Craig Chalmers - Diary of a Craigette Landlady

DIARY OF A CRAIGETTE LANDLADY

The Background

5pm Monday 27th October 2008

I'm sitting watching Goldenballs on television - nothing unusual in that you might say? But it's the location ..... i'm sitting in the dressing room of one Mr Craig Chalmers, at the Orchard Theatre in Dartford waiting for him to finish the technical rehearsal. So, am I mad, or maybe just delusional?

Well, to give you the complete picture I need to go back in time to late May/early June when I first found out that the Joseph tour was coming to Dartford, my local theatre: Whoop, whoop! I posted on the Digital Spy thread (where I had read the information) that I would hotfoot it down to the theatre the following day to ensure I could buy front row seats. I also made a few jokes about putting up any Craigettes that might like to stay over, or even some of the cast or the main man himself. The jokes continued for a few days on and off, when Henry Hippo posted one of Craig's newsletters. Craig had noticed my comments about people staying over and wrote:-

Hi everyone
I love how you guys find out the news of everything before I do! I didn't even know we were going to Dartford! .............. is that an offer of accommodation I see?

So the joke continued!

Now fast forward to two weeks later when the tour came to Crawley. I managed to book last minute tickets for myself and my daughters (Alex who is 15 and Laura who is 13). We enjoyed a wonderful show (as always) although our seats were way off to one side. We hotfooted it round to the stage door afterwards and waited to meet the cast (in general) and Craig (specifically!)
After quite a while the cast started coming out and chatting to the few of us that were there and when Craig appeared, Alex nudged me and said, "Go on, tell him your name and that you were the one who was joking about staying over in Dartford, then he'll know who you are!"

Well, it seemed like a good idea! So I introduced myself and said I was the one who was joking about him staying over when the tour came to Dartford. At that, he grinned and said that would be great and he'd love to stay. I stammered and gabbled a bit and said that I had only been joking, but that he was more than welcome .... and he then took my mobile number and tried to phone Jen to tell her she didn't need to book anything for that week. Craig said he'd put it on his blog that night, and then ran off to join the other guys going out for something to eat.

I stood there, somewhat shell shocked, whilst the girls jumped up and down saying "Was that for real? Will he really come? Wait 'til we tell the girls at school".

We went back to the car for the jouney home, with me telling the girls to calm down, that he was probably joking and wouldn't stay with a fan in any case. I mean, have you seen the film Misery, where Kathy Bates shackles someone to the bed saying "I'm your number one fan" and then breaks his ankles to he can't escape?

Later that evening, Alex checked Craig's blog (19th June if anyone would like to check it!) and screamed! Ah, it looks like he might be staying then. I put my head in my hands while the girls danced around the room. My head was spinning - where would Craig sleep, what should I feed him, how will I speak to him considering I usually only gabble in his presence, what if the dog tries to hump his leg - but most of all what would I tell my husband Shaun?

He didn't even know I'd booked tickets to the show in Dartford, never mind that i've invited the lead of the show to stay for the week!

Day 1 – Monday 27th October Part 1

So, over the course of the next 4 months much work goes on in the house. I’m sure you can picture it – spot of cleaning and tidying, redecorating, kitchen refit, double floor extension..….you get the idea! (OK maybe I’m exaggerating a bit, but a lot of cleaning was getting done in the house that was long overdue!!) The girls emptied out all my kitchen cupboards and cleaned them out, discarding the out of date items in there. Packet of flour from 2005 anyone? As I say, long overdue!

In mid September the girls and I went to see the show in Wimbledon (wonderful as always. Just an aside here – does everyone else run out of adjectives when talking about the show? There are only so many times you can say wonderful, stunning, fantastic etc! Anyway, I digress….)

After the show we waited at the stage door and Craig came over and had a chat. As I put in my review of that evening, I managed to wait…..oh about 10 seconds before I babbled something about him looking forward to coming to Dartford. Why, oh why do I do that? Where’s the cool, sophisticated fan of the show who can hand over a smart compliment at an appropriate time and just wait for the gap in conversation to be filled by someone else?

Well that fan isn’t here I can tell you that! I am the supreme mistress of inane comments and utter drivel when Craig appears on the scene….accompanied by silly giggles and quite possibly a bit of dribbling for all I know.

OK, now you have the picture in your head of this suave, would-be landlady who is hosting the star of the show – I bet you’re all worried about his wellbeing!

