2015 - A review in pictures

For me 2015 has mixed feelings, Ive had some really high points and some absolutely fantastic times and then there has been times I've just wanted to kick 2015 right in the balls and shout "Screw you!!"

Luckily there have been more highs!

First off 2 of my best friends celebrated milestone birthdays which meant two amazing weekends away with some (if a bit drunk) fab memories! I went to 3 Comic Cons (which is a bit of a record for me), I tried some stupidly hot sauce at the Chilli Fest (thanks Martyn), went to the cinema far too many times, learnt how to sail, dealt with sea-sickness (in my own glamorous way), travelled by Southern trains far too many times and found out for reals how unreliable they are!, Got another tattoo, discovered some new pubs in my area and new ales but best of all I found a new love in running and completed my first 5k....oh and new Star Wars film!!! Squee....


Here are some of my fave photos:

Seeing the New Year in at Universal Studois, Florida

2nd HP studio tours visit!!

Skating around Goodwood motor circuit

Day out in Brighton for Sue's 40th

Getting absolutely soaked at the Americas Cup

Me and my fellow crewmates

Finishing my first 5k

Halloween 2015

Jen's 30th Birthday - sadly we were a Unicorn down

It has certainly been a mish mosh year and what better way to end it than watching Episode VII again!! (Roll on NYE) Whoop whoop! Here's to 2016.

Thanks to my amazing friends and family for yet another awesome year and Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Getting the hang of these selfies....

PS. Congratulations to my hardworking fellow Unicorns who have all be studying hard (and still are) for various things this year, all three of you are amazing and an absolute inspiration. Love you all xoxo

Flo Vs Running

Who would've thought that I would love something as much as I love running?!? Up until 6 months ago I hardly moved around in my seat never mind on my feet and now Im running for over 40mins nearly 3 times a week.....
And boy have I noticed the benefits, I dont get out of breath quite so easily when Im out and about with friends, in fact I could probably walk all day if I needed to. My feet dont complain so much when I have been out walking on them for "far too long" but most of all its the change in the way I look and feel that has been the best benefit for me. 2015 hasn't been the best year to me at times but running has really helped me feel good about myself and build up my self confidence again, its also given me the courage to show myself off abit...I've actually gone out and bought dresses to wear, which is so not me!
And why not.....a few photos to show my progress:

From this:

Taken a few weeks before I started running

to this:

Trying to make it look easy, at the finishing line in October

and beyond:

Taken at the end of November with my gorgeous bestie

So what lies ahead for Flo and her running...well Ive been really thinking about this recently, I've tackled the 5k and I think now I need to tackle the 10k..I really think I need to have something to aim for, and after a meeting at work about charity events I found myself saying out loud "I could do a 10k" to then finding it being said out loud to my other work colleagues, to then becoming a reality with me finding a running buddy and a 10k to complete in, the next step is to get us booked in and kick my arse into gear*gulp* Wish me luck!!

"Ink Pain"

Im going to be 40 in just over 3 years (OMG!!) and for a while now I have been contemplating the idea of getting a couple more tattoos before this time arrives. My first (and only) tattoo was back when I was 18 years old, just a small symbol ( I think I found in the corner of an advert in a magazine lol) at the top of my right arm:

Ever since this one I have have wanted another, but 18 years on and still nothing...well until now that is:

Enjoying a little post tatt brekkie

Yep you guessed it, I had to get a Harry Potter themed one, choosing The Deathly Hallows over everything else. Versus (my tattooist, whom by the way was more than happy to point out that he was only 6 years old when I got my first tatt....) has done a fab job making it look like someone has just drawn it on my wrist, he even did a bit of free hand at the end to get the effect.

I love how the "Elder wand" actually looks like a wand aswell

So why The Deathly Hallows, why the heck would you want something that is associated with death?
I'm a massive HP fan and I wanted a tattoo that wasn't quite so obvious, perhaps something that only fellow fans would recognise. I did a bit of research online and saw hundreds (if not thousands) of HP fans had this symbool somewhere on their body so, at first, I was a relunctant to get it done and carried on with some rsearch, however I then came across this post on reddit which perfectly summed up what I wanted my tattoo to be all about.

