Runcorn - are you Ready to be Crewed???

The Meet! July 2010

So we have a bacon butty, cuppa tea and Cary gets her lovely girls off to school. After a shower and change, we are feeling fresh a daisy (pffft after a 1 hour power nap!) and we are off and about. 1st stop - Spasda. Booze and bits and bobs for later. Whilst we're on B words we buy Berocca... and randomly throughout the day a chorus of "I'm so tall, I'm so tall, you raise me and then you let me fall" can be heard as we are singing away to the advert in the middle of the supermarket! As you do, like...!!

Next stop - Munchies. Time for a quick brew and to drop off the sleeping bags and blow up bed for later.. 

Next stop - school. Leavers assembly - how cute was the school. Ain't been in a primary school since... well.... since I was actually in primary school. Which was a while ago to say the least! OMG! lovely assembly it was too. 

Next stop - train station. If you have read any of our meets, you will know that the Crew spend a fair bit of time at airports, on the road or at a train station... this meet was no exception! Arriving at the station, we saw Paula, Louise and Shelley all waiting for us... how good was it that all the trains arrived on time - YIPPEEEE! Crew collected we head back to Cary's for a beverage... blessed as usual the sun decides to come out so we convene in the gar-ding for a catch up and a bevvie.

En-route is Kriss and no sooner do we say "where's Kinky?" and there she is, bouncing through the door and looking twice as lively!! So we are all here... nope wait - we are missing Munchie. 20 mins later and she is occurring with Janette who is one of the new Crew members... Cary puts on a fine feast of food... num nummmms... thanks a lot hun - muchos appreciated mate! Lots of laughs already; Paula gets a few pressies seeing as its her burfday (Happy Birthday tooo youuuuu!) but no cake yet... its a surprise... the cat was nearly let out of the bag though! Bottle of champers for Mand - just as a thank you from all us girls for putting us up and putting up with us - its a reet good afternoon!

Packing everything up at Cary's, we give her other half his house back - thanks for the hospitality Mal! Into the mini mini and Kriss's brum brum we scoot over to Munchies where we are no sooner in the door that the drink is flowing, the music is going and we are all discussing the evenings main event - JK as Robbie!

As more of Cary & Mandy's friends arrive, everyone gets to know each other... the great thing about us getting together is no matter who joins the Crew, they are made to feel welcome. Just look at Munchie - shes part of the furniture these days... and Kriss - first time meeting us madheads in Stoke and it was like she was always part of the team! So we welcome with open arms Janette, Susie, Trish and Ashlea - the Runcorn rabble!

Question - how do you make a Strawberry Daquari without a blender or mixer?

Take your strawberries, place em in a pint glass and mash them with a fork; add copious amounts of Bacardi and Strawberry liqueur aswell as a couple of dashes of Cranberry juice and mix... take your ice cubes and bash em like mad with big wooden chopping board, then add to pint glass, cover and shake, shake, shake, shake it baby...

Talk about improvising! Thankfully they tasted deelish and the Rose wine was soon replaced by a cocktail or two ;) With Take That on the telly (on the tellllly!) we get our gladrags on, straighten our hair (thanks to GHD) and arrange a couple of Joe le' Taxis to take us to the Quayside.

With a big balloon all ready to surprise the lovely JK as Robbie, we get a wriggle on and manage to get everyone and said balloon safely into taxis.

In our little convoy, the 3 cabs arrive at the Quayside and we all jump out of the cabs. Slowly and carefully we get the balloon out - its still in one piece and we're doing well. Before we head into the pub we decide on a couple of group photos for the album, the enlarged Crew in all its pink glory assemble for roll call outside and we harrass one of the regulars to take our pics.

See if you can spot the balloon?!?!

After safely getting the balloon to the venue, in and out of the taxi without popping it, Paula takes a little hop, skip and a bump into the window that was open - the POP was sooo loud it gave us all a right fright and the balloon was no more - sob!
We then start a chant of one of Robs classic live moments - "Alcohol - yeahhhh, Drugs - boooo, Alcohol - yeahhhhh, Drugs - boooooo, Alcohol - yeahhhhhh, Drugs - booooo, Alcodrugs - AHHHHHH!" Passers by really do think the entertainment has arrived earlier and have a little chuckle with us (not at us, that would be just rude PMSL!)

We head into the Quayside, but not before we meet the lovely Claire and Norman - part of the staff. They tell us that JK has left the building to go and get some food - so we try and act discreet. (I did say try!) I don't think they realise what they've let themselves in for tonight and with smiles all round we head in and make a bee-line for the bar - well why not!

After getting a whip going and taking a list of drinks (to which the barman says we are sooo organised - I reply that we are professionals, this is the PV Crew after all!!) we get our 1st round of the night and find a table and a couple of stools. As the DJ starts playing some reet good choonage, we ditch the stools and make some serious shapes on the dancefloor. It's not even 9pm and yet you would think we were in a club!

Paula is busting some serious moves and we all get up to join her... good times..

Before JK joins the stage, theres a local band on, they're not bad at all and we get our groove on with them. Time for a few more drinks and a few more pics before the main attraction is on stage. Now... we still hadn't told our favourite Robbie Williams tribute act JK (as Robbie) that we were in the building. We were sure at this point he knew or had seen us - but who knows... The DJ introduces JK and in he bounds.... to the start of Let Me Entertain You... and jumps on top of a table right in front of us.

The next minute went something like this...

"Hell has gone and heavens here, theres nothing left for you to fear, Shake your *puzzled look* *pause**points at us in a line*..... now scream! So come on Let Meeeee Entertain You...!!

*mouths "what are you doing here?"* 

As the gig went on, JK was his normal energetic self, the atmosphere in the place was unreal. Everyone was buzzing and of course us girls in Port Vale Crew were loving it. At this point, Trish and Janette said could not believe how good he was (as they hadn't seen JK before) and Ashlea was up bouncing with us madheads at the front! It was like we had never been away!

Throughout the set, JK worked with the audience - which he always does, giving shout-outs, birthday mentions and generally skitting the blokes that were sat quietly with their pints - reluctantly present, with their other half or family! It is also really nice to say that we got a couple of shout outs too. JK always puts on a good show and we never leave disappointed, but to get a little acknowledgement for travelling to see him is also most appreciated!

Before You Know Me, Cary got a mention about being on Loose Women with her lovely wabbit ears that Rob took a shine to - of course later in the evening a lady came up to Cary and said "were you really on Loose Women?" to which Curvy replied "yes I was" and the response was dismissive "Pffft!"

Actually no love, Cary makes everything up. Tis all lies ya know! You gotta larf!

