Augustus Caesar

Well folks there's bad news and good news. The bad news is that the dates we selected for our Hadrian's Wall Meeting this year are no good as far as finding hotels and b&b'sto stay in. What this does effectively is kill our dream of meeting and talking to Comitatus privately for a couple of hours over a drink at the Twice Brewed Inn. I have in mind to meet them anyway as I am close to that venue and I will report back on it. Questionsthat many of you may have can be relayed through me if you wish. So, the weekend we chose is out. This is due to the Great Nort Run taking place on the Sunday and hotels etc are fully booked on that Saturday night. The hard thing for me to accept here is that this used to be run in the early days of September and not the latter part. Sponsors and their money rules it seems. So, what now? Well, there's good news. We have postponed that weekend for ONE week only. The meetng will now take place on the 5th, 6th and 7th of October this year. This is still Friday through Sunday. Comitatus won't be there but we can fill the itinerary anyway. So that's really the only change. Now of all those that were going to the original meeting only a couple have yet to confirm you can make the changed date. Myself, Flavia, Pertinax and Augusta have confirmed. Northern Neil we await him contacting us. Gaius and Caldrail may be there but assume a tentative 'yes' will cme our way. Longbow who couldn't make that week may now be able to join us as may Sonic. PM's have been sent to you all via Augusta and I ask that you answer them directly and quickly as booking places will take up our time to sort. Does anyone have ANY issue about sharing a room with twin beds? If so let me know here or by PM if 'shy'. We have exhausted ourselves trying to find accommodation for the previous week although this time will be far easier. So the least amount of effort we can put in now will be better. So please do confirm NO LATER than Saturday 28th July as this will be a cut-off date for anyone wanting us to book one hotel for us all to stay. The hotel will be central Newcastle or Jesmond. Transport to the Wall will be given by Pertinax and Neil upon his confirmation. We'll sort that later on. So, as a reminder, NO LATER than Saturdy July 28th to PM Augusta with confirmations. The weekend is now 5, 6 and 7 October. Itinerary will not change except that we are no longer, as a group, meeting Comitatus. Let's get this going and sort it before one of us cries!! Seriously, we intend this to be a success, so come on folks... get PMing!!!!

Why on earth do folk everywhere revert back to all those folk from ancient times who are supposed to have written the evidence for God and anyone else they care to imagine? We have absolutely NO PROOF whatsoever that these 'tales/stories' are true. We have NO PROOF that the events took place that are spoken about worldwide. We have NO PROOF that the likes of these chaps like Cyrus the Great spoke level headed or just decided to make things up as he went along. That may sound strange but in the context of reality we cannot say for literal evidence that what he or anyone else says is the 'truth'. It is impossible. Isn't it weird that every religious argument takes us back to when this great guy said this and that wonderful chap did this and that evil woman knew no better and one wise guy should rule the world and tell us all what to do and follow him in a big building full of gold ornaments and treasures beyond belief etc etc etc? Why do we quote those folks chapter and verse? What's the point? It isn't stated ANYWHERE that these books or scrolls or whatever you point to are the 'truth'. So why keep referring back to them? What is really required is good solid evidence that is unreputable. This can be in the form of an archaeological dig that uncovers GENUINE works from the period that ACCURATELY describe people and events without question. ONLY then should we maybe begin to allow others to believe a particualr doctrine or whatever. Personally, I couldn't care less. Religious debate will go on for thousands of years yet and what will have changed for mankind in that time? Nothing!! Absolutely nothing. The same quotes and stories will be told and so on.... these forums will be bigger and bolder maybe and we won't be here but others can carry on this debate then but to what purpose? Oh, I forgot, the second coming may have taken place!! The great one will have risen from the dead and we should all bow in wonder!! The great one being? Could it be Augustus Caesar himself? Could it be Posh and Becks? Oh hang on - it couldn't be - there's two of them!! But do you see the point? If you have a blinkered view on religion then that's an issue I won't go into. There's no talking to those folk. The Bible is supposed to be the BIG book.... contradictions and tales that cannot possibly be true are told in there... so now where IS the truth. Oh - don't forget - the Bible even mentions UFO's!!! So do we now believe that all Christians and Bible followers also believe in aliens? Well, they must do if the Bible is correct!!!! "We live in exciting times!!!!"

