Birmingham, England, November 11th 2023
On July 21st Mike announced an extra Birmingham gig. I’m in Florida right now (read our experience: here). I can’t book yet, but after my holiday I need a word with Ozzy. We booked this on August 20th.
Mike sorts us out. Thanks so much!! Adam is also going. So are Shep & his girlfriend Jess. Shep is bringing his sister Laura as well.
On Friday I’ve to work. It’s pretty busy in the morning. Time flies. But the afternoon is quiet. My team leader will let me off a little earlier. Time to go to my mums for dinner. We won’t stay too long, cos Ozzy will come over tonight. He will stay at ours. Roos is having a sleepover in our room again. We take one shot of Mike’s Tequila before we go to bed. Might helps me to catch some sleep.
Our flight goes at 7:15 am. We have to wake up at ridiculous O’Clock (read 4:30 am). When I get up, I pick Roos up from her bed and place her in my bed, next to her daddy to sleep further. We take Ozzy’s car to Getsewoud. When we park the car and we get the bus to the airport. We arrive in Brum at 7:30ish.
When we arrive at Schiphol the security goes very quick. But then we see a very long queue for the passports, but at the same moment we have to get in that queue, they open the self scan and we were the first to get through. Thank god. Cos it didn’t look good.
Time for the toilet, needed to buy some deodorant and then it was time for coffee. It’s only 5:30 ish. It’s too early for Starbucks. They are all closed still, so we go elsewhere for our coffee and orange jus.
Then it’s time to go to the gate. Time to board the plane. We booked seats at row 12. The plane is not fully booked. Row 10 is completely empty it is the row at the emergency exit. We got asked to move there. Sure no problem. Extra leg space we don’t mind. We have 3 places for ourselves. Both of us. We both slept on the plane. Well…. we slumbered.
When we got out, I texted Shep. He and Jess will pick us up. We have some coffee first. Then breakfast. It’s so lovely to see Shep again and it’s lovely to meet Jess. Thanks for our breakfast and coffee. After breakfast we go to Sheps house to see his Streets collection.. Much appreciated 🧡 Wow. I’m impressed. He even give me a few things, which he has a couple copies of.
After this they drop us off at the Bullring. We walk towards our hotel.
We walk past the venue, we see Wayne and Kevin. We have a chat. Wayne just arrived from their hotel. After a few minutes Mike comes outside. He asked how our flight was and if we’re ok. We have a little chat. Kevin leaves with Mike and we have another chat with Wayne. Max comes outside. I remind him of who we are haha.
Then it’s time to go to the hotel. We stay at the Ibis budget hotel. We’re a little early. But if the room is clean we can check in. We have to wait a few minutes until they can confirm which room. We have room number 9 at ground floor. I’m going to take a shower. And I’d like to video call Roos before I take a nap. She was asleep when we left.
I want to have a nap, but I can’t really sleep. I did snooze a little, but at 4 I’m awake. I got a text from Adam that he’s in Birmingham as well. Let’s go to the Dragon Inn Wetherspoons. We’ll have some dinner there. Thanks for dinner Adam!! Much appreciated 🧡
In the meantime I had been in touch with Lizz. She wanted to come over to meet up. She arrived at the car park next to the venue just before 6. We walked towards the venue and towards her to queue up. She joined us. Millrain was sorry he couldn’t come. Well…. He could make up for it. We have to get to the airport at some point 😉 Lizz was going to have a talk with him and see what they could do. They already had plans with friends, small chance they can help. but we’ll stay in touch tomorrow.
It was really cold outside. Lizz borrowed me a super fluffy coat. Loved it and it was really warm. There were only like 10 people in the guestlist queue. Adam had to join the “normal” queue. But there was an O2 priority queue as well. And I remembered that he told me that he had priority. So he decided to join that queue. They could get in at 6:45. Adam saved us a spot.
I gave Lizz back her fluffy coat. We got in just after 7. We were on the list. Thanks so much Mike. I really appreciate what you do for us. We joined Adam. After a few minutes I heard my name. Shep, Jess and Laura were on the balcony.
