June "Is It Summer Yet?" Beers - Saturday June 29th

Fysh

OK, the plan is for Saturday June 29th at the Garden Gate in Hampstead in the early afternoon. I've a table booked for 8 of us from 3 o'clock. The plan is to have a late lunch (see the menus here), followed by an afternoon of beverages and banter. There's going to be live music on if the weather's decent, and we can decide on the day whether to stay put or hit the off-licence across the road and get some cans/bottles to take up to the Heath.

Info on how to get to the pub is here.

If you've not been to a Beers before and want to come along, you're more than welcome to do so - drop me a PM so we can exchange contact info and turn up on the day. Chances are I'll be wearing one of these.

Alright folks, time for the next Beers planning thread. I'm thinking that if we get some decent weather we should change it up a bit and go for a daytime/afternoon meetup; maybe go for a relaxed late lunch and then move to a beer garden.

Off hand the only beer garden I can think of is the Garden Gate in Hampstead Heath, which is pretty nice but almost always busy so we'd likely have to book a table. The food there's decent enough too, which is handy as I'm not aware of anywhere nearby that sounds particularly interesting. The proximity to the Heath means that we could pop up there for a picnic/kickaround/general lazing around outside in good weather as well if the mood takes us.

Let's get the ball rolling and see who's available when; meanwhile if you've any other suggestions for venues please post in thread (ideally with links) and we'll make a plan.

83ste

Other (post in thread)

If we're going for an afternoon/daytime meet-up, surely we should be looking at Saturday and Sunday options, rather than Fridays?

Fysh

Other (post in thread)

serrity wrote: »

If we're going for an afternoon/daytime meet-up, surely we should be looking at Saturday and Sunday options, rather than Fridays?

Damnit. You're right.

New thread & poll coming up!

The new poll is live.

Also, anyone with suggestions for alternative venue options, please post them up.

FTA69

I say we hit the park, get a giant bag of cans, take our tops off as soon as the sun comes out and hang around the park smoking fags. I'm missing Cork at the moment and it would be great to feel back at home.

exiledelbows

Saturday 15th

Richmond is a beautiful spot in the sunshine. I know it's a bit far out for people, but really handy from Clapham Junction and North London on the Overground, and linked to the rest of London through the District Line.

Fysh

Other (post in thread)

FTA69 wrote: »

I say we hit the park, get a giant bag of cans, take our tops off as soon as the sun comes out and hang around the park smoking fags. I'm missing Cork at the moment and it would be great to feel back at home.

If you're thinking of the Peace Park, we'll need to recruit someone to play the role of the dodgy gang of skangers to come over and start giving us grief/trying to scrounge some cans

FTA69

Fysh wrote: »

If you're thinking of the Peace Park, we'll need to recruit someone to play the role of the dodgy gang of skangers to come over and start giving us grief/trying to scrounge some cans

Considering I'm from Mayfield I was looking for more of a "tracksuits/soccer jersey/cans by the Shakey Bridge" vibe as opposed to lounging in Bishop Lucey Park. Possibly followed by a jaunt to a blue McDonalds and a stop and search on the way home.

Fysh

Other (post in thread)

FTA69 wrote: »

Considering I'm from Mayfield I was looking for more of a "tracksuits/soccer jersey/cans by the Shakey Bridge" vibe as opposed to lounging in Bishop Lucey Park. Possibly followed by a jaunt to a blue McDonalds and a stop and search on the way home.

So what you're saying is you're volunteering? Good man!

Shakey Bridge is a nice spot when the weather's good, though I used to prefer the Lee Fields as they were usually less crowded...

How so Joe

Other (post in thread)

I vote for all of the days. Because I'm greedy like that.
I also think that Hampstead Heath is a good spot, and I swear it's not just because I live close to it.

BrokenArrows

Other (post in thread)

I'm good on any of the dates except the 1st and 2nd

LadyMayBelle

Im good for all those bar the first and second I think...

exiledelbows

Saturday 15th

Can definitely do the first two weeks, but not the middle one. Too early to tell for the last two

Ro: maaan!

