UK and Ireland LitNet Meet-Up???

[SleepyWitch]

some members have suggested a LitNet meet-up before, but the logistics seem very complicated. I was thinking couldn't we have regional meet-ups? E.g. LitNetters from the UK and Ireland could meet up? (Keep your fingers crossed that I'll find a school for my induction year). How's about sometime in autumn 2010. That would give us some time to plan things etc.

[Niamh]

being in ireland... i'm game for that! :D

[SleepyWitch]

ok, let's meet up in Dublin then :) I can take the ferry from virtually right outside my front door ;)

nah, seriously, what about the location? I guess London is easiest to reach from anywhere in the UK seeing as the rail roads are totally centralized. but on the other hand that would be really clichéd and London isn't even anywhere near the middle of the UK. It would be nice to meet up in the centre because of the symbolism.... but not in an abominable place like Milton Keynes :)

[Virgil]

Drats. I would love to join you, even if I'm not in England or Ireland. I'd come over, but unfortunately I don't think my wife and I will be able to travel next year.

But actually I'm not sure i want to fly any more. Have you seen these body scanners that they may be going to? First I'd be embarresed to be exposed like that? Second, I don't want all those x-rays zapping into me.


http://notesfromthebartender.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/rapi_scan_lg.jpghttp://therawfeed.com/pix/airport_xray_scanner.jpg

God, what an aweful job it will be to review all these nudy pictures of old people. :lol:

[Maryd.]

True Virgil, but I'm sure they won't be complaining when they get to the more younger firmer looking people.

[1n50mn14]

I would love to have that job- plenty of young'uns go through the airport, too :D.

As for a U.K/Ireland meetup, I may be in London next September, so if it happens around then... I'll come be a Canadian imposter.

[Maryd.]

Hey guys, when is the meet up happening, I would love to attend... Oh wait I can't I live down under. If I start walking today, I might make it there by oh.... Let's say 2015:lol::lol:

See you then:wave::wave:

[Virgil]

True Virgil, but I'm sure they won't be complaining when they get to the more younger firmer looking people.


I would love to have that job- plenty of young'uns go through the airport, too :D.


I bet that most people wouldn't want to see 90% of the people in the world naked. Now if you can assure me of that other 10% coming through my machine then I'd take the job. :D

Edit: Wait, it must be of the female gender, so let me have that 5%. :p

[MANICHAEAN]

Breakaway splinter group? Lit Net X-Ray Voyeurs!

[1n50mn14]

Hey guys, when is the meet up happening, I would love to attend... Oh wait I can't I live down under. If I start walking today, I might make it there by oh.... Let's say 2015:lol::lol:

See you then:wave::wave:

Hope you're a strong swimmer, too ;)

[Maryd.]

Hope you're a strong swimmer, too ;)

DOH! I have to swim:eek: But I can't, I will just have to kidnap a Captain of a boat then... Are there any sweet little old captains on litnet... Anyone... Anyone... :bawling::bawling::bawling:

[TheFifthElement]

It would be nice to meet up in the centre because of the symbolism.... but not in an abominable place like Milton Keynes :)

Manchester is fairly central ;)

[neilgee]

Manchester is fairly central ;)

Ha ha ha. I'm not going to argue with that one since I'm already there.

Milton Keynes? I thought that was London.

[SleepyWitch]

heheh, yeah, I think Manchester is pretty central, too ;) and I'm not only saying that because it's an hour by train from Liverpool.


