Cheers Michelle for organising it, good fun sorry I had to duck out early, but that's Virgins for ya!

You know I said that I wasn't drinking because I have to be up early on Sunday - well that kind of went out the window. That bubble wand is a fantastic prop - way better than Paddington or GI Barbie

I was on the train and a woman spotted my wand - "that's him, that's him, that's the bubble man" - she shouted down the carriage - I politely corrected her - "It's the man who sells the bubbles, go-on, do your trick - go-on" - she insisted - so I sat down beside her and explained that I wasn't the bubble guy and that I didn't have any tricks - well none I could perform on a packed train at any rate.

I almost had her convinced when another voice screamed - "Oh, you're brilliant you are, go on make a really big one" - "I said no", but she was a Brummie (person from Birmingham - they're relentless), she took offense and returned with two other people, by this time I had the attention of the carriage and the train manager, I was tired and the coffee had worn off, so I gave in - whipped out my wand and waved it around the carriage to whoops of delight and a round of applause.

There's no point arguing with a Brummie, so I went with being the bubble guy and we got to chatting. Anyway another woman comes clanking into the carriage with two carrier bags full of booze - she took one look at me and asked "who the f**k is that ?" - "the bubble guy" - her mates replied - "nah, he ain't the bubble guy, the bubble guy's fit and he's got long hair".

"Wahey!" - I thought, I'm out of here, but the first woman said she didn't care and I could stay - I was tired and really didn't want to stay - I wanted a coffee, but she insisted - Brummies are like that - next thing there's half a litre of cava in a glass in front of me - "get that down ya' - there's plenty more!".

So to cut a long story short - I may as well had a few beers earlier today as I'm completely rat-arsed right now - I reckon I've had a most of a bottle of Cava and God knows how much Vodka.

My wee cat was very happy to see me, he was shivering on the doorstep, the weather up here is lousy.

Anyway - sorry - I'll upload photos to flickr tomorrow, this is taking waaaay too long to type - I'm off to bed.

It was great meeting everybody - sorry I had to bail, but just think of all those poor people who would have had a boring trip home if I had stayed.

One of them had had a few piercings - some things should either be left un-pierced or kept for close friends and family - another thing about Brummies, they like to share

Wahey! am all spell checked out - bed.

Hey Annie, and co, if you're reading this early enough - have a great time, if not then I hope you've had as good a day as I've had, well maybe not the piercings - why she did that is beyond me - but feck it the wand is one hell of a prop - might take it to the hockey tomorrow

definitely bed now the cat keeps bugging me

It wasn't like it was something subtle either - a little stud maybe - it was a hulking great bar - I don't even know her name - but I guess that's Brummies for you.

Sorry, I really gotta sleep - catch you tomorrow

Good god graeme we cant leave you alone for 5mins with get
ting into trouble.

We are back in the chill out room having danced at the purple turtle well some more than others!

great meeting everyone - only the hardcore 4 remain - we are the champions! bring on more Jack!

Helen - good luck tomorrow - Whalewatcher and Disaster hope you both got home safe and the hangovers arent too bad.

And a quote from Jason "vckljsdf'sd;lvcmlvkiigt,cdiovcp,.vaSdl;vka'sl;gfalksdnv;aklsjhvaskldvsklvnd;dil" thats what guinness does for ya! only a few scary moments with him trying to outdo cars - obviously never heard of road rage - dont mess with the london drivers man!!

Spiceymel is still drinking - hardcore northerner! The americans cant keep up with us Brits! well Stoo anyway! Jay is now a honourary brit drinker!

Lots of pictures to post - maybe tomorrow or mon when the jaeger hangover subsides.

Anyone with Nerokerr's number give us a call and we can converse with you lot on other side of the pond

Well run out of things to say now typing going bad

thank you and good night

Mich

so who do you think is having the better party, there is probably a couple hundred people here! i cant wait to see pictures- ill show you mine, you show me yours!

it was great meeting you all. my head hurts, but i have my globe so all is good.

i did get a wee bit tipsy faster than planned. it just sorta happened. i left my phone in the chill room...found it this morning. not sure to who all those phone calls were, but i am fairly sure it was me/us.

ok, back to bed...

Well I don't think that I'm hungover but RTWL is trying to convince me that I am - I just thought it was the four hours vodka induced sleep that I had....

Had an AWESOME time everyone, thanks for making it a memorable (ahem) weekend. Great to put faces (and personalities!!) to names. Same time, same place next year???

Hope all had/having safe journeys home - just me and Michelle left now - am contemplating hair of the dog but not sure that my stomach is going to agree.

Must. Get. Sleep.

And now we are awaiting the posting of possibly incriminating photos....please God no!!!!!

Hope PDX was as good as ours guys

Mel xxx

p.s. am off to eat my chocolates - thank you Santa

Had a fantastic time! But the hangover...ouch

Must dash, but will drop back here tomorrow.

The pictures are excellent, folks, thanks for snapping so many.

Yet more pics from the pubs and around camden - bonus points if you spot a rat!

[clickety-click]

I think we should have another meet up before next Xmas.

Great idea:

How about ya'll come up to Coventry the first weekend in March.

We can go for a few beers on Friday

Saturday, I'll show you round the place, we can grab a beer in one of the ancient pubs and I'll tell you stories about our naked horsewomen and their admirers.

If you want to sample the natives then we can go clubbing in the evening.

Sunday, I'll introduce you to some Brummies, you can do a bit of shopping and check-out the delights of the second city - in the evening I'll take you to watch some hockey as my guys face-off against the evil cardiff devils.

Come by train or coach, or fly if you feel the need, bring a pillow and a sleeping bag - I have plenty of places to sleep - the cat likes to party - the neighbours can consider it revenge for having a hyperactive two-year-old.

I'll make sure you make it home after the game, but you're welcome to stay over.

Hey Graeme count me in - i will be there to party!

Mich

Awwww I'm in Budapest that weekend...

Don't suppose I could convince you to move it until mid-March (anytime from 17th until beginning of April)? LoL

If not, then I will expect you all to have a drink in my honour!!

I DID get up at 7.30am on Sunday morning to go out on my 8 mile hike...unfortunately though I didn't equate being wet with being muddy...LoL....and ended up all bruised and scratched and bleeding from falling over several times..LoL...but I'll be okay

Had a WONDERFUL time!!! We definitely MUST do it again!!

What if you had it in Edinburgh next time? There must be some other Scottish people around that you could get to come.

Count me in too Graeme - will get my bro to dig that Maple Leaf shirt out for me!!!!

Will swop my shift for that Saturday tomorrow and pen you in my diary

Anyone else???

Mel

p.s. am up for Edinburgh later in the year too tho Ivybell - am sure RTWL would fancy it too as he lives there!!!

quote:

Originally posted by ivybell:
What if you had it in Edinburgh next time? There must be some other Scottish people around that you could get to come.

I was up in Edinburgh two weeks ago - it's only a four hour drive, or five on the train - book it now and it'll set you back all of £15!!! and that's return with Virgin!!!

cheap trains + beer = - you know it makes sense