Xmas 2023 - The Unknown Shipper & His Peculiar Friends

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 17:01 Tue 18 Jul 2023

Tom has offered to host us at the White Horse for our Christmas tasting. We will get together on Thursday 14th December.

First refusal seats are offered to:

THRA (confirmed)
HTWH (confirmed)
AHB (confirmed)
MSC (confirmed)
Alex M (confirmed)
IDJ (confirmed)
MPM (confirmed)
WS1 (confirmed)
CPR (confirmed)
PW (confirmed)

RESERVES

none

Please confirm by the end of July if you are able to attend.

More details will follow when I’m not at a tasting!

hadge · Post by **hadge** » 19:24 Tue 18 Jul 2023

reserves please

idj123 · Post by **idj123** » 09:02 Wed 19 Jul 2023

Confirmed. Thanks Alex (and Tom).

Post by **PhilW** » 11:34 Wed 19 Jul 2023

Confirmed.

Post by **flash_uk** » 06:29 Fri 21 Jul 2023

Confirmed, many thanks.

Christopher · Post by **Christopher** » 13:28 Fri 21 Jul 2023

Can I go on reserve list please
Thanks

WS1 · Post by **WS1** » 07:23 Sat 22 Jul 2023

Confirmed.

Alex M · Post by **Alex M** » 07:46 Tue 17 Oct 2023

Dear all,

It is with much regret that an ever changing world forces me to withdraw from this tasting. I have been in comms with MSC who is very happy to take my place as first reserve.

AHB, may you make the swap?

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 11:41 Wed 22 Nov 2023

Our industry guest will not be able to make it to Newport this year.

MSC - you are first reserve. Would you like the seat?

mcoulson · Post by **mcoulson** » 06:32 Sat 25 Nov 2023

Yes please Alex ... But note I've taken Alex M's places so there's an extra space.

Post by **jdaw1** » 15:47 Sat 25 Nov 2023

Sticky labels? Nothing? Previous years: 2022, ’20, ’19, ’18, ’16, ’15, ’14, ’13, ’12, ’11, ’10, ’09, ’08.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 21:41 Sat 25 Nov 2023

Harry - you have a space if you want it.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 21:43 Sat 25 Nov 2023

jdaw1 wrote: ↑15:47 Sat 25 Nov 2023 Sticky labels? Nothing? Previous years: 2022, ’20, ’19, ’18, ’16, ’15, ’14, ’13, ’12, ’11, ’10, ’09, ’08.

If I recall correctly, Tom found the sticky labels a pain when it came to washing the glasses. I suggest people bring chalk pens so we can write on the bases.

Post by **jdaw1** » 23:33 Sat 25 Nov 2023

Alex Bridgeman wrote: ↑21:43 Sat 25 Nov 2023If I recall correctly, Tom found the sticky labels a pain when it came to washing the glasses. I suggest people bring chalk pens so we can write on the bases.

⟹︎ I’m not making any unless clearly instructed otherwise.

hadge · Post by **hadge** » 16:42 Tue 28 Nov 2023

Alex Bridgeman wrote: ↑21:41 Sat 25 Nov 2023 Harry - you have a space if you want it.

I'm now confirmed for this.

Post by **PhilW** » 12:15 Wed 29 Nov 2023

jdaw1 wrote: ↑23:33 Sat 25 Nov 2023
Alex Bridgeman wrote: ↑21:43 Sat 25 Nov 2023If I recall correctly, Tom found the sticky labels a pain when it came to washing the glasses. I suggest people bring chalk pens so we can write on the bases.
⟹︎ I’m not making any unless clearly instructed otherwise.

I would like foldable tasting note sheets, and WOTN scoring sheet. I may be alone in this in which case hand-written will cope.
Am assuming bottles # 1..N (probably <=15) and attendees THRA, AHB, GEAG, IDJ, MPM, WS1, CPR, PW, MSC, HTWH (pending top post update or any further changes). Suggest bottles #1-10 per attendees, plus 5 spare spots for extra/unusual friends.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 07:31 Thu 30 Nov 2023

WOTN voting sheets is a good call.

What’s a “foldable tasting note sheet”? Is that a normal tasting note sheet which you have folded?

Post by **PhilW** » 13:47 Thu 30 Nov 2023

Alex Bridgeman wrote: ↑07:31 Thu 30 Nov 2023 WOTN voting sheets is a good call.

