Venue and Accomodation Hunting

I have two days holiday booked, on a use them or loose them basis, and they have come in very handy.

Without going into detail, as it's all very hush, hush at present, I have been roped in to help a committee find a venue, entertainment and accommodation for a Dinner Dance for 100 people in 2012

I spend all day yesterday on the Internet, making telephone calls and doing costings. Eliminating some venues, adding others to the mix, and arranging appointments for today to visit and meet with the short listed possibles

I picked Sally-Ann up very early, and we headed off for the first appointment..... No I can't tell you where, or what for! This makes my post quite difficult to write LOL

Our first 3 stops were to look at accommodation in the form of camp sites and chalets, and also a barn conversion for the possible Dinner Dance

The camp site was fab! They have done the sort of thing we are needing before, and can accommodate a LOT of people and tents.

Next was the barn conversion - Oh dear! Very basic! Not to the standard we were expecting or wanted and an instant No!

Then onto the chalet/cottages. The people who ran this place were fantastic, and handed over the keys for an empty unit, and just left us to our own devices to explore and establish how appropriate it would be.

With 120 units, that hold between 2 and 6 people in each, we could fill the place without trouble.... did I mention that there would be possibly 1500 people minimum involved the day after the dinner dance!

Superb - not yet midday, and we have the camp site and chalets sorted already!

Our next destination was about 20 minutes away so we headed off, with the sun shining on our heads, and it was now warm enough for the lid to be down on the car, the blue skies sent our spirits soaring....

We had a very productive meeting at our favoured venue, and were able to talk menu's and seating arrangements. Now it was a case of going back to the committee and offering them a proposal for the evening and weekend as we saw it.

Before leaving the area we visited a local hotel, on spec, and had a show around and were able to see bedrooms to establish if we could also offer this as accommodation for an alternative.

I finally dropped Sally-Ann home just before 5pm, and despite the long day of meetings and driving, we were very happy with the outcome, and very excited with what we had arrived at.... fingers crossed that it would be approved of.....

More cryptic posts to come no doubt...

'Owling Good Time!

OK - so this isn't the post I was expecting to be doing this weekend - we were, after all, supposed to be in Somerset once more at BAH, bringing back the last of the stuff and closing it up for the last time..... but sometimes, things happen beyond your control!

I arrived home from work on Friday, to find Paul in a terrible state of emotion. If you were to take Victor Meldrew (BBC TV sitcom One Foot in the Grave) and mix him with the Incredible Hulk, you would pretty much have it!

The electrics on the trailer had finally given up the ghost and therefore we had no lights or indicators - this put the trailer out of action, Paul ready to kill and screaming 'I don't believe it' every 2 seconds, and ranting about every time he wanted to use the trailer something happened.
Needless to say, there was no point in making the journey without the trailer, so we stayed put and I poured a large glass of Red for Paul and a nice Gin and Lemonade for me, whilst the Italian meatballs and Pasta heated through in the oven!

Saturday came around, and we headed over the Falmouth to see if Paul could get the spare parts to fix the lights at Trago, and so we decided to do the weekly shop in Asda as it was nearest to Trago on the Falmouth outskirts.

When we arrived I spotted something that I knew I would want to write about!

The Screech Owl Sanctuary, were outside with some of their little feathered stars, collecting donations for their Owl Hospital.

The birds were beautiful, and having made my donation to the cause, I got out my trusty mobile phone so I could use it's camera, as the real camera was still at home on recharge, and snapped a couple of shots....being on a mobile they may not be the best pictures in the world, but they do show these beautiful creatures off quite well.

Wylie the Barn Owl, came over to see me with his handler and was so white and fluffy - gorgeous...

the little chap above, I thought was a baby, but it turns out he is an old man of 10 years!

Although Aztec and Freedom did not come over and meet me in person, they both watched on warily

in fact, one of the Dads that was looking on with his children, likened Aztec to the grumpy owl from Winnie the Pooh.... What do you think? I think maybe he was right LOL

and as far as Freedom was concerned? He showed us exactly what he thought - look below his perch! LOL

And so, despite not getting away, a pretty ordinary trip to the shops, turned into a wonderful experience.

I wonder what we'll see next week?

OMG Is This It???

MENOPAUSE!

Having walked the length and breadth of Truro in the cold and rain, why is it that I was seriously overheating?

Even my poor husband, who always has to put up with me having the heating on, as I am notoriously a cold bunny, had his coat and hat on, and admitted to not being very warm.

I plodded around town in a top made of t-shirt fabric, albeit with long sleeves, and a scarf around my neck. I carried my coat as I just could not cope with the heat!

Up until this last fortnight, I have only overheated during the night, but every morning this last couple of weeks, I have arrived at work and opened all of the windows - good job I start before the rest of them, by the time they arrive, I've usually managed to regulate my temperature and then go back to feeling the cold as usual!

