Thamnophis UK meeting 2008

[Sputnik]

Thanks for the kick into action, dearest James!

I thought this would be a great idea while we wait for the big world meeting next year. Of course a UK meeting does not mean you actually have to live in the UK, just that we will meet over here. :)

How would you feel about camping, sometime in late June?
That should be around the time new babies are ready for exchange, the weather with any luck will be warm enough to spend a couple of nights in a tent and it won't be too close to summer holidays for people to be too busy.

I know I agreed to organising this, but you will help me out with some good advice as to location, time, etc, won't you?
Maybe the Midlands might be a good place to go? Fairly central and from what I remember a reasonable chance to spot a slow worm or two... ;)

[adamanteus]

I'm in, Esther! June sounds good, Midlands would be great. I grew up in Cheltenham, I know (knew!) some excellent spots for Adders, Slow-Worms and Common Lizards around the Costwolds...... if things haven't changed too much in the past 30 years!

[CrazyHedgehog]

I am up for this, will have to be weekends as most of us work during the week.

[Sputnik]

Weekends are best for me too and Cheltenham/ Cotswold area would be brilliant as I don't drive and it's not far from me at all.

[gregmonsta]

Count in the Gregmonsta + girly :)

[adamanteus]

So Esther, you just need to find us a campsite (near to a pub) and we're sorted!:D

[Sputnik]

I'm on the case! :)

[adamanteus]

So, Stefan.... If you can't make NC in 2009, can you get to the UK in June?:)

[adamanteus]

Esther, maybe we need to pick a definite date? I might need to book the time off, I work weekends sometimes. Also, I might take the Friday and Monday off, if it's to be a weekend get-together.

[Sputnik]

Yes, I was thinking the same.
I can't have a closer look tonight, we're off to London at 7am as Hannah and I are doing some work for the band "Simple Plan" in Camden/ London tomorrow. They're playing 3 gigs throughout the day and we have to hand out flyers and collect names for the mailing list. I'm really excited but I should really get some sleep otherwise I have no chance of charming anyone, lol. We were supposed to go to the aftershow party, too, but it's been cancelled, grrr. But we're staying over until Monday anyway, so any further planning will have to wait until then. :)

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

okay..... sorry to interrupt this peachy conversation but what is a slow worm?????? i am sitting here like picturing giant slow moving worms and wondering to myself why would people want to look for those lol!

[Stefan-A]

Anguis fragilis, a legless lizard.
Anguis fragilis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anguis_fragilis)

[Snaky]

I've participated in the meeting in the Netherlands of Dutch speaking thamnophis maniacs. And it was great, so it'll surely be great fun there to. Hopefully a lot of people can come :)

[adamanteus]

Would you come over for the UK meeting, Hans?

[Snaky]

That's going to be hard, James. I'll be going to Havan, Costa Rica and Panama in October-November for 3 weeks and I'd like to save as much as possible for then. The trip is quite expensive...

But if you have the exact date and place, I'll have a look at the costs ;)

[adamanteus]

Hans, it's looking like the last weekend in June (28th and 29th). In a campsite near Cheltenham (Gloucestershire, West Midlands).... but Esther is dealing with the finer arrangements on this one.

It would be great to see you there, and perhaps some of our other mainland European friends.:)

[pETER1]

Hi,
I am in Ireland, I would love to make the visit, need some advance notice to get a cheap flight.
Peter

[adamanteus]

Hi Peter, and welcome to the forum.:)
Do you have Garters? We have another Irish member here, so you're in good company. Why not introduce yourself in the welcome lounge?

[Sputnik]

What do you think of this one?

Cotswold Farm Park : A Rare Farm Treat in the Heart of the Cotswolds (http://www.cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk/)


More details can be found here:

Cotswold Farm Park , Cheltenham Campsite (http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/details.asp?revid=5339)


There seems to be plenty to do on-site if anyone brings kids and there's a wildlife walk. Not that we won't be doing our own... ;)


Or there's this one, which has it's own pub/restaurant, JAMES ;) (and a new toilet block, hurray!)

Touring Parks Gloucestershire - The Red Lion Inn Gloucester for caravan and camping - Touring Park (http://www.redlioninn-caravancampingpark.co.uk/thepark.html)

[jompiej]

don't know if i am comming, but I like the 1st one :P

[adamanteus]

Whichever you choose if fine by me, Esther... I can always bring my own booze!

[Sputnik]

Do you think there are going to be enough people with spare seats in cars? I have to get a friend to drop us off as I don't drive and of course it would be a shame to be stuck on the site without being able to go on the snake searches.

[adamanteus]

Don't be a silly billy! There's bound to be room for you. You could always come with me.... I promise to bite! I mean not to...

[Sputnik]

Lol, I'm no longer scared of you, my dear. :D

I'll have my three sproglets with me, though. Can you cope?

[adamanteus]

Three? You only had two when we met.... what have you been up to?:rolleyes:
I think I'm coming alone, in which case yes, I can manage. If I have the family in tow, I'll only have two empty seats.

But Greg's coming.... he has a seven seater!:D

[CrazyHedgehog]

Toilet block is a must!! getting to old to be hiding behind bushes!

[Sputnik]

Three? You only had two when we met.... what have you been up to?:rolleyes:


Pardon? http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/garter-snake-lounge/1455-another-member-meeting.html

:p


Yes, toilet block is highest priority, I agree. :D

[adamanteus]

Esther, I'm just teasing... how could I forget your lovely children?:rolleyes:

[Gijs & Sabine]

That's great you're organize a meeting in the Uk as well. Like Hans said, last year in Holland was great, so you must have a wonderfull time also.
We would love to come as well, but june is no option for us :( But we're probebly coming over in late august, visit James and some others. By that time we probebly have lots of babies :D
So I don't want to mess up the organisation, but is maybe august also an option ??