A bit of Elvis and the older part of the audience are loving it  - as are the Crew... Then a bit of schwinggggg and the Crew are up, schwinggging... good time is being had by all! The audience are lapping it up and everyone is up dancing!

As usual the end of the show comes before we know it and the Crew are disappointed as are the rest of the crowd... we give shouts for more and true Robbie style, we get a little bit more in the encore; before JK disappears off the stage for photos!

We take ourselves over the other side of the room, nearer the door and some comfy sofas.
More drink? Yes please and as th DJ cranks up the choons we create our own dancefloor and start throwing a few shapes! Mixing dance with cheese, we get busy shaking our tail-feathers! Once JK has done the rounds with everyone, he decides to join the Crew for a little catch up and a few piccies! As always he's a complete sweetheart and spends some time getting to know the enlarged Crew and new members! Telling the Runcorn Rowdy Rabble that he'll back in true Arnie style when he visits the Quayside again in December.

A few more rounds of drinks and busting of moves takes place - well the night is still young! It finally gets to kicking out time however the lovely Norman invites us for a lock in at the back back bar... JK nips off to get changed and we head round to the other bar - but not before we say our farewells to a few of the Crew. It's been a big night and a mammoth session - and some of the girls have work tomorrow which is a pity. Raiding the kitty we sort out taxi fares, lots of hugs and snogs too (no tongues mind) and its goodbye from them. Mandy heads home and arranges to leave the keys under the wheel of the car...

So round at the back back bar, we settle in with a few more bevvies. JK joins us with a few of his friends who had been at the gig and we start a huge debate on the pros and cons of the Robbie rejoining Take That which hit the news that week - gawd the House of Commons had nuffink on us. Considering Cary and I had had very little sleep, we are hanging in there and would be giving the young 'uns down boom boom street a right run for their money! Paula, Kriss and Lou are also in high spirits  too and we start a few sing songs... "King of the Bongo Bong" for Den... and "Paula in a Campervan" paying respects to the new wheels that will be occurring in Leeds! JK looking a little confuddled at our title change is given a bit of a hard time in jest "call yourself a tribute mate!!!" PMSL!

Much more chatter... Chiplash.... Welsh Pounds... Gary Barlow..... Trafford Centre Loos... Shizer - you're not German, are you.... Crackin.... Take That tour Bus.... oh too many laughs to mention. Topic of conversation never too far away from the lovely Robbie Williams! Its just after 3 and we say our goodbyes to JK, lots of hugs of course, a cpl more pics and say thanks to the guys in the pub. What a night its been. Surprises, dancing, alcohol (yeah, drugs boooo) feathers, burst balloons, and a good ol helping of the Williams choonage with some great people!

We hop in our taxi / minibus and chattering commences. How we have the energy I will never know. Then, as if by magic, She's the One comes on the radio and we're off on a sing song! Poor taxi driver. Despite the copious amounts of alcohol drunk tonight there is still enough in the kitty for a taxi. Fantastic! We get back to Munchies and head to the car to find the keys... no keys.... hmmm so with phones for torchlight we start crawling around to try and locate the keys - looked like a bunch of pink feathers casing the joint!
Cary has a brainwave to try and look round the back and we are on to a winner!
Having a debrief around the kitchen table and a quick shuftee at the pics, we giggle and talk shizer for another 20minutes before admitting defeat and hitting the hay. Another quality night.

Next morning, Munchie is up and the kettle is on, the bacon is frying and she is the hostess with the mostess... num nums bacon butties and mugs of tea. No sauce for me thou (sauce phobia pmsl!) please Mand! What a night! We hear from the new Crew members that they enjoyed the craic with the Crew and they wanna know when the next one is! Time ticks on, trains home need to be caught and one by one Mandy's house empties... this is the sad bit. Until next time though ladies :)
Paula and I are left - Cary says she will take us uptown for a Subway (official food of the PV Crew) So we head for a munch and more chat.
Theres a sign outside that says "Grants for Workers" but in her post Crew haze, Cary glances and thinks it says "Grants for Wankers" and we start to laugh hysterically. Of course no one can figure out what we are laughing at and of course a few strange looks occur. Par for the course thou, you gotta have a few random laughs to get you through the day! We nip up to the Quayside for a swift half, Claire is working and she is feeling exhausted after the previous night! One of the lads comes through the bar and sees us and mutters something about feathers - oops - apparently he had to do a bit of cleaning that morning... sorry about that.
At the bar we pull up a pew and Claire is catching up on what we thought of the previous nights entertainment. Glancing behind the bar to see what time it is, we notice that the clock is a back to front and with the lack of sleep, throw in alcohol and the giddiness of the last few days we dont need much to make us more confuddled! At that point we all look at our watches to be on the safe side and realise its time to make like a banana and split. Cary's mini mini drives itself back to the train station as we say goodbye to Paula. And then there were 2 of the Crew. Before my flight theres time for dinner back at Cary's and more chatter from last nights schnanigans! Thank you Cary (and family) for looking after me that weekend; dinner from Smilers was lovely and door to door service to the airport was fab! Much appreciated!

So that was the weekend that Runcorn got Crewed. JK was bloody brilliant as usual and no doubt we will be seeing JK again in his One Night of Robbie Williams show in the future. Surprises galore and of course lots and lots of laughs.
Here's to the next one, with some of the new Crew and more music from the lovely Robbie Williams!

Surpriiiiise! Runcorn gets Crewed!

Day after Soccer Aid.... we've got the post meet blues. You can imagine - OK may be you can't, sothink Women with PMT, no chocolate, no alcohol and no pics of their favourite man (whomever that may be) to perve over... We were in bad shape. So... when Cary messages us with a "who wants to come to Runcorn to see JK as Robbie" message we all start thinking.... and smiling....


Sat in Liverpool Airport on my way home, I was comtemplating how am I gonna get there on a Friday?!?!

As the days passed and we got back on with our day to day lives (snooze), the plans started to form nicely. Mandy offered to help with Cary with accommodation for us rabble... trains are booked... training is rescheduled by yours truly so planes can be booked... All is well in PV Crew land. Cary is on ticket duty and she calls venue - no reply. She calls their mobile - no reply. She goes down to the venue - closed till later! Aaaaggghh who would have thought ticket stress would occur for a boozer! She's on it like a car bonnet though and later that day Cary checks in with the good news - tickets booked and also for some of her & Mandy's friends too. Nice. However, like with most of our dooos, not all of the crew can make it but Rena and Debs were certainly there in spirit - mostly VODKA!!!
Anyhoo, where was I? Vodka always distracts me... Oh yeah. The Meet Up. So it was decided that we would try and keep it a surprise from the bloke we were going to see - JK (as Robbie). And for 6 whole weeks we said nothing, man that was a tough challenge... we couldn't even do the "5 more sleeps, 4 more sleeps, 3 MORE SLEEPS...." countdown on our pages. So quietly we planned and it all came together! The night before the meet, I was all packed and ready to go to the airport. Making a quick pit stop to Chez Lancs to collect the rest of my stuff, I had a sneaky peek online to see all the excitement building with the news that Robbie & Take That were getting back together! The girls were online as was JK... who posted on his page that he was being interviewed by a number of radio stations later that evening about the reunion. Unfortunately I wasnt able to listen in as was on a plane to Liverpool to meet the lovely Cary who was putting me up (and putting up with me) for the evening!!

