I went away for a few days last week to stay with a friend at his dad's flat in Alicante so flew out at the unearthly hour of 6.30am on Monday morning. In my wisdom, I decided to go to the airport on Sunday but arrived there at around 6pm and headed straight into Smiths to buy some books (4 for the price of 3) and set about reading one of them whilst playing musical chairs. Around about 8pm that night I found myself sitting on an even comfier bench seat in a coffee bar (having sat on all their hard chairs) having a cup of coffee and a raspberry and white chocolate muffin - still with book in hand. This chap came to sit close to me and started talking to me - normally I wouldn't bother answering but decided to chat to him as it passed the time. This man turned out to be Ron Clarke who spends his life photographing the World Superbike Championships, the Manx Race and the TT - a jolly interesting man so I told him about my uncle who became the fastest privateer (7th) on a BSA back in 1953 - he went on to ride for Aermacchi and MV Augusta. We talked about my own interest in motorbikes which stemmed from my dad as he used to ride a Ducati and so Ron decided to show me some photographs that he had taken and offered me a photograph but I said that I preferred another photo of a bike with sidecar as it showed the speed - he gave it to me and gave me another two photographs too to give to my dad. Soon it was time for Ron to leave as he had to get the airport bus to Luton to get a flight to Romania as he was doing some charity work out there and so I was left on my own.
I went for a walk around Terminal 1 Departures area and went to sit on the comfy seat only to find that chairs were stacked upon it so I ended up sitting on a hard chair again until the assistant pointed me in the direction of the massage chairs which are not too bad to sit in if you can bend your back around the knobbly bits that are there to massage your back..there I sat til 11pm when this gorgeous chap called Steve appeared - he had travelled on the train from Cambridgeshire and he explained that he was off to Corfu. Steve came and sat next to me and so started a night of chit chat and amusement especially when a chap called Joe came to join us - he had left his wife at home and was flying off to America for a couple of weeks' holiday. I know you are not supposed to leave your bags with strangers but we built up such a rapport that we were wandering to the loo and in Steve's case off to see if the information desk was open so that he could pick up his tickets that we left our bags with each other to keep an eye on.
Soon it was time for Steve and myself to check in and then go through security - both of our flights were at 6.30am, we went mooching in duty free and went to the pub for breakfast and then sat waiting to be called to our respective gates - we exchanged details too and were pleased to see that our gates were next to each other. I guess you could say that we clicked - something must have happened because I spent my holiday thinking about him (as you do LOL). He flew back to Birmingham yesterday and who was there to meet him...you've guessed it - little ol' me - he came home with his mum who had been staying out in Corfu too and he was pleased that I had bothered to turn up to meet him...we are staying in touch..so watch this space.
The holiday itself wasn't too bad - the weather was hot and after a nap on Monday, it was off to the beach for a spot of reading (I hadn't taken a swimming cossie), in fact we went to the beach every afternoon bar Thursday and Friday. We went shopping mainly in the chinese tat shops and we went to Plaza Mar which is a huge shopping complex - I went to C&A and bought some socks and a lovely jumper. We didnt do the beach on Thursday as some workmen were coming to repair the flat - the upstairs neighbours had had a sewage leak from their toilet and it had leached through the bathroom ceiling of the flat - this must have happened between April when it was last visited and October - the whole bathroom stinks of mould amongst other things. As the friend's dad hadn't been notified that I would be staying - I was asked to leave whilst his dad's friend came over (he seems to be an introducer) so I mooched around the market. I had coffee and cake at a nice shop and then headed back to the square where I knew that I could sit and read a book in peace. No peace for me as a bunch of hoodlums (apparently there is a bail hostel on the square which is newly opened and full to the gunnels of all sorts of nasty types) decided to have a fight - one chap was pushed over and a gun came skittering out of his pocket across the floor and landed quite close to me. I decided then that it was time I left - so I took off my reading glasses and put my normal ones on, stared at the gun for a while and then left - I tried to find the policeman I had seen in the market but he was nowhere to be found. Eventually, I went back to the square where I sat on the other side in the sunshine until I was collected.
Friday - it lashed down with rain all day and although we went out I got absolutely soaked. Saturday I flew home.
Tuesday, 20 October 2009
Thursday, 8 October 2009
What a week and its only Thursday.
I feel as though I have done a week's worth of work already and its only Thursday.
On Tuesday, I had two venue visits - the first to Studley Castle in Warwickshire which used to be owned by the Rover Group but is now a Best Western Hotel. I met their events manager at a Women Who..networking event organised by Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and she was very patient when I was having problems with my eyes. Some people think that the castle will be sumptuous inside - I guess they have a fairytale image in their mind and are then disappointed when they see the hotel in the flesh. I actually found it to be a lovely place at the end of a long and twisty drive. I arrived a bit early and immediately was asked to help myself to free tea and biscuits and shown into the lounge where I could wait..the lounge was gorgeous with red sofas and easy chairs, the walls were a deep salmon pink (not an in your face pink) and the room was dominated by a gorgeous marble fireplace with huge mirror, the walls had various pictures hung upon them. The best bit was the ceiling which was painted blue with gold stars and was lit by three crystal chandeliers. It had been painted how it would have been in Victorian times.
The hotel itself was quite quirky - one side had wide corridors and large en-suite rooms and easy access via lifts whilst the other side was narrow with small en-suite rooms and tiny corridors which wound past curved walls - certainly hopeless for wheelchair bound people.
My discussions with the hotel went well and i have been asked to prepare a proposal with regard to organising wedding fairs there - they already have fairs but are not keen on organisation side of things because they don't have the staff.
