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Author Topic: amusing onself in Swindon  (Read 6919 times)
malcha
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« Reply #15 on: August 30, 2007, 12:45:39 PM »

I just want to say that this thread title makes me happy every time I see it.
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science_expat
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« Reply #16 on: August 30, 2007, 12:59:10 PM »

I just want to say that this thread title makes me happy every time I see it.

Because it's so unrealistic?
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It's not procrastination. It's "just in time" delivery.

Nutso is the new normal.
malcha
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posting live from her FCFU


« Reply #17 on: August 30, 2007, 01:03:57 PM »

I just want to say that this thread title makes me happy every time I see it.

Because it's so unrealistic?

It sounds like the title of a comedy of manners to me.
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science_expat
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« Reply #18 on: September 04, 2007, 04:52:54 PM »

Away tomorrow. Will report back if survive the experience....
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It's not procrastination. It's "just in time" delivery.

Nutso is the new normal.
wegie
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« Reply #19 on: September 04, 2007, 05:25:42 PM »

Just take plenty of food with you!
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science_expat
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« Reply #20 on: September 04, 2007, 05:28:36 PM »

Just take plenty of food with you!

Thanks for the encouragement!
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It's not procrastination. It's "just in time" delivery.

Nutso is the new normal.
wegie
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« Reply #21 on: September 04, 2007, 05:38:27 PM »

I've always been of the opinion that Swindon is best viewed from the first class carriage of a 125 going somewhere more interesting ;-)

Besides: no Pizza Express, no Wagamama, no Square Meal entry . . . what's not to hate?

Hang on! Shouldn't you be in bed?
« Last Edit: September 04, 2007, 05:39:35 PM by wegie » Logged
science_expat
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« Reply #22 on: September 06, 2007, 06:09:46 PM »

Right, I survived. Here's the scoop from my 24 hours in the exciting Swindon scene.

Within about 5 minutes walk of the train station is what I think is called "new Swindon". Basically, it's a pedestrianized area with lots of shops and even more pubs and nightclubs. However, it's decidedly downmarket - the pubs are all chains (within 20 meters of each other were a Wetherspoons, O'Neills, and Walkabout) and the nightclubs seemed to be owned by the same proprietors. (This from a woman in O'Neills who said that it closed at 11  but the nightclub next door - with the same owner - opened at 10.)

The area seems pretty rough and I think there are lots of problems with the stereotypical binge drinkers we see on all the reality cop shows. Hence, for example, in one pub I could only take my pint outside if it were in a plastic glass as someone had been "glassed" outside the pub on Monday night. And the hotel required your room key to enter the building - even during the day - and to use the lift to travel to any floor except the lobby.

Nonetheless, the Holiday Inn Express was a reasonable place to stay. It's about a block away from the pedestrianized area and hence was fairly quiet, although weekends might be more problematical. The hotel bar was OK, if dear, and was a good place for strangers to meet up. And we persuaded the guy to keep serving quite late.... ("Soused in Swindon, anyone? Not quite as poetic as "Hungover in Heathrow and probably all to common with the locals.)

I've been told that "old Swindon" is more upmarket and I expect I'll try to arrange a team to venture forth (supposedly 5 minutes by taxi) the next time we're there. Since this is a 3 year gig for the Research Council I'm afraid I'll have a bit of time to explore...

Oh, we did get pretty good Indian food very close to the hotel.
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It's not procrastination. It's "just in time" delivery.

Nutso is the new normal.
realbusacad
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« Reply #23 on: September 15, 2007, 12:26:33 PM »


Having spent some time in Swindon many years ago and again recently, there are in my mind two main things to do there. 1. Leave. 2. Kill self.
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qrypt
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« Reply #24 on: September 15, 2007, 02:51:46 PM »

Well, I think there's probably a middle ground: drink self silly.  Usually possible in just about any British town. 
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realbusacad
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« Reply #25 on: September 18, 2007, 01:58:40 PM »

welllll, if you start drinking in swindon, I think there will be an almost irresistible urge to do either (1) or (2) above.
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