Hvar-ing A Good Time

Sooo I know I banged on about it while I was there...but I simply want to share one of the most delicious places I've ever been to. And bore you with a holiday slideshow...no-one seems to want to come round to listen to the running commentary?? So I'll put it on here instead.

So I chose to go to Hvar in Croatia. I'd wanted to visit Croatia for a few years after hearing amazing things from friends about how utterly beautiful it is and once I read that the island of Hvar was 'the new Ibiza meets St. Tropez' I was sold! And that's a fairly accurate description.

We flew into Split-nice short 2 hour flight. Having had a brief glance around Split, I wish we'd stayed there a couple of nights to see it properly as it looked great fun and very pretty. But we hopped on board a catamaran to take us to the island of Hvar, 2 hours away. At this point...that probably sounds like the catamaran was chartered just for us. Sadly not, it was basically a ferry...but a pretty cool one.

When we arrived at Hvar along the jetty, we were greeted by backpackers and glamour. Stylish restuarants, massive yachts and...well, backpackers. It was a good balance-cool and glamorous but not snobby or pretentious. So pretty and so clean! And those massive mounds of ice cream. It was evidently time to drop the 'no carbs before Croatia' regime...

The town centre was ruddy stunning...I may as well let the pictures do the talking....

We walked up to the castle for a pretty spectacular view...

First night-went out-the town was buzzing. Found a side street bar which was rammed. Made friends with backpackers. First off I couldnt resist temptation to hijack a boat. Sure...there were million pound yachts. But this was my choice of vessel.

After boat jacking, we saw some lights in the distance...wondered up to stumble upon a castle...which was actually a nightclub. Amazing.

Was tough waking up to this with a hangover...

So many gorgeous restaurants...http://giaxa.com/giaxa/about

Cutest, rustic wine bar i've ever been to...prsuta 3 wine bar.

Stumbled across a tiny shop to discover it was run by the Dad of the guy who ran the wine bar....his cheese, meat and wine were immense. He gave us a lot of tasters! Splendid.

We turned all Enid Blyton and went for a bike ride...my favourite day. Despite going down a forbidden road and being chased and almost mauled to death by rabid angry, evil alsatian. Pretty scenic though.

And then the best bit....the Full Moon Party. We had to get a boat to the forest....felt like the kind of party I imagine fairies have when you're not looking....have I gone mental?!

Yes that is the moon gleaming on the sea....

And an obligatory sunset shot of course to top it all off....at Hula Hula bar.

I love Hvar!

David Walliams Talks Moobs

I never thought I'd be attending a 'World Premiere' in Leicester, until David Walliams arrived in town for the stage adptation of his kids book, 'Mr. Stink'! So it was rather exciting to learn I would also get to have a chat with the great man himself at the interval. I have been a big fan of his since 'Rock Profile'-which, to be honest, to date is still my favourite piece of his work! Not sure that's what he'd want to hear, but it was BRILLIANT!! If you aren't familiar with Rock Profile, it was basically Matt Lucas and David Walliams doing 'interviews' with Jamie Theakston as pop stars. Basically hilarious impressions. I'm gonna post a video below...(scroll right to the bottom....)

Anywaaaay, thats not what the premiere was about...we were there to see Mr. Stink! I'm a big fan of films that are aimed at kids...but appeal to adults as well. Plus this came with a scratch and sniff notebook which is always good as I have the attention span of a nit so there's always something to keep you occupied during the singing parts! We arrived at Curve Theatre, which, by the way...is amazing! If you haven't been to a show yet, you really should just go for a coffee at least, to check out the building. It really does Leicester proud. We sat in the canteen and I saw this tall, lean blonde breeze through...it was David's supermodel wife, Lara Stone. Woah, she is pretty hot! I'm always amazed at just how long and impressive supermodels are in real life, especially as I'm some what of a dwarf. They are mesmerising! Then she sparked up a fag. Standard supermodel!

This isn't from last night....but seemed fitting if you weren't sure what she looked like....




It was lovely to see David sat in the audience and signing autographs before the performance. Then came the interval...and I was instructed I had 3 minutes. THREE MINUTES! We usually get at least 10-15 minutes for interviews-but it was an interval of course, so would be a very brief chat-which is quite as hard as it's difficult to strike up any kind of rapport. But hey ho, he was lovely, got a few questions in, invited him on a night out and managed to suggest a new title and idea for his next book! It's all about Moobs...See what you think...I'd buy it...

Here's my fave...Rock Profile!! I reckon Gary Barlow will be just like this on X Factor...

Six Go Glamping!

