Michael Palin was signing copies of his new book in my local book store, and I was No 1 in a queue of about 300 people waiting to meet him!
For anyone who doesn't know him, he was one of the Monty Python team (Holy Grail, Life of Brian) and he recently does TV programmes about his amazing travel adventures.
Anyway, had the day off, so thought I'd arrive early (9am) for the signing at 12.30pm, and ended up being the first there! Fortunately I was soon joined by others and we (thankfully) waited in the warmth of the book shop and chatted away until the queue dramatically grew at about 11am. I was very excited about meeting him, as I enjoy the Python films, but also loved the 'Around the World in 80 Days' series when I was a kid! Anyway, Michael turned up early and I was the first to meet him, so i got quite nervous. He shook my hand and asked me how I was, then he said I must've been waiting a long time to be first in the queue, and thanked me for doing so. I told him it was great to meet him and he was happy to dedicate my books (Christmas pressies for people), and also gladly signed my 'Pocketful of Python' book - even though his 'not so nice' agent said 'he's only signing copies of 'Himalaya' (despite me being told beforehand it was ok).
I thought Michael was a real gentleman, and he also has a cool signature! A nice guy in the queue took photos for me on his digital camera (no flashes allowed, so couldnt use mine), so when he emails them to me I'll post on here.
