Weekend in Kent

[Gailh]

I spent the weekend in Canterbury. Just a short break with my mum to see a part of my own country that I'm not familiar with.

When we were out and about on Saturday I saw a road sign for the village that Christine lives in and couldn't resist temptation.

the village itself is beautiful, very olde worlde merrie England with a water mill, village green, pub and everything.

Had little drive by her house but didn't linger as I felt a bit daft and there was a sign saying CCTV cameras in operation (I expect a call from the Kent Constabulary at any moment)

Gail

[macfan 57]

I spent the weekend in Canterbury. Just a short break with my mum to see a part of my own country that I'm not familiar with.

When we were out and about on Saturday I saw a road sign for the village that Christine lives in and couldn't resist temptation.

the village itself is beautiful, very olde worlde merrie England with a water mill, village green, pub and everything.

Had little drive by her house but didn't linger as I felt a bit daft and there was a sign saying CCTV cameras in operation (I expect a call from the Kent Constabulary at any moment)

Gail

Wow! You're very lucky. The way you describe it, I can certainly see why she loves it so much. I really like where I live here in the U.S., but I'd love to live out in the English countryside...so quiet, beautiful & peaceful.

Gail, what are CCTV cameras?

And, I assume that you didn't see Chris or her dogs since I would think you would have mentioned it in your post.;)

[Gailh]

Wow! You're very lucky. The way you describe it, I can certainly see why she loves it so much. I really like where I live here in the U.S., but I'd love to live out in the English countryside...so quiet, beautiful & peaceful.

Gail, what are CCTV cameras?

And, I assume that you didn't see Chris or her dogs since I would think you would have mentioned it in your post.;)

CCTV - Closed Circuit Television. I don't know what you call them in the US. I imagine they're there to deter burglars or people like me.

No I didn't see either Christine or the dogs but then again I didn't hang around because quite honestly I felt bit embarrassed. If I had seen her I wouldn't have spoken to her.

the village was lovely but I don't think I'd like to live there. Too quiet for me. I didn't see one single shop so God knows what you do if you run out of milk (or chocolate hobnobs) :laugh:

Gail

[macfan 57]

the village was lovely but I don't think I'd like to live there. Too quiet for me. I didn't see one single shop so God knows what you do if you run out of milk (or chocolate hobnobs) :laugh:

Gail

Isn't there a grocery store somewhere near there? Someone posted on the message board on her site that they had seen her at the store.

I should have known you'd work those hobnobs in there somewhere.:laugh:

[Gailh]

Isn't there a grocery store somewhere near there? Someone posted on the message board on her site that they had seen her at the store.

I should have known you'd work those hobnobs in there somewhere.:laugh:

The Safeway store that she was spotted in is some way from her village - I'm not exactly sure where but I think it's a big supermarket just outside Canterbury

Gail

[Ulpian]

Sounds like a lovely weekend Gail. You certainly had the weather for it, I think.

I wonder if Christine was actually there? I think she said she spends a couple of days a week at her apartment in London, so maybe she didn't spot you on her surveillance system!:D

[Gailh]

Sounds like a lovely weekend Gail. You certainly had the weather for it, I think.

I wonder if Christine was actually there? I think she said she spends a couple of days a week at her apartment in London, so maybe she didn't spot you on her surveillance system!:D

Well hopefully she doesn't have someone monitoring the CCTV 24/7 because I did drive straight past albeit quite slowly and then reversed a few yards. I didn't hang around so had no way of knowing whether she was there or not. I don't think it's like Buckingham Palace, there's no royal standard flying to indicate that the monarch is in residence! :laugh:

the weather was OK - a bit colder than sunny Southampton but the Kent countryside is certainly beautiful and Canterbury Cathedral is very impressive. Her village is a bit quiet for my tastes but very picturesque.

Gail

[Neb-Maat-Re]

Well hopefully she doesn't have someone monitoring the CCTV 24/7 because I did drive straight past albeit quite slowly and then reversed a few yards. I didn't hang around so had no way of knowing whether she was there or not. I don't think it's like Buckingham Palace, there's no royal standard flying to indicate that the monarch is in residence! :laugh:



I wouldn't sweat on it, they're probably used to that happening.