Americans, you could have your own "regional" meet-up... like all of the U.S. or different parts of the U.S. depending on how much interstate flights are and how much you want to spent

[Lokasenna]

ok, let's meet up in Dublin then :) I can take the ferry from virtually right outside my front door ;)

nah, seriously, what about the location? I guess London is easiest to reach from anywhere in the UK seeing as the rail roads are totally centralized. but on the other hand that would be really clichéd and London isn't even anywhere near the middle of the UK. It would be nice to meet up in the centre because of the symbolism.... but not in an abominable place like Milton Keynes :)

London? Easy to get to? Frankly, its easier to get to the middle of the Amazon jungle than our capital! The trains are insanely expensive (£214 return from North Wales when I last tried to get there), the National Express buses have a barmy timetable and take an absolute age to get there, going by air still lands you with the difficulty of getting from Heathrow/Gatwick/Stanstead into London itself, and any poor sod who drives has to navigate both the M25 (the most obvious example of the hand of Satan in the affairs of man) and the congestion charge.

Manchester would be easier to get to, and Birmingham would be about as central as it gets, albeit harder to reach!

[prendrelemick]

How about Dublin on St Patrick's day. I think there may be a bit of a party going on at the same time.

[kasie]

Name the time and the place and I'll try to be there - any time except the second half of February when I will be in Egypt, all being well.

As for central, Stratford is only a few miles from the geographical centre of England and would be absurdly appropriate for a Lit Forum meet - we might even make it to the refurbished theatre, if it opens on time. But Manchester or Birmingham or even London are more accessible by public transport.

Lockasenna - try buying your rail tickets on-line in advance, if you can, they are much, much cheaper - I can travel from south-west Wales to Manchester for £35 if I book in advance, I can't drive there for that.

[Jozanny]

Name the time and the place and I'll try to be there - any time except the second half of February when I will be in Egypt, all being well.

Pardon me for butting in, but oh you lucky lady! Egypt! Please share with me some pictures!

I consider it an adventure just that I might be going to SF this spring for the American Literature Association conference, and kasie drops Egypt as casually as a hat!:D

I may never get to Europe, but England never really excited my imagination. Maybe I know too much from reading.

[TheFifthElement]

I may never get to Europe, but England never really excited my imagination. Maybe I know too much from reading.

Jozy, Britain in reality and Britain in literature are two very different beasts. If it's any consolation, it doesn't excite my imagination that much, and I live here :D

[Virgil]

How about Dublin on St Patrick's day. I think there may be a bit of a party going on at the same time.
Oh that would be cool, but wouldn't trhe hotel rooms be taken? Unless of course we book early and take them ourselves.


Jozy, Britain in reality and Britain in literature are two very different beasts.

Oh absolutely. I find it amazing how people think they understand living in the US by just reading newspapers or watching the news.

[Jozanny]

Jozy, Britain in reality and Britain in literature are two very different beasts. If it's any consolation, it doesn't excite my imagination that much, and I live here :D

Opps ;) I hesitated and thought about apologizing in advance of that comment, but then decided I have been around long enough that I've caught litnet forum-ese, not that the disease hasn't manifested itself in the past, but I did not mean it as a slight. The Continent excites me, and I hope I can remain well enough to get to Italy one day, but unless I go back to work, that hope is dimming, but the thought of Oxford or London never made me wistful, though I think on his grand tour, you could have bumped into my father in the mid-1970's.

You all have fun though. Net meets can be enjoyable.

[TheFifthElement]

Opps ;) I hesitated and thought about apologizing in advance of that comment, but then decided I have been around long enough that I've caught litnet forum-ese, not that the disease hasn't manifested itself in the past, but I did not mean it as a slight. The Continent excites me, and I hope I can remain well enough to get to Italy one day, but unless I go back to work, that hope is dimming, but the thought of Oxford or London never made me wistful, though I think on his grand tour, you could have bumped into my father in the mid-1970's.
Oh, I didn't take it as a slight Jazanny, not in the least bit :)

Italy is lovely. If you do get chance to go, take it. Rome is stunning. Venice is nice, but not as nice as Rome ;) One of the best things about living in Britain is that there are so many other places which are not Britain, and which are very easy to get to :D

[Zee.]

^ venice is better than rome

[Pensive]

I am all for anywhere in England in the coming summer vacations!

