Vulcan Reunion

Someone earlier this year mentioned that there may be a Vulcan Reunion, that would be grand thing to attend, better than a high school reunion, at least it would be full of people you would like to see, even if you had not seen them in many years. Anyway the weeks went by, Facebook had a page dedicated to it, and may people said they would turn up. Even Michelle was going to fly over from Spain especially for it, at least one person I would know then.

So the day finally arrived, and so did the rain, non bloody stop all day, good job the Havelock had a marquee out the back, otherwise the sheer number of people who wanted to go would have had no where to go. The place was packed, mostly full of people who must have been patrons before I started to go there. To be honest the people from my time in the Vulcan were vastly outnumbered, but it was still a good day. Managed to chat to many faces who didn't recognise at first, mainly due to the lack of hair on my part, and the fact that many of us were so off our faces we couldn't remember our own names.

There should have been bands playing, but a stupid rumour about cancellation meant that 2 band pulled out and a third band whose photograph should be here, stayed around for a while, but eventually buggered off as well, pity.

Music was piped in, trying to recreate those halcyon days, many a classic tune drifted in an out of the Vulcan Marquee as recollections of the past were recounted, memories of those who didn't make it, and of those who just couldn't make it. In all it was a great day, if the weather had been better, my guess there would have been double the attendees today. Another one has been suggested for December, I will be one of those who cannot make it, but will have a drink for those who can.

pictures taken by, or for Michelle

Lakes Visit October 2011

 Now that I have a car arranging venture like this become a little easier. It had been planned quite some time ago that we would venture to the lakes for a few days, and as Michelle was over for her brothers wedding it was the perfect time to do such a thing.

We had arranged to meet in the village later that day, so picking up Michelle we headed off, must have been a little strange for Michelle, even though I had been driving for over a year, she had not really experienced my driving, anyway off we went. The journey up there went without incident until we got to the village and found it to be rather busy, so we decided to head straight to our hotel and wait there.

It wasn't long before everyone had arrived, great thing technology, a few simple text and we all know where we are. Gathered together would be myself, Michelle, Sandra, Marc, Christine, Brad, Pla and Kirsty. Our establishmnet is quite pleasant enough, me and Michelle seemed to have got the best room out of our little group,much to Kirsty's grumblings.

Anyway, boots on wrapped up and off out we went. Straight up the nearest hill, not sticking to many established paths and meanderings, we eventually reached a summit, took in the view, braced the elements and headed back for a damned good feeding, we had earned it.

A quick shower and change of clothes and we met downstairs to eat drink and be merry, and that we did. The strange thing was, the serving staff were all Polish, pity I couldn't remember much what my friends had taught me in the past, but anyway, good beer, few games of pool and it was time to retire for the night.

The next day brought a pleasant morning and breakfast. Maps are spread out on the table and Brad had picked out a route that we would eventually ignore and wander off again. I drove to the next village to pick up Sandra and Marc as they had stopped at a different hotel than the rest of us, so Sandra was now able to experience my driving for the first time.

After dropping my car off at the hotel I met up with everyone and we headed off and up. Again not following the instructions as instructed, taking lefts instead of rights, we finally made it to a real path and followed that for a while before heading off again to seek out a tarn. Eventually we found it, despite Mr Pla taking a slight tumble on the way. 

All that was left was to head back to the hotel, gather our belongings, as me and Michelle were only stopping the one night. Michelle had to fly back the next day, and I could only get a couple days off. 

That we did and despite a slight wrong turn, we eventually made it home in one piece, dropping Michelle off at her mums on the way.

Phew.

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