Friday 31 December 2010

Happy New Year 2011



We hope that 2011 brings you health, happiness, family and friendship.


From Will, Jacob, Freya & myself to you all.
xxx

Tuesday 28 December 2010

My son's been promoted!

Some of you may know that my son is in the Air Cadets.  He's been a cadet for just over a year now; joining up the day after his 14th birthday in 2009.

We had his Presentation Evening just before Christmas and he's now been promoted to Corporal.  We were all so proud of him.  Both his grandparents, my sister and brother-in-law as well as our best friends were there with Will, Freya and myself to see him accept his stripes.

Those that know us will also know that we never let the kids have time off school either.  Jacob had been incredibly poorly that week (we've never, in his 15 years seen him so unwell; it was very nearly a trip to the doctors because of his very high temperature!) and he had missed his last day of school before Christmas that day, but point blank refused to miss his Presentation Evening.  He still looked unwell but was determined to take part.



He managed to get through his Continuity Drill but then as they were formed up afterwards he had to be taken out to sit down in the foyer where it was cooler, as he was about to pass out.  He really did look poorly and we ended up outside with him resulting in him missing his first presentation of his Leading Cadet qualification.

Although he started to recover from feeling faint, he still looked unwell and was unable to rejoin his fellow cadets at the front of the hall for the rest of the evening.

He did however, manage to collect his trophy which he was awarded for obtaining the best exam results of the year (he gained a Distinction in his 3 exams to become Leading cadet).  The news of this actually came from RAF Wittering through to his Commanding Officer and he was told on his birthday this year - what a present eh?

When given the opportunity to go and collect his stripes leading to his promotion, the beret was back on again and he managed to march with full pride up to the front of the hall to receive it. (Sorry the photo was blurred, he couldn't march up there quick enough to fetch them!)


Jacob, we are all so incredibly proud of your achievements and continued dedication to your Air Cadet Squadron and fellow Cadets.

Congratulations Corporal Guthrie!

xxxx

Monday 27 December 2010

London with Ainsley Harriott

I was incredibly lucky recently to be invited by my very lovely friend Debbie, to join her in London on a cooking masterclass day with Ainsley Harriott.  Gotta say I was hyperventilating with excitement at the prospect of

a) Cooking with Ainsley Harriott.
b) Meeting Debbie for the first time, though we've been in touch for a couple of years via t'internet.
c) Luxury hotel overnight in London.

I was NOT disappointed I can tell you! Prepare yourselves for one very heavy blog post.  (I can, can't I?  I've not blogged in an absolute age!)

Our rather posh hotel!

My mad room mate and good friend, Mel

Phwoah!

I love this photo, so typical of his nature... friendly, happy and honest!

From the back row: Claire, Me, Debbie
Mel, Ainsley, Jane & Suzanne

The very kind, generous and really lovely Debbie.

He had just said something VERY rude to me!!!!!

Smoked duck, orange & pomegranate salad.

Spicy Caribbean Bouillabase.

Cheers Ainsley - thank you for a fantastic time.
Coffee brioche pudding.


Oh Mel!!! Get your tongue back in your own mouth woman!

I may be smiling outwardly but I was hyperventilating and stressing inside letting Ainsley sign one of my Radley bags!

Ermmmmm..........!

Cheers! 
Debbie, thank you for being so kind and generous and inviting me to share your wonderful experience. xxxx

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