Autumn Conclave 2013 - WHW 28th September

[Koval]

1) Huzzah! (Sort of.)
2) Go with both scales! Play around a bit, you know it makes sense.
3) EXPLAIN! EXPLAIN!

[MarcoSkoll]

... well, it seems the recent rain of returning members continues.

Good to see you around again Robey.

~~~~~

As an aside, I am expecting to be coming equipped for both 28 and 54mm myself. What 28mm and 54mm is another matter - it depends on which of many unfinished projects I actually decide to get off my arse and get on with.

[greenstuff_gav]

aye, always good to have returning names
of course, now i have to avoid disappointing you all!

[precinctomega]

@Koval - Gav was saying that none of the news sites had publicized the Autumn Conclave.  I can probably do something about that, at least within my own network.

Might have to brush up my recollection of the rules, though!

R.

[Koval]

I got that far, but your "own network" was what troubled me a little. Are you cheating on us, Robey?

[bobninja]

Can you sign me up please, and i've sent a PM to gav about the event.
Cheers

[TheNephew]

Soooooooooooo...
It's looking brutally expensive to make it all the way from the south coast to Nottingham.
Also, it sounds like the usual SOP is to get there Friday eve, to be ready Sat morn?

Any advice, or suggestions I may have overlooked, that might render this in some way affordable?

Edit: Not to come begging hat in hand, but if anyone's driving up that I could give petrol money to, or some similar, I'd be eternally grateful.
Preferably not axe-murderers, but it might just save me hitch-hiking up, which is becoming increasingly unreliable as a timely mode of transport.

[MarcoSkoll]

Some people do turn up Saturday evening, but that's generally those who have particularly long trips - Van Helser, for example. tends to fly down from Inverness on the Friday, stay the Friday and Saturday nights, then fly back again on Sunday.
For a lot of people, it is an early start on Saturday to get there. (As it does save the cost of overnight accommodation).

Dependent on how you're looking to make it there... well, there's not a lot I can suggest to reduce the cost of driving, save finding someone to split petrol costs with.

Via the train, pre-booking an advance ticket will usually save a bit. And if you're using the web journey planners, you could a bit more relaxed about arrival times - sometimes it's a lot cheaper to go later and accept a few quid in taxi fare.
If the costs are high enough (or you're planning on making it to a few events over the next year) and you're eligible for whichever one, it can be cheaper to buy a rail card and benefit from the discount.

~~~~~

On the note of my own journey, I'm not planning on booking onto the last train this time around. It's one thing to stay around that late if running or playing in an extra game, but that's not very common - so, in the absence of anything being specifically planned, I'm more likely to get the 20:02 or 20:43, which'll give me the time to hang around and chat, but without being there on my own at the end!

(I may also take a different train out, seeing as the costs have swapped around a lot over time, but that's probably less relevant).

[greenstuff_gav]

if you can get to Bath by 06:45 i can pick you up enroute?
i go from Radstock but usually go thru the centre of Bath onto the motorway

[TheNephew]

I've had a slightly more in-depth poke around since last whine, and found slightly more affordable tickets up.
Brutal AM start, but such is the way of these things.

Cheers for the advice, and the Gav for the offer.
Things are looking up.

Edit: Booked. Ah heck. If I'm a zombie upon arrival, I do apologise.

Edit: I did not know we had a censor. Good family-friendly fun. How entertaining.

[MarcoSkoll]

I've had a slightly more in-depth poke around since last whine, and found slightly more affordable tickets up.

Although it's probably not useful now, one word of advice I forgot to give earlier - sometimes splitting the journey at a change can make it cheaper bought as two parts. (Sometimes it isn't. You have to experiment).

This used to be the case with my going via London, as splitting the journey at London* and just walking the difference between Euston and St Pancras** hugely cut the costs. For me, it's no longer the case, but you might find things improved.

*Also, it can be worth telling the online journey planners you don't need as long to cross London. They're often quite pessimistic. Sometimes a different option can be cheaper.
**About half a mile between the front entrances. After you add in stairs and waits, it's actually quicker to walk than take the Tube.

[MarcoSkoll]

For me, it's no longer the case...

Okay, I am apparently wrong on this. Although booking as one journey out and one back is cheaper than two out and two back used to be, pre-booked tickets between St Pancras and Nottingham are for some reason half the price of a few months ago. So, this is going to be as cheap as I've ever made it to an event.

Anyway, all booked up. I've aimed for the 2043 out, as Van Helser's not there, so I doubt anyone's hanging around until the 2128. (And I think the 2043 is relatively close to when Koval tends to leave).

[Cortez]

19.40 is the last train that I can catch back to Manchester. Oddly though it seems to be cheaper to buy the tickets at the station assuming I get the same deal as last time.

[Shannow]

Hello fellow clavers,

Though not on here much I have been busy off it so will be coming along this year!

Look forward to seeing you all there

R

ps I'll be in 54mm

[DapperAnarchist]

Put me on the provisional list - it's in my Calendar now, but as I'm planning on doing my upgrade viva soon, that might disrupt plans.  Gav, how likely is it you'd be able to pass through Bristol on your way?