Craig very kindly ignored the fact that I was babbling and deciphered my question correctly, and said that he was looking forward to coming to stay with us. Phew – I hadn’t put him off that much then!

Over the next few weeks work continued around the house, and I exchanged emails with Jen swapping phone numbers so that we could chat nearer the time.

The week before D Day, on the Wednesday evening my phone rang and it was Jen ringing to have a chat about plans for Craig’s stay. She was lovely to chat with and we made plans to have a glass or three of wine when she comes down to stay on the Friday night. Of course at this point, I very coolly managed to cut her off mid conversation, living up to what they must think of me as a totally inept idiot! I did ring her straight back and think I managed to hide my error by coolly saying, “Not sure what happened there Jen, I think we got cut off”. Hmmm, I think I got away with it though!

So Craig was due to arrive on Monday – he would go straight to the theatre and if he had time he’d come back here after the tech rehearsal (see, I know the lingo now!) before the half hour call for the evening show.

So, final preparations continued during that Monday – changing beds, towels etc, final dust and hoover. I even managed to find some little sample bottles of toiletries that I’d nicked from a hotel one holiday and put them out on display. I have to say that the room did look quite nice – certainly tidier than it’s ever ever looked before. I just hope neither Craig nor Jen open any cupboards around the house – all our possessions are likely to come tumbling out and bury Craig or Jen never to be seen again!

At about 4pm my phone rang and I looked to see who was calling…..but no name! I gave a minor yelp, the girls correctly interpreted the yelp as Craig calling, so shouted out, ‘Answer it, answer it!’ So I did – can’t remember what I said now, but Craig basically said that he’d be finished around 5ish but he might be a bit delayed so I could wait in his dressing room if I wanted to. Wanted to? Wanted to? Oh, no thanks, I wouldn’t like that. Yeah right!

I managed to hold off until 4.40 before I left home and drove the 4 miles to the theatre, parking in the multi storey next to the theatre, and headed for the stage door. The very nice doorman let me in and pointed the way to Craig’s dressing room, where I sat myself down on the settee and watched Goldenballs. At this point I realised major error number one – I’d forgotten the flipping camera! Anyway, not too bad an error (on my scale of possible errors – eg food poisoning Craig, crashing the car with him in it, tripping him down the stairs, not getting him to the theatre on time! Me, a worrier? Never!).

Hopefully Craig would be along in a few minutes.

Day 1 - Monday 27th October Part 2

So, where did we get to? Oh yes ...... sitting waiting for Craig.

At about 5.05 my phone beeped indicating a text and I tutted a bit, wondering why the girls couldn't be a bit more patient! (I'm sure I would have been if I was sat at home!) Then I saw the text was from Craig saying he wouldn't be long ... ok i'll take back my tutting then!

It was no problem to sit and wait, surrounded by Craig's clothes for the show - the angel's wings and halo on one side, gold trousers on the other!

At about 5.30 or so I heard voices in the corridor outside and then Craig came in! I managed a fairly weak 'Hi!' while he picked up his bags (some of the other cast were popping in and out to get some of their stuff that had been put in Craig's room as well) and then we made our way out to the car park.

I decided it probably wasn't really appropriate to run screaming to the lifts shouting to all and sundry - look who's with me, it's CRAIG!!!! So instead I just coolly walked with him to the lifts, chatting about his journey down to Dartford from Birmingham, and then we drove out of the car park and made our way home.

His hair is so long! I thought it was long last month in Wimbledon but poor Craig can hardly see sometimes!

He asked if there was a good hairdressers locally that he could use (oh great - more pressure and worry! Now I could be responsible for recommending the hairdressers that ruins his hair! Never mind his hair - I'll have pulled all mine out by the end of the week!)

As we approached the house about 10 minutes later I could see the girls hanging out of the upstairs window desperate for a view of Craig arriving. I pulled into the drive and before I'd even turned the engine off the girls had the front door open! They are just about as calm and collected as me! We got in the door and I showed Craig straight upstairs to his room. He very kindly said it was lovely (phew - don't know what we'd have done if he didnt like it! Maybe the shed would have been ok after the caravan he'd slept in the previous week!).

I gave him a parcel that had arrived from Rosehill for him which he opened straight away reading the note inside. She'd sent the original cartoon that she'd drawn of me, the girls and our house as a B&B surrounded by Craigettes and she'd asked him to autograph it for me. What a lovely thought - and something I'll always treasure!

I left him to unpack and settle in while I grabbed something to eat and got changed for the evening's show.

