Rugby in London

by **RDW** Mon 25 Jul - 16:12

First topic message reminder :

Folks,

Mrs RDW and I moving to London next month , so knowing that there are lots of Londoners / ex Londoners on here I thought I would start a thread to discuss London rugby and all things London related. We have a flat in Putney and my work is near Euston so any thoughts on either of those will be appreciated.

So, questions!

Playing Rugby

I am keen to keep playing when I move down but from a quick look there are many, many rugby clubs in London (probably more than in the whole of Scotland!). Ideally I would be looking for a club with 1st, 2nd and even 3rd XV so I can get started at a fairly low level and work my way up if I can. I am certainly not good enough to play at a high level but I’d like to think I’m not at the lowest of the low. Being honest though I am closer to the lower end than the top end! Ideally it would be a club easy to get to from Putney or my way home from work. Any suggestions?

Watching Rugby

Being so close to Richmond, and being Scottish, London Scottish are the obvious draw for me when it comes to supporting a new team. There’s a few Scots at Harlequins now (plus the missus fancies Tim Visser and Chris Robshaw) so I am sure we will go to some of their games too. It is handy that they have drawn Edinburgh in the Challenge Cup!

Living in London

London living is pretty much the main reason why we’re moving! I appreciate it is overcrowded, unfriendly, hot and dirty but there are plenty positives to hopefully make up for that. We love sport, good pubs/cafes/restaurants, music and theater so I’m sure there will be plenty things on. Any specific suggestions are welcome however, especially around the Putney area and beyond.

Thanks!

by funnyExiledScot Wed 27 Jul - 10:02

RDW_Scotland wrote:My brother cycles everywhere and is a big fan. It has never looked the safest thing to do though, especially with the bus drivers! As you say though it is getting a lot safer.

I'll probably do as you say BigGee and try both options and see what works best. A 3rd option is to get the District then Circle line - a good option if the Victoria line is down.

Mrs RDW is working in the City so can either stay on the District the whole way or get the train to Waterloo and get on the Waterloo and City line. I'm assuming the latter option is likely to be rammed full of City bankers in the morning? I did that journey when down looking at flats and it was actually quite pleasant, although it was not in rush hour.

It is pretty busy, and the stench of fancy aftershave is eye watering, but it's a pretty regular service so although the platform is always busy, it does tend to shift.

Loads of my colleagues in the City lived in Putney, so it can't be that bad a commute.

The other thing to mention is that there's often merit in going into work early and leaving early if your work can accommodate that, or arriving late and leaving late. When I worked for a US firm they were pretty cool with me arriving at 10 or 10:30am, and then leaving between midnight and 3am. The commute wasn't bad at all.....

by EWT Spoons Wed 27 Jul - 10:04

BigGee wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:When I first visited him with the rest of my family I felt like I've never stood out more than when we were all walking to his flat from Brixton tube!

When you have been in London for a little while, you will realise that nobody stands out and everybody blends in. You can actually be quite anonymous here, which is one of the reasons that I love it.

Are you some kind of fugitive BigGee?

by Bathman_in_London Wed 27 Jul - 10:29

Re. Transport I'd say it depends what time you have to be at work in the morning. Putney rail station is pretty rammed at c.8am as it fills up from all the stations before down to Windsor. Certainly sometimes you can't get on a quick train at that time.
I often get the district line as you can almost always get on as it only starts a few stops before and doesn't get really busy until Parsons Green. For me the travel time is pretty similar when you factor in walks to the station etc. Are you moving into one of those new blocks?

by **RDW** Wed 27 Jul - 10:32

Nah my flat is near East Putney tube, and a 5 minute walk to Putney Station.

Work start time is pretty flexible but I probably would be heading off between half 7 - 8.

District Line sounds like a front runner so far!

by **BigGee** Wed 27 Jul - 11:20

EWT Spoons wrote:
BigGee wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:When I first visited him with the rest of my family I felt like I've never stood out more than when we were all walking to his flat from Brixton tube!

