The Enid Blyton Society

A lot of these places are difficult to get at and a long way away if you don't live in the South! Even Corfe is not easy. The main reason that I never put myself down for July 2nd was that the journey involved three changes and took considerably longer than going to London as well as being more expensive, and of course I do live in the South!

Apart from her trip to Scotland Enid never went North for any holiday. I went through her diaries up to 1940 (when they ended) and made a note of every holiday destination and they were all on the South coast (including the Isle of Wight). I suspect that after 1940 it would have been much the same. Of course there was also her cruise and her honeymoon in the Channel Islands.

That's interesting! I've often wondered, but realised she had probably rarely been north. It's also interesting that she set several books in Wales but had never actually been there! No wonder she used the 'Look you Whateffer!' way of talking!

I've just been to Corfe for a holiday and with the obligatory stops en route it took me six hours to get there. Even with an overnight stay a meet up in the South would be very tiring as Erika doesn't drive. It would be nice if we could arrange a meet up next year with plenty of notice so that I could book time off work and incorporate the meet up into a holiday. This might suit forum members that live further afield who could then plan a small holiday around a meet up.

Francis wrote:

zaidi wrote:Every time I see this thread, forumites meet up. My heart screams out to be a part of the meetup, it is such a dream to be able to meet all of you in real life. I just so wish , that one day I could be a part of the Enid Blyton Day. All of you in England are so lucky, you can easily go.

We'd love to see you Zaidi - maybe one day your wish will come true.

Thank you Francis, it would be a great day when I'll be able to meet all of you!

Julie/Eddie/Tony - Exbury Gardens would be a great place for a Forum meetup - and from the website, the image of the rhododendrons suggests that Tony is right and May would be a great time to do that next year.

Assuming 20 August is still ok for many (and hopefully more) - is lunch and a boat trip and walk in Marlow still the preference? If anyone has a better idea in terms of location, please say as I am sure we can be flexible. If everyone is still keen, I will check nearer the time with the Salters Steamers.

It's fine with Izzy and I - Marlow + boat trip sounds wonderful. Thank you Sally.

Sally H wrote:Julie/Eddie/Tony - Exbury Gardens would be a great place for a Forum meetup - and from the website, the image of the rhododendrons suggests that Tony is right and May would be a great time to do that next year.

We visited Exbury yesterday and really had a great time. My only reservation about a meet-up there would be that it is so huge we would never trail round the several acres together! Maybe lunch and a chat first, then a couple of hours to do our own things!

Here are a few pictures that we took.

Wonderful pictures, Nigel. We just loved it, and of course the weather makes it too.

If we could go as a gathering next year and if Gary manages to join us, then maybe he could do a guided tour for us all of where filming took place, as much as he could remember anyway. Then if some want to go off on their own and explore, then why not.

Wonderful photos, Nigel. They have whetted my appetite for a visit to Exbury.

Julie2owlsdene wrote: If we could go as a gathering next year and Gary manages to join us, then maybe he could do a guided tour for us all of where filming took place, as much as he could remember anyway.

Great idea, Julie.

That would be brilliant if Gary would be happy to do that!

Lovely pictures, Nigel!

Looks like you had a great day at Exbury, Nigel, and suggest we plan for a visit in mid May (in between the two Bank holidays) next year. Perhaps you would volunteer to arrange?

I think a date is already in place, Sally, 13th May, the second Sat in May.

Yes, not much to arrange, really. Tony suggested May (to see the rhodies at their best) and someone else (Daisy?) suggested the date!

We're just waiting now for next May.

Mind you, I'm going visiting again in a few weeks time.