Rather than going home - I stopped at the day spa for a coffee and a slab of fruit cake (and to use the loo) before heading off to Redhouse Barns in Stoke Prior. These barns are just stunning - the venue has to be seen to be believed as it has been finished to a really high specification - there is an area off the bar (call it a snug if you like) that has lovely sofas, it will have a wood burner, mirrors, heated floor and glass doors so that you either be part of the main bar area of sectioned off so that you can chat without being drowned out by loud music. The owners have done a brilliant job and have even opened up their own private gardens so that couples can have canapes there and their photographs - every detail has been thought of and they even have a vintage rolls royce that can be hired.
Yesterday, I went to Worcester Warriors for a seminar by Brad Sugars. Brad set up the world's leading business coaching firm Action Coach and was lucky enough to retire at 26 and he is now 38 and in semi-retirement. Although from Brisbane, he now lives in Las Vegas and has been touring spreading the word about improving your business to help you make money. I am his friend on Facebook and managed to get a free code to use to gain entry to this event for free - other unfortunate souls had to pay £97. The day was amazing and he is just an ordinary bloke and not in the least bit flash and he likes to do his bit for charity. Whilst there he was talking about charities and asked if anyone was there from a charity and one guy said that he worked with the Variety Club (if only I had had the sense to mention the Saxon Hoard..folks are trying to raise money to keep it in the Midlands where it belongs) and so we were asked to stand if we wanted to buy his notes from the seminar..as the price rose more of us sat down and in the end one chap remained standing as he offered £700.
I went and introduced myself to Brad at the end and he remembered who I was and I thanked him for his help so far (one thing that he did do was offer the services of his buiness coaches for one hour for free - of course I signed up for that).
He imparted lots of words of wisdom about how we should thank our customers and how if you are dealing with accountants bribes of chocolate go along way..now my accountant is holding out for a regular supply of Cadbury's Dairy Milk bars LOL, although she was good yesterday - she paid for my lunch. It really was a fun day and business is all about having fun.
Today, I was supposed to be visiting Snow Business but the meeting was postponed by them until 2010 because they are coming to their busiest season and so are busy with tv adverts. There are no technicians available to demonstrate the various types of snow effects.
I have been catching up with things - although no study has been done as yet so only two assignments have been submitted and marked for my diploma in events planning. I discovered that Birmingham Chamber of Commerce had made a big boo boo with my address (it was wrong) and they said that I was a limited company - I am not. I got the blame for completing their online form incorrectly so I pointed out that I was hardly likely to enter someone else's address.
This afternoon I have been speaking for 4Networking as this is a business networking group that meet fortnightly and at a sensible time - the BNI ones like you to be there for 6am and make a commitment to be there every week or send a sub to attend in your place - this is impossible if you are a sole trader and don't employ staff so I am hardly able to send Auntie Nellie (not that I have an Auntie Nellie). I am feeling more excited about 4Networking especially as they have an online forum so when I have finished here, I am hopping over there to set up an online profile.
The blog will be quiet next week as I won't be here - I have been invited to Spain for a few days and I fly out on Monday at 6.30am and fly back on Saturday at 13.05pm. A bit of sun will give me a boost and maybe I can get some sun on my legs as they are a bit pasty this year - I feel very white :(
On Tuesday, I had two venue visits - the first to Studley Castle in Warwickshire which used to be owned by the Rover Group but is now a Best Western Hotel. I met their events manager at a Women Who..networking event organised by Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and she was very patient when I was having problems with my eyes. Some people think that the castle will be sumptuous inside - I guess they have a fairytale image in their mind and are then disappointed when they see the hotel in the flesh. I actually found it to be a lovely place at the end of a long and twisty drive. I arrived a bit early and immediately was asked to help myself to free tea and biscuits and shown into the lounge where I could wait..the lounge was gorgeous with red sofas and easy chairs, the walls were a deep salmon pink (not an in your face pink) and the room was dominated by a gorgeous marble fireplace with huge mirror, the walls had various pictures hung upon them. The best bit was the ceiling which was painted blue with gold stars and was lit by three crystal chandeliers. It had been painted how it would have been in Victorian times.
The hotel itself was quite quirky - one side had wide corridors and large en-suite rooms and easy access via lifts whilst the other side was narrow with small en-suite rooms and tiny corridors which wound past curved walls - certainly hopeless for wheelchair bound people.
My discussions with the hotel went well and i have been asked to prepare a proposal with regard to organising wedding fairs there - they already have fairs but are not keen on organisation side of things because they don't have the staff.
Rather than going home - I stopped at the day spa for a coffee and a slab of fruit cake (and to use the loo) before heading off to Redhouse Barns in Stoke Prior. These barns are just stunning - the venue has to be seen to be believed as it has been finished to a really high specification - there is an area off the bar (call it a snug if you like) that has lovely sofas, it will have a wood burner, mirrors, heated floor and glass doors so that you either be part of the main bar area of sectioned off so that you can chat without being drowned out by loud music. The owners have done a brilliant job and have even opened up their own private gardens so that couples can have canapes there and their photographs - every detail has been thought of and they even have a vintage rolls royce that can be hired.
Yesterday, I went to Worcester Warriors for a seminar by Brad Sugars. Brad set up the world's leading business coaching firm Action Coach and was lucky enough to retire at 26 and he is now 38 and in semi-retirement. Although from Brisbane, he now lives in Las Vegas and has been touring spreading the word about improving your business to help you make money. I am his friend on Facebook and managed to get a free code to use to gain entry to this event for free - other unfortunate souls had to pay £97. The day was amazing and he is just an ordinary bloke and not in the least bit flash and he likes to do his bit for charity. Whilst there he was talking about charities and asked if anyone was there from a charity and one guy said that he worked with the Variety Club (if only I had had the sense to mention the Saxon Hoard..folks are trying to raise money to keep it in the Midlands where it belongs) and so we were asked to stand if we wanted to buy his notes from the seminar..as the price rose more of us sat down and in the end one chap remained standing as he offered £700.
