Forum Fest 2013 :-)

[mcmich]

Oh excellent th jd.. Think its better... Is kate the contact at the crown or just who you spoke to??? I need to ask if thy can put a veryearly check in on the friday morning..

Even if you can't get into your room Kim, they will check your bags in for you.

[judydawn]

Kim, ring (08) 8206 8888 and ask for In House Reservations), you may get to speak to Kate.  If not, the person you speak to will know of our group and are the ones to ask about an early morning check-in.

Just made bus enquiry - prices depend on whether we need a 13 seater ($429) or a 21 seater ($520).  We have 11 at this stage which would mean $39 per head or if we need to go to the bigger bus it would be dearer of course.  I told the lady I would get back to her in a week to make a definite booking.  It would be a 7 hour trip with pick up at Crowne Plaza at 9am. I need to speak to the local hills dwellers to run some options past them.  

[gertbysea]

Booked and all done.. Arriving 7.55 am friday morning.. Hoping i can get early check in or can leave my bags in someones room perhaps..

Wouldnt go straight to markets as have bags lol.. Im not the lightest traveller like you gert .. Know i will probably buy stuff so had ro bring a checked in bag plus my cabin bag.. Would be a sight rolling two bags through the market while trying to shop hihi

I leave at 7.20pm on the sunday so heaps of time..

Some one will probably drive to the market and could possibly store your massive luggage in their boot.

Gert

[gertbysea]

Whatever you decide Jusy will be fine I am sure. Just give us the bottom line and I will shoot some money right over.

Gert

[Frozzie]

Lol gert .. Good thinking.. Its not massive but probably is to you lol..

Gert what do you do when travelling so light .. Dont you buy anything?? Im forever struggling with excess luggage lol

Yes i know i could always hold luggage at hotel just always prefer to have room then done

Thx jd.. Will ring just thought maybe there was a contact person..

[Frozzie]

Re bus whatever you decide jd

[judydawn]

Kim, you can always leave your luggage in our room rather than get the hotel to hold it for you if you are happier with that.  It wouldn't be worth their job to interfere with it though and I've never had a problem leaving it before or after booking in anywhere.

[Frozzie]

Thx jd i just rang and spoke to kate.. She has put a request in for me for early checkin but apparently they cant confirm and will depend. On the day incase anyone else rings..

[judydawn]

Ladies, in regard to the goody bag how does this sound?

You only need contribute to the goody bag if you are joining us for dinner at the Crowne Plaza on the Saturday night. As some people are either leaving first thing on Sunday morning or not going to the High Tea, this would be the easiest solution.

It will be more simple if we set a rule then we all know where we stand. We will have numbers as soon as the cut off date is reached ie the 8th July.

[KarenH]

Not having been to the WA retreat last year, I am not entirely sure how the goodie bags worked - but I was wondering how people felt about making it like the secret santa that Amy orgnaised??  ie optional - opt in if you want to be part of it, but it is not compulsory if you are attending the retreat.  Obviously only those who are contributing to the goodie bags would receive one in return ......

What do people think?

[gertbysea]

Karen the goodie bags were the highlight and the most fun of the weekend. Lots of laughter and frivolity.  Seemed to go on forever. Some were quite elaborate. Some were very simple. Some homemade, some not. All were welcomed and were fun. Have a look at the photos of the goodies in the 2012 Fest  thread.

There are not so many of us this time and the goodies don't have to be expensive. It is  a token fun thing . I think everybody contributed  but if they didn't no one noticed nor would have cared. Everyone received  something. No one was left out. . A goodie  could be a bite sized Mars bar and  we would be thrilled . It is not a contest nor is it a gotcha or a oneupmanship game. If you have talent  then use it. If you are like me then use the talent  of someone else or just buy a bag of bite sized Boost Bars.  I have noticed that some of the Adelaidians coming have a lot of talent in cake making. Ummmmmm? Fudge anyone? I am hoping Judy still has hers from last year.  I really wanted to try that??

I may pick up  something at the market. I wonder if I can wrap up some oysters?  Maybe not! Salami might be nice . No a bit smelly.  Maybe I will stick with some mini. M & M s

Gert

[mcmich]

I probably shouldn't be butting in as I'm unfortunately not going to SA. Having said that, I don't think you would want to miss out participating in the goodie bag. It was so much fun. Someone (I think Jen and Jan) bought lemons from their tree which was lovely. Handmade cards, chocolate spoons. It was so exciting and we took away a bag full of lovely things. Getting back to Sydney and unpacking everything and even still using the lovely mustard that Kezza made. I only opened it at the beginning of the year. So still enjoying the goodie bag. 

[Frozzie]

Definately participating in the goodie bag 😁😁😁

So how many are confirmed for the moment??

[Amanda]

I probably shouldn't be butting in as I'm unfortunately not going to SA. Having said that, I don't think you would want to miss out participating in the goodie bag. It was so much fun. Someone (I think Jen and Jan) bought lemons from their tree which was lovely. Handmade cards, chocolate spoons. It was so exciting and we took away a bag full of lovely things. Getting back to Sydney and unpacking everything and even still using the lovely mustard that Kezza made. I only opened it at the beginning of the year. So still enjoying the goodie bag. 

Guys, please DO NOT bring fruit from home if you are interstaters - there are very strict rules about that in SA as we are officially a fruit fly-free zone.

[gertbysea]

We interstaters  had to check in with Quarantine in WA as well. No worries.

Gert