Testing the water for a "Northern mini-national"

Gosh; that's a bit short sighted of them. Anyway, it's looking more likely that I can be oop north then so, as I said, I'm still happy to pay even if something crops up at the last minute to stop me. You could always drag someone in off the street to eat my food if that happens .

Yes, wisewoman, it has a thriving group, and I am a member, but when I approached them at the beginning of the year to ask if I could put a few lines in their newsletter about Gransnet and the Edinburgh local site, and leave some pamphlets around, I was turned down pretty sharply because GN is a profit-making organisation, and they are forbidden to promote those. I have a feeling there would not be much enthusiasm for liaising with us.

I would be interested to hear someone from University of the Third Age about the sorts of things they offer. I hear that Edinburgh has a thriving group.

Well, I have taken the plunge and booked. I think we will have a viable number - at the moment nine definite and nine still to count, plus as many as will see the thread soon and join us. I must confirm the booking and pay a deposit in two weeks.

Baubles would so love to have you there too. Fingers crossed.

Unfortunately I still can't commit but would so love to be there, sorry to be vague.

Nine positive, creeping up. Go on, go on, you know you want to!

We now have eight positive and seven almost certain. When we have twelve positive I shall commit to the booking.

The consensus is for Sunday December 1st and for the buffet lunch. No-one has put forward an alternative to the ROSL so we will stick with that.

Cost - the basic rate is £24.90 a head, plus £7.50 each for the buffet, so we are talking about £32.40 for the whole event. If they are amenable to a discount I shall let you know, but budget for £32.40. They will want a deposit, so I shall be asking for a part of that fairly soon.

The room will be ours from 9am to 5pm, but there is no need to arrive on the dot unless that suits your travel arrangements. There will be tea/coffee and Cobbs cakes on arrival (of course) so the early birds can get straight into consuming and socialising. There will be midmorning tea/coffee and biscuits, a buffet lunch, and afternoon tea/coffee break with home baked cakes.

In between we will fit in the "business" the nature of which is not yet decided on, but will probably be a series of short talks, videos or slide shows, with plenty of time for just chatting. If anyone can offer a talk on their special interest please let me know and if possible it will be fitted in. Also suggestions of the kind of things you would like to do or hear about would be welcomed. No promises that all suggestions will be taken up, as we need a balance of different topics, but GNers are a talented lot, with experience in many areas.

I am sure that most people would like to get out and see the attractions in Princes St Gardens and Castle Street at some point.

Wow. Not bad going. None of this existed a couple of days ago.

I am looking forward to it marelli

Oh glass - it's lovely at Christmas! Beautiful!

There will be a German Market in Princes St Gardens with some more unusual pressies and different foods.

This is going to be a lovely start to the run up to Christmas, might even fit in some shopping.

Gracesmum I am sorry to hear you will not be there. Maybe someone will get one organised a bit closer that you can get to. we will think of you.

Yes, December 1st is the date of choice. I am waiting for a few more answers before I book it, but it looks as though it is going to happen. There are still two months to get the numbers finalised, but if we have twelve definites I can go ahead. There is space for 35-40, so don't hold back! Other halves also welcome, subject to being turfed out to one of the many pubs if it gets too crowded (and sisters, Granny23)

I shall be there! I'll be seeing Elizabeth1 tomorrow, and I bet she'll join us too.
I'm really looking forward to putting faces to names. Are we looking at 1st Dec, then?

I am so sorry but looking at (even) advance train fares, I can't really afford to do it by train and if I were in Scotland, I would feel obliged to visit my elderly aunt and uncle in the Borders for which I would need my car and then we are talking a whole week away if I include driving up and back !!! Petrol would probably be £60 each way too but it's not a time of year to be driving 350 miles unless needs must

Now the 1st is a better date for me - will check with DH to make sure it's ok and he doesn't know of anything which I have forgotten, if you see what I mean. Will get back to you, Elegran.

Depending on a few things I'd love to come if I can [the S.O'S flat being free; no family problems cropping up or the weather turning bad]. Quite happy to pay some sort of deposit in advance even if there's a chance I might not make it [know from past experiences people who are kind enough to organise things can end up out of pocket; not referring to gransnet stuff by the way]. Also must point out that the venue is wonderful and so close to lots of lovely shops [credit card is twitching at the thought ]. Also have never been to Edinburgh at 'that time of the year' and it's something I very much want to do .

If anyone is looking for reasonably-priced accommodation, VisitScotland has lists, from modest B&Bs to palatial suites.
www.visitscotland.com/info/accommodation

Next time, Gally, next time!

Sadly I won't be able to join you. I will be winging my way towards Sydney by then. Hope you have a wonderful day with not too much and and plenty of and

I have done some further enquiring, and St Andrew's Day (30th Nov) is out, I am afraid. I was offered Sunday 1st or Tuesday 3rd November but we are not yet committed. Can't take too long deciding or they will be gone too, the pre-Christmas rush for venues will be going by then. I have PMed all who were interested and so far there is a preference for the 1st.

If you have not yet managed to reply (this site was down from 9pm last night to about 9am this morning) could you let me know as soon as you can? Numbers can be added to for a little while yet, but we do need to book a date.

Twenty of us will manage that nae bother, elegran

In fact, twelve probably would too

Well, we have a quorum - the minimum is twelve to get that rate. So something will be on.

Now we need to add enough people to fill a room built for 40 so as to fill it with the noise of GNers eating drinking and talking.

Count me in please Elegran, sounds fantastic. I do hope you can pull this off.