Next Big Meet-up?

Hertz van Rental · Apr 3, 2008

I know we haven't had the Germany meet yet but as it's less than 8 weeks away I don't think it is too early to start thinking about the next one.
Dates?
Next Spring/early Summer?
Location?
Well, I seriously think Rutland.
Not just because I live there but because it has so much going for it as a venue for photography.
We have Rutland Water - the largest man-made fresh-water lake in Europe.
Eyebrook reservoir - smaller but even prettier.
Several big stately homes within reach including Rockingham Castle.
Stamford and Uppingham, old villages, churches, gardens, pubs and even an old turf maze.
The Fens are quite close as is Bradgate Park (the remains of an ancient volcano), Nature reserves and bird sanctuaries (with Ospreys). Peterborough, Leicester and Nottingham are all within 30 minutes drive, and Melton Mowbray is only 10 miles away.
The A1 runs through Rutland and the train line to Rutland goes through Birmingham, Nuneaton, Leicester, Peterborough, Cambridge and Stansted airport. It's quite an easy place to get to.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rutland
http://www.rutnet.co.uk/
http://www.rockinghamcastle.com/
http://www.rutlandwater.org.uk/
http://www.anglianwaterleisure.co.uk/index.php?sectionid=53&parentid=47
http://www.eyebrook.com/

Thoughts anyone?

LaFoto · Apr 3, 2008

Well, I personally can't even imagine "life after the meet-up" just now ... but if you promise that there IS life after "my" meet-up, then I am the first to say "It's time for the Island!", wanting to travel to the UK again and coming to your place (not only in return for your coming to mine, but out of a general interest, too).

Preferred time?
Well, you know best which is the prettiest time. I know, May often is the prettiest month here, though that usually applies to early May.

For me, it is easiest to get away from home during the school holidays, of course. Next year's spring holidays will be from 30 March to 15 April.

Further days off would be 21-24 May (Thursday to Sunday), and 29 May - 2 June (Saturday to Tuesday). But on those days, Sabine will need to be taken to the pool, all the same, while it may be assumed she goes on training camp during the Easter holidays ... :scratch: (And should they actually go to Fort Lauderdale for training camp next year, I am seriously contemplating going along for once ... oh!

)

Anyhow, those are dates I can most easily meet ... but what with Andreas no longer working in Hamburg and only being home for the weekends, I also have to see how those things are going to work out.

Not easy to make decisions at this stage.

And why would I make any?
I don't believe in "life after the meet-up"

.

Hertz van Rental · Apr 3, 2008

Well seeing how far in advance some people have to plan to get time off, flights, accommodation and stuff I don't think a year ahead is too much.
Just thought I'd float the idea is all. We can maybe discuss it in Germany.
And of course there is life after a meet-up: we survived Saffron Walden and London didn't we?

And if I clean out my garage I have some studio flash so I could be talked into giving a quick seminar on lighting if it rains :mrgreen:

Antarctican · Apr 3, 2008

Sounds like fun. And you're right, lots of lead time is needed for many people to plan time off.

Is there accommodation close by?

[You're volunteering to clean out your garage?? What's come over you? Or has Avis got ahold of your password and is actually posting this?]

Hertz van Rental · Apr 3, 2008

Antarctican said:
Is there accommodation close by?

This is Rutland - lots of accommodation nearby - B&B, camping, Hotels... just depends on how much you want to spend. Unfortunately Rutland is not particularly cheap - but it's a small County* and accommodation just over the borders can cost a lot less.

http://www.rutnet.co.uk/accommodation/

*Every year the churches do a sponsored fund-raiser where you try to visit as many churches as you can. A reasonably fit person can manage to visit them all in a day just using a bicycle for transport.

A good date to choose would be Spring Bank Holiday (end of May). Exton village (one of the few estate villages left) holds a street market and the Gainsborough estate is opened to the public.
Lots of fun. Lots of photo opportunities.
http://www.rutnet.co.uk/exton/streetmarket/index.htm

Antarctican · Apr 3, 2008

May is also probably a good time for airfares for anyone coming from North America...in advance of the summer holiday leap in prices. Plus the weather should be comfortable.