Skegness, England, 26 November 2011
I am going to the very last gig of The Streets at Big Reunion, the 2nd weekend. It will be my 35th Streets gig but the last one. I am not too sad, because I am very excited about whatever Mike is going to do next.
Thursday the 24th
I woke up at home at 5am and was working from 7am till 2pm at Staples head office. Ozzy picked me up at 2. We went into town and we bought a birthday cake for Mike, it’s his birthday on Sunday then got a coffee at Starbucks, I had a Gingerbread Latte. At about 3 we went to Rotterdam. I took my suitcase to work, so we didn’t have to go to my house in Dam to pick it up.
We arrived in Rotterdam at about 4:30. We booked an inside cabin, the cheapest that was possible. but we got an upgrade to an outside cabin. Nice we have a view. We went on board at 5. If it wasn’t dark we would have been able to enjoy the upgrade as well, oh well I won’t be staying here the whole time anyway. At 5:15 we were having our first beer. After that we did some shopping, I bought blue glittery nail varnish (don’t need Lizz this time) and we got some food.
After dinner we went back to the cabin. I did my nails, in the meantime the boat left. When the nails were done we went to the “sun” terrace, but it was freezing (it’s November) so within 2 minutes we were inside again and we were having 2 tequila sunrise cocktails in the Sky lounge while listening to someone playing piano. After the cocktails we went to see the live band, only walking after 2 cocktails on a moving boat is not easy. We managed and looked pretty elegant. The live band was downstairs, they covered some bands, was good, but not to stay awake for. I was so tired I went to bed, but first a shower.
November 25th
At 6am we got a wake up call. Ozzy took a shower so I could get dressed. At 7:30 we went to our car and at 8 we were on our way from Hull to Skeggy. We were at the gate at 10 am, 2 hours to early, “Go into town and have breakfast”. The lady at the gate told us. “Yes, Ma’am!” LOL. We first went to the beach and then we went to have breakfast. And we did some window shopping. Just before noon we were back at the gate. There was a queue to get in already, but it went pretty smoothly to get in. We parked the car and walked to the check in.
We joined the queue for VIP check in, only as we are from Holland we never got the welcome bag, not to worry cos we could get the form we needed on the other side of the hall. The guy who helped us remembered Ozzy from earlier that week when Ozzy called to explain the story. Coincidence that the same guy who spoke to Ozzy on the phone helped us today with the VIP bag. When we filled in the form we went back to the VIP queue to check in.
We walked to the chalet. Our first 2 room mates were there already. They were from Northern Ireland and Streets fans. Good they can stay There were 2 rooms left. A double room & a twin room. We took the twin room. Ozzy went to get the car, I stayed in the room, just in case the other 2 house mates would come and get that room.
We chilled a bit then we went to the front room and got a drink. When we were on our way to our chalet I got a text from Wesley (He’s from America, came over all the way to see The Streets). that he just got to the room that he would get a shower. He let me know when he finished then I gave him instructions how to get to our chalet. He came over, we had some crisps and beer. Our house mates joined us when they got in. Wesley left to chill a bit, We would see him later when we went to get dinner. We had a good chat with our housemates. Although at 7, one of them (the weird one) walked off without saying anything. The other one (the nice one) went to chill. So did we.
At 8pm we met up with Wesley, we went to the Sun & Moon pub for dinner. We got a few drinks, we watched Devlin. Then we moved to another stage. We saw our missing house mate, only he was drunk so he was a little annoying.
We left him and went upstairs to the VIP bar. We stayed there for Wretch 32 & Example. I also met a girl who told me that she had sex with Example 1 year ago. Why did she tell me? Like I care? Oh well… After Example we went back to the chalet. We said good night to Wesley. Ive been awake for 22 hours, I need some sleep.
November 26th
The day of the gig. I woke up at 9:30. Why this early? I was wide awake. I played Angry Birds, bubble shooter, bejeweled and updated fb & twitter. When Ozzy woke up he took a shower, I took a shower after that. At 11 ish we went to have an English breakfast at Yacht club.
When we were finished I saw a fb post from Rod, he is in the sun & moon pub with Rob Allen. That is across the street from this place. I wanted to say hello to him but he invited us to join them, so we did. Soon after that Stuart arrived also Lizz & Abbie. The girls were sorted by Rod, they got All Access Area passes. WOW lucky girls! (These were very useful later today). We had a few drinks until the guys left to do some work.
