BUTTERFLIES AND GARDENS MEET

[CliffS]

Well I had thought of asking them to reduce the price a bit but if they did I can't see it being that much to be honest. Staff still have to be paid and refreshments provided - you don't get nowt for nowt these days It's well worth it if you go for at least half a day leading into the 6pm after hours with the butterflies. I know a certain wildlife so called pro who has been charging £250 for a day around London Zoo! Whereabouts are you anyway Cliff?

Yes I suppose doing it that way is 'added value' . . . I would have to include Hazel in this sort of trip . . . £70 I have a problem overall with entry fees for sport and entertainment . . . related to the financial state we are in, country and world wide, priorities, UK wages, and my salary in particular Thats me, 'I'm a half empty' type I am afraid

We reside in Ipswich these days, 25 minutes from boat and sea, we moved in 2001. I have one aged aunt 96, who still lives in Hemel, in her own home, thats the extent of family I recognise these days.

CliffS

[blondeandgorgeous]

Ok peeps, had a call from Butterflyworld this morning to say that they have decided to make the price £25 for this event so that helps

Look forward to seeing those who can make it next week, we'll catch up on here before then anyway

[val123]

Well got the day booked off work - will see you there

What time you guys thinking of meeting.

Val

[blondeandgorgeous]

Where are you coming from Val?

[val123]

Dorset was thinking of leaving mid morning as it will be a late night back for me. Val

[blondeandgorgeous]

Whatever time you wish Val - time hasn't been set in stone yet There is much to see there, beautiful wildflowers and individual gardens and loads more so whatever time you want to get there is fine - it opens at 10 a.m., not sure how long it will take you from Dorset?

[Misty]

Hi Carol
Count me in, there me thinking it going to take me for ever to get there, was more concerned about getting back at night as it gets dark now around 9-00, I will be there early, probley dinner time as you say loads to do and see

See you n Wednesday

[blondeandgorgeous]

Ok that's brill

[senninha]

I'll be there at opening time.........


Rob

[blondeandgorgeous]

Hi folks, bit more info for you - the postal code is AL2 3NY but I'm not sure if Miriam Lane will be on sat nav systems as it's a reasonably new road. If it isn't then put in Noke Lane St. Albans and Miriam Lane is just off that
By road
Exit the M25 at junction 21a, or the M1 at junction 6and head towards the A405 towards St Albans. Take the first left had junction before the roundabout, called Noke Lane. The entrance to Butterfly World is on your right

Also if you remember Butterflyworld will feature on Countryfile tonight I believe

Look forward to seeing you all there, PM me with your mobiles and I'll let you have mine so I can come out and meet you at the entrance when you arrive - also ETA would be useful

Hope you had great holiday Rob look forward to seeing images and hearing all about it

Equipment:

Any Macros/Extension tubes useful flash/any focal length really for the gardens short/long/wide whatever you have will be fine. I have some extension tubes if anyone needs to borrow them so long as they shoot Nikon lol

[blondeandgorgeous]

Hey peeps thanks so much for coming to this meet despite the rain - oh and the thunder......oh and the gorgeous rainbow we suffered this evening

Hope you all had a safe journey home, looking forward to seeing your images, know you all got some stunners and thanks again for taking the time - much appreciated.

Was it worth the £ ? feedback good/bad/other always useful so I can pass onto management

[Misty]

HI Carol
Ive got back ok, no traffic or hold ups,also no rain
thank you so much for organizing this meet, the place is great, would go back again, to think we had it all to ourselves and free drinks and eats, yummy, a great day, glad you managed to arrange the rainbow, or should I say double rainbow
its more like Chelsea flower show, then Meadows, the management are a great bunch of people, was like staying a hotel with all the treats, nothing is to much trouble for them

thank again for a cheap day out,

[val123]

Hi Carol

Thanks for organising today - it was great - will definately be on my list for a return visit.

Will look at the photos tomorrow - tonight I am off to bed.

Thanks once again a great day out and very much worth the £'s in my opinion.

Val

[blondeandgorgeous]

So pleased you got home safe and sound and you enjoyed it

[senninha]

I got home at 11:15pm.......a bit of a hold up on the M6.....traffic was at a standstill......only had 7 mile to go as well....
Yeah.....twas a great day out.......pity the weather didn't play ball but you can't have everything can you....
Well at least we did have some bright spells......then a thunderstorm......then a rainbow to top it off....
Just had a quick look at my images......quite surprised really considering the low light we had a times ......got a few good un's despite not having my shutter release cable which I lost in Austria........ so I had to set the self timer for 2 secs......easy enough......but you wait for the breeze to drop.......& by the time the shutter fires after 2 secs the breeze is back.....so good job I took a few.....
Was great to have the Gardens & the Butterfly house to ourselves for 3 hours & will have to make a return visit.
Then to top it off we had all the goodies supplied in the Cafeteria.......was a lot quieter in there than earlier in the day......only the 6 of us this time...
Anyway cheers Carol for organizing it.


Rob

[blondeandgorgeous]

Oh sorry about the holdup on M6 Rob I will arrange for next time that you don't have to endure that Really pleased you had a good time glad you got some keepers, not looked at mine yet will do tomorrow or today now lol

[Misty]

Great day carol, as I said been looking at my photos, got quiet afew keepers pleased with the whole day, when the next trip out???

[blondeandgorgeous]

Due to the success of this event and the extremely favourable feedback from those who attended both from this forum and others, Butterflyworld have decided to go ahead with the one scheduled for this coming Saturday 14th August.

If anyone is interested, please let me know

There is also a possibility that there will be other dates in September. As the light in the evenings at that time will obviously not be quite as good as days get shorter, they are also considering having breakfast with the butterflies sessions i.e., these would start at around 7am-7.30amish through to 10/10.30 am. After that time you would then have the remainder of the day to wander around the acres of wildlife meadows and individual gardens.

Again if anyone is interested in this please let me know.

Also if anyone has any preferable dates in mind i.e., Sataturdays/Wednesdays - hands in the air

Cheers

[Misty]

HI Carol
sorry to say this saturday is out for me birthday weekend, we of out Saturday, to a Lantern night and hopeful a meal, if iam lucky

first two weeks of September are out as well

I perfer the week but it wont suit all as most are working, why I prefer the week is because its not so busy,

,good job i like fruit as that is what butterfly eat for breakfast

in the end its up to the majority,

[val123]

Hi Carol

Weekends are best for me - but will go with the majority.

Unlikely to be able to make the 14th but would be interested in a date in September.

Val