Forumites Meet Up in August?

[Julie2owlsdene]

That's a shame, Shadow, maybe next time.

[Francis]

I am very sorry I won't be able to see you Shadow - your children must be growing up now!

Lovely to see you for the first time, Courtenay - it will be nice to put a face to your lovely posts.

[Rob Houghton]

Lovely to see you for the first time, Courtenay - it will be nice to put a face to your lovely posts.

I think Courtenay is your typical Aussie gal...

[Francis]

Cripes, I hope she is happier on the day!

[Julie2owlsdene]

I'm sure she will be as long as we don't discuss the EU debates.

[Rob Houghton]

Of course, she may look more like this...

[Francis]

I'm sure she will be as long as we don't discuss the EU debates.

I promise I won't raise the subject! The world Enid created is the only thing that really matters in this world.

[Francis]

Of course, she may look more like this...

That's more like it!

Seriously it doesn't matter what Courtenay looks like - being an Enid Blyton lover is all that really matters to us.

[Sally]

Hi Everyone

Just to say that I visited Marlow recently and checked out the Chequers pub - had lunch and all fine and also spoke to a boatman with Salters Steamers on the river about the boat trips. He advised me to call Salters Steamers to ensure the boats were running that day and advise them of our planned trip.

UNFORTUNATELY - 2 July is the weekend of the Henley Regatta, and having spoken to Salters this morning, they advise that this means that on the day the Environment Agency can prevent them from running the boats at all if the river is too busy. He advises that we make other plans rather than take a boat trip, given that we will all be travelling to Marlow to meet, and they can't guarantee the boats will run.

Very disappointing, I know, for those who particularly wanted to do a boat trip. In the circumstances, I wonder if we should revert to Plan B for 2 July - to meet in Cookham and take a walk along the river and up Winter Hill and for those who want to, to visit the Spencer Gallery in Cookham (very good current exhibition at £5 entry and £4 for concessions).

The Crown in Cookham is conveniently situated near the river and has been recently refurbished (checked it out) and offers a good range of menus. I also checked that they will take dogs in the bar area and of course if the weather is good we can opt to eat outside (plenty of tables). They would be happy to book space for our party in the bar area just in case.

I have a copy of the Cookham AA walk, along the towpath which is 4.5 miles and offers a one mile extension of walking through the heart of Cookham if we want to do that. I have done the walk several times and it is not strenuous and offers good views - very Blytonesque as the Find Outers enjoyed their picnic on the hill in Pantomime Cat across the river from Peterswood (Bourne End) with John James. Winter Hill undoubtedly provided the inspiration for Christmas Hill in Hidden House as well - and we can always look for the loot! One could also argue that Cookham is more like Peterwood than Bourne End in many ways.

The Crown and the walk area are within half a mile of Cookham station for those coming by train and there is plenty of parking at either the Crown or on the moor near the start of the walk.

So sorry about this, but is everyone happy to go for this option in the circumstances? I will be on holiday from tomorrow until 21st but will follow up on responses when I get back.

[Courtenay]

I'm happy to do the Cookham walk as you've described, Sally — it's a disappointment not to have a boat trip, but I don't mind, as the walk sounds just as interesting. What do others think?

[pete9012S]

One could also argue that Cookham is more like Peterwood than Bourne End in many ways.

That's exactly what I thought when I first visited Cookham Sally.
Especially the very sharp corner there were I could just imagine the hapless Goon charging around the sharp bend and clattering into somebody - then ending in a crumpled heap on the ground!

[Rob Houghton]

There's a mystery a-moving,
Away on Winter Hill,
Where kidnappers and robbers
Are waiting for the kill.
But when kidnappers are napping
And robbers are asleep,
We'll pounce on them together
And knock them in a heap!

[Lucky Star]

Cookham walk is fine by me.

[John Pickup]

It's a shame about the boat trip but the walk is fine by us. Hopefully the weather will favour us.

[Julie2owlsdene]

Disappointing as you say, Sally, but I don't mind a walk if the weather is fine.