My journey to Liverpool - October 2006
Introduction - How I became a Magic-listener
From the 18th till the 22th of October I spent 4 wonderful days, met some people I always wanted to meet personally - and all this because of Chris de Burgh!
I'm listening to the radio-programme Radio Magic 1548 Liverpool since February 2006. I started listening to Magic, because my e-mail-friend and also CdeB-fan Melanie had told me to listen to Magic and sent me the link, because she just had requested a CdeB-song for us 2 one morning (It was the 10th of February to be precise)! So I listened and was totally enthousiastic to hear my name and the song in the radio. Soon later I started corresponding with Phil. I requested a song and he played it. Later I listened to Magic every day, all the 4 hours of the breakfast-show. Soon I couldn't even go shopping before the end of the show. I got so used to Phil's show, and once or twice a week he played CdeB, mostly because I requested it. That's how I got to know about and got addicted to Magic, that nice local Liverpool radio station.
After a few weeks I had heard the name Derek or Diego rather often, and this person also seemed to be a CdeB-fan. One day he requested a Chris de Burgh-song (Missing you) for me. It was so touched by this, that I asked Phil to give my e-mail-address to Derek. Phil did and I got my first e-mail from Derek at the end of March! It's nice to write to somebody who listens to the same radio-station as you do, who is as crazy as you are, who also likes to be mentioned in the show! I could go on telling, how crazy we were, we even both managed to get on Phil's website with creating Marketing Magic-items like a cake in form of the Magic-symbol, which I baked, or Magic jingles, which Birgit and I sang, and Derek even won this competiton with his exciting Cereal-box! A photo of this winning object still is on www.magic1548.com .
Since March I had asked Phil, if he would make a CdeB-radio-showcase, when CdeB's new album appeared, and I had told him, I would really love to be there. I would pay the flight myself and would arrange hotel by myself, I only would need an invitation!!!! Poor Phil got e-mails about this idea from me since March! Meanwhile I got so used to Phil, I switched on the computer at 7.00 a. m. every day, even during the holidays - crazy!!!! Also when the playlist was changed and they were not allowed to play any CdeB-songs anymore (which I never will understand!!!!!) I went on listening to Phil. Meanwhile I also loved his show, and not only the CdeB-songs he played!
Time passed and not yet anything about a CdeB-radio-showcase. Phil sometimes said something which sounded like he was thinking about organizing a radio-showcase, but of course he mentioned not too much. One day in September, a few weeks before the official appearing-date of Chris de Burgh's new album he said, that somebody in Germany (he must have meant me) would be very pleased to know, what he was holding right now in his hands - it was the new "Storyman"-album. A promo-CD for the radio-stations. He wasn't yet allowed to play any songs but I already could hear it: he clapped with the CD-cover in front of the microphone!!!! How cruel!!! Melanie wrote an e-mail to him, he should stop teasing me, I'd become hysteric!
Since the end of July I also listened to Keiron Fox' weekend breakfast-show. I started writing to him. And soon he seemed to know, who "Doris from Dinslaken" was! He even once rang me up and I had to review the newspapers with Derek on the telephone, which was rather terrible, because at the end I didn't understand any English nor German anymore!!! It was sooooo terrible! I still hope, that all the other listeners still were asleep, when I was talking!!! I also took part in the "Talented listeners' competition" by singing "Hey Jude" (accompanied myself with the guitar) and also with playing the flute (recorder). Well, I didn't win the VIP-Tower-Tour!!! But I got something much better last Saturday!!!
At the beginning of September I asked Phil once again, if there were any news about the CdeB-radio-showcase. If I would be allowed to come I would have to be prepared, had to book a flight, and also I had to make an appointment for Lena's eye-surgery. Lena is my 12 years old daughter. So he told me to make a mark in my calendar at the 19th of October!!!! The following week he told me, that it now was sure for me to book my flight and for Melanie to try to get 2 days off (Thursday and Friday, 19. and 20.10.). We had planned, that I would stay with Melanie in her house. Arno didn't want to accompany me. But what a pity - Melanie didn't get the 2 days off from work!!!! So I asked Derek, what he would do if he was a lonely girl in Liverpool for 2 days. He phoned Melanie, when he got to know about my plans, and they talked about me. Derek unfortunately couldn't care for me (as he said), because he had to go to London just during these 2 days!!!! Didn't he know the song "Timing is everything"? But they told me, his wife Verna would care for me on Friday. On Friday she would show me the city of Chester. I was very happy with these plans. That all these "strangers" over there in Liverpool were caring so much about me not being on my own in Liverpool!!!!! Great!
