Dartmoor in January 2020 - is ON !
 

It appears some FADUs just can't get enough of Dartmoor in January - so we are going there in 2020!

The date is still to be decided but it will be a weekend towards the end of January to allow for getting over Christmas and New Year celebrations.

As usual we shall visit some good locations for photography, possible locations include: Wistman's Wood, Powder Mills, Horsham Steps Hisley Bridge, Bentor Church, Yarner Wood , Haytor / Haytor Quarry, River Dart and Fogging Tor Quarry - plus many more!

The walking will be light to moderate and the emphasis will be on image making opportunities. Appropriate winter outdoor clothing and walking boots/shoes are recommended.

If you can't make the weekend but could join in for a few hours, or stay for a day, that would be great – please do come along.

Those who have indicated their provisional interest so far are:

Neil
Barry
Bob
Martin Aislabie
Paul Diz
CornishChris
Tony and Jean Marlow
Clive Vincent

Last year we used the Newton Abbot Premier Inn and we found it to be a good affordable base to work from, so as the prices haven't changed much from last year we shall be using it again. But if you would prefer to arrange your own accommodation that's not a problem. I will provide details on booking the Premiere Inn once the dates have been decided.

This is a great opportunity to get back into trim after the Christmas / New Year excesses and an excellent way to kick-start your photography for 2020 – with like-minded people !

If you have any questions / queries about this gathering please post them here.

We hope to see you there.

Neil.

Thats great Neil thank you. Its in the Diary!
Cheers
Diz

Thanks for confirming Diz!

I shall be firming up the date soon and I look forward to catching up with you again on Dartmoor.

Neil.

Count me in I will be there with the Mrs.

Christopher.

I'm certainly interested but will depend on work and family commitments.

Chris,

Good news, I'll be adding you and Mrs to the list when I next update it.

Neil.

I hope you can manage it Rob.

I'll add you to the next 'provisional' list and look forward to seeing you there if you can get away.

Neil.

Put my name on the list please Neil.

I'm a maybe, depends on wifes health.

Ian

Will do David and I look forward to catching up with you again.

Neil.

Will do Ian.
I hope you can make it and don't forget to bring Woody along this time :)


Neil.

Time for an update
 

Thanks to everyone who has come froward to support our Dartmoor In January FADU Gathering.

We are doing very well on this one so far, but the hotel has plenty of rooms - so the more the merrier :)

Those who have given their support, or provisional support, are:

Neil
Barry
Bob
Martin Aislabie
Paul Diz
CornishChris + Mrs
Tony and Jean Marlow
Clive Vincent
Rob Archer
David Lingham
Ian Grant

We still have plenty of time to run on this FADU Gathering so have a good think and if you are able to - do come along and join in.

Neil.

Great isn't it, we move FROM Devon where Stephen was born to Wales and YOU take a trip TO Dartmoor :(

You can't travel back then ?

I moved to Devon 1n 1971 and later to Cornwall in 2005 - I now only do Cornwall and Devon :-) Sorry about that !

If you can't make Dartmoor in January how about organising something in Wales ?

Give it a go on FADU, even for just a day meet, I'm sure you will be delighted with the interest.

Neil.

Finances, staying in B and B, with son who has no interest in returning to Devon, shame

We've been to Wales before and there has been talk of returning sometime. Maybe next year this will happen and you will be able to come along to that.

Neil.

Put me down for anything in Wales

I tend to stay in Cornwall / Devon & Exmoor these days but I have run a few gatherings in the Snowdownia NP. If there is a demand I'm sure someone will get something going.

Neil.

Depending on the date, I may be able to spend a days photography with you all. Trouble is, I have used up most of my annual leave already.

Keith,

I will be publishing the date for Dartmoor in January very soon so if it fits in with your leave let me know and I'll add you to the list.

We hope you can make it :-)

Cheers,


Neil.

Dates & hotel booking information
 

DARTMOOR IN JANUARY DATES - 24th 25th & 26th OF JANUARY, 2020


HOTEL BOOKING INFORMATION

Once again we shall be using the Premier Inn at Newton Abbot.

Newton Abbott Premier Inn,
Newton Abbot Racecourse,
Newton Road,
Newton Abbot .
TQ12 3AF

The Premier Inn represents excellent value for money at currently just £30.50 per night (breakfast not included).

NB. To obtain this room rate you must:

Book online using the Non-Flex option.

