(Image: Personal Excellence)
Hey everyone!
As you may know if you’ve been following my Facebook / Twitter, I’m currently in the UK, London. For the past 2 months, I’ve been traveling around West Europe – From Holland (Noordwijk, Hoofddorp, Amsterdam, Den Haag, Gooi, Amstelveen), Germany (Bonn, Cologne, Dusseldorf, Einbeck, Berlin), France (Paris), Belgium (Brussels – quick drive through) and now finally London!
London is a *huge* metropolitan – tall buildings, busy streets, multitude of cultures/races/nationality, never ending flow of people. Very much like Singapore/New York, but with an English twist! I absolutely love this place. It’s easily a place I can call home, to be honest.
My friend Dennis showing me around Central London. He has stayed here for over 15 years and knows the place like the back of his palm!
After several requests by EU readers to arrange for a meetup, I’m finally writing a post to check if anyone will be interested in a UK meetup!
At this moment, I have no idea how many readers we have in UK – I gather there is a sizable number based on ongoing feedback in Facebook and forums, but my sense is everyone is scattered across the country, so it may be hard to gather everyone together in a meetup. My plan is to meet in London – specifically, Central London as it’s the most accessible spot for everyone. Date-wise – probably the upcoming weekend (either Aug 20 or Aug 21).
If you’re in UK, please let me know if you’d like to join in the meetup in the comments! If you’d like to join but can’t due to some reason, please let me know as well – it’s good to know who we have here, as it’ll help with planning of future meetups (in UK). I’ll wait for responses in the next 48 hours and confirm whether it’s a go/no-go by Wed, Aug 17.
I’ll only be proceeding if there is enough response – e.g. at least 5; ideally 10 or so. If there are not enough responses, we’ll not go ahead with it.
So, post away!
Meetup Confirmed
Update Aug 16, 2011: The meetup has been confirmed and it’ll be in Central London!
Originally I wasn’t sure if we’ll have enough participants to move ahead, especially since the Personal Excellence readers are scattered across the world, and I wasn’t sure about the readership base in UK (which while sizable, is still scattered across the country). To my pleasant surprise, we have quite a few sign-ups in past 2 days since the announcement was posted, so we’ll be proceeding with the meetup this weekend! :D
Here are the details:
- Venue: Vita Organic Cafe – cafe that serves organic food too (Website)
- Address: 74 Wardour street in the heart of vibrant and funky Soho, and near to Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square Underground Stations (Google Maps)
- Date: Aug 21, Sunday
- Time:
2pm3pm* (Note that time has been changed to 3pm)
I’ve made a reservation for about 15 people under my name (Celestine), so just let them know you’re there for me when you reach. I imagine I’d be there at around 2:50pm or so. We already have more than 10 people attending, but I don’t think it’s a problem as the cafe should be able to accommodate for more guests. I just hope that it won’t be too busy / noisy as it’ll be a Sunday afternoon in Central London!
There is no specific agenda for the meetup, other than to get to know each other and connect with one another. I imagine we’ll be sitting in groups of 2-3 and talking to one another, then rotating so everyone gets to speak to one another. It’s very flexible, so don’t worry about having to conform to anything! The only thing you need to bring is lots of love and joy, so we have plenty to share around. :D
I think this meetup is a great idea because not only does it let me acquaint with the readers here in UK, it also allows you to meet other fellow readers, who undoubtedly share similar values and passion for growth as you would! It’s a great way to expand your social network. :D
If you’d like to join in, please let me know via replying this blog post. I’d appreciate knowing who’s coming vs. having surprise visitors!
Confirmed Attendees:
- Celes (me!)
- BV
- Adrienne
- Robert
- Aubrey
- soraya
- Azura
- Shab
- Justina
- Bob
- Catherine
- Hanna Sharpe
- Deepa
- Mel
- CY
- Emilie
- Tom
- Uparima
At mentioned above, we’re meeting at 3pm. I’m not sure how long we’ll be there for (maybe one to two hours or so?). It all depends on how everything goes and everyone’s agenda for the day. Please arrive on time (i.e. 3pm) – the earlier you come, the more time we have for each other!
