h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I have offered to organise an afternoon event for those who would prefer not to sit in an Hostelry all afternoon, which is both children friendly and suitable for wheelchairs and those with movement restrictions.

The two events that may be easiest to arrange are:

Kew Gardens

http://www.rbgkew.org.uk/

or

The London Wetland Centre

http://www.wwt.org.uk/visit/wetlandcentre/

I would be interested in who prefers which and will go with the majority. I have reasonable experience of both visiting Kew, on average, once a month, and having seen the Wetlands Centre grow from nothing, so I hope I'll prove a reasonbable guide.

Also, depending on numbers, I may be able to provide a warm meal for HooTooers attending, especially if Kew is chosen. I do have spare bins for the Wetland centre if needed.

Please let me know your choices, or any questions, queries, directions etc. you have.

Thank you.

MMF

Those both sound suspiciously out-doorsy to me. Is this wise at the end of October, or should there be contingency plans for the very slim chance that it turns out cold and wet?

I'm only a maybe anyway, so don't base any plans on me, just raising the question...

October will probably be OK - the last few have been quite mild.

Personally I'll probably be down the pub! The thought of doing attraction-type things on a Saturday in London fills me with dread.

Well given that I can't drink and don't cope well in smoky atmospheres I'm unlikelly to come to the pub, but am very unlikely to come to an outdoor thing either if it is raining. I'm a fussy so and so but, as stressed before, I'm only a maybe anyway so can safely be mostly ignored.

If it is raining there is always

http://www.kbsm.org/

It is indoors, warm, better than the science museum, 10 yards from my flat (i.e. Food and hot drinks and something stronger if required) and inexpensive.

Open to suggestions...

But I do need to make a decision, as I am happy with all three. There are many other attractions available, and not just in this locality that I can check. I am just conscious that if a decision isn't made then the Meet could end up as just an evening event, which is unfair on those travelling into London. That is just my opinion though.

It is your Meet too.

i'd prolly be up for kew this time

You are welcome!

'fankoo

i'll have to see how things are nearer the time

Walking Kew with MMF is I´d love to do that again...

I'd prefer to go to Kew. The Wetlands Centre sounds fascinating, but I'm not sure whether it is the sort of place you go to chat to friends, and that is what I intend to do, since Also Ran is coming to the afternoon event but not the evening get-together. I think Kew would be a good opportunity to wander around and talk. I seem to remember that Kew is wheelchair-friendly, but perhaps you can confirm this.

Kew is definitely wheelchair friendly, and includes a motorised tractor-bus if neede for an overview to save the carer covering the entire area, which is stop and pick-up. Lonodon Wetland is also wheelchair friendly with a two-storey Peacock Hide with lift. The Steam museum, being Victorian, is not so friendly, but most exhibits are viewable, with lifts or ramps. Gunnersbury tube and Kew Bridge stations are definitely not Crip friendly (and before anyone leaps on me, I am a Crip!!!)

I vote for The Wetlands Centre, I've always wanted to go there and never got round to it because I don't usually go places I can't take my dogs.

I'd prefer the Wetlands Centre too, but you can discount my vote as I probably won't be able to make it anyway

Why not?

yeah..why not?

I'd like to come to the afternoon meet with little . I'm voting for the Wetlands, although I like Kew too.

So, and my vote won't really count as I imagine I'll be dragged (ooo drag ) against my will to the pub during the afternoon to help ensure its all OK for us all It looks like the Wetblands centre is becoming the prefered option?; For another reason would that make sense as the Q gardens might be a really good choice for the spring meet in terms of everything coming into bloom etc., about that sort of time of th year, whilst October is a kinda bit early for realy* Autuminal displays on the trees and such like? or is this still being decided apon? Once we've/you've decided I can put information about it on to the main meet page, or link to a seperate page for the afternoon event if its felt worth having a seperate page with information about where when etc for the afternoon shindigs?

As long as I know where and when we're meeting for the afternoon, I don't really mind. I can't see myself being able to make the evening event. I was a little worried about AR1, but on going on the Wetlands site, it seems that it's wheelchair accessible and you can even book an electric wheelchair provided you book it in advance. It will be lovely to meet up with friends again - although I'm sad that TC isn't going to make it.

The votes so far, with first (3 points), second choice (2 points) and third choice (1 point) included.

Kew Gardens:

Serephina 1st.
Gnomon + 1 1st.
Zarquon + 1 2nd.
AR1 2nd.
Azahoth 3rd

= 11 points

London Wetland Centre:

Gnomon + 1 1st.
No More Pigtails 1st.
Zarqoun + 1.Skankyrich 1st.
Skankyrich 1st.
AR1 + 1 1st.
Azahoth 2nd.
Rains 1st.
Evadne Cake 1st.

= 23 points.

Tate Modern:

ReddyFreedy 1st.
Azahoth 1st.
Evadne Cake 3rd.

= 7 points...

So I have:

Wetlands as First Choice at 23 points.
Kew Gardens as Second Choice at 11 points and
Tate Modern as Third Choice at 7 points.

Please advise on inaccuracies, changes, variations or add-ons please.

Thanks.

MMF

I didn't vote for the Wetlands Centre, I voted for Kew.