The Port Forum Christmas Offline

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 00:50 Thu 08 Nov 2007

I reckon that 12 should be max - otherwise bottles get spread rather thinly.

At 11 we have space for a worthy latecomer - is anyone on friendly terms with Richard Mayson? - I'd like to meet the guy...

Tom

RonnieRoots · Post by **RonnieRoots** » 09:57 Thu 08 Nov 2007

All I know about him is that he lives in Portugal these days.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 12:22 Thu 08 Nov 2007

StevieCage wrote:Looking forward to it...I will miss the (pre-)Christmas dinner of the company I work for because of this offline, but if I have to choose between a party with or without Port: easy! See you all soon!

Good man. Such sacrifices will only serve to strengthen the soul.

Something like that, anyway.

Alex

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 12:31 Wed 14 Nov 2007

I've just heard that Christopher won't be able to make the Xmas offline, so that means two spaces are now available if anyone wants to step up.

Alex

RonnieRoots · Post by **RonnieRoots** » 15:44 Wed 14 Nov 2007

Sad to hear that Chris won't be there. Hopefully a next time!

I've just sent our mystery bottle to Uncle Tom, in order to give it a fair amount of rest before drinking.

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 16:35 Wed 14 Nov 2007

Having raided eBay, I now have sufficient glassware to properly decant and serve all the bottles.

Could all contributions wend their way to me within the next couple of weeks, so I can complete the line-up.

Tom

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 06:28 Fri 16 Nov 2007

Tom - PM sent

Alex

KillerB · Post by **KillerB** » 13:10 Fri 16 Nov 2007

uncle tom wrote:Having raided eBay, I now have sufficient glassware to properly decant and serve all the bottles.

Could all contributions wend their way to me within the next couple of weeks, so I can complete the line-up.

Tom

Tom - do you mean financial or portal or both?

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 13:19 Fri 16 Nov 2007

Only portal - financial can wait until the night

Tom

Post by **DRT** » 11:16 Thu 22 Nov 2007

Unfortunately, I have to withdraw from the Christmas Offline due to a family commitment. I am gutted to be missing what promises to be one of the best Offline's in recent history but I'm afraid it is unavoidable.

Ronnie/Steve/LadyR, sorry for letting you down on my promise of a lift from the airport to The Bell. Tom tells me it isn't too far so you will be able to get a taxi at reasonable cost unless someone else is able to pick you up. If you are getting a taxi you need to go to the booking desk inside the terminal and order one. They will then send you outside to a numbered, pre-ordered car. Bureaucracy gone mad!!

Anyway, me and my Unknown Shipper 1890 will just have to wait for another day

Have fun.

Derek

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 14:07 Thu 22 Nov 2007

We shall miss you and there will have to be at least one toast to absent friends, but I'm sure you will enjoy your "family commitment" just as much as you would an offline where we quaff large quantities of exceptionally fine port and eat barely cooked pieces of meat.

Alex

Post by **DRT** » 14:10 Thu 22 Nov 2007

It is always pleasing to have the support of one's friends at times like this. Imagine how devastated I might feel if someone rubbed salt in the wound by reminding me of what I will be missing

Derek

RonnieRoots · Post by **RonnieRoots** » 14:55 Thu 22 Nov 2007

That's bad news Derek...

A pity that we'll miss you, especially since it will be a while before we'll get another opportunity to drop by...

But I can understand that YOU have to oblige to the family commitments, but your bottle of 1890 surely doesn't. We can always try to save you a sip or two.

Post by **DRT** » 15:06 Thu 22 Nov 2007

RonnieRoots wrote: I can understand that YOU have to oblige to the family commitments, but your bottle of 1890 surely doesn't. We can always try to save you a sip or two.

Nice try

I only have one bottle of this stuff and I made it a promise a few years ago that I would be there when it gets glugged - a promise is a promise so I'm afraid it's staying with me

Andy Velebil · Post by **Andy Velebil** » 22:33 Thu 22 Nov 2007

Derek, its a shame we shall miss you. As I'm positive it will be a great time as plenty of great bottles will be opened in your honor..and toasts raised in your absence

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 10:28 Fri 23 Nov 2007

I'm off for a few days walking in the wilds of north Cornwall, so will be away from my computer until next Weds.

In the meantime, if anyone is interested in taking Derek's place - then please post here - I'll compile the final attendee list next week.

Tom

StevieCage · Post by **StevieCage** » 12:35 Fri 23 Nov 2007

A pity Derek - hopefully next time!

RonnieRoots · Post by **RonnieRoots** » 16:31 Fri 23 Nov 2007

ADV wrote:Derek, its a shame we shall miss you.

Does this mean that you'll be there?

Post by **DRT** » 16:40 Fri 23 Nov 2007

Yes, I noticed that little slip too

Derek

Andy Velebil · Post by **Andy Velebil** » 19:38 Fri 23 Nov 2007

I wish I could be there...I just wanted to make Derek feel bad too

I couldn't let you guys have all the fun at Derek's expense without me

Post by **jdaw1** » 19:43 Fri 23 Nov 2007

Why is Derek getting sympathy? The lucky fellow has an exciting “family commitment†: he has the joy of the in-laws, whilst you poor folks are spending an evening with middle-aged old soaks. He should be giving you sympathy.

Post by **DRT** » 22:54 Fri 23 Nov 2007

I agree with Jdaw. No sympathy is required, even though no in-laws are involved.

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 11:48 Sat 08 Dec 2007

OK the day is drawing near - the wine list (and drinking order) is nearly finalised. The decanters are ready, as are numbered decanter labels

With the addition of my business co-director, Dave Mitchell - the updated list of attendees is:

Uncle Tom
AHB
Conky
KillerB
Ronnie Roots
Lady Roots
Stevie Kooij
Keith Gould
Ray Cook
Dave Mitchell

This leaves two places - LAST CALL!!

