Don't touch me Bristols a ciao meet

It’s funny how sometimes an idea pops into your head and you just run with it! So it was that in the autumn Plain Jane and I were chatting on MSN. We frequently chat, and on weekends we merrily glaze over at our screens as we get happily sozzled together; PJ usually on some Alco pop or other and me- well, I am such an old soak that I will usually imbibe anything hanging around. On this particular occasion it was a bottle of cheap champagne, and yes I did rather greedily drink it all by myself!

We decided it would be a great idea to organise a meet. I live too far away to be much use, so we decided to enlist the help of KarenUK. Fortunately Karen didn’t think we were completely barking and was happy to help. Over the next few weeks PJ and Karen sent out some invitations. We had decided to make this a small affair as it was our first attempt at doing a meet ourselves. We agreed that if it wasn’t a complete flop we would aim for an open meet on a larger scale in the summer.

In the meantime PJ was organising the venue and accommodation- the Holiday Inn Express at North Filton, Bristol. The original pub decided to be awkward, and with very little time left to the meet happening, PJ managed to organise another pub, the George VI just up the road. It was there that we would eat and socialise. Karen had been rather taken with idea of quizzes and games and was happily organising most of our entertainment.

We got quite anxious and yet excited as the date approached. I had managed to persuade my other half that it would be fun to come and that he would not turn to stone if he ventured out of Devon! Sadly, some of our number were not able to make it in the end, but there were still enough of us to make it a viable venture.

The date finally arrived. John and I wanted to go together so I drove down to Devon to collect him. I had met PJ and Karen before, albeit briefly, and we had both met the ever so charming Mr Soho-Black of the Tooyoo Introduction Agency, although not both together. We felt confident that we were not going to meet a load of whackos!

We found the hotel easily and met our hosts PJ and Karen in the foyer. We were then introduced to thediscerning ( think his name was Sir D. Sending), and Wulise and Enahs (Louise and Shane) whom I remembered seeing at the large Brum meet back in August. Then there was Sue51 and her husband Martin and their daughter Tasha. There were also rather a lot of very pleasant youngsters connected with either PJ or Karen. Phew, I had read all these people. Can you imagine how embarrassing it would have been not to know anything about these people? We could not go to the pub until Iain and Emily (Soho-Black and Epistolato) arrived. Iain’s train was not due for an hour and we were told we could check into our room immediately to save time later.

This was easier said then done. My other half, bless him, is not ever so technically minded, although he does write a mean book! I asked if he had the key and he showed me a swipe card. Well, he swiped and he swiped- nothing. “Try again”, I encouraged, still no luck. I had a quick look. The card was upside down!
Having managed to gain entry, we surveyed the room. It was pleasant and clean, which we expected in a brand new hotel to be honest, but you never know!

I knew John was not known for his technical prowess, but I was soon to learn why! He seemed to be taking an inordinately long time in the loo. I went to investigate. “ I can’t work out the tap!” he said ruefully. Trying not to appear too superior ( one shouldn’t gloat, but it is such fun!) I pushed down on the top of the tap and out sprang the water. Did I gloat? Oh yes, and then some!
Next were the lights. We couldn’t operate those, either. It seems that they were also operated by the swipe card. After all this excitement we needed a little rest. If anyone tells you differently- don’t believe them, it’s a heinous lie! John assured me that we would only need to rest for half an hour, but it seems that it might have been longer. The room phone rang, taking us somewhat by surprise. “ It is alright”, John told PJ “ we were just coming anyway!”

We went to meet the others, and by now our intrepid band of opinionaters had assembled. With gleeful step we set off for the pub. The staff at the pub were super. They had set aside a section of the pub for our exclusive use, and this was to be “ home” for the next two days. PJ had thoughtfully taken our food orders several days before and the three meals turned up at the appropriate times without a hitch.

After an excellent lunch and quite a decent dollop of alcohol( in my case at least), we were all relaxed and comfortable in each others’ company. There weren’t any really larger than life personalities present, although don’t infer from that that we were a load of wimpy bores! Quite the contrary, we were a cohesive bunch of people and jelled really well together, I thought.The humour was tossed back and forth like a finely tuned game of tennis!Much hilarity was had by all.I have not enjoyed the company of others so much in a very long time. It was wonderful.

