A rare opportunity

[sirhc55]

At 07:00 on the 20th February the QM2 will dock at the Fleet Base (too big to go anywhere else).

At 19:15 the arriving QE2 will pass the QM2 (exiting at 23:00) in the harbour and then dock at the OPT.

Would make for some fantastic pics

[Kyle]

Im In for a minimeet for this

[Kris]

me too!

[gstark]

Cris,

Where would be a good place for a minimeet? Glen's living room?

Throw me a location!

[sirhc55]

Glen - are you out there in hyper space

[johnd]

This could be interesting. I'll be in Sydney on 20th Feb.
Where is the Fleet Base and OPT? Are they down near Circular Quay and Opera House?

Cheers
John

[gstark]

John,

What area of town will you be staying in?

We'll be more than happy to organise something - like the concurrent arrival of two big ships - just for you.

In all seriousness, it will be great to put a face to the name. All we need is a venue and this date is on the calendar.

[johnd]

Gary, I'm staying in the Marriott in College Street next to Hyde Park.
You must have had to pull some strings to orgainse 2 big boats for me. Well done
Cheers
John

[gstark]

You must have had to pull some strings to orgainse 2 big boats for me. Well done

You don't know the favours I've called in for this one.

Some people say I'm good. Not many, mind you, and none actually admit to saying that.

Ok, that's a nice pub, in a good area of town. Do you want my Marriott FF number so you can points to my account?

Obviously you're available on the 20th; any other free time while you're visiting?

[johnd]

Hi Gary, I'm free 18/19/20. Business on 21/22 and fly home night of Thursday 22nd. Alison (my wife and fellow photographer) will be with me. We plan to do the touristy thing and go to the zoo (definate), Sydney Aquarium (maybe) and go out on the harbour (strong maybe).

It would be great to catch up.

Cheers
John

[gstark]

Ok, great.

That gives us something to work with.

For the harbour, there's an all day ticket you buy, that allows you access to the whole harbour, plus some buses and other things, I think. Stubbsy should be able to provide more detail of that.

Beyond that, I'm thinking maybe, considering that you're staying in the city, we take a group evening wander through Chinatown. Fotos plus phood.

[stubbsy]

You need a DayTripper ticket which covers all regular buses ferries and trains for the day at the bargain price of $15.40. Full details HERE

On 20th I'll be travelling on a ferry from the north to the south island of New Zealand mid way through my holidays there.

[Killakoala]

This could turn out to be a major DSLRusers event I might have to venture north too if i can, to great a fellow Tasmanian.

[Matt. K]

I have to go to work.

[gstark]

Ok ... the 20th is a Tuesday ...

so ...

I'm proposing a sunset meet somewhere where we'll be able to see the big boaties passing upwind of one another.

Chris, where would be a good vantage point?

And I'm proposing that perhaps we do a Sunday Chinatown dinner shoot on the 18th, perhaps preceded by a wander through the Darling Harbour precinct.

Thoughts please, all y'all?

[sirhc55]

Gary - being that the QM2 is 1,132 feet long and weighs in at approximately 151,400 grosse tonnes - I would say anywhere you bloody like  PS: she is 117 feet shorter than the Empire State building

[johnd]

Ok ... the 20th is a Tuesday ...

so ...

I'm proposing a sunset meet somewhere where we'll be able to see the big boaties passing upwind of one another.

Chris, where would be a good vantage point?

And I'm proposing that perhaps we do a Sunday Chinatown dinner shoot on the 18th, perhaps preceded by a wander through the Darling Harbour precinct.

Thoughts please, all y'all?

Both these ideas seem great to me (us).
Cheers
John

[Yi-P]

That sounds great to me as well!

I've only seen a 100,000 tonne cruise and it is really massive already!! Cant imagine the size of this 150,000 tonne cruise ship.

Looking at the QM2 schedules, its due to arrive on Tues 20 and leaves at 11pm of the same day for a voyage to Hong Kong, China.

So that means we only have one day for this ship?

