The 2010 Fortean Times Unconvention
Last year, I did not do justice to my two-week UK trip on livejournal. Not like the last trip in 2006 - where I began this journal account to record my journey. I had no time to post any stuff up while I was away last year for the fortnight. I managed to jump online about 2 or 3 times in the fortnight coz I was so busy doing everything else. And then I posted things AFTER getting back, some as late as two months later. I got as far as the Unconvention, then did not post any more. So here I am going to put up images and talk about the 2010 Fortean Times Unconvention, held in the 3rd weekend of October. It was held over two days, and I had spend the Friday with Rebecca touring the Thames region of Southwark and up towards the Tower. After seeing the Monument and St Dunstans in the East, we headed back to Russell Square to get back to the hotel and meet Caitlin, a friend Bec had met online and was coming to the Con. She was staying with Bec in her room, so we got her luggage into the room, and then went out for dinner at some Irish pub near Bloomsbury.
The next day I travelled from my YH in Earl's Court to Marlybone near Baker St and Madame Tussaud's and found my way to the University of Westminster. I did not know where Bec and Caitlin were, but made my way to a talk in one of the rooms. Later I found them, and Bec's talk was the second one for the day. At lunch break, we went to Sherlock Holmes Museum giftshop and grabbed some lunch. I ran into Richard Freeman on returning to the Uni, and got to see Jon as well as other members of the CFZ.
Bec doing her talk at 10am, Saturday morning, Uncon 2010, London.
In the Sherlock Holmes museum in Baker St (number 221b) :D
Bec and I outside the museum
Jon doing his talk on the Blue dogs of Texas
The three of us in one of the lecture rooms
Andy Roberts doing his talk on the Berwyn mountains UFO crash mystery
With Alan Friswell
That night, we all headed next door to the Globe Pub, where everyone of our friends gathered for drinks - the speakers were having dinner downt he road, so Bec and almost everyone I knew left - I hung out for anther two hours with other people and when it was getting towards midnight, I headed back to Earl's Court YH.
With the young Max Blake in the Globe pub next to the uni.
On the Sunday the underground was running a bit better today, I got off at Baker St station and found this on the platform, so I took this pic for Dave Waldron. Sunday was just as good as the first day - got to see some great talks, and the weekend was going far to quickly for our liking.
SUNDAY: Richard Freeman does his talk on the Orang Pendak.
I got to meet Andy Roberts and David Clark who wrote 'Twilight of the Celtic Gods ' - a book I love. I have been friends with Andy on FB for a little while and we have lots of mutual friends.
There was a lecture on bawdy songs of the 17 and 18th centuries - It was astounding what went on back then in the
way of songs!! I watched this lecture with my friend Steve Jones from Yorkshire.
Here's the who's who of the CFZ - left ot right - Max Blake, Corrina Downes, Jon Downes, me, Lisa Malam (behind) Richard Freeman, and Rebecca Lang. This was near the end of Sunday, and the end of the con.
I never got a picture with my friend Richard last time I was in UK so got one now...
With David Sutton, the editor of Fortean Times
A totem pole of people - Caitlin, Me and Rebecca - taken by David Sutton at the end of the Unconvention.
In Rebecca and Caitlin's hotel room - on the sunday night.
So here is your pictoral report on the 2010 Fortean TImes Unconvention. Was an awesome weekend of weirdness, but still, found it not as fun as the Weird Weekend of the CFZ. The 2011 Weird Weekend occurred last week, and I missed it, even though I was going to go (an old plan that failed) but want to make an effort to get there for next year - I am hoping to stay during the summer hols next year and make an effort to get to the next one - I'd rather spend 12 months in UK than only 8! If i leave Australia after Beltane this year, I will make it to the Uncon this year - Its held in mid November this year. Hoping to go with Caitlin!