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Mum's Gone To …

Travel tales of an empty nester
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Home  >  Blog  >  Mum’s Gone To BritMums Live

Mum’s Gone To BritMums Live

Trish Burgess Posted on24/06/201229/06/2017 Lucky Dip 66 Comments

 

BritMums LIve 2012
Clockwise from top left: some of the winners of the Brilliance in Blogging awards with presenter Katy Hill; cushions at The Hoxton Hotel; the girls in All Bar One; part of my prize, new Crocs sandals; the Daddy Bloggers Tim and Tom; the main stage for BritMums Live.

My first blogging conference and what a blast! Two days of excitement, the chance to meet my online friends, interesting sessions, good food, drink and, to top it all, I won my category in the Brilliance in Blogging Awards.

 

 

There’s so much I could say but, for now, here are my initial thoughts.

 

 

  • My blogging friend, Very Bored in Catalunya, did turn out to be warm and wonderful Wendy, not, as I’d feared, a big hairy bloke from Barcelona called Miguel.
  • Sarah Brown is a very down-to-earth inspirational speaker
  • I love chocolate brownies and Badger Beer, preferably together.
  • Winning a pair of Crocs sandals after I’d developed a huge blister from silly shoes the day before, was a godsend. Having matching nail varnish was an unexpected bonus.
  • I will carry a rucksack next time for all the swag or bring a bigger case.
  • Bloggers are a very friendly, approachable bunch.
  • Conferences are useful for telling you stuff you don’t know, reminding you of stuff you did know but had forgotten and for reinforcing why you do this in the first place.
  • The BritMums Live organisers, Jen and Susanna, know how to run a seamless, slick operation over two days.
  • Prepare a speech if you are a finalist for an award to avoid rambling if you win.
A big thank you to everyone who made BritMums Live a success. Can I also thank everyone who voted for me to reach the final of the travel category and to Steve Keenan, professional travel journalist, for choosing me as the winner. Indulge me for a moment if, for posterity, I can quote his comments on my blog on why he picked me. It will probably never happen again so I need to remember them.

“What I really liked about this blog was the balance struck when writing about her kids and herself. She writes in an intelligent way, rather than slavishly reporting the foibles and funny remarks of her offspring.Take the most recent post on Whistler’s mother: she talks art but draws her son in and works the angle of how art can work with kids. Other travel blogs are equally well written, but she doesn’t shout or show off, and each post has something to say. Really enjoyed the post about music and guitars – and so, clearly, did the readers. It really struck a chord…. boom boom!”

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66 Comments

  1. Susanna Reply
    24/06/2012 at 10:17 am

    Glad to hear you had a great time and look forward to seeing you there again next year!

    • Trish @ Mums Gone To... Reply
      24/06/2012 at 12:05 pm

      It was such a good event. Amazed at how well-organised it was. Gorgeous venue too. Congratulations!

  2. SarahMummy Reply
    24/06/2012 at 10:19 am

    Wow, what a great comment – no wonder you won. Glad you had a fab time and will see you next year! Note to self – mustn't report so many funny things kids say and mustn't show off.

    • Trish @ Mums Gone To... Reply
      24/06/2012 at 12:06 pm

      Just as well he didn't read my recent post about going to the ball. Me swanning around in a posh frock was definitely showing off. Lol.

  3. Wylye Girl Reply
    24/06/2012 at 10:21 am

    It was lovely to meet you and congratulations on a very well-deserved prize

    • Trish @ Mums Gone To... Reply
      24/06/2012 at 12:06 pm

      I was so pleased you found me. Great to chat.

  4. Tim Atkinson Reply
    24/06/2012 at 10:21 am

    You didn't ramble; you never ramble. 'Mum's gone to… win the BiBs!' Congratualtions again – so well deserved.

    • Trish @ Mums Gone To... Reply
      24/06/2012 at 12:07 pm

      Did I not? That's reassuring, as I can't remember what I said. Thanks Tim x

  5. Very Bored in Catalunya Reply
    24/06/2012 at 10:28 am

    Yay, still doing little squeals of excitement that you won. Glad at least one of the pictures I took of you came out ok. Maybe we could try and meet up for lunch or something before I head back?

    • Trish @ Mums Gone To... Reply
      24/06/2012 at 12:08 pm

      It was so good to have you as my wingman for the award ceremony at the lucky table. Thanks for having the sense to grab my camera and take some shots. They were great.
      Will be in touch xx

  6. Funky Wellies Reply
    24/06/2012 at 10:33 am

    Congratulations!! So pleased for you. 🙂 Happy also that you had such a fab time. xx
    PS: love the nail varnish!

    • Trish @ Mums Gone To... Reply
      24/06/2012 at 12:09 pm

      Thanks Funky. Had a great time, despite the nerves beforehand.
      Glad you like my nails – had done them myself before I went to conference.

