Reunion 2001

Having looked around the good bits of Bath, and wandered into various shops, and lamented our dwindling cash reserves, we moved out of the city and headed into the lovely countryside where Iain kept his horse. It was actually a bit of a learning experience for me, as we looked around the stables and the wonderful grounds there. And it was there that we finally got down to the real business of the weekend: seeing how long we can keep the football up! Not only was it Reunion number 3, it was also ball number 3, provided as always by the reliable Stuart: this time it was a hackysack. Difficult to get used to, but we did manage to reach the mythical double figure yardstick by which we judge ourselves. This was achieved with a great deal of sweat and exertion, and we were to rue our efforts the following morning with aching limbs. However, it was magnificently great fun...

After a couple of hours of that, we began to wind our way back to Iain's car to drive off to Bristol for the evening. Before we got there though, I was priviliged enough to have the honour of hanging onto Captain, Iain's horse, while he prepared him for returning to the stables. As it was raining whilst also being sunny, it made for a slightly surreal photo opportunity:

And so we headed off to Bristol, tired and smelly, to carry on the marathon weekend. We didn't get to see much of the city, as time was pressing and it was getting dark. But we had some lovely pizza at Pizza Hut, and we then strode forth to experience the wonders of IMAX technology. Although the technology is very impressive, the film we saw, T-Rex: Back to the Cretaceous, steadfastly and fatally refused to take advantage of it. Combined with atrocious acting and dialogue, the result was one of the worst pieces of shit ever to grace my eyeballs. I'm sorry, but what's the point in a having a f#@*-off massive screen with 3-D effects if you make a dull-as-shite film? Madness. Sheer madness. Stumbling from the theatre, full of giggles and embarrassment, we resolved to head back to Bath for a much needed swift pint or two. This we did, and afterward headed home and fell asleep straight away (well, I did anyway).

Sunday morning was marginally better weatherwise, and after unavoidably sleeping in, it was decided we would drive aimlessly around the countryside until we happened upon a pub serving Sunday lunches. We eventually found one, though the prices were thought to be a little unkind. Worse than that, though, was the fact that my dinner was crap. However, it filled a hole, and gave us more energy to have a final go at the football before the time came to part ways once more.

Sadly we could delay the goodbyes no longer, and we drove Stuart to the train station and saw him on his way. Having returned to Iain's place, Andrew and I packed his car and took our leave also, heading home via the much quicker (but also more boring) motorway, singing Wheatus' Teenage Dirtbag in the style of The Three Tenors. Classic.

And so the Third Reunion ended. It was a very memorable one, and it was great to see and laugh with everyone again. All in all a spiffing weekend, and I look forward to Reunion 4!

To read Andrew's review of the weekend, click here.