ozstamps

The late May weekend "Oz Fest #1" in 2004 was a hassle free success. We had a few folks fly in from New Zealand - two from Canada, many from USA, 2 or 3 from Germany, from England, various states of Australia .... and Chris Reid flew in 12,500 miles from Scotland to be told by office he needed to come right back! It was a very pleasant group of folks from all over the globe - most of whom had never met.

Oz Fest #2 has turned out to be FAR larger in size. Well over DOUBLE in fact for all events. The 2 threads in Community and Qantas forums have attracted ~27,000 page views. There are 58 "Definites" listed now - flying in again from all over the globe - from 5 continents in fact. I am not sure if any other FT Doo anywhere has had that distinction? Please come join us!

Everyone is welcome. Your age, or FF status does not matter at all. By all means bring a partner or friends to whatever you attend - all days will be good fun, whether they are FF'ers or not. And we have kept cost of doing things as low as we can.

OzFest #1 was the first ever FlyerTalk "Dooo" held in the Southern Hemisphere, and everyone who attended seemed to enjoy it. Right now we have folks flying in from all over Australia - also Canada, Germany, England, South Africa, New Zealand, Philippines, and many from the USA.

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OK .... now down to business for 2005.

As all who attended in 2004 can confirm, the weather in May 2004 was superb. Could not have asked for a better temperature range. Fingers crossed it stays that way in 2005! (Even though our "Winter" allegedly starts June 1 .... a few days later.)

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Listed below (in order of them posting here) are the folks who have said they will attend and have emailed me thus with events they have confirmed for. No email no listing. Simple as that. There are ~850 posts on the OzFest threads, so I am not reading each one. If that means you miss a place on the almost full TT bus tour, or almost full dinner cruise, or QP ingress list etc, your fault. I don't read minds well.

It is a Memorial Day public holiday in the USA Monday 30th, so for anyone flying home you do it on your vacation time. Remember if you LEAVE Sydney on the afternoon of Monday May 30, you ARRIVE in the USA on the morning of Monday May 30. Tons of time to get home, unpack, have an early night and get organised for a day at the office next day etc.

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Definite and confirmed (= 58)

ozstamps and Lynn - Sydney - (FD/SL/TT/QP/SS/DC/BM - all x 2)
Punki and Hunki - Seattle USA - (FD/SL/TT/QP/DC - all x 2)
serfty * - Melbourne - (FD/SL/TT/QP/DC/BM)
tinkybelle + Mr Tinks *- Sydney - (FD/QP - all x 2)
marguerite - Sydney (FD)
marlene - Sydney (FD)
QF WP * - Brisbane - (FD/SL/QP/DC)
Mwenenzi * - Melbourne - (FD/SL/TT/QP/DC)
Lis * - Sydney - (SL/TT/QP/DC)
meloz * - Sydney - (QP)
monitor and Franny - New York - (FD/SL/TT/QP/SS/DC/BM - all x 2)
Leumas * - Wellington NZ - (SL/TT/QP/SS)
Bundy Bear * - Brisbane - (SL/TT/QP/SS/DC/BM)
Dave Noble* - Canberra - (QP/SS)
corbetti and Roo * - Sydney - (SL/TT/QP/DC - all x 2)
Kiwi Flyer * - Auckland NZ - (QP?)
restlessinRNO - Reno, Nevada, USA - (FD/SL/TT/QP/DC/BM)
techgirl * - Texas USA - (SL/TT/QP)
MSY-MSP * - Minneapolis USA - (SL/TT/QP)
spaceman * - Virginia USA - (SL/TT/QP)
MRSTARALLIANCE - SYD via Waitomo Caves, NZ - (SL/TT/QP/BM)
RichardMEL * - Melbourne - (SL/TT/QP)
adamwebster - Great Britain - (FD/SL/TT/QP/SS/DC)
ozmerish * - Brisbane - (SL/TT/QP)
KathyWdrf - San Francisco - (FD/SL/TT/QP/DC/BM)
kpc * - Sydney - (FD/QP/SS/DC)
Efrem * - Boston USA - (FD/SL/TT/QP/DC)
franjelley - Sydney - (SL/TT/QP)
newcx12345 * - Sydney - (SL/TT/QP)
Paul Pang - Sydney - (SL/TT/QP)
RK - Sydney - (SL/TT/QP)
thadocta * - Sydney - (QP)
benoit - Hawaii, USA - (SL/TT/QP/BM)
jrobin * - Waterloo Canada - (FD/SL/TT/QP/SS/DC/BM)
Iain - Canada - (SL/TT/QP/SS/DC)
Karen - Canada - (SL/TT/QP/SS/DC)
goosegreen - Sydney - (SL/TT/QP)
infoworks * (QP)
cathaana - Germany - (FD/DC)
Daniel - Sydney - (DC)
capetonian * - Cape Town, South Africa (SL/TT/QP/SS)
Dazer *- Sydney - (FD/SL/TT/QP)
Alysia - Washington DC - (FD/SL/TT/QP/BM)
d00t * - Brisbane - (SL/TT/QP)
Russell Corr * - Sydney - (SL/TT/QP)
JohnSydney2000 * - Sydney - (SL/TT/QP/BM)
makatikid - Manila Philippines - (FD/SL/TT/QP/DC/BM)
StevePER * - Perth - (SL/TT/QP)
Noelene - Melbourne - (SL/TT/QP/DC)
Craigo * - Canberra - (SL/TT/QP)
santana * - Sydney - (SL/TT/QP)
iluv2fly - Chicago USA - (SL/TT/QP)
Freddie Junior - Colorado Springs USA (all events - he did not eat or drink much!)

