A Gathering of Southern Folk (POLL ADDED)

Approx date

  • 19th / 20th Sept

    Votes: 1 9.1%
  • 26th / 27th Sept

    Votes: 1 9.1%
  • 17th / 18th Oct

    Votes: 1 9.1%
  • 7th / 8th Nov

    Votes: 3 27.3%
  • 14th / 15th Nov

    Votes: 7 63.6%
  • 21st / 22nd Nov

    Votes: 6 54.5%
  • Bath

    Votes: 6 54.5%
  • Bristol

    Votes: 7 63.6%
  • Cheltenham

    Votes: 3 27.3%
  • Yeovilton FAA Muesem

    Votes: 3 27.3%

  • Total voters
    11
Re: location, we were in Bath yesterday (t'missus got a voucher deal for a hotel and time in the spa). Overall, nice place with plenty of good architecture though the Roman baths cost £14.50 to look through and were pretty busy. The Georgian Royal Crescent and Circus are IMO a bit underwhelming. Nice to see but something I think foreign tourists might be more keen on. If you've seen certain areas of Edinburgh, it'll be nothing new and the street isn't cobbled. Unfortunately the church in the centre of town, St. Michaels I think, had scaffolding all over the spire, though that may be removed by the time we visit. We didn't have time to investigate inside there or the abbey or look around more as herself was set on seeing the Roman baths. God knows why, I swear a woman with a screaming child was following me around the place out of spite.

Anyone thinking of staying over could investigate Pratts Hotel, it's almost the definition of faded grandeur and there are notices that the management will be refurbishing the place but it was reasonably priced (on our voucher, of course) and I felt it had a certain charm - antique furniture that's been neglected so cracks in the veneer and wobbly, uneven shelves and creaking floorboards. Located about 5 minutes walk from the centre of town with a car park opposite. Good breakfast too.
 
i quite like Bath, but it can be difficult to photograph. As you say, the Crescent and Circus doubly so. Some nice architecture, alleys, doorways, windows, that sort of stuff; buskers, street with stalls etc when we were last there. The crescent-shaped weir and other parts down by the river are interesting if you look hard, and we like the canal which has some precipitous locks down to the river. I've never really tried photographing there, other than sneaking a snap as we walk around.
 
I liked Brizzle, lots more to see there I think. We never even got to the bridge.
 
Well I'm up for it but it has to be a reasonable distance for a 250cc motorcycle for what place you choose.......and no rain.

Lightweight! A mate did the Simmer Dim rally in the Shetlands from Hertfordshire. On an FS1E!

Up for a filmy meet in the South, if I'm free (Mr Humphries!) Depending on the weather, I might even be on 2 wheels too. More into landscapes and/or seascapes than cities and street, although somewhere like the Yeovilton FAA museum or Haynes Motor Museum would be good too - and indoors should the weather prove uncooperative!
 
I do like Bath, but every time I go there it's absolutely rammed with tourists and it's quite difficult to take any "thought out" photos rather than snapshots among all the flowing crowds and groups of people etc. Bristol is a good choice, and can be a little quieter, although all the main interesting parts are more spread out. I think Bristol might prove less stressful than Bath, but there's been a previous meet there before so I'm not sure if people would want a second?

Yeovilton museum is an interesting shout, plus it's less than 8 miles from my house ;) :D I fancy it might be a bit difficult to get to for those using public transport as it would involve a few changes between trains and buses as it's in a more remote location (although I could pick two people up from a train station rather than them getting a bus.) Would make for some interesting photos though!

Anyway, it looks as if the 14/15 November is the most popular choice, so I guess that's the date sorted :D I'll chuck some places up for vote now :)
 
Hmm, didn't realise you could only ask one question on a poll lol. I've just added the places onto the end of the dates, you just might have to amend your vote to add your choice of place I guess! If anyone has any ideas and want's me to add another place or two then just shout :)
 
As you said Carl I think yeovilton may be a little tricky by public transport although perhaps one for the future. I wouldn't mind going back to Bristol, we didn't make it up to Clifton last time and there's some pubs we didn't go in.
 
lightweight !


