Countdown in Edinburgh - November 3rd

Ian Volante · Post by **Ian Volante** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 12:35 pm

This list finalised then? Looks like I'll be fighting to avoid last place!

paul james · Post by **paul james** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 4:42 pm

mike,do i still have time to register and if so how can i pay?

paul james · Post by **paul james** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 4:44 pm

been in egypt and didnt realise date for last registration

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 4:45 pm

paul james wrote:mike,do i still have time to register and if so how can i pay?

Probably Paul, unless it causes issues for Nita. I'll ask her and let you know. Assuming it's OK, PayPal is the preferred payment option (if that isn't any good for you we can sort something out via PM).

paul james · Post by **paul james** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 10:18 pm

cheers mike,if ok then i can sort my train tomorrow

Jack Worsley · Post by **Jack Worsley** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 6:32 pm

Is it too late? If not I would like to come, along with my dad, Paul.

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 10:43 pm

It's not too late, Jack - Nita has said that latecomers are welcome (at least for now!), so if anyone is still interested, please send me a PayPal payment ASAP!

(Incidentally, it looks like we're going to have over 30 people, which is great, with the limit for the room being 36.)

paul james · Post by **paul james** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 11:58 pm

hi mike,any other way i can pay,dont have pay pal? jack and paul,do you know what train you are on? i will probably be joining you at carlisle.

Andy Platt · Post by **Andy Platt** » Thu Oct 18, 2012 4:57 pm

I've just got it successfully requested off work and will paypal you ASAP.

Edit. Done. See you there. (Or, if the organise+r ran out of room then let me know)

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » Thu Oct 18, 2012 9:52 pm

Thanks Andy. Paul - I've PM'ed you re alternative payment arrangements. Jack - please let me know soon if you want in! Only two weeks to go.

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Thu Oct 18, 2012 10:39 pm

Mike Brown wrote:Only two weeks to go.

Excellent, could do with a nice little break.

paul james · Post by **paul james** » Fri Oct 19, 2012 9:20 am

hi mike,cant access that personal message,me and technology dont mix! got my train ticket anyway!

Andy Platt · Post by **Andy Platt** » Fri Oct 19, 2012 8:19 pm

Was hoping to stay over and go back in the morning - but I'm working the Sunday at 12:15 in Manchester.

Long story short, recommend me some form of transport guys (the earliest train available on national rail won't make it).

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » Fri Oct 19, 2012 9:02 pm

Andy Platt wrote:Was hoping to stay over and go back in the morning - but I'm working the Sunday at 12:15 in Manchester.

Long story short, recommend me some form of transport guys (the earliest train available on national rail won't make it).

Megabus? Cheap flight? Hitch-hike?

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » Fri Oct 19, 2012 9:05 pm

paul james wrote:hi mike,cant access that personal message,me and technology dont mix! got my train ticket anyway!

Hi Paul, I've sent an email to the address you registered with when you joined C4C. Hopefully you will get it!

Andy Platt · Post by **Andy Platt** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 6:49 pm

I got my shift changed at work so can now stay over - where you guys staying?

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 9:41 pm

Andy Platt wrote:I got my shift changed at work so can now stay over - where you guys staying?

Excellent! Can't speak for anyone else, but Rich and I are staying at the Cameron Toll Travelodge.

Andy Platt · Post by **Andy Platt** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 12:53 am

OK that's actually very near to another place I saw online that was going for 30 quid. The travel bodges are looking pretty expensive for whatever reason.
I'll book that then

Ben Wilson · Post by **Ben Wilson** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 6:38 am

Mike Brown wrote:
Andy Platt wrote:I got my shift changed at work so can now stay over - where you guys staying?
Excellent! Can't speak for anyone else, but Rich and I are staying at the Cameron Toll Travelodge.

Same here- got that room for about £40.

Ian Volante · Post by **Ian Volante** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 7:24 am

Ben Wilson wrote:
Mike Brown wrote:
Andy Platt wrote:I got my shift changed at work so can now stay over - where you guys staying?
Excellent! Can't speak for anyone else, but Rich and I are staying at the Cameron Toll Travelodge.
Same here- got that room for about £40.