White vans with Portuguese licence plates parked outside for hours might be a different thing....

[Villavic]

CCTV, Television por circuito cerrado :)

Well, I'd have knocked her door offering bibles, or encyclopedias. :lol:

[Gailh]

CCTV, Television por circuito cerrado :)

Well, I'd have knocked her door offering bibles, or encyclopedias. :lol:

:laugh: :laugh: Good idea!

There was the slight problem of the locked gates to contend with.

Gail

[Gailh]

I wouldn't sweat on it, they're probably used to that happening.

White vans with Portuguese licence plates parked outside for hours might be a different thing....

Yes I suppose they are used to a few curious people taking a look.

Gail

[macfan 57]

:laugh: :laugh: Good idea!

There was the slight problem of the locked gates to contend with.

Gail

Even If you'd been able to get by the locked gates, you still would've had to deal with her guard dogs.;) :laugh:

[Gailh]

Even If you'd been able to get by the locked gates, you still would've had to deal with her guard dogs.;) :laugh:

If it was only Dougal & George then I think I'd be OK - anything bigger and I might have been in trouble :D

Getting hold of the out takes from ITM and the Gold Albums might be shade more difficult than I first thought

Gail

[aleuzzi]

I spent the weekend in Canterbury. Just a short break with my mum to see a part of my own country that I'm not familiar with.

When we were out and about on Saturday I saw a road sign for the village that Christine lives in and couldn't resist temptation.

the village itself is beautiful, very olde worlde merrie England with a water mill, village green, pub and everything.

Had little drive by her house but didn't linger as I felt a bit daft and there was a sign saying CCTV cameras in operation (I expect a call from the Kent Constabulary at any moment)

Gail

Wonderful! I have had fantasies of doing this...If I'm ever in Kent, maybe I will. What is the name of the town?

[Gailh]

Wonderful! I have had fantasies of doing this...If I'm ever in Kent, maybe I will. What is the name of the town?

aleuzzi - I've sent you a private message

Gail

[trackaghost]

Gail do you think you could PM me the name too? I live fairly near Kent and have been to Canterbury many times.
I can't imagine I'd go near her house but I wouldn't mind a look at the village she lives in.

[SteveMacD]

If I saw her, and had a CD player in the car, I'd totally blast YMLF! (Of course, if I wanted to piss her off, I'd blast "Close To Me.")

[Gailh]

If I saw her, and had a CD player in the car, I'd totally blast YMLF! (Of course, if I wanted to piss her off, I'd blast "Close To Me.")

It did occur to me after the event to hold up my copy of ITM, which is in the car, to the security cameras and gesture that it was very good or bow repeatedly while chanting "I am not worthy" :lol:

But perhaps that might not have been the best idea I've ever had!

Gail

[nicepace]

Gail, you are such a good fan. Definitely NOT stalker material. You didn't even take a picture of yourself standing outside the gate, LOL.

I am curious as to how you know where Christine's house is. I'm sure she isn't listed in the telephone directory. (Although I know some of us would buy a recording of her reading FROM the telephone directory.)

[macfan 57]

(Although I know some of us would buy a recording of her reading FROM the telephone directory.)

I know I would.:D :wavey:

[Gailh]

Gail, you are such a good fan. Definitely NOT stalker material. You didn't even take a picture of yourself standing outside the gate, LOL.

I am curious as to how you know where Christine's house is. I'm sure she isn't listed in the telephone directory. (Although I know some of us would buy a recording of her reading FROM the telephone directory.)

Just before ITM came out I did a "whois" check on the domain name just to see if we were likely to get a website. I expected to see it registered to Sanctuary Records, Adventures in Music, Bright Music, Martin Wyatt or anything except what I saw which was an address in Kent which seemed to be the right location (near Canterbury) I did nothing about this but not too long after somebody posted it on this site but Lis quite rightly deleted the post just to be on the safeside. After that the address the domain was registered to mysteriously changed to Bright Music in London.

