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Original poster

Bicnod for Mumsnet - LIVE AT THE G8!!! Come and keep me company...

134 replies

Bicnod · 17/06/2013 00:35

I'm here in Belfast for you lovely lot as one of the IF@G8 bloggers - original thread here

It all kicks off tomorrow so setting this up now like a good boy scout to be prepared.

Did I mention I'm getting a press pass?! Shock

Still eeking.

Up in 5 hours so must go sleeeeeeep.

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Original poster
Bicnod · 17/06/2013 16:28

David Cameron is running up and down the path meeting and greeting the leaders - he's going to be very tired at the end of all this poor lad.

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Original poster
Bicnod · 17/06/2013 16:24

They all look very self-conscious - this is hilarious Grin

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Original poster
Bicnod · 17/06/2013 16:23

And I have to say the Golf Club buildings are bloody ugly

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Original poster
Bicnod · 17/06/2013 16:23

This is sooooooo weird. Honestly - bonkers.

The leaders have to walk individually up a long path towards the PM to shake his hand and be officially welcomed...

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Original poster
Bicnod · 17/06/2013 16:22

Ooooo the official arrivals of the leaders have started...

...so WEIRD. They have already HAD a press conference and now David Cameron is pretending he hasn't met them already, shaking their hands and (literally) leading them up the garden path!!

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Original poster
Bicnod · 17/06/2013 16:20

So anyhoo - I met up with the wonderful Frank and Mwajuma earlier for a chat.

A bit more about them...

Mwajuma is 17. She was brought up by her grandmother in Tanzania after her father died when she was one.

She says:

'I want [the G8] to stop hunger because many children die of hunger, 3 million per year'

'We have the power to stop it'

'I have hopes and dreams and some day hope I'll be a mother too - I couldn't face to see my children suffering.'

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Original poster
Bicnod · 17/06/2013 16:10

Quite glad I'm NOT at the formal arrivals - they're running late

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Original poster
Bicnod · 17/06/2013 15:40

Oooooo - watching a live feed of the leaders walking OUT of the building... presumably so they can then turn around and formally arrive Hmm

Oops, it's been cut off - I'm not sure that was supposed to broadcast!

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Original poster
Bicnod · 17/06/2013 15:35

Currently watching David Cameron announcing an EU/US trade deal with Barack Obama and European Council and Commission Presidents.

Waiting for the live broadcast of the official G8 leaders arrival.

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Original poster
Bicnod · 17/06/2013 15:16

The leaders are in - none of them are wearing ties

Waiting for live broadcast from inside the media centre.

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Original poster
Bicnod · 17/06/2013 14:54

Back in Lough Erne now. Phew. About to listen back to the interviews with Frank and Mwajuma - more on that shortly.

Not at the official leaders arrival as only two bloggers tickets available - Rosebell and Jack are there - I get first dibs tomorrow tries not to sulk

On the plus side, just had lunch at the same table as Jon Snow

He said yes to doing a MN webchat - didn't I do well

I have his number in my phone Shock

@liger - thanks very much - will have a look at that article now.

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liger · 17/06/2013 14:31

Hey Bicnod, I hope your energy is keeping up with pace have you found the biscuit supply yet?

Take a look at this article, m.guardian.co.uk/global-development/2013/jun/17/uganda-seed-entrepreneur-josephine-okot

It links together many of the targets of the IF campaign and puts them in a positive context - showing what change can look like. It also links to the issues Salbertina and I mentioned on the previous thread

MmeLindor · 17/06/2013 13:58

Marking place

Original poster
Bicnod · 17/06/2013 13:57

@Yoni Haha Grin

Met up with the brilliant Frank and Mwajuma in Enniskillen town. More on them when I get back to the media centre.

Currently stuck in a standstill traffic jam trying to get back to Lough Erne. Helicopters overhead. Leaders must be passing through...

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YoniMatopoeia · 17/06/2013 12:52

You do know what happens to people who go on these gigs for MN doncha?

You end up working at MN towers. Wink

You will be fab.

YoniMatopoeia · 17/06/2013 12:51

You do know what happens to people who go on these gigs for MN doncha?

You end up working at MN towers. Wink

You will be fab.

Original poster
Bicnod · 17/06/2013 12:29

Off to meet up with Frank and Mwajuma now :)

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Original poster
Bicnod · 17/06/2013 12:26

Just finished writing an article for the Huffington Post Shock

I feel another eek coming on.

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Original poster
Bicnod · 17/06/2013 11:31

*not actually scoot - I'll be in a taxi I hope

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Original poster
Bicnod · 17/06/2013 11:31

@shoofly - thanks :) me too - I just got rained on and my hair is going frizzy

@meglet - I'm here til late afternoon tomorrow - I have to scoot to the airport straight after the big press conference...

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Original poster
Bicnod · 17/06/2013 11:30

In other news, Jack (other blogger) and I just got very lost in the back corridors of the Killyhevlin Hotel trying to find our way from the Lough to the media centre Blush

I have literally no sense of direction.

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Original poster
Bicnod · 17/06/2013 11:28

Just watched the IFCampaign flotilla of viking long boats travel very slowly up Lough Erne - complete with massive wobbly G8 leaders' heads Grin - pics on twitter.

They waved at me and I felt very 'portant.

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meglet · 17/06/2013 11:12

You look fine on the video, I always think it's weird putting a face to a MN name.

How long are you there for?

shoofly · 17/06/2013 11:03

Go Bicnod! Heres hoping the weather improves! Fermanagh gorgeous with a wee bit of sun!

shoofly · 17/06/2013 11:02

Go Bicnod! Heres hoping the weather improves! Fermanagh gorgeous with a wee bit of sun!

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