"One simply uses the symbol to reveal oneself to other believers, in the hope that they might help one with the Quest." - Xenophilius Lovegood

(Also maybe one day I would like to be the "Master of Death" and this will help me in my quest....)

But why a tattoo, that all seems a bit too "forever" for my liking?!?
The Harry Potter books are my most loved and most read books, I've seen the films countless times, visited the theme parks and been on the studio tour several times, own tons of memorabilia and you can bet your bottom dollar I will go and see "The Cursed Child" in London at some point (both parts)......I think its safe to say that this is not a passing fancy. Unlike getting the name of a current boyfriend engraved on your body, permanently, only for the relationship to end, Harry will be with me forever.

Thanks to the handy work of Versus at Asgard piercing and tattoo studios I certainly feel I now have a unique version of the symbol.

Next tattoo is already planned ;-) hopefully I wont make myself wait quite as long to get this one done, I'll be 54 by then....

It's all over.....for now!

Well thats it, sailing is all over for this year. It's quite nice having free weekends again and being able to make plans but Im really going to miss my crew buddies! We had such a laugh and I really hope we can do some more sailing next year.

We've really come together as a team over the last few weeks and although there have been high and low points its definately been one experience I wouldn't change for the world. However, I'm not going to lie, I bloody hated it when we first started out, I couldn't believe I was giving up my only free time to get battered, bruised, thrown around all over the place and, to top it off, shouted at...ALOT! What on earth was I doing? I was literally on the verge of giving it up altogether! After having a good heart to heart with my skipper I decided I would stick it out to the end of the series, this chat followed by a couple of really good weeks and I surprisingly found myself having fun even though I was very much out of my comfort zone.

Having had zero sailing experience I went into this a complete sailing novice and I have had to learn a hell of a lot over the past month.
I have arms like popeye after all the grinding in I have had to endure, I can flake a sail, learnt how important my foulies are, kind of learnt how to tie a bowline (still very much work in progress), I have also roughly learnt where bouys are located in the Solent along with their names (although this will bloody change next year), I discovered that TK Snax in Gosport does the most amazing breakfasts in the history of cafes!!!, and above all else I have learnt to shout back "POLE UP IS OPEN FFS!!"

Something I really need to learn how to understand and brush up on is tides and wind direction....still cant get my head round these.

Our last race was our best yet, finishing just 3 and a half minutes behind the Autumn 2014 Series champs (and our new nemesis!).

Final standings:

 Once racing was over all that was left was for much merriment at the awards ceremony, where although we didnt win any awards for our sailing we managed to pick a couple of winning raffle tickets (which is never a bad thing!)

SO thats it, its all over....well for now anyway, watch this space!

Cinema Rant!!!!!!!

[RANT] I left booking the cinema quite late this week and wasn't able to book our normal aisle seats, this meant there was a chance we would actually have to climb over other people to get to our seats (or actually have to speak to other human beings...). As if this wasn't bad enough when we arrived (just before 8pm for an 8pm showing...NOT late) there were people sat in our seats...wtf? Well actually they had decided that they were going to leave an empty seat between them and the people next to them therefore sitting in one of our seats. Why do people do this and think its ok? They had to book allocated seats when they bought their tickets, regardless of whether it was a few days in advanced or just before the showing started why wouldn't the seats next to them also be booked? Especially when the film you are seeing has only been out for a week and is still extremely popular with a sold out theatre.
Please if you do this don't moan when people ask you to move along, all too often this happens. Allocated means ALLOCATED not "allocated but ofcourse just sit where ever the f*** you want!!!" This is a massive pet peeve people stop doing it!!

Also whilst Im having a bit of a cinema rant, Star Wars....I have avoided the latest trailer like the plague. Ofcourse I will be going to go see The Force Awakens when it is released next month, possibly several times... I dont need it trailed at the beginning of every film I go see at the cinema to convince me. Seriously, my relationship with SW is like Leia and Han Solo: I say "I love you" SW simply replies "I know".
You dont need to convince me to see it I'm already there! (that said I did pee my pants a little when I saw the opening to the trailer, oh God is it December 18th yet?).