What’s a “foldable tasting note sheet”? Is that a normal tasting note sheet which you have folded?

The original idea was to allow a single sheet of A4 to be folded twice, to create a compact A6 sheet with four "pages" with sections for each wine, perhaps 4/page. I think that for implementation, creating the A4 pages as two columns (8/col) instead of 4 pages/sheet was potentially simpler and achieved essentially the same objective, and is I think what was put in as an option; but I will have to check.

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 16:10 Mon 04 Dec 2023

My bottle selected - suitably ancient, vintage and bottler known, shipper a mystery.

Will prepare the usual fare - Salmon, fillet steaks and chips, vanilla ice cream with gravy, assorted British cheeses and a few mince pies.

CPR 1 · Post by **CPR 1** » 08:07 Tue 05 Dec 2023

uncle tom wrote:
Will prepare the usual fare - Salmon, fillet steaks and chips, vanilla ice cream with gravy, assorted British cheeses and a few mince pies.

Sounds great

Thank you

Sent from my SM-S911B using Tapatalk

nac · Post by **nac** » 23:25 Tue 05 Dec 2023

uncle tom wrote: ↑16:10 Mon 04 Dec 2023 …vanilla ice cream with gravy…

A Tom specialty?

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 06:49 Wed 06 Dec 2023

The gravy is straight pedro ximenez…

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 08:33 Wed 06 Dec 2023

I am about to book a taxi to run from the Cricketer's Arms in Rickling Green to the White Horse Inn and back. Pick-up times being 17.30 and 23.59 respectively.

Anyone interested in sharing a ride?

Also, if relevant, I'm travelling by train to Bishop's Stortford and plan to catch the 16.10 from Liverpool Street and will happily meet a fellow traveller.

CPR 1 · Post by **CPR 1** » 08:37 Wed 06 Dec 2023

Alex Bridgeman wrote:I am about to book a taxi to run from the Cricketer's Arms in Rickling Green to the White Horse Inn and back. Pick-up times being 17.30 and 23.59 respectively.

Anyone interested in sharing a ride?

Yes please

Sent from my SM-S911B using Tapatalk

Post by **PhilW** » 09:28 Wed 06 Dec 2023

CPR 1 wrote: ↑08:37 Wed 06 Dec 2023
Alex Bridgeman wrote:I am about to book a taxi to run from the Cricketer's Arms in Rickling Green to the White Horse Inn and back. Pick-up times being 17.30 and 23.59 respectively.

Anyone interested in sharing a ride?

Yes please

Yes please, too.

Post by **flash_uk** » 15:05 Wed 06 Dec 2023

Alex Bridgeman wrote: ↑08:33 Wed 06 Dec 2023 I am about to book a taxi to run from the Cricketer's Arms in Rickling Green to the White Horse Inn and back. Pick-up times being 17.30 and 23.59 respectively.

Anyone interested in sharing a ride?

Yes please.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 19:10 Wed 06 Dec 2023

That’s 4 in the cab. If anyone else needs / wants to share I’ll need to upsize the car.

idj123 · Post by **idj123** » 20:38 Wed 06 Dec 2023

Yes please Alex if we could upsize the cab.

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 21:19 Wed 06 Dec 2023

Julian - presuming you to be getting the train, should it be the 1713 out?

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 15:28 Thu 07 Dec 2023

And this year's cheeses will be:

Village Maid - Maida Vale - ale washed soft cheese

Sparkenhoe - Red Leicester

Northampton Blue - a soft creamy blue cheese

Isle of Mull Cheddar - fairly soft and full flavoured

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 19:01 Thu 07 Dec 2023

uncle tom wrote: ↑15:28 Thu 07 Dec 2023 And this year's cheeses will be:

Village Maid - Maida Vale - ale washed soft cheese

Sparkenhoe - Red Leicester

Northampton Blue - a soft creamy blue cheese

Isle of Mull Cheddar - fairly soft and full flavoured

I love that you've selected a cheese from our local cheesemaker. I know Anne, who started Village Maid, and have the joy of a cheese-making course with them in February where you spend a day at the creamery and leave with your own cheese to eat or mature.

Post by **PhilW** » 08:58 Fri 08 Dec 2023

Alex Bridgeman wrote: ↑08:33 Wed 06 Dec 2023 I am about to book a taxi to run from the Cricketer's Arms in Rickling Green to the White Horse Inn and back. Pick-up times being 17.30 and 23.59 respectively.

