...being an account of the adventures of Ealasaid and Jen in Jollie Olde England, updated as possible from the road.
Related Links- The Discworld Convention - the reason I'm going in the first place.
- VisitBath.co.uk - GREAT way to find a B&B in Bath
- University of York - my alma mater, and where we're staying in York.
- Rail Timetables - tres useful.
- Council Travel - the shiznit when it comes to travel agencies!
Wednesday, August 28, 2002
I'm home...Dear GODS, what an amazing couple of days.
Leeds: totally kicked BUTT! Jen and I got to see the Hives from not TOO far back in the crowd, and had a fantastic time. We managed to see about half of the Foo Fighters' set before booking out, and because we left early we managed to miss the riot that broke out after the concerts were over.
The flight home was insane. Well, the flight was fine, it was getting to it that was a problem. See, the day Jen went to Scarborough I decided to run down to Stafford to visit a pal I'd made at the Discworld convention (cool guy, name of Mark) and see Stafford castle. Since Stafford is much closer to London than York, I crashed at his place and took a train in the morning.
Well.
First my train was delayed.
Then I had to stand in line for ages to find out which Underground lines to take to get to Heathrow.
Then I had to wait forever to get a frickin' ticket (the station was PACKED).
Then I got off at the wrong terminal and had to run to catch the Heathrow Express to the right terminal.
By the time I got to check in, they'd closed it for my flight - it was 1:50 pm and my flight left at 2:35. Fortunately the gal was very nice and not only checked my bag anyway but got someone to escort me through security so I didn't have to wait forever and ever and ever.
I just barely made it. Jen enjoyed being the on-time one for once, I think. :-)
In Chicago I got in a smidge of trouble - I'd forgotten to take my pocket knife out of my backpack and it got confiscated. *sigh*
That was it, though. :) I'll be doing up a trip report as soon as I can, no worries! I just gotta finish my last roll of film and get my photos all developed.
Posted by Ealasaid Haas at 11:37 AM
Saturday, August 24, 2002
Hullo from Cambridge!Hullo-ullo-ullo.
Man, going to York made me very nostalgic for the days when I was at school there. For the most part it hasn't changed at all in 3 years, which is in some ways kind of startling. Jen and I wandered around, mostly in the rain, and generally had a great time. We had dinner from the takeaway shop I used to go to all the time for pashwari nan, and their food is still as good as I remember. Yummy. :)
Today we're in Cambridge, having a great time (we swapped days, York for Cambridge, so as not to have to schlepp our stuff all around the town). It's raining a bit, but still very nifty.
Tomorrow we're off to the Leeds music festival to see the Hives! YAY!
Posted by Ealasaid Haas at 6:49 AM
Thursday, August 22, 2002
Woo hoo!Oh My God.
The Discworld con rocked the HOUSE. I can't even begin, especially when I'm paying £1 for 20 minutes of time, to tell you lot how great it was. I wrote everything up very carefully in my journal and took masses of notes and quite a few photographs, so I'll be able to do a great report when I get home.
Just for the record, Stephen Briggs is THE MAN. I already knew Terry Pratchett was increcibly cool, and it was a joy to discover that Briggs is as well.
Am currently in Bath having a great time. Spent yesterday running around on a tour seeing Stonehenge (still cool), Avebury, The White Horse of Cherhill, Lacock, and Castle Combe, and the day before that we hit the Roman Baths here in Bath. Very cool.
OK, gotta go before I run over my time. Catch you lot later!
Posted by Ealasaid Haas at 1:50 AM
Thursday, August 15, 2002
I made it!Greetings and felecitations from Across The Pond!
Survived being searched at SFO, a two hour layover at LAX and a ten hour flight to London Heathrow.
Was met at London by Katharine and her father, who very kindly took the day off to schlepp us back to their place, not far from Tunbridge Wells. Am going out on the town in Tun-Wells this evening with Katharine in an attempt to thumb my nose at jet lag.
Will probably regret it tomorrow afternoon when I am to interview Messrs. Pratchett and Briggs at the con.
Wish me luck.
Posted by Ealasaid Haas at 11:10 AM
Sunday, August 11, 2002
The ItineraryBehold! The itinerary as it currently stands.
I sincerely hope to be able to update while I'm in the UK. Go me.
Posted by Ealasaid Haas at 1:27 PM
