I'm sure we're all agreed about the importance of meeting for real, as soon as possible, in any long distance / internet relationship that seems to be serious. Indeed UKBA won't issue a Fiance or Spouse visa unless there is " evidence the applicant and sponsor have met ", preferably on more than one occasion.
I wish also that more forum members could meet, while understanding the difficulties in so doing. Such meetings have been attempted before - recently by Arthur and Scott - and the latest is by Steve and Emma ( http://filipinaroses.com/showthread....her?highlight= )
I realise that forum members may wish to keep a certain amount of privacy, for various reasons. They may rightly wish to keep their personal life private, or feel they can express strong views more freely with the security of a user name.
I have to say, however, that the friends I know best on the forum are those whom I have met. That's why I'm looking forward to this Saturday's " get together " with Steve, Emma, and other forum members who are also good friends
They even tolerate - and encourage - my karaoke
Hopefully, I might catch up with a few of you next year, I'd really enjoy that! 
...and have to take my son to the airport.
... as MOST regulars on the forum are aware, Alan ... I really did my damndest - along with considerable support from Scott - to ARRANGE such an (ill-fated as it turned out!) event for the first weekend in October past. Ever mindful of the fact that, by far the majority of members living in the UK reside in England, I thought it only right and proper that a "get-together" should take place in as "central" a location as possible - the English Midlands - and, more specifically, in Britain's "second city" namely, Birmingham - even though it could scarcely be called the bonniest part of the country in terms of scenic beauty. Sadly, of course, 
in the end, I was faced with little alternative but to take the decision to cancel, on account of the general lack of enthusiasm.
. But she'd have come just the same - for MY sake - because she was aware, more than anyone, of the amount of effort I'd exerted in the vain hope of making it happen!
I'd dearly have loved to've been able to be there too ... but at this time of year the weather is invariably unpredictable. 
Originally Posted by Rosie1958
, Simon ... like ME, Alan hails from Clydeside. And right now, he's probably giving his rich, dulcet tones a well-deserved airing with his own special rendition of "I be~long to Glas~gow 
... !"
