The NTSG Picnic
The CBB -> St Clare's House

#1: The NTSG Picnic Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 11:43 am


Carolyn looked around the assembled not gatherers.
"Ok, a picnic is a good idea, and at least we won't get wet, not on a virtual picnic, so where do you all want to go?"

There were a lot of replies, a lot of very varied replies, some would require hiking boots, some a boat, some a plane, some would require a time travelling machine, and some even a way of acessing other dimensions. Carolyn looked slightly worried but knew she could rely on Kate to arrange anything.

"I think maybe you should decide this one," she said hopefully, smiling sweetly at Kate.

Kate was not decieved, but she was hungry and knew that the picnic baskets would not be opened until they had reached at least one destination so she took charge.

"Ok, everyone follow me, and ignore Ivan, he is apt to get a little excited if he hears food mentioned."

So they set off, all in a long line behind Kate.




(please continue)

 


#2: Re: The NTSG Picnic Author: LottieLocation: Humphrey's Corner PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 11:51 am


Carolyn P wrote:
So they set off, all in a long line behind Kate.


...who shouldered her rucksack, and told everyone else to do likewise. Carolyn, who was in charge, had already been to Matey to collect the first aid kit (without which no Chalet expedition could set off), so her rucksack was heavier.
The path was steep and grassy, but the sun was shining through the trees, and the girls were wearing big shady hats to protect them from sunstroke.

They rounded a bend in the path, and saw....


Last edited by Lottie on Sat Jul 30, 2005 11:52 am; edited 1 time in total

 


#3:  Author: KatarzynaLocation: North West England PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 11:51 am


'where to go, where to go' Kate thought to herself as she lead the NTSG crowd along the footpath, well leading wouldn't be strictly accurate as in fact what was happening was that rent a mob were pulling her in what ever direction they wished to go.

Turning a sharp right she lead them down the steps onto the canal tow path.

Assembled fishermen who lined the bank for their saturday morning competition looked first in wonder, then in awe and finally in fear as

 


#4:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 11:53 am


The line wound round and round zigzagging all perilous rock formations and chasms until it tied itself into a pretty bow. A few CBBers saw stars as a result of bumped heads but giggles seemed to be a better cure than doses, and anyway they knew (for once) they were safe from Matey. She of course had decided she had better attend the real gather to keep an eye on Rosie.

'So, where are we?' one enthusiastic CBBer cried.

'Errmm....'

Puzzled looks where exchanged until some bright spark cried...

 


#5:  Author: KatarzynaLocation: North West England PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 12:55 pm


"Here!"

The rest of them looked at her and rolled there eyes reminisent of a favourite smilie

"Ok," Carolyn said firmly when it became obvious that Kate wasn't in any fit state to lead the group - her arms now somewhat longer than they had started out thanks to rent a mob's eager pulling "It's nearly lunch time, so 10 more minutes walking will get us to the stream."

She shouldered her rucksack and pushing Kate out of the way marched smartly off leaving the rest to scurry after her.

Round the gravelled pathway, over the uneven ground and hopefully towards the stream.

No one noticed that left behind were two rucksacks and one CBBer who had gotten to bed far to late and up far to early and had taken the brief pause as a chance for a quick nap

 


#6:  Author: LottieLocation: Humphrey's Corner PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 1:01 pm


Lottie had been keen to set off with the others but it had all been getting very tiring - she didn't like uphill (even with knees bent), and when they stopped for a brief rest she used Carolyn's big rucksack for a pillow and clutching her own closed her eyes for five minutes.
When she opened them again, half an hour later everyone had gone, and she was all alone, and not quite sure where she was.

 


#7:  Author: LottieLocation: Humphrey's Corner PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 1:05 pm


Ooops Embarassed
Whose rucksack has Carolyn picked up if I have hers?

