Sorry, I’m not so big on the malt beverages (I know, I’m apparently a freak of nature in multiple respects). Anyone for a nice glass of red wine? Or is that too Mediterranean to be properly British?
Dear Eva, you are very welcome and you can drink whatever you want.
Same for everyone else. There are no pre-requisites. Oh, well, you may be required to smash a monkey. But that’s it. Oh, and you might get press-ganged into a frenzied battle over a pub quiz machine (although the Doper Guys always win and the Gals always lose and sulk), but other than that it’s do as you like. Apart from the trivia quiz, of course, if there is one, which you may be compelled to participate in. And you need to know when to point to Tir’s pint and say ‘Beer!’, although it’s not hard to spot the right times and the rest of us have sort of got the hang of it by now. But apart from that, there are no rules, just enjoy yourself. Oh, one more thing, you may have to shout Kaboom! if we set fire to some kaboom paper, and you may be required to take part in a Cleavage Beer ™ kodak moment but…
…oh look, this could go on forever. We’re nice and harmless and good fun really.
Ummm, translation, please?
Well, Birmingham is fine by me, but … well … it’s Birmingham 
And Angua, I have a spare room.
As ever, I can’t make it.
We haven’t decided anything yet, Mr jjimm! I’ve suggested Nov 29 but people can feel free to suggest alternatives.
There’s plenty of time yet for mature debate and discussion over dates and venues (or extended squabbling, pulling faces and tongue-sticking-out when Fran isn’t looking). Besides, we haven’t had posts from Tir , Tansu and any of Fran’s sheep yet, and we can’t be holding a Brit- or Lon-dope without them because that would just be, well, weird and unnatural and wrong. We should also try to choose a date which is OK for Sir Doris because (I think) she had to miss the last one too.
Eva, we’ll be quite happy if you just drink cider…
Can anyone recommend a reasonable place to stay for Kal and I and Spud (the bump)? Somewhere that you don’t have to walk 3 blocks to find the toilet, bug free, clean sheets… Or are we just being too demanding and picky?
I’d love to attend a Dope before getting too huge to still enjoy myself and having a wee one to find a sitter for. Kal would love the beer.
Don’t wory Eva. If we manage to make it, I wouldn’t be drinking so could at least keep you company whilst you sup your wine and do any funky translating you needed. 
Couple of things:
Cider? Are we talking the regular stuff, or the hard stuff? If the latter, how close is it in taste to Spanish sidra? Maybe I’d give it a try.
BTW, my travel plans are still completely up in the air. Taiwan would be really cool, and I haven’t seen my friend there in a really long time, and I’ve never been to Asia (unless you count Siberia, which is not at all the same thing in any case). But England is cool too, and there’s still the rest of the V&A to see, and the flights are ridiculously cheap this time of year, and the friend in Kent is one of my oldest and dearest, and I haven’t seen their youngest munchkin yet (or the new house they will have moved to by then). Plus they live near Dover, so then it’s just a short ferry or hovercraft ride either to France or Belgium, and then a train to Amsterdam, where I could go visit the newly discovered Lativan/Lithuanian/South African/Israeli/Dutch relatives (long story). So BritDopers, convince me! (Anyone know how long a train ride it is from Oostend, Belgium to Amsterdam? Or Calais to Amsterdam a better idea?)
Eva, luv, in the UK the hard stuff IS the regular stuff…
You have a choice, though… cider or apple juice.
I do know of a cider drink that will rock your world and tastes like Cool Aid. Brilliant stuff.
DubDopers: We should have our own soiree in Dublin. I’ll be in Dublin on several occasions in October, November and December. We all know we’re far more fun than those stuffy old Pommy Bastards.
You all know I’m joking you, right?
Eva, Ostend to Amsterdam was a direct train two years ago. Be sure to catch the Sneltrain (express). But flying from Gatwick to Amsterdam might be quicker and cheaper (approx £30 by Easyjet).
qts, thanks for the info; I’ll check it out. Even if Gatwick is a cheap flight, though, it’s still at least some time and cash to get there from my friend’s house. (She lives near Deal, in a dinky town of about 1,000 people, and IIRC the train connections to Gatwick weren’t exactly straightforward. It was about a 2.5-hour train trip from Charing Cross.) So even if the ferry/train combo is the same price or a little more, it might save me a half-day of travel.
How long does the Sneltrain take? Or does anyone know where I can find routes and fare info online?
Despite a certain person’s reservations <coughGARIUScough> I may turn up. I’ll refrain from posting dates I’m not available, though, on the grounds that ianzin will schedule it then to get back at me for scheduling the last one when he was in Australia.
pencils 29th November into diary
Oi! Nowt wrong with Birmingham! Apart from them southern Brummies 
I am NOT a Brummie, before anyone starts.
qts the offer is appreciated, ta muchly, I can now do London. Looking at the diary, the 29th of November is good for me.
No you aren’t your much, much, worse…
[sub]northern monkey![/sub]
Oi! Southern pansy!
shut it you Fred Dibnerette. 
besides i prefer the term Southern Nancy-boy thankyouverymuch.
Southern Pansy is sooooooooo 1990s.