Forum Thermomix

Welcoming Center, Management and General Chat => Chit Chat => Topic started by: gertbysea on February 29, 2016, 10:45:25 pm

Title: Suggestions for future Forum Fests.
Post by: gertbysea on February 29, 2016, 10:45:25 pm
I will go first. I am thinking of us all being together, booking some place where we can chat, communicate, have fun, be adventuresome, relax and laugh with only a token shopping in places we all visit together.

I also suggest someone state a date, we make a booking and those that can make it come.

1. How about a cruise on the Murray River? 

2. Book a package to Somewhere.

3. Book a resort.

4. How about a train trip?
Title: Re: Suggestions for future Forum Fests.
Post by: judydawn on February 29, 2016, 11:10:58 pm
Thank you Gert, it is with regret that this decision had to be made in our 5th year of forumfests.  I look forward to responses in this new thread and thank you for supplying all the information about our non-event to Cairns.  Let's hope we can get a FF up for 2017, going by your list of options it will be something different to what we usually do.
Title: Re: Suggestions for future Forum Fests.
Post by: cookie1 on March 01, 2016, 12:56:32 am
Thanks Gert. Thank you also for your suggestions. Does anyone have any other thoughts?  Perhaps somewhere you have been or would like to go? 
I love the idea of being all together somewhere, sleeping in, chatting etc.

Does late October suit most people? What time of the year would you prefer?
Title: Re: Suggestions for future Forum Fests.
Post by: achookwoman on March 01, 2016, 05:08:04 am
First, thanks Gert for the work that you did. Xxx
Ral, myself, Bruce and Mandy did a weeks cruise on the Murray last year. It was quite expensive considering the quality of the Accommadation.  The Food was very good and the staff excellent. Interesting activities were organised. If you are looking for a little luxury for a short break away this is not it.  If you are interested in the history of the river and don't mind roughing it then this is ok.
There are plenty of meeting areas with free coffee and tea. The bar was open quite often and you paid extra to have drinks with Dinner.
A bus was provided from Adelaide and there was an activity most days. Some at an extra cost.
The demographic was of many people who couldn't afford insurance to travel OS.
Title: Re: Suggestions for future Forum Fests.
Post by: gertbysea on March 01, 2016, 10:59:35 am
Good one chookie. The Murray is out

Gert

Title: Re: Suggestions for future Forum Fests.
Post by: Cuilidh on March 01, 2016, 07:23:41 pm
Booking at a resort / spa might work.  Maybe two nights?  I am sure a bit of pampering would not do any of us any harm.  Could we survive without our phones / tablets, etc. for 48 hours?  It might be alcohol free (which may not be a popular thought) and smoke free, though, so that could be problematic.
Title: Re: Suggestions for future Forum Fests.
Post by: gertbysea on March 01, 2016, 08:37:57 pm
Booking at a resort / spa might work.  Maybe two nights?  I am sure a bit of pampering would not do any of us any harm.  Could we survive without our phones / tablets, etc. for 48 hours?  It might be alcohol free (which may not be a popular thought) and smoke free, though, so that could be problematic.

I could do with out alcohol but my iPad!!!!!!!!!!!

Well I suppose I could do it :o
Title: Re: Suggestions for future Forum Fests.
Post by: cookie1 on March 02, 2016, 12:26:05 am
Like Gert I am attached to my iPad, but I'm sure I could survive. Booze and smokes, no worries here!!!
Title: Re: Suggestions for future Forum Fests.
Post by: Cuilidh on March 02, 2016, 02:35:01 am
Booking at a resort / spa might work.  Maybe two nights?  I am sure a bit of pampering would not do any of us any harm.  Could we survive without our phones / tablets, etc. for 48 hours?  It might be alcohol free (which may not be a popular thought) and smoke free, though, so that could be problematic.
I was just thinking, the trouble with this is that it could turn out be pretty expensive.  So, whilst an attractive idea, perhaps not the most practical.  Having said that, I still like the idea!
Title: Re: Suggestions for future Forum Fests.
Post by: cookie1 on March 02, 2016, 05:03:44 am
I'd love to  head to the Barossa for a few days. I will do some research on it and post my findings, but it may not be for a while.
Title: Re: Suggestions for future Forum Fests.
Post by: Cuilidh on March 02, 2016, 06:36:38 am
The Barossa sounds good.
Title: Re: Suggestions for future Forum Fests.
Post by: mcmich on March 02, 2016, 12:35:53 pm
I would still like to do something this year. I couldn't do the dates suggested. There were only 5 of us ( Uni, Gayle, Yvette, Janelle and myself) that went to the Blue Mountains back 3-4 years ago and it was wonderful. For some reason I can't reply in the forum fest 2016 thread, seems to be locked???
Title: Re: Suggestions for future Forum Fests.
Post by: judydawn on March 02, 2016, 01:27:57 pm
Yes it's locked Michele.z
Title: Re: Suggestions for future Forum Fests.
Post by: achookwoman on March 04, 2016, 10:36:21 pm
If the spa interests several. Could always go to a Spa town like Dalesford and rent a number of cottages. Use the Spas as required.
The Barossa and general area is beautiful.  Have been many times and would happily go again. OMG, hope we have sold Cherokee by then. ,!
Title: Re: Suggestions for future Forum Fests.
Post by: cookie1 on May 28, 2017, 08:40:33 am
Does anyone have any thoughts for 2017 please?
Title: Re: Suggestions for future Forum Fests.
Post by: Cuilidh on May 28, 2017, 08:57:25 pm
It's very coincidental, but I have been wondering about another FF over the past couple of months as well.  I certainly like the sound of the Barossa, or how about the Yarra Valley so some other similar area ... there is always Byron Bay - we could all go and meditate like crazy for a weekend and come home in a relaxed daze!  :o

