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AFW Gathering in France (Attn. Hoare & Tommasi)

Earlier this year, I was entertaining the idea of spending July 2004 in France, ostensibly to follow the fortunes of Lance Armstrong as he attempts to win 6 in a row (Tour de France) - but to catch up with as many of the European contributors to a.f.w. as possible.

The idea was floated that we could book out the Hoare Hospitality and have a few days of wining, dining and telling lies.

There were comments made that July was not the most suitable of months to travel to France - but for me, July is Tour month - so I had no choice, if I wanted to "kill two birds" so to speak.

I have recently spoken to several cycling enthusiasts who have, in years gone by, made the expedition to follow the Tour - and who were disappointed by the experience.

They simply never realised how BIG that event was, and without very specific planning, and a whole lot of waiting around, they felt that it was better to watch the event on TV.

Now that the route has been announced, I am disappointed that Mt. Ventoux is

*not* on the route - and I am reconsidering my priorities.

I now am much more interested in the possibility of fostering an a.f.w. get together (at the aforementioned Hoare hostelry) perhaps a little later in the year, at a time which would be more acceptable to others.

Could I float the idea for further discussion?

Would there be an interest in such a reunion?

If so, when would be the ideal time (yes, I know, it is impossible to please everyone - but, surely, it would not be a major undertaking for several of our European contributors to take an "extended weekend"?

How many of our North American friends would be interested in a Transatlantic jaunt for such an event?

Ian and Michael - you are the local guys - what say you?

-- Lord St.Helier of the Antipodes.

Reply to
st.helier
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St. H., I will likely be on the Continent next summer giving seminars in several different countries. As my schedule is still somewhat flexible, I can quite possibly meet my fellow miscreants Chez Ian's. Details are essential, however, before I can provide a firm answer...

Mark Lipton

Reply to
Mark Lipton

I am open to suggestions, maybe september.

There is a WE in october when I will be in Italy for the Salone del Gusto (Ian, you coming too?). Maybe that would be a good time to meet, and a good place, 5 days of endless choice of vinous libations and of course great meals. 21-25 october. Would be fun.

Let us know your plans. Mark, when is your tour? We will of course have our yearly bouillabaisse in june... any tours in Provence?

Yours Southernly

Mike

Reply to
Mike Tommasi

Having watched the tour go by - this year they're passing quite close to us here again - and on TV, I have to agree that you see more on TV!

By all means.

I should throw two dates into the pot. The Forges Hoarehouse will be closed for abount 1 week or ten days when the Hoares go to Hungary, (for Australians and Alsatians, that's the ONLY home of Tokay). This will be around the last weekend in May.

We are also planning to visit the USA in fall/winter 2004, leaving France probably around mid October, and getting back after Christmas.

Answering Mike T's parenthetical question, no, we won't be able to come to Turin this year, partly because we're already doing two trips (which cost money) and partly because we can't combine it with our US trip really.

So outside the high season of July and August, September is often an excellent time to come, though with evenings drawing in earlier, we can't count on eating out of doors in the evening as we could in May/June.

Equally, May or June is a good time. We haven't settled the exact dates for our Tokaj visit, but we can be certain that we won't leave before 21st May or be back later than 7th June. So any dates in that timescale would be fine with us.

We'd love it!

I think that it _would_ be a long way for our "Nordic contingent". From the UK, however, I think there will still be cheap flights into Rodez (2 hours from here) By car, it takes 6h30 from Le Havre, so the overnight ferry can get people here just after lunch.

We're 3 hours from Toulouse, to give an idea of feasability for Iberians. When we went to Brittany recently. it took 7 hours to Brest.

While we're a long way from major centres of population, we ARE centrally placed.

For general info, we have 3 double rooms in our B&B, we also have further (slightly less luxurious) accommodation for 4 in our own house. That makes 10 in all. In the village, there's a little Auberge with 5 bedrooms (2 in each) so the convenient maximum would be 20, though eating together might be testing if we were as many as that!

Over the last year or so, a number of AFWers have expressed interest. The idea is NOT viable with less than 6 , as we simply couldn't combine an afw event with a couple of ordinary paying guests!!

Thanks, Andrew, for clarifying your position and to Mark & Mike for their response. If anyone else would be interested, but have some kind of time/date constraint, could they say so up front so we can quickly hammer out enough details to allow us to get BACK to talking about wine!

All the best Ian (To reply by email PLEASE don't use "Reply to" but use my name at wanadoo.fr) Thanks.

Reply to
Anthony Hoare

I, for one would be interested, but like most of us, getting the dates is a biggy.

We will be in Vancouver in June, ( may be able to pull a cork with Bill), so Sept is open.

I will follow the board with interest.

Reply to
John Taverner

We definitely count you in for a night stopover in Vienna, on either direction. There is less luxury than in the Hoarehouse, but then you will have the privilege of being the only guests.

M.

Reply to
Michael Pronay

What, just one...??

Reply to
Bill Spohn
Reply to
Michael Pronay

I'd love to join a group in Europe later this year but a lot depends on my health--if anyone is coming to NY or Washington DC let me know.

Reply to
Joe Beppe Rosenberg

I'm interested, but if it runs into September-October I'm afraid I can't make it. That's the Crush here in California.

May or June (since Ian has pretty much nixed July and August) should be good for me. I'm interested in visiting Provence too, and Mike's bouillabaise event caught my attention...

Tom S

Reply to
Tom S

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