I knew it was gonna be a pain in the arse when I got to the hairyport shop (which in Cork is one shop, this ain't Manchester or Heathrow ya-know!) and there was NO Mickey Finns Butterscotch. None. Nada. Zip. Shocking I tell ya....what about the Cocksucking Cowboys - what a libertyyy!

Anyhoo after getting over the sheer shock of that I got myself a Pear Bulmers and checked out the departure board. DELAYED. WTF?? Told you it was gonna be a pain in the arse... Waited and waited for an update, feeling awful that I was keeping my mate waiting at the other end.

Eventually, 90mins late, we set off and I was pleased to see the River Mersey beneath me as I knew I was nearly at my destination. Cary was waiting for me in Arrivals and after a MAHOOSIVE hug, we set off in the Mini (mini) to Cary's gaff.

Lovely home she's got there... and was made to feel welcome from the minute I set foot in the door. With a glass of vino (or two) on the go, we had a reet good catch up and discussed plans for tomorrow. In fact we discussed so much we drank all the wine... Mal sneaked down for a quick hello and a glass before heading back to bed so that we could keep gossiping. Which is what we did. After the wine, we started on the Baileys... as you do loike.... and then looking outside we noticed it was starting to get light! Oops! Was that the time?? Amidst all the gossiping, there were a few Take That vids, lots of Robbie vids (well would be rude not too!), a peek at the hanimals in the garden and a run down the road to see the bus stop at 4.30am (don't ask!)

There was a rumbling from upstairs and checking the time, we noticed that the kids would be getting up for school any minute (well, round about now - actually!) and so to the kitchen we went for a brew and Cary got the brekkie on...more to follow.....

Old Trafford... Soccer Aid... Let's 'Ave It!

So... up and at em on the Sunday... well some were more "at em" than others. My days. My head was down Boom Boom Street I can tell you.
Call in Doctor Pullen, Medicine Woman, with some pain relief (thanks hun!)
Spot of brekkie, we had juice with the glasses this time - it was a revelation! However cups with no coffee is just as good LOL!

Packing up was - well - interesting... so much extra stuff, I tell you what, I always have more going home after a PV Crew Do than when I started....and then transporting the drink to Manchester, honestly walking down the stairs in the George we sounded like a couple of winos with all the bottles!

Check out, quick chat to the receptionist and we are off... this is a bit that I dont like - saying g'bye. Cary and Mandy head off in the mini mini and Kriss says she will drop Shelley at the train station. Rena and Paula hop in one car, like Thelma and Louise and Kriss takes Louise and I who... well aren't like Thelma and Louise coz there's 3 of us! (kinda Thelma and Louise... and Louise!!)

Anyhoo we hit the minty highway and we are off to Manchester... to Soccer Aid! Debs texts, shes on the train and en-route. Again everything is going to plan. Perfick. The receptionist from the apartment calls and after a bit of sweet talking, says we can check in 3 hours early. Gotta love that, means we can get ready for the footie and chill a while. We arrive in Manchester making great time, in the motor there was lots of singing occuring and a fab version of Good Doctor (coz I can get that at Booooots.... do do do do do do doooooh!) Pull up at the Printworks; out of the car come the winos again... *chink chink* go the bottles! We locate the apartment, get the key & head for the lift. Floor 5; the Penthouse. Nice. PV Crew Penthouse.

2 bed, split level pad, with flat screen TV, DVD, ipod dock, mahooosive fridge for all the booze, nice fluffy towels, brew stuff (well needed, 1st job was ta put the kettle on!) nice toastie loaf...
Paula goes off in search of crumpets... comes back empty handed. WOUNDED. Debs calls and says shes at the tram stop... just round the corner! YAY! So within a few minutes we are all together and hugs all round. A quick freshen up, Electric Proms on the DVD (shhh don't ask where we got it ;) ) and fast voddy. Debs is catching up with all the goss from yesterday - we missed ya Debs!
Thanks for the Taboo Rena, that was the job after Saturday for me. ( had enough Voddy then lol!)

Trying to decide on the scran - hmmm let me see.... Subway? Paula and Lou head off with orders and change in hand and the rest of us finish getting ready. PV Crew strip - check. Black & Gold boas - check. Halo (halo halo) - check. Soccer Aid Match tickets - check. Camera - check. So we get our munch on and get the flock out of there...not before we fill up our Buxton Spring with a secret ingredient ;) and head towards Old Trafford/// Theatre of Dreams... and Soccer Aid 2010.
On the Metrolink, the nice Metrolink man holds the doors and lets us on for the 1st part of our journey for free. We change trams and get on the packed one heading up to Old Trafford. A couple of blokes on the tram read our shirts front and back and have a little chuckle at our names. Bless em! As we get off at Old Trafford, we start walking towards Sir Matt Busby Way.
Like a match day, the street is adorned with sellers and vendors of fast food and dodgy merchendise! The kids are loving the tooters (as is Paula!) and the flags (of which Debs buys one!) and theres a real party atmosphere. We decide to head up to the tunnel end of the stadium to try and see the coaches coming in and the place is packed. So we join the crowd and start to make friends. A lovely couple aged 65 who were celebrating their birthdays were in Manchester for a treat and they were enjoying the spirit of the day! So we were able to get closer to the front but we were not quite there... still we had a good view.
So we waited... and waited.... there was quite a crowd. JK called to say that he was on the train with friends and the said packed train all decided to sing Angels to him - brilliant! We agreed to meet him in the Trafford Bar, just to be sociable like... you know how it is.
Just before the England coach arrived, an Endemol Researcher came across to our direction asking who would be interviewed and who knew a lot about the teams etc... Lots of hands went up in the air including mine but as I wasn't on the front I didn't hold much hope. With nowt to lose, I raised my voice and said "I'd love to, I've come from Ireland to support England so why not".
Attention was grabbed (nothing to do with the daft halo on my head!) and he asked the others to let me through to the front. Result.

