Brit GTG Glasgow 2011/ 2012
Yes!
John Barrowman is in Panto in Glasgae again!
At the SECC.
I am willing to start saving now - any and all of the usual suspects are welcome to join me. Dani & Limey I hope, at the very least.
Personal opinion - stay in The Alamo again.
Lovely place, lovely people, close to the venue.
If either or neither of you can manage it, that will be my plan anyway.
I really should try to fit it in with the school hols this time. but I HAVE learned the school is flexible. So if it means taking one day off they will wink at that - I've always been good at putting in extra hours because I love my job.
Please.
Please please?
I'll enjoy the show regardless.
But after this year, it wouldn't be the same without you.
And after all I'm slightly above the breadline this time (I still don't earn enough to pay tax, how dire is that?) but with this amount of notice I'll be able to pay more of my own way.
Let me know, ladies, and the Cellar in general.
All are welcome.... We'd love it if you could join us....
Ticketsoup (SECC booking agency) is down tonight.
I'll be checking it tomorrow.
And sending an exploratory email to The Alamo.
xxx
I've started another thread ... Mods, can you merge them?
Oh, and Sundae, yes!
This is Dec/Jan again?
Sure. I am in.
Phone's fucked again. You might have noticed :p
Right. All book seats in the Stalls together this time?
£27.50.
Have a look at the dates and let me know - the run is Saturday 17 December to Saturday 7 January
My holiday is from Friday 16 December to Monday 4th January.
We could go early in the run this time?
Less worries about illness that way perhaps? His I mean, although I'm giving anyone a run for their money with my record this year... If we book tickets for 17-20 December before 31st May there is a discount...
So excited you want to do it again :)
[COLOR="Black"]C'mon ladies, c'mon...[/COLOR]
You can't have known me this long and expect me to be patient in the throes of a plan...?
We can get 3 seats in the Stalls in row D AT THE MOMENT!
(I was sat in row D this year)
And at a discount!
This is URGENT stuff, here!
Disclaimer - I know it's not really urgent.
I know you have lives to sort out and calendars to work with.
I know I am being over-excited.
But you DO realise this is John Barrowman, right?
And three other bitches might get our seats?
Put me out of my misery soon-ish.
I can perhaps hold out til the weekend. Any later and I will combust.
Love you both :joylove::joylove:
xxx
Sundae - I just need to consider the programme of wall-to-wall carol concerts with the Brass Band that is my December ... BRB, I promise!
Thanks Limes.
I loosened my excitement valve a little, so combustion is not an immediate danger.
I'm up for whenever. Just let me know and Ill work around those dates.
OKAY! Any date from Monday 19th December onwards is fine. I can prolly do just one night in Glasgow, but you guys are welcome back here (though you may be expected to sing carols!).
Right.
Evening performance Monday 19th Jan.
I'll come up overnight Sunday - probably go back Wednesday. The usual - two B&B nights beig the best for me financially.
Could one of your two book the tickets?
I can't get three on my card, but am obviously able to pay you for mine.
FRONT Stalls.
I can contact The Alamo - triple room again?
I am very excite.
Right.
Evening performance Monday 19th[FONT="Comic Sans MS"][COLOR="Magenta"][SIZE="6"] Jan.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT]
I'll come up overnight Sunday - probably go back Wednesday. The usual - two B&B nights beig the best for me financially.
Could one of your two book the tickets?
I can't get three on my card, but am obviously able to pay you for mine.
FRONT Stalls.
I can contact The Alamo - triple room again?
I am very excite.
January?
or December
I'm happy to book the tickets ... Just double confirm that you mean December :)
December!
Beginning of the run this time :)
I console myself that had you tried to book the tickets for that date, you would have found it impossible.
Sorry. Silly bim.
Some other byotches got our tickets.
But we are in Row K, 14 - 16.
Hope this is satisfactory, gyels!
= £20.90 each, anytime you like.
Limey, you're a star.
When I referred to being able to smell him from Row K I was of course referring to the man's amazing pheremones, rather than his sweat. 51st century pheremones are more potent than Buckfast Tonic...
Oh - wait.
That's Caption Jack Harkness, not John Barrowman.
At least, I think so...
Oh - when do we want the room for chickies?
It has to be Monday night at least, but I am happy to visit chez Limey on Tueday. I LOVE carols! Do you have a spare room/ available sofa, or could I get a bed in a B&B there for Tuesday night?
I'm gonna book the Alamo for the three of us for Monday night.
Please come back to me re staying Sunday or Tuesday, because if we agree on a two-nighter it would be good not to have to swap rooms.
Excited, excited, excited!
We're going to see JB AGAIN! And the English Cellar Ladies get to go on tour AGAIN! (sorry it's not much of a tour for you Limes, but if it was we probably wouldn't have your company).
Advance warning - I have a lot to talk about now I am working.
I may have to shoehorn children into every single conversation, like an obsessed mother.
You will get to hear the Tiger's real name. And when I say hear, I mean you will be sick of the sound of it.
Oh but I'm so excited!
I'll do Glasgow Monday night only, Cherry, but you and Dana are welcome to come over to Arran before and/or after the Main Event. I'll be able to put you [both] up.
Not only have the tickets arrived (as confirmed by Limey) but we have a booked room in The Alamo on Monday 19th.
So my very basic plan is to get into town on the overnight train as before, setting out Sunday night and arriving in Glasgow Monday breakfast.
Stagger about (from tiredness) until the room is ready, then go to the SECC that night.
Meet up somewhere along the way.
Go to Arran on Tuesday. come home Weds via boat and hopefully overnight train, given that my previous coach journey home felt like something from Escher.
We'll work details out closer to the day, but those are the bones of it.
Update for the panto.
I had forgotten until posting this that I still owe you money Limes.
Will sort out next month I promise.
From the
Evening Times
(Sarah Swain)
While thoughts should be on barbecues rather than Christmas dinner, a city entertainment venue has already sold-out one performance of its festive panto.
Despite being six months away the SECC’s Clyde Auditorium is already fully booked for the afternoon show of Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean Pirates on December 19.
Bosses say they think the damp summer could have led people to look ahead to the festive season, as well of the success of last year’s show, which was the SECC’s first professional panto.
As reported in the Evening Times, Glasgow-born entertainer John Barrowman is returning to the venue for the second year in a row to play the lead role in the show, which opens on December 17.
The star of Torchwood and Doctor Who will again be joined by comedy duo The Krankies, who will play Captain Crusoe and Jimmy Crusoe.
Like last year’s panto, Aladdin, the show will have special 3D sections and is being produced by panto company QDOS.
Allan Snedden, head of concerts and event sales at the SECC, said: “We’re delighted we have sold out a matinee performance of Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean Pirates already and we’d advise people to book early if they want to see the show.
“I am sure this is in part due to the success of last year’s QDOS pantomime, Aladdin which also starred John Barrowman and The Krankies.
