Howdie everyone

Hello all four of you that read this!! Tee hee....yep, hello dear readers. I apologise for not blogging sooner, but I have either been poorly with my neck, off training with work, or indeed, poorly again, with flu.

I shall work backwards for ease...

1) I presently have Flu. I am off work but hope to return tomorrow, as I think I am getting better (i.e. I am now bored to death by daytime tv as no longer sleeping for 6 hr stretches). Darren kindly shared his bug with me, and so we have been off work together- how sweet...(cue vision of two miserable civil servants fighting over the Kleenex & TV remote controls on the sofa and/or bed).

2) Training- Completed my fortnight's training to be an in-house coach. I can't wait to put my skills into action after the New Year! Yes dear reader, the big pilot that I was involved in earlier in the year, has moved forward. Senior management have decided that the pilot was great, and are rolling it out across the department. So I was picked to join 8 others (the others all being from another dept) in being trained as counsellor/coaches. I am in my element, as at last I am able to put my Psychology and counsellor training into practice within the work environment, and I took to it like a duck to water. The boss is impressed with me, so I hope to update you soon on how that is going!

3) Neck. Well I've been to see the Neurologist at the local hospital. Neck XRays were taken, lengthy neurological tests were done (which left me in pain lol) and blood pressure taken. My left arm reading was different from my right- (L was 167/70; R 140-70) which apparently, isn't good. They're supposed to be the same. My left side is still noticably weaker than my right (which annoyed me, because I've been strengthening my left side lol). This also concenred the Consultant as I am left handed- your dominant side is invariably the strongest, as you unconsciously use it more. So I am to have CAT scans in the New Year. They have no idea what the problem is, but it could be arterial (as the blood pressure reading shows the heart is having to work harder to push the blood round my left side). Eitherway, at least things are moving on. I am not being ignored and just given tablets and shoo'ed away anymore. At least its being investigated, which is an improvement to how things were six months ago! Although I feel shattered sometimes, I feel myself. I even managed to go out and join in the Xmas work Do, and even had a wee dance and drinkie. Unfortunately it meant being laid up in bed for 2 days afterwards unable to move- but at least I'm managing to even try these days!!!!

So there you go...I'll try not to leave it so long next time,

but until then...happy sneezing!!

Cxx

Janet & Patrick's Wedding

Paddy & Janet xx

Well, I had the honour of being asked by Paddy and Janet to be a guest at their wedding, in Ireland, Friday, 3rd November, 2006. As I was stuck with D at the time, he came along too lol.
D and I flew over to Dublin from Blackpool on the Wednesday morning, hired a car, stayed overnight in Dublin, and set off to drive to Athy, Kildare, Thursday afternoon, to meet up with everyone in anticipation of the wedding on Friday.



Janet had organised 3nights BB and evening meals for around £300 each couple (not at all bad for a 4 star) if people wanted, called the Clanard Hotel, in the middle of the countryside. It was also the place where the Reception was to be held, so it was perfect as the location. I thought it was also a great chance to have a nosey round central Ireland whilst we were there as we could stay until Sunday.

Not every hotel comes complete with it's own sheep...

or donkeys...but this one does!!

Well what can you say....the setting, deep in the heart of the beautiful Emerald Isle; the bride, glowing and beautiful; and the groom, tall and handsome. Just looked perfect.

In other words- never as I'd ever seen 'em before (ducks out of way of flying sharp objects...) ha ha ha!!!


I've always had a massive soft-spot for Janet. Afterall, she is Ann's little sister (well not so little, but I've known her since she was 10, so to me she'll always be the wee one). She's now a young woman of 31. That's a long time to know someone- to be irritated by, to sometimes wish you had a baseball bat targeted against their head, be sad for, to be happy and excited for, to care about!



Janet and Paddy got married in Moone, Co. Kildare, where Paddy grew up before moving over to the UK to do his degree and become a Farm manager. Janet worked as an accountant for the Co-op (farming side), and that's how they met...awwww!!!!! Her uncle John gave her away, as her dad Trevor has been passed for 16 years now. Her Mum Marian, passed away last October. Both Trevor and Marian's own wedding day photo was on the top table, and were mentioned in the speeches, causing me and others to cry, to be honest, in a weirdly sad but nice way.

Walked down the Aisle...

The weather was crisp and bright, and the service was beautiful.

All official now- it's too late missus!!

