General Chat

Hi all, Sorry we didn't make it yesterday, sounds like you all had a good time (as usual). I see mention of a Christmas meet... I can't make any dates from the 16th onwards (will be in New York), but I'll try and get there if it's before that. Paul

Helloooo Well done Zoe for arranging the meet - it was a brill day! The boat was a little too rocky for me - but the food was brilliant -( Strump was more interested in the scenery he went by the name of Ali!! ) Was great seeing everyone again, and meeting Jon , Andys brother. We even saw where Maz used to work - something about Moby Dick lol. We managed to toast the Scottish meet loads but I was concerned that Jill from sctoland wouldnt get the time right (lol Jill). I luved the outfit that CB had made for Gaynor bear and the hat fitted me a treat lol. Deffo think a xmas meet up would be good!! Love Jan xx

I wish I didn't get them Zoe:( I feel rough and have had to spend 2 hours in the hospital cos my partner's just discovered an allergic reaction to Ibuprofen. And I just wanted to be in bed lol. Lynda:)) My partner is quite happy for you to adopt me and seems happy with the amount you offered. Hmmmph

Part 2 (Part 1 further up the thread) We all parted company at Charing Cross tube station, where Lynda's presence warranted a private escort through the ticket barrier (her gold-plated ticket wouldn't go throught the machine). We boarded the train and were at Victoria in minutes, where again, special exit facilities had to be provided for Lynda. No doubt the Royal Train awaited her on the platform. As an ordinary member of the public, I was forced to walk to my bus stop and wait with a crowd of University of Hertfordshire students for the 797 Greenline to home. The roadworks in our locality meant the bus stopped at the bottom of our road, so I had the pleasure of a leisurely stroll in the dark up a deserted hill before I finally reached home, where I was greeted by my husband, who was on the phone to Daisy to ask if she knew where I was. He had also phoned Andy to ask the same question, but he said Andy sounded as though he didn't even know where HE was, let alone me! It was a lovely surprise to find a hot meal of Cajun chicken and vegetable risotto awaiting my arrival, and it made me very glad that I'd taught my son to cook, so I didn't have to bother. After all, I'd had quite enough Cook-ery for one day, thank you!!! LOL CB >|< P S Suzy, Daisy and I arrived far too late for the Toasted Scots at 3 p m. Shame really, as we were all starving!

zoe - I used to be just like you - never ever had hangovers - but I do now - be patient - they will appear as you get OLDER!

by the way is now a good time to tell everyone I don't suffer from hangovers - EVER!!! Zoe ;op

some 'cheers' photos added to gc photospage

can anyone point me in the direction of the photospae so I can put tp the pix of us toatsing the Scots? Z

Good Morning David and everybody else, Just to say that in the cold light of day, yesterday was as great as I thought it was last night. Thanks all you lovely people for making it that way. Zoe, sweetie, you did a great job and I'll clear the decks for any date you want for the next meet. Joe, as you well know, all talk of the Boards was in the nicest possible taste. Jean x.

crikey can a girl not get a lie in on a Sunday morning without being talked about? Had a fabuloso time yesterday - mostly to do with the charming company (oh and Maz was there too). Did get horribly drunk but I don't believe I did anythingtoo bad apart frommaking people take pictures of my chest. Managed to pour myself into a train at Embankment and get the train home from Waterloo and I was back and in bed before 11pm - so job well done. So - next up a christmassy meet - so any ideas of dates that are rubbish for you in December let me know - and I will again choose the date most convenient for Me and David and ignore you all (joking). Zoe xxxx

Pat:)) Oh yes..Captain Morgan lol. Me and him are very good old mates:) Anyone heard from our Zoe yet? No Deb:(( I never got bought one. That was Lynda's job and she never did it lol x