Louise was right behind me and the girls to the right of her; you can just see them all on the clip if you look before the camera pans to Kirsty (Gallagher, who was lovely BTW) So my 30seconds of fame, was a right laugh! "We're massive Robbie fans, so of course we're here to see Robbie" I said, and then spoke about a couple of footballers to look like I knew what I was on about! pmsl! Upon signing the disclaimer to say I was ok to go out on telly, the description of me was "Girl with halo on her head"... see I told you it was the halo!
Before we knew it, the coach was pulling up and the team started getting off. My word, Pete wasn't wrong when he said that Rob had been working hard for the match. He was looking great and was very fitting for him to lead the team off the coach. One by one the footballers and celebs left the coach, to huge cheers and applause. Their suits cut them a fine figure ('cept for Ricky Riiicky Hatton, bless him!)

Lots of pics and shouting occured, there was a right buzz. As the team went into the ground, we decided to go for a pit stop before the match and headed up to the Trafford Bar to use the facilities and stock up on liquid refreshment. Outside the bar, JK was already there with some friends (lovely girls from near his hometown and Paul & his girlfriend from the night before). Paula wasted no time in getting the banner out and lots more signings occurred. Singing Happy Birthday to this lad who was celebrating his 21st - another random gets Crewed! Love it!

JK also signed the banner, after all there was part of it dedicated to him... and to ensure that he was fully part of the Crew he was presented with his PV Crew strip...to be fair he played the game and put it on. Sound.

We sup up, and head up to the Theatre (of Dreams) to take our seats and soak up the atmosphere. Stopping at the bar, we discover no Bud, no Magners, no wine... only Stella. OH and they have pies - but we're not hungry yet. Stella it is then!

Front row near the corner flag by the Stretford End. Get the banner hung with me ribbon (gucci dont ya know, nothings too good for the Crew!) and we settle in for the match. The teams get a run out before they line up. Rob is on the pitch, in the middle and as we look up we see him coming our way... and he's coming over... and he's nearly in the corner! We were all so shocked we forgot the snaps and by the time we get one he was heading the other way.... *sigh* Kick off - the game gets under way. Rena jokes with JK that 3 is the magic number and she only has eyes for those legs!

England are being put under pressure by the ROW and lucky for us, Rob is on the left wing and is up and down our touchline like a yoyo... not that we are complaining. Ben Shephard is having a good game, a few hard tackles come Jonny's way. Shearer and Sheringham are looking like the SAS task force of all those years ago... Redknapp on form too.. it's a good game so far. England edge it at half time 1-0. We are hoping it's gonna be third time lucky for England at Soccer Aid... Debs and Paula get some munchies... we have a squizz at our pics so far. Not bad. Plenty of talent.
Nipping to the bar, we find that they now have Magners back in stock, but are now out of food of any description.. and we are now hungry! Bugger. Oh well, Magners it will have to be then!
2nd half and what a half it was. Rob went off. Jonny Wilkes is still going hell for leather. The ex-pros are giving it their all... Olly Murs played a blinder. Ready Steady Teddy scored and ran straight to us... along with Shephard, Shearer and Olly Olly Olly...That was a sight for sore eyes I can tell you! Top totty!

We came up with a new anthem for this trip... Think I'm a Celebrity - Get Me Out of Here!!
"Olly Olly Olly, Tits in the Trolley, Me mums in the Biscuit tin" PMSL Pervy quality lyrics. Who started that one off girls?

Debs is loving the view, as is Kriss. Lou is snap snap snap happy. Rena and I are still laughing at Paula's lyrics and JK is wondering what he's gotten himself into...!

The match goes to 2-2. Final whistle and we are into penalties. Overall not a bad game for a supporter to watch and the true winners of the evening - Unicef with the money that was raised. Superb.
Notice I'm going with the positives first. England got beat on sudden death penalties... not before Jamie Theakston making a few class saves. What a game! Even if the result didn't go England's way, the right result of over 2million raised on the night was all that mattered. Excellent! It was great to read that so many people also gave their services for free, including the call centre (who often get bad press for their service) who manned the phones to take donations...

Making our way out of the ground, stopping for a quick Scooby Snack, we tuck in and enjoy. The day had been excellent, and with lots of things that the Crew enjoy. Laughs being the main one. Rob being another...
Trafford Bar closed - whats that about? So we head across the street to the Bishops Blaize. For those of you that don't know, on a home match day, this is packed to the rafters with hard-core Man U supporters... and their chants and songs are always in full flow. So after scoring a table and a few drinks, we decide to start a sing song.
Kriss decides now is a good time to plonk her feathers on her head and much amusement follows! We start off with Let Me Entertain You. Just us. 6 of us. JK is having a night off and chatting to Paul and the others...
We then move on to Rudebox. Paula is in her element. Still just us.
The 2 couples on the table behind ask us to sing another, and their lads start to join in....
Rock DJ is next. This is where it gets interesting.... we start it off... then the table behind us... then the girls next to us... then the couples down the stairs... then the lads at the bar... all singing Rock DJ! Brilliant!
Footie songs next and everyone is in great form - except for the Bar Manager who reminds us its kicking out time...
GRRR! Pop outside for a chat to JK and his buddies.. plastic glasses are ace ;)
Get a taxi number and call for a minibus so the 6 of us can head back to the PV Penthouse. Tired but happy, we say our goodbyes to everyone. Hugs all round and we tell JK that Stoke was brilliant (again) and that we had a great time at the match.
Into the minibus we go (was defo a minibus this time and not a limo!) and head back where we stick on "And Thru it All" - voddy and Cocksucking Cowboys on the go and Debs and Pineson get stuck into the Smurf-noff! What was going to be a quick drink turns into another 3.30am finish. Wouldn't have changed it for the world though, too little time throughout the year spent with you guys so need to cram in as much as possible when we get the chance.

So that was it. Fab footie. Lots of Robbie. Meeting Pete. JK was in great form. The theatre was great. Limos, champagne and general merriment. But most importantly, you girls. Simply the Best x

Stoke gets Crewed!

I left Cork bound for my flight to Birmingham, looking forward to the weekend. Since meeting Jonny Wilkes after his show in Bristol in October, the girls and I waited patiently for news of Soccer Aid to be released into the public domain and to try and secure tickets… so as soon as I heard they were on sale, we bagged ourselves a couple on the front row. Sweet.