“We are looking forward to another successful panto season and to welcoming back John, The Krankies and cast.”
This year’s show had been billed as Sleeping Beauty, but was changed earlier this year to Robinson Crusoe. Bosses say they altered the show to accommodate the star cast and not because rival theatre, The King’s, had also chosen Sleeping Beauty as its festive production.
As reported in the Evening Times, during last year’s show John was struck down by flu.
His cousin Greg, 18, a student at RSAMD, got a chance to shine when he performed in his place for some shows.
The Krankies returned to the panto stage last year for the first time since Wee Jimmy (Janette Tough) was injured in an accident at the Pavilion in 2004.
We're going on 19 December, but not until the evening.
I'm not surprised that the afternoon show is sold out - if Scottish term dates are the same as ours, it's the first (weekday) afternoon the children will have off school.
I so can't wait.
Thank goodness I have Torchwood to console me in the meantime, and the lovely Mark Gatiss's Dr Who in September.
Pantomime officially launched in Scotland yesterday.
Forward to 24.50 for the short clip.
From
STV.
You three need an award sitting through a performance with the Krankies being in the cast :scream:
They need sectioning......
You three need an award sitting through a performance with the Krankies being in the cast :scream:
You know, I'd have said that myself last year but they were pretty funny. It's ruined my street cred!
Guess where Best Beloved and I are staying in Glasgow on Saturday night ... ?
YAY!
You going to the Butchershop too?
Booked my tickets today.
Can you believe it - Megabus now have a SLEEPER COACH between Glasgow and London!
By train it would have been £78 rather than £42 AND that is taking the seated option on the way back (with the potential of having to share on the way there).
BBC reporting on the launch.
If I have to sleep in the top bunk I will be very cross. I'll simply not be able to get up there and will have to sleep in my seat. Then again, I expect to be at Victoria hours before the coach is due and be in a position to choose my bunk!
Sorry SG, only just noticed this ... we stayed at the Alamo but were just passing through so arrived late and left early-ish. No sign of your toyboy waiter.
Not my waiter... (mumble mumble)...
I just hope Flash is still alive in December.
Which sounds callous, but he's an old chap now.
Panic - did I book The Alamo, or did someone else?
I can't find my confirmation email, and I'm usually pretty good at saving things like that.
Having checked the website they have vacancies - but that again worries me in case we're not confirmed, as the room I thought we had is listed as available.
Sorry for being so feckless, either way.
It's only because I'm trying to sort out my finances/ savings/ what I owe to whom now that I have a second job (smile, smile).
I think I owe money to someone...Limey? For tickets?
We owe Limey just over £20 (£20.70 sticks in my head but might be wrong).
And I think we'll be paying about £150 between us for our room and brekkers. IF it's been booked. The phrase "I'll sort that out" swims worryingly into my mind....
It's not too late though.
Gave the Alamo a call - yes I booked it :)
Talked to Steve. And Flash is still with them.
Limey can confirm the panto ticket price.
After saying over and over that I'll pay, I really will this month.
Prolly mid-Nov when I get my first pay through from Boots. I've assumed (from what Limey has said herself) that if payment had been urgent she would have let us know. Sorry nonetheless.
Now, the panto starts @ 19.00.
Shall we eat after?
The best deals seem to be pre-theatre, but I don't know when you are arriving and it would be horrid to have a good meal and rush it. It will be our only meal in Glasgow, unless people want to change plans. If you want to stay in Glasgow an extra night I will do so too - Dani this applies mostly to you (because I haven't really seen much of the city). Otherwise I'll go to Arran and stay with Limey (not a second choice, Limes! just trying to be fair)
I'll be in Glasgow all day Monday 19th, but will be in budget mode, buying sangers for lunch if I'm alone. I get in early morning as before.
Not tying anyone down to specific plans, just saying what's occurring.
I arrive Monday morning - we see JB Monday night.
We stay together Monday night in the Alamo.
We check out Tuesday morning.
I leave Wednesday night (midnight).
And I love to sing Christmas carols.
£21.583333333333333333333333333333333333333333 each
apparently for the tickets.
I can get into town earlier on the Monday so we all eat together pre-theatre. I was planning on dragging the two of you forcibly back to Arran sometime on Tuesday. If you're leaving midnight on Wednesday, Sundae, you can get the 7.20pm boat on Wednesday evening (all this weather permitting).
I'm gonna hold off deciding on that second night if that's ok guys? All kind of depends where I'm at with the Pilaudog.
I am so excited.
Less than 6 weeks.
I still haven't paid anyone anything, despite various promises. After 5 years I think you know me well enough not to actually hate me.
Also that I am not scamming you - money will change hands.
And that I am rubbish at things like this. Sorry.
What I am looking forward to:
- Leaving work on Sunday afternoon and knowing London and Glasgow await
- Trying out the new sleeper coach
- Seeing the Alamo Guesthouse again; Steve and Flash (the cat)
- Meeting Dana and Limey
- Going to the panto on the day of arrival! Much as I love the Cellar ladies I'm so stoked about the actual performance
- Breakfast at The Alamo. Nom nom McNom
- Arran!
- Going home on the sleeper coach (well, depends what the trip up was like!)
- Going home to Christmas
Colour me double rainbowed.
Aren't you counting the days yet, Sundae?
Not yet.
I will do on the 19th :biggrin:
Oh wow - less than a month to go!
I've been looking around for a place to eat.
Sapporo Teppanyaki have an Early Diner Menu - 3 courses for £14.95.
Available from 16.30-18.30.
I've heard good things about this place (they have restaurants in Liverpool and Manchester).
Linky
Starter
Nigiri Sushi
Warm Smoked Chicken Salad
Barbecue Spare Ribs Duck Rolls
Vegetable Tempura
Chef's dish of the day
Main Course
Chicken Teriyaki
Sirloin Steak
[SIZE="1"]With a choice of either Barbecue or Teriyaki sauce or Garlic[/SIZE]
Fillet of Salmon
Pork Fillet
[SIZE="1"]With a choice of either Ginger & Sesame or Barbecue or Teriyaki sauce[/SIZE]
Lamb Rump
Vegetable Yakisoba
Chef's dish of the day
Dessert
Assorted Homemade Ice Cream
Sticky Coconut Rice
Oh, and they do cocktails ;)
Of course if you have plans Limes, I'm easy going!
But if we think this place is a good idea we should book.
That menu looks great... are you going (more or less) solo ?
A crowd around a teppanyaki more than doubles the enjoyment.
Three of us.
But they seat you on tables of eight, around the chef, so we'd be sharing with another party.
I've also signed up for their email, stating my birthday as 19 December.
Makes no difference if we don't go. But a cheeky bit of fuss if we do ;)
This looks a great idea Sundae! And it'll be so great to be able to celebrate your birthday ;)!
What I was thinking was that I should post you guys your tickets as it'd be a real bummer if you were in Glasgow and I couldn't get there with the tickets because of windy weather (it happens ...).
