Michael Hurst in UK in 2005

Remember that Unoffical Herc/Xena con in Manchester in 2005 I mentioned here? They've just added Michael Hurst to their guest list.
(Thanks, indehed!)

Now I have to decide whether or not to go.

Pros:

- Michael Hurst.

- A possibility of meeting fellow H:tLJ fans, maybe even a couple of the people that I've corresponded with and/or are on my flist. Wha-hey!

- Michael Hurst.

- Robert Trebor.

- Relatively easy and inexpensive to get to, compared to the US or NZ.

- Did I mention Michael Hurst?

Cons:

- Pretty darn expensive (65 GBP per weekend ticket, at least 30 GBP for a shared hotel room per night, with added 'hidden' costs for things like autographs and photos). And travel/food costs on top of that.

- Run by a commercial autograph company I've never heard of, as opposed to the friendly fan-run SF conventions I'm used to.

- No idea whether Michael Hurst is truly signed for this event or only signed 'subject to work commitments'. I think I'll post this over at the GoldApple mailing list and see whether anyone can confirm it.

- Again, not a fan-run media con at all but a professional event - probably meaning there'll be no fan art or zines or anything like that in the dealer's room and a very clear dividing line between guests and congoers. (Again, as opposed to the cons I'm used to, where you can hang out at the bar with anyone you please including the Guest of Honor.)

I like the idea of meeting Michael Hurst very much, but I'm not comfortable with being herded into a the role of adoring squeeing cashcow fan like this, if that makes sense. Maybe I should save my money and just go see a play of his in NZ sometime - I want to go to NZ anyway.

People, please help me decide - and if you're going, please let me know!