Los Angeles - Part 1

Right, this tale starts in an arduous way: My new boss (a PR chappy) needed to send me to LA to escort one of our clients (it helps that she is positively lovely, bright and sweet natured, this will not be a hard week for me (fingers crossed)).

Said new boss, booked my flight under my everyday name, not my passport name; this issue saw me connecting two calls between BA and Mauritius to get this approved and changed.

All sorted, however a few days before I departed, I noticed the return was booked for March; once again, calls were connected and all got sorted...or so we thought...roll on the day before departure and the lady who had changed my return flight, had changed my surname, so that the first letter was now on the end of my first name - good times! At this point I couldn't be bothered to connect calls, I decided I'd get it sorted at Heathrow Terminal 5.

Arriving extra early to allow for changes, I tried to automatically check in - fail.
I spoke to a representative who tells me to just line up and they'll sort it out for me at the desk. 45 minutes of queuing and the lady starts to process me, only to stop due to my booking being flagged. Instantly I'm worrying that my mother being born in Egypt, means I could potentially be a terrorist (cause there are loads of them in Egypt?!) and therefore USA have told BA that I'm not allowed to fly, etc. Oh the humanity!

Off to E section I trot. After another 10 minutes of waiting; oh, did I mention that I had a killer hangover?! I did and it was blinking brutal! Anyway, I digress, a nice young man called Sim calls me forward and starts to sort out the nightmare that is my booking. Halfway through he halts and says "oh, you've been upgraded to Business, before I continue, I'll secure your seat against your new name". Sorry, what?! Upgraded. I thought this was only something that happened in the movies or to newly weds, how exciting!!! Instantly I've visions of champagne, caviar and then a wave of nausea hits me! I really do not recommend flying hungover...EVER! Anyhow, Sim helps me out and he also prints off my e-ticket from my flights to Geneva, so that I can add those to my Airmiles, oh yeah, I collect air miles now! How grown up am I?!

I eventually go through and head straight to my gate, as I have no time at all to potter about. Arrive at the airport and get boarded first, as I'm in Business. Did I mention I'm seated in Business?! I hadn't, oh sorry, I meant to tell you that I'd been upgraded, for FREE, to Business!

I walk through what I assume is First, and start to look for my seat, random these numbers are lower than mine. I am seated in a flat bed seat, holy fuck balls!!! This is Mega, Balling Pimp-mazing!

I'm so nice to everyone, I'm overly polite, I never mind that my first option isn't available, I keep the menu, I keep on returning my glasses to the flight attendants, I basically do not fit in and I am loving it. I can confirm that the First Class lavatory is just as shit as the Battery Class lav, also the paper is like tracing paper - some things never change, even with money! My steak was over cooked and the expensive Sancerre was mediocre - these are my only complaints and yes, I am allowed to complain, it's the British way - behind people's back and after the issue arose.

Of course, I was pikey enough to acquire the blanket from Business Class, somehow it ended up in my bag and is now in my suitcase...oops!

Once in LAX, after the three checks of your passport and once they've collected samples of everything but your bodily fluids, I found myself being confronted by 100 signs with different names on and I couldn't read them, so I ended up doing a very extravagant lap of arrivals, to no avail, oh hang on a minute there he is...whoop whoop! I've got a driver! Off we go and he has only bloody got a limo for me! I mean, could this day get better?! The limo is a little rough around the edges but he's nice and other than an old style Daimler I once went in, I've never been in a limo / stretch or normal. In addition, the best of the 80s was playing...

I arrive at The Chamberlain Hotel, it's in West Hollywood and is really nice, very residential and quiet. Everyone is super nice and I've only bloody got a suite - this is getting cray cray! Traditionally, when at a hotel, I only use the bed and bathroom, so having a sofa, chair and two TVs is a little over kill! But, when in Los Angeles, you've just got to roll with it...

