Radaxian said:
Me and Sue managed to fall behind chatting whilst everyone walked to the next pub, but we identified the group from a distance via Jordanovinchy's shorts.
New they'd have a use at last. Anyway, I have written a very long trip report (burden) and here it is:
The day started at 7am...mainly to watch England lose at cricket but also for Richard and Peter to pick me up at 8:10...they drove past while I was waving hilariously trying to catch their attention as to where I live. We parked at Jordan's flat, caught the central line from Wanstead to Holborn to change to Piccadilly line to Hyde Park Corner to meet more CFers.
Ian, Ciall, Mushroom and Rebel were already waiting by the time we arrived. To all of our surprise the usually burdenous Sue arrived EARLY! It was Serena that was the burden due to traffic tedium. Was happy to receive a Christmas card from Ian (my first of the year I might add) addressed to male Jordan
We arrived at Winter Wonderland 10 minutes after opening and the crowds were already building up especially around the market foody area. We managed to mince to 'Santa's Flying Sleigh'. Those who needed the cred rode. Next was 'Christmas Coaster' also known as 'Euro Coaster', a gliding coaster from Reverchon. Ciall trusted, rather stupidly, his bag with Richard while he rode...the bag ended up being hitched over a nearby Santa statue's arm. Ciall was looking around for a good three minutes before finding it.
We moved on. Ian fancied doing the Winter Wonderland Star Flyer. I wanted to do it last year so I paid the ridiculous £7 fee to enjoy what Winter Wonderland call 'a truly exhilarating experience'. It was absolutely freezing cold...I suppose the shorts didn't help. But it was thrilling at the same time.
Wilde Maus Maus XXL was next. Some needed the cred, some didn't, so some rode and some didn't. Then it was time to savour the three new creds for 2013. First up was Ice Mountain. I thought it was a water ride...clearly I'm not goony enough
. When I suddenly realised laughter from Ian, Peter and Mushroom ensued and just general loudness from Richard when I asked him to wait for me. Ian also sent a rather mean tweet
[tweet]https://twitter.com/ianmbell/status/411813193418555392[/tweet]
The cred (my 66th) was ok. Rich and I were sat with a stranger who was thin and short. Rich and I, being fat and heavy, meant we got a nice amount of spin which squashed him into me and I nearly died. Anyway cred number 2 of the day for me was another spinning coaster, aptly named Spinning Coaster. I didn't like this as much as Ice Mountain. Ciall wanted Richard and I to sit together so we could get über spin. After having spent Ice Mountain wedged next to him, my legs and I decided to sit next to Ciall instead...who for some reason proceeded to stroke me...? He was grumbling up the lift hill but it probably worked out for the best in the end...as soon as the spinning started Ciall's bag flew out of the car just as he managed to grab it. That's the only thing I remember about the coaster as I spent the rest of the duration in hysterics laughing at Ciall and the look of terror on his face.
The third and final cred was Alpine Thriller Coaster...It was pretty turd to be honest, rough and nothing really happened but in the queue line I did get to meet the legend that is Mike.
Creds done, it was off the the Sherlock Holmes pub for lunch, alcohol and secret santa. We arrived just on time to find Nic and John (amongst others) already propping the bar up
I bought my first pint of cider and I wasn't even IDed...I suppose it's because everyone else looks so old
We all filed upstairs and were able to show off each other's tacky jumpers. Conor's was my favourite with instructions of how to build a snowman. Nic's gets a mention too with its cute black round nose which was epic. It seems on CF meets I have attended the general public aren't adverse to get involved with our fun. A group of American women were sat next to us. Ian broke the ice by offering to take their picture...using their camera I should add. He also took one of us...again using their camera. They also took a shine to my snowman jumper and insisted I posed with it and my Hawaiian shorts on show. I had chicken and chips for lunch. It was nom.
Before desert was the Poundland Secret Santa. Sue, being burdenous, had lost her gift so wrapped up a hose end instead. Generous. A goon book was donated by Mushroom (kind of like passing on the trophy, should have been sent to 2012Jarrett instead really
):
Bouncy balls, curtesy of Richard which I won, alien flingy things, tanks that shoot that didn't actually shoot which Jordan drove through some chocolate ruining one of the pub's menus. I donated a Barney DVD which Sue won but threw it to the other end of the room and I have no clue where it ended up. Ciall won some sauna suit thing? I don't even know XD
Some had desert. Jordan was disappointed with her chocolate pudding but my bread and butter pudding was delicious.
Alas! Time was pressing and we had to move on. First to a rather crap chocolate festival but I suppose it was something to do
It was rather dull especially given the sheer amount of people. Plus I couldn't get to the freebies so being 18 now I just headed for the beer tent. I tried some hot chocolate stout which I quite liked but others considered vile.
Once we all met again we were overlooking the entrance of the Royal Festival Hall on a balcony when some youths on skateboards showed up. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 stopped and went inside. The 7th and final youth simply crashed into the door and lay spread eagle on the floor. Hilarity from us CFers ensued. Richard being Richard simply said: 'Doors aren't that hard to use'.
We moved on. I got to know and old-time CFer, Patrick. Great bloke. We went to some Namco thing. We didn't do anything? I was told the dodgems in there were the best in the UK but we left prematurely and never bothered
We were running early to our evening pub so we stopped at a Wetherspoons just outside Trafalgar Square. I tried Thatcher's Gold cider and treated Richard to a pint as a thanks for the lift.
We soon moved on to the Coach and Horses which had done a pretty poor job in reserving the tables for 20 people. We just managed to squeeze in and as the GP left we spread out and arranged the tables so we could all talk to each other.
Neal arrived! Love that man. His voice is liquid gold. He was very sociable too...playing Pokémon
Nic revealed her pass the parcel. It was breakable we were warned...perhaps not the best idea for some heavy handed CFers
The low down is I WON! Richard made a great time keeper after all
John had designed his own faffle. I won a pack of cards from Plopsa. Other prizes included a Paris 15th Anniversay poster, CDs, Japanese tat and a puzzle from Canada's Wonderland.
People slowly dissipated. Nic and I had a (slightly drunk) wander around London in search for a McDonald's and McFlurries. She is so FAB <3. Mushroom, Rebel, Ciall and Serena had left by the time we got back without saying goodbye. Burdenous.
Conor and Jordan left early and Richard, Neal and Peter went to the Montague Pyke, affectionately dubbed 'The Dyke' leaving Nic, John, Patrick, Dan and me but Dan left pretty soon. Wish I had gotten to know Caffeine_Demon a bit better before he left...there's always next time. Us remaining 4 had a great little chat before Nic cleared off to catch her train and John, Patrick and I joined the others at the Dyke.
It was very crowded but seemed nice enough. After downing a quick couple of pints we left. Peter, Rich, Neal and I said our goodbyes to John and Patrick. Neal alighted at Stratford leaving just three who were lodging at Jordan's and Conor's. Thanks guys
Peter grabbed the sofa leaving me on an airbed next to Richard who spent the majority of the night snoring in my **** ear.
I thoroughly enjoyed the day. Thanks to everyone for making it an amazing day. Sad my other half couldn't be there but **** happens. (Next year Dan, next year). Hope you enjoyed my trip report XD
