Meet The Stage's new columnist: Zoe Tyler

Scott dear,- will Zoe Tyler be commenting here online as well?

Print only for now at least, Eva -- but stay tuned in case things change...

This thread is now the latest adoptive home for the Loppies (a tag to that effect is on its way).

Just to reiterate my warning - our web server move is currently under way, with various services already running on the new machine and more to follow. During the move you may see some odd error messages, etc.

Please bear with us.

Hello Scott dear,- of course we'll bear with you. You know we'll forgive you anything. Am I first, for the second time?

Oh another new home. How exciting. Thank you Scott Dear. I've been getting a couple of those odd error messages so I thought something might be up.

Eva - what a great story. I've just choked on my coffee!! And how lovely that Syd wants to buy Lee's CD for his ladyfriend. He is obviously a man of good taste & I'm sure the ladyfriend will be thrilled with it.

Karen2 - glad you & PB got home safe & sound & that you had such a good trip. Looking forward to hearing all the details.

Sue - hope this afternoon goes as well as can be expected. Sending some Ohhmmmms for you.

Oooh the postie's just arrived bringing some lovely artwork! Thanks Jane E, it's fabulous. Even better in real life than it looks on the CD. Well worth the wait.

Oh hello what a nice new home! Scott we all know how disruptive moving is and will bear with you, no problem.

Thanks for the new home Scott!

I am now pretty miffed as my work have blocked acces to youtube!! The rotten b*******!! What am I going to do?! I now can't get any videos at work at all and on my home PC they take ages and double my phone bill!! Its not fair!!
I emailed IT to try to get them to unblock it and was told not to send 'trivial requests' as it disrupted them! TRIVIAL!!!

Thanks for the new home, Scott, and have a great Easter.

After yesterday's mad and not terribly productive day, thought I'd better get my head down and clear some w**k. Not much longer to go, hurrah.

Ok, deep breath, this is gonna be a long one (sorry, sorry please bear with me) but I've got such a lot to tell.
And sorry Scott if it's not ok to post long entries.

Firstly, thanks to all the loppies who met on Monday, you were all so welcoming, and such a big hug from Shirley, felt like I'd known you for years, it helps to have seen photos and already know the faces and thanks Jo and Carol for the bunnies and cards and Brian's creme egg. I decided I can have one bunny for my bedroom and I think one will be sitting on my desk at work when I go back next week!
Gillian, the CD & DVD are great, when we got in last night it was nearly 11.30 before we got a bit sorted and when I sat down with a cuppa it was fantastic to have a whole new DVD to watch, needless to say I watched it all and it certainly helped with knowing I won't see him again until October (sob). I have the CD playing now while I write this!

When it came time to head for the theatre it was lovely to be with such a happy group and it was nice not to have to explain how I felt,
especially when I came over all wobbly at the start, to have Shirley2 just smiling like "yeah, that's normal" & Gillian there to just give me a little pat on the arm. The show was everything and more than I expected. The entire cast were just great, the dancers, the Brothers and Jenna were full of energy and really came across as enjoying what they do. Were they especially happy to have their leading man back?

Lee himself, wow wow wow, he is deserving of all the fantastic reviews I've read. That voice and that smile, oh boy! He has so much energy and his acting and facial expressions are wonderful. At the begining he plays the cocky, slightly clueless dreamer so well and then changes persona so many times.
He just bounces around with so much energy in the lively scenes and yet is so believable when sad or scared. CED is so powerful, it just blew me away, and yet his reunion with Jacob was so emotional that ADWD had me in floods on both nights but also another loppy who was right in front of us the second night was drying her eyes at the same time as me. I could go on all day, I keep thinking of other things I want to say, but well, you've all been there so you know what I mean. All I can say is that it's soooo worth the trip.

PB (as he's asked to be called!) really enjoyed it, his favourite number was the sixties Go Go Go Joseph, but he also liked the megamix. He was very impressed with Jenna,
(I suspect the gold dress helped a little) but she has an amazingly powerful voice and I thought too, that she was very good indeed, never having seen Preeya, I can't compare.

The scrum was great, PB was outside to meet us exactly on time and had already been talking to Del who pointed to him where to stand so
we were in a great spot for photos etc and I got my autograph and even had a chance to ask him if he'd got his St Patrick's day pressie, he asked had we come far and where were we from? Which I answered of course and he said "Dublin, wow, great" I think I passed forward someone else's programme for signing, bit of a blur really.

But it was unspeakably wonderful to be up so close and when he came back along the line and started to reach back his lovely black coat was brushing against me as I just had to tilt my head back to look up at him. I just kept thinking, memorise this, memorise this moment!

The second night scrum was almost as good, up front again and he's just glorious in real life isn't he, there was a bunch of little girls from Scotland that I was talking to and they were such fun, they were so excited. What was really nice though was as I was trying to move back as they ask you to do when you've got your autograph and it's impossible because of the squeeze, I could see a girl behind and to my left who hadn't been able to reach her programme forward, well suddenly the crowd shifted slightly and I was able to take her wrist and kind of pull her through so she got it at the last minute before he went in. Well, she was so appreciative, she kept saying thank you, thank you, you've made my night!

Omg, this is getting so long, sorry!

Anyway, rest of time in London in brief - went to King Tut (wow), Madam Tussauds, Up on the London Eye, The movieum, Saw Big Ben and the
Houses of Parliament, visited Greenwich to see the Prime Meridian, Tower of London and went to the Tower Hotel at Tower Bridge where I
worked as a Carvery Supervisor from leaving college in June 1988 for nearly 3 years, that's almost 20 years ago, (it makes me feel so old when really I'm not) I just wanted to have a quick peek into the hotel before heading for the airport, didn't expect to see anyone I'd recognise.

