Interesting people you shared a journey with
Discussion
Did a boat delivery from South Coast UK to Oslo, onboard was Alex Ritchie, he was the fella in a balloon with Richard Branson that climbed outside to jettison stuff as they were crashing into the sea.
In rough weather he wanted to go into the engine room while running, I said no, stood on the hatch in fact. Thought he was a bit nuts, later died in a parachute incident.
In rough weather he wanted to go into the engine room while running, I said no, stood on the hatch in fact. Thought he was a bit nuts, later died in a parachute incident.
Ynox said:
Shared a limo with Avril Lavigne whilst on a night out with her and some of her entourage back in 2010 whilst I was in the US on a business trip.
Was a bit of a random night out!
Whether she counts as interesting, I'm not sure though!
At the end of the night did she say "see you later Boi" ?? Was a bit of a random night out!
Whether she counts as interesting, I'm not sure though!
Years ago on a bog standard flight to Corfu Alex Higgins got on with a female companion (around the end of his snooker fame). The hostesses sat him right at the front just in front of us and proceeded to fawn over him for the whole flight. He took it all in good spirit and it was an absolute hoot. When we got off and were waiting for the luggage he had a laugh betting with some lads on whose cases would come out first.
Not on a plane but got sat next to an old lady who looked somewhat familiar. Chatty with a broad Lancashire accent she was very interesting and great company. Took me quite a while to twig it was Gillian Duffy, Gordon Brown's "bigoted woman"! She was happy to talk about it, "I only popped out for a loaf of bread!" and "what are you lot doing in my kitchen, I haven't invited you in". She said how the PR teams of both sides were chasing her at the next election but she told them to sling their hooks. Lovely down to earth woman.
Not on a plane but got sat next to an old lady who looked somewhat familiar. Chatty with a broad Lancashire accent she was very interesting and great company. Took me quite a while to twig it was Gillian Duffy, Gordon Brown's "bigoted woman"! She was happy to talk about it, "I only popped out for a loaf of bread!" and "what are you lot doing in my kitchen, I haven't invited you in". She said how the PR teams of both sides were chasing her at the next election but she told them to sling their hooks. Lovely down to earth woman.
I was flying to Sydney on business just as the financial crash was starting in about September 2007 and as we came into the stop-over airport (Singapore or Bangkok - I can't recall) I got chatting to the guy in the seat next to me, who turned out to be the Chief Economist of a major hedge fund.
Two hours of chatting later, I was terrified.
I once sat next to Thora Hird and Christopher Beeny on a steam train while they repeatedly moved it backwards and forwards to film a "hilarious" scene for "In Loving Memory", I was young, they tolerated me, I don't recall Thora smelling of wee or anything.
I shared a lift "journey" (3 floors!) with a number of footballers from one of the popular teams when staying at a hotel in Manchester, they were playing City or United and opted to stay there, lots of people outside asking for photos etc. I recall them smelling nice which I guess you do when you earn what they do.
Not really a journey but I spent close to 30 minutes wandering a DIY store with Patrick Stewart helping him to choose wall fixings, a drill and various other things back when I worked there as a schoolboy. I had no idea who he was at the time, just seemed like a nice chap with a cool voice. Other staff alerted me to his status afterwards and then promptly photocopied his sales receipt from till to get an autograph.
Second Best said:
When I was 17 I was travelling cross-country back to my new accommodation, having moved out the year before. I was travelling with my dad, the first time he'd visited my place.
He wandered off to buy me a beer - we were travelling off-peak, I think it was 10pm on a Saturday. While he wandered off I walked the carriage to go for a pee and saw the only other occupant was a female reading a book, sitting directly opposite us. We shared a quick smile.
She was reading a very popular book that had been released only a few days previous, and I had already finished it. Long story short, I asked her how she was finding it, and we got talking. Spent half an hour in conversation - my old man came back, saw us, and then f
ked off to the other end of the carriage. I got the woman's number and a peck on the cheek.
As it turns out, she was from quite a famous girl band. She never messaged me back but never mind.
I also met the CEO of one of the largest UK companies on a flight. We were flying business class but had an aircraft substitution, which meant we were sat alongside each other rather than having personal cabins as normal. The chap was a very interesting guy, a lot of stories to tell and could drink for England. I decided to call it quits after two steaks and six pints, when I woke up 4 hours later he was tapping away on his laptop with an empty glass too. If I'd not have known, I'd have said he was pretty much sober after all of that.
