I have nothing to offer that hasn't already been said, and said in a much more coherent and considered manner than I'd have done. So normally I'd keep out of the discussion, however I'd just like to express my support for Cached for having the guts to actually open a discussion to express some concerns about the event - after the way that similar discussions have been hijacked in the past. I'm thankful for the majority of posters for keeping it rational and civil to now. People are just expressing their opinions about what works for them, so please don't try and interpret it as an attack, or as people getting all "het up", or as an argument, etc.
I think that the organisers have put a lot of thought and effort into organising the event. I also think that some valid concerns have been raised. In the end, it's up to the organisers as to whether they want to take on any suggestions or not. And it's up to each team to decide whether they want to attend or not.
For my own 2c worth, I don't particularly like the progressive nature of the event, I'd prefer to stay in one location for the duration. I'd also prefer to go somewhere completely different for the next event. Will those sort of considerations stop me going to this event? Maybe, maybe not. It will also depend on whatever else is happening in life around that time.
Though I'm tempted to point out logical flaws in some of the more reactive, negative posts, it's just not worth the defensive aggro it'll attract. However I do find it strange that people have issues with discussions being held "off forum". Surprisingly, there really is more to the world than the GCA forum! It's not a conspiracy!
Concerns re 2012 Oz Mega.
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winterdragon
- 3500 or more caches found
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roundcircle
- 1100 or more caches found
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Re: Concerns re 2012 Oz Mega.
This events a long way off. You'll definitely be 20 something, and I expect still be maleZalgariath wrote:I'm a single, 20 something male with a ute and swag from Sydney..... I..... have no kids, few commitments and only a 1 day drive to get there, so Im in like Flynn. (I may hold off on the boot scooting... but a few rums will set that straight)
, but you might not be any of the others. 
Whatever the situation, I hope to see you there.
(That's as much about hoping I'm there as it is about you. 
)
Last edited by roundcircle on 19 December 10 6:58 am, edited 1 time in total.
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ROBTAS
- 1150 or more Caches found
- Posts: 272
- Joined: 08 July 04 12:28 pm
- Location: ulverstone tasmania
Re: Concerns re 2012 Oz Mega.
How long by car from Gundagai to Tumbarumba?
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shrek4
- 450 or more roots tripped over
- Posts: 85
- Joined: 06 July 09 10:06 pm
- Location: Windsor Gardens, SA
Re: Concerns re 2012 Oz Mega.
http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=d&sour ... e=UTF8&z=9ROBTAS wrote:How long by car from Gundagai to Tumbarumba?
Google has it at approx 105 km taking approx 1.5 hours
Re: Concerns re 2012 Oz Mega.
As an international visitor who attended the first MEGA and intends to attend this second one I'm putting in my two cents.
First, I said it before Oprah did, "I love Australia" for MANY reasons -- the people being #1 on the list. You (Australian geocachers) will disappoint me greatly if you don't find some consensus. It is a fact that MEGA events take MORE than a year to put together, this committee grabbed the torch and ran with it. Making it a democracy will delay it by a year (right? lesson learned). What was that saying you were all saying to me? "Good on ya"
Honestly, I've not seen a committee asking for an entire nations input for the recent MEGA events here in the US, but we have way more people with way more differing opinions! I know Australia is very much more close-knit -- its one of the things I love about you! but all the more reason for you to work together on the existing issues not dwell on what's been done so far.
Australasia has an awesome opportunity here to set up TWO MEGA events, if you can't make one, well, looky there, another one is in the early planning stages! No worries. You now have the dilemma of other parts of the world, WHICH mega event to attend. Its a GOOD problem! That said, I would like to think not every Australian has been to the Snowy Mountains which by my experience is very much different than Wagga Wagga. My opinion of this region is it is not in the international tourism mainstream which makes it a GOLDEN opportunity for fond memories!
I commend the 2012 committee for trying something new with the progressive approach. Someone most people think was a genius wrote: "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." You risk failure, but in the balance are more chances for success. I'm willing to give it a go; I've seen traditional events get shaken up with a new format and BOTH formats were successful in their own rights. However, to ease the pain of the less mobile, perhaps the committee can look into allowing a split fee, full charge if you attend both venues, partial charge if you don't (the amount of the split fee should consider the logistics in that respective area, of course)?
