Drinking port in Belfast: Sat 21st November 2015?

[djewesbury]

Event cancelled - due to illness, apathy, and Derek's continued inability to synchronise his diaries and calendars. How many PAs does one man need?

This year will see the perpetuation of a venerable Northern Irish tradition. No date yet, but a simple format: come to Belfast, drink port. We have the options of either eating out with no corkage (good steak available), or eating at our garden port palace (easier with a smaller group).
Please consider this as 2015 diaries take shape: plenty of notice and plenty of time to set a date.

How does Saturday 21st November strike attendees?[/i]

See you here.

Confirmed:

1. DJ
2. RAB (DJ's more respectable half - OOPS! but still expected to attend.)
3. DRT
4. JCT* (DRT's more elegant half)
5. MPM
6. JDAW
7. MAW* (JDAW's more relaxed half)
8. JK
9. PK* (JK's more minimalist half)
10. PW

+ guests:

11. Alastair Bell
12. Mildred Bell
13. Bríghdín Farren

*Non-port drinkers / maybe a glass or two

[DRT]

I have attended this event faithfully every year since inception and see no reason to break with tradition.

I'm in.

[djewesbury]

Brilliant. This event could hardly happen without you Derek, you are our talisman.

[flash_uk]

I can hardly grumble about advance notice...count me in

[djewesbury]

Numbers have doubled in the past few minutes. Please make sure to get in early!

[jdaw1]

Permission granted, so yes please. It is possible that the lovely Mrs W will accompany me.

[djewesbury]

Permission granted, so yes please.

I'm very pleased at the way this is taking shape. First post updated to reflect confirmed attendees.

It is possible that the lovely Mrs W will accompany me.

If so, so much the better.

Is there a preference for midweek or weekend? Would travellers prefer to be able to make a short break of it, or is that difficult? My birthday is on the 23rd which is unfortunately a Monday; but perhaps Saturday 21st is an option? I have included this, tentatively, in the title of the post.

[Justin K]

Daniel,

Mise freisin agus mo bhean, cinnte! Looking forward to it. No theme as usual, just Champagne,Claret & lots of port?

Justin

[djewesbury]

Sea, sin ceart, a Justin (Jhustin?)
See you then, but hopefully before!

[PhilW]

Hmm... A Saturday night? Sounds potentially viable - please sign me up.

[djewesbury]

Excellent, this is coming together nicely. It'll be full soon!

[djewesbury]

There are 12 now in, including guests. I am thinking about capping it at the traditional 14, does that seem sensible?

[PhilW]

There are 12 now in, including guests. I am thinking about capping it at the traditional 14, does that seem sensible?

Yes, assuming all other-halves and/or guests are port drinkers.

[djewesbury]

There are 12 now in, including guests. I am thinking about capping it at the traditional 14, does that seem sensible?

Yes, assuming all other-halves and/or guests are port drinkers.

Good point; perhaps not all are. Julian, will the SCP-DFS drink port? I think I know answers for other guests.

[jdaw1]

Julian, will the SCP-DFS drink port? I think I know answers for other guests.

In total, at most two glasses, so we can happily do shared pours. Or we’ll subsidise some sparkles. Or something.

[djewesbury]

That's fine. There will be sparkles.

[DRT]

This all sounds absolutely splendid. Perhaps we should suggest to RAB that she hold a book/junk burning in the back garden this summer so that we can all fit in the Garden Port Palace?

[DRT]

...I just noticed that Daniel mis-read my "I'm in" to mean "Mr & Mrs T are delighted to accept your kind invitation". Please add the non-Port-drinking Mrs T (JCT).

[djewesbury]

This all sounds absolutely splendid. Perhaps we should suggest to RAB that she hold a book/junk burning in the back garden this summer so that we can all fit in the Garden Port Palace?

Careful. Talismans (talismen?) can suddenly be disposed of. One day, the humans burn the gods, and then everyone can fit in the heavens.

[djewesbury]

...I just noticed that Daniel mis-read my "I'm in" to mean "Mr & Mrs T are delighted to accept your kind invitation". Please add the non-Port-drinking Mrs T (JCT).

Done. Brilliant, this is a very jolly gathering.
Owen! I hear that Emma needs to do a book signing in Belfast in November, is that true?

[jdaw1]

Wiseman (with help from Turnbull) will be available for a book signing in Belfast during November.

[djewesbury]

Wiseman (with help from Turnbull) will be available for a book signing in Belfast during November.

That's a big promise. Get the quill out Turnbull.

[jdaw1]

Wiseman (with help from Turnbull) will be available for a book signing in Belfast during November.

That's a big promise. Get the quill out Turnbull.

Bring any book you like, and we’ll sign it.

[djewesbury]

Wiseman (with help from Turnbull) will be available for a book signing in Belfast during November.

That's a big promise. Get the quill out Turnbull.

Bring any book you like, and we’ll sign it.

I'll bring a copy of Port Vintages: The Book.

[DRT]

Wiseman (with help from Turnbull) will be available for a book signing in Belfast during November.

It has been lovely weather today, hasn't it?