BLIZZARD PARTY 2018!

Last minute change of plans for me.  I won't be able to make Blizzard Party '18...

... because DH surprised me with a trip to Disney!

I'm super excited, but at the same time, genuinely bummed out that I won't be able to meet all you lovely folks in real life.  I'll definitely have to get in on the action for the next meet-up though.  I hope y'all have a great time!   

Last minute change of plans for me.  I won't be able to make Blizzard Party '18...

... because DH surprised me with a trip to Disney!

I'm super excited, but at the same time, genuinely bummed out that I won't be able to meet all you lovely folks in real life.  I'll definitely have to get in on the action for the next meet-up though.  I hope y'all have a great time!   

I'm not sure I'm sorry for you or envious.  My husband would never surprise me with a Disney trip.  I guess I'm sorry, though, because it could have been both events with a little consultation.  But, yes... next time!  Have fun at Disney!  (Paris? Which one?)

I'm not sure I'm sorry for you or envious.  My husband would never surprise me with a Disney trip.  I guess I'm sorry, though, because it could have been both events with a little consultation.  But, yes... next time!  Have fun at Disney!  (Paris? Which one?)

I was thinking the same! But we should try to make more plans for meetups. It could be a good way to see more of the country with "locals" to show us around!

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Update time again!

I just realized the Blizzard party is about 2 weeks away, and I never heard back from the organizers of the Wine, Cheese and Chocolate festival, so it looks like that's a no-go.

So the pub option wins!  I am eyeing The Knights Templar , which is described as "Large Wetherspoon's pub in a modern building with an all-day food menu and free WiFi" and conveniently located right across from the train station 0.1 miles to the northwest.  They're open 'til 11pm, after which, anybody who wants to can continue the conversation (and drinks) at the Holiday Inn Express (across from the train station 0.2 miles to the southwest, so not too far to walk from one location to the next).  There is a list of allergen guides and specialty menus here:  https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/food/allergen-information

My husband is off on November 3rd, so what we'll most likely do is just go down sometime early in the afternoon and stake out a spot in the pub and just be there to receive people as they show up, unless someone else gets there first and wants to stake out a spot for us.  So far it looks like we're up to 15 people expected (six couples, three singles, no kids).  I'm not sure if we should phone the place to let them know we're coming, or just get there early enough that they will definitely have room for us. 

Update time again!

I just realized the Blizzard party is about 2 weeks away, and I never heard back from the organizers of the Wine, Cheese and Chocolate festival, so it looks like that's a no-go.

Oh, I just assumed we were gonna buy tickets for it on the website... though the tickets for the Afternoon session and the Evening Session Early bird tickets are all sold out already.

Seems to be legit - they have the same festival in various cities: Birmingham tomorrow, Bristol in 2 weeks, then Cardiff and Oxford later in November, and Glasgow and Cheltenham in February.

So the pub option wins!  I am eyeing The Knights Templar , which is described as "Large Wetherspoon's pub in a modern building with an all-day food menu and free WiFi" and conveniently located right across from the train station 0.1 miles to the northwest.  They're open 'til 11pm, after which, anybody who wants to can continue the conversation (and drinks) at the Holiday Inn Express (across from the train station 0.2 miles to the southwest, so not too far to walk from one location to the next).  There is a list of allergen guides and specialty menus here:  https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/food/allergen-information

My husband is off on November 3rd, so what we'll most likely do is just go down sometime early in the afternoon and stake out a spot in the pub and just be there to receive people as they show up, unless someone else gets there first and wants to stake out a spot for us.  So far it looks like we're up to 15 people expected (six couples, three singles, no kids).  I'm not sure if we should phone the place to let them know we're coming, or just get there early enough that they will definitely have room for us. 

Sounds good to me . Might be worth calling ahead just in case, or even maybe just asking how busy they are likely to be.

Oh, I just assumed we were gonna buy tickets for it on the website... though the tickets for the Afternoon session and the Evening Session Early bird tickets are all sold out already.

Seems to be legit - they have the same festival in various cities: Birmingham tomorrow, Bristol in 2 weeks, then Cardiff and Oxford later in November, and Glasgow and Cheltenham in February.

My concern was I tried to get more details from their Facebook page and came across a couple of posts from people who said they'd bought tickets to something and the event was canceled, or they booked tickets for one time but they were switched to a time when the people couldn't be there and they were refused refunds.  And other people just said they'd tried to contact the organizers and never heard back.  Too many dodgy posts, combined with lack of response from the organizers, made alarm bells ring for me.  I'd rather not risk everybody wasting their money.

Works for us!!!! I am so excited!

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My concern was I tried to get more details from their Facebook page and came across a couple of posts from people who said they'd bought tickets to something and the event was canceled, or they booked tickets for one time but they were switched to a time when the people couldn't be there and they were refused refunds.  And other people just said they'd tried to contact the organizers and never heard back.  Too many dodgy posts, combined with lack of response from the organizers, made alarm bells ring for me.  I'd rather not risk everybody wasting their money.

Ah, okay - fair enough .

Sounds good to me . Might be worth calling ahead just in case, or even maybe just asking how busy they are likely to be.

Yeah.  That's why I started the poll as a way to keep track of the headcount.  I'll phone and get a general "how busy" and give them a heads up, and then I'll follow up a few days before our meetup to give a closer estimate.  I don't expect our full numbers will all end up being there at the same time, but we could, so I'll give them the "up to" figure.

Blizzard Party 2018! Soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Are people planning on getting down there earlier or later on Saturday? I know people are driving from all over so unsure if people were planning an early or late start to the day.

I'm still not sure if we are getting a hotel. It'll be a slightly earlier day if we don't, but I know Ksand can't be there til later due to working overnight.

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Are people planning on getting down there earlier or later on Saturday? I know people are driving from all over so unsure if people were planning an early or late start to the day.

Tom and I will be coming from Oxford around noonish. It will only take us an hour and a half/two hours. Since people aren't arriving until later, we were going to explore Bristol a bit.  I know jfkimberly is heading that way early too, just to make sure someone is there first. So we will be in the area relatively early if you find yourself ready to go

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Oh glad you asked, as I thought it would kick off quite early.  lol.

I'll probably leave quite early.  The 21:03 is the second to last train home.  I don't like to leave it to the last train in case of issues.  So I'll probably peace out just before 9pm. 

I'll aim to get in about 3 or 4ish then?

Oh glad you asked, as I thought it would kick off quite early.  lol.

I'll probably leave quite early.  The 21:03 is the second to last train home.  I don't like to leave it to the last train in case of issues.  So I'll probably peace out just before 9pm. 

I'll aim to get in about 3 or 4ish then?

Yes, I'm thinking the goal is for people to arrive between about 3pm-6pm. I know ksand24 will be arriving later in the evening. People can come and go as they choose. It isn't too formal, just a get together when everyone can get together!!

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