Book early - only a certain number of rooms are available at this price – don't miss out!

http://https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/england/devon/newton-abbot/newton-abbot.html?cid=GLBC_NEWABB

Other room rates are available on the hotel's web site for those who require some flexibility.

This is a provisional list of members who have shown interest in attending and also those who have booked their room at the hotel, or have made other accommodation arrangements nearby.


Neil (Booked)
Bob
Barry
Martin Aislabie
Paul Diz
CornishChris + Mrs
Tony and Jean Marlow
Clive Vincent
Rob Archer
David Lingham
Ian Grant


When you make a booking let me know by posting here, or by PM, and I will add you to the booked list.

We hope to see as many of you there as possible.


Neil

I've just booked. Looking forward to catching up with old and new friends.

Me and Yvonne booked in looking forward to seeing everyone again

Christopher.

That's great Rob - it's been a long time! I look forward to catching up again.

Neil.


UPDATED LIST (06/11/19)

Neil (Booked)
Rob Archer (Booked)
Bob
Barry
Martin Aislabie
Paul Diz
CornishChris + Mrs
Tony and Jean Marlow
Clive Vincent
David Lingham
Ian Grant

Having lived there it is a good inn, some arr rubbish, this one is a good Premier, most comfortable in fact probably 8/10


.

Booked for the 3 nights.

I'll try to avoid the curb on the way out this year. At least Neil's knee should have recovered by now :o ...

Hi Chris,

Good to have Yvonne and yourself joining again and I look forward to seeing you.

I see Bob has just booked up as well so I'll confirm your hotel booking with Bob's on that list.

Neil.

Bob, yes, I just about remember being launched into space by that curb! At least we shall know where it is this time .....

The new knee is in fine fettle - thanks - so expect to see me back to my usual energetic self :rolleyes:


Neil.


UPDATED LIST (06/11/19)

Neil (Booked)
Rob Archer (Booked)
Bob (booked)
Chris + Yvonne (booked)
Barry
Martin Aislabie
Paul Diz
Tony and Jean Marlow
Clive Vincent
David Lingham
Ian Grant

Booked...

looking forward to it.

Great news Barry and I look forward to seeing you there.

Can I put you down for leading the Wistmans Wood contingent again ? You made such a good job of it last year - so it's by popular demand :)


UPDATED LIST (07/11/19)


Neil (Booked)
Rob Archer (Booked)
Bob (booked)
Chris + Yvonne (booked)
Barry (Booked)

Martin Aislabie
Paul Diz
Tony and Jean Marlow
Clive Vincent
David Lingham
Ian Grant

If you insist!

Thank you Neil

Booked for the 3 nights with breakfast.

Really looking forward to it.

Martin

Good to have you with us on Dartmoor again Martin.

Neil.


UPDATED LIST (07/11/19)


Neil (Booked)
Rob Archer (Booked)
Bob (booked)
Chris + Yvonne (booked)
Barry (Booked & IC of the Wistmans Wood visit)
Martin Aislabie (Booked)

Paul Diz
Tony and Jean Marlow
Clive Vincent
David Lingham
Ian Grant
Keith Tapscott (if leave permits)

Booked 2 nights, Friday and Saturday.

Good to have you with us again David - I look forward to catching up.

UPDATED LIST (08/11/19)


Neil (Booked)
Rob Archer (Booked)
Bob (booked)
Chris + Yvonne (booked)
Barry (Booked & IC of the Wistmans Wood visit)
Martin Aislabie (Booked)
David Lingham (Booked x2 nights)

Paul Diz
Tony and Jean Marlow
Clive Vincent
Ian Grant
Keith Tapscott (if leave permits)

Room booked, just flights and car hire to sort :)
Cheers
Diz

Hi Paul,

Great news and we look forward to having you with us on Dartmoor and having a long overdue catch-up.

Neil.



UPDATED LIST (09/11/19)


Neil (Booked)
Rob Archer (Booked)
Bob (booked)
Chris + Yvonne (booked)
Barry (Booked & IC of the Wistmans Wood visit)
Martin Aislabie (Booked)
David Lingham (Booked x2 nights)
Paul Diz (booked)

Tony and Jean Marlow
Clive Vincent
Ian Grant
Keith Tapscott (if leave permits)

I have booked 3 nights for myself, Jean is giving it a miss this time.

