England 68.....going on 69....

Gusti gets the coffee on with a smile on her face, as Vienna is sunny this morning. Both she and Catherine plan to go shopping for final preparations for next week, and Euphemia and Elb just concentrate on the important stuff like tea and coffee... Plans are made for meeting up once everyone arrives in the Big Smoke, and Euphemia does an impression of a tortoise until she works up to being human again.... Elb has decided that Slutty Suitcase will NOT be making the trip to London, as a backpack will be easier. Euphemia’s quote of the day is: “Yeah, I popped in last night, but I was pooped, so I popped out again.” Everyone discusses swapping phone numbers in order to make it easier to meet up in London...There is mild panic when the Breakfast Crew realise a new thread is imminent, as Goffy had bagged the 69th, but there is no sign of her... Elb, forever a martyr to the ENGLAND cause, selflessly threadstarts, despite being stupendously late for work.....

As expected, she comes up with something that gives a nod to the naughty number, albeit held in check by the PG-13 nature of the Forum, and shows that she took heed of Marsha’s hints from the night before......ENGLANDSTOCK 69 - the Summer of Love, whatever the position.... is duly posted, and Elb flees the thread, leaving Catherine to be the first post past the starter....an hour and a half after the initial panic-start!!!! Evangelia, attracted by the number, pops in and out again, Sparkle is on her way to the hairdressers, and Gracie clears the place as she hasn’t had a bath for three days....Del does a drive-by, as does Jem, and Catherine returns triumphant from shopping with clothes for London, and Jamie, promptly taking him into the garden for her entertainment.... Eeyore posts in from work, already making use of the facilities! Evangelia is down as she is off to the Highlands, and the weather is not being very accommodating.... Gracie has hot water again, and celebrates by washing everything in sight... Euphemia too has been enjoying domestic bliss in the garden, which ends when Misu comes home... Goffy arrives in mid-afternoon, apparently not too bovvered that Elb hijacked ‘her’ thread. (Sorry again Goffy...) Miss Hyde is posing in front of a fan in her room (!) as it is “scorchio” outside, and Sparkle forgets what she was going to say, so hits the vino instead! Em must be punished, as she is not fulfilling her duties to Gerry, and Loubylou litters the countryside in the name of work!

Elb walks backwards into the thread to get the wind on her face, but promises to be normal for London, and newcomer Laura puts everyone to shame by exercising madly because she’s bored. Elb is advised NOT to be normal, and Catherine helps her on the way, by posting PONR porn.... Cathy gets no help from men at work, and Gracie reckons she’s been married too long for hanky-panky in the tub.Sparkle is to play taxi for Blu tomorrow, and Euphemia + Hagar = No water in the bath! Gracie recommends reflexology for the chill factor, and talk turns to Reality TV shows, which most people abhor, but end up watching, so they can have a moan! Blu squees in, excited because she is going to see Bon Jovi tomorrow and has a date on Sunday....(sssshhhh!) Catherine returns from a brief lie-down, because she’s nosey. Elb pimps Gerry to ENGLAND by accident, and realises they have not worshipped the Butler for a while, so posts a moody pic, but spoils things by mentioning Christmas.....Del is in crisis with Jamie, Roger and Bree, Blu keeps mum about her date, and Goffy’s hot! Catherine shrinks her trousers, and Goffy has been unwell, but is better now.. Elb needs to buy new trousers as her arse has spread beyond Belgium and threatens to take over the world.... ENGLAND sympathises.... Tina thinks she has BO, and Eeyore gives the heads-up on new images in the gallery. Wine is served to all... Gusti turns up just in time, having been shopping for the Big Day, and Tina announces there are to be more Outlander books...ENGLAND discuss football and their allegiances (Tina - England and Scotland, Euphemia - Romania and England, Cathy - none, as she despises football unless Gerry’s playing!) Gusti is ready for her trip, and Elb has a rant because her precious Top Gear has been postponed due to the World Cup...

ENGLAND reduces somewhat in numbers with the departure of many who head off to bed with their second-favourite Scot. Gusti finally catches up, and Goffy is getting nervous.. Elb pacifies her, and threatens to hug everyone, as it’s one of her hobbies. Goffy too will indulge in the Lurve-fest. Yorkie sends her apologies via Elb, but is off to Kent for the weekend, so will not be indulging in either football fanaticism or Gerry-drooling....Gusti and Elb both bid goodnight, and leave Goffy alone with Em, who has crawled out of the dark corner of ENGLAND....... Yorkie, despite Elb’s earlier post, appears to announce she’s not there, but that the London itinerary is up for all to read... then disappears again. After a coded interchange between Em and Goffy, they too depart, and when Jo comes in, ENGLAND is empty......