 


#8:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 1:38 pm


Carolyn looked around, she supposed that you coiuld call it a stream, if you had an imagination that is. Puddle might have been a closer description though. She shrugged off her rucjsack, realised that it was far smaller, but just presumed that she had dropped the first aid kit along the way somewhere. Then she did a quick headcount. She rubbed her eyes, shook her head and counted again.

"Kate, I think you had better take charge. It is meant to be you incharge and me helping. Maybe I could help by sitting down and having coffee?"

 


#9:  Author: MiaLocation: London PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 2:10 pm


Suddenly a lime green minibus, especially elasticated to fit in a million girls, drove by and screeched to a halt. Mia, probably the tardiest (and laziest) of the CBBers, fell out and reached the rest of the group, having realised as she arrived at the meeting point that she was at least two and a half hours late for the picnic.

Smiling apologetically, Mia greeted everybody, but the other CBBers merely pushed past her to goggle into the car to see who had so kindly driven her over such uncertain terrain.

There were gasps as they realised it was....

 


#10:  Author: JoyfulLocation: Manchester PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 3:27 pm


...a handsome, distinguished, and in fact single doctor! He had noticed Mia running rather half-heartedly after the long trail of CBBers fast disappearing into the distance, and the elasticated bus had given him a nudge and told him that this was what he had become a doctor and bought a green minibus for!

Meanwhile, as the assembled picnicers abandoned their half eaten sandwiches to gaze at this doctor, further down the trail Joyful was still trekking uphill. She had been out buying a car this morning (although she wouldn't get it until Monday so couldn't actually use it!), so had missed the summons for a picnic until it was too late, and was using her guiding knowledge to follow the trail the other CBBers had taken, hoping that they would at least be still playing games when she arrived.

She turned a corner and almost fell over someone asleep on a rucksack. "Who can this be?" she asked herself in suprise, while looking over the figure for any clues. The sleeper had a rucksack on her back, and there was a copy of "Summer Term at the Chalet School" sticking out of it. Ah, definitely a CBBer, Joyful thought. But which one? Further investigation revealed an elephant brooch on her coat and elephant socks under her boots. There was only one CBBer it could be!
"Lottie" she called, shaking her gently, "Lottie, wake up!"

 


#11:  Author: LottieLocation: Humphrey's Corner PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 6:25 pm


But Lottie had been up much too late the night before writing her first (only) drabble, and then got up very early that morning to provide coffe and croissants for everybody at the NTSG party, even if the Australian contingent weren't convinced about their appropiateness for the time of day. That had been followed by a long tiring walk in the morning with a heavy rucksack full of picnic, wine (I kept that quiet didn't I?), raincoat, books, camera, a few elephants and anything else that seemed like a good idea at the time. Now she really was very soundly asleep, and hardly noticed Joyful shaking her - she was dreaming about an earthquake anyway so it all fitted in.

 


#12:  Author: KatarzynaLocation: North West England PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 6:40 pm


Mean while the other not the summer gatherers, who had followed Carolyn till she realised she hadn't a clue where she had lead them decided that if they didn't eat soon they would fade away.

Seating themselves on the grass, having carefully first checked it for ants, snakes and other CS type picnic ruining beasties, began to unpack their rucksacks.

General cries of "whose got....", "where's the...." and "I'm sure we had some..." arose from all around.

Not a one had a full compliment of picnic food, though most had a torch, first aid kid, machintosh and in a couple of cases umbrellas, which were promptly taken out and left in the grass where, eventually they grew into an umberella tree (but that is another story).

Soon they were all munching away on their half a picnics. As they finished Kate and Carolyn confered again.

"So how many have we lost?" Carolyn asked,

"Really not sure," Kate shrugged, "good job it's virtual isn't it, can't imagine loosing them in real life."

"Yes, but what about them, they could be anywhere, they could." Carolyn turned pale and looked at Kate with a horrified expression.

