1st Puzzlebrains meet/4th DVP meet

[supersleuth]

Well, I don't think there are any in Reading - not a place people usually come to for holidays

I think it may be more straightforward to stick to the (admittedly embryonic) plans for this meet, and Reading is easy to get to even for people who live miles away- maybe next time?

[Bunnylump]

Well, it doesn't apply to me anyway (I'm on holiday, I'm afraid). I just thought it was a way for you to save some money. But I take your point, there probably aren't many holiday places in Reading proper.

[clvrlad]

well the hotel prices i was quoting were for twin rooms so very similar price...
and they are in the centre of reading so easy to get to for us non drivers

[supersleuth]

So, Looby, LAT and I have now met again and the plans are now firmed up.

The meet will be based in Reading and will "officially" start with lunch on Saturday (8 August) at my house.

Plans for the afternoon are meant to cater for all weather eventualities, ages and interests, and include board games and a scavenger hunt/quiz at a (very) local nature reserve.

Evening meal will be at my house and will be followed by a murder mystery.

For those that have time on Sunday, there will be a visit to Basildon Park (National Trust) with a treasure hunt.

Hope as many of you as possible will be able to join us.

[giraffe]

Ooh I think I know the nature reserve. If it's the one I'm thinking of, I did some of my professional training there. ( Can't think why it was at a nature reserve, I guess they had a big room to rent out.)

[supersleuth]

No, if they have a big room, I don't think it can be. It's actually Maiden Erlegh (not Dinton Pastures??). This has got nature reserve status fairly recently.

[Bunnylump]

That all sounds fun. Sorry I can't be there. I have to be in Dorset probably arguing with my husband over who does the washing up.

[giraffe]

Yes I was thinking of Dinton Pastures.

[MBH]

Still not promising anything, but I've booked a room for the Friday and Saturday night at The Abbey House Hotel. I know it is the wrong side of town, but looking at the way train prices are I've decided that if I'm coming I'll DRIVE down - so my car would be available for getting around as well.

HOPING that I can work things out and get there this year. I've always wanted to have one of those 'mystery' evenings, and I'm looking forward to meeting familiar and new faces

[giraffe]

I've been trying to tie it in with seeing old friends. I had thought I/we would spend Saturday with you and Sunday with them, it now looks like I/we might joining you Saturday evening and maybe part of Sunday. Still not sure if one giraffe or the whole herd are involved. (Not helped by being away at York Races and then fortnight's holiday the previous 4 weekends, may be more difficult than normal to persuade OH to come!)

[LAT]

I do hope it is the whole herd of giraffes, I'm looking forward to meeting more of you.

And MBH, great news you are joining us. Good luck with the Reading traffic!

[Looby]

Hope you can make it down MBH. It may now not be relevant but as well as the Best Western we were also wondering about http://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/elmhurs ... el=8100878 It's about the same distance from Supersleuth as the other but charges per person so could be much cheaper for solos.
It's not on a bus route but if you're bringing your car that wouldn't matter.

[MBH]

Cheers Looby - Supersluth gave me the 'heads up' on that one, but for the same price at the one I've found, I don't have to share the bathroom Looks like it's only 4 miles between the two places, so I smile at the "all the way across town" comment.

I'm hoping the whole herd of giraffes can come - I'm sure we can find somewhere to hang upside down from

[clvrlad]

not sure if im going to be able to make it
dont make plans for me to be definitely there if i can i will
things are decidedly uncertain for me at the minute

b4 anyone panics im fine and im still hoping to make it but i may not and think i better speak up now so i dont let you all down later

this would be the first one i miss so i think i can be let off this once

[Looby]

No you can't!!
We need you

[giraffe]

Right I have finally got my act together and booked a hotel room for me, Kingsley and Fernando.

The plan is that we will join you after lunch (assuming my friend feeds us) and stay for the evening entertainments.

[Looby]

Brilliant!

[MBH]

I want to meet the Giraffe family.... and hang upside down with some of them.


{OK... the kids can come too)

[clvrlad]

does this mean keeping an eye on three kids


no shear drops you know what he's like far too athletic for a walking stick carrier




ps is shear right got a niggling doubt there's more than one spelling

[MBH]

I looked twice at that one, but I'm pretty sure that SHEER is steep (or transprent) where as SHEAR makes the sheep run in the opposite direction baaa'ing "Don't you wave those clippers at me"