[gregmonsta]

I might want some of your babies :) !!!

[Sputnik]

What do you think, would August be just as good for everyone? We could always meet twice. :D
Gijs and Sabine's babies are gorgeous, Greg. ;)

[Sputnik]

Felt this needed a serious bump!

So what do you think, shall we still meet in June and organise something else when Gijs and Sabine are over or shall we leave it until August?
There are advantages in leaving it in June as the campsite is cheaper and I would guess fewer people will be on holiday elsewhere. But of course I wouldn't want to miss the Belgians either, lol.

[Snaky]

The belgians is just my humble self ;). Most others are from the Netherlands.

As for me, this year has become impossible to come. I just arranged another holiday with my girlfriend, who could not come with me in October/November. Doing water by the wine, or how do you say :) . So maybe I'll see some of you in Hamm and I hope others are able to come.

If I were you, I'd just pick a date and arrange it for people in the UK. If somebody else would like to come, they can always ask here. But otherwise it might be to difficult to arrange...

[Lulu Bennett]

What do you think of this one?

Cotswold Farm Park : A Rare Farm Treat in the Heart of the Cotswolds (http://www.cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk/)


More details can be found here:

Cotswold Farm Park , Cheltenham Campsite (http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/details.asp?revid=5339)


There seems to be plenty to do on-site if anyone brings kids and there's a wildlife walk. Not that we won't be doing our own... ;)


Or there's this one, which has it's own pub/restaurant, JAMES ;) (and a new toilet block, hurray!)

Touring Parks Gloucestershire - The Red Lion Inn Gloucester for caravan and camping - Touring Park (http://www.redlioninn-caravancampingpark.co.uk/thepark.html)

You can count me in hehehe.
Wow beer and new clean toilets?! sounds good to me lol

[adamanteus]

I think June is about the best time........ We need to make a solid arrangement so that people can decide whether they are coming or not. No matter what we do it won't suit everyone.:)

[GarterGirl]

I don't think I can come.. :(
But I'm definitely coming to the one here!! :)

[Sputnik]

I think June is about the best time........ We need to make a solid arrangement so that people can decide whether they are coming or not. No matter what we do it won't suit everyone.:)

Ok, June 27th to 29th it is. :D That's Friday to Sunday. Does that sound ok?
Now we just need to decide which site we prefer and as soon as I know who would like to be there, I will book spaces.

[adamanteus]

The date sounds great. How about the place with the pub and the toilets? I think we're looking at about 12 attendees, aren't we? You could always tell them the number might increase a little.

[Sputnik]

Pub and toilets sounds good. I do like the farm park, too, but it sounds as if it's a little far from any of the surrounding villages.

I will have a large tent with me, for the kids and I, it has another 3 person "room" so can share with someone.

[adamanteus]

I have a two man ridge tent, and a nine berth beast. I think I'm coming on my own......... mmmmm, which one to bring.:rolleyes:

[CrazyHedgehog]

pub and toilet block...;)

[Lulu Bennett]

the one with pub and toilets has my vote and it looks really nice too.

[Sputnik]

Pub and Toilets it is then. :D
And James, you can have a room in our beast as long as you promise not to snore too loudly. It has 4 seperate "pods" so you can have lots of space all to yourself.

[Lulu Bennett]

Pub and Toilets it is then. :D
And James, you can have a room in our beast as long as you promise not to snore too loudly. It has 4 seperate "pods" so you can have lots of space all to yourself.
after the convo in 'its oh so quiet, shhh shhh' i dont think even one of these pods you are offering will be able to accommodate him and his swollen head lol

[adamanteus]

And James, you can have a room in our beast as long as you promise not to snore too loudly. It has 4 seperate "pods" so you can have lots of space all to yourself.

That's very kind of you, Esther. I'll take you up on that offer. I'm really looking forward to this, not long now!:D

[Lulu Bennett]

so what is the final date that is agreed on for the meeting?

[adamanteus]

so what is the final date that is agreed on for the meeting?

27th to 29th June.:D

[Lulu Bennett]

cool. i will get that time booked off.
can't wait :D:D:D

[adamanteus]

With luck, we should find Adders, Common Lizards and Slow Worms. I always struggled to find Grass Snakes in that neck of the woods.

[Sputnik]

I spoke to a lady at the park today. She asked if we could please print off one booking form
( Red Lion Riverside Inn & Caravan and Camping Park - Booking Form (http://www.redlioninn-caravancampingpark.co.uk/booking.html) ) per tent and send it with a £5 deposit (per tent) to Stan Mason at the park.

She said it would be best if we either sent them all in ONE envelope or maybe all under the same surname. Maybe we could mark them clearly as "Thamnophis UK" on the top of the page?

I told her we'd be about 12 people in possibly 5 tents.
Can I just check again, who's coming? You could just quote the list and add your name to the bottom:


I will be there!
Thamnophis UK camping weekend between 27th and 29th of June 2008:


- Esther + 3

[adamanteus]

I will be there!
Thamnophis UK camping weekend between 27th and 29th of June 2008:


- Esther + 3
James (adamanteus)

[CrazyHedgehog]

Esther+3
James
Inge + 1

[Lulu Bennett]

Esther+3
James
Inge + 1
Lulu + 1

[gregmonsta]

I can't make it anymore unfortunately :( ... I'm playing a gig in Glasgow on the Saturday.

[Lulu Bennett]

I can't make it anymore unfortunately :( ... I'm playing a gig in Glasgow on the Saturday.

greg your excuse isn't good enough :mad:
awwww that sucks!:(:p

[Living Earth Zoological]

I should hopefully be able to attend!

