NiCon, May 30-31 in Napier

[nik_]

I received an email advertising NiCon, on the 30th and 31st of May, in Napier.

The tournament has a very different style to most, with one 1000pt and one 1200pt game, the rest 2250,  and a series of small benefits that can be gained for earlier victories. I think it looks like it would be really fun, so I thought I would share.

I've put the players pack here http://homepages.xnet.co.nz/~nick.irvine/Nicon_2009_Warhammer_Fantasy.doc so you can all see it easily. Apparently this version has a typo and small mistake fixed compared to the one that can be got from the NiCon website

[Antony]

How would you plan on getting down Nick? I've just checked flights and they come to about $300 for Sat down and Sun up

[nik_]

Alas, I had assumed they would be somewhat cheaper than that. Open to ideas then.

[Glenn Patel]

A really ambitious road trip plan?

I mean, I've road-tripped to Wellington, and the only part of the experience I wouldn't repeat is having the driver be a smoker...

The comp rules look a bit  - but I'm still thinking it looks fun.

[nik_]

Road trip would be good. Failing that, a bus ticket looks like $40 each way, the only problem may be the timing.

[Antony]

I think with bussing, you'd have to spend two extra nights (no overnight bus this time). That makes the economics of it less attractive.

[Eisenhorn]

It sounds great but i wish there was one place you could look up all the comps in NZ at the same time, but saying that this months white dwarf has an event cal up till Christmas. If i was more organised I'd go but there is no way I'm paying a $50 entry fee

A really ambitious road trip plan?

I mean, I've road-tripped to Wellington, and the only part of the experience I wouldn't repeat is having the driver be a smoker...

that would sux being trapped in a smokey car for 5hrs

[Glenn Patel]

It sounds great but i wish there was one place you could look up all the comps in NZ at the same time, but saying that this months white dwarf has an event cal up till Christmas. If i was more organised I'd go but there is no way I'm paying a $50 entry fee

A really ambitious road trip plan?

I mean, I've road-tripped to Wellington, and the only part of the experience I wouldn't repeat is having the driver be a smoker...

that would sux being trapped in a smokey car for 5hrs

I *know*.

[Lezle]

How do you get to Wellington by car in FIVE hours!? 

LP

[wouster7]

Whose organising the road trip? I'd be keen and it'll be a mission to drive to Napier. Whose up for the challenge 

[Eisenhorn]

How do you get to Wellington by car in FIVE hours!? 

LP

just an estimate, last time i went it took 6 1/2 but with stops (i had a lead foot when i was younger)

[Glenn Patel]

It'll need to be someone with a vehicle that's suitable... I for one would feel bad about trapping people in my back seat.

[Antony]

With two people it is about a five hour drive to Napier. For a road trip of four or so people you are looking at up to a 6 hour drive.

Last time I went to Napier we drove down to Vegas on Friday night and went on from there on Saturday morning. To drive down on Saturday morning from Auckland you'd have to leave at 3 am 

[Glenn Patel]

I'd imagine leaving Friday evening is the saner option in terms of not being horribly fatigued... which does mean needing somewhere to sleep there.

I mean, leave at 7 say, arrive at 1, collapse? Hrm, that's not really sane either. :/

*rereads what Anthony wrote*

Oh, that's a good plan. Break the trip in half. That's not so bad. (The Welly trip was a friday afternoon on a long weekend iirc).

[nik_]

Looks like there is enough interest for a car load.
I am lacking in both car and full licence, but would be willing to pay my way in petrol money and lots of coffees for the driver.

[Antony]

Camper van.

About $100 each plus gas

[nik_]

You mean as both transport and accommodation? I'd be keen

[nik_]

There was lots of interest in this road trip idea, what's happened? Are people still keen? I'd be in

[Antony]

I am loosing interest I'm sorry to say. If there were a couple of extra guys going I'd be a bit more excited as I want to keep costs down. I don't really want to end up spending $400 for a few games of tin soldiers 

PS I've even got a leave pass

[Vaul]

I'm in, provided numbers, and someone to lead the way in terms of organisation.