Last night, I got to see Simone, she treated me to dinner in a diner and halfway through my margarita, I started to feel wasted, oh yes, Jet Lag - good times! It was lovely to catch up though and I'm hoping to see her later in the week also.

The downside to jet lag: I was in bed by 8:30pm and asleep by 9pm, however post 1am, I was waking every few hours due to a toilet that likes to gurgle and not being tired but hopefully I'll sleep tonight and get a little acclimatised!

To follow my mega exciting LA times, click here!

Art Rooms

Today I went to Art Rooms at the Melià White House Hotel. It is an interesting concept where each artist has a bedroom to populate and fill with their own art, they can then stay and talk to people, or wonder around themselves. The freedom that having your own individual space gives is rather remarkable, most of them had different music and themes. It was an interesting concept...

In particular, these arts moved me some what:

Deepa Khanna Sobti: These impressionist expressions where full of colour and Deepa told us that 75% of her sales go towards four charities which she supports. She is a full time artist but she wants others to find opportunity through her skill, rather than profiteering. 

Rosa Miglardi: In the main corridor, there is this wonderful gold wire sculpture on the wall in a purely negative space. I marvelled at it for some time and saw a small sign which I assumed meant it was £127, unfortunately it was the room number but I loved the madness that came with her sculptures.

Lucienne O'Mara: This was one of the first rooms we viewed and when Lucienne explained how she got the washed out colour on her canvas as "I scrub the crap out of it", I knew that one day I would have to own a piece by her. They are strangely haunting and beautiful, I adore them. I'd like to hang it somewhere that I'd get full attention to it, I suggested to my friend that the toilet would be the perfect place, as what else are you doing while you're in there, although my friend said this could be misconstrued as an insult. Ridiculous!

Deborah Pearce: Deborah was Nats' friend and is the reason we attended the event. Deborah focusing mainly of edible subject matter and I found her blackberries, truly enchanting. She also said that she was going to start selling tea towels with her paintings on them, this I will be holding out for. Her figs were truly darling.

Wendy Yeo: This room was a medley of oriental art / impressionist canvases, it was so beautiful, that I started to work out what I would need to sell to purchase one of her canvases. The one below is called 'Hong Kong Sunset', I wanted to buy it for Rowan, to remind him of his time there.

Reissue Korea: Reissue Korea is a gallery supporting various artists. There were various pieces in this room I loved, beautifully tranquil canvases as 1. (Mi-kyeong Kim), another which was a bright blue paint strike on white canvas, see 2. (Seung-yoon Choi), and the third were watercolour and pen drawings of Oxford and London, see 3. (Sunga Park), where parts of the buildings were missing, etc. I asked how much the watercolour pen prints were but £500 was slightly out of my price range. Which sucks!

1.

2.

3.

It was a truly lovely morning spent being exposed to new and established artists, these are just some that caught my eye, there were many many more and I highly recommend everyone to pop by and see something new.

Thank You

At a young age, my mother instilled in me that you write thank you letters every time you receive a present. Therefore, I still write thank you cards whenever I receive anything, however I halt at giving my postman a card daily.

Since meeting Rowan, we have had some very entertaining ideas and our wedding Stationary will all be very personal and funny at the expense of ourselves, and potentially others.

This year, we produced these wonders:

Yes, we are aware there are grammatical errors and a slight layout issue, but for a first attempt, we've got it nailed!!! If you ask me, they are looking pretty sweet!

Cats

I went to see the new show of Cats on Friday. Nicole Scherzingerziggazigahhh was rather impressive, however I couldn't take my eyes off The Cast! These guys were the real stars! I've no idea how they sung, danced and remembered everything, I was in awe.

I recommend going to see it, not for Nicole but for the sheer talent of the cast, it's nothing but remarkable!

Geneva

While in Geneva, during the small period of time when my nose wasn't stuck in the direction of my phone and emails, I happened across these wonderful buildings...

...which is a very Gaudi-esque style building. It is rather striking compared to the traditional Swiss architecture and has been stuck in my mind ever since. Aren't they rather wonderful. There isn't much online about them online, which is a shame.

