The Rucksack Project 2015

So I've been a bit quiet of late, apologies! WW has taken a bit of a backseat and I've been here there and everywhere - I'm a busy girl! 

But I'm here to let you all know that The Rucksack Project event in Portsmouth is back!! And I'm very honoured to be helping with organising the event and getting involved.

I'm sure you're all aware of the project by now. If you're not go have a read.... http://rucksackproject.org/ there are also other blog posts I've written on the last 2 years events and you can catch up on them on my blog homepage.

Jo posted the event on Facebook a week or two ago and the response we've had so far has just been amazing!! 1300 people so far have pledged items/rucksacks/help and I'm just blown away. What an amazing community we live in!  

November 21st is the date for your diary, you've loads of time to start collecting, add a few bits to your food shop weekly or to encourage others to get involved. Last year we had over 1500 rucksacks donated that went off to various shelters, organisations, refuges and charities - let's see if we can beat that this year!

If you want to join us the event is here... 

https://www.facebook.com/events/1480658705584548/ 

I'll be writing more posts on this subject of course, and I can't wait to be part of something special this year. 

TTFN, Sammy xx

A whirlwind of emotions...

So I didn't manage to post the last few days, but I've been good I promise!!

Thursday was all about my beautiful step daughter, Lauren; who has worked so hard this past year and all that hard work has finally paid off!  Lauren has got her place at uni to study diagnostic radiography and we couldn't be more proud!! 

Lauren has completed a full time college course around a full time job for the NHS, a part time job in a wine bar and restaurant all while training and competing in the London Marathon and various races for life and raising amazing funds for charity!  I want what she's got, I haven't enough stamina for a spot of exercise alongside my full time job - let alone all that!!

Lauren has worked so hard, given it her all and though there was no certainty in her place; given the fierce competition to get in - what she's achieved is simply amazing and we were so pleased for her when that email popped up confirming her place. (We knew she had it in the bag all along but she wouldn't believe us!)

We spent a lot of time Thursday celebrating with happy tears and just such a feeling of overwhelming pride!  I went out for dinner (Mr B was away sadly and missed all the fun) arranged as a surprise for Lauren, with her mum and step dad, friends and family and it was lovely to get together and celebrate all her hard work.

We were a few people missing in this picture, but we also gained one too!  We learnt that our waitress for the evening also had her uni place confirmed that day too, so she joined us for a drink as well!

My cousins daughter got her A level results Thursday and has done amazingly well too; straight A's all round are sending her straight to uni to study law, and we're off for cocktails tonight to celebrate!  Well done Megan, we're all so proud of you too. You've worked so hard and achieved so much to follow your dreams. 

Life is about to get so exciting for you both and the hard work will begin pretty much straight away I'm sure, but given what you've both achieved so far, you'll walk it I'm sure! 

Much love, Sammy xxxx

Rosie and Jim'ing it...

We've just got back from a lovely 5 days staying with friends on their beautiful narrow boat! I had the most amazing time and I totally loved it, as did Mr. B.  We're even considering hiring one for future holiday plans!

I have some very lovely friends, who realised life is too short and should be fully enjoyed. So they both looked at their loose ends, bought a beautiful boat, were given 'Norman' as a leaving present, and launched into life on the canals for a few years.  They had us to stay as visitors for the last few days on the boat, showed us life on the canals and thoroughly looked after us.

We had such fun learning how to do locks, swing bridges, washing up in small confined spaces and weeing in a drawer!

We were so looked after by our amazing hosts and saw some very beautiful sights. Steam trains, beautiful birds and wildlife, limestone mills and some amazing scenery.

Life on a narrowboat is just lovely, nothing happens very quickly - which is perfect for some r&r time. Lots of cruising, nattering and wine was consumed. It was perfect for a break from our busy lives and I can honestly say I'm very jealous they were off to pursue more of the same and I was off back to work!  

Here we are with Norm and Molly dog on one of our stops.

I'm sure life on the canals isn't always strictly non stop fun, especially in the rain; but we had some quite good weather and it was a lovely break.

Needless to say, although my friend was super thoughtful about her cooking and my eating, I didn't count a single point!  Weigh in will be interesting on Saturday, but d'you know what... I don't mind at all! I had a fab break and I'd love to do it again very very soon!

TTFN, Sammy xx