FRIENDS
FRIENDS
TODAY, WE ALMOST MET MERLIN
Seriously. We were l---THIS---l close.
IT WENT LIKE THIS
First, we decided to visit this castle, because Google told me that parts of Merlin were filmed there. It's called Castele Coch, for reference. It's very cool. Look:
From here.
Only, when we got there, the castle was full of TV stuff. And a crew. And lots of wires. We all go like this: 0_0 and whisper, "OHMYGODdoyouthinkthey'refilmingMERLIN?"
They weren't. They were filming this other, new show called Da Vinci's Demons. It comes out in the spring. As an insider, now, I will tell you that it looks pretty fab.
So we're at a castle and they're filming. And then we were skulking around the court yard, because we didn't want to get in any of the very many peoples' way. We got in free, which is AWESOME and also foolish - they don't charge when shows are filming because not everything is open, but HELLO, that's the best time to be there, DUH
ANYWAY
We are standing around wondering what to touch and how loud we can whisper. Brilliant Miles goes up to the nearest crew member and asks, "Hey, could you please tell us where we should avoid? We don't want to get in your way."
AND THEN THE GUY PRETTY MUCH WALKED US AROUND THE CASTLE.
THROUGH THE SET.
THROUGH IT.
Our crew-member guide was very very nice. (And if by some beautiful trick of the universe, he is reading this, HELLO! You were great. Five American tourists appreciated your kindness very very much.) He was so nice, that once were done looking around the castle, we talked to him for awhile.
He asked what we were doing in the country.
"Studying abroad in London," we said.
He asked why were in Wales and at the castle.
"WE LOVE MERLIN," Eden said.
Everyone looked scandalized, until our almost-friends said:
"Really? I've worked on Merlin."
Everyone looked like this:
Then he said, "Oh yeah. I've also worked on Dr. Who and Sherlock."
We all practically lunged. "WE LOVE SHERLOCK TOO!"
For a few minutes, conversation dissolved in our flailing about and acting like the foolish fans we are. Our friend laughed. He gave us directions to filming spots up the hill. We squealed.
AND THEN AND THEN AND THEN
He said: "They might be filming around here today. Hold on, I'm going to call my friend. He's on set with them."
Cue:
He called some guy on set with Merlin to try to get us on set. Sadly, they were filming in another part of the country entirely, The Forest of Dean.
BUT STILL.
So close. So close.
OH BUT THERE'S MORE
We decided to hike up a huge hill, to seek out the filming spots. Places seen in Sherlock AND Merlin? We could not resist.
We were standing at the bottom of the mountain, looking up the path and being awkward uncertain as to how to start.
There is a moral to this story: Look awkward, ask for help, reap benefits.
Some very very nice Welsh lady walking her dog asked if we needed help. We said, yes, actually, we are looking for BBC filming sights.
She said she's seen that many times.
She said she knows where the places we were looking for are.
She offered to walk up with us and show us the way.
I know. I know. Luckiest day ever.
So today, we saw places that our BBC friends have filmed.
It was the BEST THING EVER.
AND, FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO WERE NOT AWARE
The Manning family has a bit of a thing for Merlin. And Sherlock. A bit of a thing, and a thing is an obsession. As in, Eden and I were almost crying with joy when our friend was on the phone with Merlin people. Don't judge us: It's a BIG FREAKING DEAL.
Also, if you haven't watched either of these shows, shame on you. Get on it. They're on Netflix. In fact, I will even link them for you. No excuses. Watch. And before you know it, you'll be hiking up big muddy hills and stroking the ground because, "They were heeeeeeere!"
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