Just in case you can’t find your way there, the number to reach the cafe is 02077348986.
See you guys this Sunday, Aug 21, 3pm! Look forward to meeting all of you very soon! :D
Update Aug 24, 2011: The meetup is over and was a complete blast! Thanks to everyone who turned up! Read more: London PE Meetup (Aug 21, 2011) – Pictures and Afterthought
(Images: Personal Excellence)
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Hi Celes
I missed your meet up yesterday in London and I’d like to know if you will be planning another London meet up anytime soon. I’d love to be able to come along!
Kind regards
Hey Lyndy – Glad that you were able to make it for the meet-up! It was great seeing you in person – thanks so much for coming. :D Will post a new entry on the meet-up and pictures later today.
Update Aug 24, ’11 – The post is up! https://personalexcellence.co/blog/london-meetup-pictures/
Hi,
I’m good to meet one hour later at 3pm!
Fantastic – Thanks for responding Hanna and look forward to seeing you later! :D
Hi Celes,
We are looking forward to meeting you on Sunday. Could you please add our children Emilie & Tom to your list. :D
Many thanks.
Bob & Catherine
Hey Bob and Catherine, sure, will do that. This is going to be a big group! Very exciting. :D See you guys tomorrow!
Hi Celes,
would love to meet you… Hope to be there… :dance:
Uparima
That’s great! See you very soon Uparima! :D
Hi Celes, I just bought the ticket to London. I and a friend of mine will be joining (CY). See you all on Sunday. :D
That’s fantastic Mel! I look forward to meeting both you and CY this Sunday! :D
Looks like this will be a busy meet-up, especially if everyone on the list turns up! Can’t wait to see how it goes!
Cool, can’t wait to meet everyone, we’ll have loads of fun :dance:
Me too! :D Look forward to meeting everyone. :hug: I’m looking forward to checking out the vegan cafe too – Haven’t been to a vegan cafe in UK yet, so am interested to see how it’s like.
Ok, the meet-up has been confirmed! Searched for a cafe yesterday and made the reservation this afternoon. Details can be found in the post above. :D
Hi Celes
Welcome to England and I hope you are finding London and it’s inhabitants interesting. I live in Dorset in the South West of England and run a Bed and Breakfast so I would not be free at the weekend for a meet up. If you still around on Wednesday 24 then I could travel up to London them. Alternatively if you feel like a trip to Shaftesbury in Dorset I would be very happy to play host to you and you could stay over as my guest on the Wednesday evening? But I expect you are very busy so I won’t be offended if that is not possible.
Enjoy the rest of your stay. Kind regards, Dorothy
Hi Dorothy, thanks – that’s so sweet of you to offer to host me! It seems that Dorset is out of the way for my UK travels (I’m likely going up to Cambridge, then Liverpool), so I’ll give it a pass at this point. I really appreciate your kind offer though – it means a lot to me! Sorry you can’t make it for this meet-up, but I hope we get to meet in a future UK meet-up.
I really want to be there but I can’t do a weekend at short notice due to family commitments, but if you can give a bit more notice next time I’d be there. If you happen to be heading into Norfolk at any point when you’re in the UK let me know. In the meantime please keep up the great work and I hope you have a wonderful stay in the UK.
Sure, thank you for letting me know Colin! Sorry that you can’t join us – hopefully the next time we can plan it with a longer lead-time. Hope you have a great time with your family this weekend!
Hi Celes,
Glad you suggested meeting! I live in London and can do the Sunday 2first as well. Will be great to meet some other people who have been doing this 30-day challenge x :dance:
Hanna
That’s awesome Hanna! I didn’t know you live in London. I just picked out a cafe/restaurant and will be calling them to make a reservation tomorrow – after which I’ll announce the meet-up details. Look forward to meeting this Sunday! :)
Hie,
I’ve been a fellow reader of your blog for 2 years I think. It brought me a lot reading it.
