I'm going to have to do this in two parts. Hope it gives you a feel for what it was all like! Writing in the third person is just a bit tongue in cheek I guess.
REAL LIFE MEETS OUR GIRL
ILOVE AND HER FRIEND VISIT BATH AND BAILBROOK HOUSE
- FACT
Once Ilove discovered the restaurant scenes in Our Girl had been filmed at Bailbrook House in Bath, she persuaded her friend that this is where their annual winter break should start. Ilove’s friend was also a fan of Our Girl but it became quite clear that she was not obsessive.
Hardcore contributor Nickel kindly rang the hotel in advance to reserve the table used in the film sequence for Ilove and her friend.
Ilove was suitably impressed with the approach to the hotel which was up a steep drive and both she and her friend were quite surprised at the size of the place as there was a very large annexe at the back which contained bedrooms and conference facilities.
Two doormen rushed to help them with their suitcases. Ilove held her breath as she gave her name in case the receptionist mentioned something about the table reservation for dinner but he was Portuguese and so probably the television programme meant very little to him anyway.
Both ladies were a little disappointed to realise their room was in the annexe but nevertheless, it was excellent. There was a sitting area with a television and DVD player and a very large bathroom. There was a fridge in the room too with complimentary fresh milk and mineral water.
- FACT MEETS FICTION
The ladies were asked to go to reception when they were ready to eat so that “the experience” could be explained to them. Ilove was a little apprehensive at this point in case the experience was a euphemism for the Our Girl secret being let out of the bag and held her breath whilst they were led down to the Cloisters restaurant. Once she had realised they were indeed being given the Captain James/Molly Dawes’ table, she quickly sat down at what had been Charles’ seat. Her friend rapidly grasped the fact they were sitting at the prize table but either did not realise the organisation which had gone into this or held her tongue. Ilove desperately tried not to laugh. She eventually brought out her mobile and showed a photo of Molly and Charles sitting at the table and both she and her friend then worked out that the tables had been moved slightly which would have been to accommodate the film cameras as the area was in fact very narrow. Ilove did not confess how many other photos she held on her camera of the Mumsnet hero of the series.