UK spring meeting dates poll

[Rob Archer]

All paced and ready-ish! Tempted to take survival rations but perhaps a photocopy of the relevant Good Beer Guide pages may suffice.

Seriously, if the BBC forcast is right, sunshine and showers might be quite nice - better than plain boring old blue sky.

See you all there - probably about 5ish. I'm travelling by train and bus so I've got a few contingency plans!

Rob

[rob champagne]

Looks like it might be good kite flying weather...

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/...t_allmaps.html

[FrankB]

Oh, it was!

Looks like I'm the first one back and posting. Great weekend!

Many thanks to Les for being our guide and mentor for this Gathering, for leading us to some great locations and especially for showing us Roughting Linn (a very special place). (Cheers mate. Great to see you again!)

Many thanks to Simon Galley for his generous contributions! (That's another pint I owe you, Simon! How about coming to the next one and collecting!)

Many thanks to Malcolm (our host) for working so hard to get the place ready for us (lovely rooms), giving us a damn decent rate and feeding us to the gills!

...and many thanks to everyone who came for bringing your superb prints and generally making it such a great weekend.

The weather during the weekend was unexpectedly good and many a shutter was dropped. The trip back was, erm... less than wonderful. (I did make it back up that hill. (I hope you all did too...!)) The A697 was featured prominently on the Radio Newcastle traffic reports while I was on it and the M62 on Saddleworth Moor was memorable too (20mph).

Bermuda for the next one, anybody?! Perhaps Tahiti...?!

[Sandeha Lynch]

Down here in balmy South Wales we had an inch of snow this morning ... so I was wondering about you lot up there in your tee shirts.

[RH Designs]

The weather during the weekend was unexpectedly good and many a shutter was dropped.

Not yesterday it wasn't... Watch out for some interesting posts this week .

Otherwise, all Frank's sentiments echoed!

[Simon R Galley]

Dear Frank et al,

Glad you had a good time in my neck of the woods....and that you got the goodies ( many thanks Les !) and that you got home safe... I can assure you I had planned to come to attend, hopefully next year.

Simon ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

[Dave Miller]

Thanks Simon, we did indeed get the goodies, very much appreciated, but we were very sad that you couldn't make it, maybe next time.
I too can echo Franks comments, each of these events has been more enjoyable than the last, and long may that continue. The weather was a trifle variable, but should have produced some memorable pictures. However our guide and mentors abandonment of his flock is a snow filled valley in deepest, darkest Northumberland cannot go unrecorded. Neither can the herculean efforts of those abandoned in carrying Marks camper van several 100 meters up a snow choked hill. This latter event, was ably supervised by yours truly from the bottom of the hill. It really did bring me out in a sweat. They enjoyed it so much that they repeated the exercise on my C5, thanks chaps.
I can only offer the simple advice to my fellow APUGer’s that should you require Mr. McLean to lead you anywhere; make sure he’s at the back.

[Les McLean]

Thanks Simon, we did indeed get the goodies, very much appreciated, but we were very sad that you couldn't make it, maybe next time.
I too can echo Franks comments, each of these events has been more enjoyable than the last, and long may that continue. The weather was a trifle variable, but should have produced some memorable pictures. However our guide and mentors abandonment of his flock is a snow filled valley in deepest, darkest Northumberland cannot go unrecorded. Neither can the herculean efforts of those abandoned in carrying Marks camper van several 100 meters up a snow choked hill. This latter event, was ably supervised by yours truly from the bottom of the hill. It really did bring me out in a sweat. They enjoyed it so much that they repeated the exercise on my C5, thanks chaps.
I can only offer the simple advice to my fellow APUGer’s that should you require Mr. McLean to lead you anywhere; make sure he’s at the back.

Some of these wimpish Southerners when faced with a little snow just cannot cope. I took them to a valley I'd lived in for 10 or so years and even laid on an April Snowstorm for them to photograph, what do they do, they get their cars stuck on a tiny little hill and miss the best of the snowstorm.

Seriously folks, I had a great time seeing many new faces, making new friends and enjoying a lot of fun and laughter. Whilst the weather was a bit nippy at times, not to mention the unexpected snow storm, we enjoyed some excellent light and photo opportunities. Many thanks from me to all who came and made it such a memorable weekend. Many thanks to Simon and IlfordPhoto for their generousity and encouragement to all we film photographers.

I'm looking forward to next years meet as I'm away to Canada this coming October and will be unable to attend the autumn session where ever it may be.

[Dave Miller]

I’m thawing out my film prior to developing it; 10 minutes in the microwave should do it.

[FrankB]

Blimey! :o

I've got to admit, I did wonder how you'd got on! The Focus got up the 1 in 5, but it really was touch and go in places. Glad I bugged-out when I did.


McLean! You scoundrel!


Barry - Chuck a tow rope in for next time, mate!