Apologies for the delay with this report, my laptop has almost reached the end of it's useful life, and after 7 years of dutiful work, will be making way for a younger model very soon. Until then, I'm confined to the work machine!
The local shows are great because it takes less time to get there, but for some reason I find it easier to get up at 4am than 6am. However, I was surprisingly awake for this one, and we set off at 6:45, arriving at the venue an hour later. The venue is excellent, lots of space and easy to get to, and I was here not too long ago to watch Russell Howard!
(http://gighit.com/media/gallery/2009/Jan/30/Metroradio_Arena_Newcastle_300x300_crop_le.jpg)
The hall itself is actually the concourse area underneath the main stage and arena area, and stretches from one side of the venue to the other. The visitors enter just to the right of the pic above, into the area shown below. The first pic is from the end near our stand, which is to the right of the venue. The second pic is from the other end, and those with really good eye sight will be able to make out the Pendraken flag way down at the end!
Our end:
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/4968315064_30b709034c.jpg)
T'other end:
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4088/4968272486_cf32b8f694.jpg)
We had a nice 18ft stand at this show, so we were able to spread out a bit, which makes for a much more relaxed day. Some shows we go to, we get 12ft, but it's so cramped you spend the whole day tripping over yourself, and not being able to move about at all. We are now sponsored by Coca-Cola!
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4105/4968264852_c856624f16.jpg)
Luckily, we had managed to get the stand right next to the cafe, so food was on hand at all times of the day. This also meant that we could tempt the people in the queue, several of whom noticed the bases and treees on the end of the table and came over for further investigation! I know Dave likes his food, but I'm not sure why he was running off with this bacon butty?!:
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/4968262230_a15ce78254.jpg)
The new releases were received very well, with most of the T26's and BT5's going quickly, and one guy bought half of all our bases stock in one go! The trees have proved popular as well, I'll need to get some more of those sorted!
We've got a couple of Dungeon Packs with us as well at the shows now, and they seem to be very good at catching people's eye!
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/4967677815_7fb9a7a66c.jpg)
There were a lot of Forum members at this show, we saw dab and Tannenburg, and we had chance to chat with Jim Ando, Tommy Atkins, Captain Black and Glandalf.
Unfortunately, Dave had to pop out in the afternoon, leaving me confined to the stand, so unfortunately I didn't manage to get any pictures at all of the display games, which I know is a bit of a pain. I will make up for this though at Colours this weekend!
There were a lot of people there in the morning, around the 500 mark I believe, which was great. As tends to happen at shows, people started disappearing around 1pm, but with no football matches on and the traffic not being that bad, it would have been good to see people hang around a bit longer. There's enough to keep people interested.
We started packing away a bit earlier than normal, about 3pm and were on the road home by 4:30, ready for a nice takeaway!
After a couple of quieter shows for the hat, we had some new volunteers this time!
The Hat again:
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4110/4967696905_58d3f69954.jpg)
A rather unimpressed young man:
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/4968309126_1a1e781170.jpg)
Mark from 'Under The Bed' (with The Flash' behind him...):
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/4968290320_f204674b85.jpg)
Graham(?) from Gateshead Games:
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4146/4968296572_f64f2419f4.jpg)
Nice report Leon. And I love a good Photo Bomb! 8) ;D
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/4968262230_a15ce78254.jpg)
This photo deserves a caption competition! :D
Gutted to have missed it this year...those Dungeon packs do look rather tempting...
Quote from: Luddite on 08 September 2010, 07:37:21 PM
Gutted to have missed it this year...those Dungeon packs do look rather tempting...
I was wondering if we'd see you, there were a few familiar faces from the Durham show. I've actually just realised that I missed out 'Brothercrow' on the list of who we had chance to chat with!
Quote from: Megamatman on 08 September 2010, 06:58:42 PM
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/4968262230_a15ce78254.jpg)
This photo deserves a caption competition! :D
Quick someones pinching the stock!!!
Quote from: Leon on 08 September 2010, 07:48:33 PM
I was wondering if we'd see you, there were a few familiar faces from the Durham show. I've actually just realised that I missed out 'Brothercrow' on the list of who we had chance to chat with!
Yeah, i understand G took a few more tanks and what not off you.
By the way, he had a bit of an odd one at a recent gig...
G cracks up half way through..hehe :D
Quote from: Luddite on 08 September 2010, 10:33:06 PM
Yeah, i understand G took a few more tanks and what not off you.
By the way, he had a bit of an odd one at a recent gig...
G cracks up half way through..hehe :D
=O Geez, he's got some energy for an old boy!