ETA: The last time I was in a restaurant like that it was with a guy who lost his life on 9/11. No, really.
Good plan Batman.
It would be awful for you, but more awfuller for me, who would cry until I was physically sick.
At least if we are all in charge of our own tickets, we have a modicum of charge over our own destinies (watch mine get lost in the post now).
I've booked for 17.00.
That will give us a good hour and a half and still time to get to the theatre early.
I'm sure this can be changed if necessary.
Anyone who has a large lunch and subsequently can't finish their meal, that's a paddlin'.
Anyone who doesn't finish their meal and then asks for a hotdog later, that's a paddlin'.
Anyone who drinks too many cocktails and then is noisily sick in front of the nice Mr Barrowman, oh you bet that's a paddlin'.
ETA - it will be a taxi from B&B to restaurant, and restaurant to SECC. But as we know the trip back to the B&B is walkable.
Sorry that it's the other side of town, it just seemed such a good deal and an exciting place.
Oh and to correct a previous error - the tables seat 22, with the minimum at a table being 8.
But as Lamp says, that's a bonus for us.
Is there a spare bed if any of us pull...?
On the verge of sorting out various financial strands that have been going awry.
Spent the afternoon on the phone to various charming young men (the one with the Spanish accent was frustrating, but did sort out my problem) and believe it all to be untangled and set to resolve by 12th December.
So for the first time I can feel very excite about Glasgow.
Recently I have been worrying about how close it was creeping instead of glorying in ticking off the days.
Grandad's ashes are being interred on Monday 19th.
Mum and Dad will be meeting my Godfather there.
:(
But I understand that she wants this done before Christmas.
Wait what so you're not going? Or you're just sad to miss the interment?
I'm sad to miss it.
Mum would be furious if I said I wasn't going to Glasgow! She says I was at his funeral and cremation and this means nothing. Of course it means something, but I do understand.
Grandad was always proud that I "travelled" in the UK. He went all the way to Australia, but never saw much of England, let alone the rest. He said I took after Nanny - his family suspected her of having gyspy blood.
No-one else in the family is going, but I would have if I hadn't had longstanding plans.
I didn't go to Nanny's, but I live here now and Grandad was a big part of my life.
Part of my daily routine until February and at least my weekly life after.
I'll raise a glass to him in Scotland.
He enjoyed the fact that I liked cocktails - and was very impressed that I took Mum to Harvey Nichols for them. He was a barman and cocktail specialist in London during and after the War. He started at the Grosvenor in Piccadilly and pretty much moved up from there.
He also liked the fact I was as interested in opera and musicals as Mum.
We talked about shows I'd seen and Mum would always make a special point of mentioning tickets I'd bought for her and Dad as presents through the years.
He was so happy that I got Mum & Dad tickets to Turandot as it isn't staged very often, and it was Nanny's favourite opera.
When we went to see Carmen at the Coliseum (where he worked as a stagehand) he told Mum, "You've got a good one there."
His absence is very noticeable coming up to Christmas.
I keep factoring him into my plans. What to buy him - oh, must remember to get Grandad a card. Am I taking his dinner round before or after we eat? Maybe we should do him a snack brunch - oh wait, he's at Hillside - will we all go together?
Oh wait.
No.
What lovely memories of your grandfather.
I think he would want you to go to glasgow too, and have a wonderful time with friends. :)
snip--
His absence is very noticeable coming up to Christmas.
I keep factoring him into my plans. What to buy him - oh, must remember to get Grandad a card. Am I taking his dinner round before or after we eat? Maybe we should do him a snack brunch - oh wait, he's at Hillside - will we all go together?
Oh wait.
No.
This is normal. Painful, like an unscratchable itch. It seems to pass, to fade, but what really happens is you become aware of your new relationship with him. One where he isn't exactly gone, but where he spends all his time somewhere else, in your thoughts and in your heart. I imagine he'll enjoy your trip to Scotland together, no?
In 2000, my Dad passed at 94 yrs.
But I still have daily conversations with him, particularly when something happens that he and I shared years ago.
.
Oh, me too Lamp.
@ V: that's a brilliant description of what it's like. I have been thinking about it on and off since I first read it. That's kind of what it's like with Dad. Made especially so by the fact that Dad and I mainly interacted at a distance. So, in a sense he still occupies that space, off in a different town, in an imagined place.
...what really happens is you become aware of your new relationship with him. One where he isn't exactly gone, but where he spends all his time somewhere else, in your thoughts and in your heart. I imagine he'll enjoy your trip to Scotland together, no?
Oh, me too Lamp.
@ V: that's a brilliant description of what it's like. I have been thinking about it on and off since I first read it. That's kind of what it's like with Dad. Made especially so by the fact that Dad and I mainly interacted at a distance. So, in a sense he still occupies that space, off in a different town, in an imagined place.
So true, so true. This is how it is for me too. I'll raise a glass to your Grandad, too, Sundae!
Holy shit it it's the 14th...
Right: got the little London trip out the way and about half of the end of module paperwork and feedback etc. (Should really do a self-reflection on my PDR - personal development record - at some point...hateful fucking things). Still have 22 essays to mark but I can see light at the end of the tunnel, which, hopefully indicates daylight ahead, and not the approach of an oncoming train:P
So...i now have headspace to be excited about Glasgae *grins* Well, actually I was excited before I went to Lon Don (pronunciation key: a la Tubs off've TLoG). I even bought a new top! £8 Sainsbury's, can't go wrong.
But I now have more headspace and time and way less not-yet-done-work-guilt :p So, umm...
Yeah. When's the show again? Is it next Monday? When we meeting etc? Oh...Limey, I have a vague recollection of you mentioning posting tickets...you didn't, did you?
he he he - Dana, that post made me smile.
It is indeed on Monday. Five more sleeps!
And we are having an early dinner - 17.00 in Sapporo Teppanyaki, for my birthday.
Yey!
So, an early train for me then :)
Sapporo Teppanyaki
Is that an independant or a chain?
Anything like Si Sushi or Wagamama?
Technically a chain as there are three of them.
Everything is cooked right in front of you, with lots of knife tricks and throwing things around.
I refer you back to
this post for the menu.
Ahahahahahah.
I've been wracking my brain about your upcoming 'birthday'....surely it's not in december I'm thinking. I have totally misremembered, I'm thinking. Went to check the Cellar calendar....no upcoming Sundae birfdays.
Now I understand. I had forgotten about the Queen's Birthday you've adopted for the purposes of potentially enhancing our restaurant experience :P
Incidentally, check out thatlink I sent you :)
It says further screenings will be arranged, but the next step after Hammersmith, is Tunbridge Wells then Stateside I think. I'm presuming from the 'further screenings' promise that they'll be bringing it back to the Uk, most probably London again :P
Haven't posted tickets to anyone. Every time I've thought about it it's been blowing a hoolie out there. Weather looking meek and mild for Mon-Weds. Dana - are you thinking of doing the whistle-stop tour of Arran with Sundae?
the whistle-stop tour of Arran with Sundae?
