SUGGESTED DOOYOO/CIAO AND GENERAL REVIEW WRITING MEET.

Well, at least help me out here instead of making silly comments!

what about Reading? It's a direct train service from Paddington station (London), and a direct train link from Gatwick - plus they have a Heathrow Bus route which stops at Reading Train station. It's also in the centre of the M4 Corridor so people coming from either side of south England have easy access

Hotels are reasonable, parking is easily accessible.

I like that idea, see? There are some people out there who are taking it seriousl! ) Anyway, Iain Wear and I have come up with a date for Saturday 7th April (07) How does that sound to everyone?

Reading is good for me and a few others, but I am worried about rachel thats's all.....

How far as Reading from London ? I have no idea geographically

About 45 miles away. Lisa x

yeh but I need to know about transport, since I shall have no car with me when I come.

southwesttrains.co.uk may be of some help, but obviously you would need to get to London Waterloo. I'll have another look. Lisa x

marandina wrote:

I'd be happy to have a drinky poo with fellow writers in the Norfamton/Milton Keynes area if anyone decides to do one again. I attended a Chow/dooyoo meet a few years ago in MK and had a great time. Londinium's too much hassle and Belfast is far to close to Art for comfort.

There is talk of a meet in MK.

There's always talk of a meet in MK, lol. If Art was reading, I'm only kidding about Belfast!

Where is Milton Keynes ?

lisa2062 wrote:

southwesttrains.co.uk may be of some help, but obviously you would need to get to London Waterloo. I'll have another look. Lisa x

No I wouldn't consider those at all. South West trains don't generally cover suitable routes between Reading and London - if any consider Thames Trains

To get from London to Reading...there are 4 very simple ways:

1. Heathrow Bus Air direct to Reading Train Station
2. Gatwick train service direct to Reading Train Station
3. Drive!
4. London Paddington train direct to Reading Train Station

Obviously 3 isn't an option for Rachel but the other two are very simple, easy and convienient

Thingywhatsit wrote:

Where is Milton Keynes ?

For some strange reason I'm extremely charmed by the idea that there are people in this world who don't know where MK is. It harks back to somehow more innocent times.

MK is just over 50 miles north west of London just off the M1 with a major rail intersection that should be accessible to a lot of people. From London you need to go from Euston.

I suspect that the ability to get away from it quickly is one of MK's greatest assets.

Has anyone ever had the pleasure of waititng for a coach connection at its bus station. I think i would rather eat raw tripe than do that again!!

You're not 'of this world' are you?

I have a good excuse as I haven't lived in the UK for over 18 years !

HAHA, how can you not of heard of MK?? Its like the best place EVER!!!!

I expect its a bit like you asking me the way to Plumeliau. I assume everyone knows where that is. LOL

Thingywhatsit wrote:

I expect its a bit like you asking me the way to Plumeliau. I assume everyone knows where that is. LOL

Brittany. Home to the Fontaine de Saint-Nicodème.

Milton Keynes is home to the Concrete Cows.

It is also the only place in England where you can be water skiing one minute and then ten minutes later be skiing on natural snow.

the only thing I know about MK is that its built on a grid system, or something..... lol

MK is too far for me, I'll have a drink with meself then and dip me toes in the the channel

Yeah it is like America in the sence that it is all grids, which makes me get very lost!! Oh and no traffic lights, just bloody roundabouts, but the shopping is fab (and looks fantastic with all the christmas stuff up at the moment) and the snow dome is fab too.

spoilt_little_brat wrote:

Yeah it is like America in the sence that it is all grids, which makes me get very lost!! Oh and no traffic lights, just bloody roundabouts, but the shopping is fab (and looks fantastic with all the christmas stuff up at the moment) and the snow dome is fab too.

Actually they are starting to add more traffic lights in and around the centre as the congestion builds up and the grid system cannot cope.

I have an inate ability to get lost in Milton Keynes the minute I deviate from my normal route.

MK is ok with me too, easier to drive there than London, apart from all that roundabout practice..!

And Debbie, how can you not know where the M1 goes......I'm shocked!!

Rachel,

Assuming that I can make the date, if the meet is to the west of London, eg Reading as suggested, I could easily meet you at either Heathrow or Gatwick (the former is easier) and give you a lift...

That sounds a super idea. I really would find it hard to travel in England now after all this time. Thats so kind of you. Thank you Claire very much indeed.