Sir Terry Wogan

It was such sad news to hear of the passing of Sir Terry Wogan. Never before has a death of a celebrity affected me, but I'm really upset that he has died. I really don't know why it's affected me, I didn't know him. I've never met him.
I have not seen his television shows, I was too young. I have only ever heard him on the radio.
There was something about him that was calming and gentle. He got me up in the mornings with his Radio 2 broadcast. The "Janet and John" tales would sometimes have me in stitches. Sir Terry Wogan was someone I would drive with, wake up with, potter around the house with; he was someone I loved to hear and felt comfortable listening to.
I was absolutely gutted when he gave up his morning ramblings. It's not been the same since he left. I was glad to hear his Sunday Lunch time broadcasts. He still sounded great and hadn't lost his charm. In the beginning a few programmes were recorded with audiences. I did try to go but unfortunately was unable. That would have been great to be there. They sounded an absolute riot! I would listen to him on catch up.

On Monday 15th February 2016 I listened to the first ten minutes of the Jeremy Vine show whilst I drove to work. It was a saddened tribute to Sir Terry Wogan. I made a mental note to listen fully on catch up.
I picked up the Metro from Darlington Train Station and read their amazing tribute to the Great Man. Their were words said from Chris Evans that morning on his Radio show, so I made another mental note to listen to that too!

On Wednesday I hopped on a Choo Choo to London from Darlington and plugged myself into the catch up programmes from both Chris Evans and Jeremy Vine. I cried all the way to London and back: silent tears! Such great words and sentiments from those that knew him. They really were fantastic tributes.

Never before has an emotion touched me with great sadness from a death of a celebrity: someone I've never met and didn't know personally.

RIP Sir Terry Wogan : A Great Man not forgotten

Blurbs for Book Titles

Secret Schemes and Darling Dreams

Antonio thought of his latest idea and bang, this was it! He was going to be wealthy. That was his ambition. He was always thinking of ways to get rich. And, that's all he wanted, to have loads of money.
All of his ideas had ended with disaster.  Would this be the perfect one, or will his other projects keep him awake at night? Antonio knows he's meant to succeed. Just one day his schemes and dreams may come true...

The 13 Secrets

Tilly never told anyone that she kept a diary. Her diary was the source of many happenings over the years. It was her secret.
Alone and single, in her 30s, she found her diaries when moving house, and came across those dark secrets she'd written about.
She promised herself that she would tackle each and every one of those 13 secrets in her diary.

Summer Of The Sisterhood

Barbara, Lucy and Fiona have one thing in common; they are triplets. They don't speak to each other and lead independent lives as far away from each other as possible. They are each happy and successful.
Disaster strikes! Their parents die on a summer holiday to Dorset. The triplets are reunited and discover that all their parents ever wanted was for them to speak. Will the triplets grant their parents wish, or do their troubles run too deep to make up?

Untouchable

Relax in a romantic story between Holly and Jeremy. They are made for each other and run a successful café partnership: The Soup Ladle. They want to expand the business, but each one has their own ideas.
Unfortunately the original soup recipe is secured under lock and key in the bank labelled "The Untouchable". Legal battles begin as to who ought to have the rights to its legal ownership.

Chains

Five coloured rings are scattered around the North Yorkshire County forming a treasure chain. As part of the Brownie competition, Brown Owl embarks on a mission to unearth these rings. Taking her brownies on a camping weekend they are all expected to follow the Brownie Guide Law: "A Brownie Guides thinks of others before herself, and does a good turn every day", and work towards their activity badges. All is not what it seems as Brown Owl was expecting as sinister occurrences start a chain events.

The day after New Year's Eve...

The snow is falling fast and cold on the tarmac. It is quiet. Street lights dot the pavements in full bloom. Bottles and streamers litter everywhere. I am cold. I stretch out my legs from being tucked in to gain warmth. Arrgh, pins and needles, not a good sign. That is the least of my worries. I carefully open my eyes and boy, they sting! The snow keeps falling. I am thirsty. Don’t eat yellow snow, but I need to. Melting the snow I am able to get some liquid in me. The back of my throat hurts like hell. My focus is non-existent, my head thumps and thumps. No chance of me remembering last night. I feel for my clothes; still there. My eyes are beginning to focus, slowly. Where the heck am I? I need warmth, and fast.

“Sors d’ici” says a gruff voice.

“Eh?”

“Sors d’ici”, and a black laced boot hits me hard on my legs.

“OW!”

I could just about make out two feet walking off and a voice mumbling.

Where am I?

I hear a phone ring. It stops. It rings again. It takes me ages to work it out. In my black jeans front pocket is my mobile. Fumbling to locate it, it keeps ringing off and starting again, I eventually answer it.

“Dude, where are you?”

“I don’t know,” I mutter incoherently.

“Hell of a night, dude!”

“I don’t know,” was all I can muster. My head is still thumping and my eyes are focusing slightly.

“Oh dude, you were out of it. Proper smacked up dude”.

Nope, no memory.

“Top night to have your Stag Do. Neva had one New Year’s Eve before. We were all off our rockers”.

Still not coming back to me.

“Then, we got you on a train. Eurostar, I think”.

“Eurostar!” that made me sit up, “how the hell...”

