Friday 14 September 2007

Meeting Blossom Cottage



Yesterday Happy Snaper and I went to Edinburgh via Glasgow (HS had a quick Photo Shoot in Glasgow the morning . . .sigh . . ) and why did we go to Edinburgh . . . TO MEET BLOSSOMCOTTAGE that is why.

I couldn't believe how nervous I was. . . . yup that gibbering, twitching person in the car was me. It seemed to take forever to get from Glasgow to Edinburgh - not helped by HS and I having no idea where we were going once we reached Edinburgh – although we had got our Google map with us . . . Oh and the butterflies in my stomach were amazing . . Panic . . .lost . . .not going to get there in time . . It was fast approaching two O'clock . . . . . . berludy hell . . and then out of no-where there was a sign pointing to the hotel . . . berlimey . . . .and a multi story car park as well – double berlimey . . . and . . wow that was easy.

We parked the car in the multi-storey car park – bit cramped, but ok – parking is premium in Edinburgh and headed into the hotel to find our Blossom.

And then there she was, smiling from ear to ear rising up from the table in the hotel bar to meet us. Gibber and gibber gibber and giggle and . . . .twitch and hug and . . .sigh . . .

First impressions - wow what an attractive lady - cracking figure . . . wonderful smile . . . beautiful hair . . .sorry Blossom - I know this may embarrass you - but you really are gorgeous . . .I don't think any photo I have seen of you to date does you proper justice . . . I may never talk to you again . .quick sulk . . Oh but no uniform . . .I had mine on . . .smug . . . but Blossom did have a purple hair band in. HS also forgot his uniform . . SIGH . . .

So yes we all had a big hug and then we sat down and talked and talked and talked and then talked and talked some more and then more and more and more . . . . and went to the loo and then talked even more . . .after we came back from the loo that is – we went to the loo on our own too . . . all grown up now.

We had lunch. Then we had afternoon tea - twice and the time just romped by lickety split, or is that spit . .

Now is it me or have you ever noticed how eating gets in the way when there is so much to talk about and how food takes on a life of its own when you are meeting someone for the first time. My club sandwich wandered all over my plate, developed crunchy noisy bits and messy mayonnaisey bits and bits that seem to grow on the fork and flop everywhere and were to big to go into my mouth Other bits sort of zipped off the fork . . . good grief whilst yet more bits refused to go on the fork at all. . My sandwich seemed er . . .very stuck together at the start . . . . it took a while to work out it was held together with a skewer . . .but releasing the skewer meant the sandwich grew alarmingly in size and eshewed any pretence at staying on my plate . . . now should I eat with a knife and fork, or pick up each HUGE unruly quarter . . . bits dropping everywhere . . . crumbs, splodges of mayonnaise . . . good grief . . . should lunch really be this difficult . . . superstitious glances at Blossom and HS showed that they were coping fine and that YES it really was just me. Next time I am having chips . . just chips.

So what can I tell you about Blossom. Apart from the fact that she is a very striking lady she has a wonderful calm aura about her . . and she eats very tidily. Ah yes but don't be fooled by her air of calm for there is a seriously wicked twinkle in her eye and many a story to tell. We spent a lot of the time laughing.

I didn't feel awkward with Blossom. Nor did I feel the need to impress her – although of course I did want her to like me. I felt too that she was a calm confident person and was not out to impress me either – she didn't need to. The talk was an easy three way flow.

Blossom is very articulate and her stories riveting and hilarious. We talked about Marilyn – which many of you will remember from her blogs . . .We talked about out lives, photography, the site, you lot (in the best possible way of course) . . . more about our lives . . briefly where the site was going – which we feel is a 'wait and see thing' and then more about our lives. . . . I can't even begin to remember all the things we talked about actually . . . Right now I think I am still digesting my club sandwich . . . which I forgot to do yesterday because I was so busy talking and listening.

And then it was time to go – four hours had gone by and sadly we all had to be 'somewhere else' . . We all hugged and said goodbye . . .sniff . . sniff . . no . . no something in my eye . . .


