The question of a Norn Iron weekend was raised at Stradbally Fayre amidst Christmas pudding and banter.

I know not much happened last year because a few of us decided we were heading off to France in September. Rumour had it Comberjohn was seen down in France too.....

That and our beloved Fawlty Towers Kilmorey Arms Hotel being not available the previous year didn't help.

So this year it looks like it might be back by popular demand.

So, if we do, when? where?

I am ok for camping but the hotel really proved to be a great attraction so another idea has come about to take some self catering accommodation for the weekend.

Open to comments and I will edit this post to show hats happening.

We might get Dai along.


€169 for a 4 single bed pod for 2 nights......!!

https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/east-coast-adventure.en-gb.html?aid=348622;label=metatrivago-hotel-1300285_xqdz-9ecf241812f4516da4f6c07d46fa274b_los-2_nrm-1_gstadt-2_gstkid-0_curr-eur_lang-en;sid=2579f531825299d7328a956b9a1619d1;all_sr_blocks=130028501_97603070_4_0_0;bshb=2;checkin=2018-09-14;checkout=2018-09-16;dest_id=-2606538;dest_type=city;dist=0;group_adults=2;hapos=1;highlighted_blocks=130028501_97603070_4_0_0;hpos=1;room1=A%2CA;sb_price_type=total;show_room=130028501_97603070_4_0_0;srepoch=1516233137;srfid=76cc77b19f2cdfeef962b2cb1b3e4c7464fdae10X1;srpvid=528fa7d8347a0070;type=total;ucfs=1&#hotelTmpl



21st September
Comberjohn
Olaf
William Carruthers
Andy Coulter




28 September Looks like we are down for this date
Will
Comberjohn
Trapper
Corkboy
AR Biker [Richard Ahern]
Olaf
William Carruthers
Andy Coulter
Bjorn
Colin johnson

If you're looking around the Rostrevor area, there's Kilbroney Campsite too. In all seriousness, I can be down in Rostrevor around 10.30am.

Just bumping this up while we are in travel mode. I have contact with more K owners in the area too...!

I am also looking at a little France trip in September but Norn Iron ones are not to be missed.

Let's all go and visit Dai (unless he is working, in India, on call,  in Florida  )

Don't laugh. It's been posited this week to send me out to India and South Africa. Jo'burg is scheduled for late July. Honestly, I'll believe it only when I'm about to board the plane - I've worked for this company for far too long.

After a very nice meet up at Stradbally on Saturday I have set up a Facebook page for the Norn Iron weekend.

Its set up as a closed group but invites are issued out to anyone whose FB address I have and anyone invited have access to it and add in other names too so if you now any K owners add them in too. Seems we have to use both means of communication so I will keep that updated too.

The topic of conversation was about accommodation and Comberjohn is looking into a very good self catering option for Friday and Saturday night which so far seems to be a good consensus. It keeps us together and we have lots of options for dinner on Friday and Saturday evening.

I would be keen to be there for early Friday evening in time to settle in and sort dinner.


https://www.facebook.com/events/989909174545023/

I'll follow on here as Saturday night is a possibility, but Farcebook is a data-sucking poison-pond AFAIC and I won't go anywhere near it. Same applies to any so-called 'social media' setups.

Dai wrote:I'll follow on here as Saturday night is a possibility, but Farcebook is a data-sucking poison-pond AFAIC and I won't go anywhere near it. Same applies to any so-called 'social media' setups.

I agree with you on that which is why I am keeping it here but using the other to get anyone not on here. It would be good to see you along on the Saturday and we will keep you in the loop on this thread. Interest is good and quite a few confirmations already but just subject to date.

One of the options for the Saturday night is that we might cook up for us at our accommodation......now what would we have for dessert.....?

It was great to catch up in Stradbally.  And find that ComberJohn has fallen off the BMW wagon, with a VFR1200 no less. Nice bike.

I am probably game for a September weekend, although the last weekend suits me best, the 29/30th.

Don't hold back, Dai. Say what you mean. 
That link doesn't seem to be working, Olaf.

Comberjohn wrote:Don't hold back, Dai. Say what you mean. 
That link doesn't seem to be working, Olaf.

Its working off mine but that may be because its a closed group rather than public.

Anyone like to try it before I go investigating? Anyone who got the fb invite? Comberjohn do you use facebook, I did try to find you on it without success and I know Dai doesn't use it. Other than that I think I got everyone and more on it who are not on this forum

Comberjohn wrote:Don't hold back, Dai. Say what you mean. 

You don't want the verbal version of that, trust me! 

This isn't going be as easy as it used to be. We now have a tourist industry here and thanks to something called game of thrones, prices seem to have gone through the roof.
The apartments in Ballygally may not be a runner. Haven't heard anything back yet but I'll keep you all posted.
There won't be any deals like Kilkeel I'm afraid. That's why they went bust!
I'm thinking something like this https://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/rentals/broughshane/6929898
For ten of us, it works out about £85 a head for the two nights. Looks comfy and Broughshane is central to the area. Nice and quiet.
Downside is having to share rooms and it's self catering.
Yer pays yer money...
To take this much further we need to get some commitment about who is going and what dates are going to work for as many as possible.
So let's here it from those interested in going.

Further to my last.
Just had a reply from the girl that I know that owns the apartments in Ballygally.
We could have them but it would be the weekend 5th to the 7th October. September is booked out.
What does the team think?
I've asked for an idea of costs and will post when I find out. Here's the link to their website.
http://www.ballygallyapartments.com

Hellooo, is there anyone there?
Have some prices for the apartments at Ballygally.
I've just copied what she has sent to me. Doesn't sound too bad considering they're nice apartments and their position. Only downside is the dates, but we're ruffy, tuffy motorcyclists anyway.
Some numbers and commitment needed soon?

'Hi John the largest apartment sleeps 6/7 and one of the 2 beds sleep 4-5 depends on who is ok sharing with who. The 3 bed is £315 for 2 nights and the 2 bed is £275. So that would be £590. I could do you a wee discount and do it for £550. So £55 per person or £27.50 per person per night. Thanks.
*As in 2 bedrooms and 3 bedrooms.'

Hi John

I am here but not sure if the new date suits me as I have a previous engagemet organised for 6th Oct (Leapordstown).

Olaf will be along soon I am sure

Just looking in to see how we are doing on this.

October may be getting a bit trickey, wondering can we look further afield? Its late in season but worth a look for the longer days.

Thanks John, but unfortunately I am sunning myself in Lanzarote from 6th to 13th October, so both those weekends are out.  

Life is tough I know.

Looking further afield may be an option, as in location.

6 October doesn't work for Will either.

It's kind of looking like 28 September and maybe we look along the coastline for some similar type of accommodation. Sea view and coastline I think is an excellent must have

A thought in my mind is to be able to accommodate up to 10 of us. I don't see that we will fall short of that number.

Bjorn is due back in Ireland soon and has not been getting messages as he is travelling overland so hopefully they will both come again.

29th, Olaf? That's me out. I have to pick Elizabeth up from BHD mid-afternoon. She gets a week in Portugal and I get a week in the rain...

Dai wrote:29th, Olaf? That's me out. I have to pick Elizabeth up from BHD mid-afternoon. She gets a week in Portugal and I get a week in the rain...

Well a few weeks ago people were praying for the rain......sounds like your prayers were answered...

Hi guys end sept is good for me

Sent from Topic'it App

I have just sent a message across to Comberjohn re the weekend and given him names. Looks like we might divide the accommodation cost by maybe 8/10 to get a cost per person and see how we work from there. I will post more when we have further info.

Olaf

Wont be able to go north this weekend sadly but weather looks good for it enjoy! ;-) Rich

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Got a call from Richard last night. As I'm not on facebook I didn't realise plans were this advanced.
I have to take a Rain Check as I've too many housey jobs before next week's holidays.
Have a good one and see you in Stradbally at the new year meet up.

Ok well with Facebook and the Forum its been interesting and a few names falling between the two.

Looks like we have:

Colin Johnson
Will Crean
Trapper
Bjorn
Andy Coulter
William Carruthers
Olaf
Ringfad [Simon]
Plus John Williams [Comberjohn]

Ride well and enjoy...I hope the weather stone has had a good rub. 
It is certainly bordering on balmy and sunny down in these parts.

Thanks Paul

We are staying in Kilkeel right beside the infamous hotel you stayed in before.
Belated happy birthday :-)

Ringfad wrote:Thanks Paul

We are staying in Kilkeel right beside the infamous hotel you stayed in before.
Belated happy birthday :-)

Cheers Simon - entered a new demographic, age related rather than salary unfortunately, for all those nosy online surveys.

Hope the breakfast is better than that previous place...

A few photos courtesy of Simon and o

thers.....

I'm a bit peeved that I missed it. Elizabeth's flight arrived 30 mins early but we still didn't get home until around 16.00. I went out for a short run myself today... which reminds me; I have been meaning to post a few photies of County Down for those of you that don't live in goc.