**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?

Awww I'm jealous of new baby cuddles!

I'm doing a temp job in Durham centre tomorrow so if anyone spots me give me a wave!

It was bloody crab apples! They have more pectin in them that you can shake a stick at!

Seems to have set now though so fingers crossed! Tis my first year of jam making so all your aspiring WI wisdom wil be most welcome here :)

My cake looks beautiful though, want to make a second one to add something extra to the auction if I get the chance this morning but I need to tidy, wash up and hoover first. I've a friend coming today, she knows I'm a slattern but there are limits

Glad it's set :) See you later on today no doubt

Hello! Glad to hear the wedding went well Butterpie.

Have just got back from my hols in Brid (we were in a Park Resorts Caravan at Skipsea Sands, about 20 mins away). And I had NOOOOO internet on my phone, bloody 3!!!

We had a good time but glad to be home! We were very lucky with the weather, windy and showery Saturday, Sunday and Monday but rest of week was gorgeous. Evening entertainment was a bit naff but to be expected. Uber posh caravan was fab! We had a king size bed which was handy as DS slept with us most night - didn't like the narrow single beds, fell out twice :(

DShad a lovely time swimming, going to the beach and running around like a loon around our caravan with his big brother (who mostly had fun apart from a few strops and sulks). And he did well in the evening entertainment.

So when is the next meet up?

Muh why does prince bishops cost so much :(

Juney, I was in Durham centre today but realised that I don't think we've met, so was unable to recognise you (obviously). Sounds like it wasn't a wholly positive experience ?

Well I totally didn't check the charges and got a delightful £11.00 charge to pay cos I was parked for 8 hours :( going to try the marriotts own car park tomorrow!

This working lark isn't all it's cracked up to be

Did we not meet at arnison centre?

Ouch!

Parking in the street is cheaper at 30p per half hour or if you venture up in the residential streets off North Road you can usually get parked somewhere for free and just a few min walk from town.

Juney - no, I didn't make it to the Arnison centre meet-up unfortunately. Look forward to meeting you soon though - I'd value your insights on my nursery choice

Re: parking, the traffic wardens are gits very efficient in the residential areas so beware. We live in zone K (viaduct) and pretty much all my family and friends have received tickets over the last two years for crimes like not parking completely straight in a space (yes, really!) If anyone is planning on parking in the North Road vicinity, post here / CAT me and I can provide some visitors' permits if that's any help

Well after the way Durham CC have treat me, any nurseries within the Durham area are going to be marked down I kid!

I did manage to get parked in the Marriott car park!

Anyone want to meet this week before I find a job? (not that I'm expecting to find one in a week haha but sooner is better than later)

Maybe Juney, I'm looking pretty busy so far this week though. Shall see what the rest of you come up with.

Frozen, really? Dh has taken to parking in residential streets since he started taking the train to work. He turns left off North Road and finds a spot around there, is that where it is bad? Will have to warn him, we could certainly do without a parking fine!

Parking in Durham is evil.

Well thurs or fri would be best, cafe continental would be nice

Juney - why not use the Park n ride, only £1.70 to park all day. The buses are very frequent as well.

Don't think I will be able to meet this week, am working Thursday and DS has a hospital appointment Friday morning.

Unless can meet Thursday afternoon? Am free then and will be child free too. I could get to Durham for about 3pm? Would need to leave at 5pm to pick up small one for nursery.

Indith, do you mean the part of North Road that is partially pedestrianised and has shops on, or the part of North Road that has the Garden House pub on it and which precedes the big roundabout? Is he approaching North Road driving away from the hospital or towards the hospital? I'm trying to visualise where he parks - the fines are horrid. My poor mum got one last time she visited, she was only a couple of minutes late in putting another ticket in her car and ran out as he began to write the ticket but nope - still fined her. Made her cry

Am officially Back At Work Monday to Thursday this week, albeit in my study at home. Am missing baby C already - I keep hearing her crying for our nanny downstairs and my breasts keep letting down. Ugh.

Juney - ah, I've heard a few unflattering things about the CC recently and your experience sounds like it confirms my views. Job hunting is so demoralising - I hope something comes along for you soon...

Thank you FN! Definitely hope we can meet up soon :)

Did you use an agency for your nanny? I'm already signed up with Tinies but wonder if I should sign up to more!

Oh FN I feel for you.

Juney I suppose it can't hurt to sign up to more. Enough to make sure you are seen by all searching parents but not so many you look desperate!

I can't really do 3pm, buggar for the buses. I could prob manage the morning.

FN driving towards the garden house from the station and turning left up the steep hill. He usually finds himself a spot to park for free in a street up there.

Ah Indith, I think I know the road - it's the one just after the County Hospital, right? I never knew it was free up there - will recommend it to my relatives next time they visit, thank you! Further up my road it is free (Redhills vicinity) so it makes sense that it is free up that hill too.

Juney, I'm trying to remember the agency we used - I think it was this one and they were pretty good.

you mean Western Hill I think? My Aunt and Uncle used to live round there.

can't do thurs or fri which is a shame as I may be in need of extra cake rations for forseeable future

???????????

You want to do something next Tues Spiggy? I shall have car and the smallest child.

I'm intrigued Spiggy?!!?

me too!

I'm hoping she is going to tell us she is up the duff rather than needing to drown redundancy sorrows in cake.

3 is a nice number isn't it? And May is a lovely sunny month.

Tuesday would be good Indith. Any suggestions?