That works, it's only about a mile from the venue, and I believe there's a bus that goes in that direction too (38?) if you don't fancy walking.

Ian Volante · Post by **Ian Volante** » Mon Oct 29, 2012 1:23 pm

An actual weather forecast for the correct weekend is (uncorroborated from other sources as yet) wet and windy. Bring your wool(l)ies, and remember that umbrellas and Scotland don't mix.

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » Mon Oct 29, 2012 7:31 pm

Ian Volante wrote:An actual weather forecast for the correct weekend is (uncorroborated from other sources as yet) wet and windy. Bring your wool(l)ies, and remember that umbrellas and Scotland don't mix.

Latest Met Office forecast is for white cloud with a max windspeed of 15mph, but there's plenty of time for it to change yet (in either direction!).

Good advice for Scotland either way, Ian!

Jon O'Neill · Post by **Jon O'Neill** » Mon Oct 29, 2012 7:35 pm

I'll pack my Longo Jonos.

Ian Volante · Post by **Ian Volante** » Mon Oct 29, 2012 7:46 pm

Mike Brown wrote:
Ian Volante wrote:An actual weather forecast for the correct weekend is (uncorroborated from other sources as yet) wet and windy. Bring your wool(l)ies, and remember that umbrellas and Scotland don't mix.
Latest Met Office forecast is for white cloud with a max windspeed of 15mph, but there's plenty of time for it to change yet (in either direction!).

Good advice for Scotland either way, Ian!

Fair enough, I'm just guessing from long-range charts - I'm willing to bet I'm not fair off though...

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 10:23 pm

Not long now and we have 33 players, which is brilliant. Can't wait! Hope to see everyone there on Saturday morning!

Ben Wilson · Post by **Ben Wilson** » Thu Nov 01, 2012 6:49 pm

So, trains- who's getting in where and when? I'm arriving into Edinburgh at 11:13 and am up for sharing cab if wanted.

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Thu Nov 01, 2012 7:08 pm

Ben Wilson wrote:So, trains- who's getting in where and when? I'm arriving into Edinburgh at 11:13 and am up for sharing cab if wanted.

I'm arriving at 17:06 tomorrow, so might be a bit difficult.

Michelle Nevitt · Post by **Michelle Nevitt** » Thu Nov 01, 2012 7:38 pm

Ben Wilson wrote:So, trains- who's getting in where and when? I'm arriving into Edinburgh at 11:13 and am up for sharing cab if wanted.

Ryan gets in at 10:24 but then has to wait for me making my way from the bus station so we'd be up for sharing a taxi.

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » Thu Nov 01, 2012 8:32 pm

James Robinson wrote:
Ben Wilson wrote:So, trains- who's getting in where and when? I'm arriving into Edinburgh at 11:13 and am up for sharing cab if wanted.
I'm arriving at 17:06 tomorrow, so might be a bit difficult.

Arriving at 17.25, maybe we can meet up then or later in the evening.

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Thu Nov 01, 2012 8:46 pm

Mike Brown wrote:
James Robinson wrote:
Ben Wilson wrote:So, trains- who's getting in where and when? I'm arriving into Edinburgh at 11:13 and am up for sharing cab if wanted.
I'm arriving at 17:06 tomorrow, so might be a bit difficult.
Arriving at 17.25, maybe we can meet up then or later in the evening.

Sweet, would be up for that. My hotel is right next to the station, so I could dump my stuff there, then we could do something.

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » Thu Nov 01, 2012 8:50 pm

James Robinson wrote:Sweet, would be up for that. My hotel is right next to the station, so I could dump my stuff there, then we could do something.

I'm a bit further out but I'm sure we can work something out. I have your moby unless it's changed (ends in 75?) if I don't see you at the station.
EDIT: Don't think I do! I know two "James R"s!

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Thu Nov 01, 2012 8:52 pm

Mike Brown wrote:
James Robinson wrote:Sweet, would be up for that. My hotel is right next to the station, so I could dump my stuff there, then we could do something.
I'm a bit further out but I'm sure we can work something out. I have your moby unless it's changed (ends in 75?) if I don't see you at the station.
EDIT: Don't think I do! I know two "James R"s!