Alex has just let me know that he is currently unable to book a taxi.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 18:43 Fri 08 Dec 2023

With Tom’s help (thank you Tom!) we have a taxi booked for 5 passengers to pick up from the Cricketer’s Arms at 17.30 and to return from Newport at 23.55.

Post by **flash_uk** » 19:02 Fri 08 Dec 2023

Alex Bridgeman wrote: ↑18:43 Fri 08 Dec 2023 With Tom’s help (thank you Tom!) we have a taxi booked for 5 passengers to pick up from the Cricketer’s Arms at 17.30 and to return from Newport at 23.55.

Nice job Alex and Tom, many thanks.

idj123 · Post by **idj123** » 11:27 Sat 09 Dec 2023

Yes, chapeau Ales/Tom

Post by **jdaw1** » 13:19 Sat 09 Dec 2023

PhilW wrote: ↑12:15 Wed 29 Nov 2023I would like foldable tasting note sheets

Done. Please say whether satisfactory.

Post by **PhilW** » 10:26 Sun 10 Dec 2023

jdaw1 wrote:
PhilW wrote: ↑12:15 Wed 29 Nov 2023I would like foldable tasting note sheets
Done. Please say whether satisfactory.

Thank you. Please could the number of wines per column be even, so that if I fold twice (to A6) we don't have the lie item folded in half? I would be happy with 6/column, others might prefer 4.

Post by **jdaw1** » 17:43 Sun 10 Dec 2023

PhilW wrote: ↑10:26 Sun 10 Dec 2023
jdaw1 wrote:
PhilW wrote: ↑12:15 Wed 29 Nov 2023I would like foldable tasting note sheets
Done. Please say whether satisfactory.
Thank you. Please could the number of wines per column be even, so that if I fold twice (to A6) we don't have the lie item folded in half? I would be happy with 6/column, others might prefer 4.

/GlassesOnSheetsMaxPerTNSheet 8 def: done. Edit: note to self and others: /TastingNotes_NumVerticalSections 2 def.

Post by **PhilW** » 17:54 Sun 10 Dec 2023

jdaw1 wrote:/GlassesOnSheetsMaxPerTNSheet 8 def: done. Edit: note to self and others: /TastingNotes_NumVerticalSections 2 def.

Looks good, thank you.
(If you make any further changes, suggest we can lose the cork sheets as there isn't usually space for them at the Xmas tasting)

Post by **jdaw1** » 17:57 Sun 10 Dec 2023

PhilW wrote: ↑17:54 Sun 10 Dec 2023suggest we can lose the cork sheets as there isn't usually space for them at the Xmas tasting)

Done.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 19:31 Mon 11 Dec 2023

I will print the voting sheets.

Anyone who would like tasting sheets, please print your own and bring them with you.

Post by **jdaw1** » 20:09 Mon 11 Dec 2023

I’ve just noticed that the headers are wrong. Delay printing a moment.

Edit: done.

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 08:31 Tue 12 Dec 2023

I am sorry to say I’m not now going to be able to make this. I have yet another team member off sick, everyone else is at capacity, and there are court deadlines to meet. Very sorry not to see you all. Tom, PM me bank details and I will pay my share of the costs. I’ll put a stopper back in the bottle I opened a month ago and hope to make the cut for next year’s one.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 08:54 Tue 12 Dec 2023

George, we will miss you. Good luck with work.

Christopher - you’re up. Please let us know if you can take the seat.

Alex M · Post by **Alex M** » 10:12 Tue 12 Dec 2023

May I go on the reserve list please?

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 15:48 Tue 12 Dec 2023

Christopher can’t make it so Alex M is back on the list.

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 15:43 Wed 13 Dec 2023

Steaks collected, Burton's 14oz fillet as usual.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 19:31 Wed 13 Dec 2023

Please make sure there is some tinfoil in the kitchen - I never manage to finish my steak on the night but the remnants always make a wonderful lunch the following day.

Post by **flash_uk** » 15:58 Thu 14 Dec 2023

I have arrived at The Cricketers.

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 09:13 Fri 15 Dec 2023

I thought of you all piling into the taxi back to the Cricketers as I finished work and shut down the computer about the same time. I hope you had a splendid evening, and sorry again not to be able to attend.