NFR NFC >>>>>>2015

[fatyeti24]

Like e-fests - wink wink

I don't own a Kindle, but Ali does.............. she loves it.

I don't read books though.

I thought I would never give up vinyl then I thought I would never give up CD's

mp3 has opened my world more than ever musically speaking

yep, same here. im not much of a reader, but i like music. when i first started traveling, in my teens, i used to take a seperate rucksack just for casettes, then later, cds. im glad i didn't have to do that this year. i've never been into vinyl, or collecting things to go on shelves that i don't have room for in a cramped city centre apartment!

and the south america lonely planet is a lot, lot lighter when it's digital!

[A Guy Called Matt]

If you haven't been before and you have time for a reasonable break , then I would thoroughly recommend visiting some of the west coast islands off Scotland. Get the train from Fort William ( at high velocity because it's a junkie shit hole worse than any inner city estate I've had dealings with) to the coast. If you go to Mallaig then you take in this on your train journey;

Incidently, that's nothing compared to the other scenery en route. I have no experience of the north or east coasts of Scotland but can categorically say the west coast is stunning. Don't go at the height of midge season though, as that would be an insane thing to do.

I stayed with the Laird of one of the islands once along with the sociopath I happened to be going out with at the time. That was an interesting meet up of different forces I can assure you.

We have been to many places in Scotland and can agree with everything Yoghurt says - another beautiful route is out of Glasgow up the west by train to Oban................ then hop on a ferry to Mull and beyond.

Arran is one of our must see places still on the list

[mr gumby]

I thought I would never give up vinyl then I thought I would never give up CD's

I still haven't given up on CDs, and I doubt I ever will. I was never too nostalgic about vinyl, probably thanks to the scratched-to-shit albums my parents had, and the unpredictable turntable we had, which had a tendency to switch from 33 1/3 to 45 of it's own accord making everything sound like the chipmunks. I still like something tangible in my hands when I buy music, though. It annoys me a bit when an album I'm interested in gets released as download only. Somehow, downloading it and making your own CD isn't quite the same.

I'm the same with books, too. Binary code will never equal ink and paper for me.

[lucyginger]

Thanks for the advice re Scotland, I quite fancy doing it by train. I don't mind driving but I really hate a looong drive. Maybe I should make Scotland top of my To Visit list. I've never been! Ever!!

[A Guy Called Matt]

Thanks for the advice re Scotland, I quite fancy doing it by train. I don't mind driving but I really hate a looong drive. Maybe I should make Scotland top of my To Visit list. I've never been! Ever!!

We flew from Bristol to Glasgow............ so no long drives at all.

I think you can fly from Southampton airport as well.

The only downside is you have to have a location where you have buses/trains etc

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

Hello lucy.

Flybe do a flight from Southampton to Glasgow. If you book early / box clever then you'll probably get a deal which will blow driving up there out of the water. Even driving from Birmingham is a ferocious distance / time involvement - to the extent that I wouldn't entertain it, and wouldn't dream of it from Southampton.

I recall flying from Birmingham to Glasgow once, registering with a casino the night we arrived (but couldn't enter that night because of a 24 hour rule), then headed west to the islands, then came back to Glasgow, went to the casino, didn't lose everything I owned, and then went back to a Travelodge or some such kind of hotel. Despite being with an unhinged lunatic (I do not refer to myself in this instance) it was all reasonably pleasant.

[lucyginger]

Yes I think flying up would be best! I have driven from Southampton to Penzance, and Southampton to North Wales, both took about 5 hours. That was quite enough.

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

Yes I think flying up would be best! I have driven from Southampton to Penzance, and Southampton to North Wales, both took about 5 hours. That was quite enough.

I went out with a Geordie for just under ten years and had to drive up there almost every other weekend. That took me about 5 hours on a Friday night ( I don't drive fast). Not a pleasant drive, so driving to Scotland would be mental in comparison - especially from down south.

[ICGenie]

My family are 250 miles away so I do a round trip of 500 miles about once a month. The NW isn't too bad for getting to Scotland either, although if we're heading for one of the cities we tend to take the train. Why not fly and hire a car? It's a lovely place to drive around.

Edinburgh Festival is on my "must-do" list.

[lucyginger]

Hiring a car is a good idea! I'm a bit wary of driving strange cars but I'm sure I'd just need to man up and get on with it and be ok!!

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

Hiring a car is a good idea! I'm a bit wary of driving strange cars but I'm sure I'd just need to man up and get on with it and be ok!!

I think I'd be wary of driving strange cars too. Normal, well adjusted ones who everybody knows are more to my liking.

