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MacRumors London Picnic 2009
- Thread starter Blue Velvet
- Start date
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Plan B
Still with a few weeks to go, but with my currently intermittent presence here it's possibly best to post this now... and although it's a blazing hot and sunny day in London today (32C), like all good scouts I guess we should be prepared.
We have a backup plan, instead of cancelling, because lots of people travel from all over to get to London for the day, so it's still nice to meet up with familiar forum faces, both old and new.
Last year, the day started off drizzly with light intermittent showers, so we selected a pub to meet up in... and by 3pm or so, the skies were starting to clear and so we all (about 15 of us) left the pub, stocked up on food and drink, and went up to the park which was just a few minutes away, ended up in the same spot we had already selected and managed to get a few sunny hours of hawt picnic action in before dusk... so the day was salvaged to some extent. Which was nice.
So, in case of poor weather, we'll do the same again this year, just in case the skies clear towards the end of the day. The evening before, on the 31st (Friday night UK time), we'll check in and see what the BBC are saying and make our minds up, with any last minute definite changes posted here in this thread about 8-9am on the Saturday morning. But let's cross our fingers that the day will turn out to be glorious.
So, just like last year, in the case of miserable weather; rain, cold, lightning, gales or other acts of God, we'll meet up in this pub from 1pm:
::::
The Queen's Arms
30 Queen's Gate Mews, London, SW7 5QL
Tel: 020 7823 9293
http://thequeensarmskensington.co.uk/
More details
Google Map
London Transport Journey Planner
The best ways to get there are:
1. Catch the Tube to Gloucester Road tube station
(Piccadilly, Circle and District lines) and it's a five
minute walk to the pub or...
2. Catch a bus which goes along Kensington Gore/Kensington Road
(9, 10, 49, 52 etc) and then it's also a five minute walk
How will I know it's the MacRumors' crowd?
Look out for the granny smith... No, not me. The green apple.
::::
The food there is quite good, the beer too. And if it's raining but we're lucky on the day, like last year, we might still get up to the park.
As always, this thread will always be your last-minute stop for picnic news. Check in from time to time to see who's going, what we'll be bringing and what we'll be wearing.
*Toddles off to check out potato salad recipes*
Still with a few weeks to go, but with my currently intermittent presence here it's possibly best to post this now... and although it's a blazing hot and sunny day in London today (32C), like all good scouts I guess we should be prepared.
We have a backup plan, instead of cancelling, because lots of people travel from all over to get to London for the day, so it's still nice to meet up with familiar forum faces, both old and new.
Last year, the day started off drizzly with light intermittent showers, so we selected a pub to meet up in... and by 3pm or so, the skies were starting to clear and so we all (about 15 of us) left the pub, stocked up on food and drink, and went up to the park which was just a few minutes away, ended up in the same spot we had already selected and managed to get a few sunny hours of hawt picnic action in before dusk... so the day was salvaged to some extent. Which was nice.
So, in case of poor weather, we'll do the same again this year, just in case the skies clear towards the end of the day. The evening before, on the 31st (Friday night UK time), we'll check in and see what the BBC are saying and make our minds up, with any last minute definite changes posted here in this thread about 8-9am on the Saturday morning. But let's cross our fingers that the day will turn out to be glorious.
So, just like last year, in the case of miserable weather; rain, cold, lightning, gales or other acts of God, we'll meet up in this pub from 1pm:
::::
The Queen's Arms
30 Queen's Gate Mews, London, SW7 5QL
Tel: 020 7823 9293
http://thequeensarmskensington.co.uk/
More details
Google Map
London Transport Journey Planner
The best ways to get there are:
1. Catch the Tube to Gloucester Road tube station
(Piccadilly, Circle and District lines) and it's a five
minute walk to the pub or...
2. Catch a bus which goes along Kensington Gore/Kensington Road
(9, 10, 49, 52 etc) and then it's also a five minute walk
How will I know it's the MacRumors' crowd?
Look out for the granny smith... No, not me. The green apple.
::::
The food there is quite good, the beer too. And if it's raining but we're lucky on the day, like last year, we might still get up to the park.
As always, this thread will always be your last-minute stop for picnic news. Check in from time to time to see who's going, what we'll be bringing and what we'll be wearing.
*Toddles off to check out potato salad recipes*
That is, if it's miserable, then it's the pub.
However, things are looking up:
It's been a bit iffy in London recently, with temperatures around the 21-23 mark but overcast and frequent showers, the kind of weather that would put a dampener on things.
Expecting 20-30+ people this year, fingers crossed.
Damn, I would come but I am fourteen and have nobody to go up with and it's quite a long journey from Plymouth to London. I also have no transportation.
Maybe another year, if you're still doing this picnic in three years time when I can drive, I'll be there.
Maybe another year, if you're still doing this picnic in three years time when I can drive, I'll be there.
No sign-up needed. If you change your mind, you'll know where to find us.Too bad I didn't join earlier to see this post, and maybe sign up. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy yourselves. You can expect my presence next year, I hope.