Well, I was wrong, the restaurant manager was lovely and very interested to hear how the hotel was then, opened the staff roster book to show me names and there were quite a few still there! He said to sit and wait that 3 of them were due in shortly. Sent over drinks and then I got to meet two ladies and a man I remembered and who actually remembered me! Anyway we had a great chance to chat and catch up and I introduced Brian. It was, in his words, very cool!

Ok, ok, I'll stop now
talk later
thanks again everyone
xx

Oh dear, I won't talk again now for a few days to make up for all that!

Yoohoo! Hello to the new home! Thank you Scott dear and of course we will bear with you whilst the big server type thingy is sorted out - in fact with my own pooter in its current state I probably won't notice the difference! AliB I know what you mean, I don't get access from the office either! It is still pouring with rain here - doesn't bode well for the Easter weekend does it??? Only another hour and a half and I can go home - yipee!

*not talking, just posting link to happy vid, well done to the creator of this one*

http://pub29.bravenet.com/forum/2462310622/show/811833

Glad you and PB had a fantastic time, Karen2.

Lindsey,- when I called Syd to tell him his order was in, he called me his "angel." Who can resist men like that, even if they are 96 years old! Btw. it's so nice to see you again.
Karen2,- Deep breath,- it's how we all feel when going in to the Adelphi for the first, the second, the third etc. time. He hits you equally each time. The majic is always there.
I have seen all the three different narrators, and I think Jenna is the best, by far. Preya had a tendency to screetch, which wasn't very pleasant.
Love to scollop. Is he permanently damaged by meeting so many Loppies at once?
Right,- it's time for my afternoon snooze.
See you later.

Hello Karen2 - didn't like it then? Wished you hadn't gone? Glad the bunnies travelled home safely! Just off home now (hurray!) catch up the other end (pooter permitting!!).

Whoa Karen so you enjoyed yourself then?! Fantastic, glad PB enjoyed it too! Feel quite exhausted at what you got up to in London, glad you thought King Tut good, I really enjoyed it too.
Oh btw that vid is lovely isn't it, very clever.

Happy Easter to one and all, the break should be good but the weather is truly awful here at the moment, so take care anyone travelling.

LEE ALERT!!

A photo of Lee arriving at the Capital Radio Awards! Johnny and Denise are hosting the event! More photos are bound to be on the other photo sites soon!! Lee is 22/27.

http://www.capitalradio.co.uk/photoWallPhoto.asp?wallid=37878

Here are some more - page 1 and page 2

http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=GLS====309975&str=&styp=&sfld=&nbc1=1&sortval=3a&PageNum=1

Thanks for the welcome ladies (on the previous page). I'm actually always here, just very quiet. As I am in "real life" - not much of a talker.

Just a little update on the Phantom of the Opera concert since Scott hasn't answered my question (maybe he thought it was rhetorical, or missed it in the move). Someone said they'd heard Josh Groban mention it in an interview and I found it:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=LFcmXJ-61VI

The important part starts at about 2:40. So that's encouraging.

Thanks for the good laugh Eva!

Jackee - thanks for the link - can't access youtube at work!! What (roughly) does it say please?!!

Thanks for the links ladies - AliB it was recorded in October last year so doesn't say too much other than he will be singing for ALW's birthday in Phantom concert. No mention of when or who with.

Thank you for the new home Scott.

Thank you for the review Karen2. I guess you enjoyed it then, huh? How lovely of you to help others get through to the front of the scrum. Good for you.

Thanks for all the links.

And once again, I thank you.

Thanks for the review Karen2. You really set the scene well. Got me all excited now as I realise it's now only 8 sleeps to my first visit.

On a non-GO related subject, here's a little link to wish you all a very Loppy Easter.

http://easter-bunny-rap.funnypart.com/

Good grief! What a lot to catch up on!

Thank you Scot for our lovely new home - I see you even put out the welcome mat!

Shirley2 - I didn't realise you have a son in my neck of the woods!

Karen - of course I build up my flexi for meeting Loppies - what other use is it?

Lindsey - glad you like your little Loppy! I was rather pleased with that one.

Karen2 - lovely review - and why do you think it was too long?

Lots of links I see - thanks everyone!

Pic of Lee & Denise at Capital Radio Awards 16/17 http://www.capitalradio.co.uk/PhotoWallPhoto.asp?wallid=37880

Getty Images also have pics from today
http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.aspx?contractUrl=1&language=en-GB&family=images&p=lee%20mead&src=quick#

We are being spoilt this week - here are yet more photos from today and Tuesday (I guess they might add more Capital ones so check back later) http://www.famous.uk.com/search-action-nl.do?searchstring=lee+mead

Thanks for the new home, Scott. You always take good care of us.
Nice to see you back again, Jackee (and all our other returnees, guests, lurkers, etc.)
Eva, your story was hysterical. Reminded me of something that happened many years ago when my dollop was just 18 months. We were involved in a minor car accident and, though no one was hurt, we were all shaken. When the police officer arrived on the scene my (now ex) kept calling him 'Ossifer', not just once but repeatedly. A few days later, my ex was at a baseball game with the dollop and a man sitting behind him leaned forward & asked how the dollop was. My ex said she was fine, but asked why the man was asking. The man said, poker faced, "I was the 'ossifer' who responded to your accident!"

Karen2, what a great few days you have had here.

Lovely story about meeting your old colleagues at the Tower Hotel. Can I also repeat my thanks to your Brian - or maybe you - in getting my programme signed, I was way too far back (although I'm sure I started nearer the front??)