Both HS and I had a brilliant day, a seriously brilliant day.

Blossom meeting you was very special. It always worried me that if we all started meeting each other from the Purplecoo site somehow we wouldn't live up to each others expectations . . . well to date that has clearly NOT been the case and I can add my own positive experience to the Purplecoo 'meets'.

So If any of you get the chance to meet Blossom – then go for it . . . she really is a lovely lovely person and if you are nervous like I was she will put you at your ease.

So thank you for a special day Blossom and I hope that we can meet up again soon.

29 comments:

countrymousie said...

How wonderful - I am meeting Suffolkmum and Tattie next week at Aldeburgh - already nervous and trying to lose at least a stone in weight to keep up with these trendy young things!!! Actually I am very excited.

Casdok said...

Sounds lovely!
And good luck to countrymouse!!

Chris Stovell said...

Oh how lovely! I'm really pleased it went so well (I know what you mean about food when you're nervous).

Countrymousie - what are you like? Don't worry you silly thing!

Anonymous said...

You have certainly complimented Blossom - I do hope I get to meet her one day. It's wonderful when we meet people for the first time isn't it. I have been so fortunate to have met four Purplecoo-ers upto now and sincerely hope I will meet many more, including you and HS.

Best wishes, Crystal xx

Suffolkmum said...

How fantastic - you've certainly made Blossom sound special - not that she needed any selling on this site! I was horribly nervous meeting people the other week - REALLY nervous - but it is so easy really! And I'm another one who spills her food everywhere - and suddenly gets really clumsy and falls over for no reason ...

Inthemud said...

That was fantastic! So glad you had such a wonderful time together.

Maggie Christie said...

I loved the description of the errant club sandwich - I've had food like that!
I'm so glad you had a good time. xxPM

snailbeachshepherdess said...

MMMMMmmmm she says sitting back nonchalantly ...well I am an old hand at this meeting business having notched up 5 and one of those is on the third time now...can we have tee shirts please in purple...purple coo party person? Glad you had such a great time..it is very special isnt it?

Sally Townsend said...

Waily wailey Un Peu and I are soooooo envious. Will you stop it Country Mousie you are gorgeous !! If it goes on like this I'll be holding a party over here ! could a small French village cope with the Purple Coo Crowd ?

Exmoorjane said...

Sounds lovely.....your sandwich had me in hysterics - I know EXACTLY that feeling. When I was young it started with corn on the cob and spaghetti......then progressed to chopsticks and now well anything that can fly off the plate will....
ALways imagined Blossom as a tidy eater!
Love the purple party idea! I'm on six now!!!

Fennie said...

Oh that's lovely. Would have given anything to be a fly on the wall. Mind you I would give a lot to be a tidy eater, too. Sounds like you all had a glorious time.
I was born in Edinburgh by the way, Manor Place, believe it or not, so I have an affection for Auld Reekie.

Withy Brook said...

What a lovely time you had. @themill and I are building up to a meeting and maybe Crystal Jigsaw too. I'm nervous already!!

Bluestocking Mum said...

I am also so envious and feel a tiny bit down...would so long to meet you and Blossom...and we will...

I always knew she would be interesting and warm and gorgeous as I know you will be too...


I am SO with you about being hesitant about meeting purplecooers and whether it would spoil things...but having met some of the wonderful folks, I just know that it is just the best thing and hence I would so love to meet you and Blossom...

hey ho...one day, my friends...

warmest wishes
xx

Un Peu Loufoque said...

I always imagined Blossom to be elegant slim beautiful and a tidy eater.. all confirmed...ah me now I shall never ever pluck up courage to meet her!!! My sandwich would have ended up down my front with or without skewer I am afraid!!

@themill said...

You've just described Blossom exactly as I imagined her. Will be in Edinburgh in the next month - perhaps you would like another get together?

Frances said...

Well, that sounds like such a fine afternoon. Very good company, in a beautiful city. And a car park did its part too!