As for the number of geocaches in the region, I say geocaches require geocachERS and its the one logistic that can be improved 10 fold by the time the event rolls around (I personally would like to see at least one whereigo and one earthcache in the immediate area). There should be a subcommittee designated to contact geocachers (or make NEW ones
) to place caches in the area if this has not already been done. There's no harm in asking a business to create an account and post a cache to draw cachers to their business (being careful of the GC rules, of course); worst case scenario they'll say no. I don't know how historical areas work in Australia, but it seems to me having a feature like WhereIGo (or a Chirp) is ideal for relaying the historical significance of a location or a series of locations.
I think what is planned will have more appeal to International geocachers, but I realize that's a minority of attendees. So I will say only that lodging and transportation would be an issue - having options available to satisfy these concerns is the best you can do. You can't personally escort each of us to lodging and geocaches (though the South Australians certainly try! lol). I am not deterred by what is on offer this time around -- I actually see as many options for lodging as I did in Wagga (but then again, I have over 450 new best friends this time around! ) In the US several hotels/motels in a region will offer a group rate on a block of rooms during your designated dates -- perhaps this is something the committee has done or can do? I also saw the suggestion on the NZ MEGA thread for the local cachers to create a pool of camping equipment that could be borrowed by folks who would need to fly in? Applies here, so why not? It seems I've heard of an Aussie geocacher that loves tents that may be a great resource for tent vendors -- perhaps those vendors would like to demo a few models? I saw the post about a discount on car hire so that one is in progress! I actually had to figure the train out on my own to Wagga, so a little bit of information on "ways to get here" would be handy as well.
On this side of the globe the never satisfied issue is Competition vs. Socializing. As a committee you can only offer options for each side of the coin. You can't please all the people all the time -- just make sure there are worthy PRIZES for both sides. All the committee can do is make sure socializers have as many opportunities to put their name in the bucket for prizes as competitors do --- you can't hold everyone's hand and make sure they put their entry IN the bucket. (and make sure your quoting of prize amounts isn't competition-centric, throws folks off making them think to get the BEST prizes they have to compete; in other words, quote the approximate prize amount for non-competition prize because its going to be heaps higher)
Please work together to resolve the most prominent of issues. This is a GREAT plan so far -- it can only get BETTER! Criticism really does work best if a suggestion follows. Could the committee possibly put up a list of issues for which they feel they have not been given adequate suggestions? Be careful not to assume you've already got it resolved; this is more about communicating what you have in store than anything else. A few words in print for each concern would give the audience a good idea of progress. Its time consuming, but it may be a good way to alleviate stress for all.
I'm really looking forward to Oz MEGA Adventure! I can't wait to see all of you again!
First, I said it before Oprah did, "I love Australia" for MANY reasons -- the people being #1 on the list. You (Australian geocachers) will disappoint me greatly if you don't find some consensus. It is a fact that MEGA events take MORE than a year to put together, this committee grabbed the torch and ran with it. Making it a democracy will delay it by a year (right? lesson learned). What was that saying you were all saying to me? "Good on ya"
Honestly, I've not seen a committee asking for an entire nations input for the recent MEGA events here in the US, but we have way more people with way more differing opinions! I know Australia is very much more close-knit -- its one of the things I love about you! but all the more reason for you to work together on the existing issues not dwell on what's been done so far.Australasia has an awesome opportunity here to set up TWO MEGA events, if you can't make one, well, looky there, another one is in the early planning stages! No worries. You now have the dilemma of other parts of the world, WHICH mega event to attend. Its a GOOD problem! That said, I would like to think not every Australian has been to the Snowy Mountains which by my experience is very much different than Wagga Wagga. My opinion of this region is it is not in the international tourism mainstream which makes it a GOLDEN opportunity for fond memories!
I commend the 2012 committee for trying something new with the progressive approach. Someone most people think was a genius wrote: "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." You risk failure, but in the balance are more chances for success. I'm willing to give it a go; I've seen traditional events get shaken up with a new format and BOTH formats were successful in their own rights. However, to ease the pain of the less mobile, perhaps the committee can look into allowing a split fee, full charge if you attend both venues, partial charge if you don't (the amount of the split fee should consider the logistics in that respective area, of course)?
