Back to Blighty

So woke up 6:50 washed up, managed to stuff everything into my bags, stripped the bed, left sheets and towel on the landing. Just about managed to stuff the keys under the office door (as requested last night) and left for the last time at 7:30.

I caught the free mall ride at Civic Center Station, first time I did so first thing, and got to Corner Bakery Cafe, 1147 16th St by 7:47, updated blog and was eating Berry Almond Swiss (with both yogurt and cream) and coffee by 8:00.

[Contunued two weeks later!]
I left as it was getting to quarter to nine, and caught my final free mall ride shuttle bus to the Market St bus station. I originally thought it was some kind of underground train station (due to the sliding doors and electronic departure board) but is was actually an underground bus stop!

9:25 arrived an so did the bus. I stowed my back pack, paid my fare and started the journey to Denver International Airport. The journey took exactly one hour and once I'd disembarked I found the appropriate check-in (no queues at all) left my bag and found my way to the security check in. Once through the x-rays and metal detectors I found the correct gate by eleven, got my ticket and passport looked at, and as it was nearing noon bought a muffin to eat.

Took off for Cleveland, at 12:10 (only ten minutes late) and arrived two and a half hours later, a bit early at 2:35/4:35 local, due to tail winds and walked to the correct gate for Gatwick without any further security checks. Still a bit peckish so had a bagel with cream cheese. Read until the flight was called.

This plane didn't have personalised in flight entertainment systems so I didn't get to see a movie. I did read and try to get a bit of sleep. I got my special meal prior to everyone else, soon after take off, and breakfast was served just before landing, at 6:50 on Friday morning.

Got through passport control fairly quickly but it seemed forever before baggage re-claim started regurgitating luggage. Anyway I managed to get to the train station by eight and caught the train home, arrived back by 8:40 and then crashed in bed by 9:00 and slept most of the day.

Started catching up on the TV recorded while I was away!

NOTE: I did take some pictures during my stay, but not as many as I wished. This was due to two problems; the hinge on the compartment containing the batteries broke, and if it was not firmly held in place all the cells would fall out, making it difficult to compose pictures. Additionally somehow it had been set in the "photo finish mode", so that after the first picture, a further 4 shots were automatically taken. Until I realised what was happening and started to take advantage of it, I got 3-4 blurry pictures (I couldn't figure out how to switch it off either. My next digital camera must not suffer from either of these faults! I intend to upload the few pictures I did take RSN.

Back to Blighty

So woke up 6:50 washed up, managed to stuff everything into my bags, stripped the bed, left sheets and towel on the landing. Just about managed to stuff the keys under the office door (as requested last night) and left for the last time at 7:30.

I caught the free mall ride at Civic Center Station, first time I did so first thing, and got to Corner Bakery Cafe, 1147 16th St by 7:47, updated blog and was eating Berry Almond Swiss (with both yogurt and cream) and coffee by 8:00.

[Contunued two weeks later!]
I left as it was getting to quarter to nine, and caught my final free mall ride shuttle bus to the Market St bus station. I originally thought it was some kind of underground train station (due to the sliding doors and electronic departure board) but is was actually an underground bus stop!

9:25 arrived an so did the bus. I stowed my back pack, paid my fare and started the journey to Denver International Airport. The journey took exactly one hour and once I'd disembarked I found the appropriate check-in (no queues at all) left my bag and found my way to the security check in. Once through the x-rays and metal detectors I found the correct gate by eleven, got my ticket and passport looked at, and as it was nearing noon bought a muffin to eat.

Took off for Cleveland, at 12:10 (only ten minutes late) and arrived two and a half hours later, a bit early at 2:35/4:35 local, due to tail winds and walked to the correct gate for Gatwick without any further security checks. Still a bit peckish so had a bagel with cream cheese. Read until the flight was called.

This plane didn't have personalised in flight entertainment systems so I didn't get to see a movie. I did read and try to get a bit of sleep. I got my special meal prior to everyone else, soon after take off, and breakfast was served just before landing, at 6:50 on Friday morning.

Got through passport control fairly quickly but it seemed forever before baggage re-claim started regurgitating luggage. Anyway I managed to get to the train station by eight and caught the train home, arrived back by 8:40 and then crashed in bed by 9:00 and slept most of the day.

Started catching up on the TV recorded while I was away!

NOTE: I did take some pictures during my stay, but not as many as I wished. This was due to two problems; the hinge on the compartment containing the batteries broke, and if it was not firmly held in place all the cells would fall out, making it difficult to compose pictures. Additionally somehow it had been set in the "photo finish mode", so that after the first picture, a further 4 shots were automatically taken. Until I realised what was happening and started to take advantage of it, I got 3-4 blurry pictures (I couldn't figure out how to switch it off either. My next digital camera must not suffer from either of these faults! I intend to upload the few pictures I did take RSN.

Hawth Juggling Convention

On Friday afternoon, after flying back from Denver I had to decide if I wanted to camp in the Hawth grounds, as I'd done the last two times, or if I would commute.

Two things decided me not to camp, first I was too jet lagged to be able to get every thing on site on Friday evening, and actually set up my tent. Second the weather forecast was rain (at least on Saturday night).

Saturday
So on Saturday morning, before leaving I phoned HSBC to get my debit card unfrozen. I now need to notify the bank when I leave the country. Then at around quarter to ten, I made my way to the station to discover that one of my jugging classmates had also decided to use the train (leaving the car to his family for the day until they joined him for the evening performance).

