AFF Gathering #15 in NTL on 21 – 23 October 2022

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Newcastle has been chosen as the AFF Annual Gathering destination for 2022 (postponed from 2021), occurring over the weekend of the 21st to 23rd 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 make it known 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 21st 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 22nd 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 Cricketers Arms. There is a cash bar. The special guest is a local Newcastle breakfast DJ.

Sunday 23rd October​

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

Click HERE to Register!!​

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	Fighter World	Departure Details
Bindibuys	Limousine	Holiday Inn Express	Yes	Yes	Limousine
Bindibuys +1	Limousine	Holiday Inn Express	Yes	Yes	Limousine
Hvr	21/10 QF1596	Holiday Inn Express	No	Yes	23/10 QF1599
drron	21/10 Limousine	Holiday Inn Express	Yes	No	23/10 Limousine
mrs.dr.ron	21/10 Limousine	Holiday Inn Express	No	No	23/10 Limousine
Doug_Westcott	21/10 VA1591	Holiday Inn Express	Yes	Yes	24/10 VA1592
serfty	20/10 QF1598	Holiday Inn Express	No	Yes	23/10 QF1599
zig	Friday only	Local	No	No
kpc	Limousine	Holiday Inn Express	No	No	Limousine
kpc +1	Limousine	Holiday Inn Express	No	No	Limousine
Mattg	21/10 VA1593	Holiday Inn Express	Yes	Yes	23/10 FC208
samh004	21/10 QF2421	Novotel	Yes	Yes	23/10 QF1946
FishFood	21/10 QF1948	Holiday Inn Express	Yes	Yes	23/10 QF1599
Fifa	21/10 Limousine	Holiday Inn Express	No	Yes	Limousine
Fifa +1	21/10 Limousine	Holiday Inn Express	No	Yes	Limousine
straitman	21/10 VA1593	Holiday Inn Express	No	Yes	24/10 VA1594
Sue Oz	21/10 VA1593	Holiday Inn Express	No	Yes	24/10 VA1594
straitman +1	Sat Dinner Only	N/A	No	No	TBA Limousine
kangarooflyer88	21/10 Train	Ibis Budget	Yes	Yes	23/10 QF
Eija	21/10 QF1596	TBA	No	Yes	23/10 QF1599
QFWP	22/10 VA1102	Holiday Inn Express	No	Yes	23/10 VA1109
Bundy Bear	21/10 VA932 then Train	Holiday Inn Express	Yes	Yes	23/10 JQ455
Matt_01	21/10 QF1948	TBA	Yes	Interested	23/10 QF1949
Jacques Vert	21/10 Train	Holiday Inn Express	Yes	No	23/10 Train
Gem56	21/10 Train	Holiday Inn Express	Yes	No	23/10 Train
Sprucegoose	21/10 VA1593	Holiday Inn Express	Yes	Yes	24/10 VA1594
Exceladdict	Friday only
Aeolus	Friday TBA	Holiday Inn Express	No	No	Sunday TBA
sharpinjr	Limousine	Local	No	Yes	Limousine
sharpinjr + 1	Limousine	Local	No	Yes	Limousine
admin	21 Oct VA1593	Holiday Inn Express	Yes	No	23 Oct VA1594
Princess Fiona	Limousine	Local	No	No	Limousine
CMA222			Yes	No
CMA222 +1			Yes	No
CaptJCool			Yes	Yes
CBR_Flyer	Friday		No	Yes

 

[tuapekastar]

Up until relatively recently I had a clashing event (I do most years - the same event - but I seem to often be able to juggle things in order to attend). I no longer have the clashing event and while I have looked and perhaps could have made it happen, it's all a bit much a bit quick, so I still won't attend. Well done @Bindibuys and @straitman for your efforts and I wish everyone a great weekend.

 

[Bindibuys]

Thank you everyone for your quick replies with Saturday night dinner selection.
I only have 1 person left to reply.
I will put up Sunday lunch choices soon.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Thank you everyone for your quick replies with Saturday night dinner selection.
I only have 1 person left to reply.
I will put up Sunday lunch choices soon.

Thanks for your organizing,
Any idea on the kick off time for Friday night,
And same for the wine tour, "I am trying to fit in a run before the wine tour starts"

 

[Bindibuys]

Thanks for your organizing,
Any idea on the kick off time for Friday night,
And same for the wine tour, "I am trying to fit in a run before the wine tour starts"

No set time for Friday night, but I should be there around 6ish, as I like to eat early.
Bus pick up for both Saturday and Sunday is 9am
I will have to find out Saturday night time, as I did not make the booking, but guessing it will be around 7pm

 

[CaptJCool]

Update
Train to Newcastle either Thursday or Friday
accommodation Yet to be booked. I like the look of the Kingsley !
flignt home QF1949 to Adelaide 1530

Seeing there’s no Newc QF LOUNGE looks like @Matt_01 and I will have to head to QF Adelaide upon arrival for a post trip gin & tonic (privilege of WP) if that’s convenient. Would Love to hear about the Big Apple trip!

