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

 

[straitman]

Unfortunately we are only a definite maybe for this however we will attempt to be there and will confirm asap.
Assuming we get there we'll attend all except the wine tour. (Happy to look at the alternate)

I guess I better find a few (possibly ex) fighter pilots to be tour guides at Fighter World.

 

[Doug_Westcott]

Have now booked accommodation at the Holiday Inn Express as this appears to be the go-to hotel.

 

[FishFood]

Looks like half the QF1599 flight will be coming back from this gathering

Sadly no Qantas club at NTL, would another QF 1599 passenger be willing to guest me into a MEL lounge?

 

[Lynda2475]

QF 1599 passenger be willing to guest me into a MEL lounge

Assuming flight is not delayed and that I have time to visit lounge before my connection, will be happy to guest you in.

 

[Fifa]

Please count me and Mr Fifa in but we we'll give the wine tour a miss thanks.

 

[straitman]

Unfortunately we are only a definite maybe for this however we will attempt to be there and will confirm asap.
Assuming we get there we'll attend all except the wine tour. (Happy to look at the alternate)

I guess I better find a few (possibly ex) fighter pilots to be tour guides at Fighter World.

Confirming that we will be attending.

Tripping to Newcastle won out over a trip to Turkey.

 

[Hvr]

Tripping to Newcastle won out over a trip to Turkey.

Well you can always talk turkey in Newcastle.

 

[kpc]

Had a quick look at hotels...the CP (where we have stayed previously) is now the Rydges and they want $300+ pn. Looked at HIX which is $230+ pn. Booked 2 nights at HIX for 15K IHG pts pn...but might keep looking...maybe an AirBnb. Hotels are certainly not cheap in Newcastle on the WEs

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Username	Arrival Details	Accommodation	Wine Tour	Fighter World	Departure Details
KangarooFlyer88	TBD (Likely Train from SYD)	TBD (Likely Ibis)	Yes	Yes	TBD (Likely Train from SYD)

-RooFlyer88

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Username	Arrival Details	Accommodation	Wine Tour	Fighter World	Departure Details
KangarooFlyer88	TBD (Likely Train from SYD)	TBD (Likely Ibis)	Yes	Yes	TBD (Likely Train from SYD)

-RooFlyer88

Update:

Username	Arrival Details	Accommodation	Wine Tour	Fighter World	Departure Details
KangarooFlyer88	Fri Afternoon Train ex-Hornsby	Ibis Budget Newcastle	Yes	Yes	Sunday evening train

 

[AIRwin]

Ibis Budget Newcastle

I've looked at that before and it's quite far from the city?

 

[zig]

I've looked at that before and it's quite far from the city?

Might be referring to Ibis Newcastle which is in Hunter Street, rather than the Ibis Budget located in Wallsend, a considerable distance from the city.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Might be referring to Ibis Newcastle which is in Hunter Street, rather than the Ibis Budget located in Wallsend, a considerable distance from the city.

Definitely referring to Ibis Budget which is technically located in Wellsend. I get it that it's not the best location, but this Kangaroo needs to be cheap especially with all of the money they have spent out of pocket on trips recently. I plan on taking my bike with me so shouldn't be a huge deal getting to/from the hotel.

-RooFlyer88

 

[JessicaTam]

I am unfortunately dropping from Platinum to Bronze - and no soft landing.

A friend's wedding is on the same weekend - and yes I did suggest she change the date!

 

[Bindibuys]

I am unfortunately dropping from Platinum to Bronze - and no soft landing.

A friend's wedding is on the same weekend - and yes I did suggest she change the date!

We can incorporate the wedding into Saturdays activities.

 

[drron]

What could be better than a wedding in the vineyards all be it with a bus load of slightly inebriated AFFers looking on.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

What could be better than a wedding in the vineyards all be it with a bus load of slightly inebriated AFFers looking on.

I don't know having said AFFers join you to an Accor affiliated restaurant and using their Plus membership cards to score a massive discount on the catering!

-RooFlyer88

 

[Bindibuys]

What could be better than a wedding in the vineyards all be it with a bus load of slightly inebriated AFFers looking on.

Off topic, but that is why my daughter picked Dalwood Estate for her wedding next year. Did not want "strangers" gawking at her wedding.

"At Dalwood Estate you can host your wedding ceremony and reception on the picturesque property which will be exclusively yours for your special day. With stunning vineyard framed grounds, say “I DO” in front of your family and friends."

 

[QF WP]

Colour me Silver, with a tinge of Gold! Just got toorganise it - thankfully the weekend before my sons birthday. Not sure about Mrs QF WP

 

[Hvr]

Leave approved for the Friday so attendance is 100% confirmed.