You may be better off taking trains. Driving and parking in central london is really not fun.
Any of you who cannot join us this year, don't feel bad, I'm sure there will be more in the future.
No sign-up needed. If you change your mind, you'll know where to find us.
There's just not time to arrange a trip like that on such short notice. If by some miraculous way I suddenly get loads of money and free time, I'll be there.
Hate to say but its the wrong time for me (waaaaah)
Moving on 1st August and cannot afford the time off (still working on the deposit money).
Ill be there in spirit only (perhaps we could have a wintery one later down 'ere - Ill check whats on like beer festivals etc)
Have a brewski for me peeps
x x Rachel
(waaaaah)Moving on 1st August and cannot afford the time off (still working on the deposit money).
Ill be there in spirit only (perhaps we could have a wintery one later down 'ere - Ill check whats on like beer festivals etc)
Have a brewski for me peeps
x x Rachel
Weather forecast is looking a bit poor at this early stage, but anything can change in the next few days, as anyone familiar with the summer weather in the British Isles will know.
The current plan is: post here in this thread with a final decision about 6pm (UK time) this coming Friday (31st) when we'll have a detailed 24 hour breakdown of the next day's weather.
It might be that we start the day in either the park or the pub, depending on the day's forecast... and we're currently looking at how we can post any last minute changes of plans, either here in this thread or on Twitter. Stay tuned for more details.
So to sum up at this point:
Wish we could definitely decide sooner and let everyone know, but the weather has been so erratic recently that holding off the final decision until the night before seems to be the best course of action for now.
Either way, for all those who I know who are travelling right now or later this week, there will still definitely be a meetup this Saturday with familiar forum faces. Either way, if you're still not sure or are tempted to skip the pub, I'd like to see you.
Rain or shine, there will still be beer. And crisps, too.
The current plan is: post here in this thread with a final decision about 6pm (UK time) this coming Friday (31st) when we'll have a detailed 24 hour breakdown of the next day's weather.
It might be that we start the day in either the park or the pub, depending on the day's forecast... and we're currently looking at how we can post any last minute changes of plans, either here in this thread or on Twitter. Stay tuned for more details.
So to sum up at this point:
- Good or even OKish weather (even the occasional light passing shower), the park from 1pm, this Saturday 1st of August.
- Colder/persistently wet weather for the whole day means the pub also from 1pm.
- A combination of the two might mean moving between park and pub, depending if the days starts nice or nasty. The pub is a 10-15 min walk from the picnic spot in the park.
- Check in here after 6pm (UK time) this coming Friday night to see what the plan is.
Wish we could definitely decide sooner and let everyone know, but the weather has been so erratic recently that holding off the final decision until the night before seems to be the best course of action for now.
Either way, for all those who I know who are travelling right now or later this week, there will still definitely be a meetup this Saturday with familiar forum faces. Either way, if you're still not sure or are tempted to skip the pub, I'd like to see you.
Rain or shine, there will still be beer. And crisps, too.
I'll see what I can do about coming...Can get pretty cheap fares from Coventry to Euston
Even cheaper if you go from leamington to marylebone. £5 each way, maybe more for a Saturday though.
Weekend Closures on the Tube:
(Cut and paste from TFL's email)
Central Line
Wanstead station is closed for improvement work. For further details and alternative routes, please
click here
District Line
Between Whitechapel and Barking (and between Barking and Upney eastbound only until 0630) there is no service due to track replacement work. For further details and alternative routes, please click here
Hammersmith & City Line
Between Whitechapel and Barking there is no service due to track replacement work. For further details and alternative routes, please click here
Jubilee Line
Between Waterloo and Stanmore there is no service due to line upgrade work. For further details and alternative routes, please click here
Metropolitan Line
Between Aldgate and Harrow-on-the-Hill there is no service due to signalling work. For further details and alternative routes, please click here
Northern Line
Camden station will be available to change between the Edgware branch and High Barnet branch and for exit only between 1200 and 1630. There is no entry to the station between these times. This is due to escalator refurbishment. For further details and alternative routes, please click here
Goodge Street station is closed for improvement work on Sunday. For further details and alternative routes, please click here
Both Clapham North and Tooting Bec stations are closed for improvement work on Sunday from 2200. For further details and alternative routes, please click here
Piccadilly Line
Hyde Park Corner station is closed for improvement work on Sunday from 2200. For further details and alternative routes, please click here
Victoria Line
Between Warren Street and Brixton is no service due to line upgrade work. For further details and alternative routes, please click here
(Cut and paste from TFL's email)
Central Line
Wanstead station is closed for improvement work. For further details and alternative routes, please
click here
District Line
Between Whitechapel and Barking (and between Barking and Upney eastbound only until 0630) there is no service due to track replacement work. For further details and alternative routes, please click here
Hammersmith & City Line
Between Whitechapel and Barking there is no service due to track replacement work. For further details and alternative routes, please click here
Jubilee Line
Between Waterloo and Stanmore there is no service due to line upgrade work. For further details and alternative routes, please click here
Metropolitan Line
Between Aldgate and Harrow-on-the-Hill there is no service due to signalling work. For further details and alternative routes, please click here
Northern Line
Camden station will be available to change between the Edgware branch and High Barnet branch and for exit only between 1200 and 1630. There is no entry to the station between these times. This is due to escalator refurbishment. For further details and alternative routes, please click here
Goodge Street station is closed for improvement work on Sunday. For further details and alternative routes, please click here
Both Clapham North and Tooting Bec stations are closed for improvement work on Sunday from 2200. For further details and alternative routes, please click here
Piccadilly Line
Hyde Park Corner station is closed for improvement work on Sunday from 2200. For further details and alternative routes, please click here
Victoria Line
Between Warren Street and Brixton is no service due to line upgrade work. For further details and alternative routes, please click here
Speaking of transport...
