2013 IHD "Let's get together in The UK!"

[Sugarlump]

I have fluffy red hair and funky green glasses!!!! 

PS. One portion of crispy squid duly noted!

[Sugarlump]

I have had confirmation back from Bills that they have our orders (Yay) and etickets for Punting and Stud Tour.
All we need now is to arrive next Friday/Saturday and have fun!!!
If anyone wants my mobile number please pm me.
NINE DAYS to go     

[Sugarlump]

WHOA  Only 5 days to go!
I have some very special news but am saving it for when we meet 

[cariad]

WHOA  Only 5 days to go!
I have some very special news but am saving it for when we meet 

Oooooh, I don't wait for 'special news' easily! You'll have to forgive me if I skip the pleasantries and go straight to 'Hi, it's cariad, now spill it!' You're not going to make us all wait until we're assembled at Bills, are you?

Cannot wait to hear what it is! 

[RichardMEL]

I'm not pregnant - just sayin'

yeah it's getting a lot closer now. I'm flying out in about 30 hours from now so yeah it's all getting much closer.

will be great to meet everyone. it will be a lot of fun.

but as a reminder to those thinking I recognise people... i'm blind... and that's before we get to the pub!!! lol

[Poppylicious]

I have some very special news but am saving it for when we meet 

Is this the news you spilled the beans about on Fb?!

 

[Sugarlump]

I have some very special news but am saving it for when we meet 

Is this the news you spilled the beans about on Fb?!

 

SSSSShhhhhhhush 

[KarenInWA]

I have British pounds! I have my Oyster card!!! Now I just need to tidy up my house and pack, and I'll be ready to go!!!! Tomorrow I have a 90 minute massage after work, Wednesday morning I've scheduled a chiropractic adjustment, and I take off from Seattle late in the afternoon! I'm finally flying abroad!!!! YIPEEEEEEEE!!!!!!     

KarenInWA

[RichardMEL]

Got to say the weather forecast is looking a bit dodgy specially for Sunday morning (I see ~14 and some rain) ..... what are the terms with the punting?

Anyway weather aside it should be a great time

[Sugarlump]

Punting continues except in heavy rain 
I have to say we have only had very light showers over the last few days so fingers crossed and pack a hat!!!
They do supply cushions and umbrellas in the punts 

See those that make it on Friday in the HE Inn lounge/bar about 4.30-5pm onwards.

[cariad]

I'm not pregnant - just sayin'

Well there goes my first guess!

Got to say the weather forecast is looking a bit dodgy specially for Sunday morning (I see ~14 and some rain) ..... what are the terms with the punting?

Anyway weather aside it should be a great time

We'll make the best of it and have a blast. Last year I went through the stress of planning an outdoor party in England. I constantly checked the weather in the week leading up to it and I also learnt that when they give a forecast such as '50% chance of rain' they only need a ridiculously small amount of rain to fulfill that prediction. It was something like it means there is a 50% chance that there will be 1/100th of an inch of rain during that time period. Also, they can really only predict weather with any accuracy four or less hours in advance, so anything could happen. (And that party was wonderful, and we had nothing but sunshine and warm temps.)

Looking forward to meeting/reconnecting with you all! 

[Sugarlump]

Punting in the rain could be funny (as long as boat doesn't sink!)
I had visions of flowery dresses and champagne, maybe jeans b cowboy hats!!!
I shall pack both 

[Poppylicious]

Sugar, please can you PM me your mobile number?! Cheers, duck. Also, are you planning on meeting anywhere for a drink BEFORE Bill's? We can be in Cam at anytime after six (cheaper parking costs!).  See you all on Saturday! Have a blast on Friday!

 

[Sugarlump]

Wow  It's tomorrow!!! 

[cariad]

Wow  It's tomorrow!!! 

