The 10th Birthday, Tuesday 20 June 2017

[flash_uk]

10 years ago was born. Shouldn't we celebrate this birthday?

Please suggest ideas for a suitable theme.

Edit: got the date wrong in the title, now corrected to the 20th

[Doggett]

I would love to be involved in this celebration...although I am sure that many others would too, and having only joined in the tenth year...I would understand if places were prioritised for longer serving members.

In terms of what the theme would be... We are celebrating a 'decade', so maybe great/classic bottles from each decade. That or trying to get bottles from 1917, '27, '37, '47, '57, '67, '77', '87', '97, 2007 and some 2015 bottled in 2017. If some years prove tricky for a quality VP or two then a colheita may do the job.

Whatever is decided, I am sure it will be a magnificent tasting or tastings to celebrate.

Simon

[jdaw1]

Yes please.

FYI, second anniversary celebration.

[PhilW]

20th June might be too close to Festa de São João (23rd) and TPF cricket match (21st) for a UK based anniversary on that date, if the latter especially goes ahead.

[flash_uk]

20th June might be too close to Festa de São João (23rd) and TPF cricket match (21st) for a UK based anniversary on that date, if the latter especially goes ahead.

Perhaps the anniversary should take place in Oporto?

[Alex Bridgeman]

There are plenty of places we would be able to use in Oporto to host a TPF celebration. I'm happy to help the organiser get things set up. A celebration in Oporto does sound like a very fine idea with cricket match and Sao Joao following closely behind.

[DRT]

Yes please.

I agree with Alex that he should be the organiser

[CPR 1]

Count me in please where ever this event is happening......

[idj123]

Also haven't yet put my name down for this-now rectified!

[Alex Bridgeman]

'Kay people, I have been busy looking into options. I'm thinking of celebrating our anniversary in Oporto in June.

In the unlikely event that everything I have asked to be made available to us is, and we decide to do everything, the cost before flights and hotel accommodation could be rather expensive.

But for this, we would get:
- drinks reception and guided tour of the Factory House
- lunch at Vinum
- buffet dinner at the Yeatman (with as much buffet port as you can drink, within reason; last year's buffet port was Morgan 1977) on the evening of Sao Joao and a spot on their balcony to watch the fireworks on Fri 23rd June
- a good view of the Barco Rabello race on the morning of Sat 24th June
- the opportunity to attend (as a spectator) the induction ceremony of the Confraria do Vinho do Porto in Oporto's Palacio de Bolsa at which the new Cavaleiros are welcomed on Sat 24th June
- a seat at The Port Forum table at the Confraria dinner and dance following the induction ceremony

It's unlikely that we'll be offered everything that we ask for, but could anyone interested given what I've outlined above please let me know either in this thread or by PM. Incidentally, other halves would be welcome - my wife has said that if she's not going then I'm not going

If anyone is interested and wants more details, PM me.

[flash_uk]

Permission will be requested. Count me in assuming affirmative on permission.

[CPR 1]

Yes please, I am in

Do the festivities start on the 20th or earlier?

[idj123]

I haven't even paused to reconsider- I'm simply hitting the 'yes' button

Weird thing is I was thinking just earlier of posting for an update of where we were on this tasting.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Yes please, I am in

Do the festivities start on the 20th or earlier?

It is likely to depend on what is available when. I suspect that a full itinerary - if we're lucky enough to be able to organise it - will start on Wed June 21st and finish at about 4am on Sun Jun 25th.

I've just been able to add a private guided tour of one of the port lodges to the itinerary.

[Alex Bridgeman]

I should also add that anyone who is a member of the port forum at the time of this post is welcome to express an interest in joining. Places are limited so if we become oversubscribed I will prioritise offers of places to people with the longest active membership, but I'll also take into account how quickly people expressed an interest.

[forest26]

yes please count me in

[PhilW]

Alex, I've sent you an email.

[Alex Bridgeman]

'Kay people, I have been busy looking into options. I'm thinking of celebrating our anniversary in Oporto in June.

In the unlikely event that everything I have asked to be made available to us is, and we decide to do everything, the cost before flights and hotel accommodation could be rather expensive.

But for this, we would get:
- drinks reception and guided tour of the Factory House
- lunch at Vinum
- buffet dinner at the Yeatman (with as much buffet port as you can drink, within reason; last year's buffet port was Morgan 1977) on the evening of Sao Joao and a spot on their balcony to watch the fireworks on Fri 23rd June
- a good view of the Barco Rabello race on the morning of Sat 24th June
- the opportunity to attend (as a spectator) the induction ceremony of the Confraria do Vinho do Porto in Oporto's Palacio de Bolsa at which the new Cavaleiros are welcomed on Sat 24th June
- a seat at The Port Forum table at the Confraria dinner and dance following the induction ceremony

It's unlikely that we'll be offered everything that we ask for, but could anyone interested given what I've outlined above please let me know either in this thread or by PM. Incidentally, other halves would be welcome - my wife has said that if she's not going then I'm not going

If anyone is interested and wants more details, PM me.

I've been advised that because of tide timings, the Confraria ceremony and dinner will be the evening of June 22 as it was not possible to hold the boat race and Confraria ceremony on the same day. This change of timing has also meant that Mrs B will not be able to accompany me.
The time table is therefore likely to be:
21st June - hopefully drinks reception at the Factory House
22nd June - Confraria ceremony and dinner
23rd June - dinner before Sao Joao street party and fireworks
24th June - Sao Joao barco rabelo race
With a tour of one of the lodges thrown in for good measure at one point.

[Axel P]

In

[Andy Velebil]

IN

[djewesbury]

Have I missed this boat?* I was unable to commit previously but I discover now that I'm on annual leave for the whole of June, prior to terminating my contract. I have a couple of engagements the following week (speaking at a conference, pouring gargantuan quantities of liquor down the throats of everybody who's put up with me in Ireland for the last quarter of a century), but it seems these dates are free for me. I consulted with my player's agent, Mr Turnbull, this evening, and he thinks it would be a good pre-season fixture for me.

*I should point out that I don't want to get on a boat.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Have I missed this boat?* I was unable to commit previously but I discover now that I'm on annual leave for the whole of June, prior to terminating my contract. I have a couple of engagements the following week (speaking at a conference, pouring gargantuan quantities of liquor down the throats of everybody who's put up with me in Ireland for the last quarter of a century), but it seems these dates are free for me. I consulted with my player's agent, Mr Turnbull, this evening, and he thinks it would be a good pre-season fixture for me.

*I should point out that I don't want to get on a boat.

We are still flexible on numbers as I have not yet had to commit to final numbers. You will certainly be welcome for dinner on the Wednesday, hopefully for dinner on Thursday (Thursday's dinner being one where we have to have combinations of multiples of 8 or 10) and should be able to join us for dinner on Friday night. Assume you're in and book your flight and hotel now!

[djewesbury]

OK.. I'm onto it...!!

[forest26]

PM sent - Everything booked. Looking forward.

[Deleted_User_1]

I believed I had signed up for this but it appears not...I was sure it was arranged through another thread relating to a cricket match or is my memory playing tricks.