#30AwesomeThings

I am doing 30 Awesome things before I hit the big 3-0 in July...follow the fun here as I document each one!

[bellamitri]

Mum's Letters

[bellamitri]

#30AwesomeThings #26 - Rock Climbing - I did it last probably 15 years ago that's half my life! I tried and failed a few years back after a grumpy instructor didn't actually instruct us. So I went somewhere else obvs for a proper lesson. Now I can tie safe knots, climb and belay! I'm mainly proud because I'm not the best at heights but it turns out I love abseiling!!

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#30AwesomeThings #25 - Visit Spooky House - Possibly one of my biggest 'things' on the list in terms of anticipation. "Spooky House" I spotted when I was very small whilst in the car, with my parents, travelling around the M25 visiting my Grandparents in Kent. For anyone that knows the route from Hertfordshire, you'll know that the road goes under two tunnels, one under Epping Forest - I used to think it was 'A Pink Forest'. On your left hand side as you go between the tunnels there is a Manor House stood solitarily in the middle of a field, boarded up and looking burnt out. It looked like a haunted house to me, but not in a really scary way, in a Famous Five - let's go and investigate - way! A few years ago we passed it again and I decided to look it up and find out what it was called. I discovered it wasn't called Spooky House, much to my disappointment, it was called Copped Hall. The basic website I came across told me that it had in fact been derelict, but that a number of dedicated volunteers were painstakingly restoring the house and gardens to their former glory. It became one of those things that we 'must visit sometime' and on the odd occasion we almost did, but never quite made it. So when it came to compiling my list it just had to go on there. We almost didn't make it again on this occasion, time was running out to complete the list and the house and gardens are only open certain weekends...and of course there is also British weather to contend with. But you'll have already established from the pictures above that we did make it...and the weather held out...AND it didn't disappoint. We managed to make a garden open day, though technically I have been inside to the bookshop. For a nominal fee we explored the vast grounds that had been lovingly planted and maintained. Of course this was a playground for the Munchkin who again ran up and down hills and steps, under bridges and through rockeries. We had no idea this oasis was a short car ride away. To our delight cream teas were on offer so we fuelled ourselves for the walk. We even saw a grass snake swimming in the pond...the first snake I've ever seen in the UK. Some lovely memories were made with Munchkin and the pup loved it too...we're certainly coming back!

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#30AwesomeThings #24 - Wine Tasting - I like to think I get extra points for also visiting a vinyard where the wine came from! This little vinyard is a treasure and it is so popular that every year they sell through the wine they harvested and produced the year before, what’s more the grapes have no road miles and are pressed and fermented on site…so it’s a really Eco-friendly operation. Where is this place I can hear you asking? Frithsden Vineyard, near Hemel Hempsted in Hertfordshire (but really nestled into the countryside a stones throw from Ashridge, incidentally where Mr L and I had our wedding reception. Anyway, the important part…the wine tasting. I don’t actually have any pictures of this part because I was so committed to the grape. But here’s what I learnt; the vineyard produces three different bottles of wine, two white and a rose (reds just won’t be very good in the climate here, mores the shame). The two whites are called Phoenix and Solaris and guess what? The Rosé is called Rosé! Due to the climate all three have a sharper, drier edge to them but all are intensely fruity and very drinkable. My personal favourite surprisingly was the Rose, due to notes of strawberries and elderflower…but I’d happy drink all three! We did a self-guided tour of the vineyard which Munchkin relished as she could run up and down the long grassy slopes, we stopped for a picnic before rounding it off with the tasting. This little place is a haven from the hustle and bustle of daily life, I can’t wait to go back! I’m going to do something I haven’t done so far on here and put their website because I was so happy with the visit [they don’t know I’m doing this and I got nothing in return for being so complimentary, this is a genuine positive review] 
www.frithsdenvineyard.co.uk

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#30AwesomeThings #23 - Visit the Beach - I don’t know what it is about the seaside I love so much but living where we do it’s pretty hard to get there. We’ve got a favourite beach…Dymchurch, it’s long, sandy and has a mini railway…what more could you ask for? We were hoping to do a trip before my birthday in 2016 but unfortunately circumstances didn’t allow, mix of weather and Dedecek’s passing. Fortunately this was just last year so I’ve been told it can count. This was Munchkin’s first trip to the seaside and she had a pretty good time, a big fan of sand she spend hours grabbing it and throwing it on her feet. Paddling got a mixed reaction l, I think the waves coming in were a little alarming. Still the weather was glorious and we all enjoyed the trip thoroughly. Though perhaps I should also reflect on the fact we got stuck in a horrendous jam on the M25 coming home, in which the Munchkin had an epic hunger meltdown…still makes for a more colourful memory huh?

