2018 Weekend away Hunter Valley

[Deleted User]

Hi Shana,
What a great looking house for a weekend away, count me in, have you got any dates and a proposed itinerary yet?
Incidentally ladies, I live in the Hunter Valley, Maitland, and temperature wise it gets up around 20 during the day time at the moment but its dropping close to zero overnight. You might want think about scarves, gloves, coats, and boots whilst you’re outside, for if the wind comes up it gets cold quickly.
Rosemary

[Shana]

Hi everyone ..seems to be some interest for the weekend away..i will be advising
a suggested itinery and some costings soon.As always cost depends on numbers
House suggested is upmarket and has good amenities at about $1400 a night but if we can get
About 15 people gets viable cost wise..only other costs would be $55 for a vineyard
Tour..full day..and food for say barbecue tea on the the friday night..will talk to Caroline
Who has done this before and will advise numbers and costs..looking good at this stage
But
XxxShanalee

[Deleted User]

Shana,
It seems great accommodation and I definitely want to join you and others on the trip to the Vineyards. If accepted I am happy to pay $200/night for a room whether it be for 2 or 3 nights.
I imagine you will not want to carry all the financial risk so, if I am accepted, just give the word and i will forward my contribution to you.
And thanks for coming up with this great new initiative.
Stephanie

[Deleted User]

Shana,
I am also definely IN if that is OK with you.
Looks a great place and I am used to cool weather..
I only have one demand – if we play table tennis or snooker we all have a handicap based on age!
And perhaps we can extend that to the older you are the more wine you get to taste!
Hugs Stephanie

[Fay]

I see one of our starters shows a prime interest in photography. Maybe she can be our official photographer for the weekend.
I for one am looking forward to a great girls weekend retreat.
This would be a terrific opportunity for a first timer to come out.
C U there.
Fay

[Deleted User]

After seeing Shana’s photo there might be a few drones around!
I think I’ll stick to supplying hot coffee etc to those who pose. How about a swimsuit posing by the pool competition where all those under 75 must enter!
But to be serious – well done Shana – I wish I had your guts.
Steph

[Shana]

Hi everyonel
Deposit paid and confirmation received.
GHOSTRIDERS at Pokolbin will be our venue
Google it for more details
BLAXLAND INN will be friday night venue.
free transport should be available
Thinking 7.30PM For booking..if too early please let me know
PLEASE NOTE..Friday Night Dinner and sat nights barbecue will be available for those girls who would like a night out In the vineyards…no sleepovers but…
Please let me know prior however Shanalee 0403775791

[Deleted User]

Shana,
Thanks for all the effort you are putting into this and I am very keen to attend.
However, at my age, I am not all that keen on sharing a room and I note that all bedrooms seem to be doubles. If it was acceptable for me to have a double room allocated just for me I would understand that I should pay the full double room price.
I also appreciate that allocating a room as a single would reduce the total numbers attending which might not be in the interests of others so will understand if this is not possible.
xxx Stephanie

PS. I blame you and Fay for this – if it wasn’t for you “bullying” me into attending Transformal 18 I wouldn’t even been dreaming of attending the Hunter Valley Vineyards – but then I would have missed all the joys of being “out” !

[Shana]

Rosemary
No problem for double room
Will advise costs etc next few day
Will be limited to 7 bedrooms maybe one more
Will take total cost and divide by bedrooms
Based on 15 people
Thinking costs will be about $200 per room/day/room
$55 For all day wine tasting tour..3 vineyards
Plus food costs barbecue fri night and eggs bacon bread for breakfasts
Pretty reasonable as we have upmarket property completely to ourselves
XxxShanalee

[Deleted User]

Hi Shana, costs for a weekend away with transport sound realistic, I saw you have considered the extra costs for those long weekends in the year. Also, how do you want payments to be made? Have got any ideas for dates yet, personally my only hiccup is the 2nd weekend in September with a cannot break commitment. Look forward to hearing from you, Rosemary

[Deleted User]

Hi Shana, The Wollombi Hotel, Irish Folk Music & Dr Jurds circa 1984, which revives some very old memories, yes I was last there in 84 when I was living at Singleton, I have this vague memory of a place that looked like it was about to fall down, I guess they must have renovated in the last 30+ years. Sounds like a great way to finish off the weekend for those who can make it.