"Well, yes, they could, but surely not, they would know not to go into an ominously named drabble, I mean, surely"

 


#13:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 6:46 pm


"I suppose we could say that being a St Clare's picnic they should have known what to expect?" suiggested Carolyn hopefully.
"Maybe rent a mob could find the missing people?" Kate sounded even more doubtful.

"Rent a Mob? Well it can't get any worse can it, and it must be worth trying." Carolyn turned to the dogs who were currently investigating the umberella tree, and grabbing hold of their leads shouted "Find!" at them.

Kate shook her head, "You don't have dogs do you? You don't do it like that all." She took the leads off Carolyn and shouted towards the dogs, "Find!"

 


#14:  Author: KatarzynaLocation: North West England PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 6:50 pm


The dogs, being highly trained, immediately, ran off into the distance, stopping to water any low lying vegetation, then returned to investigate the left over sandwiches.

"No good," Kate shrugged, "I've never been able to loose them in real life I don't suppose I can here, besides which they know better than to go near any of the dangerous drabbles."

"So what next?" Carolyn asked.

"Dunno," Kate said glummly, "we can't stay here though."

"Ok, lets get everyone together and wonder back the way we came, hopefully we can pick up the stragglers on the way back." The optimism and hope in Carolyn's voice made Kate snicker wildly.

Soon all the stray CBBers, many of whom were bemoaning the lack of afternoon rest, were marshalled into line and, following Carolyn, who had elected to lead the party back, began to walk along.

"I know," someone suggested, "how about a song?"

 


#15:  Author: LottieLocation: Humphrey's Corner PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 7:01 pm


Lottie was still dreaming about the earthquake. Joyful's gentle shake had had no effect whatsoever. But Lottie was starting to wake up because she could hear the screams of the earthquake victims. At least she thought that was what she was hearing. It was a terrible noise anyway! And it was getting louder and louder all the time. Lottie was about to start screaming too - she was terrified...

 


#16:  Author: MiaLocation: London PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 7:09 pm


..... To see that the small band of CBBers (who obviously subscribed to the Joan Baker school of morality) and who had abandoned the picnic and crammed themselves into the elasticated lime green minibus had now started to fight over the handsome young doctor with many yells, screams and pulling of Kenwigses.

"I know I shouldn't have suggested that game of Impertinent Questions!" the doctor said, horrified.

The next moment he had to slam his foot on the brakes as he spied Lottie and Joyful still crouching on the grass - right in front of the bus!

 


#17:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 7:37 pm


Mia took this opportunity to accidently land in the doctor's lap, whilst Ally frantically tried to pull him off.

Watching the situation of general carnage one clear voice could be heard.
'Why dont we just clone him?'

For a second everyone paused, then together in choreographed simplicity they all nodded. The doctor looked scared.

'Thanks Georgia' Ally smirked.

 


#18:  Author: KatarzynaLocation: North West England PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 7:43 pm


At the mention of clones Kate started to shake, almost un-noticed at first but as the seconds ticked on the shaking got more and more violent, the dogs started to fret and the other CBBer's looked shocked, then carefully, oh so carefully began to back away.

Carolyn, backing away with the rest of them had the decency to look at least a little embarrassed.

"What's happening?" Lottie asked in a whisper.

"You mentioned clones," Carolyn's voice was panicked

"So?" Mia asked

"Well, a couple of years ago, we, that is to say Rachel the Witch and I, we did something a bit nasty, with cloned matey's and, erm, I don't think Kate has ever got over it."

"So what do we do?" Roisin asked

"Erm, the doctor stops the bus, then I will count slowly to three, then..... run, as fast as you can."

 


#19:  Author: Guest PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 9:02 pm


But Lottie was stiff and cold from sleeping for too long on the cold damp ground, and her muscles wouldn't work properly. While the other CBBers ran off as fast as they could she still lay there.

The handsome young doctor deduced that his expertise was required and got out of his minibus to help her. After a few moments she was able to get to her feet and he helped her into the minibus to drive her home.

