Wow, I've been good at updating the past couple of weeks - I'll rectify that after I've posted about the BBQ.
For the past few years, my mate Jim has hosted a BBQ. Last year it was decided it was too big for Jim's garden so we moved it to a full weekend at Stokes Barn in Shropshire. Beautiful time was had in the middle of nowhere. We decided to return this year and despite a few niggles (we didn't have the site to ourselves as we thought we would so had to be more conscious of noise than we wanted) another good time was had.
My photos are available in the BBQ gallery.
The theme this year was originally "animated film". After (only half jokingly) stretching the definition of both "animated" and "film" as far as possible, Jim narrowed it slightly to "Disney/Pixar". Now, If I'm going to a fancy dress thing, I tend to chose my costume based on how much distress it'll cause to Barney. So this year I chose a costume where I could wear tights and a very short dress/tunic:
I wasn't the only Peter Pan (No, I am NOT Robin Hood):
Favourite costume was probably Bender:
Although Emma's dalmation came a close second:
The other niggle was not the fault of the site - the weather. It rained during the Saturday which is, of course, the prime BBQing day. It did clear up a bit so we could play nearly-midnight frisbee (with those damn tents in the way).
The star of the show though was probably the SingStar - Kareoke game on the PS2. I always say that I sing with minimum talent and maximum enthusiasm - the worst combination all round really. This was borne out by my getting three of the worst four scores including the lowest at 660:
And it was great to catch up with Anny again. We'll have to make sure that it's less than three years between meeting now she's back in Warrington with us!
So, we're looking for a new venue for next year, but I'm sure it'll be happening.
EDIT: And of course, my sleep pattern is now fucked. Staying up until dawn on Saturday morning (5am ish, but sunrise was beautiful) and then getting up at 10:30amish until 03:30ish and another 10:30 rise is just bad. OK kiddies... baaad... I have work in the morning.
Alex
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