Crepeys are an August bunch

[MrsSchadenfreude]

Here ya go...

Is it common knowledge that if you try the TfL journey planner, it DOESN'T tell you National Rail routes? How daft is that, eh? (Unless I'm missing something.) Anyway, I could easily get to ED using National Rail, thanks very much TfL

Yes, TFL is truly PANTS!

So is that a yes for ED? And if so, any preferences on where we go?

Soz about that everyone. But at least you can all stay local!

I'd be on for ED. Don't mind where! Unfortunately the lovely sarf Indian place has shut but there are many lovely alternatives.

Great! What time suits you all? Shall I book somewhere or shall we go on a pub crawl take it as it comes?!

Might be worth booking? I am flexible wrt time if we're in ED...

I purchased, in crazed two-minute dash into Red Cross shop while waiting for bus with DD2 (she's on a 'summer school' at her new school, which sounds like it's mostly Having Fun, hurrah) a merino/lycra crimson zipup ribbed sweater, Hobbs, vg condition (I don't usually get charity shop knitwear, with the exception of the marvellous Lundalike I got DD1) for a fiver. RESULT. Mind you, it's so cold I may need to wear it!

Any prefs where we eat? Or what we eat? Would 6 be too early?!

6 is too early to eat! THough not to drink. I'll have to consult with my lot about timing...

Last place I ate in ED was Franklin's, I think.

Or possibly it was the Palmerston. The lovely south Indian place has shut!

No, I was thinking about drinking first

Franklins is lovely, but £££ and mostly meat if anyone is veggie. Palmerston similar.
The French House is new and ToastEd fairly new.
There are also lots of other pubs/places to eat.

There is a very lovely S Indian place - Ganapati, but it is a good 15min walk from LL. Or Thai place but they both only do sittings at 6 and 9.

Need a drink now actually - just had big hoo ha with printer not printing off the tickets for the footy (DH taking them off in 5mins!) whilst I was dishing up the dinner for 4 teens and DH. And of course, I am the only one who can fix things

Ganapati is so fab I have been known to nip out for lunch there - even my mother approves of it - but is a bit too far, I think. I like ToastEd though it's quite noisy - or shall we try the French HOuse?

I am very envious of all this talk of a MU. DH and I are actually out for a meal at friends tomorrow night so I do have something to look forward to.

We have been in Alnwick for the day with the GC - some hardy children were actually playing in the water features wearing their bathers! It was a nice day but not that warm.

DS has just had an offer accepted on a house - they want to remodel it so words have been uttered about moving in with us and/or DiL's parents while the work is going on. Not sure how I feel about it, tbh, although we all got on well when we holidayed together last year (not the same, I know).

Gosh NU - I think it would depend how long they wanted to move in for. It could be rather trying.

Monty - very impressed by your mega post and a word for everybody. I'm having trouble keeping up.

Crem - v impressed that DD thought of a clothes drier - I don't think that has entered DD's head (nor mine for that matter).

DH has gone away for work so I can watch a chick flick. Must rummage and see what the girls fancy.

Think my hormones are way out of control this week - feeling vaguely psychopathic and about to burst into tears for completely irrational things.

I have booked B & K from six for drinkies, followed by foodies around 7.30. If you want to go elsewhere, let me know asap and I'll cancel.

I don't think I'll ever get to a meet up, the way I'm going.
We are speeding towards the ferry terminal about 20 miles outside if Vancouver. I am impressed with Canadian pacific
Coach. On board wifi QED, aircon and toilet. I wish if have known about the latter when I had a n attack of the runs last night. I've been up all night worrying!
Any news of DM MI. All my hopes for better news. Xx
monty it's getting out walking that calms everyone down at this end. I do miss the days when DS and DD played together. They could amuse each other for hours at any time but partic on holiday. Now they just bicker.... I agree with tilly that moving around helps. Stops boredom which I think underlies holiday wars. Hard on parents though. We did a similar trip but to various locations in Ontario about 10 years ago. The kids were very young. I deffo notice I've got less energy for all the schlepping now!!!
I would call this a travel adventure. If I want hols I go to Sussex !!'
DH and I generally get on ok when were away if the kids don't fight !!!!

Deffo sounds like a big adventure to me, Rosebag!

NU, mmm, moving the family in for the duration of house renovations sounds ... like something that needs careful consideration. Could all get rather difficult if it went on for any length of time, I'd imagine.

Enjoy your Weds meetup.

MrsS I was getting all excited about going out locally - do you think it would be really awful to cancel and do ED? I don't mind if you would prefer B+K!

NU, that definitely needs careful consideration as it could be a while!

Rose, I agree, DH and I argue less if the DC are happy!

I know what you are saying about them moving in, but Dh and I are very well aware that we help out Dd all the time with child minding and DS rarely asks for anything. Anyway we will have to wait to see what happens.

If I'm absolutely honest I would prefer ED.

There are MORE bits of uniform we haven't got for DD2. It is reducing me to tears.

OK I will cancel. Just tell me where to be and when (and bear in mind that I don't know ED at all and it will take me about an hour to get there).

Have cancelled!

Oh dear, MrsS, is it making it difficult for you?

What about the French House at 6-6.30? If that is too early, please say.

NUFC, I'm very interested in your perspective. I'm somewhat obsessed with trying to equalise any unfairness between our two, and I feel that when the scales are imbalanced - and they go up and down all the time - then the one who has had least must be seriously considered when they make a request. But then again I think this obsession of mine is not especially healthy.

Looking forward very much to tomorrow night. I hope you can still make it, MrsS, we didn't have long to chat when we met last!

Molly, Is ED about 6/6.30 OK with you?