Sunday 30th

I'm in for any date. If there's one thing I like more than evening drinking, it's daytime drinking.

frag420

Sunday 23rd

Defo hope to make this one, cant do 1st and 15th as back in the motherland on bith dates but any other Saturday should be fine...

jonnyfingers

Sunday 30th

I've been crap at making it to the last few beers but damn it I'll make it to one someday! Unfortunately I'm not free until the end of the month, the 29th suits me best, with the 22nd a slight possibility too.

If the dates work out I'll do my best to make it. If not there's always July beers!

Reekwind

Sunday 16th

Is it time for beers yet?

How so Joe

Other (post in thread)

The 29th is winning the poll.
That sounds like a convincing argument to me.

Fysh

Other (post in thread)

I'm going to say Saturday 29th on the basis that we might have decent weather by then. Not sure what the story's been the last couple of days but I am unimpressed, to say the least.

I say we stick with the plan of hitting the Garden Gate early afternoon on the 29th, possibly getting food there and see how we go later in the evening. I'll do a text chaser a few days before and book a table once I've a better idea of numbers. As ever, if you've not been to a Beers before and/or I haven't got a way to contact you, PM me so we can swap contact info in case plans change on the day.

LadyMayBelle

Thanks Fysh for this.
Ended up getting cheap flights home for £45 rtn that weekend just a few days ago so no joy this time but will catch up soon.

Woden

Saturday 29th

Back in Ireland that weekend myself also. Catch yee at the next one

Ro: maaan!

Sunday 30th

Woden wrote: »

Back in Ireland that weekend myself also. Catch yee at the next one

That's only a valid excuse if you got a good deal on the flights.

Woden

Saturday 29th

This is no mere trip home Ro. This is/was to see the National. Who have now decided to play Roundhouse to 2 days prior to Cork. /sigh

enda1

Sunday 30th

Sounds good. I've somehow never managed to go to Hampstead Heath. So should make it.

Fysh

Other (post in thread)

enda1 wrote: »

Sounds good. I've somehow never managed to go to Hampstead Heath. So should make it.

It's well worth a wander when the weather's good - some lovely views and lots of green space. Plus The Garden Gate is a great beer garden

Zippy1991

Ah flip,

I'm at Glastonbury that day.

Flipping flip.

Zip

Scarinae

I'll be in Ireland, hopefully around for the July/August beers though!

Fysh

Other (post in thread)

Zippy1991 wrote: »

Ah flip,

I'm at Glastonbury that day.

Flipping flip.

Zip

Damn kids and their pesky beat combo live performances! *shakes walking stick, mutters under breath*

Fysh

Other (post in thread)

Don't forget folks, Beers are this Saturday afternoon. If I don't have a number for you, drop me a PM in case plans change. Depending on the weather we may remain in the Garden Gate all afternoon (if it's crap) or venture out into the Heath (if it's nice).

enda1

Sunday 30th

"Mostly cloudy with a shower - 21deg" hmm. Mightn't be the pest day for picnicking. I'll promise to at least try to make it. Need to come up with a good line to lure the girlfriend to meet "a bunch of people off the intenet". Could be difficult.

BrokenArrows

Other (post in thread)

If it was 21 degrees with a bit of cloud/rain in Ireland it would be a great summer. lol.

Just say we are a great bunch of lads. She should fall for that one.
Or just lie and say your meeting up with some friends.

How so Joe

Other (post in thread)

I meet up with people from the Internet all the time! It's generally fairly good craic. Tell her that!

enda1

Sunday 30th

How so Joe wrote: »

I meet up with people from the Internet all the time! It's generally fairly good craic. Tell her that!