If I do, it will most likely be myself, plus one :D

[CrazyHedgehog]

I can't make it anymore unfortunately :( ... I'm playing a gig in Glasgow on the Saturday.

I think you should come and play for us instead...:p

[adamanteus]

I spoke to a lady at the park today. She asked if we could please print off one booking form
( Red Lion Riverside Inn & Caravan and Camping Park - Booking Form (http://www.redlioninn-caravancampingpark.co.uk/booking.html) ) per tent and send it with a £5 deposit (per tent) to Stan Mason at the park.

She said it would be best if we either sent them all in ONE envelope or maybe all under the same surname. Maybe we could mark them clearly as "Thamnophis UK" on the top of the page?

I told her we'd be about 12 people in possibly 5 tents.
Can I just check again, who's coming? You could just quote the list and add your name to the bottom:


I will be there!
Thamnophis UK camping weekend between 27th and 29th of June 2008:


- Esther + 3

So, Esther.... Do you want us to send money to you, so that you can book it? It's only a few weeks off now.:)

[Sputnik]

I'd prefer if you could send the form and money directly to the campsite and just let me/us know. I'm terribly disorganised and don't want to mess this up. :)
Just mark them as "Group-booking for Thamnophis UK".

[lestat]

I want to come along but it will have to be Saturday afternoon as i am at work that weekend and cant get the Friday off. I will stay Saturday night.

[gregmonsta]

I think you should come and play for us instead...:p

Lol ... :rolleyes: you'd definately get a campsite all to yourselves that way :D

[Sputnik]

Can I just check if anyone has sent their form off already? I've had a few problems over the past few weeks so not had much time to think about this. :(
I can't drive but I'm hoping a friend might still be able to take us to the campsite, I'm hoping we'll be there Friday evening.

[adamanteus]

If it's going to be difficult for you to get there, just let me know and I'll come get you.

[Sputnik]

Yeah, we only need one form. :)

And thanks, James, if things are difficult, I will let you know.

[adamanteus]

I was round at Lulu's yesterday.... she's still 'up for it', I reminded her to send her form.... I'll remind her again!

[jeanette]

i may be able to make it for one of the days there, ive got the dogs and the birds and way too many responsibilities to stay for the whole weekend, but i will see what i can do, even if its only a pub lunch and picking peoples brains for info.

[adamanteus]

It would be great to see you there, Jeanette.:)

[Lulu Bennett]

i am still coming. i am going to print the form off now, fill it in and send it off.
really cant wait

[adamanteus]

I just checked some up-to-date aerial shots of the area on Google Earth.... many of the reptile hot-spots I used to go to as a child look pretty much unchanged. So I'm pretty hopeful for a successful trip. Fingers crossed for good weather now.:D

[Lulu Bennett]

I just checked some up-to-date aerial shots of the area on Google Earth.... many of the reptile hot-spots I used to go to as a child look pretty much unchanged. So I'm pretty hopeful for a successful trip. Fingers crossed for good weather now.:D

don't say that! bad luck

[adamanteus]

Are you booked now, Lou?

[Sputnik]

I can't get my printer to work. :confused: Stoooopid thing! Will have another go tomorrow otherwise I'll ask a friend.

[Lulu Bennett]

i am sending reservation form and cheque off today xxx

[Sputnik]

Eurgh, problems, James... I still haven't managed to print the form off but now it's also looking dodgy for me making it to the site on Friday. My youngest is Hamlet in his school play that night now. :( So sorry!

[adamanteus]

I'll print off the form and book it myself tomorrow, Esther.

[adamanteus]

Of course you don't need to print the form... you can fill it in on screen, then if you right click you're given the option to fax it from your PC.
Guys, if you haven't booked yet, you need to do it. I don't want to be the only one there!

[Lulu Bennett]

do you not need to send i deposit off?

[adamanteus]

do you not need to send i deposit off?

Yeah, it's a fiver.... but Esthers printer isn't working. So it's just a way around it.
Have you booked yet Lulu?

[Lulu Bennett]

Yeah, it's a fiver.... but Esthers printer isn't working. So it's just a way around it.
Have you booked yet Lulu?

it says 3 nights or more in tent or tourer - £5.00 deposit per night = no deposit as we are stopping for 2 nights?

[adamanteus]

Yeah, I read that, but Esther has spoken to the woman and she wants the fiver!
You could try booking via PC and see if it's okay. Don't forget to write 'Thamnophis.com' after your name.

[Lulu Bennett]

Yeah, I read that, but Esther has spoken to the woman and she wants the fiver!
You could try booking via PC and see if it's okay. Don't forget to write 'Thamnophis.com' after your name.

i can't find where you said book via the PC? lol i have filled it in via pc and forgot to send it off lol so better do it now lol

[adamanteus]

After you fill it in, right click the screen and it gives you the option to fax from your PC.

[Lulu Bennett]

lol i think that is just yours lol

[adamanteus]

Stick it in the post then, Lulu!:D

[Lulu Bennett]

i will do. i am heading out now anyway to get my nails done for tonight so will do it then xxx

[chloe]

Sounds good fun. Might only be able to make it for the day due to having dogs and other commitments.

[adamanteus]

It would be nice to see you there anyway Chloe.:)

[adamanteus]

I've decided... I can't wait until the end of June.
All these field herping pics from our US members are making me jealous, so at the end of next week I'm going Adder hunting! (Vipera berus)
I'm going to camp rough somewhere in the Welsh wilderness for a few days, and see what I can catch on camera.
Mrs. Adamanteus and Molly are going to stay with friends for a week anyway, I have the time because I'm still 'between jobs'.... so... off I go.... wish me luck.... or join me?:D

[Stefan-A]

wish me luck.... or join me?:D
Good luck. :D ;)

[Sid]

Wish i could join you, James. Can't, so I wish you good luck and as we always say........pictures!!