I must admit I was very taken aback and surprised by how emotional I felt...Janet and Paddy have been seeing each other a quite a while, and she even sold her house in Manchester to live with him down in Lincolnshire.

But to see her being married, was just something I wish her Mum and Dad had been able to see. They would have loved Patrick- he's a brilliant, smart and funny guy, and his family are amazingly warm people too.


There were loads of people that flew in for the Day, and there must have been 100+ people. Paddy and his family know how to party- and party we all did, in true Irish style!





Fantastic day and night had by all xx

arrgh the Dress...lol...

Janet & Ann's Aunty Lynn, me, the new bride & Ann (the Sat nite meal before we left Ireland)

Charlotte taking after her Dad (Bulmers...hmmmm....)

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Addition to the family....

May I present...Mr and Mrs Waxpeople...

Ok, yes, this may be a tad weird/inspired/ etc etc....

margery flippantly said the other day that she wanted a ladyfriend for Mr WaxBlob/Bugeyes/whatever...


So I did it lol!!

Now packing for the wedding, flying tomorrow morning, suitcase nearly packed, hire car booked...wish me luck...Celia in a dress...even told my Dad tonight and HE was amazed! I just hope Janet appreciates the effort !


love


Ceals xxx

Artistic flair, Chiros and Dresses...

Here’s some creativity! Well, as you know I’m on Slimming World (and doing v well- lost 5lbs and counting- I hope!!), and one of my fave nibbles is Babybels lites –small snack-size Edam cheeses. One of my wee habits is rolling the wax cover of the cheese into little balls. At work today, I rolled two of them together, and then one of my pals (Spanish-speaking Jane) gave me HER Babybel ‘coats’…which made it bigger again. I then added the wax strip and made a little mouth, then Jane added some goggly-eyes and some hair from a wee stick-on bug she had on her pc. Resulting in this amazing creative piece of nouveau sculpture!!!

The EdamBoy I made for my pal Margery to cheer her up!

I'm feeling good- Chiro chuffed with my fast progress since the 'funny do' four weeks ago. To be honest I didn't realise I was being monitored so closely, and infact I thought my progress was normal! Saw him last week and he's v pleased with how I'm doing. Neck has still been a tad shady but the Kapake painkillers keep that in check, so that's fine. Still overly-tired, but could be down to weather or my new meds, although I have been told it's the after-effects of the 'do' on my body. Advised that although I'm coming along faster than most patients, I'm still to expect some after-effects as my body was in distress for hours, and they still don’t know what it was. I await my neurological appointment with interest!

So I'm sleeping well and eating well- still at Slimming World and enjoying it! Yes, Celia has found new recipes and so isn't bored to death like last time. Hope to lose some more weight (weigh-in tomorrow night)...1 wk to the wedding in Ireland. I bought a dress three weeks ago and it didn’t fit. Now it DOES! I know I know, enough laughing…dress! I know Janet, the bride, will take the pee out of me...last time she saw my legs was when we were in school uniform... and I'm not joking lmao!!!

And just to confuse/enlighten...

Here's a picture of my desk at work!!

..........here

Saturn- seen as never before....

This is a real photograph from the Cassini spacecraft orbiting Saturn...Oct 06

With giant Saturn hanging in the blackness and sheltering Cassini from the Sun's blinding glare, the spacecraft viewed the planet and rings as never before.

It revealed previously unknown faint rings, even glimpsing their homeworld.

The images were acquired as Cassini drifted in Saturn's shadow for 12 hours, 1.3 million miles behind the gas planet.

Needless to say, my astronomy heroine from childhood, (and often on Sky at Night) Dr Caroline Porco, a.k.a The lady of The Rings, was behind the images, as the Lead of the imaging operations centre at the Space Science Institute, Boulder, Colorado.

The beauty of my favourite planet, the third largest object in the Solar System (after the Sun and Jupiter), is immeasurable. But this image is mindblowing...not just for it's beauty, but in just reinforcing how far humankind has come, to be in the position to be able to TAKE these images.

Science and beauty in one.

Astronomy is not just a science, but also an expression of how the human potential of logic and imagination can overcome obstacles, and fulfill desires of knowledge once considered to be dreams of fancy.

Long may it continue .....




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The Perfect Gig - New Order

New Order + Blackpool= once in a lifetime opportunity...

Yes, New Order in Blackpool!


