When separate invitations to be a part of two titanic overseas comic conventions came to me, from Bedford, England to Madrid, Spain, I felt the imperative to finally find my way to Sweetwater Nessie and the Highlands in Scotland. You cannot have the last name McGregor (even if you are really a mongrel with Swiss, English, French in you) and not feel a kinship with that land that has so much Scottish history and mythology assigned to the place.This begins part of that journey, from meeting Jeff Chalal and Bub Chalal who run the yearly NICE COMIC CONVENTION from their home area of Bedford, England. From all the newfound friends we found there, and the fans we met at the convention, to our leaving for other, distant destinations, it was filled with experiences we never imagined when the year began.I finally found this photo that was taken during the NICE COMIC CONVENTION in Bedford, England before we left for London and then Scotland and the Highlands and Loch Ness and then Amsterdam and the Red Light District and then Paris and Thierry Mornet and landing finally at the Madrid Heroes Con where George Pratt and I re-met after more than 3 decades.
Here, through the kindness of Seema Chalal, who asked Marsha what she would like to do while in England and Marsha said she wanted to go to a London Afternoon Tea.
Seema made her wish come true, with great warmth and kindness to both of us.
And Bub Chahal joined us.
One of the first moments that Marsha Lee McGregor and I would experience over the next month, starting a journey that would be more profound and extensive than we could ever suspect.
I had to make sure this afternoon delight did not get lost.
Thank you, Seema.
Thank you, Bub Chahal.
Yeah.
I know.
You’re the shy brother.
Don McGregor
Bub Chahal is with Don McGregor at Bedford Swan Hotel.
Bedford, United KingdomDon contemplating English Tea. There was no hidden steak or burger on the stand…
Bub Chalal marched Joe Ackerman and I to his unique comic book store in the midst of Bedford, England. The store is a comic book oasis in the setting of trees and swan swaying rivers not far from the English Afternoon Tea.Bub carries the new stuff, and the old stuff, and in between.What more could you ask for from a guy who loves comics and works a place where you can find and revel in them and most important, buy them and help keep the medium alive.This is in Bub Chalal’s second floor upper inner sanctum at the comic book store. This must be where all the big senses shattering comic book decisions get made. Apparently Joe Ackerman is listening to me expound upon the definition of “senses shattering.”
Doing the NICE convention during the day.
Meeting the readers and new people who are just experiencing the books for the first time.
I told Jeff Chahal not to worry if there were lines.
I would spend as much time with the people waiting when they got to the table.
I try to give everything I have in that moment of time to the people who believed in the books
and took them to heart.
Two of the men who help Jeff and Bub Chalal make their NICE COMIC CON run smoothly, and who made me feel very welcome in their home base, Rob and Ben Campbell. Somebody somewhere is probably asking me if I can stand still for a minute. And as I used to tell my pal, Rich Buckler, many times: “Apparently not.”
Bub Chahal is with Don McGregor at Poppins Restaurant Bedford.
Don trying a true English Delicacy…..Black Pudding! #blackpudding #donmcgregor #englishfood
Katy Haughey So this is where you ran off to! Bring me back a coffee and a sausage sandwich? 
Jerry Paris God, don’t eat anything on that plate, Don! Anemic eggs, a cheapo mainly filler sausage and black pudding which is just a plate-filler dare. That is not British food!!! Take him somewhere for a proper breakfast!! Godolphin Hotel, Marazion in Cornwall does a great Cornish breakfast with a glorious view of St Michael’s Mount whilst you eat. Fresh eggs, local sausages and bacon… pots of tea or fresh coffee… toast with a selection of jarred jams, honey and marmalade… fresh fruit… pancakes. Don’t torture the man– he’s traveled a long way to be here! LOL! 
Ruth and I are in Amsterdam Thurs-Sat and then Berlin until Monday and then Prague for 5 days
Joe Ackerman and me having a deep, metaphysical, intense discussion on, what else?
Comic books!
In the hotel lounge when the clock is heading toward midnight.
😂You’re a saint for putting up with him Don.
Hope he didn’t go too Cockney on you.
Joe Ackerman shared a post.
look at me trying to be all cool. don’t say fuck or bugger, Joe. whatever you do, don’t say fuck or bugger.
me & Don McGregor. did I mention I met Don McGregor? that’s him there. awesome.
And on that note, we end our time in Bedford.
Next we will be in a ROOM WITH A VIEW OF THE TOWER BRIDGE AND AN UNEXPECTED SURPRISE IN THE MIDST OF LONDON WHERE WE ENCOUNTER BILLY GRAHAM WHICH WE COULD NEVER HAVE PREDICTED
so very awesome. it was an honour & a joy to finally meet & spend some time with you & Marsha, Don. & if I ever get to Rhode Island, mate, you can bet I’m holding you to that breakfast!
all the best, matey!