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Post by Chris W on Jun 27, 2015 7:49:16 GMT
Almost 10 years ago, on Saturday 20 August 2005, a handful of District Dave forum members met at Earls Court station for the forum's first meet (there were probably no more than 70 or so members at the time). We headed off to Gunnersbury, before getting lost trying to find The City Barge where we then spent the afternoon chatting about all things Underground... with the front metal door to the pub being sealed shut as the Thames burst its banks. Meandering our way back to Gunnersbury station in the early evening, we boarded an east bound District Line train alongside Dave only to be greeted with the words ‘Welcome to District Dave’s London Underground tour’ over the tannoy... before going our respective ways. Sadly Dave passed away in early 2011 so we revisited our inaugural haunt back in August 2011. As this is the 10 year anniversary of our very first meet lets recreate the day again whilst also raising a jar to pay tribute and remember the man who brought this online community together. SATURDAY 22 AUGUSTMeeting from 12noon on the upper concourse of the station, overlooking the platforms, before heading west towards Gunnersbury at 12:30pm. We’ll then return to the The City Barge* to enjoy a leisurely pint or two, catching up and maybe meet a new member or two. * refurbished in 2014, so its a little brighter than we might remember it So please join us if you can. New members are particularly welcome and can be assured that ' the usual suspects' will take you under their wing, if need be. Any members under 18: we do ask that you carry emergency contact details with you, have parental consent (or even better, bring them along too) and some form of identity. For parents peace of mind, those working within the transport industry are CRB checked.
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Chris M
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Post by Chris M on Jun 27, 2015 12:38:19 GMT
I intend to be there. Unfortunately the tides aren't as favourable to as us they were 10 years ago when high tide was mid-afteroon, on the 22nd August the tide times at Strand on the Green are: Low tide | Height | High tide | Height | Low tide | Height | High tide | Height | 02:56 | 1.00 | 07:49 | 6.28 | 15:03 | 1.22 | 19:51 | 6.15 |
Heights are in metres above chart datum at London Bridge. I'm not sure exactly when the steel door needs to be shut, but "exceptionally high tides" are defined here as those over 6.9 metres so it probably wont happen on this occasion :/
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Post by whistlekiller2000 on Jun 27, 2015 12:45:08 GMT
I'll be on a Menorcan beach on that date but all the very best to those who can attend!
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Post by Colin D on Jun 27, 2015 22:07:36 GMT
I can't think of a better tribute too Dave. Sadly I won't be able to attend but I'll certainly raise a jar on this side of the pond in honour of our founder.
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Post by sawb on Jun 28, 2015 7:19:31 GMT
Sadly I won't be there, as I shall be on a charter train.
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Post by Dstock7080 on Jun 28, 2015 7:52:13 GMT
22-23 August: No District Line service Turnham Green-Richmond (rail replacement bus service will operate as follows:- Turnham Green– Chiswick Park– Gunnersbury– Kew Gardens (Victoria Gate)- Richmond) TTN144/15 refers.
No Metropolitan Line service Harrow-on-the-Hill-Aldgate. Additional Chiltern Railway trains Harrow-on-the-Hill-Marylebone.
No Victoria Line service Walthamstow Central-Seven Sisters.
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Post by londonstuff on Jun 28, 2015 12:29:31 GMT
I'd love to be there but I think I'm likely to be in Istanbul. If not I'll certainly come along.
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Chris M
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Post by Chris M on Jun 28, 2015 20:05:12 GMT
I think this is looking like there is a need for a meet in August to celebrate the anniversary and a second one that is not in the holiday season when the District Line and tides cooperate to celebrate the next 10 years.