I've also accidentally met a WWE wrestler on a plane. Travelling internally in the US and I remember three enormous blokes sitting in the seats next to me (USG policy meant I had to travel first or business - I didn't complain). Didn't pay them much attention but after 45 minutes in the air, two young kids burst through the curtain and shouted "JOHN CENA!!! WE LOVE YOU! PLEASE CAN WE TAKE A SELFIE!!"
Mr Cena didn't mind, and after the kids were quickly ushered out and the cabin secured, I popped by on my way to the loo and caught his eye. I said, "so you're John Cena, eh? Nice to see you in person." He did his little trademark wave and offered a handshake. I shook his hand and wished him the best in his future ventures. He asked for my name, continued the handshake, and thanked me for my discretion. What I didn't tell him was that I was sat in a two-seat grouping with a rather talkative and very attractive young lady. The flight was pretty rough and I was quite happy to have an attractive blonde American asking if she could hold my arm when the turbulence got choppy. fk me, I've never been more thankful for a rough flight.
yet another things that never happened ph thread...pricelessHe wandered off to buy me a beer - we were travelling off-peak, I think it was 10pm on a Saturday. While he wandered off I walked the carriage to go for a pee and saw the only other occupant was a female reading a book, sitting directly opposite us. We shared a quick smile.
She was reading a very popular book that had been released only a few days previous, and I had already finished it. Long story short, I asked her how she was finding it, and we got talking. Spent half an hour in conversation - my old man came back, saw us, and then f
ked off to the other end of the carriage. I got the woman's number and a peck on the cheek.As it turns out, she was from quite a famous girl band. She never messaged me back but never mind.
I also met the CEO of one of the largest UK companies on a flight. We were flying business class but had an aircraft substitution, which meant we were sat alongside each other rather than having personal cabins as normal. The chap was a very interesting guy, a lot of stories to tell and could drink for England. I decided to call it quits after two steaks and six pints, when I woke up 4 hours later he was tapping away on his laptop with an empty glass too. If I'd not have known, I'd have said he was pretty much sober after all of that.
I've also accidentally met a WWE wrestler on a plane. Travelling internally in the US and I remember three enormous blokes sitting in the seats next to me (USG policy meant I had to travel first or business - I didn't complain). Didn't pay them much attention but after 45 minutes in the air, two young kids burst through the curtain and shouted "JOHN CENA!!! WE LOVE YOU! PLEASE CAN WE TAKE A SELFIE!!"
Mr Cena didn't mind, and after the kids were quickly ushered out and the cabin secured, I popped by on my way to the loo and caught his eye. I said, "so you're John Cena, eh? Nice to see you in person." He did his little trademark wave and offered a handshake. I shook his hand and wished him the best in his future ventures. He asked for my name, continued the handshake, and thanked me for my discretion. What I didn't tell him was that I was sat in a two-seat grouping with a rather talkative and very attractive young lady. The flight was pretty rough and I was quite happy to have an attractive blonde American asking if she could hold my arm when the turbulence got choppy. f
k me, I've never been more thankful for a rough flight.PurpleTurtle said:
Ynox said:
Shared a limo with Avril Lavigne whilst on a night out with her and some of her entourage back in 2010 whilst I was in the US on a business trip.
Was a bit of a random night out!
Whether she counts as interesting, I'm not sure though!
At the end of the night did she say "see you later Boi" ?? Was a bit of a random night out!
Whether she counts as interesting, I'm not sure though!
theplayingmantis said:
Second Best said:
When I was 17 I was travelling cross-country back to my new accommodation, having moved out the year before. I was travelling with my dad, the first time he'd visited my place.
He wandered off to buy me a beer - we were travelling off-peak, I think it was 10pm on a Saturday. While he wandered off I walked the carriage to go for a pee and saw the only other occupant was a female reading a book, sitting directly opposite us. We shared a quick smile.
She was reading a very popular book that had been released only a few days previous, and I had already finished it. Long story short, I asked her how she was finding it, and we got talking. Spent half an hour in conversation - my old man came back, saw us, and then fked off to the other end of the carriage. I got the woman's number and a peck on the cheek.
As it turns out, she was from quite a famous girl band. She never messaged me back but never mind.