But how so Joe? :P

How so Joe

Other (post in thread)

Ha. I only meet the nice people, not the creepers.
How I manage to weed them out is, well, eh, I dunno. Secret magic methods?
I'm looking forward to this on Saturday!

ballsymchugh

Sunday 23rd

given that this is starting earlier than usual, what are the chances of it lasting? i won't be able to make it in the afternoon but should be in during the evening if you're still about.

@enda, do a nelson's dad on it, say you're just nipping out to buy some cigarettes!

Fysh

Other (post in thread)

ballsymchugh wrote: »

given that this is starting earlier than usual, what are the chances of it lasting? i won't be able to make it in the afternoon but should be in during the evening if you're still about.

Honestly, I'm not sure how long we'll keep going - depends on the turnout and the day, I suppose. I'll text you if anything changes or if we end up packing it in early (ie before around 7 or 8) to save you a wasted trip, if you want.

enda1

Sunday 30th

Fysh wrote: »

Honestly, I'm not sure how long we'll keep going - depends on the turnout and the day, I suppose. I'll text you if anything changes or if we end up packing it in early (ie before around 7 or 8) to save you a wasted trip, if you want.

Have you made that booking yet? What time's it for?

BrokenArrows

Other (post in thread)

How so Joe wrote: »

Ha. I only meet the nice people, not the creepers.
How I manage to weed them out is, well, eh, I dunno. Secret magic methods?
I'm looking forward to this on Saturday!

You know what they say. If you cant spot the "creeper" you are the creeper. lol.
/jk

Fysh

Other (post in thread)

enda1 wrote: »

Have you made that booking yet? What time's it for?

I've a table booked on Saturday for 8 of us from 3 o'clock. I've asked for outside if the weather's decent. My plan is to have a late lunch (they do lovely food, menus are here) and then an afternoon of beverages and banter. There's going to be live music on if the weather's decent, and I figure we can decide as we go whether to stay there or pop over to the off-licence across the road and get some cans/bottles to take up to the Heath.

Info on how to get to the pub is here.

How so Joe

Other (post in thread)

BrokenArrows wrote: »

You know what they say. If you cant spot the "creeper" you are the creeper. lol.
/jk

Well now I feel really bad about myself.
Oh well! I'll just have to embrace the creep!

enda1

Sunday 30th

Join their mailing list to get a free glass of Pimms!

I've printed my voucher.

Make sure to put in a real name. Email address doesn't matter in the end I think because they redirect you to the voucher link (it's not emailed to you).

Though to be fair I don't condone doing that.

Fysh

Other (post in thread)

How so Joe wrote: »

Well now I feel really bad about myself.
Oh well! I'll just have to embrace the creep!

ABORT! ABORT! NOTHING GOOD WILL COME OF THIS!

*cough*

Oh, don't mind me, just being a bit silly...

Fysh

Other (post in thread)

I'm going to be cautiously optimistic and say the weather is looking alright for today, which all going well should translate to live music and delicious barbeque food at the Garden Gate this afternoon

BrokenArrows

Other (post in thread)

Yup weather looks good. For once!

Reekwind

Sunday 16th

In news that is likely to surprise absolutely no one, I will be slightly late today

Fysh

Other (post in thread)

I believe this image will be relevant to today's preceding conversation about Doctor Who:

How so Joe

Other (post in thread)

I approved of today's beers.

Fysh

Other (post in thread)

Other stuff from yesterday's conversation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6s40Q6ODSI8

fluke

How so Joe wrote: »

I approved of today's beers.

'ave some of that June beers'

BrokenArrows

Other (post in thread)

It was good fun.
Did ye guys stay much later. I left around 11.30 I think.

biZrb

Sunday 30th

Yeah, a few of us headed to the Boarderline after the pub for some drunken dancing - it was a good laugh.

Ro: maaan, have you got a link for that video you were telling me about?

Ro: maaan!

Sunday 30th

That was an awful lot of drinking and religious discussion without much food or angry shouting.

biZrb: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57PlVm7hALA I believe I brought it up because there was a group of guys in Borderline doing a lads style dance/huddle descirbed in the vid.