I live in the South of France and I would be pleased to attend a meeting with you someday, Paris would be a good deal for me.
Enjoy your trip,
Bye,
Julie
Hey Julie! Thanks for your support these 2 years – it means a lot to me. :hug: It’s a pity – I just visited Paris last week (LOVE the place) and won’t be returning anytime soon, but will surely post an update if I arrange a meet-up in France in the future.
Hi Celes,
Excellent idea 2first is just right. We look forward to meeting you.
Bob, Catherine & family
Fantastic – Just put you and Catherine on the list. Look forward to meeting all of you!
Hi Celes,
I’d love to meet up but unfortunately I can’t make that weekend.
I hope you are enjoying London (despite the unrest).
Re vegetarian / vegan cafe venue – you may have already tried it and formed your own view but Food for Thought off Neal St (Covent Garden) is quite nice. Also, probably not suitable for your meet-up but I have enjoyed a meal at Saf on Curtain Rd in Shoreditch a few times (fully vegan, but not cheap).
(I’m not vegetarian or vegan myself but happily eat veg / vegan meals).
Liz
Thanks for the suggestions Liz! Will check them out. At the moment looks like Food for Thought is often busy (based on the reviews at Happy Cow), so will probably pick another location.
It’s a pity you can’t join us! Hopefully there’ll be another opportunity next time.
Hey Celes! Would love to meet you ! 21 is perfect!
Justina
Justina – Perfect! Have added you to the attendees list! Stay tuned for more details soon! :D
Would love to, but can’t make this weekend.
Hey Holly, that’s a pity! Thanks for letting us know though!
Hey Celes,
A UK meet-up would have been lovely. Would be great meeting you in person, however, as much as I’d like I’m a bit tied at the moment. Between babysitting my two boys (Ethan, 2 and Leon, under a year) and work I am unable to.
Hopefully some time in the future.
To the rest of you guys, I’m sure it’ll be a blast. I look forward to reading up on how things went.
Hi Boykie, that’s a pity but no worries! Thanks a lot for letting me know of your interest though – it’s sweet of you!
At this point it looks like the meet-up is going ahead. I’ll look for a venue (likely a cafe in Central London, ideally serving vegan/vegetarian food) and will post an update in 1-2 days’ time.
I’m keen for the UK meet-up. Fingers crossed it goes ahead.
That’s fantastic Shab! Have added your name to the list. :D
I am available for London meet up. Please count me in, Celes. Really looking forward to seeing u :)
That’s great – thanks for signing up Azura! :D I look forward to meeting all of you too!
I’m available on 21 Aug
We’ll likely have it on Sunday / Aug 21 then if it goes ahead. Thanks for informing!
I’ll come! I’d love to meet you!
Terrific – Will love to meet you too Adrienne! Stay tuned for more updates!
Hey Celestine – I really enjoy your blog. I’m based in central london, so I’d enjoy meeting up with you.
Hey BV – that’s great! :) Please stay tuned to this space – will wait for more responses first (if any) and announce in a few days’ time if we’re going ahead with it.
Will use this comment as a way to track the attendees!
Attendees for UK Meet-up (Confirmed – 21 Aug):
1) Celes
2) BV
3) Adrienne
4) Robert
5) Aubrey
6) soraya
7) Azura
8) Shab
9) Justina
10) Bob
11) Catherine
12) Hanna Sharpe
13) Deepa
14) Mel
15) CY
16) Emilie
17) Tom
18) Uparima
Hi Celes, I started reading about your blog few weeks back and love it! I will definitely come and meet you on Sunday. Thanks for your time!
Awesome – welcome onboard Deepa! :D I look forward to meeting you this Sunday! :D
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