When you have been in London for a little while, you will realise that nobody stands out and everybody blends in. You can actually be quite anonymous here, which is one of the reasons that I love it.

Are you some kind of fugitive BigGee?

Fugitive no, but despite the fact that i am fundementally pretty conventional, I do like the fact that that I can move around London without anyone really knowing who or what I am. I know that is the sort of thing that scares people about living here but I actually find it quite empowering. Just in case you think I am a complete sociopath, I can be perfectly sociable a lot of the time, but it is kind of on my own terms.

That all probably sounds very odd, but I think there are actually a lot of people in London who do like that.

by jimbopip Wed 27 Jul - 11:27

Sorry guys, it took me a little time to cut through the layers of tedium but I finally got to the heart of this thread.

Our favourite Luvvie votes Yes then feccs off dahn sarf and wonders where he will find a rugby club that's Scottish enough for him.

Or am I missing some finely nuanced subtext here?

by **RDW** Wed 27 Jul - 11:34

Now Jimbo you've said some fairly inaccurate things in your time on here but you are certainly way off the mark to call me a Yes voter! Braveheart

That's like me accusing you of having a Ross Ford picture on your bedroom wall - couldn't be further from the truth!

by jimbopip Wed 27 Jul - 11:37

And the winner of today's "Hook In The Mouth" competition goes to... laughing

You've got to stop biting, it's getting too easy.

by **RDW** Wed 27 Jul - 11:38

I like to make you feel good about wit and 'humour' Jimbo - it is something I like to do for the elderly! thumbsup

by jimbopip Wed 27 Jul - 11:42

Methinks the Luvvie doth protest too much.

As Shakey would have said, if he had ever drunk with Asbo and Schiz.

by funnyExiledScot Wed 27 Jul - 11:54

RDW_Scotland wrote:Now Jimbo you've said some fairly inaccurate things in your time on here but you are certainly way off the mark to call me a Yes voter!

That's like me accusing you of having a Ross Ford picture on your bedroom wall - couldn't be further from the truth!

I now have an image of Jimbo's bedroom: two single beds with a space in the middle, pushed together for anniversaries and birthdays, a huge poster of Ross Ford on one wall with a large poster of Nick De Luca on the other. On the bedside table lies a tear stained programme from the last 1872 Cup match at Scotstoun, autographed by Jeremy Bone. The wardrobe is full of hipster clothes acquired from The Stockbridge Boutique, and an iPOD docking station sits in the corner playing Mumford & Sons on loop. There's a Red Hot Chilli Pipers CD lying on the floor. There's a small bookshelf in the corner with York Notes covering the English Literature GCSE syllabus, and a Roget's Thesaurus (mainly for use on 606v2).

by **RDW** Wed 27 Jul - 11:58

funnyExiledScot wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:Now Jimbo you've said some fairly inaccurate things in your time on here but you are certainly way off the mark to call me a Yes voter!

That's like me accusing you of having a Ross Ford picture on your bedroom wall - couldn't be further from the truth!

I now have an image of Jimbo's bedroom: two single beds with a space in the middle, pushed together for anniversaries and birthdays, a huge poster of Ross Ford on one wall with a large poster of Nick De Luca on the other. On the bedside table lies a tear stained programme from the last 1872 Cup match at Scotstoun, autographed by Jeremy Bone. The wardrobe is full of hipster clothes acquired from The Stockbridge Boutique, and an iPOD docking station sits in the corner playing Mumford & Sons on loop. There's a Red Hot Chilli Pipers CD lying on the floor. There's a small bookshelf in the corner with York Notes covering the English Literature GCSE syllabus, and a Roget's Thesaurus (mainly for use on 606v2).

by jimbopip Wed 27 Jul - 12:01

Fes, you forgot the Batman suit.

by **RDW** Wed 27 Jul - 12:02

Is this was Jimbo looks like in your vision? Rugby in London - Page 2 Cool_old_people_02

by jimbopip Wed 27 Jul - 12:11

Now that looks like an Art teacher who taught me, but not much, in Paisley in the 1970's. Hip young guy by the name of John Byrne.

by funnyExiledScot Wed 27 Jul - 12:14

RDW_Scotland wrote:Is this was Jimbo looks like in your vision?