I know one or two pepole I can invite to make up the numbers, but will leave it till tomorrow night.

STEAKS

The Bell has a good standard menu, but they are offering us a 'special' 3 course meal with 12oz fillets as the centrepiece at £30/head. I need to give them the numbers by first thing monday morning.

So please post here!!

Tom

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 14:42 Sat 08 Dec 2007

12 oz filet steak - yes please; burnt on the outside and raw in the middle!

Alex

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 11:03 Mon 10 Dec 2007

To the list add my old friend - Paul Jacobson

Painfully little feedback on the steak front, so I'm ordering eight - hopefully that'll work out!

Decanting starts tomorrow...!

Tom

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 11:09 Mon 10 Dec 2007

Tom,

How are you opening the bottles you already have? Are you using tongs in the hope that we can identify the bottles from the cork branding?

Alex

RonnieRoots · Post by **RonnieRoots** » 11:24 Mon 10 Dec 2007

Two more calls for the steaks!

StevieCage · Post by **StevieCage** » 11:33 Mon 10 Dec 2007

Steak...mmmmMMMMMM!

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 12:01 Mon 10 Dec 2007

I've just tried offering up my Noval port tongs to the two bottles I would most like to decapitate - Alex's being one of them - and on both of them, the point at which the tongs grip is well above the base of the cork..

Alex - do you have a pair of your own that you could bring when you come over?

Failing that, I'm thinking about trying to push the cork into the bottle, decanting past it, and then breaking the bottle to recover the cork.

Tom

KillerB · Post by **KillerB** » 15:20 Mon 10 Dec 2007

Ooops - sorry, away. Yes, Steak.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 20:26 Mon 10 Dec 2007

Sadly, I don't own any tongs. I was thinking of doing exactly as you have suggested with the bottle that I will be opening before I leave on Wednesday - push the cork into the bottle and decant past the cork before being able to smash the bottle to extract the cork (or use that trick with the hanky / plastic bag that Alan found).

I think I'll bring the bottle with me so that we can have a play with it on Wednesday night.

Alex

RonnieRoots · Post by **RonnieRoots** » 22:14 Mon 10 Dec 2007

We have tongs, but I don't know if they'll do any better than yours. We've used them quite a number of times without any problem, even if the bottom of the cork is below the point where the tongs break the bottle. It is usually possible to get the cork out in a good manner afterwards.

Also, I'm not quite sure how security reacts to a pair of port tongs in hand luggage...

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 00:17 Tue 11 Dec 2007

Have large bolt and rubber mallet at the ready - we'll try pushing them in then!

Tom

PS: Have made it steaks ten BTW - I promised none would go to waste

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 17:55 Tue 11 Dec 2007

Decanting has begun!

All the condemned are stood up with their capsules removed, tops cleaned off - each one wearing it's numbered decanter label..

.. two have been topped already, three more will be despatched later this evening, and the rest will be dealt with tomorrow..!

Keith Gould has had to give his apologies - the recent winds in the west country inverted his yacht..

- So there's room for a latecomer if anyone wants to bring a friend!

Tom

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 00:33 Wed 12 Dec 2007

Ok, for those travelling from afar - the Bell's telephone number is:

+44 (0)1799 540382 - postcode (for SatNav) is CB11 4JY

Address is: The Bell Inn, Royston Road, Wendens Ambo

The Bell is a black hole for mobile phone signals, but you can contact (or text) me (before 7pm) on 07721 567870

I can probably arrange for a local cab to meet people at Stansted and take them straight to the Bell - let me know if you want me to arrange - otherwise use the cabs at the airport.

Tom

Overtired and emotional · 05:38 Wed 12 Dec 2007

I have turned green (with envy, nothing medical you understand) at the thought of the beano tonight. My working life is such that reliably planning a day or two off is a tricky proposition, and would not have been an option this week.

I hope to be able to meet you all another time.

Best wishes, and remember, there's always time for another glass.

RonnieRoots · Post by **RonnieRoots** » 09:59 Wed 12 Dec 2007

Tom,

If you can arrange a local cab, that's probably the easiest. Our plane is sceduled to arrive at 7.35PM. We have one piece of check-in luggage, so it will probably take until 7.45 / 7.50 until we are out of the airport.

I have no access to internet from noon on, so if anything changes, or should we have to arrange another way of transportation, texting (or calling) me is probably the best: +31 6 53676028.

Thanks for the arrangments!

See you tonight!

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 11:07 Wed 12 Dec 2007

Will arrange - what's the flight number?

Tom

RonnieRoots · Post by **RonnieRoots** » 11:17 Wed 12 Dec 2007

Flight no.: FR9274

KillerB · Post by **KillerB** » 11:20 Wed 12 Dec 2007

To the tune of 'I Have a Dream' by ABBA:

I have a cheese
It's really big
It's got blue veins
And smells of pig

OK, it doesn't smell of pig but it does rhyme.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 19:16 Wed 12 Dec 2007

First off, I want to really thank the generous folks from this Forum who can't be with is tonight but have still been incredibly kind and donated bottles for tonight.

We will toast you and all our other absent friends.

Alex

Conky · Post by **Conky** » 20:04 Wed 12 Dec 2007

I dont normally sulk watchin United on the box with a glass of port. But tonight, it's different. Have a cracker an I'm very envious. As you may now know I had a health scare, but that turned out fine. Ironically it was work that messed me up at the last minute. I'm going to take some stopping to come to the late January one! John, start trying to make plans. We could drive,train or fly down together? The North-West contingent! I came across Warres 66 in Selfridges for £150. Seemed a bit steep? Alan.