...but where’s the bed?
We booked our places. We even chose the sessions we wanted
to attend [I’m going for Picture Book writing] and we thought we were
sorted. Wrong!
Two days later a kind writing friend pointed out that the
conference doesn’t include accommodation... but... I assumed... *sigh* I
volunteered to book us into a nearby Bed and Breakfast.
There are a lot of B & Bs in Winchester and they all said
the same thing.
“We can do any other weekend but
that weekend’s fully booked.”
‘Any other weekend’ was not an option.
Mr A. gallantly offered us free use of his tent. He was once
a boy scout [many years ago] and he still has an old tent in the loft. He
really believes that one day I’ll go on a camping holiday with him and his
tent...
...Dream on, Mr A!
Having disregarded the tent and exhausted my list of
B & Bs I contacted the Winchester Tourist Information. Had I tried local pubs?
I’m just a bit girly and local pubs can be just a bit scary but they suggested a ‘nice’ one. I
rang the pub and snapped up their last two rooms.
So if any of you are planning to go to the SCBWI Conference
and you haven’t yet booked your accommodation we have a perfectly adequate tent
in our loft that you are very welcome to borrow.
I’m now having a recurring nightmare. Three of us in a car with pyjamas, toothbrushes and nowhere to sleep! Aaagh!!!
...oh yes, and I promise to blog about the conference when I get back.
Hi Ros .. I hate looking for accommodating - so am very pleased you've found some .. just enjoy the Conference .. I would think Winchester will be interesting to look around.
ReplyDeleteThose old 'boys' tents .. I slept in the garden in ours .. like a log!! Loved the dewy early mornings, wood pigeons cooing away .. Good old A-frame tents ..
Cheers - something to look forward to!! Hilary
Okay, camping would be bad enough but camping in England in November? Thank goodness you managed to find rooms!
ReplyDeleteHi Hilary, yes I'm looking forward to exploring Winchester (if there's time in-between talks). I've never been to Winchester before.
ReplyDeleteHi Amish, I'm afraid I live in the UK and so won't be visiting but thanks for the invite.
Hi Sarah, I'm pretty relieved to get booked up. Camping was NEVER an option!
'Three Go Camping'... it has a ring to it. Better than 'Three do B&B'. Glad you got sorted. Had visions of you turning up for your session bedraggled, in rain-soaked pyjamas.
ReplyDeleteWow. This reminds me of a few times traveling across country with my daughter (in days that are to be no more) when I couldn't find a motel for the night--some convention or something in the place where we wanted to stop. So I can relate to what must have been growing frustration with the whole thing. And I think it sounds charming to stay in a "pub." Let's hope the nightmare doesn't come true! :-)
ReplyDeleteAnn Best, Author of In the Mirror, A Memoir of Shattered Secrets
great post ;)
ReplyDelete+follow
Yikes! Rooms get snapped up so quickly. So glad you found a place to stay!
ReplyDeleteGlad you found a place. I would have passed on the tent also. Haha.
ReplyDeletewww.rebeccabany.com
Hi
ReplyDeleteEnjoy winchester - a couple of years ago I stayed on after the Winchester Writers' conference. Thoroughly enjoyed strolling around - nice town, not too big, not too small, with a nice feel. I recently read Patrick Gale 'The Whole Day Through' which takes place there - I do like books where I recognise the street corners!
AliB
(Sorry about the anon. Blogger and wordpress don't seem to be talking this week!)
http:debutnovelist.wordpress.com
You will have great fun - loved the one I went to - and you will come back with loads more books too I imagine....I would also disregard a tent..!!
ReplyDeleteImagine a casual conversation after one of the sessions:
ReplyDelete'Where are you staying?'
'Actually, in that scout tent on the lawn.'
Could be fun. :-)
I'm so glad that you opted not to go camping in November! It should be a very interesting conference and I can't wait to read all about it in November! Julie
ReplyDelete