[jeanette]

I've decided... I can't wait until the end of June.
All these field herping pics from our US members are making me jealous, so at the end of next week I'm going Adder hunting! (Vipera berus)
I'm going to camp rough somewhere in the Welsh wilderness for a few days, and see what I can catch on camera.
Mrs. Adamanteus and Molly are going to stay with friends for a week anyway, I have the time because I'm still 'between jobs'.... so... off I go.... wish me luck.... or join me?:D
oh my i wanna go adder hunting. they are our oly venomous snake and they are so pretty and sightings of them seem to be getting fewer and far between. im so glad theres now more protection in place around their breeding grounds.

[adamanteus]

oh my i wanna go adder hunting.

You're more than welcome to join me!;):D

[jeanette]

You're more than welcome to join me!;):D
lol sounds like something i would love if i can ever find the time to escape the family lol.
just found out that there was a Adder breeding site on beetley common, dereham in Norfolk. im gonna get up there and find out if it is still there in the next month or 2. apparantly theres been a lot of building in the area and some green land has gone in favour of houses. hope they havent destroyed it, it so needs to be preserved.

[adamanteus]

You don't need to travel quite so far, Jeanette. Adders are still pretty common up here in the north. Various parts of North Wales, especially Angelsey are real Adder hot-spots.

[jeanette]

You don't need to travel quite so far, Jeanette. Adders are still pretty common up here in the north. Various parts of North Wales, especially Angelsey are real Adder hot-spots.
Are they being protected in wales?
I want to take all the kids to see them in the wild when the kids get older and i was told that Adders are not being protected everywhere, just in areas that are already conservation sites.

[adamanteus]

As far as I'm aware, outside of nature conservation areas, only the Smooth Snake and the Sand Lizard have any real protection in the UK. But my information may be outdated.

[jeanette]

As far as I'm aware, outside of nature conservation areas, only the Smooth Snake and the Sand Lizard have any real protection in the UK. But my information may be outdated.
its definately well worth finding out about that i think.
it would be typical of this country to lose yet another species because of limited protection for it.

[adamanteus]

Here's a quote from the MKA Ecology website, I'm pretty sure this is the current legal status.


All six terrestrial British reptile species are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended. The level of protection however depends upon the species. The common lizard, slow worm, adder and grass snake are all partly protected so that it is an offence to kill, injure, or sell these animals. The smooth snake and sand lizard, Britains rarest reptiles, are fully protected thus also making it an offence to take or possess, intentionally or recklessly to disturb or destroy an occupied place of shelter. In addition, the Sand Lizard, and Smooth Snake are also given protection under the Habitats Directive (1994), where they are listed as European protected species in Schedule 2. Sand Lizards are also designated a specific UK Biodiversity Action Plan(UK BAP), ( a government response to the Rio summit (1992) where member states are committed to applying Species Action Plans.)(www.ukbap.org.uk (http://www.ukbap.org.uk/).)

So, you can 'disturb', take or posses Adders as much as you like.... but you can't sell 'em!

[jeanette]

Thats crazy James, i cant believe they havent updated this law. although getting my hands on an Adder wouldnt be a bad thing. ive wanted to get a close look at one and study it for a few weeks. Always thought it was illegal to catch them though, it was tempting to catch one and then let it go once i'd learnt what i could about it.

[adamanteus]

I know. The law is an a$$.
Adders are interesting, but very difficult to keep in captivity. The just won't eat.
From my Welsh trip I will be bringing back only photographs and memories.

[Sputnik]

I have just phoned the site and spoken to Sam as I still can't print that silly form off. He told me not to worry and either just turn up or ask someone to add an extra tent to their booking form, no extra deposit needed.

I feel so bad, James, as I said I'd bring the large tent so you won't need to worry. Dillon's play finishes around 8, so we could be at the site between 9 and half past, but that might just be too late to set up. If we can get there on Friday we'd have to bring the little popup tent, I think. :(

But on the upside... we'll be there one way or another,lol.

[adamanteus]

It's okay Esther, I've booked in with my little tent!:D

[adamanteus]

I've just been checking out the long-range weather forecast for the UK.... I might cancel my Adder hunt. Apparently we're going to get a 'June rainfall anomaly'... the most rain in June since God was a boy.
This doesn't bode well for the Thamnophis UK meeting... I don't know whether to pack a tent or build an ark!
Man, I hate this country! While I'm 'between jobs' maybe I should look for employment abroad.

[jeanette]

I've just been checking out the long-range weather forecast for the UK.... I might cancel my Adder hunt. Apparently we're going to get a 'June rainfall anomaly'... the most rain in June since God was a boy.
This doesn't bode well for the Thamnophis UK meeting... I don't know whether to pack a tent or build an ark!
Man, I hate this country! While I'm 'between jobs' maybe I should look for employment abroad. lol well it was summer last year when sheffield and rotherham flooded :D they had to do emergency work on a reservoir in sheffield as it was close to collapse due to the heavy rain water. gotta love it................NOT

[adamanteus]

Honestly. I've had enough. I want out!

[jeanette]

Honestly. I've had enough. I want out!
tell me about it!
what with the weather and the politics lets all move abroad :D

[Snake lover 3-25]

come to AMERICA 'where all your dreams come true' LOL i heard that somewhere.......... :D:D:D

[adamanteus]

We have politics here? Oh, I thought they were only joking! I didn't know it was real!

[jeanette]

We have politics here? Oh, I thought they were only joking! I didn't know it was real!
hahahahaha
its just a game that they play, its called, ruining peoples lives with unemployment and taxes

[adamanteus]

I might move to Canada... my Dad was Canadian, so I have citizenship.

