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Bournemouth 2002 - Part 1 |
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On Friday the 26th April, Sarah and I
headed south to Bournemouth for the Southern Girls Spring Weekend. We
arrived at mid-day. My original plan had been to dress immediately and
head off for a shopping trip but the wet weather seemed set to stay so
instead we set off in guy mode to see if we could find a nail salon that
could fit us in that day. Though we found five salons (!) they were all
quite busy and we couldn't find one that could give us both an
appointment at a reasonable time. As I was only after a manicure and
varnishing, Sarah took an appointment for her extensions to be done and
I headed back to the hotel to do my own. |
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 With
me this is a fairly laborious process (I blame lack of practice!) so I
had completed hands and toes by around 5pm - just enough time to prepare
myself for dinner, which was at 7:30. I chose to start the evening in my
black satin blouse, short black skirt and gold buckled elasticated belt
with black patent courts shoes and black 15 denier tights. My room was
in one of the annex buildings so I had a five hundred yard walk
(up-hill) to the bar where I met up with the girls, prior to going into
dinner. Those present in my little group in addition to Sarah were
couples JJ and Sue, Sarah Snow and Debbie plus single girls Elin and
Dawn |
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I prevailed upon JJ to take a few snaps before we went in to dinner. On
this first night it was a buffet meal of good quality and with plenty on
offer. An hour later and comfortably full we retired to the main
function room, joining Jackie and Debbie from Hayway who had managed to
stake out an area of seating big enough for us all to sit in. Eileen and
Ashleigh joined us later on. Also Emma Louise and Nicole had also
arrived and popped over for a chat. We were then had introductory
speeches by the organisers (Michelle and Linda) and 'treated' to the
cabaret, a girl and guy singing and guitar playing duo who tried their
best to get the evening going. Sadly for them only one brave girl
actually went out to dance for most of their act, though a few more
joined in the last couple of numbers. |
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 After
the cabaret I decided, in common with some of the other girls Dawn
amongst them, that I wanted a change of outfit so it was off to my room,
to change. As Dawn was in the same annex we walked along together. I was
impressed by her ability to tackle the steep hill in 5inch stiletto
courts! I had been getting rather warm in the satin blouse so I chose my
sleeveless leopard print dress to see out the rest of the evening - much
better for dancing in. I retained the court shoes, perhaps a little
unwisely, but they looked better than my dancing shoes. |
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Back to the function room and time to
dance and chat the night away. However, knowing I planned to dress for
the whole of the rest of the weekend, I settled for an early night and
retired to my room around 1am. But when I arrived I was overtaken by the
desire to try taking a few pictures both in the dress and out of it. J
Forty minutes later and it was time to get makeup etc off and get to
bed. |
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 Up
at 7am next day and after a shower and shave it was time to get ready
for a full day of feminine pursuits. Having applied my makeup, toning
down eyeliner, eye shadow and blusher as befits daytime wear, I then put
on my outfit for my trip. After the success of my last shopping trip in
Blackpool I had determined that wearing trousers of some sort is the
best way to blend in. And as 90% of the girls I'd seen around town wear
denim, I had purchased a denim jacket, matching jeans, and a v-neck
white T-shirt, together with some low heeled pumps, all from Marks and
Spencer. I knew they would fit OK as I had taken them up to the gents
changing rooms to try them on before I bought them. A black belt with
metal rivet detail (from Claire's Accessories) completed the outfit.
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Having satisfied myself that my look was
as I wished, I headed off to breakfast. About 50% of those present had
dressed for the day so I didn't feel out of place. In fact what I felt
was totally natural. I managed to sit with a few of the girls from the
night before and had a good-sized breakfast, as I didn't plan to have
much of a lunch. |
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 I
went headed back to my room via the bar where stalls of various
descriptions were being set up for the day. Sarah and Debbie were there
so I asked Sarah to take a snap of me outside in my shopping outfit.
Then I headed back to my room, dropped off my camera, touched up my
lipstick and set off for town. The route from the hotel to town took me
directly through the park, which made for a very pleasant walk. As the
sun had decided to make an appearance after the previous nights rain, I
was able at last to wear my girlie sunglasses, purchased over a year
ago. However, ominous clouds on the horizon indicated the rain would be
back so I had my umbrella with me too. |
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The walk in to town proceeded without
incident or even comment. Almost as soon as I stepped out of the park my
eyes were drawn to a large sign announcing the Next one-day half price
sale. Well any girl knows you can't pass up a chance like that so,
checking the traffic I crossed the road and proceeded inside. Even at
this early hour the shop was getting quiet crowded. But the one
advantage of being a tall girl is you can easily reach all those high
racks packed with lovely clothes J I spent an hour looking through all
the racks, selecting some items I thought would suit me (mainly with a
view to wearing in the autumn as it was a clearance of autumn/winter
stock). The changing rooms were closed that day so, even if I had been
particularly daring I couldn't ask to try stuff on. I did make sure that
the beige ankle boots (they go great with the jeans) I bought fit OK
though. In the end in addition to the boots, I bought a sensible skirt
(salt'n'pepper coloured), white shirt blouse with large embroidered
black flower on one side, one polo-neck sweater in brown and another
thicker knit one in pale blue. The shop assistants were charming as
usual but I decided paying in cash was more sensible than using my debit
card with my guy name on! Having dented my bank balance to the tune of £78
I headed off to New Look. They also had some sale items which I spent
another half an hour examining. I spent another £20 on one long
gypsy style dress (black with small red flowers) and a knee length PVC