Wednesday, 18.10.2006:
On Wedenesday, the 18th of October my father-in-law brought me at 11.40 p. m. to the railway-station in Dinslaken. Already in the train I received my first text-message from Thomas (my 14 years old son) while I was driving from Dinslaken to Cologne: "Mama, how is it in Liverpool?" - How sweet, I was just 1 hour away from home, he still was at school - and already asked if I liked my trip. He was the one who didn't want to kiss me when saying goodbye!
This flight was only my 2nd flight ever. My husband Arno and I had spent our belated honeymoon in Sept. 1990 on theplane from Cologne/Bonn Airport to Liverpool started at 16.10 p. m. and landed in Liverpool (John Lennon Airport) at 16.40 p. m. English time. I enjoyed the flight very much. It only lasted 1 hour + 20 minutes. It was funny to look down out of the plane window and seeing the cars driving on the "wrong" side of the street!!! We landed, I found my suitcase, and then I met Melanie, who was already waiting for me! It was the first time I met her. We were together at the Dortmund-concert in 2004, but at that time we didn't yet know each other! She drove me straight to the naked men, the 100 iron statues by Antony Gormley, standing at the beach of Crosby. I always wanted to see them, and now I finally did. In the car we listened to Magic!!!The first time I could listen to Magic via a "real" radio! It was really cool to drive on the wrong side of the road.
Then we drove Melanie's home, where she's living with her mother. Her Mum had prepared a delicious meal for us. She cared so much for us! It was better than in every hotel in her house! I had a nice little room, and the first thing Melanie brought me was a radio, so I could listen to Magic whenever I wanted. In the evening we checked the CdeB-website and mailing-list and our mails together, sorted out which clothes we would wear for the concert the next day, and which other things we would need to get prepared for the evening, because Melanie had to take them to work with her early in the next morning. Soon it was time to sleep.
Thursday, 19.10.2006:
The next morning, Thursday morning, my mobile phone rang very early. My friend Birgit wanted to wish me a nice day via text-message! OK, I was awake early, so I had much time to listen to Phil's breakfast show (on a real radio!!!!!)! Melanie had to leave the house early, as she unfortunately had to work. I stayed in bed a bit longer, took a shower, got my breakfast in the living-room, then I went back to my bedroom and went on listening to Phil. His last song was "Don't pay the ferryman" for the people who were visiting the CdeB-concert that evening, and for those, who were just in town because of this!!!! - He must have meant me!!! It still was raining a bit - which was not very nice, because Melanie had all the clothers at work, but there would be no possibility to use a hair-dryer!!!!! But we HAD TO be beautiful!!!!!
I managed to take the bus to Liverpool City (50 min. drive) And suddenly I could see the Tower!!!!!. It was the first time I saw the Tower with my own eyes! - The RadioCity-tower, in which the Magic studio also is situated. The 2 stations are sister-stations.
It still was raining a bit when I arrived in Liverpool City, so I had to be careful with my hair…. I went into shops, when the rain became too heavy, but I managed to reach the Anglican Cathedral, in which CdeB had given a concert in October 2004, and then the new and modern Metropolitan Cathedral. Whenever I saw the tower I had to take a photo of it!!!! I couldn't help, I had to!!!! My favourite building of the town! I had lunch at McDonald's! Then I went down to the River Mersey, where I saw the Liver-Building and the Albert-Dock. Meanwhile the sun was shining and I really enjoyed myself.
At 16.00 p. m. I had to be at the Royal Bank of Scotland, where Melanie is working. I took a taxi at 15.30 p. m. and actually managed to arrive in time to meet Melanie. We got dressed in the toilet of her bank. All her colleagues seemed to have to go to the toilet while we were there, and they all asked, where we were going to go to! But they know Melanie and that she loves CdeB! When we were ready we drove to Frankie's and Benny's, where we had a hot pizza. I already got rather nervous, thinking about that the long expected showcase was so near now!!!!
