A long time ago in a cold northern city far, far away (well a few hours drive), the inaugural meeting of the Women of Watson Foundation were meeting to discuss their plans for world domination. The WWF`s (lets just see how many copyright laws we can infringe on shall we) original members, “Pies” (Funny), “Big Stuff” and “the Doog”, a particularly greasy species of weasel, were soon joined by a walking carpet known as “the wookie” as the plans began to take shape.
Within months they were on a train winging its way towards another equally cold northern (but not quite as dirty) city to see the lovely folks of STA travel. As a route began to take shape through Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the USA they all decide to go for it. Only problem was that they all had another year of Uni left (oh, and the no money thing of course!). With a piece of forward planning (something that was almost universally missing from their university education) they decided to set off in about 18 months time.
As their final year of University passed and they (some more successfully than others) completed their degrees, four became five with the arrival of another misfit (and co-inhabitant with the wookie) who had owned such names as Smoothie, Scream, Mockney and even on very special occasions, Gareth. However for the purposes of this piece he will be known as “Jimmy”. Having finished their final exams they again found themselves at STA this time making reservations to depart the UK on the second day of the second month in 2002. They then set of for a few months frenetic working to desperately try and scramble together the funds needed for such a trip.
As time moved on the unconscious decision to leave each and every bit of organising till the very last possible moment somehow managed stand up to the demands of sorting out seemingly endless lists of gubbins that would need completing prior to February the 2nd. Things such as injections, insurance, visa applications and general panicking well in advance were all promptly put off in favour of a meat and potato pastry snack.
Unfortunately, it was around this time that five once again became four as the Doog cited personal problems (well, a lack of funds) as reason for a premature withdrawal (Nice thought). The remaining quartet, not put off by the Bombs in America, the fires in Oz or even the mass troop movements in northern India, still pressed ahead with their plans to see some of this lovely world that we live in!
So as I write departure is imminent, organising is complete and (crowbar primed and ready) Norwich City are on their way to the premier league. We have even completed what is sure to be the most difficult ordeal of the entire trip – Finding suitably fitting clothes for the wookie.
Laters all.