Laughter was all I can hear on the end of my Sony mobile. My mind is swirling, and still banging. France! Could I be? No, surely not!

“Hey Buzz how’s Paris?” came Ian.

“Paris!” I manage to splutter.

“Yeah Paris. We got you on the train and you past out. Dunno how, but got you past security and off you went”.

I am flabbergasted. Somehow the cold has disappeared. How am I going to get home? I fumble for my wallet. My fingers have gone numb now. I hang up. I need to get my act together. It doesn’t half sober you up. Head still throbbing. My mobile rings again.

“Hey dude, we’re coming to get you. Whereabouts are you? Stay put!”

“I don’t know,” I really had no idea.

“Right, stay where you are.” Slaz says in all seriousness. “I’ll get a track on your phone and we’ll come to you. Keep it on.”

“Hurry up as there’s not much battery,” I slowly reply.

“We’ll see, just keep it on. You got money?” he asks.

I open my black wallet. English pounds. “No, you idiot!”

“Well go to the bank and get some cash out.”

Good idea, I think, as I locate my card. Phew! I hang up. Panic. I cannot think straight. My head is still fuzzy. The snow is laying thick now. I look around and come to realise I am outside the train station. Probably been thrown here, Paris Gare du Nord. Slaz’ll know to come here.

It feels like years as Slaz and Ian finally arrive. I have managed to get some Euros and a coffee. Surprisingly on New Year’s Day. I could kill them.

I’ve always wanted to see Paris, but this wasn’t how I planned it!

The End

EasyJet versus Ryanair

I am a traveller by heart and love going to places: whether it be new or repeat destinations.
I have the fortune presently of flying to these wonderful places by the UK's low budget airlines. I can easily travel to all the Airports within England and Scotland in order to get these cheap fares. And, with having a parent living in Italy I am able to fly frequently.
I use both EasyJet and Ryanair, all dependant on who is offering the cheapest fare and my preferred time to travel.

EasyJet  (www.easyjet.com)
I fly less frequently with this Airline. It has improved somewhat over the years, but it's distinctive orange exterior is easily recognisable.
Their travel allowance is one baggage. I opted for two: both of which were under the advised guidelines, and thankfully, was able to board unchallenged, phew! I was fortunate to fit my carry on luggage in the overhead lockers and place my handbag under the seat in front of me.
I boarded quickly using their online booking requirements.
The seats were small and cramped, but I was able to sit ok with my five foot 7 inch height.

Ryanair (www.ryanair.com)
I fly more frequently with this Airline due my mum's location in Italy and Ryanair offering these destinations. Again, it's colouring and harp design is distinguishable.
This Airline now benefits with pre-booked seating when checking in online. Thankfully, there is now a more orderly way to queue to board.
Their carry on luggage requirements are bigger, being able to have a handbag and carry on. The carry on luggage is stowed in the overhead luggage racks and my handbag under the seat in front of me.
The room of seats appear bigger and I have a comfortable flight.
However, it is spoilt by their numerous constant announcements that can be lengthy.
Once landed people will clap, completely unnecessary. Also, when the flight is on time or early there's an annoying announcement telling you so! So frustrating and pathetic!
Ryanair can have their airports miles away from the city you fly to, so extra consideration is required.

Both Airlines have made travel to Europe affordable and accessible. Neither my husband and I pay for the priority boarding, extra leg room or have an award system. We don't see the point.

Pre-booking seats has made life easier and more relaxing. Although the luggage space is still a worry and fight over.

We will continue to use both Airlines purely for their cheapness of the cost of the flights. And, we're both happy with that!

Top Gear

I do miss Top Gear that used to be on BBC2 Sunday nights. Now, I'm not a car enthusiast by any means, but I did thoroughly enjoy the programme with Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May. Three very over priced presenters driving and discussing cars! Not my idea of fun, only owning a Seat Mii, whom I love unbelievably! With this programme they made it immensely fun and attractive to everyone, and I laughed and laughed all the way through. It really helped when I would be back at work the next day! It was exciting seeing the challenges they were made to tackle, the famous people talking and speeding around the course in a "reasonably priced car", the knowledge of each car that was talked about, and the banter between the three was brilliant. A very rare talent for people to pull off. The best enjoyment was watching this with my gorgeous hubby and hearing him laugh throughout. It really is a very big shame it's been removed and brought back with different presenters. I for one will not be watching it. It won't have the same appeal.
I really do miss Top Gear!

Take Off...

There's something fascinating about sitting on a plane: strapped in: the next destination is the one you've paid to go to: HOLIDAYS start now!
The plane taxis off slowly, emptying it's parking bay, and heads off to its designated runway. The anticipation grows: my excitement is overwhelming!
There's silence as the plane prepares. The pilot and co-pilot are processing their final checks. Then, the engines fire up to full throttle, the plane moves forwards gaining tremendous speed. I am propelled against my seat ready for the nose to lift moving faster and faster along the runway. As the planes speeds my weight is pressed heavier into my seat. The nose lifts. I feel weightless, as I lift off into the sky leaving land below.
The plane powers upwards before finally levelling out, the seat belt sign is switched off, and I relax into my flight. Book out. Writing to do. It's an excellent feeling.