The late Sue Vincent…

Posted on August 3, 2015 by Sue Vincent

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A strange creature with a pink beard was perched on Newton’s plinth; the distinctive purple plumage on its breast marked it as the rare Geoffle, first identified by Ali Isaac. I think it recognised the dangerous glint of the raised camera… in any case, it descended from its perch with alarming agility, pouncing …wrapping its arms around me with a vice-like grip, before thrusting me towards another of its flock, named Hugh,  who did likewise, whilst pointing a small device at each of the people they had herded into line.

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This device evidently was some kind of instrument of torture, as each in turn gave their name and status… having, perhaps, been lulled into compliance by the judicious application of lemon drizzle cake.

There was no time to think… the shiny device was pointed in my direction and I found words tumbling from my lips unbidden….
“I’m Sue Vincent…. and I’m late…”

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I was too… much later than intended, but it had been one of those mornings.

“You won’t be able to make it…” I was being watched as I hopped down the stairs. Hopped, because I couldn’t walk down them… the knee had gone a few days earlier and was still enjoying itself at the expense of what little dignity I possess. “We’re going.” The heels wouldn’t be, of course, nor the nice skirt that went with them. But the rest of me was, and as Stuart had come all the way from Sheffield for the event, so was he. In fact, we were to find that bloggers had come from as far afield as Germany and Ireland to attend.

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“We’re going to be late.” Inevitable, under the circumstances. I had to spend some time with my son before we left. “We’re definitely going to be late…” I was grumbling quietly by this time. Everything seemed to be taking far too long, from getting organised for the off, to finding enough change for the car park. Even the supposedly direct train decided we needed to change trains twice. By Baker Street, things were obviously taking their toll on our sanity, but finally we were on the Tube, travelling like moles on speed through the dark tunnels beneath the city.

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“We’re late…”
“… but not too late…” We emerged from the London Underground a few minutes’ walk from our destination. Would they still be there? Would we recognise anyone?

We needn’t have worried. The distinctive plumage of the Geoffle and his flock allayed all doubt, though it appeared that the females of the species were in charge….

“I was expecting short, red hair.” “How’s Ani?” and “Your son is amazing…” were the three phrases I was greeted with the most. The first I am growing for the April workshop, the second is as mad as ever and the third I could only agree with…

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If I had to pick a single image from the afternoon to define what the day was like, it would be that of the hugs that began at our arrival and only ended when we left. There was genuine warmth to the welcoming smiles and introductions to faces hitherto familiar only from the monitor screen. Yet suddenly, we were already amongst old friends.

Thanks must go to Sacha, Ali, Hugh and the Geoffle, who had done a superb job of organisation. The awards were announced with panache and humour…Congratulations for the nominees and winners were real and vociferous and it was lovely that bloggers from across the world had been included…. which was Sacha’s original idea. The Geoffle may have stolen the show at one point… but all proceeded smoothly, leaving ample room for talk and laughter and the very real pleasure of getting to know each other.

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There wasn’t time to really talk to everyone in any depth; there seldom is at any event. We did get to spend some time with Graeme, Dylan, Ali and Geoff and to talk with Elissa, Marjorie and others… but not enough. There is always a fear that the online presence may be completely different from the physical ‘feel’ of a person. One of the lasting impressions I will take away from the day is that here, in a world of bloggers and writers, where you could be forgiven for expecting the overlay of a professional persona on the page…what you read is real; the physical presence is the same, and many I would have recognised by their ‘voice’ alone.

While putting words on a page may allow a freedom of speech that perhaps shyness might stifle within a group of strangers, here, it seemed, there were no strangers, only friends who had not yet been able to meet, including a few I have been waiting to hug for some time.

We stayed longer than we should have, not as long as we would have liked… and we will be going again next year, to the second Annual Bloggers Bash. Maybe we’ll see you there?

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About Sue Vincent

Sue Vincent was a Yorkshire born writer, esoteric teacher and a Director of The Silent Eye. She was immersed in the Mysteries all her life. Sue maintained a popular blog and is co-author of The Mystical Hexagram with Dr G.M.Vasey. Sue lived in Buckinghamshire, having been stranded there due to an accident with a blindfold, a pin and a map. She had a lasting love-affair with the landscape of Albion, the hidden country of the heart. Sue  passed into spirit at the end of March 2021.
This entry was posted in Blogging, Friendship, Uncategorized, writing and tagged , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

80 Responses to The late Sue Vincent…

  1. blondieaka says:
    August 3, 2015 at 08:01

    Sounds like everyone had so much fun, it’s lovely to read everyones perspective of the day but the fun and excitement shines through on every tale 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. Seumas Gallacher says:
    August 3, 2015 at 08:05

    …what a truly magnificent blog post… I was there with you all in spirit, but know how much I missed by not sharing in the hugs, banter, and general ‘craic’… ..LUV IT! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. Helen Jones says:
    August 3, 2015 at 08:06

    It was a great day, Sue 🙂 I’m only sorry I didn’t get the chance to really speak with you, it was a bit like that wasn’t it, as though time just flew by! Looking forward to next year’s event 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. Chris White says:
    August 3, 2015 at 08:12

    That must have been really good to attend. Seeing faces behind blogs.
    Excellent. Well done. All the best. Kris.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. Richard Ankers says:
    August 3, 2015 at 08:16

    So, where was Ani?
    And glad you had a great time 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life. says:
    August 3, 2015 at 08:20

    Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
    So sorry not to be able to make The ABBAS but thankfully with all those present being superb writers we can all get the feel, sense and enjoyment from the day.. Thanks Sue for taking us with you and yes, see you next year.. wherever I am I will plan on being close enough to get some real hugs.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  7. Solveig says:
    August 3, 2015 at 09:03

    It sounds like you had a great day! This seems to have been a great event 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. jenanita01 says:
    August 3, 2015 at 09:05

    You have all started something here, Sue. Brilliant idea, and hopefully loads more of us will make it next year…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  9. Sherri says:
    August 3, 2015 at 09:41

    Great to meet you Sue 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  10. olganm says:
    August 3, 2015 at 09:54

    I hope to be able to make it next year. It sounds fabulous!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  11. TanGental says:
    August 3, 2015 at 09:57

    Aw Sue, That is such a lovely review. I feel like an old lost Church that you have loving described and photographed. It was a delight to meet you and Stuart and, as you say, talk for but a blink but to have one’s appetite whetted. I will be camera hunting soon – thank you both for the advice – and am looking forward to next year already

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  12. Sherrie de Valeria says:
    August 3, 2015 at 10:11

    I miss this time to meet other bloggers like I did few years back when I was at OpenDiary (now closed due to bankruptcy). I met few others while they travel in Germany and also in London and Cambridge. There are few but these are the most trusted and truly amazing bloggers I know.

    Looks like your “too-late” is a blessing, somehow? You people had some fun. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  13. Mary Smith says:
    August 3, 2015 at 10:36

    Great post, Sue.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  15. macjam47 says:
    August 3, 2015 at 13:02

    I wish I could have been there for a face-to-face meet. It feels like I know everyone. Glad you all had a wonderful time. Hugs to all.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  16. vanbytheriver says:
    August 3, 2015 at 14:15

    Fabulous. So jealous here. I know how much joy there was for Nutsrok and myself when we met up recently…I can only imagine how great it would be to meet up with 20 more at once. 💕 ☺☺☺

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  17. mbarkersimpson says:
    August 3, 2015 at 16:08

    It was wonderful to meet you, Sue. I only wish we could have chatted more 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  18. esthernewton says:
    August 3, 2015 at 17:00

    A great post! Lovely to meet you Saturday too 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  19. edwinasepisodes says:
    August 3, 2015 at 17:12

    Great post Sue, It seems like you all had such a brilliant day.:-)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  20. Silver Threading says:
    August 3, 2015 at 18:58

    I so wish I could have met you all. How fun to get together and see each other. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  21. Pingback: Bring It On! The Annual Bloggers Bash 2015 | A View From My Summerhouse

  22. judithbarrow1 says:
    August 4, 2015 at 00:49

    Reblogged this on Barrow Blogs: and commented:
    Sounds as though a great time was had by all.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  23. judithbarrow1 says:
    August 4, 2015 at 00:50

    Sounds fantastic – perhap next year, Sue …Jx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  24. noelleg44 says:
    August 4, 2015 at 01:37

    I’ve been looking in the pictures for someone tiny with short red hair – didn’t SEE you! As for next year, who knows?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  25. purpleslobinrecovery says:
    August 4, 2015 at 05:48

    Sue, WHAT do you mean you don’t have RED hair??? lol
    So great to hear about what fun y’all had!

    Like

    Reply
  26. Graeme Cumming says:
    August 4, 2015 at 06:56

    Reblogged this on graemecummingdotnet and commented:
    Continuing my theme of sharing blog posts so I don’t have to write them myself, here’s yet another perspective on Saturday’s Bloggers Bash (do you get the sense this could run and run?).

    It was great to meet Sue at last. She mentions hugs in this post and it seemed only natural to make that the first thing to do when we said hello. We’d never met in person, but there was a sense that we’d known each other for ages. Looking forward to getting to know her and the others much better in the future.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  27. Eliza Waters says:
    August 4, 2015 at 18:11

    Looks like great fun – how nice to gather bloggers together to meet in person. I think about meeting up, but the distances here are so great!

    Like

    Reply
  28. Hugh's Views and News says:
    August 5, 2015 at 12:13

    Hi Sue, it was a real pleasure to meet both Stuart and you on Saturday. Apologies for thrusting the iPhone straight at you when you arrived, but I was just coming to the end of the line with the video. Thank you both for saying a few words on camera and joining in the fun.

    I’m so very pleased we finally got to meet, and I think you will agree the event was a huge success. I hope the hugs from me were not too much and that my knees did not frighten you. As you can now tell I like to hug…a lot! I can’t imagine how many people may turn up to the event next year. I’ll have to hide my knees! We’ll have to hire our very own restaurant for the day 🙂 I hope we can meet up again before next year’s event.

    Please send my best wishes to Nick, and tell him that I will be cheering him on, on Sunday.

    Hugs,
    Hugh
    xx

    Like

    Reply
    • Sue Vincent says:
      August 5, 2015 at 13:04

      Thank you, Hugh… I am not genuphobic… though my own worry me a bit these days 😉 Hugs I can handle… many and often, given the chance 🙂
      It was a great day… and I can’t wait to see how next year unfolds, can you? 🙂
      I’ll pass you message on to Nick…in the unlikely event that he doesn’t read it for himself 🙂 xx

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  29. Marje @ Kyrosmagica says:
    August 5, 2015 at 14:05

    Very entertaining write up of the bloggers bash Sue. I hurt my knee too (the previous week) and was glad that it held up for the day. Glad you made it, it was great to meet you and Stuart too. Send my good luck wishes to Nick for Sunday, will be thinking of him, shall be sending positive vibes his way. Looking forward to many more bloggers bashes in the future. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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