Though Astrofest itself is older than this, last weekend was our fourth. We – a couple of people who met through the citizen science project Galaxy Zoo – met up for the first time in Kensington London, at this event four years ago and have been making a tradition of it ever since. It’s an amazing happening every time. This year I was introduced to a couple of new people again, I’ve met up with Brian and Brian and I was surprised by a series of funny coincidences. This is my account of a wonderful weekend.
The girls: Me with Jules, Gemma and Els.
Life is making great memories and I’m mainly writing this as a page in a diary; for friends and myself to remember and smile about when reading it back. I do realise nice strangers also appreciate these stories though, as I’ve been told this weekend. And sometimes nice strangers join our ‘family’. In some ways I can’t believe it’s been four years since I first met this weird group of people I call my UK-friends, but in others, it feels like I’ve known this lovely bunch a lot longer. Anyhow, we’re great. We’re always so happy to see each other, we must look like hippies hugging all the time. And we take care of each other.
Me with Tommy’s hat and Tommy.
So I was collected from Stansted Airport by Graham, where I arrived that same Friday I had to work on during the day. I amaze my students with my spontaneous adventures: “My plans for tonight? Oh, I’ll be having dinner in London.” In the plane I realised that since this is the fastest way to travel, it’s also the nicest. I stopped taking the ferry when Stenaline stopped cleaning their boats and now I found that arriving there quickly makes it feel even closer to home. My holiday backpack had died in Seattle and Graham remarked to my new one that “it’s handy there’s no need for me to draw flowers on them like I did with the suitcase he once dragged all through…” Yeah, they treat me like a princess.
Me and Anders (from Denmark).
We found the Italian restaurant and took over the atmosphere. Sharing wine and ice cream and taking some pictures in between. Tommy had a new ‘manbag’, which I inspected when I found his crazy hat (which actually does look good on him). Then one of us thought it would be funny to pretend we’re extremely bored on the captions, which we tried. But of course, this is virtually impossible: nobody could keep a straight face for long. Although I was quick enough with Graham and Els! In case you’re one of the readers wondering what’s up with the badges by the way: we used those the first time – which was like a group blind date – and have used them again for sentimental reasons.
Graham and Els showing how much fun Astrofest weekends are…
We had the most fun walking away from the restaurant when Tommy, who’s so talented at making me laugh till I cry that we named him my jester, managed to miss the lift twice in a stand-up comedian-scene-kind-of-way nobody could have invented. I literally sat on the floor in the tube station laughing. Then Graham and I were the only ones left and he took me to Annie’s. Graham makes the world a nicer place by thinking of everything and Annie is one of the coolest women I know. I suspect her of knowing everything. Annie currently shares her big house with David – who instantly became a friend when he poured me a little glass of wine – and with Fitzy, who’s friend I became instantly as I’d brought stroopwafels (and who happened to be an actor in one of my favourite films).
Graham and Els failing to look bored…
And Astrofest – though it’s always on Friday and Saturday – hadn’t even started yet for me! I need a part two for that. So stay tuned.
9 Comments
Nice write up of day one of two great days at AstroFest
x
I was there on Friday for a few conferences, I only managed the last two, thanks to TfL!
Haha, a great time we all had and I managed to catch the lift and get home safe, not without more mishaps as I missed the first train, went the wrong way on the next and then missed my bus at the other end..oh well
Hey, you didn’t tell me you had Stroopwafels..
Precisely how we know and love you darlin.
Oh and sorry; left all stroopwafels at Annie’s. You’ll just have to arrange that van and all visit me indeed!
Thank you too Infie! x
Thanks for your comment Steven. I hope you enjoyed the day anyway!
Nice write up and photos Hanny! Looking forward to day 2.
Thanks Jules! x I’m actually still writing part 2. Oh the pressure…
I adored the bored pic. But loved the second one even more.
What a lovely weekend. Love you guys and gals !
Likewise dear Els!! X
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