The Irish meet!

[Simon]

If i remember correctly, people wanted an irish meet organised, and i mean english members, not just irish ones. And if i remember some more, Phoenix and I were asked to organise it. Now Phoenix has had personal problems recently so, i took over. I got msg's from members saying they would be there, took a 300 mile round trip to find a campsite, had to pre-book the campsite for the expected numbers and even pay up front.

Now, i had booked for roughly 13 people per night but was really expecting a good few more from what people where saying, more like 16/17 per night. I think the most we had was 9 per night and some of those shared tents so really it was only 7 per night as you pay per tent. I had paid for 13 tents per night.

Only one site member from england managed to make it over with a friend or two of his. Some irish members who i had taken where not coming did come, thankfully or i would have been broke.

I know some people had good reasons for not coming but initally there had been a lot of interest in this.

As it worked out there were only two new faces from the site, otherwise it was the faithful few irish members who go to all the trips.

I will never again put in the effort to organise another Irish meet. We agreed to go back to our normal effort and just organise a date and meet up and find somewhere to stay. It has never let us down yet and we never fail to have great trips. If anyone form england or anywhere else for that matter wants to join us anytime they are more than welcome but it will be on those grounds.


After all that i did however have a great weekend despite the weather, but that i think was down the the great people who did show there faces!

To Paddy, Chris and Shane, thanks for another great trip, and to Fergus and the 2 Paul's, nice to meet you and thanks also for a great trip. Hope you get the CBR home ok. My offer of £400 still stands!

And lastly to my wonderful wife for all her baking etc.

[SteveWilko]

Pleased you guys had a good time despite the let downs... well done for your organising efforts too....

Any pics yet btw.....

[shaneh]

thats true... was really good despite the lack of english turnout....

[cbrpaddy]

Simon, that surely sucks alright. I've learned from bitter experience myself to never set anything in stone, best to just say we're gonna be here and if anyone would like to come along then you're more than welcome, and just do things on the fly.
However, it was a great weekend. A little bit of rain for an hour or two was irrelevent and there was great nosh and fab trip to over hills and dales, well done for organising it

[Simon]

thanks paddy, think i will take you up on your offer and have the next trip to your neck of the woods if thats ok. i'll check with Kathryn and see when she is going to let me out to play again!

[FatFergie]

I'm sorry that your efforts weren't more appreciated but I think that anyone that was there knows what you ( and your baker ) put into it.

Meas mór to the Newtownards posse...

Oh and if we meet up the next time you're out to play don't get permission.....
bring her witchya......... and the cake tins

[ChrisH]

Well you know we all REALLY appreciated your efforts Simon, and Kathryn's culinary delights! The ones who didn't turn up don't know what they missed... Oxbone, there's some pics here Regional Meet - Republic of Ireland

[Whealie]

I hold my hand up. Guilty as charged, your honour. Money will be despatched.
In my case I am gutted. I wanted to be there. Meeting on Friday at midday, meeting Monday evening. Watched my son play cricket in the rain on Sunday instead (but at least watched the Hammers beat Man U in the pub in the afternoon).
I'd rather than have been with you but it would have been riding all day Saturday to get there and all day Monday to get back.
Keep your chin up Simon. well done for organising it. Why not ride over to mine next time and drag me out of the house to follow you?

[cbrpaddy]

No problemo, just be sure to leave all the camping kit behind and fill up the panniers with cakes !

thanks paddy, think i will take you up on your offer and have the next trip to your neck of the woods if thats ok. i'll check with Kathryn and see when she is going to let me out to play again!

[Dilbert]

Sorry again Simon, but at £200 for the ferry for a weekend it's just wasn't economic and there's so much to see, If/ when I do come over it will be for at least a week to fit it all in and make the cost a bit more palatable, it made me realise what an effort and cost it is for you guys to come over here and I take my hat off to you that you ever bother, how come I could get a ticket to France for £50 looks like the Irish ferry companies have it all stitched up.