City Gals go mad in _________? Let's plan another.

[AtheneNoctua]

Thanks again Squiffy. Had a great time.

So we talked a bit about this yeterday, but let's pick up the conversation where we left off. I think we discused:

A self catering rental for the weekend.
Where shall we go?
Page62, did you say you have a book of places?

Bring 2 nannies and mums can go out for dinner/drinks. So self catering place should be walking distanse to pubs/restaurants?

So..... let's discuss places and dates...

God, do you guys all have time to read books?

Sory, BK, no book club for me.

i tried to read The Human Stain by Philip Roth and i know he is supposed to be one of the best american novelists yada yada, but really, do sentences all have to be run-ons with about 7 ideas in them. I have been reading it for about 2 months so no, i think i am actually not really reading it.

Now, The Ghost by Robert Harris (Birdsong etc) that, i read in 2 days. So i am not completely illiterate i just need an actual story that is interesting to read!

AN i read my books while my kids watch a Lazytown DVD. Horrid mother that i am!

well yes, I am one of those freaks who walks to the train reading etc etc and tend to read in the evening in preference to TV if I can (am trying to wean myself off cr*p TV). And I read while DS watches Wonderpets. I'm not going to claim that it's all literary, exactly (have now read all the jasper fforde books that jura so kindly recommended and moved onto some about dragons fighting in the napoleonic wars)
(perhaps I am not proper book club material)

Ok Athena, in terms of decision time, I am happy with any venue and any of the dates. I rather like the last two you found...

I think since the middle two dates have the most names on them maybe we should choose between them?

27-29 June
AtheneNoctua +nanny?
Page 62 (not ideal, but possible) + nanny
Squiffy
Bertieboo + Nanny

04-06 July
AtheneNoctua (DH persuaded ) +nanny?
Page62 + nanny
Squiffy
Bertieboo + Nanny

Is this our final count? Has anyone heard from Jura?

I love the places you found - especially the 1st one. I pictured a scene of sun induced bliss....
Children playing happily on the lawn, whilst the grown ups sip wine on the terrace in our summer frocks.

Let's get the nannies to wear uniforms to complete the edwardian picture

ooo yes, can we all wear dressing up clothes this time?

What are you going to wear squiff?

I have a natty little sequin chiffon number that with a pair of wings makes me look like i should be placed at the top of a christmas tree... The younger girls in the group would love it.

If no one minds, to save on packing (and washing) I may just schlep around in a dressing gown for the weekend....

Oh oh, how does a suffragette dress?

DD was named after an ancestor of our who was part of the first graduating class of Mt. Holyoak. So we will both be in the spirit of the times. Actually, I'm not entirely sure it was the first class, but she was definitely one of the very early classes.

I have e-mail both of them about availability. But the webpage for the smaller one said weekends were all booked through July. So, not terribly hopeful.

I think the group of us has now dropped in numbers and so if we booked the bigger one (Ufton court) we would surely be looking at sharing the place with others... I'm just assuming this. I just can't image they would reant to whole place out to four mums and their kids. But, I'll let you know what they say. I asked both of them about availability for 27June and 4th July.

Bugger. Ufton court has no weekends between now and Chritmas.

Mmmmm. Perhaps we need to think outside the box....

A few tents at the cornbury festival maybe?

Oh, we could definitely manage that. But I don't know if everyone else fancies camping. I haven't been uin years and don't own any of the gear. But, I'd be willing if others are.

Would like to see Paul Simon and the Bangles.

Where is Jura?!?!?!

I think we are trying to organise a weekend pre summer hols. I don't think we'll manage to all get together on one weekend if it is into the school hols. Does July 5-5 suit you?

Right, so how many bods can sleep in your tent?

Does anyone else own a tent?

Bertie/Page62, have you got any views on camping??

Okay,I too, have to actually work today. Will check back later...

Can we put all the kids in one room and zip it up?