Thought I'd get the thread started for Badgerfest FestFest 2012. The others have been pretty super amazing and it would be great to get something in the diary for this year.

I thought October worked pretty well - how are people set for this year??

I'd be up for another ginormous house somewhere in the UK or abroad. Could try the south this time and hope for some late autumn sun.

Booya
Dan

I am on board with this idea.

Brilliant. Term-break time seemed to work well.

Sounds good to me.

Yes, half term seems sensible. I can do any part of October really apart from the first few days (it's quarter end). Tizzy is going to struggle whenever it is and so probably won't make it along, but we shouldn't feel sorry for her as she is jetting off to Hong Kong without me at some point in the autumn.

p.s. it would appear that half term is the week commencing 29th October. This causes me a slight issue as we are getting into month end. As long as we have proper internet connection it'll be all good though.

It all sounds like fun but don't hinge the dates on us and half term as I won't necessarily be signing us up to anything just yet, not at least until we've had a couple of months with Junior Muckheap. I was thinking of returning to work September time or closer to half term in October so we may well be up for something sooner. I don't need to make a decision on return to work for ages though so I would suggest go ahead and book something whenever with us as a 'maybe'. We could always come along for the weekend at least.

There is a possibility that someone else in the group may be teaching by then.

I didn't think Pete could resist the lure of the chalk face!

So I think we are looking at interest from:

Dan
Pete
Jennie
Jonnyboy
King
Jess

Maybes: Rosie, Tart, Tiz

Still need to check with Loz, Sam, Drew and Matt + associated wenches.

Whilst I'm writing my first 'not excessive at all' possibility:

Llanfendigaid Cottage

Sleeps 17 (9 bedrooms - 5 double, 3 twin and 1 single)
Indoor Heated Pool
Wood burners
15 mins walk to beach

Available mid-October for £1530 / 7 nights.
Bargin.

Bloody hell Dan; that's a bit of a step up from the last place...does look nice though. I also note you have to pay for the energy you consume on top...but we could all go on a foraging course there and then save money on food.

That does look like an awesome place but I reckon we would need at least 4 or 5 more definite yes votes to justify having a place that big. I'm assuming that Loren and Ayesha will be a "maybe" at best given their imminent sprogdom which makes me think that we might be pushing it a bit. Also, no info on whether they have broadband internet which would be a deal-breaker for me...

Yep agree we'd need at least 10 going - also to bring down the price to £150 (last one was about £120?). Just threw it out there for the sake of it =)

I'll keep a look out for an 8 person house but would be worth spreading the word to see what other confirmed interest there is.

Last one was £100 exactly, but was only 5 nights.

Could you put me back on the "maybe" list for now Dannyboy? Couple of reasons:

1. My boss is being a bit funny about me taking time off around month ends (even if I can guarantee that I can work remotely).

2. I am almost certainly going to be going to Oktoberfest this year for a stag weekend which I imagine will drain my holiday fund somewhat.

In addition to your arrangement ploys Dan, Chris and I have been talking about perhaps booking the Dartmouth flat for a long weekend or a week in May, June/ July or maybe September for the 'festers? It is the same flat as people stayed in at the previous regatta when people were down.

In the flat there is

1 x double bedroom
1x twin bedroom (avec bunks) and floor space
1 x dble fold out sofa in main lounge and floor space

Le Tart, Tartlette and myself shall stay next door with Gary and Alison and like last time I expect Mike and Jess may be up for doing that too and I don't think that will be a problem with G and A.

The good thing about this is;

1. It's free, obviously a donation of port and fine wine would be welcomed and flowers and nicies I expect by G an A.
2. It's Dartmouth, it's nice, it's got a good view.
3. You don't have to share with the Tartlette whom shall be established next door out of ear shot

The downside;

1. We would have to book it soon as G has the flat available for holiday lets although he has said we are welcome to it if we can book it in time.
2. If we want a long weekend instead of a week it would be better to go in May or September as the flat is let sat - sat and so it could be a loss of income if we took it sat to mon only in peak season. G said this wouldn't be a major issue but he did say it would be 'easier' if we did a long weekend in the off season (i.e May or Sept + )

Let us know your thoughts.

