[F] Report: Midland Meet 18th August 2001
MP
In attendance
MP (organiser, with Shaun Sheep and palmtop for quotes)
Supermouse (that's with a "e"[6], a massager called Ethelbert, and some
cheese)
Kincaid (with hat, chocolate and white rabbits)
MEG (with Rocky hat and digital camera)
Rebecca (with, presumably, cold legs)
Paul (with ginger hair)
Hippo (with hippos, white rabbits and
So it happened - my second ever meet, as announced on this very
newsgroup, in Coventry with a good selection of afpers from all around
the country. And it was great!
Are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin...
After a long wait at Rugby station waiting for a train to Coventry, I
finally managed to get on one and travel the 20 miles down the line to
the meet destination. Coming off the platform into the main concourse of
the station, I immediately noticed hippo standing there, and wandered
over to say hello. We chatted for a bit, and were soon joined by
Supermouse (complete with scary Ethelbert - more about which later) and
Kincaid (complete with hat). We also got a text message off MEG saying
she'd be a bit late...
Being evil, we also spotted another group collecting people, and
Supermouse tried her best to hijack it [7a], but then we realised they
were maths teachers and gave up! [1] Mouse also tried her best to poison
us
with salty liquoric in the shape of little mice, which she defended
eating by saying "it's a dog eat dog world"... :-}
Not being sure how long a bit was, we decided to wander off into
Coventry and look at the cathedral, and Kincaid also commented on how
Coventry council managed to knock down vast numbers of buildings by
claiming they were bomb damaged when they had broken windows and
replaced them with lovely square concrete fifties buildings... Although
Supermouse did point out that there are some beautiful examples of this
type of architecture around in Coventry.
Getting to the cathedral, we looked round the old one first, where
Supermouse was ecstatic at finding a mouse on the chair:
'I saw a Mouse!'
'Where?'
'There on the chair!'
'Where on the chair?'
'Right there!'
(Note from Supermouse: This refers to the mouse on the bishop's chair in
the Sanctuary at the bombed-out cathedral, which I am assured has
Significance, but I have no idea what this Significance is. There is
supposed to be another as well but I couldn't see it.)
and then disappointed at the lack of twiddly bits on the new cathedral.
We debated for a while about going into the new building, and eventually
curiosity won out and we went in and looked around a bit, eventually
coming to the conclusion that it was a bit gloomy inside, but still
quite nice.
We then wandered through Coventry a bit, finding lots of bollards with
elephants on top, including one which wasn't fixed down, which Kincaid
was tempted to collect and wander round Coventry with, but we decided
that we weren't that mad. Yet. Getting slightly thirsty, we headed off
to Brown's and got drinks. Except Mouse, who got a meal and ate it at
us. So we ate her cheese. :-}
We chatted for a bit, then tried to work out what to do next, eventually
deciding on visiting the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, on the basis
that it was quite close and we didn't want to walk far... We looked
round the downstairs area, had a go at building a stained glass jigsaw
(Supermouse's favourite), and a clock (Kincaid's favourite) and looking
at a Jaquard loom (my and hippo's favourite), then heard drumming
outside and went to have a look.
As my amazing planning had decided[2], the Irish carnival was just
passing by, so we went and watched as a Snow Queen, a Wicked Wolf, a lot
of drummers, a lot of dancers, a St John ambulance and some rather
overgrown spiders paraded past, then decided it was time for more
drinks, so headed towards the Windmill. On the way we met the carnival
again, since they were now blocking the road we needed to cross, so we
ran on ahead and finally managed to get past, and make our way to the
relative quiet of the pub...
Passing some money to Supermouse, I requested "something random I don't
care from the bar", which slightly phased her, until she had the bright
idea of passing the buck to the barmaid, who shoved a glass under the
nearest cask tap and gave me a pint of whatever it was! It wasn't,
thankfully, Fosters...
We then went over to a corner table, and raided Kincaid's ample
chocolate supplies and discussed many things. We also found a supply of
White Rabbits[3] in Kincaid's bag and, adding these to the last bits of
hippo's CCDE supply, started eating them, soon discovering that one of
the three packs was made from different stuff, and wasn't anywhere near
as nice. This obviously prompted much argument about which bag was
placed by which person...
A couple of quotes also arose at this point - feel free to play "guess
who said that" - answers will follow...
a. This is good - you can hold it and it doesn't go sticky...
b. And how long did they last?/About thirty seconds.
After a little while of this, and after enough time for Kincaid's
chocolate to be reduced dramatically, MEG turned up with children in
tow, and we realised that the Windmill doesn't like children, so went
off and wandered vaguely in the direction of Pizza Hut for some tea,
with Mouse hugging MEG in greeting, but the children emphatically not
wanting to be hugged!
