Fitful sleep until 1.30am. Get everything ready for the off. Put props outside front gate. It's mild. I am not going to need thermals. There isn't even a breeze. Remarkable and very unusual in these last few weeks.
Joe get up at 1.58, taxi arrives at 2.08. Taxi able to drive quickly through the streets. Almost empty London at night. Magical.
Arrive at O&O portacabins at the south of Trafalgar Square. Security immediately challenge us and check contents of suitcase and backpack. Very friendly O&O staff. The 'crew'.
Joe and I are welcomed into the cabin. Lots of red shirted crew, ooking at live feed, the twitter site, getting forms filled, talking to next plinther, Gav and wife. There's a very large prop in the corner. Now to fit in my props! They must have seen some weird and varied stuff in this cabin.
Joe pops out to get some decent coffee from Charing Cross and I chat to whoever comes up to chat. Seem to sign a lot of forms that I don't read properly. Have I signed my life away to Rupert Murdoch? Oh, the irony.
At 2.55, Gav leaves the hut with his props for the cherry picker. More room for mine. Coffee is good.
Lawrence, the 2am plinther arrives back in the cabin. He's been a stand in for a young woman, who thought that it was 2am on Sunday, not Saturday. Bet she's not happy. Lawrence has been causing a few raised eyebrows with his repartee with the crowd. Bit of a 'Jack the lad'.
Jack, the 5pm plinther appears with Dad. My mind isn't quite on the ball and I call Jack, Lawrence.
Gav_C is creating a memorable memorial to his son, Tom, who died at 6 years old.
Katie asks me to go into a side room for the 20 minute audio interview. It's also set up for the official photo too. I find the interview fascinating. First of all, the chairs are from Ikea and like the chairs in my therapy room. Then I am being asked the questions at close quarters in front of the mike. Funny to be on the receiving end. And what questions. Katie is very good. They include, "why did I apply, what am I going to do, how do I feel about being 60, what did I want to do in the future, what's important to me in my life?"
The photo is taken and then it's all rush to get me out of the cabin and on to the cherry picker with the props. We're off.
As we approach the plinth I can see Sue Hanisch, son Joe and Elizabeth at the base of the plinth. Sue has driven from Kendal through the night and Elizabeth has been staying around the corner. Above and beyond the call of duty in the name of friendship.
Up and on. Changeover with Gav. Legs a little bit jellylike. Must get table up with notice about Dame Judi's supposed reading on the plinth. Speak to crowd, well, the few people below, telling them I am Dame Judi's dresser and am getting plinth ready for her.
Plinth cover won't quite fit on the Visit York end and I haven't got time to spend on it.
Now for the acting: Dame Judi is locked in the toilet. Phone Antony Gormley, Linda Snell of Radio 4's The Archers, Rachael Hodges of the Radio 5's Richard Bacon Show and finally Jenny from the Maidenhead Drama Guild. Seems to go okay.
Now my reminscing, poems, readings etc: All meant to be from the 'throne', but stand for much of it. My natural speaking stance.
I can hear Joe cheer the family photo, Elizabeth cheer the chocolate tasting mention and Sue's laugh.
Announce Holly and Joshua's birth and put up photo.
Forget names and stories, it's slight panic shutting down the brain.
I forget that the clock on the building is five minutes fast, so start shutting down too early. Could have done my *National Gallery story and *Haymarket story. Look down and see Joe do a 'thumbs up', so that's alright.
Cherry picker arrives with Jack, who I called Lawrence in the cabin. I apologise.
Down we go. Crew tell me that twecklers have been favourable especially Raideeboi. I'm amazed. Cannot really remember going back to the hut, think I was in shock.
Sue, Elizabeth and Joe meet me. Joe goes off to run 10k with his friend Billy. They are meeting at 6.30am. Sue is driving straight off to Derby, crazy woman. That leaves Elizabeth and me. Crew great in the cabin and say we can stay for as long as we need. Can remember talking to next plinther, Catherine, but really it's a blur. Katie rings and has loved it
Elizabeth and I hail a taxi with the toilet, cistern, suitcase, plith cover and three bags. We go to Kings Cross Station for 6.15am train to York . Elizabeth has very kindly treated me to a 1st class seat. We find the seats, lodge all the props and I sit down, while Elizabeth goes back onto the concourse to find some food and drink.
Messages are beginning to come in via text and email. I'm choked and very near tears, but don't cry. Elizabeth suggests I should. Try to doze, but still running on adrenaline. Train arrives at 8.30 and we get a taxi straight to Coppergate. Elizabeth goes home.
Start to set up Soroptimist's Water Aid stall, "Give a penny to spend a penny' with Rosie, Susan WW, Denise and Ann C. The plinth cover lies on the ground and helps spread the stall along the pathway under the awning. Denise dresses up in the inflatable hand, that Susan WW managed to collect from Water Aid HQ in London. More Sorops appear, Joanne and Kaet. The Mayoress arrives at 10am and has photos on the toilet. She stays for 30 mins and is excellent.
Lyn, a York plinther comes up and introduces herself. A big hug. This is indeed like family. She'd like to meet up for a coffee and talk about the plinth experience. Can fully understand why. It's the shared experience thing.
Around 1pm I noticably 'wilt'. Get taxi home and take it easy for rest of afternoon. Manage 30 mins sleep. Susan WW arrives in her mini with the toilet, cistern, plinth cover and all her stall stuff. Amazing capacity.
It has taken me until Wednesday to write this, due to what I have called PPS. Post Plinth Syndrome! As a result, I can't remember the rest of the day, except that it included tweckling, watching Strictly Come Dancing, eating and finally falling into bed at 10pm.
It's online now: www.oneandother.co.uk/particpants/rita-i-in-art
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