If this is it, let it move on fast - PLEASE!

A Gok'ing Great Day!

Gok Wan has a lot to answer for, if you ask me!

For the last 2 or 3 weekends there have been repeats of Gok's shows on E4 - Not only How to Look Good Naked, but also Gok's Fashion Fix.....

Now, not only is Gok THE bloke you want with you whilst you are shopping, but he also speaks a great deal of sense, and certainly makes a girl feel more attractive, even if it's not you that it actually being Gok'd so to speak.

Anyway, to get on with the story.....

Having been watching all of his programmes I decided a few changes were needed - not only does very little in my wardrobe fit any more, but what does fit is about 18 months, two years plus old and worn and washed to death....

I started off small - knickers! - yep they virtually all ended up in the bin and I started all over again with sparkling new pieces that actually fit me, and not leave me with a huge muffin top of fat that did not quite make the tiny expanse of fabric that was there!

Once this was done, I was starting to get it! Gok is right - only a few key pieces are needed for your wardrobe, it's just trying to decide on what and how these pieces can work in your real life.

Two very large bags of clothes, that don't fit, later and my poor wardrobe is pretty bare - so much so that it astounded my poor hubby - enough for him to suggest a shopping trip to get some essentials to tide me over.

A this point it is 8.30 am - if we pull our fingers out, he said, we could get to the railway station and catch a train to Plymouth ( a 2 hour drive away) to see what we can get for me.

Now an offer like this does not get turned down - especially when the credit card was being offered!

Despite the pouring rain, we walked the 20 minutes down the hill towards the train station and managed to catch the 10.30, which would get us in at 12 noon.

We had a lovely stress free ride into Plymouth (our first visit there too) and walked on over from the train station to Drakes Circus the big shopping mall.

It all started to well - the sedate train ride the stack upon stack of lovely shops and a credit card at my disposal..... two hours later I had still not spent a single bean! I think it's been so long since I have needed to do a serious clothes shop that I have forgotten how to do it!

At 2pm we gave up and headed up to the restaurant in House of Fraser to grab some well deserved lunch, and to review the situation.

After Lunch, and deciding on a few pieces that both Paul and I liked, we headed back to good old M&S for a trying on session.

Success - some casual trousers and four tops were purchased.

All I need now is a new pair of jeans and a couple of jumpers for the winter and I'm all set.

Despite the frustrations of the day, and taking so long to get into the groove, we had a smashing day, and better still Paul got to close his eyes for a bit on the journey home - not something you would want to do if you were driving!

Thanks Paul - I had a great day, and I've probably got the best hubby in the world for offering to do this for me!

City of Lights Spectacular

Tonight we headed on into Truro, with our friend Alison to watch the festival of lanterns - which I thought was going to be school kiddies, singing Christmas hymns and carrying paper lanterns - ow wrong I was!
The paper lanterns were incredible - with mermaids, elephants, horses, storms in teacups, pirate ships - all huge and completely amazing....

I started taking photo's and couldn't stop - unfortunately I've only added about 20 of the 60 odd that I took, but I had to show how wonderful the parade was!

This storm in a teacup was really inspired!

After the main parade it was time for the Christmas lights to be switched on

After this the parade headed off towards Lemon Quay, so we headed towards the cathedral as we knew it would all end there.

We were really lucky - the tree lights had been switched on as a test, so we were able to get some crafty shots of them without loads of people

We took the chance to get a picture together, Alison seemed to think she looked like a little gnome - lucky her - I'm the marshmallow man from Ghostbusters!

We headed off to grab a coffee at the nearby Thornton's and when we got back, all of the 'animals' were around the Christmas tree, so we had a chance to get up close and personal with them

This horse was incredible, the puppeteer got the head movements perfectly

but my favourite was the Elephant - so lovely

Having seen all that we could we headed back to grab the bus back to the park and ride. The queue was long..... 3/4 mile long! However, everyone was in good spirits after such a nice night, and the bus drivers played a blinder, and I don't think we waited any longer that 20 minutes.

A fantastic night - the organisers should be congratulated!

The 11th Hour Of The 11th Day Of The 11th Month

Lest We Forget ....

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

Fourth stanza of 'For the Fallen' by Laurence Binyon (1869 - 1943)

Square Eyes

Just a note to Margaret and Kelly.......

You both have an awful lot to answer for.

Marg has got us hooked on Greys Anatomy - so we are now watching it online - we've done the first 2 seasons on Marg's DVD sets that she leant us and have up to season 5 to watch on line.

and Kelly - she decided it was imperative I watched One Tree Hill so we could discuss the merits of Lucas and Nathan - Who I said...... anyway in my birthday box that arrived were the first 2 season box sets - I watched the first on holiday and the second whilst Paul was on nights last week. What I did not expect was for Paul to get hooked on it as well. He sulks if I watch it without him. The 2 seasons went back to Kel and we are now nearly through season 4 already.

