The Post Meet Report 8-9 May 2009
Created | Updated May 21, 2009
I rose very early on Friday morning, but I still managed to arrive at the airport quite late. I had intended to drop my suitcase, but the queue was so long I decided to take it as hand luggage. Unfortunately, this meant I had to leave a bath/shower gel I wanted to give to GB, as it was 150ml, and 100ml is the maximum allowed. Although I was prepared this time around and had all the liquids in an extra plastic bag, I had to open my suitcase for them to rummage through. Maybe I look as if I have glamorous items in my suitcase? 
The flight was nice until we neared London and the pilot told us it was just 12°C there. The thought made me shiver in my light jacket.
Then the turbulence started; I've never before had such a bumpy flight, and I had to take care not to bump my head on the window!
Landed safely, though, and found that it was much warmer – I guess it was at least 15°C. Icy met me at the airport and we had a walk through Canary Wharf and went for a cup of coffee (OK, he had tea). I really am a coffee-oholic. After I had enough caffeine, we went for a lovely walk around St Katharine's Yacht Marina, and then we had a meal. Made our way to the George, for the 'Friday Fringe'. Hati and Hapi had spent the last 24 hours there to 'hold' the table for us, and they were in good condition with not a hint of blue skin. By and by, more hootooers arrived, and we were quite a crowd in the end:
- Dragonqueen
- Hati
- Hapi
- Pierce
- Santra
- TriG
- Mala
- Radox
- Galaxy Babe
- Roymondo
- MMF
- Icy
- lil
- Pete
- Bel
and
Many gifts were exchanged, acquaintances renewed or made, and pints were drunk. It was a great way to spend the evening, and we all had lots of fun. Apparently, there was some chest wobbling contest going on, but I didn't witness it. It was great to meet people I hadn't met before, namely Santragenius V, Radox and TRiG, and even Roymondo (who I have met before) turned up for the occasion. Poor TRiG was a little late, as he had missed his ferry, but he made it in the end. At some point, we toasted to absent friends, like we usually do. As all the Brits and the Nordic Researchers are used to low temperatures, they had turned the heaters down (we were sat outside, in the courtyard), so at about 11pm or so, I had to leave because I was frozen solid.
Saturday morning, I sent GB a text message, asking her whether I could meet her at the Tower, because she had told me she intended to go there. Turned out she had only just bought her ticket and was now searching for a loo. That was lucky, so I bought a ticket and went in, thinking GB was looking for the facilities in the Tower. As is usual in museums etc, I was asked to open my bags. No problem, I handed over bag no 1 while texting GB to ask where she was. I looked briefly up and offered my second bag when the man looked at me and said: 'You need to cheer up!' I told him I was cheerful, just distracted by texting because I was waiting for a friend. When GB arrived, we hugged and kissed, and the man said to his colleague: 'Careful with this one, it's her friend', pointing at me. He then looked at us and complained that he hadn't been greeted like this, so GB gave him a peck on the cheek. I bet that made his day. 
We went through the Tower buildings, saw the jewels and everything, spent money in the gift shop, then sat on a bench in the sun and drank some water. I hope GB will tell you a bit more about the tower when she writes her meet report. We then went to our respective hotels, GB to drop her bags and take the bags with the h2g2 goodies for the evening meet, and I to put my feet up for a moment.
I made my way to Bank station, and as soon as I came up the stairs, those who were already there (nearly all) cheered me. And I wasn't even late; in fact, I wasn't even the last one to arrive. 
Again, we were a good group who had come to do the City Walk from Bank to Holborn, guided by Reddyfreddy. The attendees were (like above, in no particular order):
- Reddyfreddy
- Remarkable_Firefly
- Alex
- Opti
- TRiG
- Radox
- h5ringer
- Galaxy babe
- Bassman
- Dragonqueen
- Pierce
- Bel
We were very lucky with the weather; it was sunny and warm. The sights we took in were the following:
- The Bank of England
- The Mansion House
- The London Stone
- St Paul's Cathedral
- The Old Bailey
- St Bride's Church
- Fleet Street
- The Aldwych
- Bushhouse
The Royal Courts Of Justice
We stopped at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese pub, an historic pub, for refreshments. Inside was a group of young people, dressed in what I had thought was the usual eccentric way people in England dress. Seems it was more eccentric than standard because it caused quite a few remarks from my fellow Researchers. GB and I found out that it was a birthday party.
We walked on, and I nearly lost the group when I stopped to take a couple of photos of one of the buildings RF pointed out to us. I hadn't noticed that they had crossed the road, so I rushed after them - or so I thought, until even I noticed that something was wrong. I went back and spotted some of the group across the road. Just when I had reached them, my hone rang and a very worried GB asked me where I was. Good question, as I didn't have a clue. The funniest thing was that I thought GB and a few others had lost the group, and they had only gone back to look for me.
The group reunited, we walked on while RF told us interesting things about buildings, people, statues. Unfortunately, 'London is closed on Saturdays', but St Dunstan in the West was open, so we went in there to have a look. Much crying was going on, as it was Christening time. For those, like me, who don't know: St Dunstan in the West was the first London church which had a public clock with a minute hand. It houses not only the Anglican Church, but the Romanian Orthodox Church also, and is a place for many more religions. We saw and learned much more, but it would lead too far to write it all down. I'm sure I speak for all participants when I say that it was a very enjoyable walk through central London. Thank you, Reddyfreddy!
On reaching the Shakespeare's Head, our evening venue, 2legs and Roymondo and a few others were at table 42. It didn't take too long, and the two neighbouring tables were vacated by the non-hootooers who had occupied them. I was very hungry, so I ordered two chicken tikka massali. It took a while, so I went to the bar to buy a drink. I saw 'my' food heading in direction of table 42, but when I eventually made it back to the table, it was lil and Pete eating my (and TRiG's) chicken tikka massali. They had ordered the same dishes, half an hour after me, and were very pleased when the anticipated 30 minutes wait for their meal was only a few minutes. Eventually, their food was served, though.
By and by the Kew goers arrived, and I was very happy to meet Hypatia again (amongst others). We had a superb photo quiz which MMF had prepared – thanks, MMF! I merely sat there, making wild guesses and leaving the hard work to GB and h5ringer who politely had taken me in their team (they won).
Suddenly, I spotted yet another very special person just outside the pub: our gorgeous italic Natalie had come to party with us. That was a wonderful surprise, as I hadn't thought she'd come. She let us in on some secrets, which I'll tell you about in my next Random Ramblings if I can remember them.
People in the pub (apart from those who attended the City Walk) were1 (in no particular order):
- 2legs
- Roymondo
- Pierce
- Hati
- Hapi
- Santragenius V
- Ben
- Z
- Coelacanth
- Agapanthus
- minichessemouse
- Solnushka
- Hypatia
- Teuchter
- Ictoan
- Bald Bloke
- lil
- Pete
- MMF
- Mala
- Natalie
and
Like always, I tried to talk to as many people as possible, but I know there were some I didn't get to talk to as much as to others. Time always flies. I left at shortly before midnight because I was scared to miss the last underground.
After a good English Breakfast on Sunday morning I packed and went to the airport. The journey home was absolutely eventless. A big thank you to all who came to the meet and made it special. It was wonderful, and I hope I can go again next year.
Here are some online photo albums:
