Return of the Ring and Barrow-Downs Mega-moot - Celebrating Tolkien in 2012

[Kath]

Personal preference is as cheap as we can get! And I will drive up there and can pick up and drop off at train stations as needed. Plus I can take up to 4 others from London up there - for example if all the Finns were coming in on the same day.

We really need absolute definite coming/not answers now because that will affect which cottage we can afford.

Joel/Maria (as you seem to be the most informed) can you make a list of all the people invited and then we can tick and cross them off as needed?

[Bêthberry]

Just to make comparisons easy, here is the link that Squatter found:

Upper Rectory Farm Cottages.

One plus of this place seems to be that some of the cottages can be made to be interconnecting and if I read the page correctly, one arrangement also has a large kitchen for group accommodations, which would make it easier than every cottage having its own kitchen. No?

But in the best interests of British expertise, I say, carry on.

[Lalwendë]

If you are looking at staying somewhere away from Loughborough, but still near enough so that folks who are going to ROTR can travel easily, then Matlock and Matlock Bath in the Peaks are both served by good rail links with only one change to be made at Derby if travelling to Loughborough - think it's about 40 mins... And they both have lots of holiday cottages, some of them big, and also lots to do nearby.

Hmmm...if you are going for a moot beforehand and then splitting up so some can go to the ROTR weekend, then you have quite a lot of options. Peak District offers: Chatsworth, Alton Towers, castles, pubs, hiking. Notts offers: Sherwood Forest, castles. York area offers: York, which can keep you busy for weeks, and the seaside at Whitby/Scarborough. Lincolnshire offers: castles, Lincoln, coast and funfairs at Skeggy. All should be easy to get to by rail.

One thing I'd advise, I'd pick something which definitely has enough bed space as cottage owners can be extremely annoyed with you if you break their t&cs!

Lots of large places in Derbyshire:

http://www.derbyshire-holidays.com/

And some more:

Matlock Bath - very good for transport.
http://www.crowpiecottage.co.uk/index.html

And another directory:
http://www.peakdistrictonline.co.uk/...ore-c2731.html

Notts:
Sleeps 18:
http://www.diamondhouse.org.uk/accommodation.htm

Sleeps 22!
http://www.dunhamhouse.co.uk/accomodation.htm

Sleeps 12 and appears to be cheap:
http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/p93165#reviews

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Hmm. So many options. I feel guilty for not doing all this research sooner.
I really think we need to come to a decision soon! Let's make a short-list by, say this time next week?

[Aganzir]

Originally Posted by Hookbill the Goomba

Given how expensive the cottage hire is likely to be, and given the fact that I own a very, VERY large tent, I would propose that the third week be either, as Aganzir says, split up and go to another Downer's/hostel/hotel or some sort of camping trip. Those don't have to be booked so far in advance, I don't think.

I think that's a good idea. Anyway we should make it clear that the 'official' moot is going to be on weeks 1&2 and week 3 is the afterparty. Personally I'm not sure I could stay for three weeks even though it would be awesome.

Thank you for looking up the cottages, Hook and Lal!

What would be the best way to decide on where to go, guys?

For me, price is the most important factor. But we have to keep in mind that a seemingly cheap cottage in the middle of nowhere can be more expensive in the end as we have to pay more to get there.
I would suggest emailing the owners and asking if they're strict about limiting the number of guests to the number of beds.

Originally Posted by Kath

We really need absolute definite coming/not answers now because that will affect which cottage we can afford.

I'm afraid if people have to decide now, there won't be many.

Joel/Maria (as you seem to be the most informed) can you make a list of all the people invited and then we can tick and cross them off as needed?

(For those who don't know: I'm the Joel she's speaking of!)

WEEK 1: August 6-12
Nogrod; Oddwen, Eamane & Oliphaunts_Rule; Bêthberry; Estelyn; Aganzir; Squatter

WEEK 2: August 13-15, ROTR 16-19
TheGreatElvenWarrior; Oddwen, Eamane & Oliphaunts_Rule; Bêthberry; Estelyn; Volo; Squatter; Aganzir

ROTR 20, WEEK 3: August 21-26
Oddwen, Eamane & Oliphaunts_Rule; Volo

registered: Faramir Jones

People who are attending on Facebook but haven't voiced date preferences: narfforc, Encaitare, Shasta, The Might, Poison Ivy.
Maybe attending, no date preferences: Annunfuiniel, Celuien, Glirdan, Form, TGEW, Fea, Legate, Gwathagor, Lommy, Boro, Greenie, Rune, Gil-Galad, Macalaure, Diamond, Erendis, Lal (did you say you can do whichever week we choose?), Roa, Kitanna, Pitchwife, Durelin, lmp, the Barrow-Wight, Farael, Guinevere, Mirkgirl, Amanaduial (I think), and one I don't know.
Invited: Folwren, Nienna, Naria, The Ka, dancing spawn, Lottie, Nilp, skip, Cailín, Lariren Shadow, Eomer, Brinniel, Beregond, tgwbs, phantom, McCaber, Lush, Valesse, Gothmog, Firefoot, davem, Dimturiel, Sleepy Ranger, Finduilas, Azaelia, Goldwine, Anguirel, Morthoron, and one I don't know.

I guess this (plus the 18 who declined the invitation) is more or less everyone who has decided to Facebook-bond with fellow Downers.

So what we should do now is contact everone on the list, and those Downers who are not on the list, and ask if they're coming?

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

One plus of this place seems to be that some of the cottages can be made to be interconnecting and if I read the page correctly, one arrangement also has a large kitchen for group accommodations, which would make it easier than every cottage having its own kitchen. No?.

That would be good, but if a 4-bedroom cottage costs £1,120 for a week, hiring lots of them would be horribly expensive.

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

Sleeps 12 and appears to be cheap:
http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/p93165#reviews

I think this looks the best so far.

[Mithalwen]

If you want to have accommodation for a lot of people cheaply then you might want to look at bunk barns/ bunkhouses either YHA or independents. They will charge perskull pernight so might be easier and cheaper than cottages since you don't have everyone wanting whole weeks. Many will have the option of camping onsite. Here is http://www.peakpub.co.uk/camping/ one attached to a nice looking pub in Buxton maybe not ideal because of the lack of communal area but just the first that popped up.

I don't see many cottage owners being flexible on startdates and occupancy at the absolute top of the season. You are quite likely to forfeit the deposit if you break the occupancy limits.

Anyway up to you.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Right, I think it's time we made a short-list of what we think is best. Here's what I've narrowed it down to.

http://www.peakpub.co.uk/camping/

Thanks, Mithalwen!
I think this is a good idea, especially with it making the working out of cost easier for each person.

http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/p93165

I agree with Aganzir that this looks promising.

http://www.sykescottages.co.uk/cotta...tedDayOfWeek=0

This is in the Peak District which is fairly accesible and it's not too expensive.

I think those are our best options. We should probably book it in the next few weeks so if anyone has any objections or better ideas don't be afraid to let us know! Time is running out!