Two forum gatherings in the coming weeks. 24th July and 21st August

[whole diary]

[JayMac]

After discussion amongst the Moderator and Admin team we have decided on arranging two opportunities for Coffee Shop Forum members to meet up in the coming weeks.

The first will be on Sunday 24th July taking in a day out at the seaside in Weymouth, utilising the additional train service from Swindon at 0820 via Melksham to the coast.

This will be an ideal opportunity for forum members to come along and support the additional 'Summer Sunday Specials' on the TransWilts route. As well as an opportunity to meet fellow members and some of the team behind the Coffee Shop.

It's possible for members using Bristol Temple Meads to connect into the additional Weymouth train at Chippenham and members from the Exeter, Tiverton and Taunton areas can connect at Castle Cary. Alternatively a later direct train can be taken from Bristol Temple Meads to Weymouth at 0920, with some connection possibilities from across the west.

I'll look at finding a suitable pub (ideally child and dog friendly) where we can all meet up in Weymouth for lunch and a chinwag and I'll post further details here - suggestions welcome!


As Weymouth will not be easy to get to for forum members living east of Swindon there will also be another opportunity to meet up on Sunday 21st August.

This will be a trip to Bourne End via Maidenhead, a walk along the Thames Path to Marlow (Approx 3^ miles) where we shall stop for lunch in the Marlow Donkey pub (family and dog friendly), then train home. Those not wishing to do the walk can, of course, stay on the train to Marlow and await the walkers' arrival! Looking at train times, the ideal arrival into Bourne End will be 1147. That's the 1135 from Maidenhead. Plenty of connection opportunities from across the network.


Both trips are open to all forum members, the first being a great idea for a family day out.

Fares info I can provide via this thread if needed.

If you're interested in either trip then do please register that interest on this thread!

The Coffee Shop team look forward to seeing you!

[johoare]

I will definitely be there on August 21st. (although I did vow never to walk that part of the Thames path again after my recent London Moonwalk training when I spent a lot of time there)..

[bobm]

Will certainly try to get to one. Been thinking a meet up would be a good idea for a while. As mentioned elsewhere I'm in the process of moving so it's sods law that on the date of the first one I'm likely to be in Berkshire and on the second one in Wiltshire. However nothing is impossible!! (Specially as there are some quite cheap advance fares from Swindon to Reading on the weekends)

[bobm]

Is there some event on in the Swindon area on the 16/17th July?  Just been looking at Travelodges for the night of the 16th and the Central Swindon one is ^119. I don't think I've ever seen a price over ^100 before. The ones nearer Bath are only slightly cheaper.

[Electric train]

As Weymouth will not be easy to get to for forum members living east of Swindon there will also be another opportunity to meet up on Sunday 21st August.

This will be a trip to Bourne End via Maidenhead, a walk along the Thames Path to Marlow (Approx 3^ miles) where we shall stop for lunch in the Marlow Donkey pub (family and dog friendly), then train home. Those not wishing to do the walk can, of course, stay on the train to Marlow and await the walkers' arrival! Looking at train times, the ideal arrival into Bourne End will be 1147. That's the 1135 from Maidenhead. Plenty of connection opportunities from across the network.

I might join you on the Bourne End / Marlow, to save a bit on the cost of the rail ticket I would embark and disembark from the train at Furze Platt 

[JayMac]

Specially as there are some quite cheap advance fares from Swindon to Reading on the weekends

And if there isn't,  then you can always do the Didcot splits!

[Mookiemoo]

I'd love to do both but as I'm moving house on the 15th the 17th is not really feasible.  Also, wth my transport being in Ireland I would be constrained by buses to and from temple meads or a taxi (at 25 quid each way) so I think that one is going to be out of bounds.

Therefore count me in on the 21st!  I'll be travelling in from nailsea/bristol do when a bigger roll call has announced maybe the bristol lot of us can plan togther and save some pennies

[Electric train]

If I get the time or after a pint or three I will try and write a bit of a line guide for the Maidenhead Marlow line

[bobm]

Therefore count me in on the 21st!  I'll be travelling in from nailsea/bristol do when a bigger roll call has announced maybe the bristol lot of us can plan togther and save some pennies

The Bristol Mafia on a GroupSave!   

[bobm]

Although it needs an update - First Great Western Link anyone? - this gives a bit of detail on the Thames walk and some nice photos.

[Brucey]

Afraid I'm driving to Bristol on the 17th for graduation the following day.  No plans for the 21st August yet, will come back nearer the time when/if I manage to get a job by then

[eightf48544]

Regret not available for 21st will be playing trains up at Fawley Between Marlow and Henley that day.

[JayMac]

*bump*

..... to remind folks about these two opportunities to hook up with fellow coffee-shop members and the forums admins/mods.

[Mookiemoo]

I might reconsider the sunday meet up if I'm not in ireland on the monday - and I might not be!

[JayMac]

After careful consideration by the forum moderators it has been decided that we will change the date of the first meeting to Sunday 24th July. This has been done as the trip to Weymouth on the 17th is likely to be extremely busy with folks from Wiltshire Chamber of Commerce.

All timings and connection opportunities remain as in the opening post.

As for somewhere to meet up in Weymouth, then best I can come up with is The Swan Inn on St Thomas St, a 'Spoons pub. If anyone can recommend somewhere with a bit more character (serves food) then do please speak up!