Craig popped down after a while to get the wireless broadband details and just sat on the floor playing with the dog! I was glad he felt relaxed enough to do that ... I'll chuck the tea towel at him later and get him drying up! It's not an easy life being a landlady! Oh at this point I introduced him to Shaun - nearly forgot about my poor husband in the melee!

(Not sure if I mentioned in the previous diaries but I did eventually tell Shaun that I'd invited Craig to stay - and he was fine about it! I think I'd worried him when I kept saying I'd done something and needed to own up to what it was and I was really worried about telling him!)

We left at about 6.40 or so and dropped Craig at the stage door about 15 minutes later, before parking the car and heading into the theatre. We (myself, Alex and Laura) were sitting in row B of the stalls which were excellent seats!

The show was great as always and Craig acknowledged us and smiled and waved a couple of times.

He very kindly arranged for us to join the after show cast drinks which the Orchard Theatre were putting on for the cast and the theatre's premium club members in the bar. So after the show we wandered into the bar and chatted to most of the cast, and had some drinks. There were very few premium members there really - maybe about 20 or so! They were almost outnumbered by the cast! Craig and Antony were last into the bar area as they were signing the Dream On CD first. Once Craig had finished circulating, signing autographs and have his photo taken he came to join us and we made a move for the car park. I have to say that I felt the eyes boring into me as we walked out together!

On the way home we chatted about the show and how different the audiences are around the country. As we got home we all went in and relaxed in the lounge. I offered Craig a drink (thinking he'd say a juice or maybe a herbal tea?) and he decided on red wine! OK - this is my kind of hosue guest! Shaun opened a bottle and we all sat around chatting and really breaking the ice, while watching bits and pieces on TV and the various music channels! (And yes, I did have to keep pinching myself!) I made him a supper of scrambled egg on toast and baked beans, although after living on baked beans the previous week I'm not sure he'd want to eat them all this week as well!

At about midnight we broke up the party and all headed up to bed. I went to Craig's room to show him how to work the TV and Craig showed us his new hat. I have to say I liked it very much but I think on balance I prefer the beanies!

Craig said he'd put his alarm on for 10.30 or so but not to worry about going to give him a knock anytime from 10am onwards! (What? In my pyjamas as well! LOL!!)

So - first day over. Don't know what I was worried about! He's a lovely house guest to have - tidy, appreciative and even the dog likes him!

Tuesday 28th October 2008

I was first up this morning at about 7am - can't think why I was awake that early! I didn't sleep particularly well which is unusual for me. Anyway, I got up and popped down to the local shops to buy some fresh fruit for breakfast - I need to make sure Craig is healthy for this week. I won't live it down if he gets ill while he's here! I laid out the breakfast table with a variety of cereals and fruit, and thought I'd do the hot food afterwards if he wanted any.

The girls got up about 10ish and they came downstairs quite relieved that they hadn't done something awful like climb in bed with Craig for a cuddle (which they usually do in the mornings with us!) I have to say I'm not sure I'd have believed them if they'd said it was an accident though!

Craig came down for breakfast at about 11ish and had shredded wheat and fruit. He said he'd never had it before, but obviously liked it as he managed 3! (Out of interest I looked up how long it's been around and it's over 100 years!!) After the shredded wheat he took a bowl of stawberries and melon up to his room to eat while he got ready for today's shows. He's a lovely guest to have - always happy and cheerful and so quiet - if he sings in the shower it must be very quietly because we can't hear him! (Will have to make a note to ask him to sing up a bit!)

I managed to snap a picture of Craig coming down the stairs ready to head back to the theatre for today's shows. It's a bit of a fine line to tread with the photos - I want to take enough so that I can add them to this diary to make it interesting but I don't want to be a pest. Hopefully Craig will just tell me to get lost if I bug him once too often with the camera!

We were out of the door at about 12.15 and got to the theatre about 12.25, making arrangements about where to meet after the evening show.

When I got home Shaun and I took Rusty for a long walk in the Kent countryside - up and down hills.. It was a beautiful autumn day so we thought we would make the most of it.

On the way home we stopped back to stock up on more wine as it's quite possible that the nightly glass or three will carry on all week. Can't be running low on wine for our house guest!

The girls and I showered and changed and headed off to the theatre for the show - picking up a friend of Alex's on the way. We met up with Tracie and family before the show and chatted. It was lovely to speak to her again - the last time I saw her was in Crawley at the stage door - when she was my witness to Craig saying he'd come to stay. So Tracy's been on the journey with me!

