The D.O.T. Birmingham 2012

Birmingham, England, 25 October 2012

Ted sorted me and Ozzy out again. And Clare offered to let me stay, luckily Ozzy was welcome too. Also Shep and Jamie, and Shep’s girlfriend Kate are coming, also Lizz and Abbie will be there.

I woke up at 7ish in Hillegom, because Mark had to go to work, I had some stuff to do at my house in Dam because I have hardly been in for the last month. When that was done I watched “Step Up“. I love that movie. I love Channing Tatum it was finished just before 9:30am, a couple minutes later Ozzy arrived. Just before 10am we left to get the bus to the airport. We checked in online already, we only had hand luggage (That was a tip we got from Mike in Solana Beach), so we got through very quickly.

We got some breakfast at the airport. After that we had about half an hour to get to the gate. There was a gate change, from Gate D5 to gate D56, It took us like 20 minutes longer to get there but even then at the gate after we had to strip (take off our coat, shoes and belt), we got through and we didn’t have to wait too long to get on the plane.

The flight was delayed but because of great weather conditions it was only 55 minutes flight, so we would still arrive on schedule. When we arrived in Birmingham we took a cab to Clare’s house. This is where we will stay for the weekend. Thanks so much for the offer. Really appreciated.

Clare showed us the house. We are staying here but she will stay at her parents house with her little Lilly 🙂 WOW girl, you are amazing. Thanks so much! She showed us where the train station is, so we could get the train later. When we got back to the house, she got us a cup of tea, then she left to her little girl and her parents. We got freshen up changed and left back to the train station.

Ozzy was very hungry, I could eat something but didn’t mind waiting a bit. We went to Nando’s, waiting time would take about 15 to 20 minutes, Ozzy didn’t really want to but I didn’t see anything else we could go to without getting hungry within an hour again, so luckily Ozzy isn’t that difficult, he joined the queue with me anyway… I’m not sure how long we waited but we got a lovely seat next to the window. I had chicken wings, I can’t do the spicy stuff so I had plain…ish. Ozzy had a chicken burger thingy. We both had chips and corn on the cob with it. It was lovely, and I felt I could handle a couple of drinks.

Then we went to see where the venue was, and we were looking for a pub nearby. There was one next to the venue but they only had 1 visitor and a little bit further down the road, like 2 adresses further there was “The big bulls head“. we went in there, there we like 5 people inside. I let Clare, Abbie, Lizz, Shep & Jamie know we were in there. Soon after that Clare and her (then) boyfriend Richard arrived, also Ted, Jamie, Shep and his girlfriend Kate arrived. It was lovely to meet Kate finally. She is lovely! Ted left because he was getting some food with the others but within 5 minutes they all turned up. Mike, Magic, Sasha and Ted. Mike said to me, “ah so you made it?” “Yes” I said. “So you didn’t bring any RASpatat then?” “HAHA no, I didn’t.”  They were going to Nando’s for dinner, we just stayed in the pub. (I tweeted about Ras patat yesterday.)

Sheps friend Flynn was there too, with his friend Dave. It was the first time they met Mike:

A friendship with Dave was born after this.

At about 8:30pm we left to the venue, Ozzy and I were on the guest list. Thanks again Ted. I don’t know how to thank you enough. Then we got a couple of drinks inside. I saw Sash doing the merchandise. I went over, I was about to get some money for a T-shirt, but Sash said to me, I’ll get you one for free which one do you want? Size S please if you do, yeah I do… Aw thanks so much Sasha!! Also some The D.O.T. buttons, I got a Mike and a Rob skeleton and one with The D.O.T. on it. Ted walked by a couple of time, chatted a bit. Then went towards the bathroom, Magic was there but when we said hello he had to start working. Good to see him though.

At 9 it was time for The D.O.T. I met Josh Lomas. His girlfriend Claire asked if I was “The Dear ol’ Tess”, yeah, I guess I am… So you know Mike? Well, no I don’t, I have met him a couple of times yeah, but I can’t say I actually know him. Well he did name his band after you. hahahahahahaha Love people thinking this way. (Thanks Dan 🙂 ), He tweeted afterwards. That he was very nervous to meet me.

The gig was amazing,

I think I love the music live, more then on the albums. I like Rob, but not sure if I’m a fan of his voice, I am a Skinner fan. It was much better then expected.

