Tam / Tom London Reccy

[Mojo]

I'm new to all this London stuff ... I'll be at London Bridge (next to the Dungeons ) during the day (from 31st Aug) ... is that anywhere near this lot?

Not far away - just a short walk along the South Bank, and then across the Milennium Bridge. I used to walk it in the other direction when Skeptics in the Pub used to be in the King's Head. 15-20 minutes walk.

 

[ohp]

Incidentally, I've been standardising the format and map pins a little. Sorry to stifle your creativity, but I think that usability trumps creativity in this instance. I've replaced all of the hotel pins with the little red bed pin.

If it's any consolation, I removed my own flashy avatar map pin for the sake of consistency *sob*

 

[ohp]

Took a wander down there this lunch time. Looks like they've had a rebranding since the google streetmap car went past.

Disabled access: OK to the building, but the area is sloped, and there appears to be at least one subway nearby with only step access. It might be a challenge even if you're close by. There are also a fair few cobbled streets around as well.

Wifi: The city of London is covered by the cloud (http://www.thecloud.net/pay-as-you-go), and the signal was good outside, but I'd check the coverage inside the conference centre before paying for broadband. There's wifi provided at the conference centre too, the lady behind the desk mentioned a pound an hour, but that needs to be confirmed.

Local pubs and bars: The Cos Bar is immediately opposite. I don't know if that's named after the Church of Scientology offices next door. I have yet to explore the other pubs in the area. Any other people in central london that fancy a pub trip for lunch to the blackfriars area?

 

[zooterkin]

Wifi: The city of London is covered by the cloud (http://www.thecloud.net/pay-as-you-go), and the signal was good outside, but I'd check the coverage inside the conference centre before paying for broadband. There's wifi provided at the conference centre too, the lady behind the desk mentioned a pound an hour, but that needs to be confirmed.

A pound an hour? I was going to say that was outrageous, until I saw the prices on the Cloud website...

Any McDonalds or coffee shops nearby with free WiFi?

 

[ohp]

Any McDonalds or coffee shops nearby with free WiFi?

The nearest McDonalds is 3-5 minutes walk away.

I did notice one open access point called "wireless" but that's a little suspicious.

The Cos Bar also has wireless... Perhaps if you bought food, or a drink, or paid to clear out all of your thetans* then you might get free wifi.

*I don't as yet know if the Cos Bar (http://www.cosbar.co.uk/) is connected to the Church of scientology next door (http://www.scientology-london.org/) This is something I will investigate.

 

[ohp]

It's a moot point anyway, as they don't appear to be open at the weekends.

This worth noting.... The proximity of the venue to the city has a strange effect on opening hours at the weekend. You'll find that a lot of places locally will be closed because they don't get the business from the city workers in nearby office blocks.

This isn't always the case, and hopefully the proximity of St Pauls and the Tate Modern are enough to keep some loacl venues open duringt he weekend.

 

[brodski]

It's a moot point anyway, as they don't appear to be open at the weekends.

This worth noting.... The proximity of the venue to the city has a strange effect on opening hours at the weekend. You'll find that a lot of places locally will be closed because they don't get the business from the city workers in nearby office blocks.

This isn't always the case, and hopefully the proximity of St Pauls and the Tate Modern are enough to keep some loacl venues open duringt he weekend.

All of the pubs sarf ov tha rivva will be open, so long as we have no vapires (who can't cross running water, or the Thames at any rate) we should be able to find a decent pint or two.

 

[ohp]

All of the pubs sarf ov tha rivva will be open, so long as we have no vapires (who can't cross running water, or the Thames at any rate) we should be able to find a decent pint or two.

Vampires, and those who really, really need to pee will be affected

I'm going to check out the founders arms tomorrow. There is lots of seating outdoors, not sure what's indoors - might be a bad choice on a cold or wet day.

I'm going to see how much seating each of the local pubs have, and update the map.

 

[Shevek-72]

I was going to say that was outrageous, until I saw the prices on the Cloud website...

We could possibly share a subscription with The Cloud. With 4 weeks notice to cancel it should be possible to only use it for a month.

 

[brodski]

Vampires, and those who really, really need to pee will be affected

I'm going to check out the founders arms tomorrow. There is lots of seating outdoors, not sure what's indoors - might be a bad choice on a cold or wet day.

I'm going to see how much seating each of the local pubs have, and update the map.

Loads of seating indoors too, and the food isn't bad, its also right by Tate Modern and the Globe if people fancy a bit of yer actual cultcha (innit) while they're in the smoke.

 

[ohp]

Loads of seating indoors too, and the food isn't bad, its also right by Tate Modern and the Globe if people fancy a bit of yer actual cultcha (innit) while they're in the smoke.

I think I have an idea for a side show.

Roll up! Rollup! Leddies an' gennelmern, may ah be presentin' brodd-skee, a jen-yoo-iyne lundannah!

Do you know where we could buy a whole load of mother of perl buttons?

 

[brodski]

Do you know where we could buy a whole load of mother of perl buttons?

Why, do you want a cap and jacket to match mine?

 

[TJ]

Isn't that a bit early? Planning to get a good seat?

I'll be about..

Just trying to coordinate something and where to meet. Would you all care to meet at Blackfriar's then? on the 18th? It seems the popular spot, and I obviously don't have a preference either way. It's the company for me, not the establishment.

 

[ohp]

Just trying to coordinate something and where to meet. Would you all care to meet at Blackfriar's then? on the 18th? It seems the popular spot, and I obviously don't have a preference either way. It's the company for me, not the establishment.

On the 18th of this month?

Can't do the 18th...

However, can do the 19th, and the next week, as I'm staying over in London.

 

[TJ]

On the 18th of this month?

Can't do the 18th...

However, can do the 19th, and the next week, as I'm staying over in London.

Oh boo! The 18th is the day that I've been alotted by the wife, since we start our actual tour on the 19th, but do let's keep in touch about it, as I'll be in London for a few days to follow as well.

 

[ohp]

Oh boo! The 18th is the day that I've been alotted by the wife, since we start our actual tour on the 19th, but do let's keep in touch about it, as I'll be in London for a few days to follow as well.

I'll clarify. I'll be working in London, 9-5. Normally I commute from Ipswich, but from the night of the 19th I'll be spending a week in London. This means that I need to head back to Ipswich to pack on the night of the 18th.

However, this does not exclude lunch on the 18th, so if you fancy meeting up for lunch over a beer....

Also, although I am, quite frankly, fantastic, I can't for one moment imagine I'm the only forumite based in the area, and you will probably be able to find other, lesser skeptics around

 

[TJ]

I'll clarify. I'll be working in London, 9-5. Normally I commute from Ipswich, but from the night of the 19th I'll be spending a week in London. This means that I need to head back to Ipswich to pack on the night of the 18th.

However, this does not exclude lunch on the 18th, so if you fancy meeting up for lunch over a beer....

Also, although I am, quite frankly, fantastic, I can't for one moment imagine I'm the only forumite based in the area, and you will probably be able to find other, lesser skeptics around

I'm quite sure that we can meet for lunch on the 19th!

 

[ohp]

TJ: I don't have contact details for you. If you're about, send me a PM

 

[Ratatoskr]

Oh well, added myself to the map of people staying at the hotel. Now I only need to renew my passport and book plane tickets and I'm on my way

(I have never been in London before, so this is going to be interesting)

 

[exarch]

Bump.

(I keep forgetting the link for the shared map, and I don't want to clutter up my favorites any more than they already are).