I just want to pass this by you - as there is a varied rely by you all in the polls....
I do realise that you all wont be able to 'come' to all of these - but your opinion is valid even if you canot attend

I have two I am SURE I am booking

One will be around the $280 mark for 3 full days 2 nights [$320 - 3rd night - 1/2 day thursday] - caters & me catering for this one - EXCLUSIVE use of the WHOLE venue - no one other than the manager will be allowed on the property.
No curfews [other than courtesy for those who do go to bed early or sleep in....
plenty of beds & materesses so we dont have to use the top bunks - some double/queen beds for those who are good enough friends to share - lots of showers for us all to use.....

The other one is a motel [not the one pictured in the other thread] - so there will be other people there..... but the conference room is OURS only!!!
they will cook all our meals and we will go from the conference room to the dining room for these
Im thinking it will be around $300 - but havent costed it out yet
Motel style rooms - twin or triple share

Please Note - classes will be on top of this - ranging from $25 - $40 depending on the teacher and project.

I know I can go cheaper if I go to a sport & rec camp - but it isnt what i want!

As for 'helping' with chores - most will be done for you - but you will have serve your self dinner - and clear your own plate.

does this all sound good????

Looking at other peoples retreats in these types of settings most charge ALOT more and they only run from friday arvo - to sun - so I am pretty happy with the costings so far - mind you these are approximate and might vary slightly once final numbers and quotes are done.

The 1st venue I am thinking of using twice a year - this way she will also give us a better deal on the venue )) love deals!!!

I will also be loking into other caters for cost comparisons - so stay tuned....

Any ideas or thoguhts from my sheeples are ALWAYS welcome ))

sounds good to me

sounds good peta!

i think having someone else do the catering is a big plus for you...so you can relax a bit more!

prices sound very good!

ok I REALLY DO NEED A JOB and sound good Peta

am happy with the costs peta, especially my local one as i save on accommodation and travel costs as i live down the street lol.

well i might be able to bring the cost of the local one in a little more with some new catering quotes coming in.....
so I wont set a price just yet....

but i will book it for May2012!!!!
and the other one for June 2012!!!

and fingers crossed

I hate those rec camp sites.. ewwww...

i like the idea if traveling interstate starting on the thursday that way travelling makes it more worth while.. sometimes u get in on late friday and leave midday ish sunday..

so that extra time for someone travelling a fair distance is beneficial iukwim

yep thats why i do it.... and even if you arrive late thursday you get a WHOLE 2 full days and then sunday..... definately need that extra R&R!!!

well after chatting to hubby last night he said I couldnt travel any more that 2 1/2 hr either way to a retreat

but Heatherbrae just makes it lol

i think you will fidn that it is 4.5hrs from Coffs Tam.... its near Raymond Terrace....

but hopefully I will find a venue closer to you for later in the year - maybe august

oh bugger lol

Sounds good Peta... But I agree on the "get someone else to cater" bit (even though I love your cooking), but it means you too can relax rather than "working" all weekend....

You've done great babe. Cant wait to find out more

sounds great :- )

and BTW you do know that Sammya nd BElla (the MKR champions) have a catering busines now so you could always get them to cook /cater

do you mean Heatherbrae near Newcastle-where that pie shop is on the corner on the hwy??-that suburb??? If is iuts AWESOME not that far lol