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We now have solid numbers I've made firm bookings and got firm prices from suppliers. We could certainly use a couple of extra bodies on the Sunday tour to keep the cost down to budget if anyone wants to add themselves to that. We set that up specifically thinking it would interest our overseas visitors, and so far very few of them have signed up!

Next to each handle I have added location of member (tell me if I am wrong on this!) and WHAT events they have definitely emailed me they will attend. If anyone wants to CHANGE this, and bring along a friend etc, (everyone is welcome!) or add an event etc to your name, email me direct - ozstamps at bigpond.net.au

Do NOT post it on FT please, or I'll lose track of the fine tunings, and it will bore everyone else to death as well most likely if we got a lot of that. If anything above is WRONG above versus what you emailed me, please advise by email and I'll amend the list above.

A few folks have said they are 99% LIKELY for some specific events but can't quite commit yet - that's fine, but those things have NOT been included in your "confirmed" above - just your DEFINITE choices you gave me by email.

Code for activities each person has signed up for is as follows:


FD = Friday evening dinner Darling Harbour area. At "Blue Fish" right on the water. BYO!
SL = Saturday early lunch $32 inc drinks at Observatory/Esky Bar at Int. Airport. Pick-up at door for TT
TT = Sydney Airport 'Tarmac Tour" - Saturday right after lunch. Free drop off at Qantas Club door!
QP = Qantas (Club) Pub - we go to after TT. QF Platinums lead by QF WP will co-ordinate entry.
SS = Saturday evening supper, 6pm, Pier 26 Darling Harbour before cruise. ~$A25 a head.
DC = Saturday evening 4 hour Brazilian Samba, Sydney Harbour dinner cruise, with an open bar.
BM = Blue Mountains and Zig Zag Railway day trip by our private coach, including lunch in the area.

I hate all paperwork, and am quite hopeless at Maths, but as far as I can make it, we have the following numbers so far:


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* = QF Platinums.

* - QF Gold, Qantas Club member or OW Emeralds/Sapphire

(Essential to keep track of, for free Qantas Club ingress on Sat. afternoon!)

I have marked the Qantas PLATINUM members thus: * Each Qantas Platinum can (we understand) sign in 2 guests each, even if they and guests are NOT flying that day. This is a published Elite perk on QF website, and 100% legit Platinum benefit. We can all have a good social time courtesy Qantas and our obliging Platinum colleagues. Then after a few drinks and friendly mixing, go back to our homes or hotels for a nap before the supper and dinner in the city, or catch planes home as several are doing.

