James and Phil Dolling @ Hay, 1st June

[lindenchase]

A shame, because it was really the kind of thing that would have pleased James endlessly and made Jezza and Richard very jealous. (Thus making James more pleased. )
But on the other hand, I will be away on the other side of the world for the whole of June, so I would have missed all of it and would have on my return have resorted to bothering all of you for tidbits of news.

Okay, girls, back to last night. I am afraid I still want more details. These are desperate times.
What did James tell about the new science series? Or what else did he talk about. What were the other questions?

[sarah]

Hi all. Well what can I add....great to meet MF again and DD properly this time(thanks for the laughs ) Also great to meet Maibee and Starfish for the first time. James was well....James...more relaxed than I think I've ever seen him..being famous is starting to agree with him...that and all the wine he was drinking And beware he does read the board..He said he read the Blue flowery shirt section and found it disturbing!!!!

[lindenchase]

He reads this board?
OMG.......

[lymaze]

;D On a regular basis.

[sarah]

Lots of kids were asking questions...like "what's you fav car?" "who's your fav Richard or Jeremy?" etc etc...A biker did ask why Top Gear doesn't do bikes. He did say that Jeremy can't ride and you couldn't get a helmet big enough to fit his head..lol. He did say he wanted to keep it as a hobby and separate from TG...and then he said he wasn't a very good rider...ahhhhhhhh..lol A kid also asked if Top Gear dog was her real name and he said yes he see's her when he's at Richard's and she's semi retired because she didn't like the studio. If I think of anymore I'll add it.

[lew]

As of now the blue flowery shirt thread is gone ;D....as I have too ;D

[aaurora]

I loved reading all your anecdotes It sounds like a brilliant day - and I will admit to being jealous, but happy for the lucky people that got to meet him, none the less.

Would love to see more photos......?

[glam]

glad you all had a good time girls. As it's now been confirmed that James reads this board I'm off to self moderate within an inch of my posting life

[Deleted]

Jun 2, 2008 19:20:38 GMT sarah said:

Hi all. Well what can I add....great to meet MF again and DD properly this time(thanks for the laughs ) Also great to meet Maibee and Starfish for the first time. James was well....James...more relaxed than I think I've ever seen him..being famous is starting to agree with him...that and all the wine he was drinking And beware he does read the board..He said he read the Blue flowery shirt section and found it disturbing!!!!

Oh dear.....Hi *tries to look innocent*

[Spud's back!!!]

Wonders how to look rather intelligent??

Jillian xx
Spanner Convenor
Operation Spanner Ping 2009

[Deleted]

I've given up looking innocent for now.

[xjsarah]

LOL!! I don't think I can manage to look innocent - I'm not that good an actress! ;D

I love the fact that James reads this Board. I hope he likes the contents, Blue Flowery Shirt thread notwithstanding!

[starfish]

Hi Everyone. couldnt really get on line today as computer was being used. I do have a review ready which I hope to put up tomorrow. I was pleased to meet everyone & was made to feel welcome. it was more wonderful meeting James this time than last time. watch this space.

[Deleted]

Oh brilliant Star can't wair to read it

[Mayfayre]

Link to my photos is here as well so it won't get lost!

[lindenchase]

Wow, James did look great. Very relaxed as you girls had already mentioned.

[dutchdiva]

thanks for the pictures. nice way to wake up in the morning

[jacqui]

Wow - am so envious of you guys - really plesaed for you getting so close and pics too!!!

The photos are fab - they have really brightened up my morning ;D

Can this man get any GORGEOUS he looks so sexy and relaxed

[jacqui]

sorry that should read "any more GORGEOUS"
Am so bowled over by those photos I can't type straight!!!

[aaurora]

He looks wonderful. He has such a beautiful smile. I'm really quite fond of him. *blush*

[jacqui]

What I wouldn't do to see that smile in the flesh every day!!!

[starfish]

Thanks Mayfair those ones are lovely.

[cheeselova]

I wouldnt have been able to go anyway as i was working over the weekend & only returned Sunday night. Lovely to hear you all had a great time, & i suspect DD hasnt quite come down from Cloud 9

[starfish]

JAMES MAY TALK. HAY-ON-WYE 01-06-08

I awoke at 7am on the morning of 1st June. I left home 5 minuites later then intended. So with the station being 20 minuites away I part jogged & part walked at a fast pace to make my first scheduled train. I ended up pacing the platform for 8 minuites for my train. I arrived at Paddington with only 10 minuites to spare for my train to Hereford, I had got confused at Cannon street station as I had to Exit outside and go find Monument underground station which by the time I had found it I had lost a lot of time so I was anxious on the underground part of my journey. My journey to Hereford went without a hitch & I arrived on time at 2.04pm.

I was due to meet DevonsDarling an hour later so I sat in the cafe & drank a mega size tea while I read Notes from the Hard Shoulder. DD arrived slightly early, we greeted eachother & headed to our waiting taxi. We arrived at our B&B at 4pm, freshened up and organised ourselves then we were promptly picked up again at 4.45pm by another taxi, we arrived at the Hay festival at 5pm where we soon found Maibee and joined her at the deckchairs, where we sat chatting & waiting for others to arrive & the time when we could queue to see James.