As my beloved D is a massive NO fan (and I'm pretty keen too), it was a no-brainer back in the summer when the tour dates were released. They usually hang around Manchester, and D and I have seen them there twice together. They hadn't played Blackpool for nearly 25 years, and D's birthday is in December, so I leap at the chance to get tickets for an early birthday pressie.




We had a few pre-gig drinkies in a great pub in town (Gillespies) where we caught up with some mates, before setting off to the Winter Gardens, where they played in the gorgeous and ornate Empress Ballroom. It was packed. I mean, as in, totally packed. Wasn't this full for Radiohead, nor Placebo, who we've seen in there this year.


It was a cracking set- full of old Joy Division favourites, as well as belting out new and old NO tracks. The gig started with the new classic Crystal, setting the tempo for the rest of the night. Ceremony, Temptation, Love will Tear Us Apart and The Perfect Kiss were just some of the crackers that were belted out to the rapt and energised fans. Absolute class act. D and I caught the taxi home, and hit the DVD player with more NO, having a few naughty drinkies until way past the witching hour- on a school night! Tut tut!


New Order may never play in Blackpool again...and boy, 3,000 people, D and I, knew we were watching one of the best live acts you will ever see, in our own backyard.

The Perfect Gig...

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Celia- First Aider Extrordinaire...

Da daah!

Oh yes, Celia has passed her First Aid exams!!

I was very nervous...last time I was this nervous was doing my Degree Finals. Honest!!

The first of the two exams was the oral exam, where the first examiner gave you different scenarios, and asked you what you would do...for instance, someone collapsing with epilepy, heart attack, etc. Questions about how would I notice someone going into shock, what you would do, all that kind of thing. Had fun bandaging a fellow trainee too.



Then I had to go to another room to undertake the practical exam, where someone had collapsed, and the other examiner watched how you put them in the recovery position, and questioned about how you would treat them, watch for breathing, comfort, etc. Also had to do CPR on the CPR doll (where you do heart compressions and rescue breaths). Barrage of questions followed "how many breaths does a person take in a minute; how many types of cuts are there and list them; how would you treat a burn" etc etc. My nerves disappeared and I just went for it- everything became crystal in my head and I felt confident in my knowledge. Weird but great feeling.



I was seriously chuffed, as the First examiner (oral) was an ex-paramedic and now goes around the UK showing NHS nurses and staff how to do CPR in hospitals, and teaches the NHS Resusitation Unit how to do their job. He asked whther I'd ever done First Aid before, as I was a natural, and stated I should seriously think about a change of job! I was floating- if nothing else, it crystallised the fact in my heart, that when I'd done it on my Mum when she had one of her heart attacks (she had 5 overall), I had done it properly.


So now I await the arrival of my work First Aid kit and the lovely bright green tabbard you have to wear on Fire Drills. I shall look soo attractive!! Watch this space for photos lol !!!




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The HOFF!

Jealousy doesn't become me...but my workmate Kieran did something I've always wanted to do...

Kieran and The Hoff!!!

Indeedie! Yes, my work pal Kieran, went to David Hasselhoff's book-signing in The Trafford Centre!


Kieran says that The Hoff is a brilliant bloke, really approachable, really nice and cool!





The Hoff himself



His entourage, however, are gits.

The lucky ones meeting David

As I sit here, typing away, I only wish that I knew that Mr Hasselhoff was so close...I'd have gone too!


Cheers for the photos Kieran! You lucky bar steward....

Positivity!!!

Hi there everyone! Thankyou so much for all your thoughts and best wishes. Wow. What can I say...I didn't realise how many are reading this lol !!

Everything is ok. GP is sending me to the Consultant Neurologist for brain scans, further tests, etc after seeing him yesterday. He tried to dismiss the whole 'funny do' and I kicked off, re-stated the symptoms and basically wore the git down until he confirmed he would investigate it properly, as my Chiro recommended- if nothing else, to totally rule out anything naughty going on. They were a tad worried incase I had probs with one of the arteries in my neck leading to my brain (my response to the GP was "are you prepared to put that in writing- that I have a brain!"- no actually he did laugh- no actually he did...) but he still thinks it is more likely to be nerve related- which I embrace!

So off to I toddled to the Chiro's this evening for more nerve stimulation in the base of the skull and more tests. He's v pleased with the progress that I have made in a fortnight since my 'funny do' and doesn't need to see me for another week. Result!!! Sadly, he won't manipulate my neck anymore, incase it was a TIA or artery problem the other week, and until confirmed it wasn't, he won't manipulate. I understand fully, but a wee part of me, I must confess, is a tad disappointed, as I loved my neck being cracked, the release of pressure is amazingly lovely!