The concert in Anfield
We arrived in Anfield, parked the car, and while driving in the parking-area I thought: This man looks like Derek!!! But he had told me he was in London!!! When we got out of the car I could see: It was Derek, Verna was not far from him!!!! - So I was right: no trip to London. He always planned to go to the CdeB-showcase!!!!! Melanie even was involved in his plans and didn't tell me!!! It was very nice to meet Derek and Verna there and to be able to spend the evening with them!!!! Soon we already could enter the Trophy-room, where we found a nice place. There were big round tables with seats for about 90 people. Trophies were on shelves along the wall, a red carpet with LFC-letters on it was on the ground! A real "magic" venue for a CdeB-concert. Some officials of the Liverpool FC also were there. Soon we saw
Chris and Stewart Williams enter the Trophy room, and also Steve Bennett and Chris High. I had seen Steve Bennett in 2004 in Dortmund, but didn't know Chris High. Melanie introduced him to me. As far as I know these were the only mailing-list-members. We had found a nice place not far from the stage. Some people went around and took photos of all the trophies. I gave Derek the Storyman CD, which I had bought to let it sign by Chris for him and the photo I had brought for this reason - now he could let it sign himself - even better! We could have free food and drinks, and Derek was so neat to bring us some redwine. Time passed rather quick. I meanwhile had got over the shock, that Diego (another name for Derek!) was there.
Phil also came over to welcome us.
Then Phil said good evening, told us to switch off our mobiles and the "Storyman-Theme" was played. Not much longer to wait for Chris to appear. He came from a door at the left side! He looked very relaxed and seemed to be in a very good mood! No wonder - in this special venue!!! Phil talked with Chris a bit about the album, how he recorded it with the orchestra etc., then Phil left Chris alone on the stage. Chris looked around and said: I think I know nearly everybody in this room, so why don't we forget the whole thing and go out for a nice dinner (or something like this). Then he searched for Sheila. I don't know, if he saw her or who she even was! And after this he asked, if there was somebody from Germany. I waved to him, he looked over to me and said: "Hi Doris, well done" Now I'd really like to know, if Phil told him to say something like this or if he did it, because he knew I was flying to Liverpool, as I had written him about this in a letter before! I'll never get to know this!
He started with "One world". Such a powerful song. I'd have loved to clap along right from the beginning, but nobody did, so I also had to "behave". Only at the end of the song he invited the audience to clap. Of course he played all the songs this evening solo with guitar or piano. After "One world" he introduced "Spirit" by telling us something about this song and then sang it - wonderful! Then he sat down at the piano, and while already starting playing some tunes he told the story about the song "Leningrad". If he'll also tell those stories at his following concerts? 
"The grace of a dancer" followed, and then again with guitar "My father's eyes".
And of course "The Lady in red" couldn't be left out. Melanie had bought a red and a yellow rose for us to bring them to Chris, and we had decided to give him our roses right after LIR. Melanie gave him his yellow rose first (and got a kiss!), then it was my turn. I gave him my red rose, he kissed me and said again, that is was nice to come the long way from Germany. While we were on our way back to our seats he said "I especially like the colour of the red rose", which was certainly not very nice for Melanie……, then followed "Spanish train" and "A spaceman came travelling". Before he sang "The snows of New York", which is about friendship he said, that he always feels like visiting old friends, when he comes to Liverpool. That's the same I felt!!!! So much neat and friendly people who looked so nice after me!!!! After SONY followed "Don't pay the Ferryman". Phil let some people ask questions to Chris. So Diego took out his old "Power of ten"-T-Shirt and asked Chris, who had written the song "The words I love you" including the words "with a lifetime guarantee" obviously for his wife Verna, if his merchandising articles also had a lifetime guarantee. He had bought the shirt in 1992, but now it didn't fit him anymore…… . Chris asked again, when Derek had bought the shirt, and Derek said: in 1992, when ManU won the Championship! Phil intervented and said: enough Derek, sit down, shut up!!!! George - the voice of Anfield, who tells the half-time-scores in the stadium - also asked a question. Then Phil explained, that Chris now would play a very appropriate song, and Chris sang "You'll never walk alone", the song, which the FC Liverpool-supporters sing at football-matches! Wow! It was great, everybody was singing along, even the ManU-Fans - like Diego!
And then everything was over - at least the concert was over.
