I have already thanked Eddie by email for arranging such a great day but just to say it was lovely to see everyone and to meet old friends and new. The perfect time of year to visit - the azaleas and rhododendrons were beautiful and I really enjoyed the train trip with Daisy, Mark and Katherine - go...

Looking forward to seeing everyone at Exbury Gardens on Saturday - aiming to be there before 1230 the café.

Julie - great to see your new weekly serial - can't wait to read it as soon as I can.

Also want to read the whole of Rawlins Reach Mystery as soon as I can - all good material for holidays!

Some names seem to be missing from the list .......just wondering if Tony, Nigel, Anita and Francis will be able to join us?

Thank you everyone for your birthday messages - yes a good day but not used to celebrating my March birthday in snow! Look forward to seeing old friends and new at Exbury on 12 May.

We will be heading off for Christmas tomorrow and I just wanted to wish everyone a very happy Christmas. I haven't managed to spend much time on the Forums this year but hope to remedy this next year and catch up with some much loved and well read Blytons! Look forward to seeing old friends and new ...

Never mind - we can carry on this delightful discussion when we meet next year at our Blyton day on Saturday 12 May in Hampshire.

This is an interesting thread and has obviously sparked off a few memories. There are some which have often moved me to tears and still do - some of my favourites: 1 Agree with John and Rob - the scene when Barney finds his father and his father says "I am looking for a son I lost for 15 years ...

A belated very happy birthday to both Eddie and Julie! Hope you both had a great day.

A great sentiment, Rob, but I believe it needs to be official for it to be sustainable and for us to ensure this Society is able to continue for the long term. How about it Tony - I believe you will get overall support for this from the membership.

I still don't know how you produce the journal of this quality for our membership subscription cost, Tony. I hope we will see an increase from next year? I hope everyone agrees this is overdue, and I for one would be happy to pay £12 - that is after all only £1 per month.

A belated happy birthday Nigel. Hope you had a great day.

I agree, Nigel, very capable hands. Also interested to read about Mr Eddy's tearoom - sound like your sort of place, Eddie!

Having looked again at the website, it looks like we have scope for a really lovely day - with the possible inclusion of a steam train ride (an extra £4.50) - very Blytonian1 Thanks to Eddie and Julie for agreeing to take forward the arrangements. Looking forward to it already and to meeting up with...

Sounds like we have an agreement - 12 May it is and we can hopefully all work around that. Given that the south-east tends to be a week or two ahead as far as gardens are concerned, the timing should be ideal for the rhododendrons/azaleas. Given my time constraints, wondering if another of the forum...