Oooh a lovelee evening
but better start at the beginning
Picked up Kim, Asher & Asher's sister who had flown over from Germany
arriving in Lincoln about 5.30pm & parked 5 mins walk from the Cathedral. We decided to find the entrance so we weren't wondering around last minute & found it easily as a small group of Lee fans where already asking at one of the side entrances if that was the right door.
We continued round to the front of the Cathedral which was brilliantlee lit up, I'm afraid this pic doesn't do it justice:
There we met more Lovelees & Loppies, was great to see everyone again
Then off to a lovelee bar for a wee & a hot drink in that order
Had the best hot chocolate that I've ever tasted
We decided to start queuing at 'our' door at about 6.30pm and it was freezing!!!! However we all huddled round chatting & it felt sooo familiar to be waiting round in the cold, stamping our numb feet, to see Lee
Some things never change
Some of the early arrivals that afternoon had been lucky enough to get to the Cathedral in time to see and hear Lee's sound check
I hope someone comes on to tell all about that!
The doors opened at 7pm and we all trooped in and in an orderly fashion made our way to the 'VIP' seats at the front of the church - yes really, we were orderly! Must be something to do with being in that beautiful Cathedral, it made us behave very properly......well, most of the time
Also there was to be no taking pics in the Cathedral......bummer!
After the Welcome and opening prayer by the Dean of the Cathedral we kicked of with the first of 3 sessions from the Lincoln Male Voice Choir - actually I could have done without the 3rd spot as I'd got bored of them by then
and I didn't get the opera style stuff from the soloist - but then perhaps I'm not cultured enough
We had 2 appearances from Hollie Steel who sang beautifully and astonishingly for her age but the poor baby girl was freezing as she was only dressed in a sleeveless party dress & could have done with a warm snuglee coat as she was visibly shivering!!
In between all of this lot we were treated to 2 separate appearances from Lee!!!
He was introduced by Richard Atkinson - the guy we rang to book our tickets - and as it was extremely cold in the Cathedral he said that he was sure quite a few of us would be warmed up by Lee
In the first session - dressed in a black suit, tie and white shirt - Lee treated us to Good to Be Alive but there was something wrong with the backing track and may also be the reason that When I Need You The Most was cut from his 2nd session! Our boy coped well with it tho and his increased confidence was evident.
Stronger was his 2nd song which he sang beautifully and I found it very emotional. We were then treated to Love Changes Everything and Anthem from Chess and Lee's beautiful voice filled that great Cathedral to the rafters!!! It was fabulous and the applause, cheers and the odd 'Whoop'
followed - well I told you that we managed to behave most of the time
In Lee's 2nd session - he had changed into grey trousers and a grey & white striped shirt
- he kicked off with A Winters Tale
after telling us that he thought it appropriate after singing it in Monaco recently for Tim Rice
It was FABULOUS and he sang it with much emotion, another tear escaped
That was followed by Any Dream Will Do
- well it had to be done!!
Then while the children lit candles Lee sang When A Child is born & another tear escaped from moi
Then it was all over!! We left our seats and made our way round to the side door we had come in through expecting to go straight to the Reception. However, one of the organisers recognised ClaireT from earlier in the day from the sound check and beckoned us over! We then realised that Lee was there, it was quite dimly lit, and she was saying that Lee would sign our Programs!!! Didn't expect that!!! A Sharpie was produced from somewhere after Lee patting his pockets didn't produce anything
and I was one of the first to approach the small table that seemed to appear as if by magic. He now had a scarf knotted round his neck and said hi to me and asked how I was........then brain freeze kicked in & I managed to get out that I was good thank you and that he was Brilliant this evening.....then as he signed my prog he said that he was absolutlee freezing & I had a sudden urge to rub the back of his left hand that was resting on the table holding the prog steady
I didn't tho & with a thank you I backed away to let ClaireT in. Flamin' 'eck, of all the brilliant/witty things I could have said
& all I can do is think 'I want to rub his poor cold hand!!
I managed to get this pic, best I could do in the poor light I'm afraid. Hopefully someone will have a better one. I do have another but I'm just waiting for permission
Quite a queue had formed now and I went outside to send some texts & wait for the others. About 10 mins later Lee came out with his 'people', I managed another 'thanks Lee' & he turned and smiled
we were wondering whether the reception thing was on or not. Then we saw everyone else heading in the same direction as Lee so trotted along & yeah! into the reception.
It was a lovelee building, a whole house! and while we were served champagne - not for me, driving!
- in one upstairs room Lee was closeted in another with the Mayor & various other dignatories.
People were wondering whether we would get to see Lee again and some waited outside 'his' room. However while I was downstairs in the foyer saying goodbye to Anne, Tricia & Ruth, Lee - this time dressed more warmly and all in black
- came down the 2nd staircase again with his 'people' and he was waving at all the people on the top landing & saying goodbye and just before he walked out he looked our way so I said goodbye to him - again! God he's gonna think I just lurk around corners waiting to say goodbye & thanks to him
And that was it!! Hope it wasn't too long winded for you
I just got a bit carried away with reliving it all again *sigh*
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have just watched the vid and must admit to shedding a tear again at A Winters Tale and When A Child Is Born!!!