The girls were all en-route. If you’re meeting us for the 1st time – hellllo! We come from all over the place. To give you an idea, we are talking: London, Leeds, Norfolk, Port Talbot, Runcorn, Rutland, Stafford and finally Cork in Ireland. Meets are often difficult to arrange where everyone can go due to travel, timing, kids etc so this one was extra special as everyone would be on board the party train at some point during the weekend. So here I introduce Randy Rena, Dirty Debbss, Kinky Kriss, Lusty Lou, Pervy Paula, Shexy Shelley, Curvy Cary, Minxy Mandy and me, Scrumptious Sam.

The Meet...
Meeting at Stoke train station was a breeze. For once, trains were on time for everyone; and despite my half hour delay (cheers Aer Fungus!) I managed to get the time back somehow. Shelley, Kriss and Paula were already at the station and we said we would wait on for Louise to occur an hour later! Kriss kindly offered to give us a spin in her batmobile to the hotel, where Cary, Mandy and Rena had already landed. The George Hotel is ace. It’s like faulty towers, but it’s our Faulty Towers and we love it. There is always a warm welcome and a brekkie in the morning (juice but no glasses!) and it’s across the road from the Red Lion – a regular haunt of ours when in town.

Popping to Subway to get a sarnie (Subway – the official food of the PV Crew!) and downing a swift half passed the time… Louise was here and with a “Whatssss Occuringggg” shouted across the road we were off and on our way.

At The George, there were hugs a plenty. That’s the thing with the Crew, you wouldn’t think that we had not seen each other for the last 6 months or so. There’s never an awkward silence when the Crew are in town! Sorting the rooms, we headed upstairs to unpack. As per usual the bar was set up 1st, well it wouldn’t be a PV Crew Party without our sponsors!

Swapping gifts, hugs, and t-shirts; whilst having a cheeky drink we got into our Laydee Lympics tops and head for the Red Lion. Home colours of course - Black & Gold seeing as we are in Burslem!

Grapes for Kriss, Cary and Mandy… and Bob’s Bingo was on the cards for everyone where we were playing for the deep fat frierrrr and the sodaaaa stream! (and a few Robbie goodies of course!) Ordering a round in, we were sure to get ice in that duck! The barman thinks we are a little bit nuts! Spooky that “And Through it All” is playing on the telly so we ask the nice barman to replay the DVD and he’s happy to indulge us… I had arranged for a few Port Vale bits and bobs to be sent to the hotel from Port Vale FC (Thanks Andy in the Club Shop!) so the PV Crew could have their very own pens and badges! The whirlwind that are the PV Crew swept through the pub, and getting a few more signings on the banner we headed back to the hotel after an hour so we could get ready for our night at the theatre….! The “minibus” was collecting us at 6.15 so we had to get a move on.

Now when I say minibus that’s what I told the girls. In reality I ordered a platinum limo so we could arrive at the Regent Theatre in style, along with 2 bottles of champers to get us in the party mood! Imagine when Shelley and Kriss went outside the hotel and tried to hop in an actual minibus that was parked over the road… PMSL! Only to then see the limo at the side of the hotel… I could hear them shrieking and laughing upstairs in the room! Classic! All into our dresses, I look at my friends and see we scrubbed up really well.

So we are in the limo and on our way… I’ve Got a Feeling; that tonights gonna be a good night! Arriving at the Regent, a number of heads turned as the limo pulled up. Needless to say as us rabble piled out they realize it’s not the VIPs they thought LOL! Heading into the Regent we take a couple of pics, score a drink at the bar (4.70 for a wine – what are you thinking people?) and head in to take our seats. The place was packed and everyone was in good spirits.

As the band started, we knew we were not going to be in our seats for long… standing up, cheering, clapping, “one hand in the air-ing”, bouncing… all part of the show. Well it was for us. Paula decided to stay in the aisle seat and of course when Rudebox came on, the shoes were OFF and she was busting a move or two! 99% of the people in the theatre were up and participating – sure that’s what Rob’s music is all about! You always get the odd one though who refrains and that’s cool as long as they don’t expect us to refrain with them! If you want to read a full review of the show, check out my last post HERE!

and if you are thinking of going to see it,  DO - becauseyou won’t be disappointed.

Later than scheduled (because JK was staying up on that stage for the whole night!) we head out of the theatre and decide on our plans for the rest of the evening. Well the night was still young…

I spotted a bar across the street, tables outside and a chippy opposite. PERFECT. Chips and alcohol. Just what we needed. Heading across the street and straight for a couple of empty seats, we rested our weary tootsies and took turns to get food. Who would’ve thought a night at the theatre would have been so exhausting!

Inside we pop to get a round of drinks and we settle on a table outside to set up camp! On the table next to us, there’s a friendly looking older guy with glasses. A couple of the Crew are asking each other if it’s Pete Conway, Rob’s dad… We can’t decide and are too shy to ask directly. Yes that’s right, we are shy and retiring types us lot!

As Pete gets up to leave with his friend, who is smartly dressed in a suit, I shout “See ya Pete” down the street – at which point he turns around, looks at us and replies “I’m coming back in a minute!”
So that settles that, it’s either a guy called Pete who looks like Rob’s dad or it’s a guy called Pete who is Rob’s dad… Upon his return we found out he was the latter. And what a gentleman he was. Not wanting to intrude on his social time, we asked was it ok to chat for a while and Pete agreed. Asking us what brought us to town, we told him about the show, and about the Port Vale Crew… How we got together, why we got together, our travels etc. We said that it was his son’s fault and he laughed! Pete is happy to chat about footie, cricket, Britain’s Got Talent, Wales, Stoke and the show we had all just seen. We ask him is he off to Soccer Aid and he replies that he was going to watch it on the telly, but that Rob had been taking it seriously and has been training for 4 weeks. The following day when we saw Rob getting off the coach tanned and in great shape, we knew that Pete was telling the truth!

Pete’s friend, “Herbie” I think his name was, was also a gent. He soon got into the swing of things with the Crew and was a right larf… took a bit of persuading to get him to lend Paula his jacket mind you, but eventually we were on to a winner! Pete is stood in the street at this point, and when we look up, we see JK running towards the pub from the theatre. Pete threw open his arms to gesture to JK and they gave each other a right big bear hug. Now if you hadn’t been aware of the show that night, it was a proper double take moment as from afar it looked like Pete and Rob together!

