Friday 22 July 2016

Meeting Darnell - Southampton July 2016

I bet loads of you will already have seen Darnell's post HERE about her 'England Grand Tour - Leg 1'. Here's a little bit more to fill in some gaps.

First of all, Darnell is absolutely everything she is on her blog - funny, dry, bubbly, caring, thoughtful and at times just plain crazy! We local visitors arrived on Monday at the Grand Harbour Hotel, Southampton - by which time our little USA visitor was settled in and ready to play. We had a lovely afternoon and evening just chilling out in the heatwave (bit of a contradiction there!) on the hotel decking area - and no-one got thrown out for misbehaving. Knew it was a good idea to leave Parsnip at home!

Tuesday dawned hot and sunny once again so we went out for a stroll after breakfast before the heat became too much. The intention was to show Darnell the Mayflower Monument, which commemorates the sailing of the Pilgrim Fathers on the Mayflower to the New World in 1620.

On the way we passed three of these fellas:
A bit like Bristol did with the sheep, Southampton has loads of differently painted zebras dotted about the town. The building on the right in the background is the hotel where we were based BTW.

I did smile as I remember Julia of WOYWW posting on FB a photo of a truck load of these, white all over and still unpainted, zebras zooming along the motorway - months ago. Obviously getting ready to be prettied up - although at the time no-one had a clue what was going on!

Anyhow, could we heck as like find the monument in Mayflower Park, despite asking the guy in the ice cream kiosk - who just looked blankly at us. We sort of moseyed around with no sighting at all so gave up, and crossed back over the road to walk back to the hotel in the shade. BINGO!! There it was, standing quite shyly back from the road with little in the way of anything to really point you to it!
 Needless to say, that's Darnell clowning around :)
This is a closer look at the top of the monument, with a replica of the Mayflower - very much like a weathervane.

I think we three were almost melting by the time we got back to the hotel, which was really no distance at all!

Then it was time for the 'main event' - lunch for 10 of us. I truly don't think there was ever a lull in the conversations going on - and it was fabulous to meet so many blogging friends actually 'in the flesh'! Most of whom are Snippets Playmates too. I'd already met the lovely Debs a couple of times with Sarn in the very same hotel!

Back Row: Debs WillisChristine SmithAnne RayKim Dear, me, ValeryAnne
Front Row: Sue Steed, Darnell, Jane WillisChrissie Stokes

We had a brilliant time and it was such fun learning more about one another and sharing stories - but all too soon we were at late afternoon and it was time for folk to make their homeward journeys. A few eyes filled up - certainly mine did, more than once!

Whilst waiting for Chrissie to pick Darnell up the following morning to take her over to Salisbury - I managed to snatch this photo of Darnell (she's the one wearing the 30lb back pack!). I just love the character of Darnell - feisty and such fun.
It truly was a wonderful few days but all good things come to an end.

Those of you who have yet to meet Darnell are in for a treat. Those of you who already met her will no doubt know exactly what I mean when I described her earlier. And those of you who for one reason or another haven't been or won't be able to meet her - I hope that sharing this has made you feel a little bit as if you joined in with us in Southampton.

Di
x

41 comments:

  1. Oh Di, it sounds like such a delightful gathering of friends and stamping companions! I'm so glad you've had the opportunity to meet Darnell and enjoy her bubbly personality in person. Perhaps one day she'll come to the east coast here in the states and I'll get to enjoy that same pleasure! Thanks for keeping us updated with great pics!! BTW, it's sweltering hot here too - and a real bad heatwave *triple digits* is about to be putting us all in the soup for the next week or two. Whew! I'm already thinking of how nice it will be to snow! LOL

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ohhh...what fun you all must have had. It was so great to see faces with names...I really enjoyed that!

    ReplyDelete
  3. How I wish I could have been there! You must have had a blast!!! Thanks for sharing those wonderful pictures! Great to see my blogging friends in an updated photo!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Looks like you all had a wonderful time, you certainly picked a hot day for it!

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a fantastic time you have had. There is nothing like 'meet ups' with crafty friends

    ReplyDelete
  6. We had such a fun day! It was lovely to meet you and everyone else. Seeing Darnell with that pack has made me laugh all over again about the knickers story!
    Jane

    ReplyDelete
  7. It sounds like you had a great time Di - I'm looking forward to meeting Darnell today.
    Kath x

    ReplyDelete
  8. So pleased you had a fab time Di, thank you for sharing your photos.
    Janice x

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wasn't it hot on Tuesday! Looks like you had a great time catching up with bloggy friends :-) x

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh, how wonderful :-) I wish I could have been there too and had some fun with you all.
    LUV that zebra xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  11. Looks like plenty of fun was had by all. What brilliant weather Darnell's bought with her (although Tuesday was sweltering!). At least it hasn't rained for her whole trip!

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

    ReplyDelete
  12. I think this was a wonderfull meeting !!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. 30lb backpack AND a coat? You can tell she's from sunnier climes!!!

    My turn today and I'm looking forward to it! Great pix - looks like Darnell will be going home with lots of memories!

    Kathyk

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Have fun Kathy! I just know that you will, plus you also have the retreat to look forward to as well.