They are called Les Schtroumph Buildings, and the tourism website says the following about them:

The fantasy world of the Smurfs recreated in extravagantly curved dwellings.
These incredibly shaped and strangely coloured buildings behind the railway station never fail to surprise. Welcome to the world of the Smurfs!
You'll find this strange housing complex with curved walls and surprising colours in the lively Grottes district behind the railway station. Three architects planned and built these residences between1982 and 1984, inspired by the Spanish artist Gaudi. There are reliefed balconies, wrought iron railings and… not a single straight line. The comparison between these buildings and the many-faceted, multicoloured mushroom houses of the blue comic strip characters could not be denied. No wonder the housing complex is now called ’The Smurfs’!

Birthday Cards

I love a good swear, always have, always will. I found this memo in my phone:

"Because some days there aren't the words to describe how I feel about you...   ...you're a cunt!"

I assume it was a card I saw, that made me laugh, however I'm unable to locate it...I've searched.

I did find these gems, that made me belly laugh:

Favourite Actor / Actress #1

I was in Geneva for the SIHH this Monday and happened to find myself in a lift with the actor Christoph Waltz, so I seized the opportunity and asked him the following question:

Who is / are your favourite Actor / Actresses?

He was very sweet and didn't mind being bothered, which was nice and refreshing. I don't normally bother famous faces but when you're in such close confines, why the hell not!

Actor: Robert De Niro

Actresses: Judy Holliday

I've now lots of new films to watch starring Judy Holliday, who I had never heard of.
This I'm rather happy about.

Golden Cat

Since I started eating in Red Star on Cowley Road when I was around 22, I have wanted a Golden Cat of Fortune. I've mentioned this to every boyfriend and they've all "intended" to buy me one but have all failed miserably. This is what happens when you date artists who are starting out, they are piss poor broke and would rather spend their money on (one or more of the following): gambling, video games, alcohol, food, Star Wars stuff, drugs, musical instruments, clothes, etc.

I knew Rowan could be "the one" when he told me about his alter-ego, Archie Pelago. I then told him about mine, Saffron Challows. The moment I had it confirmed was when I told him about my need for a Golden Cat and how all of my exes had failed, when he told me he had one already.

God damn, can he get any better?! I guess time will tell...

New Year's Eve

We cheekily popped to Rowan's studio while drunkie poos after our dinner party for some fun times, here are some highlights.

What was supposed to be a civilised dinner party, was just that, however due to too much King's Ginger in the fizz, a lot of us were suffering big time the next day. Oh well, you're only young once!

Auld Lang Syne

I was thinking about the lyrics to 'Auld Lang Syne' the other day and the term 'old acquaintance be forgot' seems so very odd, why should we forgot old acquaintances?! I've been looking into it and the song seems to originate from Robert Burns's poem.

A fresh reminder of the first paragraph of the song:
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, 
And never brought to mind? 
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, 
And auld lang syne! 

And another thing I was wondering, Auld Lang Syne = Times Long Past.

Anyhow, it appears that the poem/song talks about forgetting past loves and troubles and moving on, which makes much more sense to me, myself and I. Now that that is sorted, time to prepare for our dinner party.

Job Hunting Pt.1

Since Monday, I have been looking for a new job to accompany my new flat and shiny future, unfortunately everyone wants Christmas cover, which isn't ideal. Therefore I resolve to start fresh faced and bright eyed in January and enjoy daytime TV and lie ins in the mean time. Yay!

I always thought January was the worst time to find a new employer but apparently December fills people with epiphanies, which means there should be an abundance of opportunity out there.

Fingers crossed!

New Home, Hurrah!

After a typically wank estate agent screwing us over, a few weeks later we found the perfect 'fixer-upper' around the corner from Rowan's work, at a reasonable price and with a huge living room to boot, everyone say 'hurrah'!

