Birmingham meet up....

Crikey; it's John Lewis that someone sent me on a Birmingham facebook page that has The Eye of Sauron on it!

The opening of John Lewis in Birmngham made me think of a wonderful birthday card I saw the other day, which will be perfect for DD1. It was one of those "vintage" 30's black and white photographs and said
"Oh darling , could life get any better? I've got the most handsome man in the world, perfect children, granite work surfaces, sash windows. . . . and now Waitrose is opening on the High Street!"

For Waitrose (yes she shops there too) substitute John Lewis!!

Ok I will check out JL

But it's a really weird station,being almost underground. Snow Hill is a 'proper' station.

I agree with JL but we must check that it only has one restaurant! Anyone unable to find New St Station in Brum will get lost wherever they are!

Unless any of us have last minute hiccups it's definite for that date. If John Lewis is open it does sound like a good place to eat; when I was in Edinburgh last week I stupidly dawdled on my way back to the station and nearly missed my train [next one wasn't for nearly 3 hours] so I'd prefer to be as close to the station as possible! I do get a bit sidetracked when there are shops around....

Green room sounds nice - sorry I don't know Birmingham at all is it near the station. I like the idea of JL as its on top of the station I believe and I need to get an outfit for my grandsons wedding. So are we definitely on for the 22nd?

...only after the cemetery one . I'm am jealous of you two seeing her

Eirel we were there too, wasn't she amazing? Didn't like all the choreography but SG was brilliant. Look forward to long dance chats!

PS so looking forward to having John Lewis at last!

Nonnie - last Tuesday I was meeting friends at the Green Room for an early meal then the Sylvie Guillem production (unbelievably fluid at 50!!). I got there cold and an unavoidable hour early. My Amaretto coffee and a brownie from the dessert menu really hit the spot. I couldn't even finish the brownie - unheard of!! Not cheap but a real treat and so worth every penny! It's certainly an idea to go there either in October or another time.
For those who aren't familiar with Brum it's right by the Arcadian Centre and on Hurst Street.

Oh good; we can talk graveyards !!!#weknowhowtoentertainpeopleinbrumthatwedo!!!

Only just seen this as I have been away. I can do 22nd too.

I do have an alternative suggestion which is easy by train or bus and that is The Green Room which is opposite the front of the Hippodrome. I have seen reserved tables there so we could pre book. www.thegreenroomcafebar.co.uk/

By then John Lewis will be open and that is right on top of the station. They always have a pretty good selection in their restaurants.

I can get to pretty much anywhere on my bus pass. Park at DS's house and then get anywhere.

OK - let's meet in the BMAG Edwardian tearoom at 11, have a coffee and a chat and take it from there. I will put a GN sign on a table in a corner on the left. Looking forward to meeting everyone on Thursday October 22nd.

That sounds like a good idea [BMAG or Ikon]. I'm planning to have a couple of days in Brum again so the 22nd will be my second day and I'll probably be in the city centre quite early. We can book a table at Carluccios closer to the date when numbers are finalised. Carluccios sounds more easy going than Jamies, which doesn't seem to open till 12. Hoping to take in the Back to Backs as well this time.

Just a thought - how about meeting for coffee at BMAG tearoom then at lunch time those wanting a meal could move on to the Carluccio's which is a 5/10 minute walk away in Brindley Place. I like Carluccio's but am unsure whether it's a place to sit around for a chat.

Or maybe meet at the Ikon for coffee as it is so near Carluccio's. It's not very big and never having been there in the morning I don't know how popular/crowded it is!

I thought Carluccio's was at Brindleyplace, not the Bull Ring? The one I know certainly is there, near the Ikon Gallery.

I know kitty likes Carluccios as it provides well for a gluten free diet as does Jamie's Italian and both are in the main shopping precinct not too far from the station. they don't mind how log you sit there either.

Who knew? To my surprise the gluten free places are almost all chains, from Nando's and Wetherspoon's to Wagamama and Bella Italia. Interesting but not helpful.

I'll see what I can find. Tearoom is somewhere big enough for us to stay for hours without buying much but I take the point about gluten-free.

Perhaps one of the 'local ladies' could suggest somewhere; I don't know Birmingham very well these days.

Does it have to be the tea rooms? I really don't like that place I can never find anything to eat. Not sure they would have anything for kittylester either she needs to have gluten free and I think their menu would be very limited.

Fine for me on both counts!

That would be fine by me. Would the tea rooms be ok for people again?

As time is going on and the diary fills up 15th is now not the best time for me as I have an evening appointment so can we now firm up on 22nd October?