A few drinks in our own private corner is a great way to pass away the early afternoon. NOTE - the SYD Qantas Club is nearly empty Saturday afternoon, so we are not bothering ANYONE, or any other passengers in the remote "FT Corner", nor occupying premium space, which might have been the case on a weekday.

QF Gold members, and also Qantas Club members - both of whom should have a same-day boarding pass are able to get QC admission each, with one guest who does NOT need to be flying anywhere. Same deal with One World Emerald or Sapphire members. If you are in ANY part of this group please let me know on thread or by email and I'll add * after your handle.

For those who have added themselves to "DEFINITE" - please let me have the best email address to contact you on. I'll need this keep in touch with times, and prices, and payment details etc.

ozstamps at bigpond.net.au

Glen

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Friday evening.

Dinner in Darling Harbour area.

7.30pm Blue Fish is right on the waterfront at Darling Harbour. A few minutes walk from Four Points - other side of the water. Walk across the Pyrmont Bridge, turn left at end and it is down the stairs around there. Tonight's TV says next Friday will be a sunny 21şC (70şF) during the day, but being near Winter, a lot cooler in the evening. We will set off from Four Points about 7.15pm for those who want to come as a group. Try and join us so we all arrive together. We have 2 tables inside and 2 with heaters outside.

So, I suggest we leave en masse from Four Points lobby at 7.15pm to walk across Bridge. Be armed with your bottle of BYO wine, or buy one as we cross the bridge. (Where prices will likely be higher than shopping around and less choice!) Feel free to drop by our suite from about 6 pm for a heart starter and light nibbles. HOWEVER anyone I spy through the door peep-hole before 6 pm clutching a bottle of chilled bubbly will of course gain immediate VIP entry.

They are a "BYO" place. (Bring Your Own Booze). I just phoned them - for a $A4 a a head corkage cost you can bring whatever bottled alcohol you prefer to drink. There is a bottle shop we walk past on the way there, so anyone can grab a wine, at bottle shop prices on our way here. So tinkybelle can drink her favourite French Champagne, and indeed all can tote along what they ideally prefer to drink, rather than pay $35-40 a bottle for the usual bunch of unknown trendy wines these places offer!

And they take '2 for 1' Entertainment Book $35 vouchers. If anyone reading this has Blue Fish vouchers please contact either tinkybelle or I to let us know you have them, and bring them along. It will cut down costs for sure and save us well over $400 right there. They take only 3 vouchers per table. So we are booked as 4 tables of 6, so cost will be VERY reasonable, and you eat and drink what you wish. .

Last year anyone still standing (all of us!) retired to Dave's suite at Four Points for more drinks and coffee, and that idea had great merit. So much so, I'll repeat the idea this year.

Saturday.

Say about 11.00am Meet at International Airport terminal for an early lunch at around 11.30-11.45am. Last year most of us shared cabs from Four Points at about $A5 each - leaving about 10.45am. Place is VERY easy to find. Far left of It'l Terminal. The "Esky Bar" place last year was very reasonable on cost, and they gave us the upstairs Tarmac "Observation Deck" tables to sit, where they do not usually allow diners. And being right on top of It'l Airport meant we did not have far to go to get on Tarmac Tour. Suited our group wonderfully. Unanimous support for doing it again this year. We have pre-ordered food and drinks so we can get out exactly on time at 12.30pm and not mess around with waiting times for food, or the bill. Cost is a flat $A33 a head covering meal and all drinks and tips - and the BEST view in all Sydney Airport.

I have circulated lunch menu in advance to all who booked, and pre-advised Restaurant of each choice. There are about 8 choices for the one main meal, covering all possible tastes. The fact they get all orders in advance from me cuts the ~20 minute wait for food to arrive. It is partly open to the Tarmac so the noises of jets taking off and taxiing we all get to experience! Last year weather was mild, but if a little cooler do bring a jacket.

12.30am - Tarmac Tour - we'll be collected in our OWN Tarmac Tour bus right from the door of this restaurant at 12.30pm SHARP. No $4 a person rail ticket to domestic needed this year! EVERYONE loved this tour in 2004. Our bus will drop us off at Qantas Club around 2.30pm. Cost increases for this tour May 1 took price up to $A33 a head.

