Didn't we have a lovely day the day we went to Sheffield! For Joy of Six

[Ithoriel]

Despite having booked a hotel room and train tickets well in advance the journey South hung in the balance until the last minute due to a severe attack of gout. Not brought on by too much red meat and port, alas, but by the other pills I'm taking to contain what ails me. Fortunately the colchicine tamed the worst effects just in time for me to feel able to go.

First disappointment was that Crosscountry's 1st class catering pales into insignificance compare the what I've been offered by LNER. Crisps, biscuits and coffee are better than nothing I suppose and the staff were excellent, still things were not going brilliantly.

Got to Sheffield mid-afternoon Saturday. A brief yomp up the slope from the station to the Novotel saw me able to drop of my bag and settle into my room. It looked a little more tired and worn than I remembered the room looking last year. However, the facilities were fine and the room large and comfortable ... -ish. More on that later.

Since folks were getting together for drinks late I decided to go to the Sainsbury's next door and grab sandwiches to eat in my room before I headed out. Needing cash for the evening and the show I went to the "hole in the wall" next to Sainsbury's get some. Up pops a message along the lines of "Your card is damaged and is being retained. This machine is out of service." Eek! I have enough cash to get me home when I get back to Edinburgh and to buy something to eat that evening and the following lunch time, providing I am frugal. Grabbed some reduced price sandwiches and a bun and retired to my hotel room to lick my wounds, eat my food, read my book and watch some TV.

And so to bed .... urgh! The previous year I'd complained the mattress was so firm it was like sleeping on rocks. Whether by chance or feedback this year the mattress was so soft it was like being engulfed by The Blob!

Finally asleep by around 3am and awoken about 6am by the person(s) in the room above crashing about. Or possibly a herd of tiny elephants were migrating through the room. Could be either.

Down for Breakfast to find some of the things offered by the menu weren't actually available.

All going swimmingly with the weekend so far! /s

Sauntered across to the venue, part of Sheffield Hallam Uni, just before opening time. Up the stairs, paid my dues, got my wrist band and off I went.

If the rest of the weekend had been less than stellar, Joy of Six was everything I'd hoped for. Met up with people, saw some stonking games, enjoyed both of the Q&A sessions, did some window shopping at the trade stands. Bought a few raffle tickets and won two(!) prizes.

My pictures of the show are here https://imageshack.com/a/XcFW7/1

The trip back was uneventful, thank goodness.

Replacement bank card arrived yesterday. Time to buy some of the things I spotted at the show.

[Elliesdad]

Bank card bu99ered...? That's would clearly have "put a spoke in your wheel" for buying various bits & bobs. ☹️
Still, the show was good, as expected. I look forward to Joy of Six '24. Some of the traders don't attend larger, more "mainstream" shows (such as Hammerhead, for example) and it's always a good opportunity to pick up various items. Yorkshiremen begrued paying "postage and packing" when we don't have to. 😉
Cheers,
Geoff

[fsn]

Ah! Sheffield! My old institution.

Thanks for the photos.

[d_Guy]

Indeed! Thanks for all the pics (and exhibit title cards - well done).

A twenty £ note stuck in one's sock never goes amiss (unless you forget about it and toss it in the wash).

[pierre the shy]

Thanks for posting about your adventures in Sheffield Mike.  Glad you got home OK dispite the hungry ATM...maybe it was telling you your lead pile is big enough? 

Always interesting to see the UK show scene and some great looking games there.....to me the Battle of Scarif game looked amazing, I hope someone was listening if the Rebels did manage to open the gate. 

Looked like a good veriety of periods and rules being used.

The upscaled version of the new Undaunted:Battle of Britain game got me thinking.....and that Bag the Hun game He III formation looked good "Help yourselves everyone there's no (visible) fighter escort" 

I do wish though that people would keep their tables clear of extranious stuff.....I'll just put down my egg and something sandwitches on the tabletop just as someone's about to take a picture     

Looks like you had a overall worthwhile trip.
 

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

All look good, but Scariff, wow!

[paulr]

Thanks Mike, an eventful trip and some inspiring photos      

[Sunray]

Thanks Mike, enjoyed the eye candy. Ah, if Pendraken did 6mm........

[mmcv]

Thanks for the pictures, very interesting. The great emu war 

[paulr]

Thanks for the pictures, very interesting. The great emu war 

And the Aussies lost

[mmcv]

And the Aussies lost

I confess I have used that to wind up an Aussie friend before 


Don't underestimate the mighty emu!

[Ithoriel]

I'm glad people have enjoyed the photos.

All being well there will be some photos from Claymore in Edinburgh next weekend.

[steve_holmes_11]

And the Aussies lost

That was Stuart Broad in an Emu suit. 

[Norm]

Thanks for the photos, certainly a show that concentrates on games.