We join our heroes as they searched for the signing that usurped their initial lunch with the guest of honour. Tree really knew where she was going, really she did.

See?

Not that she cared if anyone believed her or not.

While there were fortunately no pictures of the anal bleaching part of the debate, one of the participants was so empassioned, he could barely stay in his chair.

Our heroes retired to Tree and Ghost's room for philosophical discussion and hand flapping.

The silliness of the previous night pervaded the mood at breakfast the next morning.

Lunch, however, was much more serious.

That night, it took the girls some time to get ready for the masked ball, but the results were worth it.

There was fierce competition at the ball, including this English author chappie doing a terrific impression of potted plants. While Michael Moore didn't win a prize, the wolfman and Cap'n Jack were worthy winners.

Lunch on the second day was much sillier, with games of incy wincy spider, savage seafood, head banging photos and the return of devil bunny.

The lovely Ms Campbell looked on in bemusement as we chatted, grinned and had a good time.

There was evidence after lunch that the guest of honour still had at least one hand. And it wasn't just the guest of honour readings that kept the crowds entertained.

Good things can't last forever, and the con had to come to a close. But the silliness continued as Neil ulitimately realised what a mistake it was to try to share a Caramello Koala. He also posed for what is possibly the worst photo of him ever taken.

Poppy Z Brite proved she should not be left to her own devices, ever.

Our heroes retired for a well earned meal and the evening culminated with Reg and Tree posing for the photo that will ultimately appear on their upcoming album Rum, Thingies and the Lash.

The End

I discovered, through the lovely DrJon's blog, that the Melbourne Science Fiction Club had organised a screening at the Cinema Nova. (Other Melbourne readers can still catch it, it's running there for a week, along with the Hoyts in George St Sydney for my friends north of the border.)

I spotted both DrJon and Baralier, but I wasn't being particularly social, so I didn't say hello. [waves] Hello!

There was a lovely raffle with posters, a MirrorMask book and other sundries. We won a poster and would have won another prize, but I said they could draw our ticket again. One goodie was enough for us.

The movie was totally beautimous. Much eye candy and Dave McKean illustrates the screen gorgeously. Some of the lines had the audience in stitches and it all sounded terribly Neil-ish. I left feeling quite entertained and thinking that a copy on DVD would go down very nicely thank you very much.

Yesterday brought a couple more welcome pics from the UK. Here's a good one of the blushing bride with some random wedding crasher. [grin]

A couple of months ago, the company organised a bowling night. My talent, or lack there of (although I did finish the night with a turkey--three strikes in a row), was noted (it's all in how you hold your little finger) and somehow I was shanghaied into participating in a ten pin bowling team for the Australian Corporate Games.

I also signed up for this. Ghost thought I was completely mad.

Because I planned to write 50,000 words in 30 days?

Hell no, I was going to do it in 20 days.

You see, on the 22nd of November, I was flying 17,000km to surprise the very divine Chiliflower (who you may remember from such adventures as 'starring' in a movie, getting old or getting hitched) for her wedding.

So, while I was writing like a demon and preparing to fly to London, I was also training for the games on the 20th.

OK, he's right. I AM completely mad.

However, it all came together. I managed to bowl half-way decently. When I was good, I was very, very good, when I was bad I was horrid. And sometimes it was just too unfair.

We acquitted ourselves decently and managed not to come last!

In the meantime, I also managed to finish Nano, just in time to get on a plane.

The look on Chili's face when she opened the front door (expecting the gas man) was priceless. I only wish I had a photo of it to show you. Imagine a goldfish with blonde hair, then imagine it bursting into tears.

Totally worth five screaming babies between Melbourne and Dubai (who knew the little suckers could make that amount of noise for 14 straight hours?).

For the record, both Guy (her partner) and her parents knew I was coming, I wasn't just going to lob up and expect a seat at the wedding!

Once she had recovered from the shock, we hung about being silly, checking out the scenery and meeting some of the locals.

Oh, and there were some wedding preparations, too.

But this was the real reason I was there.

The ceremony was gorgeous. I had no time to cry, I was too busy grinning with glee. They were so happy together and it was all so wonderful that grinning was all I could manage. The two of them just looked so glorious.

The reception was wonderful and the rest of the trip was amazing.

If it wasn't for the rotten cold (which I managed to give to the happy couple) and the fact that I'm blue because I miss them even more than before, it would have been the perfect trip.

In the meantime, I shall just charge Ghost with the solemn duty of locating a decent webcam and a copy of the latest version of Skype!

Oh, and finally get some sleep...