HOWEVER, with our own private bus, and special collection at It'l airport, and dropping back at Qantas Club addition, we've fixed a special rate of $A27 which includes a small contribution toward a very stunning and generous gift flown in from Boeing Seattle that we'll pass on at end of tour to the guide, who slotted in this tour just for us, when they were officially fully booked out on that day. A deal well outside of their normal service offer and routine, and last year we all needed to pay $4 each to get from Lunch to Domestic for QP by train. So we save both the money and much time this way.

I have organised the same TT driver Ian from last year, as he loved our group. Not having "others" in the bus will allow him a lot of "off the record" commentary on the tour. And as folks will recall, his "on the record" stuff was pretty tantalising. Right NOW (May 24) the bus is 100% full at 44 persons. Any new bookings will need to be on back seat which holds 4, but visibility is not quite as good they say, and they do not usually sell that row.

http://www.airsidetarmactours.com/content/view/32/62/

About 2.30pm - 2.45pm - Dropped off at door of Qantas Club by Ian in bus, for drinks and nibbles via our QF Platinum and Elite member friends then back to hotel for a nap if needs be. All attendees were emailed on logistics re this May 25. Folks can leave whenever it suits them.

Evening pre-cruise supper - Lynn and I drove into Darling Harbour recently to check out possible spots for Saturday night dinner. After a bit of checking we found a place just 100 yards from the Sheraton Four Points, right on the water, and that seems a good place for our group for pre-cruise mingling. We spoke to management there and locked in an hour booking with our group on the balcony (covered in case of weather) overlooking the Harbour, in our own private area.

We'd get Canapés continually bought out for our group, 4 different choices, and ALSO a couple of kilos of fresh cooked prawns. As most local folks know that is a LOT of prawns, and these run $25 a kilo from fish markets even. Eating and shelling cooked prawns with cracked pepper, fresh lemon and dipping sauce, looking over the Harbour is a great Sydney tradition, and we want some of our visitors to experience this. ^

With the prawns, food will only run $A25 with tip.

Drinks are more reasonable cost there than the other place, and they will allow us to buy as we go, rather than run just one long tab, which often causes a hassle for light drinkers when reckoning time comes around. At $A25 a head + what you drink, this attractive price-point should allow even the budget conscious to join in with us. @:-)

It is not a sit-down formal deal, rather a mingle affair - perfect for FT - and most will stand up I imagine .... but we do have tables of course for those that want them. Cost is incredibly reasonable for a Saturday early evening in that prime location. I have made a booking as they fill up fast Saturdays, they all advised, and need to be pre-paid pretty soon, when I have firmer numbers of those coming. PLEASE let me know on this. Start 6pm and finish around 7.00 pm, when we'll walk to cruise berth.

- EVENING - HARBOUR CRUISE for anyone who is around that night. We board at 7.15pm after short walk from Pier 26. Last year it was a Harbour cruise dinner dance on the Sir John Cadman as we got a fairly good rate. Also it departed from near Four Points Darling Harbour, where most folks stayed, so was readily accessible. But a VERY staid crowd and atmosphere - like the sort of place you'd take your Granny on for her 80th birthday. Like a floating Leagues Club!

The idea was good, but we sat at formal tables inside and that is NOT good for a Harbour cruise as the visitors saw little of the sights due to bright lights inside. Lynn has found a cruise company that has an "Aqua Latino" cruise - Brazilian band, samba dancing that involves guests etc with prizes, and it goes for FOUR hours, the longest on the Harbour they tell me.

Decent sounding smörgĺsbord, and for a special fixed price package they offer the cruise, entertainment, food and A FULL OPEN BAR for the 4 hours - beer, red or white wine and Champagne and all soft drinks/sodas/sparkling water etc. All for $A90 a head (about $US70) as we now have the minimum number required. (Anyone who only drinks spirits is out of luck, and needs to buy their own, as this deal covers wine/beer/sodas only.)

