Redemption redux

[lexin]

I’m safely back from redemption_con; the journeys were totally straightforward and the trains were on time there and back.

I enjoyed the convention. Numbers seemed down (if you like a fan-run convention do go along to Redemption in 2019, it runs better with more people) and the convention over-organised for the numbers (at times there were nine streams of events), but that didn’t bother me. I just went along to what appealed to me and dodged anything that didn’t.

I spent a lot of time with legionseagle and julesjones over the weekend, and with various other people whose LJ and DW names I have forgotten. Much gossip was gossed.

Guests were Dr Lynette Nusbacher, Steve Lycett , Miranda Gower-Qian, Thalia Evans and David Wake. Probably you’ve never heard of any of them, I had only heard of Dr Lynette who is one of the presenters of the wargame TV show “Time Commanders”. She was lovely, though I didn’t go to any of her talks she was very nice and approachable when out and about and she always wears lovely clothes, which she told me mostly come from TK Maxx.

The only complaint I heard about the food offerings in the restaurant was from the two people I know who can’t cope with spices. All the cheap restaurant meals (Chinese, Indian and Mexican) were not suitable for them. But they had the option of pizzas in the bar, though one person did mention that it was a bit same-y to have a plain pizza two nights running. I liked the desserts on the cheap restaurant meals, the fudge cake was yummy, and they were quite happy to supply cream if asked.

One night I had the New York hot dog pizza and that was very nice, though I wasn’t expecting it to be quite so physically hot for some reason, and hot cheese is a really hot thing when you bite into it.

The carvery baps were very good, decent portions, as were the sandwich bar options.

Breakfasts were adequate mass catering, though I liked the fact that they were frying eggs practically on demand.

Other things: yes, some of the panels were under attended, but I put that down to the convention being somewhat under attended overall and the sometimes nine streams meaning that people were spread a bit thin. The panels I attended went off well, even if there weren’t that many there. I thought six streams would be fine for the number we had attending, with room to expand it if more sign up.

I forgot about slash Pictionary. I’d have been there if I’d remembered.

One thing I would like to see for Redemption 19 is a slash/adult stream as there’s no general slash con (that I know of) being run in the UK currently.

Comments

[kalypso]

I thought all the food was excellent with the possible exception of the vegetarian curry on Saturday; I would not have realised it was intended to be a curry if it hadn't been advertised as such, though it was perfectly adequate as a vegetable stew.

The hotel was a very appealing building, and the staff all seemed very competent and friendly; I can't remember another Reception who asked unprompted if I'd like to store my suitcase and coat securely for a few hours until check-in time.

[lexin]

Yes, I thought the food was good, though I didn't try the turkey legs that someone on the discussion list called brontasaurus legs. They looked huge, and it was far too late for a meal that large.

The hotel was lovely, and I had a nice room, plenty of room to get into my costume which can't be said for every hotel I've stayed in.

[watervole]

The hotel staff were among the best I've ever encountered. Helpful in a number of ways. I had an allergy issue that they checked in detail.

they were also very good at producing milk and fruit for Oswin whenever I asked.

[watervole]

Waves...

I really liked the breakfast. Really good mushrooms and black pudding and a good selection of fruit.

Good point about the lack of slash panels. I'll try and remember to pass that on.