My Week in pictures...

So...how was my holiday?

Sunny...

Picturesque

Interesting

Historical

Relaxing

Fun

Natural

Breathtaking

Tranquil

Hope you enjoyed sharing my week with me?

Race For Life 2012

Last Sunday along with my mum, my friend Sharon and her daughter Katie, I did the Race For Life in Bristol.

The weather was overcast but dry. So lucky, as it had been torrential rain all night.
We arrived at the Durdham Downs just after 10am. Heart Radio were pumping out some old school tunes to get everyone raring to go!

The official photographer meandered amongst the crowd snapping the amazing outfits worn by some of the participants.

After a good warm up the runners headed off to the start line. Then the joggers. Next up was us, the walkers. Finally the wheelchairs and buggies.

A sea of pink surrounded the edges of the Downs as far as the eye could see. It was a very emotional and poignant moment for me and my loved ones. Mum and I had stood here before waiting to walk the course to raise money for Cancer Research UK. We had shed a tear at some of the heart breaking back signs on the women in front of us. We too had worn our signs with our loved ones names written clearly for others to read. This time my name was amongst the thousands of names on the thousands of women's signs.

My list had far too many names on it. Survivors, fighters and those who we remember fighting bravely but not surviving. I wished as I wrote each name that they were not on my list, that I did not know them because of cancer.

I did the walk in 1hr and 12 mins! I surprised myself...I thought I would take at least two hours. We had joked that mine would be the Hobble for Life!

I felt so pleased when I passed the finish line and collected my medal. It was a milestone for me. I had come full circle. Unable to go to last years Race for life as I was too ill. A week later, exactly a year ago Friday 17th June 2011, I was diagnosed with Bowel/Colon Cancer. What a difference a year makes!

With the three events taking place in Bristol over that weekend, Cancer Research UK would raise approximately £500,000. I'm so grateful for all my sponsors who helped towards this remarkable amount. It really is All of us Versus cancer!
  

Down on the Harbour

On a bright and sunny Wednesday afternoon I took my dad for a lovely walk along the Harbour in Bristol. Of course we had all been for walks along the Harbour before as a family but dad was really surprised how much Bristol had changed! The new developments of bright office blocks such as Hargreaves & Landsdown and HBOS. The brightly coloured apartment blocks and the beautiful houses on the waters edge.

We started our walk with a look down the River Avon towards Brunel's Suspension Bridge.

As we crossed over from the River Avon we headed to the Harbour via Underfall Boat yard. The Underfall yard is a historic boatyard situated on Spike Island. It serves the Bristol Harbour. It was locally known as 'The Underfalls' the name taken from the underfall sluices. The original construction was early 19th Century with some changes made by Brunel in the 1830's. Most of the buildings here have been given English Heritage status. They are listed buildings.

The views across the Harbour as we walked along were dotted with brightly coloured houses and apartments high above the Harbour. John Cabot's tower could also be seen rising out above the trees that surround it.

Finally we arrived at our destination. The extremely impressive SS Great Britain!

We sat basking in the sunshine surrounded by this iconic ship, drinking a latte and enjoying this busy waterway in the City that I love. Bristol.

And the winner is...

So I asked you how you would like to spend the day with me. The choices were, at work, at the spa or in my garden.

The most popular choice was... A day at the spa.






Atkinson's Spa House!







Before my beautiful cousin Lora and myself went along for our pamper afternoon, we went for lunch.
We opted for one of my favourites.









Strada!

Yummy...

After my lovely Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli and Lora's delicious Lasagna, we went to the spa.

The Pedicure

The Manicure

After two blissful hours spent relaxing whilst having feet and hand massage and paint we needed CAKE!!

Where else to go for truly scrumptious cake and tea...Papadeli's my all time favourite.