I loved last Saturday – I have been too busy to update the blog regularly this last week, now I have some time and am trying to get posting so that as of tomorrow we fall back into real time, otherwise we will still be ‘in April’ by May!
Saturday 12th April, was such a busy day that I ended up suffering hot flushes and had to have a powernap to make it through!
My day started early (which is a miracle in itself – as many weekends I am not awake until the afternoon) but it was the start of my Easter holidays and the pressure of work has disappeared. I have been awake most days between 7-8. It was closer to 9.30 when I woke up which didn’t give me long to make a decision and drive to the train station. Especially as I had to pack a bag for an overnight weekend too!
I took a train into Birmingham, reading through my set on the 20minute journey. Making it in good time to the Urban Coffee House and Najma’s Exhibition. 
Read all about it here. Female Force
Female Force was the opening exhibition launch event for Najma Hush a.k.a Photogiraffe.
I couldn’t stay for the whole event unfortunately as it didn’t finish until 1.30pm and I was due in 
The Hive, 30 miles away at this time.
I told Ian about the event at the WWM Meeting on Thursday, I knew the travel time would be tight, had I stayed on the train I may have made it in time, but we went to a party in the evening and I needed my car.
I work for Writing West Midlands as an Assistant Writer, once a month in The Hive (library) with Young Writers – 12-16 year old age group.
I just made it in time for the Writing Group, it was fun to tell the kids where I had been, especially as this week Ian asked me to share my poetry with them. We were looking at role-play and dialogue, I had intended to write a poem especially for the group. Clearly there was no time. They seemed to enjoy the two I shared.
We had a great meeting, they really enjoyed the role play and drama, Ian is great about me having more input – he knows my intention to become a lead writer (even though I have just agreed to do another full year (academic year) as an assistant writer with Ian), it will be great experience. Next month we have a change of venue into the studio and there was mention of a murder mystery, I hope to help Ian with some practical activities/ideas for our next session.
After the meeting I raced around the shops to buy Claire cards and a present – as we were going to her 40th – a buffet and band at a local pub. I couldn’t find a suitable card in time, so I tried to pick one up in town when I had driven back there. I ended up with the PERFECT one! She is as close to 40 as a 30 year old and all the cards seemed more appropriate for people over 70 – I found one that perfectly matched our birthday wishes for her – which were basically fulfilled that night. It was a great party and the band ‘Happy Accident’ were absolutely amazing, all covers, lots of Kings of Leon and it was great fun – especially all of us dancing together.
The sad thing was they bought a tray of mini desserts out that we didn’t know about – having moved around to the dance floor and Stewart had made a custom peanut cake that none of the staff could find the next day – when we all really needed the sugar!
It was a late night 1.30 am and in the morning we got up early, just after 8, as that was the original plan. We ended up staying until teatime. I had a great morning in the garden, in the sun, with Mr G and 4 of our close friends. Eventually there was talk of pubs and all day breakfasts, several trips to the shops to stock up on fridge drinks. We did all make it to the pub by 3 – they were serving carvery by then, a Sunday Roast would have been PERFECT – but we were a little cash negative after the bar bill from the birthday party the night before.
Eventually we made it home, close to 6pm to share a lovely evening together after a fabulous (tiring) weekend!
awritersfountain 