ThePortForum.com

I am usually the last person who would want to organise a Christmas party but, given the problems finding convenient dates for some of our members, I think we should begin this process now.

All I will say at this point is that:

• I am willing to travel and find reasonably priced accommodation
• Friday's are bad for me
• I would like it to be a blind tasting

Ideas please?

Derek

Derek T. wrote::

• I am willing to travel and find reasonably priced accommodation

Ideas please?

Derek

How about travelling to .... Canada You'd probably only have to pay your plane ticket. Free breakfast with peanut butter toasts!

Not quite what I had in mind, Fred, but let's not rule anything out yet

Wow !! peanut butter on toasts . . . what a Noval idea . . .
Derek , need I remind you that one never , I cannot over emphasis this point , one never adds peanut butter on toasts and VP . The addition of bread , being neutral in taste , will also act as a buffer to tannins of a young VP negating the effects of a youthful VP !!

Luc,

Why have you got a picture of a bloke sitting on the toilet, eating his fingers???

I wouldn't rule Canada out either. But I cant afford the big family Do, as well as my other jaunts. If we got a cheap ticket, and a few of us took the plunge, how quick could you do a turn around, without it being torture? Two nights, three? Then accomodation, plus Port. Could get too expensive, but worth giving a glance.

Alan

Alan ,

That does paint an odd picture , doesn't It ?

Seat sales are a dime a dozen over here .
However , my favorite Lawyer has her heart set on Paris . She's a Taurus to boot !!
I've been working on convinçing her to give me the O.K. to buy a wine cellar were I could store approx. 70 bottles .
She hasn't said no ... Ya never know .

Getting back on topic - I'm sure The Bell would welcome us back..

Tom

OK, guys. The above post confirms that Tom is willing to travel a considerable distance to attend the Christmas Offline. I travelled this very route yesterday and can confirm that it is somewhere between 2 and 3 miles from Tom's house - please bear in mind that this also means that it is between 2 and 3 miles from Tom's cellar

Joking aside, The Bell did prove to be a very good venue for a similar event I attended with Tom last December. It would certainly do the trick for me if this turns out to be the venue again this year.

...but I'm not ruling out a Peanut Butter and Port night with Canadian Mounties standing in as dancing girls

Derek

Derek T. wrote:to travel a considerable distance to attend the … Offline.

Me too!

Derek T. wrote:OK, guys. The above post confirms that Tom is willing to travel a considerable distance to attend the Christmas Offline. I travelled this very route yesterday and can confirm that it is somewhere between 2 and 3 miles from Tom's house - please bear in mind that this also means that it is between 2 and 3 miles from Tom's cellar

Joking aside, The Bell did prove to be a very good venue for a similar event I attended with Tom last December. It would certainly do the trick for me if this turns out to be the venue again this year.

...but I'm not ruling out a Peanut Butter and Port night with Canadian Mounties standing in as dancing girls

Derek

I'll pass on the R.C.M.P. dancing girls IN la belle province It would be La Sureté du Québec

jdaw1 wrote:

Derek T. wrote:to travel a considerable distance to attend the … Offline.

Me too!

Is that a reference to Offline #2 or Offline #3 (Christmas 2007)?

Subject to you not being commited to the St Helens Mental Asylum for becoming overwhelmed with excitement at the Fonseca Vertical, or going insane at the use of non-Eff-Tee-Pee-Type picture upload technology, you would be most welcome to join or Pagan festival which happens to coincide with an annual celebration linked to a once popular religon.

Derek

Can't promise anything yet, but I must say that I'm definitely interested in such a Christmas event!

Ronnie (and LadyR & Stevie),

The Bell is within close range of Stanstead and Luton airports. I could also pass East Midlands airport en route. I would be happy to collect and return you to the airport if it helps logistics.

Derek

Collecting people from Stansted is no problem for me, and my front room is available if anyone wants to bring a sleeping bag and borrow the sofa!