[jeanette]

I might move to Canada... my Dad was Canadian, so I have citizenship.
my other half lived out there for a while when he was playing ice hockey and younger and he loved it, so i couldnt blame you for that, but when you get mail in the post from my solicitor demanding that you accept paternity of me its your fault for moving somewhere nicer :D :D :D :D

[adamanteus]

Paternity?!? Oh go on... remind that I'm getting older too! Rub salt in the wound!

[jeanette]

lol just say you fathered me when you were very young like ummm about 13?

[adamanteus]

Couldn't you just claim to be my sister?

[jeanette]

ummm i guess that would work, you would have to be the older sibling though :D rofl

[Snake lover 3-25]

LOLOLOL Roflmao!!!!!!:D:D:D:D:D:D

[Sputnik]

With all these adoptions on this forum we are turning into a right crazy family! If you're moving to Canada, James, I want to claim to be your sister, too and reserve your spare room now! I have been wanting to go to Canada for ages and recently been quite sad about probably never ever being able to afford a holiday there. Could just be because I have silly little crush on Pierre from Simple Plan. Just kidding! Or am I? :D

Anyway, our UK meeting better be dry... Last year's summer was a disaster! The kids and I went to the WOMAD festival on our doorstep, but spent 4 days wading through knee-deep mud. Typically British music festival. My ex-husband lost his business, too, because of the terrible weather... he owned an ice-cream shop!

But seriously, what shall we do if it pours buckets?

[adamanteus]

But seriously, what shall we do if it pours buckets?

The Red Lion Pub is right along side the camp site.... I'm sure we'll have a great time, whatever the weather!:D

[Lulu Bennett]

i have just recieved my reciept back today, so it is offical :D

[adamanteus]

So, only four weeks to go now...
Show of hands, who's going?

James.
Lulu + 1.
Esther + 3.

[ScimitarX]

Probably wont make the weekend and camping but will try and get there for the day:)

[adamanteus]

It will be nice to meet you Claire, even if it is only for the day.

[adamanteus]

Okay... I changed my mind again!!!:rolleyes:
The weather has suddenly turned great, the forecast is good. So tomorrow morning I'm off to Wales to camp and hunt Adders for a few days. Hopefully I'll have a lot of stories and pictures to post when I get back.:D

[Snake lover 3-25]

Good Luck!!!!!!:D:D:D

[Lulu Bennett]

Yey only 3 more weeks hahaha

Is anybody planning on drinking on this trip?

[adamanteus]

Is anybody planning on drinking on this trip?

I might be tempted!:rolleyes::D

[Lulu Bennett]

i will bring a couple of bottles of red so you and my jammes can keep each other busy and i might get some peace lol hahaha ( please don't tell him i said this lol)

[reptileparadise]

Is anybody planning on drinking on this trip?

thats not a question...thats an order!
Looks like you guys are gonna have a great time! Do post pictures of a drunk James!

[adamanteus]

I think we're going to have a great time.... even if we don't get to see any native herpetofauna. I hope we get a good turn out.

[Sputnik]

thats not a question...thats an order!
Looks like you guys are gonna have a great time!

Nooo, please don't say that! You're getting me worried now... I'm not a great drinker, lol.

[adamanteus]

Don't worry, Esther. I'm not a big drinker either... I just joke about it, I don't really do it!:rolleyes:

[Snake lover 3-25]

cough cough yeah right cough cough

[adamanteus]

cough cough yeah right cough cough

Shanley.... you can't believe everything you read... I'm actually a 15 year old black girl, living in Georgia. Or not!:D

[Snake lover 3-25]

yeah then where did you get all the pics of the same guy out hunting for reptiles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:p:p:p:p:p:p

[Stefan-A]

I'm actually a 15 year old black girl, living in Georgia.
The state or the country? :D

[Snake lover 3-25]

their's a country named Georgia????????

[adamanteus]

The state or the country? :D

Your choice Stefan.:D

[Stefan-A]

their's a country named Georgia????????
Georgia (country) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia_%28country%29)

I'm not from Minnesota, either. ;)
Finland, Minnesota - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finland%2C_Minnesota)

[Snake lover 3-25]

oooooooooo it's in europe that explians everything!!!!!:p:p:p

[drache]

you guys crack me up

[adamanteus]

Only three weeks to go now guys!:D
I have e-mailed the local ARG for local info, So hopefully we can get the best out of the trip. No reply yet, but I'll keep you posted.

[jeanette]

woo hooooo its creeping closer :)

[CrazyHedgehog]

Is anybody planning on drinking on this trip?

umm yes, I was thinking the odd bottle wouldn't go a miss on a trip like this!

[Sputnik]

Would have been great if we could have bottled last weekend's weather and used it as required. :D

[adamanteus]

I've just been reading the weather forecast for our meeting.....
Friday night... Rain and thunderstorms.
Saturday.......Rain with winds from the NW.
Sunday.......Mostly cloudy with some rain.
Comments/suggestions anyone?

[CrazyHedgehog]

weather forcasts can be wrong.... and if not, there is the pub!

[adamanteus]

Checked the forecast for this weekend....
Friday.... sunny.
Saturday...sunny.
Sunday... sunny.
Anybody think we should bring our meeting forward?

[Sputnik]

I wouldn't be able to make it this weekend unfortunately. A Danish friend of my daughter's is coming to stay and I am meeting a friend, who's been in hospital for the past 2 1/2 years.

What a pain about the weather forcast for next week though! :(

[adamanteus]

The forecast may change yet, Esther... it's still eight days off, and you know the British weather.:rolleyes:

[Sputnik]

Absolutely! And our forecasters aren't aways reliable either.

