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Saturday 14 April 2018

My First Filofax Meet UP


On a snowy day in March I boarded the train to Waterloo. I wasn’t going to London to look for gold ... just Filofax enthusiasts.

March 17th was my first Filofax meet up. For anyone who is unlucky enough not to have been to a meet up, it is when people who follow the Philofaxy blog and collect ring bound planners, meet up to discuss their planners and other related topics. Yes, I have friends who think it’s hilarious, but I do not see the difference between anyone’s hobbies. Some people knit, others go running, some collect stamps and others are organised and love planners.

The man behind the very popular Philofaxy blog, Steve Morton, came over from his home in France for the meet up and, very kindly, met me at Waterloo station. Yes, this feisty, independent woman does not like going on the down escalators and gets lost on the tube. I have decided that next time I will be brave and do it on my own!

I did get to Waterloo an hour and a half early as I was concerned that the snow would cause an issue with the trains. What I hadn’t realised was that the station would be so cold or that Nero’s was only a take away hut. Sadly it was also too loud to write or even to read. Needless to say I did get talking to a few random people and also enjoyed some people watching. Waterloo station on St. Patrick’s Day when Ireland are playing Rugby, that’s an interesting place to be. I saw a Leprechaun, a dancing Pikachu and someone in a Dalmatian outfit.

Steve, myself and a lovely lady called Ana, who had come over from Spain, were the first to arrive at the venue. Vapiano in Great Portland Street, London is a fabulous location. They don’t mind how long you stay, their individual swipe card system is perfect for groups of people who want to pay separately, the food and drink is great and the service is fabulous. This is an Italian restaurant with quite a wide choice on the menu. We commandeered a couple of big tables upstairs at the back and waited for the others to arrive.

There were 13 of us at the meet up and one reporter. The reporter from PC Pro magazine was doing an article about people using analogue and/or digital. I think he was quite surprised by the level of commitment that we have to the world of planning and our planners in general. We are clearly an organised bunch and he was also astonished to see the number of us who have business cards to advertise our blogs. I am very interested to see what line his article takes.

The meet up was a brilliant way to catch up with people you have talked to online, make new likeminded friends and discuss planners and anything else that comes to mind. Though there was, quite rightly, a lot of discussion on Filofaxes and other related topics, the various conversations did evolve into many other subjects. It is easy to believe that people with a hobby are single minded, but this group were definitely not.

I have to say that the dedication of people travelling from France, Spain, Leeds, Cambridge and many other places was really good to see. There was a discussion about Planner Con in Europe and some people had been before, however I can’t see myself doing that right now. (I will tackle the escalator issue first).

Over the years I have seen the meets ups advertised but this time I was determined to go. I am very glad I did attend as I met some fabulous people and really enjoyed the day. I was very lucky to be escorted back to Waterloo by a lovely man, Darren, who was going in approximately the same direction; however I abandoned him at Waterloo for the fast train. J It was nice to have someone make sure I didn’t get lost going back. A big thank you to Steve and Darren for their help on the escalators and for navigating the underground for me.

Before the meet up Steve announced that he was giving away two Carpe Diem planners and I was lucky enough to receive this beautiful planner. I have not yet decided what to use it for but I am sure I will think of something.



Sadly the pictures I took on the day are not very good as I didn’t realise my phone was on live photos. (New phone). The pictures below are courtesy of Steve Morton.Thank you to Steve and Jeni. ( Who I believe took some of the photos)











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https://philofaxy.blogspot.co.uk