I woke in the early hours thanks to all that champagne in need of a much needed bathroom break. Only to trip in the darkness on Christine who had taken to sleeping on the bathroom floor. Apparently my cold was causing me to snore as I was unable to breath correctly through my nose. The poor girl had therefore taken to sleeping on the floor of the bathroom. We made a point to go and buy her some earplugs the following day.
When we finally rose we made our way out into St Hellier. It was bitterly cold and then add that sea breeze you could virtually freeze the balls off brass monkeys. We were thinking of a day strolling around the shops, perhaps a cream tea or a nice luncheon, but our fellow Alumni had other thoughts and so we were summoned to the theatre where once everyone finally arrived Nick took us all on a scenic walk of the town. Stopping, as Disney Alumni do, to take the odd dozen pictures or so.
Our walk started in the town and then up the hill past what we were told was once an Amusements. You could see the remnants of where once a cable car had taken visitors to the top. Sadly it was all but in ruins now. The walk around the back of the mound took up to above the new Power Station. Someone thought that the nicest thing to build on the sea front would be an industrial monster. Nick said the local residents didn't like it one bit. You can't help but think perhaps they could stick a huge canvas, like in the Trueman Show. Something to block the view with perhaps a nice sea view. I suppose it would look odd all blue and nice on a grey winters day.
The walk ended up in the old Victorian part of town, where despite the chill we stopped for yet more pictures. Well at Disney you were taught to get in as many pictures as you can. Old habits die hard.
By the time we had walked up the Victorian sea front that was still pretty even on such a cold wintry blustery day. We were all frozen through and were starting to want a bit of respite from the wind. Nick started the tour back towards the town centre and suddenly stopped, declaring to the group that friends of his lived on this very street and they had said that as they were such big fans of Disney would be delighted to meet his Disney friends. How nice would it be, Nick asked, if we all dropped in as a surprise. Suddenly he rung the bell and was greeted by an elderly gentleman whom nick then said and here they are. All 20 of us pilled into their home. The beautiful real log fire was lit and we were all told to go on a tour of the kitchen & dinning room. It really was a cosy, friendly house, we were all very grateful of the respite from the wind.
By 1600 we were all famished and started to look for somewhere to eat. Resting at Pizza Express for a yummy pizza. With a long night ahead nobody ordered alcohol. Then Christine & I had to exit early as we needed to get gift wrap before the shops closed. Then it was back to the hotel to freshen up and get ready for the big event. Nick's party & premier.
Knowing that Christine would take much longer than me to get dressed, I tucked into an episode of Glee on the laptop while she started her beautification process. You never have as much time as you think and before we knew it we were dressed in Tuxedo & Ball gown and the taxi was ordered ready to take us to the Jersey Arts Centre.
As we exited the taxi a long red carpet led from the door to the car and upon entrance there were obligatory Paparazzi with flashing bulbs (Okay they were Nick's friends with a Camera but it had the same effect). We dropped our coats off upstairs (Shame it had to be so cold, really a coat ruins ones outfit). Then we enjoyed complimentary Champagne and a catch up with old friends. Kerry arrived whom I had not seen in 15 years, she hadn't aged one bit. Then there was some of Nick's friends from the Island and litterally hundreds of people arriving.
We were soon asked to take our seats in the theatre, where the second row had been reserved for the Disney Gang. We took our seats and Nick started a speach on how he had always been such a fan of the movies and how he wished to one day make his own. Well for his 40th he had and tonight was the premier. The lights dimmed and we all watched the credits roll and looked for staring roles by many of the audience.
Once the credits rolled we all applauded and headed back to the bar where movie style cupcakes in huge popcorn bags were waiting. We then danced, chatted and milled with one another until turfing out time in the wee hours.
A Taxi back to the hotel and the reunion was virtually over. I think I can honestly say we all had a magical time and huge thanks to Nick for our invitation and for organising the reunion. It's amazing, 16 years have passed and yet when we all met up it was just like it was yesterday. The memories don't die, the friendships last longer and the magic of Disney continues to live on in us all.
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