[Jenlang_79]

So someone please fill me in...I really don't want to go through this whole thread...when is it now? Where are you going? Am I invited?..lOL! :+)

[adamanteus]

Of course you are, Jenny... but it's in the UK... next week! I think you're getting this thread confused with the World Meeting next year!:D

[CrazyHedgehog]

Just to remind everyone... 27th to 29th June

The Red Lion,
Riverside Inn Caravan & Camping Park,
Wainlode Hill,
Norton,
Near Gloucester,
England,
GL2 9LW
Caravan Camping Touring Parks Gloucester - The Red Lion Inn Caravan Camping Park River Severn Homepage (http://www.redlioninn-caravancampingpark.co.uk/)
Telephone: 01452 731810

I have just booked by phone!

[Lori P]

Jenny, if you have a small row boat or a rubber raft, perhaps we can row over together for the weekend. I just need to be back for work on Monday... :D

[adamanteus]

I booked by post... weeks ago!:D

[CrazyHedgehog]

yes but I was too stressed weeks ago, finally finished my degree, got results yesterday, 2:1 with honours.
Anyway, better late than never!

[adamanteus]

Well done you!:cool: (That's two males and one female, right?):D

[CrazyHedgehog]

lol thats actually quite funny!! (not as much as the slinky quote which is still amusing me!) but was hard work with working full time too and all the animals... phew time for a rest!

[count dewclaw]

Congrats, Inge! I'll be thinking about you "guys" next weekend.

[adamanteus]

Well, LeAnn, I promise to take lots of pictures... no matter what the weather does.... so we can share our little meeting with the rest of you guys.:D

[count dewclaw]

Well, LeAnn, I promise to take lots of pictures... no matter what the weather does.... so we can share our little meeting with the rest of you guys.:D

Sweet!!!!!!!!:D

[Sputnik]

I think those forecasters got the weekends mixed up... it is pouring down here! Hopefully by next week it will have run out of water and we'll be soaking up the rays. Well, through thick layers of suncream anyway. And from the safety of the shade of a tree or something. Actually not really soaking at all, cause we don't want skin cancer or silly stuff like that. Aaaanyway, I hope the sun will shine for us. :D

[drache]

Well, LeAnn, I promise to take lots of pictures... no matter what the weather does.... so we can share our little meeting with the rest of you guys.:D
well, of course, you must

[CrazyHedgehog]

OMG, put the address into my Tom Tom, its about 3 hours drive and thats only if there are no traffic jams or hold ups...

[adamanteus]

I had a 'practice run' with the tent in the garden today! Getting quite excited about it now!
It would be very nice if we had some last minute participants.... there aren't really many members going..
Esther, Lulu, Inge and me.
Then (hopefully), Claire and Jeanette are coming just for the day.
Any more takers? I can take anyone from this end of the country, if they want to jump in on the meeting.

[Sputnik]

Oooh, I'm so much looking forward to it, too!
Dillon isn't impressed because we're going to miss a very exciting Dr Who,lol. Will you dress as a Dalek for him, James? :D
If that doesn't bring more people to the meeting, I don't know what would...

[adamanteus]

I dress as a Dalek every weekend, as a matter of course!

[ScimitarX]

Sorry guys, looks like i wont be coming. We are in the process of opening our own reptile shop and things around here are rather hectic right now.

[adamanteus]

Looks like it's just me and three lovely ladies then! It's a hard life!:D

[adamanteus]

'They've' altered the weather forecast for the weekend.... not looking too bad now!:D
Are we all ready? Have we checked that we have all our necessary bits and pieces?:D

[Sputnik]

Must have been my firm chat with the weather guys. Funny what a well timed phone call can do... :D

[adamanteus]

Weather for Friday and Saturday looking pretty good now! It just keeps getting better!
Sunday not so good, but that's okay.

[jeanette]

dont know wether its been noticed but i havent been around much this past 2 weeks, i dont know wether i will be able to make it for the weekend.

[adamanteus]

Just a reminder... any last minute 'joiners' who would like to come but can't sort the transport, I can take anyone from this part of the country along with me.
A bigger turn out would be nice.

[punky_jen]

Im from the midlands, where is everone meeting? :)

But im new, and only joined today

[adamanteus]

The Red Lion,
Riverside Inn Caravan & Camping Park,
Wainlode Hill,
Norton,
Near Gloucester,
England,
GL2 9LW
Caravan Camping Touring Parks Gloucester - The Red Lion Inn Caravan Camping Park River Severn Homepage (http://www.redlioninn-caravancampingpark.co.uk/)
Telephone: 01452 731810

You're welcome to join us, Jen. You may not know any of us yet, but by the end of the weekend you would!
Some of us will be there from lunch time tomorrow.

[punky_jen]

il ask hubby how far etc it is, im not so good at geography lol, will be a nice day out.

So who is going? Il be bringing my monsters with me (the kids) lol

How will i know who you all are? if i can make it. lol.

[adamanteus]

I'm not so sure exactly who's going.... only about 4 or 5 members, some are bringing their families along.

[Stefan-A]

A couple of times, I seriously considered showing up unannounced. ;)

[adamanteus]

A couple of times, I seriously considered showing up unannounced. ;)

Stefan, I really wish you would!:D

[Stefan-A]

It would certainly be the most expensive practical joke I ever pulled. :D

[adamanteus]

I've just got back from buying my provisions for the weekend. (at the Wine Merchant's!):D

[Gijs & Sabine]

I've just got back from buying my provisions for the weekend. (at the Wine Merchant's!):D

Can't wait to see the results :D Cheers !!!

[adamanteus]

I'm just going through my inventory for the meeting...

Red wine.
Tent.
Wine glass.
Sleeping bag.
Corkscrew.
Red wine.
Some other stuff.
Red wine.

Yeah, I think I got it covered.