This sounds like a lot of fun. Based on the pictures you've posted of the view outside your window, I'm sure it would be spectacular.
Haven't fully decided yet :p It depends on many factors: how's my skin doing (bit of a flare up after staying in travelodge for two nights), how's Pilau doing (he's currently a bit clingy, but then I have just got back :P), what's the weather like in halifax ( two beardies, each of whom weigh nigh on 4 stone, and both of whom require physically lifting in and out of the car to go for walks - lot for Mum to deal with, add shitty weather and the dogs tramping mud through and needing feetwashing and towel drying...)
Lot of factors. I'm keeping my options open til last minute, if that's ok with you? :)
That's OK, Dana.
Depends what the weather's like, Glatt!
Packing and cleaning and sorting out paperwork on Saturday - urgh.
Then work at Boots on Sunday until 17.00 (it will be manic, so I'm hoping it will go quickly).
Then off on the train to Lun-Donn.
And across to Victoria, hoping to be first in the queue (before there even is a queue!) so I get first choice of bunk.
Excited?
A bit. Erm, okay - a lot.
I will still worry a little right up until I am on the coach though...
And I have no idea what to wear.
I have four Christmas dresses and not one of them is really suitable for eating out at 17.00. And if it's cold most people will come to the panto in jeans and jumpers.
Ah well, I think I will wear the plain black one anyway. I don't mind being a little overdressed after all.
I'll save the blingest one for Christmas Day.
Jeans and jumper for Arran. Although I'll have to borrow one from Dad!
I don;t think I'm going to be able to do the Isle of Arran, I'm afraid. I wasn't able to get into Uni today as Mum wasn't around to have Pilau (don't like leaving him more than an hour or so on his own as he gets stuck in places or positions he can't get out of :p) which means I am going to have to go in on Wednesday :(
OK Dana. Sundae will just have to take loads of pics. Love and squuzles for Pilau (gently!)!
I'm wondering about the possibilitiies for a summer weekend GtG.
It's such a shame I live in an impractically small house. Locationwise it'd make the perfect choice for a GtG, given it's between the two of you.
I have a large tent. By the way, laydeez, have you looked in the Secret Santa look what I got thread recently ... ?
I am soooooo jealous (but happy for you three, obviously!)
sounds like so much fun.
will be keeping you all in mind and raise a glass for us, will you all?
loads and loads of pics, please.
I know I never post pics but I don't know how to do it - everytime I try I mess up - and no one will HELP me over here but I really appreciate the pics other people post.
Right - just about to clean Diz's tray, then pack, then I'm off!
Huzzah!
Huzzah!
And lashings of Ginger Beer.
I'm just about to wash and blowdry hair :)
Then watch Young James Herriot...then bed...then sort the dog out then off to Glasgae!
Am hoping to get there around 3pm.
Leaving here at 19.30.
Train at 20.05.
Coach at 23.55.
Leaving LOTS of time in between!
I'm confused???? Are you going on a trip for the holidays or something??? Will you miss Christmas with your parents?
Oh Sarge! DanaC and Sundae and I are off to the pantomime in Glasgow tomorrow. For Sundae this means an overnight coach trip from London, DanaC is getting a train tomorrow, and I am getting the 11.05 ferry from my little island - due to arrive in Glasgow Central around 1.30pm ...
Cellar grrrrllzzz checking in from the Alamo guesthouse. Just about to go out for a teriyaki meal before the Panto!
Okay.
This is the start of my write-up of my trip to Glasgow and Arran, December 2011.
I will say at the very beginning that I do not have many photos. And those I do have are mainly of myself. Sorry.
There are reasons for this, and I will explain myself as I work my way through.
Just - be aware.
This is a wordy thread now, not a picture thread.
I left home in time to catch the 20.05 train from Aylesbury to London on Sunday night.
I dithered and stressed about what coverings to take and ended up with my cloak and a big fluffy sweater of my father's. Big fluffy sweater took up 2/3 of my little wheeley suitcase. Grrr.
Here I am at the station - there far too early of course - whiling away the time by taking photos of myself and the meagre departure information (trains only go one way from here).
The journey to Victoria was uneventful.
I know the walk between the station and the coach station very well now too.
There was some jiggery pokery as I tried to work out if I was waiting in the right bay without having to leave my seat (and therefore my place in the queue) but it turns out it wasn't an issue.
I got the Megabus Sleeper service from London to Glasgow.
Paid in advance on the internet, this offers low fares to travel on a bendy-coach overnight. The difference from usual coach services is that there are sets of bunks in the middle section - top, middle, bottom repeated 12 times. Each bunk has a number, and this corrresponds to the 36 seats. As you board you are given your number. So it doesn't matter where you are in the queue as they have already been allocated. Still nice to be first (I was) if you have been waiting 2 hours (I had) as it means you get to put your things on the overhead shelf and take your cloak and boots off before being squished against the window by your seat partner.
I was given bunk 18.
I wish I had been able to take photos, but the bus has a fast turn-around and I didn't dare hold up those behind me who wanted to find their bunks & seats ASAP.
Mine was a bottom bunk. The advice for getting into it is get on your hands and knees, facing the pillow and simply roll in.
There is room to turn over, even for a lady of ample proportions, but no more clearance than that. My elbow brushed the top of the compartment when I turned.
We were advised to be seated first, then as the coach started we were offered tea, coffee, water, juice and biscuits, mince pies or tablet. No idea what tablet is. Limey can explain.
Then given a safety talk and advice on how to access each level of bunk. The chap suggested we removed all but essential clothing as the duvet in the bunk is high tog and it can get very hot in there. No heating was supplied to the seated area during the journey and again he warned it would be very cold there.
I rolled into my bunk and fell asleep almost instantly. I had doubled the large duvet over, so I was sleeping on half with the other half over me as a cover. As the night went on I did need more and more cover - anything sticking out felt chilly. It was comfortable and felt very snug.
I awoke properly at about 05.30 and didn't think I could sleep much more, so I got up and sat on my seat, reading. Despite the bunks having an adjustable light there is really not enough headroom to read.
Being already up gave me a chance to clean my teeth and my face before everyone else crowded the single bathroom after the wake up call at about 07.15.
It was far better than a normal overnight coach journey.
Again, sorry for no pics - everything was rush rush rush and I had to be considerate of other people.
I did previous post an article and a short video clip if you are interested.
Glasgow was dark and it was raining.
I made my way to the Wetherspoons on Argyle Street (very close to one of the station exits) to find this time it was open - last year the opening times on the internet were wrong and I had to kill time in McDonalds instead.
This was a bonus as I could relax, spread out with the newspaper and have a reasonably priced breakfast. With the added plus that I could also have a beer a bit later as I had ordered food.
