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| On the sofa with the travel panel (Photo courtesy of Boo, Roo and Tigger Too) |
It’s not the most dignified motivational quote I’ve ever come across but when I boarded the train heading for London and saw ‘Game as a Badger’ emblazoned in neon pink on the back of a vest belonging to a member of a hen night posse, I decided it would be my BritMums Live motto for the weekend.
The shrieking, over-tanned, under-dressed and highly entertaining group of Geordie girls had taken over Carriage E with an iPod playing Abba songs, Cactus Jacks Schnapps, packets of Haribos and tubes of Pringles. As they sang along to ‘Take a Chance on Me’, supping Pinot Grigio from purple plastic goblets through willy-shaped straws, little did I know I’d be sipping though the similar-shaped straws with a gaggle of mummy bloggers later that evening.
As the train pulled into Kings Cross they diligently placed their rubbish in bin liners and apologised to everyone for making such a racket. I heard one girl shout out to the group, “Have yuzz gor any dregs?” and I knew their weekend had got off to a cracking start. It was only just after midday.
Mine was only just beginning.
To mention everything about the blogging conference in one post is impossible so here are a few highlights:
- Attending a variety of sessions over two days and being proud that members of the blogging community are just as inspirational and informative as invited experts.
- Cheering everyone on, Margarita in hand, as the winners were announced in the Brilliance in Blogging Awards. I didn’t win my category but was delighted for Kirstie from The Family Adventure Project, who thoroughly deserved the crown.
- Having pizza with over 50 bloggers and being astounded that Pizza Express can cook 44 pizzas and serve them near enough at the same time.
- Returning to my blissfully quiet room at The Montcalm Hotel for a long soak in the bath and a few hours kip in a very comfy bed.
- Chocolate croissants and waffles back at the conference centre the next morning.
- Listening to the inspirational talk by Katie Piper, telling us how she survived a terrible acid attack and is now a driving force for her charity which makes life easier for people living with burns and scars.
- Thoroughly enjoying being part of a travel panel with Kirstie Pelling, Steve Keenan (Travel Perspective) and Kelly Lees (Gogobot).
- Meeting so many online friends: Emma (A Bavarian Sojourn), Melissa (Talk about York), Asturian Diary, Tattie Weasle and many, many more. However I’m very sad that I couldn’t stay after lunch to see more sessions and listen to the Bloggers’ Keynote.
- I know you shouldn’t judge a conference by its goody bag but this loot was exceptional. Something for all the family including a £10 TKMaxx card, Bahlsen and Fox’s biscuits, speck iPhone cover, children’s books I can give to my nephew and numerous vouchers, pens and sweets.
- Visiting the Coca Cola stand and getting personalised bottles for my son and his girlfriend.
- Coming home and seeing the look of astonishment as I handed them their bottles with a loud ‘TA-DA”
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| #shareacoke |
A fantastic achievement by organisers Jennifer Howze and Susanna Scott to create such an extraordinary event. A big THANK YOU for inviting me to speak. Of course, you only get out of something what you put in. I was game as a badger…so I came away very satisfied. Count me in for 2014.
I looked for you Trish but I couldn't find you in the crowd. Another time, hopefully!
When I came home I thought about you and the fact that we hadn't seen each other. Yes, another time definitely x
Twas so brilliant to meet you! I had a ball… hope you enjoyed the real actual ball you had to dash back for and you're not too exhausted today! xx
It has taken a few years but we finally met up! Yes, the ball was great though I was very tired, still had a headache and could really have done something better with my hair!
V sorry to have missed it this year I have to say!
I missed having my cuz there. You would have enjoyed it. You were right, the Montcalm was lovely.
Loved spending a bit of time with you and thank you so much for saying Two Soups so perfectly!
Haha! Imagine if you had asked me to do my Mrs O impression during the travel talk, as Knackered Mother suggested!
Great to catch up again xx
Brilliant!
What a great post.
Why thank you!
Congratulations on your Bib award – the whole room was delighted for you.
It was great meeting you and I loved your travel panel, you've given me so many ideas!
That's great! There are some great tips on the BritMums site this morning from Sarah Tucker, well worth a read.
I will take a look at your Disney cruise posts this week 🙂
It was such a great weekend! Well done on your panel 🙂
Wasn't it fantastic. Thank you.
I had a look at your Orlando posts last week. Will hopefully include them in next round-up. Great use of Lego!
I think next year I must dress up in drag and attend this event. On second thoughts perhaps I should just dress up in drag just for the event.
Well you can dress up in drag if you must, Troy, but the other dad bloggers just came in their normal gear…
Sounds like fun. The goody bag sounds great! 🙂
I was surprised there was so much in the bag that appealed to a teenager and his hungry dad!
It was a very good event and easier second time round.
I must admit I found your session one of my favourites and I thought Steve was brilliant chairing it, he kept it ticking over so nicely. Lovely to see you again and so happy you had a good time
Thank you Mari. I was far less nervous than I'd anticipated: I quite enjoyed the whole experience. Yes, Steve was the ideal chair: made the whole thing flow and ensured we all got to pitch in.
Sounds like it was akin to the blogging BAFTAs!
You've got a fixation with BAFTAs Steve! How are we pronouncing it this evening? Seeing as there are many Geordie ladies in this post, I'm presuming Bafta sounds like laughter? NO barfs here.
Go badger! It was absolutely delightful sharing this event with you in all sorts of ways and I hope there will be many more ahead. And Steve Keenan;what a great chairman eh? Give him a TV show someone!
I think our group of travel bloggers got on so well. Great to spend time with you again and I really was pleased that you won. You and Stuart deserve it.
Yes, Steve has a very relaxed yet authoritative style. People warm to him so I agree, get him on the telly!
It was all fab, and I love your post. Are you sure the 'Game as a Badger' ladies weren't actually on their way to BritMums Live?
Can't wait for the next one x
I'm sure they weren't but I do think we should go for the matching vests look next time – of course with very tight shorts and plunging cleavage… Or maybe not?!
Very happy for you that you had such a good time. I will do my best to come next year!
I have however noticed that you have NOT commented on my Bon Jovi concert review… Ashamed you did not show up in the end? xx
Yes you must come next year!
Yup, I was in trouble from the band for neglecting my backing vocal duties. However I did sing and jump about to a band at the ball who played a great Livin' on a Prayer….
Will come back and look at that post properly – was waylaid by pics of you and your hubby.
You were missed almost as much as Richie… 😉
Hope to read a post about the ball with a photo of you jumping about!! Livin' on a Prayer still works after all these years… 😉 xx
Was great to meet you, blogging neighbour! I like the "game as a badger" attitude. I got lots out of it too!
Yes, funny how we bumped into each other like that.
Game as a badger has ruder connotations but I rather like it. Makes me laugh!
Sounds like you had a whale of a time, I hadn't realised you were going to be a panel – you've made it kid! 😉
I shall be there next year I think, I reckon my son can miss the shambles that is the end of year concert for one year.
Oh yes, I am ver ver important now 😉
Glad you're coming next year. End of year concert? Pah! Your son will be delighted he's missing it.
Think you should have your motivational quote made into a 'Mum's gone to' coat of arms. It obviously worked as you were super on your panel. It was really lovely to meet you. Hopefully I shall see you there again next year! x
Ha! Imagine having that scrawled across the top of my blog permanently. It would help me remember my Geordie roots.
I agree, so good to meet you, Mary. Very reassuring to have you and Emma in the audience. Though you seem to be now known as the Canadian Expats!!