As for the number of geocaches in the region, I say geocaches require geocachERS and its the one logistic that can be improved 10 fold by the time the event rolls around (I personally would like to see at least one whereigo and one earthcache in the immediate area). There should be a subcommittee designated to contact geocachers (or make NEW ones
) to place caches in the area if this has not already been done. There's no harm in asking a business to create an account and post a cache to draw cachers to their business (being careful of the GC rules, of course); worst case scenario they'll say no. I don't know how historical areas work in Australia, but it seems to me having a feature like WhereIGo (or a Chirp) is ideal for relaying the historical significance of a location or a series of locations.I think what is planned will have more appeal to International geocachers, but I realize that's a minority of attendees. So I will say only that lodging and transportation would be an issue - having options available to satisfy these concerns is the best you can do. You can't personally escort each of us to lodging and geocaches (though the South Australians certainly try! lol). I am not deterred by what is on offer this time around -- I actually see as many options for lodging as I did in Wagga (but then again, I have over 450 new best friends this time around! )
In the US several hotels/motels in a region will offer a group rate on a block of rooms during your designated dates -- perhaps this is something the committee has done or can do? I also saw the suggestion on the NZ MEGA thread for the local cachers to create a pool of camping equipment that could be borrowed by folks who would need to fly in? Applies here, so why not? It seems I've heard of an Aussie geocacher that loves tents that may be a great resource for tent vendors -- perhaps those vendors would like to demo a few models? I saw the post about a discount on car hire so that one is in progress! I actually had to figure the train out on my own to Wagga, so a little bit of information on "ways to get here" would be handy as well. On this side of the globe the never satisfied issue is Competition vs. Socializing. As a committee you can only offer options for each side of the coin. You can't please all the people all the time -- just make sure there are worthy PRIZES for both sides.
All the committee can do is make sure socializers have as many opportunities to put their name in the bucket for prizes as competitors do --- you can't hold everyone's hand and make sure they put their entry IN the bucket. (and make sure your quoting of prize amounts isn't competition-centric, throws folks off making them think to get the BEST prizes they have to compete; in other words, quote the approximate prize amount for non-competition prize because its going to be heaps higher)Please work together to resolve the most prominent of issues. This is a GREAT plan so far -- it can only get BETTER! Criticism really does work best if a suggestion follows. Could the committee possibly put up a list of issues for which they feel they have not been given adequate suggestions? Be careful not to assume you've already got it resolved; this is more about communicating what you have in store than anything else. A few words in print for each concern would give the audience a good idea of progress. Its time consuming, but it may be a good way to alleviate stress for all.
I'm really looking forward to Oz MEGA Adventure! I can't wait to see all of you again!
Last edited by semik on 18 December 10 4:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Concerns re 2012 Oz Mega.
This is another thread to add to the demise of this forum, Homedg has very valid views which i am afraid will be his undoing again, it seems as though once one starts a negative these days that there is many just waiting to jump on the band wagon ! These forum pages used to be a fun and informative place to be, now it is all negatives, cricky i cannot even post anymore without a moderator reading and passing it first !!
In a nut shell unless you are a main stream sheep that shares common but not always correct views you are deemed a trouble maker. This part coming is not an attack but as for the trolling comment against Homie, trolling is something that ALL are guilty of, but some get away with it when used against the selected few.
As for the Mega bottom line is, these people put a HUGE effort in to put these things together, constructive comment is good, picking the eyes of it is not, IF YOU DONT LIKE WHAT U SEE , DONT ATTEND
In a nut shell unless you are a main stream sheep that shares common but not always correct views you are deemed a trouble maker. This part coming is not an attack but as for the trolling comment against Homie, trolling is something that ALL are guilty of, but some get away with it when used against the selected few.
As for the Mega bottom line is, these people put a HUGE effort in to put these things together, constructive comment is good, picking the eyes of it is not, IF YOU DONT LIKE WHAT U SEE , DONT ATTEND
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The Coffee's
- 4500 or more caches found
- Posts: 706
- Joined: 20 March 04 10:34 pm
- Location: Melbourne
Re: Concerns re 2012 Oz Mega.
