Midsummer Weekend
On 21st-23rd June 2002
The Midsummer weekend started with 21 of us being 'luvvies' and going to Nottingham Playhouse to see the hilarious Reduced Shakespeare Company perform "The Bible: The Complete Word Of God (Abridged)". So now we all know about Noah's Ark, the Last Supper and the Tower of Babel - or at least their interpretation of! The show passed quickly and we were soon chatting in the bar where Gillian Pickett joined us off her delayed flight from Dublin. The locals went home and the 'out of towners' were staying with me so we carried on talking into the small hours with the occasional snore from Dave Muller in the corner! (For those who don't know Dave, he is infamous for falling asleep in any situation.)
Next morning most of us headed to the American Adventure theme park in Derbyshire whilst others went sightseeing and shopping in Nottingham. We got discounted entry and went round the park twice as there were hardly any queues - so a good value day out. Not everyone was brave enough to ride the Missile rollercoaster though we all managed the Buffalo Stampede. In between being twisted and turned upside down on the coasters, getting went on the rapids ride and spun round on the octopus we saw the Wild West shoot out show and the dancers in Lazy Lil's saloon. We ate lunch in the saloon and the portions of wedges, ribs and fries were much larger than expected so we were quite stuffed afterwards - especially Maria Thompson who had ordered two meals, thinking they would be quite small, as she was hungry!
Back at my house we ordered pre-party pizzas for anyone not going home in between the theme park and evening party. I must have been Papa John's best customer that night with the bill totalling over £50! So the party started earlier than expected. The theme was a 'Midsummer Garden Party'. Earlier in the week I had had my doubts as to calling it that as the weather was dull and I didn't have a garden. But with 48 hours to go it brightened up and my new paths and lawn were laid. Just in time! Most party-goers took a dip in my new water feature - a hot tub.
Party attire ranged from bikinis to party dresses. At one point I found myself, fresh out of the bubbling water, greeting visitors wrapped in a towel. One thought they had arrived too early and I was still getting ready myself! Along with the usual BYOB on my party ad I'd jokingly told everyone to BAP (bring a plant!) too. So I had lots of wonderful plants and cuttings donated for which I'm truly grateful as now I hardly need to buy any more flora for my garden. There were plants I'd never heard of so am awaiting with interest to see how they grow. As usual we danced to the Time Warp and Macarena with top marks going to Charles Vermes and Juliette Cowan for their energy and enthusiasm. At midnight some of us had another sit in the tub and did a spot of stargazing. Wonderful!
On Sunday the stalwarts drove in convoy into Nottingham, navigating the roadworks and tram works, for lunch at Nandos Portuguese chicken restaurant. We did warn the first timers that the peri-peri sauce was hot, but did they believe us? Good thing there are bottomless soft drinks! Half the group had to go home after the meal. Six of us continued being tourists and visited the Caves of Nottingham for an interesting audio-tour of the caves under Broad Marsh shopping centre. Then it really was time to go home and clear up the party mess.
Thanks to the 40+ friends who came to one or more event during Midsummer weekend.
Maxine Bates