We were just on the way out on Saturday night when there was a knock at the door.
On speck, fellow blogger Meanqueen had decieded to visit and was standing outside the cottage.
In the eleven years or so, I have been blogging I have perhaps only met a handful of bloggers. All have been a delight on a 1:1 but I have always been mindful that that may not always be tbe case.
Some bloggers are no doubt entertaining in print , but are characters I wouldn' t automatically choose to share a pint with.
Such are the vagaries of the wonderweb!
As it turned out Meanqueen ( a former truck driver, combat trouser wearing gung ho type character) seemed a jolly " hockey sticks" sort that I would have quite happily shared an ale with.
She reminded me a little of a modern day Joyce Grenfell without the lolloping gait.
Unfortunately we were late for our night out, so after a brief chat and doggy welcome I had to say my goodbyes and let her on her way!
"Who was that?" The Prof asked as we drove away
" A passing blogger" I replied
He snorted down his nose " Another lunatic!" He said shaking his head
On speck, fellow blogger Meanqueen had decieded to visit and was standing outside the cottage.
In the eleven years or so, I have been blogging I have perhaps only met a handful of bloggers. All have been a delight on a 1:1 but I have always been mindful that that may not always be tbe case.
Some bloggers are no doubt entertaining in print , but are characters I wouldn' t automatically choose to share a pint with.
Such are the vagaries of the wonderweb!
As it turned out Meanqueen ( a former truck driver, combat trouser wearing gung ho type character) seemed a jolly " hockey sticks" sort that I would have quite happily shared an ale with.
She reminded me a little of a modern day Joyce Grenfell without the lolloping gait.
Unfortunately we were late for our night out, so after a brief chat and doggy welcome I had to say my goodbyes and let her on her way!
"Who was that?" The Prof asked as we drove away
" A passing blogger" I replied
He snorted down his nose " Another lunatic!" He said shaking his head
Two old " queens" together
I have met quite a few bloggers and so far they have all turned to be just like they are in print. Most of the time i didn't even know what kind of person I expected to meet but when we did meet, there was no surprise. It's uncanny.
ReplyDeleteI like that Meg is in the photo!
Its mary!
Deleteoh damn, of course it is! forgive me
DeleteDoes it help to know that i call our new dog by the name of the one who died five years ago?
As long as you dont call me keith i dont mind
DeleteSame experience as Kylie. Whenever I've met a blogger friend it's always been like- oh! There you ARE! It's been lovely.
ReplyDeleteWe lunatics have to stick together.
ReplyDeleteIt's never a certain thing but I would say the vast majority of people I've met from either Forum contacts, blogging or Twitter have been more or less exactly what I was expecting!
ReplyDeleteHow funny! I've only had good experiences with the bloggers I've met -- fortunately. We are lunatics, I suppose. The Prof is not wrong.
ReplyDeleteAs ever, The Prof is succinct; and spot on.
ReplyDeleteHe likes to think he is
DeleteI've never met a blogger, must be sly devils.
ReplyDeleteThe Prof is clearly jealous of your worldwide fame and adulation. I bet he doesn't have fans visiting him from far and wide because they have read "Improving skills and care standards in the clinical support workforce: a realist synthesis of workforce development and interventions". Not exactly a catchy name for a blog is it?
ReplyDeleteYou should have told him that Meanqueen is a celebrity. I have seen her on a TV documentary before about being frugal!!!
ReplyDeleteMeanqueen seems like a lovely lady - I've read her blog and thoroughly enjoyed it. The thought did occur to me, however, isn't it rude to just call on someone unannounced?
ReplyDeleteI thought that too
DeleteI didnt mind.....
DeleteSomeone will when they start turning up every week.
DeleteI didn't make any definite plans for my holiday, I had a vague idea of where I might go. John's place was en route so it made sense to me to see if he was in and say hello. I knew he wouldn't mind, his friendly nature is all over his blog. I like giving people surprises. If anyone popped in to see me I would welcome them, I don't need any announcements, and I love surprises.
DeleteI have to admit, John, you are one blogger I would dearly love to meet. Perhaps one day on my travels en route to Conwy... xo
ReplyDeleteWe will buy you a drink in conwys albion pub
DeleteI've met a few bloggers and they've always been as I expected. And I think they felt the same about me! I loved seeing Mary between the two old queens!
