Goosie Gander

A life long tradition for me each year is going to the Goose Fair (the UK's largest traveling fairground), but unfortunately, for me, I've missed the last 2 years due to going traveling, then coming back.

I'm getting so excited about it, I feel like a kid again. I can already smell the tradition that is mushy peas and mint sauce!! Then there's the toffee apples and candy floss, burger stalls and all the sweet stalls you can imagine. Not forgetting the hook a duck stall, the raffle stalls with the teddy bears too big to carry, the big wheel that gives you an amazing site of the whole fair, the haunted houses and all the gimicky kids toys for this year.

Me and James always used to collect as many conkers as possible on our walk back from the fair, as the streets are lined with conker trees (as we used to call them back then!) Oh the good ol' days!! However old I get though, this will always be one tradition that I hope to keep up every year. For me, it signifies the start of winter, I know I've skipped a season but it's usually so damn cold when the fairs on!!!

Good Times...

Has blogging really had its day? Well, I thought so but then I realised that I dont blog for anyone else as hardly anyone reads it anyway! But it's always been about my thoughts, experiences and feelings and rather than write them in a diary which I've always been rubbish at, this is a great and convenient way. If anyone does read it then all the better!

So, this weekend had me catching up with friends whom I haven't seen in years, including exes and also getting to know new friends. I had such a great time that sadly it made me realise how great it was living in Nottingham. I know I've moved on, but it seems I have been the only one to do so and everyone is still together enjoying themselves.
Anyway, the point to the evening was to get together to raise money for Cancer Research whilst having a good time and with the money from a raffle and change being put in donation buckets almost £800 was raised. The night was a huge success and one which is being repeated on Sept 15th (any friends are welcome) and which I cannot wait for.

The last few weeks for Colin and I have been emotionally and physically draining and I'm looking forward to a period of time when we can both feel happy and completely at peace with who we are, where we are and what we are doing in life. However, for now it's time to crack on, keep smiling and stop moaning!

I have never walked so far in heels and felt such an intense burning pain in the balls of my feet as I did this bank holiday weekend. Stupidly I forgot a pair of comfy shoes as Col and I made our way to London, but I did manage to fit 4 pairs of heels into the suitcase that we shared!!

I had such a good weekend which, for me started on Sat afternoon. It was yet another gorgeous day and went with friends into Liverpool to have a few drinks alfresco style! Drinks turned into dinner and before we knew it was 11pm.
We left early on Sun to catch the train to London, on which we travelled first class (just need to add that this was cheaper than the economy seats, but who's arguing?!?!)
After navigating our way on the underground we arrived at our hotel, which at £40 a night for the 2 of us turned out to be a room the size of the bed, with a shower squeezed in. Once the shock had passed we got ready to meet Chris and Aims for dinner and drinks around Covent Garden. Thanks guys for meeting us at such short notice!

On our way back to the hotel on a crazy wim we jumped off at the next station as we both decided we wanted Mcdonalds. Bearing in mind that the underground shut at 11.30pm we thought it was fun and had all the time in the world. Much to our dismay, when we got back the station was closed and thought we'd have to spend our savings getting a cab back. However, when we looked across the street the other station was open, PHEW! Still it was fun being all crazy again like our traveling days and not really caring about what we were doing.

Thus brings me on to Monday and after spending a painful day walking and seeing the sites and (window) shopping on Oxford Street, we got all dolled up to see Dirty Dancing at the Aldwych Theatre. We realised when we got there that our seats were right at the back and very high up it was. Colin was gutted as he booked the tickets, but it was still a good view and didn't take away from the greatness that the show was. Apart from seeing the understudy for Jonny and a couple of over actors, it was a huge hit. The singing and dancing was phenomenal and the end act was unreal. I loved the film as a girl and because of this was slightly critical, but I would definately recommend to see the play.

Anyhow, that was my weekend and now it's almost Friday again! Time is just going too quick for my liking, although I do get to see my mummy and my big bro this weekend so more fun and frolicks for me....can't wait!!

I'm going to have the time of my life!

I have been looking forward to this weekend since Christmas and jeez am I ready for it!! As well as a super duper long weekend (Sat-Tues) Col and I are making our way down to London to see Dirty Dancing on the West End! I have wanted to see this since it started whilst we were in Australia, but we kept missing it in every big city we went to, plus this is my first West End show and VERY excited to. We are also hoping to catch up with some of our travel buddies whilst we are there, which would be awesome as we've not seen them in about 9 months, seriously can't believe it's that long ago. Anyway, I've not been to see this yet, but I'm already thinking about going to see Grease that comes out in July, bring it on!!!

Is it a Benjamin Roberts, is it a Maggie Sottero...No, it's a Pronuptia!!

Some of you may know about my previous dilemma with the wedding dress of my dreams last year, but since becoming more open to other dresses and trying loads on with Louise, my Bridesmaid on Saturday, I have now found 'The One'.
Apart from the fact that it is £400 cheaper, it is a skirt and bodice giving me the opportunity to wear the top again and getting my money's worth.
It is the total opposite to the dress I thought I wanted, with it being simple and non-fussy and every time I have tried it on I feel like a beautiful me. With this dress I also get to wear a veil (the other dress was to detailed and a veil wouldn't have suited it) which I think I have found from a company in New Zealand (thanks Aims for recommending veils from your home country, I think I've found the ones you were talking about!)
Things are coming together wonderfully and once mum has seen me in the dress an order will be placed, Whoooppeee!!

