Planning a PF Friends Meeting in Allieres France - April 2010

[Andre]

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?

 

[lisab]

Sounds fantastic!

 

[Borek]

Interesting idea

Define 'reasonable cost'.

Not that I will be able to say something before late December.

 

[Andre]

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.

 

[Sorry!]

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

 

[lisab]

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 !

 

[waht]

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

 

[Andre]

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.

 

[Sorry!]

now you are sorry

hahahaha! and I don't doubt you guys are 'fun' lisa ;)

 

[Danger]

Sounds like a great idea. There's no way that I could participate, but I look forward to seeing the pictures.

 

[Andre]

Ah pictures, yes good idea, Dan, really too bad that you can't come.

But it's a photographers paradise, Borek!

I wonder if my niece has a bf again.

 

[Borek]

You have posted some of these pictures earlier, so I know its a beautiful place

 

[Monique]

I can't give a firm commitment at this point, but it sounds like a great idea.

 

[Evo]

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.

 

[Moonbear]

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.

 

[GeorginaS]

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.

 

[Andre]

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?

 

[Borek]

Too early for any declarations for me.

 

[lisab]

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 .

 

[cristo]

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!

 

[lisab]

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!

 

[Borek]

Which reminds me that I should renew my passport, if I plan to move outside of the Schengen area...

 

[BobG]

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?

 

[turbo]

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.

 

[turbo]

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...

 

[Andre]

Is that your sister in the picture with the two horses? Does she have a wig? (the hair on top looks a little thin)

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

 

[cristo]

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!

 

[Borek]

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 21^st, 2007.

 

[Borek]

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

 

[Monique]

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

 

[Monique]

I'm craving for a vacation, I just need to get my thesis finished. How much time in advance does your sister need to have an indication of the plans?

 

[Andre]

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

I second that. Excellent plan.

 

[Andre]

I'm craving for a vacation, I just need to get my thesis finished. How much time in advance does your sister need to have an indication of the plans?

No problem Monique, anything goes. One day, no problem.

Also, the car going there has some spare places left.

I have tentatively proposed April (second half) because the air fares are still out of season and the spring is usually nice, warm enough to bbq on the patio and maybe for swimming. However, it's all open for discussion.

 

[turbo]

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

That might work out OK. I'd have to tone down my best stuff except for Astronuc and the more adventurous souls among us. I could make chili con carne, spicy thin-crust pizzas, hot marinated grilled shrimp, grilled jalapeno poppers...

For variety, I could make French soup, New England boiled dinners, grilled steaks with "dirty" mashed potatoes (mashed with onions and garlic), curried chicken and rice...

If people would be fragrance-free and not abuse my kitchen utensils, I would let them cook their own stuff in my kitchen, too. I'd love to see what George Jones' wife might whip up.

 

[Andre]

Could I do the cocq au vin and the quiche? Turbo or a plain Dutch hutspot?

 

[Borek]

National specials? Just today I have prepared a jar of lard with onion and apple

 

[Andre]

No, personal favorites, from simple ingredients.

At Montcru, I may also cook those, when we don't bbq or have party finger food

 

[turbo]

Could I do the cocq au vin and the quiche? Turbo or a plain Dutch hutspot?

I'll try anything! Treat my kitchen and gear well, and you can have free-run of it. I could make some smoked salmon fillets in maple syrup for appetizers, or maybe some spicy medium-rare marinated smoked beef jerky - a real Christmas favorite with my cousin's girls.

I can float back and forth between appetizers and main dishes, though I usually enjoyed the appetizer-only day long meals that my wife and I made for my cousin's family. Jerky, pizzas, egg-rolls, grilled shrimp, shish-kebabs, etc.

 

[turbo]

No, personal favorites, from simple ingredients.

At Montcru, I may also cook those, when we don't bbq or have party finger food

I like simple. When my mother, aunts, grandmother, etc started a dish, it quite often started with butter, salt pork, or bacon, to provide fats to brown/saute the meats and vegetables.

Baking pastries, etc, involved lard instead of shortening, and anything that needed to be deep-fried, like donuts were cooked in lard, so that they would be crispy on the outside and not absorb any extra fats. My families' dishes were not fancy, but were top-notch by any standards. Rarely have I ever found food in a restaurant to compare favorably to the food that my family served up.

 

[JasonRox]

How much is the cost for accommodations? That's important for me.

I already planned on going to either Europe (England and France) or China during the time you mentionned.

I have to wait until January before committing. I have a passport too so no worries here.

 

[Andre]

How much is the cost for accommodations? That's important for me.

I'll be there the end of this month for negotiating, so beginning of December I can tell more about the costs (daily or weekly) depending on construction and number of participants. It should not be a big deal.

 

[fuzzyfelt]

Sounds great, and a nice idea, although I am quite certain I wouldn't be able to get there with the commitments I have, so all are spared toast and vegemite!

 

[Andre]

Meanwhile, I will be going there tomorrow for a sight survey and for discussing the options, bringing plenty of presents to promote a favorable negotiation situation

 

[Monique]

Presents are always good. Don't tell her that we are a bunch of crazy scientists!

 

[Andre]

She knows Monique. She reads this thread as well

Meanwhile we have arrived, smooth trip. 1280 kilometers in 13 hours

I'll post pictures maybe tomorrow.

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

I would be interested to know the details too as I have an Air France voucher I need to use soon.

 

[mcknia07]

Wow, this all sounds awesome, but my boss would not let me leave work, plus that sounds about when my family wants to go on a business/vacation, and I'll have to rig it with the boss, but I am one of his favorites

Loved the pics you have posted... I have always wanted to go to that part of the world!

 

[Andre]

Who knows Mcknia. Anyway, these were the very first pictures I shot this morning:

 

[Mk]

That's absolutely incredible, Andre. I am quite intrigued by the possibility. Airfare from here (Raleigh, North Carolina, USA) look to be $600-700 roundtrip.

 

[Sorry!]

Wow that looks really stunning. Too bad I'm kinda young to go on a trip with yall :P