BTS 2006

[Senan Molony]

Oh wait, I remember Jemma.
She has been emailing me.

But not as Jemma. Perhaps under her new name, Alexandra?
Or perhaps not.

Still, I'm not bridling.

A rose by any other name...

 

[Inger Sheil]

And Hattie at the Conway Anchor, outside the Merseyside Maritime Museum. HMS Conway was, of course, Moody's training ship (three vessels were used for this purpose over the history of the institution - all named Conway). Sadly, the Moody Cup was no longer on display with the Titanic collection at the Museum - I must ask my Conway mates where it is now.

The Oceanic II Bell - there had to be some WSL content sooner or later in this thread!

An old standby:

 

[Senan Molony]

quote:

No doubt I'm humming 'There'll always be an England' or something along those lines.

Noel Jones would be proud of you!!

Perhaps less proud if he saw this picture of you at the grave of Michael Collins.

 

[Inger Sheil]

Now then, Sen - I'm posting lots of lovely photographs of you! Be placated.

What lovely models you and Hattie made! Couldn't have asked for more obliging subjects.

Friday night I was apparently having too much fun to take many photographs. Which is probably just as well, as no one would have believed the subject matter unless they were there (Tangerine Dream, anyone? Bumblebee? The Canaries?).

Saturday might as well be called 'The Cultural Segment' (some sort of gesture to Liverpool as European City of Culture 2008). I have to admit - I made a few circuits of the sales tables, but ducked out of the lectures. Gavin Murphy, Brigitte and Claes are all great speakers, and I heard wonderful things about their talks, but I'm afraid the pre-Raphaelites were calling at the Lady Lever Art Gallery. I missed the Rossetti exhibition in Liverpool in 2003 - that wasn't going to happen again when we spotted an ad for the Pre-Raphaelite drawing exhibition. I dragged Hatts along with me, and instead of talking ships we admired dreamy eyed auburn haired models.

Kid in candy store stuff for me - I trotted from one gallery to the next, open-mouthed.

 

[Inger Sheil]

I love that photo! One of my favourites for the entire trip. Arriving irate that I was flowerless, only to see that I could hardly have crammed another flower on the Big Fella's grave.

And Pippa asking in all earnestness "Is this were Jesus is buried?"

Do you remember when we found those kindred spirits in the Adelphi residents' bar and sang a rousing version of 'Come Out Ye Black and Tans'? Now that's when I wish I'd remembered to take the camera out!

 

[Senan Molony]

Ah, no, don't give the wrong impression... that was just a lark.

I much preferred teaching all those Welsh rugby fellas how to sing Ma Haen Wlad Fa Na Nadhau...

Do you remember that, circa 3am?

Then we did Sospan Fach, Pob Sais, Men of Harlech, Hymns & Arias, Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah...

 

[Inger Sheil]

So back we dash to the Hotel, after some last minute Gala shopping for Hatts. After we're decent, I get a phone call from the lobby - Shane Kurup has arrived! Chuffed, we order him up to join us while we put the finishing touches on our enembles (Michal, Michal, and a bit more Michal - I've converted Hattie).

Then a few photos in the Gilded Age surrounds of the Adelphi's main lounge:

L to R: Hattie, Self, and our Canadian mate Wendy Ignace

Steve and Hattie - never a cuter couple

Mark Chirnside and Hattie. Yes, this is the youthful faced author of some of the maritime community's most respected tomes!

 

[Inger Sheil]

Do I remember it? I remember your newfound best Welsh mate slapping you on the back and declaring you were the best (expletive deleted) Irishman he'd ever met, and then paying you the ultimate compliment of saying you sang like a Welshman.

And much as I hate to demolish your rep, I seem to recall that there was a Dublin lilt ringing out at one point insisting - demanding, even - that we had to sing a few English songs out of all fairness.

From that you intended to work your way around the rest of the Six Nations.

 

[Inger Sheil]

Our table:

Hattie and Wendy

Patrick, Boz and Mark

Boz, Mark and Senan

Self (who gets special individual portrait, as she bothered to bring a camera).

Steve is missing - sorry Hatts! Don't seem to have a shot of him, or of Shane who joined us later.

 

[Inger Sheil]

Then Mark Ling got Sen in a headlock and announced it was time we went out for drinkies:

Shane, under the misguided impression that we were actually 'with it', took us on a tour of hip student bars. Of course, we're a bunch of old troglodytes who wanted our stodgy pints - I have some priceless images of the boys looking askance at their Coronas with lime slices in the neck.

But we're smiling here...I think this was the pub where someone made the mistake of mentioning the words 'wouldn't dare', 'Inger', 'table' and 'dance' in the same sentence (and not necessarily in that order). They will not be making that mistake again.

Front: Senan and Steve Brook
Back: Inger and Mark
Shane behind Camera.
Resolution is dodgy - we look like vampires. Ask me if you want a decent version of this one and I'll email it!

 

[Inger Sheil]

Phew - I do actually have some photographs connected with WSL related sites around Liverpool, which I'll pop up tomorrow.

I'll leave you with this happy image - Boz and Sen sorting out the finer points of aerodynamics on the plane that they're about to launch at our neighbouring table, at which sat Mandy, Brigitte, Claes, Gunther and other good humoured individuals who took the aerial bombardment in stride:

 

[Shelley Dziedzic]

Great to see everyone in the flesh as it were. Fabulous frocks Inger-and accessories (which are just everything)! Love this last black number with the floral overlay. The guys look pretty snazzy too. Sen looks positively clergy-like and ready to deliver a benediction in the last snap. Can't wait to see the latest in Polar Expedition outerwear. Good to see young Mr. Chirnside indeed.
Pre-Raphs are an irresistible diversion-don't blame you a bit. I hope this lot plans on attending Operation Halifax in 2007!

 

[Jason D. Tiller]

Fantastic photos, Inger! It's great to see everyone. Thanks for posting them.

 

[John Clifford]

Thanks Inger. I hope you can make it to Halifax in April 2007. I hope to be there; just need to save time and money, again, especially if I wish to take side-trips to Toronto and Quebec City (those A.C. miles will soon build up, big time).

I also hope you have more pictures coming, Inger.

 

[Inger Sheil]

Cheers for the comments, guys - it's exhausting work, posting all these images...one gets so out of breath pressing those keys! Now I shall plough on and endeavour to demonstrate that we did something other than drink in pubs. Actually, that's the impression that most people who have looked at my complete set of photos have developed...one of my elegant workmates noted 'Looks like a bit of a laddish holiday, Inger...' Relieved somewhat by photos of sites connected with Michael Collins.

Shelly, delighted you like the Michal Negrin dress! I had bought a few dresses at her Windsor shop, and had a truly Libran moment in my hotel room deciding which to wear. Hattie had to abjudicate (she's wearing a Michal necklace in the photos). I've corresponded with Michal - who is as gorgeous as her creations - and she called me an 'ambassador' for her designs. I was fully living up to my diplomatic responsibilities on this trip - and, given the lush, OTT Victorian splendour of her pieces (with Georgian and Edwardian influences) it struck a cord with the women of the BTS...a bit of a Belle Epoque sisterhood!