It's far easier to hang about in a Wetherspoons (a chain of pubs with large square footage) than it is in a fast food outlet.
So I had the Traditional Breakfast.
Fried egg, bacon, sausage, hash brown and beans. I was then offered a choice of grilled tomato, mushroom or black pudding. I declined all three - without being offered an alternative - but it arrived with a tomato anyway. Which I left. The rest was yummy though, except that the egg yolk was very very pale and thin-looking. Hope I don't get bird flu.
I did treat myself to a beer - to my topsy-turvey body clock it seriously felt like lunchtime.
Just the one though, and only Fosters.
I didn't take photos because I took them last year in the same establishment.
I eked out a cup of tea until after 10.00, at which point I knew breakfast would be finished at the B&B and they would check me in, even if I couldn't access the room.
Turns out they had no guests on Sunday night (an exceptional circumstance for them) so I could have pitched up at any time. Still, best to be courteous.
We had booked the triple room we had last year, but when I arrived I was offered a choice. Triple room as booked, or a triple room with another double for the same price. They were together in their own separate "wing" and B&B owner Steve thought we might prefer them. Non nom nom I bit off his hand. Metaphorically.
Of course I snagged the solo room, but everyone benefitted as none of us had to share a bed, we had two bathrooms between us and the other ladies didn't get to hear me snore. Or pump.
Limes got in at about 13.30 I think. Dani was due at 14.00. I suggested they met up and shared a taxi (as I showered and luxuriated in having a room to myself).
They pitched up about 3 hours later (exaggeration), but that's okay as I was having a lovely kip.
Welcome, welcome!
Time to open presents and prizes and have a good old chinwag!
Limey brought the wine, I supplied the cocks and Dani had fistfuls of cash.
Watch out Glasgow. The Cellar girls are in town.
I've posted photos of our combined haul in the Secret Santa thread, but I might as well include them here as there are precious few other pics!
Dani and I were gifted American food stuffs. Limey had brought some of the snacks she received from Sheldon. She handed over her hand-knitted (beautiful) gifts and I gave the ladies their hand-picked cocks. Limey's was made in the UUSR, given her time spent there and present translation work. Dani's is made of UK coal, coming as she does from the mining part of England.
And the cash?
Big Sarge sent me some spending money for the trip. A complete surprise. He asked me ages back if he could contribute, but I declined - it not being an emergency or anything I could really justify as essential. So he sent it through Dani instead, correctly understanding that I would not be offended or embarrassed but would instead use it on the trip for things I would not have able to afford otherwise.
I would like to say here that I had two other PMs from people asking if I was able to make the trip, given I have had to make some unexpected payments (DSS and glasses). I thanked those people at the time and do again. I didn't take you up on your offers but I feel treasured that you thought of me.
Oh, we swapped about a bit gift-wise.
I had the peanut butter and I swapped it for the Turkey Jerky.
I shared this with Limey and Mr Limey and they were so impressed they bought the company!
Well, no.
But they are looking for a source so a local shop will buy it in for them.
No-one's getting their hands on my Cherry Pop-Tarts though!
So, we are all reunited now.
And can I say what a thrill it is.
Not being sarcastic, I have been looking forward to this for so long and for so many different reasons.
But it took me by surprise what a lift I got when I heard the girls upstairs checking in (I'd propped my door open, as ours were the only two rooms on that staircase).
Now we opened Limey's wine, sat and chatted and caught up on all our lives.
Then I sat and put on some slap, Dani made some subtle adjustments from day to night appearance and Limey understood she was beautiful just as she was so stayed that way.
And we were ready to go. Off to Sapporo Teppanyaki!
Limey was a little put out that I didn't have the address - I had simply put my faith in Glasgow cab drivers. I think we went by a direct route, but even if we'd given the street name he could have foxed us if he wished. Past the main square with lights and booths and a large wheel and all that and everything.
Restaurant ahoy!
This is where I need Dani & Limey's camera-phone input.
When we arrived the restaurant was empty.
I don't mean a few couples in secluded corners. I mean E.M.P.T.Y.Great start. I love a party with a happy atmosphere.
Next, we are given Christmas set menus.
Okay, fine. Four courses for £35. WHAAAA?!
I booked on the understanding that we would have the Early Bird Special - three courses for £14.95!
We had to eat early because we were going to the panto, and it seemed an excellent deal to fit in with our needs. Instead we're going to be charged £20 more for food we probably won't want. In an empty barn of a place.
We had the a la carte menu, but ordering separately can never work out as cheap as a set menu.
Dana, being both kind and practical starts looking into how we can share dishes.
At this point I realise I have left my camera at the hotel.
My camera. The thing I like to take everywhere, but only really comes into its own WHEN I GO OUT WITH OTHER PEOPLE.
My special night is going down the toilet.
I had to make a conscious decision not to start hating everyone and everthing. I was in Glasgow. I was with Dana and Limey. I was going to see JB no matter what happened. Life was good, it was fine, I'd have to be a spoiled bitch to sulk.
At this point the Manager sent our waitress over to offer us the Early Bird Special after all.
She saw how far in advance we'd booked and so decided to honour the deal, especially as no-one was around to witness it ;)
We still got the festive place-mats and napkins and Christmas Crackers too!
We ordered starters - two Nigiri Sushi and one Spare Ribs (me)
My starter was HUGE. Dani had to help me. I offered some to Limey but I think she declined.
There are photos. On camera phones. Hint hint.
Now, our starters had arrived the same way they would in any restaurant.
I was disappointed but trying not to show it. It was my idea to come here and so far, although the food was good - it was a bit of a disaster.
I assumed because we were the only three people there, and on an illicit menu anyway, all our food would be prepared in the kitchen.
Hardly the spectacle I had planned.
I kept a brave face (I hope) because neither of the others had been expecting a show - although Limes had had one at a business dinner years ago.
Oh, about this time we had cocktails. Tokyo Iced Tea. Limey, ever the pragmatist pointed out there was no iced tea in it. Thank goodness. The Nipponese version is Vodka, Gin, Rum, Cointreau, Tequila, Midori melon liqueur and lemonade.
Now came the saviour of the night - Big. That was what was on his name tag anyway. He was big too - height wise. Especially as he was from Thailand.
Despite my fears he came to cook our mains in front of us, with all the tricks and treats the Teppanyaki cooking tradition provides.
I will halt now in the genuine hope of some photos.
More words from me afterwards.
Excellent so far. I look forward to pictures.
Bunks on a bus sounds like a nice way to travel. Even better than flying. We have Megabus here, but I don't think they offer bunks.
I'm glad that you got your Early Bird special after all. How was the show?
Y'know, it's funny. I didn't even get that northern connection with the coal. 'Cause, we always had a little lump of coal tucked onto the door lintel at New Year for good luck.
I was thinking "Hey, aren't The Girls From Across the Pond getting together and WHERE are the stories and pictures?