At the time I am writing this 3.25pm I have received many phone calls and a few emails which have been of great support,
there has been a few issues raised and I feel they are worth writing about.
Firstly it would be difficult to make everyone 100% happy and as much as I personally would like to some will always want something different. With that said the major issues are moving camp from one location to the next, boot scooting country and western music and the competitions.
The idea of moving camp may be a pain and an inconvenience to some but it is part of the structure of the event, I never thought this would be a problem as we have often camped and cached along a trail over a weekend.
The country and western music issue is something that the committee will discuss and I have a few ideas to discuss, one idea depending on logistics could be an inflatable movie screen for the kids to watch a movie giving the parents a break, stay tuned on this thought.
The competition is designed to take you to places that you may never visit if it were not for geocaching. It is designed to be fun, easy and worth the time to participate. It was and is noted the comments from the Monopoly game at Wagga Wagga being too long. I have also spoken to many who loved that competition so again you cant keep everyone 100% happy.
The idea of the competition and stage events are to try to get everyone together to mix and talk.
Please keep the phone calls and emails coming if you feel you would to comment off the forum and my contact details are
mobile coffee hotline: 0401496649 email: georgei@bigpond.net.au and when I fix up Skype I will add that.
Regards
Mr.Coffee and the "we should add a tour of a coffee bean farm to the event" Coffee Clan.
there has been a few issues raised and I feel they are worth writing about.
Firstly it would be difficult to make everyone 100% happy and as much as I personally would like to some will always want something different. With that said the major issues are moving camp from one location to the next, boot scooting country and western music and the competitions.
The idea of moving camp may be a pain and an inconvenience to some but it is part of the structure of the event, I never thought this would be a problem as we have often camped and cached along a trail over a weekend.
The country and western music issue is something that the committee will discuss and I have a few ideas to discuss, one idea depending on logistics could be an inflatable movie screen for the kids to watch a movie giving the parents a break, stay tuned on this thought.
The competition is designed to take you to places that you may never visit if it were not for geocaching. It is designed to be fun, easy and worth the time to participate. It was and is noted the comments from the Monopoly game at Wagga Wagga being too long. I have also spoken to many who loved that competition so again you cant keep everyone 100% happy.
The idea of the competition and stage events are to try to get everyone together to mix and talk.
Please keep the phone calls and emails coming if you feel you would to comment off the forum and my contact details are
mobile coffee hotline: 0401496649 email: georgei@bigpond.net.au and when I fix up Skype I will add that.
Regards
Mr.Coffee and the "we should add a tour of a coffee bean farm to the event" Coffee Clan.
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the farmers 5
- 4500 or more caches found
- Posts: 271
- Joined: 15 July 08 7:33 am
- Location: Wagga Wagga,Riverina,NSW. Home of Australia's ......OZ MEGA WAGGA WAGGA..
- Contact:
Re: Concerns re 2012 Oz Mega.
As President of the past Wagga Mega and the next one, i am in a good position to have seen it all from the initial posting and start about 18 months prior to Wagga.. For those who have real good memories ,two of the early posts from Victoria stated, 1/ you will get 200 at best and 2/ posted a picture of man flogging a dead horse.
Well ,that was the first month ,then we streamlined , changed ideas , added this and that until right up the Good friday start day. We even had bowhunting, abseiling and rifleshooting as activities but deleted them over time for various reasons. It didnt suit some on the dates and travelling was the big issue.But,we put it in place and it came and went and so we are too this stage.
So, your friendly Committee has placed the first ideas and drafts plans for Oz Mega Adventure for Easter 2012.
Over many months ,this draft plan will change many times almost weekly.Things like changing the 'country and western band " to another idea is very simple .We are very open to suggestions and ideas ,but as some posts stated ,no matter what idea you do ,it wont suit everybody.
We did listen re/ comments about alot of games at Wagga and need more social times thats why there is only one game with a simple one first day.A leisurely drive second day and an easy day Sunday.
We are reading, watching and streamlining. Remember its only been 2 days .Thanks for all the feedback, we take it as exactly that and we thank you.
