So there I was today in Chester-le-Street selling my humble pens to the general public at a modest Society Xmas Craft Fair. It went OK by the way, not one of my best selling days but enough to put some mustelid munchies in the fridge. But I digress dear reader.
Mid morning I turned from chatting to my crafter next door to find a large bearded cheery fellow and a slightly lesser chap both staring at me and grinning from ear to ear. Trust me, this is not normal, I usually have to beat punters over the noggin with a blunt instrument to get them to stay at my stall. At a loss for how to proceed in such a situation I simply smiled back, default condition when you are trying to sell someone stuff that they do not yet realise they desperately need.
The large, bearded fellow chose that moment to break the smiling game and thrust forth a hand saying “You must be Geoff”. Still not certain where this was heading or if there was going to be an exchange of sterling for handmade writing instrument I admitted to the crime. Then he dropped the hammer.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, I’m John Mackie!” My ghast has never been so flabbered, the great Jay Em at my humble purveyance. Some of you may remember Jay Ems excellent blogs on the Bus Pass tour he did with a chum. The fellow with him was Stuart, the originator and author of Boswells Bus Pass, a book in which our Jay Em features.
It seems they were en-route to Bradford to watch the footie and Jay Em noticed from my www that I was exhibiting today. He diverted specifically to pop in and say hello. What a thoroughly bonne oeuf. I only wish either of us had the time to retire to a local hostelry and chew the fat over a couple of liquid libations but twas not to be this time. I have to say he is every bit the gent I imagined him to be.
When you get home John I hope your team did well and I hope you read this. You gave me such a pleasant surprise today and it was a privilege to shake your hand.
Boadicea's Chariot 
Nice one Susan. .-D
OZ
It’s lovely to think of the two of you meeting.
This is close enough to Susan.
How lovely!
Oh, OZ, I was going to use that line!
Great post, Ferret! It doesn’t surprise me in the least that Mr Mackie is a gentleman.
Well well well, one of those classic meets and surprises! You’ll never live this down! Yes JM a true gentleman and a Scot to boot! .
Sorry, Bilby! I hope Mr Mackie took the opportunity to avail himself of one of Ferret’s “Mutt’s Nuts” writing implements.
OZ
Perhaps I should point out at this juncture that the Mutt’s Nuts” sobriquet is mine, not Ferret’s.
Mutt’s Nuts
The floppy-eared one does indeed make exceedingly good writing implements. I use mine now every time I write, as does the NSW with her’s.
OZ
That was my next question … 🙂
Blimey, Furry.
How exciting! 🙂
Shock! Horror! But who’s going to be next? Ferret has ‘done’ Rick, me and now JM. There is already a previous invite to Algoa Bay and I wouldn’t doubt that Brisbane is on the radar too.
OZ
Meu Lobo: one of my professors, a rising novelist and respected African intellectual, saw the most recent pen that unsere Frettchen made for me, a sterling silver pen with ebony. She was awestruck at the beauty and quality of it.
Hee Hee Guys,
Thanks for the compliments.
OZ, Jay Em was after a magnifying glass and I had none on my stall. I have promised to make him one specially to his requirements.
Glad to hear you all are loving your pens, it makes me very happy indeed. Don’t forget your guarantees should there ever be an issue.
OZ, who is next? I am about to embark on a training course in Nottingham and will be there for Mon – Wed night inclusive so if anyone is in the area and fancies a pint and a natter I’m up for it. And thanks again re the dogs danglers award. 🙂
Good afternoon, guru.
Just back in the door from the feast of fun that was my weekend. The mighty Robins stuffed Bradford 0-1 (first time that I have ever seen them win in a league match). Up to third and automatic promotion. Nosebleed time!
You should know that the main reason that I showed up at your craft fair was because Stuart and I have reached the age where we are not capable of doing four hours on the road without stopping, bladder-wise. I had been checking your site for a stocking filler for Mrs M. and saw that you had the Chester-le-Street gig yesterday. Just about perfect in terms of distance from Embra. I can thoroughly recommend the gents at the North Methodist Church.
In truth, sole purpose of visit was to shake your hand and to thank you for all the pleasure that your blogs have given me over the years, Great to meet you and I will be in touch about the magnifying glass for Mrs M’s Christmas pressie.
I’m glad that the meeting should have been so pleasant.
I shall never forget the James Wolfe fiasco and would not wish such on any others!
Mrs Osborne,
I know nothing of this JW fiasco. Are you willing to enlighten me?
It was a long time ago – and best left there…
Furry nuff Boadicea. 🙂
Thanks Ferret 🙂
Nice post, Ferret. Liked “My ghast has never been so flabbered” and will use it unashamedly (and without crediting the originator) on an unsuspecting pub audience when the time is right.
Paraphrasing your good self- Skelp my big hairy behind. JM sounds more imposing in the flesh than He appears on a computer screen.
and He will notice Grasshopper capitalised the He
It’s an oldie, JW. It’s been around since the 1950s, if not before. Well, for us with-it southerners, anyway 😕
Hmmm…need to use it on a very young unsuspecting pub audience then.
Yup Jay Dubya,
I believe the phrase had been coined many times prior to my arrival on the scene. Consider it public domain and knock yerself out chum. 🙂