On December 5th, we moved Rowans's property in. On the 6th, all of my crap arrived. On the 7th, the rest of our possessions from out of town turned up dusty but in one piece, by the 8th we were all unpacked and moved in.

Here is a little taster for you all:

And Rowan bought this for our lovely new home:

8 weeks and 3 days

Back at the start of Summer, Rowan was told there was a new drug that his doctor wanted to put him on. We had been toying with the idea of throwing caution to the wind and starting a family. When Rowan had his second consultation about the drug in question, his nurse notified him that it would affect his sperm and could cause high risk pregnancy (possible growth issues and disorders). Rowan decided that if we were to give it a proper go, we would need a few months to try, otherwise we wouldn't be able to do so for at least 8-14 months. With this in mind, we set about removing all boundaries and just seeing how things went, Rowan put off starting the drug until Dec / Jan to give us a fair amount of time and if it didn't work by then, we would put it off until he had completed at least a six month session on the new drug.

Various contraptions were wheeled out: ovulation sticks, ph balancing sprays, positions, advice and research. We took it at face value, tried to remain calm and increased the possibility of it happening.

3 months later, Rowan received incredible news; his doctor told him that there was a brand new drug which had a better affect on MS, with zero side effects. It was a no brainer; with this in mind, we slowed down and allowed our bodies to do as they did. Miraculously in the same month I fell pregnant.

One day after I had expected my period to arrive, my boobs were swollen and I felt strangely different, that morning I told Rowan that I was going to get a test, he laughed and told me that we should wait. That lunch time I popped to Boots and found myself looking at a very faint Positive result. With my belly full of joy and my heart singing a merry tune I walked back to my desk and text my baby daddy the good news.

Once home, I took another test and again, the positive line showed up. We nickname him the 'little prick' due to me getting my words mixed up and telling Rowan that our blastocyst was the size of a pin prick, instead of pin head. A week later I confirmed it with my doctor.

We set about resting, taking everything at a slightly slower rate. We discussed names and parenting styles, followed a pregnancy app to see what was happening and everything seemed rather bloody good.

I would get occasional aches here and there but other than extremely swollen boobs, I had no real symptoms. It was the perfect pregnancy. We shared the news with good friends, I told a few people at work due to wanting to be able to talk to people about it and having people know, in case I fainted or something similar.

I noticed certain things changing: my stomach swelling, my hair thickening, my nails appeared stronger. I longed to drink wine or beer but found the idea repulsive, everything seemed perfect until this week.

On Monday, I woke up exhausted and Rowan insisted that I stay in bed. I was hesitant (since my tonsillectomy I only get paid SSP on any additional sickness), but he pointed out that there was something more important than money and I was carrying him. So that day I slept and rested up. The next day I still felt exhausted but went to work regardless as I couldn't afford to stay at home two days in a row, stupid as that seems, it was the truth.

Mid-afternoon on Tuesday, I started to develop mild cramping in my abdomen and asked to be excused from work early.

Once home the cramping increased and all I could do was lay in bed. I felt as though my period was starting and all I could do was cry. I visited the lavatory and thought my discharged looked a little darker. I put a panty liner in my knickers hoping I could see clearly if anything was up.

My hopeless state continued and I failed to calm myself down, if it wasn't about the pain, it was about the events of the day at work (potentially losing my job), if it wasn't about my job it was about potentially losing my baby, no matter what I couldn't calm down. I read various posts about bleeding while pregnant and eventually calmed down. Rowan came home and we tried to get some sleep.

At around 3am, the cramps became more intensive and I needed the lavatory. Once there I noticed a couple of brown dots in my knickers, as I looked down I noticed a bright red pool and some clots in the loo. With a heavy heart I burst in to tears, I returned to bed distraught, Rowan was instantly concerned insisting that we phoned NHS direct.

