Squeaky old toast maker.
It’s apart of the experience.
Alright lovelies,
Hows things going?
This time last week I’d arrived home from yet another fantastic weekend in Harrogate at THOUGHT BUBBLE ! Friends were met, new ones made, ales drunk, shit was talked & comics were bought, discussed & paraded all over the convention centre.
Absentees were missed this year so hopefully catch you on the next one.
It’s no secret that I really enjoy my weekend, well 4 days more like, & I’m already looking forward to next year!
For anyone who’s never been & wonders if it’s for them, I would seriously think about starting to save up for it now? It can cost a bit when factoring in travel, accommodation, sustenance & all the comics! But it is very much worth it, to all be focused into one lovely town & able to nerd out until you can nerd out no more is an absolute treat. A good few of us use this annual gathering to decompress, or whatever the latest phrase is, catch up & above all celebrate our creativity in the media we love.
What could be better?…
…the Premier Inn breakfast for one thing.
Especially the bleddy toast machine!
That particular piece of equipment has been squeaking & grinding its way through these yearly gatherings for the past how ever many years it’s been in Harrogate now? 6 years?
It’s as much a part of this weekend for me as the Majestic toilets are.
I only book there because you can book a year in advance, if you guess the correct weekend, & pay on arrival? It’s good to guarantee a room as soon as you can. Now I’m well aware that this Substack isn’t a trip advisor but I do feel the need to mention that over he past 6 years that particular hotel has gone up & up in price & down in quality ( I know it’s a Premier Inn but it wasn’t too bad to begin with) & even though I’m a creature of habit I may well change it up next year.
Travel wise I can recommend the trains when all is running smoothly, a quick change from Leeds to Harrogate after a direct train from Cornwall isn’t too taxing as a rule.
Harrogate station drops you at the top end of town so you roll your way down to the convention centre & surrounding hotels etc.
Climbing back to said station with the addition of a tree now in your luggage coupled with the results of a long boozy few days can be a test.
For some. ( my mutant ability is that I don’t get hangovers).
A couple of wonderful surprises occurred on the Saturday morning when I was gifted both a comp copy of the collected edition of Griff Gristle, which looks absolutely fantastic, as well as a sample copy of the half finished Jingle Squad that Matt had printed up to wave under a few noses.
I also had a few moments here & there to work on the thumbnails for Jingle Squad chapter 4 so I could get straight into the pencils on my return home.
Currently sitting at page 14 with progress going well.
It’s always nice to come back from a con feeling inspired.
Well hopefully I’ll get back into the weekly rhythm with these newsletters & it’s because of this I’m greatful I’m not doing this as a paid subscription! That feels like that could be a pressure.
Catch ya later on down the trail.
Rory.