FMUKCON Manchester - Saturday 5th April 2014

[baty]

Thanks Dine65. Will be ready for you on the sat morning. Very greatful .
Will be arriving around 3 30 at Manchester on Friday, will go and book in then be off to Glossop.

[Diane65]

Wow what a precise itenary, Diane! Thank you for all the effort.

Did you guys talk about the when the rest of you all arrive at Glossop then and anything else, desires for Friday evening?

Yes we certainly did. Myself, DD, Suel's OH, Steve's OH and akh43 will be on the 16:35 so arriving just after 5pm. Yogi, Yogi's OH and steve will arrive about an hour later. not sure what time Betty Botter and OH plus r33ceh and family will be arriving.
Steve is finding out about the real ale pubs. Should we eat at about 7 on route to the Manor Park? I know that you said you had a couple of walks planned so wherever you want to meet us just let us know and we'll be there. Steve has lent me a chair for Baty so MrGlass you don't need to bring one as you will have enough to carry.

We are sticking to the itinerary and have got a few bits to add.

Steve and akh43 will be there at Piccadilly to meet TheFox and weliveandbreathwords.
I will collect Baty and OH plus Chelle1973 and Mum from the hotel at 08:40 so will be back to meet up with everyone at Piccadilly at 09:00ish
Yogi and OH will be there at 10:20 to meet Andrews.
Suel3288 and OH will be there to meet Jeanelle and OH plus Vealster. I know that Jeanelle and OH have to check into the hotel so however long that takes Suel3288 and OH are good company so will entertain Vealster if Jeanelle and OH need a bit of time to themselves.

Myself and Steve will do the Cathedral and John Rylands library and if anyone wants to akh43 has kindly volunteered to take people around the football museum.

Then we will all meet up near to Central Library and the Town Hall at 11:00ish

At the meet up steve is organising a swap shop so bring along whatever you fancy and yogi will be organising a film quiz but really it will be nice to get our feet up and have a good chat and catch up plus a rest if we need it.

Suel3288 are looking into restaurants if anyone wants to have dinner in Manchester before heading off.

[Diane65]

Wow what a precise itenary, Diane! Thank you for all the effort.

Did you guys talk about the when the rest of you all arrive at Glossop then and anything else, desires for Friday evening?

Yes we certainly did. Myself, DD, Suel's OH, Steve's OH and akh43 will be on the 16:35 so arriving just after 5pm. Yogi, Yogi's OH and steve will arrive about an hour later. not sure what time Betty Botter and OH plus r33ceh and family will be arriving.
Steve is finding out about the real ale pubs. Should we eat at about 7 on route to the Manor Park? I know that you said you had a couple of walks planned so wherever you want to meet us just let us know and we'll be there. Steve has lent me a chair for Baty so MrGlass you don't need to bring one as you will have enough to carry.

We are sticking to the itinerary and have got a few bits to add.

Steve and akh43 will be there at Piccadilly to meet TheFox and weliveandbreathwords.
I will collect Baty and OH plus Chelle1973 and Mum from the hotel at 08:40 so will be back to meet up with everyone at Piccadilly at 09:00ish
Yogi and OH will be there at 10:20 to meet Andrews.
Suel3288 and OH will be there to meet Jeanelle and OH plus Vealster. I know that Jeanelle and OH have to check into the hotel so however long that takes Suel3288 and OH are good company so will entertain Vealster if Jeanelle and OH need a bit of time to themselves.

Myself and Steve will do the Cathedral and John Rylands library and if anyone wants to akh43 has kindly volunteered to take people around the football museum.

Then we will all meet up near to Central Library and the Town Hall at 11:00ish

At the meet up steve is organising a swap shop so bring along whatever you fancy and yogi will be organising a film quiz but really it will be nice to get our feet up and have a good chat and catch up plus a rest if we need it.

Suel3288 are looking into restaurants if anyone wants to have dinner in Manchester before heading off.

Forgot to add don't forget to sign up at Missoula as you the get 25% off food https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j ... 2401,d.ZGU

[steve]

Wow what a productive time we had at JL. Diane has really put in a lot of thought and work for the coming Friday and Saturday so a great big thankyou from me. She even managed to get her voice back for todays get together just so that she could boss us all about and tell us what our duties will be.
Can I remind you all that if you sign up to Missoula (Deansgate) you can get 25% of food.
We also thought we could have a swapshop so if you have something you no longer need (films, CDs, books, bags anyone interested in swapping some graphic novels?) but think it might be of interest to someone else bring it along.
And lastly Yogi will be doing a quiz maybe on films so get swatting up there will be prizes.

[steve]

Hi Mr G. re pubs in Glossop.
The Star and The Oakwood friend of mine who lives there and is a real ale fan suggested these. The Oakwood seems to have good reviews for its food as well. The Moon and Sixpence (seems appropriate) also has some very good reviews but doesn't serve food but has live music on on Fridays if that is of any interest.

