The Port Forum Christmas Offline

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 01:50 Thu 08 Nov 2007

I reckon that 12 should be max - otherwise bottles get spread rather thinly.

At 11 we have space for a worthy latecomer - is anyone on friendly terms with Richard Mayson? - I'd like to meet the guy...

Tom

RonnieRoots · Post by **RonnieRoots** » 10:57 Thu 08 Nov 2007

All I know about him is that he lives in Portugal these days.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 13:22 Thu 08 Nov 2007

StevieCage wrote:Looking forward to it...I will miss the (pre-)Christmas dinner of the company I work for because of this offline, but if I have to choose between a party with or without Port: easy! See you all soon!

Good man. Such sacrifices will only serve to strengthen the soul.

Something like that, anyway.

Alex

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 13:31 Wed 14 Nov 2007

I've just heard that Christopher won't be able to make the Xmas offline, so that means two spaces are now available if anyone wants to step up.

Alex

RonnieRoots · Post by **RonnieRoots** » 16:44 Wed 14 Nov 2007

Sad to hear that Chris won't be there. Hopefully a next time!

I've just sent our mystery bottle to Uncle Tom, in order to give it a fair amount of rest before drinking.

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 17:35 Wed 14 Nov 2007

Having raided eBay, I now have sufficient glassware to properly decant and serve all the bottles.

Could all contributions wend their way to me within the next couple of weeks, so I can complete the line-up.

Tom

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 07:28 Fri 16 Nov 2007

Tom - PM sent

Alex

KillerB · Post by **KillerB** » 14:10 Fri 16 Nov 2007

uncle tom wrote:Having raided eBay, I now have sufficient glassware to properly decant and serve all the bottles.

Could all contributions wend their way to me within the next couple of weeks, so I can complete the line-up.

Tom

Tom - do you mean financial or portal or both?

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 14:19 Fri 16 Nov 2007

Only portal - financial can wait until the night

Tom

Post by **DRT** » 12:16 Thu 22 Nov 2007

Unfortunately, I have to withdraw from the Christmas Offline due to a family commitment. I am gutted to be missing what promises to be one of the best Offline's in recent history but I'm afraid it is unavoidable.

Ronnie/Steve/LadyR, sorry for letting you down on my promise of a lift from the airport to The Bell. Tom tells me it isn't too far so you will be able to get a taxi at reasonable cost unless someone else is able to pick you up. If you are getting a taxi you need to go to the booking desk inside the terminal and order one. They will then send you outside to a numbered, pre-ordered car. Bureaucracy gone mad!!

Anyway, me and my Unknown Shipper 1890 will just have to wait for another day

Have fun.

Derek

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 15:07 Thu 22 Nov 2007

We shall miss you and there will have to be at least one toast to absent friends, but I'm sure you will enjoy your "family commitment" just as much as you would an offline where we quaff large quantities of exceptionally fine port and eat barely cooked pieces of meat.

Alex

Post by **DRT** » 15:10 Thu 22 Nov 2007

It is always pleasing to have the support of one's friends at times like this. Imagine how devastated I might feel if someone rubbed salt in the wound by reminding me of what I will be missing

Derek

RonnieRoots · Post by **RonnieRoots** » 15:55 Thu 22 Nov 2007

That's bad news Derek...

A pity that we'll miss you, especially since it will be a while before we'll get another opportunity to drop by...

But I can understand that YOU have to oblige to the family commitments, but your bottle of 1890 surely doesn't. We can always try to save you a sip or two.

Post by **DRT** » 16:06 Thu 22 Nov 2007

RonnieRoots wrote: I can understand that YOU have to oblige to the family commitments, but your bottle of 1890 surely doesn't. We can always try to save you a sip or two.

Nice try

I only have one bottle of this stuff and I made it a promise a few years ago that I would be there when it gets glugged - a promise is a promise so I'm afraid it's staying with me

Andy Velebil · Post by **Andy Velebil** » 23:33 Thu 22 Nov 2007

Derek, its a shame we shall miss you. As I'm positive it will be a great time as plenty of great bottles will be opened in your honor..and toasts raised in your absence

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 11:28 Fri 23 Nov 2007

I'm off for a few days walking in the wilds of north Cornwall, so will be away from my computer until next Weds.

In the meantime, if anyone is interested in taking Derek's place - then please post here - I'll compile the final attendee list next week.

Tom

StevieCage · Post by **StevieCage** » 13:35 Fri 23 Nov 2007

A pity Derek - hopefully next time!

RonnieRoots · Post by **RonnieRoots** » 17:31 Fri 23 Nov 2007

ADV wrote:Derek, its a shame we shall miss you.

Does this mean that you'll be there?

Post by **DRT** » 17:40 Fri 23 Nov 2007

Yes, I noticed that little slip too

Derek

Andy Velebil · Post by **Andy Velebil** » 20:38 Fri 23 Nov 2007

I wish I could be there...I just wanted to make Derek feel bad too

I couldn't let you guys have all the fun at Derek's expense without me

Post by **jdaw1** » 20:43 Fri 23 Nov 2007

Why is Derek getting sympathy? The lucky fellow has an exciting “family commitment†: he has the joy of the in-laws, whilst you poor folks are spending an evening with middle-aged old soaks. He should be giving you sympathy.

Post by **DRT** » 23:54 Fri 23 Nov 2007

I agree with Jdaw. No sympathy is required, even though no in-laws are involved.

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 12:48 Sat 08 Dec 2007

OK the day is drawing near - the wine list (and drinking order) is nearly finalised. The decanters are ready, as are numbered decanter labels

With the addition of my business co-director, Dave Mitchell - the updated list of attendees is:

Uncle Tom
AHB
Conky
KillerB
Ronnie Roots
Lady Roots
Stevie Kooij
Keith Gould
Ray Cook
Dave Mitchell

This leaves two places - LAST CALL!!

I know one or two pepole I can invite to make up the numbers, but will leave it till tomorrow night.

STEAKS

The Bell has a good standard menu, but they are offering us a 'special' 3 course meal with 12oz fillets as the centrepiece at £30/head. I need to give them the numbers by first thing monday morning.

So please post here!!

Tom

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 15:42 Sat 08 Dec 2007

12 oz filet steak - yes please; burnt on the outside and raw in the middle!

Alex

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 12:03 Mon 10 Dec 2007

To the list add my old friend - Paul Jacobson

Painfully little feedback on the steak front, so I'm ordering eight - hopefully that'll work out!

Decanting starts tomorrow...!

Tom