Isn't religion - any religion - just a way of getting people and their social habits to tow the line with one person's belief that life and teachings should be lived and taught his/her way? There is no real religion and no one religion that is the true definition of the word. No religion can claim to be the founder of all religions and that others are false. To talk of Catholocism being the true faith is indeed a false premise to start with. Paganism came before that and goodness knows how many other sects before that over thousands of years. Just because one guy comes up with a story about how wonderful another is and that his teachings should be followed by all is pretty odd really. Yes, the events may have taken place surrounding the Romans and one man meeting an untimely death, but to say he was the son of God... just picture yourself in those times and ask yourself... "Is he really? What proof do I have? Is this a story made up to make us follow one man's dream?". In troubled times it may be true that people need a figurehead to follow. While Rome is at its height and no-one really has a chance to overthrow them militarily then what can one be involved in that may amass an 'army' to challenge Rome at its heart? Oh yes... it's big on belief systems and their folk worship their Gods of many talents... hmmm... let's say we invent ONE God and create a story around one man who could by some miracle be his son... see where this is going? It's so easy!!! As the Romans persecute Christians it is going to be a very simple task to bring folk to their belief system. As it gets larger then more and more gets added to the story to make it more believable and followers, who are gullible enough, will swallow it. That's human nature. Before you know it you have a system in place that gives credence to your own position and beliefs. To give it more of a chance to run efficiently money is asked for and donations pour in because folk believe in you. Trouble is with this system is that for the last two thousand years the Catholic Church, and others I may add too, have asked for donations to help in their existence but where has this money gone? I see churches all over the world getting larger and grander by the minute andsome are more than mega rich. The Catholic Church, for example, are huge land and property owners. This is a fact - but why? Why do they need to own shopping complexes and other properties and land? Where is this helping the poor around the world? The very folk that they claim to want to help and who cross over to their faith are giving money to the church for it to be spent elsewhere. This church is not the only one doing this and in no way do I single them out. I use it as a point only. Religion in general has been the cause of a vast amount of wars and will continue to be so until they really do start to help people of ALL denominations and stop looking after number one and stop saying stupid things like we are the only real religion. How on earth would they know that? Were they there when all this stuff kicked off? No! Were the stories passed down with proof that these things they believe in really happened? No! So why calim a 'truth' when they really haven't got a clue? Some will quote the Bible as being the ipso facto book on all matters religious. Well, good for them. Except that it contains so many contradictions that the rest of it has to be taken 'lightly' until proof is obtained. What IS religion anyway? Can anyone define EXACTLY what the TRUTH is and can anyone prove that God and Jesus existed at all? This is going to seem extreme but what happens if we have a huge war that virtally destroys everyone and everything? Then after several years pass by a few books are found depicting mythological heroes. Will these become the new Gods and new basis for religion because the 'real' Gods are forgotten? I know a lot of the above text may seem controversial and some of you may want to tke me to task and prove me 'wrong' but I do not hold any religious values or beliefs but am of a particular religious denomination. This I keep to myself but if I did tell you you would be surprised!! No points for guessing as it stays with me.... I make the above remarks only for debate so don't think me an athiest or whatever because I speak of the above. I put these comments to stimulate and offer a different perspective. And now my fingers hurt!!!!

I'll drink to that !! Cheers!! I think we'll all drink to that.... "WEY HEY!!!!!!!!!!!!"

OK folks - the theme for today is "DON'T PANIC!!!" I will cat with Augusta tonight (Wednesday) after she PM'd me with that thought and find out what is happening from her angle and we'll take it from there. We're bound to get somewhere - if things get tight I'll see if I can pull a rabbit out of the hat!! Keep your eyes pinned here. Of course, do not stop trying yourselves, and if successful let us all know here. It'll be a huge help. More later when I can get more details....

AC makes a casual entrance to the scene and notices all the happy frivolity. He can't resist chucking a large toga over the head of Brutus and picks him up and throws him into the impluvium head first. A great splash... much laughter and AC jumps in after him. Brutus rids himself of the unwanted toga and looks for the daring fool that threw him in the water. His challenge, he thought, would go unheeded!! Tough luck... AC had time to remove his own toga and casually asked Brutus what he would do to the man or woman who threw him in. Brutus says... "Worry not my dear Emperor! I will take out my vengeance in the arena tomorrow as stated - this is a happy night and one to last and remember. I will kill ten fellow gladiators at the games and salute you well. Oh, and we'll have another party..." And so the womenfolk carry on with their ducking and diving in the pool laughing at the pointy thing in the bum as they go... "More drinks anyone?"

