4:3tv Meet 016 - Villain - 14th April 2024 Report Thread
Apr 17, 2024 17:09:38 GMT
Gene Hunt, The Saint, and 13 more like this
Post by Sam Tyler on Apr 17, 2024 17:09:38 GMT
You now how it is, the days drag by... more and more they drag... until... THE day finally arrives!
Then what happens? It bloody well flies by seemingly in an instant! Where did it go? Must have been a damn good day to fly by that quick!
Although I didn't join the other squad members for the Saturday festivities due to family commitments, THE day for me started with an easy drive up the M3 and through to Chiswick, park up for the day along Chiswick Mall (free parking in The Smoke? Who'd have thought it?) and a short wander to the George and Devonshire to meet the other squad members that were already loitering with intent. A good chat and catch-up after the last meet sees all looking fit and healthy and ready for the off - except Mickyosan's shoe of course which looked decidedly unhealthy with the flapping sole removed and resembling one of Lewis Hamilton's racing boots.
Pleasantries (few) and insults (many) over with and we were on our way for the location tour. First up was Vic Dakin's house and good to see that very little had changed, quite an impressive gaff but an absolute fortune in today's market. As ever the roads looking very narrow with today's cars present but appeared much wider back in the '70s. On to Bob Matthews' house and although still impressive it was relatively modest compared to Vic's, and still silly money in today's market considering the location.
Next was the trip to Bracknell and for me a journey back down the M3 that I'd not long driven up. Once in Bracknell though it was familiar territory for me as I used to drive down the very same roads that the blag and the fleeing Jag used when I worked in Bracknell back in the late '80s. I was oblivious to it at the time but seeing Peacock Lane and Ellesfield Avenue as it was in the film was how I remember my morning commute. The lunch stop at Peacock Farm was very welcome and a few pints of Guinness (cheers Gene, cheers Dirty) and some chips (thanks Saint) later we had the walk around the blag locations. Sadly the redevelopment for a housing estate off of Peacock Lane meant that that section of the road was near unrecognisable but at least the Peacock Farm was still in existence and could be seen in the screen grabs.
Blag locations complete and it was back in the car for the return to the smoke for the day's final locations. Edgar's house once again looked remarkably unchanged from the film and would certainly have taken some investment, perhaps it was the financial burden that played heavy on his ulcer... Next was the bridge location and a park up alongside allowing Gene to show us bonus image which was a publicity shot of Richard Burton outside the house alongside the bridge.
And there it was, another successful meet once again blessed with good weather and a fantastic selection of locations in the bag.
From there a couple of squad members made their way back home while the rest of us returned to the George and Devonshire before wandering towards Hammersmith for a meal - and what a great choice that location was too.
Sadly it was then time for me to make my way home but a relaxed drive back down the M3 yet again gave me the opportunity to reflect on another superb meet superbly engineered by Gene.
Thanks to all squad members for another well-humoured meet, the banter and general p***-taking is as superb as ever. Thanks to Carter for being our wheelman for the day and to The Saint and Gene for the banter within the car. But as ever the biggest thanks go to Gene for the organisation and planning involved behind the scenes and the meet itinerary to make the day what it was for us all to enjoy.
What a day, fantastic!
Sam.
Then what happens? It bloody well flies by seemingly in an instant! Where did it go? Must have been a damn good day to fly by that quick!
Although I didn't join the other squad members for the Saturday festivities due to family commitments, THE day for me started with an easy drive up the M3 and through to Chiswick, park up for the day along Chiswick Mall (free parking in The Smoke? Who'd have thought it?) and a short wander to the George and Devonshire to meet the other squad members that were already loitering with intent. A good chat and catch-up after the last meet sees all looking fit and healthy and ready for the off - except Mickyosan's shoe of course which looked decidedly unhealthy with the flapping sole removed and resembling one of Lewis Hamilton's racing boots.
Pleasantries (few) and insults (many) over with and we were on our way for the location tour. First up was Vic Dakin's house and good to see that very little had changed, quite an impressive gaff but an absolute fortune in today's market. As ever the roads looking very narrow with today's cars present but appeared much wider back in the '70s. On to Bob Matthews' house and although still impressive it was relatively modest compared to Vic's, and still silly money in today's market considering the location.
Next was the trip to Bracknell and for me a journey back down the M3 that I'd not long driven up. Once in Bracknell though it was familiar territory for me as I used to drive down the very same roads that the blag and the fleeing Jag used when I worked in Bracknell back in the late '80s. I was oblivious to it at the time but seeing Peacock Lane and Ellesfield Avenue as it was in the film was how I remember my morning commute. The lunch stop at Peacock Farm was very welcome and a few pints of Guinness (cheers Gene, cheers Dirty) and some chips (thanks Saint) later we had the walk around the blag locations. Sadly the redevelopment for a housing estate off of Peacock Lane meant that that section of the road was near unrecognisable but at least the Peacock Farm was still in existence and could be seen in the screen grabs.
Blag locations complete and it was back in the car for the return to the smoke for the day's final locations. Edgar's house once again looked remarkably unchanged from the film and would certainly have taken some investment, perhaps it was the financial burden that played heavy on his ulcer... Next was the bridge location and a park up alongside allowing Gene to show us bonus image which was a publicity shot of Richard Burton outside the house alongside the bridge.
And there it was, another successful meet once again blessed with good weather and a fantastic selection of locations in the bag.
From there a couple of squad members made their way back home while the rest of us returned to the George and Devonshire before wandering towards Hammersmith for a meal - and what a great choice that location was too.
Sadly it was then time for me to make my way home but a relaxed drive back down the M3 yet again gave me the opportunity to reflect on another superb meet superbly engineered by Gene.
Thanks to all squad members for another well-humoured meet, the banter and general p***-taking is as superb as ever. Thanks to Carter for being our wheelman for the day and to The Saint and Gene for the banter within the car. But as ever the biggest thanks go to Gene for the organisation and planning involved behind the scenes and the meet itinerary to make the day what it was for us all to enjoy.
What a day, fantastic!
Sam.