AFF Gathering #10 in PER on 11 - 13 November 2016

[Awesom Andy]

Rotto for 3 hours is doable, as the bus tour takes 1 hour, and then we still have time to chill and a drink. Probably a very expensive way to spend the day though. It might work for the Sunday, I guess, and people can choose their departure ferries based on their flights.

Apart from that, if there's interest, perhaps we can drop by the Aviation Heritage Museum? It's not far out from Freo.

 

[TheBOSman]

I think the route has been cut or has become seasonal?
In any case - it was always going to be a "marginal" air route.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/regional/south-west/a/27216182/virgin-cancels-busselton-trial/

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EDIT - It looks like VA Regional (skywest) still use BQB for mining charters using F100s.

See flights VA92xx operating on an ad hoc basis.

https://flightaware.com/live/airport/YBLN

So whats wrong with a bunch of AFFers mining the depths of the vines of the Margaret River region? We clearly need a mining charter for such an occasion .

I'd be interested but it would likely have to be the 14th, wouldn't get in until late morning on the 11th at the earliest. I need to be in the USA for the day of the 8th, so I can vote. Will probably fly out that night it appears.

 

[penegal]

I am sure some of the members in the mining industry would be happy to mine the vines also.

 

[straitman]

For those interested a pre-do or post-do in MR may be more feasible.

Oz Fest in Perth a couple of years ago had a reasonable group do Margaret river on the Thursday and Friday and then Swan Valley on the Sunday. It was doable and interesting but really too many wineries for me to do again that way. I agree that the Swan valley wineries are not as good but there are many good things to do and places to go for lunch that make it all worthwhile.

An 830am start finishing at 630pm would make a very long day. Following that with dinner I think is too long. Whatever we do I reckon should be done by about 4-430 to allow people to catch their breath. And I am always happy if the start to the day is not too early!

Also, there have not been enough people interested in golf for the last do or three, so I suggest if golfers want to golf they can look into that themselves on the Sunday.

Agreed. Rotto is a BIG day out and too much if there is a dinner as well (and there will be).

There is always a lot of talk about golf but rarely any action so IMHO it should stay outside of the normal peoples schedule.

Apart from that, if there's interest, perhaps we can drop by the Aviation Heritage Museum? It's not far out from Freo.

Are you referring to the one at Bull Creek?

 

[Flashback]

Duckstein Brewery in the Swan Valley does a nice lunch.

 

[penegal]

Duckstein Brewery in the Swan Valley does a nice lunch.

I've been there - was decent enough

 

[Flashback]

straitman, know the place you're thinking of quite well, used to play the Organ there in competitions as a child!

 

[Awesom Andy]

Are you referring to the one at Bull Creek?

Yes, that's the one.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

I will probably be in Perth on those dates.
Can I put in a vote for somewhere with a flexible menu?

 

[JohnM]

I will probably be in Perth on those dates.
Can I put in a vote for somewhere with a flexible menu?

Not clear to me what you mean by that.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Not clear to me what you mean by that.

I mean not with a set menu.

 

[jsd]

I mean not with a set menu.

While I appreciate your preference in not having a set menu, unfortunately it is becoming more common for restaurants to insist on them when making group bookings (especially when the group size balloons out to 30+ like it has at some AFF events in the past). We also need to take pricing into consideration in making the event accessible for all as we all come from different stages in life with varying financial means and it is not often possible to keep a lid on costs with an open menu.

Again, not having a set menu is a discussion that will be had with the restaurant at a later date when said restaurant is chosen. While I'm not saying it won't happen, it would be unlikely that this ends up being the case.

 

[jsd]

An 830am start finishing at 630pm would make a very long day. Following that with dinner I think is too long. Whatever we do I reckon should be done by about 4-430 to allow people to catch their breath. And I am always happy if the start to the day is not too early!

Agreed. It is nice to have a few hours to break before dinner to freshen up and what not. Those that choose not to do so usually get an early start on the evening in a pre-venue of their choosing (AFF7 was penegal's hotel room [and after if I remember correctly])

My preference would be for Rottnest Island to happen on Sunday with those flying out on Sunday choosing a ferry departure back to Perth to suit their flight time.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

While I appreciate your preference in not having a set menu, unfortunately it is becoming more common for restaurants to insist on them when making group bookings (especially when the group size balloons out to 30+ like it has at some AFF events in the past). We also need to take pricing into consideration in making the event accessible for all as we all come from different stages in life with varying financial means and it is not often possible to keep a lid on costs with an open menu.

