Despite looking forward to it for the last couple of weeks, I almost didn’t make it to Newcastle Pride Fair this weekend. The reason? Trackwork.
The setup
I first heard about Newcastle Pride Fair on Threads, from Swoon Bookstore. Both were new to me, and I was originally just excited to consider that there might be a (relatively) local bookstore selling indie authors’ books. It turns out they’re mainly an online operation at the moment, but looking to open a storefront at some point. Regardless, they were hosting a stall at Newcastle Pride Fair in a couple of weeks’ time, and I wanted to go and check out what they would have for sale.
However, it just so happened that this very same weekend, there was trackwork from Gordon to Newcastle, which meant a fairly comfortable 2 hour train ride, became a relatively uncomfortable bus ride that could be a very variable 2 hours. When I noticed this last night, I had immediately decided not to go at all, not wanting to have to deal with that whole rigamorale.
My partner tried to talk some sense into me in the morning over breakfast – the train replacement buses are usually coaches (therefore more comfortable than the usual kind), I had really been looking forward to this, and he wanted some personal time anyway. So, regardless of the hour (it was coming close to 1PM already), I set off on my way north to Newcastle.
Getting there
The bus ride to Newcastle took longer than expected, and I fell asleep for a lot of the trip – as I am wont to do in those kinds of vehicles these days. Getting off at Newcastle Interchange, I checked the Newcastle Pride Fair website… only to realise I should probably have got off 2 ‘stops’ earlier at Hamilton or Broadmeadow.
At that point I wasn’t keen to get back on the bus, so I just looked up the distance and what route to take, and set off – stopping to take photos of things here and there as I walked. Having never really been to Newcastle proper, it felt like a completely new place, and yet completely familiar as well – I was still in New South Wales after all, just that all the Newcastle Council street signs were different.
At the event
I finally made it to Gregson Park at around 3.20PM and hesitantly walked into the event which was in full swing. People milled about everywhere in groups, but it wasn’t crowded except in front of the stage. I think I was self conscious not because I thought I would be judged or something, but more for being there on my own – as opposed to everyone else who seemed to be there in friend or family groups.
After a bit of wandering, I finally located the Swoon stall… to discover that Seth Haddon was still signing! I had noticed either last night or this morning that Seth was going to be signing books at the stall, but hadn’t really paid attention to the times – since I hadn’t really a plan for when I would be there. It was a delightful surprise however, and after being my awkward self I walked away with a couple of his books, bookmarks, and an art pack. It was definitely the highlight of my week.
I always feel insane when I meet authors (all of a handful of times). I forget everything that I want to say and/or I clam up and can’t say anything at all. I end up coming back for a ‘round 2’ because I would have forgotten something…etc. I feel like I’m always making a fool of myself in front of authors, though they probably don’t think as hard about our interaction as I do.
I had seen Swoon promoting “An Appreciation of Cats” by Des DeVivo previously, so I picked up this book at the same time. I saw a bunch of other authors’ books being sold at the stall, but I didn’t know how I would choose and with my budget in mind also, I ended up passing on them for the moment. I will definitely need to purchase more from Swoon in the future and keep an eye on any future events they might be either hosting or going to?
Aftermath
I stayed at the fair a bit more, wandering through more of the stalls and stopping to watch the performances and show at the stage. It was fun, even though I was on my own in a sea of people. I definitely think I will come again – hopefully with a bit more preparation, without the rail replacement buses, and maybe with a few friends?
I had always wanted to go to Pride-related things, but – I confess – I had always been too scared for some reason. I’ve tested the waters now, hopefully this means I might make it to more in the future.
Gregson Park as it turns out is close to both Hamilton and Broadmeadow, so I walked over to Broadmeadow station to catch the bus again. All of the station staff looking after the CCN line buses weren’t from the area and had the vibe of ‘not sure what’s going on they’ve got the spirit’. The bus ride back ended up being shorter than the 2 hours though, so the driver really stepped on it.
A fun day, and a fun experience. A lesson that I do need to try and get out of my comfort zone more.
