… that you have to give way (yield) to a “Jumbo Jet” passenger plane on the way to work in the morning:
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(Heathrow Airport perimeter road.)
Well I suppose it’s not every day that I have to go to a place called “Bedfont Lakes” - which is a hi-tech business park near Heathrow where the best road-route from my home involves navigating my way through the suburbs of West London and around the perimeter of the Airport. Problem is - you might have to wait a few minutes whilst a Jumbo crosses the road.
Also - it’s not every day that you end the day spending time with a film crew on the London Underground:
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(This is in a Northern Line train Northbound from King’s Cross)
Had to spend a few hours reconstructing and recalling parts of my nightmare journey home from January 2003 with a TV crew filming a documentary for Channel 4’s “Cutting Edge” series. It was a very strange experience being a “movie-star” for the evening - and even stranger observing ordinary London commuters from the director’s perspective. Very strange indeed.
Posted by jag at November 02, 2004 10:42 PMyes, I remember this happened with me too.… and I kicked myself later for not taking a pic… but at that time, just saw with my jaws dropped looking at a huge monster crossing the road in front of our car :))
Posted by: Charu on November 3, 2004 04:33 AMthe cutting edge screens here in oz too…shall have to look out for the ‘star’ now - tell us what the show is to be titled/ about?
Posted by: krissie on November 3, 2004 06:45 AMgosh you lead an exciting life!! I mean that!! nothing like that ever happens here in nowhere land!! :(
Posted by: krissie on November 3, 2004 06:47 AMAny idea when this is being telecast?
Posted by: Chakra on November 3, 2004 10:25 AMYeah! When? I’ll try and get hold of a friend with a TV. BTW I should be doing that kinda stuff. See that guy with the pole with the furry end? That would be me in some time. :)
Posted by: Anand on November 3, 2004 02:24 PMWell at least it is more interesting than watching some yob stare into a cell phone like a zombie.
Happy Trails.
You’re gonna be on telly? When?
Posted by: Snappy on November 3, 2004 06:07 PMI thought the days when we have to wait for trains to cross at level crossing were over.
And now we have to wait for 747’s?.
Now why ever did they invent wings.…
Can you ever get closer than that
Posted by: sat on November 3, 2004 07:52 PMHi Charu: yes - it has happened to me twice now - and the first time I was just like you: jaws dropped - and just sat and stared. This time, however, I was prepared!
Krissie: You get Channel 4 documentaries in Oz too?! That’s great. I’m not sure what the final programme will be called - but the working title is “Gridlock”. Exciting life? Nah - just an ordinary Londoner. These sorts of things happen to people like me everyday. It’s just that not everybody writes about them …
Chakra: I have no idea - but I’m guessing that it wil be sometime next year. I will definitely let you know when I know for sure.
Anand: As per my respnse to Chakra above. Yes - I can imagine you with camera, tripod and furry microphone!
Fritz: Agreed!
Snappy: See my response to Chakra above. Will definitely let you know when I know. (But I’m guessing sometime next year.)
Sat: Indeed! (By the way - we still havw to wait for trains at level crossings here in London!) And nope: can’t get much closer than that - unless you’re boarding the damn thing!
Posted by: Jag on November 3, 2004 08:40 PMand the day i’m not going into london i miss seeing this. ha well …
Posted by: Jaina on November 4, 2004 11:25 AMBeneath my dapper exterior, there is indeed an anorack. I’ve never come out before: but yes. I have to admit it - I’m a plane spotter. But only secretly of course. When no-one’s looking, you’ll find me gazing up at contrails in the sky.
I’ve been down that road a couple of time too, but never have I been that lucky.
Wow, I never realised this went on at Heathrow in this day and age. I know it was Conventional Wisdom at Manchester that you weren’t allowed in the under-the-runway tunnel when Concorde was taking off or landing.
And a teacher at school was fond of anecdoting about a long gone former pupil whose standard excuse for being late was ‘the level crossing over the runway was closed’.
Posted by: Gert on November 6, 2004 08:02 PMJaina: you didn’t miss anything really. And in any case - it all happened Friday before last (October 29).
David: hey - nothing to be shy of - we’re all “spotters” of one kind or another I’m sure! ;-)
Gert: I am somewhat empathic with the excuse given; it took a good 10 mins from the moment the barrier closed to the moment it opened again. Now - Concorde I don’t really understand - perhaps my wisdom is not so conventional …
Posted by: Jag on November 7, 2004 09:04 PMLook forwards to seeing you on the telly!
Posted by: Vicky on November 14, 2004 01:31 PMCheers Vicky! I’m kind of looking forward to it also!
Posted by: Jag on November 16, 2004 12:09 AM