[Russ Clare]

Dear Andrew,
Unfortunately, I’m thinking there’s a cock-up with my Xmas Meet bookings. I have paid for two places on separate dates, but the WhatsApp membership list shows only one has been acknowledged. I have checked my bank staments, which confirm the following details:

I booked my place with an online transaction on 01 August with the reference XMAS25MEET

At that time Lynne was unsure if she could attend because of other possible engagements, and was unable to commit until a few weeks later. Lynne does not bank online, so I made a second payment on her behalf on 15 September using the reference XMAS25MEETLYNNEC

I did not send an explanatory note to the treasurer or meet leader as I assumed my payment intentions were clear from the the two payment references.

Cock-ups happen, they are unitentional, but this one needs resolving – a tricky one if Lynne has not been included in the booked out meet.

I’ve posted here even though I know Ali has messaged Lynne recently re going on the meet or not. She couldn’t respond because we were at a time hungry event in Glasgow yesterday ’till late, and Lynne left for the Ayrshire coast early this morning for another time hungry event (!) so we’ve not been able to discuss the above details between us!

Russ

[Russ Clare]

Hi Paul,
As per usual we’re sending our apologies for non-attendance at the AGM. One day, maybe!
Russ and Lynne Clare

[Russ Clare]

Agree, a brilliant report. Thanks for sharing, Geoff.

Re meet reports: why not make a collection and every so often print them out and circulate paper copies. They could be called newsletters. (sorry, so 1980s : ) )
RC

[Russ Clare]

Hi Richard,
When your meet notice was posted a while back I was confused as Torridon Youth Hostel has always been in Torridon village. For the convenience of the postal service, Torridon’s postal town is Achnasheen some 20 miles away. Hence, Torridon Youth Hostel, Torridon, by Achnasheen, Ross-shire IV22 2EZ

The only hostel listed on the Hostelling Scotland website that’s actually in Achnasheen is Ledgowan Bunkhouse, Ledgowan Lodge Hotel, Ledgowan, Achnasheen, IV22 2EJ It’s not run by Hostelling Scotland, but it’s listed as an affiliate hostel.
So will the meet be based in Torridon (by Achnasheen) or in Achnasheen?
Thanks,
Russ

[Russ Clare]

Thanks Vanda. Since I posted, I have had an exchange of emails with Gemma (et al) re the form and discussion at the committee meeting.
Russ

[Russ Clare]

Middleton in Teesdale Saturday Road Bike Ride? !!!

[Russ Clare]

Found it – email from Andy!

[Russ Clare]

How do you cast your vote? I must have missed the notification!

[Russ Clare]

Meal choices
Russ: Vegan Pate // Turkey // Cheesecake
Lynne: Squash &Lentil // Jalousie // Fruit Salad

Thanks for organising, and thanks in advance to the chefs.

[Russ Clare]

Hi Folks, re tonights slide show.
I have now had a trial run with stereo sound, and I would recommend highly to route your audio through stereo speakers or headphones for my bit if at all possible.
It would need individual sound checks to set the audio volume for each device on Zoom – clearly not practical, so you’ll just have to wing it. If you have a volume control for your speakers, no problem. For laptop headphones, I found I had to turn the volume setting down to 50% but at this setting the the laptop speakers were too quiet. At 100% the sound breaks up in places. So perhaps go for 75% and hope for the best, and if too loud you can position headphones off-ear. Once screen-share has started, it’s tricky to adjust your volume setting – not impossible, but very distracting for only a short presentation.
ZOOM SETTING When meeting has started:
In Audio Settings, under Music and Professional Audio, please ensure the High Fidelity and Stereo Audio boxes are both ticked.

My exercise for today – I started my trial Zoom meeting upstairs (only a half flight!) in the office with the an audience member’s laptop in the kitchen. Chasing between the two to tinker about at both ends seemed like a short fell race! Anyway, I hope it will have been worth it.
See you later, hopefully.
Russ

[Russ Clare]

Re our slide show on Thursday. Just to advise that, for my bit, your listening experience will be enhanced if you route your audio through your best available speaker(s) or headphones. This is NOT essential if you HAVE to rely on the in-board speakers on a phone/tablet/laptop, just better.

I’m also hoping, with Dick’s help, stereo sound will be enabled requiring some simple tweaks to your audio settings after you have joined the meeting (more advise on that later).

Dick – I have sent you a private message by email about this.

Lastly from my previous message above, “There’ll be music, pictures, magic tricks, a stand-up comedian, dancers……” Unfortnately, I have to report the dancers are all having to self-isolate, the stand-up did their back in laughing too much at their own jokes, and the magician tried sawing themselves in half (it didn’t go well!) so that just leaves ….

Russ

[Russ Clare]

Hi Vanda,
As the 3 Feb slideshow is on Zoom, I’d be pleased to contribute an item. It lasts 8 minutes on shared screen, plus a few minutes chat to begin with. There’ll be music, pictures, magic tricks, a stand-up comedian, dancers, and more (not all of that is true!).
HTH
Russ

[Russ Clare]

Thanks for that, Vanda. Your post reinforces our own fond memories of Mary and Pat.
Russ and Lynne

[Russ Clare]

Hi Gemma and Kial,

An alternative ‘take’ on your form. You do not need a response from all members, and you only need one question – “are you available?”. Those not replying are either ‘Maybe’ (and therefore not to be relied upon, but if they turn up it’s a bonus) or ‘No’ . Whether the ‘Yes’ return is disappointing is a separate issue – I am not commenting on that.

Well done for getting such a great potential member response. I do hope the event is a success.

Russ

[Russ Clare]

Me and Lynne are booked Thursday to Sunday.
Parrots may well be free, but the extra cost for our emu was too much, so we’re leaving it at home in the hope it doesn’t trash the house!

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