Has anyone got anywhere near booking hotels or anything like it yet? I know Augusta was going to get in touch with you all regarding choosing one place to stay but no-one has come forward with solid utterings - so I summise we await the great lady's efforts taking fruition.

The Thracian and his sharp object are one of the curiosities of Rome... he has this thing about it and at least once a week he can be seen in all parts with the spike firmly attached to his rear end. So far everyone has been afraid to ask him why it is there - he IS a big fella after all and not very talkative!! Why not introduce yourself to him Urbs and check out his reation.... oh, and stand well back!! Augusta, dear heart... I am not at all tired and you mistrust me I fear. You may watch nubile dancers do their stuff if you wish - male or female... it is only fair! In fact I shall have some broght round. I'm sure Doc won't mind and is quite keen too I hear so there'll be plenty to gaup at.... A little later on a small band of merry men can be heard marching this way... Augusta raises a smile... Doc raises three feet off the floor!! The excitement amongst the womenfolk is reaching a high... time for the gents to wander into another room! The Thracian looks puzzled at being asked by Urbs "Why the sharp pointy thing in the bum???"

Thanks Augusta. The run is normally held about that time of year but usually a week or two earlier. Trust us to pick the one where they change it!! Still, hotels / b&b's should be available though. Let me know what you come up with. I have PM'd Caldrail on this so will await your results.

Or is it the wife of AC lamenting another lost cause when it came to being a heroin? She found Cato - fast asleep and unwakable from his dreams. "Ah well," she sighs... "I'd better go back and seek my loving hubby and congratulate him - I dunno - men and their ego's!!". AC recovers from the excitment and sees his lovely lady approach him. "I'm sorry to have stolen your thunder my loyal lady wife... but a quick decision had to be made - I just got there first. I want no credit and no argument with you..." AC rolls his eyes away from his ladyships gaze. He knows she can be rather a moody one when her show is taken over butshe always forgives her dutiful husband in the end.Must be a love thing. They share a cuddle and wander off into the throng of friends and watch the conga do its rounds. A drink is shared and all is forgiven. What a night!! There are still a few hours left for the hardy ones to enjoy. The slave tells his story to another in the background. A shiver is felt by them both. However, a tale is nothing more than a tale and everyone is quite safe from any evil doings for the rest of the party. Glasses are raised high in a huge cheer as Doc, our wonderful host, brings in some dancers and magicians... oh yes... what a night!!

Augusta may be in touch with you all to see who is staying where and to see if you can all get the same hotel. This would be great bonus so habg fire for a couple of days and see if she gets in touch! NN has returned from his Scandinavian exploits and is recovering forthwith... If you want to book your own place then go for it but may a PM or two may help you all out to try and get to be in one spot. Keep me posted here or by PM.

That's excellent Augusta... we need to hear from the others of course too but that will happen shorttly I have no doubt. It's not too far away and things should be getting clearer for our final itinerary and talks etc. Just as a reminder to everyone... four of us intend a trial walk to aid in our final plans and thus once complete all details should be released here for your digestion. All we need now is fantastic weather - are we asking too much after this summer so far?!?!?!? Let's make sacrifices to the Gods!! You know - nothing illegal like - just squeeze some beetroot or something!!!

Well well well.... It seems this Darkus needs taking down a peg or two!! "GUARDS!!!" A stream of two hundred Praetorian Guards rampage through the corridors, launch a wooden steak through Darkus's heart, one finds a futuristic looking gun and fires a silver bullet through him, another grinds him through a mincing machine whilst a fourth melts the remains in a nearby furnace! Several other gruesome, non mentionables are done to this evil darkness of a 'man' that cannot be mentioned here and thus he is at an end!! No more will he tred in these hallowed avenues of pleasure and sweetness and light. No more shall his darkness turn up to grind everyone to a mindless whimper of sheepish obedience. No more the man. no more the evilness. No more anything from him. He cannot return. He cannot regenerate. He cannot ever cause more misery or sufferances. He is gone!! Totally, absolutely, forever. The rope snaps!!!!!!!!!!!! The floor gives way but holds.... with the force of the floor dropping away beneath everyones feet it frees the locked doors and everyone escapes. Fantastic!! But the dark man is still gone. Still unable to return - no matter what evilness helps him out as nothing can help him. He is no more. He is an ex Darkus! He has not even gone to meet his maker as he has none!! There is a huge cheer in the house as everyone at last gets back to enjoying themselves with the Praetorian standing guard against the rest of the rabble of rowdy rebels!! Augusta shouts... "Anyone got a muffin? Flavia?"