“My 2nd son” Pete says to JK and everybody laughs. At this point the pub is pretty crowded and a good time is being had by all! It’s been roughly 2 hours since the show, and there’s a great buzz around. Pete is still there chatting away and Herbie is getting to know the crew better too. We stop to chat to a Police Sergeant patrolling the area and nab him for a quick photo… ‘ello ‘ello ‘ello what do we have here?!? Thankfully he didn’t arrest us; well we are good girls, honest!
Pete and Herbie say their goodbyes but not before posing for a couple of pics with us lot. It was really lovely to meet them both and a pair of gents they were… The pub was closing, but in true PV Crew form we scored a lock in and headed inside with JK, the band, and some friends of the group. Sitting round the table, we reviewed the evening’s antics so far, chattering about the show and laughing at what had just happened outside. Lots of cameras around snapping pics, JK settled in for a few snaps too… Rosie and Jim… Hear the Drummer get Wicked… too many laughs to mention.
Calling it a night just after 3, a minibus was ordered to take us back to The George… where upon arrival a couple of us think that Cocksucking Cowboys were in order and carried on with a few shots before hitting the hay. Just another ordinary Saturday night in Stoke for the girls!

JK as Robbie with the PV CREW!

Well what a weekend it was! The PV Crew were in town and what fun we had...
Headed to the Regent Theatre, Stoke on Saturday to see JK as Robbie on Saturday and then to Old Trafford in Manchester on Sunday to see Soccer Aid

FANTASTIC WEEKEND!
Full report to follow, but for now I'd like to share a review I did of the theatre show... One Night of Robbie... If you get a chance to see it you should, the whole evening was a really enjoyable!


Review – One Night of Robbie Williams. Regent Theatre, Stoke. 5th June 2010.

When my friends and I booked “One Night of Robbie Williams” at the Regent Theatre, Stoke were we a little unsure of what to expect. A Robbie tribute… at the theatre? Having seen JK perform at a Christmas Party Night in a hotel last year, we knew that the guy could sing and move – but how was that one man show going to migrate to the big stage?
In the lobby before the show, other patrons were just as curious about what was going to happen during the next 2 hours as we were. After about 45 seconds of the show, our curiosity was quashed as it was blatantly obvious what was going to happen… we were about to have a feast of Robbiness bestowed upon us and be well and truly entertained!

As the band started up with “Let Me Entertain You” and the stage became visible you could clearly see that this was no ordinary “tribute show” and looking down at my ticket I was reminded that this was “An International Stage Show”. This introduction was not selling the show short.

The backdrop had been carefully chosen to reflect the pinnacle of Robbie’s live career – Knebworth – and for JK you could see this night meant as much to him as that did to Rob. With a blast of fireworks, strobe lighting effects and some carefully timed visuals on the big screen above JK and his band; the audience looked in amazement to see that every attention to detail had been covered!

“Good Evening Stoke on Trent!” JK cheered. Around me, I could see that 3 minutes into the show the whole theatre were on their feet. All 1200 of them. Clapping, chanting and bouncing along to Let Me Entertain You as if their lives depended on it! Like Robbie, JK had the audience eating out of the palm of his hand.

Moving through the show, the cream of Robbie’s career had been carefully chosen, to be recreated as a celebration of his music. Old and new hits were belted out, with the charisma and charm that fans of Robbie know and love. From the new album, we were treated to Bodies, Morning Sun and You Know Me… where JK referenced Robbie’s memorable appearance on Loose Women. The opening to “Bodies” was as I remember it; from being in the Roundhouse that night at Electric Proms – the band totally together and the 3 backing singers made sure that the “Bodies” and the “Look good naked-s” were note perfect! However…it wouldn’t be a Robbie gig without the obligatory forgetting the odd word or two, and during “Morning Sun”, the audience were more than happy to help JK out as he fluffed one of the lines! “That’s our Rob!” I heard someone next to me say – showing that even a minor faux pas are all part of an evening with Robbie Williams!

If you have been to a Robbie concert, you will know that Rob loves a bit of audience participation and JK was no different. Reminiscing back to the time when I saw Rob in Leeds, “Strong” was greeted by the audience in the very same way! Looking up at the big screen, we could see the words projected for the theatre to join in this big karaoke session – and they did with gusto!
Judging by the expression on JK’s face throughout, he was enjoying every second and at one point later in the show, he asked staff to throw on the house lights so he could see everybody! A sight for sore eyes; JK beamed with delight as 1200 people smiled back at him! Cheeky banter spattered the show; the “gift of eloquence” is certainly part of JK’s DNA. It was as if he had just kissed the Blarney Stone!

Now I’m no seasoned theatre-goer, but have been lucky enough to see a number of amateur shows locally, musicals in regional theatres and a few massive productions on both the West End & Broadway. Throughout all of these, there is one thing in common… you can always tell how the show is being received by the gossip in the “facilities” in the interval! This show was no different. People of all ages were spilling over to talk about the last hour…

“Amazing! He’s just too good” and “I can’t believe he sounds just like him” could be overheard.
“I only came to bring my mum for her birthday, but I’m so glad I did” chirped another.
“Are you sure he’s just a tribute?” another man questioned as he headed back to his seat.
“I wonder when he’s coming back here?” asked another lady….

So far, all was good at the Regent – but little did we know what was in store for us in the second half…
After the interval, JK rejoined us in a dapper suit and a grand piano was centre stage… you knew it was Swing Time! The screen above beamed out “One Night of Robbie Williams recreating Live at the Albert Hall” and true to form, it was certainly recreated. Classics like Mr Bojangles, Things and My Way were delivered with identical style and character that only Robbie can add to these classic tracks. Joined by one of his female singers (from Stoke of course!) for “Things”, JK took front of stage and told us the same cute and romantic story through the performance of Things; that we saw Rob do with Jane Horrocks at the Albert Hall. As the band started to play the first few bars of My Way, we were graced with shots of the original showman himself, Mr Frank Sinatra, adding to the ambiance and atmosphere that was already in the building at that point.

Other highlights of the show (in no particular order) included a local dance troupe break-dancing to “Rudebox” – a tribute to Rob’s local footie team, they were all dressed in Port Vale FC strip…

“Back for Good” – the moshing version. Some of the audience dressed up for a demure night at the theatre; were bouncing around as if at Glastonbury in a muddy field! Others had glow sticks that were cast aloft high into the air in time with the frantic drum beats.

“Kids” – with not 1 but 3 Kylies! Joined by the girls, the trained eye could see that this was taken from one of Kylie’s live shows… where she is Rob-less! JK certainly has his Kylies with him this night!

“Better Man” – not an easy song to sing; and not often performed in live shows; but delivered perfectly and with true emotion.

And we knew when the screen above displayed the “twinkly-twinkly stars” that “Millennium” was on the cards. All around the theatre, the audience stood up and joined in to show JK their best twinkly twinkly fingers!