I went and introduced myself to Brad at the end and he remembered who I was and I thanked him for his help so far (one thing that he did do was offer the services of his buiness coaches for one hour for free - of course I signed up for that).
He imparted lots of words of wisdom about how we should thank our customers and how if you are dealing with accountants bribes of chocolate go along way..now my accountant is holding out for a regular supply of Cadbury's Dairy Milk bars LOL, although she was good yesterday - she paid for my lunch. It really was a fun day and business is all about having fun.
Today, I was supposed to be visiting Snow Business but the meeting was postponed by them until 2010 because they are coming to their busiest season and so are busy with tv adverts. There are no technicians available to demonstrate the various types of snow effects.
I have been catching up with things - although no study has been done as yet so only two assignments have been submitted and marked for my diploma in events planning. I discovered that Birmingham Chamber of Commerce had made a big boo boo with my address (it was wrong) and they said that I was a limited company - I am not. I got the blame for completing their online form incorrectly so I pointed out that I was hardly likely to enter someone else's address.
This afternoon I have been speaking for 4Networking as this is a business networking group that meet fortnightly and at a sensible time - the BNI ones like you to be there for 6am and make a commitment to be there every week or send a sub to attend in your place - this is impossible if you are a sole trader and don't employ staff so I am hardly able to send Auntie Nellie (not that I have an Auntie Nellie). I am feeling more excited about 4Networking especially as they have an online forum so when I have finished here, I am hopping over there to set up an online profile.
The blog will be quiet next week as I won't be here - I have been invited to Spain for a few days and I fly out on Monday at 6.30am and fly back on Saturday at 13.05pm. A bit of sun will give me a boost and maybe I can get some sun on my legs as they are a bit pasty this year - I feel very white :(
Monday, 5 October 2009
Water Water Everywhere & Not a Drop to Drink
What a day...I left home early this morning (9am) to drive to Stroud to visit Matara which is an east west fusion wedding venue...I had printed out some directions from Streetmap and managed to get myself a bit lost - or rather I wasnt lost at all just made a complete twit of myself :( My appointment was at 11am but I was 10 mins late - I had come off the M5 at Junction 13 and followed the instructions and ended up going up a very steep hill 2nd gear all the way and when I reached the top I was at a crossroads and went straight on then parked..I was confused as the road signs didnt seem to match the map so I rang Matara (this time it was 10.50) asking them where they were...no reply only an answering machine! I turned around then convinced that I had missed a turning and went back the way I had come and ended up back in the village of Forcester where I espied a man from the electricity board fiddling with some wires next to a pub carpark..so I pulled in. The chap was most helpful and he had never heard of the place either despite working in the area for the last 20 odd years. I managed to contact them at Matara and found that I had to drive up that horrid hill again (10%) and go the way that I had gone originally. First off I managed to nip into the pub to use their loo because I don't think I would have managed the drive back up the hill with the seatbelt pressing on my stomach.
Again the directions were none too hot and I had to stop again to ring because the directions given didnt match the layout of the road..eventually I got there. Now most people would offer, visitors a drink out of courtesy but not the woman at Matara..there were limpid pools, waterfalls and even drizzle but not once was I offered anything and I was too polite to ask.
Matara is a wonderful place although a bit tricky to find but the easiest way is to take the Tetbury road from Cirencester. I felt like a criminal walking across the raked gravel that had been raked in a circular fashion in a very zen like way. As an exclusive use venue it is great with 28 acres of parkland and a wishing tree. It costs £2500 plus VAT to hire it for 5 hours with additional hours charged extra which isnt too bad considering you could pay that for a hotel venue and end up sharing your day with others. I like the ethos behind Matara which was originally set up as a holistic retreat - it has a calming aura about it, they recycle 90% of their waste and their grey water is filtered using their own reed beds. Their food comes from surrounding farms and even from their own gardens which is a lovely idea and more venues should do the same. They have their own bar but also don't mind if you take your own bottles only they will charge corkage of £4 per person but that includes the price of the glasses, serving the wine and chilling it. You can have music but they kept saying that you could use an ipod but it is still fairly quiet as the built in speakers don't allow for louder music. Their rooms were lovely and airy and you can even marry in the cloister which is rather strange as in the UK you cannot marry outdoors but as the cloister is closed and has a roof although one side is open, you can actually marry there - all guests have to be seated, however, when it comes to the exchanging of rings, couples can stand on the little bridge which juts out from the cloister. There is a firebox outside that is lit every night and that is where the hog roast takes place if you have one - they also have a tipi outside which is more for kids to play in. I think its a lovely place but I cannot get past the lack of manners with regards to offering a drink. The space can also be hired out for coporate events - they have rooms on site and rooms are offered at the pub/hotel opposite where Matara guests also have use of the overflow carpark.
I drove home via Tetbury - maybe I should have stopped and had a look round but the weather was grizzly and thought that I might stop in Cirencester instead but in the end did neither as I drove straight through to the M40 - all I can say is thank you to the romans for building such nice straight roads LOL.
Tomorrow I am off to Studley Castle and to the new wedding venue Red House Barn at Stoke Prior - this venue is the one that the Worcestershire Registrars are fighting over as to which one of them will conduct ceremonies there.
I received a private message from someone on MSE asking me to send her photographs of my wedding dresses as she is getting married and looking for a dress. At the moment I don't really have time to start taking pictures of them as I have a lot to do this week and next week I am away. I won't be giving the dresses away for free - the Fabio Grizzi is for sale at £925 - I have knocked a thousand off it on the advice of the lady in the couture shop.