Fab links, thanx. Pauline thamx for the seating plan. Auds, so nice to see you've popped on during the day - have a good weekend and a safe journey.

Karen2, it was lovely to meet you, loved reading your review and hearing about your london experience.

Have a good weekend everyone. I'm setting off for a long weekend in Winchester - eldest scollops engagement party, really looking forward to it. Taking my puter and hoping ploppy won't throw a hissy fit when he see's it! Set recorder for tomorrow. Hope to keep up but at this stage not sure if I will be able to. If ALW Birthday tix become available over this weekend can I make a plea for someone to get one for me please? Pretty pretty please????

Happy Easter Loppies x

Click on Famous 08407821 - it's the 9th photo THUD!!!!!!!!! That is GORGEOUS. Pass the fan quick!!!

Thanks for all the links to the lovely pictures, as you say Diana we are being spoilt.
Gillian you make me feel guilty, as I came out late, squeezed in and then was stuck, couldn't have moved back if I wanted to, which of course I didn't I just hope I didn't contribute to squeezing you out!
What a nice 'ossifer' he must have been Geri!

OMG Diana - the thudometer just went through the roof!!!!!!That is stunning - thank you. Can you buy pictures from Famous, I just have to have one of those!!!!

Forgot to say Failte abhaile, Karen-og, agus a Dia duit a Brian. (That's the extent of my Gaelic, & I'm sure the grammar is lousy!) Can't wait to the next Dublop meet & all the news.
Suex, have a lovely weekend and happy computering.
You're right, Pauline2, he was lovely. Actually, I only ever met very sweet policemen in America. Maybe they just liked my accent...

Thank you Scott for our new abode - in time to batten down hatches before awful easter weather predicted.

lindsey - think it was rhus tox - I just checked on internet and says good to relieve the itching of chicken pox.

Ali B - you did make me laugh - asking IT to access YouTube. Our IT dept would have eaten me alive if I had put in same request - we arent even allowed to access most internet without permission!

Thanks to all for pic links.

Scollops and I have just been making easter cakes and nests - it seems you are never to old (17 and 19) to do that. Wonder if cakes will last until easter Sun.

Pauline you were way over the other side to me. I was about 3 rows back - if there are such things as rows - and my arms aren't long enough, but I did manage to attract Brian's attention and give him my programme, which amused a lady on my right, who didn't know I had sat beside his mum all evening. But I came out with Karen, and somehow she managed to stay in the front, while I drifted further back:)))

Geri,- aren't you the lucky one! Now you've met a lovely Norwegian police officer too!
Suex,- have a lovely Easter holiday away. Tell your Ploppy that keeping up with the blog is essential for your well being. You'll be a much nicer human being!
Fi,- I remember when my oldest nephew turned 18 and he was telling me about all the new rights he had now and how very, very grown up he was. I said:" You don't want an Advent calendar any longer then?" That shut him up, and he got a chocolate calendar until he was 25, I think.
Diana,- thank you for the link. I've downloaded 3 more pics to my Lee-album. I have to start transfering some files to my laptop or my hard disk will explode!

Just clicked on the link for our new home then computer shut down on me, do I blame you Scott? Probably not!
Karen2 you had a good time then? I wish I could have joined you all, nevermind, I'll see you in October!
Watching Torchwood as I type, middle scollop is watching it too but keeps saying "this is a bit freaky" I was going to send him to bed when it finished but maybe I should let him watch something else to take his mind off it!

Fi, I hope my scollops still want to do things like that as they get older. At the moment only the youngest 2 do, eldest (11 going on 15) says all that "stuff" is babyish, although I'm sure he'll want to join in tomorrow when we make easter eggs!

Oh thankgoodness for that Gillian! It's one thing shoving small children out of the way but never a loppy!!
Suex have a lovely weekend, and drop in if you can, I'm sure your ploppy will understand.
Diana those famous pictures are divine, and number 9 is totally swoonable, thud!

Have a good holiday Suex, let's hope your Ploppy is nice and understanding about important things like this blog!

Eva and Geri - I loved both of the stories!

And now I have an important job to do...

Yes, you can buy photos from Famous - yipeee. I have GOT to have no. 08407821 and will probably order another 2 or 3 taken today/Tuesday.

Famous provide their photos as electronic files and you may remember Shirley ordered a few last autumn and we shared the cost between us so they worked out quite cheap. I've since ordered a couple more photos. I'm going to send in my order tomorrow/Saturday (too impatient to wait till after my holiday) and if any of you are interested in having one (or more) of these photos and sharing the cost similar to last time, please email me. No rush as the photos normally take a couple of weeks to be sent.

Suex - have a lovely weekend. Funny isn't it how a laptop has become the new must have travel accessory - well amongst Loppies anyway!!

JaneE - this important job you have to do - you've not started getting ready for our meet tomorrow already have you. Oo I feel honoured and I'm not worthy!!!!!!!

Well, I stuck with Ashes to Ashes as long as I could but, as I said before, I lost the plot early on and I never found it again (in fact I'm not sure I ever had it in the first place. Anyway, House is back tonight so AtoA has to go!!

Ooh, Karen, what channel is House on and what time? I need a little touch of Laurie in the night (no, Jane, not a little touch of Harry. Where does she get them?)

Oo Diana - yes please. Will email you!! Thank you!!

Geri - house is on 5 at 9 (if you see what I mean!!).

Oh yes Diana I would love that 9th picture, will also email you. (So much for restraint!)

Pauline2 - restraint?? Who ever heard of a restrained Loppy!?

Diana - email sent. Thank you so much.

