(no subject)
Nov. 10th, 2008 07:48 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
hathycolThe day: several weeks ago. After a terrible shift at work, I'm legging it to an AltSoc committee meeting. I checked my phone on the run, and I was more concerned with the message re: written off car than the frantic "Colleen, will you pick up your damn phone?! that Sascha had left. Back hurting, moody, I phoned her.
"WHAT?"
Oh, she said. Doctor Who set, she said. Wanna come?
There was a Children In Need competition; phone up from a landline and be entered to win a tour of the set. Basically, Sasha had won. Needless to say, I howled "YES PLEASE!"
Several weeks of facebook messages back and forth later, I was sat in the carpark of John Burnett Hall, ready for the adventure of a lifetime.
Cast of Characters
Colleen, or, your narrator and heroine.
Sasha, or, the one that phoned up for the Children In Need competition.
Kiru, or, the one that had her number entered by Sascha and actually won.
Sheriden, or, the one that let us use her car.
Cecilia, or, a SatNav
It didn't start off too auspiciously. Sure, the UK is all technically one county, but Cardiff from St Andrews is a hell of a trek. In the end, Sheriden put me on her insurance and we drove her death-trap of a Volvo there. After a stop-off in Edinburgh, we programmed Cecilia and drove off confidently, then got stuck in a traffic jam. By the time we'd escaped the city, it was already dark. Still, we drove through Scotland singing along to the Buffy musical, and it was only around Manchester I took over the driving. In car that didn't go into reverse unless it wanted to, and where I could barely reach the pedals, and with a faulty seatbelt.
GOOD TIMES. Particularly the bit where we got stuck behind a lorry that had exploded.
Anyway, all that aside, we made it to Cardiff. We had been awarded a hotel stay in what we assumed was a bog-standard Travel Lodge sort of thing. Instead, we were in a £200 a night hotel, with breakfast included! God bless Cardiff City Council say I. Despite the fact we were all so tired we thought we'd die, we instead went for a bloody expensive drink and eventually went to be a 2am, marvelling at the concept of lunch in Scotland, tea in England and a nightcap in Wales.
We woke up very, very early the next day. Blearily eating our own weight in free breakfast, we checked out and got together with our tour group to get on a coach to go and see some of the sights of Cardiff. Firstly, we were taken to Cardiff Castle, and saw all sorts of beautiful things; not only the history, but where they filmed swathes of Torchwood and the Sarah-Jane Adventures. We even climbed to the top of the keep, which was totally worth it.
However, our time was short and we were whisked away to the Doctor Who exhibit. I have to say, I think I prefer the Blackpool one. Although the new stuff was all shiny and cool, it was a bit kiddy-friendly. That, and we were knackered. Having gone to bed at 2am and woken up at 7am we were all ready to sleep again by noon.
I did, however, manage to find the Millenium Centre when I went to find the loo. I jumped up and down on rocks in the vague hope I might find Torchwood.
On the bus again, and we all dozed our way to a SOOPER SEKRIT location just outside of Cardiff to the Doctor Who sets. When we got there, we signed our confidentiality agreements and picked a monster; we went for Sontarans. Then I got lots of pictures of the Doctor Who cars, including the new car for Torchwood's next season (have no fear, the van is still there) and went into rhapsody about Sarah-Jane's car. SO GOOD.
It was at about that point Russell T Davis wandered past. I gibbered.
We were all taken up to the set entrance, which was a TARDIS. We all posed for pictures, and Kiru opened up the door to the TARDIS with the key that she'd been sent earlier and in we went to, er, wait in front of a screen. Eventually, though, they warmed the crowd up and on came Russell T Davies to introduce the day. I cheered quite a lot, and more so when he specfically mentioned the group down from Edinburgh. YAY!
So all that happened, and we moved off onto our tour. Firstly, the tour guide asked, somewhat anxiously, if the very small child in the group was likely to be scared. Once it was made clear that he'd probably be okay, we entered into the Torchwood vault set, which had a scarecrow from Human Nature/Family of Blood, a Cyberman and an Ood, all completely still. Someone cautiously went up to the scarecrow. "It's going to move..." I thought to myself, and still screamed the place down when it leapt against the gass. All the adults leapt about four food back, and the small child laughed delightedly. Oiy.
Next we were taken to a sound stage where the monsters were let out. The scarecrow went after Kiru - literally, she ran for it at one point - and a Dalek eyed up Sasha's breasts. Good times.
Next, it was to the Torchwood hub, where we were actively encouraged to play with te set. It was really loveyly, actually, and smaller than I thought. It was all down layer for layer exactly like it does on TV, and we were allowed to sit on the chair and play with things and generally look geeky. I even played with Ianto's coffee maker! SO EXCITING!