A superb show with a wonderful view from the front of the stalls. I think just about all the cast spotted us there - especially Craig who kept making us giggle as his hair fell over his eyes! We were in awe of Craig's performance which was fantastic - so vocally strong.

After the show we wandered out to the foyer to wait for Craig and the girls got some more photos taken with other cast members.

By this time it was pouring with rain and really cold .... and I knew Craig didn't have a jacket with him! Great - now i've got pneumonia to worry about!

Craig wasn't long before he came out with Antony and they did their CD signing before Craig found me waiting at the door ready to sprint through the rain to get to the car park!

It was freezing - slightly bizarre as it's been beautiful weather today - blue skies and glorious sunshine!

On the way home we chatted about the show and how it had gone down. Craig was a bit disappointed that so few people had stood for the megamix (except us in the front row of course!). We'd spoken about it beforehand and thought that if the front row stood others would stand too - but it didn't work tonight!

Craig said he'd slip into something a little more comfortable ...... hmmm, I actually mean joggers and a jumper! then come down for something to eat. Supper tonight was ricotta and spinach tortelloni with neapolitan sauce. We all sat round and chatted while he ate - watching TV! We watched an episode of the new series of Little Britain USA which was very funny especially as we keep calling Craig Sebastian after the character who flicks his hair to one side (just like Craig's doing with his long hair at the moment!) I guess he won't be able to do that after tomorrow when it's cut!

It was just so relaxing sitting round and laughing and talking all together, over a few glasses of wine. He's rapidly becoming like one the family.

This week is going way too fast already and I know it'll be over all too quickly, so I'm making a mental note to enjoy it while it lasts!

We headed up to bed about 12.15.

Wednesday 29th October

As today is Craig's matinee off he should be having a well deserved lie in - but he had a hairdresser's appointment at 2pm so unfortunately for him he couldn't spend as long in bed as he would normally do. He came down for breakfast/brunch at about 1pm and had 4 shredded wheat and then took a bowl of fruit back upstairs to eat while he got dressed. He certainly likes his shredded wheat! It's very healthy though - with nothing added.

At about 1.45 we piled into the car (me, the girls and Craig) and I dropped Laura and Craig off in Bexleyheath and she showed him to the hairdressers then went off to meet her friends to go shopping for a bit, while I took Alex to get her hair cut at a different salon. (This was a new place she was trying out and I didn't want to book Craig in there as it was a bit of an unknown factor - although I knew the hairdresser, just not the salon).

I was really worried that a hairdressers I had recommended would ruin his hair - and I love his hair (as I know all Craigettes do!) So by about 3pm I was texting him asking if his hair had been ruined!! He didn't think it was luckily!

Alex and I stopped by the hairdressers to pick him up at about 4.30 and we couldn't see him for a while - so we were really worried about what they'd done with him! Had they realised who he was and kidnapped him, for us never to see him again? Then we heard that delicious Scottish accent saying, "Could you take off a little more please". Phew! He hadn't been kidnapped - he was near the back of the salon behind a mirror!

They finished sorting his hair then we all went back to the car and headed for home via a friend of Alex's. Her friend was having a 16th birthday party and I needed to drop Alex off there and I thought if Craig didn't mind (I had checked and he didn't!) he would see her to the door! Can you imagine the reaction when Laura (Alex's friend) opened the door and Craig was standing there? Her mouth literally dropped open! And there was a group of more 16 year olds standing behind her jumping up and down which was very funny! Craig took Alex right into the house then posed for a couple of photos with all the girls before we headed back off home. Now I don't think anyone would top that for a birthday present! (The girls went in a stretch hummer going to see Never Forget - the Take That musical at the Savoy theatre in London. I think they discussed Craig for a fair bit of the journey!)

Anyway, back home for Craig to relax for a while before we left to drop him at the theatre at about 6.35.

I wish I'd booked tickets for this evening but never mind! Can't do every day - as much as I'd like to!

I picked Craig up from the stage door at about 10pm and took him home for dinner - he was starving today! Supper was chicken in red wine and mushrooms, with roasted new potatoes, peas and carrots together with a few glasses of wine. Shaun and I had already eaten but we kept him company with the wine!

We all sat and watched the football highlights as there was a full programme of premiership matches tonight...Craig had been following the scores in his dressing room but as we realised when watching the matches loads of goals had been scored in the last few minutes of matches and in extra time. So watching the highlights was very exciting - we were shouting at the TV for a couple of the goals!