Tom

Please note: Tom's sofa is now fully booked

Derek

I'm mildly interested since it looks like my travel plans for December will be European only. However, weekends are bad for me so I would only really have a chance of being able to make an offline in Cambridgeshire if it were Monday-Thursday night.

Alex

Now that the aftertaste of all those Fonseca's has faded I think it is about time we turned our attention to organising this.

Current suggestion on the table is a weekday evening at The Bell, Cambridgeshire. If this goes anything like last year it will be a semi private room with some good food, lots of interesting ports to drink and some great company.

Any other suggestions or anyone willing to notionally commit to this plan please chirp up here ASAP.

Thanks

Derek

PS: I have booked Tom's couch but am willing to spend the night in his cellar if that allows someone else to have the couch

We're still interested. It would be good to talk about dates rather sooner than later, because cheap flights tend to fill up quite soon around the christmas days. Any preferences?

I am easy about dates pre-Christmas - I can clear my diary for any day.

Suggest we work on a budget per capita, and I'll draw stock from my cellar accordingly. Last year's theme was (loosely) 'old and peculiar'

- Theme for this year?

- Budget?

Tom

I can also be flexible on dates but would prefer not to do this on a Thursday night and then have to drive 400 miles to Edinburgh on the Friday

Can I suggest that the Roots look for some cheap flights and give us a date or dates that we can all work to?

Suggested Theme - The Unknown Shipper and his Unusual Friends

Suggested budget - let's not go nuts

My contribution will come in the form of Port rather than cash so happy to leave the numbers to others

Can we at least agree now that it's at The Bell? That way the Roots and others know where to fly to and Tom can secure the venue and tell them they need lots of big juicy steaks

Derek

I'll second the notion of moderation on budget - somewhere in the £50 - £75 bracket perhaps (per capita) - that will allow for some sound old wine, plus a little indulgence, with a bottle or two of classed growths as a warm up..

Tom

Maybe a dumb question, but which airport would be closest?

Stanstead is closest but I can also pass East Midlands and Luton en route and could pick you up from any of these 3 airports.

Derek

I would love to attend, and (possibly, but only just) could, but how about an alternative?

How about the lovely San Francisco Bay Area, USA for a venue? I live about 10 miles south of SF in the lovely city of Pacifica, with an ocean view and lots of Port. Not to be compared with Tom's cellar by anymeans, but I will volunteer any four bottles gratis. Mayhap Andy and David Spriggs could be convinced to attend and contribute as well.

Just think of it...winter in the North Pacific, 50 foot waves within walking distance, 4 surfboards, boogyboards, and a sea kayak in the garage for the brave, opera and fine dining in the city for those inclined. No spare bedrooms at my house, but the couch and living room floor are free, and ocean-front hotels within walking distance (downhill, of course)! 13 minute cab ride from SF International airport. Any takers?

Jay

Now there's an offer!!!

After my Offline, Oporto Vacation, few port purchases, and Christmas with the kids looming, I may need to plant a money tree in the back garden...

If we can keep costs really down, I could definitely target Toms version. Just wish money didn't get in the way!

Alan

Jay,

Now we're talking...If its in San Fran, I'll be there! My money tree is quickly drying up this year, so I highly doubt I could make it to Tom's place


And Jay,

October 31st, Alex is down here in LA on work and we are having an offline at my place. Let me know if you can make it.

I'd be VERY interested in a Christmas offline, be it in the UK or The Netherlands! The USA will be difficult, budget-wise. The sooner a date is picked the better; as Ronnie pointed out, plane fare and hotels will be cheaper the sooner we book.

Sounds like there's TWO Off-lines developing.
Should we start to home in on one at, or near to Tom's, and to be fair, what sounds like a more picturesque (Sorry Tom) one, at Jays.
I'll keep buying Lottery tickets, and hope to go to both!
If it does come to fruition, I'd love to meet some new faces. Any of you guys out there, who haven't met any of us before, fancy taking the plunge? It was great to meet Ghandi at the last one.
We need a bit of new blood to talk to, for when Derek falls asleep!