[punky_jen]

lol 1 glass of red wine and im tipsey. I take it your camping there then? with your wine? lol

[adamanteus]

Yes, we're camping. Friday till Sunday. I'm going first thing in the morning, so I can be set up first. Then sit back and laugh at everyone else putting their tents up!:D

[punky_jen]

lol meanie

[reptileparadise]

I'm just going through my inventory for the meeting...

Red wine.
Tent.
Wine glass.
Sleeping bag.
Corkscrew.
Red wine.
Some other stuff.
Red wine.

Yeah, I think I got it covered.

Maybe you should bring some wine...just in case...

Have fun everyone! We love pictures on this forum:D

[jeanette]

I really hope you guys have a great time, i shall be thinking of you all while its pouring down with rain....only kidding the weather forcast says its going to be ok.

[Sputnik]

il ask hubby how far etc it is, im not so good at geography lol, will be a nice day out.

So who is going? Il be bringing my monsters with me (the kids) lol

How will i know who you all are? if i can make it. lol.

Jen, if you're in the West midlands I don't think you are too far away. Little Monsters are very welcome, mine are coming, too. Though 2 of them are not so little anymore, lol.

What are we doing foodwise? Going for one nice meal together at the pub would be really nice, but I don't think I can afford doing that twice this weekend considering there are 4 of us. :)

[adamanteus]

I'm bringing enough food with me to feed a small army.... I will be cooking al fresco... or do I mean au naturel?:rolleyes:

[punky_jen]

make sure you wear a pinny, you dont wana burn your bacon lol.

[Sputnik]

Sounds good. I have to test out my camping cooker anyway. I think we are bringing the huge tent after all, I have to make sure I can set it up before taking it to a couple of music festivals this summer.

OOoooooh, James, lucky sod, getting to go tomorrow morning! :D

[adamanteus]

Pinny! I knew I'd forgotten to pack something. I remembered to pack the wine though.... and the cork screw. What else do I really need?

[Sputnik]

make sure you wear a pinny, you dont wana burn your bacon lol. :eek: Shocking!

[punky_jen]

Pinny! I knew I'd forgotten to pack something. I remembered to pack the wine though.... and the cork screw. What else do I really need?

A glass? lol

[punky_jen]

:eek: Shocking!
ha ha someone had to say it

[adamanteus]

I'm quite looking forward to a bit of outdoor cooking. Although it will probably be more 'Sacre bleu' than 'Cordon bleu'!:D

[Stefan-A]

Bring a live cow. Carve off what you want and ride the rest home.

[adamanteus]

Bring a live cow. Carve off what you want and ride the rest home.

That's it! I'm calling PETA!:D

[Stefan-A]

That's it! I'm calling PETA!:DFor every animal you don't eat, I'm going to eat three. ;)

[adamanteus]

And you're just the man to do it!:D
I promise I will devour every living creature I see this weekend.

[Sputnik]

Ok, that's it...I'm staying home! :p

[adamanteus]

Okay, Esther, I won't eat your children.... well, not all of them.

[Sputnik]

Dillon's very worried now. I'll tell him you'll barbecue him if he doesn't go to bed. :D

[adamanteus]

Being the youngest, he's probably quite tender!

[adamanteus]

What time are you hoping to arrive, Esther? I'll be there by mid-late morning. Lulu will be there by lunch. Don't know about the others.

[Sputnik]

You know we're coming Saturday? Our danish guest is due to leave at 7.30 and I hope we'll drive up straight after that. Stop to grab some provisions on the way and we should arrive before 10.

[adamanteus]

Of course, I'd forgotten! See you Saturday.:)
Get me on my mobile when you arrive.... by 10am I'll be on Wainlode Cliff, knee deep in Grass Snakes!

[Sputnik]

What time are you leaving to go grassssssnaking?

[adamanteus]

Probably about 6.00 or 6.30am... but I'll be at it (on and off) all day long.

[gregmonsta]

Hey guys :D have fun this weekend .... but, obviously, not as much without the rest of us :p

[Sputnik]

I've just spoken to James and he told me that he's all on his lonesome. Poor Inge's car has broken down and she was going to give Chloe a lift. Lulu isn't there yet, she said she left at 10 :S. Hope she's alright.
Sounds as if the weekend is going to be much quieter than we'd hoped.

Come on Jen, pleeeeeeeease join us tomorrow! Would be so good to meet you.

[CrazyHedgehog]

having a major sulk..:(
MAf wanted to give car a service esp as going so far,.... bought spark plugs, ht leads, new air, oil and petrol filters...turns outt none of them are the problem, my head gasget is about to go... can't drive that far and can't get a new one til tomorrow and its a biggish job to do...so am sulking!!:(

[Lulu Bennett]

We are back!!!
Just had a fantastic weekend. gutted no-one else could join us but me, James and Ester had a blast.
Ester, it was lovely to meet you and the sprogs. hope you enjoied it5 as much as i did
xxx

[Sputnik]

Thank you, you too, Lulu. It was a wonderful weekend.
I'll come back in a bit and talk about nicer things. Sorry. :(

[adamanteus]

As Lulu says... we're back! We didn't see a single reptile, but I think we all enjoyed the weekend anyway.
I was the first one to get to the campsite, mid morning on Friday.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//537/medium/my_tent.jpg

This was my home for the past three days.
The others were a long time getting there, so I spent day 1 pretty much on my own.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//537/medium/left_to_right.jpg

UK meeting Day 1 Group shot... Left to right... Me.

I took the opportunity to scout out the local countryside.... not ideal 'snake country' as it is very heavily farmed, and frequented by fishermen, dog-walkers, sheep etc.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//537/medium/River_Severn.jpg

The River Severn.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//537/medium/Wainlode_Cliff.jpg

Wainlode Cliff, famous for it's stripes!