In fact talking of being away - the twit that I am staying with (ex boyfriend) - don't worry there are two bedrooms in the Spanish flat, has rung me to ask me to log into Easyjet and print off his boarding card as he has forgotten to print the boarding card for coming home on 17 October. Actually he has a later flight than me back to Luton (I am guessing). I am really looking forward to a break and am hoping that the weather is warm and that I can at least get a bit of colour on my pasty white legs.
Again the directions were none too hot and I had to stop again to ring because the directions given didnt match the layout of the road..eventually I got there. Now most people would offer, visitors a drink out of courtesy but not the woman at Matara..there were limpid pools, waterfalls and even drizzle but not once was I offered anything and I was too polite to ask.
Matara is a wonderful place although a bit tricky to find but the easiest way is to take the Tetbury road from Cirencester. I felt like a criminal walking across the raked gravel that had been raked in a circular fashion in a very zen like way. As an exclusive use venue it is great with 28 acres of parkland and a wishing tree. It costs £2500 plus VAT to hire it for 5 hours with additional hours charged extra which isnt too bad considering you could pay that for a hotel venue and end up sharing your day with others. I like the ethos behind Matara which was originally set up as a holistic retreat - it has a calming aura about it, they recycle 90% of their waste and their grey water is filtered using their own reed beds. Their food comes from surrounding farms and even from their own gardens which is a lovely idea and more venues should do the same. They have their own bar but also don't mind if you take your own bottles only they will charge corkage of £4 per person but that includes the price of the glasses, serving the wine and chilling it. You can have music but they kept saying that you could use an ipod but it is still fairly quiet as the built in speakers don't allow for louder music. Their rooms were lovely and airy and you can even marry in the cloister which is rather strange as in the UK you cannot marry outdoors but as the cloister is closed and has a roof although one side is open, you can actually marry there - all guests have to be seated, however, when it comes to the exchanging of rings, couples can stand on the little bridge which juts out from the cloister. There is a firebox outside that is lit every night and that is where the hog roast takes place if you have one - they also have a tipi outside which is more for kids to play in. I think its a lovely place but I cannot get past the lack of manners with regards to offering a drink. The space can also be hired out for coporate events - they have rooms on site and rooms are offered at the pub/hotel opposite where Matara guests also have use of the overflow carpark.
I drove home via Tetbury - maybe I should have stopped and had a look round but the weather was grizzly and thought that I might stop in Cirencester instead but in the end did neither as I drove straight through to the M40 - all I can say is thank you to the romans for building such nice straight roads LOL.
Tomorrow I am off to Studley Castle and to the new wedding venue Red House Barn at Stoke Prior - this venue is the one that the Worcestershire Registrars are fighting over as to which one of them will conduct ceremonies there.
I received a private message from someone on MSE asking me to send her photographs of my wedding dresses as she is getting married and looking for a dress. At the moment I don't really have time to start taking pictures of them as I have a lot to do this week and next week I am away. I won't be giving the dresses away for free - the Fabio Grizzi is for sale at £925 - I have knocked a thousand off it on the advice of the lady in the couture shop.
In fact talking of being away - the twit that I am staying with (ex boyfriend) - don't worry there are two bedrooms in the Spanish flat, has rung me to ask me to log into Easyjet and print off his boarding card as he has forgotten to print the boarding card for coming home on 17 October. Actually he has a later flight than me back to Luton (I am guessing). I am really looking forward to a break and am hoping that the weather is warm and that I can at least get a bit of colour on my pasty white legs.
Friday, 2 October 2009
Izzy Whizzy Let's Get Busy
This week has been an incredibly busy week although I did allow myself a day off on Tuesday where I just lolled around in the spa all day. On Wednesday I went to the Pear Tree Hotel over at Smite to have a look around and we discussed their wedding fair - I havent booked a stand but may well next year - they look after their exhibitors and so I am seriously considering it plus I would get a 6ft table as opposed to the measly 4ft one that I had at the weekend. The Pear Tree have been really helpful and asked me to drop my leaflets off to them so that they can put them into bridal goodie bags for their fair this Sunday...I drove home stopping at a pub for lunch, picked up the leaflets and drove back.
I spent a fair bit of yesterday on the phone as well as sending people their prize draw prizes - as yet, I still have to award first prize but feel that no-one was really interested - hence my vow never to do a fair again...I need one where genuine people go for real help.
I am feeling quite excited too as I have managed to book an appointment with a wonderful wedding venue in Stoke Prior - it is part of a privately owned farm and the barns have been converted into meeting and wedding space and they have only just been granted a licence. It is part of an extremely busy week meetings wise: Monday - Matara in Stroud - this is a gorgeous eco-friendly place who filter their own water and will plant a tree when you marry, Tuesday - morning at Studley Castle and the afternoon at the venue in Stoke Prior, Wednesday business networking and seminar with Brad Sugars (my accountant is coming too and afterwards we are having a meeting because she wants my books to do my self assessment), Thursday - I am back in Stroud meeting Snow Business and on Friday...well that is another story.
Last weekend I was invited to a breakfast meeting today with BNI over at Bromsgrove Rugby Club - it really was quite strange and my welcome pack contained loads of business cards. BNI is a business networking group and I had thought about joining them but having looked at their fee - I cannot afford it so will broach that with them when I go again next week..trouble is I have to be up ridiculously early to be there ideally before 7am (yes, that's right 7am!!). I did meet some nice people but have already worked out that it is the same people over and over again who seem to refer each other - you have to be there for several weeks before you get referrals. Another thing that I don't like about them is that I have to commit to going every Friday and if I can't go then I have to send a sub but I cannot do that as I work for myself and have no employees.
