Ship of Fools: Pigwidgeon in London

Thread: Pigwidgeon in London Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.

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Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :

This owl will be winging her way to London in early August. I'd love a Shipmeet! I'll be staying in the vicinity of London Bridge, and have a free evening on Monday, 5 August. Will anyone be in town and interested in a Meet? Any suggestions of a pub in that area?

(I'll have very limited internet access for the two weeks before then, so I'd love to get details pinned down in the next month.)

Posted by Deputy Verger (# 15876) on :

There are LOTS of pubs near London Bridge, on both sides of the river, including quite a few on the river. Can you be more specific?

Some of them get very crowded in the after-work hours (it's the same around all the mainline stations), but especially near the river in the summer. But some of them (Anchor, Barrow-Boy and Banker) are big enough to cope. They aren't necessarily the nicer ones though.

I'm in. Let's see who else is...

[ 24. June 2013, 19:24: Message edited by: Deputy Verger ]

Posted by M. (# 3291) on :

Depending on dates, Macarius and I could be around.

M.

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :

Oops! Not the London Bridge -- we brought that to Arizona.
[Hot and Hormonal]

I'll be east of Tower Bridge, on the north side of the River. (I really do know the difference. My fingers slipped when typing.)

Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :

I should be around for a meet-up, happy to go to a pub near any of the London bridges.

Posted by Smudgie (# 2716) on :

Sadly not around until 9th - are you still about then?

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Smudgie:
Sadly not around until 9th - are you still about then?

Unfortunately not -- I'll be heading home on the 8th.
[Frown]

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Smudgie:
Sadly not around until 9th - are you still about then?

If you're around on the 9th, Smudgiedear, would you like to come to my birthday party?

[Big Grin]

Posted by Yangtze (# 4965) on :

I think I'm away then but I do know the area and will dig out links to pubs. Also there's the fabulous Lahore Kebab House if you fancy a curry. Best grilled lamb chops this side of, well, Lahore.

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :

I'm not a big fan of curry -- my personal preference would be for a pint of good ale and some pub grub. But I'm open to suggestions!

Posted by Ye Olde Motherboarde (# 54) on :

Have a great time, I wish I were there with you, sister.

Posted by Spike (# 36) on :

I'm up for it.

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Ye Olde Motherboarde:
Have a great time, I wish I were there with you, sister.

We can't even get you to a Phoenix Shipmeet!

Posted by Deputy Verger (# 15876) on :

East of Tower Bridge on the north side are two of the most interesting pubs in London - The Captain Kidd and The Prospect of Whitby. The Captain Kidd is closer to Tower Bridge and Wapping Station so is arguably more convenient. It's also cheaper and less up-itself. They're both historic and capacious with riverside terraces and only half a mile apart.

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Deputy Verger:
East of Tower Bridge on the north side are two of the most interesting pubs in London - The Captain Kidd and The Prospect of Whitby. The Captain Kidd is closer to Tower Bridge and Wapping Station so is arguably more convenient. It's also cheaper and less up-itself. They're both historic and capacious with riverside terraces and only half a mile apart.

Either of these looks great -- I'll defer to those of you who know them better.

Closer to the time I'll pm those attending with where I'm staying, etc., which I don't want to post here for all the world to see. If anyone provides me with an email address, I can also send a photo so you'll recognize me without my having to dress up as an owl.

Posted by M. (# 3291) on :

Originally posted by Pigwidgeon:

quote:
If anyone provides me with an email address, I can also send a photo so you'll recognize me without my having to dress up as an owl.

Ohohhhh. Why do you think anyone goes to shipmeets?

M.

Posted by Deputy Verger (# 15876) on :

My costume is easy. I just have to carry way too many keys and keep moving the chairs around. I'm looking forward to meeting you dressed as an owl. M., I know what you look like, but exactly which ship's spare part are you game to represent?

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :

A photo has been sent to Deputy Verger -- I am not responsible for any broken computers that result from this!

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Deputy Verger:
East of Tower Bridge on the north side are two of the most interesting pubs in London - The Captain Kidd and The Prospect of Whitby. The Captain Kidd is closer to Tower Bridge and Wapping Station so is arguably more convenient. It's also cheaper and less up-itself. They're both historic and capacious with riverside terraces and only half a mile apart.