The lady at the end of 111 was very kind and calm, she helped calm me down and arranged for a GP to call me. Around 15 minutes later the GP called me directly, advising me that sleep was the best medicine and that she would book me into the EPU (Emergency Pregnancy Unit) first thing, 10 minutes later she called back confirming my appointment for 11:30am. I emailed work to notify them that I wouldn't be in and went back to a state of dazed hysteria.

Around 5pm the pain had settled on to my left side, I freaked thinking I might be experiencing an ectopic pregnancy, I called back the GP surgery and was told the GP would call me back. As I settled back into bed, I felt an almighty snap in my womb and then a rush of fluid. A couple of minutes later the GP called me back and put my mind at rest and told me if I needed too, I could visit them but they wouldn't be able to tell me anything until the scan had taken place at the EPU.

Myself and Rowan eventually managed to fall asleep.

I was woken at 8am by a call from work, I ignore it and noticed that the cramps appeared to have subsided. I eventually went to the loo, there was more bleeding and more clots but nothing too big. I called work back, explaining that I thought I may have miscarried and wouldn't be in until I knew what was going on.

Around 9am I went back to the lavatory and that was when the worst thing I could see came to view. I heard a tiny splosh and looked down to see a small sack of fluid lying in the bottom of the lavatory. The GP had asked me to collect everything I could to take to the hospital and the idea of scooping out my potential baby was soul destroying, I convinced myself it was the placenta or mucus plug and just got on with it. It was horrific and all I could do was crawl back into bed with Rowan and have a good old cry. Helpless to do anything else. I started to barter, hoping that maybe I had been carrying twins and maybe lost one, all sorts of random things came through my brain, although I knew deep down, there was no other ending for us.

Later that morning we were at the hospital for our appointment, a kind nurse called Patience talked to us, I explained everything and she said that it sounded like a miscarriage. I then presented the tiny mite to her and we were put in a quiet room to cry and console each other. About 15 minutes later a friendly faced Sonographer called Bee came to see us; she led us through and the internal examination started. She confirmed that I had had a clean miscarriage and that I seemed in full health. Patience came back to see us one last time, advising us of do's and dont's.

I am so grateful to the Woman's Health Department at Homerton University Hospital, they were extremely gentle and kind, involving Rowan in the full process and with his support I feel as though we could get through anything. I don't think I could have dealt with it alone and I have nothing but pure awe for women who do. He's been my rock from beginning to end and knowing that I have his constant support is phenomenal. I'm not the only person who experienced my miscarriage obviously, Rowan did too. He lost his potential child too and our future has changed together through this dreadful happening.

One of the hardest part about miscarriage is that it is a very common occurrence. One in four pregnancies result in it and yet we are not supposed to speak about it. I spent a lot of yesterday and today telling people about it and have found out that various friends have suffered the same fate. It seems utter madness to have such a common devastating experience be felt by so many people and yet, "shh, don't tell people".

I guess one of the biggest things is that you can feel like a failure as a woman. I instantly apologised to Rowan for failing to keep his offspring safe. I'm lucky that Rowan wouldn't accept it and kept on reminding me that it was a failure of development and wasn't anything I did or didn't do that caused it. There is still a small doubt in my mind that stress caused it but for now I have to cling to the fact that it is simply a case of bad genetics and that there was nothing I could do.

I feel that this is a subject that should be spoken about; just how abortion is more commonly mentioned in media nowadays. It's not exactly the most wonderful of subject but with the affect reaching so far, you would assume that it could be more openly discussed and people could be more openly consoled about it.

As with any loss, the grieving process is dire but you get through it because you have too. It may seem like a cliche but I feel that there is comfort in statistics, some of my friends who have had similar losses have said they found no comfort, I can not help but fear this is society letting them down by not allowing them to feel as though they can openly discuss this subject and grieve publicly.

It's a dreadful thing but it happens everyday. Nurses, like Patience and Bee, have to break this frightful news over and over, day after day to numerous different faces. I hope one day that miscarriage becomes a more approachable subject, less of the taboo that it currently is, but until that day, I will continue to discuss it in an open manner, as that is the only way I know to deal with these things.

