Getting ready for the HARVEST trip

[Roy Hersh]

In addition to smashing pumpkins and cell phones, not to mention guitars ... please leave your neck ties at home or else. You are hereby forewarned that the eearing of a neck tie will result in the "inadvertent" cutting off of the tie about 4" below the neck. :twisted:

:joker:

[Derek T.]

Message recieved and understood, but can I wear my littkle black dress to the Noval dinner?

Derek

[Andy Velebil]

Message recieved and understood, but can I wear my littkle black dress to the Noval dinner?

Derek

Only if you wear your 6" black heels with it :joker:

[Andy Velebil]

OK guys, we are now into the 2 week final stretch.

Ohh yeah, and no crazy sports activities like I did last weekend. The last water ski trip of the summer ended with me getting a broken nose and a black eye. I guess thats what I deserve for doing stupid jumps, ohh well it was still fun though :twisted: and it should be all healed by the time I get to Portugal

[Andy Velebil]

Well, we are getting close and I'm sure you all are just as excited as I am. I checked the weather for the first couple of days in Porto and it looks like;

Saturday is light rain
Sunday is scattered thunder storms
Monday-forward is light rain.

Of course that may all change as we know how acurate those weather people are

Oh yeah, high temps of around 70 degrees. I guess I should brake out the jackets (just a little joke, as 70 degrees in Los Angeles and people start putting sweatshirts and jackets on)

[David Spriggs]

This is very similar to the weather we had on the previous trip. It rained off and on, but only a few downpours. Still, be prepared for rain and cool weather.

-Dave-

[Derek T.]

Being from Scotland I can honestly say that 70 degrees in October is summertime - even if it is "cold" and wet I can't justify allocating luggage space to sweatshirts and jackets otherwise there will be no room left for all that port I'll be bringing home

When do the US contingent set-off for Oporto?

Derek

PS: At exactly this time in 1 week we could all be lying face down in a Lagare attempting an early tasting of the Crasto 2006 vintage 8)

[Derek T.]

Does anyone who is going on the trip or is a regular poster here not have a copy of James Suckling's "Vintage Port"?

I have 2 hardback copies and would be happy to give one away to a good home. The book was published in 1990 so does not contain information about recent declarations but still makes for an interesting read and is a nice thing to have in your VP book collection.

If anyone is interested in having this book please send me a PM. If you feel guilty about taking it for free then please feel free to offer any 1963 VP in return

Derek

[Andy Velebil]

Roy, Jay, Eric, and I fly out on Saturday, with a 9am Sunday arrival time.

Yeah, I will be the cold one on this trip...Being from sunny So-Cal I'm used to nice toasty warm temps. But feel free to tease, laugh, and make fun of me all you want...

PS. I won't be lying face down, I'll be swimming in it

Derek, that would be me..the only 2 books on port I own are Rich, Rare, and Red and Port and the Douro If you wouldn't mind I'd love a copy.

[Derek T.]

Andy,

It's a deal - you now have yourself a 3rd book to add to your collection 8)

Don't worry, none of us will hesitate to make fun of you if you complain about being cold on this trip. Then again, you will probably make fun of me when I put my sun cream on

Derek

[Frederick Blais]

This is very similar to the weather we had on the previous trip. It rained off and on, but only a few downpours. Still, be prepared for rain and cool weather.

-Dave-

For me last year was a bit too much of rain, the temperature was fine, around 20 Celsius most of the time, though you can get spectacular view
http://www.frederickblais.com/pics/disp ... m=7&pos=72

I wish that this year is more regular as normally there is not much rain in the Douro, it mostly come in January. It makes a trip so much more enjoyable!

[David Spriggs]

When do the US contingent set-off for Oporto?

I'll be leaving tomorrow (Friday) and I'll be arriving at Heathrow at 7:30 Saturday morning. My flight from Heathrow to Oporto isn't until 19:30 Saturday evening, so I figured I would day-trip into London and check things out.

-Dave-

[Roy Hersh]

Free at last, free at last, thank god all mighty I am free at last.

Project is over and done and I arrived back home tonight. Exhaustion, a terrible cold and torn calf muscle are all going to be behind me prior to my departure. NOW I can start to get excited.

Don't forget to bring at least one pair of shorts if not two and a bathing suit, camera, styro shipper, an extra liver, aspirins, comfortable shoes etc.

[Roy Hersh]

Rain is in the forecast both in Porto and in the Douro for next week. You may want to bring a poncho/rain jacket. This just might ruin my fun watching you all picking grapes for hours on end, in order to earn your lunch break on Thursday and Friday. 8)

[Andy Velebil]

Roy, I think you and Mario will find plenty of other ways to laugh at us

[Derek T.]

Roy,

I can't bring myself to wear a rain jacket in 70 degree heat in October :?

I will be packing 3 t-shirts, 3 pairs of shorts, 6 socks, 6 pairs of boxers, a razor and a toothbrush. The remainder of my outarwd luggage allowance will be empty space in my styro shipper waiting to be filled withh NN31 !!!

Derek

[Al B.]

And no-one forget that under current UK air-rules you are NOT allowed to take toothpaste through the security check prior to going airside. So either be prepared for a week's worth of Dragon breath.....or buy some from Boots once you clear security.

Alex

[Roy Hersh]

Roy,

I can't bring myself to wear a rain jacket in 70 degree heat in October

Well Derek, coming from Seattle where sunshine is a regional event, I'll feel right at home. I picked October as I hoped for temperatures under 35 degrees C. in the Douro.

I will be packing 3 t-shirts, 3 pairs of shorts,

You will look very funny at Noval, treading in your shorts while the robotics are working hard at crushing YOU. As far as purchasing wine at Noval, many great NNs are available, the prices may keep your shipper less than full though.


Alex wrote:

or buy some from Boots once you clear security.

Boots? No wonder why the Yanks joke about the dentistry in the UK. I have heard of a "kick in the teeth" but brushing with Boots is certainly not something we across the pond would take kindly to.

[Andy Velebil]

Roy,

I can't bring myself to wear a rain jacket in 70 degree heat in October :?

I will be packing 3 t-shirts, 3 pairs of shorts, 6 socks, 6 pairs of boxers, a razor and a toothbrush. The remainder of my outarwd luggage allowance will be empty space in my styro shipper waiting to be filled withh NN31 !!!

Derek

WOW! Only 70. I better bring the heavy jacket and gloves

Boots is certainly not something we across the pond would take kindly to.

I tried Boots once, but I kept getting the laces stuck in my teeth

[Roy Hersh]

For those folks who are coming along but not on our flight over from Newark, we'll meet at the hotel in the lobby at 3 p.m.

That will give you all a chance to relax and unpack. We'll get busy with a couple of fun stops, followed by dinner. See you there!