Next we went to the TARDIS set, and after marvelling at the awesome of it, Russell T Davis turned up. I squeed massively, and got him to sign my badge as well as getting a photo with him. "You girls look lik David Tennant fans," he said, smiling massively.
"I like Patrick Troughton!" I said rather stupidly. WELL DONE COLLEEN, TELL HIM YOU LIKE THE DOCTOR HE DIDN'T WRITE. Anyway, we talked for a bit and he was just so lovely - and tall!
I then examined the TARDIS console, and bewailed the fact that a Type 40 TARDIS had a CD player and my new car didn't to the woman next to me. We chatted for a bit and then I sort of squeaked when I realised that I was talking to Julie Gardiner. She was so lovely!
Then we had to move off to the next area, which was a green-screen example - I made a tit of myself - and saw some of the costumes. I never realised what detail went into the costume, actually.
Sarah-Jane's attic was next, and it was so pretty! The detail was incredible; I also spotted the schematics for a Jagaroth spaceship, which amused me marvellously. We did a radio play to Learn About Sound, and oh, I wanted to stay!
Alas, I couldn't and we got taken to somewhere I can't talk about legally.
Post that, we saw a preview of the Christmas episode, which is going to be in Children in Need on Friday. That, alas, was that; we were escorted off the premises with a goodybag, including a book used in the Silence in the Library episode. AWESOME!
And that, really, was that. We came out and got taken back to the hotel, and then drove back to Liverpool, after dropping Sheriden and Sasha in Bristol. It was only on Sunday Kiru and I finally made it back to Scotland, tired but very, very happy.
Most of the pictures are now up on facebook (public):
First album
Second album
If you can't be arsed clicking there, then at least look at these three photos:
Me, Kiru, Sasha and Sheriden at the TARDIS.
Me with Julie Gardiner.
Flying the TARDIS.
Me, Kiru and RTD!
Oh, and by the way, there is a chance I may be on telly on Newsround and Children in Need on Friday night.
I am thoroughly aware how lucky I am. This? BEST WEEKEND EVER.
"WHAT?"
Oh, she said. Doctor Who set, she said. Wanna come?
There was a Children In Need competition; phone up from a landline and be entered to win a tour of the set. Basically, Sasha had won. Needless to say, I howled "YES PLEASE!"
Several weeks of facebook messages back and forth later, I was sat in the carpark of John Burnett Hall, ready for the adventure of a lifetime.
Cast of Characters
Colleen, or, your narrator and heroine.
Sasha, or, the one that phoned up for the Children In Need competition.
Kiru, or, the one that had her number entered by Sascha and actually won.
Sheriden, or, the one that let us use her car.
Cecilia, or, a SatNav
It didn't start off too auspiciously. Sure, the UK is all technically one county, but Cardiff from St Andrews is a hell of a trek. In the end, Sheriden put me on her insurance and we drove her death-trap of a Volvo there. After a stop-off in Edinburgh, we programmed Cecilia and drove off confidently, then got stuck in a traffic jam. By the time we'd escaped the city, it was already dark. Still, we drove through Scotland singing along to the Buffy musical, and it was only around Manchester I took over the driving. In car that didn't go into reverse unless it wanted to, and where I could barely reach the pedals, and with a faulty seatbelt.
GOOD TIMES. Particularly the bit where we got stuck behind a lorry that had exploded.
Anyway, all that aside, we made it to Cardiff. We had been awarded a hotel stay in what we assumed was a bog-standard Travel Lodge sort of thing. Instead, we were in a £200 a night hotel, with breakfast included! God bless Cardiff City Council say I. Despite the fact we were all so tired we thought we'd die, we instead went for a bloody expensive drink and eventually went to be a 2am, marvelling at the concept of lunch in Scotland, tea in England and a nightcap in Wales.
We woke up very, very early the next day. Blearily eating our own weight in free breakfast, we checked out and got together with our tour group to get on a coach to go and see some of the sights of Cardiff. Firstly, we were taken to Cardiff Castle, and saw all sorts of beautiful things; not only the history, but where they filmed swathes of Torchwood and the Sarah-Jane Adventures. We even climbed to the top of the keep, which was totally worth it.
However, our time was short and we were whisked away to the Doctor Who exhibit. I have to say, I think I prefer the Blackpool one. Although the new stuff was all shiny and cool, it was a bit kiddy-friendly. That, and we were knackered. Having gone to bed at 2am and woken up at 7am we were all ready to sleep again by noon.
I did, however, manage to find the Millenium Centre when I went to find the loo. I jumped up and down on rocks in the vague hope I might find Torchwood.
