It was the suggestion of Shirt originally, because he has relatives in Weston-Super-Mare who would have been willing to put three rather sad individuals up for one night.

However, fate took a deciding hand and chose that for the weekend in question, said relative would be absent from their place of abode, necessitating the need for the three friends to re-evaluate the situation.

There were two choices:

1) Not go to the convention in Weston-Super-Mare and miss the chance to meet Wendy Padbury in what was going to be her final year on the convention circuit.

2) Go to the convention, meet Wendy, and the rest, but also have to endure one night in a Travellodge, risking the highly dangerous and government-restricted sight of Dufus in his night-clothes (or distinct lack of…).

After much discussion, soul-searching and advice from top government scientists on the best strategy to avoid being reduced to a catatonic state by the presence of Dufus's 'tangas', the three friends acceded to spend an early summer weekend residing in the traditional British seaside resort of Weston-Super-Mare.

"Time after Time" was the title for this momentous event. In residence would be, the aforementioned Wendy Padbury, Mr. Colin Baker, Miss Caroline John, Miss Louise Jameson, Miss Deborah Watling and Mr. Mark Strickson.

Chalky, Dufus and Shirt had never - as this triumvirate - stayed away from home for a convention, and were understandably excited, nervous and apprehensive (the latter two emotions being principally the domain of Chalky and Shirt, due to the thought of Dufus' 'tangas').

Leaving early on the Saturday morning, the three friends climbed into Dufus' car (another reason for Chalky and Shirt's apprehensiveness).

Two and a quarter hours later they arrived and wended their way from the car park to the theatre that would be their main residence for the weekend.

A queue was already outside, as were a couple of 'costumed fans'. Chalky and Dufus quietly thanked God that Shirt had not decided to bring his Sixth Doctor costume.

The doors opened.

After finding that the seat numbers on their tickets meant bugger all within the confines of the theatre stalls, because some fans had decided to plonk their butts wherever they bloody well liked, Chalky, Dufus and Shirt found three well-situated seats in the second row. Unbeknown to them, they were sitting behind a group of people they would come to 'know' very well by Sunday afternoon.

Oh, and they also found that Mark Strickson was not to be attending. Never mind. There are always other conventions.

Their compere for the weekend introduced our first guests, Misses Wendy Padbury and Caroline John - the last companion of the black and white era, and the first of the colour.

Thankfully, for three relative convention-newbies such as Chalky, Dufus and Shirt, Miss Padbury saw fit to recount the knickers story - hurrah!

Other panels throughout the weekend included, Mr. Colin Baker discussing, among other things, the forthcoming 'The Sirens of Time' official audio adventure from Big Finish, along with the 'new Barry Letts', producer, Jason Haigh-Ellery.

(It must be said, on chatting with this very nice man, Chalky suggested that he was the new John Nathan-Turner, to which he replied he'd much rather be the new Barry Letts).

Louise Jameson managed to hold her own on stage, and performed, to the friends' delight, a Joyce Grenfell-esque sketch, with a young child called Tom who refused to have his photo taken with the other children…

Anyway…

A Generation Game-style panel affair involved a few members of the audience and saw the delightful spectacle of Louise Jameson, Colin Baker and Wendy Padbury attempting a Riverdance jig. Nuff said.

By the way, Wendy won, but only because the audience was biased and always cheered the loudest for their favourite diminutive silver-spangled babe.

Other highlights of Saturday included the inevitable autograph queue, the inevitable merchandise shop, and impromptu meeting with Mr. Caroline John, Geoffrey Beevers and several encounters with Tracey.

Who's Tracey? (A pseudonym, for a start).

Basically, she's friends with every single Who luminary - or so she says.

She's on the Katy Manning video (the friends didn't have the heart to tell them that they were too, especially considering Dufus has a starring role).

She was flipping annoying, to be honest.

Sunday saw the loss of Caroline and Louise from the jollities, but the arrival of Deborah Watling.

After another round of panels, autograph queues and overspending on merchandise, came the highlight of the weekend - the cabaret!

What could they hope to expect, especially after all the reports of Miss Watling's rousing rendition of 'Big Spender' the year before?

Well, boy did they get their money's worth…

Wendy and Colin became Zoe and Doctor for a trip through space and time which was - to be perfectly frank - just an excuse for a series of vaguely linked songs and dances from the local dance group. (Good singers though, and a couple of top totties).

Then came Miss Watling's contribution. In follow-up to her triumph the previous year, the three friends were treated to 'Cabaret', and Miss Watling is a tight, black, spangly leotard! Not only this, but in the second act she returned to familiar ground with a second rendition of the, now, classic, 'Big Spender'.

Wendy and Colin dressed as tramps and singing 'Walk up the Avenue' was yet another treat, but the true highlight and unforgettable element of the afternoon's entertainment was provided solo by Mr. Colin Baker…in DRAG! Carmen Miranda, eat your heart out!

So a quiet weekend for Chalky, Dufus and Shirt, compared to their other hilarious encounters. No 'bungee' moments, you ask?

Oh, no no no.

Dufus did not let them down.

Not only did he grab things away from Mr. Baker because he didn't want them signed by him, but he also trapped Miss Padbury's finger in his book.

Miss Jameson was incredulous that the three friends had managed to get to Weston in two and a quarter hours as she had travelled a nearly identical route and taken much longer (she surmised a qualified lack of police patrols or speed cameras).

Miss John was doubtful as to the truth of Enigma's existence (whilst getting a few things signed for their absent guest star), but did at least recognise the three friends from BAFTA (but then again, maybe she says that to all the boys…).

Miss Watling was singularly unimpressed at Enigma's requested photograph to be signed, and asked Chalky to tell her so.

Chalky ended up with Mr. Baker's address to pursue an enquiry about school plays which Mr. Baker now writes in partnership.

A truly great weekend.

Wonderful guests, unforgettable moments, quite a few autographs, Deborah Watling in a spangly leotard and Colin Baker in drag…

What more is there to say?

(Well, there's the 'Case of the Stolen Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Lifesize Cardboard Cut-out' to start with…)