Southend - 7 July 2010

[grant]

Hi Karsten
Thanks for the early pics.

Jul 7, 2010 22:33:35 GMT Karsten said:

.I suppose the report work will be done by Grant ...

OK, If you insist! I'm away at the moment - "playing trains" 'til gone 2am this morning! (Boys will be boys!! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif) and don't expect to be home until late tonight, so my report may have to wait until Friday. I will also have some pics to share.

Best wishes
Grant

[Karsten]

Hi all,

Just back after the the 9-hours-trip from Southend to Frankfurt.

Many thanks for your kind comments.

@joyce and Sandy: You may certainly think that, I couldn't possibly comment.

@richard: Thanks for the confirmation, so I've got Phil right.

grant: Looking forward to your report, or perhaps Gordon will be faster ?


To keep things going, here are a few pictures from the arrival...

[Karsten]

[Karsten]

Hayley chatting with Richard

[Karsten]

[Karsten]

A few more from the concert later this week.

Cheers, Karsten

[thomas]

Thanks for the great pictures again. Karsten, you seem to be quite busy again now that the concert season has started.

Thomas

[Jillian]

Hi Karsten,

Thank you for the beautiful photos! Gee those pearl earrings of Hayle's are very pretty! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Cheers,
Jillian

[Joe]

Hello Karsten,

Many thanks for sharing those lovely pics of Hayley!

Looking forward to more photos and reports from more beloved members in attendance

Warm regards,
Joe

[Richard]

Fantastic photographs, Karsten!

They clearly show that Hayley enjoys meeting her fans. I particularly like the one where she's chatting to me, but I won't reveal what we were talking about! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

I hope you had a good journey home.

Best wishes,

Richard

[anshita]

Such lovely pictures! Thanks for the share Karsten.
Hayley is really marvelous...

[grant]

Hello everyone

Sorry to keep you waiting Here is the first part of my concert report

Waiting for Hayley
It isn’t until its time gets really close that you realise how much a ‘certain something’ has been missing from your life; at least, that’s how it was for me early on Wednesday morning, as I prepared for my journey to Southend to see the first, for me of Hayley’s Battle of Britain 70th Anniversary concerts. I don’t think it was that I had become complacent – blasé even, about seeing Hayley, just that I was, only now, realising how much I have missed that warm smile you get when she first steps out of the minibus; the sparkle in her eyes when she does one of those “little some-things” that she does occasionally for her fans; or that magical moment when she first steps out onto stage at the beginning of a concert.

Such was my mood that I had that same feeling of excitement; those same nervous butterflies that I used to get in the early days of going to concerts, as I set off to catch my train. It was going to be a warm day and my summer jacket had already been unceremoniously thrust into my case before I boarded my London bound train. It’s a relatively simple journey for me – fast train to London – tube connection to Tower Hill and a short walk to Fenchurch Street for the Southend train. I arrived outside the venue a little after 1.30pm. Cloudy but warm at the moment. Met up with Richard immediately I arrived and Karsten a short while later. Gordon arrived a little while after that and our little HWI group is complete.

The waiting continued and the cloud slowly burnt away to a hot and sunny afternoon. We waited and watched the road, as one does on these occasions, for any sign of that one special vehicle which would be graced with the presence of our special girl. It proved to be quite a long wait – tonight’s is an 8 o’clock show and Hayley is not expected much before four. It was actually 4.23pm when they did finally arrive – Hayley sitting in the front seat and already smiling at her welcoming committee.

The minibus arrives!



with Hayley sitting in the front



Hayley heading for her loyal supporters (apologies for the quality of this one )

Within seconds of the minibus coming to a stand, Hayley is out and heading for the smiling faces of four very happy HWI’ers ready to greet her – a handshake for Richard; a cheery greeting for me and an opportunity for me to say to Hayley that I hope she didn’t think me rude for hiding behind my camera and not saying “hello” properly at the Classical Brits Photo Call. It didn’t take long for the other fans who had been waiting at the stage door to realise that Hayley had ‘stopped en route’ and our peaceful time with her was shattered as numerous CD covers, posters and photos were thrust at her for signing! They are running a little late however, and new tour manager Phil is keen to usher Hayley inside not an easy process as several inconsiderate fans are still anxious for photos and things to be signed leaving Hayley, always wishing to please, with little option but to oblige.

With Hayley inside and preparing for the concert, our attention turns to rumbling tums and the need to seek refreshment …..

More later

Best wishes
Grant

[sharon]

Indeed lovely pictures. You capture the right moments!

I always enjoy the concert pics and reports here.

Sharon

[Jillian]

Hi Grant,

Thanks for the report so far and the pics! I must say, Hayley's hair is quite long, isn't it? I never realised that it was that long. I wish I could grow my hair like that -- but it gets a bit wild any longer than shoulder length! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Cheers,
Jillian

[anshita]

Hello Grant,

Thank you for the wonderful pictures & reports. You can really see her happy smile while arriving in the car, haha.