I did meet a nice chap today and I shall be meeting him on 19 October - he is a personal trainer who also corrects your posture - my posture needs correcting as I tend to slump but its a vicious circle; I slump because my backaches but the more I slump the more it aches but if I stop slumping it still aches...sigh. It is costing me £20 for an hour so I shall see how it goes - I would rather spend money on me than spend £575 + £52 (breakfast every week for £10) for membership of BNI. I can't help feeling as though I am being indoctrinated :( They were asking today if the members knew of anyone famous - I managed to keep a hold of my tongue because I don't think it would look too good if I said that Brad Sugars, multi-millionaire Action Coach was my friend LOL - mind you I know a few other famous people too, I went to school with some of them...eeek!
Next Friday I am supposed to be going to Grand Designs Live at the NEC but doubt that that will happen now as I will need to wind down after a busy week. My blog will have to go on hold too because I am taking a break (the first holiday since January) and am off to Spain for a few days. I booked my flights today and am really miffed with Monarch so I shall have to send them a letter - I booked online but could not get past the page where you choose a seat - now I am not really bothered where I sit but I was forced to select a seat..I then discover that Monarch have charged me £15 for the seat with a surcharge on top for the blasted thing plus they have charged me an additional £4.08 for daring to pay by credit card!! So much for saving me £25 by booking online :( I havent dared book hold luggage and have decided to take a rucksack (my long distance one - it has been to Australia and back) on as hand luggage so I shall pack a couple of cropped trousers, some crocs, t-shirts, socks, a jumper and some undies plus my toiletries - basically eye drops and other meds, and toothbrush, they might not allow deodorant. As the flight leaves at the ungodly hour of 6.30am then I think I will go and sleep in the airport overnight - I wonder if they will let me check in early??
I spent a fair bit of yesterday on the phone as well as sending people their prize draw prizes - as yet, I still have to award first prize but feel that no-one was really interested - hence my vow never to do a fair again...I need one where genuine people go for real help.
I am feeling quite excited too as I have managed to book an appointment with a wonderful wedding venue in Stoke Prior - it is part of a privately owned farm and the barns have been converted into meeting and wedding space and they have only just been granted a licence. It is part of an extremely busy week meetings wise: Monday - Matara in Stroud - this is a gorgeous eco-friendly place who filter their own water and will plant a tree when you marry, Tuesday - morning at Studley Castle and the afternoon at the venue in Stoke Prior, Wednesday business networking and seminar with Brad Sugars (my accountant is coming too and afterwards we are having a meeting because she wants my books to do my self assessment), Thursday - I am back in Stroud meeting Snow Business and on Friday...well that is another story.
Last weekend I was invited to a breakfast meeting today with BNI over at Bromsgrove Rugby Club - it really was quite strange and my welcome pack contained loads of business cards. BNI is a business networking group and I had thought about joining them but having looked at their fee - I cannot afford it so will broach that with them when I go again next week..trouble is I have to be up ridiculously early to be there ideally before 7am (yes, that's right 7am!!). I did meet some nice people but have already worked out that it is the same people over and over again who seem to refer each other - you have to be there for several weeks before you get referrals. Another thing that I don't like about them is that I have to commit to going every Friday and if I can't go then I have to send a sub but I cannot do that as I work for myself and have no employees.
I did meet a nice chap today and I shall be meeting him on 19 October - he is a personal trainer who also corrects your posture - my posture needs correcting as I tend to slump but its a vicious circle; I slump because my backaches but the more I slump the more it aches but if I stop slumping it still aches...sigh. It is costing me £20 for an hour so I shall see how it goes - I would rather spend money on me than spend £575 + £52 (breakfast every week for £10) for membership of BNI. I can't help feeling as though I am being indoctrinated :( They were asking today if the members knew of anyone famous - I managed to keep a hold of my tongue because I don't think it would look too good if I said that Brad Sugars, multi-millionaire Action Coach was my friend LOL - mind you I know a few other famous people too, I went to school with some of them...eeek!
Next Friday I am supposed to be going to Grand Designs Live at the NEC but doubt that that will happen now as I will need to wind down after a busy week. My blog will have to go on hold too because I am taking a break (the first holiday since January) and am off to Spain for a few days. I booked my flights today and am really miffed with Monarch so I shall have to send them a letter - I booked online but could not get past the page where you choose a seat - now I am not really bothered where I sit but I was forced to select a seat..I then discover that Monarch have charged me £15 for the seat with a surcharge on top for the blasted thing plus they have charged me an additional £4.08 for daring to pay by credit card!! So much for saving me £25 by booking online :( I havent dared book hold luggage and have decided to take a rucksack (my long distance one - it has been to Australia and back) on as hand luggage so I shall pack a couple of cropped trousers, some crocs, t-shirts, socks, a jumper and some undies plus my toiletries - basically eye drops and other meds, and toothbrush, they might not allow deodorant. As the flight leaves at the ungodly hour of 6.30am then I think I will go and sleep in the airport overnight - I wonder if they will let me check in early??
Sunday, 27 September 2009
Who says that being a wedding planner is a glamourous job?
Whoever said that..couldn't have been more wrong. Sometimes we have to exhibit at wedding fairs which can turn out to be an exercise in time wasted and money spent. We also get invited to meetings at unearthly hours of the morning such as 7am (I am normally still in bed at that time and thinking about getting up).
Today, was the day of the wedding fair and the whole day was somewhat bizarre with the bride having her hair and make up done in front of everybody and then people traipsing in and out of the reception room - I ended up in there myself as I was viewing some rather unusual 6ft high balloon people.