[Yi-P]

And I'm proposing that perhaps we do a Sunday Chinatown dinner shoot on the 18th, perhaps preceded by a wander through the Darling Harbour precinct.

Thoughts please, all y'all?

Feb 18th is right on Chinese New Year for the year of the Pig... And getting a dinner space in Chinatown will be a bit of risk without prior booking. I will only say the place will be packed.

I'm not sure yet if I have any family matter for that new year's day, but who's going to this btw?

[gstark]

And I'm proposing that perhaps we do a Sunday Chinatown dinner shoot on the 18th, perhaps preceded by a wander through the Darling Harbour precinct.

Thoughts please, all y'all?

Feb 18th is right on Chinese New Year for the year of the Pig... And getting a dinner space in Chinatown will be a bit of risk without prior booking. I will only say the place will be packed.

I'm not sure yet if I have any family matter for that new year's day, but who's going to this btw?

Good point about Chinese New Year.

I think that on the one hand, it will make for some excellent photographic opportunities, and, as you say, it could make finding a dinner space ... challenging ...

But on that lattermost aspect, while I think that all of the formal eating spaces will indeed be very heavily patronised, what of the casual spaces such as the food hall upstairs in Market City?

I dunno, but I'd be perfectly happy to take my chances and look towards grabbing a combination soup of some sort there. Given the very casual dining nature of that locale, maybe that should be the dinner location?

[padey]

You can add me in on this one.

Were to meet is a tough one. I say lets meet at Russel Crows house at the end of Wooly bay wharf.

[Geoff]

I'm definately in for the 20th!
Can't make the 18th though.

[Yi-P]

Good point about Chinese New Year.

I think that on the one hand, it will make for some excellent photographic opportunities, and, as you say, it could make finding a dinner space ... challenging ...

But on that lattermost aspect, while I think that all of the formal eating spaces will indeed be very heavily patronised, what of the casual spaces such as the food hall upstairs in Market City?

I dunno, but I'd be perfectly happy to take my chances and look towards grabbing a combination soup of some sort there. Given the very casual dining nature of that locale, maybe that should be the dinner location?

There should be spaces available, but as you said, there wont be any formal spaces available in the restaurants. You might still be able to find a fast food place in the Market City eatery. Or showing up early can grab a few sits in a small table in one of the smaller restaurants.

[gstark]

Ok ...

we should probably start looking at numbers niw.

Please note that we have two things happening here:

Sunday 18/2 - Darling Harbour/Chinatown shoot and feed.


Tuesday 20/2 Big Boats in the harbour. Given the time of day - apres work-ish - I'm not too sure that Cowper Wharf Roadway (where The Crowe and Laws families reside) would be totally ideal, although back street parking around the 'Loo might work. Further, our favourite pub down there has undergone another makeover since our last visit there, and it's moved more up <strike>itself</strike>market, with prices to match, but the quality has, if anything, taken a trip in the opposite direction. What about Mrs Mac's Chair?, from around 6-ish?



Ok, with that stated, I need to have indications of who's coming for each of these ... I'll put JohnD down for both.

Andrew, Steve, I've put each of you down for both; please let me know if that's not your intention.




Sunday 18/2 - Darling Harbour/Chinatown shoot and feed.
JohnD and Alison
Gary
Leigh
Padey ??
<strike>Killakoala</strike>
trotkiller



Tuesday 20/2 Big Boats in the harbour.
JohnD and Alison
Gary
Leigh
Geoff
Padey
<strike>Killakoala</strike>
Pau
Nikkofanl
michael_
Kyle
Glen
Geoff
Kris
Six
Y-iP

[padey]

20th is a definite. I'll call Russell and let him know we aren't coming. 18th is a maybe.

But i'll get back to you.

[johnd]

Gary, please put me down for both X 2.
Alison might be a bit peeved if I leave her back at the hotel.
Cheers
John

[Paul]

I'm good for the 20th

[gstark]

List updated.

[Killakoala]

I can't make it as I'll be in Perth that week. I'll miss the Wings Over Illawarra thing too.

