I took the train to Borehamwood --- so excited I could barely stand it! This was something that I had been promising myself would happen for years.... And the big day had finally arrived.
As I walked down Borehamwood High Street, it began to mist rain. I was almost an hour early, so I popped inside the Wishing Well Pub to gather my senses and have a pint of Stella. I thought, "With so much time to kill, I can catch up on my travel journal."
The Wishing Well was the nicest pub I had been in up to that point.... (I had been in quite a few over the past four days.) Fish and Chips were £ 3.95 and fags were £ 4.50. There were four old geezers sitting at the bar --- and not a "Roy" or "Frank" among them.
I met a gentleman named Vince. We talked about my trip and EastEnders. He confided it was not uncommon for some of the cast to visit the Wishing Well occasionally; he revealed that he had seen "Beppe" and "Billy," and once bought "Dot" a glass of wine. I could barely contain my excitement.
It was time for me to make my way to Elstree. It was about a four minute walk from the Pub. --- And if I hadn't seen it for myself, I would never have thought that a big studio center like Elstree would be right smack dab in the middle of a neighborhood filled with cute little houses; but it is.
I checked in at the gate, received my visitor's ID, and was instructed by the attendant to make my way to "Neptune House," site of the studio offices. I did just that, stopping once again to check in at reception.
My friends who work there came down to get me within five minutes; and I was whisked away to the EastEnders Revealed offices for introductions. The people there made me feel even more special when they thanked me for making the "Angie Special" such a success!
We waited for a few minutes in the "Scripts" coffee shop before heading out for the official tour. I was excited and nervous and feeling silly all at the same time.
The actual inside sets are housed in a great big warehouse building. Many of the props are kept underneath a great, big (And I do mean BIG!) shed that is attached to the warehouse. As we walked by I could see many of the "Walls" for various sets. They were lined up in slots and categorized. I couldn't resist touching the walls of both Mark and Pat's house!
When I looked to my right, I could see inside the props building. It was full from floor to ceiling.
We rounded a corner and there I was: In Walford! Albert Square! I could not believe it. I was standing by the Car Lot and there, right across the street, was the Queen Vic in all her glory! It was surreal.
I was amazed by how small the lot actually was. I had been forewarned by both Anita Dobson and Chris (One of the Producers with EastEnders Revealed) when I was in Miami, but was still surprised by the scale of things.
Still, there it all was: the Fowler's flat, the Surgery, the Launderette, and the Cafe! --- And the Square itself was so green, it looked like a real park.
We walked around first; then I made my friends back-track a bit so we could take pictures. --- Pictures of me.... In front of the places I had seen on the telly for so many years!
I felt like a little kid. My friends were much too accommodating, happily putting up with my silliness! They kindly favored me, though, snapping off photo after photo. They took shots of me standing in the door of the Vic, perched on Arthur's bench, posing in front of the Cafe and Laundrette, at the Surgery, sitting on Phil's steps, and right in the heart of Walford, posing with the Albert Square sign. It was truly amazing!
I touched the flowers on Tracy's stall (They are artificial.), lifted up the cover on Mark's cart to check for real fruit, and sat on Arthur's Bench in the rain (Now that's a true Fanatic!)! I also saw Phil's Jaguar and Charlie's black cab. --- There was one big surprise that I can't say anything about.... But, for those of you who watch BBCAmerica, keep an eye out for changes at the E20!
As I strolled through the playground, I could almost hear Den talking to Michelle.... I passed the War Memorial, the police station, the Meal Machine, and Mitchell's Autos before heading back to the Queen Vic.
The Vic itself is huge --- definitely the highlight of the Square. It is literally REDDER than red! I looked toward the upstairs windows, but Peggy didn't peek out....
I stood gazing at the famous pub, and asked if I could go in. The crew readily agreed, but warned me that I might be disappointed. Boy, were they right! The inside of the Vic is approximately the same size of a small kitchen. The bar was as dusty as the few shelves behind it. (No good photo ops there!)
Pity that the day I am here it's raining; it did not rain the entire time I was in London. My friends said it was fitting since everyone says that EastEnders is so bleak and depressing.... I disagree!
I had a great time that afternoon; I didn't want it to end. At the very least, I wished I could stay until the next day, when they were scheduled to roll tape! Perhaps that will happen the next time I'm there. That's right: There WILL be a next time!
