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With the way this blog has turned out- We’re heading for a part 3. I will try and get the final section done ASAP . I Promise! ( Please note: All photos used are from my phone. Taken on the day by me- except the official Hublander ones)
So, where was I? Oh yes, the doors closed.
Now, before I begin to talk about the day, the panels, the episodes airing on the big screen, the never ending lines for photos and the marvel that is STEVE …I just wish to point out that it was 38 degrees in Melbourne that day. 38 DEGREES! ( or 100.4 F) and we were all shut in a giant tin shed with very little ventilation or air conditioning.
Not that any of us cared ( at that point) to be honest. .. The regrets later however … Hmmmmm.
I’d say that, for the VIP / Platinum members panel – there would’ve been roughly 100 people. ( There were 800 people in attendance on the day) and our first guests for the day were Sam and Duncan.
It’s at this point I’d like to point out that all Hublander USBs of the event have been sent out and mostly received. I still haven’t watched all of mine yet so I am going mostly from memory. *Deep Breath* Wish me luck!
Duncan was severely sunburnt and suffering sunstroke after arriving in Sydney and having a run in with his first ( I believe) Australian Summer. Whilst I’ll admit, Bondi can be a great place to party for the beautiful people, you still can’t do it without taking precautions. In this case, ye olde SLIP! SLOP! SLAP!
For my American Friends, the SLIP! SLOP! SLAP! ad campaign was one of Australia’s most successful ad campaigns around the prevention of Skin Cancer. The message was simple – SLIP on a shirt, SLOP on some sunscreen and SLAP on a hat.
See the original video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7nocIenCYg
Suffice to say, when photos on Duncan’s IG showed him burnt to a crisp – we were very concerned for his welfare. We all hoped with the help of the Good Lord and a poke with a sharp stick – He’d be OK!
Thankfully, not only did he survive the Australian Sun but also made to both Sydney and Melbourne events in one, rather red, piece. For which we were all eternally grateful!
The Panel was great and lots of laughs were had! After they’d finished, the rest of the attendees were let in ( after standing outside in the sun for 874 years) and took their seats.
While people were taking their seats, the VIP / Platinum guests were off to have their first photo ops for the day. First up, Sam and Duncan:
I honestly thought I’d be nervous – Especially around Sam … But I wasn’t. At all. It’s been said that he has a calming presence and I have to admit he does. Very relaxed. Very open. Very warm and welcoming! In fact, Sam reminds me of my very dear friend, Richard.
Richard is around 6’7 with blonde hair and blue eyes. He’s a genuinely nice, decent guy and Sam is exactly the same! Sam was lovely during our photo op and even got down on his knees for me! ( at the request of the photographer who said “He can get down on his knees for you, if you like!” LOL) We made polite small talk and both agreed that knees are overrated after the age of 40!
Duncan was a sweetheart and was just as nice! As you can see by my photo I completely forgot the “No Hugs” rule ( which was put in place to protect the Cast after David Berry tested positive for Covid) and kinda went for the head on the shoulder move – which is kinda like a hug for me anyway 😛
Next up was Charles VanDerVaart and John Bell!
These two were a hoot! An absolute scream! They’ve literally become BFF’s and the way JB gives Charles such a hard time is the funnest thing ever!
It was at this point, the boys were given Tee-shirts to draw portraits of each other on and auction off.
It turned out that one of members of THE HUB team was going through a particularly difficult time and so, the tee-shirts were a way to raise much needed funds to help this member and their family. While I can’t remember the exact total, the money raised over both Sydney and Melbourne events was quite substantial and was definitely going to a good cause.
As the day went on, there were opportunities for photos with more than one Cast member – just as long as you had the correct token to do so. They were playing clips from 7A on the big screen in between panels so you could watch along while you waited.
I made friends with another lass in a wheelchair and her BFF . They were great fun! They were also both Peakers and we hit it off instantly! I just wish I could remember their names! They both complimented me on my Outlander Stickers on the back of Eleanor Whillie – in particular the S.H.A.Gger sticker! ( I.Y.K.Y.K)
The lines for photos were ridiculous! ( Massive shout out to Rod and Sarah for doing a brilliant job of sorting that mayhem out on the day!) and the only way to cool off (remember when I said it was 38c?) was ONE SINGLE stand alone fan at the entrance to the photo op area!