These folks have no idea what a few FT'ers I know can drink in 4 hours, and the company may be in liquidation late May is my guess. This boat has large outdoor deck areas for those who want to get away from the noise and rabble or have a chat etc. This is far more FT style IMHO. And suits a wide range of ages, which last year's did not. And for those who want to dance (coff) you are in the right place.

This is what they say about themselves:

delicious International style smörgĺsbord, and a spectacular Brazilian floor-show straight from Rio de Janeiro, funky all night DJ, dance & limbo competitions, prizes & giveaways & more!

And the photos DO look like it should be fun for ALL ages:

http://www.vagabond.com.au/photos.htm

We will have drinks in our Four Points suite for an hour or more before we head off on the cruise (starting ~ 6pm) and this is a great way for folks to meet informally, and in a relaxed situation. Cruise leaves right from Darling Harbour - a 5 minute walk from Four Points Hotel.

You MUST be waiting at Vagabond Cruises, Pier 8, King Street Wharf, Darling Harbour at 7.15pm if you are not part of the Supper group (SS) - we'll head off together to Wharf 8 and board. You snooze - you lose! This is 100% pre-paid and is very expensive and they will NOT refund me if someone gets lost. Go to water from Four Points and walk right RIGHT past the outer edges of Sydney Aquarium. Ton of restaurants in that region.

No cab ride expenses back to Four Points, and for those who want to party on, the Casino is just a walk across to the other side, and there are literally 100s of bars and restaurants both sides of where we will be at.

Sunday.

- For anyone still around, a full day activity. Last year we went to the Hunter Valley. Many emailed me asking we do something different, like rent a coach and visit the Blue Mountains or somewhere interesting like that for visitors. So I found a place with a good sized bus that will take us where we want. Much larger bus than last year, and far more comfy, so we can all move around and stand upright in it. We'll head off Sunday 8.30 am sharp from Four Points lobby, up the Bell Line Of Road up near Lithgow, through genuine Australian "bush" along the way. This is a decent trip - 150 Km from CBD or around 100 miles for our American friends.

Lynn and I just had a weekend in a B+B up in Kurrajong, and "cased" out a fair section of the road up to the Mountains we will drive through. Thick Eucalyptus ozzie 'bush' in parts, Bellbirds and Whipbirds, horses cantering around open farmland etc. For anyone coming from outside oz, a great slice of country you will NOT see around the city and suburbs.

When we arrive we take the famous working vintage steam train at 11 am on the 'Zig Zag Railway' for 1˝ hours. (Only $10 a person due to '50% off' Ent. Book coupons!) This railway line was one of the engineering marvels of the Victoriana era, and not often do we get a change to ride in a steam train. Hope everyone brings a camera!

http://www.zigzagrailway.com.au
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~harburg/hist1.htm
http://www.nex.net.au/users/reidgck/ZIG-ZAG.JPG

Then lunch at an historic Hotel up on Mount Victoria - 'The Imperial' up near there that Lynn knows well. Absolute TON of food choices, at our own cost.

http://www.bluemts.com.au/imperial/

Then off to Echo Point so the overseas folks can take their obligatory "Three Sisters" photos of Blue Mountains etc, then back home, via N.Sydney area to city arriving about 5pm ish I'd guess. Quite a low cost per head for that long day compared to other quotes I got, as this owner likes "cash" it seems. coff. With the number we have now the cost will only be $A50 a head for a full day bus touring, and coach companies ask twice that for an itinerary nowhere near as personalised, (none offer Zig Zag and Three Sisters together) and with pick-up and drop-off where we want it.

A few folks have flights that Sunday evening and wanted to get to airport about 6pm or so. NO PROBLEM. Coach will drop those folks off on Parramatta Road/Broadway area at about 4.30-4.45pm on our direct way back into City, and from there only a ~15 min cab ride to airport on a Sunday. Three of you splitting a cab will run well under $A10 a head tops, with tip. Just take your bags with you FROM Four Points on that morning. This saves you 15 mins of sitting in traffic to Four Points, then 15 more mins getting OUT of city area!

