So it was hot. Too bloody hot on Friday. Having met up with Pippa at Victoria Station, we got a cab to BP House, and I was lucky to be able to book straight into my hotel at about Midday, just along the street, complete with wonderful air conditioning all before the madness began.
Knowing what to expect did not really reduce the nervous anticipation and then completely overwhelming and manic hour that ensued before the official welcome and start of classes. Seeing good friends again, meeting online friends for the first time, blank looks turning to wide smiles and hugs, loads of those!
That's pretty much how the weekend carried on; there was a little learning, (I'll tell you more on that in another post), eating out in the hottest but most brilliantly accommodating restaurant with about 37 other Retreaters and interlopers, eating until I pretty much went pop.
Between classes I went on the most amazing shopping expedition to Shaukat with Jude, Sarah and Rachael, there was even a mad crazy stalker lurking in the basement for me, but I'm saying nothing!
I went up and down to my 3rd floor hotel room like a yo-yo, dropping off bags, picking up supplies and trying to remember where I was meant to be; unfortunately the lift did not burn any calories.
I haven't smiled so much, laughed so loud or tried to concentrate so hard in a long time.
The Fat Quarterly team did us proud again, and can't be thanked enough. From the goodie bags and sponsors to the pub quiz and emotional handover of so many Siblings Together quilts.
I know you want photos, I took so few, but flickr, instagram and other blogs will hopefully be bursting with them, because at times it felt like you couldn't move for lenses! Here's my favourite picture, courtesy of Krista, of The Team, triumphant, and completely ungracious in Pub Quiz victory!!
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| Marguerite, Mary, Kerry, Krista, Me and Susan |
PS. It's a boy!!!
PPS. I posted this at 9pm on Monday and Blogger has decided not to show you in the Dashboard - sorry xxx
Wasn't it great. Work was such a come down today :-(
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a great time. (and Yay for a HRH!)
ReplyDeleteWhy didn't you hyper-link 'mad, crazy stalker' ;-)
ReplyDeleteYou had your lucky charm Mary! I managed to not to introduce myself *shy* but I am enjoying your very nice key fob! I will try harder next year.
ReplyDeleteIf that doesn't make sense it's because my phone wouldn't let me put in any punctuation!
ReplyDeleteYay, it was all so lovely! And I'm right with you on it being significantly less stressful without the nerves of meeting everyone for the first time last year. Love the picture of 'Team'.
ReplyDeleteSo jealous of the pub quiz winnings...and well all of it really! Glad you had such an amazing time :)
ReplyDeleteyou won such fab patterns! It was such a good w/e - I'm still trying to process it all!!!
ReplyDeleteIt was brilliant to meet you at last! Great weekend - agree about heat on Friday and that visit to Shaukat was all too overwhelming so I didn't buy anything! What a fool!!
ReplyDeleteWhoop, you had a great time. One day I'll join you there instead of being jealous - I mean happy for you all. ;)
ReplyDeleteAh what I wouldn't have given to be there. Next year maybe? A girl can dream.
ReplyDeleteSo glad it was a weekend of awesomeness for you.
Hugs
Kat xx
hey - who are you calling an interloper!!!!! ;-)
ReplyDeleteWhere to begin, that's exactly how I feel, it's a difficult one! And you've got to watch those interlopers! :o)
ReplyDeleteCongrat's on winning the pub quiz! Glad you had a fun weekend :)
ReplyDeleteIt really was a great time and much as you describe, a bit of a happy laughing blur.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you had a great time...lovely to see those happy smiling faces :)
ReplyDeleteUngracious? Us? Great weeked, lovely to see you again xx
ReplyDeleteI am so happy you had such a wonderful and congrats on the Prince Cambridge. I know what fun it is to celebrate in your country, I have been there for many Michael Ball concerts from Omaha, Nebraska USA.
ReplyDeleteIt was fun watching from the sidelines of Ig. So glad you had a terrific time!
ReplyDeleteSo great to see so many of y'all in one place! Simply lovely!!!
ReplyDeleteCan they do it again in October when I'm in the UK?
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you did keep going back to your hotel. I came out of BP house on Sat lunchtime with my sewing machine and crossed the road. Then got completely discombobulated because each time I'd gone from the hotel to BP house I'd been at least with Katy chatting and didn't pay attention to the details of where it was specifically. I saw you going along the street and thought a way from me and thought ah I'll follow Hadley she'll be going back to the Radisson and I know where I am. Thank F*** you weren't off to Oxford Street shopping or something because my sewing machine was not light ;-)
ReplyDeleteMissing you already! Jxo
ReplyDeleteIt was a brilliant weekend and good to catch up with you and so many others. Di x
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping for next year. It looks grand!
ReplyDeleteYou make me laugh, and I am so glad you are my friend.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a great time. I think I may have struggled with the heat, but still wish I'd been there! Rxx
ReplyDeleteMad crazy stalker?!
ReplyDeleteYou had air con?! Soooo not fair lol
ReplyDeleteI'm feeling guilty for not writing about FQ Retreat yet. But, my brain just can't function yet...
ReplyDeleteSweating burns calories doesn't it?!
ReplyDelete