skirt in beige/mustard. I had it in mind that this would look nice with
the brown sweater but as it turns out experimentation leads me to
believe it goes better with the blouse. |
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 With
my arms weighed down by my purchases but in buoyant mood at my treatment
by one and all, I surveyed the scene and decided that those clouds were
looking more ominous than ever and it was time to head back to the
hotel. The fact my feet were aching a little too added weight to the
decision. I descended back into the park and set off. Ten minutes later
I was approaching a large tethered hot air balloon (which I didn't
remember seeing on my way in) and as I passed it the Pavilion came into
view. Oops! It appeared that I had set off up the park in the opposite
direction to that I had intended! Retracing my course and with the
weather now turning wet, I was glad I had brought my umbrella. |
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The journey back to the hotel was
uneventful. I dropped my shopping in my room and headed over to the
hotel to check out the stalls - there was still more shopping to be
done! I bumped into Ashleigh and Mike coming back from their own trip
into town and we proceeded along together. |
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I had become dissatisfied with my costume
jewellery so I purchased a thin gold chain with a heart shaped locket
(wonder whose picture to put in there - my alter ego perhaps?) and a
thicker chain that would better match some earrings that I have. I also
purchased some chain earrings that would go OK with either chain
necklace. At the wig stall I decided that, despite it meaning people
would see me wigless temporarily, I would have to try a few on to see if
they had what I wanted. The problem was that my brown wig was now past
the point that I could continue to wear it for trips (though I had
thought of a use for it later ….) and I was hoping to get a similar
one to replace it, or a brown one in the same style as my red one. But
though they tried their best for me they just didn't have what I wanted
and I didn't find an alternative that I liked either. Ashleigh, Jackie
and Sarah (dressed herself) were there and I asked their advice too but
they agreed with me. Sarah and I went upstairs and had a sandwich with
Cheryl. Elin joined us having dressed for the afternoon. After lunch and
a chat, I retired to my room for a rest, having arranged to meet Sarah
later in the pool area .......... |
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All images are copyright ©
Wendy Davies, 2002. All Rights Reserved. Any unauthorised copying or
distribution of images from this site is strictly prohibited. |
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With
me this is a fairly laborious process (I blame lack of practice!) so I
had completed hands and toes by around 5pm - just enough time to prepare
myself for dinner, which was at 7:30. I chose to start the evening in my
black satin blouse, short black skirt and gold buckled elasticated belt
with black patent courts shoes and black 15 denier tights. My room was
in one of the annex buildings so I had a five hundred yard walk
(up-hill) to the bar where I met up with the girls, prior to going into
dinner. Those present in my little group in addition to Sarah were
couples JJ and Sue, Sarah Snow and Debbie plus single girls Elin and
Dawn 
I prevailed upon JJ to take a few snaps before we went in to dinner. On
this first night it was a buffet meal of good quality and with plenty on
offer. An hour later and comfortably full we retired to the main
function room, joining Jackie and Debbie from Hayway who had managed to
stake out an area of seating big enough for us all to sit in. Eileen and
Ashleigh joined us later on. Also Emma Louise and Nicole had also
arrived and popped over for a chat. We were then had introductory
speeches by the organisers (Michelle and Linda) and 'treated' to the
cabaret, a girl and guy singing and guitar playing duo who tried their
best to get the evening going. Sadly for them only one brave girl
actually went out to dance for most of their act, though a few more
joined in the last couple of numbers. 
After
the cabaret I decided, in common with some of the other girls Dawn
amongst them, that I wanted a change of outfit so it was off to my room,
to change. As Dawn was in the same annex we walked along together. I was
impressed by her ability to tackle the steep hill in 5inch stiletto
courts! I had been getting rather warm in the satin blouse so I chose my
sleeveless leopard print dress to see out the rest of the evening - much
better for dancing in. I retained the court shoes, perhaps a little
unwisely, but they looked better than my dancing shoes.
Up
at 7am next day and after a shower and shave it was time to get ready
for a full day of feminine pursuits. Having applied my makeup, toning
down eyeliner, eye shadow and blusher as befits daytime wear, I then put
on my outfit for my trip. After the success of my last shopping trip in
Blackpool I had determined that wearing trousers of some sort is the
best way to blend in. And as 90% of the girls I'd seen around town wear
denim, I had purchased a denim jacket, matching jeans, and a v-neck
white T-shirt, together with some low heeled pumps, all from Marks and
Spencer. I knew they would fit OK as I had taken them up to the gents
changing rooms to try them on before I bought them. A black belt with
metal rivet detail (from Claire's Accessories) completed the outfit.
I
went headed back to my room via the bar where stalls of various
descriptions were being set up for the day. Sarah and Debbie were there
so I asked Sarah to take a snap of me outside in my shopping outfit.
Then I headed back to my room, dropped off my camera, touched up my
lipstick and set off for town. The route from the hotel to town took me
directly through the park, which made for a very pleasant walk. As the
sun had decided to make an appearance after the previous nights rain, I
was able at last to wear my girlie sunglasses, purchased over a year
ago. However, ominous clouds on the horizon indicated the rain would be
back so I had my umbrella with me too. 
With
my arms weighed down by my purchases but in buoyant mood at my treatment
by one and all, I surveyed the scene and decided that those clouds were
looking more ominous than ever and it was time to head back to the
hotel. The fact my feet were aching a little too added weight to the
decision. I descended back into the park and set off. Ten minutes later
I was approaching a large tethered hot air balloon (which I didn't
remember seeing on my way in) and as I passed it the Pavilion came into
view. Oops! It appeared that I had set off up the park in the opposite
direction to that I had intended! Retracing my course and with the
weather now turning wet, I was glad I had brought my umbrella.