Ange

Only just spotted this - the bar staff at the hotel were actually very efficient at clearing the glasses - that was just the previous round! There's only 3 empty bottles of Newkie in evidence in the photo and my head and guts wished that was all I'd drunk when I dragged myself out of bed this morning! We saw our son Matt off on the train at 3pm and got a call at 9pm that he'd arrived home safely - I'm dead proud of him for spending so much of his weekend travelling so he could have a few beers with fellow CWDF members (though I think sleeping on Liam's boat was an added incentive!) Dave & I really enjoyed ourselves - we put faces to a few more names and had a really good evening. One thought that came out of it - it'd be good to have some way of identifying ourselves so arrivees who don't know anyone don't have to approach random groups of strangers and ask if they're from CWDF - particularly lone females (huge respect to Chagall and Lemontoes - I don't know if I'd have the guts to turn up at a banter on my own) What do folks reckon - make up a sign, wear badges with our forum names on (that brings back memories of a wedding where the bride insisted everyone wore badges with their name and their relationship to the couple - after a few alcoholic beverages everyone decided to swap badges - IIRC I was the bride's father for some of the evening. She wasn't amused!) Any suggestions?

And a very good evening is drawing to a close ....

Hi Martin, Unfortunately the room you say you were in, myself, Ange, Dave, Matt, Mr & Mrs Journeyperson, Tanis, Lemontoes, Dave (off Dave & Julie) and Colin were sat in the middle of the Castlefield Hotel drinking and eating from 6PM. If you missed us then the only thing I can say is, apologies, but I am probably going to plan a banter later in the year. You will have no excuse as I am going to PM you with my mobile number now.... Liam

I will get lemontoes to marry you, if you buy me an umbrella... no seriously, it's not raining.... Lemontoes, gosh is it 2011 already? I meant 2010! Edit - that was Liam again btw!!

i am about 10 steps from the bar in the Castlefield Hotel... if i hear the name 'Liam' I definately hear it.... I reckon you took the pic and legged it The Iona lot have been in the Castlefield Hotel since about 6PM, I was in there shortly afterwards, We've had numerous people join us throughtout the evening, and the only thing I can say is that you didn't try hard enough I am hoping to organise another banter nekt year, so if you PM me I will send you my mobile number. Shame we didn't meet up this time, Bye for now. Liam.

Thanks to the Castlefield Hotel wifi I am able to post pics live from the banter Chagall, Lemontoes and Mrs Journeyperson David of DavidandJulie and Liam Divum Draconis aka our son Matt me & Dave and a bottle of Newkie Brown me & Journeyperson Dr Bradley

Well we're still here - Liam says "you haven't left your house have you you lying b****r"

We think we're staying here - we've just ordered food so we'll definitely be here for a while ETA Mr & Mrs Journeyperson are now here along with Dr Bradley

and I've only had two bottles of Newkie!!!! Classic

We've just fetched Chagall from reception. We're easily spotted - the give away is the laptop on CWDF. There's 6 of us at the moment - Liam, Dave, Matt, Chagall and me

Well I'll say the more the merrier - I'm sure Liam will say the same ETA I know Dave would prefer decent ale over proximity to where we're sleeping - the camra pub definitely appealed!

Yep, still got your number Liam. I'll ring or text when we're in the area. We'll be coming in by train from Adlington - the train stops at Salford Crescent, Salford Central and Manchester Victoria. Any suggestions as to which station we should get off at and bus / tram from there? Thanks

We'll aim for early afternoon - I'll let you know when we're in the area. Any idea of venue yet?

... not forgetting Dave of course - there's a BOGOF offer on when you book me

Thanks Lady M - good advice - I wasn't aware of Speedfan - I'll download it when I'm over mum & dad's tomorrow and can steal their wifi for a while. I'll have to google riser as well - not sure what that is

oo that's an idea - thanks, I'll give it a try We've got a lead from Maplins that takes the power from 12v to 19v that does play up when the boat batteries are a bit low. My only worry is that it'll play up if I take the battery out of the lappy - still there's only one way to find out I guess

We did take it apart in November when I managed to spill a small amount of coffee on the keyboard. We cleaned out all the vents then, but you've got me wondering whether it could be dust from the solid fuel stove - I've noticed a build up on the screen (as well as every other surface in the cabin!)

Hey folks We use my Acer Aspire 5310 laptop for both internet and TV (we have a WinTV dongle). Lately it's started shutting itself down out of the blue. I noticed the underneath feels really hot when this happens, so we tried propping it up so the vents were clear, but it still kept happening. I've now got it sat on a cake cooling tray, but that still hasn't helped. Tonight it's shut off twice. The lappy is a few years old, has it reached the end of it's life or is there something we can do to help (I have noticed the fan seems to be on all the time we're using it) Any suggestions appreciated

I'm using that Vodafone dongle on Windows 7 and it works fine