First of all if you have not heard of Matt Harding check out his website at www.wherethehellismatt.com. Matt became an internet sensation a few years ago and one of the first “Youtube Celebrities” with his dancing around the world video.

Anyway a while back I subscribed to Matt’s mailing list for his next travels, a week ago I got an email from him saying he will be in Manchester to film a piece for his next video on the 14^th September, the only problem was I was due to be in Amsterdam that day for a few business meetings. Luckily my meetings got cancelled so I was able to go to Manchester.

I turned up at 17.00 and waited around for an hour before Matt showed. By that time over 100 people had gathered. Matt gave us some instructions and we started dancing.

We did four different styles of dancing and that was it, afterwards Matt stayed around for ages signing autographs, posing for pictures and dancing with people and I of course had to do all three.

His latest video should be out in 2012 and hopefully the Manchester bit should make the cut.  

Friday 8th July

I left Wrexham on the 13.00 train to Chester where I changed to the direct Virgin trains service to Euston. This train was about half the size of the usual one and to make matters worse the seat reservation service was out of order so it was a free for all. I was lucky to get a seat but a number of people had to stand all the way to London.

When I arrive I get the underground to my hotel the Hilton Olympia, it is a nice hotel but it is out of the way and awkward to get to as the only station is Kensington which has very limited service to it.

I Head over to Earls Court where The London Film and Comic Con is having a preview night, I was able to get some photographs and autographs early to save me some time tomorrow. I met Vivica A Fox who was very nice and friendly, as she was signing for me Brent Spiner came over to say hello to her.

 I talked to Brian Tochi from Police Academy and one of my favourite films Revenge of the Nerds for a while, he seemed genuinely happy to be there. Finally I got two free autographs from Jessie Cave who was in Harry Potter and Trevor Steedman who was in Aliens.

I left at 7.20 and went over to the HMV Hammersmith Apollo to see Steve Martin who was performing.

I have to admit I was expecting more of a stand up performance but it turns out to be all Blue Grass with him playing the banjo, but it was entertaining all the same.

Afterwards I waited to get his autograph which I did but unfortunately was not able to get a picture with him because he was swamped by people trying to get signatures. After which I headed back to the hotel for the night.

Saturday 9th July

It is going to be a busy day today, probably the busiest of any convention that I have been too as there is so many people I want to meet and get pictures with, so after breakfast I head over to Earls Court where London Film and Comic Con is.

There is a load of people queuing up when I get there but luckily as I have a Gold Pass I don’t need to wait in it.

After a short walk around, the first person I meet is Sandahl Bergman from Conan The Barbarian, she was really nice and came all the way around the desk to have her picture with me.

Next was Christopher Lambert, Highlander is one of my favorite movies so it was a real pleasure to meet him and to get him to sign a picture of himself as Connor MacLeod.

I them head over for a photoshoot with Vivica A Fox closely followed by Shawnee Smith.

I then meet Christopher Lloyd from Back to the Future and get him to sign my Back to the Future Poster and Chuck Poster, I have met him before so don’t need to get him to sign a photo for me.

I then get Robert Knepper to sign my Heroes poster before heading over to Stephen Furst best known as playing Flounder in Animal House. If I am honest I got a little star struck when speaking to him (something that never happens to me). Animal House has always been my favorite movie from as long as I can remember so this was a real highlight of the show to meet him. He was very gracious and we talked for a short while.

After meeting Stephen I went for my photoshoot with Lisa Marie from Mars Attacks and Ed Wood, followed by a photoshoot with Stephen Furst.

I then go over to get Tom Sizemore’s autograph and have a picture with him, he was moaning to Mark Sheppard (in a funny way) about all they give him at this place is coffee and water.

I then go over to meet Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa from Heroes, James Bond and many others. He signed my Heroes poster.

Then I went over to meet Corey Feldman and have to say I was a little disappointed, after turning up late he would rather speak to his entourage and text on his phone than look at his fans, I am also a little annoyed that he would only personalise things which I don’t mind on my photograph but would rather not on my Gonnies Map as I prefer cast signed items to be un-personalised as it saves space and makes it look neater.

I then head over to Jeffrey Weissman and Ricky Dean Logan and get them to sign my Back to the Future poster and get pictures with them. Both were very friendly. Quickly followed by Lea Thompson to sign it, I have met her before so just get her to sign my poster.