Well ,that was the first month ,then we streamlined , changed ideas , added this and that until right up the Good friday start day. We even had bowhunting, abseiling and rifleshooting as activities but deleted them over time for various reasons.
It didnt suit some on the dates and travelling was the big issue.But,we put it in place and it came and went and so we are too this stage.So, your friendly Committee has placed the first ideas and drafts plans for Oz Mega Adventure for Easter 2012.
Over many months ,this draft plan will change many times almost weekly.Things like changing the 'country and western band " to another idea is very simple .We are very open to suggestions and ideas ,but as some posts stated ,no matter what idea you do ,it wont suit everybody.
We did listen re/ comments about alot of games at Wagga and need more social times thats why there is only one game with a simple one first day.A leisurely drive second day and an easy day Sunday.
We are reading, watching and streamlining. Remember its only been 2 days .Thanks for all the feedback, we take it as exactly that and we thank you.
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homedg
- 1550 or more caches found
- Posts: 798
- Joined: 24 February 06 3:15 pm
- Location: South West Sydney
Re: Concerns re 2012 Oz Mega.
It's great to see that the comimttee is so open minded.
My only suggestion would be to be careful not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. e.g. Country Western Music, I'm not a huge fan, my wife loves it, and my daughter gets a kick out of dancing to it.
Can I live with it? Of course I can, and everyone is happy . Life goes on.
Struth, we are going to regional NSW, should we have a Techno Rave party instead? I'm sure the sound guys are smart enough to pump out some more contemporary music outside of the concert phase.
I also find it curious that the main baggers are those that don't intend to attend??????? That confuses me
The initial support for this event has been amazing, and it will be a MEGA, A world first and again set the standard for events around the world.
Let's all get behind it and rejoice.
Advance Australia [MEGA] Fair!!!!!!!!!!
My only suggestion would be to be careful not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. e.g. Country Western Music, I'm not a huge fan, my wife loves it, and my daughter gets a kick out of dancing to it.
Can I live with it? Of course I can, and everyone is happy
. Life goes on.Struth, we are going to regional NSW, should we have a Techno Rave party instead? I'm sure the sound guys are smart enough to pump out some more contemporary music outside of the concert phase.
I also find it curious that the main baggers are those that don't intend to attend??????? That confuses me
The initial support for this event has been amazing, and it will be a MEGA, A world first and again set the standard for events around the world.
Let's all get behind it and rejoice.
Advance Australia [MEGA] Fair!!!!!!!!!!
Re: Concerns re 2012 Oz Mega.
I think Winterdragon summed up my concerns perfectly all people are trying to do is offer some concerns and if they are taken on board then all well and good but if not then that is fine as well totally up to the Organisers. But better we have the discussion now than at the event in 2012 where it is to late to anything about it.I have nothing to offer that hasn't already been said, and said in a much more coherent and considered manner than I'd have done. So normally I'd keep out of the discussion, however I'd just like to express my support for Cached for having the guts to actually open a discussion to express some concerns about the event - after the way that similar discussions have been hijacked in the past. I'm thankful for the majority of posters for keeping it rational and civil to now. People are just expressing their opinions about what works for them, so please don't try and interpret it as an attack, or as people getting all "het up", or as an argument, etc.
I think that the organisers have put a lot of thought and effort into organising the event. I also think that some valid concerns have been raised. In the end, it's up to the organisers as to whether they want to take on any suggestions or not. And it's up to each team to decide whether they want to attend or not.
For my own 2c worth, I don't particularly like the progressive nature of the event, I'd prefer to stay in one location for the duration. I'd also prefer to go somewhere completely different for the next event. Will those sort of considerations stop me going to this event? Maybe, maybe not. It will also depend on whatever else is happening in life around that time.
Though I'm tempted to point out logical flaws in some of the more reactive, negative posts, it's just not worth the defensive aggro it'll attract. However I do find it strange that people have issues with discussions being held "off forum". Surprisingly, there really is more to the world than the GCA forum! It's not a conspiracy!
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The Coffee's
- 4500 or more caches found
- Posts: 706
- Joined: 20 March 04 10:34 pm
- Location: Melbourne
Re: Concerns re 2012 Oz Mega.
