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

[JohnM]

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 .

You'd be as good as dead trying to get to MR at 85mph on that road...

 

[Cynicor]

You'd be as good as dead trying to get to MR at 85mph on that road...

It's less than 140. Easy. Parts of caves road might need you to slow down, but only short sections. It's mostly the beautiful new hwy now!

 

[TheBOSman]

You'd be as good as dead trying to get to MR at 85mph on that road...

In a van or SUV filled with 5-7 other people as this would likely be, it is assuredly a bad idea. Easier to do in a sports car, but shoving four people into a sports car would sort of defeat the purpose. The highway appears to have a speed limit of 110 km/hr, which is about 70 mph. 85 mph is just under 140 km/hr as noted. Wouldn't actually do it of course. I try to avoid dealing with police at all possible costs generally, and particularly so when I'm not in a country where I'm a citizen.

 

[blackcat20]

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 .

Know the feeling :shock: hoping to call my new boss today to discuss booked leave....

 

[penegal]

I have always enjoyed going to Margaret River, but you need time & money (both to get there, and to spend while you are there).

As an East Coaster - That means you need to take some annual leave for the trip to be worthwhile, hence my suggestion of a pre-do or post-do, ala Oz Fest.

 

[JohnK]

Not interested in wineries. Surely there are enough wine tours organised on AFF to leave this weekend winery tour free?

Rottnest island on the Saturday followed by dinner would be good. And I think Fremantle by ferry Sunday morning followed by lunch then leisurely trek back to airport Sunday afternoon.

 

[TheBOSman]

I have always enjoyed going to Margaret River, but you need time & money (both to get there, and to spend while you are there).

As an East Coaster - That means you need to take some annual leave for the trip to be worthwhile, hence my suggestion of a pre-do or post-do, ala Oz Fest.

And due to the time I'm guessing it would be a pre-gathering or post-gathering event. At 3 hour drive each way, it simply cannot be part of the main events, which should be centered much closer to Perth.

 

[straitman]

Could I suggest that those who want to go to Margaret River start a separate thread.

 

[TheBOSman]

I'd like to thank Qantas for opening up a near perfectly timed F award seat across the Pacific, making my attendance much more likely . I actually have a well timed round trip on hold, but it seems a pity to fly all the way from here to Australia just to spend 3 days in Perth before flying right back . Hopefully the powers that be see fit to release another well timed F award seat to allow me to spend some more time in Australia.

 

[samh004]

Not interested in wineries. Surely there are enough wine tours organised on AFF to leave this weekend winery tour free?

Rottnest island on the Saturday followed by dinner would be good. And I think Fremantle by ferry Sunday morning followed by lunch then leisurely trek back to airport Sunday afternoon.

Does that mean you're going to join us?

 

[Awesom Andy]

I suppose the $6m question is, how much time do we really need on Rotto? If we're happy to take the 0830 ferry from Barrack Street, do the bus tour (or similar), and return on the 1410 ferry to Freo and then train back, it would be fine doing it on Sat. Let's face it - it's a really tight day, and personally, I probably would prefer more time, but the fact remains that most of us aren't going to be interested in riding a bike around the island, or snorkeling in the bays that most likely wouldn't have had time to warm up. Those who feel that they don't need the couple of hours to refresh before the main dinner can hop over to Little Creatures in Freo, and then catch a later train back to PER and head straight for the venue.

I did mention about doing Rotto on the Sunday, but now I realised that none of the return ferries would work with the flight schedules.

PER-MEL is around 1700 for both QF and VA, and the next flights after that are redeyes.
PER-ADL is at 1710 for both QF and VA, with nothing after that. (VA has the e90)
PER-SYD is around 1500, or red eye.
PER-BNE has a QF service at 1625, and then red eyes.
*I only checked QF and VA. I can't see any of us flying on the other airlines.

Note that the 1410 ferry arrive at Freo at 1500, and you need a minimum of 90 mins to get from the ferry terminal at Freo (B-shed) to the airport. So basically, I think Rotto on Sunday simply won't work for the vast majority of attendees.

 

[Flashback]

I suppose the $6m question is, how much time do we really need on Rotto? If we're happy to take the 0830 ferry from Barrack Street, do the bus tour (or similar), and return on the 1410 ferry to Freo and then train back, it would be fine doing it on Sat. Let's face it - it's a really tight day, and personally, I probably would prefer more time, but the fact remains that most of us aren't going to be interested in riding a bike around the island, or snorkeling in the bays that most likely wouldn't have had time to warm up. Those who feel that they don't need the couple of hours to refresh before the main dinner can hop over to Little Creatures in Freo, and then catch a later train back to PER and head straight for the venue.

I did mention about doing Rotto on the Sunday, but now I realised that none of the return ferries would work with the flight schedules.

PER-MEL is around 1700 for both QF and VA, and the next flights after that are redeyes.
PER-ADL is at 1710 for both QF and VA, with nothing after that. (VA has the e90)
PER-SYD is around 1500, or red eye.
PER-BNE has a QF service at 1625, and then red eyes.
*I only checked QF and VA. I can't see any of us flying on the other airlines.

Note that the 1410 ferry arrive at Freo at 1500, and you need a minimum of 90 mins to get from the ferry terminal at Freo (B-shed) to the airport. So basically, I think Rotto on Sunday simply won't work for the vast majority of attendees.

As a data point the waters were fine temp wise in September.

 

[TheBOSman]

I suppose the $6m question is, how much time do we really need on Rotto?

Thanks for all the legwork!

 

[cove]

Eighteen pages later I noticed this thread. It is possible that we will be in Perth in November around that time.

 

[penegal]

Eighteen pages later I noticed this thread. It is possible that we will be in Perth in November around that time.

We might need the third Perth taxi on the road for the weekend

 

[cove]

The only non drinker I know is Mrscove so I may be able to get her as a driver.

 

[JohnK]

Does that mean you're going to join us?

More than likely. Need to sort something out first.

 

[TheBOSman]

I haven't quite exactly booked the flight down, and still not sure how much vacation time I can get away with asking for at work, but I have the flight back booked and I can definitely take at least a week of vacation without issue. So, let's officially mark me down as Gold (assuming I don't lose my job between now and then!). Platinum will have to wait until I get all of those specifics sorted out, but Gold works for now.

 

[blackcat20]

I haven't quite exactly booked the flight down, and still not sure how much vacation time I can get away with asking for at work, but I have the flight back booked and I can definitely take at least a week of vacation without issue. So, let's officially mark me down as Gold (assuming I don't lose my job between now and then!). Platinum will have to wait until I get all of those specifics sorted out, but Gold works for now.

I'm holding out on asking my new boss for a few months....he doesn't need to know just yet :shock:

 

[Viridianne]

It's still too far away to be able to say anything concrete, but please count me in, I'd love to meet other AFF members.