Next up was Joel Gretsch from Taken and the 4400, and he has to be one of the nicest stars I have met at a signing show. After asking me where I was from and my family we talked about my son Matthew for a good couple of minutes and what it is like to be a father, a genuinely nice guy that I would happily meet again.

The last two signatures of the day was Shawnee Smith who was great, I just wish they had some different pictures other than from Saw as I am not a big fan of the movie as I much prefer he TV days in Becker. The I met Lisa Marie who did not really talk and had a no pictures policy which I did not understand as there was no body waiting for her, I got her to sign a Mars Attacks picture.

I then had a photoshoot with Christopher Lambert.

My first talk of the afternoon was Brent Spiner and he was very entertaining. Followed by Corey Feldman, the acoustics for this was terrible and I don’t think he could hear anything.

I then sat through a bit of the Karen Gillian talk before heading over to the Corey Feldman photoshoot.

During this shoot when it was my turn to have a picture with him he decided to have a conversation with one of his entourage, again I think this is very rude and to be honest I have always liked him and his work but he has gone down a little in my estimation since meeting him this weekend.

I leave the show and head back to the hotel to drop off my bags and freshen up before going into town.

I go to the Comedy Theatre and get a ticket for that night’s performance of Betrayal staring Kristen Scott Thomas and Ben Miles. I then go to he stage door of Much Ado About Nothing in a hope of getting David Tennants autograph but I am too far back and he best I can do is a picture of him.

I get some dinner at a cheap Chinese restaurant before going to see Betrayal.

Betrayal is a story of three people two of which are married and the other who is having an affair with the wife told as short snippets of their life regressing in time to the initial point of their relationships to one another. If I am honest I did not like it and thought the acting was a little clumsy with poor dialogue.

After the performance I went around to the stage door and was able to get autographs from the stars; Kristen Scott Thomas, Ben Miles and Douglas Henshall.

I then went over to the Garrick Theatre and was able to get Diana Rigg, Rupert Everett and Kara Tointon before heading back to my hotel.

Sunday 10th July

No need to get up early today so stay in bed for a while then go down for breakfast which was as awful as yesterday.

I then head over to Earls Court and get an autograph from Beatie Edney who played Heather in Highlander and she even took a picture of us both together, she seemed a really nice lady and was genuinely pleased to be there.

I then watch a bit of the Hellraiser talk before getting a photoshoot with Christopher Lloyd in the Back to the Future Delorian car.

Finally I attend the talk of Tom Sizemore before leaving for the station and my train home, before which I make full use of the First Class Lounge at Euston.

On the train I am a bit annoyed as the wifi is not working in First Class, it is during the two hour train ride that I usually upload and write this blog to save time when I am at home but not this time the conductor did not know how to fix it. The free wifi is one of the main reasons why I pay the small weekend supplement for first class.

Friday 24th June

After a four hour drive I arrive at the Radisson Heathrow only to be told that the hotel is overbooked and I needed to go to the Park Inn down the road for the night, although I am a bit annoyed at this I come around when they tell me that I will only have to pay for one night and they will give me the second night complementary.

I get to the Park Inn and moan a bit at the reception desk and they give me complementary internet access and parking, the room is also better than expected as some of the Park Inns I have stayed at previously have been dives!

After I unpack I head back to the Radisson for the start of the convention. It is running late and we don’t go into the main hall until 9pm. We are then introduced to all the guests how are there; Julia Ling, Mark Christopher Lawrence, Stephanie Jacobson, Ryan McPartlin and Thomas Dekker.

After the welcome I head over to the meet and greet stopping for a drink of Coke along the way, a pint of Coke cost £5.06, what a rip off!

At the meet and greet I got to talk briefly to each of the guests and found out that Ryan McPartlin had actually seen my YouTube video form Starfury T1 of Zachary Levi going to Subway in Birmingham If you want to see it click here >>>.

After the meet and greet I head back to my hotel to get some sleep.

Saturday 25th June

Got up early at 7am and went down for breakfast, checked out by 8.30 and headed over to the Radisson for the photoshoots that were taking place.

I had my picture taken with Ryan Mcpartlin, Mark Christopher Lawrence, Julia Ling, Stephanie Jacobsen and a group shot with all the guests.

 After the photoshoots I headed over to the main hall where I had front row seats to all the guest talks.

First talk was with Julia Ling, she talked about some very personal and traumatic things which has happened to her family in the past which was very emotional.

Next was Stephanie Jacobsen who talked about her acting career from her start in Farscape and Home and Away, to more reent things such as Terminator and Battlestar Galactica Razor.

