So we are now back from Steemfest 3, with sore thighs due to all the steps we had to walk down in the Salt Mines, blistered feet though I'm not quite sure why and a serious lack of sleep.

I have had to take an extra day off work just to recover. Such is age and its ability to creep up on you unawares. I have mixed feelings about the event. Apologies for the next shot. It just had to be photographed and it's sore as hell.

I didn't expect it to be so hectic and am quite glad I didn't bring the Magic the Gathering decks I was planning too. There simply was not the time for this. There was not the time to meet everyone I wanted to meet and I think I speak for all of us when I say this.

We missed ‘Day 1’ and we just managed to get in the Bear Bowling before it started.

Bear Bowling

The Bear Bowling cup was where it started for @bingbabe and me. The coaches didn’t take long to transport us all there and after walking through a shopping mall we entered the bowling event along with a DJ and loud music.

I could have done without the latter, but the younger ones seemed to like it, and there seemed to be an endless supply of these ‘beer cards’. Take it to the bar, order what you like, and if you want more just get another. Talk about no expense spared.

One of the first people I spotted due to the badge was @hr1. Yes, he is a real person, quite young and better dressed than most. After telling him he is a ‘Legend' in my eyes I got him on a photograph with @detlev.

He probably thought I was a blithering idiot, but let's face it this guy was the savior of new posters and responsible for the motivation of many further articles. At least he was for me.

I met @anomadsoul and @blewitt at the bowling event, neither of them recognizing me even with my ‘Undertakers’ pose, but I received man hugs from both when they realised who I was.

@teodora was dancing to the music and @steevc trying to at times but most were engaging in frantic conversations in between the bowling. @detlev is just to the left.

Our team of myself, @bingbabe, @detlev, and @steevc managed to progress a little but we didn't get to the end by any means.

Here’s @steevc after rolling another gutter shot!

Here are a few more snaps I took from the bowling below. @arcange and @for91days I recognize, but I don't know the others. Is that @surfermarly?

Day 2

The event was split in the area where you watch the speakers, and the area where to food is, and then a further roundtable area. I keep flitting between the former two as I really don't like roundtable events.

@hr1 was speaking about the @steeve project followed by @good-karma and eSteem.

I caught up with @good-karma and managed a selfie. He's a quietly spoken guy and as per usual, not what I expected.

@ytrphoto was handing out Japanese coffee for anyone who wanted some. This was serious stuff and strong if that's how you like it! We spotted him in the airport when leaving again too with his wife or partner?

I spotted the wrist tag and knew I had seen him before, of course it was at the ICE.

This is @exyle wandering past @bingbabe, but I didn’t get to speak to him. He’s a tall chap and that’s even more exaggerated as @bingbabe is less than 5 feet in height.

We both knew @redrica from @steemcampuk last March.

@steevc was trying to fill his Ukelele with signatures from everyone. Here he is posing with @arcange.

@for91days and @guchtere were two of the friendliest people I met at SF3. They are part of the @travelfeed incentive and I owe them for the help and motivation they have given me. They seem to like what I’m writing, so there was a great connection between us.

I chatted with @hormesis, @crimsonclad and @tarazkp for a short while before we were all dragged off in separate directions. It was simply like this; just a few minutes here and there before moving on.

So can you please sign my Ukelele? I only heard @steevc play it once through the whole event and this was on the way back from Bear Bowling.

@roelandp was hard to track down at times, but always had time for you when cornered!

There's more to tell but I am completely whacked out and am about to crash out for a couple of hours. See you in the next installment.