Proposal for nz retreat early 2012

[Lauren]

Planning this for February March of next year - depending on location.
Im proposing a slightly different format than previous years
Instead of having a full day scrapping and photoshopping - I think it might be good if we had a more expansive time out photographing during the days - and spend the evenings scrapping /photographing - so this event would be 2 nights at least

Locations as below are suggested

Auckland - visiting on one day the gannet colony and vineyards
and on day 2 a different location I havent decided yet.
Dunedin - Day one architecture/botanic/chinese gardens
Day 2 on the peninsula with wildlife cruise and trip included

Option 3 Matakana ( north of auckland ) - Day one vineyards - Day 2 beaches. /farmers market.

Give me your thoughts... - this WOULD be a little more expensive than previous retreats but I would still try and keep the costs as low as possible

[honeymoon]

Love the idea of scrapping at night.

Dunedin would be good for me... but open to the other venues.

[shazzt]

It all sounds good to me - maybe I can suggest it as a birthday present for me :)

[Lauren]

Just doing a reccy of accommodation in dunedin and this one really leapt out at me- would be a max of 7 people because there are 7 beds .....
http://www.holidayhomes.co.nz/new-zealand/south-island/southern-lakes-otago-southland/dunedin/listing/10449.html

[JanP]

Just doing a reccy of accommodation in dunedin and this one really leapt out at me- would be a max of 7 people because there are 7 beds .....
http://www.holidayhomes.co.nz/new-zealand/south-island/southern-lakes-otago-southland/dunedin/listing/10449.html

That does look good! Would Geoff be able to come if we had a queen bed? Is there a separate area for scrapping?

[Lauren]

Yes Geoff could come Jan - Id need to enquire about how truly suitable this place would be but it looks like there'd be enough room in the lounge /dining areas of the apartments for us to use one of them for our scrapping...
There are other alternatives too - theres accommodation at Larnach Castle in the Stables - Id just need to find out if there was somewhere we could meet in the evenign to do our scrapping.

[spotty]

Way to Go, Lauren! looks like you really got your thinking cap on!
I like all of those ideas. <YES>

Thank you :) I think Dunedin is my top one and it would be cheaper for Christchurch people. Weather should be warmer then too ?????????

[Lauren]

. <YES>

Thank you :) I think Dunedin is my top one and it would be cheaper for Christchurch people. Weather should be warmer then too ?????????

One would HOPE so!!!

[Lauren]

The one down side of those apartments is that Brighton is quite far out of Dunedin - its not central at all - but the cost differential may make it worth the distance

[Lauren]

Heres another possible option - its a b&b - so it has a shared living area we could do our scrapping in in the evenings - http://www.hulmes.co.nz/

[webfrau]

All fabulous ideas.

[littlekiwi]

I'd probably have to opt out if it is any later than mid feb as I hope to be starting my nursing degree then

[timelord]

Im happy with what ever you guys decide, although have only been to Dunedin once so would love to go again. Any thoughts on likely month?

[spotty]

Heres another possible option - its a b&b - so it has a shared living area we could do our scrapping in in the evenings - http://www.hulmes.co.nz/

One problem with this place is that the lounge is also shared by Hulmes Too - the B&B next door. On the other hand "I want the Turret Room!!!"

[spotty]

The Albatross eggs will be hatching :yahoo:

[timelord]

Doh... just noticed date. Any weekend in March is good for me, Feb is tricky as get back from 2 weeks camping on 7th Feb then last week of Feb is a definite no-no as motorbike racing already booked.

[timelord]

Hi Lauren,
Just wondering if any more thoughts on this. Any decision been made on destination and weekend? And yes I know is still ages away - I just want to make sure I get 1st dibs in the family ;)

[Lauren]

Well no - because it turns out the NZ masters games are in february in dunedin - so that might reduce accommodation options - - March is the beginning of the university year so thats not a good month for dunedin either . - so perhaps we may revert to the Matakana option for this year unless we want to put it back to late march or april.
Certainly Matakana is an easier option for me to organise and we can be more flexible with dates. -

[timelord]

OK thanks Lauren

[Lauren]

Ok further thought in this and I think we are going to have to go with Auckland as I can't get a cheap enough option in Dunedin .
I'm going to see if fernz will give us am option on a room for 2 evenings rather than 1 full day . If they won't I will find somewhere else that will . We will do one day gannets and west coast beaches and vineyards and one day somewhere else( probably matakana or even further north ) followed by photosho classes in the evening -classes more structured than we've done recently .
We could do all day Friday with class Friday night and alk day Saturday with class sat night. Or we could do Friday afternoon photography class then dinner . Walk Saturday with Photoshop class sat night
I have a driver and minibus I think I can organize

[shazzt]

Sounds good!

[JanP]

Just caught up with this thread - hi everyone :wave:
Sounds like an excellent weekend. I seriously need to learn Photoshop. Every time I try to use it I get frustrated and go back to Paintshop Pro because it's so much quicker - I'm talking work of course! :)
Anyway, pencil me in for a place please.

[Lauren]

so nice to hear from you again Jan!

[webfrau]

Sounds good but as usual always finance dependent. :(

[Lauren]

Sounds good but as usual always finance dependent. :(

Yes important for me too so I'll be looking at reasonably priced options.

[littlekiwi]

finance and timetabling dependant first (won't know til at least dec if I am in to my next semester of study)

[spotty]

Love the proposed new format, Lauren; plenty of photo op, then structured PS in evenings. At least if we do not go to Dunedin I will not be needing to seek out cheap fares soon.
I am a certainty for February but my daughter is talking of coming to us from UK for 3 weeks and mentioned March so I will have to get her to decide soon!!! She and I are thinking of spending a few days in and around Whangarei - walking, photographing and talking. :)

[Lauren]

Fernz will charge nearly as much for an evening as they do for a full day . That will bump up the cost so a large house might work out cheaper .. Still looking!!

[timelord]

Hi Lauren, Im really keen but will depend on the weekend. I am away camping until 6th Feb, then weekend of 24th Feb is booked.

[Lauren]

Won't be feb but more likely march

[spotty]

DD not coming until late March but I will work around it whatever and join in. :yippee::yippee::yippee:

If you are still having a problem with finding somewhere for the evenings, I have two dining tables, each capable of seating 6-8 diners. Our room is long and we have had both tables in there. Just remembered that we also have a camping table. We also have plenty of seats. Bob is willing for you to come. :yes:

Plenty of Broadband, power cable extensions and so on. Daytime parking is difficult because of the students from AUT but they are gone by around 4pm. Not too far off the beaten track either - St Peters St, Northcote. We even have an urn so no trouble with refreshments. No rental charge but perhaps some help with catering costs?

By all means come and check it out. :)

PS. Our neighbour has offered additional parking and, of course, the students are only around on weekdays...

[spotty]

Is this thread still LIVE or have you moved off onto a new one?????

[Lauren]

Um not sure what thread I was discussing it on most recently but funnily enough Im talking about this right now with Fiona.

There are a couple of options open to us but cost wise sticking with the previous format of one day photo walk and one day classes ( though these would be structured photoshop/photography classes this time rather than just scrapping) seems to be the best option.

Fernz will give us a room for 2 evenings but the cost for one evening is almost as much as for one full day .

Currently we are looking at another couple of Auckland Venues where we can also include breakfast for those who are staying over. -
Date wise probably looking at the first weekend in March