More to come soon xxxxxxxx

Happy Birthday to my H2B (for last week!)

For the New Year we both made a promise to take each others birthday off work and do something different for the day. It was quite easy for my birthday this year as it fell on a Saturday and was living in a new city, so shopping in Manchester with dinner and drinks in Liverpool was perfect.

Anyway, it was Colin's birthday last Thursday and after making him some 'Mitchell Muffins' and eating them in bed he opened some of his 19 birthday cards (this has become a bit of a rivalry) and then got ready for a day at the races. It was the first day of the Grand National meet at Aintree, so we got dressed up to the nines, although not as much as some, and went out for the day.
It was a beautiful day, we ate and drank plenty, placed a few bets and wondered around the grounds. We placed bets on each race, but lost more than we won.

After the races we went to the local curry house for dinner and stuffed ourselves silly and to top the night off we went to a late showing at the cinemas to see 'The Hills Have Eyes 2'. By the time we had got back home we were both exhausted and needless to say I was useless at work the next day (Note to self: take the day after off as well!)

So a huge HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my gorgeous beau for last week, can't wait till next year!!

P.S. More photos on www.facebook.com

Too tired to blog....

It always seems that when I have something interesting to blog about I'm completely snowed under, never have the time and am totally exhausted. I would like to go back though and say what a wonderful Easter weekend Colin and I had. Apart from troughing our way through 8 huge eggs between us, our friends Chris and Aimee came up from London to see us. We all did the tourist thing around Liverpool and Chester, went out for drinks, watched footy and played darts (badly!) in the local pub. We were all so knackered by the Sunday that we stayed in all day, which was nice and relaxing.
Anyway, thanks Chris and Aims for making the effort to come up we had a fab time and hopefully see you soon.

3 pairs of knickers & shampoo........

Is it just me or does anyone else hate shopping for clothes? I've never found it an enjoyable experience and when the current fashion is just completely wrong it makes it even worse.
Don't get me wrong I think some people look fantastic in what they wear, but come on high streets fashion, we're in the 21st century and all you can think of is to revert back to the 60's and 70's with shapeless tops/dresses and psychadelic colours.
I've never been one to conform completely to the fashion of the moment. One of the main reasons is that the better clothes are more expensive and the ones that are affordable you usually end up seeing 10 year old girls and 50 year old woman wearing, something a bit wrong there.
That, plus my body shape usually lets me down, big bum, big boobs, short legs and although I am at my ideal weight, it's still a nightmare to find a great pair of jeans and a top that actually looks right.

As you can tell, I'm feeling rather disheartened about the whole shopping thing, but hopefully next season things will look up!!

Ranting...

I'm quite sad at the fact that this is the first year I have actually felt physical signs of getting
old(er!). This hooha with the clocks going forward an hour has knocked me for six. I mean gosh, what's the big deal, I only used to lose an hours sleep! But no not now, I cant seem to get to sleep before 11pm and it actually hurts to wake up in the morning.

Another thing that is quite upsetting is that I am now classed in the 3rd age group when filling out those equal opp forms, does it get any better from here on??!?!?
Too much ranting I know, but on the upside, I have found the determination to get stuck into Weight Watchers again, kinda lost track of it when I came back from traveling. The hardest thing is not being able to join a group though as I am below the weight limit they allow for my height.
Because I didn't reach my goal weight in NZ, I didn't become a lifetime member and even though I dont want to lose anymore weight, just manage it, I still cant join. I guess another rant as this sucks!!.....Plus, the NoCount option of WW's is different here to what it was in New Zealand so I'm having to learn all over again on my own what it is I can and can't eat, again...sucks!!

Good news now...I am really looking forward to Easter weekend this year as we have some friends, Chris and Aimee coming to stay with us. Last time we saw them was almost a year ago in their home country of New Zealand. We have a few ideas of where to go and what to do, but any more suggestions would be welcome!

B4N xxx

Take a look....

This website is FAB! I've used it twice now to order things and it's soooo cheap, if not FREE. Depending on what you order, all you might pay for is VAT and P & P.

I've just ordered 50 small magnets, instead of cards, as Save the Date reminders for the wedding. Thought it was quite a funky idea, I've managed to upload a photo of the both of us and add a bit of text all for £11.54 (inc VAT and P & P)

Take a look, you never know what you might need!! www.vistaprint.co.uk

TIA

This Is Africa....In no particular order!!

These pics are just a few of our safari, a visit to a Masai village, our trip to Zanzibar with Harry and Viv and the orphanage which is in the village where Harry and Viv live (Berega).

We had such a wonderful time and Africa in the rainy season is so beautiful and green. Zanzibar was nice and relaxing and had one of the most beautiful beaches we've seen so far!

I just need to say that we are so very proud of the work that Harry and Viv are doing. Even in the difficult surroundings they're both doing wonderful jobs. Keep up the fantastic work guys!