[/RANT]

Great South Run 5K

I came, I saw and I conquered! My first 5k run was an absolute blast. It's all a bit of a blur to be honest. Here I am getting ready at the start:

The first kilometre went well but as I got to the marker I started to get stitch, super frustrating! This made kilometres 2 and 3 difficult but by the time I past 3km I was in my groove. The last 2k flew by and as I found out on Sunday I totally blew my PB out of the water with my official timing being 41 minutes 09secs and I still had the strength to go on. 

Here's a very proud Flo with her shiny first medal. 

And who knows perhaps the first of many...

Official Photos of me finishing are on the website, once I have my grubby hands on some I will post them here.

Beerfies

Yes, *Beerfies...I am fed up with the "normal" selfies (and as my friends all know I am rubbish at taking them), plus ever since Apple decided I needed a "selfie" folder (aka "The folder of horror") on my iPhone I thought Id fill it up with Beerfies... 

And what exactly is a beerfie? I hear you cry!! Simples...Beer + Selfies:

I've not long returned from a relaxing weekend away up North in Skegness and took the opportunity to visit several pubs in the area (and why the heck not).

Traditionally, Dad and I choose a day to go on a pub crawl, each year we try new pubs and slowly our crawl is getting more and more stops. Some pubs make it to the "permanent" list and others are put on the "never again" list. To be honest Im not sure there are many more pubs left to try between Ingoldmells and Skegness but we are building up a nice list now.

One of my favourite stop offs has to be The Countryman in Ingoldmells, it has its own microbrewery round the back and therefore always has real ale on tap when ever you visit (traditional pub grub too!!) I think its also privately owned so no brewery in charge here! If you are ever up that way I would highly recommend it.

I also tried to take the oppprtunity to take several of these photos...and failed:

The first two are the same pub but different drinks but I think the last two are same beer and same pub....whoops! Must try harder next time and maybe not get so drunk.....

*these were originally called Belifies until I discovered this website

I finally did it!!

With only 4 days to go until my first 5k event, I finally cracked running continuously for 5km. Each run, recently, has been getting me closer to my target, with my run on Sunday being 4.5km but today I actually managed to push myself to do the full length:

It was slow and steady but Im really REALLY pleased with and proud of myself.

Recently I had been finding it hard to push myself to just go that little extra bit of distance but today it just kind of happened, I just ran without thinking and listened to my music.
I had been getting concerned that I hadn't yet covered 5K and thought there is no way I will be able to do it on Saturday but now I feel ready and can start looking forward to it. One more run on Thursday then rest on Friday ready for Saturday morning...OMG!!!

I guess after Saturday Ill be looking at going for the next step 10 whole kilometeres...eeek! But let's get Saturday out the way first shall we...?

I am Sailing....further update!!

With only 3 racing days left to the end of the season (well 2 for me ;-) ) We have had some mid-season results through:

We are currently standing in 6th place, not to shabby for a bunch of noobs! And during the last race I was in we had the leaders (and last years winners) panicking as we nearly over took them! 

There has been blood, sweat, tears, shouting and ALOT of bruises:

this knee actually swelled up for a bit.....

Thankfully there have been no injuries out at sea so far *touch wood* but I did have to carry out first aid after the second day of races when one of my fellow shipmates tripped over a cleat at Jemannas birth and scraped all his knee. SO. Much. Blood!!

I have 2 races tomorrow, with the following Saturday off (for my 5k) and the final racing day is the 31st with the results and awards ceremony being afterwards we might not be looking at winning anything but we will deffo be celebrating getting through the whole thing !!

Run Florence! Run!

Ok so my nickname isn't really short for Florence but I thought it fitted in better than "Karen" or "Floradorable"....

Anyway, for the first few months of this year I had been seriously thinking about doing something to improve my health and fitness, basically I was fed up with going on walks and getting outpuffed and tired not to mention worrying about all those ruddy hills....

I dont have a lot of spare cash so I needed it to be something that didnt cost a lot but I could easily have acces too. I started to consider running...I downloaded the NHS C25K app and it sat on my phone for weeks, then in mid May I watched a friend complete a 10k run, watching made me realise that people of all shapes, sizes and levels of fitness were able and willing to run in these events, I had no excuse! And so this truely inspired me to go for it. I decided to stop browsing sportsdirect.com and actually purchase some running shoes and other bits and bobs.