We planned this day thinking it would interest most of the folks from outside Australia. Curiously many of those folks have not yet signed up for it. Go figger. Hope new folks signing up add this Sunday.

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Payment and Hotels.

Last year, after folks nominated what events they were attending, I simply charged everyone's credit card a short time before we kicked off, and absorbed the merchant fees. This meant everyone got their airline miles, nobody needed to be chased for money, and best of all meant no messing about with splitting bills, as we came up with fixed prices. Or you can bank transfer, or PayPal me, or send a cheque. As long as we do it UP-FRONT! I can't drink, relax and count money at the same time, on the day.

Dissecting for an eternity who had the 2˝ beers, who had the 3 Pepsi's, and who had the large Perrier water with 2 pieces of lemon, that cost 35˘ more than a beer etc. And then working out and having 10 minute discussions about tips, currency discussions, and then offering waiter 20 different credit cards to pay for lunch etc. I HATE all that petty and un-necessary nickel and dime nonsense. Pre-paying seemed to work well, and there were no complaints at all from anyone about this. PLUS we will be on time for our Tarmac Tour as this is all pre-paid.

The activities are non-refundable as we negotiated special rates for all of them, and need to be paid 100% in full up front on my credit card - Harbour Cruise, Tarmac Tour, Saturday lunch, Saturday dinner, and Sunday Blue Mountains etc. Pre-paying for what you commit for means there is NO way the rest of us are going to be in for any nasty financial surprises with no-shows or cancellations for any activity, or the fact someone 'slept-in' or 'forgot' etc, etc. Been a financial victim of that myself at several overseas FT Doos.

I have added the Tarmac Tour to the plan for this year again, as simply EVERYONE has said they would like to do it again. It is a ozzie exclusive that one, tearing all around the tarmac and centre of Sydney airport in a bus, and all of us being flying nuts we can all do with a double dose it seems, of close-up airport action. And our driver Ian loves FT and those folks that hang out there.

For the Tarmac Tour the written letter confirming our booking this week says in a large box:

Note : for security seasons, you must bring with you a full list of passenger names. All adults must provide Photo ID for a security log. (Drivers License, Passport, RTA Proof of Age card etc.)

So they appear to be dead serious about this. Be advised that SYD is about the only major airport on earth that allows a van of tourists to wander about for 2 hours airside within the airport confines, so I am sure they do check these ID's pretty carefully. Across runways, past control towers, secure areas and maintenance areas. PLEASE be most mindful to bring the ID they ask for with you Saturday. If the Federal Police/security or the TT company needs to inspect them and you have forgotten them, it your responsibility entirely if you are refused access to the tour. And it will doubtless hold the rest of us for a half hour whilst they discuss it. And a new security rule says NO CAMERAS allowed on the bus as per separate posts in this thread. Phones with cameras in them are fine. Weird.

Re HOTEL ... most last year stayed at Sheraton Four Points Darling Harbour, and that was meeting place central. Good rates, and very perfectly positioned for us. And the Darling Harbour views are quite superb. I've booked a Suite already for 3 nights. Nearly all folks staying at a Hotel are at Sheraton Four Points. That's where Sunday bus will pick up from and drop off at, and Friday cruise leaves from very near there, (very short stroll) and Saturday dinner restaurant will be very near there too. For Sydney "locals" coming in to town, parking right across road in Sussex Street is only $12 a calendar day FLAT on weekends, so take advantage of a rate ~30% of weekday price!

Glen

infoworks

Hi

This sounds good...add me to the very maybe as I fly to HKG that weekend...but I am QFF Platinum, live in Sydney and would be glad to help out with something on the Saturday, if it works out. I am told I am a good tour guide!!!

ozstamps

infoworks - welcome to FT, and welcome to OzFest - you are on the list.

If you are a Plat and if you have the time Saturday around 1.30pm or so, the other Plats could use use your help with escorting in those folks going into the Qantas Club.

"Definites" are now up to 31, so you will assist no end - might you be available to help? Why not do the Tarmac tour and lunch as well? And then you'll be with the group already.

