A rare opportunity

[Nikkofan]

I'd like to come too on the 20th, if it's not too late to say "me too"?

[Geoff]

I'd like to come too on the 20th, if it's not too late to say "me too"?

Good stuff Lynn! Now where's that image of that busker from QLD??

[Reschsmooth]

It is unlikely I will be able to make MMC by 6pm on Tuesday as I already have a very short working week next week.

P

[trotkiller]

I'm up for the 18th meet

[Yi-P]

I'm in for the 20th now, might have to meet up with few friends later the day, but I'll be there.

Still sorting out whats going on with family events on the 18th, can't be sure yet...

[gstark]

Ok ...

I've just updated the lists. JohnD will be meeting us tomorrow (Sunday) at Dixon St, around 5 pm, near the northern arch.

I'll need to be on my way by around 8, as I have radio commitments from 9pm. I'm thinking a quickie-ish meal in Market City - we should be able to grab a table and some food in there fairly easily.

Tuesday looks like being a mega-mammoth-mini-meet, judging by the number of people that seem to be interested in coming. Wherefore for din-dins afterwards, good peoples? Probably a bit early in the evening for Harry's. Lebanese on Clevelend St for something a bit different? Who will not have transport?

[JAH]

I am going to try and make it for about 6.00pm but as I'm new to this group I won't know who to look for .

Perhaps I should just look anyone with a camera and ask if they are part of the group. There wouldn't be THAT many people with cameras would there? (sorry that's just my sense of humour)

As for dinner afterwards there is always the Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel or a few doors up there is a nice open seafood/pasta restaurant (well it was the last time i was down there). They would be in the closest walking distance from Mrs Mac's Point if people didn't want to drive anywhere.

Cheers,
Jack

[gstark]

I'll PM you my cellphone # so that you can find us.

As for dinner afterwards there is always the Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel

No.

We did an after shoot dinner there just on two years ago (Can you believe that??!!) and it was great.

Since then, they've gone upmarket, and downhill. Prices up, quality down. I was very disappointed with my most recent visit there - prices were around those you'd expect to see in a four star hotel, but this is a pub, dammit!

This place needs to remember what it is.

[Kyle]

I am going to try and make it for about 6.00pm but as I'm new to this group I won't know who to look for .

Don't worry, i've not met anyone apart from paul either, so i'm not sure who to look for...

[Paul]

This might help..

http://stubbsy.smugmug.com/gallery/434985#87003789

Kyle & Y-ip, I'll bring the ball bungee's for you on Tuesday.

[JAH]

[quote="gstark"]I'll PM you my cellphone # so that you can find us.

Got it - thank you.

Jack

[Six]

I'll most probably be in for the 18th too Gary or someone can you PM me your mobile number in case I need to bail?

Jack

Edit: We have two Jack's now?! I was first damnit! :p

[Marvin]

 LOL My future brother in law is piloting the QM2 on Tuesday. He came down for the weekend, went waterskiing and crasehd heavily, giving himself a very puffy black eye. It could be a very interesting day if he can't see straight!!!!

[Yi-P]

LOL My future brother in law is piloting the QM2 on Tuesday. He came down for the weekend, went waterskiing and crasehd heavily, giving himself a very puffy black eye. It could be a very interesting day if he can't see straight!!!!

Can we have a little tour down into the QM2 following your bro-in-law's lead??

[Kyle]

LOL My future brother in law is piloting the QM2 on Tuesday. He came down for the weekend, went waterskiing and crasehd heavily, giving himself a very puffy black eye. It could be a very interesting day if he can't see straight!!!!

Can we have a little tour down into the QM2 following your bro-in-law's lead??

In for tour of the bridge please

[Marvin]

Can we have a little tour down into the QM2 following your bro-in-law's lead??

He is a navy navigator who is just getting on to drive it in and out of the harbour so I doubt he has any clout looking around the ship. I can ask though.

[Yi-P]

Can we have a little tour down into the QM2 following your bro-in-law's lead??

He is a navy navigator who is just getting on to drive it in and out of the harbour so I doubt he has any clout looking around the ship. I can ask though.

That would be fantastic! Thanks Marvin!!

Hope we can get a short tour into the main halls if not possible via the bridge.

[Geoff]

I don't mean to be a douting Thomas (or Geoff) but I think it'd be HIGHLY unlikely we'd get on the ship for a tour. We can only hope.

[michael_]

http://www.sydneyports.com.au/Marineope ... s%20Sydney

QE2 arrival time has changed to 6pm

Arrivals
20/02/2007 05:30 FLEET BASE 3 -( FB3 ) QUEEN MARY 2
20/02/2007 18:00 OVERSEAS PT -( SCPT ) QUEEN ELIZABETH 2

Departures
20/02/2007 23:00 FLEET BASE 3 -( FB3 ) QUEEN MARY 2

[Kyle]

Bugger!

I'll have to leave a little early.

Michael, pm me your number, i'll meet you somewhere after work!

[Yi-P]

Is that time the docking time or arrival time into the harbour (just entering from the Pacific Ocean)?

Bugger, I will be late that day, probably I will be there, but not sure if I will be around with the DSLRU group, I'll see what happens, we might bump into each other anyway.

[JAH]

I just rang Sydney Ports and the docking time for QE2 is 1800hrs at Circular Quay, so it will be moving down the harbour earlier than that. I have no idea how long it takes to turn her and get to dockside.

The fireworks display will be from barges on the harbour but NOT until 8.40pm!

