As we bask in the warm memories of the most immediate past BUDA, I think it is time to begin to think of next year, as the sooner these things are planned the better.
From my cider-strained memories of BUDA 2009, as well as some public and private conversations through this forum, I can think of four possible alternatives which have already been put forth:
1. Benelux--focused on one or more of the great Colt courses there, supplemented by evenings of cultural enlightenment in Amsterdam.
2. Wales--focused on Wales, with Pennard at the center and Sean Arble as our tour guide.
3. Machrihanish--suggested to me in a private e-mail, and a venue which has been discussed for the past BUDAs.
4. A return to the venues of BUDA I, Dornoch and Brora. I could take overall responsibility for this, aided ably by other GCA-ers who will be on the ground there next summer.
5. Liphook/West Sussex, suggesetd by Craig Disher above.
Let's also think about dates. Past BUDAs have been held in May, June and September. I personally would prefer May or June for 2009, but what do others think?
I hereby throw this open to open debate. Any potential participants--past, present or putative--are welcome to give their thoughts, on these tentative ideas as well as throw out their own suggestions. I would also propose that at some point prior to the end of he year the Grand Plenipotentiary Committee meet and pass judgement on all proposals put forward on their thread or on other threads or in other media and make a decision.
Let the games begin!