Phil had told us before the concert, that Chris would come to our tables later, but Chris came in through another door later, and we hardly noticed it. Phil went to our table and told us, Chris now would be there, so we quickly went up and straight to Chris, where we had to wait a few minutes, till it was our turn. I was not as excited (nervous), as I was in Lingen 2005 before the meet & greet. Everything on this trip had been so exciting - so I already got used to being excited and didn't nearly die because of a heart-infarction, when I was standing in front of Chris! When it was my turn Chris immediately said: "Hello Doris", took my Storyman-album and wrote "For Doris, CdeB" on the cover, then I explained him, that I had a lot to sign - like always. I finally was so lucky to have got his biography (from eBay), and he signed it, I showed him the photo-book, which I'd made out of the photos of his summer-concerts in 2005, and he asked me, if he could have a copy (he certainly didn't mean it seriously), he also signed it. And then I also let him sign the newspaper-article about my ironing-room and my exciting hobby (CdeB), which just was in the newspaper 1 day before! Just in time to take it with me for him to sign. He again said: "Well done". Then he wished me a safe journey back home. Derek had his things signed too, including the photo I had given to him. He told Chris, that I had taken it. Then we had the idea (was it me, who had this idea?) to take a photo of all of us together: Derek, Phil, Chris, Melanie and me. Only Verna missed. We got a very nice picture. George took it. We still hadn't given our gifts to Phil, so we had to go to his table, where also his wife was sitting. He introduced us to her and we said hello. Once again Phil said, that she's half German (that's what he'd written to me in his very first e-mail). Phil also mentioned, that he thought in the morning, his computer was broken, because no e-mails were coming in! Well, I haven't been at home to write to him! After a little more chatting we left, met Steve and Chris High again on our way out and talked to them a bit. Meanwhile Phil had gone out, talking there to somebody else. I said one last time "Thank you and goodbye" to him, and his last words were: "…he even said your name". The way he said it sounded rather impressed. So I don't think that Chris said hello Doris because Phil told him to do so……. ! I'll never know!
We brought Derek and Verna to Limestreet-Station and then drove home, where we couldn't sleep at all, because we were so high on emotion!
Derek, Doris, Chris, Phil and Melanie
Friday, 20.10.2006:
So we all were very tired the next morning. Derek also couldn't sleep, and he and Verna were my tourist-guides on Friday. They wanted to show me Chester. Melanie had to work again. Poor Melanie. She had to wake up rather early in the morning to bring me to Limestreet-station, where she set me in a train, with which I drove to Hooton, where Derek and Verna picked me up 1/2 hour later.
While Melanie and I were driving to the station Phil said in the radio to Claire, the traffic and travel-reporter: "Claire - say good morning to Melanie". Claire said "Morning Melanie", then he told her to say "Good Morning Doris", and so she did. Phil explained, that I was just in town because I saw Chris de Burgh yesterday evening, I had heard Claire and Phil talking about the roadworks all the time, and I was now here to see with my own eyes what was happening on their streets and I would now be able to understand, about what they were talking and complaining every day! Melanie would bring me to the Station, and I'd drive to Diego and Verna, who would guide me through Chester - the whole big Maigc-family (or something like this). It was really nice, what he had said! He talked about the Chris-concert very often, and stressed, that he was in bed way behind his bedtime, because he had been out for dinner with Chris etc. (but without us - and we also were tired…….).
Derek and Verna picked me up at the train-station, and we had to drive about 20 min. by car to Chester. Of course we listened to Magic on our way. Good that Derek and Verna are also Magic-fans, so we all stopped talking always when a song stopped and Phil said something. Good to have same minded company! We arrived in Chester at 9.30 a. m. and started our sightseeing-tour through this old Roman town next to the river Dee with beautiful old houses and a city-wall around the town. We took a lot of photos, visited the Cathedral, had a cup of coffee at Marks and Spencer, had a nice meal in a French restaurant and had a nice time. In the end we all were rather exhausted and Derek brought us back to his house, because it still was too early for me to drive back to Liverpool. Melanie still was working and only would be able to pick me up after 17.00 p. m. So we had a cup of coffee, talked a bit and I could see Derek's house and garden in Ellesmere Port, which I had only seen on a lot of photos before. Now I also know, where all his funny e-mails are created! After a while they brought me to the station in Hooton again. This time we listened to a Chris de Burgh-CD on our way in the car. After another 30 min. in the train I arrived at Limestreet-Station in the centre of Liverpool at about 17.00 p. m. Melanie picked me up at 17.20 p. m., so I had some time to walk quick around the tower to the FC Liverpool-shop, because Thomas had ordered a LFC-trikot. Unfortunately they only had them in XXL - rather much too big, but the next day they expected smaller sizes. OK.