Cheers,
Jack

[Six]

I just rang Sydney Ports and the docking time for QE2 is 1800hrs at Circular Quay, so it will be moving down the harbour earlier than that. I have no idea how long it takes to turn her and get to dockside.

Thanks for that, going by the previous times of a 19:15 pass and a 20:30 dock, I suppose we can assume that they will pass at about 16:45? How disappointing, I wanted sunset colours

I must apologise to those at the meet last night for not showing, I got caught up somewhere else and I didn't have access to a computer to retrieve Garry's mobile number. Again, I'm sorry for that, I hope you didn't wait long for me .

Jack

[gstark]

We're still waiting for you, Jack.

Seriously, no problems ....

[JAH]

Hi all,

Owing to the earlier arrival of the QE2 and the lateness of the fireworks display I, unfortunately, am going to give this event a miss
Cheers,
Jack

[Glen]

JAH, maybe next time

[Kyle]

Ok i've whereis'ed to find the closest carpark to the big chair..
Tells me that woolloomoolloo is the closest.

Sound about right?

If not, where will you guys park? I'll park there...

[gstark]

The Domain Car Park (check closing times), or SOH Car Park (check your waller), or - if you're lucky - street parking along Art Gallery Rd or Mrs Mac's Rd.

There is no parking along Cowper Wharf Rd - it's been declared a clearway for the day - and that suggests more people than might be considered comfy are expected to see these tinnies in the harbour.

[Glen]

Kyle, the loop road to the chair has parking on it. I would suggest there.

[Yi-P]

Kyle, the loop road to the chair has parking on it. I would suggest there.

I dont think there will be any more parking after 5pm from that point on if people are planning to visit the vessels...

[Kyle]

Where are you guys parking? or are you taking public transport?

[Geoff]

Kyle - as Glen suggested, we will be parking (fingers crossed) on the Loop road, otherwise I will double park and leave Glen in the car to bat his eyelids at the parking cops

[Geoff]

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/ships-hit-the-fans/2007/02/19/1171733658613.html

[Yi-P]

Ms Marlow estimates that the visit of the two ships will inject around $1 billion into Sydney's economy.

I'm shure that couple tens of dollars accounts to DSLRU for parking and probably a dinner out and about for the late stayings...

[michael_]

considering i had 10 sales today at work (work fo DDP) that where all related to the QM2 coming in those sales came to easily 20k, so thats my injection

[Six]

I have been told by a tug boat captain that the 18:00 arrival time on the ports authority website refers to the time that the pilot boards the QE2, it's not the docking time. JAH, are you sure that when you spoke to sydney ports that the actual docking time was 1800 and not the "arrival" time? I haven't seen anything in any of the papers or anywhere else about the docking time changing.

Jack

[michael_]

I have been told by a tug boat captain that the 18:00 arrival time on the ports authority website refers to the time that the pilot boards the QE2, it's not the docking time. JAH, are you sure that when you spoke to sydney ports that the actual docking time was 1800 and not the "arrival" time? I haven't seen anything in any of the papers or anywhere else about the docking time changing.

Jack

you are right, when i worked in shipping and I would watch the arrival time of my ships pilot times (tug boat dude) where arrival times, can take anywhere from 45min to a few hours depending on the area to manouvre to get in and the pilots for sydney harbour would probably bored just outside the heads.

[Alpha_7]

Guys I'm bring extra gear into work, on the off chance I can free up the time to come over.. I'd love too, just a very hectic week this one..

[Glen]

Craig, I think you would get a few good shots in a 2 hr round trip from your office if you could squeeze it in.

[Kyle]

Looking forward to tonight

[Yi-P]

Sorry to say, but I have a feeling that I will be verylate... so if I'm not showing up for some reason, sorry

[michael_]

so.......... this bot is HUGEEEE!!! and the people? hahah by 530am this morning every vantage point i could drive to was PACKED!!!! even the bridge was lined with thousands of people, BUT i think i found my spot, end of berry street north sydney the lane splits in two right on that corner there is a direct view of everything, its to the right of kirribilli if you are looking from the south side, wow the boat was in the middle of this on a diagonal, it was perfect it showed how big the boat was compared to everything else ill just have to sit there for a few hours waiting

ohh btw it took a good 45min to arrive at that point from 530 arrival so bank on the other being around the 6450 - 7pm mark, but i did read fireworks would be at 840 pm so ....

[Kyle]

SO you going northside tonight michael?

Come with us!

[michael_]

yes, well im not going to miss my spot kyle, you guys are all at mis macs chair right?

[Geoff]

I'm there already Michael Wireless setup, an esky filled with beer...ahhh it's perfect.

Ooops, I just woke up

[gstark]

I'm there already Michael Wireless setup, an esky filled with beer...ahhh it's perfect.

That's not as silly as it sounds. I have the laptop, and an unwired connection. Who's bring the esky filled with beer?

[Kyle]

Normally i wouldn't pass on a beer, but i'll have along drive home tonight!


See you guys tonight, if i can find you'se

[khalil]

might be in the city this evening.

just wondering where is the best place to get photos of these boats?
prefer to be around circular quay area

seems like most of you guys are going to mrs maquaries chair?

[Kyle]

Leaving for the city now from eastern creek. Cya's out there!

ps. my mob is 0402 696 427

(mods delete number if you so wish)

[Geoff]

Delete his number?
Hell no...
you all know who to call now for a good time

I will be leaving shortly and collecting Glen on the way, we aim to be there at around 5pm-ish.