Credit where credit is due...
 

Another year, another annual meet, and I'm already looking forward to the next one, as I'm sure many others are.

Having been involved in planning these events in prior years, I know that, apart from being preoccupied with the detailed questions relating to the event - e.g. where's a suitable base location/hotel, where are the good driving routes, etc, etc, there's really always only one big question - how do I make it as good as (or better than..) last year?

Well I think that question was well and truly answered this year - as we can already see from the numbers who came, the photos already being posted, the memories in our mind, and the friendships made and/or renewed.

However, there was one thing that was a bit different this year, and I know that Jim and Neil won't mind me saying this: normally the load in organising the event is shared, fairly evenly, between at least two or three people in the group.

This year however, for a number of reasons, one person did more than normal, and that was Mark (Moltuae), so I wanted to say thanks to him - and Lyn! - for pulling out all the stops to make this such a great event.

It was greatly appreciated, by me and others, and unbeknown to others probably caused Mark and Lyn more than a few late nights and well as sacrificed weekends over the last few months.

Thanks Mark. Would you like to do it again next year please? ;)

I’d like to second that!

My Dad was taken very ill in January and, as he lives in Spain, I spent a hectic 3 months jetting backwards and forwards to Javea to sort out his affairs. Mark and Lyn picked up all the slack and did a brilliant job, particularly in finding alternative places to visit after our initial choices were less than accommodating, plotting the route and managing the many administrative detail required for (I think) our biggest meet to date.

:respekt::mexicanwave:

Thanks Stephen, Jim :o

But it wouldn't have been possible without your help, and of course Neil's.

It certainly made me appreciate the amount of effort that goes into organising these meets.

And in answer to your question Stephen ... Not on your nelly! :ROFL:

I think it's someone else's turn to plan the next annual meet, although I'll gladly assist a little where I can. +++

Well said. There's nothing more I can add to that, other than to say we all had a wonderful time. Thank you. +++

Well said Stephen.

This was the fourth annual meet I've attended and each has been fantastic in their own unique way. I'd also like to pass on my thanks to Mark and Lyn for running with this, but i'd also like to thank the others directly involved with this meet, AND, more importantly, the other members of the forum who take it upon themselves to help during the event. I'm talking about the unsung heroes who 'have been there and done that', and know what's involved with doing the job.

Looking forward to the 2019 meet already.

I'd just like to add my thanks to those who put this great meet together.
In a past life, I was involved in setting up, organising, planning etc. some weekend meets and routes for a Goldwing motorcycle club I was involved in. There's a ton of things you need to do to make these things a success.

It's easy to take for granted the routes planned, the hotel booking, meal planning, the arrangements with the Carding Shed, Treak Tavern, Tissington Hall, Biggin Hall, and the penning, printing and assembly of the itinerary pack we were given (and translated into German!), the T-shirts, the evening presentations and awards procurement, the fun quiz (thank you young lady) and the many other small details that we probably can't even remember but were part of someones remit to get right. :respekt:

So thanks again to those involved, David for putting his hand in his pocket to subsidise this and also to our non-UK friends who made a great effort to come and visit at great expense.

I made loads of new friends this last weekend and thoroughly enjoyed myself. :D

Edit: Oh, and thank you to those that voted for my car. The voting sheets etc. were just one of the small details that I missed whilst writing this. :rolleyes:

A thousand things to add here, but the message is the same - thank you so very much.
The venue and schedule provided the perfect background to be happy and enjoy the collective love for our 8s and also to enjoy sharing it with so many nice people.
Thank you.

My thanks also to all those involved +++ As you guys know, this was my first meet and I thoroughly enjoyed it :)

Just to echo what's been said above, huge thanks to everyone from us, another great event, lovely catching up with the familiar faces again and of course meeting others for the first time+++

+1,
or really +5,000 from us.
Update on Gwen, she has been passed fit enough to come home. We are hgoping that oxygen will be fitted in ours tomorrow for her to be back here by Wednesday.