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Meet-ups

When meeting up take sensible precautions. Meet in a public place and let others know where you are going.

Original poster

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

71 replies

Joffy · 10/05/2004 20:09

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!

OP posts:
foxinsocks · 21/05/2004 08:41

sorry to hijack thread slightly but I was wondering, twoteds, if you had been to Blue Kangaroo. Have been thinking of going and I know its in your neck of the woods.

P.S enjoy your meet up!

ChicPea · 21/05/2004 11:51

It's 11.50am and it just starting to rain. Haven't heard from you Joffy, hope you received my email with my phone number, what if it's raining at 3.30-4pm? I am on my way out so only contactable by phone, will be back at 3.15pm ish though.

expatkat · 21/05/2004 12:15

Joffy, if the plan changes due to rain, can you also post here (in addition to ringing chicpea) and I'll check this thread just before I'm set to collect ds from school.

I looked on the map and the Lancaster Gate entrance to Hyde Park is SO much closer to where I live then the Queensway end. I'm a 5 minute walk from Paddington Station, so I reckon it's another 5-10 mins to Lancaster Gate from there. It's daft that I've never thought to give that end of the park a try, even though I've lived in the Paddington area for 5 yrs.

Original poster
Joffy · 21/05/2004 13:47

twoteds - no we're by the small playpark on the hill, overlooking the Italian Fountains, not the Princess Diana park. Are you coming today at 4pm? If not, I will be in your park on Sunday around 10-10:30. Any good for you?

OP posts:
Original poster
Joffy · 21/05/2004 13:52

ChicPea and Expatkat - only alternative I can think of if it rains, is my house or Cafe Nero which are both 5 minutes walk from the park. There is a little shelter just up the hill from the cuddling bears, past the snack shop, if it's pouring at 4pm. I'll meet you there or the bear water fountain and we can see what the forecast looks like. I will come in yellow raincoat if raining. Have emailed you, ChicPea. Will add all this now!

OP posts:
expatkat · 21/05/2004 20:01

I really enjoyed meeting you both, Joffy & Chicpea. I hope we can manage another meet-up in the near future. Joffy, thanks for the Spring Street tip. My journey home was SO much faster and I actually had proper crossings this time rather than having to sprint across busy roads with no traffic lights. I was so happy to be introduced to that side of the park. Lots of little gems there: the fountain, the ducks, the Peter Pan and the play area. Will certainly be returning!

Original poster
Joffy · 21/05/2004 20:14

Expatkat - I'm really glad we did it too. London can be so anonymous - it's nice to actually make contact with people! I'm glad you enjoyed my little corner of the park. I have spent hours there in the first two years of ds's life! Have you ever taken the barge to Regent's Park zoo? It leaves from near you, doesn't it?

OP posts:
expatkat · 21/05/2004 20:26

I must have taken the barge 20 or 25 times--often when we're hosting out-of-town visitors. I never tire of it though. It's quite literally across the street from us. Have you taken it much?

The park I tend to frequent most often is Paddington Rec. But that's quite a bit north of you; Hyde Park, for you, is definitely more convenient.

Original poster
Joffy · 21/05/2004 20:31

I've never taken the barge but keep thinking about it as a nice treat for ds. Do you have to book or just turn up?

OP posts:
maomao · 21/05/2004 20:38

Not meaning to barge in, but should you do go to the zoo, might I tag along with my 1 y.o. dd? I can walk easily to Regents Park from Hampstead. (Haven't got a car....)

expatkat · 21/05/2004 20:40

You just turn up. Do you think your ds would like the zoo--is he massively into animals? I think it was around that age that we first started taking ds to the zoo & he seemed to enjoy it very much. The zoo is not cheap but it is fantastic the way the barge drops you off in the middle of the zoo (you buy your zoo tickets on the boat) allowing you to avoid the queues. It might be a nice little London mumsnet outing. Perhaps you could get a group together? I would be interested.

expatkat · 21/05/2004 20:41

Oh look--maomao is already interested too! That would be fantastic, maomao, if you could join.

Original poster
Joffy · 21/05/2004 20:42

OK. I'll start a new thread!

OP posts:
maomao · 21/05/2004 20:44

"barge" in --- get it? Okay, weak pun.... Will ya still have me?

expatkat · 21/05/2004 20:45

If people are serious about this, maybe it's worth starting a London Zoo Outing thread under meet-ups. I definitely wouldn't be available for this outing until after June 10th, though, just to mention that right away.

expatkat · 21/05/2004 20:47

I caught that pun maomao. Well. . .OK, you're still invited.

Original poster
Joffy · 21/05/2004 20:48

Am writing a new thread as we speak!

OP posts:
maomao · 21/05/2004 20:49

Sigh.

ChicPea · 22/05/2004 08:36

Hi Joffy and Expatkat, it was nice to meet you too. And the playground was super, will definitely use it with you and possibly with DH at the weekend. The zoo and barge sounds good. Is this a stupid question: pushchairs, can you just wheel them on? While Expatkat has been on one 20-25 times, in stark contrast, I don't think I have been on one since childhood!!
Re: next week Joffy, would you like to join Davros and Maomao on Thursday or shall we do Friday again in Hyde Park? If Expatkat wants to go, is late morning better, say 11am?

expatkat · 22/05/2004 08:41

Chicpea, I'm afraid you cannot wheel the pushchair onto the barge (though it's not a stupid question at all!). You have to fold it up and they put it up on the top of the boat. It can be a long journey for squiggly 20-month-olds, alas.

As for Friday, choose a time that works for everyone else, and if I can join, I will. I'll be packing up for a trip to the US and may not be able to get out that day full stop.

ChicPea · 22/05/2004 09:23

How long is barge trip from Little Venice to Zoo?

expatkat · 22/05/2004 09:57

It's about 40 minutes all the way to Camdem. To the Zoo I reckon it's about 30 mins but have never actually timed it.

Original poster
Joffy · 23/05/2004 14:59

Hi Chicpea. I don't think I'll make 2pm on Thursday as it is after ds's morning in nursery and in the middle of his naptime so he would be very grouchy and no fun! I'm free on Friday though. Anytime you like (except naptime 1:30 till 3:30)!

OP posts:
ChicPea · 24/05/2004 20:30

Hi Joffy! I thought I was free this Friday but something I had arranged for tomorrow has been postponed to Friday so won't be able to visit the park this week. Shall be meeting Davros, Maomao and Onlineid on Thursday if you change your mind. Otherwise will probably see you next week. Has Chuffed been in contact as she lives near to you?

Chuffed · 25/05/2004 15:18

Haven't been online for a while. I could have made last Friday too. What time are you meeting tomorrow? I have a lunch date in Marylebone at 1 but should be back near the park at 3.30ish so might be able to meet with you.
email is nlevien at hotmail dot com

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