We left to see our chalet. the 3rd room was still empty so maybe the girls could stay here tonight. Although they booked an hostel. They met our house mates as well. Then we walked around the festival to see what was going on. The ladies went to get a Burger King. I went to watch Rod, Rob and other crew members setting up the stage. Then the ladies went to their car to get some coffee and Jaffa’s. We got a coffee.
The ladies came back and we went to the Sun in moon pub, Shep, Jamie & Wesley were there as well.
Jamie forgot to bring the Inbetweeners soundtrack cd, but he promised he would bring it over tomorrow morning. The girls left to check in their hostel. The boys were having a cigarette, Shep called me outside. The boys started with the sound check. We left the pub to watch it. The girls never left (yet) they were watching the sound check from backstage but soon joined us.
It was so much fun, we enjoyed it so much. After this the boys came over for a photo. And a chat.
After this the girls got dropped off at their hostel by Rod. The boys went to have a drink. We were supposed to get the cake. While we walked to the chalet, we saw the boys going to theirs. They were practically our neighbors.
I text Ted, to see if he was there, and he was. I asked him if he could get the cake to Mike, he would but after the gig. I saw him getting out of his chalet, we were looking at their “alley” from our bedroom window. Ted saw us and he waved. I walked outside to say hello, he asked us to join them. Him, Rob, Tim & Ben (Mike’s nephew) went to the pub for the 2nd half of a football game. Arsenal–Fullham. We joined them to the Hotshots sports bar next to the bowling alley. Our house mates joined us as well. Ted asked if our house mates were OK, I pointed at them and said they are Streets fans, They must be OK 🙂 When the game was finished. They went to get their stuff ready.
We found Abbie, Lizz & Rod. Also the boys joined us. I had a good chat with Shep.
At 8:30 Ozzy & I went to the stage and sat down. at 9 everybody else joined us. Also some guy on stage, dunno who he was, don’t care really, he was shit. After this the Rizzle Kicks started. They were so much fun. I enjoyed it a lot. They cheered me up.
Then there was a DJ, he was OK, but I liked the guy next to him, he was very interactive with us Die-Hard streets fans And the morphs. There were a couple guys dressed in morphs suits. So cool!
At 10 PM it was time for the very last Streets gig. Mike saw my banner he gave me a look “anytime!” This was a very emotional gig, I cried so much. When Mike gave me and Shep a drink.to thank me and Shep.
Mike came back again, he gave Shep a hand and me a kiss. I cried with “Dry your eyes” and “We can never be friends”. On the last 3 tracks “Turn the page”, “Fit, but you know it” & “Going through hell” I was partying and enjoying it to the fullest. We also got a few drinks from Ted & Claire. Jamie got on Wesley‘s neck at the end of the gig. Wish I got on Wesley’s neck, but I guess I was to emotional anyway.
When Cassell was finishing the music after Mike left I cried again, I realised it was the end.
After the gig, Jay & Shep were gone. They were at the back, waiting. We saw Madge, when he saw that I was about to cry he said stop it, cos I drank enough to get emotional as well. It made me smile. I love Madge (Mike Millrain), he has been so amazing for me. Very sweet I also said to him that I knew what the D.O.T. stands for, he said shhh. I said for the Dear ol’ Tess! He burst out laughing, he said yes! I like it. (Thanks Dan).
When Cassell and Kevin saw me being emotional they gave me a hug. They were so sweet. They were amazing. I didn’t want to cry, or show them I was emotional, but I couldn’t stop. Kevin was talking to 3 ladies dressed as police women, Kevin saw me and gave me a hug, he asked if I was OK, I said “I think so” when Kevin saw me being emotional he said aww Tess, and gave me another hug. He told these ladies that I’m the biggest Streets fan. That I’ve been to their USA tour, their Germany tour. When 1 of the ladies saw me she said you make me emotional. She was lovely. Then I told Kev that this was my 35th gig, Kevin said WOW! 1 of the ladies asked me which was my favorite gig. I said to her that it was the whole US tour, but this was before I knew how amazing Mike‘s birthday party would be. This was definitely the most special gig ever!
