ATTENDEE COMMENTS/MEMORIES

Julia's Diary

OK, here's a quick rundown on a fantastic weekend....

Maria and I arrived Friday evening (late due to traffic jams!), but just in time to say a quick hello to the others before driving to the centre of Chester for our Ghost Tour. Yvonne was navigating and took us on a mystery detour! Of course, as she was a native of Chester, the other cars followed us and also saw parts of Chester that other attendees didn't reach! Ghost tour chappy was a little unenthusiastic, but the tour was still fun! Once at the restaurant we had a scrumptious meal and got to know the others - starting to put faces to names. It was wonderful to finally meet up with people on the elist.

Back at the ranch (sorry, hotel), we were given goodie bags and information folders. Lots of surprises in store - my personal fave was the 'brothel coin' - any more left, Helen? Helen then did a hat trick of handing out signed photos of the guys - what can I say? Except, wow! Then we settled down in a 'cosy' (we're all friends now) manner to watch the Magnificent Men, starting with the pilot (which I'd never seen).

Saturday started with a Roman Tour with an excellent guide dressed as a Roman Centurion. I saw another Roman soldier wandering about and our guide's costume looked a heck of a lot more authentic. He described the clothes Roman Centurions wore and we got a chance to hold his helmet and shoulder chain mail - both were very heavy! I also wondered if he was wearing regulation underwear as well, but he never gave us a chance to look! The guide was knowledgeable and entertaining. I nearly cried when I heard what hooligans the council has been to the city's heritage.

Afer this some of us loonies went to the Laserquest for a game. It was my first time, and I am sad to say that I was absolutely awful at it! I had minus points like you wouldn't believe! If it was real, I wouldn't just be dead, I'd be hamburger meat! Still it was sooo much fun, I want to do it again!

We all got dressed up for the meal that night. This is a vital part of any gathering and really makes it special - 32 of us all dressed up in our western gear - working girls, cowboys, gamblers, indians - marvellous! I could have used up rolls and rolls of camera film that evening.

The rest of the weekend was spent watching our faves on the TV in the larger room the hotel finally gave us. I think they were fed up with us tramping in and out of the smaller room! We were given a pop quiz and keyrings to make - it really helped when I read the instructions instead of trying to do it myself! Maria and I had to work the next day, so we had to leave on the Sunday. Having said our goodbyes and thank yous we left, to look back on a fantastic weekend and 29 new playmates! Thanks guys!

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