I wasnt next to the chocolate fountain, I was at the opposite end of the room sitting in between worcestershire registrars and sarah adcock cakes - this lady makes the most divine chocolate mud cake..it is light and fluffy and basically to die for. As a networking event it wasnt too bad..I came away with loads of contacts including the invitation to speak at the breakfast meeting (it is still going to cost me £10 for my breakfast though). Client wise it was extremely bad..the whole event seemed to be full of time wasters who had no interest in getting married, one chav even tried to steal a jewellery set from my stand which I had put on display as it was one of my prizes - I couldnt believe it. I had 8 entries into the prize draw and have done the draw already - I have decided to offer 2 first prizes of on-the-day co-ordination because one of the entrants is a groom who is serving in the army overseas so I thought it would be a worthy cause (we each have to do our bit for our servicemen and women) - he doesnt get married until towards the end of next year.
I spoke to a fair number of exhibitors and they all agreed that the fair wasnt the best - I doubt that I will do another one because I don't want to get myself into more debt, the cost is often prohibitive so I shall wait and see about doing one next year - it may end up being more bother than its worth.
One of the exhibitors sought me out as they offer personal fitness boot camps for brides and even dance classes, as they were telling me about their services I said that I needed a fitness class as my back constantly aches (I have had back ache now since Tuesday) and I needed to tone up - they recommended that I attend Pilates - so I am going to call them about that. I also found a reiki practitioner too and I miss my reiki - my friend Sally does reiki but she is out near Wisbech so its a bit far to go.
Cold weather is on the way too - my right knee is telling me so. I severely injured my right leg back in the 1990's after coming off a motorbike - pity I didnt break the leg as it would have been better for me if I had - instead I twisted all the ligaments and nearly prised my kneecap off by hitting a plastic cats eye in the middle of the road, I then got back on the bike and we rode home after first stopping for several sweet hot chocolates at a motorway service station. I went to my local casualty and they told me that twisted ligaments were worse than a proper break. In some respects I was lucky because my boot had twisted round on my foot but I was wearing loose boots (not proper motorcycle boots) so the boot just twisted a full 90 degrees. Every so often it feels as though my knee is either clicking or about to sieze entirely and it is often painful to walk..I have found today that going downstairs is incredibly painful so I know that cold weather is on the way :( I feel like an old wreck.
I have decided to take part of the day off tomorrow - I want to go to the museum in Birmingham to see the hoarde of Anglo Saxon gold before it goes to the British Museum for cleaning. I hope that it comes back to Birmingham and doesnt get sold off abroad or stays in London - for some reason people think that London is the centre of the Universe and Birmingham is a second class city when in fact we're much better than them plus our citizens are friendlier and will look you in the eye - no-one makes eye contact in London. I guess my back will have to sieze up because I shall be standing in a long queue to see this hoarde.
Today, was the day of the wedding fair and the whole day was somewhat bizarre with the bride having her hair and make up done in front of everybody and then people traipsing in and out of the reception room - I ended up in there myself as I was viewing some rather unusual 6ft high balloon people.
I wasnt next to the chocolate fountain, I was at the opposite end of the room sitting in between worcestershire registrars and sarah adcock cakes - this lady makes the most divine chocolate mud cake..it is light and fluffy and basically to die for. As a networking event it wasnt too bad..I came away with loads of contacts including the invitation to speak at the breakfast meeting (it is still going to cost me £10 for my breakfast though). Client wise it was extremely bad..the whole event seemed to be full of time wasters who had no interest in getting married, one chav even tried to steal a jewellery set from my stand which I had put on display as it was one of my prizes - I couldnt believe it. I had 8 entries into the prize draw and have done the draw already - I have decided to offer 2 first prizes of on-the-day co-ordination because one of the entrants is a groom who is serving in the army overseas so I thought it would be a worthy cause (we each have to do our bit for our servicemen and women) - he doesnt get married until towards the end of next year.
I spoke to a fair number of exhibitors and they all agreed that the fair wasnt the best - I doubt that I will do another one because I don't want to get myself into more debt, the cost is often prohibitive so I shall wait and see about doing one next year - it may end up being more bother than its worth.
One of the exhibitors sought me out as they offer personal fitness boot camps for brides and even dance classes, as they were telling me about their services I said that I needed a fitness class as my back constantly aches (I have had back ache now since Tuesday) and I needed to tone up - they recommended that I attend Pilates - so I am going to call them about that. I also found a reiki practitioner too and I miss my reiki - my friend Sally does reiki but she is out near Wisbech so its a bit far to go.
Cold weather is on the way too - my right knee is telling me so. I severely injured my right leg back in the 1990's after coming off a motorbike - pity I didnt break the leg as it would have been better for me if I had - instead I twisted all the ligaments and nearly prised my kneecap off by hitting a plastic cats eye in the middle of the road, I then got back on the bike and we rode home after first stopping for several sweet hot chocolates at a motorway service station. I went to my local casualty and they told me that twisted ligaments were worse than a proper break. In some respects I was lucky because my boot had twisted round on my foot but I was wearing loose boots (not proper motorcycle boots) so the boot just twisted a full 90 degrees. Every so often it feels as though my knee is either clicking or about to sieze entirely and it is often painful to walk..I have found today that going downstairs is incredibly painful so I know that cold weather is on the way :( I feel like an old wreck.
I have decided to take part of the day off tomorrow - I want to go to the museum in Birmingham to see the hoarde of Anglo Saxon gold before it goes to the British Museum for cleaning. I hope that it comes back to Birmingham and doesnt get sold off abroad or stays in London - for some reason people think that London is the centre of the Universe and Birmingham is a second class city when in fact we're much better than them plus our citizens are friendlier and will look you in the eye - no-one makes eye contact in London. I guess my back will have to sieze up because I shall be standing in a long queue to see this hoarde.
Thursday, 24 September 2009
Events UK
I attended the show on Tuesday and met some great people and made some great contacts. I also met up with Laura Guest, she was another student on the wedding planning course and now runs her own business LG Weddings in Walsall. We shall be working together on various projects which will be great.