 


#20:  Author: LottieLocation: Humphrey's Corner PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 9:04 pm


Sorry Embarassed
I really must remember to sign in again, after I have signed out mustn't I.
But at least I get to go home with the doctor Very Happy

 


#21:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 9:14 pm


Lottie however was not in for the solid lump of comfort treat she was expecting. The handsome young doctor walked towards her slowly, eyeing her up from head to toe in a slow calculating manner that first excited her, but then caused a cold shake to slowly travel down her spine.

The doctor was transforming. His hair began to turn grey, he shrunk, the bulge in his trousers that had first interested her moved upwards until it was a a bulge across his, no, now her chest, tightly startched, and the person shrunk to less than five foot instead of the six foot six doctor, this was a four foot ten Matey clone.

Lottie stood motionless as the Matey advanced towards her, still eyeing her up slowly.

 


#22:  Author: LottieLocation: Humphrey's Corner PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 9:17 pm


"Aaaahhh!!!" Her muscles still weren't working properly and she couldn't move. "What will happen to me, now?", she wondered.

 


#23:  Author: KatarzynaLocation: North West England PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 9:18 pm


At the back of the coach the trembling form of Kate slowly started to hiss, steam coming out of her ears.

"Noooooo!" she yelled as she started to charge forwards down the centre of the bus, reminding those cbber's who had not run far and could see into the bus of a charging rhino.

Lottie, shocked and unsure of the situation lept, somewhat inelegantly out of the bus, her stiff and sore muscles refusing to do as her brain requested resulting in a small mangled heap of Lottie on the tarmac next to the bus.

The Matey Clone, whose genetic programming had taught her from birth to be wary of charging Katarzyna's looked about her in panic, there was no where to go, only one thing for it. Quickly she reached into her apron and produced a large sticky bottle.

 


#24:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 9:22 pm


Taking a swig of it herself, she then advanced on the heap of Lottie, and pinching what remained of the poor child's nose forced her mouth open and the rest of the bottle down her. The resulting steam from Lottie's ears made a cloud that Matey expected to be able to hide behind.

Not so...

 


#25:  Author: KatarzynaLocation: North West England PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 9:27 pm


for she hadn't reckoned on the crowd of cbber's who were charging from the other direction

At Carolyns command they had removed their rucksacks and were brandishing them somewhat wildly, though a couple had concussed themselves with the first aid kits, flasks and whatjimecall its that were in the rucksacks most were able to use them as efficient wepons, the training provided by the board's moderators clearly paying off.

Unable to find a safe way of dealing with the two sided attack matey did the only thing she new of to avoid a messy and possibly unsavoury death, she drank from the bottle deeply, too deeply, the steam began to build and all 4 foot 10 of her suddenly shot up into the air, steam trailing from her sensible shoes, in the now dusky sky she exploded, sending a shower of sparks high into the air.

"Well?" Kate demanded, as she stood trying to catch her breath on the opposite side of the crumpled form of Lottie, glaring at the now gathered cbbers, "How could you leave me like that!"

"We, er, I, that is," Carolyn stuttered. Luckily she was saved by the fast approaching rent a mob who realised their human was now, more or less, back to as normal as possible.

"Excuse me," Joyful asked politely from the back of the crowd, "is it time to go home yet?"

 


#26:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 10:05 pm


But sadly it was not, for it was pitch black and raining, and no one knew where they were. To go home would be certain death.

‘Shall we go home’ chorused Kate and Carolyn in unison.

 


#27:  Author: JoyfulLocation: Manchester PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 10:39 pm


At the back of the crowd, Joyful was puzzled. It had really been a very confusing day! First she had turned up too late and had to run to the picnic site in the hope of finding some CBBers. Then she had tried to wake the sleeping Lottie, and nearly been run over by some strange lime green bus effort and a man claiming to be a doctor. Just coming to grips with this near death experience, she had been told to run away...and then to run back again...and then confronted by a terrifying Matey clone. Now there seemed to be great confusion in whether it was time to go home, and she still hadn't had any picnic!
Sighing, Joyful turned to her neighbour. "What's going on?" she asked in a little and pathetic voice "I don't understand!"

