end of summer in brighton

I'm beginning to feel distinctly autumnal!  That might be the sniffles under which I am labouring stoically without the merest hint of a complaint, it might be the grey, overcast sky, but I suspect it has a lot to do with lots of cups of tea and hiding under blankets.  So without further ado, this is the final installment of Brighton photos from last weekend.

Kisses xxx

P.S. And the last 11 photos from Brighton take #500snapsofsummer up to a grand total of 390, leaving 110 to go.

my dream team

Last weekend, I had the great pleasure of meeting up with these ladies.  We travelled to Cambodia together in the summer of 2013 to work with the Girlguiding movement, teaching English to young girls and doing leadership training sessions to empower the young women who volunteer to lead Guide units in Cambodia.  We had an incredible time, and I think a bit part of the reason I loved that experience was this team. 

I was asked if I'd be interested in leading a team to Cambodia about two years ago, after I'd taken part as a team member of a similar project working with Guiding in Armenia.  I JUMPED at the chance and was over the moon.  The rest of the team were then selected at a weekend training, I was given a set of mug shots and email addresses and then about 18 months ago, we met for the first time.

Those who selected this team did a nigh-on perfect job.  We just clicked, and we haven't stopped laughing together since.  It was great for me to be involved in a group of women who share my love of Guiding, my desire to travel and a great sense of fun and adventure.  They also had a willingness to accept that things wouldn't always go to plan and made the best of some...interesting?...situations.

We spent three weekends together planning the project, along with other teams who were heading to other locations across the globe.  We had phone conferences, emails and an impressive paper trail of documents containing everything from health forms and risk assessments to boarding passes and lists of activities that the insurance company say we absolutely cannot do.

And then we were off, and spent three weeks living in the same room.  The room changed, but our ability to get on and laugh together still hasn't.  We can't meet up very often as we all tend towards full schedules and are based all across the UK.  But when we do get together, it's just fantastic.  Our weekend was wonderful, a day in Brighton proved a hit and now I look forward to our next get-together.  It might be a while away, but I know it will be brilliant. 

Kisses xxx

P.S. This weekend however, I have got the inevitable back-to-school sniffles and so I'm going to spend the weekend reacquainting myself with my duvet and enjoying some soup, knitting and chain tea drinking.

P.P.S. Nine more pictures for #500snapsofsummer bringing it up to 379 and leaving 121 still to take.

P.P.P.S. Exercise24 is not happening this weekend, but currently stands at 5 hours and 20 minutes.

flash gordon at the british museum

The last weekend of the summer holiday (seems a long time ago now!) found a friend and I finishing off dinner and a cocktail before heading to British Museum for the evening.  But this time, it wasn't for the exhibits; the museum galleries were closed.  No, we were heading to these grand surrounds for an outdoor screening of Flash Gordon. This was a film that the man had introduced to me a few months ago, and having watched it, I couldn't believe that I'd never seen it before.  It's truly something to behold. And as the man was away from London with work, I got the chance to introduce this epic film to someone new.

The event was to launch the BFI's Sci-Fi season, and they held a number of outdoor screenings of cult classics.  We were treated to an interview with the director, Mike Hodges, who claimed the film is as bonkers as it is because the crew all spoke different languages and didn't understand each other, and he never believed it would see the light of day, never mind become a cult classic. Then Brian Blessed himself took over the microphone, got carried away and re-enacted some of his scenes complete with sound effects.  I think it's safe to say that the mic was unnecessary... But he voiced his oh-so-famous line 'Gordon's Alive?' to rapturous applause!

We were right at the front of the grass by the screen; an area lots of early arrivals seemed to have avoided due to possible cricked necks.  But their loss was our gain as we not only had a bit more space than those who were tightly packed in the middle of the lawn, but we were also able to lie flat on the grass and have a perfect, uninterrupted view of the screen. I know this last picture isn't the greatest photo ever taken, it does highlight the importance of sweeties when you go and see a film. Oh, and if you are one of the poor unfortunates who has yet to experience Flash Gordon, watch it IMMEDIATELY.  You will be very happy indeed.

Kisses xxx

P.S. That's another 5 pictures for #500snapsofsummer which brings the total to 370 and leaves a mere 130 to follow.

one photo and twenty words

Truly amazing friends with a shared love of Guiding, travel and dreaming big.  I can't wait for our next adventure.

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One Photo and Twenty Words is a lovely monthly post hosted by Abi over at Creating Paper Dreams.  Head over there to check out some more pictures.

Kisses xxx

P.S. The #500snapsofsummer total is not forgotten, but learning the ins and outs of a new job has really eaten up my time!  However, this picture brings the total up to 365, with 135 pictures left to take, and I have plenty more waiting in the sidelines...

P.P.S. Exercise24 is also back on track this week and stands at 4 hours and 14 minutes.