Yesterday was Pelikan Hub day 2024 and not only was our local meet back at Fleet, Hampshire (was not held there last year as too few of us could make it) but this year I was the hub master !!

So what happened and why is this presently text only? Well there were meant to be 10 of us though one was a no show, this was down on the 14 or 15 who originally registered. As with the UK Southern Pen Club meets we were at the Crown & Cushion, Camberley (just by the Fleet exit of the M3, junction 4a). The pub were very good to us and provided a long table by a fire place (not lit), perfect for hanging the banner, which we did. Thus we were easy to find and all could see what we were there for (aside from the conversation, mountains on ink, and various fountain pens).

Gift wise Pelikan had provided for each registered participant with a full bottle of Golden Lapis ink and an A6 notebook. There was also the banner and for the hub master, i.e. me, a small enamelled mug.

A good time was had by all, however it was when there were just 3 of us left I suddenly realised …. we had forgotten to take any photos. Doh. Fortunately Penultimate Dave did, hence the one near the top.

So will I put myself forwards as hub master next year? Well as I had multiple clashes this year and next year I will have to give priority to a trip to Cambridge (not the Pelikan Hub there) I will not even be able to attend. Still there is two years time.

OK I part lied about the photos, from the hub there are none, but here are some I have just taken of the swab I previously took (1, 2, 3, & 4 passes for each quarter) and the bottle.

I might yet do a full ink review, but lets just say if you were hoping for a shimmer ink that sparkled then you may well be very disappointed unless I was unlucky with this bottle.