posted 02-08-2009 10:06 AM               

I have noted down the comments about lighting etc and thanks for those, it will help me next time round.

I personally had a great time with Charlie, I picked him up from the airport Thursday and we have a leisurely 3 hour drive to Norwich. It was like being in the LEM with him, we had a great chat and I got a real personal insight in to the man and his life - Thanks Charlie!

I am sure that Rick will agree we both got to spend personal time with a true legend, and a lovely man.

I think given the adverse weather that held the country to ransom many people still found there way there and had a good time.

Here is to the next one.

posted 02-08-2009 11:09 AM               

I discovered this last October when meeting Fred Haise and it came as no surprise to discover that Charlie Duke has the same in equal measure... complete with Texan "twang".

The usual 4 hour car journey to Norwich took 12 hours; I was trapped on a snow bound closed road for 6 hours... with nowhere to pee! But that is another story...

My spirits were not dimmed in the least however as I knew two days in the company of Charlie Duke awaited.

I have to thank Andy Green in particular for giving me the opportunity to document Charlie's UK visit at such close quarters.

Along with Dr Mark Venables and his lovely wife Rachel I was afforded access matched only by incredible hospitality and a generosity of warmth (and delicious food!).

Together they put on a great event that was well received by everybody including some of the severest critics ie; 500 school children!

Both the schools lecture and the public event could have benefited from additional lighting for the benefit of photographers with hindsight; I struggled to capture good images with the light available but this was a minor and unforeseen issue.

The organastion of the event was superb. Charlie commented that Rachel would make an excellent Sergeant Major; an approach born out of necessity.

I guess a few people were a little disappointed that they did not get the opportunity for multiple signatures and lengthy posed photos but the queue at the end of the lecture was HUGE! The venue closed at 10.00am yet in a little over one hour everybody got a signature and a photo alongside the man himself... as advertised.

When the time came to leave the hotel I did so disappointed that the adventure had to end but enriched beyond measure by the experience.

I also left with a few very funny anecdotes and stories gleaned from Charlie over the two days... but you will have to read all about those in an issue of Spaceflight magazine at some point in the coming months.

Regards,

posted 02-11-2009 01:51 PM               

One sour note from the evening, we actually had a raffle prize stolen! however the person is in for a shock come October!

Thanks for the nice comments