Craig said he didn't get much of a chance through the week to talk football as not many of the cast are footie fans so it made a nice change for him!

Alex came in from her evening out just after midnight and Craig was asking her all about the show. It's lovely how the girls are getting more and more relaxed with him as the week's gone on - and Craig's been smashing with them, talking to them about working hard at school etc. Just like a big brother would look out for them!

We finally headed up to bed at about 12.30ish (each successive night seems to be getting later and later!)

Thursday 30th October

Poor Craig had to be up early today for a radio interview. Initially they wanted him to go into the studio for 7am!! (He'd have had to get a cab that day - no taxi service by me at that time in the morning!) But the interview was rearranged to be held over the landline to our house in the end - at 8.20am. So Craig did the interview which last about 7 minutes then went back to sleep. Luckily our home phones are wireless so he could just sit in bed to talk - I did ask for a photo opportunity of that but no such luck!

Craig managed to get another couple of hours' sleep before coming down for breakfast at about 11.15. He was hungry today so had a shredded wheat and then scrambled eggs on toast and beans on toast.

We left for the theatre at about 12.15 - Alex came along for the ride too. She's taking every opportunity to chat with Craig when she can. He called her an angel today after she showed him how to multi delete texts on his phone! She'll remember that for a while! Back home for a quick sandwich for lunch then we headed to the theatre for the matinee. I also had my two nieces with me who'd never seen Joseph before!

We almost didn't make it to the theatre as the traffic was so mad but just about got there on time - and had a very quick chat to RockabillyHelen and Siouxsie who I'd not met before. We enjoyed the show very much as always, but it wasn't quite the same as we were in the upper circle, although we did appreciate the view from higher up. There's nothing like the front row of the stalls once you've experienced it once!

After the show I got the car and picked up Craig at the stage door - my girls and my nieces were staying in Dartford to have a look at the shops and get a snack to eat. Craig was keen to have a rest before the evening show if possible so had decided to come home with me after the matinee. (I didn't find out til later that Craig had seen all the girls at the stage door where they were collecting autographs and had taken them all into his dressing room. What a star! They'll never ever forget that!)

We left again at about 6pm so that he could be back to the theatre in good time. He warned me in the car that the girls were going to try to work on me to get tickets for the show that evening! Hmmmm I don't know about that!

Once back home again the girls managed to talk me round without too much resistance, but Shaun needed the car for the evening so he hotfooted in to the local train station where we could pick up a train to Dartford quickly. At the theatre we kept fingers crossed as we asked for tickets and managed to get seats in the stalls - the girls sat in a 2 at the back of the stalls and I had a single seat over to one side. I texted Craig to let him know we were there! It was a stunning show - everyone seemed to be giving 110% (well, Craig always does - I mean the rest of the cast). It was a really wonderful show to be our last show this week.

Shaun was home by the time the show finished so he came and picked us up - Craig was having a drink with some of the cast so I'd arranged to go back at about 11pm to collect him to bring him back home.

I popped back to collect him and when we came in we did a quick photoshoot in the bedroom then had a supper of spaghetti bolognese while we watched TV and listened to music. The evening got quite lively after that with Craig telling us funny stories of all the things that had happened on the tour. We were all in stitches and more than once Alex and I literally had tears pouring down our cheeks! It was such a fun evening and very relaxed and casual. It's now got to the stage that it feels like Craig is just a friend who's staying with us. None of us are standing on ceremony at all!

We finally broke things up at about 1.30am and I made Craig a large mug of hot chocolate to take up to his room.

Friday 31st October 2008

Craig was up for breakfast today at around 1.30, having shredded wheat again (the man does love his shredded wheat!). He had to say goodbye to Alex today as she was about to leave for a swimming club weekend away. She'd been dreading this bit and as Craig gave her a big hug she burst into tears, which set me off! He was really sweet about it but decided to make himself scarce so we could both recover! I dread to think what I'll be like tomorrow. We waved Alex off and then also Laura just after that who was just staying away over night at my parents. She'd be back to say goodbye to Craig tomorrow so she didn't need to do the tearful goodbye bit - although she doesn't cry as easily as me and Alex luckily, so Craig may get away with a dry t shirt when saying goodbye to Laura!

I dropped Craig at the theatre for the last time at about 3.30 as Jen would be arriving later this evening and would bring him home. I think the car knows it's own way there now - I counted 13 runs to the theatre and back for this week!

