I have finally recovered from the Donut Child Reunion. The 1970 to 1980 Donut kids got together in London on Saturday courtesy of Mr Tim 'Cricket Jumper' Grace. What an effort he made. His thoughtfulness and PPPPPPP was pretty impressive. If you don't get the 7 P's then you have no business on this Blog! The venue was great, a sports bar, with lots of space, high ceilings and for us ladies that blush a little more often than usual, double doors wide open! Tim had also made an amazing DVD which played photos of us 'then and now'. He provided food, a Disco and also lots of memories, things like a 'Horseshoe Hike Card' for us, scattered amongst the tables. A large Flag of Cyprus, completed the look. Well done Philio Moo!
Tim and Michelle had also (heroically) offered to put me up. I arrived after a 5 and a half hour coach journey. My seat was behind The Nutter...why do I always tangle with the Special People of this world? He had an Eden Project baseball cap on his head, a large pair of very expensive cans clamped on his ears and was singing along loudly, and very happily to his 'toons'. Bless! About 5 hours in, I was a bad impatient Muse and kicked the back of his seat...bad girl! Tim picked me up at Heathrow and the London Smog hit me like a wall as I disembarked. Nothing like the smell of London for a Country Mouse like me.
I was supposed to go for a power nap but was too busy catching up with Tim and Michelle whilst they cooked and put together all the food. I was Chief Taster, which is just as well as I did not eat that evening. I was a little nervous before we went out so Tim poured me a large glass of wine. Tim was doing a good job at holding down his nerves as he was stressing about the numbers and Michelle was busy teasing him!
He need not have worried as 27 of us turned up. The food was great, the venue wonderful but despite me trying to chat up the DJ he didn't know his 60's from his 80's! Never mind he was soon set upon by various ladies and played all our requests.
I know you are probably tired of hearing this but it was as though all the years had fallen away. 32 for me and 40 for others. All of us, like minded people, in the same room having a wonderful time. It was a blast and I would not have missed it for the world. The Donut Kids were together again but only six of us (I think) had made the first one in Manchesta' last year. Me, Maggie, Marie, Jackie, Caroline and Jo.
I went to the reunion, thinking I would only meet the other five but was bloody delighted when I found so many others. Clare, Ken, Jackie, Elza and more. Elza and I actually met on Ascension Island about 13 years ago and it was fantastic to see her again. I could see someone talking to my best friend Marie and went over to find my class mate Clare Tellis....oh, oh, oh - it was a wonderful moment in time. She looked just the same. The only one I got confused with was Ken Kirkham...he looked so young. He has obviously a) led a quiet life or b) been at the Botox! Please tell us your secret Ken!
The ladies started groovin' to a few toons and Jo Bluck shall be named the best and most prolific dancer! I managed about five grooves but had to sit and manage the breathlessness due to stupid anaemia. The photo call was done...I hate having my pic taken and sidled up to Tim asking him to join the melee and give me his camera. Just a note to this, I have been camera shy all of my life and Tim managed to find a great pic of me at sweet 16 - probably the only one, well done Tim, for your detective work! Kath Farrington was a prolific photographer at KRS and I even managed to duck her shots!
We had two 'clubs' going on outside. The first was 'The Smokers Club' and the second was 'The Ladies Who Blush Club'. There were a few of us ladies cooling off to the latter out there. Thank god I am not alone in that! I was, of course a member of both.
Time was so short and I am sure I did not manage to talk to everyone but I did try. We needed at least another 24 hours! All of us have been successful and are like minded. There is nothing like a Donut Child to remind you that we HAD IT ALL, used it all and became determined, untouchable and are still resolute in our lives. We have this determination because we were so challenged as kids, moving around all the time and managing to deal with that, despite being children.
It was sad to say to goodbye to everyone but a few of us piled back to Tim's place and 'mixed our drinks'. So we managed to have a couple more hours together. A tipsy end to a fabulous evening. Thanks to Tim and Michelle for organizing this. Thank you for giving me a bed and for your hospitality.
Thank you to all the KRS/Donut Kids that attended. I think the best comment of the night was when one of the coolest boys at school, Ken, admitted he read my Blog!
Rock on you Donut Kids
It was a Wonderful moment in time.
Muse x
Sounds like you had a blast.
ReplyDeleteI always worry about these reunions, that you might not like each other now you're all grown up or that you might like each other too much, or that you will feel you are being judged and do not meet others expectations. Are some things better left in the past I wonder?
It certainly is the case that some of The Donut Children like each other too much but in a positive way. Two of our own are engaged - 30 years on... Oh! how romantic!
ReplyDeleteThere is no chance of us disliking each other as our time together was far too special. A room full of like minded people were together once again on Saturday night. I had three conversations with the Spouses of Donut Kids and they wanted to know why we had, had such a great time and wishing ,they too, could have been a part of it. I rest my case but loved your comment xx