UK/London GTG: Summer 2016 (Saturday 9th July?)

[spuds]

Evening Gents....

Well it's that time of year again and the Summer GTG looms on the not too distant horizon already!!

From a quick scan of earlier posts by various members I gather that July looks favourite so I'd like to propose Saturday 9th July.
(School's break up mid-July so people with younger kids'll start going away about then and I can't make the 2nd so I'm hoping the 9th's agreeable?)

I've also learned that The Dickens Inn/Tower Bridge area isn't as popular as I'd thought and 'Central London' seems to be preferred so may I ask for suggestions and recommendations please?

Ideally we're looking for somewhere that has:

An area that can be reserved, with the option of the 'reserved area' being moved outside if the weather's good.....
(And if we do move the whole gathering outside it'd be nice to have some kind of garden/patio/'view' rather than a few tables strung along the edge of the pavement perfectly suited for some scumbag to grab all our watches off the table-top group-shot as they whizz past!)

Decent food and drink at 'sensible money' being available on the premises and/or within easy walking distance.

A good (but not 'silly money') hotel within easy walking distance.

Overnight parking (again not at 'silly money') within easy walking distance of both the hotel and the bar/restaurant.


Better still, a venue that not only meets all of the above but also one where a forum-member has a 'history' or 'relationship' with them, and where said forum-member is happy to deal with the booking/reservations etc.
(I've got a shed-load on my plate right now to be honest so I'm sorry but while I'm happy to deal with The Dickens & The Mala, family commitments mean that I simply haven't got the time to traipse round London sussing out new venues, posting directions and paying deposits out to places and people that I don't already know).

I'm not overly familiar with 'Central London' but a few members have said that'd be their preference so please do chime in with suggestions!!

I'd also opine though that I for one am perfectly happy to travel further afield and meet somewhere outside London if that helps people with their ideas and recommendations??



If no-one has any better ideas (or any objections) I'm perfectly happy to set up The Dickens and The Mala as I've done in previous years, but I won't arrange that again unless everyone's absolutely happy to go there.


Over to you Gents......

[sahcivan]

Pencil me in for this for sure!

[spuds]

Originally Posted by Flawlesswatchcompany

Pencil me in for this for sure!

Good man!!

It'll be good to meet you mate....







Gents don't forget we need to hear your suggestions and recommended alternatives to The Dickens/Tower Bridge area please.....

[sahcivan]

Originally Posted by spuds

Good man!!

It'll be good to meet you mate....







Gents don't forget we need to hear your suggestions and recommended alternatives to The Dickens/Tower Bridge area please.....

Likewise !

Hopefully we can get a good turnout!

[SC11]

Dan,

I only just mentioned this on forum to Chris the other day, I wonder now he's working central London if he could think of a suitable venue?!

[Xenophon]

Hello, mate. I'll do my best to make it. The usual terms & conditions apply. Besides, I want to see what watch I'll have by then.

[spuds]

Originally Posted by SC11

Dan,

I only just mentioned this on forum to Chris the other day, I wonder now he's working central London if he could think of a suitable venue?!

Good thinking!!

I've just sent Chris a text so hopefully he'll chime in soon.....

Originally Posted by Xenophon

Hello, mate. I'll do my best to make it. The usual terms & conditions apply. Besides, I want to see what watch I'll have by then.

'usual terms & conditions' being pink shorts, two halves of shandy and home in time for The Voice?!?

Bloody lightweight!!







To be honest Nathan mate it'd just be bloody good to see you, even if it's only for an hour so seriously bud' whatever works best for you.

























pussy.

[Xenophon]

Originally Posted by spuds

'usual terms & conditions' being pink shorts, two halves of shandy and home in time for The Voice?!?

Bloody lightweight!!


pussy.

I keep telling you, they were salmon not pink. Anyway, they're far too big for me now. Your not the only ex-fat bloke nowadays.

[sahcivan]

Maybe gaucho Piccadilly? I know they have (atleast used) to have private dining areas

[spuds]

Originally Posted by Xenophon

I keep telling you, they were salmon not pink. Anyway, they're far too big for me now. Your not the only ex-fat bloke nowadays.

Blimey!!

Good for you matey, bloody good for you!!!

Originally Posted by Flawlesswatchcompany

Maybe gaucho Piccadilly? I know they have (atleast used) to have private dining areas

I've no experience nor knowledge of that restaurant, so happy to go with the majority-vote/flow on this year.
(Personally I think the view, surroundings and general vibe of St. Katherine's and Tower Bridge along with The Dickens/The Mala are gonna be bloody hard to beat, but if someone/anyone can recommend somewhere else and is happy to deal with the bookings etc I'm pefectly happy to try somewhere else for a change).

Any ideas of hotels and parking near Gaucho Picadilly??

And can we have the option of our reserved area being outside if the weather's good???


(Please don't think these questions are all aimed directly at you flawless mate, I'm just asking anyone who knows the area..... )

[sahcivan]

Gaucho Piccadilly.

[spuds]

Gaucho looks viable mate but to be honest I personally still favour The Dickens/Tower Bridge in the Summer and 'Central London' in Winter 'cos it ties in with Salon QP.....

We need some confirmed numbers and more input before committing to anything though and so far there's only three of us confirmed and one 'maybe'.

The turnout's been a tad ..... disappointing a couple of times with many 'no-shows' and last minute cancellations so I'm somewhat reluctant to weigh out deposits and reserve areas only to end up looking silly when I've reserved an area for 12-16 and only 6 members actually turn up!!

Let's hear from some others before deciding but gotta say that my personal presence remains The Dickens/Tower Bridge area.