I also met the CEO of one of the largest UK companies on a flight. We were flying business class but had an aircraft substitution, which meant we were sat alongside each other rather than having personal cabins as normal. The chap was a very interesting guy, a lot of stories to tell and could drink for England. I decided to call it quits after two steaks and six pints, when I woke up 4 hours later he was tapping away on his laptop with an empty glass too. If I'd not have known, I'd have said he was pretty much sober after all of that.
I've also accidentally met a WWE wrestler on a plane. Travelling internally in the US and I remember three enormous blokes sitting in the seats next to me (USG policy meant I had to travel first or business - I didn't complain). Didn't pay them much attention but after 45 minutes in the air, two young kids burst through the curtain and shouted "JOHN CENA!!! WE LOVE YOU! PLEASE CAN WE TAKE A SELFIE!!"
Mr Cena didn't mind, and after the kids were quickly ushered out and the cabin secured, I popped by on my way to the loo and caught his eye. I said, "so you're John Cena, eh? Nice to see you in person." He did his little trademark wave and offered a handshake. I shook his hand and wished him the best in his future ventures. He asked for my name, continued the handshake, and thanked me for my discretion. What I didn't tell him was that I was sat in a two-seat grouping with a rather talkative and very attractive young lady. The flight was pretty rough and I was quite happy to have an attractive blonde American asking if she could hold my arm when the turbulence got choppy. fk me, I've never been more thankful for a rough flight.
yet another things that never happened ph thread...pricelessHe wandered off to buy me a beer - we were travelling off-peak, I think it was 10pm on a Saturday. While he wandered off I walked the carriage to go for a pee and saw the only other occupant was a female reading a book, sitting directly opposite us. We shared a quick smile.
She was reading a very popular book that had been released only a few days previous, and I had already finished it. Long story short, I asked her how she was finding it, and we got talking. Spent half an hour in conversation - my old man came back, saw us, and then f
ked off to the other end of the carriage. I got the woman's number and a peck on the cheek.As it turns out, she was from quite a famous girl band. She never messaged me back but never mind.
I also met the CEO of one of the largest UK companies on a flight. We were flying business class but had an aircraft substitution, which meant we were sat alongside each other rather than having personal cabins as normal. The chap was a very interesting guy, a lot of stories to tell and could drink for England. I decided to call it quits after two steaks and six pints, when I woke up 4 hours later he was tapping away on his laptop with an empty glass too. If I'd not have known, I'd have said he was pretty much sober after all of that.
I've also accidentally met a WWE wrestler on a plane. Travelling internally in the US and I remember three enormous blokes sitting in the seats next to me (USG policy meant I had to travel first or business - I didn't complain). Didn't pay them much attention but after 45 minutes in the air, two young kids burst through the curtain and shouted "JOHN CENA!!! WE LOVE YOU! PLEASE CAN WE TAKE A SELFIE!!"
Mr Cena didn't mind, and after the kids were quickly ushered out and the cabin secured, I popped by on my way to the loo and caught his eye. I said, "so you're John Cena, eh? Nice to see you in person." He did his little trademark wave and offered a handshake. I shook his hand and wished him the best in his future ventures. He asked for my name, continued the handshake, and thanked me for my discretion. What I didn't tell him was that I was sat in a two-seat grouping with a rather talkative and very attractive young lady. The flight was pretty rough and I was quite happy to have an attractive blonde American asking if she could hold my arm when the turbulence got choppy. f
k me, I've never been more thankful for a rough flight.king hammered him at Swingball.Ynox said:
Shared a limo with Avril Lavigne whilst on a night out with her and some of her entourage back in 2010 whilst I was in the US on a business trip.
Was a bit of a random night out!
Whether she counts as interesting, I'm not sure though!
Are you sure about that?Was a bit of a random night out!
Whether she counts as interesting, I'm not sure though!
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/shortcuts...
DRFC1879 said:
theplayingmantis said:
Second Best said:
When I was 17 I was travelling cross-country back to my new accommodation, having moved out the year before. I was travelling with my dad, the first time he'd visited my place.
He wandered off to buy me a beer - we were travelling off-peak, I think it was 10pm on a Saturday. While he wandered off I walked the carriage to go for a pee and saw the only other occupant was a female reading a book, sitting directly opposite us. We shared a quick smile.
She was reading a very popular book that had been released only a few days previous, and I had already finished it. Long story short, I asked her how she was finding it, and we got talking. Spent half an hour in conversation - my old man came back, saw us, and then fked off to the other end of the carriage. I got the woman's number and a peck on the cheek.