DH and I are beginning to investigate Bendigo for a large congress fo 100+ but haven't gone very far down that road as yet.  It's a lovely place with lots to do nearby - we could hire a bus and go up to Echuca and have lunch on a paddle steamer, for instance; there are lots of shops (I don't know the place too well, so don't know what quality they are ... Chookie, do you know?).  The art gallery is of a very high standard, we could hire another bus and do a vineyard tour ... 

Just some thoughts to get started with.
Title: Re: Suggestions for future Forum Fests.
Post by: gertbysea on May 28, 2017, 09:51:41 pm
I am happy for any place we can do things as a group and not just go shopping individually.

Gert
Title: Re: Suggestions for future Forum Fests.
Post by: achookwoman on May 29, 2017, 12:18:36 am
Marina, the shopping at Bendigo is nothing special. Same at Ballarat. However both have plenty of other things of interest. Both have several good cafes and restaurants and lots of accommodation. Both have at least one very good kitchen shop.
Bendigo has a terrific art Gallery, Ballarat, not so good.
Both have train access to Melbourne.
I could suggest Ballarat as we have 3 spare bedrooms and can seat 20 for a sit down lunch. Also have 3 living areas. We are 10 minutes from the centre of Ballarat and train station by car. No local bus or tram service.
Disadvantages of Ballarat, mostly weather. Hot in Summer and very cold in winter. Early Autumn and late spring nice. Bendigo a bit warmer.
To do things as a group sounds good to me but we would need to hire a bus for most places.
Title: Re: Suggestions for future Forum Fests.
Post by: gertbysea on May 29, 2017, 12:27:01 am
Sounds good to me. I am sure there is other accomodation in Ballarat as well. Any locals driving  to Ballarat could help out there. An invasion of forum people would be a hoot. As we are all likeminded adults we would make sure we shared the load with our hosts. May I mow the lawn with the tractor????

Gert
Title: Re: Suggestions for future Forum Fests.
Post by: Cuilidh on May 29, 2017, 12:45:53 am
I was hoping you would fill us in on Ballarat, Chookie, because I don't really know it at all and I knew you would know more about Bendigo than I do as well. 

I'm not good at subtle and don't know of a subtle way to say this so, without causing you offence, I will just say it and hope you take my clumsily worded post in the best way. 

I remember at Melbourne FF you offered your hospitality to us all at Cherokee but the consensus was that we felt catering for us all was unfair on you and Ral and would take away your time from wandering around with the group.  However, I know how much you love having people to visit and stay for a snack (morning / afternoon tea?) or something more substantial and wouldn't want to talk you out of anything you get so much fun out of  but I just wanted to mention this now so that you would know that your kindness offered at Melbourne FF has not been forgotten. Having said all that, I know that I, for one, would love to take up any excuse to visit you both at Invermay - Gert may be faced with a fight for the ride on mower, though!
Title: Re: Suggestions for future Forum Fests.
Post by: judydawn on May 29, 2017, 01:20:51 am
Nice to see some conversation happening girls. I'll sit back and see what you finally decide on, it would be lovely to catch up again if at all possible.
Title: Re: Suggestions for future Forum Fests.
Post by: cookie1 on May 29, 2017, 07:15:52 am
I'm happy to go anywhere. I'd love to try the lawn mower too.
If we head that way we could select somewhere to stay that would fit us all (not Chookie's place) and make our own bookings etc.

We could go to Alice Springs!!! Ayers Rock is too expensive and not a lot to do.
Title: Re: Suggestions for future Forum Fests.
Post by: gertbysea on May 29, 2017, 08:37:54 am
Any place where the shopping is limited!!!!!!!

Gertbysea
Title: Re: Suggestions for future Forum Fests.
Post by: trudy on May 29, 2017, 09:27:13 am
Nice that people are starting to talk about another FF.  Depending on when it was Wayne and I would most probably drive to Bendigo or Ballarat.  Would be a good excuse to check out Lambly Nursery Chookie!!
Title: Re: Suggestions for future Forum Fests.
Post by: achookwoman on May 29, 2017, 01:14:59 pm
Trudy, what a great place.
Marina, thanks for the kind words. There is no way I could take on organising a FF. doing a meal is not so hard. Where ever is decided upon, there has to be someone to coordinate the activities.