OK folks... after a little hassle with web connections, a broken router, website designs falling behind schedule and many other little quirks I have finally been restored to sanity!! Listed below are several places to stay in Jesmond, Newcastle which is central to all our needs for the Hadrian's Wall Meet. They are relatively inexpensive (don't let that put you off!!) and very accessible to Newcastle City Centre. The first link is a main website which contains all other links I have listed. I have placed them here because they are mixed in with several others. http://www.a1tourism.com/uk/newcastle-upon-tyne.html http://www.a1tourism.com/uk/cliftonhousehotel.html http://www.a1tourism.com/uk/jesmondpark.html http://www.a1tourism.com/uk/westland-newcastle.html http://www.a1tourism.com/uk/avenuehotel.html http://www.a1tourism.com/uk/denehot.html All these hotels look very good and from local knowledge the majority of hotels etc in Jesmond now compete fiercely for business and have improved tremendously over the last twenty years or so. This is because of the historical surrounds of Newcastle and Hadrian's Wall being given a facelift in order to attract tourism like it has never done before. Anyway, take a look and book up at your leisure. If you all get different places it won't matter too much as Jesmond is very easy to travel through and is extremely close to Newcastle. Car parking may need sorting via a quick telephone call to the hotel or even an email where several of your enquiries, I'm sure, will be dealt with quickly. I don't know if anyone is willing to share rooms but sometimes it's a saver to get a twin room. Once you have booked up let me know so I can at least mark you off my 'worry' list!!! I will also try and get some PM's to you all if I can in the next day or so. Let's rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK folks... this is it. I am in the final throws of getting stuff together and will be putting accommodation ideas here very very soon. It looks like we will stay in central Newcastle or the Jesmond area (5 minutes away - 10 at most walking). This means with two forms of transport everyone can fit in and travel from there to the Wall and we can have a decentnight time chat together on each evening in any one of hundreds of pubs!!! Or even a hotel if it has one!! I await two responses from PM's and hopefully that will be sooner rather than later. NN has been away in Scandinavia and is due back soon if not already! As soon as I hear from him then details will appear here. We are still on schedule for a test walk before the main meet to see how our schedule order will work. I hope the material for our 'talks' is coming along nicely. We will still be meeting with Comitatus too so that's a definite. More later...

Well, Romanus... you definitely are a Darkus Evilus!!!! Was there any real need to do that to Pompeii? If you want all that money you could just take it... after all - with powers that can destroy a huge city.. why waste time asking everyone to bring money to you? It means sitting around in your cave waiting for trivial little humans to bring that dosh to you and you must be quite bored!! Why not come out and try and take it? Can you really handle the full wrath of all true Romans who wish to defend their truly hard earned lifestyles? Come on.. come out or we'll smoke you out!! We can do withoutthe playthingsof Nephele destroying everything.... some party!!!!

The reptilian eye looks a tad evil Nephele!! Was that deliberate? Cool!!!!!

AC returns to the fold after a short time away and finally realises he is on a hiding to nothing. He comes clean and attempts to mix it and live things up a little... Aaahhh... the snow... lovely little white tender soft, wet snowflakes!! How beautiful!!! Wow GPM.. that's a mighty bump on the old bonce mate!! How did THAT happen? Now I'm being asked to wear green organza or whatever... oh well... in for a denarius........ there's a little tittering going on - but what the hell... I feel librerated... I can feel the shackles falling away with every second!! Fantastic.... OUCH!!!!!!!!!! Who the hell has just pinched my arse? I look around but all faces look inocently skyward. Great laughter fills the huge room and I join in the fun!!! What a life... "Welcome to our fold AC... it's about time you let your er... 'hair' down!!" GO is gobsmacked and conjures up a scheme in his little mind - if there is one in there!! What now???