Tony

Great to have you with us Tony, Jean will be missed but at least she will stay warm at home.

Well done Tony, I had feeling you wouldn't be able to miss the lure of Dartmoor again !

Sorry to hear Jean can't make it this time -we shall all miss her.


UPDATED LIST (14/11/19)


Neil (Booked)
Rob Archer (Booked)
Bob (booked)
Chris + Yvonne (booked)
Barry (Booked & IC of the Wistmans Wood visit)
Martin Aislabie (Booked)
David Lingham (Booked x2 nights)
Paul Diz (booked)
Tony Marlow (booked)

Clive Vincent
Ian Grant
Keith Tapscott (if leave permits)

Hi Tony

Sorry to hear Jean won't be coming too.

We'll all miss her.

I'm sure she will not miss us though.

Best wishes

Martin

Jean will miss you all, she does enjoy your company but her health not as robust now as it was makes Dartmoor in January not the most comfortable place to be. She will be back with us again I am sure. She does appreciate your comments like being one of the family.

Tony

Tony

Weekend update 19/11/2019
 

It's great to see so many FADUs committed for this gathering and I thank everyone for their support.

However, the hotel has rooms to fill and we would like to see as many as possible there. So if you are thinking of staying at the hotel remember the cheaper rooms are limited in number and will be withdrawn when they have all been taken.

We would also like to see FADUs who live locally, or within a reasonable drive away, who can join in for a few hours or for a day. If you are thinking about doing this and want to find out more do get in touch with me here or by PM.


Those confirmed are:


UPDATED LIST (19/11/19)

Neil (Booked)
Rob Archer (Booked)
Bob (booked)
Chris + Yvonne (booked)
Barry (Booked & IC of the Wistmans Wood visit)
Martin Aislabie (Booked)
David Lingham (Booked x2 nights)
Paul Diz (booked)
Tony Marlow (booked)

Clive Vincent
Ian Grant
Keith Tapscott (if leave permits)


Neil.

Print share
 

A regular feature of our gatherings is to hold a print share sometime over the weekend.

This is very informal and last year we managed to organise a large round table to use in a quiet corner of the bar.

The idea is for as many as possible to bring some prints along to share by passing them around for general chat and comment. Your prints can be your best work, work in progress or work that you may just want to seek an opinion. However, it is not compulsory to bring prints but obviously the more that can the better the print share will be.

So with the Christmas holidays now fast approaching make sure you have plenty of paper and chemicals in stock and allocate some time make a few prints for showing at the gathering!

Neil.

Weekend update 14/12/2019
 

Good news - Clive Vincent has now confirmed his hotel booking. We looking forward to seeing you again Clive.


Those confirmed are:


UPDATED LIST (14/12/19)

Neil (Booked)
Rob Archer (Booked)
Bob (booked)
Chris + Yvonne (booked)
Barry (Booked)
Martin Aislabie (Booked)
David Lingham (Booked x2 nights)
Paul Diz (Booked)
Tony Marlow (Booked)
Clive Vincent (Booked)

Ian Grant
Keith Tapscott (if leave permits)

only a couple of weeks to go now looking forward to this, lets hope we have some good weather.

Christopher.

I would have liked to come to Dartmoor but have just returned from Manchester having had a hip replaced. Remarkably mobile after only 2 months but would be pushing it for this meet.

As for a meeting in Snowdonia - There was one just after I joined FADU and before I had got the measure of the Forum. Me organising/coordinating one later this year might be a possibility but have to see how things go. Such a meeting is likely to involve walking in hilly/rough terrain and I would want to be involved in any such activity.
Mike

Chris,

Yes it won't be long now - looking forward to it too.

Now is the time to start thinking about what cameras / lenses to take, check over your outdoor clothing and sort out some prints for the print share :)

I do my best with organising the weather - made a bit of a hash of it last year !

Neil.

Mike,

I hope your hip-op recovery goes well. I had a new knee last year and understand the situation. I am sure you will be soon back to normal.

The past Snowdonia FADA visits were well attended so if you are able to organize something later on I'm sure there will be a good response.

Neil.

Hi Mike,

Pleased to hear that your hip replacement is going well. I am surprised at your enthusiasm for a trip South after your last experience in Cornwall:eek:

When you are up to it please do arrange something in North Wales. I would certainly enjoy a visit there it as I am sure would many others. Superb location.