Evening All
Hope you have a great weekend Suex, enjoy the party!
Same to all Loppies travelling away for Easter, have fun & be safe.
Diana, those Famous pics are fabulous, agree with Pauline2 about no 9. And although it's not what immediately catches the eye, that's the shirt he was wearing at Tues night scrum, aahhhhh memories!
Gillian, I'm sorry, feel bad we let you drift away on Monday.

Aaagghhhh Diana, I think I must have your office email, as I've got your Out of Office. Have you got my email address? Could you email yours to me if so. Or can some kind person who has my email, email me Diana's address please, please, please.

Karen, I have received your email and replied. I can pick up my work emails from home so don't worry anyone who gets my Out of Office. I should be able to log into my work Outlook while we're in South Africa (to read personal ones, not work!) but I've not used wifi before so it may not work.

Diana same here, just emailed you and got the same reply as Karen. So same applies here please, please!

Sorry Diana - my email system is rubbish - I'll go find your email. Thank you.

Have you got my email then Diana?

Eva & Geri - great stories, had me in stitches. JaneE - yes he lives in Headingly. Went to Uni there and loved it so much decided to retun after graduating.

Yes, Pauline2, and replied

OOooo just seen those piccies Diana - I think you might just be getting an e-mail from me too!

Karen - of course, getting ready to meet you is a very important job, but I had another one tonight - doing the draw for the AKWD artwork.

But I'm expecting Ploppy home soon after his skiing holiday - so I'm disappearing for the evening!

Bye bye!

Thankyou Diana, got it and it all sounds great!
Karen you are quite right restraint has no place in a Loppy, so I got rid of that.
That's interesting JaneE is that so your ploppy can't find you??

Karen2, I didn't drift so far away that I couldn't ask your son to get my programme signed for me. No worries, I wasn't after a close encounter with Lee anyway. It was your turn. Maeve was even further back behind me, and Diana got her loppy constitution signed for her, I think. We all looked after each other really.

Oh Pauline2 - you had me laughing my head off at your comment to JaneE!

Have a good evening Jane - see you tomorrow!!

Diana I love that photo nr 9. I will be emailing you.

Hi all. Been ages catching up. Thanks for all the links, poem, funny stories.
Nice to 'see' Auds, hope she has a good time away.
Diana, not checked pics, I'll email you (probably) when I have.

Scott thank you for our new home. I was going to post on here the other night. Typed out and then deleted it, as when I read it through I realised that if ZT read it she might not realise how far into my cheek my tongue was.

Jo4,- please re-write it. We'd love to see it and Zoe isn't here yet!
It's been a good crime night on ITV,- first The Bill and then Trial and Retribution, so I've been a bit busy. I'm never too old to learn new tricks!
I'm having an early night, so as usual I'll bid you all good night, sleep tight, have wonderful dreams and wake up happy.

Scott - Thanks for our new home.
I've been catching up so thanks for all the links and things. Pics are gorgeous.
Lovely to see Auds.
Hope everyone going away, and all those staying at home too, have a good time. The weather looks typical for Easter.

This is a very funny thread on LMAS. Any of us going?
http://pub29.bravenet.com/forum/2462310622/show/812029

I'd better log off shortly else Ploppy will start complaining I love the PC and you lot more than him

Have a lovely Easter everyone and don't forget midday tomorrow!!!!

Jo4, was your tongue as high up your cheek as her head was up her...never mind!
Have fun with ploppy, JaneE. Don't forget to tell him you're planning on coming back to Dublin without him!
Sorry, Auds -- lost an earlier post and forgot to re-write a welcome back and have a lovely break.
Oh, and here's a little present for you, Jane:

I hear Jane E’s a tiger in battle,
She carries a sword and a rattle;
The sword she bought cheaply,
The rattle’s for Weepy,
To cover the sound of his prattle!

One more pic - thanks to Pat on forum.
http://www.contactmusic.com/photos.nsf/main/lee_mead_5106177
In fact there are three scrummy pics from today on contactmusic - keep scrolling (currently pages 8 & 12).

Diana, love the conversation about jelly, going, not going etc.

I can't exactly remember the whole post, but included were; a bit rubbish (of course), brummie, squashed spider, frying pan,fire, enemy camp, back, guard. I did end with 'a warm welcome from the Loppies'. I thought it was amusing, but then from another view it could have seemed threatening and I didn't mean it like that at all.

Geri-just read first line of your post, tut tut.

Hello all, just back from meal with friends, so having a quick catch up. Gillian sorry you were pushed to the back - I did a sprint from my dress circle spot, ran passed the Porterhouse, down the alley, to the front and got a place on the front row before you lot even came out - now I thought that was most impressive!! Good news in that Uncle released from hospital this afternoon (with loads of pills!), so fingers crossed! Off to bed now so Sweet Meads all.

Shame you can't remember that post Jo4 sounds intriguing!
Great news about your Uncle, Carol. Fingers crossed here and some ohhhhhmmmmms for good measure.
Bed time for me too , so night night all.

Spent so long trying to get a look at the pics. Kept freezing up.
Good news about uncle Carol.
Better go now, Nightlee night.

It's so quiet here again, BHB -- is everyone gone on their Easter hols, do you think? I can't really stay myself, I overslept this morning. Never mind, I'm sure the Norse Nuisance will be along soon to keep you busy. Now I have to dash. Just an Irish to go -- coffee, that is. No, I don't want Colin Farrell -- whatever is the matter with the boy!