I'll just say that my moby has NEVER ended in 75, Mike................. (It ends in 44.)

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » Thu Nov 01, 2012 8:54 pm

James Robinson wrote:I'll just say that my moby has NEVER ended in 75, Mike................. (It ends in 44.)

Will look out for you at the station. You have mine on email if you need it anyway.

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Thu Nov 01, 2012 8:57 pm

Mike Brown wrote:
James Robinson wrote:I'll just say that my moby has NEVER ended in 75, Mike................. (It ends in 44.)
Will look out for you at the station. You have mine on email if you need it anyway.

Excellent. See you there then.

Jon O'Neill · Post by **Jon O'Neill** » Thu Nov 01, 2012 11:00 pm

Currently getting drunk on the Royal Mile... Roll on Saturday!

Ben Wilson · Post by **Ben Wilson** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 7:26 am

Michelle Nevitt wrote:
Ben Wilson wrote:So, trains- who's getting in where and when? I'm arriving into Edinburgh at 11:13 and am up for sharing cab if wanted.
Ryan gets in at 10:24 but then has to wait for me making my way from the bus station so we'd be up for sharing a taxi.

Good stuff- see you there tomorrow morning.

Mark Deeks · Post by **Mark Deeks** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 10:45 am

I'm already here.

Ian Volante · Post by **Ian Volante** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 1:12 pm

I'd suggest meeting for a pint tonuight with early arrivals, but I'm off to a poker night. I'll maybe see if the host wants any countdown geeks turning up to boost the numbers...

Ian Volante · Post by **Ian Volante** » Fri Nov 02, 2012 1:28 pm

And also, the bad weather I predicted is about 200 miles further west than expected, so it should be quite nice.

Ben Wilson · Post by **Ben Wilson** » Sun Nov 04, 2012 6:48 pm

Home now, knackered but had a really great time, many thanks to Mike, Richard, Nita and everyone at the club who made the eventnthenawesome time it was. Well done to innis on the win and the record- that one should stand for ages, then again we've said that before!

Hope to see you all in January- I've got a bit of prep to do...

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » Sun Nov 04, 2012 7:57 pm

Thanks to everyone for coming, hope you all had a great time and would like to come to another one next year. Any (constructive!) feedback would be welcome - including whether you want it to be seeded by wins and points or just points in future!

(And if no one else publishes the results before me - and please feel free to do so! - I'll do it in the next few days.)

Jon O'Neill · Post by **Jon O'Neill** » Sun Nov 04, 2012 7:59 pm

I really enjoyed myself and would like to thank Mike, Rich, Nita and everyone else involved for making it happen.

Points is the Edinburgh Countdown Club way so I don't see why we should come in and change it personally!

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » Sun Nov 04, 2012 8:08 pm

Jon O'Neill wrote:Points is the Edinburgh Countdown Club way so I don't see why we should come in and change it personally!

Are you secretly Scottish, Jono? Although you do make a fair point.

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » Sun Nov 04, 2012 8:09 pm

Oh yeah, and thanks to Ian for taking us round the hooses somewhat but actually ending up in a pretty decent pub.

Graeme Cole · Post by **Graeme Cole** » Sun Nov 04, 2012 9:30 pm

Jon O'Neill wrote:I really enjoyed myself and would like to thank Mike, Rich, Nita and everyone else involved for making it happen.

Agreed, much thanks to all involved.

Jon O'Neill wrote:Points is the Edinburgh Countdown Club way so I don't see why we should come in and change it personally!

I think both ways have their advantages and disadvantages. Playing for points means you're less concerned about getting the win, and also it favours players who are lucky enough to get easy nines come up. On the other hand, if the players are ranked by wins it means you're much more likely to finish low in the table if you're drawn against tough opposition. Personally I prefer ranking by wins simply because that's what I'm used to from other events, but having said that, I finished 6th yesterday with only three wins which wouldn't have happened if we'd been ranking by wins.

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Sun Nov 04, 2012 9:48 pm

Fantastic tournament, very happy to reach another CO-event final.

Quite happy to make it to my 6th final, and losing to Innis twice in a day isn't that bad.