I will be forever thankful that Miss C and I took our own food to the event. There were supposed to be Food Trucks on site however, after a series of unfortunate events, there was a single ‘Food Truck’ that ran out of food by the time lunch was called.**
Add to this, the toilet situation was an absolute disaster. The Timber Yard had a total of 10 unisex toilets and 1 disabled toilet for the whole venue. Aside myself, there were at least 10 others who were in wheelchairs and several more who had walking canes or walkers. Trying to get to the toilet for anyone was a nightmare!
I tried twice to go to the toilet throughout the day. The first time saw me bump into Charles VanDerVaart who was on the way out of a unisex loo as I was trying to get to the disabled toilet on the other side. Apparently, someone has a photo of me chatting to Charles outside the toilets. I know this because they told me so. They also asked me if I wanted the photo. I recall saying yes.. but it never happened. Oh well. Nevermind.
I lucked out the first time – because it was in use. By the time I attempted to empty my bladder the second time – 6 of the unisex toilets were out of action and the disabled toilet was blocked and backed up!
Now, if you know me.. You know that I have an incredibly weak bladder ( TMI I know) and so, holding on for an entire day was agony. But, I managed… though not without complaint.
(There are some however, who were not present on the day, who will tell you that Sam Heughan has magical powers and by His sheer will alone- made it so I had a bladder of cast iron. That somehow I decided to ” Let it be known that ye verily I did forfeit my right to pee – less I miss a nanosecond of being in Sam Heughan’s company!” I assure you, dear reader that Sam Heughan DOES NOT have magical powers… nor is my bladder made of cast iron! The Women in my family possess no such thing!)
By this stage, complaints were coming in thick and fast about the lack of amenities, places to sit down, places to cool down and places to get food. Menu Log and Uber Eats made a small fortune from us that day, I can tell you that! Even the Cast had to order in as it looked like no arrangements made for them to have lunch provided for them – which is utterly appalling if you ask me!
Suffice to say there were 800 very annoyed people. Even those of us who bought our own food and drink found it impossible to sit somewhere and eat. With everything moving so quickly there was just not enough time to do so!
Anyway, here are my photos with John Bell and Charles VanDerVaart
With the absence of David Berry (who very graciously signed photos to be given to VIP / Platinum ticket holders at the event) Duncan Lacroix did his panel solo. He regaled with stories of working on Outlander and other projects and answered questions from the audience. Unfortunately, his panel suffered technical difficulties – most likely due to the heat – so a large majority of it was unusable ( which is why only the Sydney panel that he did is on the USB)
He also gave us a designer tee-shirt and donated it to charity. Which was a lot of fun to watch.
It was during his panel that we found out Duncan was deaf in one ear and so everyone had to speak slowly and clearly. He handled it like a champion and his panel was enjoyed by all!
After a short break it was time for the man of the hour – Himself, Sam Heughan!
Sam was accompanied by his handler, Steve. Steve took over MC duties at this point and made sure Sam was asked either funny, interesting or intelligent questions. (If Steve didn’t like the question he threw it away! LOL!)
Sam talked about Outlander, his book Waypoints, His Whisky, His Gin, MPC and other projects and things that he’s working on – especially after Outlander ends after season 8.
Steve was hilarious throughout – offering his take on various stories and what working with Sam was like. Despite what you may think, Steve is a wonderful guy and very funny. I understand now why Sam always wants to work with him.
The highlight of Sams panel though, was when he got a lass on stage to sing the Skye boat song and called David Berry on his phone so we could all say hello and send him well wishes!
After Sam’s Panel ended it was time for the autographs.. However, that will need to wait until the next installment of this blog!
As always, thanks for reading
Ceej
**Correction: There were 2 food trucks on site. There was meant to be a 3rd but it was involved in an accident and couldn’t make it.
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