That's him!!

by Irish Londoner Wed 27 Jul - 12:37

RDW_Scotland wrote:Temperature is going to be a big issue for me - I'm always roasting hot. I'm that wierdo who walks about without a jacket on in November because I'm too hot!

The main problem with cycling is having to put your bike somewhere - space is already at a premium in a 1 bed flat!

Get a Brompton, they're great and you can take them on the tube. Flipside is they cost more than a second hand car !

by Irish Londoner Wed 27 Jul - 12:44

A couple of things re the tube:
The front and end carriages tend to be the least empty
Always move as far along the platform as you can
Learn the which carriage stops nearest your exit from the platform and try and get in there
If you are travelling late at night, always get the first tube that comes along even if it doesn't go all the way to your stop, that way when TFL cancel the tube you were hoping to get the cab fare home will be less - e.g. for Putney get a tube terminating at Earls Court.
On the longer lines, District, Metropolitan, etc. even when you've had a few and it's late evening stay awake, it's very easy to drift off and wake up in Wimbledon or Heathrow !

by **RDW** Wed 27 Jul - 12:52

Irish Londoner wrote:A couple of things re the tube:
The front and end carriages tend to be the least empty
Always move as far along the platform as you can
Learn the which carriage stops nearest your exit from the platform and try and get in there
If you are travelling late at night, always get the first tube that comes along even if it doesn't go all the way to your stop, that way when TFL cancel the tube you were hoping to get the cab fare home will be less - e.g. for Putney get a tube terminating at Earls Court.
On the longer lines, District, Metropolitan, etc. even when you've had a few and it's late evening stay awake, it's very easy to drift off and wake up in Wimbledon or Heathrow !

Some good words of wisdom. Luckily if I get the District Line home and fall asleep pished Wimbledon isn't that far away!

by **BigGee** Wed 27 Jul - 13:10

RDW_Scotland wrote:
Irish Londoner wrote:A couple of things re the tube:
The front and end carriages tend to be the least empty
Always move as far along the platform as you can
Learn the which carriage stops nearest your exit from the platform and try and get in there
If you are travelling late at night, always get the first tube that comes along even if it doesn't go all the way to your stop, that way when TFL cancel the tube you were hoping to get the cab fare home will be less - e.g. for Putney get a tube terminating at Earls Court.
On the longer lines, District, Metropolitan, etc. even when you've had a few and it's late evening stay awake, it's very easy to drift off and wake up in Wimbledon or Heathrow !

Some good words of wisdom. Luckily if I get the District Line home and fall asleep pished Wimbledon isn't that far away!

I know people who have fallen aslepp on the tube and ended up right back at the other end of the line!

Beleive me you don't want to wake up in Barking or Dagenham East and I am not just talking about the taxi fare home either!

by funnyExiledScot Wed 27 Jul - 13:56

Yep, my flatmate's girlfriend got completely hammered at after work drinks, fell asleep on the last Northern Line train heading north and ended up in High Barnet. Cab back to Camden required! Happens all the time.

by lostinwales Wed 27 Jul - 13:59

RDW_Scotland wrote:
Irish Londoner wrote:A couple of things re the tube:
The front and end carriages tend to be the least empty
Always move as far along the platform as you can
Learn the which carriage stops nearest your exit from the platform and try and get in there
If you are travelling late at night, always get the first tube that comes along even if it doesn't go all the way to your stop, that way when TFL cancel the tube you were hoping to get the cab fare home will be less - e.g. for Putney get a tube terminating at Earls Court.
On the longer lines, District, Metropolitan, etc. even when you've had a few and it's late evening stay awake, it's very easy to drift off and wake up in Wimbledon or Heathrow !