  7. Alison Reply
    24/06/2012 at 10:57 am

    So happy you won! Very well deserved x

    • Trish @ Mums Gone To... Reply
      24/06/2012 at 12:09 pm

      Thanks so much, Alison. In the early days you always encouraged my travel writing. So pleased I carried on with it xx

  8. MsCaroline Reply
    24/06/2012 at 11:38 am

    How exciting, and so happy for you. I bet meeting the other bloggers was almost as much fun as getting the award!
    (bonus points for the spiffy pedicure!) ; )

    • Trish @ Mums Gone To... Reply
      24/06/2012 at 12:10 pm

      It was the best bit, actually!
      Did my own nails before I went: was lucky they matched my winning sandals!

  9. Troy Reply
    24/06/2012 at 11:53 am

    Wishing I'd dressed up in drag and come along now!

    • Trish @ Mums Gone To... Reply
      24/06/2012 at 12:11 pm

      You could have just come as yourself – unless your alter ego likes a night out now and again? 😉

  10. Clippy Mat Reply
    24/06/2012 at 12:02 pm

    eeh that's fab. well done bonny lass. 😀

    • Trish @ Mums Gone To... Reply
      24/06/2012 at 12:11 pm

      eeh thanks! Had a smashing time xxx

  11. northernmum Reply
    24/06/2012 at 12:17 pm

    I love your blog!!!

    • Trish @ Mums Gone To... Reply
      24/06/2012 at 2:05 pm

      Haha! Thank you. Feeling's mutual xx

  12. planb Reply
    24/06/2012 at 12:24 pm

    Hooray!!! Congratulations!!!

    • Trish @ Mums Gone To... Reply
      24/06/2012 at 2:06 pm

      Such a shame you couldn't make it in the end. Hope you're having a great weekend though. Missed you xx

    • planb Reply
      25/06/2012 at 6:19 pm

      Not as such…. M spent the whole weekend being sick. So on balance probably a good thing I did stay at home, if significantly less fun (and less messy?) than going would have been.

      hey ho. Who'd be a parent (blogger)?!

      Still so pleased for you – and crossing my fingers for the MADs double!

  13. Curry Queen Reply
    24/06/2012 at 1:39 pm

    WELL DONE! V excited for you!

    • Trish @ Mums Gone To... Reply
      24/06/2012 at 2:06 pm

      Thank you! Am over the moon x

  14. Kate On Thin Ice Reply
    24/06/2012 at 1:50 pm

    Well done you! Great feedbac from the judge who I rated too in the panel thing he did on day one. I share the experience of those Hoxton cushions and the crocs win too. Hope you had a superb time and learned loads.

    • Trish @ Mums Gone To... Reply
      24/06/2012 at 2:09 pm

      Yes, I thought he spoke well in the discussion that first afternoon. Obviously a very discerning judge with great taste ;-))
      I did have a great time. We didn't get to talk but I was at your session on Blogging for Happiness: very inspiring and so good to open it out to the floor.

  15. libby Reply
    24/06/2012 at 1:58 pm

    Fantastic! I'm so pleased for you…….well done.

    • Trish @ Mums Gone To... Reply
      24/06/2012 at 2:11 pm

      Ah thank you, Libby. I shall come back down to earth soon. Mind you, the house is a tip and the wash basket is overflowing so it won't take long xx

  16. Kelloggs Ville Reply
    24/06/2012 at 5:50 pm

    Congratulations, I think you were well chosen. Now in order to maintain this standard ongoing you need to book up Dougie for a summer of weekend aways 🙂 ps if he feels he can't keep up I'll sub and i promise to carry duct tape at all times 🙂

    • Trish @ Mums Gone To... Reply
      24/06/2012 at 6:49 pm

      Ok, you're first reserve, as long as you have a medical kit stuffed full of all lotions and potions and the ability to carry on an argument with a SatNav.

      (and thank you xx)

  17. Steve Reply
    24/06/2012 at 6:09 pm

    A fabulous and very worthy winner! You had my vote from the start!

    • Trish @ Mums Gone To... Reply
      24/06/2012 at 6:51 pm

      Ah stop it! At this rate, it will look like I'm showing off then Mr Keenan will strip me of my prize!

  18. Helpful Mum Reply
    24/06/2012 at 8:13 pm

    Congratulations on your BiB. It was really lovely to meet you!

    • Trish @ Mums Gone To... Reply
      25/06/2012 at 6:59 am

      Thank you! Great to chat wth you too.

  19. Sarah Reply
    25/06/2012 at 8:47 am

    Sounds like you had a lovely time, and well done on your win. What Steve said about your blog is a lot why I like it too.

    • Trish @ Mums Gone To... Reply
      25/06/2012 at 9:08 am

      Thanks so much, Sarah. I'm just going to have to make sure that winning doesn't go to my head. Need to get back to normal now xx