Getting to Pizza Hut, we strode in and asked for a table for seven,
which they rustled up in no time, then spent a while debating choices of
food, drink and whether either child had bought enough money to pay for
the meal. They hadn't.
I also got a text message off one of my housemates on duty at V2001 for
St John, who was very pleased at being on the main stage just before the
Red Hot Chilli Peppers were playing at this point, which impressed
no-one else much, but still!
The conversation now moved onto CCDE, and everyone else told me about
how good it was, Supermouse's bath, Kincaid's rainy walk, hippo's gazebo
wanderings and various tales of others too... We also admired MEG's
digital camera, and she sneakily took picures of us, and openely took
pictures of Mouse eating chilli covered garlic bread, which we watched
with horrified fascination. We also discussed the Con and how wonderful
it is going to be.
The quote file was again opened, and the following gems were added:
c. We don't have enough chocolate to stuff the hippo!
d. How old are you then?/44 just before CCDE/Bloody Hell!
e. I really wanted a chopper...
f. He needs some spit on his bum.
g. I've now got a massager covered in your spit - but you're not my mum.
h. www.ud.com[4]
We decided we liked it in Pizza Hut, and stayed there resolutely,
ignoring the manager coming and asking if we were all right, and asking
if we were sure we didn't want anything else, until the children got
bored and wanted to do something, when we finally asked for the bill and
paid Kincaid for everything except Supermouse's tea, which wasn't on the
bill and we decided wasn't worth the hassle of pestering them about,
especially since they seemed to want their table back for some reason.
Kincaid then paid Pizza Hut our money, and we went out into the rain.
Certain people then started jumping in puddles, even going as far as to
pulling up their trouser legs and jumping as hard as they could,
although other people who were wearing MEG's hat at the time managed to
splash more of us with a single big splash... :-}
Realising the time, we headed vaguely towards the station, and found a
train for Newcastle about to leave, so said goodbye to hippo and Mouse,
before crossing back to the other platform and hanging around for a few
minutes for a Rugby bound train, which I got on - not trusting the train
company to send another - and left Kincaid and MEG (and kids) at the end
of a great meet.
I'd like to say thank you to everyone who was there, both in body and in
spirit, it was a good meet! And hopefully be another I can get to soon!
MP (with assistance from various attendees, and a random spell
checker...)
[1] Apologies to any maths teachers reading. I find them scary - is what
comes of doing maths for a degree... :-}
[2] Well, I would have included it if I'd known it was on... :-} [7a]
[3] Sweets that manage to taste of nothing, and have the most strange
texture too...
[4] It's on the quote bit of paper. It must have been said. Don't ask me
why... :-} [5][7a]
[5] Actually, I do know what it is... Do you? :-}
[6] Supermouse asks me to point out that I mean the vowel e, not
anything else you might be thinking of. How dare you!
[7a] This is actually a lie... Really...
MEG
news:3B803C31...@softhome.net...
> We also got a text message off MEG saying
> she'd be a bit late...
Hah! Understatement of the day...
> Not being sure how long a bit was, we decided to wander off into
> Coventry and look at the cathedral, and Kincaid also commented on how
> Coventry council managed to knock down vast numbers of buildings by
> claiming they were bomb damaged when they had broken windows and
> replaced them with lovely square concrete fifties buildings... Although
> Supermouse did point out that there are some beautiful examples of this
> type of architecture around in Coventry.
And we missed it all :-(
Still. Can't be helped. What time we had with you all was great fun.
> and then disappointed at the lack of twiddly bits on the new cathedral.
Ooh! You didn't look in the right places. That cathedral is beeeootiful! Not in
a classical cathedral type way but in a *this is all part of us - now* way. If
you look closely enough, there's lots of hidden surprises. Did you spot the
pennies embedded in the floor?
>Yet. Getting slightly thirsty, we headed off
> to Brown's and got drinks. Except Mouse, who got a meal and ate it at
> us. So we ate her cheese. :-}
Aaargh! We missed Brown's too. Bugger!
> As my amazing planning had decided[2], the Irish carnival was just
> passing by, so we went and watched as a Snow Queen, a Wicked Wolf, a lot
> of drummers, a lot of dancers, a St John ambulance and some rather
> overgrown spiders paraded past
Kismet. I *knew* there was some reason we were fated not to be in the middle of
the city on that day. Though, from what I've heard, the carnival seems to have
improved over the intervening years.