Some good words of wisdom. Luckily if I get the District Line home and fall asleep pished Wimbledon isn't that far away!

A mate was having a few beers in Woolwich (where we worked before moving to Greenwich...) Got on the train to go home (he lived Elephant and Castle way) and woke up just as the train was pulling into Woolwich...

by SecretFly Wed 27 Jul - 14:42

Irish Londoner wrote:
On the longer lines, District, Metropolitan, etc. even when you've had a few and it's late evening stay awake, it's very easy to drift off and wake up in Wimbledon or Heathrow !

Or naked with all your property stolen. Never sleep on public transport - Godzilla might be around the next corner, children.

by Bathman_in_London Wed 27 Jul - 15:44

I know people in the insurance 'industry' who go for a lap of the circle line to sleep off weekday hangovers...

by BamBam Wed 27 Jul - 15:47

Just in case you haven't already, I'd get Uber on your phone in preparation for the above!

by **RDW** Wed 27 Jul - 15:48

Noted. Citymapper is a good app too, although I'm sure you Londoners already know that!

by **RDW** Thu 28 Jul - 11:33

Out of interest is the evening commute a little better than the morning or just as mental?

You often find in cities that it isn't as bad, as it is a wider timeframe over which people are travelling - i.e. half 4 - half 6 compared to 8-9am.

by BamBam Thu 28 Jul - 11:35

Depends when you leave .. 5-6pm tends to be the worst, but leaving work at that time is merely a pipedream!

6.30ish onwards is relative bliss

by **RDW** Thu 28 Jul - 12:02

I asked my new company what the typical working day was and was told 'until the work is finished...' - bodes well!

by SecretFly Thu 28 Jul - 12:27

RDW_Scotland wrote:I asked my new company what the typical working day was and was told 'until the work is finished...' - bodes well!

So everyday at Lunchtime, you hop off home and declare your work finished for the day. If there is no clock, then use common sense. Wink

by Bathman_in_London Thu 28 Jul - 14:54

Trains aren't so bad on the way home as they start in Waterloo, so if you turn up at the right time you might even get a seat.

by funnyExiledScot Thu 28 Jul - 15:13

RDW_Scotland wrote:I asked my new company what the typical working day was and was told 'until the work is finished...' - bodes well!

That really means "the later of 5:30pm or until the work is finished"! I don't think I ever left the office before 6pm in almost 8 years in London, other than perhaps work drinks on a Friday and Christmas Eve!

by **RDW** Fri 29 Jul - 8:37

RDW_Scotland wrote:Is this was Jimbo looks like in your vision?

I'm genuinely not making this up, but I actually walked passed this guy in Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station this morning!!

Jimbo are you in Glasgow?

by propdavid_london Fri 29 Jul - 9:14

If you want to ease back into playing then find yourself a Pub team with none of the negatives and all the positives - Like training is in the pub every Wednesday night!

by **RDW** Fri 29 Jul - 9:27

I'm in the middle of pre-season with my club just now so I'm happy to jump straight into playing down there!

by funnyExiledScot Fri 29 Jul - 10:05

RDW_Scotland wrote:I'm in the middle of pre-season with my club just now so I'm happy to jump straight into playing down there!

I like the confidence.

The one thing I would say about rugby in London is beware of the ringer. I wasn't playing, but my law firm competes in an annual 7s tournament each year (against other law firms) and I turned out in support (and also because there was free beer and a hog roast on offer). I was very surprised by the number of professional rugby players (some internationals) who apparently moonlight as lawyers during the day! One of the Magic Circle firms had an England 7s player in the team!

by BamBam Fri 29 Jul - 10:07

Name some names FES, don't leave it there!

by funnyExiledScot Fri 29 Jul - 10:25

Paul Sampson is the one I remember. Seriously quick England winger and as you would imagine, looked pretty sharp against a bunch of lawyers.

