After a seven hour car journey and a near-death experience in the Cambrian mountains where an oncoming driver is trying to create a dual carriageway in the narrow pass, we arrive at our hotel in Bury St Edmunds.
‘You’re in the chalet with the four poster,’ the receptionist tells us cheerfully. I’m less thrilled, ‘chalet’ being something I associate with Butlins not the lovely old building on the hotel’s website. Making our way across the courtyard I hear what sounds like an orchestra warming up from the other chalets; that’s because an orchestra is warming up in the other chalets. Once inside though the chalet is quiet, clean and cosy - if a little reminiscent of eighties suburbia. Still we’re not here to admire the decor, it’s a quick wash and brush up before heading into town for the Choc Lit authors (well, four of us) ‘Girls’ Night In’ at Waterstone’s Bury St Edmunds.
Stand by your Books! Sue, Christina, me and Margaret
It’s not true that all my nerves evaporate when Jen, the manager, greets me, but I’m certainly reassured that I’m in safe hands. Jen and her staff have done us proud, drumming up an audience of fifty, chairs from the coffee shop opposite to sit them in and plenty of wine and chocolate to keep everyone happy. My happiness levels receive another boost when I see the beautiful, smiling face of fellow blogger SuffolkMum coming towards me. We’ve never met before but recognise each other straightaway. Chatting to her is just like meeting up with an old friend. Lovely Lucie Wheeler and her friend Kate, Choc Lit reading panellists are there too and all the friendly faces really set the tone for a good evening.
Christina Courtenay, Margaret James, Sue Moorcroft and I all say a bit about ourselves and our books whilst Tom, the only man in the room, dashes round acting as official photographer. We then take questions from a really interested and interesting audience, leaving just enough time to mingle and sign some books. I hear some inspiring stories from some of the people who’ve been kind enough turn up to hear us and it strikes me, once again, how enjoyable it is to meet new readers. A wonderful evening and huge, huge thanks to Jen and all the staff at Waterstone’s for making us feel so welcome.
Christina and me - looking more relaxed now!
The next morning it’s up and away because Tom and I are heading to Norfolk to meet some friends. We leave our chalet, trying not to trip any members of the orchestra labouring under the weight of their instruments and bags, and look forwards to enjoying a hearty cooked breakfast in the old part of the hotel. ‘Sorry,’ says the waitress. ‘The kitchen’s closed today – didn’t anyone tell you?’ Ah well, I suppose it would be too much to expect everything to go according to plan.
‘You’re in the chalet with the four poster,’ the receptionist tells us cheerfully. I’m less thrilled, ‘chalet’ being something I associate with Butlins not the lovely old building on the hotel’s website. Making our way across the courtyard I hear what sounds like an orchestra warming up from the other chalets; that’s because an orchestra is warming up in the other chalets. Once inside though the chalet is quiet, clean and cosy - if a little reminiscent of eighties suburbia. Still we’re not here to admire the decor, it’s a quick wash and brush up before heading into town for the Choc Lit authors (well, four of us) ‘Girls’ Night In’ at Waterstone’s Bury St Edmunds.
Stand by your Books! Sue, Christina, me and MargaretIt’s not true that all my nerves evaporate when Jen, the manager, greets me, but I’m certainly reassured that I’m in safe hands. Jen and her staff have done us proud, drumming up an audience of fifty, chairs from the coffee shop opposite to sit them in and plenty of wine and chocolate to keep everyone happy. My happiness levels receive another boost when I see the beautiful, smiling face of fellow blogger SuffolkMum coming towards me. We’ve never met before but recognise each other straightaway. Chatting to her is just like meeting up with an old friend. Lovely Lucie Wheeler and her friend Kate, Choc Lit reading panellists are there too and all the friendly faces really set the tone for a good evening.
Christina Courtenay, Margaret James, Sue Moorcroft and I all say a bit about ourselves and our books whilst Tom, the only man in the room, dashes round acting as official photographer. We then take questions from a really interested and interesting audience, leaving just enough time to mingle and sign some books. I hear some inspiring stories from some of the people who’ve been kind enough turn up to hear us and it strikes me, once again, how enjoyable it is to meet new readers. A wonderful evening and huge, huge thanks to Jen and all the staff at Waterstone’s for making us feel so welcome.
Christina and me - looking more relaxed now!The next morning it’s up and away because Tom and I are heading to Norfolk to meet some friends. We leave our chalet, trying not to trip any members of the orchestra labouring under the weight of their instruments and bags, and look forwards to enjoying a hearty cooked breakfast in the old part of the hotel. ‘Sorry,’ says the waitress. ‘The kitchen’s closed today – didn’t anyone tell you?’ Ah well, I suppose it would be too much to expect everything to go according to plan.
Comments
So glad the evening went well.
Glad your evening went so well and everyone enjoyed themselves so much. I should think you were relieved to have made it after that near death experience on the mountain road.
I'm so glad you had a good time and that Bury gave you the welcome you rightly deserve. Hopefully next time ...
Now I wonder where you stayed? There are lots of very good B&Bs and hotels in the area - hopefully it was one of the good ones;-)
Jeanne
xx
Oh, and thanks for the link :-)
xx
Next time - if you can ever face the journey again:-)
Glad you had a great evening and I hope you found a good breakfast somewhere else.
Talk about Murphy Law and all ahahahahah.
So nice to read about the great time there.
Thank you for sharing.
Teresa
You look so....well.....author-ish!
Jane, I'll look forwards to that one too. Just felt sorry for the catering staff - there was a breakfast, just nothing cooked.
Elizabethd, no just nothing hot. Sadly.
Debs - you should have seen Tom's face! He was very disappointed indeed. And yes, we were!
Fp - I bet you know that feeling too - in our parallel worlds!
Jeanne - please don't worry on either account. We'll meet up when the time's right and Bury made us very welcome. And we were very comfortable at the hotel if not exactly well-fed!
Lucie, hello! Gosh it was so nice to meet you and Kate. Good luck with the book - fingers crossed.
Fran, exactly. I've discovered I really enjoy talking to readers too - the nerves just disappear then.
Mags, I'll definitely work on it. And no, I wouldn't have believed it either, but it proves once more that it's best not to travel at the same time or stay at the same place as me!
Posie, I'd love to go to Scotland again. In fact it's quicker to get there from here than going east!
Lesley, Jen and the staff at Waterstone's were amazing - they worked really hard to organise the event, stayed late and got in early the next day to put everything back. They were real stars. Cotswolds Books sound very geared up too. Glad your event went well.
Lane, Bummer - it would have been brilliant to meet you... you could maybe have smuggled Peggy and Teas in too! Next time then!
Jenny, it did feel a bit rubbish - I can eat cereal at home, but never mind, it didn't spoil the visit. And thanks!
Teresa, you will soon see that I am a regular Calamity Chris when I leave home... lost luggage, lost breakfasts. Although I have to say I did make it to New York and back without a disaster!
Pondside... have a look at the previous post and you will see that I'm still very much me!!
Helen, we did - and congratulations on your magnificent run of sales this week.
Trust you had fun in lovely Norfolk!
Teresa, aw, that's most kind of you! Thank you!
xx