 


#28:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 10:57 pm


Her neighbour, Carolyn as chance would have it looked around with a grin.

"I know," she replied, "none of us ever understand it. Isn't it fun. just watch our for Georgia, oh, and for middles with machine guns."

 


#29:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 10:59 pm


Suddenly the ground started to shake again, all the CBBers looked puzzled then Kate looked at Carolyn and Carolyn looked at Kate.

'Could it be?' Carolyn asked

'I thinks so,' Kate replied. 'She did say she would be here, but you know what she's like for taking the scenic route.'

The ground shook harder and a large dark shape could be seen emerging from the gloom.

The scared CBBers tried to find hiding places but Kate and Carolyn walked confidently towards the shape.

'Evening,' called Kate.

'Hi Sue!' Carolyn called.

The shape disappeared.

'Flipping heck,' Kate exclaimed. 'She bounced again.'

Then a voice could be heard calling 'Yoo-hoo! Wait for me.'

'Oh Sue you are late again,' Carolyn admonished.

'Sorry, sorry, I took the scenic route, and I forgot the camera (we need photos as Vikki isn't here) and had to go back for it.' Sue said.

'Well I sved you some food,' Kate said searching the many and varied pockets of her voluminous macintosh.

'What have I missed? Are we having fireworks? I saw the rocket it helped me find you.' Sue asked as she chewed on a bedraggled looking sandwich Kate had produced.

' Er no not exactly. We'll tell you later,' Carolyn said. 'At the moment we have a problem.'

'Yes,' said Kate. 'We need to.......................'

Whatever Kate was going to say went unsaid and a look of horror came across her face as another figure came out of the gloom.

 


#30:  Author: KatarzynaLocation: North West England PostPosted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 11:01 pm


From her position right at the back of the crowd Georgia looked at Carolyn thoughtfully having over heard this last statement.

Whilst she decided what to do about such a shocking warning being given out Kate, now finally calmed down, marshalled everyone into some sembalance of order.

"Right," she said, "Carolyn, you and Georgia will lead the way, were going to try and get back home."

Georgia grinned as she tucked her arm through Carolyn's and headed to the front of the queue.

"Why don't we sing as we go?" Carolyn suggested.

"Ok, how about the baby bumblebee song?"

 


#31:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Sun Jul 31, 2005 12:32 am


Meanwhile, unknown to all those attending the picnic, up in Scotland a certain person was getting really upset at not only missing the SG but due to a dead modem missing the NTSG too. The modem fairies had promised to be there on Wednesday but failed to turn up. They did turn up on Thursday but forgot the main lead. It rained so hard on Friday they daren't leave the office and of course they don't work Saturdays.

Pacing up and down the living room hitting anything that dared get in her way with her crutch RTW got crosser and crosser. The CBBErs needed her, they would never manage a picnic without her. She couldn't drive all that way again. Finally she threw the crutch on the floor. Seeing it lying there gave her an idea.

'MS!' she yelled. 'Come on let's look in the shed. I know I packed it let's go find it.'

Soon the garden was coved in boxes as RTW and MS ably assisted by FS emptied the shed, then they emptied the garage.

Finally FS spoke 'Mum didn't you leave it last time we went on the beach? I know you took it but didn't see it when we came home.'
Letting out and eldritch screech our intrepid heroine rushed as fast as she could to the beach. Soon she espied what she was looking for adorning a small child's sandcastle. Ignorning all protests she marched up, grapped her property and returned home.

'Come on you two, Kate and Carolyn and the rest of the CBB need us.'

'Coming,' called FS. 'I was just making some sandwiches, I know that CBB lot there won't be anything left when we get there.'

Soon all three of them were strapped to a rather sandy broomstick andwere following the coastline south.