There was then a short break and I used that time to check into the hotel.

After I checked in I went to Thomas’ talk and was able to get front row seats again.

The final talk of the day was Mark Christopher Lawrence and Ryan McPartlin.

After all the talks I went over to get my autographs with the guests and then back to my room.

I did come down later to see the fancy dress party but it had finished before I did so I spent a bit of time watching some videos before deciding to call it a night and go back to my room.

Sunday 26th June

No rush to get up early today so I had a lie in. Went down to breakfast and it was pretty poor it was as if they had used the leftovers from the main breakfast room.

I went to pick up my signed group photo and found out that Stephanie was unable to sigh it due to time constraints, it is funny that she did not have time to sign that but she did have time to sign a batch of pics the organisers were selling for £10 each.

First talk of the day was Thomas Dekker and Stephanie Jacobsen.

The next talk was with Ryan Mcpartlin.

The final talk of the day was with Mark Christopher Lawrence and Julia Ling. After which I drove home.

In summary I really enjoyed meeting the guests and they could not be faulted but as for the convention itself it has to be the most badly organised one I have ever been to, the organiser clearly does not respect the attendees!

I was recently fortunate enough to take some Polish Journalists for a 4×4 driving experience around the Land Rover course in Halewood, Liverpool.

Here are some of the photographs.

My plan to come to London this weekend was to attend the Entertainment and Media Show at Olympia, unfortunately with just a few weeks notice the event was cancelled, so with train tickets and hotel already paid for (and non refundable!) I decided to make the best of it.

I was fortunate enough to get some of the last tickets available for the first preview night’s performance of Trevor Nunn’s latest show “Flare Path” at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket.

Friday 4^th March 2011

The day had arrived so I catch my usual direct train from Chester to London Euston, an uneventful trip where I could catch up on some sleep. When I arrive I go to check into my hotel and then head in to town, after a spot of dinner I head over to the theatre stopping along the way in Trafalgar Square where World Book night is taking place, I hear some readings from authors from around the world and even the London Mayor Boris Johnson.

Upon taking my seat at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket I notice I am sitting right behind the shows director Trevor Nunn, for a moment I contemplate asking him to sign my programme but decide against it as he is probably quite nervous with this being opening night.

The play is set in the 1940’s during wartime at a guesthouse on the outskirts of a British RAF base. Focussing on the relationships between the pilots and their wives and in particular an extra marital affair between Patricia Warren (played by Sienna Miller) the wife of Flight Lieutenant Graham (Harry Hadden-Paton) and the movie star James Peter Kyle (James Purefoy).

As this was the very first preview night there was some minor slip ups with the dialogue, but only minor ones which after a few more performances and the actors finding their timing should easily be ironed out.

My stand out performance of the night though had to be Sheridan Smith who played Doris otherwise known as the Countess. Fresh from her role as Elle in Legally Blonde she had a true stage presence that really captured the audience. Her timing, comic lines and portrayal of tragedy could not be faulted.

That could also be said for Harry Hadden-Paton during one scene where he had a breakdown after almost not making it back from a mission really made the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.

The comic element of the play was from a Polish Count affectionately called Johnny by his wife.

Another performance that needs to be mentioned is Joe Armstong who played Dusty, he embodied a typical Airman of the time doing his bit for King and Country despite his own physical pain, personal sacrifice and near death experiences.

If I am honest I would like to reserve judgement on the plays two main stars Sienna Miller and James Purefoy as mey maybe just waiting to find their groove, but I was not blown away by their performances as much as ome of the other characters.

My overall thoughts on the play was excellent and when the actors have settled in to their roles it will be a great night out.

After the show I went to the stage door and was able to meet a number of the actors and directors. The paparazzi was out in force and to my surprise they focussed more on Sheridan Smith than Sienna Miller, but that could be due to the fact she was more accommodation. I have been fortunate enough to meet Sheridan before and know how she loves her fans, that was true tonight, she did not leave before everyone who wanted an autograph and a picture with her got one.

I then head back to the hotel for the night.

Saturday 5^th March 2011

The next morning I check out, get some breakfast at the Wetherspoon’s across the road then head to Euston fro my train ride hone. After spending a bit of time in the first class lounge enjoying the free drinks I board my train back to Chester.

Confex 2011

Confex is an annual event held at Earls Court in London aimed at event organisers and showcases venues and associated services from around the world.

As I help organise events it is a great place to network and become aware of venues which might be useful in the future.