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#30AwesomeThings #22 - Go Ice Skating - I was not prepared to the pain that my feet endured doing this! I used to love skating, perhaps it was the skates or my feet are a different size or because I'm more 'rounded' than I used to be it's more weight balancing on a small area...either way, this was agony! Still it was fun, I mean who doesn't love an Ice-Disco! My old moves came back to me and I managed not to fall flat on my face/bottom - Woohooooo. I look forward to going with Munchkin when she's a little older...though I have a feeling she'll skate rings around me...literally!

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#30AwesomeThings #21 - Paint a Picture - I’ve got a creative mind and I LOVE art but somehow what’s in my head never translates to the page/canvas. I decided to quash my inhibitions, buy some cool paint, enlist the help of a friend and a Munchkin and just get on with it. This is what followed; everyone and everything, ended covered in paint, but I think what we created was pretty cool. You’ll see in one of these photos I am on the phone, this is me getting the news that my Dedecek passed away. I decided to include it because Munchkin is just getting on with it, it inspires me because as tough as things are life does go on. I’m not ready to put the pictures up…I may never be ready as they were created at a difficult point - but that some beauty came out of a horrible day…that has to count for something, surely?

[bellamitri]

Opposite of awesome... I've taken a break recently because I lost my grandfather. In fact I got the news when I was in the middle of a day of awesome things, which was both good and bad. I had friends with me, my husband and Munchkin to support me, but it did put a sad filter on the awesome things that I was doing. I've been trying to decide whether I give up because quite frankly I haven't felt very awesome recently...but upon reflection I've decided to continue. My Dedecek wasn't a quitter, he always pushed me to pursue my dreams and ambitions, so it is with a heavy heart that I push through and finish off my 30 Awesome Things in his honour.

[bellamitri]

#30AwesomeThings #20 - Go to a Karaoke Bar - Anyone that knows me will know that I do love a bit of Singstar or Lips, but despite this I've only ever been to one or two pubs that do Karaoke and never to the infamous Sync rooms in Pinner. For those of you that don't know, Sync is a bar but you can book private rooms for parties. Fuelled by Prosecco and something called a Porn Star Martini, the Yummy NCT Mummies and I headed out for a girls night out. They say singing is good for your mental health and after last night I'd be inclined to agree: I haven't laughed like this in a very long time. I can only deduce, from the standard of singing, that we, in fact, have all missed our calling as a hot girl band. We belted out some amazing hits from Evis to Grease, from Wicked to Eurasure to Beyoncé to Adele to Take That...we did them all! I'd definitely recommend it, it was the best night out I've had in a long time...and I even learned how to order an Uber! Which leads on to the next completed 30 Awesome Thing...yes that's right folks I did two in one night...

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#30AwesomeThings #19 - Paddle in a river - It's the simple things in life and for me I LOVE paddling or swimming in rivers and lakes. There's something about cool, natural and fresh water which revives my soul. Ever since I was little I've loved to paddle and I've just never grown out of it...and the good news is that it looks like it's an inherited trait as Munchkin loves to don her wellies and go splashing too! This particular one was a special one ticked off the list as I paddled in TWO Welsh rivers near Cardigan. No we didn't travel all that way just for me to dip my feet, it was for the amazing Ashlea's 30th Birthday. We stayed in Godremamog Mill, nestled in a valley with its own weather system...for three days we were pretty cut off from civilisation and it was sheer bliss. When can we go back?

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#30AwesomeThings #18 - Get in the car and just drive! - I’ve been looking forward to this one a lot. Before baby, before hubby…waaayyyy back when I was a new driver, I used to get in the car and go and explore. Sometimes I had a destination in mind but tried new routes, or other times I would just drive. When thinking about this challenge I thought I may drive to where my Grandparents lived in Hayes, Kent, but then it occurred to me I should just drive somewhere new, not with the intention of stopping off, but rather going down new roads and seeing where random left and right turns took me. I spent perhaps 2 hours in the car today driving around Hertfordshire, out into the countryside and then through Kimpton towards Welwyn and other quaint villages. I saw some lovely countryside, some amazing houses and mostly just enjoyed not having to be anywhere or having a purpose to my journey. My hips have been bad so unfortunately despite spotting a few tempting footpaths I had to carry on, the joy was that my hips didn’t hurt whilst driving - I saw so much. I am so lucky to live in such a beautiful area. On my doorstep there are fields for miles, country roads that twist and turn to reveal ponds, forests and farms. I topped it all off with a hot chocolate and toastie on the go (I was too early for a pub lunch). I feel revitalised and refreshed! The whole point of the exercise.

[bellamitri]

#30AwesomeThings #17 - Visit Dedeček - Possibly the biggest one on the list, certainly the one with the most preparation involved. Our first trip away with Munchkin, her first flight and her first time abroad.

Off we went to Brno at the end of March to visit my Granddad, it was a trip of mixed emotion as he had cancelled a trip to visit us earlier in the year to ill health, at almost 93 though you can forgive him for not wanting to jet-set.

It wasn’t the easiest trip as a certain person was very clingy but we made some amazing memories and I know we’ll look back on it and have forgotten the rough parts.