ReplyDeleteI couldnt lift winnie!
DeleteI am speechless. Knocking on the door, on the doorstep, OMG
ReplyDeleteI've yet to meet a single blogger (or even a married one - boom boom!). I think that you, J.G., must be the geographically closest one of whom I'm aware, though I bet there must be many closer ones to the south coast. Anyway, I want to meet Winnie, so that just about makes it a cert - for sometime. (I'll even wash my face first to make myself more presentable!)
ReplyDeleteShe's not fussy
DeleteGood good! - 'cos I want her to slobber my face all over with Winnie kisses. (Bet her breath stinks, though!)
DeleteAll the fellow bloggers I have met have been wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI would love to be healthy enough to cross the pond and met so many of the wonderful blogger I follow.
cheers, parsnip
Considering we all know where you live, John, I'm surprised you don't get more impromptu callers. You're definitely on the list if I'm ever your way. I'd love to meet you all - especially the fabulous Winnie !
ReplyDeleteI'll let you know beforehand though !
The Prof doesnt do cold callers
DeleteWho's he calling a lunatic? Chris will be receiving a stiff letter from my solicitor in due course. That is, if I haven't been rushed to the local psychiatric unit first.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice when people feel comfortable enough with you to just drop in. Take me as you find me is a good motto, one to be shared by visitor and the visited, one would hope.
ReplyDeleteI like that motto Susan, take me as you find me. I love down to earth people who have no airs and graces. Nobody needs to make an appointment to come and see me. Just don't moan about the cat hairs :o)
DeleteOmg that's amazing. I love Ilona x
ReplyDeleteOmg that's amazing. I love Ilona x
ReplyDeleteShe does remind me of one of those heros of a wartime British comedy movie
DeleteI would really love to drop in on you John - I don't see you as a virtual friend because you have been such a real friend in times when I needed friends desperately. But I agree the perhaps it is better to travel hopefully than to arrive if you see what I mean.
ReplyDeleteId make a cake if you came pat!
DeleteI'm going to Builth Wells on Thursday. Dangerously close to you...
ReplyDeleteFar enough away to be safe x
DeleteI have met many bloggers in person; most I have liked and have kept as friends, some I threw to the curb (total lunatics). one thing for damn sure, I AIN'T throwing YOU (or chris) to the curb when I meet you in NYC!
ReplyDeleteI have met a couple of bloggers. I was anxious before the meetings both times. Misplaced anxiety.
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ReplyDeleteMy husband called the people I actually got to meet, in real life, "your blog friends" ..
DeleteHe always made me laugh .. because he read the blogs too and would sometimes comment to me on various things .. but everyone was always "My blog friends" ..
Wonderful. Lolloping indeed.
ReplyDeleteMy parents taught me to call before going to someone's home and don't just drop by. It is best to meet strangers in a public place.
ReplyDeleteCertainly call first if it's someone you don't know, but I felt I knew John after reading his blog for several years. He is charming.
DeleteI read both of your blogs every day and it felt rather surreal seeing you together. I thought it was fun but it is always a risk to turn up unannounced. Still fun briefly though.
ReplyDeleteI meet a few of my readers on the prom in Llandudno ... I think it's that Mavis has a level of fame and a distinctive name for a dog and as we are always calling her back over to us people get to hear it and then we hear a voice saying 'is it you, really you and MAVIS'. Usually a nice chat and fuss of the dogs and we all go way with grins on our faces.
ReplyDeleteA few fellow bloggers and readers have stopped off at the front door, both invited and known about, and uninvited and surprising ... but all are equally welcome. After all our house and driveway have been very well documented on the blog so we're very recognisable and right on the main road.
The kettle is always on at ours ... I should start doing cream teas :-)
I think it's lovely that Ilona felt comfortable and safe enough enough to drop by on the off chance of seeing you even if it could only be for a few minutes.
And tell the Prof if he calls bloggers lunatics again I'll withdraw my entries from the Flower Show ;-)
My house is like Piccadilly Circus so I have no problem with people arriving unannounced, so long as they don't mind the chaos, dust and cat/dog hairs. The kettle is always on. That said I have never met a fellow blogger- maybe one day.
ReplyDelete