I would normally not write about something as mediocre as this on my travel blog but I am bored on the train ride home and want to try out the WordPress App. on my iPhone, so this entire post (pictures as well) was created on the iPhone, normally I use my laptop and camera as it Is a lot easier and the pics are a lot higher quality than this phone produces.

It was an early morning today, I needed to catch the 7am train direct from Wrexham to London, luckily I was able to sleep some of the way there. At London I grabbed some breakfast and got on the underground to Earls Court.

I spent a good few hours walking around talking to people, making contacts and collecting brochures. Everyone I met was very friendly (as you would expect from someone who is trying to sell you things). That is except for the Visit Holland stand, the guy there was actually quite rude, this was one of the places I wanted the most information from as I have an event in Amsterdam later in the year that I need to start planning for now, all he kept saying when I was asking him questions was look at our website. What is the point in them coming all the way over here to exhibit if that is how they help people, they must have sales leads targets to meet?

One of the perks for me this year compared to the previos one is I was a VIP which gave me access to the lounge which I made use of a few times throughout the day. At lunch time the layed on a free sandwich buffet and in the afternoon they had complementary cakes.

I did have a phone call from one of my cellegues saying that we have a problem with our Russian visa applications, apparently the invites are only for tourist visas and we need business ones. Three guesses what I will be doing tomorrow morning?

After i finished at the event I caught the underground back to Euston and had dinner in Nandos. The entire time I was there the girl next to me was on the phone talking to “Lewis” her flatmate who has not paid her any rent, this lasted for over 40 minutes, it turned out he even stole her handbags to sell on eBay to pay here the rent (you got to admire his logic behind that).

My train back was at 18.10 and is direct to Wrexham.

The ironic thing is I am coming back to London tomorrow to go to the opening night of Flare Path at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket.

P.S. The WordPress iPhone app. was useless at inserting images in the correct place so had to edit this page at home on my laptop!

Friday 11th June 2010

This is the second time I have attended a Starfury Convention the first being T1 last year where I filmed THIS video of Zachary Levy leading a group of attendies to Subway to help the TV show Chuck a third season.

So now to this year. Starfury T2 is aimed at the fans of Chuck and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles TV shows.

I drove down to the Thistle London Heathrow and check into my room, I then go and pick up my registration pack.

The welcome ceremony takes place in one of the large rooms and all the guests are introduced. Actors in attendance include; Adam Baldwin, Bonita Friedericy, Julia Ling, Thomas Dekker, Brian Austin Green, John Billingsley, Mark Sheppard and Brody Hutzler.

Welcome Ceremony

After that I attend a meet and greet with the stars as I was one of the first to buy a ticket. This takes the for of groups of fans sitting on a few tables and the guests circulating ensuring they meet and chat to everyone.

Once the meet and greet is over I head over to the bar where Adam Baldwin is enjoying a drink so I join him for a bit.

Saturday 12th June 2010

I get up and head down for breakfast. After that I start my photoshoots. The first was with Julia Ling then a group shot with everyone in attendance and then finally Thomas Dekker and Brian Austin Green.

Then the talks started, all of them were really good but the one that sticks out is the Bonita Friedericy and John Billingsley one, they were hilarious, running around the whole hall and recreating the moment they first got together.

Brody Hutzler Talk

Bonita Friedericy and John Billingsley Talk

Thomas Dekker Talk

Brian Austin Green Talk

Adam Baldwin, Julia Ling and Mark Sheppard Talk

After the talks I them went and got my autographs from everyone in attendance, everyone was really friendly during this and spent the time to add personalisation’s and special requests.

Autographs

After that there was nothing until a lot later when the fancy dress party starts so I went and grabbed some dinner.

I watched the fancy dress party which was delayed due to the England game and then after that went to the bar again with a couple of new friends, finally leaving about midnight.

Sunday 13th June 2010

Slow day today, I get breakfast and the go for my photoshoots with Bonita Friedericy. After that I spend the rest of the day attending all the talks before leaving before the closing ceremony and driving home.

John Billingsley and Brody Hutzler Talk

Julia Ling and Mark Sheppard Talk

Adam Baldwin and Bonita Friedericy Talk

Brian Austin Green and Thomas Dekker Talk

Friday 28th May

I started the drive down to Milton Keynes at about 5.40 and it took just under three hours to get to the MK Dons Stadium in Milton Keynes.

I will be staying at the Doubletree by Hilton which is actually built in to the football stadium. Check in was really smooth and they gave me a free chocolate chip cookie. The room was very nice, you could tell this is a new hotel as everything is still fresh and clean. My room even looks over the pitch.