Deputy Verger has now recommended The Dickens Inn -- I will trust those of you who live in London to decide.

Deputy Verger has my hotel information in London as well as in Gloucester the week before. I'm leaving the U.S. this Wednesday morning, so my internet access will be very limited after that.

I'm looking forward to meeting some of you in a few weeks!

Posted by Deputy Verger (# 15876) on :

Just so I don't look like Bossy-Boots and the only Shipmate with a taste for real ale, please can we have some contributions to this decision from the rest of you?

The Dickens Inn at St Katherines's Dock is very close to Pigwidgeon's hotel and also convenient to Tower Hill Station and a riverside pier for transport. But three pints of bitter stings you more than £12. The Captain Kidd is a Sam Smith's pub, a 15-minute walk from Tower Bridge and very close to Wapping Overground Station, and three pints of Old Brewery Bitter costs under £10!!! The Prospect is a little further east, and the price is probably between those two extremes. They're all large, historic, popular, attractive and interesting. The Dickens is not on the river as such, but on the marina.

Or we could muddy the water by crossing Tower Bridge to the Draft House or the Anchor Tap (the latter also Sam Smith, see prices above). But Tower Hill on the north side of the river is still your closest station.

Can someone else please make the ultimate decision?

Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :

Would love to meet you Pigwidgeon, but I'm away from 3rd to 10th August.

Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :

I'm happy to go to any of these, but having never been to the Captain Kidd I think that would be my first chocie, but I guess it's Pigwidgeon's call.

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Gussie:
I'm happy to go to any of these, but having never been to the Captain Kidd I think that would be my first chocie, but I guess it's Pigwidgeon's call.

Her shout, surely! [Big Grin]

Posted by Deputy Verger (# 15876) on :

Pigwidgeon has explicitly left it up to those of us who live in London to decide. I'm trying to abdicate responsiblity for that but Gussie and I are both leaning towards the Captain Kidd. Spike, M, anyone else, any input? It's two weeks tomorrow.

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :

quote:
Originally posted by PeteC:
Her shout, surely!

Wouldn't that mean I was paying for the first round?

Posted by M. (# 3291) on :

I'll go wherever's decided, I don't really know any of the pubs suggested.

That's not very helpful, is it?

M.

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Pigwidgeon:

quote:
Originally posted by PeteC:
Her shout, surely!
Wouldn't that mean I was paying for the first round?

You learn fast!

[Devil]

Posted by Spike (# 36) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Deputy Verger:
Pigwidgeon has explicitly left it up to those of us who live in London to decide. I'm trying to abdicate responsiblity for that but Gussie and I are both leaning towards the Captain Kidd. Spike, M, anyone else, any input? It's two weeks tomorrow.

I've not seen a firm date for this yet. If it's Monday 5th, I'm afraid I won't be able to make it.

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Spike:
I've not seen a firm date for this yet. If it's Monday 5th, I'm afraid I won't be able to make it.

Yes, it's the 5th. I'm so sorry you won't be with us.
[Frown]

Posted by JoannaP (# 4493) on :

I have now discovered that I might be able to make it - but cannot help choose the pub as I do not know the area at all.

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :

quote:
Originally posted by JoannaP:
I have now discovered that I might be able to make it - but cannot help choose the pub as I do not know the area at all.

Wonderful -- I'm looking forward to meeting all of you!

I'm happy with the Captain Kidd (he was involved with the founding of a church I once attended!).

What time works for everyone?

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :

I'm leaving for the airport in a few minutes, but I'll try to stop by the Ship once in a while. I'll assume we're meeting at the Captain Kidd, so I just need to know what time works for everyone.

Posted by M. (# 3291) on :

Just bumping up as it's only a week and a day away. How about 7 pm?

M.

Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :

That sounds fine with me, if its OK for Pigwidgeon. I'm away from computers for most of this week , but I'll try to check in to see what's been decided.

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :

I'll be there at 7:00! This is my first chance to use a computer, and I don't know when I will again.

7:00 p.m. at the Captain Kidd next Monday! I'm looking forward to it!

[Smile]

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :

Who will be carrying the identifying Jolly Roger?

Posted by Deputy Verger (# 15876) on :

Thanks M.

We'll be there by 7pm then! I plan to escort the visitor to the venue.