Don't you just love the Internet - you can watch pretty much anything for free if you find the right web site and don't mind Japanese sub titles!

Anyway - it's their fault if the blog doesn't get updated for ages - we are probably watching Meredith/McDreamy or Lucas/Nathan depending on the day or mood.....

Sorry how old was I again...... LOL

The long and the short of it.....

Paul said it was time for a change - due to my advancing years you know - so here goes....

I went from this - Really quite long....

To this - about 6-7 inches shorter!

Oh my god now I remember how hard it is to keep this mop tidy when it's this length - and drying - try and hour and a half later...... It's so blooming thick!

Oh well - soon belong enough to plait again!

Spent My Birthday Money Karen x

Got in to work on my first day back after my holidays (boo hoo) and had a nice surprise.

The Liz Earle face and body stuff I ordered had been delivered. I was in need of some more and went onto the website to order it only to find that QVC were doing a TSV on the following weekend.

Now I love a bargain and knew that the glorious Cleanse and Polish would be in the kit so I waited until the Saturday and ordered it.

It was well worth it - there are loads of her products included that I have not used before and am now wondering how I managed without them.

Liz Earle is a marvel - Advert Over Sorry!!!

Then I got my birthday money from you, Karen and Dave and that was just the amount that I needed. So thanks guys, you're the best, I now look beautiful and calm and radiant - and not in the least bit 40 !! LOL!

AAAAAAHHHHHHH.........UUURRRG

For those of you that have been reading my blog for ever like, as they say, you will know about Boris the spider that lived in the roof of the bathroom of our caravan.

I finally go the better of him in August, after a 2 and a half year battle, and sucked him up the vacuum cleaner.

We arrived and a few days later Boris' younger brother Igor turned up and I decided he just had to go - I could not get into the shower without establishing where he was first so that is not good!

Igor was very stupid and I got him in same said vacuum cleaner 2 days later.

Not even 36 hours after this Helga and Ingrid appeared in each corner of the ceiling above the shower - they were really dumb - I got them in about 45 seconds flat - I must be getting brave....

Igor in his hey day! Big and not even a close up picture!

Whilst I could not kill an animal the thought that a little spider colony is now appearing in the vacuum bag is a little worrying. What will I go back to on my next visit???

Random Mutterings....

Thanks to those of you who acknowledged me on facebook - and if there is anyone to blame for all of this it's you Ally! I was reading your blog and checking out the ones you read regularly (thanks for adding mine by the way) when I noticed your My Facebook link.

Well need I say more ...... despite doing it all wrong and setting myself up as living in a network area in some obscure burb of New York I finally managed it..... now I can't work out how to use the blinkin' thing! Apologies to everyone who gets random words attached here and there I HAVEN'T A CLUE! What's a tag by the way???? DOH!

Anyway the dilemma of the bedroom carpet has finally been resolved - Having bought it all over again after the people did a runner with our money and carpet it has finally been fitted today by a very reputable company - and I'm chuffed to bits. It feels like upstairs is finally finished now!

Fred has just been back to the vet, who has given him the all clear - I could have told him that by the amount of barking he's doing! Now he can be bathed - Fred not the Vet!

It's raining again - we were going to go over to Falmouth tonight to see the Fireworks to start the Tallships 500 run to Funchal but don't think it's a good idea. May be able to get over the Lands End and watch them sail around tomorrow - just to say I've seen them really....

That's all folks! catcha l8tr TTFN (Sorry couldn't resist using text talk there'a a whole argument on the BBC about it at the mo!)

Doing Bird!

Saw this and decided it may attract some nice birdies during the winter....

No, not Paul - the bird feeder!

He does fix it together rather well though...

Nearly finished...

Perfect for cocking my leg up - thanks mom!

High Tea and IT

This afternoon I was invited to join the guys for a Cornish cream tea at Callestick Farm

Got this picture just for Paul, who was stuck at work.

On the way out, they told me I looked like an old cow - Sorry no - that was an old cow with me.

The piggies were very friendly and wanted to come and play with us.

But Mike just wanted to build sand pies in the pit with his new friend!

This evening everyone came to ours for dinner. Phil played with my laptop - and horray - I can now use the PAF file for my ancestry that I know and love as he's found a vista compatable download. Meanwhile the rest of us played rummikub on the kitchen table.

Mission Impossibe

About an hour ago I got a text asking what time we were getting to the tide race. What blinking tide race I said!

Anyway the object of the game is to built a sand castle and stand on top of it as the tide laps up to it. The last team still above water wins!

As the sand piles got higher, so did every ones spirits.

And as the water gets closer they all hang on to each other for dear life and hope for the best!

Paul and I got our toes out and wet - amazing!

Yes I know I'm not dressed for it, but I had only just found out about the race and we'd just driven at full speed (within the law of course) from Falmouth!