Winter Get-together 2015

[John W]

Hi,

This year I'm thinking of catching the train to Shawford station. Can anyone tell me what the walk to the pub is like? Specifically is there a pavement and street lights? I don't fancy a half-hour walk back to the station along the side of a busy road in the dark.

Thanks
John

[dilettante]

Hi,

This year I'm thinking of catching the train to Shawford station. Can anyone tell me what the walk to the pub is like? Specifically is there a pavement and street lights? I don't fancy a half-hour walk back to the station along the side of a busy road in the dark.

Thanks
John

Looking on Google Street View, it looks like there's pavement all the way. Some of it looks like combined pedestrian / cycleway, so something to make yourself visible to cyclists would be sensible if walking in the dark.

[Jack Harrison]

....something to make yourself visible to cyclists would be sensible if walking in the dark.

If only cyclists would make the same efforts to be visible to other road users.

Jack

[MikeOxon]

If only cyclists would make the same efforts to be visible to other road users.

It would also be nice if cyclists did actually use a cycle track when there is one!

When I saw you had posted in this thread, Jack, I thought you might be joining us Perhaps, next year?

Mike

[millerd]

I've walked down from the station every year. There is a pavement all the way, though nearest the station you may need to cross the road a couple of times to keep on it. However, on the walk back, not all of it is lit very well. I've never encountered a cyclist on any trips so far...

Take care under the railway bridge - remember Victor Meldrew!

Dave

[Jack Harrison]

...remember Victor Meldrew...

In my final few years as a pilot, we had a base captain (Trevor M) who not only looked like Victor Meldrew but seemed to have modelled his [lack of] humour on Victor. His nickname was of course Victor Meldrew. My p*** taking sense of humour did not always go down well with Victor (Trevor). But Trevor meant well. I believe that he is no longer with us.

Jack

[essexbuzzard]

Thanks for your comments. I am very disappointed to be missing out.

That's working weekends for you...

I wish you all a fab time!

EB

[ChrisC]

see you all there.

[P.J.Underwood]

Here we are then-apart from Mike Oxon -who arrived as we were leaving.Aren't we a happy lot!
Sorry we had to leave early,but it was an important mission.We managed to sign up the 4th member of our sixth form zoology group of 57yrs ago to join us mid January for a birding break in the Essex marshes.So all in all it was an eventful day-huge fun and then foolhardiness!
But very nice to see everyone.
P.J.Underwood

[Jack Harrison]

I recognise Susie but am struggling with the others. Any chance of labels as to who is who?

Jack

[Pete Eeles]

A superb afternoon! The photo shows Pete Eeles, Mark Tutton, JohnW (just!), Bugboy, Susie, P.J.Underwood, Malcolm?, millerd, Philzoid, Wurzel, ChrisC, Dilettante.

And later ... MikeOxon, Mike Gibbons, Jackz432r ... and possibly some others I missed (and apols!).

Cheers,

- Pete

[bugboy]

Yes I'm in the red t-shirt at the front with a stupid smile on my face. Amusingly, after telling everyone to 'bloody well smile this year' Pete looks the most miserable

[Pete Eeles]

Amusingly, after telling everyone to 'bloody well smile this year' Pete looks the most miserable

That's pretty good for me

Cheers,

- Pete

[MikeOxon]

Here we are then-apart from Mike Oxon

i can put that right, thanks to Susie who took my photo on my camera....

I'm not quite sure what I said but, when I tried a shot in return, this was the result :

I didn't manage to get a smile on Pete's face either...

Actually, it was a splendid afternoon and I enjoyed several interesting conversations with fellow UKBers. On my way home, there were signs on the M3 that the A34 was closed but, fortunately, I managed to find an alternative route, via Kings Worthy and Sutton Scotney, with little delay.

Looking forward to the next get-together and many thanks to Susie for making these events happen

Mike

[dilettante]

Really nice to meet you all. What a great way to spend a November afternoon. Thanks Susie for organising.

[Susie]

Thank you everyone who came along, it was a pleasure to meet you all. You make these events great!

It was lovely to meet old friends and put some new faces to names too. I think there were 16 of us in total which is probably one of the best turn outs we've had.

Mike, the photo you took of me is definitely my best side!

[Philzoid]

A thoroughly great afternoon as always, although the time seems to go too quickly.

Thanks to dilettante for the lift to Shawford station. Saved my energies for the sobering two mile trek home from Woking station (too tight to pay for a taxi) .

Thanks for organising the event again Susie. Hopefully it is set to continue at around same time and venue(?). Numbers definitely up on the last two socials .

[Mark Tutton]

Great afternoon - thanks Susie - as Phil said time always goes much too quickly but it was great to catch up with old acquaintances and especially nice to bump into one or two new faces - hopefully see you in the field next year

[John W]

Just want to agree with everyone else that it was a very enjoyable afternoon and many thanks to Susie for organising it

John W

[Susie]

Thanks everyone.

Despite talking about a possible different venue I think the consensus was that this locations suits us generally. So, I guess it's same place on the last Saturday next November all being well.

I may put some thought into other get togethers at other venues at different times if there is any interest.