If anyone wants to PM me for my mobile number feel free. Otherwise, at least M. and I will recognise each other. It will work out; it always does.

DV

Posted by acton bell (# 15576) on :

Hello All,

I'm in London for a bit, and I hoped to tag along to the Shipmeet with Deputy Verger. I find it difficult to say no to real ale, so I hope there is room for one more!

Posted by Deputy Verger (# 15876) on :

Plenty of room for more. Come on, London! We have TWO visitors. Venture east of Tower Bridge - it's worth it!

I am going to be cat-sitting in remote suburbia (outside the M25) so I will have to leave by 10 o'clock to get my train. We're very near the Overground station at Wapping, which gets me (and M. & Mac) to Clapham Junction in half an hour, and a number 100 bus gets you back to Tower Bridge in 18 minutes, so come one, come all.

Posted by Deputy Verger (# 15876) on :

Double posting following communications by private messages.

It seems the Captain Kidd does not do food on a Monday. Sorry for that. Chef's day off.

If you need to eat, there are two or three options. I think we should meet at 7.00pm as decided. It's an interesting pub on the river and I have booked a table for us in the name of "The Ship". They will use their discretion and decide whether to place the table inside (with river view) or outside, depending on the weather at six o'clcock. The vanguard should arrive about 6.30pm.

There's an Italian restaurant between Wapping Station and the pub, or we could move along to the Prospect of Whitby, which does serve food until 10 o'clock, by which time the Surrey-bound among us need to be leaving anyway.

So I propose we stick to the plan, and take it as it comes. Not expecting a huge crowd, but I would still encourage further comers. If this is not a part of London you know, you will be astonished. In a good way.

DV

Posted by M. (# 3291) on :

See you there, everyone!

M.

Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :

Thanks for the updated plan - i was wondering whether to eat before I came, now I know not to! Looking forward to meeting everyone tomorrow.

Posted by daisymay (# 1480) on :

I'm back home in London now - where is the place today you lot and me I hope, can meet?

Posted by M. (# 3291) on :

Hi, daisymay, it's the Captain Kidd at 108 Wapping High Street, E1 2NE - just a few minutes walk by the look of it from Wapping overground station.

We're meeting at 7 this evening. Hope you can make it!

M.

Posted by Anglican't (# 15292) on :

I'm a little late to this thread but wondered if this is an open invitation? I'll be east of Tower Bridge too this evening and might be free.

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :

Anglican't - I'm not going to the Meet but usually the more the merrier, go along and join in!

Posted by M. (# 3291) on :

Nobody's put me in charge but who cares?! Yes, do come along, Anglican't - WW is right, the more the merrier.

M.

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Anglican't - I'm not going to the Meet but usually the more the merrier, go along and join in!

Well, I'm really disappointed you won't be there. What are a few thousand miles among Shipmates?

I'm at my hotel and looking forward to meeting everyone!
[Yipee]

Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :

I'm on my way, but the overground is being very slow, so may be a bit late. Leave a message if you move on before I get there!

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :

Wish I could be there. Would you all prod Acton Bell to file the MW reports he's been doing?

Posted by daisymay (# 1480) on :

Frustration, having got where to meet you all, I have had person of family to come to my home to stay with me... sorry I could not come. have a good time all of you.

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :

Had a great time this evening -- it was wonderful meeting you all!

Sorry you couldn't join us, daisymay.

Posted by Gussie (# 12271) on :

Great to meet you all yesterday - a really enjoyable evening. Enjoy the rest of your stay in the UK Pigwidgeon.
I hope everyone else got home safely - I managed the dash from one platform to another at Clapham Junction succesfully.

Posted by M. (# 3291) on :

Well done, Gussie! Yes, had a great time, lovely to meet Pigwidgeon, acton bell and Anglican't, and lovely to see Gussie, Deputy Verger and friend.

And the eccentric Italian waiter at the Prospect of Whitby.

Sorry you couldn't make it, daisymay.

M.

Posted by Anglican't (# 15292) on :

Nice to meet you all too (and discover that people on this website do exist in real life).

Posted by Deputy Verger (# 15876) on :

And we're all still alive and posting, so no axe murderers off the Internet showed up, though that would have been the place to do it. Execution Dock.

It was good. Nice to see old friends and meet some new ones.

There are two more London meets on the go already, so it's a busy season!

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