When my friend invited me Glamping I am almost ashamed to say I was more excited about the prospect than my summer holiday abroad!! If you're not up to speed with the Glamping phenomenon-it's basically camping made easy...almost glamorous-hence Glamping...of course. Some people say this is against the whole point of camping. I disagree. Lets be honest, camping can be miserable! If it's chucking it down (which inevitably it often is) who actually enjoys putting up a soggy tent, waking up to damp clothes, stumbling outside to use the loo in natures garden or grim cold toilet block, probably out of loo roll and sleeping on the floor. Thats never fun...

Glamping is perfect! I love 'the great outdoors' therefore always want to go camping but with this you get the best of both worlds. In our case we had a giant tent-reminiscent more of a log cabin, that slept six. Complete with a wood burning stove, large rustic wooden kitchen table, sink, toilet and even....a hot tub!! Well...more like a barrel with hot water but still pretty pimp. It was SO COSY. It was still pretty basic-but in a romantic rustic way. We were actually quite glad when it rained so we could all cosy up in blankets, toast marshmallows and play poker round the kitchen table, whilst boiling kettles of tea on the stove. Sound a bit like The Waltons? Yep-It really was! 

We even had to charge the battery powered electricity with a mounted bike on our veranda. Luckily this power lasted a long time-you don't have to continously power-otherwise someone would be drawing a short straw!

Oh, and being tucked away in the Lake District it was pretty remarkable to step outside onto your own jetty and private lake...with 1920's wooden boats....wow. Quite possibly one of my favourite ever weekends away!! 

Certainly not a bad view to wake up to....

Home Sweet Home....

Lets go boating....

The bike to power electricity...

BBQ. So cool...

Favourite bed I've ever slept in. The Rabbit Hutch! No wonder rabbits are so happy....

Tea o Clock

Marshmallow melting...

Natures hot tub....

Feasting!

http://www.countryhousehideout.co.uk/

The Boudoir Experience

A few weeks ago, when I received an e-mail from a friend asking if I wanted to take part in a 'Boudoir Photo Experience', my inital reaction was to politely decline. Don't get me wrong-I enjoy photoshoots for work! Who doesn't enjoy getting their hair and make up done, getting dressed up and pretending they're Kate Moss. (I don't really pretend to be Moss...much) But this was different. I'd be posing in my pants! I just had visions of me-in my underwear, awkwardly writhing around ala Jordan...and the thought made me cringe....and filled me with angst-because, as much as you see yourself in your underwear at home, in the comfort of your room-hidden from all to see, and even if you're fairly happy with that...you have no idea what you look like on PHOTOGRAPH. I mean...the camera adds ten pounds doesn't it?! However...after a little gentle persuasion and the niggle in my head that I should always 'seize every opportunity' I decided to take the plunge...

After arriving, settling in and a cheeky drink later, I was amazed at how quickly and easily I got into it....It certainly helped having a female photographer. We were straight down to business and before I knew it, I was...quite embarassingly....chanelling my inner 'Satine', ala Moulin Rouge. In fact I was putting her to shame (in my head). I absolutely adore anything Burlesque/Parisian themed which is the whole feel of the style of the shoot. So when the suggestion of 'losing it all' and stripping to, well *ahem* nothing...I willingly obliged. Lets not get carried away....my modesty was cleverly disguised and they were just a few tasteful 'contour' shots. Plus I'm sure I shall enjoy looking back over them once I'm in my 80's! I know it's incredibly cliche, but the whole experience was totally liberating and just a lot of fun!

Here are a few I dare share....

http://www.phunkyfotosuk.com

It's AnchorLADY!

With Sam being away the past few days had sooo much fun driving the desk...in non-geek radio terms that means anchoring the show. Basically-pushing the buttons! I used to do my own weekend breakfast show...(oh here we go...) so was lovely to be back at the helm! Awkward moment will be when Sam returns tomorrow and has to take my critique of his technique...mwaaah haha! It's ANCHORLADY!!

Just call me Veronica Corningstone...

Here's the more 'refined' breakfast team ;)....Dangerous Dave and the birthday song, lovely little Jennie on the travel (doing some serious shimmies with me), producer Simon, plus a couple of ferrets!

How Tea Should Be!

As an obsessive compulsive tea drinker, I was rather delighted when I stumbled upon this little treat of a cafe....

The Walk-Nottingham

Oooh teapots...

Tea Strainer. Fancy...

Want...

Need...

CRINGE

I don't play an instrument or have any obvious talents/accolades. However there are several things I can do, of which I am very proud. 

1) I can guess a song from the 1st second intro of it

2) I can Tap Dance

3) I know all the words to Vanilla Ice 'Ice Ice Baby'. 

Sam claimed everyone can do the latter?!? What?! So we put it to the test...

Cue CRINGE...