Meet & greet

[Icefever]

As some of you know and for those that didn't, a meet & greet was suggested back in the dark months of winter. A date was set, Mrs Ice and myself arrived at the site on the Friday...along with Easydrinker.

The weather was not that good, infact it pi**ed down all weekend or seemed too...but it didn't stop ED & us tasting each others likkers. I'm going home on Sunday with 2 bottles of EDs whiskies, and a bottle of 92% Vodka. In return Robert went home with a Rum that's been sat on American oak for a few months...a couple of half bottles of flavoured rums that we had been drinking..

Anavrin was dropped off by his wife yesterday just in time for lunch...we then set about a 2nd tasting session..with Anavrin bringing 2 bottles Cacacha, one filtered one not, and a 1 year old Vodka, which was soooo smooth..and chewed the fat about this hobby of ours. With his lady collecting him about 5pm, this bought a close to the first attempt of our "Meet & Greet".

[Anavrin]

Just for the record it wasn't pure Cacacha, it was a bit off a one off, with Golden syrup, molasses and sugar in each wash, here's the link to the original post.

http://www.stillsmart.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=3777

[Icefever]

Cheers A...we've been out for the morning...had lunch out and just got back to the tintop...I'm now sitting here with a glass of it with a tot of coke in it..

[Easydrinker]

As a participant at the above mentioned, which I consider to have been something of a success, I would like to apologise to some members who may feel to have "missed out".
Basically,a bunch of old timers swapped a few PM's, based upon a site history and a feeling of trust basis, and about 25% attended.
Something similar may happen next year.
Invites may occur based upon members site use and any, more personal off site contact.
For some a fear of a mass detention was an issue on this occassion.
If the federales want to get you for illicit stilling, they will want/need to catch you at home, with your still, not in the middle of a field, far from home, chin wagging with friends.
And believe me, if you are signed up to this site ,or any other like it,then you are already on a list.
Visiting any site as a guest does not buy you anonymity.
Everywhere you go online ISP addresses are logged.
Those with something to fear may try the Dark Net and Web, but really, that is for those with something to fear.

Robert.

[Icefever]

You got that right ED....will have to see what happens about #2 M&G. It'll need more planing for the next one..we'll have to put our thinking heads on.

It would be great if we could find a private place..somewhere we could pop up a gazebo and meet. Pull up a chair and chew the fat while tasting, maybe a BBQ??? who knows what we can do, if we try that is.

[Easydrinker]

I suspect that some of us will try.
Some of us will meet.
We will have a good time, and not get busted
From little Acorns grow Mighty Oaks, eventually.
Equally I believe the only way this will ever happen is if someone, Me or You probably, Ice man, says where and when.
This cannot be organised by comittee style tactics. You cannot please all of the people all of the time. Letting them know that an event is happening with good notice is the best that can be done, IMHO.
As for the private place that such an event may happen, only one member has alluded to that possibility,and that once again would mean Cumbria.
Good for me, but I would happily plan a weekend around any location.
Any member that is not a nark is welcome to respond here


Robert.

[Icefever]

I agree 100% ED....it would be great to take up the offer from our other member, but as you say it's Cumbria.

When the idea was first thrown open, the reason for selecting the area for this time was that a lot of the members were up that end of the UK. It was a long haul for us, but the thought of meeting a small number of like minded folks looked good.

Now over the last 6/9 months some of the "old timers" have not been around....for whatever reasons. In the same timeline we've had a number of new members that seem to be in the southern parts of the UK.

The next Aug bank holls is the 28/8/17.....if #2 M&G was run over a long weekend from the 25th until the 28th what's the thoughts of anyone on here who would consider turning up?? if say it was in Oxfordshire???

As before any info on where/what/who would not be in the public domain...it will all be sorted by using a private, closed board....so if you fancy attending and don't want to post on this thread, pm me and we can take it from there....it's all down to you guys .

[Seagull]

I'd definitely be up for that. Would've liked to have made it this year but my car is not reliable enough for the long journey from the south coast.

Oxfordshire would be great but with a new(ish) car on the way, even Cumbria would be doable.

[Phantom]

Certainly "food for thought"........

I seem to recall that there's a few of us down this way - though I don't always recall the "who and where"........

[gaza the instructor]

Would look forward to it.
Thats a great idea.

[Icefever]

Certainly "food for thought"........
I seem to recall that there's a few of us down this way - though I don't always recall the "who and where"........

It is hard, I'm only going on what the members put down for their locations....so do I take it that you 3 guys are "up for it" .

I will have time over the next 11 months to search out a possible place. Also we should try to keep it say over a 2 day event....that way it gives folks the time to travel there on the Fri, and then the return on the Mon.

[Mash]

Agree. I would join in. If we consider that this is probably going to be "the lads" meeting up, probably best to avoid times that might clash with partners. Or put another way.. Is it worth avoiding bank hols?

[gaza the instructor]

Probably a good idea with the bank hols traffic.

[Mash]

.... and that too !!

[Easydrinker]

Icefever, you have just become THE man to organise next years M&G.
Pick a date real soon.
I will be doing a more local week away sometime next August, but will do bestest to fit it around a M&G.
Just pick a date mate, as I have previously stated,the location is less important for me than the date for myself.
Given warning, be there or be square!

Robert