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Post by Chris W on Jul 2, 2015 21:00:23 GMT
I've posted the initial post, so I'm taking lead... I have asked my fellow Admins re their thoughts whether due to the planned engineering works... combined with the availability of members, we should perhaps delay the 10 year anniversary meet... put it this way, one Admin replied: Says it all really.... I'm going to make an executive decision and say we'll reschedule for Saturday 19 September... Go on TfL... I dare you to announce engineering works between Earls Court and Richmond that day
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Chris M
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Post by Chris M on Jul 2, 2015 21:28:45 GMT
The tides are marginally more favourable, being about 50 minutes earlier and about 30-40 centimetres higher but not massively so Low tide | Height | High tide | Height | Low tide | Height | High tide | Height | 02:06 | 0.81
| 06:43 | 6.66 | 14:17 | 1.01 | 18:53 | 6.53 |
Heights are in metres above chart datum at London Bridge. I'm not sure exactly when the steel door needs to be shut, but "exceptionally high tides" are defined on the source website as those over 6.9 metres so it probably wont happen on this occasion :/[/quote]
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Post by Colin D on Jul 2, 2015 22:10:18 GMT
September 19 I just might be able too make if I can juggle my lieu days and floaters around vacation time
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Post by Dstock7080 on Jul 3, 2015 3:44:15 GMT
No District Line service Aldgate East-Dagenham East. No H&C service Liverpool St-Barking (trains going to Aldgate)
District Line ADDITIONAL trains to RICHMOND due to Rugby World Cup !
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Post by norbitonflyer on Jul 3, 2015 7:17:49 GMT
No District Line service Aldgate East-Dagenham East. No H&C service Liverpool St-Barking (trains going to Aldgate) District Line ADDITIONAL trains to RICHMOND due to Rugby World Cup ! On that date: France v Italy at Twickenham - kick off 8 pm
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Post by melikepie on Jul 3, 2015 9:08:32 GMT
To anyone who isn't aware. Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th September is Open House Weekend
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rincew1nd
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Post by rincew1nd on Jul 3, 2015 23:41:37 GMT
Perfect, even more reason to visit the capital.
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Post by antharro on Jul 4, 2015 2:26:54 GMT
Pencilled in. I would very much like to make this if other commitments allow.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2015 16:24:00 GMT
The City Barge, as many pubs in W/SW London, is intolerable when there are rugby internationals on. Comparable to pubs during (football) World Cup matches in other parts of the country as regards drunkenness, noise and the inability to have a conversation. As none* only one** maybe two of the home nations are playing that day, it might not be too bad. But having organised a not dissimilar Saturday afternoon meet with sport clashes once before, it is the first thing that I check when selecting dates - even before public transport suspensions. From their website - www.metropolitanpubcompany.com/our-pubs/the-city-barge/Live Sport : Saturday 19th September World Cup - Tonga vs Georgia @ 11:00am World Cup - Ireland vs Canada @ 1:30pm World Cup - South Africa vs Japan @ 3:45pm World Cup - France vs Italy @ 7:00pm *My apologies to any Irish readers - eyesight problems. **Also apologies to the French (400,000 - 500,000) in W/SW London, the South Africans (again very high concentration in SW London - Putney, Twickenham and anywhere near Richmond Park) and the Japanese (Ealing is a big centre for them). I think we should be safe from floods of Italians and Canadians, but Georgians and Tongans - you never can tell.
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Post by rtt1928 on Jul 5, 2015 16:43:00 GMT
It would be nice to meet you all.
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Post by theblackferret on Jul 5, 2015 17:42:03 GMT
As none of the home nations are playing that day, it might not be too bad. World Cup - Ireland vs Canada @ 1:30pm I hate that sport, having been forced to endure it for five years at grammar school before I could play the sport I wanted to play. But, I know enough about it to tell you Ireland is one of the home nations, although they play all their home six-nations games in Dublin. They've always selected from both sides of the border, by the way. And, there are a significant number of Irish people all over London, Chiswick very much so represented as one of the transplanted Emerald Islets. And both my parent's maternal bloodlines came from Irish immigration to London to work in transport in the 1850's/1860's, so it's nothing to be ashamed of. But I would suggest expecting an enjoyable afternoon's chatting might be whistling for the moon seeing the time the men in green are kicking off, not to mention any residue of celebratory Japanese tourists, if they down Georgia.