So Pete and I chatted about the coming day and next term plans until we arrived at Three Bridges station, where we alighted. I extracted some cash from the ATM, which worked hurrah! and then we walked to the Hawth

After finding the box office (I managed to swap, a previously booked full price ticket for one with a Hawth friends discount) we swapped out tickets for our "Juggle 008 Licensed to Thrill" red rubber band, with watch insert!

Found Iain and spouse (also from juggling class) who were just finishing a workshop. we then went to examine the juggling merchandise and I succumbed. I bought a patchwork juggling bag for £12, 6 pink thuds for £6 and 2 swinging fire clubs for £10. I then decided to try the clubs out as there was a club swinging workshop, only to discover that my damaged right ring finger wouldn't let me do more than the very basic swinging!

So I found Pete and we worked on club passing for a while. after a bit I gave up (it was a bit hot). Had some food, then found Iain, Pete joined us in the marquee and we did some triangular ball passing (the pattern was triangular, not the balls). Jane, also from the juggling class, and her family were also around during the weekend.

We then decided we needed a meal prior "to the kettle of fish" show in the evening. Sometime during the day Iain offered me a lift home so I was able to leave my bags in his car during the evening.

Somehow I managed to slip in early, seemingly before the doors opened and spent ten minutes waiting for everyone else. Iain and spouse joined me and once the theatre filled the fun started.

There is a tradition that prior to the show, balloons of various kinds must make an appearance. This year was the turn of the rocket style. ie you blow them up and let them go, some up to the ceiling! Iain was prepared and had a bag of them too, which I helped liberate. The younger children had great fun catching them and most got reused multiple times.

At last 7:30 arrived and the show started. The acts were all excellent and the compere was very good, but I forgot to write the details down at the time, and they have blurred together into "cool!"

Afterwards, was a fire-show, all by amateurs this time, and then we made our way home as it started to rain.

Sunday
Iain agreed to give me a lift in the morning, and phoned around 9:30 to confirm they were on their way. With only my new juggling bag I had less stuff and could keep it in the front seat.

Got to the Hawth about 10:00 had a wander around. This time I did manage to participate in one of the workshops "Poi for beginners" I was able to do all the moves successfully but for the last two and those just need practice.

Pete didn't make it on Sunday but to make up for it the newest jugging class alumni did arrive (her name escapes me!) The afternoon was filled with games and I even took part in the 3 club gladiators.

Thing started to wind down around 4:00 and we decided to leave before it started raining again.

Hawth Juggling Convention

On Friday afternoon, after flying back from Denver I had to decide if I wanted to camp in the Hawth grounds, as I'd done the last two times, or if I would commute.

Two things decided me not to camp, first I was too jet lagged to be able to get every thing on site on Friday evening, and actually set up my tent. Second the weather forecast was rain (at least on Saturday night).

Saturday
So on Saturday morning, before leaving I phoned HSBC to get my debit card unfrozen. I now need to notify the bank when I leave the country. Then at around quarter to ten, I made my way to the station to discover that one of my jugging classmates had also decided to use the train (leaving the car to his family for the day until they joined him for the evening performance).

So Pete and I chatted about the coming day and next term plans until we arrived at Three Bridges station, where we alighted. I extracted some cash from the ATM, which worked hurrah! and then we walked to the Hawth

After finding the box office (I managed to swap, a previously booked full price ticket for one with a Hawth friends discount) we swapped out tickets for our "Juggle 008 Licensed to Thrill" red rubber band, with watch insert!

Found Iain and spouse (also from juggling class) who were just finishing a workshop. we then went to examine the juggling merchandise and I succumbed. I bought a patchwork juggling bag for £12, 6 pink thuds for £6 and 2 swinging fire clubs for £10. I then decided to try the clubs out as there was a club swinging workshop, only to discover that my damaged right ring finger wouldn't let me do more than the very basic swinging!

So I found Pete and we worked on club passing for a while. after a bit I gave up (it was a bit hot). Had some food, then found Iain, Pete joined us in the marquee and we did some triangular ball passing (the pattern was triangular, not the balls). Jane, also from the juggling class, and her family were also around during the weekend.

We then decided we needed a meal prior "to the kettle of fish" show in the evening. Sometime during the day Iain offered me a lift home so I was able to leave my bags in his car during the evening.

Somehow I managed to slip in early, seemingly before the doors opened and spent ten minutes waiting for everyone else. Iain and spouse joined me and once the theatre filled the fun started.

There is a tradition that prior to the show, balloons of various kinds must make an appearance. This year was the turn of the rocket style. ie you blow them up and let them go, some up to the ceiling! Iain was prepared and had a bag of them too, which I helped liberate. The younger children had great fun catching them and most got reused multiple times.

At last 7:30 arrived and the show started. The acts were all excellent and the compere was very good, but I forgot to write the details down at the time, and they have blurred together into "cool!"

Afterwards, was a fire-show, all by amateurs this time, and then we made our way home as it started to rain.

Sunday
Iain agreed to give me a lift in the morning, and phoned around 9:30 to confirm they were on their way. With only my new juggling bag I had less stuff and could keep it in the front seat.

Got to the Hawth about 10:00 had a wander around. This time I did manage to participate in one of the workshops "Poi for beginners" I was able to do all the moves successfully but for the last two and those just need practice.

Pete didn't make it on Sunday but to make up for it the newest jugging class alumni did arrive (her name escapes me!) The afternoon was filled with games and I even took part in the 3 club gladiators.

Thing started to wind down around 4:00 and we decided to leave before it started raining again.