flying into London. :(

Methinks the birthday girl was only just gearing up for the big day today. Sorry I will miss it. Enjoy, y'all!

Many thanks again to SkiAdcock for organizing this Do! Last night was a blast, both at the restaurant and for drinks at the club afterwards.

Great seeing everyone on Friday & Saturday!

Cheers.

Thank you skiadock for the great organization. Again a great Do.

Ran into KMA26 today at LHR Star Alliance Lounge. Fun way to end the weekend. I think we walked halfway back to the U.S. getting to our planes from the lounge. Next time I'm wearing a pedometer :D

Cheers.

So I brought a camera to London to take pics of the Do activities, but forgot the batteries for it & never was around a place to buy some. What do I find buried in one of the laptop case pockets today - batteries! Grr. Well, good times were had even if no visual documentation.

Cheers.

So I brought a camera to London to take pics of the Do activities, but forgot the batteries for it & never was around a place to buy some. What do I find buried in one of the laptop case pockets today - batteries! Grr. Well, good times were had even if no visual documentation.

Cheers.

Servus took at least one picture during Saturday dinner...

It was great to see some old friends again and to meet some new ones.

^ to the b-day girl

Thanks Ski

Cheers

Ran into KMA26 today at LHR Star Alliance Lounge. Fun way to end the weekend. I think we walked halfway back to the U.S. getting to our planes from the lounge. Next time I'm wearing a pedometer :D


Yes, it was a long walk but after all the beer and food I had over the weekend, I badly needed the exercise!

It was great to see everyone this weekend at a wonderful event.
Thanks so much to Sharon for her organizing. :-:

Cheers.

How do I manage to miss this thing every year. I'm in London quite a bit and could easily have arranged to make one of these, yet I never manage to look in CommunityBuzz until it's way too late. Oh well, sounds like a good time. I'll try to give myself a reminder next year around this time.