And to our 'little prick' who we lost, I will always think of you and I'm sorry that you weren't intended for this world. Thank you for being with us while you were, we loved you so, so much.

London Taxidermy

I recently had to send an archived item from work off to be cleaned and cased, which meant I got to do lots of taxidermy searching, hoorah! I found lots of wonderful things, like a mouse on a cross - blinking charming and the below company: London Taxidermy.

All I want to do is sit next to the dress lama?! and read a book...

Rowan & his Multiple Sclerosis

About 5 hours in to first meeting Rowan, he told me he needed to tell me something very important. Not exactly something any girl wants to hear so soon on a date that is going very, very well. I assumed it would be a secret child or serving time, however it was on par but not so godly awful, he told me that two years ago he had been diagnosed with MS (multiple sclerosis).


My reaction suprised him somewhat, I shrugged and said it was fine with me. He asked me if I knew what it was and if I was sure that it wasn't an issue. I did and I was. The way I look at these things is they are what they are and once you know about them, you can learn to live with them and deal with them as best you can. Easier said that done, admittedly, but it at least knowledge gives you a heads start which is always helpful with health related issues.

In addition, knowing that someone, who is remarkable, has any illness/condition but is coping with it, doesn't make them a defect or throwaway, it means that you're aware that they, and you, could come across some difficulty along the way. It's not ideal but it could happen at any point in your relationship, who is to say that you or they won't develop some awful condition during your journey together, it is what it is. It's not as though you would divorce or break up with them due to illness. Why would you decide not to date someone when you find out they are not classified as 100% perfect.

My brother has had ME/Chronic Fatigue for over 10 years now and he still suffers some times, however he has come to terms with it and tries to deal with it as best as possible. It is what it is.
Rowan had come to terms with his diagnosis. Has a top Neurologist who looks after him and has access to the best medical help in London. He sees a nurse regularly and recently received the incredible news that he is officially in remission. Why would I decide to not date him, because he is coping with something that makes life a little harder but not impossible?!

Yes, it won't be plain sailing but who is to say that he won't find the perfect medication and we will live a perfect life after all?!



And who wants a perfect life anyhow, it sounds awfully dull!

Granny Square Blanket Commissions

If you would like a Granny Square Blanket, contact me through the above link as I'm now taking commissions. 

They are the perfect gift for an expectant mother or for your home, which you can add a personal touch to.

On average, my blankets measure to 32 rows, approximately 87cm / 34" wide.

My blankets traditionally have a slight curve to them (see above and below) and can come with a scallop edge, as optional.

They take approximately 4 weeks to make and can be made in any colours and patterns.

32 row, size 4 crochet hook, wool supplied by you: £20

32 rows, size 4 crochet hook, wool supplied by me: £30

If you would like another size blanket or stitch, I'm happy to discuss.

All of my wool is 100% acrylic, to ensure durability and ease of washing.

Post-Operation love from work

Astromelias and Roses from work

Tonsillectomy

I had my tonsils removed yesterday, after 15 months of suffering from Tonsil Stones and they are finally gone. It was a strange experience:

On the approach to the operation, people kept on asking if I was nervous, which I wasn't. My theory was that the Doctors and Nurses do these operations all of the time and I would just be considered another number, so why be nervous.

Off I went first thing yesterday morning to Homerton Hospital, spending the first 10 minutes lost in the corridors. The hospital was abandoned and empty, it was 7:30am after all. While walking aimlessly I ended up in the Maternity ward and the MRI scan unit. After two employees took pity on me I ended up in the Day Stay Unit.

After being checked in, six women were walked through to the unit, me included. We were shown to individual cubicles with some fetching robes, hairnets, disposable knickers and medical stockings - I have never looked so sexy! I spend the next hour reading magazines, answering the same questions (what's your name? What's your date of birth? Is this your address? etc.), cracking jokes to the nurses and relaxing.