> After a little while of this, and after enough time for Kincaid's
> chocolate to be reduced dramatically, MEG turned up with children in
> tow, and we realised that the Windmill doesn't like children, so went
> off and wandered vaguely in the direction of Pizza Hut for some tea,
Erm.. *breakfast*?! (for me, anywho)
> with Mouse hugging MEG in greeting, but the children emphatically not
> wanting to be hugged!
Don't worry, Supermouse. It's nothing personal. Even grandad rarely gets a hug -
we're not very huggy people. I'm getting used to it but it was quite scary
meeting huggy afpers for the first time at the con.
> Getting to Pizza Hut, we strode in and asked for a table for seven,
> which they rustled up in no time, then spent a while debating choices of
> food, drink and whether either child had bought enough money to pay for
> the meal. They hadn't.
They hadn't, actually, brough *any* money. <sigh> Kids these days.
> I also got a text message off one of my housemates on duty at V2001 for
> St John, who was very pleased at being on the main stage just before the
> Red Hot Chilli Peppers were playing at this point, which impressed
> no-one else much, but still!
Well, I'd heard of them and was mildly impressed if that's any consolation.
> The conversation now moved onto CCDE, and everyone else told me about
> how good it was, Supermouse's bath, Kincaid's rainy walk, hippo's gazebo
> wanderings and various tales of others too... We also admired MEG's
> digital camera, and she sneakily took picures of us, and openely took
> pictures of Mouse eating chilli covered garlic bread, which we watched
> with horrified fascination.
Coming to a web site near you soon. (For certain values of soon.)
> We also discussed the Con and how wonderful
> it is going to be.
And how could we not? Coventry is only a short step away from Hinckley, so
there's no excuse ;)
> The quote file was again opened, and the following gems were added:
> g. I've now got a massager covered in your spit - but you're not my mum.
We never did get an explanation of that one.
> h. www.ud.com[4]
ITYM www.ud.com [4] Eighteen members and rising. I've just cracked through the
10000 barrier.
> Certain people then started jumping in puddles, even going as far as to
> pulling up their trouser legs and jumping as hard as they could,
> although other people who were wearing MEG's hat at the time managed to
> splash more of us with a single big splash... :-}
Give kids permission to jump in puddles and the *grown ups*? take advantage
<grin>.
> Realising the time, we headed vaguely towards the station, and found a
> train for Newcastle about to leave, so said goodbye to hippo and Mouse,
> before crossing back to the other platform and hanging around for a few
> minutes for a Rugby bound train, which I got on - not trusting the train
> company to send another - and left Kincaid and MEG (and kids) at the end
> of a great meet.
Kinkaid left shortly afterwards but Paul, Rebecca and I went on to play ten pin
bowling
Game one: Rebecca 94, MEG 91, Paul 99
Game two: Rebecca 104, MEG 85, Paul 99
Oh the shame.
> I'd like to say thank you to everyone who was there, both in body and in
> spirit, it was a good meet! And hopefully be another I can get to soon!
I'd like to add our thanks to MP for organising a great meet and apologise for
missing out on all the earlier fun. Next time, we'll make a day of it eh?
[1] - [7a] NMF
- MEG
--
* Ever considered going to a UK Discworld Convention? *
* "2002: A Discworld Odyssey" * August 16th-19th, 2002 - *
* Web: http://www.dwcon.org/ * Email: in...@dwcon.org *
Sandriana
>Or "You're not attacking me with that thing!"
>
snip
>Getting to the cathedral, we looked round the old one first, where
>Supermouse was ecstatic at finding a mouse on the chair:
>
>'I saw a Mouse!'
>'Where?'
>'There on the chair!'
>'Where on the chair?'
>'Right there!'
>(Note from Supermouse: This refers to the mouse on the bishop's chair in
>the Sanctuary at the bombed-out cathedral, which I am assured has
>Significance, but I have no idea what this Significance is. There is
>supposed to be another as well but I couldn't see it.)
But the $64,0000 question is.....Did you find the Bishop's Bird Stump?
--
Sandriana
~~~~~~~~~~
*Sig files stolen by cloggie*
Kincaid
MEG <meggl...@lineone.net> wrote:
> "MP" <mpet...@softhome.net> wrote in message
> news:3B803C31...@softhome.net...
> Ooh! You didn't look in the right places. That cathedral is beeeootiful!
> Not in a classical cathedral type way but in a *this is all part of us -
> now* way. If you look closely enough, there's lots of hidden surprises.
> Did you spot the pennies embedded in the floor?
