SCRAP OF FAITH RETREAT UPDATE - Venue, Dates etc

[Sally]

Well a date & venue has been set!!!

At the 2008 retreat we discussed the posibility of the retreat not being in QLD every time. After a lot of prayer and looking around we have decided that the next retreat will be in NSW. Also trying to find something for this year was almost impossible

So it's Feb 25-27th 2011 at The Tops Confrence Centre, at Stanwell Tops http://www.thetops.com.au/index.cfm?page=1 at

It is accessible by train so getting there you can jump on the train from the airport.

Cost will be $220 for all accomodation, meals, linen pack, goody bag, gifts, shirt etc.

With it being that far in advance, that should leave all plenty of time to

1. Save
2. Book flights
3. Convince DH

Hope to see you all there

[Gayle]

The Centre looks lovely Sal. It's a great idea moving it around a bit.
Shall see where we will be this time next year...have no ideas..God knows though Would love to go again though.

[lelbarnes]

I'll start looking up flights tomorrow! (during Happy Hour, of course) Glad we have direct flights now from Rocky to Sydney

Can anyone tell me where The Tops is? I could only find on the site where it said 1 hour south of Sydney... does that mean near Wollongong?

[Gayle]

Had a look at flights today Lel and some airlines don't have flights that far in advance yet...and others are quite expensive. Think it will be best to watch out for specials later on...well thats my plan. I get emails from the companies with their specials

[Sally]

From a lot of advice from the Sydney girls, we decided that a venue accesible by train was probably the best go, that way you can jump straight off the plane and jump on a train, rather than battle Sydney traffic etc

Stanwell Park is the train station that you would get off at & it's in between Sydney & Wooloongong

I did look at a wooloongong venue, but it was around $200 just for the accomodation and meals alone

[ScrapHappy]

You can get to Stanwell Park by train, the suburb has its own station, and we will have to organise some pickups from station to venue as necessary. You can get trains from the airport to Stanwell Park station, but it isnt a direct route - in Sydney there are very few lines from the airport where you dont have to change trains at least once to get where you're going. I'll check out the timetables and get details.

[ScrapHappy]

Have had a look at the timetables etc, and it looks as though you would allow about an hour and a half travel by train from the aiport to Stanwell Park. You catch a train from the Domestic Terminal station to Wolli Creek station (about a 4 minute trip) and then change to a South Coast train for a 54 minute train ride to Stanwell Park. We will have to see from what time we can get access to accommodation at The Tops, because it would be good to avoid peak hour train travel in late afternoon, which would be crowded.

[Sally]

I'm still waiting on all the info to come from The Tops, but from what she said on the phone the weekend rate is from Supper Friday to After lunch Sunday.

[miss~nance]

I have heard that the Tops is a great place for a retreat. And its not too far from home for us.

I am lookng forawrd to our retreat.

[kerriannb]

What a great looking place Sal. And god did a great job 'helping' ypu with the dates. Uni won't start until after the following week, so I won't feel guilty about being away from the books.

Will some of us Brissie girls try to get on the same flights so that we can start the conference early?