17.06.08
He’s a scallop diver
Slightly late but I’ve got a guest now. She’s happily (well not too happily) ensconsed in Super Monkey Ball at the mo.
We did a trial run for our EJC trip this weekend. We drove up to the WJD event in Ambleside. It’s a decent way and the car was going to be quite full on the way and more full on the way back.
After work we headed out and made it there pretty late. Luckily it being summer n’all there was ample light to pitch tents. There were 2 other tents there. And no-one about.
Seems Mini was in his natural element; IE in the pub. The pub wasn’t far off closing time but we did have time for the landlady to majorly insult Clurb. I mean proper insult too.
Hehe Clurb’s a man.
The night was awfy cold. Really cold. Yet again my mattress seemed to suck heat away from me rather than retain it. Luckily I don’t think cold will be an issue at Karlsruhe.
People were more likely to turn up on the afternoon on the Friday so we all went for a jaunt to the local waterfall. Nice scenery as you’d expect. Nice pub trip too.
Some more folk had arrived by the time we were back so we had a laze with Lynne and others. Oh and then a new Bungay couple, Abbie and Graham showed up. It was almost like being back at BBU. Only without a tent to juggle in.
Later me, Clurb and Lynne felt that, as we were in the Lakes, we wanted to see a lake. So off we wandered.
Found no lake despite walking miles. Actually we ended up in Hawkshead but had to get a taxi back as we were too late for buses and the ferry to Windermere was actually another 4 miles away not actually in Hawkshead as we thought. Was a nice walk despite there being no evidence of lakes.
Friday evening was a blur of activity. Well it was in the restaurant we chose. We’d seen it earlier and thought we’d give their local specials a try.
We got in, they sat us down with menus. They took our drinks and food order at the same time. Wandered away and brought our drinks. Wandered away again and brought our food. So quickly it was amazing. And it wasn’t reheated stuff it was good, proper food. Nyom.
After our 30mins in the place we were off. A strange dining experience. Whatever happend to chilling and chatting? Grand food tho’.
DB and S were there by now and had headed into a pub for S to watch Holland vs France. We joined them at around half time. We didn’t know exactly which pub tho so we had to check a couple out to see where they were. Whilst doing this we did discover that at least one local could read.
S seemed, shall we say, reasonably pleased with the 4-1 thrashing that Holland dished out.
And so to bed. (after a stay up with more of the newer arrivals).
Saturday and Sunday were apparently supposed to have shoddy weather but apart from a brief shower on Saturday the weather held up very well.
We did actually find the lake on Saturday. Didn’t take long to get there either. Sigh.
Finally did some juggling after badgering Clurb. Wind is great fun for messing passing patterns up. But we did discover that triple singles sort of work as there’s time to move and catch.
Saturday night was a BBQ and lots of sitting around an huge fire talking to folk. York lot seemed lovely. At one point we were joined by 3 teen lads from Lancaster uni who weren’t jugglers but did want to join us for drinks and a chat. Well they wanted to chat up the 3 young ladies from York. I don’t think they would have had much success anyway but their efforts were pretty poor.
“So which tent is yours then?” etc…
Apparently they had to be escorted away very late in the morning. But not before they’d got far too drunk and given us entertainment before falling asleep on each others shoulders.
Seeing one lad get up, turn round and then stagger backwards almost into a large fire sobered a good few of us up. Then he staggered off and spent some time next to a car. Looked back at us then decided not to piss against the tyre. After relieving himself he stood at the car again for an age, swaying alarmingly. Then he just wandered off. We thought it best if we rescued him and kept him with his mates. We care too much us jugglers.
Sunday was a strike down day. Tents down and packed. Then the fun bit. We needed to get Mini’s PA system to Leicester and it’s reasonably huge. So the car was packed one way and then another. Finally we managed it. I’ve never seen my car so laden. The rear suspension was groaning. Luckily there wouldn’t be too many speed bumps on the way home.
After goodbyes I drove us down the M6 and then P took over. We’ve decided that he’ll do the UK driving for EJC and I’ll do the continental bits. And home to unpack and sleep.
A grand weekend and we now know that the space in the car should be sufficient.
And breathe a minor sigh of relief.
Now we just have to hope that the car holds out that long.
Have fun.