Central London children's picnic - Sat Sept 11th

[binkie]

As discussed at today's Cityslickers lunch, we thought it might be nice to organise an all-mners-welcome picnic, with partners & especially with kids, somewhere central, to start off the new school year. Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens was our first idea (Diana Memorial Playground being the obvious draw), but could also consider Regent's Park perhaps?

So, who's interested? Imagine we'd all bring picnic for our own, plus something to share - say enough for another 6 people.

If it's a goer, any ideas about how to deal with risk of rain? I think, though not sure, that the Diana park doesn't have a function room. Anyone know different, or of somewhere parky & central that does? Paddington Rec?

That's a pity. Where did you see the bad forecast? BBC (here ) seems not so dreadful - just a bit cloudy - and I guess I wouldn't even mind a change from this blistering sun. Supposed to be Even Hotter tomorrow.

Anyway, as playgrounds go it's as well set up for bad weather as any can be - there's arcades along the sides for shelter, and of course we have our big room.

We're coming too - me and dd (nearly 2 and a half)
I've given Dh the afternoon off. Must confess to being a bit nervous though, my first meet up.

hope to come still but I have vertigo so am off work today.

I'd love to come too with dd 23 months. I've never been on a meet-up before. How does one introduce oneself?!

well, Corams are definitely expecting us - called me today to ask how many tables & chairs we want.

I've guessed we might be around 60-70 altogether (inc. children). Am now anticipating being a lonely lemon. First-time nerves is nothing to this.

I had really been hoping to come to this, but I am completely over-committed atm, and am working Sunday, so need a little 'DP' time - sorry to miss old friends, and not to meet new ones.

Hey Binkie, all the more room for those of us who do come!

Thanks for that PN!

Blu, what a shame, I'd specially looked forward to meeting you as I think my dd's godfather is your good friend too. Another time?

Binkie - DO YOU????
CAT me immediately, (or tell MotherInferior to give you mt e address) I am COLLAPSING with curiosity!

ah no, you'll have to give up your only free day this year & come & find us tomorrow ...

I'll CAT you. So slow though you may still expire.

Oh you've got me now - I'm already rehearsing the conversation with DP....but my spies are out!

Got your CAT - you were RIGHT!
Brilliant!

see you tomorrow everyone. I'm looking forward to it.

Just made some rolls and got the cool bag out

message withdrawn

Still planning to come, though I need to get off mumsnet and into the kitchen to prepare the dish I'm bringing!

Oh good, I can turn up with a packet of biscuits to share as no-one else has nabbed that as their 'dish to share'

I may not be able to bring a 'dish' as such as our cookers been broken for over a week now. But I can bring some snacks if that's ok?

sis, you clashed with me. I was going to bring the biscuits ...

Ah well, I'll bring a bag of crisps then.

yes prefernot, anything at all - it's an ice-breaker system really. When ds & dd's school did it it seemed perfectly OK to send them off with a multipack of Iced Gems.

I'm really looking forward to meeting some mumsnetters 'for real' tomorrow. It's kind of nerve-wracking too.

Would it be an idea to have a list of who you might meet (bearing in mind this is never definite)?

People who I'm pretty sure will come: me, frogs, kayleigh, strangerthanfiction, lydialemon, tigermoth (vertige permitting), sis, metrobaby, ilanak, welshmum, earlybird, lasvegas, survivour, biketastic, swanny, aelita, prefernot.

People who (from their posts) seem a wee bit less definite but maybe only need a bit of a plea: motherinferior, blu, countessdracula, expatkat, wilbur, noddy5, batters, scummymummy, posey, twick, memum.

If I've forgotten anyone, shout!

Is it OK to decide on the day? Dd has been invited to a friend's house that day, and I just cannot seem to make up my mind what to do.

Definitely OK merrygoround - hope to see you.

The same goes for anyone who might be reading this & hasn't yet posted (or even joined yet). It's an ideal venue for new people as adults aren't allowed in without a child - none of that "perhaps they're really all hairy lorry drivers" feeling.

I'm signing off now, need to make a sandwich or two. See you all tomorrow.

Hope to be there too though am not yet 100% on whether I can make it as the housework gremlins have been trashing the flat most determinedly this week. Partner is working and I have been the comparitive shirker on the tidying front so there's no getting out of it. Will have to hope for the energy to produce a speed clean rather than my usual sullen plod...