APUG UK Autumn 2006

[Rob Archer]

I know it's a bit soon after the last one, but some of us need to sort out leave etc. Several people mentioned this weekend the possibility of a meet-up this Autumn and Norfolk was suggested as a venue - big skies, windmills, ruined churches, hidden creeks, smuggler's inns etc. (not that I'm the slightest bit biassed, of course!). Anyone out there got any thoughts?

Cheesecake may also be on offer - who knows?

Rob

 

[Tom Kershaw]

If it is in Norfolk, I might try and come along.

Tom.

 

[philldresser]

Even I might be able to travel for that one

Phill

 

[BarryWilkinson]

Count me in Rob.

Barry

 

[Dave Miller]

Keep going, you are doing a grand job so far.

 

[Leon]

yes - and my wife may even brave the camera bores this time (her words) - and perhaps I'll buy everyone the drinks I owe them after bowing out early on saturday night

 

[FrankB]

I've never been to Norfolk so it sounds pretty good to me.

Big skies, wide-angle lens, red filter, a windmill for foreground interest...... Hmmm...!

 

[BRIAN IDDON]

Autumn Meeting

I am a new member to APUG. I would be interested in an Autumn meeting in Norfolk.

BRIAN

 

[philldresser]

I am a new member to APUG. I would be interested in an Autumn meeting in Norfolk.

BRIAN

Welcome Brian

Phill

 

[Rob Archer]

Seems like Norfolk might be a good idea then! I'm not around between 21st - 28th October, But pretty much any other dates are good for me. I'll check out some accomodation over the next few days and keep you posted.

Rob

 

[Leon]

Hi Rob -

Anytime in Oct is good with me, but bear in mind that one week is half term so probably best avoided.

 

[Dave Miller]

Rob,
I think that one thing that would greatly improve our enjoyment of these events would to select a venue with a private meeting room that we could hire. It shouldn’t cost more than the price of a pint each, and would mean that we will be able to converse, without resorting to shouting. The addition of decent lighting would help with the print viewing, but I’m sure that we can arrange that. What do you others think?
As for timing, I favour late September.

 

[Leon]

actually late sept is better for me too

 

[FrankB]

Great idea about the meeting room, Dave.

Rob, if you're looking for accommodation then plenty of rooms, lowish prices, good food and ale and a proximity to good photographic locations are the key factors (IMO).

I'd prefer Oct to Sep given my druthers, but can probably do either one.

I'm starting to look forward to this one already and I haven't processed my films from the last one yet!

 

[Rob Archer]

I've been doing some research and come up with a possible venue. I was thinking of 'The Lifeboat Inn' at Thornham. It's right on the coast next to a creek full of old fishing boats, about a mile from vast beaches backed by sand dunes. I've stayed there myself a few times although it's quite a bit more expensive than the Green Dragon. (Unfortunately all the pubs in North West Norfolk tend to be expensive places to stay, but they're good) The food is excellent as is the beer and they can even serve breakfast before 9 on a saturday! They have several rooms including a 'snug' which will fit about 20 in which we can book if we're eating there.

If it's too expensive I'll look again. Alternatively there's loads of B&Bs in the area.

www.lifeboatinn.co.uk

www.visitnorfolk.co.uk


As for dates I can make any weekend from mid-september except the last 2 weekends in October (Although That's 1/2 term and the evenings will be getting shorter by then anyway)

Let's have your thoughts!

Rob

 

[BarryWilkinson]

I would like to participate. Late September/Early October is good for me. I can't make the weekend of the 21/22 October.

Do we need some sort of vote on the date?

Barry

 

[Bob F.]

78 quid a night for the Lifeboat Inn is a bit steep for my blood - I could rent a two bed cottage for an entire week for the cost of a weekend there

Suitable pub-based accommodation does seem surprisingly thin on the ground. There does not seem to be many pubs with more than two or three rooms. May need to use an hotel or B&B - sacrilege I know, but needs must... Still, as long as it has a licence...

Do we know where we will be based and what we will be visiting? Until then, it's not much point looking for accommodation. Looking at the map, all roads lead from Norwich, but you could end up driving 30 miles to Southwold for example so for one weekend, probably best to concentrate on one corner?

As usual, I can probably make any date.

Cheers, Bob.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

Norfolk can take a surprisingly long time to get around. For example, Norwich to Holkham beach can take around 75 minutes easily.

 

[FrankB]

The tariff does seem a bit steep. It's more than 2x the cost at the Dragon. (Mind you, maybe the breakfast isn't self-service!).

Can I bagsey the second room of that cottage, Bob?

 

[Rob Archer]

I agree the lifeboat is a bit pricey (it is seriously nice, though!). Thier other place, The Old Coach House 1/2 mile down the road is about £10 cheaper. It may be that we arrange our own accomodation to suit our pocket and meet up for the evenings? The other possibility is the Youth Hostel at Wells. It's cheap, Clean and does breakfast.

I'll keep looking

Rob

 

[Dave Miller]

Anyone else from Norfolk that can help Rob with local knowledge?
Plenty of time yet Rob, so don't get stressed. I've got to fit my summer holiday in sometime before we meet next.

 

[Bob F.]

The other possibility is the Youth Hostel at Wells. It's cheap, Clean and does breakfast.

Rob

Yoof Hostel??? The though of sharing an entire cottage with Frank is bad enough - the idea sharing a YHA room is really too much for my nerves... I need another lie down now, thank you very much...



Luckily, I do not think I could spend the entire week in Norfolk anyway: you can have too much of a good thing....

I'm sure it will all work out, but I think a list of potential shooting locations from those who know the area might help - but as Dave says: plenty of time.

Cheers, Bob.

 

[FrankB]

BobF - I feel I should inform you that I'm cut to the quick (or, to be strictly accurate, the medium-fast; I don't think I can manage the quick any more...)

Rob - I think the others are right (for once!); we could use a few photo locations to work from. That in turn should give us a better idea of where to seek accomodation.

The prospect of YHA-ing does not inspire me over much (and on reflection sharing a cottage with Bob's feet may not have been my most well-judged suggestion!), but there are Travelodges in the area which do rooms for under £50 per night with adjacent Little Chefs for breakfast. Okay, not as atmospheric as the Dragon (understatement) and we'd have to get our evening meal elsewhere, but if all else fails it's an option...

 

[Dave Miller]

Travellodges, booked well in advance, are about £26.00 a night, but not very convenient for our purpose, unless it is within walking distance of a meeting room.

 

[Leon]

I can think of a few nice beaches - well lots of htem, in n norfolk and a few ruined churches that would make promising locations ... my wife and I plan to book a cottage for a week to coincide so probably I wont be staying in the B&B.

If you guys fancy changing your minds about locations, I hear rural East Kent is good in Autumn .... chilham is especially nice!