JULY 2008 KEW MEET-UP (...was "Anyone for Cliveden or Kew?")

[gaild]

20% discount with http://www.discountbritain.net/Royal-Botanic-Gardens-Kew.html

[romy_uk]

Wow - looks like there'll be 12 of us... can we get a group discount or something ?
What time are we meeting where ?
Can't wait

Rose

[romy_uk]

Wow - looks like there'll be 12 of us... can we get a group discount or something ?
What time are we meeting where ?
Can't wait

Rose

LOL - Gail beat me to it ! Looks like we can do two groups of 6 then ?

Rose

[homeward]

I propose that we meet up outside the Victoria Gate entrance, on Kew Road (A307), on Sunday, 6th July, at 11:00 a.m..

Instructions on how to get to Kew are here...

http://www.kew.org/visitor/findkew.html

...and here...

http://www.kew.org/visitor/whichgate.html

...and this is what the Victoria Gate entrance actually looks like:



And this is what I look like (admittedly on an off-day; or when surrounded by too many goils with Canons -- so please don't be put off...):



If you can't make it that early, don't worry: (i) we almost certainly won't set off straight away -- if last year's meet is anything to go by -- stopping for a coffee and even a muffin before we get under way at the Victoria Gate cafe; (ii) you can catch up with us later, if you wish, at one of Kew's eateries; and (iii) Kew doesn't close until 7:30 p.m.! Simply PMail me during this week, and I'll let you have my mobile number: so that you can text or call me on the day; and I'll let you know where we are!

I look forward to seeing you there!

Take care...

[homeward]

Looks like we can do two groups of 6 then ?

I've just printed a couple of these out -- with different numbers on them (which proves my brain must be working, for a change... ) -- and I've noticed that it says that they're "for up to 6 people": so, theoretically, we should be able to use them with smaller groups, as well, if necessary.

Anyway, thank you for finding them (Ray, I think, originally), and for remembering them (Gail, this time around)!

Cheers...!

[maire]

Stephen,

Thanks for the links and the visuals - it should make getting there easier for the novices! I'll look forward to starting off the day with that coffee around 11am.

Máire

[beverley_h]

its ok maire....we know what you look like!! hahaha...should be great to see the gang again!!

b
xx

[romy_uk]

Can't wait !! For the coffee and muffin of course...
Methinks the goils(and the Canons) are going to outnumber the boyz again too

Rose

[romy_uk]

Hmmm... don't think much of the weather forecast for Sunday

Rose

[tringhenge]

My fault on the weather I think. My first Pbase meet earlier this year at Oxford was a very rainy day. I said I was going to Kew and lo and behold rain is forecast! Maybe I should cry off and see if you have good weather

[clickaway]

Well, if it's that wet, there will be more time for cake shots

[homeward]

Maybe I should cry off and see if you have good weather

Please don't do that...! Both the meet-ups I've organized so far (and, therefore, both the ones I've been on ) have ended up being sunny; and I refuse to believe in weather forecasts anymore... -- especially as the last couple of days, here, have actually turned out so very nice and dry (contrary to what the BBC would have us believe... )!


Anyway... -- the real reason I'm posting this is to apologize as profusely as anyone can; and to let you all know that I won't be there on Sunday to act as PBase Team Leader (although I know that you really can manage without me, of course... ). I'm really very sorry... -- but I saw my GP yesterday, and what I thought was a bug has ended up as an appointment to see a neurologist on Monday morning.... (Eek.)

[As some of you will know from my early PaDs, etc., I'm not the most healthy chap in the universe, anyway; but have always tried to hide it well, as they say.... However, I'm also sure you've also noticed that I haven't posted much recently.... I actually have been taking the odd photograph here and there; I've just not had the energy to go through them all, process them, and then upload them to PBase.... But, having organized this meet at Kew; and seen how many had 'signed up' for it; how far some were travelling to be there; and so wanting to see you all... I was going to be there, come hell or high water. Or so I thought.... ]


Anyway: back to Sunday....

I sent this to Gail a few days ago:

The [new Rhizotron & Xstrata Treetop] walkway's fun (if you're not scared of heights, like what I is... -- although I have promised to conquer it when there is no-one else around; it was just too busy when I visited it at a recent members' open evening...)! It also leads to the lake [and the Sackler Crossing] & the Thames, via the Mediterranean garden; & to the woodland & the pagoda (& the [Garden Photographer of the Year] exhibition & the [Marianne North and the new Shirley Sherwood botanical art] galleries...). There's also quite a bit on relating to their year of the tree.... We should be okay, with 300 acres to go at...!?!

(The latest [Discover Kew] maps [available from the ticket booths] are certainly full of ideas - although the place does look a little empty, admittedly, now that the Moores have left....)

...and, if the weather isn't up to much, I would heartily recommend the Temperate House [which is truly massive...!]; and you could spend half an hour in the Palm House just waiting for your lenses to de-mist...!

The back of Kew Palace is actually a hidden gem, if there's no-one else around; or, if you do venture south -- as suggested above -- the area around the Japanese Gateway is extremely photogenic....


I don't know if there's any need for anyone to volunteer as relpacement "Team Leader"... -- last time, we just sort of auto-magically formed a PBase clump; and then went our merry way, disturbing the good folks of Richmond -- again, without any real, defined plan (although I would heartily recommend Bev as someone to look to for guidance... ). However, if anyone has any questions about details for the the day, please feel free to email me (much more efficient than PMail for me, at the moment, thanks...) at srwphotography@mac.com. Ta!

By the way... DON'T FORGET TO TAKE SOME DISCOUNT VOUCHERS WITH YOU!!! AND HAVE A REALLY, REALLY GOOD DAY!!!

Take care... -- and I look forward to all those piccies... -- cakes, conservatories, whatever...!

[rjyates]

Anyway... -- the real reason I'm posting this is to apologize as profusely as anyone can; and to let you all know that I won't be there on Sunday to act as PBase Team Leader

Really sorry to hear that you can't make it and hope that all goes well with the neurologist.


For the team that are attending tomorrow, expect a couple more from the Surrey contingent - David Estall and myself are escaping for the day and heading Kew-wards!

Ric

[davidestall]

I'll be the one wearing an air of reverence and a silly grin...

http://www.pbase.com/jachurch/image/99430627

[romy_uk]

OK... so how weatherproof is the 40D anyway ? Am I worrying unnecessarily about tomorrow's forecast ? The Met office is saying "heavy rain showers"...

Rose