Coventry where James made my dreams come true.
Ok so just to warn everyone in advance that this may go on for a while because as everyone who knows me will tell you that I have the habit to babble on like Xander Harris in full blown babble mode. So if you're thinking of delving into this I suggest you make yourself comfy and have a cuppa *smile*.
So before I start we must go back and talk a bit about how we obtained the tickets in the first place. Of course when the album launch was first announced we were all "Oh yeah we have to go" but as usual my hubby put the dampner on it by saying it was too expensive and we couldn't go.*sulk*. Anyway, about a month before the event a lovely lady from Germany named Snow e-mailed us and said that she had a ticket but for reasons we wont go into on here was unable to make it over to the UK for the Live in Five tour. So she said that because she'd heard we didn't have a ticket we could have hers. She also said that because there was only one ticket Wil and I could fight over it LOL. Well I did consider beating Wil to a pulp so we didn't have to choose but being the lovely kind mother that I am * wink*. I let her have it and it was transferred over to her name. Then a couple of weeks later fate seemed to be on my side because due to some very unfortunate events ( spits on the British court system). Another lovely friend of ours TC was unable to go and wanted to sell her ticket. After a bit of coercing with hubby and because Wil was already going he relented and let me get the ticket * hugs hubby*.
So the big day arrived. I was up early frantically tidying up because two of the most loveliest of ladies and I'm honoured to say friends of mine Ditto and Ladyhawk; were coming down from Manchester to stay at ours for the night so that they wouldn't have to face the long drive back that night. They arrived at ours about 11.30am after missing the motorway exit and getting lost. After a couple of phone calls I sent hubby of in search of them just to make sure they actually got here in one piece *smirk*. After lots of hugs and cups of tea we chatted away about all things James and then introduced them to the delights of Wils bedroom. No before you ask it's nothing kinky *wink* just full from floor to ceiling with buffy stuff. Ditto and LH had there photo took in there, so if anyone out there hasn't seen the pics let me know and I'll point you in the right direction. We eventually got ready about 3 o clock and headed of to the train station for the short train ride to Coventry. In true Dirty Girls fashion we missed the train by waiting on the wrong platform lol...... but luckily the trains run quite regularly from Wolvo to Coventry so after hot footing to another platform we were finally on our way.
We arrived there at about 4.30pm and I decided in my wisdom that we could walk it easily from the station to the Guildhall. So after what seemed like a long walk under the ringroad and through the town centre we eventually found it, stopping of a couple of times to ask directions and also for food because Wil and LH were starving. Ditto and I decided to hold out for fish n chips which btw we never got. There was already a small queue when we got there and we chatted and took some photos; with DeeDee and some other girls who Ditto knows. I must stop here and say a few words about St Marys Guildhall where the launch took place. For a start it was right opposite the old Cathedral which was just an amazing ruin. The Guildhall itself; has got to be one of the finest Medieval buildings still standing in the UK and considering that Coventry was almost decimated in the war it is astounding that this building survived.
What I was surprised; to find out while waiting in the line was that the event was only for; a 180 people. Because we didn't decide to go till late I hadn't found out much about it except that James was gonna be there. So that was the first of my dreams come true because I'd always dreamed of attending an event with only a small amount of people. When all the other cons I've attended have been in the hundreds this was tiny in comparison. While we were waiting in the courtyard for the doors to open we had the pleasure of hearing James warming up which only whetted our appetites to have more. Just before the doors opened the lovely DGs NN, PK and Pixie turned up after getting a taxi all the way from Worcester. There was more hugs and photos before they eventually opened the doors and let us in.
Once inside, e-mails checked and hands marked. We got to the top of the stairs and; were then checked for wires and recording devises. There was no security at the event so all the checking was done by the JM Live girls who I have to say are always lovely and very organised. The Hall inside was again beautiful with carved Angels on the ceiling, tapestries and suits of armour hanging on the walls. James more than once looked up at the ceiling and asked the Angels to watch over him so he didn't; screw things up. Steve Himber was at the back selling the DVDs, CDs, Photos, Signed Guitar plecks and the Spike Trading cards. Wil brought a dvd, a pleck and a set of cards which turned out to be the last ones so she was happy. We then took our seats a few rows from the front and looked forward to the show.
To be continued.......
I'm sorry but this is taking a lot longer than I expected so I'm gonna have to finish it tomorrow. *please don't hate me*; Hugs