Tomorrow morning I will be heading down to London for my first blogging conference and despite the fact that I’m a big girl now, I am rather nervous. I’m not really sure why. It’s not because I’ll be meeting people or being involved in the discussions. I can’t put my finger on why my stomach is churning. Maybe it’s because it’s a change in my routine; I’ve got to think ahead a little. And I’m doing it without my little family. I’ve realised it’s a long time since I’ve done something on my own.
I really should be sorting out my packing but I’m now looking at the rain lashing down and re-considering my choice of shoes and whether to wear a raincoat or carry a brolly. Deciding what to wear has been a challenge: what will see me through two train journeys, an afternoon of conference plus a ceremony for the Brilliance in Blogging Awards where I’m a finalist in the Go! category. I had a gorgeous white shirt I’d bought from the Mint Velvet concession at John Lewis. It’s been sitting in my wardrobe for weeks now. Tried it on again yesterday and it has a small rip in the back. No idea whether it’s always been there, whether it was a small fault that has enlarged or whether I caught it on something in my numerous trying-on sessions. Either way it’s too late to take it back. So I’ve had to think again.
I looked at my blog objectively yesterday, seeing it through the eyes of the judge for the travel category. Seems I’ve not really been travelling lately: what with Rory doing GCSEs we put all Easter and half-term jaunts on hold. Not sure Dougie and I gallivanting at a ball is quite what they’ve got in mind with regards travel blogging. I may have to shout “But we did go to the Cotswolds last October!” in a loud beseeching voice.
I’m looking forward to catching up with some great online friends including my cousin Toni, Expat Mum: I’m sure she’ll look after her little cuz who hasn’t done this kind of thing before. I’m also very excited about seeing Very Bored in Catalunya after all these years of internet friendship. Probably find out she’s a big, hairy bloke from Barcelona called Miguel.
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Have fun x
I'll try. I'm sure I will once I get there!
Have a great time and best of luck! I voted for you so I'm hoping you take home the win!
Thanks Steve. The voting public got me to the final – the buck now stops with a judge who is a professional travel journalist. If you win your category can I stand up and take your prize instead??
I hope you have fun and at least you'll know one person there, and no doubt get to meet others.
I'd be apprehensive too though so I think you're very brave. It would never occur to me to go to such an event. Hope you win – I voted for you too. 🙂
It seems so silly to be nervous but I think it's the unknown. Can't be any worse than performing on stage I suppose and I've done that often enough.
Thank you for helping me get this far. Much appreciated x
How about wearing something by Desigual? 😉
Have fun, I will have to come next year, I think, sounds fun. xx
PS: say hi to Miguel!
I may well do – just trying on a combination of tops and bottoms now!
Would love you to come next year xx
I suppose the evening gown you wore to Spalding do is a bit over the top for this event – such a shame…..; )
In my experience, getting there is always the hardest part, no matter what you're doing – so funny, even when it's something you know you'll enjoy. At least, that's how it works with me.
As far as the judging goes – I would expect the judges to look at your blog as a whole. You have great stuff in there, even when you're not traveling – I especially enjoyed it when you were researching for your Scandinavian trip – and you also are great at linking back to past posts! You're a great (and realistic) source for people who enjoy traveling but who also have families and those (pesky) daily jobs and responsibilities. I think most of your readers can relate to having to hold off on taking any trips due to other priorities – like Rory's GSCE's(oddly, I never had any but the vaguest sense of what they were until we moved to Seoul, and now I know all too well! Cullen will sit the iGCSEs next spring due to the international curriculum at his school…I just never stop learning!) I will be sending all sorts of lovely positive Karma to you, can't wait to hear all about it, and hope you have a fabulous visit with ExpatMum!
What a lovely, lovely comment. That has given me such a lift. It really is just great to be in the finals as I know my friends in real life and online have put me there.
Imagine me turning up in the lime green number! I think we dress up a bit for the MAD blog awards in September as that is just a specific evening ceremony. With this one there isn't any time to change between normal conference and the awards part so will just stay in the same clothes.
Say hello to everyone from me!
Have had to rush over to your blog to find out why you won't be there. Such a shame you can't come but can totally see why family commitments come first: they always do with me.
Good luck! I always enjoy your blog whether you're traveling or not.
Ah thank you! At least I'll have a weekend in London to talk about on my return!
Am here already and it's hissing down. Having to do a major re-think as open-toed sandals aren't going to cut it.
I've totally re-thought shoes as it's been monsoon weather today here too. See you tomorrow xx
How exciting – will be crossing fingers and toes and eyes for you! Have fun and tell us all about it when you come back..with photos.
Yes, have camera packed and will try and remember to use it!
And the award for blogging about going to awards blogs goes to……….
ME!!
Best of luck with your nomination. Bet you'll have a great time – even if your prediction about Miguel turns out to be correct!! 😉
MIguel turned out to be delightful and not the least bit hairy or scary.
Deciding what to wear has been a challenge …….
Wear the dotty jacket (you know how I love that), very chic over the evening gown from Spalding.
You win, you win — you don't win, you don't win, you'll have a great time either way. (Though I voted for you and definitely think you deserve to win, reading your blog gives me great pleasure.)
I was just thinking — how great is that to meet fellow bloggers you only "know" via the internet. Plus, you get to see your Cuz again!!
You definitely WILL feel comfortable from the second you arrive and you definitely WILL enjoy — I command it!!
Marion in Panama
PS Haven't lived in the UK for forever — but can't remember many times I could wear sandals. Wellies always seemed more weather friendly — you have any pretty flowered wellies you could wear to the opening ceremony?? They'd look great with the evening gown and dotty jacket.
Despite the lack of evening gown or spotty jacket I did manage to win the award. Overwhelmed.
Wish I could be there too meeting everyone, how fun! Good luck in the awards – I'm always traveling with even if it's a tour round your kitchen!
I'm day one into the conference, it's been fab to meet everyone.
Argh! I so wish I could go but a full time job with no time off allowed during term time has scuppered my plans. 🙁 Hope you have a fab time and WIN your category!!
I bloody did!!
Hope you had a wonderful wonderful time today. I did think about you all! How did you get on? Did W turn out to be Miguel?? 😀 Ps. Still sulking about September 🙁
Day one over and what a good day it was, I survived, wasn't nervous once I got there and, as you see, I nabbed the award. Very very pleased xx
Just to let you all know…..I WON!!!!!
Will report back when I'm sober! Xxx
As Sir Cliff once sang — CON-GRAT-U-LA-TIONS. Well deserved. I'm so happy for you. Sans lime green evening gown and spotty jacket, must have been the flowered wellies that clinched it.
Again, how great is that!! Felicitaciones — una victoria bien merecida.
Marion in Panama
How lovely that you're so excited for me. May have to put on spotty jacket and ball gown for a celebratory knees-up!
Fantastic! Well done you 🙂
Thank yoooooooo!
Congrats. I feel the University degree may be downgraded in the Business card pecking order after "An award winning Blogger", better than a slap in the face with a wet kipper, as they say.
…or a poke in the eye with a bent stick.
Yes, bugger the degree, although as it was Geography there is some similarity. Still can't read maps though.
Hola Chica! I am bitterly disappointed that am I not some big, hairy bloke called Miguel… imagine the blog post!
Indeed, VB, where's the blog fodder now!