What else? Well I've on the work's First Aider course this week- exam's tomorrow so x fingers etc!! Yes, dear readers, they have accepted me as a First Aider- I'm not sure they know what they've let themselves in for lol. My neck has been a tad tingly, but that's down to the crap chairs making my posture uncomfortable and doing CPR on legless dolls lol! It's in a conference room so can't take in my own medical chair I have for my workstation. Gits. Good side is I'm sat next to a few pals of mine Sue (aka Lara Croft) and Caroline. We've scared the instructor and entertained the troops by talking in European accents between ourselves (an old joke we had when we used to work together...I'm really Sonja from Slovakia)...so everything is as normal as it should be!

The Clan siege of Blackpool!

Peter & I xxx

What a lovely surprise! After, frankly, a pretty crappy and worrying 7 days, my dad phoned up on Friday night and said "Peter is here!"

Now I thought that Peter was visiting next week (see my head has been all over the place recently). The last time I saw Peter was at my Mum's funeral, and to be honest, my head was so messed up that day, it was all a terrible blur...all I knew was that he and Trica had made it down, and it was such a comfort them being there, but conversations, etc, I cannot recall.

I fondly remember much much happier times, back to the early 1980s, when he, Tricia (Dad's niece, my cousin) and wee Estelle (3-4 yrs younger than me) visited us in Blackpool a few times. Peter is so full of life, such fun, and a fabulous character lol. Wee Estelle and I used to play together, and I had so much fun when they visited.

So Friday night, from being exhausted, I became seriously over-excited! Darren was laughing at me...after the initial shock I was bouncing around the livingroom saying "They're here! They're here! Oh my God Peter's just a mile away oh he's here!!!"

We quickly grabbed some food, and, although I was supposed to be resting after my appointment at the Chiro's (which went well by the way...just have to rest and have some more nerve treatment until I see the GP Tuesday), instead we stomped round to my dad's house, where Peter was staying in my Mum's old room. Estelle, hubby and toddler Ross stayed at a hotel. I know that after my Mum died, I cleared most of the room, but there were bits and pieces Dad wanted to keep just how it was. I think it was therapeutic for my dad to tidy for Peter- a good and positive reason for such a fabulous man of the family.


Peter hasn't changed abit- I want to know what moisturiser he uses! He was just how I remembered him from my childhood; handsome, full of fun, stories and energy. D and I took round a bottle of Ron Miel (that lovely honey rum from Gran Canaria) and we spent a lovely night chatting away. Dad, as usual, re-told stories we've all heard 50 times, but we didn't care, we just had a cracking evening in.



The only thing that a tad upset me, was when Peter mentioned this chap called Fergus quite a few times, who runs a pub down south near my Aunt Mina. It transpired that this cracking guy is infact my cousin, and my Dad had never mentioned him before. Shell-shocked is an understatement. I know that my Dad was always a sod for not taking me to see O'Neill family in Scotland when I was wee or growing up, but he'd never mentioned this cousin of mine before. I felt quite embarrassed and I even felt in the wrong, even though it wasn't my fault. I didn't actually meet some of my O'Neill family until when I was 25, at a funeral. I have a cousin Simone, also born on the 11th Sept I think, that he always used to promise to take me to visit when I was small, but I have never met. For some reason, Dad never managed to find the time to do that with me. So my bond with Peter, Trica and my childhood friend Estelle, has always been held ever-close to my heart.

I was hoping to meet up with Estelle and everyone Saturday night, so we could all catch up, and she could meet Darren, and I could meet her husband, Colin, properly and 2 yr old Ross. Sadly, I was just too tired, I'd overdone it on Friday I suppose lol, and so Dad and Peter went up to Estelle's hotel. They had a cracking night by the sounds of it lol. I just rested and D and I stayed in.

I knew that they were going back home on Sunday, so come Hell or high water, I was going to make it round to Dad's to see them lol. Estelle was picking up Peter before heading home, so that was a great opportunity to catch up and see her again, for the first time in 24 years. My wee second cousin Estelle is looking fantastic, and still has that lovely personality and is now a beautiful woman, and her son and Colin are great. You can tell they're still a close family, and it's great to see. To be honest I was really disappointed that I couldn't have more time with them, but Peter and I have swapped mobile numbers and the poor soul now has my email address and this Blog address...so we're definitely going to be able to keep in contact more often- and I'll be able to introduce D to fabulous Trica too!

