Everything you always wanted to know about The Flying Doctors. Dedicated to Lenore Smith and Christopher Stollery.
 

Meeting Lenore in Utrecht, July 2004

It was quite unbelievable when Saturday, July 3rd, I got a letter from the fan club, saying Lenore Smith would be attending the summer show from the VARA in Utrecht next week! As a fan club member it was possible to get tickets for the show. I was already so happy the VARA finally decided to broadcast some re-runs of The Flying Doctors, but now I was totally surprised! Who would have thought I would actually got a chance to see Lenore in person after all these years?? So I didn't hesitate long, cancelled a weekend trip with friends I had planned and called Marianne of the fan club to sign up my name for a ticket.

Finally, Saturday, July 10th, I took a train to Utrecht. I arrived at 3 p.m. and met Roos at the station. We went shopping and ate something and at 6 p.m. we met some other Flying Doctors fans. We went to a flowerist and bought a large bunch of flowers for Lenore. Then we took a bus and 5 minutes later we arrived at the theatre. As we were standing there waiting, we noticed a man talking with an Australian accent. As turned out later, this was Warren Jones, Lenore's husband.

As members of the fan club we were asked to take place at the balcony. Lenore would be sitting there as they would interview her! We all got a bit nervous now. The director gave some instructions and asked Mirjam and me to take place right behind the stool where Lenore was going to sit! We never thought we would get so close!

And there she was, waving and laughing at us. The show started and Lenore was introduced by Claudia, who hosted the show. A program was broadcast after this and now we actually got the chance talking to Lenore and taking photographs. She was so kind and normal and she took her time for every fan. The live show was interrupted several times for programs (amongst them Flying Doctors) and during the live show, Lenore was interviewed. She told about Flying Doctors and actually "forgot" her relationship with Christopher for a moment, which gave a great laugh. A lot of fun was made about shoulder pads and hair-do's of the eighties and Claudia asked Lenore if she really thought Robert was attractive back then ('Sure!'). Astrid, Marianne and Anouk were interviewed as well and at the end of the live show Lenore and Harm Edens discussed last week's news (and Lenore ate a lolly pop with a scorpion in it!).

I was so extremely stupid to forget my camera, but fortunately Roos, Petra and Mirjam took some pictures from Lenore and me as well. I asked Lenore to sign a picture and she took a glance at my collection. She read her own letter she wrote in 1994. As I knew she and her husband love to cook, I translated my own favourite recipe and I gave it to her. She told me twice she would try it.

It was really strange to meet Lenore in person. I was such a great fan of her years ago. Now, of course, this has changed, but still it was so great meeting her. The day after I realised that this was the person I was a fan of for so many years, from the other side of the world and I had been standing right next to her! But as she was so very normal, it was quite normal standing there, talking to her, and I don't think she would like it any other way. She laughed and talked a lot and looked very happy, especially with her husband Warren, who sat all evening close to her, looking at her so proud.

But just as nice as meeting Lenore, was meeting other Dutch fans. We had a lot of fun that evening and this made it all unforgettable as well. And so I can tell you that I'm so happy I had this chance and that I was there: it was great! Thank you Lenore, the VARA and their crew and all Dutch fans!

 

> Click here to see pictures of the evening with Lenore

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Lenore