I came to the computer to post some of our Africa photos, but the first one wouldn't work, so now I can't be bothered. Feeling kinda poo anyway, maybe do it tomorrow - at work ; )

I Lurrrve the sun!!

Ok, quick post coz I'm losing some serious tanning time here! Had the busiest week of our "Holiday", in brief (for now) flew to Dar Es Saalam (known as Dar) met Harry & Viv for 1 night, took off again to start our 4 day safari which was out of this world. Think, cross between the end of the Lion King movie and Jurassic Park - Jaw dropping experience. Went back to Dar and met Harry & Viv again, flew to Zanzibar and we're now in Kendwa at a great beach resort, soaking in the sun and relaxing. It's the end of a week long music festival here in Zanzibar tomorrow, so it's all happening!!!
Anyways, gotta get that tan back, so well elaborate on me jollys when I get back.

See y'all xxx

Happy Belated B'Day 2 Me!

Well, what can I say...apart from that Saturday 20th January 2007 is now ranked as one of theee best birthdays EVER!!
My day started by waking up to the love of my life, which is a joy every morning, but espesh that morning. I got to stay in bed whilst he nipped downstairs and came back up with my breakfast which consisted of croissants, grapes and strawberries only to be washed down with champagne and orange juice!!
This was followed by opening my cards. As we are going to Tanzania in a couple of weeks we agreed for Col not to spend money on a present, but to get a little something whilst away. However, yet another surprise followed by a present from H2B, which was season 4 of Dawson's Creek (I'm getting there Liz!) I then got to eat my breakfast in bed whilst watching an episode, bliss!
After a few birthday phone calls later, we took our first road trip to the Trafford Centre in Manchester. WOWEE what a place, Meadowhall is not a patch on that place. After dragging Col round the shops we went for lunch in La Tasca. Great atmosphere, great service, great food and just me and my beau. Slightly overwhelmed at this point at how great everything had been so far and yet the best was still to come.
Anyway to speed things up, I found my outfit after lunch which was 75% off in the sale, we got home and both got ready.
Then the night began...Kelly, one of my best and longest known friends came up from Nottm with her boyf James (also a fab guy). For 22 years of our lives Kelly has put up with my neuroticisms (don't think that's a word, but I kinda like it anyway!) we've shared plenty of tears and laughter, mainly over boys and some of my greatest memories of growing up have been with her. No matter where our lives take us or where we are in the world, we'll always be there for each other.
Col had booked a restaurant for all four of us to go to, but until we got to MEET (the restaurant) I didn't have a clue where we were going. It was an Argentinian restaurant and it served the best steak I've tasted in the UK. I couldn't fault the service and the atmosphere was fantastic, however I do need to say that the steak we had in Argentina is still the best in the world! Col then once again surprised me by having a little birthday cake bought out and the restaurant played Happy Birthday for me in Spanish.
We then met up with everyone in the fab bar Alma De Cuba. Here we also met Louise (another one of my best friends) who had come up from Nottm with her new guy Charlie. Drinks at Alma De Cuba were then followed by dancing in Revolution.

I could go on forever about how great my birthday was, but I just wanted to say one last thing and that's how bowled over I was with everyones generosity with their gifts and coming out to celebrate with me. It is the worst time of year to try and afford to go drinking, after Christmas and just before payday but you guys MADE my birthday and for that I will be forever grateful.

Love y'all xxx

We're in the money...

...well not quite, but I wanted to shout out about how great playing the Lotto is by direct debit. Life is so much easier not having to worry every week whether you have put your numbers on, then ending up a nervous wreck when you've forgotten - 'just in case your numbers are drawn out'.

We won our first tenner on Sat, I didn't even realise as I dont check the numbers, but the money was credited into our account this morning.

Just think what a nice surprise it would be to check your account and find it thousands of pounds in credit. Thumbs up to playing Lotto by D/D!!

Freak Like Me

I'm so freakingly obssessed with this channel on Sky. It's probably because the time is quickly counting down before we actually start planning and booking everything (end Feb), although from all my research I feel like I know what I want already!!

I watch this channel before and after work (or whenever Col's not around to moan!) I prefer the programme 'Rich Bride, Poor Bride'. Jeez listen to me, someone help me before they put me in a padded cell for being too wierd!!

Happy New Year!

I finally recovered yesterday from the array of cocktails I had drank on New Year's Eve and what a brilliant night it was!
After a gentle nudge in the right direction (towards the mic) Rich and Jez fronted the kareoke part of the night with flair and their rendition of Father & Son. After that there was no stopping everyone and our poor neighbours (who we'd thought had gone away for New Year) had to listen to us all night.
Everyone was dressed to impress and even a couple of the lads had donned a tux and looked absolutely fab!
Paul had bought along his guitar, which was a great idea as for me it helped wind down the end of the night which didn't end until around 4 in the morning.
A huge Thank You goes out to Colin my wonderfully, thoughtful H2B, who spent the last 2 hours of the night cleaning just so we wouldn't wake up to a complete mess.

All in all the night was a success and thanks to all who came and made it what it was, here are a few pics of the night....