A very well run tournament in a lovely city. Would certainly love to return next year if it returns.

My recaps and pics will be up soon.

Innis Carson · Post by **Innis Carson** » Sun Nov 04, 2012 10:37 pm

I'd also like to say thanks to Mike and Richard for all their work in making this happen, it was a really good day. Thanks to everyone who made the journey up (or east) to Edinburgh to help make it so, and especially to James for the pleasure of that super-exciting final. Credit is also due for Mike and Richard's spontaneous hosting - really enjoyed it!

As for the format, as much as I feel sorry for Ben who won all 6 of his games but didn't make the final, I'm inclined to agree that we should just go along with the 'house rule' of ranking by points only. It's the way they've been doing it for nearly 30 years now, and if nothing else, it'll add an extra bit of a variety between the different co-events.

Either way, hope to see CoEdi make a return next year!

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » Sun Nov 04, 2012 11:38 pm

Innis Carson wrote:As for the format, as much as I feel sorry for Ben who won all 6 of his games but didn't make the final, I'm inclined to agree that we should just go along with the 'house rule' of ranking by points only. It's the way they've been doing it for nearly 30 years now, and if nothing else, it'll add an extra bit of a variety between the different co-events.

Agreed, maybe this should be the 'official' difference between the 'Lincoln' format and the 'Edinburgh' format!

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Sun Nov 04, 2012 11:46 pm

Well done Innis. I forgot this was on. What record did you get that will stand a long time? Maxed everything?

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 12:01 am

Kirk Bevins wrote:Well done Innis. I forgot this was on. What record did you get that will stand a long time? Maxed everything?

He scored 99 in one of the 9 rounders. I've got his sheet, which I'll put up on my Facebook page tomorrow.

Andy Platt · Post by **Andy Platt** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 12:02 am

James Robinson wrote:
Kirk Bevins wrote:Well done Innis. I forgot this was on. What record did you get that will stand a long time? Maxed everything?
He scored 99 in one of the 9 rounders. I've got his sheet, which I'll put up on my Facebook page tomorrow.

CD equivalent of swapping shirts

Gavin Chipper · Post by **Gavin Chipper** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 12:26 am

Mike Brown wrote:
Innis Carson wrote:As for the format, as much as I feel sorry for Ben who won all 6 of his games but didn't make the final, I'm inclined to agree that we should just go along with the 'house rule' of ranking by points only. It's the way they've been doing it for nearly 30 years now, and if nothing else, it'll add an extra bit of a variety between the different co-events.
Agreed, maybe this should be the 'official' difference between the 'Lincoln' format and the 'Edinburgh' format!

Sounds mental. Doing something just because it's always been done like that is up there with the worst reasons for doing something. And variety can be good, but you don't have a good version of something and a shit one just to have a difference. I thought this was a joint venture between the Edinburgh club and people from here - a CoCO event if you like - so it shouldn't automatically be run be their rules, but something that's up for sensible discussion. I mean, obviously I wasn't there, but I might go one year if it's run again, and I'd probably find it slightly annoying that someone could win all their games and go out on points.

Mark Deeks · Post by **Mark Deeks** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 12:41 am

Gavin Chipper wrote:
Mike Brown wrote:
Innis Carson wrote:As for the format, as much as I feel sorry for Ben who won all 6 of his games but didn't make the final, I'm inclined to agree that we should just go along with the 'house rule' of ranking by points only. It's the way they've been doing it for nearly 30 years now, and if nothing else, it'll add an extra bit of a variety between the different co-events.
Agreed, maybe this should be the 'official' difference between the 'Lincoln' format and the 'Edinburgh' format!
Sounds mental. Doing something just because it's always been done like that is up there with the worst reasons for doing something. And variety can be good, but you don't have a good version of something and a shit one just to have a difference. I thought this was a joint venture between the Edinburgh club and people from here - a CoCO event if you like - so it shouldn't automatically be run be their rules, but something that's up for sensible discussion. I mean, obviously I wasn't there, but I might go one year if it's run again, and I'd probably find it slightly annoying that someone could win all their games and go out on points.

After the buffet they put on, they can set down whatever rules they like. Terrific spread. Ten on ten.

