What’s with this weather?

Humid, wet and warm – I like the warm bit but I’m a little fed up with the rain, aren’t you?

It’s been raining, on and off for nearly the last two weeks. I know this because that’s when my hubby first started trying to lay some new decking.

In order to reach the correct level, a section of our lawn was dug out and the spoils of this – mud and turf - have been there ever since.

What with that and the slugs who seem to be multiplying by the minute and eating their way through our entire garden and the allotment; I’m really ‘pead’ off.  

I might as well leave £10 notes on the flower beds and let the slugs eat them (I’m told they’re not terribly fussy and will happily eat paper), rather than go to the trouble of going to a garden centre and buying expensive plants.

And then there’s the soggy dog walks starting with ‘Shall I go now or wait till later?’, followed by ‘Shall I take a coat?’, then sensing a break in the rain or drizzle you’re off wading through mud, slipping about like a demented duck. Meanwhile, your boots are getting heavier and the long grass is causing a rising tide mark on your trousers.

And of course your meteorological sensors have let you down yet again, cause as soon as you are far enough away not to turn back, the heavens open and the decision not to take a coat further reminds you what an optimistic idiot you are!

Arriving home you now have to clean three sets of muddy paws on dog towels that haven't dried properly from the last time and the smell of 'wet dog' lingers in the house for the rest of the day. 

Bloody weather!

Changing your career after 50

‘Old age ain’t no place for sissies’, said the indomitable Bette Davis, but nor is middle age, if you are planning to change your career.

Unless you have unlimited stamina, firm resolve and patience, I would forget it - buy cakes for your team and hunker down in front of your PC, but if like me you feel it’s high time you took control and gave a symbolic ‘two fingers’ to all those dodgy bosses; now is your moment.

In March I was ‘released’ from my 47 hour per week job, where under great pressure to meet my boss’ unrealistic demands, I often worked overtime on average of 1-2 hours a day.

A right royal kick in the pants and something that although at the time was quite painful and certainly very annoying; has actually done me a huge favour.

I’m free – free from trying to juggle numerous tasks, placate dissatisfied staff, massage designers’ massive egos while maintaining an equilibrium with a demanding boss.  Why had I done this for so long – who was I pleasing – certainly not me and looking at how unceremoniously I was dumped – not my boss either.

So at 51, it’s time to take control, to stop moaning, blaming and deferring – from now on it’s down to me and I can’t wait!

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Locals on-board legendary locomotive

To the uninitiated, the long procession snaking its way along the fields in Wymington, must have looked a little baffling - why were 150 people, give or take a grandma, out so early on this misty morning making their way towards the passenger railway line around half a mile away?

This was a sight in itself worth seeing and fun to be part of because we were in on ‘the secret’ and would shortly become part of the legend that is the Flying Scotsman.

As a regular dog walker across these fields you get to know the ‘die-hard’ walkers of which June Tobin is one - rain or shine June can be seen out with her Border Collie Max. 

Pensioners June and her husband Terry also happen to be keen steam train enthusiasts and seeing an article in the Evening Telegraph in November of last year about the Flying Scotsman, decided to book it.

‘We always watch any steam trains that go through Wymington and after seeing the story in the Evening Telegraph about the Flying Scotsman, we decided that we wanted to be on it. It didn’t prove that easy though as I had to try three times to get tickets and eventually because Premium Class was sold out we had to settle for normal tickets’, said June.

So on Saturday 4 June, at 8.50am, while we were keenly waiting with wet knees in a wheat field, an excited Terry and June were boarding in Bedford to set off for York.

Slightly delayed from Victoria because of ‘photographers on the line’, (makes a change from wet leaves) who were later arrested; the Flying Scotsman didn’t reach us until 9.30am.

At last however, we heard a distant whistle, the line hummed quietly and then a quiet chuffing, growing louder as it approached until the Flying Scotsman appeared in all its glory, steaming confidently along pulling 11 vintage carriages behind. The delighted crowd waved, took pictures and videos and then in a few seconds, it was gone.

But not for Terry and June who said: ‘We were amazed to see so many people had turned up to see the train, especially our friends in Wymington and we felt like royalty sitting on the train waving back’.

With their journey just begun they thought things couldn’t get much more exciting, but a £5.00 raffle ticket bought on-board proved to be the icing on the cake.

 June told me: ‘We couldn’t believe it, we won first prize in the raffle and guess what, it was two tickets to travel Premium Class in a steam train of our choice! So we have not only had one trip of a lifetime but can look forward to another one soon!’

Which just goes to show that the Flying Scotsman is still working its magic whether you are on-board or track side.

To watch my video, please click here.

Crowds drawn to Loughborough Arts Degree Show 2016

Every year the undergraduate and foundation students of Loughborough University exhibit their work, which includes Fine Art, Textiles, 3D Design and Graphic Communication and Illustration.

If you wish to visit the Arts Degree Show tucked away in the Loughborough campus, don’t be put off by the tired and scruffy aspect of the buildings and their sterile interiors - there’s not much of a ‘muse’ here, unless you’re an urban artist who wishes to add some colour or personality to this dull environment.

No dragging of feet or loitering on the stairs, push on to the top floor where the Graphic Communication and Illustration graduates showcase their work on this ‘blank canvas’ utilised as the perfect foil for an explosion of enthusiastic creativity.

Each student starts with a 2 x 2m space in which to exhibit and market their work, as this is also an opportunity for potential employees to snap up talented designers before they make it on to the market.

Eye-catching visuals and graphics pop and fizz – ideas fly – it’s an information overload which engages and excites.

Some designers have played safe with commercial product designs with household names that make the design instantly recognisable, while others have pushed the boundaries with innovative Apps, computer games, animation and original illustrations.

Look out for an alternative and competent product design for Fairtrade by Jade Thomas, thoughtful animation from Jessica Perrin, useful App OAPP from Tanya Beri, conceptional design from Sophie Redford and inspired illustrations and horror genre computer game PRESENCE by Eleanor Marriott (pictured above).  

What strikes you is the talent, enthusiasm and excitement presented in a refreshingly earnest way that does make you look forward to all their futures. 

Simon Downs, Programme Director, Graphic Communication & Illustration agrees: ‘This year’s graduates are a collectively minded bunch of people and they contribute with a will to the tasks they undertake.  It is always rewarding to work with people who are so collectively willing to get the job done.  This quality of care will stand them in good stead as both designers and citizens living in a world in need of care but which is frequently careless. If this world is to be saved, we need good people in the communications field who can direct the public’s eyes towards a better place, a fairer future; these finalists have the skills and will to do just that.’

The event runs from the 4 to the 12 June and is open to the public on those dates. For more info, please click here