Vacation 2009
I just got back from a trip to the UK and have to admit it was one of the most surreal and thrilling weeks I have ever experienced.
The plan was to meet with three friends... Lois, Julia and Gabe, go to the Doctor Who Exhibition in Earl's Court, which was to close on the 7th, then travel to Birmingham to see John Barrowman's Robin Hood panto followed by a couple days in Cardiff wandering the bay and seeing the Cardiff Doctor Who Exhibition. I felt lucky that the Exhibition in Earl's Court was still there since last year it opened after we left the UK and was originally to close before we returned to London this year. We were a little less lucky with the panto.... We had tickets to three shows and hoped to see John after at least one of them but by that time he had stopped coming out the stage door. At least we did manage to thank and get autographs from most of the other featured members of the cast.
As fun as it was to see the panto in Birmingham, it was Cardiff that eclipsed the entire week. We leased an apartment on the bay and were just walking across Mermaid Quay when we noticed a young girl bouncing excitedly in front of a seated figure. We recognized who it was from the sound of his voice even before setting eyes on him. It looked like he had his hands full trying to contain the excitement of the girl, so we hesitated before approaching him. As it was a once in a lifetime opportunity, I led the approach, intending just to say "hi" and "thank you for bringing back Doctor Who" and hopefully get a picture before leaving him to his paper and coffee.
Having taken pictures (and the young girl having left), I shook his hand, said thank you and was prepared to walk away totally thrilled that I had the chance to meet him... and then was blown away when he asked us to sit down with him and have a drink. I'm not sure what prompted the invitation... if it was that we were four women from different parts of the world traveling together having met through fandom for the US version of Queer as Folk, if it was because our approach came as a relief after the over-excitement of the young girl or what.
What followed was 30-45 minutes I will never forget as we talked of new Who, classic Who, John Barrowman/panto, QAF-US, American politics and the Gallifrey convention in February... he brought up that Phil and Kai were scheduled. I reminded him that Gareth was also scheduled but had to admit that, to my disappointment, I won't get to go this year. He was so nice and friendly.... I know he started as a fan of the classic series but I did not expect to feel like I had just met a new friend and discovered shared interests to discuss. Our time with Russell ended all too soon with hugs and a kiss on the cheek as he had to get back to writing, but what an experience it was!
The plan was to meet with three friends... Lois, Julia and Gabe, go to the Doctor Who Exhibition in Earl's Court, which was to close on the 7th, then travel to Birmingham to see John Barrowman's Robin Hood panto followed by a couple days in Cardiff wandering the bay and seeing the Cardiff Doctor Who Exhibition. I felt lucky that the Exhibition in Earl's Court was still there since last year it opened after we left the UK and was originally to close before we returned to London this year. We were a little less lucky with the panto.... We had tickets to three shows and hoped to see John after at least one of them but by that time he had stopped coming out the stage door. At least we did manage to thank and get autographs from most of the other featured members of the cast.
As fun as it was to see the panto in Birmingham, it was Cardiff that eclipsed the entire week. We leased an apartment on the bay and were just walking across Mermaid Quay when we noticed a young girl bouncing excitedly in front of a seated figure. We recognized who it was from the sound of his voice even before setting eyes on him. It looked like he had his hands full trying to contain the excitement of the girl, so we hesitated before approaching him. As it was a once in a lifetime opportunity, I led the approach, intending just to say "hi" and "thank you for bringing back Doctor Who" and hopefully get a picture before leaving him to his paper and coffee.
Having taken pictures (and the young girl having left), I shook his hand, said thank you and was prepared to walk away totally thrilled that I had the chance to meet him... and then was blown away when he asked us to sit down with him and have a drink. I'm not sure what prompted the invitation... if it was that we were four women from different parts of the world traveling together having met through fandom for the US version of Queer as Folk, if it was because our approach came as a relief after the over-excitement of the young girl or what.
What followed was 30-45 minutes I will never forget as we talked of new Who, classic Who, John Barrowman/panto, QAF-US, American politics and the Gallifrey convention in February... he brought up that Phil and Kai were scheduled. I reminded him that Gareth was also scheduled but had to admit that, to my disappointment, I won't get to go this year. He was so nice and friendly.... I know he started as a fan of the classic series but I did not expect to feel like I had just met a new friend and discovered shared interests to discuss. Our time with Russell ended all too soon with hugs and a kiss on the cheek as he had to get back to writing, but what an experience it was!