In the afternoon and through into the evening we chatted, drank and played games.
The quizzes and games were great fun. We warmed up with a round of Ciao general knowledge. It was scary how much we all knew- did any of us have a life away from the opinionating sites or had we manically revised before coming? I must admit, I did do a little revision! Er- how many people trust Trampus?!

There was a writing competition too. This proved to be utterly hilarious, and almost had me propositioned by Karen!! We had to write ops and comments in the style of famous opinionaters. It was very funny hearing people read them out loud especially the one in the style of a newbie churner on Ciao Surveys. I guess you had to be there, but tears were rolling down my cheeks at one point, and it wasn’t because John was standing on my foot! What happened with Karen? It was one of many classic moments during the weekend. I had not listened thoroughly to the instructions on one piece of writing ( I blame the beer) and realised as the others were reading them out that I had done the wrong thing. “ Come on “ said Karen “ hand it over!” so I crumpled it up and shoved it down my cleavage. Karen looked at me and said “ Come on Kim- that isn’t going to stop me you know. You’ve read the op!!” It was one of the funniest things I have ever had said to me. I knew at that moment that I hoped Karen and I would be friends for a long time to come, ( not like that mate though, ok?)!

There were super prizes some from Lush and some funny socks, books and wine, so it was worth making an effort with the quizzes etc. Recognising mobile phone rings proved challenging for most of us and was great fun.
After dinner, and the food was very good, we chatted some more had a bash at TV trivia and moseyed back to the hotel. After getting to know each other a bit more and yet more drinks the group gradually dispersed and we went to bed a few at a time! Sadly Louise and Shane were unable to stay for the second day. Maybe next time, folks?

We woke early and wondered what time people would struggle down for breakfast. I suggested that after all that alcohol it would probably not be that soon. We decided that after such a lot of resting a shower might be nice. I sent John ahead with a half an hour warning, so that he could work out how to switch it on and get the temperature right!
Now I don’t know what you expect to be when you step out of a shower. I generally expect to be wet and clean, nothing more. On this occasion I was not disappointed, I was nice and clean and the water pressure had been sufficient to wake me up. What I was not prepared for, however, was stepping out of the shower finding myself engaged. I am not sure that either of us quite realise how this monumental achievement happened, but happen it did! I think life has been a bit of a blur for both of us ever since!

We went to breakfast feeling rather shell shocked and saw a sole diner from our party. It was the enigmatic Sir D. Sending CO ( Ciao opinionater!). He was alone and reading the newspaper in a mysterious manner. Feeling brave we decided to join him. In the end he was the brave one as he went as a scout to bring back the oddly named “Wiener Melange”, an interesting beverage with strangely addictive properties. Having ascertained that it was not poisoned we helped ourselves a good few times.
Breakfast was magnificent. There was a wonderful array of cereals, fruit and continental breads, and we stuffed ourselves to the brim. Sir D was exceptionally good company and we enjoyed breakfast very much. The others appeared gradually, and Karen seemed to swop her elder daughter for two scamps a bit younger!

We all went back to the pub for the last leg of our wonderful gathering. John and I excused ourselves for a short walk while the others got the drinks in. We needed some time on our own to acclimatise to our newly affianced condition and also to stretch our legs as John was complaining that he felt a bit stiff. We had a brisk constitutional and swiftly returned to the others suitably invigorated.

A musical interlude followed. I may have taken the proverbial Michael out of my other half, but actually, keys, taps and lights apart he is a very clever man. Not only is he an author of repute he is a talented musician. He would tell you he is only a busker, but what a busker! This was as near I came to making a fool of myself by blubbing in public as he premiered a wonderful song he had written just for me. Nobody has written a song for me before and it was so very moving!
John kept us entertained with guitar, voice and harmonica for a while and we all joined in when we could. It was a nice way to wind things down.

We finished off with a lovely Sunday lunch and gradually everyone went home.
We had a wonderful time. I really enjoyed the company of everyone there and thanks to Louise for a wonderful massage that entirely removed my headache!

It was so successful thanks to the excellent input of PJ and Karen that we will be doing it again. I hope lots of you will come as it would be great to meet even more mad opinionaters! There is an e-mail link for info on both PJ and Karen’s profile page.

Forgive me for not saying specifics about the people attending- I loved them all and wouldn't be able to do them justice! Others who have gone before me have done an admirable job, however!

Here’s to the next one!