After the gig, Magic gave me Mike’s playlist.

We met a couple of fans. Dan and his friend Lee also asked if I was the Dear ol’ Tess. 😀 I had to get in their picture with Dan and Ted & Rob 🙂

They got their pics taken with the boys.

Also Sheps friend Flynn with his friend Dave. They were 2 lovely boys. They also called me the Dear ol’ Tess after the gig. 🙂

YAY Another pic with Mikey!

I got my book signed by Mike 🙂

I’ll take him to a chips shop in Amsterdam, when he comes over and has some spare time.

I also met Chris. He had a painting of Mike, he wanted it to get signed. Hopefully he will get it done later tonight.

Dave got his arms signed by Rob & Mike, and he got it tattooed.

After a while, Mike said to me talk to Shep. We all went outside, Kate left back to the hotel. We went back to the pub we were in earlier. Shep said that Mike and the others would go to Board street.

Suddenly Shep and Jamie were gone. I whatsapped where they were going, Shep told me they are going back to their hotel. Magic came in and told us they are going to the Board Street, cool, but where on Board Street? When Lizz, Abz and I went to the toilet, Mike came in, he signed Chris’ painting. We never saw Mike, he had already left when we got back.

Anyway we finished our drinks and decided to walk towards Board Street but it was miles away, Lizz, Abbie, Cellan (Chris’ colleague), Chris, Ozzy & I decided to take a cab halfway, advice from Magic. They were going to Figure of 8. When we got in, they were still on their way. When Magic, Mike, Ted, Sash & Rob arrived, the pub was about to close so they didn’t serve anything anymore. We all left together to the Walkabout, Rob didn’t join us to this one though. Ted was wearing a yellow Fireman coat. It only took me 38 gigs to go out with Mike, although it wasn’t the Grasshopper in Amsterdam. It was a good night. Unfortunately I had a headache again, but it was again 1 of my best nights ever. It was great to actually go out with the boys.

And meet new people.

Thanks for the vid Mike. (Unfortunately the video doesn’t work anymore.) (brummy style)

The boys left. Not long after Ozzy and I left. The girls and Chris and his friend stayed. Don’t think they stayed for long though. As soon as I got back to the house and started writing this blog I got tweets from Chris and Whatsapp messages from the girls. Have good night all!

Thanks Ted for sorting us, and thanks Sasha for the free D.O.T. T-shirt, thanks both of you, Mike & Mike for a very good night. Thanks for excepting us to join you for a night out.

See you soon somewhere in Europe.

Friday october 26th

The next day on Friday october 26th we went for lunch at Nando’s with Lizz and Abbie and we discussed the amazing gig and night. Was good to see the girls again. Lizz had a bag for me with 2 NME’s, some chocolate, the Beats lighter some The D.O.T. badges.

We left the girls shopping ‘cos we had to get the train towards Hinckly. We are going to visit Jamie, and his girlfriend Hannah. I wanted to meet their little princess Olivia. And Olivia’s big sister Tiegen. Hannah bought me 2 packages TeaPigs mint tea. Mike talked about this a while ago on twitter. I love this tea. Thanks so much Hannah.

Also Emma had send them an envelop with Mike Skinner article and a black Streets lighter, only the envelop was ripped open. There was no lighter in it. Thanks so much for this Emma. Jamie gave me his lighter, as long as I send him a photo of it every week. Thanks so much Jamie. (I did sent Jamie a photo every week for 1 year, now I do once in a while).

Saturday the 27th

On Saturday the 27th, we went shopping and at 7ish we met up with Clare we are going to see the new Bond film Skyfall. It’s already out in the UK, but in Holland it won’t be out until next week. 😀 Clare’s mum picked us up after dinner at Nando’s. They gave us free garlic bread cos it was the 4th time we went to that Nando’s this weekend.

Sunday the 28th

On Sunday the 28th, we got a lift from Clare’s mum at 7am to the airport. Bless her! We will go home today. The plane leaves at 9:15. About an hour later we arrived in Holland. Mark picked us up from the airport..

I have got all the lighters now. Thanks Shep, Emma, Jamie & Lizz for helping me collecting them.

On October 8th 2012 they released you never asked (Feat. Clare Maguire and Danny Brown):

On October 22nd 2012 they released their first album And That: