Sheffield and Birmingham

I got up the following morning, had breakfast and asked reception to phone for a cab. However, there were some cars outside so I went to one of them. Journey doesn't take long to the station, but we chatted about the Osmonds and the taxi driver seemed interested that they were all touring again. Train journey was not memorable - thank goodness, as National Express EC have become really awful since they took over from GNER! I arrived back home, got a cab to my place, went to the loo, dumped my bag, and then went off to Sheffield. It took about an hour and a bit, as traffic was really light. Sheffield Arena is really easy to find (now!) and I found I was more or less first there - again! HA! Decided to sit in car and read a book for a bit, and then got out as people started coming. Had a really good chat with people as they arrived, as it got nearer and nearer to the gig starting time we started to get a sinking feeling that we weren't going to get anyone coming out. And - we didn't! Boooooo! It's not THAT far from Newcastle. Anyway, went in, seat was on the right hand side, looking from the stage, and I was sat near a lady and her daughter, and we had a great time. I leant her my binoculars (view was great, actually, but it stopped me ogling Merrill for a while - hehehe!). The show was fantastic again, but I decided that I would leave halfway through the last song and go to the gate - I knew how it ended - LOL!

So, I did, and there were a few people there as well, and we waited, and waited, and decided to do some noise (OK, I decided to lead some noise, I will admit it - I am a bad, bad Merrill fan!), but they went onto the bus and watched Jonathan Ross instead of meeting us (I STILL haven't seen that interview! HA!). After a bit of time, there was some movement, and eventually all of them except Wayne and Alan came out. Merrill had his Wales t-shirt on, he looked a bit tired and serious - so I decided he needed a kiss to cheer him up! He wasn't best pleased either when we told him 'someone' had said he wasn't feeling too well, voice-wise - whoops! (and I can genuinely say that I can't remember who said it, so I'm not giving anyone's name away!). Had a little chat with Marie again, and when Donny came along, I took the opportunity to say thank you for putting on such a wonderful show as a tribute to his brothers' careers in showbiz. He was genuinely moved to hear me say that - bless! And then Jimmy came along.................. the reason I've taken so long to update this blog is because of this incident. He came along, looked at me with my camera, and said 'Why are you taking a picture of me, you don't like me!' He had a small smile on his face, but I can't say it was all that brilliant. Well, cue one stunned and slightly hurt Gerry - sticks and stones and all that, but did he REALLY need to say that?! I have to say that, ever since then, I've not thought much of him, and have decided not to go to Chicago to see him, and was actually in two minds to go to Osmania because a trip to Grease was included - but I did, and we met and it was nice, but, still.......

Anyway, I tried to enjoy the rest of the time there, and did, with my friends, who tried to make light of it happening (it makes me well up still). I'm all for people saying what they think, but ...

Anyway, I travelled back to York and spent most of the next day in bed (tired, not because of JAO). On Bank Holiday Monday, I went to Birmingham as Jay, Jimmy and Merrill were due to do a DVD signing at HMV in the city. Left home quite early, train journey takes about two hours, station staff at both ends really helpful (specially New Street, as it is HUGE!). Taxi driver took me as far as he could go, as it's a pedestrianised area. There were already tons of people there, queuing behind barriers. I went up to security to ask them where the end of the line was, and they told me to go away!! Just kidding, they DID tell me to go away, but to come back nearer the time and then they would take those of us in wheelchairs up first - lahdidah!

Soooo, I did what I was told, went to the McDonalds down the road for breakfast, KJ, Wilma and Alison eventually came to, and then they went back up, and I went back up after a while and took some photos of the crowd. Lots of people going past wondering what was going on. Eventually it came time to go in and we were taken through the side entrance, and placed near a table with some chairs behind it - three of them. The crowd grew bigger and bigger, the press came and chatted with some of the local ladies, and pictures were taken, chants were chanted, songs were sung, excitement grew. And then.................... security came in and took one chair away - and my heart sank, as I kind've knew who might not be coming. Sure enough - I was told to pass on a message that Merrill wasn't feeling too well, was resting his voice, and WOULD be performing that night. Apparently, Chinese Whispers changed it slightly as it went along the line, but I passed it on correctly - so there! I was sad, but was determined to have a good time anyway (and you can't be too greedy about meeting your favourite Osmond - can you?! Who the heck am I kidding?!). Anyway, I was about third in line, we were told keep the chat to a minimum, keep the signing to a minimum. Jimmy and Jay were great - Jimmy said 'you come to everything!' Errrm - no! I think he was trying to make amends - but I'm not sure. I was so busy chatting I forgot to give them my DVD, Jay had to ASK for it! LOL! All too soon it was over, and we were escorted out of the building - and I hung around for a bit, waiting to see where some friends were in the queue so we could go to lunch together, but I missed them so went up to the food court, and had lunch with Jenny and Elinor - really great (got a tiny Merrill fix - with J as in between - ha!). Anyway, eventually they went off and I decided to hang about outside the shop a bit, and explain to passers-by what was going on, some were interested in a good way, some were not - numpties! After a bit, I decided that I would go to the arena - can't be that far - three quarters of a mile later, through the streets of Birmingham City Centre, in the drizzle, having been pushed up a very steep hill by a lovely man with his family, I arrived. Couldn't find anyone there (this was quite a bit after the signing, so I would've expected some to be there. Eventually, I found some friends, and we tried to find where the bus was - I can NEVER find that car park! LOL!

Eventually, we found a bus parked a bit further down the road - just happened to be outside the Hyatt Regency. Now, I've made comments in the past about hanging around outside hotels, and I apologise for being hypocritical about it now I've done it! LOL! It WAS outside, though, and we had no idea if we'd see anyone. Well, we did! HA! Wayne was one of the first out, and he nearly landed on my lap - he was signing stuff and posing for photos, turned his back on me (not deliberately), and walked backwards, I had to put my hand on his back to say 'whoa!' - he was soooo apologetic, bless him! Then Alan came out, and went very quickly onto the bus, then Donny, and I very nearly got pushed over by the rush - should've prepared better for that. Then I met Jimmy and Jay again - Jay smiled broadly at seeing me. It was nice to see them all, we waited a bit to see if a certain someone would come, but no, he was waiting until later to go - unless he was already on the bus, the sneaky rascal!

Anyway, we then went back to the gate, where there was a sneaky game of cat and mouse with the gateperson. Teasing was done - bad people! I spent most of the rest of the time in a pub having a drink with a friend, watching the world go by, talking about all sorts of things, we noticed particularly a homeless guy with a dog - poor loves, it was horrible weather by this time, people gave some food for the dog, and a bit of money. After a while, I decided to get something to eat, so went to the Jurys Inn and had another hamburger! Really nice - met up with a few friends though who were passing the time, some of them also disappointed at not seeing Merrill - ah well, (((((HUGS))))). I then got a cab to the station and went home, tired and a bit emotional. My 50th tour was over, but outside HMV I'd been given a flyer about a tour Merrill was doing of Ireland, but that is a WHOLE new story!