Morning, morning, sorry Geri having a lie in! Wet and windy here at the moment - not nice Spring Easter weather at all - I told my daffodils they'd regret blooming early! Hot Cross Bunnies on the menu today (no not Loppies) in addition to normal fare. Don't think it is yet weather right to put out the tables and chairs, in fact I'll crank up the heat I think! Hope those going away for Easter from today have safe journeys! Did manage to download a couple of pics from the scrum on Monday so will send those to Martin later.

So quiet here, is anyone around? No, Oh well I'll just help myself to my usual. Must be because it's a holiday. I'll just sit over here and listen to my Ipod while I have my breakfast. I've got a weeks worth of The Archers to catch up with.

Morning. A bowl of hot porridge and brown sugar please - need something warm this morning. Definitely not the weather for sitting outside, Carol.

Morning all. It's windy and windy and windy outside. Did I say it was windy? Not very nice start to the holiday, is it?
Hello, sweetheart. How did you get here this morning? Did the w...... OK, I won't say it! You don't want to hear the word holiday? You haven't got one? Tsk, tsk, tsk,- what are your employers like? Of course you can have a rest! Sit over there in the bay window and I'll get you a nice Coffe Doctor. You're not ill? Relax, this is a cure for all and everything, even if you're feeling fine. That doesn't make sense? Who says I have to make sense? It was never a requirement on this blog before! The Irish Menace had something to say this morning? She always has. Just ignore her. That's what I do!!!
Just let me get some coffee and toast and I'll really cheer you up! You don't want any singing? How about a bad joke then? No? A cuddle? YES Coming up!

I'm trying to do Listen Again for Capital Breakfast Show from Wed. I've got to about 18 mins twice now and then it's stopped so I give up. I wish they had the fast forward feature like BBC!! If anyone wants to listen, about 15 mins in on Wed there is a bit on Lee being outside the building as mentioned on the previous blog.

Dum di dum di dum de dah, isn't it annoying when people hum out of tune when they're listening through earphones, sorry all. Especially to Carol's sensitive ears. I haven't looked at the photos from Monday yet. Thanks to Suex I now know why my pics of the scrum are always c**p. I don't have a sports setting on my camera. Looks like I'll have to go for an upgrade. Anyone want a secondhand camera for taking 'art' shots of moving objects or very nice pics of still life? Must dash now, got hours to spend in the cold and carrots from Eva to give to Megan.

Another photo agency with pics from Tuesday http://www.photoshot.com - search Lee Mead

Ploppy's gone off early to play golf before work this PM, looks like he may get the best of this weekends weather!!

Carol, I'll have some of those hot cross bunnies please.

Diana, that photo page has loads of Lee from HMV....not that many appeared in the press, if those photographers had sat down a bit sooner at HMV, I wouldn't have had so many of their heads in my film!!

Morning all - it's a bright sunny day here but very windy!

Hot cross bunnies sound lovely but can't stay long- have to meet a VIP today (our Loppy Illustrator no less!).

Morning all thought I'd prove I am actually up before 9am!
Foul weather outside here as well, but then it's Easter, seem to think it's awful more often than not.
You remind me Jo4, my pictures of the scrum last Monday are c**p as well, I think I have the same problem! Some look very artistic though,pretty colours all merged together in a blur!
Morning BHB, well yes I will have a Hot Cross Bunny, as you've made them just for us, and some coffee please. So what are your plans for the holiday, oh I see you've told Eva you don't have a holiday. You poor thing, you must take it easy, we don't want you ill again. Sit down here and relax and I will massage your shoulders for you. That's it, nice. What you are on tv at lunch time? Of course you are, I think you need your rest.

Good morning all - yes I know, I'm late this morning! Properly late, Pauline2, as in after 6.30am - but it's Easter! Yippe! Oh and you know what I meant last night about disappearing (really, these Loppies!)

Geri thank you for the Limerick - I will let you of the battle/ rattle line coz it was funny!

Carol - glad to hear about your uncle - but more Ohmmms just in case.

Diana's been busy this morning - more lovely links - thank you.

Oh - my Ploppy brought me a gift from Austria - he says its a special short-eared - long tailed Austrian Loppy. In other words, it's a mouse. (But she's cute anyway).

Now Eva, please stop distracting the BHB - I need to get my breakfast quickly this morning because I have a very important lunch meeting.

See you in a little while Karen!

Morning all - Diana meant to send you an email saying yes to the piccie share by the way - just off to church so if I forget can you remember please (isn't that bad of me!!). Karen and Jane E my dear Lushes - I rely on you to uphold the Lush Loppy tradition when you meet - have fun! Love the sound of the Austrian Loppy by the way!!

Oh Queen of the Lushes!

Karen and I will try very hard to keep up the Lush reputation and the pub in profit!

I might not get on the blog again today - so see you tomorrow Loppies.

Oh and Happy Easter Holidays!

Just been to Sainsburys and a lot of the female staff are wearing rabbit ears!! Didn't know I had a store full of loppies nearby.
Karen, JaneE if not too late have a great lunch, don't forget to raise a glass, or 3, to us.

Yes we will most certainly live up to the Lush reputation. Watch out pub here come the lushes!! Will report back later! See you soon Jane.

Have a good day all.

Scott dear,- no The Stage here today either, so there will be no commision for you this week. You can cancel the big Easter Party you had planned. You can't afford it now!
Oh, it's cold out there ladies. I forgot my gloves when I went out, and my fingers were frozen when I got back home. I hope Jo4 is well wrapped up in her wollies, under, for the use of!
It's 1 hour 8 minutes until GO is on the telly, so I'd better do something sensible in the meantime. I won't be able to do much afterwards!

