APUG UK 2005 Autumn Gathering

[John_Brewer]

Aye, a hours drive for me. Tis my daughters birthday on the 15th but i'm sure she'll understand.

 

[Les McLean]

I may be in Southern Ireland that weekend but if not I'll be there. The Crown Monochrome speakers are John Blakemore and John Swannell not a bad day.

 

[Dave Miller]

Is that from the meeting in general, or the Merlin Hotel in particular?


Bob.

Well, I was wondering if they had emptied that linen basket.

 

[FrankB]

I'd love to join everyone, but I have a feeling the dates coincide with a trip to Scotland I've got planned. Shame really, as we all know how dreadful Scotland is for photography.

Ailsa! Last time it was some pathetic excuse about a romantic trip to Paris with your newly-acquired other half, and now it seems the lure of deep-fried Mars bars outweighs the attraction of our esteemed company!

And Les, you're as bad! Honestly, the promise of a pint of Guinness and you're anybody's!

It's probably just as well though; those of us that do appear will now probably spend most of the weekend extracting Dave from hotel linen cupboards...!

Reinforcements are required! Step forward, one and all!

 

[Joakim]

As I'll be moving to England in October, here's an Aye! from me too. Sounds like a good way to start off my new life.

 

[Ben Taylor]

... Others (like myself) turned up as well, made irreverent comments, banged off a few shots and drank beer!...

Sounds good to me, count me in!

I have family reasonably near Avebury and spent a good chunk of my childhood in that area, so it'd be really good to revisit!

 

[127]

yep - even if I end up just driving up for the Saturday. It's only 45mins drive from here, so I'll definatly make an appearance, though I might not be able to stay over.

Ian

 

[gr82bart]

Hey! I might be Sandwich that week. Can I join in on the fun? I'll try to stay a few more days and make my way over after business, instead of going to London like I usually do. Always interested in seeing all these big stones placed in large circles all over the place!

Art.

 

[Dave Miller]

I always feel that one should suffer for one’s art. It is therefore incumbent on me to study all forms of photography, even that discarded in hotel linen baskets.

 

[CarlRadford]

I could well be at Inversnaid again starting a course on the 16th Oct otherwise I will make every effort to join the throng!

 

[Bob F.]

There are a few camping sites in the area around Marlborough, but I've not stayed at any. I'll try and have a poke around and check them out if I'm in the area, which I probably will be in the next month.

Bob.

Bump... and a bit of info about camping. One of the two sites near Marlborough closes at the end of Sept and the other has zero facilities: not even an on-site toilet (the site is mainly intended for caravans, which have their own). On a slightly better note, there is a very good site at Calne with full facilities, but Calne is about 8 miles west of Avebury and Marlborough is about the same distance east of Avebury...

Cheers, Bob.

 

[Dave Miller]

In that case, assuming that Calne has a hotel ( with an interesting linen basket) in which to rest my old bones (in the hotel, not the linen basket) we could base ourselves there; could we not?

 

[Leon]

sounds good to me

 

[FrankB]

Ditto, given the provision of a bed for the night (or two).

A quick note though; my attendance is currently on-again-off-again, owing to a few issues in my life. At the moment I'm still planning on being there, but I'm afraid this may change at short notice...

 

[Bob F.]

It would appear (http://www.visitus.co.uk/list.aspx?regionID=8&town=CALNE) that around Calne you have the choice of a bedroom in a large country house, e.g. Heddington Manor , or Chilvester Hill House or next door to a pub: Marsh View Hotel) for about the same money give or take a tenner... Decisions, decisions...

Weather permitting, I'll be camping...

Bob.

 

[Leon]

Marsh view hotel looks good (ie next door to a pub) I was going to say I'd be camping too, but then, I know I'll chicken out at the last minute, so why kid myself. It was really good to mostly all be staying in the same place last time.

 

[Dave Miller]

Marsh view hotel looks good (ie next door to a pub) I was going to say I'd be camping too, but then, I know I'll chicken out at the last minute, so why kid myself. It was really good to mostly all be staying in the same place last time.

What are the linen baskets like?

 

[FrankB]

Marsh View Hotel is fine by me. I need a nice comfy bed to fall out of!

 

[Leon]

mind you, I just looked at the prices - a bit steep for me - Single room approx £50 per night without any breakfast (breakfast is at least and extra £6 - and thats just for a roll and coffee, £10 for full b'fast). I might have a further look later today to see what else I can find.

 

[Leon]

this place Dead Link Removed definitely has potential. And the room price includes breakfast

 

[FrankB]

A tenner+ cheaper, includes breakfast... ...and you get a duck!

 

[Dave Miller]

this place Dead Link Removed definitely has potential. And the room price includes breakfast

Yes, looks much better - they even do a camp bed for Bob, and you won't have to go outside in the rain to get to the Pub. No mention of linen baskets however which is worrying!

Keep checking them out, at this rate you may find one that will pay us to stay with them.

 

[Bob F.]

A tenner+ cheaper, includes breakfast... ...and you get a duck!

Single rooms prices are always a ripoff - that's one reason why I usually try to camp if I'm on my own for a short break - I hate being a victim of other people's avarice... Mind you, it's just about within commuting distance for me - just straight along the M4.

Then again, a duck? That's gotta be a better deal than an interesting linen basket...

Also, "The Well Dining Room - named after a hole in the floor covered by bullet proof glass ... " :confused: - What are they expecting to try and come up?

Bob.

 

[Leon]

Also, "The Well Dining Room - named after a hole in the floor covered by bullet proof glass ... " :confused: - What are they expecting to try and come up?

Bob.

lol - I didnt see that bit! Perhaps it's the front element of a giant formatt camera lens that take 10 x 8 (km) negs of diners' backsides? Sounds very apt to me. I did a search for the red lion in Avebury itself, but came across a very unsavoury site dedicated to telling the world how bad the food and accommodation is there - so maybe it's worth avoiding that!

 

[FrankB]

Also, "The Well Dining Room - named after a hole in the floor covered by bullet proof glass ... " :confused: - What are they expecting to try and come up?

Never underestimate a duck...