Be Excellent To Each Other

UPDATE
The bank holiday weekend was problematic for a few people, so: new poll. When would you come? Maybe the bank holiday was the best weekend for the most number of people, but we'll see.

OLD CONTENT
This is somewhat duplicated from the other thread but has two key benefits. Firstly, I'm going to control this first post so I can update it with planning stuff if this takes off. Secondly, it has a thread title that means something

So, as per the poll question: we can stay in a few different Oxford colleges in central town locations for about £40-50 per person per night. This seems to be cheaper than any other hotel I've looked at, certainly any that are close to the centre. I don't know how quickly these will book up, so I think we're better off organising the accomodation earlier rather than later. I would like to encourage people to make a weekend of it, so we can get pissed, go for curries, go punting, visit museums, etc etc.

I think we all came away from Manchester thinking there wasn't enough time spent together and that's something we could resolve if we want to. For this reason I am suggesting the bank holiday weekend in August, to give us the option of a three or four day weekend.

I'm aware this might get a bit pricey for some though; we can look at options like sharing twin rooms between people. Are there any Beexers who can feasibly offer their house as crash space near Oxford to help out the guys who don't want to spend as much?

If there is enough interest, I am happy to take point on the organisation. For a start, I'll ring the college, pretend we're a social media conference, and try and get a block-booking discount.

Preserved results of previous poll:

I luffs the Oxford - I should be able to get crashage for myself, but can't help out anyone else I'm afraid. What I will be able to do, though, is ferry 3 people.

If it's nice weather any passengers, particularly those in the back, will need sun tan lotion.

I'm interested, but can't give any definite answers for now. The time seems fine, but I'll have to see closer to the time how I'm doing for money.

It sounds fantastic, but I'd be in the bad books for being away from Mrs Z for the bank holiday weekend. It would be probably over spendy if we both came along, and we'd have to leave Baba Z with Grandparents.

So I'm saying no... but you never know.

Can't do the bank holiday weekend, sorry.
If we go for another weekend I might be able to offer crash space , depending on whether the housemates agree or not. The garden's big enough for a few tents, too

The bank holiday weekend is a no-no for me, for what it's worth, but another weekend would be good.

Hmm. Perhaps a non-bank-holiday would be a better idea, then. Let's see how this one shakes out first.

I'd love to - still haven't shown the wife Oxford and have been meaning to - but will be too spendy for me. Maybe I can drive down for a day and meet up for lunch or something.

Bank Holidays are always furiously busy and expensive, too, unfortunately. If we made it Friday -> Sunday on any weekend, I'm sure that'd be more than enough time with you cunts chaps.

I'll ask Kovacs to ask mrsA when we're free. Could offer some crash space, but am 45 minute bus ride from city centre.

A bank hol weekend would be difficult for me, and I'm not sure about the money wise of kipping over (and all that involves - this could be the massive purchase talking though).

If it was oxford though, I could pop down quite easy for a long day. possibly.

Bank Holiday would likely be incredibly busy. Not sure what dates I can make anyway (annual leave spreadsheet is currently broken).

I'm a yes (but probably another date) too. Reasons:

1 - Wifes birthday that weekend. Only a absolute twunt would go away with the internets on his wifes' birthday.
2 - Bank Hol weekend makes trains unlikely.
3 - Fatboy Slim is playing SW4 that weekend, and I'd like to go.

I'm sorry. That's not enough notice for me.

If people do daytrip it and I'm in town I'm happy to show people the sights (and not just the pubs!) . It's possible to have a good day here and not spend much money at all as the museums etc are free, although paying for the view of the town centre from the tower of St Mary's Church is worth it.

That's Ange's birthday weekend, so no. I'm not that much of a cunt I'd leave her on her birthday.

I'll start looking at trains.

Hahahahahaha, I just checked the train. I can get a "cheap advance fare" for £100 each way. I think I'll pass on this one.

Erm, sorry, let's stick to the Oxford meet in this thread

Getting back to Oxford, Wullie (hint hint), could you not possibly go somewhere else (like London on the sleeper) for cheaper, then cadge a lift with someone?

OK, I'm going to change the poll tomorrow[1] to "choose an August weekend you'd prefer to meet on". I suspect, from the posts in this thread, a non-bank-holiday is a better idea. It depends on how many of those 10 "yes"/"probably-yes" replies become "no" as a result of that change.

[1] I'll let it stay like this overnight though, so we get more responses.

The Oxford Tube runs back and forth to/from London all through the night. Around £16 for nextday return at the moment (and extremely handy if you drink too much miss the last train home and have to hotfoot it to Victoria coach station)

Or what about flying into Oxford Very West London Airport.

Oh, and by the way: two of the past three August Bank Holiday weekends have netted me a broken arm. This one can GTFF. I'm not taking any chances.

Aye, that'd work for me, as would the tube.

@Craster, domestic flights are too much hassle these days. I'd arrive stressed out & pissed off which is hardly a good start to the weekend.

That could be doable, esp if the bargain berths is still on offer. The sleeper is aceness.

I would, as always, be offering lifts from London to my forum chums. I will happily prioritise people that come from far away.
Assuming I still live in London, of course.

Jen and I flew to London the other weekend and it wasn't hassle at all. We walked through security, didn't check in bags and only waited about half an hour for the flight to board. We even checked in online so we literally had no queues at any point.

This is something DoccyG should be considering as well.

Maybe so, but after being a professional traveller^TM I've ended up feeling the same way about aeroplanes as DocG does about motorways, I'm sick fed up of them & airports. The only thing I hate more are buses (& Belgians).

Oxford - Yes
All weekend - Don't know, too far away to say.
That particular weekend - Don't know again yet.

Initial reactions seem to be that the bank holiday is a bad idea, so I will point out that I've got a wedding to go to on the first weekend in August, so can't do that one.

Where are you?

I actually get bank holidays off now so that would be fine with me, but I'll make time any weekend now.

Yes.

I'll come to this one, provided I haven't failed the GDL and subsequently shot myself in the face.

In answer to JC's question, I'll re-insert my strong hint that BikNorton might live in Manchester.

I may have to ponder putting in an offer on your place, then, so that I can change my mind at the last minute and get a lift.

I'm thoughtful like that, me.

Bump with new poll.

Another bump as poll responses seem to be slow.

That'll be because I barely know what I'm doing this weekend, let alone some weekend in July.

I would love to attend but I get married on the 7th August so swanning off with a bunch of people she's never met... probably wouldn't go down to well with the future wife.

So tick the July ones

She's not good enough for you.

Also: Go on your own! x

Ok... I've ticked the 17th box.

We'll see how this pans out!

Not sure yet, so will vote when I know (soon).

I'm going to Cornwall for a few days with the Rodents around the 24th of July so while I've ticked the surrounding two weekends, I'd probably rather this didn't happen on them. Then again, it might be better, holiday-organising-wise. I can't tell.

I'll be most amused if it's arranged for a weekend when I'm around.

I've ticked those weekends when I'm not booked to be in work. However, need to stress that my rosters are currently being fiddled with.

Three out of the four I've voted for are currently the most popular - huzzah!