[gstark]

Steve,

Sorry to hear that, but duty calls, I guess.

No worries

List downgraded.

[Yi-P]

It is a maybe for me on 18th, not sure what family matter I will have for the new year...

On the 20th, I doubt I can make it, gonna be interstates into Melb
Bugger, I wanna see the big boats...

[Kris]

QE2 at 6am? is that a goer? I may come into work a bit late... Put me on this list depending on time. Am down for 6am (gotta leave by

[gstark]

QE2 at 6am? is that a goer?

Not with the group.

Not at this stage, anyway, although there's nothing to stop others from doing this anyway.

But in my earlier post I said

Given the time of day - apres work-ish -

Which probably means something like 6pm, rather than am.

[Six]

Count me in for the 20th, and possibly (unsure at this stage) the 18th too.

Jack

[Digidegs]

Sorry cannot make it as I do not have a lens long enough to capture the subject at hand.
300mm 2.8 to short. Too bad ...........

[Glen]

Somehow I missed this thread, count me in for the 20th

[JAH]

These 2 ships will be meeting in Sydney harbour on Tues 20th Feb.

QM2 0700-2300 berthing at Garden Island (only berth capable of taking her!!)
QE2 2030 20th - 1830 22nd berthing @ Circular Quay.

Apparently there are fireworks planned @ 1915 when the QE2 passes the QM2 on her way to the quay.

Cheers,
Jack

[JAH]

I would imagine the best places to see the ships pass each other would be at Mrs Macquaries Point or on the other side of the harbour at Milson's Point. I don't know where the fireworks will be let off though; I would imagine from a barge close to Farm Cove.

Mrs Macquaries Point would be closer but the fireworks may go off behind you as you view the ships passing each other.

Looks like a wide angle lens event.

Cheers,
Jack

[sirhc55]

It will not be dark at that time so fireworks would be pretty useless. My thoughts are the north side of the harbour will be better for shots

[Geoff]

Ok, so we need some confirmation of where to meet.
Either Mrs Macs Chair OR somewhere near Luna Park?
Preferences/ideas people?

[padey]

Ok, so we need some confirmation of where to meet.
Either Mrs Macs Chair OR somewhere near Luna Park?
Preferences/ideas people?

1 vote for Macas Chair

[Geoff]

Ok...I think I'd prefer this point too. So that's two of us so far Andrew

[Reschsmooth]

I will try to make it for the 20th for about 7pm or so? (if that time is suitabe to see the big pile of ships)

P

[Kris]

I need a long LENS!

[Kyle]

Ok, so i'm going to come in for this.

Is there parking fairly close-ish for this, or am i best off catching the train? Dont really want to do the latter

Are you guys doing dinner and shooting?

I can probably make it by 6-7 or so..

[Paul]

Either location suits me fine, Mrs Macs Chair might be a bit easier on the parking from memory.

[Kyle]

Sweet, paul can you chuck in the balls, if you still have them pweeze?

[michael_]

im in for sunset meet just got to work out how i will get there as i work at north sydney, ill be out in the morning too for the arrival, probably go out near the heads then try and beat it down to the harbour, but man there are going to be so many people out, i might try and get out for some early morning shots the day after too of the ship docked.

[Yi-P]

I think I can fit in for the 20th (not sure yet), now I have to think about a lens which can fit the boat in

What is the meeting time btw?

[gstark]

Sunday ...

Meeting time and place will be 5pm, on Dixon St at the northern archway.

I'll need to be heading off - having eaten - by around 8pm, due to radio commitments. This has been a very busy week, with a new contract, a new radio show ... and the same old life to fit around it.



Tuesday ... remember that we also have JohnD and his family up from Tassie, which is why I've suggested Mrs MacQuarie's Chair as the meeting point: they're staying in the city, and a north side meeting point would present problems of transport for them, and probably parking for the rest of us.

So ... Tuesday, 6pm, Mrs Mac's Chair.

And those who wish can also get a sunset shot of the sailboat and coathanger.

I'll try and update the lists of who's coming later on today.