Anyone near Paddington/Bayswater/Notting Hill/Hyde Park?

[Joffy]

Does anyone want to get together with me and my 2 year old ds?
We spend a lot of time in Hyde Park and it would be nice to have someone to chat to while he enjoys all the puddles! We live in Paddington. Is anyone else nearby? I am new to this website and am not sure how to get involved!

Ooh sounds great. The weather hasn't been agreeing with too many trips to the park though has it.
I live Lancaster Gate so would love to catch up although dd is only 6 weeks so can't participate in puddle jumping

We go to the park in all weathers - the more rain, the better the puddles! But I don't suppose a six week old would appreciate them so much. How about next Wednesday, 19th May, if the weather is OK?

I live near there and often go to the Paddington Library, Hyde Park, Whiteley's etc. They're about a 35-40 min walk for me. I'm working for several more weeks, but soon will be on my own with 4.5 yr-old ds & 19-month-old dd and will start going to your neck of the woods at least once a week. So let's be in touch, say, mid-June. Do you ever go to the Wednesday AM storytime for under 5's at the Paddington Library? That's a good thing to pop in to.

We haven't tried the library storytime yet as we used to go to gymboree in Whiteleys and my ds would never sit down and join in with group activities. He is the same with singing at playgroup. Perhaps I will try again now he's older.
It would be good to get together with you in June sometime

Hi Joffy and Chuffed. I live in Hampstead and have DD of 20mths and DS of 7mths. I work on Mon- Wed and am free for kiddy time on Thurs and Fri so could meet for walk in Hyde Park - sounds wonderful. DD has class on Thurs from 10-12 and Fri 9.30-10.15 with lunch at 12 noon. Don't know what times your kiddies sleep but let's arrange something!!

Great, ChicPea. I can do Friday mornings or Thursday or Friday after 3:30pm (end of nap time). How about you Chuffed?

Okay, Friday after 3.30pm would be perfect as it allows for afternoon sleep, etc. I can do this Friday 21 May, NOT Fri 28 but can do the following Fri, I think that's the 3 June. Gosh! June already!

I can do this Friday too. It looks like it may just be the two of us! Shall we give it a go?

Friday 21 May it is! Where shall we meet and what time? Really looking forward to it!

The Italian fountains entrance opposite Lancaster Gate tube is the one I usually use. If you come in and turn right there is a water fountain with two bears cuddling on top! Is that convenient for you? We could meet at 3:30pm or later, whatever is easiest for you. You will recognise us by my ds's blue wellies - he's refusing to wear shoes at the moment, despite the weather!

I know the entrance as I use this to drive through when I go through the park. Any ideas on where to park? Shall we say 4pm as that gives me enough time to do bottle at 3pm and drive from Hampstead.

Chicpea, why don't you come and meet me and Maomao sometime? We're Hampstead and Belsize Park. Hoping to meet tomorrow, she has a DD just 1 year old and my DD is 14 mos. I'm going to phone her tomorrow am but we're quite spontaneous (i.e. I don't always phone!) but quite likely to meet, say 2pm in Antrim Grove or Downshire Hill or even at my place (I have teeny paddling pool waiting to be used). If we do meet its usually a Tues or Thurs pm because I'm restricted by my 8.5 DS.

Would love to. I'm in Maresfield Gardens so very near. Shall we do next Thursday?

Perfect location right between us! OK, next Thurs then. I'll email you direct to exchange phone numbers etc.

4pm is fine. There is parking on the road through the park which should have spaces. If you want to email me so we can swap phone numbers so we don't miss each other, my email is [email protected]. Lucky you being invited on another meeting too! Looking forward to tomorrow.

Joffy & chicpea, I might meet you guys there, too, if that's OK. I just need to check if ds has a playdate. If not, and if the weather's good, we'll walk over the fountain after ds is finished with school. We should get there at 4pm sharp, if I calculate things right. I'll post one more message to let you know for sure if I can make it, so you don't end up waiting for me unnecessarily.--expat

Expatkat, it would be good to meet you too if you can make it!

Hi everyone, first message for me but used to plouhing through site for tips. I'm in Chelsea with 2 boys ( 2 and 6 months )and we're in Hyde Park most days - Knightsbridge side. There is a good playround and boys love watching the household cav. Older one also a major puddle fan !

Ds's playdate is not on, so you'll see me there with both children at 4. The fountain you're talking about which is across the tube station. . .Can you be more specific? For example: I usually walk down Queensway in the direction of Hyde Park and go into the closest park entrance, which puts me quite near to the Princess Diana playground. Are the Lancaster Gate tube station and the fountain anywhere near there? I guess I can check my A-Z.

Oh--I have black hair and pale skin, and I'll have a 4.5 year old on a buggy board (most likely) and a 20-month-old in a maclaren buggy. Most likely neither of them will be wearing anything which stands out particularly, but I'll look for your ds's blue wellies, joffy.

If you go in at the Queensway entrance, you turn left and walk (paralllel to the road) about 5-10 mins to get to the Lancaster Gate entrance. There is a large formal fountain area (The Italian Fountains) there but just before it there is a small drinking fountain with two small bears hugging on top under the trees opposite the icecream seller. I will be lurking there with my gingery brown mid-length hair and toddler in wellies (blue with green soles)!

Hi twoteds, we usually get to that playground on Sundays. I put my ds on the back of my bike and cycle over there. It's probably about a half hour walk to our side. Our playground is much scruffier than yours and the people a lot scruffier too! You have so many well-dressed French people there. Are you one of those? The horses and the soldiers and bands are a great spectacle aren't they?

Don't mean to sound dodgy by using the word "lurking". I am a respectable married lady, not some internet weirdo!

Okay, Joffy and Expatkat, shall be driving to Vauxhall tomorrow morning through the park and shall do a reccy to make sure I have got it right and don't keep you both waiting. Shall email you Joffy with my mobile number so you have it just in case. I haven't heard the weather forecast but can we have an alternative plan in case it rains. Shall leave the idea to you Joffy as it's your patch! See you tomorrow!!!

Hi Joffy - oh no far from it, neither do I have two nannies plus housekeeper in attendance ! Your entrance is near the pirate ship ? Its uphill so I'm always a bit squeamish. Off up there today for a recce, probably be at the swanky one on Sunday !