I want to meet Big. ;) And I want to try the Tokyo Iced Tea. Sounds scrumptious.
It was. Didn't taste nearly as potent as it, in fact, was...
We have a new rule: Dani sticks to starters in restaurants :P
Though, in fairness, I think I might have coped with the menu items, had there not also been a stirfry appetizer thrown casually into the gap between starter and main course...
Excellent so far. I look forward to pictures.
I was thinking "Hey, aren't The Girls From Across the Pond getting together and WHERE are the stories and pictures?
... had there not also been a stirfry appetizer thrown casually into the gap between starter and main course...
I am not going to go into any detail about the meal until I have
PICTURES!
Pretty please.
I don't know what the steps are for posting pics from a phone.
But rest assured you can just slap them on here and I'll do the commentary.
Although it would be nice if you didn't show the sequence where Limey and I didn't know you were taking photos and are waiting for you to say "cheese" and come off looking really bored. Or else no-one will ever invite us to a GTG again.
Commentary to be provided by Sundae ...
Set four ... (Dani has to provide the rest!!!)
Bravo! You all look great, and happy. Love the 'stache, limey.
Thanks Limey.
I can't work out how to comment on them as is, so you'll have to look at them all again - soz!
Starters.
See what I mean about needing help with mine?
The lighting makes them look a bit pale and fatty, in fact they had great flavour and little went to waste.
We all agreed that the wasabi was HOT.
More so than usual I mean. Talk about clearing the sinuses.
Dipping sauces for various courses.
From the left - chilli, garlic mayo, soy sauce.
I used them for my sauteed poataoes. Very yummy.
Big at work, setting up the cooking surface.
He claimed that his oil was orange juice and his soy sauce was cola.
Best of all though was when he produced the chilli sauce for me to look at, then squirted it straight in my face!
Not my eyes, but I felt it hit my cheek.
I squealed like a stuck pig, thinking mostly of how I was going to get to the pantomime on time now, but a bit embarrassed on his behalf for squeezing so hard because I was going to have to kick up a stink and his future prospects were grim. All for the sake of an accident.
Of course it turned out to be a trick. What had hit the side of my face was nothing more than red string, concealed in the opening and squeezed out using air. We all found it funny once the panic subsided.
OMG - How wonderful! That looks like such an awesome time.
Big proceeded to chop and trick and slice and fool.
He caught us a second time with the chilli sauce trick, by saying, "No, real one this time" and presenting a different sized and shaped bottle.
It was a little less traumatic though (sez me - because it wasn't aimed at me this time).
We were then served a stirfry with potatoes - as Dani says this wasn't officially on the menu, but I knew it was coming because I'd been all over the website before booking. Hence my initial reaction when I found out we couldn't have the Early Bird as that was the result of intense research.
Anyway, I knew part of the game of serving the potatoes was to try to flip them into the diners' mouths. Limes went first, and her tactic was to stay as still as possible and rely on Big's skill and experience. Sadly this didn't work and both hit her on the forehead.
I tucked my napkin into my dress and tried to weave and dodge like a dog with a frisbee but only managed to get one in my mouth and the velocity made it bounce back out again.
I think Big hit his stride with Dani and she caught the second one like a seal, to our applause.
Between-course course.
Dani pontificating. Possibly about the trajectory of potatoes.
Big had fun and games with all sorts of ingredients, not least the eggs.
He flipped them back and forth across a large, sharp spatula - making them walk. He flipped one up into his hat. He cracked two in midair (although he did have to fish some shell out of the bowl after - haha).
This was for our accompaniment of egg fried rice.
A heart of egg.
A strip of egg about to be chopped up with chung-chung-chung chopping movements.
Having sorted the vegetales, Big went on to cook our main courses.
Limey had Moo, I had Bruk-bruk (yes a rubber chicken made an appearance) and Dani had Baa.
I heard both of them say that they were cooked to perfection. A bonus for being the only three people present!
Limey in her Christmas cracker moustache!
Before cooking the meat, Big set fire to the grill.
I am really impressed that this photo came from a mobile. It does it justice.
More tricks from Big - handing Dani her egg fried rice then flipping the whole bowl into a backwards somersault. Then serving her an empty bowl. It sounds tiresome, but it was funny.
Nom nom nom.
The girls' red meat (lamb and beef)
And finally - we all had an ice cream dessert.
The sticky rice was not available (and after all it was on the Early Bird menu that no-one else was eligible for!) so we all had ice cream.
Cellar laydees checking in.
COOL !!!
Looks like a Good time !!
Look out Glasgow !!
The Cellar Babes are BACK !!!!!!
Wonderful! You all look a lil buzzed by your skin tones ;)
Good for you.
Halway through our main course the waitress stopped by to remind us to leave room for dessert. She said we could always pack up our main courses to take with us.
At that point, Limey and I more or less stopped eating.
Dani was already further ahead than us and decided to plough on. She knew she wouldn't want it the next day, so set out to enjoy it there and then.
We planned to eat ours on the crossing to Arran.
The take away boxes were nicely sealed little tubs, and although we knotted carrier bags around them I can confirm there was no seepage.
So, on to the pantomime.
We timed it perfectly. Enough time to queue up for the toilets, find our seats, for Dani to think she was going to throw up and have to run outside, for me to run after her and instead buy a programme and for all of us to be back in our seats ready for the curtain to rise!
The show starts with John (Robinson Crusoe) in red tights and a red and gold sleeveless vest with Ian Krankie as his father the Captain and Wee Jimmie Krankie as his identical twin brother. The joke there is that Janette Krankie is a tiny auld woman (64 and 4'5"), playing a schoolboy, who barely comes up to John's chest.
The company sing Putting It Together (Sondheim) as they build a wall with JB's face on it (Dani clicked before I did) for him to burst through with trademark exuberance.
The plot is hectic and revolves around set pieces like any panto.
Pete Gallacher is the villain again - note Limes & Dani, the heroine was different. I checked my Aladdin programme. But she fulfilled the same role - young, pretty, Scottish and had a peripheral part. Got to kiss John at the end but was a bit weak and wavey in between.
Robinson Crusoe preferred Man Friday, although the gags were subtle enough not to impact children - many young boys would far prefer to be with their friends than ugh! girls!
There were throw-away lines from the Krankies; the day before they'd been in the newspapers for admitting that at the height of their fame they were swingers and had had multiple partners. Good luck to them, get it while you can!
Wee Jimmie Krankie really made me laugh with "his" solo of Dirrrrty Wee Boy. I think I've heard it before but it might have been a new song. It was just perfect about the ways little boys are dirty (as opposed to women dressed up as boys with an adult's mind!) and rang true to me.
I thought the 3D was as least as good as last year if not better, Limes & Dani not so much. It might have been the angle - they were in the Circle last year and I was in the Stalls. We were all in the Stalls this time.
And a lovely mechanical Kraken! It was pretty full on even as a grown up, I'm impressed by the fortititude of Scottish children.