Sweet! Although we have hit a minor snag. I did not deal with Romeo (cat) in a timely manner and while I have found a cattery to board him, they won't take him if we do not have his vaccination certificate. Neither Gwyn nor I can recall getting that from his previous people, but we have their contact details and will see what can be done. Otherwise, we may have no choice but to leave him on his own for roughly 48 hours. Not the end of the world, specially if we can leave a window open, but there are two concerns: He is a HUGE eater and drinker so not sure how to deal with the food water situation, because even though he wants to eat and drink constantly, he is also really fussy and insists on freshness with all his edibles. I'm sure you cat owners know what I'm talking about. Also, he gets lonely very easily. Oh, and if the litter tray were to get too dirty for His Majesty, not sure what would happen.

If we have to leave him on his own, we'll do it, but probably will leave Cambridge immediately after the punting to get home by mid-afternoon. Be a bit of a shame to feel rushed, but we do need to get back by early evening to prep the kids for school the next day anyhow.

See some of you tomorrow night I hope! 

[cariad]

May have a solution to the cat issue. I put Gwyn on it because I was getting too overwhelmed with it, he was telling me what he had found out in discussing further with cattery, but was in the car and we got cut off. Should be home with news any minute.

[Sugarlump]

I leave my cat Smokey on her own for a weekend, if it isn't cold, outside with a bed in the shed with door wedged open. She will quite happily sleep in there and leave food in there and on garden table. we also leave a dog bowl size of rainwater (which she prefers to tap!) and she knows the neighbors leave outside food for their cats, so if she fancies a change!! she can hop over the fence 
I have left her indoors during winter, with a litter tray, huge bowl of biscuits and dogbowl of water. She seemed quite content to have house to herself for 48 hours... without those pesky dogs.

You could fill up several bowls of water and put them in different places.

[cassandra]

I used to use some catbowl with flap which you can program to open after 24/48 hours (at pet shop)
All of you going tomorrow: have a great time, and we'll see you Saturday!!

Lots of love, Cas

[cariad]

Thanks for the suggestions, you two. Amazingly I was able to schedule a last minute vaccination, and the woman who owns the cattery allowed us to bring him in because although he won't have proper immunity, the risk is to him not the other cats. He has faced that same risk just wandering around our neighbourhood. Wish the previous owners had been clearer about that, but it wouldn't have changed our decision to adopt him.

So, Romeo's at a luxury cattery right now, we are doing the million last minute tasks that need to be completed and then jumping in the car and heading east. Wish it weren't tipping it down right now, but hoping that the sky will get that out of its system and we can get a little bit of sunshine in Cam.

If we don't manage to make it to the bar tonight, see you at the stud tour! 

[RichardMEL]

We're here... and the rain is lovely....


Can't wait to see everyone!

[cassandra]

Welcome back to England Rich, and so glad you've got Romeo sorted Carriad.

     

No idea what time we'll arrive in Cam, but we'll definetely make it to Bills.
NB I sort of hoped the rain would stay around here, but hay hoe

See y'all tomorrow

         

[monrein]

I want you all to know that I really wish I were going to be joining you there for the meet up. It would be so nice to see those I've already met and meet the others. Have a great weekend together and know that I'm toasting you all from currently rainy Toronto, Canada. 

[cassandra]

Thanx Monrein, wish you were here too. I'm now on machine, still 2hrs15 to go, than we're on our way.

Karen how's your experience in light rain with some sun, so far? Aha I'll here soon.

 Love, Cas

[Sugarlump]

So far so good...
Not much rain at all

We are all sexed out  been round Newmarket and The National Stud ... all that sex and money is mind boggling!
Time for afternoon nap and then get ready for Bills! 

[Sugarlump]

A very big thank you to Richard, Karen, Cariad and Gwyn and the boys, Cassandra and Tony, Poppy and Paul and my other half Drew for making it such an amazing weekend!
It was great from start to finish, hilarious at times but wonderful to connect and to join in with like minded people, from The meal at Bills, to the stud tour and the punting on the River Cam
and even down to the 6am fire alarm!!! Cheers and I hope someone has some good pictures to post on here...