AFF Gathering #15 in NTL 2021 **Rescheduled** to 21-23 October 2022

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Newcastle has been chosen as the AFF Annual Gathering destination for 2021, occurring over the weekend of the 22nd to 24th October. The average temperature range for October is 14.1ºC – 22.1ºC. The average rainfall is 72.5mm with 11 rainy days. It is NSW's second most populated area and Australia's seventh most populous, representing 1.95% of Australia.

The weekend is likely to take in a wine tour, owing to the proximity of the Hunter Valley. Please note if you are interested in attending a wine tour when indicating your interest for the weekend as this will help organisers make a good start on venues that can cater to our group size.

The lead organiser this year is a member that has turned up to many previous events, @Bindibuys.

Members that have offered help include: @support @Bindibuys @Princess Fiona

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Activities​

Friday 22nd October​

The dinner venue is The Landing Bar and Kitchen, located next to the Rydges on the water front. We will have the outdoor marquee all to ourselves, with the sides down for privacy. Menus are available online, and the exact kickoff time will be advised closer to the weekend.

Saturday 23rd October​

During the day will be a wine tour for those who have indicated interest/are booked for the tour and another tour – possibly dolphins – for those not attending the wine tour.

The dinner venue is The Wickham Boatshed, where some canapés will be followed by a two-course meal. There is a cash bar. The special guest is a local Newcastle breakfast DJ.

Sunday 24th October​

A tour of the city will follow on the last day, ending at Fighter World, located conveniently next to the airport.

Tentative Attendees​

This list simply indicates an interest in attending the event and additionally, the wine tour. Members are in order of response to the thread and are not ranked from silver to platinum (least likely to most likely to attend).

Username	Arrival Details	Accommodation	Wine Tour?	Departure Details
I love to travel			Yes
Bindibuys
Congewai
Lynda2475			Yes
AIRwin
kpc
Doug_Westcott	22/10 VA1593	Rydges	Yes	25/10 VA1594
samh004	22/10 QF1776	Novotel	Yes	24/10 QF2424
Townsend	Driving		Yes	Driving
Townsend +1	Driving		Yes	Driving
Mattg			Yes
kookaburra75	22/10 Driving	Noah's on the Beach	Yes	24/10 Driving Noon
kookaburra75 +1	22/10 Driving	Noah's on the Beach	Yes	24/10 Driving Noon
Matt_01			Yes
oz_mark
Drakecula			Yes
Drakecula +1
NM			Yes
NM +1
Eija			Yes	24/10 QF1567
RooFlyer		Novotel	Yes	25/10 QF1565
tuapekastar			Yes
serfty	22/10 VA1593			25/10 VA1594
JessicaTam			Yes
CaptJCool
Sprucegoose			Yes
Jacques Vert	Driving		Yes	Driving
Gem56	Driving		Yes	Driving
ellen10
Hvr	22/10 QF1564	Holiday Inn Express		24/10 QF1567
Major
Major +1
justinbrett
Simo			Yes
motef	Local	Local	Yes	Local
motef +1	Local	Local	Yes	Local
sharpinjr			Yes
sharpinjr +1			Yes
Fifa		Holiday Inn Express	Yes	24/10 Afternoon
Princess Fiona	Local	Local		Local
penegal			Yes
Ade			Yes
drron
mrs.dr.ron
BVT			Yes
admin
admin +1
Glider_	22/10 Train?			24/10 Afternoon
straitman
straitman +1
aleaf			Yes

 

[Jacques Vert]

Rydges has announced another of their "Flash Sales". Rydges Newcastle is currently $240 per night for these dates (apparently 30% off).

And another flash sale for Rydges: Newcastle now down to $210 per night for members.

 

[penegal]

Some semblance of polished copper interest, although who knows what our COVID restrictions will be tomorrow, let alone in October.

Wine tour? as if that is a question... Yes!

 

[Ade]

I'd love to participate in this event.

Some Q's :

1. I'm interested in the wine tour and I want to add "Yes" and my username in the first post. However, that post is not "editable" ?
2. I see members saying "Silver", "Gold" etc - what does that mean?
3 I might bring a +1 with me for the event - Is that alright?

 

[NM]

I'd love to participate in this event.

Some Q's :

1. I'm interested in the wine tour and I want to add "Yes" and my username in the first post. However, that post is not "editable" ?
2. I see members saying "Silver", "Gold" etc - what does that mean?
3 I might bring a +1 with me for the event - Is that alright?