As it turns out, she was from quite a famous girl band. She never messaged me back but never mind.
I also met the CEO of one of the largest UK companies on a flight. We were flying business class but had an aircraft substitution, which meant we were sat alongside each other rather than having personal cabins as normal. The chap was a very interesting guy, a lot of stories to tell and could drink for England. I decided to call it quits after two steaks and six pints, when I woke up 4 hours later he was tapping away on his laptop with an empty glass too. If I'd not have known, I'd have said he was pretty much sober after all of that.
I've also accidentally met a WWE wrestler on a plane. Travelling internally in the US and I remember three enormous blokes sitting in the seats next to me (USG policy meant I had to travel first or business - I didn't complain). Didn't pay them much attention but after 45 minutes in the air, two young kids burst through the curtain and shouted "JOHN CENA!!! WE LOVE YOU! PLEASE CAN WE TAKE A SELFIE!!"
Mr Cena didn't mind, and after the kids were quickly ushered out and the cabin secured, I popped by on my way to the loo and caught his eye. I said, "so you're John Cena, eh? Nice to see you in person." He did his little trademark wave and offered a handshake. I shook his hand and wished him the best in his future ventures. He asked for my name, continued the handshake, and thanked me for my discretion. What I didn't tell him was that I was sat in a two-seat grouping with a rather talkative and very attractive young lady. The flight was pretty rough and I was quite happy to have an attractive blonde American asking if she could hold my arm when the turbulence got choppy. fk me, I've never been more thankful for a rough flight.
yet another things that never happened ph thread...pricelessHe wandered off to buy me a beer - we were travelling off-peak, I think it was 10pm on a Saturday. While he wandered off I walked the carriage to go for a pee and saw the only other occupant was a female reading a book, sitting directly opposite us. We shared a quick smile.
She was reading a very popular book that had been released only a few days previous, and I had already finished it. Long story short, I asked her how she was finding it, and we got talking. Spent half an hour in conversation - my old man came back, saw us, and then f
ked off to the other end of the carriage. I got the woman's number and a peck on the cheek.As it turns out, she was from quite a famous girl band. She never messaged me back but never mind.
I also met the CEO of one of the largest UK companies on a flight. We were flying business class but had an aircraft substitution, which meant we were sat alongside each other rather than having personal cabins as normal. The chap was a very interesting guy, a lot of stories to tell and could drink for England. I decided to call it quits after two steaks and six pints, when I woke up 4 hours later he was tapping away on his laptop with an empty glass too. If I'd not have known, I'd have said he was pretty much sober after all of that.
I've also accidentally met a WWE wrestler on a plane. Travelling internally in the US and I remember three enormous blokes sitting in the seats next to me (USG policy meant I had to travel first or business - I didn't complain). Didn't pay them much attention but after 45 minutes in the air, two young kids burst through the curtain and shouted "JOHN CENA!!! WE LOVE YOU! PLEASE CAN WE TAKE A SELFIE!!"
Mr Cena didn't mind, and after the kids were quickly ushered out and the cabin secured, I popped by on my way to the loo and caught his eye. I said, "so you're John Cena, eh? Nice to see you in person." He did his little trademark wave and offered a handshake. I shook his hand and wished him the best in his future ventures. He asked for my name, continued the handshake, and thanked me for my discretion. What I didn't tell him was that I was sat in a two-seat grouping with a rather talkative and very attractive young lady. The flight was pretty rough and I was quite happy to have an attractive blonde American asking if she could hold my arm when the turbulence got choppy. f
k me, I've never been more thankful for a rough flight.king hammered him at Swingball.Nearly broke her back.
Sat next to a middle aged chap on a flight back from San Francisco to London one time. Had been out on a business trip and a little hung over on the flight. Anyway, proper well dress chap sits next to me and starts hitting the booze as soon as we take off. Very funny guy and was telling lots of jokes and flirting with the crew. Anyway, he then starts to tell me about his background and what does - technology and start ups, the usual. But then is obviously really insightful and starts talking to me about stuff - realizes that I am in the middle of a career decision and digs into it. Turns out he had the same choices 15 years ago and promptly walked me through his life for the last few years.
Why is this relevant to me - basically he had asked for a transfer and moved to the USA - loved it, understood it was different and a challenge, but now appreciates it more than he ever though. Convinced me to ask for a transfer and 6 months later I was landing in the USA on a one way flight! Really interesting chap, fascinating conversation and while I wont suggest that he changed the course of my life, there was a heavy bit of influencing going on. Not only did we talk for a few hours, but it changed rather a lot for me and my family.
