**DURHAM** 2010 Meet Ups!

[juneybean]

Our current line up (apologies if I've missed anyone!):

BettySwollux
BouncingTurtle
DizzyTrout
Foxytocin
Indith
JuneyBean
Laugs
LissyGli tter
Spiggy
StealthPolarBear
StickyLittleFingers
TeaMonster

What days of the week are best for day time meets? Also are mornings or afternoons easier?

January - I really want to go back to Cafe Continental in Durham! Any takers for coffee & cake?

Both work for me, Indith.

What about Brewsters at the pub near Arnison Centre? Nice coffee and cake, good little soft play for the kids, and if they're under 3 feet tall, they go in free.

Kids can play, we get to have a natter, win-win .

Doesnt open till 12 though, so would have to be afternoon meet, how does that suit everyone?

That sounds like a good idea

I'm sure I could pop along if it was between 12 and 2 ??

Excellent, any other takers?

Choca, if you need a lift, give me a shout.

Oooh this sounds good - Betty you're a genius!
I can do the 20th June - afternoon meet is better for me as I am on a course that finishes at 11:30 on Wednesdays.
I think it is supposed to be a nice day so we can sit outside hopefully, I'm sure there's a little outdoor play area there to? Been a while since I've been to the Arnison!
I could probably get there for 12:30pm.

Bump

You mean the 23rd BT? 20th is a Sunday. One on which we are supposed to be nice to our DH's

Apparently there is some hideously unmissable football game on the 23rd (I know because our Postgrad seminar has been postponed to make way for it and hence I'm free until 4 that afternoon!) - will Brewsters be over-run with people or do they not show sports?

(BTW Am I meant to be nice to my beloved on Sunday too? I think he might be expecting some recognition of his hard work that night 7 months ago...! ;-) )

ooh I might be able to do the 23rd too If you want me

Hi Chocaholica-I'm in Washington and I don't drive, plus I have two kids

Add me on fb if you like. Search for Alicia Duffy, I'm in my picture with both children, send a message with your add request so I know who you are

urgh, football. Well I doubt the soft play bit will be too full of football fans!

SPB of course we want you!

Leggy depends, if you make a big fuss of him will it set the mark for him to return the favour on Mothering Sunday? Could be worth it but if he is likely to forget that you fussed over him and present you with a last minute service station card I wouldn't bother

important question - do they do cake?

Betty said they did.

I'm not coming if there's no cake

phew...
so it's not to see us then juney?

you lot are just an added bonus!

Hi, sorry not to reply sooner (newborn, toddler, you know what it's like - plus potty training toddler atm).

Out of curiosity/greediness - which is the best cake shop in Durham, please? Oh and Leggyblonde, it sounds like we do the same job... though not at the same university... and presumably not the same subject...

Hi Betty, you are near me! Cool. And hi Butterpie. How old are your DCs?

Indith, read you and StealthPBear on the breastfeeding topics. My older DD self-weaned at 18 months and I was sad, at the time. I see now that maybe I should be grateful.

Anyway onto the meetup - yes, I know the pub (didnt know it did cake though happy to take Betty's word for it as have only been once). I can do the 23rd - will just have the baby as toddler goes to nursery one day a week on Wednesdays, hurrah. Might mean I actually get to talk to you all...

Betty, thank you for the lift offer, that's really. nice of you I will see if can get a bus to the Arnison centre to save you... I will get back to you - is that okay?

Look forward to meeting you all. I'm quite excited!

Yay a new person to meet!

Best cake places IMO (and the rest of them know I am a wee bit too well informed) are Cafe Continental (Elvet bridge, op the Swan and 3) for amazing cheesecakes, Vennels (up the Vennel by Waterstones) for good old sponge cakes and scones and then Leonards (in Saddlers Yard) for lovely muffins. Leonards also do amazing poached eggs and panchetta but that isn't quite so cakey

Yes I meant the 23rd!! Silly me!!

Brewsters weill definitely have pudding/ ice cream type stuff think they have cake too. Otherwise we will have to go an invade Sainsbos!

or asda, they have sofas

Yep, Cafe Continental, Vennels and Leonards. I would also add Saddlers (Saddler St, opposite the Vennels alley-way ish) which certainly had some lovely looking cakes last time I was there and does huuuuge and delicious tuna jacket potatoes!

And yes, Chocoholica, I guess we do have the same job! Will be great to meet another academic with kids and glean wisdom!

So ... what time will it be?

Oh yes Saddlers, also good.

Don't mind what time. Meet at 12 for lunch or 2 for cake?

Lunch sounds good, but it may be more like 12:30pm for me. Course finishes at 11:30 then I have to pick DS up from creche change him and visit the loo. Think there maybe comfy sofas at Brewsters.

I didn't know there was an Asda at the Arnison, is that new? It's not where Homebase used to be, coz I think they closed didn't they? Homebase in Teesside park got converted to an Asda Living.

Gosh I'm showing my U-ness lol

There is a LakeLand at the Arnison. I'm going to drool over all manner of wonderful things.

If I persuade DH to let me have the car how much more stuff do you think I could buy than if I have to get the bus?

technically it's a different retail park - mercia i think?? just an asda living though, can't actually remember what was there before. there used to be a big storey carpets in that bit though.
Homebase is still where it always was & still open.

Oooh it's exciting.

The Lakeland is very nice. Actually, Sainsburys new cafe has comfy armchairs now too. Asda Living holds inexplicable appeal for my toddler - and I like its usefulness. Next is annoying with a pram though - things are a bit squashed in there.

Oh and there is M&S Simply Food, which always leads me into temptation.