[Snow-Dweller]

Gents, I've subscribed to this thread and hope to be with you in July. I live in France but regularly pass through London, and this year should be able to plan ahead. I'm more of a West End man than City...but having not lived in London for many years now I'm sorry to say I can't help with the venue....

[sahcivan]

Originally Posted by Clivek

Gents, I've subscribed to this thread and hope to be with you in July. I live in France but regularly pass through London, and this year should be able to plan ahead. I'm more of a West End man than City...but having not lived in London for many years now I'm sorry to say I can't help with the venue....

The more the merrier

[Xenophon]

Originally Posted by sahcivan

Maybe gaucho Piccadilly? I know they have (atleast used) to have private dining areas

That's just opposite Veeraswamy. The oldest Indian restaurant in Britain. Just sayin'

[TheBluePrince]

Interested and would like to come if i'm in the country :)

[spuds]

Originally Posted by Clivek

Gents, I've subscribed to this thread and hope to be with you in July. I live in France but regularly pass through London, and this year should be able to plan ahead. I'm more of a West End man than City...but having not lived in London for many years now I'm sorry to say I can't help with the venue....

Be great to meet you if you're there mate....

Originally Posted by sahcivan

The more the merrier

This!

Originally Posted by Xenophon

That's just opposite Veeraswamy. The oldest Indian restaurant in Britain. Just sayin'

But you never stay for dinner Mr. Horlicks so.....??

Originally Posted by TheBluePrince

Interested and would like to come if i'm in the country :)

Be great to see you if you are!

[Lanfor]

I should be able to make it aslong as I'm not abroad. Its a lot easier to make it now I have a place in London. I always enjoy the St Katherine's dock area, but I'm open to somewhere different

[DiamondJack]

Hey Dan,

Hope all is well with you and yours? Unfortunately, this GTG always seems to coincide with trips abroad so not for me this time. But have a good one and hopefully we'll catch up for the Salon QP later in the year.

[spuds]

Originally Posted by Lanfor

I should be able to make it aslong as I'm not abroad. Its a lot easier to make it now I have a place in London. I always enjoy the St Katherine's dock area, but I'm open to somewhere different

Nice one Matt!!

Originally Posted by DiamondJack

Hey Dan,

Hope all is well with you and yours? Unfortunately, this GTG always seems to coincide with trips abroad so not for me this time. But have a good one and hopefully we'll catch up for the Salon QP later in the year.

No worries Steve, hope to see you in November then....

(And I've had better starts to the year to be honest mate but hope all's well your end?? )

[The GMT Master]

Hi Dan,

I'm useless at replying to texts at the moment

Unfortunately, this coincides with the other half's birthday weekend, so I'm afraid I won't be able to make it to this one.

I'm familiarising myself with the area still, but I did have an excellent meal at Roti Chai near Selfridges a couple of weeks ago. It's Indian street food, a little different to the norm

Shame I can't make it, hope to catch up with you all soon!

Chris

[red.earth]

Sat 9th July is in my diary! Barring any more unforeseen disasters, I'm set to see you all for the afternoon (although probably not the evening).

Really looking forward to it!

Thanks Dan

[Swearengen]

Going OT, I have been past Roti Chai in Portman Mews a few times and thought it looks good. Some other useful places can also be found in Drummond Street off North Gower street

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

Hi Dan,



I'm familiarising myself with the area still, but I did have an excellent meal at Roti Chai near Selfridges a couple of weeks ago. It's Indian street food, a little different to the norm



Chris

[spuds]

Originally Posted by red.earth

Sat 9th July is in my diary! Barring any more unforeseen disasters, I'm set to see you all for the afternoon (although probably not the evening).

Really looking forward to it!

Thanks Dan

Nice one!

Good man Adam, sorry Indidn't reply to your text mate, "pig of a day" but thank you and it'll be great to see you on the day.

Originally Posted by Swearengen

Going OT, I have been past Roti Chai in Portman Mews a few times and thought it looks good. Some other useful places can also be found in Drummond Street off North Gower street

So can you make the 9th Gabriel?

[spuds]

UPDATE!!

Paul (BH13GMT) and I will be meeting at The Dickens (or nearby) for breakfast on Saturday 9th July, probably about 10am.

We're both staying at The Tower Hotel.


I don't want to speak for Paul but I for one am perfectly happy to start at The Dickens/St. Katherine's Docks/Tower Bridge area and then head over to any 'Central London' venue that anyone decides/recommends/arranges.

I'm equally happy to arrange a reserved area at The Dickens should the number of confirmed attendees deem it preferable.


So I guess it's now over to anyone that wants to arrange something in 'Central London'????


If not I'll happily stand anyone a beer that turns up as I sit overlooking Marble Quay and admiring Tower Bridge in the distance while supping a few Peroni's, before heading off for a curry next door at The Mala....

[spuds]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

Hi Dan,

I'm useless at replying to texts at the moment

Unfortunately, this coincides with the other half's birthday weekend, so I'm afraid I won't be able to make it to this one.

No worries re: the text Chris mate but and I want to cry, it won't be the same without you!!,!


Might I suggest you take your young lady on a little birthday shopping spree and 'just happen' to drop in for a beer?!?!?

[spuds]

Originally Posted by Lanfor

I should be able to make it aslong as I'm not abroad. Its a lot easier to make it now I have a place in London. I always enjoy the St Katherine's dock area, but I'm open to somewhere different

Superb!!

Sorry Matt, I missed your post earlier.....

[sahcivan]

I'm in !

[Applefloors]

spuds

I am up for a night out..

Mark

[Xenophon]

As you know, I like the Dickens but I'll go with the flow