Some rousing songs, and as Dani said, in duets you could spot the quality of John's voice. It is effortless, clear and true like a bugle.
Robinson Crusoe kisses the mermaid to break the spell and make her a woman.
And the lucky fish got a full on snog! He even touched her bum!
Clap clap clap, a personal thanks from John and we all left with smiles on our faces.
Oh - John asks via his fan forum that people do not sent cards, gifts or flowers for his first night or to wish him luck with his run. Instead he requests that if people want to send anything, instead they donate - even if it is just the cost of a card and a stamp. This year he raised over £800 for Stonewall (last year it was The Dog's Trust of which he is a patron). Everyone who donates has their name recorded and this is passed on to him. One of his staff then picks a name of all those who have donated out of a hat and they get signed goodies.
After the panto we walked back to the B&B.
We did last time, but not knowing the way, and the pavements being made of sheet ice, it did seem like a longer journey back then.
I was hampered by the fact my tights were falling down the whole time (yes girls, they went in the bin 10 minutes after I got home!) and the holes in my shoes, but at least I wasn't worried about breaking something.
Back to the lovely Alamo, and we chilled out and chatted in D & L's room, quaffing some beer/ wine and putting the world to rights. We don't agree with eachother on everything, but we have a similar political bent and the sense to agree to disagree.
I threw in the towel earlier than the others, but then they'd slept in their own beds the night before as opposed to trying to sleep in a washing machine.
A luxurious night of not worrying about thrashing about and waking Mum or snoring or when Diz is going to pounce awaits me. Ahhhhhhhh.
Night-night girls, night-night Cellar.
Good morning!
We're up in time for the Alamo's breakfast.
Check last year's thread for photos.
I had a large scrambled egg and bacon plate, lots of toast and a croissant.
The girls didn't seem to consume as much coffee as last year, but I'm sure they made reasonable inroads.
Off to Glasgow Central for approx 11.00.
Bye-bye Dana, train to Arran for us.
Again, refer to pics from last yeat for station and trains photos.
We were headed for Androssan Harbour, to get the ferry to Arran.
Dana was homeward bound.
There was a photo on the Cellar recently (and in the media) about a wind turbine that burned up due to high winds. Now Rhianne told us it was close to Limey, but I had no idea it was one of the ones above Androssan Harbour!
I took a picture of them last year, but here is another.
The weather and the distance (from aboard the ferry) makes them indistinct.
With the naked eye I could see which one had burned. Looking at the photo now I can't be sure.
But it's one of them!
Next pic - Limes plus Limes!
Limey on board with biscuits.
Limey eating beef leftovers.
My chicken leftovers, prior to scoffage.
They were as good cold as they were hot.
The above photo shows a seal (or seals, I'm no longer sure!)
This attempt at detail shows one.
Not great photography, but they were hard to capture.
Obvious to the nekkid eye though!
We saw plenty, and Limey was a good enough host to stop for me, realising they are an exotic rarity in a landbound County like Bucks.
Arran.
Beautiful.
Absolutely
Mr & Mrs Limey were once again kind enough to take me on a tour.
This time we took in some gift shops/ craft shops and I could easily have spent thousands. The driftwood chairs for example...
Instead I bought cheese that Mum didn't like (sigh) and some Arran beer for Dad. Well, Mr & Mrs Limey bought a cut price case and allowed me a couple of bottles as it worked out at 63p per bottle. Thank you.
En route I saw innumerable streams, brooks, burns etc. The whole landscape seems to run with water. Limey explained that the island is a big hunk of rock and anything deposited on it rain-wise finds its way to the sea by the most direct route possible. It looks and sounds beautiful, water running at full pelt, tufting white where it hits stones, hanging in long impossible skeins from overhanging rocks or rushing in shallow courses on pebbles. Everywhere is alive to the sound of water.
As last year, this is not the season to photograph Arran.
A mist was drawing in, as was rain.
I saw beauty, but the camera couldn't.
We drove back to chez Limey over the centre of the island.
I loved it. Bumps and humps and switchbacks and hanging drops. Limey says there are long term residents who will never take the road, regardless of time of day or season or weather. Limey is a rally-level driver though. I never felt anything but safe, and enjoyed the ride immensely. She's not a thrill-seeker; she won't take the road at certain times or conditions, but she knows her stuff.
No pics of this obviously.
But you should all try to persuade Limey to borrow a video camera and velcro it to her dashboard and capture the journey. Hey, if you set up a fund I'll even go with her to commentate ;)
HELP!
I am locked out of YouTube.
It's refusing my password, but I am locked in a ridiculous cycle of requesting a new password, and being sent an email sending me my USERNAME. WTF?!
I use my hotmail account to access YouTube. I know my username and I know my password. I do not have a Google account and I don't bloody want one either.
All I'm trying to do is upload a vid of Limey playing.
I can progress without it, but it would be a nice addition to the thread.
I think we should let the Dwellars imagine "Limey playing" for a little longer ... :)
Snort.
Limey playing with her husband and two other men. One young enough to be her son.
I will get over my sulk and post what I have later today.
So, picking up the thread.
Limey settled me down with a bottle of red wine and my book, and of course her two gorgeous cats.
We sat in companiable quietness for a while; reading, chatting, relaxing.
Then off out in the cold and rain for the Limeys to play at an old folks home. A brass quartet, playing carols. I was offered the jingle bells, to play in Jingle Bells, natch, but had to decline. I have a haphazard sense of rhythm - I will lose the beat when clapping along, dancing and indeed walking up long flights of stairs. I recover well, but it seemed a shame to impeed true music with my inevitable slip ups.
Limey only wanted me to have them so I felt a part of the evening, so I was able to reassure her that singing was much more my forte, and indeed squeaked or bellowed my way through the carols, depending on how ridiculously high they went. When I rule the world all songs will all be transposed into the correct key for me. And it will become custom for all instruments to shift key whenever I am having trouble hitting the right notes.
So there.
Here is the incomparable Limey with her sousaphone.
She is mastering it, not being strangled.
Bless her, there was precious little headroom once she had it assembled - the woman is an Amazon which I'm not sure comes across in photos. I felt it even more this year as I wore shoes so flat they were almost aggressively so.
And as I have said before Limes is ridiculously accomplished. From what I gathered, she bought this instrument off eBay, for a dare. She thought it would be funny to have one and play it. Because you do, don't you. Why just play the tuba, cornet, French horn, trumpet, trombone etc (I have no idea if she really plays the whole brass section, but I suspect she does).
Mr Limey is equally varied in the blowing department (a-hem). It's a marriage of two minds as well as two bodies and it's lovely to see them interact.
Sadly I have no photo of the line-up as I covered that in my video clip, which I now have no way to show you, being locked out of stupidYouTubestupidystupid.com. There was Mr Limey, sweet young lad (no, TOO young and wholesome), Limey and chap with the trombone. I'm great with names, me.
