Big Bang Weekend

My holidays ended with a very busy weekend last weekend. I have barely recovered from it and today is friday. That says alot doesn't it.

Last Saturday I was helping my friend and her mum at an event with the birds of prey. Well busy doesn't even begin to describe how the afternoon went. There were a number of other stalls round about us doing there own thing. But for some reason the crowds instinctively knew we had arrived.

We had barely got the boxes and various pieces of equipment out of the car when we had a row of young people wanting to know what we had in the boxes. Before the last of the birds had been brought out of their boxes there was a queue. I have never seen anything like it. Imagine it if you can; eight birds and three woman faced with a queue that seemed to disappear into the distance. We were stunned. It was so busy all of the time that it was a case of 'Lunch' what is that? and as for a loo break we had our legs crossed until we couldn't keep them crossed any longer. We each had to make a mad dash to the toilet and a mad dash back again. That was kinda funny I have to admit. The neverending queue (we seemed to be the only ones who had this queue) made the afternoon passed very quickly. Before we knew it everyone was tidying up round about us but we still had that neverending queue of people. We could have been there all night if the crowds had had their way. We were all glad to get home again. I have never seen three women be able to move things so quickly in my life before with exception to the loo run.

Sunday was spent at Braehead in Glasgow at the Collectormania Convention. This is the one day of the year that I really look forward to. We get to have a look around for things that we (my husband and I) are really into. It was so much fun. We arrived early and got to look around first. Five hours laters and we are only thinking on leaving after participating in a couple of question and answer sessions with some of the stars that were there. Red Dwarf and Dr Who. I might have guessed. I have never been so tired in all my life. But I came away with some things that related to the Harry Potter movies. Well that is my thing and I enjoy it. Roll on November and Deathly Hallows Part 1.

A dim and distant memory

Why is it that even after only a few days that holidays seem like a dim and distant memory?

Everything was back to normal on Monday as usual and after only an hour or so it seemed like we had never been on holiday. It didn't really hit me until I went to bed. What a time for it to hit. I am in the bed on my own. Great! This isn't a brilliant time to be feeling lonely. I couldn't get to sleep because of it. Even now I am finding it difficult and it is now Thursday.

But on saying that I have got back into the swing of working on my novel. I am into my fourth draft now. I hope to get it finished soon and then maybe, just may be, I can get it sent off to an agent. The only time that I have been this nervous is when I have been waiting for exam results or going for an interview and my nerves always get the better of me. Even now. You would think that with all the experiences I have had over the years that this wouldn't be an issue, but it is, and I don't think I am going to be able to get rid of them now. I can, I suppose, forever live in hope. I felt sorry for all those who were getting results back this year. Futures depend on what is in those envelopes. How terrifying. I wouldn't want to be back at High School and doing my exams. I can feel then nerves just thinking about it. Those days, I am thankful to say, will always be a dim and distant memory.

Until next time.

Christina x

'Those Summer Days'

Annual Holidays, whether we are staying at home or going abroad, are always something we look forward to. This year we are doing the 'Staycation'. Days here and there. Doing something if we want to or not as the mood takes us.

On saying that we are very nearly at the end of our holidays. So far we have been to see the Stars and their Cars exhibition (my husband's choice) at Alexandria, a town near Balloch and Loch Lomond. It was an exhibit of about twelve cars from programmes such as the Saint and Only Fools and Horses to movies such as Back to the Future, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Batman and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. We then headed further on into Balloch. Well actually it was the other side of Balloch where we went to Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre. A place we have been before. It has moved premises and is looking absolutely fabulous. It was great. The tour round was great as we got to see the owls, falcons, hawks, buzzards, and eagles. Orla the golden eagle managing to steal the show at every opportunity. It was great.

Thursday saw us roll out of bed at 7am. By 8.20 we were heading to Northumberland and Alnwich Castle to be more precise. This is the kind of Castle that, as youngsters, we dream of having and being a knight in some big adventure. And it has been in umpteen adventures through various television series and movies. It is surrounded by gorgeous gardens and farm land. It is such an easy place to fall in love with. There was plenty of things for all ages. For the older Knights and Ladies not able to keep up with their younger counterparts a wander round the Castles interior was awe-inspiring. Whilst outside there was archery for those 11 years old and older, being able to dress up as a knight (or a lady) before practising the finer points of swordship. On the particular day we were there Hagrid and Dumbledore from the Harry Potter series were there to help amuse youngsters of all ages. The gardens were spectacular and we even went into the Poison Gardens. A part of the garden where we were not allowed to wander willy nilly and could only go in twenty at a time with a guide and the gates were unlocked to let the group in and locked behind us once on our entrance and after we left. It was a great day out and we didn't even see all of it. We will need to return other day to see the rest of it.

This week we have spread our wings towards Stirling and headed for the Bo'ness section of Stars and their Cars before heading to Bannockburn and the National Trust Property which tells us about Robert the Bruce's fight at Bannockburn. This is a place which we could readily go back again and again and to admire the views as well as learn a little Scottish history.

The weather has been great and even though we have seen the occasional rain. We have seen a great deal of sunshine also. It has been great to see.