Thursday 16th December - The Unknown Shipper & His Peculiar Friends

[winesecretary]

Yes please! I shall this weekend find something interesting in the cellar to bring along.

[nac]

If anyone else drops out I might be interested.

[jdaw1]

Small cuteness which might entertain Tom: the What3Words address of The White Horse is twee.jingles.shepherdess.

[nac]

If anyone else drops out I might be interested.

…and please add me to reserve list for next year.

[winesecretary]

I am likely to duck out early, at 2300, and get the last train back to Liverpool Street, rather than stay over. What time I should turn up, bottle in hand?

[Alex Bridgeman]

I am likely to duck out early, at 2300, and get the last train back to Liverpool Street, rather than stay over. What time I should turn up, bottle in hand?

We’ll start around 18.30-19.00 but people tend to get there earlier and we tend to start as soon as someone thirsty arrives.

[PhilW]

I usually aim to be there by 6pm, but have also often been first. Most are there by 6:30pm with one or two stragglers sometimes later; we have the tongs warmed up and are trying to decipher capsules/corks by 7pm.

[winesecretary]

Splendid, thank you. I shall be there by 1830.

[Alex Bridgeman]

With Oscar no longer travelling to the UK this month, we have a seat free at the Xmas tasting. Neil is not available, and neither Ralph nor Rich confirmed they would like to remain on the reserves list - so please post here if you'd like to attend!

[jdaw1]

If accommodation can be sorted — closer the better — then I will join. Final decision by noon Fri 10th Dec.

[winesecretary]

Julian, I am going to get the last train back to town, so feel free to join me on that if no accommodation available.

[uncle tom]

I need to put the steak order in tomorrow - if anyone does not want a 14oz fillet, please let me know by 1pm Monday 13th

[PhilW]

I need to put the steak order in tomorrow - if anyone does not want a 14oz fillet, please let me know by 1pm Monday 13th

Am very much looking forward to it!

[jdaw1]

Accommodation seemingly arranged. Thunderbirds are go.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Accommodation seemingly arranged. Thunderbirds are go.

Attendees updated.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Draft of the sticky labels and TN sheets. Two pages of 2×4 stickies; three pages of 5×13.

(Or would Roman numerals be preferred, as in the paperwork used in 2019?)

English numerals would be ideal please. Very mundane, but also very easy to tie in to the decanter labels Tom puts over the decanters when they are used.

[winesecretary]

@ jdaw1 - and, of course, the names of those attending need to be updated, not least, delightfully, to include your good self.

[Alex Bridgeman]

A small request to those attending on Thursday evening. Please could you take a lateral flow test at some point on Thursday and attend the tasting only if you are negative.

That way we will put our family Christmases at the least risk possible. Thank you everyone.

[jdaw1]

@ jdaw1 - and, of course, the names of those attending need to be updated, not least, delightfully, to include your good self.

Done. Who can print onto sticky labels?

[Alex Bridgeman]

@ jdaw1 - and, of course, the names of those attending need to be updated, not least, delightfully, to include your good self.

Done. Who can print onto sticky labels?

I can print labels using an inkjet - which means that the ink will run if it gets wet.

[Alex Bridgeman]

I’d like to minimise the amount of printing and carting of paper I need to do so plan to print only the sticky labels and cork sheets.

I’m happy to also print tasting note sheets for any who want them. If you do want your TN sheets, please say so.

[uncle tom]

Steaks ordered!

[Alex Bridgeman]

Steaks ordered!

Excellent. Thank you Tom.

That’s lunch on Friday also sorted!

[PhilW]

A small request to those attending on Thursday evening. Please could you take a lateral flow test at some point on Thursday and attend the tasting only if you are negative.

That way we will put our family Christmases at the least risk possible. Thank you everyone.

Agreed - while politely worded, this should (imo) be mandatory for attendance, not just a request.
Suggest adding to first post also, as reminder to anyone checking arrangements there.
I believe from Wed (and hence applying on Thu), venues including this one will be mandatory by law to ask for proof of covid vaccination (unless medically exempt) or recent negative lateral flow for entry, so we should expect this also; but even if vaccinated, I agree we should all lateral flow earlier in the day as well anyway.

[Alex M]

If anyone cannot make it at the last minute please let me know - happy to take the space.