Alan

The Bell is in walking distance of Audley End house - a former Royal Palace and one of the most beautiful houses on the planet.

Sorry, but the US of A ain't got nothing to compare!

Tom

uncle tom wrote:Sorry, but the US of A ain't got nothing to compare!

I think it is also probable that the entire North American continent does not have any man-made structure still in use that is as old as The Bell

Jay, I love the idea but, like Alan, I think I need a lottery win before it could come off

Here's an idea - why don't we try to organise a Live Aid style event with Offlines in the UK and USA on the same day? Anyone who can affoard the airfare could be our version of Phil Collins and do both gigs in the same day

Stevie/Ronnie - please look for flights and give us options on dates. It would be great to have you over for this and I'm sure the UK based guys can be flexible around your travel plans. If both of you attend then I will have to throw the possibility of a 1975 horizontal into the mix as a suggested theme.

Derek

uncle tom wrote:The Bell is in walking distance of Audley End house - a former Royal Palace and one of the most beautiful houses on the planet.

Sorry, but the US of A ain't got nothing to compare!

Tom

What, are you saying my house is not equivilent to a palace?

The USA has got nothing to compare? Tsk tsk...How about 1000 year old redwood forests, More lovely 14,000' mountains than you can shake a stick at, and of course, the view from my house overlooking the Pacific? I must admit I do not live in a palace, but I feel like I do.

I like the idea of overlapping offlines West coast USA and UK. Saves everbody some bucks but everybody gets to participate in the fun. When you guys in the land of no natural splendor pick a date, I'll get organizing here.

Andy, I'm willing to broach the topic of the 31st with Carolyn, but I suspect she and my daughter will be less than enthuseastic about the prospect, especially as I am without exception every year the one tapped to make the rounds with my daughter on that night. The 1st would be better but if Alex has work then I may have to pass. Thanks for the invite though!

Jay

Checked real quick. Noticed almost all dates around christmas are still fairly cheap. Have to work out some sort of travel plan though, because LadyR has got her mind set on going to Florence with the christmas days. Not that I would complain about that of course...

The 1st would be better but if Alex has work then I may have to pass. Thanks for the invite though!

I promise not to work! I can manage not working.

Has anyone got any idea of suitable dates?Do we each send a bottle to Tom's place beforehand.I have a few unusual bottles that would be fun to open.

Derek has already pm'd me with a few curiosities that he has in his cellar - if you want to do the same I'll try to work out a schedule.

Don't post them in the main forum, as it's more fun if people are left guessing what's on the agenda, and tasting blind.

As some people will want to pay in cash rather than kind, can you also let me have your opinion of each bottle's worth, so we can get a fair reckoning.

I have plenty of decanters, so if all the bottles make it to me in advance, I can get them decanted and properly presented.

For dates, I will need to check with The Bell, but for an opening shot, how about either the 5th or 12th Dec (a wednesday)

Tom

San Francisco is one of my four favourite cities out of all the cities I have ever visited - plus it has the advantage that I have family who live there.

I love the idea of an offline in SF with Jay and perhaps if we planned something far enough in advance then we might be able to organise a full transatlantic offline. Personally, I suggest August 2009 since I already know that the family holiday will have to route via either LA or San Francisco.

More currently, I can't make the 5th (will be in Ireland) but could make the 12th at the Bell. I'll have to check my list to see what I have that might be classed as "unusual". Must have something - anyone ever heard of Morgan 91?

Alex

Would it be a problem to organize it in a weekend? That would make it possible for us to fly in on a saturday and out again on sunday. Both the 8th and the 15th of December are fine with us.

Weekends aren't good for me as that is the only time I see my son.