[Virgil]

^ venice is better than rome

I would agree with that, picturesk wise. :) Venice is probably the most stunning city I've ever been too. But Rome is cool with all you can do and see.

[Jozanny]

I would agree with that, picturesk wise. :) Venice is probably the most stunning city I've ever been too. But Rome is cool with all you can do and see.

Uh, what would you have me do, put my power chair on a gondola and sink?:D

[wessexgirl]

I like the sound of Stratford, (it's quite near to me in Birmingham :D) and as Kasie says, we could try to take in the theatre. I'd be game for that. You never know when in Stratford who you will see wandering around, just remember, David Tennant was there last year :brow:.We could hang around the Dirty Duck in the hope of seeing some of the talent :nod:.

[Virgil]

Uh, what would you have me do, put my power chair on a gondola and sink?:D

We could use the wheel chair motor as a motor for the boat. :lol:

[SleepyWitch]

I like the sound of Stratford, (it's quite near to me in Birmingham :D) and as Kasie says, we could try to take in the theatre. I'd be game for that. You never know when in Stratford who you will see wandering around, just remember, David Tennant was there last year :brow:.We could hang around the Dirty Duck in the hope of seeing some of the talent :nod:.
yeah, Stratford is nice. But then it's a pain to get there by train, it's small and touristy and the church where Shakespeare is burried closes around 3.30 to 4 p.m. Plus, the youthhostel is miles outside the town and the busses are few and far between.

[Whifflingpin]

"the busses are few and far between. "

Ha-ha
I would not normally comment on the spelling in these fora, but this made me laugh. More than one bus is always written "buses."

What Sleepywitch wrote is that there is not much kissing in Stratford, which could surely be remedied if we all went there.
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[neilgee]

Stratford has my second-best vote. I love watching the RSC and there are some reasonably cheap hotels for those who don't fancy the youth hostel. It might be touristy but it's scenic around the theatre with the river flowing by.

However, Manchester remains my main choice as it's so easy to get to lol.

[Maryd.]

I have been informed to learn to swim if I am going to make it to England by 2015. So a cheap hotel is sounding like a good idea. Mind you there is chat at home here about doing some voyaging in the near future. Maybe Europe... Should be interesting. If I can I will advertise, there are many litnetters I would like to meet. If not... Then swimming is the only choice. Don't know how far my little arms and legs will take me though.:banana::banana:

[LitNetIsGreat]

Sheffield is a cool place which is often overlooked. :wave:

http://www.britevents.com/img/event_pictures/titles/kelham_island_museum.jpg

Besides we have running water now...

http://www.avidimages.com/preview/2006/08/15/sheffield_panorama_avidimages_684_prev.jpg

And UK award winning pubs:

http://www.whitebeertravels.co.uk/images/fat_cat_outside.jpg
(Fat Cat)

http://img01.beerintheevening.com/c6/c667a888d1c2eee123ab92f5166bccd7.jpg

http://www.urbanghosts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Kelham-Island-Tavern.jpg

Some cool theatres:

http://www.digyorkshire.com/visuals/330x380/57/1457.jpg

http://www.s114752254.websitehome.co.uk/squash/englishopen/images/836-36a.jpg

Steel heritage (if you are into that sort of stuff)

http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/71/126271-004-345EC9C5.jpg

That is a Bessemer converter, it turns iron into steel...

All the usual noise:

And me:

http://www.celebrific.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/brad_pitt-twin-book.jpg

:wave: Ha, ha.

[Maryd.]

Hey neely, they all sound like nice places to stay. Not to sure about that last place... Where do I fit in there?????

[LitNetIsGreat]

Hey, that last place is Kelham Island Museum - around the corner lie three top class pubs Fat Cat, Kelham Island Tavern, and another one? Ssssh, I know what I am doing...(though I always get lost around the back streets there, it is the old industrial centre of Sheffield, me and my brother walked around for 45 minutes the other week trying to find the pubs in icy conditions - it was dark!