[Shana]

Hi Rosemary
Sure is great way to finish the weekend..especially those who cant
Stop being a girl..great news first booking for weekend received..need more..looking forward to this weekend ..could be an annual event
Xxx Shanalee

[Shana]

Hi Lucy
No that was a preliminary estimate
Final is $130 /night/person + paypal
Ie $520 +$10 paypal
Just click on the paypal link and it will tell you the rest
Check out the later stuff in forums..particularly the video and
The payment link which has all the costs and details
Get back to me if you need help
Regards
XxxShanalee

WEEKEND IN THE HUNTER VALLEY VINEYARDS – HILLBROOK ESTATE
5 STAR RESIDENCE 3RD TO 5TH AUGUST 2018 (Two Nights)
Accommodation $130 / per person /per night
twin share and single will be available…7 Bedrooms Only Available 17 people max

Weekend Programme

Friday 3pm House Check in
7 pm Blaxland Inn Vineyard Restaurant or Branxton Swill and Grill Pub
Mini Bus Pickup and return to house at cost
Saturday Wine Tasting tour all day 3 wineries chocolates and schnapps
Tour will stop for Lunch at cost
Mini Bus Pickup and return to house incl
Saturday Night ..Barbecue ..pool table tennis more wine

Sunday 11am checkout.
Sunday Lunch Wollombi Pub

Costs
Accommodation Only … $130 / per person /per night
Wine tour Full Day $70
Barbecue / breakfast / food at cost.. $20 per person say
Bus Transport at cost
Paypal Payments + 2.6%

BOOKING ..IF I DON’T GET 10 PAYMENTS AND HAVE TO CANCEL…THEN ANY PAYMENTS Less paypal charge WILL BE REFUNDED. Paypal payments can be refunded immediately.

Payments

---

Paypal.me/ShanaleePayments
Contact Shanalee Shanalee@hotmail.com
Mobile 0403775791

[Shana]

Hi Fay
Alls in hand thanks
Waiting tilll end of month to see what numbers we have
And will place deposit…IT IS GOING AHEAD..YAH
Will talk to you about salad platters..i can get the meat..sausage and steak
Have champagne for welcolme drinks or pre Vineyard tour drinks or during winetour drinks
Or after wintour drinks..to go with our chocolates and schnaps
Going to be a great weekend
Also..thinking of making the barbecue and restaurant nights available to anyone who
Can get there too

SEE YOU ALL THERE
Xxx Shanalee

[Deleted User]

Hi Shana, count me in as a definite; it would be great if we can get the numbers, I’m thinking of taking off the Friday and Monday to give myself a long week end as Rosemary. I did a google search of Hillbrook Estate and found some great websites for the place, I might go and do a drive by next week end for a sticky beak from the road, I only live about 30 minutes away. The U-tube video for Hillbrook Estate I expect you have seen, but I’ve posted its link in case any of the other TGR members want to get a great look of the house and its surroundings, love the opening sequence. Rosemary

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irOaCgaktgs

[Deleted User]

Hi Shana,
I went “out” to Hillbrook Estate this afternoon as Rosemary and then on to the Federal Royal Pub, what 2 wonderful venues for a weekend away, loved them both. I have a great story to tell about my afternoon, well the whole day really, “out” and about when we catch up. If any one has any doubts about Hillbrook Estate, Shana has picked a lovely wonderful location, and for those who are coming see you on the 3rd of August. I will add a few photos over the next day or so of the house.
Rosemary

[Deleted User]

Hi Shana and all
Yesterday I went out to Hillbrook Estate to have a sticky beak as well as an excuse to get out of the house for a couple of hours, being a local in the Hunter Valley I decided to take the scenic route through the Valley and stay away from the highway. My plan was to follow from East Maitland, Flat Rd then, Tocal Rd, Maitland Vale Rd and finally the Stanhope Rd to No 209 Hillbrook Estate.
First boo boo was I missed the Maitland Vale Rd turn off and ended up in Tocal, I had printed a paper map from google so no problems there I turned around and 10 minutes later I’m heading in the right direction. Next holdup was the roadworks in Melville with about a 5 minute detour that was well sign posted and a short time later I was at Hillbrook Estate.
As I said in my previous blog the house is lovely and has everything we need for a great weekend away. The photo, Hillbrook 1, is looking down the driveway to the house hidden away in the trees. I popped a couple of fingers into the pool to check the water temperature it’s not heated and is very cold. The last photo Hillbrook 7 is the front gate and the sign for the house so you know what to look for, alternately go to google maps and enter 209 Stanhope Rd Elderslie NSW 2335.
For those of you driving up from Sydney I suggest you take the M15 exit off the Pacific Highway for the Hunter Valley and then the A43 exit for Braxton, the traffic on the old highway through the Valley can be a bad as Sydney traffic at times.
I know Shana’s organising the weekend but I’ll help out any way I can with any question you may have. I also checked mobile phone reception at the front of the house, 3 out of 4 bars on an I-phone 6 with the Optus network.
Rosemary

[Fay]

Hi Shana.
Let me know if you would like a hand with catering the Barbie. I could pick up some salads etc. on the way up.
What’s the plans regarding hooking up with who you share with? I’m not fussy so long as they don’t snore. I don’t….so far as I know….but then again I would be asleep and wouldn’t hear myself would I????
Any advice from you locals as to any special items that we should bring?
Looking forward to a great weekend of meeting and socialising with other like minded folk.
Cheers,
Fay