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"marceldesailly":1snp1r2j wrote: I thought it had been mentioned to go to belfast and then hilden...obviuosly not![/quote:1snp1r2j]You can, there's not a whole lot in it really. There's no point arriving early as there's nothing else in Hilden village, so it's a question of whether you want to spend the time dawdling in Portadown or at the utterly misnomered Belfast Central Station.

Does the collapse of the viaduct on the belfast train line near Malahide scupper this visit, or just make it a bit more difficult?

My schedule has an hour's leeway built in, but I'll keep watching the news during the week as Irish Rail develop their workaround.

A few questions:

Who's going?

What time are the ICB contingent getting the train to/from Hilden?

Is the festival as family friendly as the poster makes out (face painting, giant board games etc.)? If so Mrs. Bigears and the childers may come along, in which case we'll probably stay over - which brings me to my next question:

I've never been to Hilden - is there accommodation nearby or would Belfast be a better option?

Oh and lastly, does anybody know if the homebrew gig is going ahead?

"bigears":2debbxqm wrote: Who's going?[/quote:2debbxqm]
Me and MrsBeerNut, for starters.

"bigears":2debbxqm wrote: What time are the ICB contingent getting the train to/from Hilden?[/quote:2debbxqm]It'll be the bus service to Drogheda that's replacing the 11am train. Plan to leave Hilden about 7ish.

"bigears":2debbxqm wrote: Is the festival as family friendly as the poster makes out (face painting, giant board games etc.)[/quote:2debbxqm]Yes, it really is. Though the board games are a new one on me. But there has been a face-painter the last two years. One who must have been [i:2debbxqm]very[/i:2debbxqm] sick of doing Heath Ledger Jokers by closing time last year.

"bigears":2debbxqm wrote: is there accommodation nearby or would Belfast be a better option?[/quote:2debbxqm]There may be a B&B, but I'm not sure. But there is [i:2debbxqm]bugger all[/i:2debbxqm] in Hilden really. You'd be much better trying Lisburn (literally a minute away by train) or Belfast.

"bigears":2debbxqm wrote: Oh and lastly, does anybody know if the homebrew gig is going ahead?[/quote:2debbxqm]I understand that it is: Irish Party Ale says so, and it's on the posters. I'd take that as a yes.

I was talking to the head brewer and he was looking forward to the competition..I tried a brown envelope but he was having none of it. Plus I don't think I'll make it now unless I can weasel my way in earlier on the friday...we shall see! <!-- s:shock: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_eek.gif" alt=":shock:" title="Shocked" /><!-- s:shock: -->