Peter, me and Dad xx

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.......

THE DIET (Gulp)

Ok.

I have to come clean. I'm a good girl- no I am really- but I have a confession to make.

I didn't follow the diet when I was holiday.

Needless to say, I have put on half a stone.

I think after everything that's been happening the past 7 days, I do have the excuse to avoid the gym (well I've been cream-crackered, sleeping poorly and been left with dodgy headaches). But not the diet. I just haven't been in the mood to cook, so I've been eating take away. I KNOW I should at this stage, be thinking of my health more than ever, but I've been so shattered I haven't had the energy to do more than crawl in from work and huddle on the sofa until
bedtime.

Greebs is our diet Guru...

So tonight, I'm facing the music. Even though I am off poorly today from work (had horrendous headache and leg pains that had me on the verge of tears until 4 a.m. this morning with poor D comforting me, even though I was trying to creep around the house so as not to wake him up), I am going to Slimming world at 7pm tonight.

Starting afresh, dusting myself down, etc.

Wish me luck!

I want to lose at least half a stone for my friend Janet's wedding in Ireland 3rd November!!!!!!


...

Shock to my system

Hmm how to start.

Things have been a tad shady.

Last Thursday afternoon, sat at my workstation as normal, I suddenly started to shake and tremor uncontrollably down the entire left side of my body (and according to my friend Kathy sat across from me, it looked as if I'd suddenly gone into deep hypothermic shock, such was the severity of the shaking). I managed to call D, who immediately left his office and drove me home, as I knew I was unsafe to drive. My teeth were chattering, my left arm couldn't be held down, jumping all over the place. My back seized into muscles spasms and I was in absolute pain.

We eventually got home (it seemed like forever) and I dove into bed, still shaking, but now able to actually speak properly. With the help of some muscle relaxants I have prescribed for my neck, the tremors stopped after 1-2 hrs and I crashed out fast asleep in bed, exhausted, and my body now feeling the effects of the tremors- the pain kicked in where muscles had been put beyond their capacity.

I had an appointment on Friday morning to see the General Practitioner anyway, and D organised an emergency appointment with the Chiro Friday afternoon, and both did lots of tests. GP was concerned but said it hadn't been life-threatening, wasn't sure what it was, thought it was nerve-related, but not sure. He wanted the Chiro Doc's second opinion. He decided against hospital as I would wait all day to then be told "it's not life-threatening- see your GP". So he sent me on my way with more muscle relaxants and immortal words of "If it happens again, let me know."

The Chiro doc refused to treat me, as suspected a TIA (mini-stroke). He demanded I didn't drive long distances or go to Bristol (I was supposed to be there on Monday and Tuesday for a work meeting). Instead, I was to return on Tuesday-his day off- for a battery of tests lasting nearly an hour. Darren, bless, accompanied me then.

The TIA has been reduced to a possible, and replaced with possible joint seizure in my neck, causing a physiological over-load, resulting in my body going haywire. My body may have kicked into over-drive trying to get messages to and from the brain. So nerve pulses misfired, and were scrambled in a double feed-back loop, causing the severe tremors and muscle spasms. What bothers him though, it that it only effected the left side of the body. So the possibility of a 'soft lesion on the brain' is also being kicked around. This can repair, apparently, and be treated.

MS was also mentioned but he doubts it, due to my positive reaction to the treatment. He did the same tests again after stimulating the major nerves in the top of my neck, and my balance (I couldn't stand with my eyes closed without falling) and the weakness through the left side of my body (which used to be brilliant, as I'm left-handed) had improved slightly. It wouldn't improve if it were MS or TIA with 10 minutes of nerve stimulation.

He's writing to my GP with his findings, and recommending a scan to rule out TIA or lesions. He also wants my GP to explore avenues of NHS investigation.

I am to return on Friday to the Chiro for more tests and treatment, and to book an appointment with the GP for next week. He shall have received the Chiro's letter by then, and I am to discuss my case with him.

The poor Chiro doesn't know that by Friday, I shall have pen and paper in hand and barrage of questions I want answering for clarification.

To be honest- it was a frightening experience. It was all so much info with nasty names being banded around, that I sat shell-shocked. Darren did too. I tried to be my usual rational self, but my concentration just wasn't there. So I'm writing it all down on Friday so I can clarify things in my head.


