Let's call it 'Internet Mating'

The internet is a daunting place.  I'll go so far as to say 'scary' from my point of view.   Scary in the sense that I own a Mac, an iPad, an iPod Touch, which are all good things, perhaps enviable things to own.  My problem is I am no expert in using them.  I understand the basics; the bits and pieces, the odds and sods, the right buttons to push (so to speak) one needs to paper over the cracks and make it look to the outside world that I actually know what the hell I'm doing!

In essence I am what is commonly referred to as a 'technophobe'.  Before this very day is out, I'd have created this blog, amended it, amended it again, irretrievably deleted at least three different essential tools to make my blog work properly, completely cancelled the account and started again.  Oh what the heck!  I'm a newby to this blogging malarky .... this is exactly what I have done with gusto, so you could say this is a welcome to my 2nd blog .... but what's a blog or two amongst friends?

Talking of friends, this brings me to the inspiration for this, my very first blog: my internet friends or, as the title suggests, my Mates (oh yes they deserve a capital M): wonderful friends that I have met, and now treasure, thanks to this daunting entity known as the World Wide Web.

Haddon Hall, Derbyshire

I first came across my friends (and you know who you are) at a fansite, when I did what any right-minded, level headed, grown up woman of a certain age (who should know better) would do.  I naturally reserved my place for a weekend in a cottage in the middle of no-where (well Derbyshire) with complete strangers.

Author Cuts to some time later  Well folks, here I am still alive to tell the tale.  Guess what? They weren't axe murderers at all, but really a jolly nice bunch of women. 

So, how does one label this type of friendship?  Internet dating?  (Lordy No!)  Well in my infinite wisdom I like 'Internet Mating' because thanks to the internet, I have found my wonderful Mates.  My mates are a group of  highly educated (far too much to my liking), knowledgeable, brilliant, witty women who have enriched my life, re-awoken me in so many ways and, above all, have become like family (but the kind you like to talk to!)   We've tentatively sniffed around each other.  We've laughed together.  We've drunk copious amounts of Tea, Coffee, Hot Chocolate and a few stronger tipples together.  We've bought more theatre tickets for one Actor (and not been arrested ... yet).  We've stood at stage doors and been elated, down-hearted (or nearly missed the object of our affections due to talking and laughing so much).   My Mates are the ones who I know I can go to when I am in need of an RRR (Right Royal Rant) and vice versa of course.   Thanks to you for encouraging me to get blogging .... I hope I live up to your expectations and you enjoy what offerings I chuck at you.

Feel free to jump into my world from time to time.  It's a funny, wonderful but thoroughly OK place to be ... but that's just my opinion :)