[yogi]

Wow what a productive time we had at JL. Diane has really put in a lot of thought and work for the coming Friday and Saturday so a great big thankyou from me. She even managed to get her voice back for todays get together just so that she could boss us all about and tell us what our duties will be.
Can I remind you all that if you sign up to Missoula (Deansgate) you can get 25% of food.
We also thought we could have a swapshop so if you have something you no longer need (films, CDs, books, bags anyone interested in swapping some graphic novels?) but think it might be of interest to someone else bring it along.
And lastly Yogi will be doing a quiz maybe on films so get swatting up there will be prizes.

I've just signed up and received a voucher instantly by email, but it expires on the 31st March, so probably worth everyone waiting until April 1st to see if the offer is still available

[Diane65]

Betty Botter is hopefully going to watch this http://www.royalexchange.co.uk/event.aspx?id=779 at 15:30 the £10 tickets are released at 10am so if anyone wants to join her you will be more than welcome. A couple have already been to the Lowry etc so may prefer this instead or if you have had enough trapsing around. I am going to see it this Thursday so I write up about this after.

This is also from Betty Botter so other options available
I've attached a link to The Guardian's article on the Top 10 Best Real Ale Pubs in Manchester. Betty Botter's OH can highly recommend the Knott Bar, The Marble Arch and Cask (his personal favourites). Also likes all of the others and would also add The Wharf down in Castlefield. One of the ones mentioned in the article, The City Arms, is near to the Town Hall and it has another worthwhile pub right next door The Vine. They are both on Kennedy Street next to the rear door of the Wetherspoons pub The Waterhouse.

http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2013/ ... -beer-pubs

[suel3288]

Hi Everyone

I suggest Tops Restaurant at Portland Street Manchester which is close to China town. A buffet restaurant with choice of food for everyone at reasonable price £14.99 for dinner, dishes from Japanese-sushi Teppanyaki, Italian, Chinese, Indian, Thai and Seafood etc.
website - http://www.tops-restaurants.co.uk

link for menu - http://www.tops-restaurants.co.uk/menu.html

[andrews]

Thanks Diane and other Manchester friends for all the organisation. Big thanks to yogi and OH for agreeing to meet me. Looking forward to our grand day out.

[TheyCallMeMrGlass]

Hi Mr G. re pubs in Glossop.
The Star and The Oakwood friend of mine who lives there and is a real ale fan suggested these. The Oakwood seems to have good reviews for its food as well. The Moon and Sixpence (seems appropriate) also has some very good reviews but doesn't serve food but has live music on on Fridays if that is of any interest.

great stuff Steve. I find a little bit of live pub music, always add a nice vibe to a trip.

Wow what a precise itenary, Diane! Thank you for all the effort.

Did you guys talk about the when the rest of you all arrive at Glossop then and anything else, desires for Friday evening?

Yes we certainly did. Myself, DD, Suel's OH, Steve's OH and akh43 will be on the 16:35 so arriving just after 5pm. Yogi, Yogi's OH and steve will arrive about an hour later. not sure what time Betty Botter and OH plus r33ceh and family will be arriving.
Steve is finding out about the real ale pubs. Should we eat at about 7 on route to the Manor Park? I know that you said you had a couple of walks planned so wherever you want to meet us just let us know and we'll be there. Steve has lent me a chair for Baty so MrGlass you don't need to bring one as you will have enough to carry.

Sweet. Your plan to eat at 7pm enroute to Manor Park is very sound, it might actually be the cue for me to go get my telescope stuff and set it up at Manor Park...unless...I actually carry the rig with me for the whole duration of our meetup, meal, drinks and short walks so that I can spend optimal time with all of you. I can do it but it means I will be carrying a wheelie plus an expedition style rucksack. I can fit everything into the one rucksack but that limits the length of time I can walk around with it but if I offload half of the weight into the wheelie bag, I then I can walk around for the whole duration...I just have to be careful when walking into small shops...I am just thinking aloud here. I think I'll do just that so I can spend more time with you all but I'll try figure out alternatives, there's always a way around everything.

Also, I perfectly understand if my planned telescope viewing session may not be some of your cuppa tea and perhaps prefer to spend the last hour of your stay at an ale house...no problem! Options are always a nice thing to have :) However, if you have never looked through one, I do recommend you take this opportunity, I am confident you wont regret it (weather allowing!). One more thing, are you all going to leave at 9:38pm or 10:38pm (last train)? If some or all of you decide on the 10:38pm, then we can drop in at an ale house for half hour (maybe the one with live music) before you guys get your train back :) Again, an option.

Oh, Diane, noted about the chair...I guess that will help me in light of my new train of thought about carrying my telescope through the evening.

Loving the agenda for Manchester, I will personally stick with Diane's main group all the way, as despite my multi sport persona, football is the one sport which I am not very much into!

I must remember to bring something for Steve's Swap Shop...no it aint gonna be my telescope