Before I knew it I found myself on the late May bank holiday, finally starting up the running app. 

Week one seemed so daunting with its 5 minute brisk warm up walk, followed by repititions of 60 seconds of running and 90 seconds of walking for 20 minutes..PAH!!! that all seems so long ago now as I have progressed so much and surprisingly so quickly, I'm now running for atleast 30 minutes straight, covering just over 2 miles on each run. My fitness levels have already improved and Im getting comments abot the weight I have lost!

I really can not believe the progress I have made in such a short space of time. The other month I completed the C25K app (yay!) and Im now running without the support of Laura. I absolutely love it, so much so I have signed up for my first 5k run in October..although I actually did that before I graduated AND I still need to crack running a full 5k.....GO FLO!!!!

I am Sailing - First race down!!

Apologies for the lateness of this update oh and lack of nautical terms (Im still learning)....but we did it, it was full on, hard work and Im covered in bruises but we completed our first race as a crew!!!

Saturday morning got off to a bit of a shaky start as the cafe we were meeting in for brekkie was closed, luckily this was not the only cafe in Gosport, instead of a pulled pork burger I had a full hearty english breakfast in Ashton's which was so so good....

Yum Yum!!

Breakfast was also an opportunity for me to meet my fellow crewmen for the first time....

A bit later than scheduled we headed out around 10.15ish for a practice run but alas there was no wind, we managed to run through a few points but decided to stop for a quick pint and some lunch on the Island around 12.30ish. Slightly disheartened we debriefed over a pint and discussed what the next plan of action would be.

Time for Beer and a debrief

lovely day for fishing

Determined not to be beaten by the lack of weather (which bee tee dubs would have been perfect for fishing), we headed back out after lunch and ran through some tacking, we even managed to get the spinnaker up for a little while (and felt awesome).

I was completely pooped by the time I got home on Saturday night, I had spent most of the day feeling a bit like a spare part, not knowing what to do and where to be at certain points. However Sunday was a whole different ball game....








Sunday morning began with a Costa Coffee and bacon and egg sarnie (yum) followed by an hour wait for the race to start as once again the wind was being shy. However this wait meant we had time for a quick crew photo:

my selfies were rubbish so here's one taken by a professional...

and some snacks....monster munch and honeycombe Club biscuits!!

Finally the race was underway, we were doing it we were actually in our first race. It was so exciting and although there wasn't much weather from mine point of view this meant I could be eased into the whole thing.

Several "Ready about!"s, some fab tactical maneuvers and 1hr 38 minutes later we had finished our first race and come first in our class (iirc). To celebrate we decided we would attempt to put up the spinaker again and proudly show off Jemmana's colours, now this was an experience and a half and so interesting to watch:

Finally the "Competent Crew" book given to me, all those months ago, is starting to make some kind of sense. I've still a lot to learn but Im very much looking forward to our next race on Saturday...sorry what was that? 2 RACES?!? Why dont mind if I do :-)

Oh and Ive emailed TK Snax to make sure they are open this week, you'll be relieved to know they are!!

I am Sailing - Tomorrow's the big day.....

This time last year I was psyching myself up ready for a Zombie Encounter...I was terrified, the experience scared the crap out of me and now I just look back and laugh at the whole bloody thing and think "what an idiot!", it was a brilliant night out.

This year however I'm psyching myself up ready for my first day of sailing...I am seriously bricking it, this is so completely out of my comfort zone. What is it about this time of year??....

So 8am, Saturday morning, we are meeting up for brekkie, will be out on the water by 9.30ish for a spot of training. Lunchtime we will head over to the island for a pint, some lunch and a debrief, then get back to it brushing up on any skills we are not happy about. Hopefully by the afternoon things will be starting to sink in (err not literally though!) and begin to click :-)

Yes, Im nervous, Yes this is all new and out of my comfort zone but you know what? I am genuinely looking forward to it and just really want to get out there now and do it! BRING IT ON!!....*gulp*

WISH ME LUCK!!!

I am sailing - an update

Well things are in full swing in preperation for our first meet.

