Mania

Collectormania, to be precise. Not a psychological condition, exactly... more a small-scale Memorabilia, set in a whopping great shopping centre in Milton Keynes.

Going by the website, I was expecting far more... but in actual fact there was quite a bit squeezed into a comparatively small space ("More celebrity signings on the opposite side of John Lewis"). Many of the usual suspects were there (Spacebridge - from whom I finally purchased the Japanese Armada Black Convoy/Nemesis Prime - Tokyo Toys and even Genki Gear), along with a fair few Cosplayers. As a convention-type thing, it falls down in two areas: Firstly, it's just not big enough - it has far outgrown its venue. Secondly, because of its venue, entrance to the 'show' is free... meaning everyone who'd normally be milling around CentreMK of a weekend will be there along with those who are there for Collectormania. Still, not bad... and the convenience of the other shops was quite useful, too...

My companion and I were supposed to be joined by one of her friends and the friend's daughter but, owing to communication problems over the last couple of weeks, we weren't able to contact either. The worst part of this is that my companion's friend is a huge fan of James Marsters... who was signing at Collectormania. Ho hum.

After an initial sortie, to establish what was where, and what might be worth buying, we wandered about the CentreMK, grabbed some lunch, and browsed the normal shops. While there is a branch of The Entertainer, they never open on Sundays as they are part of the 'Keep Sunday Special' brigade. That was a real shame, as it's a great shop. The whole centre, in fact, is quite impressive... bigger and more open, with vastly more natural light (not to mention resident wildlife!), with a wider variety of shops than even the likes of Brent Cross.

With lunch and the sensible browsing out of the way (and parking time fast running out!) I ventured back into Collectormania for a couple of lightning strike purchases (the aforementioned Black Convoy/Nemesis Prime and Energon Towline from Space Bridge, then a Revoltech Patlabor Ingram 2 from Tokyo Toys (sadly missing the usual pair of cosplaying Japanese girls), before packing up and heading out by way of the frozen yoghurt stand. My companion picked up a Totoro coin purse and a couple of other bits of Totoro merchandise (some to be given away as gifts, I was assured), so it was a fairly successful day overall... And the revelation that the CentreMK has a shop selling imported sweets and other foodstuffs has given both of us good reason to head back sometime soon. Jolly good fun... if a little crowded ;)