It was my intention to attend over two days but baulked at the carparking fee of £8 per day..I am sure that the sound of me screeching "How Much?" echoed across the whole of Birmingham. I felt that it was a bit of a cheek charging for a trade fair when the parking was free when the Autumn Fair was on. I walked miles too as the shuttle bus seemed to run infrequently from the North Carparks. I also had to return to my car at lunchtime to empty my huge Autumn Fair bag into the boot so that I could collect more brochures etc. I attended one talk and really wanted to attend more but I was tired and my back ached, I was exhausted when I returned home and yesterday was still recovering.
I spent part of yesterday chatting with Elizabeth Graney about her new ventures and sharing tips about wedding fairs and how to organise them. Elizabeth is brilliant and so knowledgable about all sorts of things and she doesnt know it but she inspires me to do better. We also talked about a student on the Planning course who has been driving me insane and I was starting to feel harassed because as soon as I went onto facebook she would pop up in chat straight away and ask me the most ridiculous questions about the course - it became very draining. Actually I am wondering why this woman is even bothering with the course because she is struggling on the first two assignments which are all about her - it is the same for everybody we have to talk about why we are doing the course, what we expect from it, any experiences that we have had..assignment 2 expands on that. This person constantly pesters me and feels that I should be doing her work as well as my own. I had to resort to emailing my own tutor who passed my email to the Institute and they also advised me what to do. In fact when she next popped onto chat, I had to tell her to speak to her tutor and that I was too busy as I had my own assignments to write and a business to run - funny when I pointed her in the direction of the spelling and grammar checker on Word she stopped talking to me altogether (hurrah). What was particularly galling was that I had spent 2 hours talking to her about what a report was and after simple explanations about what was needed for the task she then goes and asks the exact same question on the diploma group and got the exact same answer that I gave her from one of the tutors. Now those of you that know me, know that I will help anyone and those that get help from me don't harass me all the time and it never gets to the point where I feel as though I am being stalked. Having had someone cyber stalk me in the past which caused no end of problems for me and the police had to become involved because it was so bad...I don't particularly want that to happen to me again because it is quite frightening. Thankfully this student has been removed from my own group and banned permanently as well as being removed from my friends listing - she has my personal email address but its easy enough to block her so her emails just to go the deleted items box.
I am feeling a lot more positive about the wedding fair this coming Sunday - I have been advised that I am being fed and watered and today I confirmed that there will be a tablecloth on the table so I don't need to take one (I have a lovely, pretty net curtain that I was going to drape on the table but I will take it just in case). So far today I have chatted to Laura who suggested that I don't do a price list for people to take away but do a couple of sheets about what a wedding planner does and what I would do for them and let them take that but keep the price list for them to look through.
I also have to work on this advert for Perfect Wedding magazine - the deadline for copy is tomorrow. My mate Sal has suggested that her dad could look over my advert if I am struggling so I emailed her last night so hopefully he can cast his expert eye over it and make some suggestions - her dad used to the adverts for cadbury's - only the crumbliest, flakiest chocolate, tastes like chocolate never tasted before. I adore the flake adverts. I used to like the girl in the poppyfield with red hair because being a red head myself it was unusual to see red heads advertising anything.
Oh shucks...I need to think about a bite to eat and clean my teeth again as I have a dental appointment at 2.30 - I don't fancy driving there (the roads have changed) and the 2 mile walk from the bus stop will do me good. I could get the train but I hate trains and don't like the stairs at the stations.
It was my intention to attend over two days but baulked at the carparking fee of £8 per day..I am sure that the sound of me screeching "How Much?" echoed across the whole of Birmingham. I felt that it was a bit of a cheek charging for a trade fair when the parking was free when the Autumn Fair was on. I walked miles too as the shuttle bus seemed to run infrequently from the North Carparks. I also had to return to my car at lunchtime to empty my huge Autumn Fair bag into the boot so that I could collect more brochures etc. I attended one talk and really wanted to attend more but I was tired and my back ached, I was exhausted when I returned home and yesterday was still recovering.
I spent part of yesterday chatting with Elizabeth Graney about her new ventures and sharing tips about wedding fairs and how to organise them. Elizabeth is brilliant and so knowledgable about all sorts of things and she doesnt know it but she inspires me to do better. We also talked about a student on the Planning course who has been driving me insane and I was starting to feel harassed because as soon as I went onto facebook she would pop up in chat straight away and ask me the most ridiculous questions about the course - it became very draining. Actually I am wondering why this woman is even bothering with the course because she is struggling on the first two assignments which are all about her - it is the same for everybody we have to talk about why we are doing the course, what we expect from it, any experiences that we have had..assignment 2 expands on that. This person constantly pesters me and feels that I should be doing her work as well as my own. I had to resort to emailing my own tutor who passed my email to the Institute and they also advised me what to do. In fact when she next popped onto chat, I had to tell her to speak to her tutor and that I was too busy as I had my own assignments to write and a business to run - funny when I pointed her in the direction of the spelling and grammar checker on Word she stopped talking to me altogether (hurrah). What was particularly galling was that I had spent 2 hours talking to her about what a report was and after simple explanations about what was needed for the task she then goes and asks the exact same question on the diploma group and got the exact same answer that I gave her from one of the tutors. Now those of you that know me, know that I will help anyone and those that get help from me don't harass me all the time and it never gets to the point where I feel as though I am being stalked. Having had someone cyber stalk me in the past which caused no end of problems for me and the police had to become involved because it was so bad...I don't particularly want that to happen to me again because it is quite frightening. Thankfully this student has been removed from my own group and banned permanently as well as being removed from my friends listing - she has my personal email address but its easy enough to block her so her emails just to go the deleted items box.