Eventually I'm collected to go and meet my anaesthetic team. I walk into the smallest room known to man, which hosts 5 people and a gurny. I can't help but joke about how it reminds me of my blood test, when I passed out with one woman and woke up with 6 additional people around me.
Once again I'm asked the same questions and I advise them to add a random question in to throw the patient, this ends up confusing one of the nurses. The last thing I remember is the oxygen mask going over my face.

An hour or two later, I'm gently woken by a kind lady who tells me that all is over and wheeled around the ward to another cubicle and placed in a chair, about 5 seconds after vomiting. I then snooze and sleep for the following hour, in between having my blood pressure taken. After about an hour, the drugs which were given to me finally overcome me like a warm hug and I wake up properly.

I'm now sore, achy, tired and weak. I've not eaten all day. They call Rowan and give me some jelly. I am then moved to the TV room where I am subjected to two hours of Jeremy Kyle, which is possibly worse than my sore throat and inability to swallow. I eventually ask the nurses to call Rowan again to find that he's been waiting in reception for an hour and a half due to someones incompetence. I go to the reception to find him asking the receptionist to once again call the ward, frantic out of his mind.

We head home and I spend the rest of the day napping and sipping drinks, I takes me over an hour to drink a cup of cold soup...so this is my life now for the next two weeks: cold to tepid food and drink with no spice, roll on July 16th.

Sud de France

I have just come back from my first holiday in a very long time and I feel overly relaxed and at peace, omg! Just in time for my tonsillectomy, not so ideal but it is so...

We stayed here on our first night: Les Iles D'Or
It was a beautiful area of the Cote d'Azur, the sea was incredible, so clear and warm. I highly recommend it, there isn't much to do in the area but there was a delicious restaurant with very friendly staff and amazing food with a fabulous view of the cove. The B&B was charming and the landlady was awfully generous. She didn't speak much English and we spoke 'petit francois' but never the less we managed. She also ran us over the mountain to our Campsite the next day, stopping halfway up at numerous times to allow us to take photos of the view.

For the rest of our stay, we were staying with Eurocamp at Camping Pachacaid. We were fitted out with a fabulous 6 berth state of the art caravan, all mod cons and were welcomed by the Eurocamp staff in fabulous style.

After swimming, sleeping and drinking, we headed to the bar where we drank with the Eurocamp staff, after which we were invited to join them for their 'Eurocamp Christmas' on Wednesday night. I won't go too far into it but after celebrating Christmas with the Eurocamp monsters (legends) I've never seen Rowan so drunk! He fell over and couldn't get up, it was all rather funny and entertaining, in addition no long term harm came to him.

The only photos Rowan and I uploaded to the social media world were miserable faced photos, which kept everyone entertained, while we sunned, laughed and drank.

We visited La Mole, which is a small town near to the campsite. Not much there and no one took debit/credit cards, which made life difficult. Luckily the campsite was well equip.

We popped to St. Tropaz also but it stank of piss and had little too it. I recommend a trip to anywhere else than here. However I did take a panoramic shot of Rowan enjoying a beer in the sun there:

We spent the last few nights in Cote d'Azur at the Camping Les Palmiers, this was akin to camping at a nightclub. I wouldn't recommend the site, however the beach was extremely nice and we spent most of our time here. The caravans were cramped and uncomfortable, all in all, it was dire and tired. Everything evolved around the reception, which meant we spent most of our time queueing due to the total lack of organisation or consideration to efficiency. This didn't dampen our spirits though, we'd had a truly lovely holiday and would highly recommend two out of the three places.

We would also recommend the entire area, everyone is so friendly and relaxed. The bus drivers are not in hurries and the bar staff will allow you to finish drinking, instead of trying to kick you out as soon as they want to close.

It was bloody lovely and I can truly see why people would retire to there.

Craig the Hula Boy

At the weekend, while in Wales, Rowan's Brother in law and Sister were telling us about Craig the Hula Boy. I think I've found my new hero!