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//537/medium/Woodland.jpg

Local woods.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//537/medium/Clover.jpg

No reptiles here, but a butterfly paradise.

[adamanteus]

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//537/medium/Lulu_her_James.jpg

In the evening, Lulu and 'her James' arrived.

Saturday saw an improvement in the weather, and the lunchtime arrival of Esther...

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//537/medium/Esther.jpg

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//537/medium/Hannah_Jonas.jpg

Hannah and Jonas.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//537/medium/Harpoon.jpg

I was able to evade Esthers attempts to harpoon me!

We spent the afternoon searching through the small amount of relatively wild countryside, plenty of bees, spiders and various spikey plants... but no reptiles.

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//537/medium/Difficult_terrain.jpg

Difficult terrain for high heel shoes!

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//537/medium/Dillon.jpg

But Dillon was in his element.

[adamanteus]

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//537/medium/Hannah_Esther.jpg

Mother and daughter (Esther and Hannah) help each other through the prickly field!

So, we had a good time, we walked a lot of miles.... but not a sausage did we find!!!

[Lori P]

What great pics!! I'm so glad you guys had such a good time. :-) Sorry you didn't find any snakes-- maybe next time. :-)

[Gijs & Sabine]

Great pics, James !! Looks like you had a good time :)
But it's a pitty you didn't find any reptile.

But what happened to the wine ?? I didn't see anything of it on the pictures :D

[anji1971]

Nice pictures! It looks like you all had fun, even without the snakes!
And one day when I win the lottery:rolleyes: I'm going to be at every get-together..........

[adamanteus]

Yes, it is a shame we didn't see any snakes. Even the cunning disguise, cleverly crafted by Jonas (ExtremePeanut) wasn't enough to change our luck!:D

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//541/medium/disguise.jpg

[CrazyHedgehog]

I am so not a happy bunny.
I ended up doing manual labour instead of having fun!!
Spent the morning of Sat tamping concrete down on garage floor, (I was still sulking about my car too) but can't even get it into the garage to do the job until the concrete has hardened properly....:(
I am sure Maf knew he would need help with the flooring this weekend and broke car on purpose...not really, he would have fixed it if he could!

so, car is scheduled to be fixed next weekend now, so when is the next UK camping trip, I have a new sleeping bag and everything!!:confused:

[adamanteus]

How about organising a North Wales camping trip quite soon, Inge? At least we know there are snakes there! (Well, one at least... because I've seen it!)

[Garter_Gertie]

GREAT pics, James, you HUNK!!!

I'm so glad you posted them because I got to see a bit of the English (?) countryside. VERY PRETTY!

Even though you guys didn't find any reptiles, it looks like you had fun and that's what's important.

[count dewclaw]

Thanks for sharing the pictures. Looks like you had a lot of fun.

[Sid]

Great photos of the meeting. Nice to see part of the "Thamnophis" group together having fun:D:D

[anji1971]

GREAT pics, James, you HUNK!!!

HaHa! After all this time flirting with all the ladies, James is finally gettin' some in return!!
You go, Gertie!:D

[Garter_Gertie]

Anj, he's DAMN good lookin'! YUUMMY-EEEE!

[ssssnakeluvr]

great pics!!! sucks you didn't find anything...but sounds like it was a lot of fun!!!! can't wait for our meeting next year!!!!

[Snaky]

Indeed great pics, looks like you had a great time :)
More luck finding reptiles next time...

[drache]

that looks like a fun camping trip
wish I could have been there

[Sputnik]

We wish you could have been there, too, Rhea! :)


Some of my pictures...


Hannah got her priorities right- FOOD!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/MrsSputnik/STA60110.jpg

[Sputnik]

It was like trying to put a parachute up in the wind and not get blown half way across the country, but once it was up, our tent was fantastic...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/MrsSputnik/STA60111.jpg

Best quote of the weekend: "You won't find anything here, Lulu and I already had a look this morning!"- James in the middle of a huge field with grass up to ear level. :D
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/MrsSputnik/STA60112.jpg

A hopeful James waiting in vain for his kiss at the kissing gate...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/MrsSputnik/STA60119.jpg

[Sputnik]

We did find some wildlife. Here we have a shrew. Sadly deceased...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/MrsSputnik/STA60121.jpg

Also taking a rest on Hannah's hand: a tiny creature, expertly identified as a "bug" by James...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/MrsSputnik/STA60115.jpg

If you can't find any snakes, take a Poi-juggling lesson from Jonas...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/MrsSputnik/STA60125.jpg

[drache]

great photos, Esther
I'll have to show Jeff the photo of the tent
I'm trying to get him interested in camping
maybe if we had luxe accommodations like that . . .
it doesn't come with hot and cold running water per chance?

[Sputnik]

Not quite, but it has masses of space. I bought it after having spent a few cramped days in a small tent at a music festival last year and despite some awkward moments putting this one up (and taking it down when the wind returned... I was getting a bit flustered and grumpy with the kids) it was great. We all sat in it in the evening, my boys even had a dance in it and attempted cartwheels.

[Garter_Gertie]

That is a beautiful tent.

The pic of the shrew? See the dead grass? That's like what the timothy hay is in my substrate. Looks all the world like real grass. I like the effect.

[anji1971]

More great pictures! What fun-- I haven't gone camping in years.........

And yes, Gertie,
James is kinda cute, but I'm not going to tell him that, it may just encourage him.:D:D

[ssssnakeluvr]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/MrsSputnik/STA60111.jpg



Nice tent! hmmmmmm.....look at all the bald guys.....I would fit right in!!!!!! :cool:

[reptileparadise]

Britains favorite haircut!

Looks like you guys had a great time!
And whats that? Sunshine? In the UK????