So back to the cosy cottage by the sea.
We had already agreed not to have a proper tea, as we were all stuffed from earlier - Limey and I for the second time by Sapporo Teppanyaki, that was a bargain meal in the end!
So we snacked on Sheldon's goodies, and on Turkey Jerky, which was as delicious as it is euphonious. As already said, the Limes are contemplating finding a supplier to deliver to the island.
I reintroduced myself to Morris (Maurice?) and I have to say I was quite successful.
I know that cats often trouble the people that dislike them the most. Despite enjoying eye-contact and affection from owners and familiar people, the majority feel most comfortable around those that avert their gazes and turn their heads. I gave Maurice this treatment as he is a very shy cat, who suffered early trauma, and he did relax around me to an extent. He curled up near my shoulder for a sleep, and went so far as to let me pick him up without any stress (I was sensible - it was a short spell and no squeezing or crooning!)
Two lovely cats, one lovely husband.
Note - I kept photo taking in Limey's house to a minimum.
Do try to persuade her to take photos of her wonderful possessions.
A Russian Father Christmas for example was crying out for a photo.
And more I won't even mention because no-one should ever feel their privacy is compromised. Take it from me I could have taken 50+ photos of interest.
Ditto Mr Limey.
Limey has not given his name on here, or I think any details of his job and their life.
Suffice to say he is exactly the person you would hope Limey would be with. In an ideal world he might also have a couple of million in the bank, and possibly magical powers, but as a real life husband he's a good catch and it's obvious they love eachother.
So, anyway.
I woke up in my lovely comfy Arran bed, with Jasper (ginger cat) snoozing alongside me. Tart, said Limey. But I think she meant him, as I'd made no promise in that direction.
I had home-made bread and Dutch cheese for breakfast.
VERY good.
We went to see a different carol concert, and then came back to chicken fajitas. I assembled them because I was getting a twitching in my fingers at all the lovely ingredients Sheldon had sent and needed to be part of it.
Limey provided all the other ingredients however, so the triumph belongs to her. At least I thought it was a triumph - there were not any leftovers at least. Bloody good show Sheldon & Limey!
Another relaxed time, full bellies and chat and wine and some Arran beer. For me at least - Limey was driving and both Mr Limey and her were playing later.
And then. And then. And then I was leaving.
It seemed odd that in six hours I'd be on a sleeper coach and homeward bound. I felt as if this was Christmas and I was leaving early.
Thanks so much to my Arran hosts.
Arran Sunset ale on the trip back.
Back to Glasgow, and thanks to Sarge I was able to get a taxi from the train station to the coach station. It only cost £3.90 which shows how close it was. Yes, Limey had told me I could get a bus, but I was cold and wet and dispirited when I left Glasgow Central last year and I was no less so this time.
My trip home was different this year though.
I arrived at the coach station 55 minutes before the coach was due - my shortest lead time ever.
I went to where I thought the coach would pick up (confusing signs, no change there) and immediately spoke to a lass who was getting the same coach.
Okay - we could both relax.
30 minutes before the coach was due to leave, it pulled in at a different stand and shouted us across. This kind of punctuality AND courtesy is almost unheard of on coaches, which usually make you wait outside in the rain until the very second before they are due to leave, before telling you there is a problem with the brake-lights, or air-conditioning, or toilet and herd you back into the terminal, so that there is no longer any sense that those who were there first are first in the queue... I digress.
Same driving team as before. Lovely chaps.
And this time I was seated in the coveted front section.
Only six seats and therefore the first six bunks.
Once again I scored a bunk on the lowest level. Best berths. Result.
Not only that, the driver assured us we were the only FIVE in the section, so I immediately spread out on my double seat. Selfish witch.
The journey wasn't ideal.
Oh it was hot!
I got up at 02.00, feeling like I was being roasted in a coach bunk coffin. Got out to sit in the middle seated section (didn't want to make a meal of it with the drivers up front) and still sweated. Went back to bed just before 04.00. Crashed out and was disappointed to be woken before 06.00 because we were coming into London early.
But the five hours I slept were far more than I would have done on a normal coach, and although I was hot I never felt as wretched as I have on other coach journeys.
All in all I would recommend a coach sleeper service. If you are someone who likes to cocoon themself then all the better. Otherwise, get fit enough to sleep in a thong in public. Because although each bunk has curtains, they simply can't close to the extent that privacy is 100% guaranteed.
We're (me, Mr Limey and the cats) so glad you had a good time. Let me assure all Dwellars that Sundae is the perfect guest! You are welcome at any time!!
Panto. ... panto.. panto.. mime? like ... mimes? Turns out, nope. I urge the other ugly Americans here to shed their ignorance with a click, below.
Oh....
If you think of the British as reserved and proper, think again. This is the season when the Brits loosen their stiff upper lips and, even in these austere times, devote themselves to merry-making. They grab their kids and head for the theater for a raucous and peculiarly British form of entertainment: the traditional Christmas pantomime.
Myt favorite part: "it always involves a lot of cross-dressing, which is always funny to the British". bwaahahahahahaha
A good introduction, especially as it includes audience reaction.
Well worth hearing.
Although I disagree re exporting panto. The Aussies and Kiwis get it. I think.
Anyway,
here is my explanation from 2008. I hadn't seen John Barrowman in panto then, so this reflects my childhood expereince.
And, once again the Krankies were really funny.
In fact, when J asked me, and what about the Krankies, I said before he'd finished the sentence: Oh, I love the Krankies! There followed an awkward pause as both my and J's ears heard the words coming from my mouth. Did I really just say that? Apparently, I did and I do.
Sigh and sigh again.
Looks like such a lovely time you all had! I'm burning up with jealousy, actually.
:)
I'm so glad you all get together over there to REPRESENT!
awesome, all of it.
Dani is very lovely, Sundae is all sunshine all the time and Limey looks stunning and I covet that black top she's wearing with the embroidery.
You all make me happy.
Great pics. Arran looks breathtaking.
You all look great in your photos. I don't remember seeing photos of Limey before. Sundae, you're looking very good.
Is it me, or does Dana look like Tilda Swinton?;)
Is it me, or does Dana look like Tilda Swinton?;)
I think that's probably you :p But hey, I ain't proud, I'll take the compliment :P
Thank you Sundae for the lovely narrative which will help me to retain this jaunt in my feeble memory for as long as I can get to teh Cellar!
And thanks to everyone for the compliments directed at me, my household and where I live. Just PM me if you're passing anywhere nearby and we'd love to see you, too!!
Is it me, or does Dana look like Tilda Swinton?;)
There is an ethereal quality to Dani that comes across in photos, which is reminiscent of Swinton. I haven't seen the comparison in real life, probably because no matter how good Dani looks, what she is saying is always more interesting.
Perhaps I'll steal into her room and watch her sleep sometime, so get a better idea.:runaway:
Limey you deserve all that is written.