Okay, folks -- here are my thoughts so far. I'm trying to organise both Newcastle and Durham, and so far it's a fairly clean split.
Weekend meets will be in Newcastle -- Saturday or Sunday or both. Last year we met in the Café Nero near The Gate, but the feeling of the meeting seems to be that that wasn't ideal, so we're taking other suggestions. The front room of Wetherspoon's near Central Station has been suggested, so I'm looking into that. Other ideas? Throw 'em at me.
Evening meets will be in Durham, purely because I work there and it will be dead easy for me to get in. I'm off work the first week in November, though, but we can still organise something. Ideas on places to meet are more than welcome.
I should add, which I didn't in the LJ post (http://community.livejournal.com/nano_northeast if you've missed it!), that Durham weekend meets are not out of the question for me, but Newcastle evening ones probably are. However, depending on the feeling of the meeting, I'll see what I can do!
One of our old-timers also suggested having a wander around town together, which sounds good to me. If the weather's decent, I was also thinking an outdoor meet could be fun sometime.
I'd like to stress that you're more than welcome (nay, encouraged!) to arrange meetings without lauren_write and I -- we're here to help you, not stifle you. And remember, you don't have to come to all the meets, but we'd love to see you at least at some of them. They really are a great experience.
One last thing. What would everyone think of a meal out somewhere? If we all put in say a tenner, or £15, we could manage a really decent night out. I would need to know numbers in advance to figure out (with your input, of course) a venue and book a table, so let me know what you think. Perhaps a celebration for our last meet? November 30th is the Friday, so maybe we could do it Saturday evening. I'll be out of town most of Saturday (going to York with the not-quite-missus!), but I'll be sure to be back for the evening.
There's also the option of a house. lauren_write and I are housemates and we'd be glad to open our door to fellow NaNo writers -- sleepovers are not out of the question. Just please don't be allergic to cats or dogs, as we have one of each. Oh, and a lot of plants, but none of them are likely to pounce, claw, or eat you.
Give me your thoughts! I'm looking forward to input from the whole community.
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10,832 / 50,000
Okt 5, 2008 - 14 27
All sounds good to me, I should have no problem getting to Newcastle on weekends but I drought evening's in Durham, or Newcastle for that matter (a relief for some I know). And a wander round Newcastle or somewhere sure sounds great, will be perfect for relaxing and getting the juices flowing, also I thing a celebration meal sounds fab. And also the house meet up cos that was my fave last year cos it was more relaxed, and they had Victoria Frances paintings on the wall (always a good sine lol). So yeah, it all sounds good to me, can't wait for November to role on in.
0 / 50,000
Okt 9, 2008 - 07 23
The meetups sound good. Durham may be a bit out of the way for some transport-wise, but you could arrange Newcastle evening meets and send a proxy. I like the idea of a meal very much and would like to recommend tapas which is always a very sociable way to get to know people.
I wonder if it's possible to arrange some kind of online chat meetup for local members? When I completed nano I would never have been able to do it without the word count blitzes we did over MSN in the final week.
33,142 / 50,000
Okt 9, 2008 - 22 52
What is your msn and I'll add you?
We did the meetups in Newcastle last year, and will be definitely doing some there again!
0 / 50,000
Okt 14, 2008 - 08 32
All sounds good and exciting, some evening meets in Newcastle could be good too though, I suppose we can suss them out once some meets have happened.
Meal sounds like a nice idea, but might be worth arranging at a meet rather than here? easier to get the money and therefore the numbers? Although the idea of the Saturday is a good one, if we're not all totally burnt out! Could do somewhere like starters and puds and take over a room if there are enough of us!
I think I need to get myself as excited by the writing as I am by the socialising. Planning afoot I think!
Alexa
6,435 / 50,000
Okt 14, 2008 - 10 26
Newcastle meet-ups would be ok. Durham evening meets would be a bit out of the way for me.
3,733 / 50,000
Okt 15, 2008 - 03 20
newcastle meet ups are perfect for me, durham is too out of the way now, but i'd b up for newcastle :)
0 / 50,000
Okt 20, 2008 - 01 28
Newcastle easier for me but maybe could make a Durham meet too. Happy to host an evening here too - we live on a smallholding in Burnopfield (kind of between Durham and Newcastle on the A692) and have loads of room - and plenty of extra places if folks want to stay the night :)
Lynn
1,070 / 50,000
Okt 20, 2008 - 01 59
Weekends in Newcastle are perfect for me, Durham's a bit far to travel, though. The front room at Wetherspoons with the sofas and books sounds like a perfect location - looking forward to it! :D
50,130 / 50,000
Okt 22, 2008 - 13 07
Am I the only person who finds Durham easier than Newcastle? well, that's what I get for living in te middle of nowhere....
42,500 / 50,000
Okt 22, 2008 - 14 38
There's at least one other for whom Durham s faaaar easier, and I'm dead in the middle, so I'm easy. We're arranging meeting at both ends though, so you won't be left out!
10,858 / 50,000
Okt 23, 2008 - 05 00
Durham evening meets would be excellent - as I have nothing to do in evenings (I don't like the student nightlife here). I'm not sure where we can go in Durham Centre though - because the shops seem rather small here (granted - Durham is a small city), but I'll try to keep my eye out. Newcastle weekends might be a better idea for somewhere to meet.
I'm up for the meal too, depending on where and when.
40,070 / 50,000
Okt 23, 2008 - 08 14
There's the new coffee shop in Durham on the Walkergate complex which can take quite a few people (I'm a student here so I live in the coffee places) though I think commandeering a Starbucks or something up in Newcastle would be better for big meets. Though the Bishops Mill/Wetherspoons/Lloyds/whatever it's called today would be a good place, in that room at the back with all the books and sofas and things. I never realised how big that place was until a couple of weeks ago!
Jess
20,151 / 50,000
Okt 23, 2008 - 15 10
Just chiming in to say that I'm looking forward to my first ever NaNo meet-up :)
23,252 / 50,000
Okt 26, 2008 - 13 08
So close now! I can't wait either. Newcastle is definitely better for me because I live there for the most part, but Durham is quite possibly my favourite city ever so I wouldn't mind jumping on a train or bus and trekking there for a meet.
50,000 / 50,000
Nov 1, 2008 - 04 09
Durham's definitely easier for me, because I live here. I can get to Newcastle easily (yay for trains) but it would take a bit of juggling around to sort out when and where.
61,268 / 50,000
Nov 16, 2008 - 05 03
Will try and make the next meet-up!! Don't mind if it's in Durham or Newcastle.
Laurence