I'll keep you posted sweethearts, but above all, don't worry- this is ME! I'm a feisty wench!!

Celia 35yrs and 16 days xxx








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Old telly in explosion drama

Ok. I exaggerate. I've always had a penchant for tabloid journalism (comes from my studying it at Uni lol)...it didn't really explode...one moment it was on, the next, it just went "squueeeakk" and then went off an hour after our return on Monday night from Gran Canaria.





Indeed, with the excitement of returning to ol' Blighty, (getting the washing in and out of the washing machine, phoning friends and family that had sent birthday cards whilst I was away and preparing for two meetings I had the next day at work whilst being totally shattered after the flight and long day), I didn't have the strength to mention in my Blog entry that Darren's beloved Phillip's 24" television set is no more.



It has ceased to be.



I looked up and squeaked. Darren came into the room and asked what was wrong...I could only whimper "eekk...tv...turned itself off and is now making squeaky noises".

No amount of subtle tweaking, fiddling with the remote or flinging the damn thing across the room worked. (Note- we didn't actually do the last thing. But I was very tempted).



So Tuesday, after my two meetings in the morning, I came home and we got to searching the ol' Web for a new telly. I decided that I would see it as a good, not bad, situation, and that I would turn it round into an opportunity to buy a new funky slimline HD Ready one!

So here it is...paid for yesterday, it arrives tomorrow morning.


Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you, the new member of the O'Neill-Rigby household, the 32 " LCD HD Ready Toshiba!!

From dark beginnings (well a dark knackered tv tube) comes bountiful light!!




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Ole! Gran Canaria- the adventures of Ceals and Darren...

Puerto Rico harbour

Ola! Yes, we have returned, and just like any British Holidaymaker worth their salt, totally traumatised by sunstroke and 3rd degree sunburn! Yes alas, dear reader, we got well and truely hit...

But before I share the wonders of sub-tropical sunburn, let me begin as the holiday began...at the beginning!! (I'm going all Stephen Fry on my ass).


The week started well, flying from Manchester in the early morning of Monday 11th September, and eventually reached the resort of Puerto Rico on the south coast of Gran Canaria around 2pm. We dumped our bags, and looked out over the balcony.

The view was absolutely beautiful.

The Cala D'Or apartments are located halfway up the cliffs (it's a flippin' mountain- 187 steps to climb- or get a taxi for 2.40 euros lol) but that didn't hinder us at all. The apartment, B313, was spacious and clean, with a lovely balcony with a beautiful sea view. The only reservation we had, was as we were 3 star, you would expect air conditioning. No. And the added insult was you had to hire a fan, at 30 Euros per week (10 acted as a deposit and was returned upon departure). It merely moved warm air around. Definitely NOT the place to stay if you were holidaying June/July/August when the sub-tropical sun is at its strongest.


The town of Puerto Rico is set in a valley, with the town centre beneath us with all amenities you could wish for. The mouth of the valley was met by the beautiful azure, crystal clear Atlantic Ocean, marina/harbour and man made beach (sand imported from the Sahara, which is along the same latitude, around 700 miles east).





A fabulous time was had by all...we drank, we ate, the rum was flowing and we had a lovely time pottering around by day,







and we walked along the beach at night, so romantic...

Celia paddling in the sea

Our view at night

Now I am naturally very shy when it comes to try to speak other languages- I'm always very self conscious of how crap I'm doing that I trail off and hide. I think this stems from doing my oral exam in German at school...gave a perfect answer to a question, and the teacher lent over and said "great answer...now try it in German, you just did it in French". It honestly traumatised me, and I've never been the same since.


Well the ace AA Gran Canaria guide D bought said "Canarians love you trying to speak some Spanish". Now I only studied German and French at school. The fragments of Spanish I have, are from my pal Jane at work, who has been doing evening classes.

So, I threw myself at the Canarians mercy and went for it!!

The Canarians love you trying...they are fluent English speakers, but their little faces light up when you say "gracias", "por pavor" etc. They beam and their little faces reminded me of when my Mum was proud of a drawing I brought home from school of a Fire Engine when I was 6.


We made quite a few friends when we were there...off the furry type. Yes, you've guessed it, local tame feral cats. I must be honest I was wary of even touching them at first, but D was smitten and they weren't at all nasty or funny, all purrs and cuteness! D gave them wee saucers of water at night and they truely appreciated it because of the heat. I think other visitors and the apartment owners themselves do their bit too, as the males weren't, how can I put it politely, 'entire' (ahem)...



