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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

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

I'm in.

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

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

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

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

jdaw1 wrote:Permission granted, so yes please.

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

jdaw1 wrote: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.

Daniel,

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

Justin

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

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

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

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

djewesbury wrote: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.

PhilW wrote:

djewesbury wrote: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.

djewesbury wrote: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.

That's fine. There will be sparkles.

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?

...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).

DRT wrote: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.

DRT wrote:...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?

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

jdaw1 wrote: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.

djewesbury wrote:

jdaw1 wrote: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.

jdaw1 wrote:

djewesbury wrote:

jdaw1 wrote: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.

jdaw1 wrote: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?

djewesbury wrote:Owen! I hear that Emma needs to do a book signing in Belfast in November, is that true?

Excellent. Owen, don't show Emma up - wear your best smock for her big day.

Please note that this tasting is now taking place on Saturday 24th November, Year 1 JW.

djewesbury wrote:Please note that this tasting is now taking place on Saturday 24th November, Year 1 JW.

I don't think Ryanair are flying to that timetable. Be careful what you wish for.

DRT wrote:

djewesbury wrote:Please note that this tasting is now taking place on Saturday 24th November, Year 1 JW.

I don't think Ryanair are flying to that timetable. Be careful what you wish for.

Ryanair aren't flying to anyone's timetable. The flights that lands tomorrow will be the one cancelled from last Thursday. And you'll say thank you if you don't want a clip round the ear.

I hear November is an excellent time to make the Somerset-Belfast migration.

djewesbury wrote:I hear November is an excellent time to make the Somerset-Belfast migration.

I have heard that too. But Zummerzetians are advised to sandbag their doors before leaving home.

Please make sure this date is in your diaries! Who can confirm attendance?

DRT wrote:But Zummerzetians are advised to sandbag their doors before leaving home.

But what if the door opens inwards?

jdaw1 wrote:

DRT wrote:But Zummerzetians are advised to sandbag their doors before leaving home.

But what if the door opens inwards?

Then Zummerzetians are advised to stand outside, and place the sandbags inside.

djewesbury wrote:Please make sure this date is in your diaries! Who can confirm attendance?

Sadly due to my incompetence at not putting this in my diary, I now find I can't be in Belfast that weekend
I do hope to make it across in the next couple of months, so maybe we can arrange an impromptu tasting for two!

flash_uk wrote:

djewesbury wrote:Please make sure this date is in your diaries! Who can confirm attendance?

Sadly due to my incompetence at not putting this in my diary, I now find I can't be in Belfast that weekend
I do hope to make it across in the next couple of months, so maybe we can arrange an impromptu tasting for two!

We shall just have to do that.

Honestly, you really are such teases. I know what you're all like. You've been given months of notice and then you'll come up with all your weaselsome excuses: "Little Tarquin's otter had to be put down, terribly sorry …"; "We've got rabies and aren't allowed to leave southwest London …"; "I've been bad and I'm grounded…"

Gentlemen, please indicate your attendance or otherwise, and whether you intend to bring your +1 with you. With this event a matter of two months away I now wish to confirm to the caterers how many whole truffles I will require.

djewesbury wrote:Gentlemen, please indicate your attendance or otherwise, and whether you intend to bring your +1 with you.

PhilW wrote: Sounds potentially viable.

Still potentially viable, but won't be able to confirm until shortly before; estimate chance at 50%. Would just be myself (i.e. no +1) if able to attend.

I am likely to attend but likely to be alone.

I shall not be attending, nor shall my +1.

I'm afraid I will not be able to make this, sorry; Daniel - you have a PM.

DRT wrote:I am likely to attend but likely to be alone.

Unfortunately I can no longer attend. Sorry. I will email you.

First post updated!

This failed attempt at organising a tasting on 21st November led to a very enjoyable evening on Sunday 15th November in a cold and windy Belfast.