I am feeling a lot more positive about the wedding fair this coming Sunday - I have been advised that I am being fed and watered and today I confirmed that there will be a tablecloth on the table so I don't need to take one (I have a lovely, pretty net curtain that I was going to drape on the table but I will take it just in case). So far today I have chatted to Laura who suggested that I don't do a price list for people to take away but do a couple of sheets about what a wedding planner does and what I would do for them and let them take that but keep the price list for them to look through.
I also have to work on this advert for Perfect Wedding magazine - the deadline for copy is tomorrow. My mate Sal has suggested that her dad could look over my advert if I am struggling so I emailed her last night so hopefully he can cast his expert eye over it and make some suggestions - her dad used to the adverts for cadbury's - only the crumbliest, flakiest chocolate, tastes like chocolate never tasted before. I adore the flake adverts. I used to like the girl in the poppyfield with red hair because being a red head myself it was unusual to see red heads advertising anything.
Oh shucks...I need to think about a bite to eat and clean my teeth again as I have a dental appointment at 2.30 - I don't fancy driving there (the roads have changed) and the 2 mile walk from the bus stop will do me good. I could get the train but I hate trains and don't like the stairs at the stations.
Monday, 21 September 2009
There's no business like Snow Business
Call me a dirty stop out if you will, week commencing 5 October is going to be extremely busy indeed:
Monday 5 - 11am - I am visiting Matara - this is a gorgeous place that I was put in contact with by another planner who is having her wedding there. This is over near Stroud so I shall have to be up and at the traffic early. www.matara.co.uk - this venue would be superb for ethical weddings as they will also plant a tree for you.
Tuesday 6 - 11am - visiting Studley Castle with a view to using it for corporate events and weddings, plus I shall be putting an idea forward so fingers crossed for that.
Wednesday 7 - 9am (an early start for networking) a seminar by the great business coach Brad Sugars - if only I could be like him LOL.
Thursday 8 - 11am Snow Business - I have a meeting at Snow Business in Stroud with a view to hiring them for coporate events and weddings. I could use other snow suppliers but I only want the best for my clients which is why I am meeting with the best in the business. You may have already seen examples of their work and not realised it: M&S winter commercial, Bridget Jones' Diary, Band of Brothers, Alien v Predator, Emmerdale, to name but a few. Snow Business were extremely helpful when I was doing my wedding planning diploma course and provided me with a detailed quotation which I am sure landed me the A grade that I wanted.
Friday 9 - Grand Designs Live at the NEC - this is something for me as opposed to the business and I have my bank to thank too because they gave me a code for a free ticket. Mind you, I quite like Kevin McCloud and wish that he could build a house just for me LOL.
I may also be having a spot of lunch at some point over the coming weeks at the Pear Tree which is a gorgeous country pub (one of my old haunts) and shall be viewing their accommodation for both weddings and business meetings. I received an invitation from them back in June and it has taken me this long to take them up on their offer.
I also contacted Hagley Hall today and to be honest was a bit surprised by their attitude that it has got me thinking about whether or not I want to recommend them to my clients. Apparently the person I need to speak to is on holiday for the next fortnight and if I could phone her on 5 October to arrange a viewing, there is no possibility of viewing the premises when I want to view them either. I was advised that there was no point in sending emails because they wouldnt be opened or replied to until this woman returned from her holiday - then I was advised that perhaps I should email so that she had an idea of what I wanted to meet with her about. Do they want the business or not? I guess not from the attitude of the chap who answered the phone..if emails are not going to be opened for the next two weeks or so...why bother, I shall visit somewhere that wants my business instead.
Monday 5 - 11am - I am visiting Matara - this is a gorgeous place that I was put in contact with by another planner who is having her wedding there. This is over near Stroud so I shall have to be up and at the traffic early. www.matara.co.uk - this venue would be superb for ethical weddings as they will also plant a tree for you.
Tuesday 6 - 11am - visiting Studley Castle with a view to using it for corporate events and weddings, plus I shall be putting an idea forward so fingers crossed for that.
Wednesday 7 - 9am (an early start for networking) a seminar by the great business coach Brad Sugars - if only I could be like him LOL.
Thursday 8 - 11am Snow Business - I have a meeting at Snow Business in Stroud with a view to hiring them for coporate events and weddings. I could use other snow suppliers but I only want the best for my clients which is why I am meeting with the best in the business. You may have already seen examples of their work and not realised it: M&S winter commercial, Bridget Jones' Diary, Band of Brothers, Alien v Predator, Emmerdale, to name but a few. Snow Business were extremely helpful when I was doing my wedding planning diploma course and provided me with a detailed quotation which I am sure landed me the A grade that I wanted.
Friday 9 - Grand Designs Live at the NEC - this is something for me as opposed to the business and I have my bank to thank too because they gave me a code for a free ticket. Mind you, I quite like Kevin McCloud and wish that he could build a house just for me LOL.
I may also be having a spot of lunch at some point over the coming weeks at the Pear Tree which is a gorgeous country pub (one of my old haunts) and shall be viewing their accommodation for both weddings and business meetings. I received an invitation from them back in June and it has taken me this long to take them up on their offer.
I also contacted Hagley Hall today and to be honest was a bit surprised by their attitude that it has got me thinking about whether or not I want to recommend them to my clients. Apparently the person I need to speak to is on holiday for the next fortnight and if I could phone her on 5 October to arrange a viewing, there is no possibility of viewing the premises when I want to view them either. I was advised that there was no point in sending emails because they wouldnt be opened or replied to until this woman returned from her holiday - then I was advised that perhaps I should email so that she had an idea of what I wanted to meet with her about. Do they want the business or not? I guess not from the attitude of the chap who answered the phone..if emails are not going to be opened for the next two weeks or so...why bother, I shall visit somewhere that wants my business instead.
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