Salcey Forest Aerial Walk
Releasing really wild books for the TV Cameras in Northamptonshire
by weeblyFebruary 8, 2006
It was a lovely day. I was -- as always when hosting -- slightly nervous, but everyone was so friendly - the new BookCrossers were welcomed and I got to meet again those I already count as friends.
PatchworkPerson and Korky picked up 6 bookcrossers from Milton Keynes, while I picked up Jalna, Honourary BC Dog and Inkognitoh from Northampton station - and we all arrived at the same time in the Salcey Forest already full of cars - luckily we could double park but we got some odd looks!
The cafe was already heaving so it was each to their own to order their food and find somewhere to eat it - although as time went on and tables were vacated, we managed to fill up the new outdoor undercover bit as well as a few scattered at other tables.
Just as I was digging into my sausage sandwich, Anglia news called to say they had arrived - and we would recognise them by their bloody great camera! I was whisked to one side (with a backdrop of the toilet block) and when caffcaff finally stopped talking they rolled the film - and I blethered on so much they said I almost filled the tape! I managed to mention a catch this week which is going to Bangkok, and the OBCZ in the cafe - and I can't remember what else - it was kind of nervous outpouring - when they finished filming I realised I was shaking just a little. I was also put off by the ring of BCers BEHIND the camera merrily taking photos of the interview!
The cameraman and interviewer got a bite to eat while we finished eating, and then at about 2 pm there was a call to arms and I led everyone - like the pied piper - down to the aerial walk - with the cameraman dashing ahead and filming a bit, and then squeezing past in the mud to film a little more. I did not realise quite how many of us there were until I saw them all following behind - about 30 BookCrossers in all! I sent my children and their friend to ask people for their books bagged up for release and sent them ahead to release on a large fallen log which is always a good release spot - and the cameraman filmed that too. We left books hanging in trees, and propped against 'woodpecker walk' signs and more shots were taken of Honourary BC Dog releasing a book.
I pressed on with everyone walking behind - but apparently the Anglia TV people were a little too tired so they nabbed Celticstar and OddballDave from the back to interview them and then turned and went home - they did not even make it to the aerial walk! We arrived at base camp and went up the aerial walkway - books left on any flat surface.
Some felt a little unsure - Lyzzybee held WistfulDragon's hand to stop her jumping off the top (I think she may regain the use of her hand one day), and there was a queue to get up onto the viewing platform. We also kept passing people carrying single books away again - obviously pleased with their catches. BookCrossers were stopped and quizzed about what we were doing and as always we were pleased to evangelise about our book releasing. We noticed on the way back down there were not very many books still on the sides - many were taken in that short time!
We stopped by the new modern art by the Elephant pond (elephants bathed there during the 2nd World War) which looks like a giant arrow and a roll call was taken. We then walked back to the Cafe and were pleased to be greeted by Netstation with jelly beans and chocolate dinosaurs - and we had hot drinks and some had cake - well - it was lyzzybee's birthday - and she did share with Matth3w!
At that point Jalna pointed out her train was leaving in 20 minutes from Northampton station - so I had to make a quick getaway and fortunately could not personally say goodbye to many BookCrossers. I think we arrived just a bit too late so it was an hour wait for the next train - but I hope it was worth it! I returned to find the last stragglers moving on to the pub in Hartwell (an Official BookCrossing Zone) - it was getting a little dark by 4.30 pm. We sang Happy Birthday to a very pink Lyzzybee and she opened her gifts of books, chocolate and Lush!
A few Birmingham BookCrossers and the Weebly family and honourary guest Wistfuldragon moved on to another pub for a birthday meal for Lyzzybee in the next village at 6 pm (another BookCrossing Zone!!)- followed by squeezing 7 grown BookCrossers into my people carrier and a final drive this time to Milton Keynes station.
It was a lovely day - I am looking forward to seeing all the pictures and I will endeavour to get hold of a VHS tape or DVD of the filming - and if I find out when it was on I will let you all know!
