10th Anniversary Meet-Up (2016)

[Milieva]

If you want your last airport to be quiet and small, I would suggest flying into NWI. It involves coming through Amsterdam, which is giant, but there is less of a queue at customs (no queue for no EU). But it does require a train trip to get to London, but that can be done after crashing from the long flight.

But you can always fly into London and one of us can meet you there. I think Cami said she is meeting Rev in London, possibly renting a car, so that's an option.

We should probably try to get a count so we can figure out how many we have and how many are staying where. Do we want to just do London, or would someone be interested in renting a little cottage or house or tower thing somewhere cool on an National Trust site?

Down and I will be renting self-catered accommodation anywhere we are as she's allergic to everything, so there will be kitchen facilities where ever we are.

[Milieva]

Could be fun to rent a cottage at a place like Blickling, if anyone is interested.

4 Park Gates can sleep up to 8

Bureside and Meadowside both sleep up to 4 people, but look to be side by side.

Mill Farm barn which sleeps 6.... 

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like Down's favourite place, The Tower, is available that week.

There is also Felbrigg Estate

Game Keeper's Cottage sleeps 5

Sexton's Lodge also sleeps 5

Then, Squire's Retreat sleeps 8

There are other smaller accommodations scattered across both properties if anyone wanted their own place but still wanted to be near the rest of us. I just think something nice and relaxing might be good either before or after the bustle of London, as I know many of our international visitors would like to see the city, even if just for a few days.  Both estates have long lovely walking paths and the large estates to visit if we stayed over the first weekend, but people might be sleepy, having just arrived. 

[Camisado]

Re: the above, yes I'm happy to do airport runs if/when I rent a car, but I will only be renting it if we're leaving Greater London - I've no problems renting it but I'm not willing to keep paying congestion charges and city parking, haha. But I don't mind getting the tube/train to airports and helping people get back into the city either. I'm v confident on the London Underground and national train network if that helps anyone feel better.

Rev and I might depart just before the latter weekend so she can come celebrate my birthday with me and my family (same day as suz's husband???) but otherwise whatever anyone else wants to do sounds good!

P.S. if you're visiting London for more than a couple of days, it's totally worth looking into the Visitor Oyster Card.

[Revolutionaren]

Well, I was meant to come down for your birthday this year, but, well, we all know.

My contract ends in February so unless I find more work, I'm completely free [panicked laughter]

[Mokonalord]

That time frame is perfectly fine with me!

As for the specific wheres and whats while there, hows abouts I just leave those kinds of decisions to those of you who actually know the area, and I will fork over money for my share of the expenses whenever necessary? The only thing I'd specifically like to do is make a stop in Ascot sometime just to say I'd been there (and maybe get photos of me with a plushie in front of a sign like the complete embarrassment I am just be glad there won't be cosplay), but if that doesn't happen, well, I'll live. Somehow.

[Camisado]

Ascot is a <1hr mainline train ride from London Waterloo (which is easily accessible on the tube), so you should have no problem getting there that way if all else fails!

Edit: coincidentally, I was only 15 miles away from Ascot today at a supplier meeting. xD

[suzanami]

As for the specific wheres and whats while there, hows abouts I just leave those kinds of decisions to those of you who actually know the area, and I will fork over money for my share of the expenses whenever necessary?

oh my goodness, same.

[Somariel]

I had mentioned earlier that I might come, but the way things are going, I can say for sure that I'm NOT.

[Milieva]

So..... Windsor/Ascot/London short outing and something a bit more rural, staying mostly out of central London aside from maybe a day trip so us introverts can hermit together?

Flying into London seems to be the cheaper option. It's at least $200 cheaper on average than flying into Norwich.  I don't know what anyone wants to do.   We need to get that sorted soon, so we can book accommodation?

[Ithil]

As I will be - hopefully  - graduating in March/April, I don't know if I'll manage to meet you! I'd love to visit London again!
Maybe we could arrange a skype call, if you like... So I can share my lovely italian accent with you! 

[Milieva]

Please let me know if you are coming, and Down and I will send contact info.

[suzanami]

Chris and I have bought our tickets!  will be coming in 10:30AM on the 12th!

sorry I've been MIA lately :\  I know everyone needed info and addresses and such but I've honestly lost track with IRL stuff going on. my brain has become all slippery D:  lmk what you need from me, sorry for being such a mess!

[Antoinette Veronica]

I am arriving in London on 10th  March 2016 in the morning and leaving England in the evening on the 19th March.

Can't wait to see you all! When will everyone be in London?

[Milieva]

Down and I will be arriving the evening of the 11th. I haven't asked if I can get it off work or not, so that will affect our travel time.  We'll be about to collect Mokona and Suz the morning of the 12th.  We'll be staying near Kings Cross and St. Pancras.

[Camisado]

Rev and I will be in London from 12th - 15th March (Saturday to Tuesday), somewhere between Bayswater tube and Paddington tube/mainline stations, above the north west corner of Hyde Park. We'll be using Kings Cross St Pancras as our Northern/Circle change station so that's handy!

If anyone wants to come down to Weymouth (wey-muth!) for a day trip, hit us up later in the week! Be warned it's three hours each way, but it is a nice direct ride from Waterloo.

Aaaand finally if anyone's got a car, justpark.com is awesome and highly recommended, and don't forget the congestion charge.