What can you do er, just rob a bank and come along, it is worth it, the ale is quality.

[Maryd.]

Hey, that last place is Kelham Island Museum - around the corner lie three top class pubs Fat Cat, Kelham Island Tavern, and another one? Ssssh, I know what I am doing...(though I always get lost around the back streets there, it is the old industrial centre of Sheffield, me and my brother walked around for 45 minutes the other week trying to find the pubs in icy conditions - it was dark!

What can you do er, just rob a bank and come along, it is worth it, the ale is quality. :lol::lol::lol:

You are so funny. Would love to come... Maybe one day.:wave:

[wessexgirl]

Neely, I didn't realise you were so handsome......:nod:. Sheffield looks cool, but I still go for Stratford. As a relatively new driver, I think I could make my way there, it's not far from Brum, and I've travelled it many times as a passenger. I still haven't negotiated motorways yet :eek: which I'd have to do with Sheffield. But the main reason is the theatre. There is something magic about Stratford, (or is that just me?). I like to think that Will walked around there, (although obviously not by the new shops etc. :lol:).

[LitNetIsGreat]

Neely, I didn't realise you were so handsome......:nod:. Sheffield looks cool, but I still go for Stratford. As a relatively new driver, I think I could make my way there, it's not far from Brum, and I've travelled it many times as a passenger. I still haven't negotiated motorways yet :eek: which I'd have to do with Sheffield. But the main reason is the theatre. There is something magic about Stratford, (or is that just me?). I like to think that Will walked around there, (although obviously not by the new shops etc. :lol:).

Oh, yes I'm even better looking than that, that is just a bad photo, it is the light you know, here is me on holiday:

http://www.gossipcheck.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/bradpitt01.jpg

:lol: No, really somebody did say I once looked like Brad Pitt, I said you have got be ******* joking, and they were a little drunk at the time, but I'm still well above average I think.:nod:

Yes, Stratford it cool definitely, the theatre, his house. I couldn't be bothered with all the stress of "entertaining" anyway...

[Veho]

Oh, yes I'm even better looking than that, that is just a bad photo, it is the light you know, here is me on holiday:

http://www.gossipcheck.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/bradpitt01.jpg

:lol: No, really somebody did say I once looked like Brad Pitt, I said you have got be ******* joking, and they were a little drunk at the time, but I'm still well above average I think.:nod:

Yes, Stratford it cool definitely, the theatre, his house. I couldn't be bothered with all the stress of "entertaining" anyway...

Even if you do say so yourself..

[LitNetIsGreat]

Even if you do say so yourself..

Well, I was just being modest, but enough about me.

[Veho]

Well, I was just being modest, but enough about me.

Touché.
:D

[wessexgirl]

Even if you do say so yourself..

Well, at least there would be no danger of missing you in Stratford, (or wherever) if you look like that! Are you sure that you aren't more like your avatar though? We wouldn't miss you with that lovely angular, multi-coloured face either :lol:. Seriously though, I hope your wife doesn't have to look over her shoulder like poor Jennifer Aniston should have done, with an old harpie

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UV5RuxaDkGU/SbqGIu2g-ZI/AAAAAAAABIU/sluq1XsQ5-4/s400/angelina+joli+funny+face.jpeg

hanging about in the wings, so to speak. It put me right off Brad, who I used to like until then. I wouldn't *is* on him if he were on fire now. Looks aren't everything.

Personally I look like this

http://markgorman.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/ugly-woman-12424.jpg

so no chance of missing me!

[SleepyWitch]

"the busses are few and far between. "

Ha-ha
I would not normally comment on the spelling in these fora, but this made me laugh. More than one bus is always written "buses."

What Sleepywitch wrote is that there is not much kissing in Stratford, which could surely be remedied if we all went there.
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wuaaahahhahahah :) thanks :)
didn't have a spelling checker on my father-in-law's computer in Germany :)

yep, Sheffield is really nice. I got to uni there for a day every other week.