Glen

Craigo

OK, I've arranged flights for Saturday so that I can attend the tarmac tour, lunch and the T3 QP party and still make it back to Canberra to watch the Super 12 final (either on TV or live at the ground).

I'll be arriving on QF560 at 0735 and departing on QF771 at 1545. I'm an SG, so I'll be able to act as a buddy for one person.

ozstamps

Got you on the list Craigo - what dedication - what time juggling - FT stuff until early afternoon then the Footy. @:-)

Hey, I'll be making sacrifices too - the Swans may be pulling off another after-the-siren-heart-stopper like last Saturday, while we are out on a Samba boat somewhere.

I am confused ... how does anyone know what teams will play Super 12 on May 28, and where?

Seems to be the Grand Final that day, but surely the end 2 teams are not yet known, unless the Mafia rig the draw in advance that is?

http://www.cup-rugby.com/super12-draw.html

Final note - anyone adding themselves to the list please email me direct, so I can add you to my disorganised data-base for updates etc.

ozstamps at bigpond.net.au

Craigo

There are 6 teams with a realistic chance of making the semi-finals - NSW Waratahs (boo hiss), Wellington Hurricanes, Otago Highlanders, Canterbury Crusaders, ACT Brumbies (go you good things!) and Auckland Blues. The top 2 teams will host the semis and the highest ranked team of the semi-final winners will host the final.

With 5 rounds to go, my team can still host a semi and final if they win their remaining games. So I'm keeping my options open to return to Canberra if the final is held there. Of course, a Waratahs (boo hiss) v Brumbies final in Sydney would throw a spanner in the works, but for $33 I can change the flight to Sunday.

Kiwi Flyer

Who knows, maybe the Brumbies wont make it to the final (at least on recent form)?

ozstamps

Phew. Thanks for the explanation - I thought Don King or the Mob were at work on fixing the 'outcome'.

C'mon ..... we have a great place set up for Saturday night dinner that which will not be expensive, and watch the match (if they Quality!) from a room in the Four Points. The place we are booked at I am sure had big screens anyway.

Take a Blue Mountains jaunt with us Sunday, and be back in time for an evening flight to CBR. A few folks are doing that, so you'll have company to the airport to split a cab. I am hoping bus will be back in city around 5pm ish, as serfty has an evening flight, and Kiwi Flyer is checking his flight time out.

Craigo

Being a realist, I'd probably agree with you. The injury toll has affected the team's performance. Being an optimist, I have to keep the night of 28 May free in case the final is in Canberra. You never know, the Tahs will have their usual business-end-of-the-season implosion, the Hurricanes resume their Jekyll and Hyde playing style and the Crusaders play like the first 20 minutes of last year's final

newcx12345

Just to confirm, is it only QF PLT that are able to bring in guest when they are NOT FLYING (GUESS and SELF).

What about Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald?

ozstamps

Not sure which part of the following you did not understand from post #1, but I'll post it once again. Seems crystal clear to me.


Are you definite now? I did ask you some time back to email me your details if you were.

ozstamps at bigpond.net.au

serfty

Well Craigo,

You will know more after this weekend. Got any spare tickets?

My analysis give a very good chance for there to be three Kiwi teams and the 'tahs filling the top four.

honu

Well, have a wonderful time at the Oz Fest 2 all of you who can make it! The honus will be in Europe at that time (very unlikely to find us in Oz in late May, it seems). Perhaps another year...

newcx12345

I thought according to the Oneworld rules you must be travelling on the day to use the lounge?? I thought the Lounge Dragon will ask you for BP and the Oneworld Membership card?

ANyway I am Oneworld Sapphire if that helps.

I thought I e-mailed you back already?? Let me check and ree-mail you. However I might not join you guys on Sunday as I might have to fly down to MEL for work.

ANyway see you guys soon!
PS. Please add me to the list

ozstamps

Once again, not sure which part of the following you did not understand from post #1 which was repeated in post #11, but I'll post it once again. Seems crystal clear to me.

To possibly make it easier to follow I'll highlight parts in red.


Having a boarding pass for a fully refundable flight is different from "flying" you see.

Nope no email ever received. Appreciate you re-sending it.

Glen