I honestly don't remember how much I paid for it, but it was (at the time anyway) twice the price because of the exchange rate. That hurt a bit, but that wasn't going to stop me!
The best thing was seeing RDA at our table and hearing him speak (that voice is amazing!). There was just one person between us, so I had an excellent view. I will say that because of the acoustics of the room, those that were seated further away at these large, round tables really couldn't hear very well and that was unfortunate (and unfair as we all paid the same).
The worst part was that we only had 10 minutes with him and AT at the table. So again, I lucked out because I was very close and could ask him questions and get responses directly. Had I been seated across from him, I wouldn't have had that opportunity. Seating/reservations were based on how soon you registered online once the Avalon website came up, so I thank my quick fingers for my luck!
The group Q&A that preceeded the "round table" forum was sort of a waste only because the questions were pre-screened and the answers were clearly canned. I didn't hear a Q or A from AT or RDA that I hadn't heard from one of them before in print or in an interview. So, I wish that time had been spent at the individual tables instead.
As for transportation, it was luck again because Jackie (one of the women I was with; Jo was the other) and her husband met Jo, my hubby and I at the train station and drove us into Wells and then out again when it was over. However, hubby came with me into town (and left the next day before Avalon actually started) and left via the Wells bus to the train and didn't have any trouble, so it's definitely doable with public transportation. All of the routes are online and you can plan it out ahead of time. That part wasn't an issue, I don't think, except there had been flooding in one part of London the day before and some people were running late because the train was delayed.
The non-official con time was awesome. This was my first (and likely only) con, so I got to meet tons of people that I had only talked to online before. Plus the town of Wells is just adorable, and the weather was mostly great. So, the whole experience for me was very enjoyable. I won't rant about how people there can smoke everywhere which ended up giving me a sore throat because I understand that changes on July 1. That was the only bad part about being there for me.
I am SO glad that I have the picture of AT/RDA and me- that is so special. :-) I gave away all of the other "favors" from the event including a signed RDA/AT pic in Wells to others who couldn't make it. I got what I wanted out of the experience and wanted to share.
I think the only reason I wouldn't go again is because I'm not sure I would hear/see anything more than the first time unless the venue changed. And if it didn't change, and my seat was a bad one, it would be a total waste! Plus, I know there was a huge waiting list for people who tried to register after the event was full, and I think those people should get first crack at a second event.
On a note about RDA, it was his first time doing something like this and I understand that he loosened up as the weekend went on. We saw him toward the end of the weekend, so we got the relaxed version! AT had been at it for a couple of weekends what with AT2 happening just before Avalon, and she looked tired by the end of Saturday, understandably so.
In the final analysis, it truly was a perfect end to it all! I could talk on and on about it, though, so let me know if you have more questions!
I noticed that as well. It wouldn't surprise me if there wasn't another Avalon, but that's a shame for the fans and the charities, too, as I believe a lot of money was raised for different causes.
The best thing was seeing RDA at our table and hearing him speak (that voice is amazing!). There was just one person between us, so I had an excellent view. I will say that because of the acoustics of the room, those that were seated further away at these large, round tables really couldn't hear very well and that was unfortunate (and unfair as we all paid the same).
The worst part was that we only had 10 minutes with him and AT at the table. So again, I lucked out because I was very close and could ask him questions and get responses directly. Had I been seated across from him, I wouldn't have had that opportunity. Seating/reservations were based on how soon you registered online once the Avalon website came up, so I thank my quick fingers for my luck!
The group Q&A that preceeded the "round table" forum was sort of a waste only because the questions were pre-screened and the answers were clearly canned. I didn't hear a Q or A from AT or RDA that I hadn't heard from one of them before in print or in an interview. So, I wish that time had been spent at the individual tables instead.
As for transportation, it was luck again because Jackie (one of the women I was with; Jo was the other) and her husband met Jo, my hubby and I at the train station and drove us into Wells and then out again when it was over. However, hubby came with me into town (and left the next day before Avalon actually started) and left via the Wells bus to the train and didn't have any trouble, so it's definitely doable with public transportation. All of the routes are online and you can plan it out ahead of time. That part wasn't an issue, I don't think, except there had been flooding in one part of London the day before and some people were running late because the train was delayed.
The non-official con time was awesome. This was my first (and likely only) con, so I got to meet tons of people that I had only talked to online before. Plus the town of Wells is just adorable, and the weather was mostly great. So, the whole experience for me was very enjoyable. I won't rant about how people there can smoke everywhere which ended up giving me a sore throat because I understand that changes on July 1. That was the only bad part about being there for me.
I am SO glad that I have the picture of AT/RDA and me- that is so special. :-) I gave away all of the other "favors" from the event including a signed RDA/AT pic in Wells to others who couldn't make it. I got what I wanted out of the experience and wanted to share.
I think the only reason I wouldn't go again is because I'm not sure I would hear/see anything more than the first time unless the venue changed. And if it didn't change, and my seat was a bad one, it would be a total waste! Plus, I know there was a huge waiting list for people who tried to register after the event was full, and I think those people should get first crack at a second event.
On a note about RDA, it was his first time doing something like this and I understand that he loosened up as the weekend went on. We saw him toward the end of the weekend, so we got the relaxed version! AT had been at it for a couple of weekends what with AT2 happening just before Avalon, and she looked tired by the end of Saturday, understandably so.
In the final analysis, it truly was a perfect end to it all! I could talk on and on about it, though, so let me know if you have more questions!
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