      Di xx

      Delete
  14. It sounds like you all had a blast with the lovely Darnell . . . I know we certainly did - yesterday evening - unfortunately, our time with her was far too short (only 5 hours) and in that time we were all in stitches. It was certainly a joy! Have a lovely day! Hazel xx
    My Card Attic

    ReplyDelete
  15. Oh what lovely adventures! Fun, fun, fun!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Sounds like fun! It's my turn on Tuesday and I can't wait! :)
    Hugs,
    Em xxx

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oooh you girls had such a lot of fun!!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Sounds like you had areal fun day...looking forward to meeting with Darnell and others next week in Manchester!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Glad you had a fabulous time, Cathy x

    ReplyDelete
  20. You had a great time! It was big fun reading your story and getting to know you a bit better (on a picture), just like the other well known names.
    Thanks for sharing!!
    Lia xx

    ReplyDelete
  21. Darnell spreads sunshine wherever she goes and brings people together into that sunshine! How wonderful that so many of you could get together!

    ReplyDelete
  22. It was a super day and lovely to meet you as well!

    ReplyDelete
  23. How lovely to meet Darnell and it looks like a lovely setting too. Well done on persevering and finding the monument!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Seeing all of you together makes me smile at the fun time you had together. It's nice to be able to put faces with the names and thanks for sharing more pictures. I can imagine you and Mrs. A together and the shenanigans you get into. Everyone needs to let loose and have fun and not be so serious all the time and it sounds like that's what you do. Good for you. I know Darnell added to that fun and fit right in!

    ReplyDelete
  25. A really fun and lovely meeting, you all toghether are a strenght of the Nature :D You are wonderful!
    And Darnell is very brave to make a journey like this!
    Thanks for the beautiful photos, I like seeing them!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. So wonderful for you to share you adventure with us. And that's what it is ... an adventure to meet Darnell ... and the all those lovely crafting ladies you know through SP. What a wonderful time you all add ... and the weather was so nice to cooperate as well. xx

    ReplyDelete
  27. So fun! What a great group to get together! I bet you all had a blast! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Glad you had a great time meeting the lovely Darnell and other blogging buddies. We had her company yesterday and today and we all had a ball.... more to follow. Fabulous photos of you all. x

    ReplyDelete
  29. It was such fun! A really memorable day - My eyes definitely filled up and overflowed at the end of the day! xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mine too Chris! On Tuesday it was Sue's wonderful news (she's published it now on her blog so it's OK to talk openly) - and of course Wednesday was the realisation that our little whirlwind was on the next leg of her Tour, then driving my buddy Mrs A home was also sad as we don't get to play all that frequently. That is gonna be rectified though!

      Hugs

      Di xx

      Delete
  30. Aw, dang, now you've all got me crying, too! Stop it! This was a terrific recap and photos! What joy it was to meet you Di! I'm so grateful to you and Mrs. A. for coming down early and spending special time with me so we could get to know each other better!! Miss you already!! Love and Mwah!! Darnell

    ReplyDelete
  31. Sounds like SO much fun!!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. I've been following along on Darnell's adventure through her blog, and through those of you who have had the good fortune to join in the festivities! I'm one who has met Darnell on two occasions, as we found out she lives a mere half mile from my daughter's house! She barely knew who I was, except through a few comments on her blog but she immediately set up a date to meet...and so we did! As I'm not as brave as Darnell, I'll be satisfied with living vicariously through the photos and funny anecdotes she Darnell dances her way across the UK. Thanks for taking us along Di, and especially for the photo of those playful zebras on your way to the monument!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Wow sounds like you had a fabulous time together, and thanks for sharing this post, so we could all join in the fun. Has Parsnip forgiven you yet for leaving him behind? Good job you did though, as sounds like you had your hands full keeping Mrs A in check! Xxx

    ReplyDelete
  34. Sounds like you all had a really fabulous fun time and I think Darnell was so good to bring the sunshine over for us. Can't imagine what the knicker story is all about though.
    Unfortunately I won't be able to meet up with Darnell as my back is still playing up. The GP phoned me Thursday when he got the scan results and is referring me to the spine surgeon so just waiting for an appointment now xx

    ReplyDelete
  35. Glad you all had a fabulous time. With all the sadness in the world it's great that people are still coming together and sharing. Cara x

    ReplyDelete
  36. It was such fun meeting up with everyone and having a good natter. We all got on so well and the time just sped by. Excuse me Miss but it wasn't me wot tore the bath towel this time!!!!! And another thing.At lesst it was the ladies I wos in!! Thanks for everything. Hugs Mrs A.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Wasn't it a fab day? I was so sad to leave but we all had such a laugh & im enjoying following Darnell on her travels.
    We've taken visitors to the mayflower monument too & it's a pain to get to, on a very busy road. Glad you found it!
    Big hugs
    Debs xx

    ReplyDelete
  38. I loved reading your post and seeing the great photos Di. It sounds as if your had an absolutely wonderful time. Just so sorry I was away and unable to get to meet Darnell in Birmingham. It's great to be able to put faces to the names and everyone looked so happy. Glad to hear you had lots of sun to enjoy. They do say the sun shines on the righteous don't they. Thanks for sharing. Barbxx

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much if you take the time to comment!

This is a public blog. Those leaving a comment on any post on this blog or entering a piece of artwork into a linky do so in the knowledge that their name and blog link are visible to all who visit this blog and in so doing have published their own personal details and consented to my use of that personal information should they be selected as a winner or to accredit work.