Melanie picked me up at 17.20 p. m. and we drove to her home, where her mother had prepared a nice meal again! She should open a restaurant! I even had the chance to watch "Coronation-Street" (a soap-opera which is showed about 3 times a week, and which everybody in England seems to know). I often had heard about it at Magic!
Besides we checked our e-mails and the cdeb-website and soon it again was time to go to bed. Time really passed so quick in England!
Click here to see photos!
Saturday, 21.10.2006:
On Saturday we again had to wake up early. Melanie woke me up with the words: You're already famous again. Keiron Fox had told in the radio, that he would be expecting international guests - Doris from Dinslaken would come into the studio today. Yes - we (Derek, Melanie and I) were invited to sit in with him for the last hour of his weekend-breakfast-show. Derek had asked him in an e-mail 1 1/2 weeks ago, if he maybe would show us the tower, because I would be in the town. And 1 week ago Keiron had e-mailed us, that it was ok and we would be his guests in the studio and afterwards he intended to show us the tower. Great! Better than a "normal" tower-tour, which you can book at the weekends.
Melanie and I left the house already at 7.45 a. m., drove by car to Crosby station and from there with the train into the City, where we met Derek at 8.45 a. m. in front of the tower. We went in, and the security man guided us in the lift, which had been stuck several times last summer!!!!! But we arrived safely in Keiron's studio! Cool - to be in the studio, from where I had already heard soooo much hours of Magic-radio-programme!!!!
When we entered the studio Keiron simply went on talking into the microphone, told his audience, that his international guests just had arrived, that I was in town because I had been at the CdeB-concert in Anfield the other day, and he asked, if we had been there all together, and if we had liked it. Of course we answered with "yes". Keiron didn't even give us the chance to say more than "yes" or "good" or any other longer sentence, and that was good, so - no stress with the English language! It was rather impressing to see, how Keiron spoke on the phone, answered e-mails, switched buttons and used the computer, played jingles, talked to us and talked into the microphone - all at the same time. He even found time to come around his desk for a photo. He wasn't bothered when we took photos or filmed him, while he was doing his job. He was hardly distracted by us watching, what he was doing - a real professional! After a while a 16 years old boy named Jordon entered the studio and brought us some coffee. They really treated us nice up there in the tower! Jordon's intention was, to become a famous broadcaster, so he had written to Keiron, and Keiron tought him all he had to know. Jordon was Keiron's production assistant, as he called him. When we spoke to the boy later he really seemed to be totally determined to start a career in the radio. He knew what he wanted to do! And he was very lucky about Keiron teaching him all he had to know. He even said, that if he'd get a job in the radio, he would name himself after Keiron -Jordon Fox!!!!
At 10.00 a. m. the breakfast-show was over, and we thought Keiron now would show us the tower. But he stayed on his seat and played some recorded telephone calls for us, in order to explain us, how a radio-show works, and with which ideas he wanted to attract the audience, e. g. with funny phone-calls. He told us so much, he hardly ever stopped talking!!!! He really loves his job and wanted to tell us as much as possible about it. Unfortunately he didn't have so much time, because he had another date. But it was totally ok. It must have been nearly 1 hour, which we spent together in the studio after the programme had finished. Suddenly he stood up and said, we should follow him. Nobody should know, what he now was going to show us: he showed us "the heart" of the tower, all the technical equipment, the computers from where the programme was broadcasted! Really cool! Then Derek and I gave him our little gifts to say thank you for the invitation! Keiron said, no problem, we were his friends. And if I ever would come again to Liverpool I'd be invited to be his guest. How nice!!!
As Keiron had to leave very soon he asked Jordon to show us the tower. We took a few photos out of the windows, and then we left the tower!
Then it was time to say goodbye to Derek. Melanie and I went to a few shops. Melanie certainly was surprised, when the shop assistant in the LFC-shop already knew me and immediately told me, that the smaller shirts hadn't yet arrived.
