Click thumbnails for full sized view and please don't take without permission.FAN MEET
Manchester Concert ( Hotel Crave ) 5th May 2004
DAME HILDA'S ACCIDENTAL CRAVE
What a bizarre title you may all be thinking….well it’s the truth! Me and dear Evadne booked out of hotel and, dragging our agonising hangovers and weary bodies out, did a spot of retail therapy, ie. Hit the shops! Hours later, laden down with shopping bags, banging headaches and aching bones, hauled carcasses across car park and collapsed in car. Whilst recuperating (that means smoking in my case / drinking gallons of fluid in Evadne’s case) I suddenly noticed this whacking great tour bus parked right in front of us. Hardly inconspicuous but we do have excuses ( I could still barely focus )
Well these dear old dames ( who am I trying to kid ) sat there pondering – means thinking – and I assure you, in the condition we were in , that hurt a hell of a lot! I think we fell outa bar at about 6 am, well done to Mark who was still downing Vodka and cokes like a man in a desert! – but that’s another story…. There was bustle full of fans clumped around entrance, we sat there fascinated and decided to drive off . As much as I adore the lads I wasn’t planning to brave the crush to be trampled underfoot by woman far sprightlier than I! Then, we thought “ Ah sod it! If you cant beat them – Join them”
Armed with camera Evadne leaped out of my Reliant Robin 3 wheeler with the grace of a gazelle……mind you – maybe the sight of all that security with bulging muscles gave her a new lease of life ( it would have taken a Filan in swimming shorts to raise that much enthusiasm out of my knackered body. ) I staggered up in the rear. Then I saw Kian’s rear….I moved then! I may be short but I can elbow along with the best of them! Hah – I lie, there were a crew of weeny ones so they were popped at the front as Nicky and Kian took some time to greet the youngun’s. Bless them. 'BIg Up ' to little Sophie who finally got her surprise of a lifetime ( when I corner the wee 8 year old at school I will make her write a fan greet too! )The other two lads whipped in the bus and stayed there. All is forgiven though because I think they have a rota system. This dame is reliably informed that Mark and Shane did the day before greet!
Considering my Filan fetish I gotta say – I saw everyone EXCEPT him (OK – who warned the poor defenceless lad that the dames were on the prowl?) It wasn’t fair; everywhere I looked I kept falling over Mark *cough* almost into Mark and at one point ...onto Mark… Seemed a very nicely raised boy and slightly better looking in the flesh (dame Evadne may throttle me now ) I digress, I saw the top of Shane’s cap from the 1st floor window ( thank you Soobs and Cath for the invite ) Alas I got so engrossed in juicy gossip forgot to crane out of window and watch lads ‘ oh the shame’ call myself a fan? I did spot Gina on her Birthday, with Nicky trailing behind. The poor lad was weighed down with shopping bags! And also noticed that when luggage loaded up, it was tied up with bright red helium balloons in the shape of hearts….awwwwwwww bless his cotton Irish socks – romance!
Anyways, please see below for fairly crappy pics, do remember I was running on 3 hours sleep and vodka fumes. Its actually amazing that I managed concert photo’s that night and one other observation from this gin soaked old hag…LADS – new tax disc!! Naughty boys that will not look too good in tabloids, so send Trev to get it sorted! But I just realised I cant talk – guess who’s insurance ran out…and due to alcohol poisoning , not only did I tear around Manchester probably over the breathalyser limit but without insurance *blush*
TTFN – still in desperate need of sleep and detox – Dame Hilda xx
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