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

 

[Bundy Bear]

Thought I better check in for my flight tomorrow.

Not sure if I will get on the train at Central or Epping.

 

[Bindibuys]

Hi again Bindibuys

For those of us that have the pleasure of living locally, can I assume there is a singular bus pick up point at the Holiday Inn only on both days? We should just park somewhere and gather there to loiter about in the lobby?

Yes, Holiday Inn is the pickup/drop off point on both days.
The lobby is meeting point, our lanyards give us away as a group.

 

[Hvr]

The lobby is meeting point, our lanyards give us away as a group.

I know which attendee will have the most name cards from previous gatherings on her lanyard.

 

[straitman]

If it's not toooooo late for Sunday lunch we'll opt for:
A Steak Sandwich & a Beef Lasagne

Sprucegoose would like Calamari & Chips.

 

[serfty]

Mel dept sunset ...

 

[QF WP]

I've checked in for my flight on Saturday AM. 2A on a Fokker. Haven't flown on one for a couple of years.

Pretty sure this in my first AFF Gathering

 

[CaptJCool]

I've checked in for my flight on Saturday AM. 2A on a Fokker. Haven't flown on one for a couple of years.

Pretty sure this in my first AFF Gathering

Look forward to seeing you again !

 

[CaptJCool]

Just added up the number of rooms booked at HI Express. 17. Seriously impressive. I think the lobby will be renamed AFF corner

Then we ought line up,+1s at Friday night dinner LOL

 

[CaptJCool]

I will be on the 1.14pm from Central and +1 will join at Hornsby. If the aim is to avoid a "Quiet car" (being my normal preference to get some peace and quiet) I will be on car 2 (from the front) upstairs. No compulsion to join.

Yeah we could sit in the quiet car. Happy yo do that. But obviously can’t talk

ill be wearing Orange shoes
might even throw the last lanyard on...

 

[Hvr]

Am in the MEL J lounge and en route.

 

[kpc]

Am in the MEL J lounge and en route.

That's a very early start! Hope you are still awake at dinner.

 

[FishFood]

In the PER QP and en route

 

[Aeolus]

Boarding called early, then 3 pax went MIA and now they have to offload their bags. Grrrr

 

[CMA222]

Yeah we could sit in the quiet car. Happy yo do that. But obviously can’t talk

ill be wearing Orange shoes
might even throw the last lanyard on...
View attachment 304344

I am easy which car we use but if we want to talk we should use the 2nd car. It is only a 4 car train. Platform 9 at Central. I will wear my AFF lanyard and will have a silver samsonite carry on size bag.

 

[Doug_Westcott]

In VA Melbourne Lounge having a cup of coffee before the flight to Newcastle.

 

[Matt_01]

During OLCI yesterday I was seated in 5B (E190) today thanks to the VIP Team now in 2A, I particularly like the fact there is no seat mate on these aircraft.

 

[Hvr]

Have checked into the HIX, now to get some sleep before heading out to dinner at about 1730 hours.

 

[Mattg]

@Admin, @Sprucegoose, @Sue Oz, @straitman, @Doug_Westcott and I are on our way!

 

[straitman]

Current Newcastle weather radar.

 

[Jacques Vert]

+1 & I just passed through Morisset on the train.

My god these seats are hard after an hour or two!