Thanks for the links Diana. Also thanks again for getting my Loppie Constitution signed by Lee for me on Monday.
It is a prize from the quiz.
Only four entrants and four prize winners!
Pauline did you also win one?
It's beautifully printed on very nice paper with a full page size 'shadow' photo of Lee on each page.

I've also got a lunch date at 12 o'clock, was going to do some h...wk as have visitors over the weekend, (my usual motivation) but hardly worth starting now!

Well only brief bits of Lee, looking gorgeous, but so far great choices of music, well I like them anyway.
Yes Maeve I did get one, and agree it is special and beautifully done. So glad I entered, only sort of odds I like, 4 entrants, 4 prizes! Will treasure it.

Agree with you Pauline2 but how can he play Jason's ADWD!! Sort of interesting to have a reminder of Jason as he was when in Joseph - I'm glad to have the Barbara Dickson/Elaine Page song taped as it's a fav.

The boy is looking great as usual, and I love the music he has chosen so far,- except..... Couldn't he have spared us the sight and sound of JD to ADWD?
It is no pain to keep the telly on.

Noted photo, Carol.

I must admit I didn't enter the comp, through lack of time not interest. While I'm away I want to read Geri's two wonderful stories.

I asked Ploppy if he wanted to go to the local Indian for dinner tonight as the hol's been delayed. Replied that he was going to the golf club this evening as there's a draw for a golf comp. I was a bit miffed for a mo but then I thought I can watch Lee again! I'm going to try to record just the bits with Lee this time so early dinner and Ploppy shooed out the house before 7.00.

Yes well I blogged that before JD came on! Suppose he didn't want to put his own version on!!
Diana I just love I Know Him So Well is an all time fav of mine too. Hadn't heard it for ages and was thinking how well it stood up, still brought me out in goosebumos!

Those of you who bought this week's OK note that there are another couple of pics of himself in the events section at the end.

I love the way Lee introduced his ADWD - no 3 yay

A bit odd that ADWD was on twice? We really didn't need JD. On the whole a good choice, certainly made an enjoyable watch. Glad he chose Eva Cassidys' Over The Rainbow, as I just love it,no disrespect to JG intended!

Hi - happy Easter hols everyone.

Windy but lovely - been for long walk - still trying to work out how come wind was against us both there and back! So am afraid missed TMF appearance and I tried to record but cant record that channel for some reason. So will try to catch the prog tonight

Just watching recording of Lee from earlier. Anyone notice the valentine collage over his left shoulder? Looks very good Geri. Love EP and BD, not sure about his comment that "your mum will like this one" though!! Scollop was impressed with his choice of the Lion King and also Grease, he reckons he's never seen that though so maybe we'll have to watch it later?

Hi - Diana - thanks for all those links the pictures are fab.

Eva - SSSSSSSSSSqqqqqqqqqqquuuuuuuuuuuueeeeeeeeeeee. The post has just arrived and in it is my birthday card from Lee (which Eva organised after Shirley passed on my email to her).

It is a bit late (as my birthday was on the 9th March) - but I don't care - I can't get the smile off my face. (It was sent at fairly short notice and as Lee's been a bit busy recently - as well as being ill and on holiday - I'm glad just to have received one at all. He is so very kind to take the time to do this.)

Ever since Eva told me that she had arranged this - I had been hoping each day that a card might arrive. I hadn't been expecting one today though - as I didn't think there would be a post on Good Friday - so it was a lovely surprise - and has made it a very Good Friday indeed.

My Ploppy (Jonathan B) came in with the card saying something had just arrived for me from Southend-on-Sea. He then jokingly said "Is it from Lee?". (He didn't actually believe it was - as although we now live in Scotland, Ploppy is originally from Essex and has a number of relatives close to Southend - so thought it was from one of them).

Anyway I opened it and yes it was from Lee. I just then started beaming - whilst Jonathan looked at me as if I had lost it. He wasn't too impressed that I was far more exited over Lee's card than the one I received from him - but then did admit that he was happy for me.

It's a beautiful card and hand-made too - Eva did you make it yourself? Inside it says "Happy Birthday Yvonne with love, Lee Mead".

I'm really pleased to now have Lee's signature too (as we've only been to see Joseph once - for the matinee on 30th Jan - and Lee didn't do the scrum that time).

I can't thank you enough Eva for organising this for me (and also Shirley for passing on my email). I am still in a daze and think I shall have a smile on my face for a very long time to come. :)

Escaping the windy rain here now.

Diana - just checked my hotmail account and my emmail I sent to you asking to be incl in Famous pics (no 9 ) has been retd as undiverable. If you are still around can you count me in please.

ooh Ali - how come you can record the Lee prog and my super duper hi tech DVD wont let me. Right off hi tech things - our fridge freezer still broken - 4 times in last month been "repaired" - and it still isnt - repaired. Ok grumpy old woman moan over - for the minute anyway

Yvie B - How exciting for you! So glad it came! That card will keep you smiling for weeks!!

Just watched TMF and enjoyed it apart from the fact that all Lee's links were so short! I also noticed the Valentines Collage at the back! In fact I was so busy thinking 'Thats the Valentine Collage!' that I forgot to look at Lee!! Well done everyone it looked fantastic and how cool that it was on the TV!

Well wish me luck as I am off to Joe tomorrow evening and they are still forcasting snow and there are rail disruptions on the trains into Waterloo!! I just want to get there!

Fi - In regards to youtube I did actually get in trouble with IT! I sent the email to IT not realising it went to ALL of IT! I then got a snotty email from the IT manager asking me not to send 'trivial' requests to them as it was disrupting! This officious g*t then emailed my manager who came over to talk to me about it!! Luckily my Manager thought it was quite amusing and was concerned himself that we couldnt access youtube!! Lo and behold, twenty minutes later an email goes round the whole company explaining that youtube has been blocked due to bandwidth problems!! All because of me!!