Well, *I* really liked the new cathedral, it's my sorta style. Very clean
lines, with the stained glass down the nave contrasting nicely with the
totally plain walls. And the pillars 'supporting' the roof resting on
4cm*4cm metal rods is cool. (it was going to be glass spheres but the
commissioners chickened out)
> >Yet. Getting slightly thirsty, we headed off to Brown's and got drinks.
> > Except Mouse, who got a meal and ate it at us. So we ate her cheese.
> > :-}
> Aaargh! We missed Brown's too. Bugger!
And I again failed to partake of a glass of their Bushmills Millennium
Malt, now 26 years old :-(
> > The conversation now moved onto CCDE, and everyone else told me about
> > how good it was, Supermouse's bath, Kincaid's rainy walk, hippo's
> > gazebo wanderings and various tales of others too... We also admired
> > MEG's digital camera, and she sneakily took picures of us, and openely
> > took pictures of Mouse eating chilli covered garlic bread, which we
> > watched with horrified fascination.
It wasn't that hot a chilli - I'm a chilli wuss, and I didn't think it was
too bad.
A good meet.
--
Kincaid Labs
Tampering in God's domain since 1975
Supermouse
<sand...@eurobell.co.uk> writes
> But the $64,0000 question is.....Did you find the Bishop's Bird Stump?
No! Nor the imbedded pennies. Nor, I suspect, lots of other treasures.
Oh well, there's always next time.. :0)
Cordially,
--
Supermouse Goes Walkies from Monmouth to Stretton:
http://www.asphalt.demon.co.uk/afp/mousewlk.htm
Raising money for research into ME/CFS
Sponsor a Rodent Today!
Mary Messall
> In article <3b82f064...@news.cis.dfn.de>, Sandriana
> <sand...@eurobell.co.uk> writes
> > But the $64,0000 question is.....Did you find the Bishop's Bird Stump?
> No! Nor the imbedded pennies. Nor, I suspect, lots of other treasures.
> Oh well, there's always next time.. :0)
Check at jumble sales. It might still turn up. You never know what
you'll find at jumble sales.
-Mary
David Underdown
news:4aad1dd8...@freeserve.co.uk...
> In article <3b80b...@mk-nntp-1.news.uk.worldonline.com>,
> MEG <meggl...@lineone.net> wrote:
> > "MP" <mpet...@softhome.net> wrote in message
> > news:3B803C31...@softhome.net...
> > > and then disappointed at the lack of twiddly bits on the new
cathedral.
>
> > Ooh! You didn't look in the right places. That cathedral is beeeootiful!
> > Not in a classical cathedral type way but in a *this is all part of us -
> > now* way. If you look closely enough, there's lots of hidden surprises.
> > Did you spot the pennies embedded in the floor?
>
> Well, *I* really liked the new cathedral, it's my sorta style. Very clean
> lines, with the stained glass down the nave contrasting nicely with the
> totally plain walls. And the pillars 'supporting' the roof resting on
> 4cm*4cm metal rods is cool. (it was going to be glass spheres but the
> commissioners chickened out)
>
Have they finished cleaning up the smoke damage yet? The tapestry is rather
stunning when it's fully visible.
David
MP
Something tells me this is taking the idea of "church sales" a little
too far...
MP (AFOLF)
Kincaid
David Underdown <da...@davidunderdown.freeserve.co.uk> wrote:
<Coventry Cathedral>
> Have they finished cleaning up the smoke damage yet? The tapestry is
> rather stunning when it's fully visible.
Yes, the tapestry is fully restored, and no sign of damage elsewhere.
MEG
news:3B825473...@ups.edu...
Nah.
Get a time machine, pop in just before the bombs start dropping and grab it.
Alternatively, you can wait a few hundred years until someone *invents* the time
machine, then <spoiler...spoiler...>
- No carrier.
Don't forget the cat.
Excellent story. Recommended reading.
To Say Nothing of the Dog - Connie Willis
- MEG
Kelly Harding
>
> In attendance
> MP (organiser, with Shaun Sheep and palmtop for quotes)
> Supermouse (that's with a "e"[6], a massager called Ethelbert, and some
> cheese)
> Kincaid (with hat, chocolate and white rabbits)
> MEG (with Rocky hat and digital camera)
> Rebecca (with, presumably, cold legs)
> Paul (with ginger hair)
> Hippo (with hippos, white rabbits and
Myself and Nat did intend to attend. But sadly things conspired against us
that day, firstly nat got detained at work with a sick child, then I
having had no sleep with worry over my gf fell asleep and didnt wake till
gone 6pm. I tried to email you MP but the address bounced.
Belated appologies.
Maybe another time...
Kelly