About time we had another UK get together

[readingr]

Okay folks - who's up for a walk on the South Downs to see Jack and Jill - two windmills near Clayton weather permitting of course.

Proposed date weekend 15 or 16th February 2008?

Walk will be dependant on weather. Alternative is a bit difficult as all the houses in the area and most of the features (dry) are closed until Easter.

Any takers on freezing your buts off in blustery and wet conditions?

Roger

[SmartWombat]

Might be too much like exercise
As I recall the downs also have ups associated with them ?
And that weather you described ?
I'm a bit of a wuss you know.

But for a UK meet, I might be up for it
As long as the end point of the walk has a nice warm dry place to go eat and get warm afterwards - also known as a PUB.
Hmm we could start out in the pub too ...

[readingr]

Might be too much like exercise
As I recall the downs also have ups associated with them ?
And that weather you described ?
I'm a bit of a wuss you know.

But for a UK meet, I might be up for it
As long as the end point of the walk has a nice warm dry place to go eat and get warm afterwards - also known as a PUB.
Hmm we could start out in the pub too ...

That's fine by me, its a lot closer. Another possibility in the area is the Didcot Steam Engine museum if its open.

Paul, shall I leave you to organise it?

Roger

[Overbeyond]

Hmmm Anything else around as well as the windmills Roger?

[Didache]

Would Oxford be a runner? I am thinking of Paul who has really gone the extra mile in getting to the previous meets.

Mike

[Overbeyond]

Would Oxford be a runner? I am thinking of Paul who has really gone the extra mile in getting to the previous meets.

Mike

Well said. I mentioned this at our last meet that our next one should be set up to facilitate Paul as he has been doing all the travelling up to now. I think Roger has had a couple of journeys also.

[gahspidy]

Well, I hope you all meet up soon so I can see the next set of great images from your outing. I'm looking forward to it . . in spirit.

[freygr]

All the get togethers and I'm too far away or tied up with other commitments....

[SmartWombat]

Yes, Oxford might be fun.
I'll check that interesting things like Carfax tower are open.
Angie will be available as shopping consultant ...

[Greg McCary]

Ruffus should be there very soon. After Megan and Gary he will be heading for the UK...

[SmartWombat]

Things just didn't quite work out.
He could have met up with us in Vegas, seen the sights, and then flown back with me

[Didache]

Is anything happening on the 16th? If it proves a little hard, me and overbeyond intend to plan something on that day - although that would probably be London.

Cheers
Mike

[readingr]

I guess Paul is busy at PMT so how about Didcot Steam Mueseum, just down the road from Paul?

Kick off at:
The Centre opens to visitors at 10:30 am.
Admission £5.00

How to get there
The entrance to the Railway Centre is at Didcot Parkway railway station - Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 7NJ

Didcot is 53 miles west of London, 10 miles south of Oxford and almost halfway between London and Bristol on Brunel's original Great Western Railway.


Find us using MultiMap.com®

By Car:
The Railway Centre is signposted from the M4 motorway (junction 13) and the A34, and is easily reached from the M40, or you can choose a scenic drive through the Thames Valley or across the Berkshire Downs. Parking is readily available near Didcot Parkway railway station.

Please note that the road signs direct you to the main station car park. The route from this car park to the station entrance is over a footbridge and involves two long flights of steps and a walk of around half a mile to reach the station entrance.

Alternative, more convenient, parking is often available at weekends opposite the station and behind Julians garage. Follow the signs to the Railway Station to find these car parks. If you are using the main car park you may find it convenient for passengers to disembark at the station entrance before the driver parks the car.

A parking fee may be payable at any of these car parks which are all independent of the Railway Centre.

Some parking for those with Disabled Parking badges is normally available near the station entrance. More information about accessibility is available.

By Train:
First Great Western trains serve Didcot Parkway with direct services from London Paddington, Reading and Thames Valley, Oxford, the Midlands, Swindon, Bath, Bristol and South Wales.

National Rail Enquiries: 08457 484950

By Bus:
Oxford Bus Co. from Oxford and Abingdon (daily); Thames Travel from Wallingford (weekdays).






Inspect our collection of over twenty Great Western Railway steam locomotives and a diesel railcar dating from 1940. You can see them in and around the original 1932 engine shed, or under repair in the locomotive works.
Discover our Great Western coaches collection which, with over forty vehicles covering the period from the 1880s through to the 1950s, is probably the most comprehensive of any of the pre-nationalisation railways. We also have great variety of goods wagons on display.
Look around our displays including a re-creation of Brunel's broad gauge railway, branch line with restored buildings and signalling, turntable and more.
Visit our shop and refreshment room.
Relax in our picnic area.
See the wide variety of smaller items once used by the Great Western Railway in our Relics Display (normally closed between Christmas and Easter).

Roger

[Overbeyond]

If Paul is not around I think we should "preserve" that area until he gets back. I dont mind an hour or two train journey with an early start.

[SmartWombat]

Not sure about me planning anything for then, it's only a week after I get back from PMA.
The steam museum is really interesting when they steam up something.
I'm up for that, and will look around Oxford planning for a later date.

Didcot also has the 3rd worst countryside eyesore in the power station, and the 2nd oldest yew tree.
3rd ugliest, 2nd oldest, it's just not fair

[poker]

About time we had another UK get together ??

This mean you had one in the past!

Anyone have a link to the original thread? I'd love to see the photos!

[Didache]

manacsa .. there have been several ...

First, readingr (Roger) and myself met up, just for lunch and a drink, in London ...

Readingr & Didache meet up!

Then, in September, Roger, myself and smartwombat (Paul) met up for a walk in the country ....

UK Members ... Met

In October me and overbeyond (Tom) met up in London ...

Didache & Overbeyond meet up in London!

In early December, on a soggy day, Paul, Tom and Roger met at Kew Botanical Gardens ...

UK Get together in Kew Gardens

And a few days later it was the turn of myself, Tom and Paul to do some London night shooting ...

Forum shoot - London at Night

I think that's it - so far!

Cheers
Mike

[Didache]

Roger & Tom - I'll give you a bell this evening to finalise it all.

Cheers
Mike