Some of my wonderful #WhatImWriting friends.
You know the sort of weekend that’s so good that regardless what Monday throws at you, you keep smiling all day long? I’ve just had one of those. And I don’t mean just smiling a little bit either, I mean like, huge cheshire cat grins often accompanied by little chuckles at random moments and even the odd guffaw (when passers-by least expect it). Oh yes, I’m talking a properly stonking good weekend.
It began with a plan of military precision involving leaving my eldest son with my husband up in Northumberland on Friday and my younger two with my parents in Yorkshire on Saturday and then leaping on a train all by myself (that is BY MYSELF, alone, no kids, on a train, on my own and did I say I was by myself?) and going down to London. I got there at 12.56 (a not entirely pointless detail) and immediately went to meet up with some of my wonderful #WhatImWriting gang.
And what a meet up it was! There were eight of us. We met for lunch. Lunch went on for eight hours. It was awesome: I can honestly say these women are soul food to me – proper, hearty, ‘eat as much as you like and you wont ever get sick because it’s too tasty’ soul-food. They are all intelligent and creative and strong and brave and brilliant and beautiful and being in their company made my spirits soar.
It also made me *rather* drunk. Oh yes. The sort of drunk where you text your husband from the loo to tell him how much you love him and how much you love everyone and then you realise later that what you sent looks more like ‘I higglibley fulsip ve’ than the message you were really aiming for but never mind because he knew what you meant. The best kind of drunk, then.
Anyway, we well and truly put the world to rights and then just to top it off, straight afterwards I went out for a meal with one of my friends from my university days who I don’t get to see nearly often enough. And he came and met me where we were having our epic lunch (The Parcel Yard at Kings Cross – this isn’t remotely a sponsored post but we had such a good time there, they deserve a mention) which somehow made it even more lovely because it was like a bit of my history (18 years of friendship and counting) intersecting with a much more recent part of my life. Not quite sure why that felt so lovely but it did.
And, AND just to top it off even more than it was already topped off, the next day I had brunch/lunch with one of my very oldest, bestest friends (39 years of friendship and counting – we met before I was born… ) by the end of which my spirits were in the stratosphere and my heart was bursting all over the place with love.
I then caught the 12.56 train (see – I like a bit of symmetry) back to Yorkshire, picked up my younger two boys (who’d had a brilliant time with my parents) and drove back home to Northumberland in time to babble joyfully and semi-coherently at my husband, find out that his time with our eldest boy was ‘pure joy’ (I shed a little tear at that description) and then collapse into bed to dream of… well, we decided that what happens in The Parcel Yard stays in The Parcel Yard so I couldn’t possibly divulge any more…
xxx
If only the date had been two weeks later, I’d have been able to join too. Glad you all had a great time. Even though I can’t meet in person, I love being part of this supportive community. #whatimwriting
Kamsin recently posted…Can Powerful Stories Help us Build a Better World?
Hopefully we can meet in person at some point, if the stars/schedules align! Love having you part of this community too, Kamsin. xxx
Maddy recently posted…What I’m Writing – Week ninety-nine
Oh I feel ‘filled up’ just reading this! Doesn’t it do you good to do something just for you; surrounded by people who nourish you, doing stuff that brings you joy – good for the soul! And makes you a better wife/mother/all round person as a result…hmmm, think I need a wowzer of a weekend (or even a day!) – you’ve left me inspired x
Exactly that, yes! Go forth and find yourself that day! Thanks for commenting, Amy xx
Maddy recently posted…What I’m Writing – Week ninety-nine
I’m so glad to have been a part of your wonderful weekend. It really was the BEST LUNCH EVER!!!! Friendship is a tonic for our tired, weary souls, and I feel very lucky to call you a friend my dear xxx
Mummy Tries recently posted…Our Kindness Challenge Advent Calendar to Countdown to Christmas
I’m SO glad you were part of my weekend, Reneé! In fact, most of my laugh-out-loud memories involve you. And the most heart-warming ones too. xxx
Maddy recently posted…What I’m Writing – Week ninety-nine
It sounds like fun and a great get-away from every day as a mom and wife:). I haven’t done it in a long, long time, so I’m a bit jelous:). If my life happens to bring me in London by any chance, I would love to mett you and chat in person:)). x
It was so good – just what every mum deserves! Let me know if you’re ever over here! xx
Maddy recently posted…What I’m Writing – Week ninety-nine
Wow, you really do pack it all in when you come to London don’t you? Didn’t you have a hangover? lucky thing! I was so tired at the end of Saturday – so much hanging around that I was bored of being bored. I did do quite a bit of writing though (at least that’s something).
Nicola Young recently posted…Reflecting on my fortieth year
I really did have a hangover yes (thought I’d gloss over that bit)! Worth it though! Sorry you couldn’t come and had to spend the day hanging around. Glad you got some writing done though – that is something! Hopefully see you in York in the spring. xxx
Maddy recently posted…What I’m Writing – Week ninety-nine
I just love this happy description of your fantastic day! An 8 hour lunch with writing ladies sounds dreamy. Love that your boys did well too. One of these days I’ll have to cross the pond and meet you all in person. My best friend from college is living in London and is very pregnant, so the chances are decent that I’ll end up over there one of these days, or more likely, years
Dana recently posted…Going to Work
Yes, come over here, come over here! I would LOVE to meet you, Dana. A friend with a baby and a very long lunch is calling to you from across the pond. xxx
Maddy recently posted…What I’m Writing – Week ninety-nine
Wow, that sounds a weekend to remember. Fantastic post.
suz recently posted…Christmas books for children to win for Free with Goodreads
It really was! Thanks Suz.x
Maddy recently posted…What I’m Writing – Week ninety-nine
It was wonderfully inspiring and fab! X
Wasn’t it just? Looking forward to the next one already! (and let us know how that meeting goes!) xx
Maddy recently posted…What I’m Writing – Week ninety-nine
Sounds great. Hopefully I’ll make it along next time.
Cara recently posted…The lonely cloud: a poetry post
Planning to do a York one in the spring so slightly less far for you to go, Cara. Hope to see you! xx
Maddy recently posted…What I’m Writing – Week ninety-nine
It sounds like the most perfect day/weekend, and I’m only a little (okay, a lot) jealous! At some point I will make it one of these
So glad you all had such a wonderful time x
Sara | mumturnedmom recently posted…Me and Mine: October and November 2016
Wish you didn’t live so far away, Sara, but we will meet one day – I’ll make sure of it
xxx
Maddy recently posted…What I’m Writing – Week ninety-nine
Wow this looks amazing and what a great weekend. Sounds like you made the most of it. I promise I will make one of these soon. xx
Susan Mann recently posted…Kids Button Christmas Card Crafts
How does this feel so long ago already!?! I had a wonderful time too Maddy, and I am so grateful to you for organising our fabulous lunch. I was, truly, soul food. xxx
Alice @ The Filling Glass recently posted…Making sense of sensitivity
So much fun
And so awesome that your boys & hubby had such a brilliant weekend too. I can’t wait for our next meet-up! xx
Sophie Lovett recently posted…49/52