Grapestock 2011 suggestions for venues please

[SarzWix]

There's this place that was mooted when we were talking about it last year: Camping - Dalesbridge Outdoor Accommodation for Walkers, Hikers, cyclists, cavers, bikers and outdoor enthusiasts It's Yorkshire again, obviously, but much more sheltered than the top of a hill Also, they have a range of different accomodation, including B&B/bunk rooms/holiday cottage, and a special 'green' which can be reserved for a whole group of up to 50. And if we're including Scottish Grapes, it is fairly central.

[lynda66]

ps regarding central for everyone .... heres the wiki answer

There has long been debate over the exact location of the geographical centre of the United Kingdom, and its constituent countries, due to the complexity and method of the calculation, such as whether to include offshore islands, and the fact that erosion will cause the position to change over time. There are two main methods of calculating this "centre": either as the centroid of the two-dimensional shape made by the country, or as the point farthest from the boundary of the country (either the sea, or, in the case of constituent countries, a land border). These two methods give quite different answers.

For centuries Meriden, to the west of Coventry, West Midlands, held the claim to be the geographical centre of England, and there has been a stone cross there commemorating the claim for at least 500 years. The justification is that the point farthest from the sea is in the vicinity of Meriden. A rival claim for the true location of the centre of England is made by the site of a tree, the Midland Oak, situated on the boundary between Lillington and Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. Similarly, the town of Haltwhistle in Northumberland (NY706640) still sports banners stating that it is the 'Centre of Britain', although depending on how it is calculated the centre can also be said to be Dunsop Bridge, Lancashire (previously in the West Riding of Yorkshire), 71 miles (114 km) to the south.

Schiehallion, a mountain in Perthshire, is sometimes described as the centre of Scotland.

[binley100]

Just had a quick peek. Looks good and the prices seem fairly reasonable .......

[bobleponge]

ps regarding central for everyone ....

Not central for me

Its going to be impossible to please everyone, I know.
As much as it would cost a sum to pop across the Manche for vinstock chez moi, it would also cost a sum for les frogs and froglets to pop the other way.
There are more of you than there are of us, so I guess that Grapestock will be a British (perhaps even English) only destination.

[lynda66]

ps regarding central for everyone ....

Not central for me

sorry .... everyone except bob ..... i do think we should have grapestock 2 and 2b ..... 2 in the uk, and 2b in france

[snohare]

Y'know, if we had a dozen people in a minibus going by ferry, it wouldn't be nearly so much, because so much of the transport costs would be divided between everyone.... We'd need a MIDAS qualified driver though, that is the only thing.
Shame Megabus don't allow golden labs on their buses, that would make things a lot easier for me wherever it is !

[Nicos]

My thoughts would be one in the UK...and Vinstock at Bobble's perhaps earlier in the year- perhaps end of May to tie in with the UK BH of whit week.
And peeps can then move on for the rest of their tour in France!
That is - of course if Bobble thinks that's reasonable???
Some peeps may actually manage both!!!

[lynda66]

its more that a lot of people haven't got passports snohare, will make it prohibitive for them but a minibus sounds like a good idea ..... some train tickets can be quite reasonable if you travel off peak and book in advance etc ..... dunno what a midas qualified driver is though .... it says i can drive minibuses on my licence

[di]

I know it almost defeats the object of having one big get together but if we're looking at going to campsites that will require less organising how about having two or three dotted about UK and one in France.

Much as it pains a Suffolk Gal to say it,the Norfolk coast is rather beautiful(not as beautiful as Suffolk but a little more central).Lizzy L...did you say your parents organise block bookings at campsites?I know several aren't keen on large groups so it may be handy to have someone on board that knows which accomodate groups and which don't...I know there's a site in Stiffkey(Norfolk)that are very group and family orientated.

[snohare]

it says i can drive minibuses on my licence

Your licence may say you can drive minibuses, but you won't manage to hire one. There were so many accidents with minibuses that the insurers now only allow hires to people who have been through the MIDAS certification scheme, which teaches safe inspection, loading, parking, reversing, etc. I'm trained in theory due to voluntary work, but not qualified because anyone who got their driving licence after April 1, 1991 needs to upgrade before driving anything more than a 7 seat peoplecarrier. (Costs £600.) Kind of puts the kybosh on a lot of activities unless you are a big organisation.
Hmm, GYO keen to train anyone in MIDAS ? Doesn't cost much...
Then we could have a Grapefest North and Grapefest South - for brassicas (cold weather types) and sunflowers (hot headed 'uns).
I'm aiming to go anywhere it is next year - problem is the dog on a bus.

[lynda66]

Your licence may say you can drive minibuses, but you won't manage to hire one.
I'm aiming to go anywhere it is next year - problem is the dog on a bus.

oh ok lol ... i never tried

i have the same problem, only i have 2 doggies .... and rob will probably be working away on his year in industry next summer, so will probably not have a doggy sitter again..... i have managed to get manchester to glasgow return on the train for £15 most of this year though x

[bobleponge]

My thoughts would be one in the UK...and Vinstock at Bobble's perhaps earlier in the year- perhaps end of May to tie in with the UK BH of whit week.
And peeps can then move on for the rest of their tour in France!
That is - of course if Bobble thinks that's reasonable???
Some peeps may actually manage both!!!

's fine by me

[Nicos]

That's be the Monday BH 30th May weekend???

( you going to working?????)

...ooo...that's only 9 months away!!!

[bobleponge]

I can arrange to be at home for pretty much anything, Vinstock chez moi would probably mean I should be at home??
Mme Pastis would probably be very happy though, catering for hordes of descending gardeners, whether I was there or not.

[Nicos]

She'll be very chuffed to hear that you're expecting her to be around in 9 months!!!

...but catering for the 10,000...maybe not!

Yup- Bobble...you do need to be there