[guypjfreak]

i read books always .......reading this at mo http://www.edwardrutherfurd.com/the-forest.html

[deebeedoobee]

phewww last of the Christmas dinners/get togethers done. Now just New Year . Going to that there big London soonish - any recommendations for theatre shows?

[mr gumby]

phewww last of the Christmas dinners/get togethers done. Now just New Year . Going to that there big London soonish - any recommendations for theatre shows?

No idea if tickets will be available when you're there, but if you can see 'The curious incident of the dog in the night time' at the Geilgud theatre, you won't regret it.

[Brunette]

Loved reading the 'real' book but not seen it live... I shall make it a priority for the NY!!

Thinking I need to visit Rebus land too..

Happy to have stumbled upon you all...was very apprehensive about G alone next year but not anymore

[mr gumby]

Loved reading the 'real' book but not seen it live... I shall make it a priority for the NY!!

Thinking I need to visit Rebus land too..

Happy to have stumbled upon you all...was very apprehensive about G alone next year but not anymore

I was on my own for the first time this year, and I thought I'd put my oar in and offer a couple of tips. Take note or ignore them, completely up to you!

Efests have a meet up on the Wednesday evening, and there are usually a few other 'unofficial' ones organised. This year there was an NFR NFC meet on the Thursday. I'd thoroughly recommend them. Nice people, a few(!) drinks, really a great way to meet folks who love music and festivals.

I also expect some solo festival goers will start a thread in the new year, arranging to meet up and camp together. I was involved a bit this year, although I didn't camp with them as I was in a crew field. They seemed like a great bunch, all ages, all musical tastes, and no pressure to be joined at the hip all weekend. Some arranged to see bands in groups, others did their own thing, but met up back at camp to swap stories and have a drink together.

Can't remember if you've already said, but have you been before or is this your first?

I was a bit nervous about being on my own, and I'm happy going with my family next year, but if circumstances mean going alone is the best option in future years, I wouldn't hesitate. I'll certainly join you for a drink next year, if you like!

[Brunette]

Last year was my first and the most amazing G experience!!!

Edited December 31, 2014 by Brunette

[Mr Splodge]

Evening all, lurgie has really reared its ugly head tonight, been building up for a few days and decided to hit like a charging elephant tonight.

Hope everyone has had a fab Christmas so far, we have must admit it has been one of the best ever.

[carlosj]

Evening all, Edinburgh is tops, the museum was great, haggis for lunch, wandering, scottish beer and then a surprise of hogmanay starting early - pipers, vikings, torch lit procession. Lucy, you can drive or fly, but I like the trains, with seat61 website for guidance, or the split ticketing websites too.

I have a book and a tablet with me. I like both, but books have the edge for me, my new motto always travel with a good book and a corkscrew.

Waiting for the sleeper train now, MrsCJ's bucket list, and a trip round that there London tomorrow.

[deebeedoobee]

No idea if tickets will be available when you're there, but if you can see 'The curious incident of the dog in the night time' at the Geilgud theatre, you won't regret it.

Thanks Mr G. Will look into that. I've read the book and enjoyed that.

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

Evening all, Edinburgh is tops, the museum was great, haggis for lunch, wandering, scottish beer and then a surprise of hogmanay starting early - pipers, vikings, torch lit procession. Lucy, you can drive or fly, but I like the trains, with seat61 website for guidance, or the split ticketing websites too.

I have a book and a tablet with me. I like both, but books have the edge for me, my new motto always travel with a good book and a corkscrew.

Waiting for the sleeper train now, MrsCJ's bucket list, and a trip round that there London tomorrow.

Hello carlosj.

Happy to hear you are having fun.

Haggis with neeps and tatties - there should be a law against it, it's so delightful.

[lucyginger]

Hello!!

Curious Incident is here next year and my bf's Mum bought us rickets to see it for my birthday! I'm very excited, it's a great book.

Thanks for train advise Carlos! I quite fancy the sleeper train too.

Well I'm in work again today, got a bit to do but not much so hoping for an early finish.

[deebeedoobee]

your bf's Mum sounds a scream - buying you Rickets for a pressie! What was for Christmas - Polio

[lucyginger]

your bf's Mum sounds a scream - buying you Rickets for a pressie! What was for Christmas - Polio

Oops! Haha!!!

Next year I'm hoping for scurvy.

[A Guy Called Matt]

Good morning all - reading this today has made me smile despite all the illnessess real and typographical.

I agree with Mr Gumby - all the meets are fab and you get to meet great people. It all helped take our first GF form really good to really fantastic.