Jemmana is currently out of the water having her bottom cleaned ;-) and various other bits and bobs sorted, she will be back in the water around the 4th September ready for training to start on the 12th.

However, *gulp* my first day out will not be until the following weekend of the 19th, with our first "friendly race" being the very next day... Bart's Bash . This is also the biggest sailing event in the world with boats racing at various venues around the world and usually has record breaking turn outs. Im not scared, nope not me!!

The weekend after is the start of the Portsmouth Regatta which is usually 5 - 6 consecutive Saturdays of sailing. A massive commitment but one everyone is up for!

I was taken shopping the other day to buy some boots and gloves, just got to get my sexy thermals and thick socks and Im pretty much good to go.
I do love new ventures which involve whole new wardrobes.....


So with just 25 days until Bart's Bash I had better get cracking with my knots and sailing terms.....oh God.....

The 3 Amigos

Its seems to have become a bit of a tradition for my friends and I to attend The Great Dorset Chilli Festival each year, and why not? Lots of chilli infused food to try, a fab beer tent where the beer is not over priced and there is plenty of choice, lovely friendly vendors to chat with, lots of goodies to take home and eat in the evening and the chillis just get hotter each year..what's not to love?

Last year we all returned with Sombreros but this year we found something a little bit more special...this year we came home with some additional friends too, people meet The 3 Amigos...:

From left to right: Cesar, Pedro and Sergio

Lovingly nicknamed "The Chilli Willies", they were just too cute and we couldn't resist besides the stall selling them only had these guys left it was too sad to leave them behind...although I really wish I had some little instruments for them to play...!

Pedro (my Chilli Willy) will be going almost everywhere with me. Already the photo sharing has begun between the three of us.

Pictures will be taken, fun will be had and laughter will be heard as we embark on Mission Chilli Willy (yep I just totally made that up) going where no knitted chilli has gone before. I'm thinking Pedro might be up for a bit of photobombing!!

p.s mine has the best moustache!!

Flo Vs The America's Cup

How excited were we all when it was announced earlier this year that the America's Cup was coming to Portsmouth in July? only a lot!! Plus when they also announced that there would be free tickets available to locals to access the Waterfront Arena I was straight on the website ordering my tickets. In hindsight I wish I had got tickets for both Saturday and Sunday but alas I do not have a crystal ball and could not forsee the horrific weather that was due to come our way on Sunday 26th July 2015....

We awoke at the crack of dawn and got the 7.45am bus to the Gosport Ferry, we arrived Pompey side around 8.30ish and headed straight for the seafront. 
When we left Gosport the weather wasn't too bad however by the time we got to Southsea it was already windy and absolutely chucking it down with rain, we were already soaked so stopped in a cafe for a quick brew and a chance to warm up. We arrived at the gates at around 9.40 to be advised that todays racing had been bought forward 90 minutes to midday to try to avoid the worst of the weather.

10am they opened the gates and everyone rushed forward, nobody even checked our tickets and we were told we would be asked for these once we were "inside" anyway as we discovered the only area they appeared to be checking for tickets was the entrance to the "VIP area" and "Fanzone arena" no one ever asked us if we had tickets.

Wanting to get out of the rain we decided to have a trek around the few shops that were on site, I was hoping to get a poncho of some kind, preferably one that maybe had the America's Cup logo on it so it would also be a souvenir of the day. Finally we managed to find someone selling some, sadly they were just clear omes and not souvenir ones at all, but it was nice to finally have a bit of protection from the wind and rain on the front.

About an hour or so before things were due to start we decided to head to the front and find a good place to watch the first race. We were soaking wet and absolutely freezing but still very excited about watching this event live, we had watched both the races from Saturday live on BT Sports and now could not believe we were going to see Team LandRover BAR in action.....

Drowned rats but still smiling

Dad selfie

      

Unfortunately the weather had other ideas and just kept getting worse, although the rain had finally stopped it was the wind that was the problem, I for one could no longer feel my toes and my hands had turned blue!!, so we decided we would stay for the first race atleast and then head to the pub to warm up and grab some lunch.