I can certainly say that Jess and I would love to spend some more time in DMouth and would obviously be happy in the main flat or wherever we can fit.

The only time we won't be able to do is 1st to 8th September as we will be doing the Lakes again then.

Actually Jennie take note: we'll have to drop in and do the costume museum on one of those weekends (if we haven't managed it before then).

Bunk beds? Awesome.

Can't do May but I'd be up for mid-late September when we get the inevitable 2nd UK heatwave.

If we do 2nd last week (15th) it's also not a month end which would hopefully solve JPs boss issues.

Dartmouth sounds awesome.

Tizzy and I can't do May at all, up to and including the double bank holiday at the beginning of June, and I can't do the last week and half of June or the last week and a half of September.

Ok so, Dartmouth flat booked for Saturday 15th to Tuesday 18th September!

In G and A's house there shall be Me, Tart, Tartlet + Mike and Jess (if there is no room for them next door)

In 'Larkrise'

Pete and Jenny
JP
Dan

Possibles:

Tizwoz?

Anyone else for a bunk bed/ floor space? If Jp and Tizwoz both come I expect they will have the fight with Pete and Jenny over sofa bed or double bedroom. Then there are the bunks and floor space left to squabble over.

Badgartmouth is go.

How about SaMel?

Bonjour!

This is unlikely I'm afraid as Mel will be teaching but put us down as a maybe for now.

Ta

bloody teachers.....

could always come for the sat and sun am but i know its start of term so not best timing x

Just so as you all know, the Tour of Britain has a stage finishing in Dartmouth on the 15th, with live music in the bandstand that evening.

Some practical stuff:

- parking is shit as ever in Dartmouth, so I suggest a phone when near approach.
- map of stuff in dartmouth and my folk's place: http://goo.gl/maps/1iqY2
- profit?

I suppose worth asking what travel plans are. Are people training it or driving?

And of course - who is actually confirmed now as coming?

I believe for sure were:
Me
Tarts
Blakes
Jonnytiz

but and I know we had interest from Nojuzi and Matt.

Dan

I am driving.

I am also thinking of bringing my bike with me so unless I buy a bike rack for my car between now and then (unlikely) I will have room for a maximum of one passenger on a first come first served basis. (Tizzy isn't coming by the way, which is the reason that I will have any room at all for passengers).

Definitely up for catching some of the Tour of Britain and the live music.

I don't think I'm going to make it - sorry! I've just moved teams at work and the new project is pretty tight.

Just a quick heads up. You can come down on friday evening you wish, there is room in my mum and dads place if needed.

It would require some shuffling though so advance warning appreciated.

See you fri/sat.

ooh..would you take me for a little bike ride? I am desperately unfit so it really would be little...but i really want to get back on my bike...its a road bike. If you have a mountain bike you should stop off at Haldon Hill on the way down (outside of Exeter) and have a play on the trails there..they have green through to black runs!

Of course I will! It is a mountain bike, but it currently has hybrid tyres on because I generally cycle on the road. Unfortunately they aren't suitable for actual mountain biking.

Jess and I will be driving down Friday night.

I shall be keeping Jonnyboy company on a drive down earlish Saturday morning. I believe the plan is to be there early afternoon for the Tour de Bretagne.

actually, got too much stuff and bike rack broke...so that's that plan thwarted...although if i had enough impetus and motivation i am sure i would make the bike happen...but i don't..so i won't. Im very excited about the continental market however. nom nom nommy.

Ha. As it happens I was just coming on here to say that I have managed to fuck up both knees and therefore cycling is no longer on the cards for me either.

Oh well, maybe next time!

It was a great weekend, thanks to Chris and Rosie for the invite.

Looking forward to seeing photos - I reckon there must be at least two candidates for new facebook profile pic in there.

There are a few on my camera as well which I should be uploading tonight.

Word.

Aye - the Tart Family abode was truly excellent. So should we start a tradition of visiting family loaned awesome places? I hear someone has a place in Hawaii...?!

ooh arr that's a step up from Dartmouth!