Fi, I may have moaned about BT last week but this new vision box thingy is very good! Can't record onto dvd but it records off freeview and you can watch it back, fast forward/rewind etc and pause while it still records, I managed to set it on Monday to record Lee today so I wouldn't forget!
Still watching now, got up to Evita!

You're right it was very cold and very windy. I have 7 layers on my top, just one pair of jodphurs though. Got heating turned right up now.
Eva-Megan says Thank you for the carrots, she 'gave' some of them to the oldie, he didn't say anything as he just stuffs his face. I'll email you some pics later.
Pauline2-Maybe we should open a photo exhibition with our arty photos?
Gillian-Any chance of one of your specials from today's thingy?
Diana-I had the same undeliverable last night from your office email, not the usual out of office, so I used you home email. Still haven't decided on pic, torn between your favourite and the one to the right, a bit of eyebrow action going on there.
YvieB-Wow, how exciting. Ploppy only a light shade of green then?
JaneE and Karen-Have a lovely time.

Hi troops - bright her but very windy and very cold! Thanks Diana! Thought as it was Easter we will have an Easter Egg Hunt and brunch on Easter Sunday morning - details will follow but you will need to be up early on Easter Sunday (no groans now!). Ooohhh Yvie B how lovely for you - going to frame it are you???? Didn't see the programme as at church all morning, but hopefully some clever technie will have done their usual magic. OK off to keep Sloppy company so catch up later!

Hi Jo4 - yes I do think Ploppy is rather jealous - even to the point where I have to be a bit careful not to squee to hard as he might get upset.

The Capital Breakfast podcast this week mentions Lee again and includes bits from Wednesday and Thursday's show (see link).

http://www.capitalradio.co.uk/sectional.asp?id=6197

At about 10:28 minutes in Johnny discusses again with Denise the article in the Mirror about Lee gazing at the Capital building. He then admits that he is jealous of Lee and gives the reasons why he, Welshy and men in general are jealous of Lee (which is quite amusing).

This is followed by talk from Thursday morning about the dress code for the Capital Awards (as Denise says Lee was asking how smart he needed to be) - and they make fun of Welshy's suit.

Diana - yes it is a bit annoying that they only have about 18 minutes from the Wednesday show on "listen again" as I think Lee was mentioned quite a lot that day and I missed a good deal of it - but at least there is a bit of it on the podcast. (I have emailed Capital Radio to see if they can fix this.)

Jo, I did record it, so yes I can do a 'special' but not sure how much sense the links will make without the songs, and 2 hours is pushing it a bit. I could fade out between some (JD for eg) and leave others intact, or at any rate, partial, requests to stageloppies:)))

I am actually doing h*******k today, spring thingy the bathroom. Cleared out all the cupboards and drawers, somehow they are still full, if tidyer, yet I have a whole bin bag of rubbish!! Where did I put it all before??

Gillian-whatever you think is best. I agree 2hrs is too much, so I'll like whatever is done. I can not make suggestions as I could not get it.
I need to spring clean my laptop, everyone else is trying I think as BT vault is playing up.
YvieB-Ah yes I remember him posting on here now you've reminded me. I suppose in some ways I'm lucky as my loved ones will follow me for a few carrots, a stick of dried tripe (yuk) or some smelly meat from a tin.

Really big thunder roll just now and then rain.

I caught the last few minutes of AT as I got in, flash of GO.

Oh yes lots of rain, sleet and big black panther has dashed in.

OK so Ploppy is jealous! Its amazing what you can find on the internet. What have I got to be jealous about? I've got a nice well polished bald patch - I bet Lee hasn't! I give my wife a lovely birthday card, and on time! While Lee sends her one almost 2 weeks late and she's over the moon. Now for all you guys out there, (if there are any who take time to read this site) would you get that kind of reception if you gave your wife her birthday card 2 weeks late. I think not!

I use to be her 'lovely husband', but now I am just a 'Ploppy' with all the connotations that go with that. And now my lovely wife tells everyone that she has to " be a bit careful not to squeeze to hard" .

Anyway, supporting a Loppy is expensive, (though not quite as expensive as Heather Mills). Two return flight tickets from Glasgow to London to see Lee at the Adelphi cost me 4p (thanks to Ryanair), so I'm afraid its time to sell some assets to cover my wife's expensive lifestyle. So I'm going to auction the hand made, hand written birtday card sent from Lee to my wonderful and amazing Evie B. This card is unique, and there is only one, and so its a great financial investment!

So lets starts the bidding at £1

Any takers?

Waving - the reception here was not perfect today but I have the whole 2 hours on DVD. Will record again on the replay later and hope for better quality - fortunately all the most important bits are fine:-) Nice new home Scott - loving the fact we are tagged with the Stage so you can't lose us:-)

Hi I am willing to bid £50 for ivie's card

Sorry, but I want at least £100 for the card

Sorry folks - the card is not for sale.

I wondered if I would get caught by my Ploppy for posting about him - but you would think he could at least spell my name right (it's 'Yvie B' not 'Evie B' my dear).

You are a lovely husband though and I am very blessed to have you, even if I do have to put up with your "sense of humour".

