1 October - London - keep Glenn awake

[Glenn E.]

Would anyone be interested in a glass of Port after work on Friday, 1 October?

I have arranged my travel schedule for the Harvest Tour, and it conveniently gives me the afternoon and evening of 1 October in London. My flight to Porto is not until Saturday morning (quite early, unfortunately).

In order to adjust to the time difference as quickly as possible, I will need stay awake as long as possible on Friday night. Given past experience that will probably not be much later than 7:30 or 8:00, but that still gives me time to meet anyone who is available for a glass of Port. My hotel is at Gatwick, but I'm happy to take the train into London to meet up if someone can suggest a good location. (I may fall asleep on the train on the way back, but that's a different problem.)

Any takers?

[benread]

Glenn,

If London for the evening is too far, there may be a more local option involving a glass of port! I live only 6 miles from Gatwick, and depending which hotel you have chosen, you may be even closer. There is also a direct train between Gatwick and Reigate as well.

If you are planning to go into London, I will probably be unable to join you (due to childcare arrangements), but if staying local seems a better idea, you could come to Reigate.

We have plenty of time to work something out! I may be able to find a bottle of the Malvedos 1987!

Ben

[Alex Bridgeman]

Sadly, I won't be able to make it. I will be flying back into the UK from Germany that Friday and will probably not arrive at Heathrow until about 9pm

[jdaw1]

My hotel is at Gatwick, but I'm happy to take the train into London to meet up if someone can suggest a good location. (I may fall asleep on the train on the way back, but that's a different problem.)

The non-cheap Gatwick Express goes Gatwick↔Victoria non-stop, so you just can’t overrun your stop.

[Glenn E.]

Ben, staying local does seem to be a better idea, but I thought that I might get better response by venturing into London to meet up with people. I arrive at Heathrow at roughly noon, but got a hotel at Gatwick because my flight out from there is pretty early in the morning. Which shouldn't be a problem - I'm usually awake at 4:00 am the first couple of days after I fly to Europe.

[Axel P]

Sadly, I won't be able to make it. I will be flying back into the UK from Germany that Friday and will probably not arrive at Heathrow until about 9pm

Alex, where in Germany are you? Shall we meet up?

Axel

[Alex Bridgeman]

Sadly, I won't be able to make it. I will be flying back into the UK from Germany that Friday and will probably not arrive at Heathrow until about 9pm

Alex, where in Germany are you? Shall we meet up?

Axel

I'll be in Bonn, or thereabouts, but on a training course which includes evening events so I won't have any free time unfortunately. You would have been the first to know if I was going to be in Germany and with some free time!

[Sorry for the threadjack, Glenn.]

[JacobH]

I think I should be around then and it would be good to finally meet Glenn. Central London is, of course, preferable (and educational as I'm sure Glenn could do with a visit to Gordons and the Crusting Pipe ) but would be happy to travel.

[Glenn E.]

A visit to the Crusting Pipe sounds like fun. I hear so much about it that it would be nice to finally see it for myself!

[Glenn E.]

Since we're now a mere month away, I suppose I should try to solidify these plans. Unfortunately I have one response for Gatwick and one for central London. However since I will have the opportunity to meet Ben the next week for the 55@55 tasting, I'll venture into London this time to meet Jacob.

Jacob, what time would you be able to meet me in central London, and where should we meet? I have been to London before and am reasonably adept (for a foreigner) at navigating the tube, but I'm not very familiar with the regions of London.

[JacobH]

Jacob, what time would you be able to meet me in central London, and where should we meet? I have been to London before and am reasonably adept (for a foreigner) at navigating the tube, but I'm not very familiar with the regions of London.

Ah, drat. Sorry about this but I've just booked some tickets to Oporto in the morning of the 1st...Perhaps Ben will be able to step into the breach?

And could we re-arrange meeting up for some time over the ensuing days? We'll be in Pinhao from then 2th to either the 4th or 5th when we're coming back to Porto. Though if you're being swept off on 's tour then I understand!

Apologies.

[Glenn E.]

Sorry Jacob, I fly to Porto on the 2nd and the Harvest Tour starts on the 3rd. So it looks like we're going to miss on this trip.

In that case I'll plan to spend the evening of 1-OCT in Reigate with BMHR! That is probably for the best anyway, as there is a very real chance that I would have fallen asleep on the train back to Gatwick from London. Julian's suggestion of the Gatwick Express would have helped, but I'd still have to be awakened.

[benread]

Glenn, come and have dinner with my wife and I in Reigate. We are about 6 miles north of Gatwick and on a direct train line from there, or a c. £10 taxi ride. Which hotel are you staying at there?

[Glenn E.]

Ben, that sounds great. Thanks!

I will be staying at the Courtyard by Marriott London Gatwick Airport. However I will probably try to spend the afternoon in central London in order to further my attempt to adjust to the time change as rapidly as possible, so I'll be coming to Reigate from that direction. I'll PM you my cell phone number - text messages are reasonably priced, but voice calls are outrageously expensive.

[Glenn E.]

Just a few more things to pack and then I'll be ready for my afternoon flight. See you tomorrow evening, Ben!

[benread]

Looking forward to it. Have a good flight.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Have fun chaps. Sorry I'm missing you - unfortunately I had to fly in to Heathrow this evening.

[benread]

Time check: 10:00pm. Confirm Glenn still awake!

[Glenn E.]

Just to wrap up: I had a great time having dinner with Ben and Nuala. We enjoyed a 1987 Malvedos and a Porto Rocha 20-year old, and Ben did manage to keep me awake until after 10:00 pm. Success!