Party People!

My party dress....had to take a photo of myself wearing it in my bathroom, minus my funky bluegreen eyeshadow and shoes...didnt think to get someone to take a photo of me using my camera phone on the night...bit duh hey. Pink Flamingoes on the tables....
A couple of colleagues - merry and bluesbrothersey....
The tables of fun, chatter and food....

Last night was my work 'Christmas' do - an 80's Winter Ball.
Ok, so it was in November, it wasn't Winter, we're not in the 1980's. But hey that's just details.
I chair the committee which helped to organise it (through a professional events/party company). Everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves - it was a good, friendly vibe. There was pink neon lights and flamingoes everywhere, some very funky cheesy 80's tracks which lots of us danced to. Tasty pasta dishes, mushroom risotto, apple & plum cake and chocolate tart to tease the tastebuds. Alcohol on tap and all included in the price.

I had anxieties earlier on in the month about our ticket sales which were not as good as previous years. But as it turned out, although sales were lower, it was still an excellent turnout. Main thing is everyone enjoyed it, and the top exec bosses were happy with how it went. So that's no bad thing.....top marks for GreenAbby hey!

Not sure how 'green' the whole thing was mind, but hey you cant win 'em all.

Taking a 'green' holiday..?

Crossing the waters over to Mull, we saw a rainbow....














If you look REALLY closely you can make out a second one...
There was a robin on Mull who joined us for lunch....














Very pretty in Mull....
















This was actually on the boat crossing over to Mull....














Marky Mark and a Heeland Coo.....















Duart Castle




















Some deer and sheep.....














What's the story Balamory?

Yesterday we got back from a week in Scotland. We were originally going to get a last minute cheap flight/package to some far-flung destination. However, on reflection we decided to save ourselves some money, and save the planet from more carbon consumption, by staying in the UK.

We caught the train to Edinburgh - although marginally more expensive than catching an easyjet flight from Luton, we decided it was less stressful and more climate friendly to let the train take the strain. 4.5 hours after leaving Kings Cross we arrived at Edinburgh Waverley and then walked 15 minutes to my brothers flat.

We then hired a car (not so climate friendly!) and drove to Oban on the West Coast. Stayed in a cute little B&B and then took the ferry over to the Isle of Mull. It was cold. It was bracing. It was very pretty. It was very quiet. A far cry from the hustle and bustle of London Town. We drove over to the island's 'Capital' Tobermory which is actually the setting for the children's TV programme 'Balamory'. I think they're onto a winner there....when all the young toddlers of today grow up they'll want to take nostalgic trips to reminisce, and bore their children about it too, no doubt!

Next day we pottered around the island before heading back to the mainland in the evening. The moment our Mondeo wheels rolled back to Oban harbour, the rain lashed down incessently. We drove with trepidation towards Loch Lomond where we hoped and assumed there would be a B&B only too happy to receive our custom. Which we surely did find in a village called Arrochar. Not much going on there...B&B rather pokey and dated but at least it was dry and warm. WE tried to find somewhere to eat, to no avail. The nearest restaurant closed at 8pm! Luckily there was someone hanging around inside so he gave us the number of a chinese in another town which did home deliveries.

Next day we slowly made our way back to Edinburgh where we spent a lovely couple of days simply chilling out, walking around, playing with my brother's cats Scarlett & Lowry. Oh, and we watched Bond on Friday night. Which was very enjoyable...go see it.

Proof, if it were needed....

Marching for the Climate

Razorlight....
Police keeping us in check....
Best friend and goddaughter.....
Lots of people doth protest......
Is that a wind turbine I see before me....?

Hello!
Well Saturday was wonderful. I marched from the US Embassy to Trafalgar Square to protest about Climate Change along with 25,000 others - to command that Governments, businesses and banks make some difficult, but worthwhile changes and decisions, to ensure our climate is protected properly - for us now, and for the generations of the future.

I marched with one of my best friends and her family - this included her husband, her two daughters (one of whom is my dear god-daughter), her sister (8 months pregnant!), her brother-in-law, and her nephew. I also marched with a fab colleague from work and her partner. It went really well and we had a good time. We were even treated to a few songs from KT Tunstall and Razorlight. But amidst all of the entertainment and humour which we managed to generate between ourselves, there was a strongly serious element to us going on this march.

It is so important that we protect the environment. I feel this even more strongly now that many of my friends all have children who are growing up in a world where climate change, global warming etc is a reality which we are experiencing everyday.

I hope our march made a difference...time will tell, I guess.