At 9.00 I decide to go over to Ikea for dinner, the store is just next to the stadium. As I get there I see the opening times sign and it shuts at 9.00. All the other Ikea’s I have been to usually shut at 10.00. So go to KFC instead for a fully loaded meal.

I go back to the room and relax.

Saturday 29th May

I get up and go down for breakfast, it was a usual British buffet that you can usually find at a Hilton and tasted good.

I then go and wait in the general admission line outside at 8.30 and go in at 9.00. I quickly collect all the virtual tickets I need (virtual tickets let you come back at a later time when you number is called so there is no need to wait in lines all day).

The first person I meet is Robert Duncan McNeill, who is most well known for being in StarTrek but to me I prefer him as the director of Chuck. He was really friendly and talked about Zachary and Adam (from Chuck) coming over to the UK last year and was happy to pose for a photograph with me.

Next up was Barry Bostwick from The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Spin City. I told him that I actually attended the filming of one episode of Spin City ten years ago and he asked me questions about it and was dissapomted the production company did not feedme. We talked for a good couple of minutes and he was really nice to chat to and was happy to pose for a photograph with me. 

 Next I went and got an autograph from someone I was not planning to but then decided to on the spur of the moment. Kate Mulgrew from StarTrek Voyager. To be honest she did not seem friendly at all and did not make eye contact with me or talk. When I asked if I could take a picture with her she agreed but then told her helper to tell people can only take pictures of her when she is signing and not with her.

Next was Joe Flanigan who plays John Sheppard in Stargate Atlantis. He was chatty and seemed nice spending time talking to everyone.

Then I went over to Myanna Buring who has been in Lesbian Vampire Killers and The Descent. She was really nice spending a lot of time chatting with everyone so the line took a bit of time to go down but I don’t mind that if the want to do something over than sign their name and move on, she seemed genuinely happy to be there and was happy to pose for a picture with me.

The penultimate autograph for the day was Lance LeGault, he played Col. Decker in the A-Team and was a really nice guy to meet chatting and joking with everyone.

The final autograph of the day was Peter Kwong who played Rain in Big Trouble in Little China, the classic John Carpenter movie, he was great to meet and happy to pose for a photograph.

That was all the autographs I needed and it was only 11.00 so I go back up to my room for a bit.

I had three photo shoots today with the first one being at 11.50 with Barry Bostwick and he remembered me from earlier commenting again on the colour of my jumper.

My next photo shoots was with Patrick Stewart who was really busy, at least 400 people wanted a picture with him. The line took quite a bit of time to go down.

The final photo shoot was with Joe Flanigan, who was as friendly as ever (much friendlier than the photographer who had a right go at a few of the girls who where working there).

And that was it for the show today, I drive to Milton Keynes Station and catch a train to London to spend the evening there. 

The train takes just over an hour to get to Euston and when I get there I take the underground to the Apollo Theatre where I pick up my ticket for “All my Sons”.

I then head over to the Savoy Theatre and wait to get the autographs of the cast of Legally Blonde when they come out after the matinee performance. Apparently Sheridan Smith had to stay behind for a meeting so only Duncan James and Alex Gaumond came out to sign for everyone.

I then went for something to eat at Mr.Wu; an all you can eat Chinese buffet, I have a few plate fulls and take my time as I still have some time to kill before my show starts.

I head over to the theatre at 7.00 and take my seat for the 7.30 start. I am right at the top of the balcony overlooking the stage, it is good job I brought my glasses otherwise I would not have seen anything. The play was good and well acted but a little predictable.

After the performance I went and waited at the stage door for David Suchet and Zoe Wanamaker to come out, after a while the guy who worked there asked if we would like to go in to meet them, this is the first time this has happened to me and when I went in I met Zoe first, she was very friendly and chatted to me for a while and signed my autograph book and theatre programme as well as posing for a photograph with me. A few minutes after Zoe I met David and he was also very friendly and chatted to me for a while, signed my book and programme and had a picture with me.

I then went back over to the Savoy Theatre in a hope of meeting Sheridan Smith, luckily she was still outside signing autographs so was able to get her to autograph my picture of her. She was great to meet spending lots of time with everyone who was there.

I then went back to Euston to catch my train to Milton Keynes. I got back to Milton Keynes train station a little after 1am and drove back to the hotel and went to bed.