The first support act was Joy Anonymous. He’s a DJ. To be honest… I didn’t like him much. And the sound was terrible. That didn’t help him much either. But thank God for our ear plugs.
2nd support act was Masterpiece. I like him, but again the sound was terrible. Even with ear plugs in, it was bad. I had to keep my hands over the ears a few times.
At 9:30 it was time for The Streets. Olly Olly Olly gave me the setlist already.
He was going to after the gig anyway, “I might as well give it now”. A few people wanted to see it. The guy next to me as well, I let him take a photo of it. Baz waved at us.
Mike was on fire. Amazing gig. I love the set list. Sound was good as well!!
Wayne said hello. Keith said hello. Mike did a pose. Mike had ordered 2 “2 pint” cups of cider. For a girl to crowd surf with, but she managed to not spill a single drop. So there was a “2 pint” cup left. Keith gave it to me. Thank you!!
After the gig we went towards the tourbus. Mike left quickly with help of Keith. When Keith walked by again he told us that Mike had gone straight to bed. That’s fine. Wish him good night from me. But then I saw Mike’s brother Dan with his two sons. I got introduced to his youngest. Also Kevin walked by. He was in a hurry. He was meeting up with friends. Max walked by and so did Dan. We wished them a good night. Haven’t seen Wayne or Cassell, but it was so cold. Adam had lend me his coat, but it’s still to cold. I even got cramp in my toes. We went back to the hotel. When our paths to our hotels separated I gave him back his coat. Thank you.
We got a coffee for Ozzy and a tea for me. And both of us had a Twix. The tea didn’t get me warm. I’m putting the video on YouTube so I can put it on the blog, but it’s taking ages. I had to take a shower to heat up. I’m writing the blog and then go to sleep. We have another day tomorrow.
Sunday 12-11-2023
I wake up at 7:30. Video has not been uploaded on YouTube yet. It’s done for 3/4. Hope it will be done by the time we check out. We will have breakfast with Adam at the Dragon inn, where we were yesterday. Our treat this time.
At 11 we need to be 2 minute silent for Remembrance Day. We were in the Dragon inn Wetherspoons. Everyone was quiet. Very impressive and even a little emotional. In Holland we have Remembrance Day on may the 4th. We can’t celebrate Star Wars day.
Just after 11 the video is finally online. At noon Adam leaves. He’s going to visit a friend. Was lovely to see him. We are going to the Xmas market, but it won’t open until 1pm because of Remembrance Day. The weather isn’t as good as yesterday. It was sunny yesterday. Today there is drizzle. And it’s pretty cold.
They have 1/2 metre bratwurst, poffertjes, chocolate marshmallow with different flavours. It’s good if you go for the food. And it looks lovely. but there is not much xmas stuff to buy.
It doesn’t really bring me in the Xmas spirit yet, cos they don’t play Xmas songs. But I love the Xmas lights and the Xmas trees. After a few hot chocolate, we get a portion of poffertjes (mini pancakes).
And an after eight marshmallow. We in Holland know that as a “negerzoen”. Well nowadays that’s not allowed to call it that of course. It’s called a “zoen” now (translation: kiss).
It’s raining harder at this time. We’re looking for a pub to kill time, till it’s time to get back to the airport. We found a pub near the train station new street. I could charge my phone as well. Lizz and Millrain were still out for lunch with their friend. They couldn’t help.
We had some nacho’s we watched the video from last night, well a small part of it. Just after 5 we got the train to the airport.
Now we have to wait more then 2,5 hours. Security went smoothly.
I didn’t have any neighbours. Ozzy and I sat at my row. so we had 3 seats for the both of us. The row he was sitting in, did the same. A lady behind me had a custom made cake with her. It’s huge. She had to move to the back of the plane. She could stow her cake safely. At 8ish our plane left. At Schiphol we got the bus back to Getsewoud. Ozzy’s car is waiting for us. only a few minutes to my house. I’m in bed at 11:30. Ozzy still needs to drive home.
This was an amazing weekend. Thanks everyone involved and who came over to meet up. We have Sheffield to look forward to still. It’s been rescheduled to May 25th next year. It’s been cancelled again. And a European tour is coming. We heard from Keith that there will be 2 dates in Amsterdam.
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