Last Friday saw me winging it back to London with only this gorgeous view and a note book to keep me company. The purpose? To take part in, and speak on the Food Panel at BritMum’s Live 2013 – a great writing/blogging conference that takes place in Shoreditch each year. Jumping off the plane and heading straight to Moorgate was a little hectic, but like every time, it felt sooo good to be home.
Being able to talk freely to my fellow countrymen is always something I relish and (usually) enjoy when I am back on home turf (other Expats will understand me on this one!), and my favourite experience of this trip has to be the cab driver who made me laugh my head off when he (very nicely) refused to take me to the venue as it was “just around the corner, and would be a waste of money”!
I was also up for an award on the Friday night for my travel writing, but alas it was not to be. I didn’t really mind as the prize went to the multi-talented Family Adventure Project. Kirsty was in complete and utter shock at the announcement, but we managed to calm her nerves with a big glass of something medicinal before she had to go up to collect her prize…
Awards ceremony over, I made my way back to my sisters (getting slightly lost at Edgeware road), with a bottle of wine and lots of catching up to do. As is the rule with loved ones I don’t get to see very often, we stayed up far too late yakking, which meant that the super early start the next morning was less than easy. I am glad I made the effort though, I got there in time to see that morning’s opening speech by the hugely inspirational Katie Piper. Not only is she beautiful and incredibly brave, but she’s a fabulous speaker. Her tribute to her mother had the vast majority of us in tears, and her strength, bravery and determination completely made me forget any nerves I might have had for the Food Panel later that afternoon….
My fellow Panel Members, Kerstin Rogers, Helen McGinn and Jeanne Horak Druiff are far more practised than me when it comes to public speaking and being authorities on all things edible (and drinkable!), but I am passionate about food, and in my capacity as the Food Round up Editor for BritMums, I hope I contributed a few helpful tips when it comes to food photography, and what readers look for in a good food blog…
Job done (45 very long minutes later!), I could finally relax and listen to a few more speakers and meet some brands (Small Girl couldn’t believe I had managed to get my hands on a big box of Harry Potter’s “Bertie Botts Every Flavoured Beans” from Warner Bros., and both she and her brother spent quite a while playing “Russian roulette” with the contents when I got home!)! More importantly, I finally got to spend some time with people I have “known” since starting my first blog in Copenhagen at the beginning of 2010 (although sadly I didn’t get to meet everyone this time!), and I am more than happy to report that like that old Irish saying goes, “there are no strangers, only friends we haven’t met yet!”.
If you are a parent, and passionate about blogging, do look into attending BritMums Live 2014. Tickets have just gone on sale…
So glad you had such a great weekend, and that your panel went really well. It was really nice to meet you although very briefly – it’s such a social whirl. Next Year! X.
You know what? We didn’t meet – I am confusing you with Asturian Diary. Gutted. Next year then. It must be next year! X
Phew, you had me worried then! Definitely next year! x
Thank you. Definitely next year! :D x
Yes, seriously thinking about those tickets. Have read so many great things about Britmums Live. It’s a step to taking yourself/your blog seriously…
Thanks Vanessa, hope to see you next year! :)
Public speaking even at my kids school open day give me the bumps and i shake so much you can see the shirt rattle…
Thank you Robert! It can be really nerve wracking can’t it? Thanks for your comment, it sounds lovely where you are! :)
I am so disappointed that I missed you :-(
Sorry you didn’t get an award as you would have been a worthy winner but needless to say, you are a top blogger on my reading list. Maybe next year?
Me too… Thank you so much for your lovely comment, you are very kind! :) x
What fun, and well done! I’m sure you did a smashing job :)
How nice to escape to grown-up land and the old haunts for a few days…
Thank you Rachel… It was lovely to be back, albeit far too briefly! :D
Good for you! Don’t you feel great when you’ve done something that scares the hell out of you?
Yes totally! Thank you! :) x
Been reading lots of positives about the event. need to try and see if 2014 will be my year to share in the excitement.
I do hope so! Thanks Sabrina! x
Yes, I agree with Trish, you were taller than I imagined and I’m sure you were blonder once upon a time or was that another life?
So pleased your session went well and your first BMLive was good, it’s VERY emotional isn’t it? It took me three days to come back down but so pleased to have seen you xx
Sadly never blonde (apart from briefly after a Sun In experiment back in the early 90’s!) It was lovely to be there, and to see you as well! xx
It was great to meet you at Britmumslive and I thoroughly enjoyed the food blog section. I hear what you are saying about being back in the UK after living overseas. We lived in Dusseldorf for a while and every time I came back to the UK, I relished being able to chit chat without having a formulate what I wanted to say beforehand! Our kids became great interpreters which made me feel very proud and mildly annoyed at the same time!
Looking forward to the next event with Britmumslive.
Elinor
So glad you enjoyed it, thanks for listening! It was lovely to meet you too! See you at BritMum’s Food?
Now that’s what I call a good ‘opener’ . “Winging it” with a photo of the plane. That pleases me immensely!!
You were just as I’d imagined….only taller. Friends online turn out be just the same in real life.
Thanks Trish! I am glad I was not the short person you were expecting! So very very lovely to meet you! I felt like I had known for years, which actually I have! :D
You are amazing – keep up the fantastic writing and photographs much as you deserved to win the fact you were a finalist is something we are very proud of! xx
Thanks Mum. I think you’re my biggest fan! :D xxx
It was such a great weekend but I am still recovering from it – am shattered and I didn’t even have to do anything stressful like public speaking! It was fab to finally meet you and to find out that you really are as lovely as I imagined. Here’s to next year’s conference (and another trip to London – it’s exciting just being there!) x
Aw thank you! It was fabulous to meet you too Mary! :) Yes, here’s to next year, although it might take me a year to receover from this one! :D x
As Bon Jovi is unlikely to be on tour again next year I might make it this time! ;o) Would love to finally meet you all.
Very happy for you that you had such a great time and yes, as an expat myself I do understand you!! xx
That would be great! :) xx
Such a shame I couldn’t make it this year, I would have loved to have met up with you. Glad your stint on the food panel went well and you had a great weekend.
Thank you. Hopefully next year? :)
Highlight of the weekend meeting you after so long! You are ace. Next time – more time.
Likewise! And next year, definitely! I will be more organised and not book flights for the wrong dates so I am not rushing around like an idiot! :D xx
oh scary! 45 mins! I take my hat off to you, I’d have been terrified! Sorry about the award, but sounds like you had a great time and packed loads into a few days. Have the kids finished the jelly beans? I was challenged to a game of JB roulette, and picked the vomit one on my second go…SO vile ;\
Thank you! I really didn’t mind not winning, it was great to be a finalist! There are a few of the really horrible flavours left not surprisingly! Revolting!!
Well done, brave girl, great photo
Thank you! It was a great weekend! :) x
Awesome shot of the clouds from the plane – I was quite pleased with mine until I saw yours!! One day maybe I will be allowed to go to Britmums – OH does not approve of this blogging lark really so deems it grounds for divorce practically but I think he is slowly coming round! Oh and I had no idea you were the food round up editor for Britmums – you learn something new every day!
But it’s the future! You should just book a ticket and tell him you’re doing something else! :D