Jonathan,- I bid £1 and then you can give it right back to Yvie! You have to understand: You are a very lucky man to be a Ploppy! Not everyone has that honour. One of the things that goes without saying for someone with that title, is that your wife has a superiour taste in men!! Lee doesn't have a bald patch, true, but he does have a high hairline!
YvieB,- I am so glad and so relieved that you finally got your card. I have to admit I was beginning to worry, but as you said, it was sent very late. Next one up is Carys on Sunday, so let's see if the system works this time. The cards are handmade, but not by me. It's a daughter of a friend of mine who makes cards, so I went over to her and stocked up when I decided to start this service. So fingers crossed that all of you who has signed up for this gets a handmade, handsigned card from Himself.

Hi - thanks Eva for your support and again for organising the card. I'm still smiling - although my Ploppy is beginning to become slightly exasperating.

Just to let you know that the bid from jane2 and the reply from Yvie B wanting £100 for the card is from my impersonator - namely Jonathan B.

Dear - please remove yourself from this blog before you make any more mischief - or I shall have to come and find you.

Hi Jonathan-Nice to 'hear' from you again. I do think that you can be added to the list of lovely Ploppies, putting up with this madness. But fancy trying to auction Yvie's card!

Eva-What an amazing thing to do. Thank you from us all.

Hi Eva, its a deal. I admit that £1 is good value, so you can post a cheque to me. Yvie will give you the address. flights with Ryanair are now £1 each way to london, so it will all help for the next inevitable trip to the Adelphi

oops, above message (Yvie B) was meant ot be from me

If Gillian or carys could do a DVD special of today woudl be brill as I dont have Ali's "vision box thingy" - whatever that is!. like Jo4 as havent seen it will go with whatever is thought bes.

I dont have diana's home e-mail i think (tho will check again)

Jonathon B - you spent all of 4p on YvieB's trip - you do know how to spoil a lady!

Gillian - mentioning h......k is bad enough (and even i am guilty of that ) BUT to mention "spring thingy" is def treason. anyhow forecast is for a wintery weekend - not spring. Stop it immed.

Noted Fi. And yes I got an email from you last night, Jo4.

Just had a hail storm - very glad I was indoors.

DK where the day's gone and I was going to do so much ....

Diana-yes, the email I sent to your home address seemed to go fine.
Rain/sleet seems to have stopped now, must have gone to Diana, better dash out and walk dog, as she is stomping around. In her own way saying 'walk me, walk me' or 'feed me, feed me'.

...and we've just had thunder, hail and now rain - still very windy! Better clear up for the Easter Egg Hunt! Jonathan B - methinks young Yvie will not be willing to part with her card - now if you want to be a really nice Ploppy you will fund her next trip as an extra birthday pressie - I am sure this will redeem you in her eyes!

Oh 'Eck, I thought I'd get away with spring 'thingy':)))

Anyway, finished now. Will go and record Lee today for the computer. I did get to watch it in between you know what, and I did fast forward some of the songs, they are probably the ones I will cut. If I get it down to 80 minutes it will still be good quality. I only have to lose 25 minutes, and all the adverts can come out, so should be OK.

Hi - the link below is to a picture of the signed birthday card I received today from Lee which Jonathan offered to scan and save for me (so he is wonderful after all and can't be that jealous):

http://www.bebo.com/PhotoAlbums.jsp?MemberId=6127954845

Thanks again Eva.

OK - Gillian - you can redeem yourself from the "spring thingy" by recording the Lee prog for posterity -and the loppies.

Anyway i did my own bit towards "spring thingy" by telling scollop to tidy his bedroom - and he did - mind you havent looked under bed yet as suspect that is where most of the junk now is.

Evening all, in a tearing hurry as am out tonight, friends birthday and we are having a girls night out.A little incahol may be partaken of!
YvieB if you can hear me up on cloud9 loved the card.
JonathonB, nice of you to drop in but really trying to sell Yvies' card tsk tsk.
Jo4 if your pictures are anything like mine I think we should try for the Tate Modern!
Weather foul outside don't think it was worth doing the hair but here I go! Have a good evening! Night night.

Hi All, it's been a long week & I'm wrecked but had to take a little time to drool -- I mean watch our GO on TMF. How cool was it to see the collage! He has it on his dressing room wall!! Are you all as excited as I am!
AND I got OK -- wow! Lee escapes from a burning building!! Do you think someone whispered into his ear these immortal words, "Picture it, Lee -- James Bond, the musical!"

Jonathan,- see, you are a good Ploppy after all! It looks great.
Fi,- the cl*****g method of your scollop sounds familiar. That's what I did when my father did his weekly inspection of our bedrooms before the pocketmoney was doled out. It's amazing what you can stuff under a bed! I hasten to say that I don't do that anymore.

Hi girls,

Won't be around much as I'm working to a deadline at present but I had to say that I noticed your lovely valentine collage hung on Lee's dressing room wall - it looked great.

Jo have to apologise I want to send you a card to thank you for the sweet bunny but I don't know your address.

I wasn't around when everyone mentioned their birthday dates - is it to late, have I missed the boat?

Karen 2 a lovely review. So nice to meet you and it is great that you and PB had such a good time.

Hic........Hic!!!

Deputy Chief Lush Loppy here reporting in after a, er, six hour wine filled lunch!!!! Just off to get a cup of coffee - oh sod that for a lark, there's a Pinot Grigio in the fridge calling my name so I'll go sort that out and then I'll report back on lunch with the Loppy Illustrator!

Hi All
Sounds like the show today on TMF was good. I can't get that channel so if anyone has it on DVD it would be great to get a copy please.
We seem to be having similiar weather here, bright but cold morning, scollop got grass cut just barely done before a torrential shower of hail.
Hope everyone's having a good weekend so far, JaneE and Karen will have been gossiping all afternoon...
YvieB - imagine your ploppy trying to auction your card - palpitations!! Oh dear, he'll have to be very nice and get you a big long drink.