There are a lot of things that I could write about the Blogger’s Bash…and doubtless many will be writing about it for some time to come, but if I were to choose the one, overriding image of the day, it could only be the naked people.
Granted, the ones we actually met were not quite as naked as those we passed outside Buckingham Palace. It was an unexpected sight in central London… hordes of them, all riding bikes…and the police did not appear to mind! Although thankfully, the day was gloriously warm, it made no sense whatsoever. It was not until a bit of judicious Googling revealed that this was the annual Naked Bike Ride, an environmental protest against the car-based culture of our world, that it all fell into place. The ride is a community event that promotes human-powered modes of transport, as well as a body-positive image…and very effectively raises awareness of the cyclists on our roads.
The people we had come to meet, though also a community, were fully clothed… but in many ways, just as naked. From the moment you walked through the door, you were greeted with smiles and buried in hugs. You knew you were amongst friends… even though many of those present had never met each other before in person. There was a genuine excitement at meeting old friends and finally meeting people with whom you have only spoken online… and no sense whatsoever of the awkwardness that often attends first encounters.
It is quite odd, in some respects, when you consider that most of those present were writers, of whom the stereotype is that of the introvert… you would not have thought so for one minute, as everyone launched straight into getting better acquainted and simply opened their arms and let people in. The barriers were down.
I find that beautiful.
Any community shares a common link somewhere. Many communities seem to be closed, focussed inwards on a central goal. One might expect a room full of writers to be a room full of people simply trying to promote their own work. Instead, you had a crowd of people open to sharing… from cakes to knowledge, from smiles to confidences… all of them open to each other. That made it a gathering of friends. I have seen the blogging community act together to move mountains, and seen the small daily kindnesses of helping hands and words of encouragement.
In a world where, very often, we shy away from each other, here was a group of people, many of them technically strangers to each other, but open to the intimate connection of a hug. That is, in itself, an expression of trust for we are, in a way, both naked and vulnerable when we open our selves to others. But it didn’t end there… People share something of themselves and their lives online, often in greater depth than we would do face to face with a total stranger or a new acquaintance. Everyone had a place to start; in my case, I am not at all certain whether it is my son or my dog who is the most well-known fact of my life. One or both of them entered almost every conversation very early. Our absent partner was asked after, health, house moves and passions were known…and it is surprising how much we all knew about each other. It gives the lie to those who believe that what is read online is not remembered or assimilated. At least where people are concerned, we learn and remember… and at events such as this, it really shows.
And it was truly wonderful to meet you finally today Sue!
And FYI, the naked bike riders… I’m sure they were around last year too. I remember Suzanne Elliot mentioning her other half seeing them while he was waiting for the bash to end too!! I wonder if they are the reason the committee secretly chooses this date… 😉
More to the point, I want to know if the committee arived by bike 😉
Hmmm… we should have asked!!!
given Suzie set the standard for over sharing with her twitter habits maybe I should confirm I am the fourth buttock on the left…
Lol! 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I’ll never view Suzie’s tweets th same way again…
Nice Sue. Sounds like it was a great time.
It was indeed, Jess 🙂
I wouldn’t have expected anything less from this wonderful community. Thank you for a peek into the Bloggers Bash. Even the naked bike riders.
It was a lovely day, Jennie, and so good to meet so many friends.
The bravery and confidence it must take to strip bare (as well as the discomfort of saddles on flesh) and be photographed naked. With social media now flashing the photos anywhere, they have no say in which if any pictures they want spread. For me stepping in front of the people I had virtually met was tough, you and the bloggers were as i expected lovely … even if the photo’s of myself *cringe* were not, yesterday I am glad I braved my insecurities and attended #BloggersBash2017
Believe me, Ellen, no-one hates the camera more than I do…at least being on the recieving end. :)I do try and not share pics that fail to do people justice… and in this particular case, was careful to choose a pic that showed few faces identifiable and as little else as possible 😉 I was indeed a good day though .
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The first Bash I really would have liked to have attended. The second too probably. It hasn’t been possible for several reasons, mainly financial, but I think I fit your description of the introvert too well. I hate crowds and parties, and there would probably have been far too many people there for me to have been comfortable, especially if there was hugging going on. I don’t do that. I do miss not being able to meet some of you though.
It was not a huge or grand affair…very informal and lots of comfortable talking, Jane. I don’t think most of us were in our natral envirnment, even so… but it really did just feel like being amongst friends.
I’d love to be in the position to take the plunge or not, depending on mood/courage and not finances.
I know that feeling. It’s only living so close to London that made it possible.
I was wondering why it finished so early. I’d imagined a prolonged session in the bar until closing time, but I was forgetting most of you would have long journeys home.
There was a session in full swing when I left, which may have gone on late as some were staying over.
I’m glad it was a success. But then how could it not have been? Everyone who went had a special reason for going and a strong affective link with everyone else.
Such events can easily become ‘corporate’ and too formal, but there was too much talking nd laughter for that 🙂
Let’s hope it stays that way 🙂
Indeed 🙂
🙂
I missed the naked cyclists. They must have given the tourists outside Buckingham Palace pause for thought! It was lovely to meet you face to face yesterday. You’ve summed up the day perfectly and I’m proud and happy to be part of our blogging community.
They were a most surprising sight on the Mall, Mary 😀
Yes, I was so glad to finally get to meet you! (and sorry for the re-direct link 😉 )
Without your magnificent wordsmithing we wouldn’t know about the small dog or the son, so there is that. 😀
I can happily cede my place to such special creatures 😉
Great post Sue. I think it’s good though that bloggers wore clothes. 🙂 x
I am inclined to agree… You were mentioned and missed, Debby xx
Aw, that’s lovely to hear Sue. Thank you. <3
True, Debby <3
<3
It was a wonderful day and I am always amazed at what lovely people bloggers are! As for the riders I was totally unaware of their presence in London Saturday but good luck to them.
It was a lovely day to meet great people. 💜💖😊
It was, Willow… a really lovely meeting 🙂
Can’t wait for the next one 😊
I doubt I could manage London again for a while 🙂
But hopefully for the next Bash 💗
Fingers crossed 🙂
I’m just very glad those riders never rode past the windows where the Bloggers Bash was being held, Sue. Can you imagine the mass exit from the room? Or would it have only been me wanting to take a peek? 🤔
I really enjoyed reading your thoughts about the 2017 Bloggers Bash. It was lovely to see you again and congratulations on your placing in the best overall blog category. I’ll be in touch soon about getting your badge to you.
Hugs from me.
xx
For once, I was glad of the heavy traffic on the road that slowed up the taxi 😉 All I could think of was ‘saddles and crossbars’… 😉
Thanks, Hugh…it was indeed lovely to catch up, even though there is never enough time 🙂
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