Highlights that stand out include a great apartment set up for a lively toddler, lots of fried cheese and meeting my favourite artist - more on that in another post. On a family level it warmed our hearts to see Munchkin playing with her grandparents and knowing who Dedeček is. There were smiles, tears, new words - her name and Pigeon! We laughed, we cried, I was overtired and grumpy but I wouldn’t have changed it for the world!

[bellamitri]

#30AwesomeThings #16 - Picnic - Some of the best things in life are spontaneous and I had really thought I’d have to plan the picnic, but this one just came together at the last minute. This week I found out that I have got a new job, I’m thrilled, but it’s full time which will
mean I don’t get my Friday’s with this cutie pie, but also I’ll have to leave Connect Group. These ladies have been my rock, my inspiration, my cheerleaders, my friends, my family and more - I’ve lost count of the times I’ve asked for prayer or support and they’ve just been there. You know how it takes a village to raise a child? Well it takes an army of warrior mamas to support one another. In the rough and tumble of being a mum they’ve never judged, just supported, I’m going to think of them every Friday morning! The picnic was suggested earlier in the week and I honestly wasn’t sure if Izzy would last long enough nap-wise, but we had such fun, eating, drinking and enjoying the start of summer! My heart is happy today! N.b. Don’t be fooled by the adorable ice cream pics, of course both of us ended up covered in melted ice cream and went home sticky!

[bellamitri]

#30AwesomeThings #15 Swimming with Isabella - In my list of 30 Awesome Things I've got some more 'normal' tasks and this is one of them. It's often the simple things in life that are the most rewarding. Gab and I like to be active with Izzy but we never go swimming as much as we'd like to as it's quite a mission. That said we were at the pool for 9am and were out by 10:15... Izzy was so well behaved and really enjoyed her time - although she was a Mummy's girl so Daddy went off for some lengths. It's been a big day for her, swimming, park and then seeing family. Half way there!

[bellamitri]

#30AwesomeThings #14 See Simone - Where to start?

About six months ago a notification popped up on Facebook to say that my secondary school was putting together a reunion concert including the Concert and Jazz Bands plus the Choir. I tentatively dug out "Claire" my Clarinet, to see if I still had any musical talent left...according to my then 9 month old...I did not.

Struggling to read music and remember the right finger placements for the notes, led me to become a hot sweaty mess. Back the Clarinet went in the case and the praying for muscle memory (and a miracle) began.

Simultaneously, I let a few friends know about the concert, one of whom was my old school friend Simone. Simone, unlike me, has remained musical and is undertaking a Masters in Musicology (ask her what that is). She is also a singing teacher and again unlike me agreed to perform a duet at the concert. There was one teenie hitch...Simone now lives is Oslo - NORWAY.

As one of the only people to still love locally that she's in touch with, she asked if she could move into our spare room for a few days - cue a lot of panicking on Gab and my part that it would trigger a sleep regression for the baby and we'd all be up all night - but that didn't come to pass and amongst the fun of the concert - and subsequent trip to the pub - we had a great time catching up.

Highlights included a trip to Yo Sushi!, walk in the countryside, watching 'Humans' on demand and lunch with another old school pal. For a few days I somehow managed to regress to a 16 year old, for Simone and I we kind of picked up where we left off and other school friends did too, I even got an apology from a school friend about an argument we had 14 years ago! Funny the things that stay with you, I had forgotten it.

The low point was being reminded I am not 16, by a 16 year old who exclaimed that she was 2 when I left school! SILENCE CHILD!

[bellamitri]

#30AwesomeThings #13 Fire and Ice Walk Woah I am so behind in updating things, but that’s mainly because it’s been a manic few weeks, first I had the Peace Hospice Fire and Ice Walk on 17th March. Me and my friend Nic did it together as she’s been using the Hospice resources since she was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. She’s doing really well now, but it doesn’t lessen the fact that the Peace Hospice were there for her. I’ve raised almost £250 at this point which I am really pleased with, it’s thanks to the generosity of friends and family that this was possible. So how did it go? Well in the interests of full disclosure I should say that this is my second ever fire walk…but it was more hair raising the second time around, because I got a teenie burn that felt like my foot was falling off! It turns out I am a complete drama queen and it was painless the day after. The ice walk I was actually pretty worried about in the run up to it - I mean who in their right mind walks across shards of glass…me! There is certainty a technique and I am pleased to say no one was injured! You certainly get a buzz after doing it, thank goodness I had eaten beforehand else I’d have been high on adrenaline! This was a biggie on the list! So another one ticked off! Hurrah! PS You can still sponsor me at Just Giving!

[bellamitri]

#30AwesomeThings #12 Pension

You may think this is a boring one, but having a child makes you realise how quickly life goes by and that we'll be old before we know it. So setting up some pension savings I felt were vital and something that I'd put off organising for far too long! Still it's done now, each month a little more will go into my ISA and will be tucked away for our retirement.