On a snowy day in March I boarded the
train to Waterloo. I wasn’t going to London to look for gold ... just Filofax
enthusiasts.
March 17th was my first
Filofax meet up. For anyone who is unlucky enough not to have been to a meet
up, it is when people who follow the Philofaxy blog and collect ring bound
planners, meet up to discuss their planners and other related topics. Yes, I have
friends who think it’s hilarious, but I do not see the difference between
anyone’s hobbies. Some people knit, others go running, some collect stamps and others are organised and love planners.
The man behind the very popular Philofaxy blog,
Steve Morton, came over from his home in France for the meet up and, very
kindly, met me at Waterloo station. Yes, this feisty, independent woman does
not like going on the down escalators and gets lost on the tube. I have decided
that next time I will be brave and do it on my own!
I did get to Waterloo an hour and a half early as I
was concerned that the snow would cause an issue with the trains. What I hadn’t
realised was that the station would be so cold or that Nero’s was only a take
away hut. Sadly it was also too loud to write or even to read. Needless to say
I did get talking to a few random people and also enjoyed some people watching.
Waterloo station on St. Patrick’s Day when Ireland are playing Rugby, that’s an
interesting place to be. I saw a Leprechaun, a dancing Pikachu and someone in a
Dalmatian outfit.
Steve, myself and a lovely lady called Ana, who had
come over from Spain, were the first to arrive at the venue. Vapiano in Great
Portland Street, London is a fabulous location. They don’t mind how long you
stay, their individual swipe card system is perfect for groups of people who
want to pay separately, the food and drink is great and the service is
fabulous. This is an Italian restaurant with quite a wide choice on the menu.
We commandeered a couple of big tables upstairs at the back and waited for the
others to arrive.
There were 13 of us at the meet up and one
reporter. The reporter from PC Pro magazine was doing an article about people
using analogue and/or digital. I think he was quite surprised by the level of
commitment that we have to the world of planning and our planners in general.
We are clearly an organised bunch and he was also astonished to see the number
of us who have business cards to advertise our blogs. I am very interested to
see what line his article takes.
The meet up was a brilliant way to catch up with
people you have talked to online, make new likeminded friends and discuss
planners and anything else that comes to mind. Though there was, quite rightly,
a lot of discussion on Filofaxes and other related topics, the various
conversations did evolve into many other subjects. It is easy to believe that
people with a hobby are single minded, but this group were definitely not.
I have to say that the dedication of people
travelling from France, Spain, Leeds, Cambridge and many other places was
really good to see. There was a discussion about Planner Con in Europe and some
people had been before, however I can’t see myself doing that right now. (I
will tackle the escalator issue first).
Over the years I have seen the meets ups advertised
but this time I was determined to go. I am very glad I did attend as I met some
fabulous people and really enjoyed the day. I was very lucky to be escorted
back to Waterloo by a lovely man, Darren, who was going in approximately the
same direction; however I abandoned him at Waterloo for the fast train. J It was nice to have someone make sure I didn’t get
lost going back. A big thank you to Steve and Darren for their help on the
escalators and for navigating the underground for me.
Before the meet up Steve announced that he was
giving away two Carpe Diem planners and I was lucky enough to receive this beautiful
planner. I have not yet decided what to use it for but I am sure I will think of
something.
Sadly the pictures I took on the day are not very
good as I didn’t realise my phone was on live photos. (New phone). The pictures below are courtesy of Steve Morton.Thank you to Steve and Jeni. ( Who I believe took some of the photos)
https://philofaxy.blogspot.co.uk