Oh, and 6 hours into the flight the jokes got rather crass and the crew asked him to quieten down. He passed out soon after, not waking until 30 mins before landing. Maybe that was the plan all along....
Why is this relevant to me - basically he had asked for a transfer and moved to the USA - loved it, understood it was different and a challenge, but now appreciates it more than he ever though. Convinced me to ask for a transfer and 6 months later I was landing in the USA on a one way flight! Really interesting chap, fascinating conversation and while I wont suggest that he changed the course of my life, there was a heavy bit of influencing going on. Not only did we talk for a few hours, but it changed rather a lot for me and my family.
Oh, and 6 hours into the flight the jokes got rather crass and the crew asked him to quieten down. He passed out soon after, not waking until 30 mins before landing. Maybe that was the plan all along....
I posted this in another thread but...
One time flying out to Tahiti I was sat next to Karina Lombard. Batst crazy, but great fun to drink with. Apparently she's 1/4 Polynesian or something and gets free flights with Air Tahiti. She told me that the 2003 invasion of Iraq was not because of WMD, or even oil, it was because Saddam Hussein had a crystal which allowed the owner to control earthquakes, and Bush Jr wanted it. Like I said, proper 'Hollywood' crazy.
One time flying out to Tahiti I was sat next to Karina Lombard. Bats
t crazy, but great fun to drink with. Apparently she's 1/4 Polynesian or something and gets free flights with Air Tahiti. She told me that the 2003 invasion of Iraq was not because of WMD, or even oil, it was because Saddam Hussein had a crystal which allowed the owner to control earthquakes, and Bush Jr wanted it. Like I said, proper 'Hollywood' crazy.Not a journey really, but on a ski holiday with some mates we were asked if we wouldn't mind if an extra seat was put at our dinner table for the week for a single gentleman who was holidaying on his own. Behind the waiter was a much older older guy, grey hair with a straggly grey beard looking mildly embarrassed at the prospect of being dumped amidst 5 friends.
Turns out he had been a pilot in the RAF, had been the solo display pilot in the Lightning at air shows all over the world, had been a test pilot for gawd only knows variations of jets and had survived ejecting after loosing both engines in a training exercise.
Fair to say he had far more interesting stories to tell than all of us combined and by the end of the week we were all suitably awe-struck... and he could ski better than any of us!!
Turns out he had been a pilot in the RAF, had been the solo display pilot in the Lightning at air shows all over the world, had been a test pilot for gawd only knows variations of jets and had survived ejecting after loosing both engines in a training exercise.
Fair to say he had far more interesting stories to tell than all of us combined and by the end of the week we were all suitably awe-struck... and he could ski better than any of us!!
Many years ago, about late 70's when Larry Grayson was at his fame doing generation game , he was the celebrity they got to open the new kitchen section at a local DIY shop.
There was a free raffle there, pick a ticket etc and i picked one out and it won a fiver( lot of money to me as a kid about to go on hols) so anyway had to have my pic took of me and him kissing me on cheek.
So thats my claim to fame.
There was a free raffle there, pick a ticket etc and i picked one out and it won a fiver( lot of money to me as a kid about to go on hols) so anyway had to have my pic took of me and him kissing me on cheek.
So thats my claim to fame.
LimaDelta said:
I posted this in another thread but...
One time flying out to Tahiti I was sat next to Karina Lombard. Batst crazy, but great fun to drink with. Apparently she's 1/4 Polynesian or something and gets free flights with Air Tahiti. She told me that the 2003 invasion of Iraq was not because of WMD, or even oil, it was because Saddam Hussein had a crystal which allowed the owner to control earthquakes, and Bush Jr wanted it. Like I said, proper 'Hollywood' crazy.
Her mother is a Lakota Native American medicine woman, so not Polynesian, but 1/2 American Indian.One time flying out to Tahiti I was sat next to Karina Lombard. Bats
t crazy, but great fun to drink with. Apparently she's 1/4 Polynesian or something and gets free flights with Air Tahiti. She told me that the 2003 invasion of Iraq was not because of WMD, or even oil, it was because Saddam Hussein had a crystal which allowed the owner to control earthquakes, and Bush Jr wanted it. Like I said, proper 'Hollywood' crazy.
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