Shep & Jay got in touch, they were outside at the back near the tour bus. We went over to them.
Shep had the greatest idea to borrow the AAA passes from Lizz & Abs. Shep and I showed the security guard that we had the passes. We went inside and thanked Mike for everything.
Mike invited us and showed us we were welcome by giving us champagne. He gave Shep a glass, and he found another glass half full, he threw away what was in there, at the same time, Ted gave me a glass, also half full. So Mike wanted to give me the glass he was working on, “oh you’ve already got one? Then he filled my glass full, poured it in his glass, then back in mine. Until we had an equal amount in our glass to toast. Shep & Ted joined us. Ben took some photo’s of us.
Shep told Mike that Lizz, Abbie, Ozzy, Wesley & Jamie were waiting outside. Mike went to get them, we gave the Abbie and Lizz their passes back. I also met Mike‘s wife Claire. She is so sweet and very funny and stunning!
Jamie was showing Shep, Rob & Tim his basketball skills, also Wesley showed them how the Americans do it. Maybe not a good idea. The basket broke OOPS! but it was the funniest thing that happened.
Mike & Rod had a little photo shoot.
Just after midnight it was Mike‘s birthday, we sang for him and of course wished him a happy birthday.
Also Shep & I got a few photo’s taken with the boys. I finally got my photo’s with Tim, Rob, Stuart & Steve. And more pics with Mike, Ted, Madge, Cassell, Kevin & Rod.
Also Ben came over to me. He said “Tess you are a legend” So sweet and he was pretty cute too! He also took some amazing photos. he gave me his email address. I had to send him an email, then I would get them.
I got my banner signed
Ted and Rod signed as well. They said “We’re not in the band” but they have helped me so many times as well!
The boys got a bus call but first got a group photo.
Abbie got Ted‘s tshirt. We were two very happy ladies.
After this we went to see Ms Dynamite. And then we went to Wesley‘s house. He had a whole chalet to himself. Big Reunion cancelled some bookings because they were overbooked, but Wesley had 2 empty rooms and our 3rd room stayed empty for the weekend. After a chat with everyone Ozzy & I went to our chalet. I think it was 4:30 or 5am.
November 27th (Happy birthday Mike)
The next morning, I woke up really early again. At 10am Ozzy had to get up as well, cos Shep, Jay & Wesley were coming over to say goodbye and to give me the Inbetweeners cd.
I gave Shep & Jay a DVD of The Streets UK tour 2011. Our house mates woke up. We had a chat I told the nice one how our night was. Also Lizz & Abbie came over to say goodbye. We had a chat, and our room mate was listening as well. At 11 ish we went for breakfast The girls joined us for juice & coffee.
At noon we said goodbye to the girls and we left to Hull (If you’re going through HULL). We had a drink in a pub and at 4 we got to the boat. At 5 we could go on board. We got a shower and then we went to get some wifi for 3 hours we were having a few drinks. We were very social, but not together haha. At 8pm we had dinner, I bought some Teapigs mint tea. and we went back to the cabin. We went to bed.
The next day, November 28th.
At 7am we woke up by the wake up call. At 9am we were on our way to Amsterdam. We went to Ikea we bought a frame for my signed banner. At 3pm Ozzy went home.
Jamie told us that he will be a dad. He got some daddy advise from Mike. Congratulations Jamie & Hannah, I’m very happy for the 2 of you. x
I never got back to the chalet to give Mike his cake. Couldn’t be arsed walking back. I threw it in the bin.
Madge told me that Mike and him had their first DJ set in Hamburg on Thursday the 1st of December. Exciting! They will be the new DJ Tiësto & Armin van Buuren. Madge agreed and smiled.
BTW could anyone give me the recipe for the glitter bombs Mike was giving out? I liked them. Apparently it’s “goldschlager” & “redbull”
That was it. The end of The Streets. It’s been an amazing journey. Met amazing people. Now we’re ready for The D.O.T.
GOOD NEWS!!!!
Jamie & Hannah are the proud parents of baby girl Olivia Carol Hodson. She’s born on July 5th 2012 at 04.29am She is 7lb 4. Congrats to both of them and Tiegan to her little sister.
The D.O.T. (the dear old Tess) have released Imagine the worst on November 25th 2011:
mikeskinnerfans.wordpress.com 