September's event doesn't seem that long ago but when Lisa announced that Sky was interested in offering private sessions in the Mostwam studio I was more than a bit interested. The first date just didn't work for me - ironically it fell just after two custom scenes were being made for me - yes, more Numerically Challenged scenes! On the back of them, Lisa mentioned that another date had become available and Cassie had joined the line up. Well, it didn't take me long to pounce on the opportunity! The process of arranging the session was very simple, the girl costs x and what would you like to do so we can price the supplies. (I won't mention the costs as I'd expect them to vary depending upon what is involved in the session.) Well I had to sample the Moomin pies and I've never been in the tank, so I went all greedy and asked for three gunge drops, one for Cassie, one for me and one to share if Cassie was willing. We would just play a simple yes no game and I was happy for Cassie to wear a dress from the studio wardrobe. Btw, it helps to have an idea of what you want - there's quite a repertoire of games from the Mostwam sites and you could even try a game from a custom scene! (Alas I can't play my own game, well I could but not very competitively) All of this was sorted out in around an hour and the deposit paid to secure the slot with the balance due on the day.

Now, over the years I've been in the studio for Gunge Mistress shoots (still available to download), a Custard Covered Girls shoot and a couple of other occasions as well as the event. In that time I've ran shoots, co-directed, clambered around the gantry dropping gunge on people and even worked the gothic gunge tank release from up there with a high tech system (well a broom), not to mention jug gate! But I've never had the opportunity to pull the chain nor be the one in the tank! In some ways the event was frustrating as I couldn't get involved because of the need to keep my eye away from water and the logistical challenges of doing anything without my contact lens. When there's just three people in the studio those issues are less challenging.

Until a few days before heading to Weston I had my outfit all planned, nothing too exciting just some office wear that was close to chucking. Then I thought about it more and started debating going with latex and what's been named the rubber snookerist look. Yep, the latex won.

Once at the studio the preparation was meticulous, the heaters went on, I was asked which colours I'd like (ever helpful I started with "anything but black" but as I share a love for pink gunge with Emily we had a bin of that.) The little details from the set up stood out - the tank was precisely placed as it would have been for a custom or Gungetankgirls scene. The tank grill was slid in and Leon brimmed the tank with pink gunge. There was some residue on the floor from an earlier custom and that was tidied. Cassie arrived and after a quick chat we had a quick look around the wardrobe suggesting a couple of dresses but leaving the choice to Cassie so she felt comfortable.

Needing to take my contact lens out added another layer of complication - when your vision is measured in millimetres it can rather dominate things. This meant that Cassie got to go first. Leon was quickly ready with the camera and had the tank cam running, the full studio lights were on, it didn't feel like a quick gunge session but more of a pilot shoot for gungetankpeople! At this point I felt comfortable, excited of course but totally at ease, indeed I didn't give the cameras much thought at all, which might mean I never looked at it, or I'm missing out on TV extra work! We started with a proper introduction to the camera, although I can't do a Lila "hellooo" as good as she does. The yes no game always seems easy until you're asking the questions, but it didn't take long to catch Cassie and pie her (I'm a gentle pie-er - well, I haven't had the training course!) Top tip, if you try to argue that you didn't say yes, starting with "no no no no" isn't the best approach! A couple of pies later and it was gunge time. The power you feel when pulling the chain is fun - no wonder Lisa and Charlotte rarely let anyone else have a go! It's really well balanced too so you have a lot of control. The grill gives the rain effect that enhances coverage and minimises doming. Small movements of the chain have quite an effect and the gunge drop does last a long time - you can't help but admire your handiwork either! So with a very well covered Cassie (I'm clearly a natural) Leon paused the cameras, and reloaded the tank while I took my lens out (i started off aiming to have the stuff sat by the pies, but well, it'd be in the scene so tucked it away on a lower shelf of the trolley!)

Camera's back on, we picked up the scene and Cassie helped me into the tank, where a few drips of warm gunge were falling. Again I wasn't thinking about the camera, just enjoying the moment. Time for more yes no questions with me answering this time. Leon joined in asking which was fun, his playfulness would help any nervous sessionee or even a reluctant victim to relax and enjoy the experience. Of course I couldn't see the pies coming, but that just meant that I didn't dodge them! Of course in this scenario you don't really want to win the game so I don't know why I started off trying! I can confirm that the Moomin pies taste great! It's also quite challenging to pie someone sat in the tank! After two pies in the face and one on my head, it was gunge time. I expect most have fantasised about how it feels, perhaps like me, you've experienced another tank. Well the drop was amazing! The grill gives a wide and deep drop so that you have gunge everywhere. The flow is gentle enough to look up into, I'd compare it to heavy rain but I've never been caught in pleasantly warm rain! Cassie enjoyed the rare opportunity to pull the chain and the drop felt just as long from the seat!

So with the cameras paused, Cassie guided me to a seat and clambered into my lap - easier said than done given my attire! Latex, particularly when chlorinated is quite a slippery substance, add in gunge and Cassie was hugging me as much to avoid sliding off as to share the warmth of the gunge. (Remember the mention of the heating - it was quite warm in the studio when we started but you do cool quickly with a coating of gunge.) Leon soon had the tank refilled with green gunge this time and we returned to the tank with Cassie again sitting on my lap. Once Leon had the camera lined up on a tripod he took to the chain. Now, if you've seen the first test of the tank (it's recently gone into the remastered area of Mostwam.tv), or many of the Gunjee videos you'll know how teasingly playful Leon is timing the drops perfectly with a cheeky grin. We had countdowns with the gunge drop never quite coming when expected! Being the gentleman that I am, I didn't pull Cassie under the flow too much, the warm deluge was lovely! Cassie then rolled around in the gunge puddle as she clearly didn't get enough of the green! And so it was wash off time - a challenge itself as we had done a thorough job of the gunging and it was pretty much everywhere! Again the studio hose off was good, helping each other get the gunge off (well as much help as you can be pointing the hose vaguely at Cassie!) Once I was washed off, I was helped over to my lens (moved away from the wet zone) and while I got dried and dressed, Cassie and Leon were flat out cleaning the tank, chair and general area.

Of course I have the session video to look forward to as well. With my visit to the studio lasting around three hours it gives a glimpse into the time and work that goes into publishing a scene a day. I know the video will arrive when Leon gets a chance to edit it together. Until then, the memories are fresh and I'm already having "hmm, I wonder if" thoughts about another session!

The whole session experience was relaxed, it was all about delivering what I wanted and in many areas greatly exceeded my expectations. As a veteran of many sessions over the years, this really stands out as a highlight. Perhaps it's best to sum the day up by likening the session to an experience day that's often promoted as the thing to give. Given the apparatus, games and experience that the Moomins have, I think they could deliver an enjoyable session for the majority of wammers. Cassie was great fun to share the session with, it felt like she was having as much fun as I was. I recommend keeping an eye out for session opportunities as you won't be disappointed.