I am anticipating hosting another barbie next summer. However, Number 1 son is getting married in late July, 2005. It's a mega-sized bash in Wawickshire, country house and all that jazz, so it will take out a large slice of next years summer.
What I would appreciate over the next few months is some input as to suitable times and dates towards the end of August or even early September.
Most people seemed to prefer having the barbie on a Saturday rather than Sunday, thereby gaining a respite from hang-overs by the late Sunday evening.
It did occur to me that it might be fun to make a total weekend of the occasion and maybe go for a sea cruise the day after the barbie!
The paddle steamer "Waverley" (yeah, same name as the pub) sails from WSM on occasions during the summer. It might have been fun to go on a Sunday day trip after the barbie if a trip is available. Usually, we sail down to Ilfracombe at around 10 am. It takes around 3 hours to get there and the trip takes us past some beautiful Devon coastline. Generally, we spend another 3 or 4 hours in Ilfracombe then sail home to WSM. The ship has numerous bars, BTW. http://www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk/
Anyway, it's early days, but I thought maybe you might find it useful to know about the different timing this year in case you wanted to make other plans too.
Englishman.