Again, not having a set menu is a discussion that will be had with the restaurant at a later date when said restaurant is chosen. While I'm not saying it won't happen, it would be unlikely that this ends up being the case.

That's fine. I won't come to a dinner with a set menu.

 

[JessicaTam]

That's fine. I won't come to a dinner with a set menu.

With the numbers expected, there are going to be a range of dietary requirements. In previous years these have either been catered for within the choices in the set menu, or the venue has catered for them separately.

 

[Awesom Andy]

I think it's going to be quite difficult to organise payments as well. Doubt most restaurants would split the bill into 30+ parts, and then have a bunch of drinks left over which nobody wants to claim. Having choices within the menus (similar to previous year or 2) would probably be the best compromise, I suppose. At least payments can all be arranged in advance. Those who drink should either open a tab or make payment as the drink is ordered. Otherwise, there are always orphaned drinks where organiser are left to pick up the bill.

 

[clazman]

For what it is worth

Leeuwin Estate sent through some pricing for a fly day trip

Premium Flight Experience $190
Limited menu selection for large groups
Morning tea of Estate baked scones, with jam and cream and espresso style coffee or loose leaf tea
Guided behind the scenes tour with an overview of the Estate history, the philosophy behind our winemaking process, our association with the performing arts and a visit to our Art Gallery
Tutored tasting of the world famed Leeuwin Estate wines
House baked bread and olive oil
Full seasonal a la carte menu
Coffee or tea
Current and library wines and other cold beverages are on consumption

Deluxe Flight Experience $240
Limited menu selection for large groups
Leeuwin Estate Brut upon arrival
Tutored tasting of the world famed Leeuwin Estate wines
Five Art Series wines perfectly matched with seasonal canapés
- Art Series Riesling
- Art Series Sauvignon Blanc
- Art Series Chardonnay
- Art Series Shiraz
- Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon
House baked bread and olive oil
Full seasonal a la carte menu
Coffee or tea
Inclusive of consumption of featured wines up to three hours

Chef’s Table Degustation Menu One $190
Seasonal food only menu, wines on consumption
Morning tea of Estate baked scones, with jam and cream and espresso style coffee or loose leaf tea
Guided behind the scenes tour with an overview of the Estate history, the philosophy behind our winemaking process, our association with the performing arts and a visit to our Art Gallery
Tutored tasting of the world famed Leeuwin Estate wines
House baked bread and olive oil
Amuse bouché
First course
Second course
Third course
Fourth course
Dessert or cheese course
Coffee or tea

Chef’s Table Degustation Menu Two $240
Seasonal menu, each course accompanied by 100ml of matched wines
Morning tea of Estate baked scones, with jam and cream and espresso style coffee or loose leaf tea
Guided behind the scenes tour with an overview of the Estate’s history, the philosophy behind our winemaking process, our association with the performing arts and a visit to our Art Gallery
Tutored tasting of the world famed Leeuwin Estate wines
House baked bread and olive oil
Amuse bouche
First course
Second course
Third course
Fourth course
Dessert or cheese course
Coffee or tea
Each course is perfectly matched to a selected Art Series wine

Plus flight costs

Two ten-seater airplanes departing from Perth Domestic -$8,100 ---- ~$400 each

 

[penegal]

Thanks clazman.

I actually think that would be quite a fun day, but the price ~$600+ per head would put it out of many member's reach.

 

[clazman]

Thanks clazman.

I actually think that would be quite a fun day, but the price ~$600+ per head would put it out of many member's reach.

and no SC or points :--)

 

[TheBOSman]

Thanks clazman.

I actually think that would be quite a fun day, but the price ~$600+ per head would put it out of many member's reach.

Even at US$400-450 for me, I'd have to think long/hard about it. Rent a van instead and let me drive, I can just fly back to the States and never pay the speeding tickets . And, I'd actually be happy if Australia got so unbelievably mad at my nonpayment so as to extradite me there . Plus, we have a highway here in central Texas with an 85 mph speed limit that I've driven on a few times, and I've driven on the autobahn, so I'm good at speeding too .

I'm still trying to figure out how/when to ask about getting time off at work. The joys of starting a new job! I don't want to seem gauche asking for 2 weeks off when I have only been there ~4-5 months, but this would be after I had been there over a full calendar year. And I would have the vacation time, with a couple of days to spare. I'm looking at booking the flights now, and not actually requesting for the time off until May-June .