Hi Ade,

I have updated the first post with your name and "Yes" for the tour.

Members use terms such as Gold, Silver and Bronze to reflect their likelihood of attendance. Gold (or Platimum used by some people) generally means almost certain to attend, while Silver is more like "I am hoping to attend", and Bronze meaning "I would like to get there but can't commit just yet".

When you know about +1 attendance, just note it here in a new post and one of the moderators will update the first post table to reflect the new information.

 

[Mattg]

I'd love to participate in this event.

Some Q's :

1. I'm interested in the wine tour and I want to add "Yes" and my username in the first post. However, that post is not "editable" ?
2. I see members saying "Silver", "Gold" etc - what does that mean?
3 I might bring a +1 with me for the event - Is that alright?

Just to add to @NM's post - yes, of course you are most welcome to bring your +1! Many AFFers do

 

[Glider_]

Bronze for me in a solo jaunt across the Nullabor for the famous annual AFF wine tour err gathering.

Wish there were direct flights but maybe that's why I've never been to NTL and all the more reason to make the trip.

 

[Ade]

Hi Ade,

I have updated the first post with your name and "Yes" for the tour.

Members use terms such as Gold, Silver and Bronze to reflect their likelihood of attendance. Gold (or Platimum used by some people) generally means almost certain to attend, while Silver is more like "I am hoping to attend", and Bronze meaning "I would like to get there but can't commit just yet".

When you know about +1 attendance, just note it here in a new post and one of the moderators will update the first post table to reflect the new information.

Thanks @NM & @Mattg for your replies

 

[RooFlyer]

I'm intending to rent a car at SYD and drive up to Newcastle, leaving SYD approx 2:30pm on Friday 22nd and returning Monday leaving Newcastle probably around 9am on Monday 25th.

Happy to take passengers if a convenient pick up/drop of point can be arranged.

 

[straitman]

Unfortunately Bronze for us at this stage.

IF there is some normality in the world we will be on a cruise from Singapore to Brisbane. IF NOT then we will plan to be in Newcastle.

I'll update as soon as I am able, which obviously won't be for a while.

 

[Flashback]

I'd like to say interested, but in all reality I'd be lucky to even get to the real Newcastle (NCL) this year!

 

[Poss]

I imagine it’s more “express” than “Holiday Inn”. Never stayed there so can only speak for it’s location.

It’s in Newcastle West, which is the “new CBD” - in a busy area with the main road Stewart Ave (Pacific Hwy) going past it and near Newcastle Interchange (Heavy & Light rail terminus and main bus station).

So quite a practical location but not particularly nice - but you’re still not far from Honeysuckle for the main nightlife area - and you are close to Marketown which is the main shopping centre in the CBD (mainly just Coles / Woolworths / Big W / Dan Murphy’s and a few small stores).

I stayed there just before Christmas. It was a good location being a very short walk to the airport bus terminal and the light rail. This is the new centre of town. I stayed up the other end on my previous trip and found that I had to keep travelling down to this location for restaurants, supermarket and the other essentials that I needed. It was a bit Covid restrictive during my stay. A limited breakfast was being offered. Restaurant was closed and had to Uber food in via reception. I found it to be a bit above other Holiday Inn expresses but below Holiday Inn standards. I would definitely stay again if a reasonable rate.

 

[Hvr]

I also vote 2 course. I’m not really into deserts.

Actually, I'd be happy with just desserts.

 

[NM]

Actually, I'd be happy with just desserts.

don't worry @Hvr, I am sure you will get your just desserts ...

 

[drron]

We might be a possibility.I had applied for a 6 month contract to end at the end of October but don't think it is likely now.
Maybe bronze +.

 

[BVT]

I am interested. Mostly in the wine tour.

Silverish gold, subject to the usual caveats.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Unfortunately Bronze for me at this stage.

IF there is some normality in the world I should be in a car driving from Brisbane to Perth. IF NOT then I will be in Newcastle.

I'll update as soon as I am able, which obviously won't be for a while.

ps I won't be driving the car.

 

[AIRwin]

IF there is some normality in the world I should be in a car driving from Brisbane to Perth. IF NOT then I will be in Newcastle.

BNE to PER via NTL?

 

[JessicaTam]

BNE to PER via NTL?

BNE to NTL via PER would be more fun.

 

[NM]

BNE to NTL via PER would be more fun.

and that is more like what I would expect from members of this forum.

 

[Flashback]

and that is more like what I would expect from members of this forum.

Just so long as it's not on the b*s.