A garland for Linda was wonderful; it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the whole the family so close. This event certainly is in my top three Paul gigs list. Speaking to Heather for 15 minutes after the concert was a thrill for me, and I can tell you she's very very friendly, really sooooo nice. It was the highlight of the day for
me and much, much more than I could ever expect. Unless you get invited at Paul's house for tea or at a private party there is no way you're ever gonna get as close to the family as at this concert.
The Charterhouse school in Godalming is much like Eaton really.The Chapel itself is the largest WWI monument and the largest independent chapel in England. 800 people filled the chapel for A Garland. On Saturday there was nothing to see but a cricketmatch, there must have been 12 Paul fans and two cricket-fans at most. On sunday therewere about 12-15 fans from 11 am untill 3.15 pm standing at the chapel. Mark decided we couldn't stay at the chapel and so we had to go to the parking entrance of the school by 2.45pm. After about 20 minutes we saw a helicopter (not the size of a Shinook but still a large one) landing less than 1 kilometer from us. Few minutes later two cars passed by on the school estate roads. One was a
large silvergrey Mercedes E420 turbodiesel. Shortly after that we were allowed to walk back to the chapel.
Kate with Irina's banner in front of the Chapel
Macca-l members during the 40-minute interval
The rehearsal (in fact it was more like a soundcheck) began at 3.30pm and must have taken 2 hours or so. The choir was singing the same bars over and over again, giving us who waited outside a good impression of what to expect later that evening. In the mean time James was walking on the school estate with two ladies. He was wearing the same style of T-shirt Paul was wearing at 'Here, there and everywhere', only more yellow-ish than purple. For the rest he was wearing beige trousers and sandals. He had a 10-day beard and his hair was longer than in Siegen. When I first saw him I was surprised to see him that close, about 5 meters. I didn't take pictures from James. It just wouldn't have suited, simply not done.
After some time we heared a policeman say in his walkie-talkie that Stella was about to arrive. I took 5 sneaky pictures when she stepped out of the car. She didn't seem to notice me or at least she pretended to. I must have been 15-20 meters away so the pictures from my louzy 35mm camera arevery small. She looked stunning, walking to the chapel like a model on the catwalk. Stella talked to a friend for a while and then took a sunbath in the grass
next to the chapel. By this time more and more people were arriving, although I wouldn't estimate there were more than 50 die-hard Paul fans all evening.
...Stella arrived on her own...
Paul came out of the chapel after the rehearsal but didn't seem to notice any fans. Of course the setting was very different than usual; no gates or
fences, no screaming or pushing fans (only staring, not believing their eyes). I was glad I didn't have a ticket for the reception so that I could stay at the chapel. Mike came over and I asked him if I could take a picture. He said yeah sure, but he told be to turn around so that I wouldn't be photographing into the sun (I'm a complete beginner when it comes to photography, while he's a professional of course). Then someone took 2 pictures of me and Mike together.
Mike McCartney posing for and with Tijl
With the reception going to it's end Mary and Alistair took a walk with Arthur. Now that youngman was the star of the evening, being hugged by all
family: you should have seen Paul taking Arthur in his arms and giving him a grandfather to grandson kiss. I didn't want to take a full-face picture from Mary so the picture shows Mary's back, Arthur can't even be seen. Stella, Mary and James had a walk in the crowd but came back pretty soon since the concert was about to start.
Mary IS holding Arthur...it's a beautiful baby BTW
The concert was a thrill. The chapel being a real cosey place.The McCartney family was all in the same row, Stella laying her head onto her dad's shoulder. Only one mobile phone rang (apart from the fact I don't have a mobile phone, I would die of embarrasement if I let that happen).The Beatlessongs were... well... difficult to say...OK, "funny", but I think it's very hard to give that kinda songs the same broad arrangements as the classical work written specially for such a choir.
Paul leaves the chapel, followed by Mark
After the concert everyone wanted to leave from the same exit as Paul did so I took the opposite exit, thinking that going round the chapelwould be easier. While going round the back of the chapel I had to take dozen of steps down and back up. I had noticed this one girl sitting on top of the steps but because it was very dark I didn't recognise her at first. When I realised it was Heather, I started talking to her (she was having a
cigarette) which was a bit scary the first minute, but after that I had the most lovely whispering chat with her. The end of beautiful day (oh yeah Paul left shortly after his eldest daughter showed up again ;-).
...Goodbye to Paul...(every picture on this page can be clicked to enlarge)
The trip to Godalming was well worth all the effort and I hope to see you all on
one of the coming events,
...Stella arrived on her own...
...Goodbye to Paul...(every picture on this page can be clicked to enlarge)