My nerves began to kick in at this point & I found it hard to conceal it. DD bought some lousey food which she could barely eat, at one point she thought she saw James. My heart beated faster as I looked around, it didnt do my nerves any good. it turned out to be someone else. sarah joined us & around 6pm we decided to queue for James so that we could get at the front. Naturally us Mayhemers were the first to queue. One lady who was part of the festival staff controlling the queue for James seemed bemused by us. lol. Mayfair & her friend arrived later.

Ok This is in parts as A. I am a slow typer & B. I have ran out of time & have to go out. will put up the next part as soon as I can. also once completed I will post a picture of me & James in the members photos thread.

Starfish. x

[Eclair]

Thanks Starfish! Looking forward to the rest ;D

[maibee]

Thanks Starfish. Nice to hear your version. Your nerves were palpable, I really, really felt for you!

[starfish]

JAMES MAY TALK HAY-ON-WYE 01-06-08 part 2.


We were finally allowed to get seated. we all sat in the second row in perfect view of where James & Phil were sitting for their talk. It turned out that the front row was reserved for guests of Mr May. As we waited for the talk to begin I saw the back of a familiar figure of a man disappear behind the curtain near the back of the stage & then promptly followed by Mr May's guests being seated. Finally the stage was lit up & on walked Phil & an absolutely gorgeous James May. He looked good in his black Jeans. shirt & dark brown leather jacket. Phil asked the questions & James answered. They talked about planes. cars. inventions from the 20th centuary & showed clips from the series of the same name, of James in the fighter Jet & the machine that he was spun in where he lost conciousness. Throughout James joked & kept the humour going. He often times swept back his gorgeous hair which was revealing his natural grey highlights. After the talk James & Phil were given a rose each. it was announced that James was going to do a book signing. We all got up & headed straight for the venue & Queued.

We didnt wait too long before we finally reached James's signing table, he signed & posed with people for photos. It was pretty relaxed & so was he. I filmed him interacting with people.

Watch this space videos will be added at some point but your patience is required as need to do some serious editting.

We each took it in turn to pose with James. My shaking was rather uncontrollable at this point. It was finally my turn. I politely asked James if I could put my arm around him, he kindly agreed so I took a good grip on his arm and went in close as to cuddle him. His words to me I beleive were, What cold hands you have! I dont remember answering as by now I was in the land of squee. Something about me being nervous seems to make my hands go cold as the same thing happened when I met him at an eve with TFC.

Before I let James go from my grasp I took advantage of his good nature & leant in & gave him a kiss on the cheek, he was soft, warm & without a whisker in site. We all exeted the tent & waited for James to finish signing. I walked up to mr security guy who was guarding Mr May, he was the type of guy you wouldn't want to mess with. I asked politely if James would join us for a group photo. The signing queue dwindelled & the security guy approached Our James who I then saw rise from His seat & put on his jacket, picked up his glass of wine & headed our way. We all assembled into our rightful places around him, as I was smallest I stood in front of James. I could sense him very close behind me, he was close enough that I heard him breathe. Then he spoke & his lovely voice was very close. The photos were taken By MF's friend then I went into a daze & I am still there. With the photo complete we all watched James disappear gradually out of sight. all us all standing in wonder at the perfect man walking away from us & probably all entering our own May dreams.

Afterwards we headed to Hay centre to celebrate with soft drinks all round & chatted & remenissed. After 10.30 pm we left the bar & said our goodbyes. Myself & DD picked up a chinese take away & took it back to our B&B. I hardly slept a wink all night. In the morning we had a cooked breakfast to keep us going through our journeys home. Our hosts were friendly & the B&B had a homely feel. they were friendly & chatted with us over breakfast.

Our cab back to Hereford arrived at 10.30am. We saw Sarah at the station & we sat & had a drink & chat to pass time before DD's train. We saw her on her train & said goodbye then Sarah & I killed time by taking a walk to the shops & we had a nice chat. Sarah was next to get her train, I said goodbye & I was the last to leave Hereford.

All in All it was a perfect day had by all & it couldn't have gone any better. It was 100 0/0 successful.

I would like to take this oppertunity to thank DevonsDarling, Maibee, Mayfair & friend, Sarah & James May for their kindness & for making me feel welcome.

Starfish x

[Wyvern]

I'm so glad you had a lovely time, Star - that's a wonderful account and really gets across how excited and happy you were. Wish I could have joined you - maybe next time, eh?

Thank you

[maibee]

Aah, Star, that is so nice. I really enjoyed reading your account, which came at just the right time to keep the lovely memory vivid. It was lovely to meet you too and despite your nerves I thought you were very bold to get that little kiss in and to go up to the security guard!

[Deleted]

Brilliant Star and a kiss! Sounds by it you had another amazing encounter with James.

Thank you for your report. ;D