Innis Carson · Post by **Innis Carson** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 1:16 am

Gavin Chipper wrote:
Mike Brown wrote:
Innis Carson wrote:As for the format, as much as I feel sorry for Ben who won all 6 of his games but didn't make the final, I'm inclined to agree that we should just go along with the 'house rule' of ranking by points only. It's the way they've been doing it for nearly 30 years now, and if nothing else, it'll add an extra bit of a variety between the different co-events.
Agreed, maybe this should be the 'official' difference between the 'Lincoln' format and the 'Edinburgh' format!
Sounds mental. Doing something just because it's always been done like that is up there with the worst reasons for doing something. And variety can be good, but you don't have a good version of something and a shit one just to have a difference. I thought this was a joint venture between the Edinburgh club and people from here - a CoCO event if you like - so it shouldn't automatically be run be their rules, but something that's up for sensible discussion. I mean, obviously I wasn't there, but I might go one year if it's run again, and I'd probably find it slightly annoying that someone could win all their games and go out on points.

From a purely logical standpoint I agree with all of this. However, this was put to a vote early on in the day, and the Countdown Club members voted uniformly in favour of points-only ranking, outnumbering the c4cers in the room. Why they prefer it so much is anyone's guess, but it definitely seemed like one of those times where arguing is more hassle than it's worth - the ensuing confusion and resentment would probably have negatively impacted the day far more than having a slightly iffy ranking system did.

Ian Volante · Post by **Ian Volante** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 8:17 am

Innis Carson wrote: From a purely logical standpoint I agree with all of this. However, this was put to a vote early on in the day, and the Countdown Club members voted uniformly in favour of points-only ranking, outnumbering the c4cers in the room. Why they prefer it so much is anyone's guess, but it definitely seemed like one of those times where arguing is more hassle than it's worth - the ensuing confusion and resentment would probably have negatively impacted the day far more than having a slightly iffy ranking system did.

Ditto - I voted with the club for similar reasons, I think they were vaguely grumpy at getting trounced on their own turf anyway, never mind us flouncing in and changing the rules as well

And that's with me only losing once all day...

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 10:08 pm

On a slightly less controversial note, did anyone accidentally leave their highly-prized Coblivilon souvenir pen at the bowling club? If so, Nita has it and could probably send it to you for a small cost (or you could collect it in a year's time - or whenever you next see Innis!)

James Robinson · Post by **James Robinson** » Mon Nov 05, 2012 10:35 pm

Mike Brown wrote:On a slightly less controversial note, did anyone accidentally leave their highly-prized Coblivilon souvenir pen at the bowling club? If so, Nita has it and could probably send it to you for a small cost (or you could collect it in a year's time - or whenever you next see Innis!)

That might be Michelle, she did lose it at one stage during the day................

Michelle Nevitt · Post by **Michelle Nevitt** » Tue Nov 06, 2012 11:26 am

James Robinson wrote:
Mike Brown wrote:On a slightly less controversial note, did anyone accidentally leave their highly-prized Coblivilon souvenir pen at the bowling club? If so, Nita has it and could probably send it to you for a small cost (or you could collect it in a year's time - or whenever you next see Innis!)
That might be Michelle, she did lose it at one stage during the day................

I t was indeed my pen.

I am considering going through to the club again at some point soon since it's practically local so I hope they can keep it safe for me until then.

Andy Platt · Post by **Andy Platt** » Tue Nov 06, 2012 12:29 pm

Didn't we all get a few of them each though?

Susie/Nick stole one of mine when I was getting Kerry's birthday card signed, lol, but I still have another

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » Tue Nov 06, 2012 9:46 pm

Michelle Nevitt wrote:
James Robinson wrote:
Mike Brown wrote:On a slightly less controversial note, did anyone accidentally leave their highly-prized Coblivilon souvenir pen at the bowling club? If so, Nita has it and could probably send it to you for a small cost (or you could collect it in a year's time - or whenever you next see Innis!)
That might be Michelle, she did lose it at one stage during the day................
I t was indeed my pen. I am considering going through to the club again at some point soon since it's practically local so I hope they can keep it safe for me until then.

Will ask Nita to keep it for you.