 


#32:  Author: nikkieLocation: Cumbria PostPosted: Sun Jul 31, 2005 9:10 pm


RTW and family came south over Cumbria and spotted a Nikkie stood waving and trying to hitch a lift having missed most of the NTSG weekend.
RTW swooped low and Nikkie climbed aboard ,the broom getting very full now struggled to lift off but managed to fly albeit slowly.

 


#33:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Sun Jul 31, 2005 11:54 pm


Soon, but not quite soon enough for Nikkie who had turned an interesting shade of green during the journey, they saw the large group still standing on the track.

Rachel turned to Nickkie and shouted 'These tungsten lamps are the best. I can see so far with them.'

As the broomstick swppoed nearer the group snatches of their discussion could be heard.

'She's got the map upside down'

'You'd think someome with the biggest rucsack and posh boots would know where to go.'

'We'll never get home now.'

'I wanted to be home for seven, I've never missed Emmerdale yet.'

'I hope he remembers to feed the cat tonight'

Kate was still staring horrified into space.

'There is something out there, there is,' she insisted.

'Possibly,' Carolyn replied. 'I did think I heard something.'

Suddenly there was a whoosh followed by a MMMMMMWHHHAAHHHHHHHA!

'Oh thank goodness it's the cavalry.'

'What? Where?' Several CBBErs disappointed at not getting near the doctor decided a cavalryman would do instead.

But instead of nice hunky cavalrymen what they saw was a broomstick, with two women and two children sitting on it, slowly settling to earth.

'What on earth are you lot still doing here?' Rachel demanded. 'I thouhgt you'd all be home reading bedtime drabbles by now.'

'Er we got lost. And cloned Matey came and it was all rather nasty.' Ally sounded rather fed up.

'Right I want my tea. Someone said we were going to the chippy. I'll lead the way and you all follow. Coming Kids? Rachel sat on the broomstick again.

'No. We wanna help Kate with renta mob.'

'Nikkie?'

'No thanks, Rachel. I want to get to know Joyful and Ally.' Nikkie said as she hid herself in the group.

Rachel switched the powerful lights on and the broomstick flew a few feet higher than the group and led them all back to safety.

Very soon they were outside a row of shops all selling different types of takeaway food. The CBBers all went for their favourites and not long after that were all to be seen enjoyinh their food and some of Kate's best hot chocolate and reading bed time drabbles.

Some posted to say they had had a nice time. Some not so sure if they had really enjoyed it decided to wait a day or two before posting. One or two brave souls even asked when the next CBB picnic was going to be.

And that dear reader as they say in the best of circles is another story.

 


#34:  Author: Miss DiLocation: Newcastle, NSW PostPosted: Mon Aug 01, 2005 5:13 am


Gosh I'm sorry I missed the picnic. Sounds so much more exciting than my weekend was. Still, what would I do with a young single doctor? Oh wait, take him home to Newcastle where there is a shortage of doctors!

 


#35:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Mon Aug 01, 2005 11:31 am


Thanks for wrapping it up Sue.

 


#36:  Author: MiaLocation: London PostPosted: Mon Aug 01, 2005 11:36 am


Thanks Sue! It was certainly an eventful day - and I will be a lot more careful about accepting lifts from strangers in the future! Very Happy

*Shudders at thought of the Matey clone*

 


#37:  Author: LottieLocation: Humphrey's Corner PostPosted: Mon Aug 01, 2005 12:05 pm


Thanks, Sue. I was wondering how we were going to get home safely.

 


#38:  Author: PatLocation: Doncaster PostPosted: Mon Aug 01, 2005 1:55 pm


And it was all wishful thinking anyway, as all the NTSG people had already been whisked into Cyber-slip!!!!

 




The CBB -> St Clare's House


output generated using printer-friendly topic mod, All times are GMT + 1 Hour

Page 1 of 1

Powered by phpBB 2.0.6 © 2001,2002 phpBB Group