On the bus again, and we all dozed our way to a SOOPER SEKRIT location just outside of Cardiff to the Doctor Who sets. When we got there, we signed our confidentiality agreements and picked a monster; we went for Sontarans. Then I got lots of pictures of the Doctor Who cars, including the new car for Torchwood's next season (have no fear, the van is still there) and went into rhapsody about Sarah-Jane's car. SO GOOD.
It was at about that point Russell T Davis wandered past. I gibbered.
We were all taken up to the set entrance, which was a TARDIS. We all posed for pictures, and Kiru opened up the door to the TARDIS with the key that she'd been sent earlier and in we went to, er, wait in front of a screen. Eventually, though, they warmed the crowd up and on came Russell T Davies to introduce the day. I cheered quite a lot, and more so when he specfically mentioned the group down from Edinburgh. YAY!
So all that happened, and we moved off onto our tour. Firstly, the tour guide asked, somewhat anxiously, if the very small child in the group was likely to be scared. Once it was made clear that he'd probably be okay, we entered into the Torchwood vault set, which had a scarecrow from Human Nature/Family of Blood, a Cyberman and an Ood, all completely still. Someone cautiously went up to the scarecrow. "It's going to move..." I thought to myself, and still screamed the place down when it leapt against the gass. All the adults leapt about four food back, and the small child laughed delightedly. Oiy.
Next we were taken to a sound stage where the monsters were let out. The scarecrow went after Kiru - literally, she ran for it at one point - and a Dalek eyed up Sasha's breasts. Good times.
Next, it was to the Torchwood hub, where we were actively encouraged to play with te set. It was really loveyly, actually, and smaller than I thought. It was all down layer for layer exactly like it does on TV, and we were allowed to sit on the chair and play with things and generally look geeky. I even played with Ianto's coffee maker! SO EXCITING!
Next we went to the TARDIS set, and after marvelling at the awesome of it, Russell T Davis turned up. I squeed massively, and got him to sign my badge as well as getting a photo with him. "You girls look lik David Tennant fans," he said, smiling massively.
"I like Patrick Troughton!" I said rather stupidly. WELL DONE COLLEEN, TELL HIM YOU LIKE THE DOCTOR HE DIDN'T WRITE. Anyway, we talked for a bit and he was just so lovely - and tall!
I then examined the TARDIS console, and bewailed the fact that a Type 40 TARDIS had a CD player and my new car didn't to the woman next to me. We chatted for a bit and then I sort of squeaked when I realised that I was talking to Julie Gardiner. She was so lovely!
Then we had to move off to the next area, which was a green-screen example - I made a tit of myself - and saw some of the costumes. I never realised what detail went into the costume, actually.
Sarah-Jane's attic was next, and it was so pretty! The detail was incredible; I also spotted the schematics for a Jagaroth spaceship, which amused me marvellously. We did a radio play to Learn About Sound, and oh, I wanted to stay!
Alas, I couldn't and we got taken to somewhere I can't talk about legally.
Post that, we saw a preview of the Christmas episode, which is going to be in Children in Need on Friday. That, alas, was that; we were escorted off the premises with a goodybag, including a book used in the Silence in the Library episode. AWESOME!
And that, really, was that. We came out and got taken back to the hotel, and then drove back to Liverpool, after dropping Sheriden and Sasha in Bristol. It was only on Sunday Kiru and I finally made it back to Scotland, tired but very, very happy.
Most of the pictures are now up on facebook (public):
First album
Second album
If you can't be arsed clicking there, then at least look at these three photos:
Me, Kiru, Sasha and Sheriden at the TARDIS. Me with Julie Gardiner. Flying the TARDIS. Me, Kiru and RTD!Oh, and by the way, there is a chance I may be on telly on Newsround and Children in Need on Friday night.
I am thoroughly aware how lucky I am. This? BEST WEEKEND EVER.
no subject
Date: 2008-11-10 10:37 pm (UTC)But! It looks like you had a wonderful, sleep-deprived time. Also, my boyfriend wants to know what you and Kiru were grabbing to put that look on Rusty's face...
no subject
Date: 2008-11-12 03:54 pm (UTC)And now you know about the CiN special. I'm like a public service announcement. :-)
no subject
Date: 2008-11-11 12:03 am (UTC)Also, this:
I even played with Ianto's coffee maker!
Nobody plays with Ianto's coffee-maker! I mean, he must worship that thing. He'll be after you. *nods*
no subject
Date: 2008-11-12 03:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-11-11 12:24 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-11-12 03:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-11-11 02:03 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-11-12 03:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-11-11 06:25 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-11-12 03:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-11-11 03:34 pm (UTC)FJDKLA:JFSDKL:JFKLSD:JF
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no subject
Date: 2008-11-12 03:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-11-12 10:58 pm (UTC)SO SO AWESOME.
no subject
Date: 2008-11-16 01:01 pm (UTC)