It seems there will be some disruption to the Tube on Saturday (including the District Line), and for those coming to London that day it might be worth checking out the planned engineering works page over at Tranport for London's site before you set out.
Edit: Just seen firestarter's post above. Thanks.
This morning's MetOffice update: 0306 A dry start to Saturday before a spell of rain spreads east. Heavy rain, 21C, S 8mph
Not entirely promising at this early stage, but as recently posted upthread, we'll see how things stand on Friday afternoon/early evening before making our minds up about park, pub or both. Meanwhile, this is a picture of a sunny MacRumors London Picnic in Hyde Park in 1858, painted by John Ritchie. As you can see, they didn't bring their laptops, either.
It seems there will be some disruption to the Tube on Saturday (including the District Line), and for those coming to London that day it might be worth checking out the planned engineering works page over at Tranport for London's site before you set out.
Edit: Just seen firestarter's post above. Thanks.
This morning's MetOffice update: 0306 A dry start to Saturday before a spell of rain spreads east. Heavy rain, 21C, S 8mph
Not entirely promising at this early stage, but as recently posted upthread, we'll see how things stand on Friday afternoon/early evening before making our minds up about park, pub or both. Meanwhile, this is a picture of a sunny MacRumors London Picnic in Hyde Park in 1858, painted by John Ritchie. As you can see, they didn't bring their laptops, either.
I'm not sure I understand the fixation on not bringing laptops?
It's pretty much a tech site, with tech savvy members, meeting up... so surely laptops are going to be involved?
What on earth are you going to do with a laptop in the middle of a park? You could actually talk to a real person instead of logging into the forum over 3G and PMing them!
I'm not sure I'd describe it as a fixation. It's more of a running joke based on previous experience. It's new iPhones and expensive cameras that have received the oohs and ahhs in the past, but to make a stab at answering your question, and assuming we'll be in the park:
A) I've been to every one of these picnics since they started and travelling light works well. I'd like to encourage people to not bring too many unnecessary large valuables into a huge public park where not everyone can keep an eye on everyone's belongings every single moment of the afternoon, as we can get a bit spread out and distracted.
B) When the weather's good, it's a social event, much like a large party. Most people I know that have been to one or more of these events before are more interested in having a laugh, some food and a drink with people, listening to music etc... rather than huddling over a small screen in the sunshine. Speaking solely for myself, it's a relief to get away from sitting in front of a display for the best part of a day and catch up with forum members, both old and new.
This may be a tech forum, but it doesn't mean we all don't have other interests that might be more fun on a summer day. Besides, Mac people are groovy.
I remember that one like it was yesterday.
So do I. That was the one where the falafels were almost as old as the painting itself.
^ Me too. Those falafels went in and out of the same place. http://upc.*************/uploads/smilies/barf.gif
There will have to be at least one laptop because as luck would have it, e is on call from work. Hopefully it won't get used. I think it's safe around this lot though, it's a crappy old Dell.
P.S. The tube sucks, these engineering disruptions seem worse than usual, really rather sick of it.
Those falafels went in and out of the same place. http://upc.*************/uploads/smilies/barf.gif There will have to be at least one laptop because as luck would have it, e is on call from work. Hopefully it won't get used. I think it's safe around this lot though, it's a crappy old Dell.
P.S. The tube sucks, these engineering disruptions seem worse than usual, really rather sick of it.
I remember that one like it was yesterday.
I believe you are indeed pictured in your pram to the right.
That's a bugger having to drag it around all day. Hope they leave him well alone... although we shall mercilessly mock the Dell guy who turned up at a Mac event.
Nah, first pint is on me, for various reasons.
Luckily for me I picked a small laptop, and I made my manager buy us (on call out rota) a 3G dongle so that we can do support from the middle of a field, perfect!That's a bugger having to drag it around all day. Hope they leave him well alone... although we shall mercilessly mock the Dell guy who turned up at a Mac event.
Nah, first pint is on me, for various reasons.
Anyone want to break some servers?