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From 8 o'clock on Thursday night to 11 o'clock on Saturday night, it was (and I am not exaggerating) the best weekend I have had for literally years.
Meeting Zena and Phil as soon as we walked into the Malt Cross set the tone for the weekend. They made us feel so welcome! And then, upstairs there was *loads* of Joinees and *everyone* made us feel welcome and was so friendly. So nice to Dot and made her feel welcome too!
I managed to mis-identify Simon Varwell and Laura Plumb (sorry!) and a great time was had just getting to know people. Amanda was wonderful, as was Hannah, Jo, Mhairi, Shelley, Heather, Jamie, Angie and everyone else. We left a little early as Dot's knee was a little sore.
Friday's breakfast at Wetherspoon's was ace. I mentioned that the couple in the next room at the hotel were a bit...energetic earlier that morning. Laura was most interested in what room it was
Phil told me I was dead meat at the football, as I was the only Team South-er there! A big AAAAH! came up from the table when there were some otters on the TV! Then Rachel, Zena, Hannah and the others joined us and it was all fab! We went about 12 to get ourselves organised for the main event and when we got to the square, a pretty young lady said 'that looks like Del' and introduced herself as Spanna, Kebab was there too and Mr. Sweeney. Isn't he tall?!And then so many people arrived and there was much hugging and handshaking and introductions and I got to meet so many people that I was lloking forward to seeing, including Holly, Andrew, Emily, Ben, Wopunga, Cyborg Rachel, HL Rich, Goldy, Worm, Twinkle, Wilf, Meek, Pud and so many more!
Then we all sang 'Happy Birthday' to a random who we saw with a HB sash and then we went off RAoKing. Which was much more difficult than I imagined *but* it was fantastic fun!
Then we got to the canalside, had a nightmare trying to get a drink, chilled out and then had our Duck Race. Although our ducks tipped over sideways...and then there was the hilarity of the powered Ducks. One sank, one went phut, one went nowhere, and one cheated. Which left Mr T.E.P. Rushton as the victor!
And so we all piled into the pub for more shenanigans including raffle, book sales and CD distribution which was all fnu!
Shelley was an ace Doreen, helping me distribute CDs. Holly's buns won the bun-off, Mhairi finally won a raffle prize, we raised loads of money, I had a great time talking to everyone and took lots of pics.
Saturday - match day! A light breakfast at a different Wetherspoons and then down to the serious business of North v. South!
What a great match and a great crowd. Although most of what I heard was from the Team North supporters (I think South only had four fans)! South won 3-2 as you all know by know. Hotel for a quick shower and then a bit of shopping, and then up to the Pit And Pendulum for a couple of drinks and a great chilling hour or so with Holly, Andrew, Hannah, Steve, Milly, Jamie, Shiny, Angie and Rich. One of the best little 'cameos' of the weekend.
And then off to the Salutation and the Ghost Walk, which was much busier then we expected but was great fun. After that I watched Holly giving Worm his poi lesson. In a Nottingham street at nine o'clock on a Saturday night! A random gave Hol some smart comment and so she proceeded to gove an *amazing* display of poi spinning which left this guy astonished and then he was 'Look at this! It's brilliant!' then we told him Holly can do it when they're on fire and he was literally open-mouthed! Ace!
Wandered down to get some chips and met Toby and Phil, and Toby tried to convince me that chips, with chees and gravy
is the national dish of Canada, so that's why he ordered it!Back to the pub and Dot's knee was very sore again and so, we decided to go. And this was going to be goodbye as we had an early start on Sunday morning...and then came the moment that really made my weekend.
I said goodbye to everyone and it was like Thursday again, with handshakes and hugs galore. And then I said that I loved you all and I'd had the best weekend I'd had in years. And as we went to go, loads of you gave us a round of applause as we left. That meant *so* much to me especially, I nearly cried. Thank you so so much for that, it was fantastic and wonderful.
And if I could afford to do it all again tomorrow, I would
Thank you everyone from the bottom of our hearts. I love you all
PS - not proof-read for typos!
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