Sunday 30th May

Got up late today as there was no great rush. Went down for breakfast and had the same as yesterday then went back and checked out of my room.

Walked around Collectormania for a bit and picked up my photo shoot pictures from yesterday.

After that I went over to The Centre: MK and did a little shopping and had some lunch before starting the long drive home.

Friday 22nd January 2010

Late last year I was able to get tickets to The Misanthrope at the Comedy Theatre so planned a mini theatre break to London around it.

I get to London my usual way which is the train from Chester to Euston, but this time there is some problem with the signals and we needed to be diverted via Wolverhampton adding an extra 45 minutes to the journey.

Once I get there I catch the underground to Tower Hill which is where my hotel is, the Travelodge Tower Bridge. I have stayed here before and is great for the price, I was able to get it for £9 for the first night and £19 for the second night so can’t complain.

After I check in I relax a bit before heading over to the Leicester Square area to try and get Keira Knightley’s autograph. She comes out after her performance and signs for about 10 people in the quickest time as possible.

After this I head over to The Little Dog Laughed where I got autographs from the whole cast; Tamsin Greig, Rupert Friend, Gemma Arterton and Harry Lloyd.

Finally I meet Richard Wilson after his performance in Twelfth Night before heading back to the hotel.

Saturday 23rd January 2010

For breakfast I go to Weatherspoon’s across the street to the hotel and get a large breakfast and some orange juice.

After breakfast I catch the tube and DLR to Greenwich and go to the National Maritime Museum followed by the Royal Observatory.

The Observatory is on the top of a hill and I pass many people stopping for breath on my way up there. This is where the Prime Meridian is located so you can stand with one foot in the East and one foot in the West.

After I finish visiting both these places I head back into central London and meet Damian Lewis, Tim McMullen and Chuk Iwuji after the matinee performance of The Misanthrope.

On walking back up the street The Little Dog Laughed cast were just coming out so got some more autographs from them again.

I then head over to the Savoy Theatre where the cast of Legally Blonde was signing autographs, I was able to get Jill Halfpenny, Duncan James, Alex Gaumond, Chris Ellis-Stanton and Sheridan Smith. Sheridan was really friendly and spent at least 30 minutes signing and posing for photographs.

I then get my dinner at Hamburger Plus on Leicester square before going for a bit of a random walk around as I waited before Misanthrope started.

 Had great tickets for The Misanthrope in the centre of the third row, all the performers were great and the play was very entertaining. After the show I get another autograph from Keira but again she does not want to pose for any photographs.

Before I head back to the hotel I pop over to Hairspray the Musical and get an autograph from Phil Jupitus.

Sunday 24th January 2010

At 5.40 this morning I am woken up by an alarm, at first I think it is my alarm clock and after hitting it  a few times it suddenly dawns on me that it is the fire alarm, great!!! I manage to put my clothes on and exit the room, I was in a bit of a daze but there are quite a few people starting to emerge out of their rooms, one man was standing in his doorway in the nude with just his hands covering his b*locks.

When we get outside it is freezing and we have to wait for 40 minutes until the fire brigade give us the all clear to go back in. It looks as though it was set off but some idiots, when I get back into my room I hear security shouting to someone to pack their bags in two minutes and leave or they were going to call the police. I go back to sleep and when I finally get around to checking out did not get any sort of apology from the hotel which you would have expected them to do.

I walk around London for a bit before heading to Euston and catching my train back home, after making use of the first class lounge and drinking plenty of free drinks.

Friday 27th November

It does not seem like five minutes since I was last in London, but here I am again on the train down there.  This time it is to attend Collectormania London.

Once I arrive at Euston I catch the underground to Leicester Square and then onto Russell Square where my hotel is, the Holiday Inn Bloomsbury, again the hotel does not cost anything as I am using me free nights accrued during one of their promotions.

After I check in I then go for a walk around and get a cheap ticket to see Speaking in Tongues for later that night.

I go for dinner at Hamburger + and order the big ben which I regret as soon as the waitress brings it to my table, it is almost the size of big ben and would make Scooby Doo proud, I felt like such a greedy bugger.

I see Speaking in Tongues and wait at the stage door afterwards and get the casts autographs including Ian Hart, Kerry Fox and Lucy Cohu, unfortunately Jon Sim leaves by another door so I was unable to get him.

I head over to Calendar Girls and get Janie Dee’s autograph and then go other to Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and get Adrian Lester’s, Joseph Mydell’s, Phylicia Rashad’s, Sanaa Lathan’s and James Earl Jone’s autographs.