Thanks Semik, sometimes it takes someone looking in to make things clear to those already here. We put up the event details tosemik wrote: Honestly, I've not seen a committee asking for an entire nations input for the recent MEGA events here in the US, but we have way more people with way more differing opinions! I know Australia is very much more close-knit -- its one of the things I love about you! but all the more reason for you to work together on the existing issues not dwell on what's been done so far.
A
showcase what is on offer and maybe some fine tuning will be needed based on some great comments.
This means yes the event is organised and ready to go, but it also means we can change, add or delete other aspects if needed.
Again the invitation is open to all to attend and it would be great to catch up with yourself and any others from OS at this event.
Regards
Mr.Coffee
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Cached
- 2500 or more caches found
- Posts: 3087
- Joined: 24 March 04 4:32 pm
- Location: Launceston, Tasmania
- Contact:
Re: Concerns re 2012 Oz Mega.
Before penning another reply this evening, I would like to ask:
Cached
I appreciate your invitation to call, Mr Coffee, but I would rather keep discussions here rather than privately.
edited to get the bullets right.
- How is the convoy to Tumbarumba going to be controlled? Having caravans, campervans and hordes of cars parked on the side of the road collecting caches on the way seems to be an accident waiting to happen. This is personally my main concern. For a mega, one could expect in the region of 300 vehicles.
- What number of attendees are required for the event to proceed? We have now been told that a go/stop decision will be made in April '11. Will the event proceed regardless of mega-event status being achieved?
- Is the proposed route to Tumbarumba caravan friendly? Can caravans be accommodated at both sites? (Acknowledging no powered sites)
- Will there be an event geocoin minted? No mention has been made of this to my knowledge.
- Is the Tumbarumba camping included in the fee? The information provided thus far suggests not.
- Are dogs welcome?
Cached
I appreciate your invitation to call, Mr Coffee, but I would rather keep discussions here rather than privately.
edited to get the bullets right.
Re: Concerns re 2012 Oz Mega.
to cached this post will probably get me a permo ban but hey i have an opinion to, if you have so much you can add to this then dont just be the advocate for your FB private sessions, you would not talk to Mr Coffee in private, so please either make it all out front or just go with the flow, failing that do one yourself !!! theses people would not put this on if they thought it was unsafe, now would they, come on and cut the slack.
saying that the logistics of travel will rule it out, crap !! how much more logistics is it going to be going to NZ, think about it and give credit were credit is due, now back to trolling for me, merry christmas
saying that the logistics of travel will rule it out, crap !! how much more logistics is it going to be going to NZ, think about it and give credit were credit is due, now back to trolling for me, merry christmas
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The Coffee's
- 4500 or more caches found
- Posts: 706
- Joined: 20 March 04 10:34 pm
- Location: Melbourne
Re: Concerns re 2012 Oz Mega.
Sorry those questions are top secret and if i told you it would impact on National Security thus I would have to kill you.Cached wrote:Before penning another reply this evening, I would like to ask:
Yours
- How is the convoy to Tumbarumba going to be controlled? Having caravans, campervans and hordes of cars parked on the side of the road collecting caches on the way seems to be an accident waiting to happen. This is personally my main concern. For a mega, one could expect in the region of 300 vehicles.
- What number of attendees are required for the event to proceed? We have now been told that a go/stop decision will be made in April '11. Will the event proceed regardless of mega-event status being achieved?
- Is the proposed route to Tumbarumba caravan friendly? Can caravans be accommodated at both sites? (Acknowledging no powered sites)
- Will there be an event geocoin minted? No mention has been made of this to my knowledge.
- Is the Tumbarumba camping included in the fee? The information provided thus far suggests not.
- Are dogs welcome?
Cached
I appreciate your invitation to call, Mr Coffee, but I would rather keep discussions here rather than privately.
edited to get the bullets right.
Re: Concerns re 2012 Oz Mega.
Phew that was close! I almost said "Good questions!" - little did I know I could have ended up on a hitlist!! Close call haha!Mr.Coffee and the Clan wrote:Sorry those questions are top secret and if i told you it would impact on National Security thus I would have to kill you.