Other Robbie favourites like Feel, Come Undone and Rock DJ were not forgotten and the crowd reciprocated the energy of each performance by getting on their feet & clapping every single time! JK said he had waited 5 years to play Stoke-on-Trent and it was obvious that he did not want to end this performance prematurely. Glancing at my watch, I realized it was past the 10pm time slot as stated on the ticket. Other patrons commented that they were having such a good time; they didn’t even notice it passing them by.
As the evening drew to a close (and half an hour later than scheduled), the stage went dark and projected into the theatre was a beautiful and emotional clip, showing children and parents whose lives had been enriched by the Donna Louise Trust Hospice in local Trentham.

“Hello, I’m Robbie Williams” boomed out of the PA, and we were in no doubt that this was actually Rob on the voice over. He was “here” to deliver a powerful message about the charity of which he is a patron. As JK came back onto the stage, he delivered a bit of a shock to all in the crowd – one of which was Pete Conway, Rob’s dad - who was there to see the show that night. “As a tribute to the fantastic work that is carried out at the hospice, JK would like to donate 2000pounds to the charity.” The audience were on their feet, to deliver a well deserved standing ovation. There were shocked gasps and a few watery eyes in the crowd. JK and his band then went on to close with Angels, dedicating it to the charity; at which point there was not a dry eye in the house.

The show was over. As people were leaving the chatter was on top note. Compliments could be heard in the lobby about the costumes, the dancing, the band, the visuals and the fitting ending to the night… but most of all, 2 letters could be heard - JK… Stoke’s new adopted son!
To quote a well known ad campaign, Carlsberg don’t do tribute stage shows… but if they did it would be this one. Bravo.

When JK (and the Alma Hotel) got CREWED!

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Sam's PV Road Trip... Norfcuk, Leeds Leeds Leeds, Jonny in Bristol, Cheshire and Londonnnn Baby (oh and Electric Proms!)

October and well this has to be the month of the year for me. I arrange my week holiday without the said hubby.
The tickets get announced for Electric Proms. Running into trouble trying to buy these from seetickets and running into major hassle calling into Customer (Don't) Care, I decide to do one of my blinding emails to the boss of seetickets... Well; I've nothing to lose. Getting a surprise phone call later that day it seems that I had everything to gain - as in tickets! WOOP! After changing my flights and getting a partner in crime (Debs) who kindly steps in with a bed for me, I'm extending my PV Crew week to 10 days!! With a FAB finale!!

1st stop - Renas. Rena collects me from the train station and the fun starts. We head for a lovely boozy lunch and catch up! Gorge grub, thanks hun! Stopping at the alright mate shop we get a few goodies and head back to Renas. XFactor night and Rob is on. Rena has a full cocktail cabinet and lots of nibbles! A good night head methinks.

Totally spoilt by Rena... she runs me a bath with candles and everything. Bless you hun, the spoil-o-meter was on full that night!! Rena's bezzie mate Chelle comes over and it was lovely to finally meet her! We crack the cocktails and after xfactor crank up the music. Dancin around Renas front room we have more drinks and laughs! Not one to be broke, I start with the flaming sambucas. (sorry mate! xx) Rena sat in her kitchen surrounded by the blow up mattress trying to blow it up manually without the pump was just priceless! And I remember the flaming sambucas the next morning - a war wound on my hand (for a week after) to prove what a good night it was!
Sunday and Rena takes me for a right good Sunday lunch. Yummmmmmy! We head to the seaside and the arcades for a while with the kids and then back to Renas to watch Rob do Bodies on XFactor. A couple of Taboo and lemos which are my faves, along with great company and my fave pop star on the tellybox. Great way to end the weekend...
Thanks to all the Cowens (incl Rena's nan!) for having me over and making me feel so at home!
Rena drops me at the train station on Monday morning. Gutted to be leaving, I had such a lovely and fabtastic time! Heading on the train to Leeds and a cpl of hours later I'm there! 2nd stop - Leeds Leeds Leeds. Paula and Den waiting at the train station, and before you can say YAMAN we are at Chez Pineson. Paula got the Rose wine chilling and some lovely Lemon Chicken on the go for dinner. We have a catch up and watch some more Rob on the tellybox. Well you can never have too much of a certain Mr Robbie Williams!
I'm missing Rena thou and this seems to be the theme for the rest of the trip - as I head to one place I miss the people I left behind in the previous one...
Anyhoo back at Paula's I'm being treated yet again. Meet Jane (whos coming on the Xmas do) and have a deelish dinner. Paula gets the Pimms on the go and Keihra decides to whoop my ass at Guitar Hero!! What a laugh!! I'm in the all new PV Crew bedroom which is well nice and cozy - thanks Den, K and Paula for making it so lovely.

On Tuesday morning we get up and have a noice brekkie. Respect to that Pineson. Den takes us down to Morribogs where we get some supplies for Bristol. Well when I say we I actually mean Paula. As I didnt get served any booze because I had no ID. WTF is that about?!?! Seeing as I paid with my credit card aswell I must have been over 18 you crazy checkout lady. Paula was laughing her head off, to be fair it was priceless! (for everything else, theres Mastercard but not if you're under age! )
Den drops us at the train station and we head off to meet Louise in Bristol. Lots of texts and calls. and laughs. And we're not even there yet!!
When we arrive in Bristol Lou is already there. We hail a cab and head to the apartment. What a place. Tis fab and posh and lovely.
We settle in and unpack, filling the fridge with booze. The concierge tells us there are some take away menus in the folder and we order a chinese... YUM!! Chicken Froid Roiiiiice!

So with a certain Mr Robbie Williams on the tellybox (you see a pattern forming here?!?) and also lots of Jonny too in anticipation of tomorrow night (We Will, We Will Rock You!) we have a right good catch up. Plenty of booze in the fridge to keep us going, so we kick off our shoes and relax!

We stick on Man Olympics and it reminds us of our 1st proper PV meet when we did the grape challenge. Laydee Lympics team was formed in honour of Man Olympics and will be back playing competitively in December! WOOP WOOP! Back to the DVD and Mr Jonathan Wilkes is the winner! Which sets us up nicely for the following day.

We head into the City Centre to collect our tickets and find our way around. The obligatory Subway was consumed (Subway, official food of the PV Crew!) and we head down to the waterside and find a lovely bar - on a boat! oh and some fountains for Paula!!! The sun was cracking the flags, I kid you not. October and we are sat outside in tshirts. Brilliant.
After sussing out what we are doing and where we are heading later, we mosey on back to the apartment to get ready. The sound system in the apartment is wicked so stick some MORE Rob on and Paula and I do our own version of Bodies. Proper PMSL moment with the security guy stood outside on his phone looking at where the noise is coming from!!!

All glammed up we head over to the theatre (darrrrlink!)
The show - well what can I say? Fantastic. For all the Jonny haters you should go watch it. The boy can certainly sing. After every song we are wooping and shouting his name and upstairs everyone is looking at us but we dont care! Jonny has a few glimpses up to us and we are going a little bit mental!

