The Port Forum Christmas Offline

Post by **DRT** » 18:47 Mon 24 Sep 2007

This is looking spendid

Glad to see you back here Ghandih - have you recovered from the trauma of tiddling your wink?

Falling asleep in a kitchen? I have no idea what you're on about

Ronnie, did you get flights sorted?

Derek

RonnieRoots · Post by **RonnieRoots** » 21:42 Mon 24 Sep 2007

We can be at Stansted around 19.30-19.45. Is that a decent time?

Post by **DRT** » 21:46 Mon 24 Sep 2007

Perfect

StevieCage · Post by **StevieCage** » 22:07 Mon 24 Sep 2007

I'll be there as well!

Post by **DRT** » 22:17 Mon 24 Sep 2007

Marvelous

OK UK guys, its a late start to accomodate the Netherlands contingent but well worth it to have them join us. Tom, how late do they stay open at The Bell? Any chance of negotiating a lock-in?

Derek

Conky · Post by **Conky** » 23:28 Mon 24 Sep 2007

Right then. It appears to be taking shape. I'm not a definite, but near as damn it. I just cant confirm until I get the following day off work.
But am I right in thinking, it sounds like a late night/early hours of the morning, tasting, to accomodate our Dutch friends? I'm up for that.
To think of, New friends, (In my case, like Stevie & Simon), Port I've not tasted before, and a twist, like Outdoors, or starting late, suggests a fun night.

Any possibilities from Sideways, Michael or AJFeather (Or any of you other guys)??? If there's a chance, throw in your problems like transport, or cost, and we'll all try to accomodate/assist?

Alan

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 23:54 Mon 24 Sep 2007

Any chance of negotiating a lock-in?

I've known Anne for many years - will probably be lunching there tomorrow - will discuss...

Tom

Post by **DRT** » 08:29 Tue 25 Sep 2007

Updated List:

Uncle Tom
AHB
Conky
KillerB
Ronnie Roots
Lady Roots?
Stevie Kooij
Derek T.

Possible attendees:

Simon Lisle
The Yanks (incl. Jdaw1)

RonnieRoots · Post by **RonnieRoots** » 09:24 Tue 25 Sep 2007

Tom, let me know what comes out. I haven't booked tickets yet.

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 13:44 Tue 25 Sep 2007

The Bell is booked for wednesday December 12th!

For food they have a good standard menu, but I had a brief chat about possibly doing some fillet steaks that night - perhaps 12oz. I didn't firm a price for this, but I think it will be in the region of £16-£20 (complete with usual trimmings)

They will need to know the numbers for this in advance though.

In addition to the list of attendees compiled by Derek, we can add my friend Keith Gould to the list.

KO time? - 8.00pm??

Tom

Conky · Post by **Conky** » 14:05 Tue 25 Sep 2007

RonnieRoots wrote:We can be at Stansted around 19.30-19.45. Is that a decent time?

uncle Tom wrote:KO time? - 8.00pm??

I'n not sure how those two quotes can be compatible? That's why I've been refering to a late start, and going into the early hours.

Alan

Post by **DRT** » 14:43 Tue 25 Sep 2007

I think the times are compatible on the basis that 08:00 is the commencement of pre-dinner beer drinking and the TPF Netherlands Branch will arrive shortly thereafter either in a cab or by one of us picking them up at the airport.

Derek

Lady Roots · Post by **Lady Roots** » 15:13 Tue 25 Sep 2007

Derek, you can remove the ? from my name. Count me in!!

RonnieRoots · Post by **RonnieRoots** » 16:20 Tue 25 Sep 2007

Alright, the flight is booked. If all goes according to schedule, LadyR, Stevie and myself arrive at London Stansted at 7.36 PM.

I sure hope we still have plenty of time at The Bell, because I'm looking forward to some serious port tasting!

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 16:22 Tue 25 Sep 2007

From touch down at Stansted (travelling light) to arrival at The Bell (by taxi), expect to take about half an hour only.

So how about 8 for 8.30?

Tom

RonnieRoots · Post by **RonnieRoots** » 16:24 Tue 25 Sep 2007

Derek T. wrote:Ronnie (and LadyR & Stevie),

The Bell is within close range of Stanstead and Luton airports. I could also pass East Midlands airport en route. I would be happy to collect and return you to the airport if it helps logistics.

Derek

Derek, does this offer still stand? It would be greatly appreciated!

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 19:12 Tue 25 Sep 2007

Derek T. wrote:I think the times are compatible on the basis that 08:00 is the commencement of pre-dinner beer drinking and the TPF Netherlands Branch will arrive shortly thereafter either in a cab or by one of us picking them up at the airport.

That is some serious pre-dinner beer drinking that Derek has in mind:- 08:00 through to 20:30. Serious even by the standards of the Cambridge University Tiddlywinks Club.

I'm not sure that I will make the entire warmup session but I will be there for the port 'n' steak session. (Hoping Tom will be able to provide me with the number of the nearby B&B.)

Alex

Post by **DRT** » 23:46 Tue 25 Sep 2007

Alex, I can always trust a Southern Jessie to see a problem in a 12.5 hour drinking session before a good night out

Ronnie, I am a man of my word and if you want me to be outside Stanstead Airport with the engine running, 1st gear engaged, the clutch half out and the front wheels spinning ready to speed us off to The Bell at 19:45 I will be there

Tom, nice one

- big steaks, lots of port and a lock-in - the Miracle of Christmas

Derek

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 00:01 Wed 26 Sep 2007

- big steaks

When I discovered the N31 with Tom Chadwick, the restaurant's biggest fillet was a 9oz - so we had two each..

Shall I line up 9's, with some people going single, and others going double bubble?

Tom

Post by **DRT** » 00:05 Wed 26 Sep 2007

That sounds like a good plan. Just out of interest - what would be the triplicate equivalent of a double-bubble?

Post by **jdaw1** » 05:43 Wed 26 Sep 2007

Triple-pipple?
Treble-pebble?
Treble-trouble?
Threesome-down-boy-no!

StevieCage · Post by **StevieCage** » 08:01 Wed 26 Sep 2007

I am soooo looking forward to this!

Best start training my liver.

Conky · Post by **Conky** » 08:24 Wed 26 Sep 2007

uncle tom wrote:
- big steaks
When I discovered the N31 with Tom Chadwick, the restaurant's biggest fillet was a 9oz - so we had two each..

Shall I line up 9's, with some people going single, and others going double bubble?

Tom

Tom,

We are talking nearly 3 months away here.
In a month or so, when numbers are pretty much finalised, and concrete plans can be made, surely we can ask your good friend to go out and get what we want?
Or alternatively, you can go and get the biggest, juciest fillets in the world, and ask them to cook them and put their mark-ups on them.
I know this is only a minor point, but I didn't get to my current athletic state eating rabbit food! I also know from experience that giving steaks to some of our guys is like giving sugar cubes to a Donkey!

Alan

RonnieRoots · Post by **RonnieRoots** » 11:03 Wed 26 Sep 2007

Thanks Derek, it's much appreciated!

Steaks, yum!

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 11:29 Wed 26 Sep 2007

I'll do a head count for the steaks a few days beforehand

Tom