I got your PM Pertinax as I did from GPM and have responded accordingly. We shouldn't have too many issues to deal with and even if we do they should sort themselves pretty easily I would think. One thing I would suggest is that accomodation should be sought East of Hexham for picking folks up. This is detailed even more in my PM to you so check that. GO... thanks for the advice re the cars etc. Myself, NN, Caldrail and Pertinax have met before and should be OK when it comes to spotting each other. Our only member so far who we have not met is Gaius Paulinus Maximus although we will sort that when the time comes. If anyone wishes to follow that about the cars etc please do so anyway. Anything helps!! Life is so good and wonderful but nothing ever runs smoothly... however, it all adds to the general panic and humour of any situation the silly gods want to throw at us!! Just which one do we blame? There's that many!! Maybe the god of B&B's or Hotels? Hmmm.... It is getting to the point of last calls for anyone now so if you WANT TO COME ALONG please let me know NOW!! You can still tag along later but arrangements would be made by yourselves probably with as much assistance from me as I could offer at the time. There'snot many of us going but it doesn't matter as long as we have a good time and can create friendships along the way. Great things always start from humble beginnings!! Let's make it great!!!!!

It's not looking good as far as getting several folks intoone place in Hexham for a couple of nights. These two dates of 28 and 29 Sept have been fully booked up for a while by all accounts so far. I have been in touch with a few places and it seems this part of the mid country is extremely popular at the end of September for some reason!! Anyway, we may have to revise the accommodation slightly and maybe even stay nearer to Newcastle and travel by car westward on the days of our tour. This is a pain for travelling but will not hinder the schedule on the Wall in any way. Couldthose of you who will be coming PLEASE tell me if you are bringing a car and if you don't mind carrying a few passengers along the way each of th two mornings and later for return to the hotel/b&b? It is getting critically close now to have this waiting so I really do need to get moving. The only other alternative is for each member to book their own places to stay but as far as that goes we may find complications for those without transport along the Wall. They would need picking up along the way and if we cannot recognise you we may have a spot of bother. So, suggestions anybody?

"Stuff this!" AC thinks to himself.... "I'm going back to the party and the girls/transies/pansies and all other manner of weird beings can go to pot!!" Maybe the panther will show up and give us one of its wild grins tohumour us... maybe it will frighten GO into normality and his cognitive senses will retrn to their more sane selves... maybe a drop of potion - you know, the 'good stuff' will sort him out.... Anyway, back in the house, AC sees Doc checing her locks and asks if he can be of some assistance if their a rabble of rowdy rebels at the door... Doc replies that she has sent them for crucifiction early on account that the cover of night will not lead anyone to suspect that she hadanything to do with it. Sensible!! We wonder if GO was part of that mob!! Manlius enters and whispers to Caldrail that his orders have been carried out... was this the dismantling of the rabble of rowdy rebels or some other scheme C has afoot?

You forgot to mention the flowers in the hairdos Doc!! GO's obsessive behaviour with these slaves is a cause for concern and a rather large amphora of icy cold water is coolly poured over him to calm his wily ways!! Just HOW did he know these gals were trannies then? GO?

Great to have you back GPM... hope the PC is sorted now!! I have added you to my list of certainties and will be posting quite soon for accommodation etc. Those who expressed a 'yes' back a while and who have not been back in touch will need to either contact me asap or sort out a stay for themselves near us in Hexham or wherever we end up!!

Yep - the purple suits you Doc - goes with the lovely golden threads in your hair!! All very shiny and quite glitzy for the times don't you think? The slave girls should be fed a tad more Caldrail... you'll get a bad name! Still, they look pretty good for slaves modelling all the latest garb. Open to any offers for them C?

Yeah and it was SOOOO exciting!!!!! He's gone off to play cribbage with Thor after being 'blown away' and now we look as if we are getting an audit done by Jupiter! I hope your sesterces are in good order Doc... we've all done some dodgy dealing but seem to have hidden it quite well... but this is the God of Gods ain't it? Now, who's gone and upset him to fetch him down here? AC escapes to the kitchen to continue the fascinating chat with Doc about the state of the economy... and her hair...