Thanks for coming - really sorry for those of you who were not able to come - but I think we should repeat it in the summer but this time without the cameras!
PatchworkPerson and Korky picked up 6 bookcrossers from Milton Keynes, while I picked up Jalna, Honourary BC Dog and Inkognitoh from Northampton station - and we all arrived at the same time in the Salcey Forest already full of cars - luckily we could double park but we got some odd looks!
The cafe was already heaving so it was each to their own to order their food and find somewhere to eat it - although as time went on and tables were vacated, we managed to fill up the new outdoor undercover bit as well as a few scattered at other tables.
Just as I was digging into my sausage sandwich, Anglia news called to say they had arrived - and we would recognise them by their bloody great camera! I was whisked to one side (with a backdrop of the toilet block) and when caffcaff finally stopped talking they rolled the film - and I blethered on so much they said I almost filled the tape! I managed to mention a catch this week which is going to Bangkok, and the OBCZ in the cafe - and I can't remember what else - it was kind of nervous outpouring - when they finished filming I realised I was shaking just a little. I was also put off by the ring of BCers BEHIND the camera merrily taking photos of the interview!
The cameraman and interviewer got a bite to eat while we finished eating, and then at about 2 pm there was a call to arms and I led everyone - like the pied piper - down to the aerial walk - with the cameraman dashing ahead and filming a bit, and then squeezing past in the mud to film a little more. I did not realise quite how many of us there were until I saw them all following behind - about 30 BookCrossers in all! I sent my children and their friend to ask people for their books bagged up for release and sent them ahead to release on a large fallen log which is always a good release spot - and the cameraman filmed that too. We left books hanging in trees, and propped against 'woodpecker walk' signs and more shots were taken of Honourary BC Dog releasing a book.
I pressed on with everyone walking behind - but apparently the Anglia TV people were a little too tired so they nabbed Celticstar and OddballDave from the back to interview them and then turned and went home - they did not even make it to the aerial walk! We arrived at base camp and went up the aerial walkway - books left on any flat surface.
Some felt a little unsure - Lyzzybee held WistfulDragon's hand to stop her jumping off the top (I think she may regain the use of her hand one day), and there was a queue to get up onto the viewing platform. We also kept passing people carrying single books away again - obviously pleased with their catches. BookCrossers were stopped and quizzed about what we were doing and as always we were pleased to evangelise about our book releasing. We noticed on the way back down there were not very many books still on the sides - many were taken in that short time!
We stopped by the new modern art by the Elephant pond (elephants bathed there during the 2nd World War) which looks like a giant arrow and a roll call was taken. We then walked back to the Cafe and were pleased to be greeted by Netstation with jelly beans and chocolate dinosaurs - and we had hot drinks and some had cake - well - it was lyzzybee's birthday - and she did share with Matth3w!
At that point Jalna pointed out her train was leaving in 20 minutes from Northampton station - so I had to make a quick getaway and fortunately could not personally say goodbye to many BookCrossers. I think we arrived just a bit too late so it was an hour wait for the next train - but I hope it was worth it! I returned to find the last stragglers moving on to the pub in Hartwell (an Official BookCrossing Zone) - it was getting a little dark by 4.30 pm. We sang Happy Birthday to a very pink Lyzzybee and she opened her gifts of books, chocolate and Lush!
A few Birmingham BookCrossers and the Weebly family and honourary guest Wistfuldragon moved on to another pub for a birthday meal for Lyzzybee in the next village at 6 pm (another BookCrossing Zone!!)- followed by squeezing 7 grown BookCrossers into my people carrier and a final drive this time to Milton Keynes station.
It was a lovely day - I am looking forward to seeing all the pictures and I will endeavour to get hold of a VHS tape or DVD of the filming - and if I find out when it was on I will let you all know!
Thanks for coming - really sorry for those of you who were not able to come - but I think we should repeat it in the summer but this time without the cameras!