They were a welcome distraction too, when we caught the sun on Wednesday...it's now been a week and my back is still killing me. It only took 15 minutes (and we had lotion on too) but the sub-tropical sun hits hard even in September. It knocked us on our sides (I would say backs, but I couldn't lie on it) for 2 days, and I was unable to leave the apartment, as even wearing something over my back was murder, and I couldn't bear the heat of the sun, even through a top.


Thankfully a rep from a suntan firm visted the Cala D'or, and we bought their skin repair lotion and heavy-duty moisturiser/rehydrator. Cracking stuff, worked miracles, and the best thing too...all natural product, no chemicals.


So by the weekend, although still tender, we were able to get back out, and explored the area.


On the last day, on Sunday, we signed up for a 2 and a half hr Dolphin cruise. We went out with an apparent 80% of seeing some dolphins in the ocean.
What absolute crap. No sign of dolphins anywhere. It ended up being 3 hrs as the captain became more and more obviously stressed, and by the time we returned, some people were near to throwing up as it had been pretty choppy 2 miles out on the Atlantic!
We retuned pretty crestfallen- afterall, we'd wasted our last afternoon sat in a ferry, and as D said "there's only so many times you can say ' ooh isn't the sea blue". No music, nothing. At least we had a toilet. The only blessing I think, was that it had gone quite overcast, so my covered back didn't get another roasting.


We returned to base, dusted ourselves off, and decided to hit the beers, the vodka, the local Gran Canarian rum Ron Miel (absolutely gorgeous) and our favourite restaurant, Miami, who introduced us to the honey rum. They give you two shot glasses and a bottle of Ron Miel with your bill!



The food in there is absolutely fabulous...if you visit Puerto Rico, you MUST dine in Miami's. We adored their steaks (12" plates and it covers three quarters of it- cooked to your preference and to perfection, along with lovely salad and a big bowl of fries). The rest of their food is also fantastic.


D enjoying Sunday roast at Miami's!


Plus they were helping me with my humble attempts with Spanish- "how do I say..."- so warm and friendly and appreciated my efforts. Mind you, that goes for all the Canarians...warm, friendly, and above all, genuine.


We plan to return, but this time for two weeks. As Arnie says, "We will be back!"





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Holidaying, Peter Kaye style...

Yes readers, as the comedian Peter Kay says, "Booked it, packed it, f*cked off!". We booked a last minute 7 day holiday to Gran Canaria last night on Teletext...yes, after spending hours trawling internet sites, the best deal ended up being on good ol' fashioned teletext- can you believe it!!!




So on Monday morning (MY BIRTHDAY...ahem, she said, casually), at 7.30 a.m., we are on a jet plane and off to the Canary Islands! Can't wait. Infact, desperate for a holiday...last time I went on a sunseeking holiday was with my Mum in 1992 to Malta. Otherwise it's been work. Work, and abit of work thrown in. You know it's bad when your 85 yr old father (who should be clinging to you for dear life) is demanding that I go on holiday, "yer only young once", etc etc!!

ahh...the azure sea of Gran Canaria...I'll be in it this time on Monday...

And you know, he has a point! The years are flying by, and I'm counting down the final few days of being 34 and seeing that there is alot more to life than promotion, money and material gains...all of which you can't take with you. Plus it aint likely that the minister at my funeral is going to mention "and Celia gained her promotion into management at 29 yrs old, has a £100k house and Capital Bonds". No...you're remembered for being a loving partner/sister/friend, great sense of humour, etc... yes I am hitting a mid-thirties crisis, and LOVING IT!

I love counting down the days to my birthday, I always have a look back over the past year and see what I've done, and what I want to do next.

I've:

• Started a Blog!!!!!!
• Piloted a plane
• Become a Godmum!
• Been with D five years (is it reeeally that long?)
  
• Survived (and enjoyed) a mud-strewn festival
• Seen Karen more
• Got myself a new car I adore (fondly nicknamed Basil after the airplane I flew lol)
• Revisited Dublin
• Visited old and dear friends (Karen, Mark)
• Started and stopped a Masters Degree (due to illness, but have learnt alot in the process)
• Been passionate about my work, and the culture change. Pushed my boundaries and been rewarded with increased self belief and confidence...very much lacking before.
• Had Life coaching, and been encouraged by my Coach to become one for the department! (Yes Karen, you have every right to be laughing and smug...you told me I should do this 3 years ago, but I wasn't in a place where I could listen...thanks for believing in me xx)
• Begun the Family Tree for the Dalys! Thanks Aunt Lorraine!!! xxxx Got back to great-grandfather Charles Daly thanks to you, Aunt Rose and fabulous documents kept safe by my Dad, belonging to my sadly departed Mum.
  

