TAFF - pg 25


   We had gone to Bourton by bus, but we came back by train.  When we
asked for two singles to Cheltenham, the ticket seller suggested that
we take returns, as they were only two shillings and fivepence, whereas
a single was three shillings and sevenpence.  So we took the cheap day
returns and a two carriage corridor train (yes, really and truly) took
us back to Cheltenham.  The train wound it's way through the Cotswolds
and Don, who appreciated the scenery, too several shots from the train.

   The next day he left for Liverpool and he call round for lunch before
he had to go for his train.  (Haven't heard from him since I hope that
apple pie didn't kill him).  The taxi eventually arrived to take him to
the station and we told each other goodbye.

   As it left I told Don it was nice to have met him and I meant that.
It was and I hope he enjoyed his stay in England as much as we enjoyed
having him over.
                                       Roberta Gray

   We went out to find a telephone booth for me to call Ted Carnell.  I
also called the Kingsley Hotel & told them that I was now at a party &
for them to hold a room for my arrival later in the evening & one that
I wouldn't have to change from when the convention came up 2 days later.
I explained that I was from America to attend this convention & that
had the effect of clarifying to them my "impossible" demands.

   Ted Carnell, then, told me to relay on to the gang the news that the
original con hotel was not informing people that the convention had moved.
Ken Bulmer had called them to make a reservation & was told the conven-
tion had been cancelled.  He'd been somewhat upset when he telephoned Ted.

   Bill Temple & I rejoined the party and things began to hum with con-
versation.  There were tables loaded with drinks and mixers and anyone
who couldn't have quenched his thirst that evening wasn't human.

Ella looked to be about 30 to me & this'll no doubt get me shot next
time we meet.  She wears glasses & from the cartoons Atom had drawn of
her, I was prepared to see a woman of 160-180 lbs in weight.  Far from
if   She is a person very much alive with energy, drive and personality.
Her voice reminds me a bit of Tallulah Bankhead's and her hearty booming
laugh can over-ride the din of such gatherings.  She is blunt in her talk
& one always knows where one stands with Ella. ..a trait I much admire in
People as I hate mealy mouthed individuals.  In short, I liked Ella Parker
very much from our first meeting.

   Alan Dodd & Sture Sedolin sat off in the corner of the room from the
rest of us & I was introduced to Ella's brither, Fred.  He said he wasn't
a fan & was going to leave, but I asked him to stay & found myself talk-
ing about farming with him.  He had been in Canada on a farm for quite a
few years.  He eventually went to his room to watch the dog races onTV.

   Alan Dodd was rather quiet and left a bit early.  He never took off
his overcoat & always seemed poised on his chair ready to leave instantly.
Sture Sedolin is a fan from Sweden who has been active in fanzine pub-
lishing, but I never could get much conversation out of him.  In fact,
after Alan Dodd left, Sture sat off by himself, apart from the group.  I
thought he was simply shy, but was told a few days later that he seemed
to get that way when the group he was with didn't do just whatever he