And here's the photos with us girls. Sorry if they're a bit large...

Doing the Benedict pointy thing. (From left to right: Stine {=Kerkerian's non-forum friend}, Kerkerian, Biggles86, clareiow, rebeccaholmes, TeeJay)


Not doing the Benedict pointy thing:


Selfie while waiting in the queue (Stine, Kerkerian, Biggles86, TeeJay):


And a few photos of picturesque Hay-on-Wye, which Biggles86 and I went exploring for a little while:

Last edited by TeeJay (June 1, 2014 7:57 am)

Fabolous pictures! It's great to watch your wide smiles, you must have had a wonderful time. The pointy one is my favourite!

The scenery you captured is beautiful. I can never frame a picture properly and make a wonderful scenery look wonderful in the picture but you certainly can.

Aaand Benedict. The light makes his hair glow, the colour is beautiful Still not sure about the haircut, though. The videos are another proof of his talent and the fact he can express all emotions. I wish I was there!

Thank you TeeJay for sharing the photos and videos, and posting them so quickly!

Oh. My. God.  Is it possible to love that man any more???  What a fantastic 2 days and so lovely to meet people from the forum.  Kerkerian, I am forever in your debt for giving me your spare ticket for today!

I knew it was going to be good when I turned on the radio yesterday morning and the first thing I heard was Benedict reading the 500 words story. 

A huge amount of queuing but all so worth it.  Benedict read beautifully and actually acted each character from the letters so you were instantly swept into their world and emotions.  The love story between a soldier and his sweetheart back home (Chris & Bessie) just beautiful and spead over the two days.  His chemistry with Lou today just made it that but more special.  Iggy Pop's letter today was fab, everything just amazing!

He was funny, serious, heartbreaking and as always humble with the adulation poured on him.  Looked slightly uncomfortable trying to get through the crowds at the end but my goodness, I just run out of words to describe how wonderful he is!

One of the scariest things I've ever done on my own but thank you girls for looking out for me and putting up with my random bursts of excitement!!!  I'm so glad I was a part of this magical experience.

Hi guys..... I'm still alive but only just!! So I have no photo, no audio or video of what happened, sadly.

But this is what happened.....

Ok so me and Bex and a lady from twitter called Chrissie were hanging around when Bex suddenly saw Benedict and Louise just walking through, no-one taking notice, no security. Ben waved and said hello to a little toddler running past and then someone asked for a photo and he said he couldn't stop.

They were with a guy called James Byng as well. They walked past us and towards the Tata tent rear entrance which is down a corridor...I stood at the end with my sketchbook in hand and couldn't move, just watching from afar. Then, suddenly they start walking back.

They're literally right in front of me and Bex is a way behind me. Just as they're about to pass (Benedict is chatting with loo at this point) I smile at James, James smiles back and I just thought, if I don't ask now I'm done for. So, I say: "Benedict would you look at my drawing?"

He looks back sort of saying he can't stop, but then he does a double take as he sees my drawing and his eyes widen and goes: "Wow" ..Then he looks at me right in the eyes and says "it's fantastic".

Then he says he has to go with an apologetic wave and i just crumble...

While I'm crying into Bex's arms, he then apparently turned again, looked at me and then looked at Chrissie and gave a thumbs up, she said she was convinced it was for me.

I'm still shaking, I'm still in dreamland. His eyes are so much paler in real life and they pierce through to your soul. He's also much more freckly in real life and his skin is flawless.

Should also mention I got a hug off Loo when she saw my drawing earlier in the day, and yesterday Bex and I met James Rhodes and had our picture taken with him!!!

All in all, 11 letters read by Benedict, meeting Benedict, Loo, James, and time with friends..... I'd say that was perfection!!!!

OMG Clare I am so happy for you! I knew it would happen some day, and you know he is so right. Your drawings are fantastic!! Which one did you show him? 

I am gushing with happiness for you girls, reading your experiences is amazing!

I won't say I'm not jealous, but it really does warm my heart to hear of dreams coming true!

I second that.
Thanks so much again for that lovely report!

I'm just so happy. Have no other words, or expressions. I've a permanent smirk on my face!

The fact is, he's flawless. Beautiful, smooth, much more buff - he is not skinny, at all. His eyes are the palest icy green, he's not as tall (as many have said) as you think. And he's so softly spoken.

The way his eyes widened when he saw it, his cheeks puffed as he said wow.... I just wish he'd been able to stop. Just for a second.

It was so Lovely to meet everyone and Teejay, yes we need to engineer more. I've had a hit. And now I'm addicted!!!

Hi everyone!

I can't even begin to type how amazing this weekend has been. It's been so lovely to meet so many of you off here, and TeeJay, thank you ever so much for your photos!

I'll post a couple of mine on here, but the rest I'll stick on the 'Favourite Photos' thread.

And here's me and Rebecca with James Rhodes!! He was lovely

rebecca, that pic is what I call perfect timing!