At the end of the show we try and head out quickly but the people next to me are not for moving... so we head down some other stairs. Nice work as its right next to the stage door. What a find! Literally 30 seconds after we get outside someone heads out of the Stage Door. Its Jonny. OMG! He looks real cute and still glammed up in his theatre make up!

He is of course heading away... gotta run the car is waiting etc... you know how it is! So we ask him will he sign our programs. No problem duck, pass us a pen then! Cue Paula with her Royal Armouries biro... classic! Then we ask for a pic... ok then girls. So I thrust my camera into this lady's hand and tell her to push HERE! considering I took her completely by surprise and she had never used my camera before we got a top pic. Thanks lady!! Lou then comes out with a cracker of a question- about Soccer Aid next year...

And Jonny gives us the news that we wanted, that there will be a Soccer Aid. Then in one breath as he is running away I shout after him about how great he was, how great the show was, how we loved him at Soccer Aid at Wembley and we were the ones in the corner on the front row with the banner. (and breathe and relaxxxx Marantha!)

He stops, turns on his heels and looks straight at us shouting the date, with both hands in the air, "its Old Trafford, Old Trafford! June 6th!!" Brilliant. Sharing the news with the rest of the crew, we already have plans to get the time booked off, to be sure like... and incase it all comes off we will be there!!!

The next day we say our goodbyes - again I'm gutted to be leaving Paula and Louise behind - and I hop on the train to see my folks. Whilst there I arrange to meet Cary and we head for dinner and cocktails. Catching up on all the advertures so far, I fill Cary in with all the news with gusto.  Looking as great as ever, she orders a few cocktails for us - good job as I was all at sixes and sevens. Tiredness mixed with giddiness! Cary couldnt get a word in thou - sorry hun. Saying that it was FAB to see her as it was the 1st time seeing her since Take That... looking forward to seeing ya again hun!! and well done on your very own Rob moment at Loose Women which was to come only a cpl of weeks after thinking you had missed out! xxx

Hooked up with a couple of old school friends on the Fri night and had a right good catch up. Drinks of course. My liver at this stage is taking a bit of a battering!!!
Saturday I'm heading over to Manchester to meet Hubby and my mates Mags & Jonny from Cork at the Man Utd v Bolton match at Old Trafford. Of course my team get beat but it was a great day. Lovely to see everyone....Sunday brings lunch with the inlaws and some quality time with hubby. Before I head for my final part of the travels.

The train to London on Monday. Meeting with Debs when she finishes work. Before Debs whisks me back to her place we stop off at Yates for a drink and a catch up. We plan our route to Camden the following day and have a good old chin wag about all the news from the previous week! Debs takes me back to her place and I meet M, who is just as lovely as I thought! My other half was saying the PV Crew blokes have a right rough time of it whilst we are off gallavanting!! pmsl!! They love it really! But it was lovely to finally meet all the fellas who were spot on with the hospitality and taxi service for me too! A big big thanks to you all for putting me up and taking me places!!

So we head up to Camden on the tube. Seeing two queues we find out one is for tickets & bands and the other is for admission. The queue is not that bad although its not moving quickly. We find out later this is due to the checks they put in place due to the scammers who were selling on ebay. They were checking all IDs and it was good to see that it was enforced!!

We meet a cpl of lovely girls in the queue  - Gemma & Sarah - and after a fleeting visit down at the security gate by Rob we finally get out tickets and wristbands! OMG this is really happening!
Heading to the watering hole over the road for a cpl of cheeky vodkas we decide on pizza and head over to the queue to take our place. Vodka in one hand and pizza in the other we find Gemma & Sarah for the 2nd time and start speculating on who is in the blacked out cars that keep flying by us.
We head into the Roundhouse, how small and intimate is the venue? This is really happening, it hits us that in an hour we will be seeing our fave pop star right here, in front of us!!
Whilst we are not at the barrier, we are not far from the front and are dead centre with the main mic stand. Getting excited and nervous at the same time.
EEK!  Electric Proms 2009 at the Roundhouse. The place is filling up, the celebs are taking their spots in the gallery above us. We see James Corden, Will Young, Ant & Dec, Fearne Cotton, Chris Evans, Peter from Dragons Den... we are told in the next days papers that a lot more celebs are there too to see a certain King of Pop take back his crown!

Trevor Horn comes out to introduce Rob. Very low key affair in comparison to other introductions but so perfect for the occasion. And then the fun begins. I cant put into words how or what happened in the next 90 mins but what I can tell you is that it was amazing. The edited version of what was on the Beeb later that evening did not do it justice. The orchestra. The lovely opera singer. Anne Dudley on piano. The familiar faces of Gary, Neil and Jerry. Trevor Horn the legend that is right there. And our fave, Mr Robbie Williams nestled in amongst them. Singing his heart out, looking so relaxed. So happy. Sang the classics the best I've ever heard them. Sang the new ones like he meant them. Lots of interaction and banter with the crowd. And Ayda. Lovely to see him so loved up and happy. The set list was just right, mix of old and new. The full set list if I remember was:

Bodies....Morning Sun....Come Undone....Blasphemy....Starstruck....Feel....I Will Talk And Hollywood Will Listen....Supreme....Deceptacon....No Regrets....Won’t Do That....You Know Me....Angels....Millennium....Video Killed The Radio Star. A bit of do do doo do do do do dooo do do do do do do doo doo dooooo and Rudebox thrown in too for good measure!
Video Killed the Radio Star was awesome. If youre looking for a B-side get that on it! You could just tell that Blasphemy was a Chambers collaberation. The opening to Bodies was sooo good, the orchestra and lights really made it. Starstruck was fantastic with the George dancing... just doesnt sound the same on the album if you get me! IWTAHWL blew me away, I've never heard that one live before and it just made me smile from ear to ear. The crowd were up for it, and I just loved every minute of it. Debs and I were smiling the whole way thru. Met Kriss later on the way out and she said the exact same! Totally fecking brilliant. My 5th time at a Rob live gig, and by far the best. You nailed it that night Mr Robbie Williams and I loved the fact that all the press were eating their words the following day. Simply brilliant.
So heading back home to work the next day was a massive comedown. 4am the next day and I'm on my way to the airport. Big thanks to M for getting up and running me to Stansted. Ended up back in work at 8am and on a massive downer. Although I didnt take my wristband off for days!!
What a holiday. I would never have thought it would be so action packed when I first booked it off. And Mr Williams - you have followed me thru it. PV Crew road trips rock - here's to another one soon!