I've never actaully checked the telephone directory but just assumed she would be what we call "ex-directory"

To be honest I don't actually know for sure I had the right place - wouldn't it be a laugh if I had completely the wrong house :lol: :lol:

Gail

PS I'd buy an album of her singing from the telephone directory

[Aisling]

(Of course, if I wanted to piss her off, I'd blast "Close To Me.")

i would be too scared to anger that woman. sober or not, she's proven to be pretty fierce when riled up. :laugh:

(Although I know some of us would buy a recording of her reading FROM the telephone directory.)

well i'd even pay to see her take that show on the road!

it's very cool that you got to drive around her neighbourhood gail! i think it would be fantastic to live next to chris. . .i'd keep all my windows open every day just to hear the sounds coming from her barn/recording studio. :)

[nicepace]

PS I'd buy an album of her singing from the telephone directory

The rest of us are buying the album of her READING from the telephone directory. You'd have to have her SINGING before you'd buy it. And you call yourself a fan. LOL

[Gailh]

The rest of us are buying the album of her READING from the telephone directory. You'd have to have her SINGING before you'd buy it. And you call yourself a fan. LOL

Yes I want my money's worth.

Also I'd love to hear her interpretation of what would be a very challenging subject :laugh:

Gail

[billwebster]

At some point in time, somebody surely will make fun of the current trend of audiobooks by reading out the entire local phonebook for you all to enjoy - and bore the expletive out of all of you. :D
No, I mean, phonebooks deservedly aren't song lyrics.

To get ontopic again, I actually feel sorry for the lady herself that she needs all those measurements (cameras, locked gates, dogs etc.) to ensure her privacy even in a village as small and quiet as you described. But I'm happy to hear from someone who's seen the place that it's beautiful :-)

At one time, I thought the cover photos of In The Meantime were glimpses from her garden. Do they fit the scenery of the village? If so, thanks Mrs McVie for these.

A Q&A with her should include lots of questions about gardening, because gardening is fun!

[Aisling]

A Q&A with her should include lots of questions about gardening, because gardening is fun!

"dear christine-

judging from your ITM photos, the hedges at your estate look to be in fine form! what's your secret?

love,
aisling"

:p

[macfan 57]

"dear christine-

judging from your ITM photos, the hedges at your estate look to be in fine form! what's your secret?

love,
aisling"

:p

I think she has a good gardener. Can you picture her pruning her shrubs?:laugh:

[Gailh]

To get ontopic again, I actually feel sorry for the lady herself that she needs all those measurements (cameras, locked gates, dogs etc.) to ensure her privacy even in a village as small and quiet as you described. But I'm happy to hear from someone who's seen the place that it's beautiful :-)

At one time, I thought the cover photos of In The Meantime were glimpses from her garden. Do they fit the scenery of the village? If so, thanks Mrs McVie for these.


I would hazard a guess that the security cameras are there partly to deter people like me and mainly to deter potential burglars. The lady is incredibly rich and I would imagine has a fair amount of stuff there which is worth stealing. It didn't strike me as being like Fort Knox but just very private and secure.

As for guard dogs I don't think she has any. I didn't see any signs suggesting there were any dogs other than Dougal and George.

I think the pictures from ITM were taken in her garden and the scenes on the videos on her website were certainly done on her land (I think she has a bit more than a mere "garden")


Gail

[Gailh]

"dear christine-

judging from your ITM photos, the hedges at your estate look to be in fine form! what's your secret?

love,
aisling"

:p

Dear Aisling

I supervise my gardners very closely

Love

Christine

[Phoenix]

I wouldn't sweat on it, they're probably used to that happening.

White vans with Portuguese licence plates parked outside for hours might be a different thing....

~~~~~~~~~~:lol: :thumbsup:

[Phoenix]

CCTV, Television por circuito cerrado :)

Well, I'd have knocked her door offering bibles, or encyclopedias. :lol:

BRILLIANT! I really must visit this forum more often, you Christine fans are hillarious!:thumbsup:

[Neb-Maat-Re]

At some point in time, somebody surely will make fun of the current trend of audiobooks by reading out the entire local phonebook for you all to enjoy

Well, the plot's not great, but the cast of characters is amazing....

[SteveMacD]

You know, I have to say it still warms my heart that Christine named one of her dogs after me. I only wish Chris would have remembered the "two 'L's" rule. But close enough.

[Gailh]

Well, the plot's not great, but the cast of characters is amazing....

:laugh: :laugh:

Gail