Back home again Shaun and I walked the dog then I crashed out for a while as I was shattered. I've had lots of late nights this week and early mornings and I've not slept as well as usual. Then another trip to Sainsbury's to get some bits and pieces for tonight's dinner and to buy even more Cadbury's Chocolate Highlights sachets (Craig sure does love these - I think 16 was the final count for the week!!)

Craig and Jen arrived back from the theatre at about 11pm and we all sat down for a late dinner of chicken in white wine, lemon juice and herbs with new potatoes and vegetables, followed by fruit salad. All accompanied by wine of course!

Jen is absolutely lovely - very friendly and easy to chat to and we all seemed to get on well. There were certainly no awkward silences. Shaun asked Jen what she honestly thought of Craig coming to stay with what could have ended up being an 'odd' fan family. Both Craig and Jen said they were good judges of character and both felt that Craig would be safe with us!

At one point through the evening I rang both Alex and Laura to say goodnight, and handed the phone to Craig to say goodnight to them too - he chatted to them both for quite a while which they very much appreciated. Actually they were over the moon!

We drank a bit more while chatting and then watched another episode of Little Britain USA before finally saying goodnight at about 2.30am (which was our latest night yet!).

Saturday 1st November 2008

This is a very short report - not much to say at all! Craig and Jen came down about 2.30 for brunch/lunch. Jen had cereal and fruit and Craig had shredded wheat then scrambled egg on toast and beans on toast. Then it was time to say goodbye to Laura (who just about managed not to cry!) as she was going off to a birthday party. I grabbed a quick picture of them both - although Craig hadn't had a chance to do his hair at this point - so it was very much the casual look.

They then went upstairs to pack and get ready to go.

At about 4pm we all said goodbye, I got a big hug from Craig and we waved them off - and I just about managed to hold back the tears until Craig had driven away - I'm very proud about that because I cry very easily!

Final thoughts

Well what an amazing week this has been - I can't believe how quickly it's gone! It some ways it was like I was floating above our house just watching what was happening, rather than actually being part of it. But I can honestly say that all the worry and preparation was worthwhile. I still think back to that day in Crawley when I realised that I'd only ever spoken to Craig twice before (and one of those was just saying 'Good show!') yet he was actually going to come to our house.

I have to say a big thank you to my husband Shaun, who has been exceptionally patient with me over the last few months putting up with my Joseph mania, booking last week off work as well so he could help out, and not minding me inviting a very good looking 27 year old man to stay in the house. I'm not sure I'd have been quite so understanding if he'd invited a beautiful 27 year old woman to stay!

Craig has been a wonderful guest to have to stay - very tidy and appreciative and very easy to have around. I can honestly say it was like having a friend to stay, and I'd really like to think that Craig can think of us as friends now. He was fantastic with the girls and really brought them out of their shells as they were a bit shy to begin with. They felt very comfortable with him and can't wait to see him again one day.

Hopefully we made Craig's Dartford week very comfortable and easy for him, so that he could concentrate on his performances. We tried to hold back on too many questions and demands so that he could really relax.

I don't suppose anything like this will ever happen again to me.....or maybe even to Craig. I feel very privileged to have been the first ever Craigette landlady.

Thank you Craig!

Craig's Blog:

Hi everyone!

Well I hope you have all enjoyed reading the Diary of a Craigette Landlady! I thought I would send a blog on my take of the week..........

I obviously don't make a habit of staying with "fans" but after meeting Alison and her girls a few times, both Jen and I (who pride ourselves on being good first impression judges of character!) decided that staying with the Bonner family would be a "safe bet"!

From the moment I arrived till the Saturday I left I had a wonderful time staying with these guys. I have to say that I was totally spoiled and came home every night after the show to a home cooked meal and a full glass of red wine and woke up to a lovely breakfast no matter what time in the morning (or ahem.....afternoon!). Alison was great driving me in and picking me up from the theatre all week too. The room I stayed in was beautiful and I felt comfortable and relaxed knowing I had my own space and had a great nights sleep all week.

What can I say about the Bonner family? They are just lovely, Alison and Shaun are fun, caring, laid back parents who have clearly brought up their girls wonderfully and full of love and fun. Tthe girls, Laura and Alex are so polite, respectful, intelligent and well behaved and I know they both have bright futures ahead of them.

Thank you guys for making feel so at home and I hope you enjoyed having me round!


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