Planning a PF Friends Meeting in Allieres France - April 2010

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around organizing a meeting for Physics Forums members in Allieres, France, in April 2010. Participants explore logistics, costs, activities, and personal commitments related to the potential gathering.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses enthusiasm for organizing the meeting and suggests various activities such as hiking, horseback riding, and cooking together.
  • Another participant asks for clarification on what constitutes 'reasonable cost' for the event.
  • Some participants discuss the implications of food arrangements, whether to hire a cook or to prepare meals together, highlighting the social aspect of cooking.
  • Several participants express uncertainty about their ability to attend due to prior commitments or travel concerns.
  • There are comments about the beauty of the location and the potential for photography, with one participant noting they cannot attend but would like to see pictures.
  • Concerns are raised about passport requirements for US participants, with discussions on the necessity of obtaining or renewing passports for international travel.
  • Humorous exchanges occur regarding age differences among participants and the dynamics of cooking for a group.
  • Some participants mention personal health issues that may affect their ability to travel, adding to the uncertainty of attendance.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express interest in the idea of the meeting, but there is no consensus on attendance due to various personal commitments and uncertainties regarding travel logistics.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the need for firm commitments and the impact of costs on attendance, indicating that these factors remain unresolved. Additionally, discussions about travel logistics, such as passport requirements, highlight the varying readiness of participants to travel internationally.

Who May Find This Useful

Members of the Physics Forums community interested in social gatherings, travel planning, and group activities related to STEM discussions may find this thread useful.

Andre
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So I have been entertaining the thought to organize a meeting with PF friends, and dialogueing in chat about it yesterday, I felt enough encouragement to proceed.

If there are enough firm indications and commitments to visit, it can be done, and at resonable costs. And I'm more than happy to organize things.

The whereabouts.

http://web.mac.com/stoterr/Site_4/Welcome.html :

http://web.mac.com/stoterr/Site_4/Welcome_files/Montcru.jpg

It's in southern France close to the Pyrenee mountains. Try 'Allieres France' in google maps to get an idea.

The time.

Balancing all factors, second half of April 2010 seems to be the best. Air fares and other costs are still on minimum rates, while the spring is at it's best. It would not be the first time when the swimming pool was already in use at that time. No guarantee however.

The duration, coming transatlantic, minimum stay would be a week at least, I would think to deal with jet lag, while we fill the time with hiking, horseback riding, swimming or skiing or just having parties with bbq, whatever. Two weeks would be no problem either, each on individual wishes.

Of course there are minimum and maximum attendance numbers, accommodation wise, but we could deal with that as it arises.

So what do you think, would you come? Any caveats?
 
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Sounds fantastic!
 
Interesting idea :smile:

Define 'reasonable cost'.

Not that I will be able to say something before late December.
 
It's my sisters place, Borek, so it's not really intended to be commercial. It would depend much on number of participants and conditions. But she must at least be able to buy the food and wine and clean the sheets and things like that.

But won't be much, not really close to hotel costs.
 
Ah man I wish I were on more friendly terms with all you guys :P Always wanted to go to Europe. It'd probably be weird since most people here are probably twice my age :| haha
 
Sorry! said:
Ah man I wish I were on more friendly terms with all you guys :P Always wanted to go to Europe. It'd probably be weird since most people here are probably twice my age :| haha

That doesn't mean we're not fun :-p!
 
Sorry! said:
Ah man I wish I were on more friendly terms with all you guys :P Always wanted to go to Europe. It'd probably be weird since most people here are probably twice my age :| haha

now you are sorry
 
Borek said:
Define 'reasonable cost'.

More about costs, it would make a big difference, if we ask my sister to cook or if we use the big kitchen in the "gite" and each of us shows his kitchen skills to the others, by cooking her/his favorite dish and asking my sisters family to join us with dinner.
 
what said:
now you are sorry

hahahaha! and I don't doubt you guys are 'fun' lisa ;)
 
  • #10
Sounds like a great idea. There's no way that I could participate, but I look forward to seeing the pictures.
 
  • #11
Ah pictures, yes good idea, Dan, really too bad that you can't come.

But it's a photographers paradise, Borek!

mre8f9.jpg


33b20j9.jpg


35ndie8.jpg


ddeyds.jpg


2vua62e.jpg


I wonder if my niece has a bf again.
 