Not sure we've met but I can assure you that at 18 stone (on a good day!) I'm not a lightweight!!! Wandering round in the rain isn't my idea of fun though and whenever possible, I like my photography to be fun. Haven't got a weatherproof film camera either.
 
Not sure we've met but I can assure you that at 18 stone (on a good day!) I'm not a lightweight!!!

Depends who you're being compared to, you lightweight ;)

I've voted for each destination as it's nice to get out of the house and I don't really mind where we end up.
 
Not sure if this will change how people vote, but Bristol's Christmas market will be on the weekend we're looking at :) Might be a little busier in the shopping area but it's a whole lot of awesomeness for photography. Plus the German sausage stand there is incredible :D

http://www.bristolgermanchristmasmarket.co.uk/

Bath's doesn't start until later in the month, and Cheltenham is in December
 
Not sure of my social calendar's state but don't mind when it happens - if I can't make the final date, I won't be there! Must say that commercialmas markets are (IMO) as much fun as a colonoscopy with an '80s camcorder though...
 
Being completely honest, landscapes/seascapes are also more my thing as well. Indeed, xmas markets are a difficult place for an LF camera as well! No drama if that's the consensus though :)
 
Cheltenham? Gloucester? (Canal basin and cathedral nice) Hereford? Wells? Glastonbury? Cheddar? (OK, some logistical problems with some of those!)
 
Personally not fussed about Christmas markets but would be happy to go to Bristol again if we're doing Clifton. Always happy to get out and about for a bit of landscape work if we can sort out travel logistics.
 
Ok so the poll has been open for enough time for those that are interested in going to have their say I think. The most popular place is Bristol and the weekend of the 14th and 15th. Does anyone have a preference in which day out of the two? Or would people travelling from a little further away like to do a two day thing with a stay overnight?

Clifton is definitely a good place to visit within Bristol. Think it's about 1.5-2 miles from the city centre so it's walkable. Taken a few photos of the bridge but have never really got a "wow" one so I'm always keen to go back :D
 
Saturday would probably be best for trains, for those travelling from a little further afield!
 
Okey dokey, Saturday the 14th of November in Bristol it is! What's next? A meeting place and idea of what to do for the day? Does anyone have anything/anywhere specific in mind that they'd like to visit? Clifton seems like a popular choice and I guess the city centre with that giant mirrored ball thing will be on the list as well :)
 
"What to do" is usually as follows: meet, in a coffee shop or similar convenient for travel (usually around 10 am). Once sufficient have gathered and are refreshed, meander until reaching a reasonable pub at lunch time. Once refreshed (again), meander further until more refreshment is needed!

You've already fulfilled most of your tasks as meet organiser :clap:. All that's left is to choose the convenient meeting place (or get someone else to choose), have some suggestions for general direction of meander, and some ideas for pubs. For the Stratford meet I went into the various candidates and asked them about likely lunch time crowds, and the possibility of getting a couple of largish tables (for sharing a bit of camera porn). Then we went somewhere different!:)
 
Sooooo.... who's coming then? :) I want to get a list together so people can book trains etc whilst they're still cheap :)

I might be taking the train as it happens, as my van's broken down again (Lasted five days since it last broke down, so it's going well so far!)
 
I should be there, work permitting.
 
Are we looking at 14th in Bristol then?
 
The Current Mrs Snap and I will be attending this meeting of you southrons in that Brizzle, so behave yourselves.:D
 
I'm hoping to but will have to wait and see...
 
I'm looking to book my train tickets, are we ok to meet at Temple Meads station?
 
Well we will be coming in to temple meads but I'm not sure what time. I will let you know later.
 
I was planning on driving as it's about an hour away, but depending on what time everyone gets there I might train it as I reckon the price will be about the same for either way once I've paid for fuel and parking etc.

I'm so excited :D
 
Don't be too excited, you haven't met us yet!

I've met us a lot and I still don't know if I like us...... we are quite weird...... :D
 
Not long to go now! :banana:

Trying to decide what camera to bring with me... I want to bring a couple toys to play with but I don't want to bring too much to carry around all day. Hmmmm, decisions!
 
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