[nik_]

I'm happy to organise, but can't drive.
Looks like me, Antony and Luke are keen, any other takers? Glen, Phil, you were interested? There must be more people!  We need you to keep Antony interested

[Glenn Patel]

Interested, yes. Able to go, possibly not. If there's a seat left when I know for sure, then I'd be all for going.

[wouster7]

Good of you to organise Nik. I'm keen. PM me with the plan and costs etc  

Interested, yes. Able to go, possibly not. If there's a seat left when I know for sure, then I'd be all for going.

Damn social butterfly! Drop everything for Toy soldiers 

[nik_]

Great, I'll do some investigation when I get home tonight and report back here

[nik_]

Ok, I had a look at some campervan hire sites.

For beds to sleep 3-4 people, prices range from $250 to $335 for average campervans, and then around $560 for the luxury ones... There would be small additional charges per km (for road user charges I think).

http://www.backpackercampervans.co.nz/cheap-campervans/397/Campervan+Selection.aspx, http://www.backpackercampervans.co.nz/cheap-campervans/1033/Quattro+.aspx
Backpacker Quattro, sleeps 4. $330 plus costs. Pick up Friday before 4, drop off Monday morning. Toilet and shower. Pick up and drop off from the airport only.

http://secure.britz.co.nz/pages/Selection.aspx?cc=NZ&vc=bz&ac=&sc=rv&pc=&ch=&rf=&na=4&nc=0&cr=NZ&pb=AKL&pd=29&pm=5&py=2009&pt=17:00&db=AKL&dd=2&dm=6&dy=2009&dt=09:30&vt=1
Explorer 4 berth campervan, sleeps 4. $335 plus costs. 5 days. Pick up and drop off from Auckland Airport, before 4pm on Friday.
Voyager. Sleeps 4. Smaller. No toilet. $250 plus costs. 5 days. Pick up and drop off from Auckland Airport, before 4pm on Friday.

http://secure.maui.co.nz/pages/Selection.aspx?cc=NZ&vc=ma&ac=&sc=rv&pc=&ch=&rf=&na=4&nc=0&cr=NZ&pb=AKL&pd=29&pm=5&py=2009&pt=17:00&db=AKL&dd=2&dm=6&dy=2009&dt=09:30&vt=1
$565!!!   Luxury only
 
http://www.walkaboutrentals.co.nz/details.php?id=3
$560!! 3/4 berth. Luxury only

http://www.alphacampervans.co.nz/
Nothing free on those days

http://www.exploremore.co.nz/campervan-hire-new-zealand.aspx
Only 2 person campervans???

http://www.jucy.co.nz/
$345. Again, have to hire for 5 days, Sleeps 3, pick up from Auckland city office, by 3.30 Friday


Thoughts?

[Vaul]

Still skeptical, will wait for other people to comment.  I'm making great progress paying off my credit card at the moment, looking for ways to not slide back into the deeps.

[wouster7]

Is that ~$400 for the entire hire or is that per day for the campervan?
If it is for the entire trip then that would be as Ant said $100 ea. I don't need accommodation so with 5 ppl able to make the trip, it becomes very affordable.
Just plan for food fella's. I know good take out options so should be very reasonable   

[nik_]

The price is for the full hire, not per day! So yes, it could easily be under $100 per person. Plus some gas. Plus some food. Looks to be a cheap trip compared to some I've done for tournaments
@Vaul - I am all in favour of being financially responsible, so I can't put too much pressure on you, but it shouldn't be too expensive...

On another note, does anyone know the rules about where you can park these things for the night? Would we have to stay in a campervan park?

[Antony]

I'm in

I should think we'll have stay in a camp.

Drive to Taupo on Friday night, then onto Napier Sat morning?

As for a camper van with a toilet. Definately not a must have. Cruising down SH1 on the can, I don't think so.

[Gratnuk Ironfist]

As for a camper van with a toilet. Definately not a must have. Cruising down SH1 on the can, I don't think so.

*Hearty chuckle*

I'll now add that to my list of things I want to be able to tick off while on a road trip.