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Post by version3point1 on Jul 6, 2015 17:02:29 GMT
Having changed hands, it's just a shame that The City Barge has been refurbished into one of those gastropub-type things, with more dining-type seating than the typical layout of a pub would have. It's less relaxed than what it was. They also completely changed the menu. It will be nothing like you will remember from 10 years ago. (Being only down the road, it was a pub well frequented for both food and drink, but sadly I've had to take my wallet elsewhere!) They used to do a really gorgeous and generously-sized bangers and mash with chives and onion gravy, but alas, no proper pub grub here anymore – £2-3 more than last year for a mains course, and the portions are much, much smaller. If you're into fish and seafood, that's what most of the dishes seem to have. Food is OK quality, but nothing to write home about. Lots of craft beer and local ales if you're into that sort of thing, but the price of the pint has definitely gone up since the pub changed hands. And service is slow on a good day.
(But if you're a fan of Dara Ó Briain, he's in here a lot.)
I'm either going to be on a plane going transatlantic or on the footplate at Swanage! But I hope everybody enjoys meeting up again.
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Post by Tubeboy on Jul 20, 2015 20:14:51 GMT
I'll be coming, its been a long while since I went to the last one. I'll be raising a glass or three to the glorious Dave and to his baby which is now unbelievably 10 years old. I've been on here for 9 of those years. Tempus Fugit.
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Post by Colin D on Jul 21, 2015 2:45:31 GMT
Have my flight booked, arrive a couple of days before and looking forward to celebrating ten years of DD with all of you
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2015 17:48:16 GMT
I will try and make it if I am free that weekend
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Post by MoreToJack on Aug 26, 2015 20:10:09 GMT
Unfortunately I'll not be able to make this, I'm already pre-booked with another occasion.
I'll be around for the steam trips to Chesham/Watford the weekend previous, though (Stewarding), so may see some of you then.
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Dom K
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Post by Dom K on Aug 26, 2015 20:16:32 GMT
I work 3 out of 4 Saturday's, so if a meet falls on a Saturday, I have a 25% chance of going, even less if my beloved Spurs are at home! So sadly 19th is my working day, so won't be able to make it. Looking ahead if the Christmas meet is on the 12th? That falls on a working day too sadly
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Post by superteacher on Aug 26, 2015 20:17:49 GMT
Sadly, I'm in Paris that weekend (no, not just Metro bashing!). Enjoy yourselves, and raise a glass to Dave, who I'm sure would have been very proud that his site has been going for ten years.
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Post by bassmike on Aug 27, 2015 11:48:18 GMT
Superteacher--- did you ever go on the several all-night Metro trips organised by John Thomason (L U R S ) ? They penetrated to some extrordinary locations.
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Post by whistlekiller2000 on Aug 27, 2015 13:50:19 GMT
Mrs. Whistlekiller informs me that we have guests that weekend and any attempt by me to attend a forum social of any kind, be it fishing or trains, will be met with lethal force. I must therefore, sadly, remain absent from these festivities. Everyone else who manages to get along.........have a really good time!
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Post by superteacher on Aug 27, 2015 19:33:41 GMT
Superteacher--- did you ever go on the several all-night Metro trips organised by John Thomason (L U R S ) ? They penetrated to some extrordinary locations. No, I've only been to Paris a couple of times. I heard about those all nighters though. When did they happen?
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Post by bassmike on Aug 28, 2015 13:34:23 GMT
They occured fron the mid 80's to about 5 years ago but apparently the terrorist scare put paid to them . The last one I did was a Saturday afternoon one on lines 7bis and 3 bis. I caught the 11.30 am Eurostar from Ashford int: (10 mins: from my home) caught Lingne 7 out to Porte des Lilas and the tour started from Lilas Cinema (the name of the ex navette and non- public platforms) then traversed the connecting line via Haxo ( never opened station) to ligne 7 and then down 3bis to Gambetta including the loop round to the new platforms at Gambetta (ligne 3 extensin) Caught the19.15 Eurostar and was home by approx 10.00 pm. Much less hassle than the previous all-night ones which involved ferry from Folkestone and arrival home the following mid-morning! If you are interested in the Metro there is good book (in French)called "Notre Metro" by Dr: Jean Robert Well worth getting a copy.
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