A young Simon Amor showed up as well, although I don't think he played every game.

by TheMildlyFranticLlama Fri 29 Jul - 10:31

Bunch of lawyers in morally questionable behaviour shocker Whistle

by funnyExiledScot Fri 29 Jul - 10:58

TheMildlyFranticLlama wrote:Bunch of lawyers in morally questionable behaviour shocker

That hurt.

by TheMildlyFranticLlama Fri 29 Jul - 11:07

If you need to ease the pain I'll send you my payslip to see what an engineers salary looks like. That'll soon perk you up!

by lostinwales Fri 29 Jul - 11:15

TheMildlyFranticLlama wrote:If you need to ease the pain I'll send you my payslip to see what an engineers salary looks like. That'll soon perk you up!

Depressing. But then being an engineer means you can fix cars'n' stuff doesn't it?

by **RDW** Fri 29 Jul - 11:22

Well I'm a Civil Engineer so I can very much relate to the salary issue! Sad

My wife is going to work in Commercial Property Management in the City - I'm going to be a kept man soon hopefully!

by jimbopip Fri 29 Jul - 11:23

RDW_Scotland wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:Is this was Jimbo looks like in your vision?

I'm genuinely not making this up, but I actually walked passed this guy in Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station this morning!!

Jimbo are you in Glasgow?

Nope, it's your guilty conscience haunting you.

by funnyExiledScot Fri 29 Jul - 11:32

RDW_Scotland wrote:Well I'm a Civil Engineer so I can very much relate to the salary issue!

My wife is going to work in Commercial Property Management in the City - I'm going to be a kept man soon hopefully!

I wouldn't hold your breath. Farage and co have seen to it that the City faces a challenging future in the short term and, whilst this is obviously retail rather than commercial property, Foxtons have just announced a very slow 1st half set of results for 2016 (profits down by a whopping 42%).

....and people say I don't have a sunny disposition....

by TheMildlyFranticLlama Fri 29 Jul - 11:33

RDW_Scotland wrote:Well I'm a Civil Engineer so I can very much relate to the salary issue!

My wife is going to work in Commercial Property Management in the City - I'm going to be a kept man soon hopefully!

Lucky man, you'll be able to quit work and have endless time to spend in cereal cafes, Sushi burger joints and whatever other London eateries are currently de rigueur!

I assume you're already familiar with Bodean's? Now there's a place perfectly suited to the protein needs of a person undergoing preseason training!

by BamBam Fri 29 Jul - 11:35

Is Bodean's the place with the burnt ends? If so, great shout!

by TheMildlyFranticLlama Fri 29 Jul - 11:37

That's the one. Their Boss Hogg platter is unbelievable!

by **RDW** Fri 29 Jul - 11:37

funnyExiledScot wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:Well I'm a Civil Engineer so I can very much relate to the salary issue!

My wife is going to work in Commercial Property Management in the City - I'm going to be a kept man soon hopefully!

I wouldn't hold your breath. Farage and co have seen to it that the City faces a challenging future in the short term and, whilst this is obviously retail rather than commercial property, Foxtons have just announced a very slow 1st half set of results for 2016 (profits down by a whopping 42%).

....and people say I don't have a sunny disposition....

I had dealings with Foxtons while looking for flats and it is fair to say they don't have my sympathies! I understand they aren't overly well liked in London....

by **RDW** Fri 29 Jul - 11:39

TheMildlyFranticLlama wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:Well I'm a Civil Engineer so I can very much relate to the salary issue!

My wife is going to work in Commercial Property Management in the City - I'm going to be a kept man soon hopefully!

Lucky man, you'll be able to quit work and have endless time to spend in cereal cafes, Sushi burger joints and whatever other London eateries are currently de rigueur!

I assume you're already familiar with Bodean's? Now there's a place perfectly suited to the protein needs of a person undergoing preseason training!

My work is near a Burger and Lobster place - that will be frequented!

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