Bet you all did have fun. I do envy all of you that are a drive, well maybe a long drive, away. Who knows, if we keep this communicating up, it might even be possible to connect across the wide Atlantic.

xo

Norma Murray said...

Sounds like a wonderful day. I don't think anyone lives near me, shame. Blossom sounds just like I imagined. Elegant and a bit posh!sigh!

DJ Kirkby said...

Sounds like a lovely day!

Tattieweasle said...

OH heck! What a wonderful time you had! Nerves always make it seem like you're eating too loud etc From comments above I won't be able to see Countrymousie for slimming and Suffolkmum will be on the floor picking up her lunch - I suppose I'll just have to grin and bear it and talk LOUDLY so no one will notice...but most importantly I know what they look like and they are seriously lovely while I, well do you think I should buy a Boden outfit to keep up? I look nothing and I mean nothing like a whippet - more like a preganant labrador with appetite to match! I will probaly beat SM to the food on the floor and Countrymousie won't even need to try to slim -all her food will be hoovered off her plate. I know it's only nerves...Five days and counting...

Pondside said...

What a great blog - fun to read about the meeting of two purplecoo greats! Am very jealous, as I don't suppose I'll be meeting anyone in the forseeable future, unless you charter a plane and head over here!

CAMILLA said...

So pleased you had a lovely time with Blossom, I can imagine that she would be wonderful person to get on with.

Camilla.xxx

Posie said...

Oh I did enjoy reading that, it had me in hoots, I would have made a total mess of the sandwich too, but would have persevered anyway, can't waste good food after all!! Really glad you met up, and thanks for sharing it with us. Loved your homework too, you got that in just in the nick of time, else I am sure uniform or no uniform you would have been in the naughty corner!!! Loved your list too, now I have a very long list of smells and sounds I love after reading everyone elses...

Posie said...

Oh I did enjoy reading that, it had me in hoots, I would have made a total mess of the sandwich too, but would have persevered anyway, can't waste good food after all!! Really glad you met up, and thanks for sharing it with us. Loved your homework too, you got that in just in the nick of time, else I am sure uniform or no uniform you would have been in the naughty corner!!! Loved your list too, now I have a very long list of smells and sounds I love after reading everyone elses...

Cait O'Connor said...

So funny. Glad you enjoyed meeting up.
I know just what you mean about eating and nerves, I'm just the same and I'm a messy eater too,

Chris Stovell said...

Just popped back to say thanks for your kind comments on my writing blog - I've just made lots of mistakes so hoped that it might save others some time when they start writing. Now what are you rewriting, do tell?

Queen Vixen said...

Still playing catch up - assuming Blossom is a blog chum. Meeting up seems to be catching on. Good luck to you. The thought of wheely bins and body parts prevents me from doing so. Note to self: Stop being so paranoid!

Pipany said...

I was so nervous when I met Kitty that I felt truly ill! How daft is that? She was lovely and Blossom sounds great too. Isn't it great what friendships are coming out of this site? xx

Kitty said...

How fab that you met Blossom, I think we know we'll get on with our fellow bloggers, I just loved Milla and Pipany when I met them too.

In response to question on my blog, my sister in law is my husband's older sister. Her husband is a great guy, but not what you'd call husband material. He's a devoted climber and once said 'I havent' finished with Asia yet'. Ah. She has been on the verge of leaving him for years - about 10 to be precise. So randy frenchman turns up with 2 previous wives and 3 children. Alarm bells ring a bit, but it's true love and all, so I'm happy for her.

She lives in France as she left home at 16, travelled the world on her own, she's feisty and brave and 6' tall and a touch cookie. She met husband in Hong Kong where she lived for a few years and then they moved to France to set up a B&B/Gite business, which has been in the building stage for 6 years. So there you are. Out with the old, in with the new.

Faith said...

Oh that was so funny WW great blog! I think I would be more than nervous meeting any Purplecooer but would love to when any opportunity arises.