Just also wanted to add my voice from an appreciation perspective for the most wonderful weekend shared with the members of the AFF community on the Gold Coast.
It was a long & arduous journey from China, where I had to abort some events to rendevous as committed back to GC for the AFF#6.
Certainly without regret, I was delighted to be in the company of fellow enthusiasts for the dinner gathering on Saturday evening & for the delectable BBQ event on Sunday.
I only had the time & talent to engage in my selected highlights over the weekends activities.
SATURDAY EVENING
The drinks at the Videre bar was a nice icebreaker & certainly quenched my thirst, as well as a great GC view to match.
The dinner degustation menu was a wonderful choice, & observantly appreciated by all (optimistically voice my opinion)
The presentation, food quality & ambience certainly scored high points on my review ranking & professional attentive service from the hard working waiters, with superb wine matching skills creating some partial liquid indulgent activities.
Our guest from Qantas Mr Derek was a most delightful chap whom attentively listened to my ongoing constructive criticisms with Qantas, & answered many of our most numerous & varied questions & curiosities with wonderful friendliness & diplomacy & put us all at ease.
SUNDAY BBQ
After a good long sleep & energy, cleverly not engaging in defeat on the Royal Pines Golf Course, with some experienced players fronting for the morning sojurn on the gorgeous greens.
I felt wonderfully comfortable as I ventured into Sam's home where the most satisfying aromas emanating from the BBQ, also to find a great bunch of people mingling around enjoying the fantastic offerings of food.
Our wonderful special Guest -
Red Roo was comfortably sharing the time to also enjoy the food & wines answering further questions & curiosities.
Qantas certainly have two fine ambassadors for the company, friendly, most professional & approachable - the welcome relevance was perfectly timed.
The epiQure kindly offered wines were being enjoyed by quite a number of individuals, notably
Bundy Bear whom was looking very happy.
penegal, was struggling, as many others
from the previous nights indulgence & was very much observed hovering around the water dispenser.
I also was still feeling somewhat hazy, though a few additional lagers fixed that issue
The continued celebrations continued well into the afternoon, amidst a lovely fanfare of food, & drinks, & appropriate speeches to mark the occasion.
A very special mention, also from me to
Storyteller, & Mrs
straitman for providing a most wonderful selection of food offerings & sensational assistance throughout the day.
anat0l, Marks' & others - you are a great chauffer for the out of towners & that airport Meet & Greet service was first class..
I was so happy to meet many of the AFFs' at the event, as always certainly nice to put a face to ones name.
straitman &
Lindsay Wilson, I felt honoured to meet you & especially to share some lovely stories in a relaxed environment.
It was the people that truly made the event so very special, & I for one gained many new friendships & a wealth of knowledge shared by so many in perfect surroundings.
You are all such a very charming & charismatic bunch 
The most special thanks should go out to
samh004 whom after long time toiling throughout the months of planning managed to hold a very successful events weekend.
I know you are humble, though it was a most appreciative gesture to open your beautiful home & offer your kind services to share with all of us in attendance.
Graciously - thanks so much again samh004
Additionally, I &/or
Bundy Bear will try to post some selected photos from the event.
Cheers,
jl