  • #12
You have posted some of these pictures earlier, so I know its a beautiful place :smile:
 
  • #13
I can't give a firm commitment at this point, but it sounds like a great idea.
 
  • #14
Andre said:
More about costs, it would make a big difference, if we ask my sister to cook or if we use the big kitchen in the "gite" and each of us shows his kitchen skills to the others, by cooking her/his favorite dish and asking my sisters family to join us with dinner.
oooh, cooking would be fun, too bad turbo cvan't go!

MIH and I have voluteered to be the bar wenches.
 
  • #15
Oh, it looks wonderful! Unfortunately, I know I'm already booked with other commitments at the end of April, so can't even toy with the idea. :frown:
 
  • #16
Beautiful home, beautiful location, wonderful countryside, it's tempting. I've already got the beginning of April booked for travel for my mother's birthday, but I could make a mad attempt at swinging this, however I wouldn't go without Moonbear. :smile:
 
  • #17
I met my sister last weekend and we discussed the event. She is very happy to host it and the format, timing etc can indeed be adapted to exactly what we like. Everything is open. So any ideas? comments?
 
  • #18
Too early for any declarations for me.
 
  • #19
Borek said:
Too early for any declarations for me.

I think a lot of folks are in that same position.

However, for US PFers who are even remotely considering it...start now to http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html", especially if it's your first one. I've heard getting your first one can take several weeks, maybe a couple months.

I think renewing it doesn't take as long, though.

Mine's up to date :biggrin:.
 
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  • #20
lisab said:
However, for US PFers who are even remotely considering it...start now to http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html", especially if it's your first one. I've heard getting your first one can take several weeks, maybe a couple months.

You're kidding, right? Please don't say that US PFers are amongst those in the the US without a passport!
 
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  • #21
cristo said:
You're kidding, right? Please don't say that US PFers are amongst those in the the US without a passport!

I certainly hope there aren't many!
 
  • #22
Which reminds me that I should renew my passport, if I plan to move outside of the Schengen area...
 
  • #23
Is that your sister in the picture with the two horses? Does she have a wig? (the hair on top looks a little thin) Have I just managed to get myself banned from consideration for the reunion? What do I have to do to the bar wenches to get banned? To get a lifetime "get out of banning free" card?
 
  • #24
Evo said:
oooh, cooking would be fun, too bad turbo cvan't go!
It's a real pain! I'd love to cook for you guys and show off some of the "good food on the cheap" tricks that I learned from my families. I love to cook for groups of people, and haven't really had the chance to do that for a long time due to the prevalence of fragrances, scented laundry products, etc.
 
  • #25
cristo said:
You're kidding, right? Please don't say that US PFers are amongst those in the the US without a passport!
I let mine lapse after traveling by air got life-threatening. By now, it would be a death-sentence for me to get on a trans-Atlantic flight. Maybe I could ship myself in big box, packed in activated charcoal...
 
  • #26
BobG said:
Is that your sister in the picture with the two horses? Does she have a wig? (the hair on top looks a little thin)

:rolleyes: That seems to be her brother, having a bad hair day. The girl on the other picture on Anubis' back is a niece of that brother :-p
 
  • #27
Borek said:
Which reminds me that I should renew my passport, if I plan to move outside of the Schengen area...

Is Poland Schengen? I never knew that!
 
  • #28
Not very long - I don't remember exact date, but it was about 2 years ago. In summer 2007 we were not yet, as I remember crossing border to Czech Republic. Not that we were checked in any way, but the border control existed.

Wikied: Decemebr 21st, 2007.
 
  • #29
cristo said:
You're kidding, right? Please don't say that US PFers are amongst those in the the US without a passport!

I know what you are aiming at, but honestly - I can easily imagine people living in such a huge country and not having any occasion/need to travel outside. While it may sound a little bit strange I am a solitary type and I like new views, but I don't feel a need to meet new people (the emptier the place, the better) - and I suppose US with its variety of landscapes would suit all my needs :wink:
 
  • #30
turbo-1 said:
I let mine lapse after traveling by air got life-threatening. By now, it would be a death-sentence for me to get on a trans-Atlantic flight. Maybe I could ship myself in big box, packed in activated charcoal...
You know what this means right, the next US-reunion will be us setting up camp in your back garden. Now if you train your dog to chase away anyone who does not follow the fragrance-free code of conduct, we could all check out your amazing chillies :biggrin:
 

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