On Wednesday evening we became nine: the final piece of the BlogCon25 jigsaw - in the shape of Khayem - dropped into place. Nine good bloggers and true (we'd been eight the previous night) met in one of Bristol's oldest hostelries and thus we etched, indelibly, our imprint upon the South West; we'd conquered Newcastle & the North East the year before, now it was time to carve the name of another unsuspecting city on our collective headboard.
Due to the anonymity of my fellow scribblers I'm sworn to secrecy regarding the identities of this year's cohort. Suffice it to say, if you look carefully at the above photograph I'm sure you can deduce the runners and riders. And if you're still struggling then I suggest you trawl back thru my pre-convention Delegates' Q&As.
What I can tell is that my three favourite taverns in the town were: The Bridge Inn (three dark beers, two types of pickled eggs, great music and original framed gig posters on the walls - including Generation X at Chutes in June 1977), The King's Head and The Cornubia.
I can also advise that my favourite breakfast caff/cafe was The Crafty Egg (very Omelegg, Amsterdam), and (wait for it) I walked north of 30,00 steps in just two days. In other news, Ernie, newly christened Ernesto Del Fuego III, is in need of a new gag writer.
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Thank you to everyone who made the pilgrimage and I look forward to seeing you all next year when BlogCon26 will be pitching up in Amsterdam. Oh, and a final thank you to C for the fabulous BlogDolls and Alyson for the equally fab fobs.
I don't think my need for a new gag writer really qualifies as 'news', it has been true for at least thirty years
ReplyDeleteGood point well made, Ernesto.
DeleteAnother fine get-together and a part of the country I didn't really know. C's BlogDolls are exceptional - so much work gone into them - and glad you liked the "fab fob".
ReplyDeleteIt was. Everyone seemed so relaxed in the others' company. And particularly good for me: my first nights away not spent in my own bed or a hospital bed this year!
DeleteThank you too for the framed photos you gave us. You are very clever at capturing just the right shots.
DeleteYou're very welcome, Alyson. C sent me a photo of hers in situ - it looks really at home. I hope you find a good home for yours.
DeleteLove the dolls.
ReplyDeleteWe all love the BlogDolls! The BlogDolls are something special.
DeleteI think I’m still processing Wed evening, John! It was such a lovely time with you all, and more like a reunion than a first meeting in person.
ReplyDeleteAs it was when I first really committed to interacting with the BlogCon community, I felt welcome and relaxed from the moment I sat down with you all (yes, including the interrogation!)
It was lovely to chat with you, and sit with a modern medical miracle. Considering what you’ve experienced in the past year or so, you were on incredible form and it was lovely to meet your wife too. So much respect and admiration for you both AND great company!
I’m glad that you all seemed to get a lot out of the Bristol experience as well. Although I haven’t lived in the city for years, and felt more like a tourist that you did (!), I love the place deeply and it’s had a significant role in my musical education, which continues to this day.
A final thanks for the gifts: C’s remarkable BlogDoll; Alyson & Roddy’s wonderfully “fab fob” and of course your framed photo, which I loved. I will treasure them all. Thank you!
So glad you enjoyed it, K! Seems Bristol was a hit with everyone. We must get something in the diary before #BC26 - we have friends who run a pub in the Kotswolds: maybe find a free date later in the year?
DeleteA fab few days, thanks so much to you and everyone else for making it so, I feel very honoured and fortunate to have fallen in with such a great group of people. I shall treasure the wonderful gifts from you and A & R, and enjoy the glorious cider from K!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you like the dolls. I had the best fun making them!
Will there be a blogpost about the making of the BlogDolls, per chance?
DeleteSounds like a wonderful time - and the dolls are amazing. Amsterdam next? Wow.
ReplyDeleteIt was. Ernie wouldn't stop talking about your luxuriant hair!
DeleteI'm getting a restraining order.
DeleteIt was indeed fab few days with a truly fab group of people. Roll on '26.
ReplyDelete(I made the mistake of following the King's Head on Instagram and now I want it to be my local).