Hemsby – a jelly good time   PHOTOS

After the traumas of Brid and the wind, we all kept a weathered eye out for the forecast, as none of us fancied fighting with the elements two weeks on the bounce.  Anyway the forecast was ok, Friday was taken as holiday, so out came the trusted steed, and off I set, having said a fond farewell to Savage in the local garage.  Journey down pretty uneventful, arrived at 1pm, sorted out chalets eventually and did the only sensible thing – headed for the Queen Vic, which was ‘bubbling under’ with anticipation, or was that just Spockii’s tummy rumbling in anticipation of later.  For those not in the know, Spockii committed the ultimate act of rudeness, by turning up to a rally, and then being too ill to go RAH! on Friday night!!  However, in a typically blokish gallant gesture, Ian capped Spockii’s illness by coming down with appendicitis, which must be the most blatant, but worst piece of attention seeking I’ve seen for some time!  To be fair, he was rushed in for an op on Saturday, so it might have smarted a little - hope you get well soon! Through the evening more peeps arrived, and more beer was drunk.  Dad arrived in the Lammy cav with Tubthumpin’ and Oooh Aaargh, and went off to find his chalet which he was sharing with the Osmonds.  Good to see Andy & Claire and family, and Olly brought Mrs Olly along, who was rewarded with a  T-shirt for her trouble.  Savage and Angel plus tribe also arrived, Angel also being given a T-shirt in a vain attempt at trying to keep her from moaning – predictably, it didn’t work!! After watching One Step Behind, who for my money played the best set of the weekend, we drifted into the Northern room to watch Tommy Hunt, who put on a typically professional show.  Bit of dancing with Donny, even if I couldn’t remember it, and then off to crash, ready for more of the same the next day. Saturday morning was a bit bleary-eyed, but Taxi did her best to make us all feel better, by cooking a fantastic full English, complete with hash browns – Eileen please take note for Fleetwood.  Next, we wandered over to the custom show and stalls, neither of which were that well attended, but they do say that good things come in small amounts.  Talking of which, I ran into Gobble and her bloke, who recounted tales of daring do on the rail service trying to get from Newcastle to Yahmuff – fair play to them for sticking at it, and a word of praise for the rail network too, for managing to create so many delays, and coming up with a different excuse for each of them. Next was a stroll to the beach, where we played the now traditional game of throwing stones at the inanimate object - unfortunately Sam decided to move, so we had to target a wooden board instead - crazy party animals or what??  Neither Dean and I would leave till we’d hit the dam thing, so the distance was brought down further and further until we’d reached our goal.  As it was just about still light, we strolled up to the seaside shops, which were stocked with the best array of tat that I’ve seen for some time - the only worrying thing being when I saw some things which I thought would be ok!!  When you see a shop window with a sign “Closed Till Easter 2003”, you’ve got a fair indication of what to expect, and boy did we get it!!  Sam won a couple of toy white poodles in the arcades, and sauntered up the road, touting for business, but didn’t manage to peddle her wares, much to our surprise. Back at the Stalag, the Queen Vic had the battle of the bands, and Beanie played her trump card by kindly sharing her voddie jelly.  Now I’ve never eaten chewy jelly before, and then when it seemed to ‘grow’ in your mouth, we had some hilarious sites of peeps trying to eat the jelly without suffocating.  Excellent party game, jaws still aching from a combination of laughing and chewing!  Never in the field of human contact has so much…. I disappeared for my power nap, and missed the set to in the bar.  After us tea, and Popstars, we wandered back for the evening do.  Two Tonics were good, the Affair were well the Affair really.   I missed Snake Davies, as was well and truly beered up, and I also missed Oooh Aaargh break dancing - so a pity on both counts, although I did see his first attempt on Friday night which was fairly impressive. Sunday was get up, pack up and go, another uneventful journey, home in time for lunch and more power napping.  Top weekend of fun and laughter, the jelly was memorable, the bands good, the accommodation ok, and the company fantastic - as always.  Roll on Fleetwood…

I-Spy