h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Well it all came together OK in the end!

I must admit to having been rather nervous about the meet, especially when more and more people started signing up: would they all talk about the new boards all the time? would there be RL spats? would they give me away to the porters by asking for 'Annie of the Archers'? But none of these things happened, and in fact the porters didn't turn a hair when they saw me walking around wearing a badge proclaiming me to be 'Annie MS' - they obviously didn't even notice, though I did get some funny looks from students who know me!

I got to College at about 11, to print off name labels and signs to show the way to the meeting room ('ML in Cambridge' with 'dum di dum di dum di dum' in very small font at the bottom), and had just done that when Max (Drystane Dyke) arrived. She dumped her luggage in my office and we took the tea and coffee etc to the meeting room, then went back to the Porters' Lodge to wait for the next arrivals. YOB von Trapp/Picnic Tzar was one of the first, as he had to go off to a Pirates rehearsal by 1pm. Squirrel came loaded up with paper plates, napkins and cups, and very kindly took over making tea and coffee for everyone as they arrived.

I had booked the Barbara White Room, in case the weather wasn't good enough to picnic outside, and as it was a little chilly, we stayed indoors to eat, but did go on tours of the gardens, which are still looking lovely. Happy Viking (a Newnham graduate) led the first tour and I took the second group.

After lunch, lots of chat, garden tours, photos (thank you Word Lover!) and the traditional signing of the Mustard meet book - the pages now filling up rapidly! - the group dispersed, some to shop in the market, LakelandsorryBella or the many bookshops, others just to wander round the historic centre. I cleared up the room and then nipped home to leave my stuff before heading back to meet some people at the Arts Picturehouse cafe, one of my favourite places in Cambridge for coffee, cakes, crepes or a glass of wine (they have the best value and in town, IMHO).

Today I've been out for a pub lunch as usual, with my friend E, who came to the meet yesterday to have a look at all these strange ML people. Her verdict? "They were all really friendly, and some of them are complete Radio 4 addicts, so I had plenty to talk about with them". She does listen to TA, and we discuss it sometimes, but I think she's unlikely to join us in ML.

Anyway, I think everyone enjoyed it, and as so many people made it to Cambridge, it's obviously a good choice for future meets.

Annie

Once again thanks for organising the day - it was lovely to meet so many people, Cambridge is obviously a good location for many to get to. Newnham is a lovely college too - the gardens were still looking good, which is quite an achievement for this time of year (IME, of course) and are pleasently welcoming without being too formal.

I shopped in Lakeland! I feel I have done something significant in ML terms!

I also shopped in Heffers - far more expensive. Good job time was limited or resisting further temptation would have been hard!

Jane

Seems to have been a real success annie, well done. I can imagine how much work went into the organising, booking space and a all that...