We bought some sandwiches in a supermarket and drove by train back to Melanie's car and with the car to Crosby beach, to see the naked men once again. But there was high tide, so that most of the men were under water. In spite of this I took a few photos and we ate our sandwiches at the beach. Then we drove further to Southport, a nice holiday-town North of Crosby. We had a coffee in a coffee-shop, I bought a naked-men-poster, and we asked in every sport-shop for LFC-trikots in size M. But we didn't find any. Melanie will buy one and bring it with her when she'll come over to the Dortmund-concert. I only bought 2 England-trikots (shirts) for my kids - one in red, one white-coloured.
We drove back to Crosby beach in the late afternoon, and this time we could see the naked men, because the water had disappeared. We finally could see the men from the front! There were a lot of people, as the politicians just had thought about getting rid of the iron men soon! What a pity! - Meanwhile they have decided to let them remain at Crosby beach for a bit longer. - Hey, were the naked men only afraid for Doris from Dinslaken and wanted to run away while I was there?
After this photo session we drove to Melanie's house, checked e-mails, ordered a table in an Italian restaurant, took a taxi and went out there for a meal! It was very delicious.
Sunday, 22.10.2006:
On Sunday morning Melanie's mother made a full English breakfast for us with sausages and bacon and fried egg! While we had breakfast the phone rang - it was Melanie's sister in Australia. She even wanted to talk to me!!!!! And when I got the phone she sang "Lady in red" for me!
I packed my suitcase, hoped that it wouldn't be too heavy, because of all the books, mugs (LFC-mug) etc., which I had bought!
At 11.00 a. m. it was time to leave, my plane started at 13.30 p. m., and through the window I could throw one last look on the tower! How sad!!!! I was sitting next to a young lady, who was German. She was not sad at all. She was living in Liverpool for job-reasons, but didn't like to live over there. We talked a bit, and it was funny to find out, that she was listening online to a german radio-programme named SWR 3, while I was so crazy about listening to Magic and Radio City!!!! But - we're living in "one world"!!!!! She didn't even know about the naked men!!!
We landed in Cologne/Bonn before 16.00 p. m. after nearly only 1 hour + 5 min. flight.
Now the most terrible part of my journey began. It took me 3 hours to get by train to Dinslaken. The trains were crowded and had delays. I was glad to be in Dinslaken at 19.00 p. m.
Photos: click here!
That was the end of a brilliant journey!
Thanks to my family- I'm glad they let me go (Chris de Burgh: "If you really love her let her go"). Arno had taken 2 days holidays from work to look after the kids, and the grandmothers cooked for my family.
And of course thanks to Melanie and her mother, who let me stay in their house and looked so good after me, thanks to Derek and Verna, who also cared for me so much, thanks to Phil, who invited us to the radio-show, and thanks to Keiron, who showed us the studio!
Doris
At the end of September our local advertising-paper, which is delivered once a week to every household in Dinslaken, called up for people with interesting hobbies. I didn't hesitate and wrote a long e-mail to the editorial office. Soon later the responsible journalist rang me up and made a date for an "interview"! He and his photographer visited me the next day. The photographer left soon after he had taken his photos, the journalist stayed with me and listened for further 45 minutes to what I had to tell about Chris de Burgh and how I became such a huge fan. I was a bit worried, if I didn't confuse him too much with all I told him - but the morning before I left to Liverpool (18. Oct. 2006) this article was published in the newspaper. The telephone rang often that morning, because my friends and relatives had noticed me in the paper .... ! I'm nearly glad, that I was in Liverpool for the following days! The kids were asked at school, if their mother's name was Doris.... . My husband Arno's colleagues told him, they had seen my picture in the newspaper......! Even 1 week later, when I was buying CdeB-tickets for a friend of mine, who just decided to come over from Cornwall to see the Dortmund-concert, the ticket-shop-assistent said: "Haven't you been in the Niederrhein-Anzeiger the other week?" I felt a bit like being famous! Also in my sport-club several people said, they had seen me in the papers. One of them even asked me, if I hadn't dared coming to the sport-course last week (the day, when the newspaper appeared), because of this article - but I had to disappoint her, I told her that I had just been in Liverpool last week to meet Chris de Burgh!!!