As for what I want to do in my 35th year:

I will;

• Go on a 2week holiday somewhere hot (yes I'm getting greedy lol)
• Continue with the family tree...never know what surprises it may bring lol!!
• Freshen up my rusty German, so I can write to my cousin Nici more (without having to cheat and use Babelfish translator to check my spelling lol)
• Continue with this fabulous thing called a Blog!

I also hope that I shall do plenty of things totally without planning, as I do tend to over-plan things (but it does pay off sometimes- remember my demanding wellies for V Festival lol)

So here I come,
from Blackpool...

to the Canary Islands (even their road looks nice)...

I shall return with photos a-plenty and, no doubt due to my Irish/Scottish lineage, either burnt red, or, akin to the Dulux paint, " white with a hint of tan".


Either way, Ole!!


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The Mighty Boosh! Come with me on a journey through time and space...

PREPARE YOURSELVES FOR
THE
MIGHTY BOOSH!!!!

The whole reason I wanted to start my Blog in the first place, was to natter excitedly about my ongoing (and not always healthy) obsession with The Mighty Boosh.

Somehow life got in the way...but now I am determined to put this wrong damn right!!!!


The Mighty Boosh is one of the finest, most mad-cap bonkers and genius comedies ever aired on BBC, and is written by Julian Barrett and Noel Fielding (see left).




Dose Boosh boys they got da style....











First aired in 2004 in the UK (now all across the continent, US and Australia- infact Oz was the first place they really took off live), I was hooked immediately by it's great daft humour and clever writing and delivery.





Julian Barrett plays Howard Moon, a mustachioed man who believes he is an unrecognised jazz maverick genius, a man full of adventure and wunderlust. Yeah. He thought his visit to his granny's was a weekly travelling adventure. An intellectually vain and deluded creature hurtling towards a middle-age crisis, Howard believes he is destined for greater things, but never will be. This character is loveable, if only because of his love-hate relationship with his young zookeeper assistant, Vince Noir.



Vince is the flip-side to this comedy duo, a stylish, popular and gifted cheeky cockney, the kind of man Howard wanted to be when he was younger. But wasn't. Vince is played brilliantly by writer Noel Fielding. Jazz? You gotta be joking...he adores Gary Numan, Mod rock and Goths. He also is able to talk to the animals- which is damn lucky as the first series is set inside the a run-down but magical zoo called the Zooniverse with a shaman called Naboo, a talking gorilla, and is run by Bob Fossil, a demented American.

AND WE WENT TO SEE THE LIVE SHOW!

Yep, they toured the UK, and Stef, Karen, Darren and I went to Manchester March this year to see them...





The opening curtain from our seats...


The live show was fantastic, and as I blog, Julian and Noel are putting the finishing touches to the Live DVD of The Mighty Boosh Live tour.





Have a nosey through our photos, and enjoy a foretaste of The Boosh Live Tour lunacy to hit our screens...

Hello and welcome to the show...

The Arctic...

Vince in Spain, seeking guidance from Rudy...

Encore!!

Favourite quotes:


"Don't go mockin' my mocha!"

" Ice flow, no where to go, lost in the blinding whiteness of the Tundra...check him out"

"Jazz is, Jazz was, Jazz be...be bop chucka chucka...wah wah wah!"

"What is this, a Parisian divorce court?"

"Oh look, it's a fence, but no..it's soft..."

Bainbridge: "ahh Naboo, are you in a trance??"
Naboo: "nah, just listening to Fleetwood Mac"
Bainbridge: "ahhh Ruumours"
Naboo: "No, Tusk"

Bainbridge pulls repulsed face. (Stoney silence).

"Look at them shine...look at them shine..."

Favourite episode: Tundra, Series 1, Episode 4.

"Ice flow, no where to go..."

In song format...the Tundra Rap...click to jump & watch The Mighty Boosh - Tundra Rap

And a passion both The Boosh and I share...





Lieutenant Columbo....

The Boosh is loose and we're a little bit RAWWW!