Sadly this decision was taken away from us when at around 11.30am it was announced that Health & Safety had shut the site down and we were being evacuated, we couldnt even stay to look around the village. Really REALLY disappointing but the conditions were terrible with winds of up to 30mph. Offical Statement

We left the site (cold, wet and  gutted) and headed off to find a pub to drown our sorrows, Also there was a little bit of hope that maybe...just maybe, the race wouldnt be cancelled and we  could head back to watch it. Unfortunately this was not the case 10 minutes after we arrived at the pub the announcement was made on Twitter that for the safety of the crews and the general public *salutes* racing would be suspended for today. GUTTED but completely understandable!! So we finished our lunch, did a spot of shopping in Southsea and headed home.

Sunday was a pretty disappointing day, but most people we bumped into were in high spirits (like us) and were completly understanding as to why the event had to be cancelled. I for one will not hesitate in getting tickets for next years event when it returns to Portsmouth in July!!

I am sailing

And so as one chapter abruptly comes to a close (sadly one I thought was going to be much longer) another one begins....


Yesterday I got into work and found this little gift on my desk:

Yes you are reading that correctly "Competent crew" (Dont worry I laughed too although mine was possibly more of a nervous laugh....) So apparently I am going to be racing yachts, omg I must be mad, this is not something I have ever done before but I thought what the heck, lets give it a go.

Here's the babe I will be going out on:

This was taken last year and was my first experience of sailing

And here's me taking the whole thing VERY seriously:

Why are Pirates called Pirates? They just arrrrgh!

I currently have mixed feelings on this new venture, Im really excited by it but also very terrified as I have no idea what I am doing, I have a great crew with me though so Im sure this will be a fun new adventure and something else to tick off the "Before I'm 40" list.

So wish me luck on my new venture (God knows Im going to need it) training starts in September and Ill try to keep you up to date with how things are going! Im off to brush up on my nautical terms "Shiver me timbers!"....

TTFN

LFCC 2015

Not much to say about this years event really, just a massive thankyou to Showmasters for putting on yet another amazing Comic Con.

After the manicness (yes that's a word) of last years event I decided to take a step back this year and not book any photoshoots. It was actually really refreshing being able to just mooch around the stalls and soak up the atmosphere without having to clock watch and spend the day going from one queue to the other.

Again, but not as bad as last year,  it was crowded and extremely hot (I went on the Sunday) but this was only in the morning, it really seemed to thin out shortly after lunch (possibly with people heading out for fresh air or maybe, having accomplished everything, they had left for the day). 

I think I saw more this year than I have any other and it was really lovely chatting with some vendors as I made my way around the event spending lots of money. I think the way forward now is if there are any photoshoots I want to do I'm just going to have to do the whole weekend so I can atleast enjoy this event and take it all in my stride.

I have been going to this event for several years now (since 2007 I think) and have watched it grow and get busier year after year, as well as the guests getting bigger and more awesome. Every year this event gets better and better and I consider myself lucky knowing it is just on my doorstep.

I now find myself suffering from a major Comic Con hangover so Im off to book tickets for the Bournemouth Con and also the WinterCon **Happy Happy Joy Joy** 

See y'all there!!!

Going it alone

Back in January I decided to get myself a Cineworld Unlimited Card, £16.40 a month and unlimited cinema viewings as well as many discounts in and around the cinema (Bargain), since then I have seen tons of films and was going once or twice a week.
However recently I found myself without my usual "cinebuddies" and not wanting to drag people to the cinema every week I decided to bite the bullet and see what it was like going on my own. And you know what? It wasnt half bad. Having the freedom to turn up when I wanted, to leave when I wanted and not to have to wait around whilst food/sweets/drinks are purchased. The hardest part was not havig anyone to chat with about the film on the drive home, compare thoughts and judgement.
All in all though it wasnt' as horrific an experience as I initially imagined it to be and Ive already booked for my next solo viewing. 

Time for Flo to be doing things outside of her comfort zone!!

Something new

Welcome back :-) once again I got pretty slack with keeping this up to date let's see if I can stick with it this time.....

So shiny new blog as I thought I needed a fresh start on this and so decided to try something a bit different. Dont worry though all the old posts have been transferred over - no chance of you having missed anything.....

TTFN