Morrrr-niiiiiiiiinggg All! Part 1 - I do wish GR weren't so stingy with their wordspace! Well, what a day! After the usual frantic whizzing about the house first thing to drive down to London in time to meet Daisy from King's Cross, we arrived at Suzy's Tower Hamlets school with Pearly Queen Gaynor Bear to find Suzy and Tracey had set everything up, so all we had to do was swan about with cakes, drink mulled wine, purchase a pink & mauve winter outfit for GB, and chase errant balloons that escaped from the net every so often. At 3 p m, GB released the balloons, and the sky over Bethnal Green was filled with a cloud of pink, white and blue balloons, slowly drifting over the rooftops. There was a cursory bit of clearing up, then it was time to leave, and Suzy's husband drove us all over to Charing Cross, where we'd been told the landlubbers had jumped ship ('Oh, the boat bobbing up and down made us feel queasy!' they said. Ah, so it wasn't the booze then?). They'd staggered ashore and found themselves in a convenient local hostelry appropriately dubbed 'The Ship and Shovel'! Gaynor Bear, Suzy, Daisy and I arrived to a resounding cheer, acompanied by strange looks from the rest of the pub's patrons with 'Who the hell are they?' written all over their faces. After pecks on the cheek all round and the obligatory cuddle with Andy, Daisy and I decided we would take up Bendy's suggestion and go for the champers to celebrate Suzy's successful day and our last day out in London with GB. Jan kindly officiated in popping the cork for us, as Daisy was 'havin' a bit of trouble' (Betty) and I didn't want to break my newly-grown nails. (At home, one has one's butler do that sort of thing, of course, but Lynda had given him the day orf.) Despite earlier prophecies, Maz wasn't under the table, although at one point Andy's brother was, and given the state of Andy when we left at 20.15, Andy wasn't far off joining him there! I bet the landlord enjoyed his lavender-scented shower and Trevor Sorbie thickened hair this morning. We had a great time, and it was so nice to meet some new faces - Zoe, two Karens, Joe (I now know who you are, Joe!) and the lovely David - as well as some familiar faces, including BEAUTIFUL DONNA AND HER LOVELY NEW HAIRDO, WHICH SUITS HER VERY WELL! (DONNA, PLEASE DON'T HAVE IT CUT.) [Caps by request, involving bribery. LOL] There's never enough time to talk at length to everyone, so to anyone I missed, especially Dee, I'm sorry - I'll catch you next time. I learned a lot last night about Ann Summers parties, toyboys, Lynda's Grandma, dinosaur farms and life in general, and was dead chuffed to be told I look about 10 years younger than I really am - until my illusion was shattered when the compliment was followed immediately by 'What's it like to be old?' It's a good thing I'd had some alcohol beforehand, otherwise the shock of such candour could have seen an old biddy like me off for good! Flippin' kids! Rick finally managed to get Jan to take off Gaynor Bear's hat (which looked extremely fetching on her) and leave to go off to their dinner, and Suzy, Jonathan and I sat putting the world to rights in the Intellectual Corner, while everyone else made lots of noise in the Gor Blimey Corner and gossipped about GR and the Gen Board. Eventually, inquisitiveness overtook intellect, so we three also joined the Gor Blimey lot, although by that time all the interesting stuff had been and gone, and David was leaving, so we'd missed out big time. 8 p m arrived, and it was time for all but three stalwarts to take our leave. Jean, Maz, Suzy and Karen were off to find a bus, leaving Lynda and I to take the tube back to Victoria. After goodbyes all round and further obligatory cuddles with a very wobbly Andy, we left him and his brother in the tender care of our gracious hostess, Zoe, and headed off down the lane. Within seconds of leaving the pub, out rushes a frantic Jonathan, clutching a large white handbag! 'Oi! Someone's left their bag behind!' Well, as all old bags were present and correct, we assured him it didn't belong to any of us. Oh dear! Here comes Andy, looking for Jonathan and appearing not to know a handbag from a handkerchief, then one of the girls recognised the handbag as Zoe's, so we all went on our way, as a handbag-clutching Jonathan led the wobbly Andy back to the pub and Zoe, who was no doubt wondering why she was sitting there alone and who had nicked her handbag. CB >|< (Continued as Part 2 further down the thread)

Deb I feel i may be under the weather, coz i sure wasnt under the table! This is breaking news.....Strump must be gettin old! She cant drink much of late! Got to say, it was so much fun listening to the 'my heads spinning' and seeing others pithed. I almost for got....the waiter on the boat (sorry, Ship), he (Ali)was very scrummy ladies.....!!

Wow Lynda where did she sell her flowers? what a wonderful experience, have felt what you did and hoped to feel 3 generations in the Midlands same way never got there last spring, hopeful for the future :-) Daisy emailing you tomorrow I am so excited and hopeful yes things can only get better :-) David I have just caught what you drink, I hear even in drink you have taste :-) you are just too good to be true, aint you? You drink what I always drank the most delicious Capt Morgan old Jamaica is that right? Beautiful and wonderful even if the infidels around me who said I smelled of Rum yes of course I did lol. voddie drinkers so lacking in taste don't you think? lol. golden rum is good when dark rum isn't available, before last resorts like dry cane before bacardi all this if Morgan rum isn't available. Only took up the guinness for iron but preference would be for the most delicious and wonderful taste of Capt Morgan Dark Rum and Coke memories so vivid, wonder how many voddie drinkers can say that? Pat x

Did David drink my Paralyzer for me? Glad to see that you all had a good time. Donna, are you not feeling well Hun ? ;) Deb

Well I never !! Tattershall food was excellent - best steak and kidney I have had for long time, but there was something about being on a boat, not sure what it was, but dont think I could have stayed there too long .... but a new experience in any case. Though I had been to one previous London Meet when I didnt really take in all the new names, this time I think I have got names sewn up, especially George and Phyllis (??) Was a bit surprised that genealogy was hardly mentioned (!)except for Linda's pics of her rellies but glad I was at the end where many people were talked about - and not on the receiving - well ... between you and me (or is it you and I - just been watching Test the Nation lol) seems that every name that I have seen on the General Board came under fire from AA onward. seems more goes on here than I thought. Will have to pay more attention to threads from now. Anyhow, Zoe, thanks for the different sorta day and for all the stories that I heard from the gathering - nice to see you all and hope to see you again later this year. Joe x

Rick was really ok (its a little worry i recall even)......god help us on the photos score tho!! Between him and Andy, i feel sure there will be some 'delightful' shots!!

Sounds like you had a really good timeand glad your al. l home safely. Sorry couldn't make it this time. Will definately be at the next one- hope it's not too long to wait Sylvie b x

Strump - AS IF!! The only person to blame for Jan is......... RICK!!! lol love becx

My pleasure Wendy! Daisy