Weekdays are far simpler for me to organise and I can do either the 5th or 12th. The 12th would be best if that's the one Alex can do as we rarely tempt him to an Offline as far north as Cambridge

Derek

Alex, I would pencil you in for 2009 but even my e-mail calander does not go that far in advance. Suffice it to say that you are welcome anytime, just let me know in (slightly less) advance and we can organize. Maybe we can even throw in a little pre-tasting Bordeaux, you never know

For anybody willing to visit SF on Dec 12th, I would love to host a tasting, theme to be determined. I could go VP or colheita, and there is even enough time to acquire what might be needed (although 1908 might be a little difficult...how about 1934?). I'm also happy to do 10 year tawny's or something similar if thats what people are into. David lives ~1 hour south, and Andy 5-8 (depending on LA traffic), and I have plenty of freinds who would love to be introduced to the subject. If I can get a witness, I'll cross-post and gather more people.

The tough thing for offlines in the UK (for us on the West coast USA) is even though you can get a direct flight from either LA or SF to Heathrow, its a little more involved than skipping over from the East coast, both in time and money. And heathrow is not even close (at least in terms of time) to where Andy and I would need to end up to participate in any off-line discussed thus far in the UK

Jay

A Thursday would be ideal for me as I'm self employed I would take the Friday off as well for all the travelling and make a long weekend.

If possible I would like to go for 12th Dec. Wednesday suits me perfectly and the prospect of Mr B coming that far north is too irresistable to pass up.

So, who can make Wed 12th Dec at The Bell? Current list of confirmed attendees:

• Uncle Tom
• AHB
• Conky
• Derek T.

Possible attendees:

• Ronnie Roots
• Lady Roots?
• Stevie Kooij
• Simon Lisle
• The Yanks (incl. Jdaw1)

Derek

I'll take this as a done deal until I know otherwise, put me down.

New list:

• Uncle Tom
• AHB
• Conky
• KillerB
• Derek T.

Possible attendees:

• Ronnie Roots
• Lady Roots?
• Stevie Kooij
• Simon Lisle
• The Yanks (incl. Jdaw1)

I was just taking a look at the calander and December 12th is midweek...do you in the UK get that off? What about work on Thursday?

I think that it is unlikely that I can attend in the UK, but I will drink some port that night and think of my slightly pasty brethren in the UK. If there is anyone who wants to join me, I hearby invite them. Andy, if that midweek thing does not work out for you, we can do a staggered off line on a Friday or Saturday night on either side of the 12th.

Jay

I will be working on December 13, but so long as I have a wireless connection and a mobile phone signal then I can arrange to have an office day as opposed to a meetings day. That way I can still be productive but not have to travel anywhere or meet face-to-face with anyone on the 13th.

Alex

do you in the UK get that off?

No, but holiday entitlements are generally longer on this side of the pond, and most people use some of it to take odd days off.

I volunteered a midweek date as AlexB has a problem with weekends

Tom

I'm looking into possible flight plans at the moment, and LadyR is looking into her schedule to see if the midweek thing is a problem. Keep you posted!

Tom, would it be possible for LadyR, Stevie and me to spend the night at your place? We can bring our own sleeping gear.

Derek T. wrote:Please note: Tom's sofa is now fully booked

Derek

Derek, shirley you'll be wanting to bags a corner of Tom's kitchen, or perhaps a slot in the hall, propping up the hat stand?

Meanwhile, I'd like to enter the fray as a possible, on the understanding that the offering is lovely port somewhere in Cambridgeshire somewhen in December for something like £50-£75 (I sadly have nothing to offer as a genuine contender in the 'curiosity' bucket). Sorry I can't commit more fully, but my father's not especially well, and my father-in-law is decidedly poorly, so other events may overtake my preferences.

A work night is likely to be easier for me, and I'd plan to leave work promptly and not go in the following day. A weekend date might be more difficult, that close to Christmas. Especially as the wife's birthday is on the 8th. Maybe she'd like to attend, eh?


Ghandihhh

I'll go down to The Bell tomorrow to make sure they're clear for the 12th, and then we can do a head count

Tom