 

[Bindibuys]

@CaptJCool and @Matt_01 as you both are on 3:30pm flight, you will need to be going through Fighter World first, (while others are having lunch) so that I can get you to airport by aprx 2:30 ish for your flight.
Everyone else is 4:45pm or later, which is timed in for the bus drop off at 3:30pm - the bus pax can wave you off.

 

[CaptJCool]

Bus pick up for both Saturday and Sunday is 9am

hi again

thanks for the update on the Sunday juggle...

I couldn’t ascertain where the bus pickup will occur ? Has a location been confirmed ? Eg HIX

 

[Bindibuys]

hi again

thanks for the update on the Sunday juggle...

I couldn’t ascertain where the bus pickup will occur ? Has a location been confirmed ? Eg HIX

99.% of attendees are staying at HIX, so yes, bus pickup and drop-off is at HIX (Sunday drop off = most are getting off at the airport)

 

[serfty]

Sunday NTL Departure timetable (From ExpertFlyer)

From NTL on 23/10/22 

Flight   To     Departs    Arrives  EQP
QF 1776  BNE    8:15 AM    8:30 AM  717     
JQ 482   BNE    8:55 AM    9:05 AM  320     
FP 213   SYD   10:50 AM   11:30 AM  J32     
QF 2422  BNE   11:50 AM   12:15 PM  DH4     
FP 315   CBR   12:10 PM    1:10 PM  J32     
VA 1105  BNE   12:15 PM   12:30 PM  100     
QF 2424  BNE    2:40 PM    3:05 PM  DH4     
VA 1594  MEL    2:40 PM    4:15 PM  73H     
JQ 492   OOL    3:10 PM    3:15 PM  320     
QF 1949  ADL    3:30 PM    5:15 PM  E90     
QF 1599  MEL    4:45 PM    6:25 PM  717     
JQ 484   BNE    4:55 PM    5:10 PM  320     
FC 208   CBR    5:15 PM    6:20 PM  SF3     
VA 1109  BNE    5:15 PM    5:30 PM  100     
JQ 475   MEL    5:20 PM    7:00 PM  320     
JQ 477   MEL    8:10 PM    9:50 PM  320     
QF 1946  BNE    8:50 PM    9:05 PM  E90

 

[Bindibuys]

Are you mind reading????
have just completed "arrival" list with style of transport and flight and expected arrival time.
Now just started on departure list.

 

[Bindibuys]

 

[Bindibuys]

Above is the list of items available from the cafe for lunch on Sunday.
They also do:
we do sandwiches made to order, we also have pies sausage rolls and a mixture of toasted Turkish breads in the display fridge -
eg BBQ Chicken- a chicken breast, bacon, onion, cheese bbq sauce

I don't have prices on the sandwiches.

Would you please send to me your lunch orders, so that I can make up a list to send to them by Thursday 20th

As they are a small business, the more they can have prepared for our arrival, the quicker we get served, eat, and move on to Fighter World. (right next door) I will not chase for your order, as I am sure some of you would prefer to pick on the day, but if we can get as many as possible, I am sure they would be grateful.

Thank you all for your assistance.

 

[Doug_Westcott]

I’ll have the Lasagna and decide on a drink on the day

 

[QF WP]

Oooh yum, a corn fritter stack. I'm not vegetarian, however that'll be my good meal of the day.

 

[serfty]

I'll pre-order the Peri Peri Chicken burger and decide on a drink on the day.

 

[Hvr]

Grilled chicken burger and regular banana thick shake please.

 

[JessicaTam]

For those who would like a free breakfast for your stay, look here: Instant IHG Diamond Status by Registration

Oh, you also get Diamond status.

(Thanks @kamchatsky)

 

[Jacques Vert]

For those who would like a free breakfast for your stay, look here: Instant IHG Diamond Status by Registration

Oh, you also get Diamond status.

(Thanks @kamchatsky)

Doesn't everybody get breakfast included at a HIX?

 

[kpc]

Doesn't everybody get breakfast included at a HIX?

Yes indeed. Gonna be lots of AFFers at bfast on Sat and Sun am.

 

[exceladdict]

The HIX consistently award welcome amenity points but that's the only diamond benefit I've experienced.