This sees the return of an occasional feature where I introduce you to someone of note in my life, with fashion being the tenuous link. (My apologies must first be given to "Hello" magazine, where they too run this feature, hosted by Lady Gabriella Windsor, called "Ella meets". I only discovered this whilst at the hairdresser recently and had no idea I'd plagiarized their idea.) Thus I would like you to meet Kezzie, a blogging friend who recently visited the islands on a cruise ship which was touring the British Isles. We frequently see these ships anchored up between the islands throughout the summer months, and yet it was very unusual for me to be making arrangements to actually meet up with one of the cruisers for the day. Kezzie and her mum, Ros, were on the last lap of their tour that would be travelling on from the Isles of Scilly up the English Channel and across to the Channel Isles and France before docking in Tilbury.
We met up at the Abbey Garden at mid-day and headed straight off to Pentle Bay beach for a swim. Thereafter we hiked onwards past the silky soft sands of picturesque cove after cove, stopping to take the obligatory tourist shots until we arrived at Old Grimsby where we quenched our thirst at the Ruin Cafe. From there we crossed to New Grimsby where I live, which is also where Kezzie and I grappled with the famous Travelling Yellow Skirt as we sought to strike the right pose for posterity. And then we were a hop, skip and a jump away from the gallery where I work. The gap in the sea wall elicited a huge cry of delight from Kezzie as she grabbed her camera to have her photo taken in the very spot where I pose on a daily basis. Finally I frogmarched the two reluctant sailors back along towards the quay where the local boat waited to deliver them back to St Mary's from where they would be taken off to their ship. We had such a wonderful day, and hopefully Kezzie will be posting (or heck as she already?) her account of the visit to the Isles of Scilly. I think it's much better that she gives her viewpoint than I just boast and brag about these sun kissed islands as I always do!
In the meantime, I did manage to enlist Kezzie as my next victim for this feature, so let's get down to the questions and answers where I will intermingle the snaps of the day as we progress.
Q How long have you been blogging?
A I have been blogging 11 and a quarter years! Wow, almost a third of my life!
Q What's the best thing about blogging?
A The best is meeting (virtually or in person) and becoming friends with lovely, lovely people from all over the place. You meet like-minded individuals who have the same interests as you (and obsessions, e.g. er-clothes!) and they are interested in you! You learn and you are inspired. Of course, comments are wonderful! We love those! More comments for everyone!!!! The delight upon clicking on your post and finding a zillion comments!
Q And the worst?
A The worst... I guess being ignored when you put in effort into supporting someone's blog. Also, staying up late to comment or write posts and realising that yet again, it is midnight and you are going to be exhausted in the morning. Every time you say you WILL go to bed at 10pm and yet you think, "Just one more comment..."!!!
Q What's the day job?
A I am a primary music teacher.
Q Do you have any other passions?
A Well, music is very important to me of course- I love my flute, singing and composing music. I love making things although I am not so good at anything that involves thread or material. Cards are my thing. I love charity-shopping. My faith is, of course, important to me.
Q If you had chosen another career, what might it have been?
A Hmmmm... well,I would have loved to be a librarian. I applied for a job at English National Opera as a Music Librarian which I didn't get but any sort of library would be wonderful. I'd have had to retrain though.
Q One thing you'd like to change about yourself?
A Oh the sensitivity! I worry endlessly about things- worry I've said something to offend someone, that they don't like me, that people think I am an idiot, I worry when I've said something to a child at school that I might have upset them; I worry when I can't seem to communicate what I want to say clearly when I'm upset- it comes out wrong always! I wish I could switch it off but things go round and round my head!!
Q What's your favourite season and why?
A Late Spring. I adore the blossoms, the sense of change and excitement; the flurry of activities and changes; the colours, the light; the reminder that things will only get better with Summer afterwards. The relief after a long Winter. I adore it!
Q Describe your perfect day.
A It will involve a walk somewhere beautiful and natural. By the sea, surrounded by flowers or foliage. It won't be too hot or too cold and my bag will not, unlike most of my life, be heavy. I will be with my husband CBC and family or friends. It won't have any scary uphills or downhills but there will be a challenge. There will be some cake and litres of Earl Grey tea. A chance to stop and read a Whodunnit book will arise and there will be swimming- river, sea, swimming pool- I am not fussy but water is a must. There will be quiet and there will be laughing.
In the evening, we will get dressed up (a pretty 50's dress) and go to either a Ceildh/Barndance, with the option to join in playing if I want, but I am allowed to dance. I will not muck up 'Stripping the Willow'. If not a Barndance, then it will be a swingdance evening. There will be lots of male lead partners and they will want to dance and they will be considerate and repeat a move if I muck it up first time!!!!
Miraculously, I will get home at a reasonable time, despite the late nature of these things.
Oh and there will be Thai food at some point. And lots of Tofu and Tempeh. Can we arrange this perfect day please?
And here's Ros, our amazing photographer of the day - didn't she do well brandishing my camera about like a good 'un? Mother and daughter had barely 10 minutes to spend in the gallery before their boat arrived at the quayside. We dashed around the bay to join the queue. We said our goodbyes, making promises to meet up again sometime, then Kezzie and I simultaneously produced our small presents, as tokens of our new friendship. I urged them to get on board, and once seated I called to Kezzie to open her gift as I wanted to see her reaction.
For those of you who haven't read Kezzie's blog yet, I say, please treat yourself and do! Her writing is as delightful as she is. She covers so many, varied topics and loves the most unexpected things. From Dr Who to brooches, she is highly entertaining. Read it here. Anyway, my gift to her was a Puffin brooch, which is one of our most loved little birds on the islands. I was pretty sure she wouldn't have had time to find such a thing herself and by the look on her face I'd say it was a great surprise.
As I watched their boat head off into the distance I felt a twinge of sadness. We had been blessed with the most perfect weather making this a pretty perfect day for my first ever bloggers meet up. Living here in this remote corner of the UK I wonder how many other times I'll have the chance to meet up with a fellow blogger? And if I do, could they ever match up to the sweet-natured Kezzie?
Kezzie's dress is from Seasalt, shoes are from Rieker and hat is from a market in Croatia. My top is from H&M, trousers are from Topshop, shoes from TK Maxx (sim) and sunglasses are by Quay Australia (sim).
Today's postscript is about the Travelling Yellow Skirt see here for the full story. I shall be posting the skirt off on to the next lucky blogger (hahaha, yes I'm so corny) who is Anja in Singapore. I'm sorry to let this magical garment leave me, but I know I must. I spent yesterday finishing off my addition to the Skirt, adding a few more stitches of embriodery to bring my little icon to completion. I'll be avidly waiting and watching Melanie's blog for details of the next episode in the life of the wonderful TYS.
Anna x
